Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Placing Objects in Gesture Space: Toward Incremental Interpretation of Multimodal Spatial Descriptions

When describing routes not in the current environment, a common strategy is to anchor the description in configurations of salient landmarks, complementing the verbal descriptions by "placing" the non-visible landmarks in the gesture space. Understanding such multimodal descriptions and later locating the landmarks from real world is a challenging task for the hearer, who must interpret speech and gestures in parallel, fuse information from both modalities, build a mental representation of the description, and ground the knowledge to real world landmarks. In this paper, we model the hearer's task, using a multimodal spatial description corpus we collected. To reduce the variability of verbal descriptions, we simplified the setup to use simple objects as landmarks. We describe a real-time system to evaluate the separate and joint contribution of the modalities. We show that gestures not only help to improve the overall system performance, even if to a large extent they encode redundant information, but also result in earlier final correct interpretations. Being able to build and apply representations incrementally will be of use in more dialogical settings, we argue, where it can enable immediate clarification in cases of mismatch.
TeX in an Industrial Environment

During its first decade, T E X has been at home mainly in the academic world. Therefore it comes as a surprise to find that it has been spreading into industry during the last few years, and we try to outline some highlights of this development first. Then criteria for an industrial environment application area and reasons for using the structured document processing approach are discussed. It is shown what role T E X can play in an integrated document processing environment, and this role is exemplified by a case study from application at EDS
An Analysis of Students' Questions in MOOCs Forums

When learners become frustrated or confused, they can ask for help by posing questions in MOOCs forums. Students’ questions reveal their needs and learning problems. If not answered timely and effectively, they may drop out. In the present study, students’ questions from one Chinese MOOCs forum were collected and classified. Results showed that most of the posts in the forum were questions and the quantity of questions decreased over time although in some weeks the number of questions increased. Different types of questions have their own variation characteristics which means that the instructors need to focus on certain types of questions in the corresponding period.
Antenna Array Absolute Self-Calibration and Application to Separate Tx/Rx Array Full Duplex MIMO

Full Duplex communication is one of the promising candidate technologies for 5G. As is well known, the key challenge is the mitigation of self interference at the receiver of the Full Duplex system from its own transmitter. With separate transmit (Tx) and Receive (Rx) antenna arrays, the transmitter can beamform in such a manner as to minimize the self interference. The number of constraints this poses on the Tx beamformer would be limited if the internal MIMO channel between Tx and Rx arrays would have limited rank. Hence, in this work, we focus on characterizing the internal channel between antenna subsets of an array. An impediment to the determination of the internal propagation channel is that the estimated (digital domain) channel also involves the impact of the Tx and Rx front ends. Hence, it becomes necessary to estimate these absolute (Tx and Rx) calibration parameters as well, for which we propose two approaches. In a first approach, we assume a parameterized path loss based model for the internal propagation channel and estimate in an alternating fashion the calibration and path loss parameters. In the second approach, we exploit the symmetry of the MIMO propagation channel and temporal variation of the calibration parameters to estimate all unknowns without any further model assumptions. We provide a measurement based comparison between the different estimation approaches and apply the calibration to exhibit the singular value profile of full duplex MIMO internal propagation channels in our testbed. The proposed absolute self-calibration has, of course, many other applications such as for the antenna array manifold in Direction-of- Arrival (DoA) estimation and DoA based beamforming.
What Drives the Return on CMBS?

Despite the significance of commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) as one of the fastest growing asset classes and the increasing interest in CMBS by institutional investors, available empirical evidence on CMBS is lacking. This article sheds light on the investment performance of CMBS, the driving forces behind CMBS return variability, and the relative importance of these variables in predicting CMBS returns. Using monthly data for the Lehman Brothers fixed income indices from January 1997 to June 2006, the author finds that mean return and total risk-adjusted return on investment-grade and high-yield CMBS clearly dominate those on investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds, Treasuries, and stocks. The autor uses a structural vector autoregressive (VAR) model to examine what drives the excess returns on CMBS and how. Impulse response analysis suggests that the growth in industrial production, inflation rate, change in 30-year mortgage rate, change in term structure spread, and excess return on the S&P 500 all have a significant and inverse contemporaneous effects on the excess returns on investment-grade and high-yield CMBS. Variance decomposition reveals that the change in mortgage rate and the term structure spread together explain 57% and 44% of the variance in investment-grade and high-yield CMBS excess returns, respectively. Changes in the amount of CMBS issuance show a significant negative lag effect on CMBS excess returns. The required returns on CMBS are positively driven by the changes in credit spread, but this positive effect is much stronger for high-yield CMBS than for investment-grade CMBS.
Operational security at high penetrations of stochastic, non-synchronous generation

