Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Graph-Constrained Surface Registration Based on Tutte Embedding

This work presents an efficient method to compute the registration between surfaces with consistent graph constraints based on Tutte graph embedding. Most natural objects have consistent anatomical structures, extracted as i-somorphic feature graphs. For genus zero surfaces with ≥ 1 boundaries, the graphs are planar and usually 3-connected. By using Tutte embedding, each feature graph is embedded as a convex subdivision of a planar convex domain. Using the convex subdivision as constraint, surfaces are mapped onto convex subdivision domains and the registration is then computed over them. The computation is based on constrained harmonic maps to minimize the stretching energy, where curvy graph constraints become linear ones. This method is theoretically rigorous. The algorithm solves sparse linear systems and is computationally efficient and robust. The resulting mappings are proved to be unique and diffeomorphic. Experiments on various facial surface data demonstrate its efficiency and practicality.
An Efficient MATLAB Algorithm for Graph Partitioning Technical Report

This report describes a graph partitioning algorithm based on spectral factorization that can be implemented very efficiently with just a hand full of MATLAB commands. The algorithm is closely related to the one proposed by Phillips and Kokotović [3] for state-aggregation in Markov chains. The appendix contains a MATLAB script that implements the algorithm. 1 Graph partitioning Consider an undirected graph G = (V, E) with vertex set V and edge set E, together with a positive edgecost function c : E → [0,∞). A k-partition of V is a collection P = {V1, V2, . , Vk} of k disjoint subsets of V , whose union equals V . The cost associated with P is defined by C(P) := ∑
Spatially Correlated Content Caching for Device-to-Device Communications

We study optimal geographic content placement for device-to-device (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\mathsf {D2D}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) networks in which each file’s popularity follows the Zipf distribution. The locations of the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\mathsf {D2D}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> users (caches) are modeled by a Poisson point process and have limited communication range and finite storage. Inspired by the Matérn hard-core (type II) point process that captures pairwise interactions between nodes, we devise a novel spatially correlated caching strategy called <italic>hard-core placement</italic> (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\mathsf {HCP}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) such that the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\mathsf {D2D}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> nodes caching the same file are never closer to each other than the <italic>exclusion radius</italic>. The exclusion radius plays the role of a substitute for caching probability. We derive and optimize the exclusion radii to maximize the <italic>hit probability</italic>, which is the probability that a given <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\mathsf {D2D}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> node can find a desired file at another node’s cache within its communication range. Contrasting it with independent content placement, which is used in most prior work, our <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\mathsf {HCP}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> strategy often yields a significantly higher cache hit probability. We further demonstrate that the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\mathsf {HCP}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> strategy is effective for small cache sizes and a small communication radius, which are likely conditions for <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\mathsf {D2D}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>.
Project proposal Automatic extraction and evaluation of MWE : adapting method to French Language Technology : Research and Development

Our project is based on the theme of Multi Word Expressions (MWE) we will focus on the problem of extraction. This task is important for improving lexical resources used for tasks such as tokenization, parsing or translation. In our study we will work on a French corpus. Our aim will be to not only select but also validate automatically which candidates are the true ones. If we have time we will apply our technique to a domain-specific corpora. In this second part we expect to extract not only MWE from the generalist language but also MWE specific to a domain.
Giant magnons in AdS(4) / CFT(3): Dispersion, quantization and finite-size corrections

We study giant magnon solutions in AdS4 \times CP3. We compute quantum corrections to their dispersion relation. We find out that the one--loop correction vanishes in infinite volume. This implies that the interpolating function h(\lambda) between strong and weak coupling regimes does not have a constant term \lambda^0 at strong coupling. We also compute first nonvanishing finite volume correction to the one--loop expression. When compared to the L\"{u}sher formula, our results could provide a nontrivial check of the AdS4 \times CP3 S--matrix proposed recently in arXiv:0807.1924.
In Vivo Biochemical and Gene Expression Analyses of the Antioxidant Activities and Hypocholesterolaemic Properties of Tamarindus indica Fruit Pulp Extract