As levels of stochastic, non-synchronous renewable generation (wind, wave and solar) significantly increase, system operators are faced with many new operational challenges. Consequently, there is a growing need to create flexible operational strategies based on near-real-time system assessment. This paper presents an outline of the operational challenges arising from stochastic, non-synchronous generation, as well as the tools which can be used to cost-effectively enhance operational security.
Propagation of biases in humidity in the estimation of global irrigation water

Abstract. Future projections on irrigation water under a changing climate are highly dependent on meteorological data derived from general circulation models (GCMs). Since climate projections include biases, bias correction is widely used to adjust meteorological elements, such as the atmospheric temperature and precipitation, but less attention has been paid to biases in humidity. Hence, in many cases, uncorrected humidity data have been directly used to analyze the impact of future climate change. In this study, we examined how the biases remaining in the humidity data of five GCMs propagate into the estimation of irrigation water demand and consumption from rivers using the global hydrological model (GHM) H08. First, to determine the effects of humidity bias across GCMs, we ran H08 with GCM-based meteorological forcing data sets distributed by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISI-MIP). A state-of-the-art bias correction method was applied to the data sets without correcting biases in humidity. Differences in the monthly relative humidity amounted to 11.7 to 20.4 % RH (percentage relative humidity) across the GCMs and propagated into differences in the estimated irrigation water demand, resulting in a range between 1152.6 and 1435.5 km3 yr−1 for 1971–2000. Differences in humidity also propagated into future projections. Second, sensitivity analysis with hypothetical humidity biases of ±5 % RH added homogeneously worldwide revealed the large negative sensitivity of irrigation water abstraction in India and East China, which are heavily irrigated. Third, we performed another set of simulations with bias-corrected humidity data to examine whether bias correction of the humidity can reduce uncertainties in irrigation water across the GCMs. The results showed that bias correction, even with a primitive methodology that only adjusts the monthly climatological relative humidity, helped reduce uncertainties across the GCMs: by using bias-corrected humidity data, the uncertainty ranges of irrigation water demand across the five GCMs were successfully reduced from 282.9 to 167.0 km3 yr−1 for the present period, and from 381.1 to 214.8 km3 yr−1 for the future period (RCP8.5, 2070–2099). Although different GHMs have different sensitivities to atmospheric humidity because different types of potential evapotranspiration formulae are implemented in them, bias correction of the humidity should be applied to forcing data, particularly for the evaluation of evapotranspiration and irrigation water.
The Succession Process from a Resource- and Knowledge-Based View of the Family Firm

A major challenge facing the family firm is the succession process. One reason for this challenge might involve the successor's ability to acquire the predecessor's key knowledge and skills adequately to maintain and improve the organizational performance of the firm. This paper uses two theoretical approaches from the strategic management field to explore this critical process and analyze how it can be managed effectively: the resource-based theory of the firm and the emergent knowledge-based view. This conceptual framework provides a powerful tool for understanding the nature and transfer of knowledge within the family business, which becomes the basis for developing competitive advantage over nonfamily businesses.
Efficacy of Tetrandrine on Lowering Intraocular Pressure in Animal Model With Ocular Hypertension

PurposeTo compare the efficacy of topical tetrandrine (an alkaloid isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Radix Stephania tetrandrae S) and timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution on lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP) in ocular normotensive and hypertensive rats. MethodsThe experiment was designed as 2 parts. In the first part, normal male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups followed by topical administration once of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% tetrandrine, and 0.5% timolol in the right eye, 0.9% saline was administered once at the opposite eye as control. In the second part, the ocular hypertension model was induced unilaterally in the rats by a diode laser treatment. Twice daily applications of the above drugs were delivered to hypertensive eyes. The control group was administered 0.9% saline. The TonoPen XL tonometer was used to determine the IOP levels. ResultsNo lowering effect on IOP was detected in the normotensive rats treated with tetrandrine whereas timolol significantly reduced IOP in normotensive eyes. Both tetrandrine and timolol significantly reduced the IOP levels in the hypertensive eyes compared with the levels in the saline-treated groups. All concentrations of tetrandrine used in this study showed significant reduction of IOP in the laser-induced hypertensive eyes. Tetrandrine 0.3% had a similar efficacy as 0.5% timolol in reducing elevated IOP in ocular hypertensive eyes. ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that tetrandrine has a major effect on lowering IOP levels in the ocular hypertension rat model. The functional mechanisms of tetrandrine require further investigation.
Miniaturization of microstrip slot antenna using SRR and CSRR loading

The design of a miniaturized slot antenna based on SRR and CSRR loading is presented. The SRR and CSRR were properly placed to get excited by the electromagnetic fields of the slot antenna. The miniaturization was done with out increasing lateral or longitudinal dimensions of the existing antenna. A miniaturization of approximately 22% is achieved. The radiation characteristics of the miniaturized antenna are almost similar to that of the unloaded slot with low cross polarization levels. The resonance frequency of slot antenna was brought down from 4.2 GHz to 3.3 GHz with loading. The simulations were carried out using the ANSYS HFSS.
Disjunctive comparison: citizenship and trade unionism in Bolivia and Argentina