Background Tamarindus indica (T. indica) is a medicinal plant with many biological activities including anti-diabetic, hypolipidaemic and anti-bacterial activities. A recent study demonstrated the hypolipidaemic effect of T. indica fruit pulp in hamsters. However, the biochemical and molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects have not been fully elucidated. Hence, the aims of this study were to evaluate the antioxidant activities and potential hypocholesterolaemic properties of T. indica, using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Methodology/Principal Findings The in vitro study demonstrated that T. indica fruit pulp had significant amount of phenolic (244.9±10.1 mg GAE/extract) and flavonoid (93.9±2.6 mg RE/g extract) content and possessed antioxidant activities. In the in vivo study, hamsters fed with high-cholesterol diet for ten weeks showed elevated serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C levels. Administration of T. indica fruit pulp to hypercholesterolaemic hamsters significantly lowered serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-C levels but had no effect on the HDL-C level. The lipid-lowering effect was accompanied with significant increase in the expression of Apo A1, Abcg5 and LDL receptor genes and significant decrease in the expression of HMG-CoA reductase and Mtp genes. Administration of T. indica fruit pulp to hypercholesterolaemic hamsters also protected against oxidative damage by increasing hepatic antioxidant enzymes, antioxidant activities and preventing hepatic lipid peroxidation. Conclusion/Significance It is postulated that tamarind fruit pulp exerts its hypocholesterolaemic effect by increasing cholesterol efflux, enhancing LDL-C uptake and clearance, suppressing triglyceride accumulation and inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis. T. indica fruit pulp has potential antioxidative effects and is potentially protective against diet-induced hypercholesterolaemia.
The electrophysiological response to visual symmetry: Hemisphere lateralisation and visual clutter

The experiments reported in this thesis explore the electrophysiological response to visual symmetry. Symmetry is an important visual feature in object recognition and image segmentation that is efficiently processed by the visual system. Neuroimaging and electrophysiological research has provided a greater understanding of how the human brain processes symmetry. ERP research has identified a neural signature for symmetry processing termed the Sustained Posterior Negativity (SPN): Lower amplitude is observed in posterior electrodes for symmetrical than random patterns from around 200ms after stimulus onset. This thesis will address four important and novel questions: (1) Can the SPN be produced independently within each hemisphere? (2) Is right lateralised alpha desynchronisation during regularity discrimination the result of hemisphere specialisation or directed spatial attention? (3) Does visual crowding influence the SPN? and (4) How does figure-ground assignment influence the neural response to symmetry? The current studies show for the first time that the SPN can be produced to stimuli in the periphery with symmetry processed by independent symmetry sensitive networks within each hemisphere. It also offers evidence that the right hemisphere may be specialised for symmetry perception. Moreover, figure-ground assignment and visual crowding are shown to modulate the SPN. Together these experiments highlight that this automatic response to symmetry is processed independently in each hemisphere and is subject to bottom-up stimulus characteristics.
Herpesvirus saimiri‐transformed CD8+ T cells as a tool to study Chediak‐Higashi syndrome cytolytic lymphocytes

Cytolytic CD8+ T lymphocytes are the main cell type involved in the fatal lymphoproliferative‐accelerated phase of the Chediak‐Higashi syndrome (CHS). To generate a cellular tool to study the defects of this T cell subset in vitro, we have used Herpesvirus saimiri, a lymphotropic virus that transforms human T lymphocytes into extended growth and in addition, endows them with natural killer (NK) features. Transformed CHS CD8+ T cells were generated and characterized in comparison with healthy controls. The results showed that transformed CHS T cells maintained the defects described in primary CHS lymphocytes, such as giant secretory lysosomes and impaired NK and T cell receptor/CD3‐induced, perforin‐mediated cytolytic activity [which, however, could be restored after extended culture in the presence of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2)]. Upon activation with phorbol ester plus calcium ionophore or upon extended culture with IL‐2, transformed CHS T cells showed normal, perforin‐independent plasma membrane CD178/CD95L/FasL‐mediated cytolytic activity but negligible secretion of microvesicle‐bound CD95L. Transformed (and primary) CHS T cells were otherwise normal for cytolysis‐independent activation functions, such as proliferation, surface expression of several activation markers including major histocompatibility complex class II, and cytokine or surface activation‐marker induction. Therefore, the CHS protein [CHS1/LYST (for lysosomal traffic regulator)] can be dispensable for certain NK and T cell cytolytic activities of activated CHS CD8+ T lymphocytes, but it seems to be required for microvesicle secretion of CD95L. We conclude that transformed CHS T cells may be useful as a tool to study in vitro the relative role of CHS1/LYST in NK and T lymphocyte cytolysis and antigen presentation.
Towards an effective IT governance structure for organizations in developing economies

The pervasive use of IT is prominent amongst organizations in developing economies. However, there is growing evidence that these economies fail to capitalize on their IT investment to transform their organizations to be competitive both locally and globally. IT-related benefits are possible with appropriate governance of the IT-related resources, and we need to broaden our understanding on the IT governance mechanics suitable for organizations in the developing economies. In this study, we adopted an initial interpretive design to obtain a deeper understanding of the IT governance (ITG) environment and conceptions of the stakeholders on effective IT governance structures for the developing economies. We found that the presence of an IT Strategic Planning Committee, Multiple level of authority, and a Forum for informal discussions as the crucial components of an ITG structure in developing economies.
Optimal information transmission in organizations: search and congestion

We propose a stylized model of a problem-solving organization whose internal communication structure is given by a fixed network. Problems arrive randomly anywhere in this network and must find their way to their respective specialized solvers by relying on local information alone. The organization handles multiple problems simultaneously. For this reason, the process may be subject to congestion. We provide a characterization of the threshold of collapse of the network and of the stock of floating problems (or average delay) that prevails below that threshold. We build upon this characterization to address a design problem: the determination of what kind of network architecture optimizes performance for any given problem arrival rate. We conclude that, for low arrival rates, the optimal network is very polarized (i.e. star-like or centralized), whereas it is largely homogenous (or decentralized) for high arrival rates. These observations are in line with a common transformation experienced by information-intensive organizations as their work flow has risen in recent years.
Advancing Traffic Efficiency and Safety through Software Technology phase 2 ( ATESST 2 ) Report type Deliverable D 2 . 1 Report name State of practice and State of the art

This document is the specification of the domain model for EAST-ADL. The EAST language was originally developed in the EAST-EEA project. In the ATESST and ATESST2 projects, the language was further refined and harmonized with other modeling approach development efforts in the automotive industry such as AUTOSAR. The domain model and UML2 profile of EAST-ADL is defined in two steps: First the domain model is defined, capturing only the domain-specific needs of the language without adding the UML2 details. The basic concepts of UML2 are used for this purpose, such as classes, compositions, and associations. Second, based on the domain model, a UML2 profile for the domain model is defined, specifying stereotypes with properties and constraints. The UML2 profile is specified in a separate document with an associated XMI file ready for use in UML2 tools. This specification and related material are available from the www.atesst.org website. Comments on the content of this document are welcome and should be directed to coordinator@atesst.org.
Economic Links and Predictable Returns

This paper finds evidence of return predictability across economically linked firms. We test the hypothesis that in the presence of investors subject to attention constraints, stock prices do not promptly incorporate news about economically related firms, generating return predictability across assets. Using a data set of firms' principal customers to identify a set of economically related firms, we show that stock prices do not incorporate news involving related firms, generating predictable subsequent price moves. A long–short equity strategy based on this effect yields monthly alphas of over 150 basis points.
Students’ perceptions of the educational usage of a Facebook group

ABSTRACT The arrival of digital native students and the omnipresence of Internet access and mobile devices have motivated professors to reflect on their teaching practices. The educational usage of Facebook includes communication, collaboration, and sharing. Different research designs and the lack of baseline data made it difficult to compare research findings and conclude students’ perceptions of the educational usage of a Facebook group. The findings from this research showed even more positive attitudes towards the educational usage of a Facebook group after the experience. Specifically, positive significant differences were found in “improves communication between teacher and students”, “provides rich multimedia resources and media support to improve the educational experience”; and a negative significant change in “encourages the creation of academic groups (communities) of people with the same interest and needs”.
Threat Detection in an Urban Water Distribution Systems with Simulations Conducted in Grids and Clouds

We present a workflow-based algorithm for identifying threads to an urban water management system. Through Grid computing we provide the necessary high-performance computing resources to deliver quickly solutions to the problem. We prototyped a new middleware called cyberaide, that enables easy access to Grid resources through portals or the command line. A workflow system is used to manage resources in fault tolerant fashion. In addition, we contrast the architecture with a Hadoop implementation. Resources from TeraGrid and FutureGrid are used to test the feasibility of using the toolkit for a scientific application.
Fluid intelligence and brain functional organization in aging yoga and meditation practitioners

Numerous studies have documented the normal age-related decline of neural structure, function, and cognitive performance. Preliminary evidence suggests that meditation may reduce decline in specific cognitive domains and in brain structure. Here we extended this research by investigating the relation between age and fluid intelligence and resting state brain functional network architecture using graph theory, in middle-aged yoga and meditation practitioners, and matched controls. Fluid intelligence declined slower in yoga practitioners and meditators combined than in controls. Resting state functional networks of yoga practitioners and meditators combined were more integrated and more resilient to damage than those of controls. Furthermore, mindfulness was positively correlated with fluid intelligence, resilience, and global network efficiency. These findings reveal the possibility to increase resilience and to slow the decline of fluid intelligence and brain functional architecture and suggest that mindfulness plays a mechanistic role in this preservation.
Using Compliant Actuators in the Mechanical Design of Robots developed at the VUB

For many robotic applications the actuation is a serious problem for the mechanical design. Typically electrical motors are used with a gearbox and high gain PD control to track precisely desired trajectories. Regarding safety this is not interesting because in case of a collision the total inertia of the robot is felt. Also for energy efficiency stiff actuators are not interesting because no motion energy can be stored and released. For the advancement of the new generation of robots, new actuators are important [1]. The biological counterpart is the muscle tendon structure which has functional performance characteristics and a neuro-mechanical control system that has far superior capabilities. One of the key differences of biological systems is their adaptable compliance or variable stiffness. An emerging research field in robotics is the development of such variable impedance actuators. This presentation will present how we implement compliant actuators in different robots. Pleated Pneumatic Artificial Muscles (PPAM) are used in the biped Lucy where strategies to adapt the stiffness to minimize energy consumption were studied. The MACCEPA 2.0 is used in the hopping robot Chobino1D. The AMPfoot is a passive prosthesis equipped with a MACCEPA actuator to store and release motion energy. For safety purposes the robotic manipulator Softarm and the huggable robot Probo are equipped with compliant actuators.
Cache-aware scratchpad allocation algorithm

In the context of portable embedded systems, reducing energy is one of the prime objectives. Most high-end embedded microprocessors include onchip instruction and data caches, along with a small energy efficient scratchpad. Previous approaches for utilizing scratchpad did not consider caches and hence fail for the au courant architecture. In the presented work, we use the scratchpad for storing instructions and propose a generic cache aware scratchpad allocation (CASA) algorithm. We report an average reduction of 8-29% in instruction memory energy consumption compared to a previously published technique for benchmarks from the mediabench suite. The scratchpad in the presented architecture is similar to a preloaded loop cache. Comparing the energy consumption of our approach against preloaded loop caches, we report average energy savings of 20-44%.
High Dimensional Data Mining in Time Series by Reducing Dimensionality and Numerosity

Time series data is sequence of well defined numerical data points in successive order, usually occurring in uniform intervals. In other words a time series is simply a sequence of numbers collected at regular intervals over a period of time. For example the daily prices of a particular stock can be considered as time series dada. Data Mining, also popularly known as Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD), refers to the nontrivial extraction of implicit, previously unknown and potentially useful information from data in databases. Time series databases introduce new aspects and difficulties to data mining and knowledge discovery due to their high dimensionality nature. By using symbolic representation of time series data we reduce their dimensionality and numerosity so as to overcome the problems of high dimensional databases. We can achieve the goal of time series data mining by introducing a representation of time series that is suitable for streaming algorithms.
Working Paper No . 2012 / 31 Aid and Growth Accelerations Vulnerability Matters

This paper confronts three conundrums. First, does the relationship between aid and growth fade over time when aid is successful? Second, why are aid inflows neglected in the literature on growth acceleration (or episodes). Third, why is country vulnerability overlooked in the same literature? Our purpose is to address these puzzles, and in doing so two hypotheses are formulated and tested. First, we assume that aid can have a positive (catalytic) effect on the launching of growth episodes, as well as on their duration. Second, we assume that this effect is all the more significant with the intensity of the exogeneous shocks the country faces. Econometric tests do not reject these hypotheses. The paper first considers the origin of the puzzles and explains the hypotheses presented as the answer, and then introduces the models used to test these. Finally, it assesses the results and their implications. Once again, it appears that vulnerability does matter with regard to the impact of aid on both the probability of an occurrence of growth spells and on their duration.
Hyperspectral band referencing based on correlation structure

Hyperspectral imaging has been widely studied in many applications; notably in climate changes, vegetation, and desert studies. However, such kind of imaging brings a huge amount of data, which requires transmission, processing, and storage resources for both airborne and space borne imaging. Compression of hyperspectral data cubes is an effective solution for these problems. Lossless compression of the hyperspectral data usually results in low compression ratio, which may not meet the available resources; on the other hand, lossy compression may give the desired ratio, but with a significant degradation effect on object identification performance of the hyperspectral data. Moreover, most hyperspectral data compression techniques exploits the similarities in spectral dimensions; which requires bands reordering or regrouping, to make use of the spectral redundancy. In this paper, we analyze the spectral cross correlation between bands for AVIRIS and Hyperion hyperspectral data; spectral cross correlation matrix is calculated, assessing the strength of the spectral matrix, and finally, we propose new technique to find highly correlated groups of bands in the hyperspectral data cube based on “inter band correlation square” referencing.