In this essay I undertake an ethnographic analysis of the notion of comparison through a discussion of comparative research on the role of trade unions in the constitution of citizenship in El Alto, Bolivia, and in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Based on fieldwork with street traders in El Alto and public-sector workers in Buenos Aires, the essay introduces the notion of ‘disjunctive comparison’ as an intrinsically anthropological mode of comparison. The article then puts into play my propositions about the specificity and validity of disjunctive comparison, by way of an ethnographic exploration of union membership as a creation of self and political agency. I conclude by connecting that analysis of self and political agency to citizenship in my two fieldwork sites. Resume Le present essai constitue une analyse ethnographique de la notion de comparaison a travers l'examen d'une recherche comparative sur le role des syndicats dans la constitution de la citoyennetea El Alto, en Bolivie, et a Buenos Aires en Argentine. A partir d'un travail de terrain mene aupres des marchands de rue a El Alto et des employes du secteur public a Buenos Aires, l'auteure introduit la notion de « comparaison disjonctive » comme mode de comparaison intrinsequement anthropologique. L'article met ensuite en application ses propositions sur la specificite et la validite de la comparaison disjonctive, par le biais d'une exploration ethnographique de l'appartenance syndicale comme mode de creation du soi et de l'agenceite politique. L'auteure conclut en reliant cette analyse du soi et de l'agencya la citoyennete sur ses deux sites de terrain.
High-Density Fiber Optical Sensor and Instrumentation for Gas Turbine Operation Condition Monitoring

Gas turbine operation control is normally based on thermocouple-measured exhaust temperatures. Due to radiation shielding and bulky package, it is difficult to provide high spatial resolution for measuring can-to-can combustion temperature profile at the exhaust duct. This paper has demonstrated that wavelength-division-multiplexing-based fiber Bragg grating sensors could provide high spatial resolution steady and dynamic temperature measurements. A robust sensor package can be designed with either circumferential sensing cable or radial sensing rake for quasi-distributing multiple fiber sensors in the gas turbine environment. The field validations have demonstrated that quasi-distributed fiber sensors have not only demonstrated its temperature measurement accuracy compared to existing thermocouple sensors but also shown its unique dynamic response amplitude and power spectra that could be utilized for gas turbine transient operation condition monitoring and diagnostics.
Disturbance observer based consensus control for higher order multi-agent systems with mismatched uncertainties

A robust consensus controller is proposed for heterogeneous higher order nonlinear multi-agent systems (MAS), when the agent dynamics are potentially affected by mismatched uncertainties. A distributed consensus protocol based on finite time disturbance observer(FTDO) and sliding mode control is designed to realize the network consensus of higher order MAS. The control law can be used to solve the homogeneous as well as heterogeneous consensus problem simultaneously, where some agents have different nonlinear dynamics. FTDO is designed to estimate the uncertainties. The use of FTDO allows to neglect the effect of mismatched uncertainties during the sliding mode. For dismissing the chattering phenomenon and finite time convergence of the sliding surface, control law is designed using the super twisting algorithm. Finally numerical simulations are given to illustrate the validity of the proposed method.
E3L and F1L Gene Functions Modulate the Protective Capacity of Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Immunization in Murine Model of Human Smallpox

The highly attenuated Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) lacks most of the known vaccinia virus (VACV) virulence and immune evasion genes. Today MVA can serve as a safety-tested next-generation smallpox vaccine. Yet, we still need to learn about regulatory gene functions preserved in the MVA genome, such as the apoptosis inhibitor genes F1L and E3L. Here, we tested MVA vaccine preparations on the basis of the deletion mutant viruses MVA-ΔF1L and MVA-ΔE3L for efficacy against ectromelia virus (ECTV) challenge infections in mice. In non-permissive human tissue culture the MVA deletion mutant viruses produced reduced levels of the VACV envelope antigen B5. Upon mousepox challenge at three weeks after vaccination, MVA-ΔF1L and MVA-ΔE3L exhibited reduced protective capacity in comparison to wildtype MVA. Surprisingly, however, all vaccines proved equally protective against a lethal ECTV infection at two days after vaccination. Accordingly, the deletion mutant MVA vaccines induced high levels of virus-specific CD8+ T cells previously shown to be essential for rapidly protective MVA vaccination. These results suggest that inactivation of the anti-apoptotic genes F1L or E3L modulates the protective capacity of MVA vaccination most likely through the induction of distinct orthopoxvirus specific immunity in the absence of these viral regulatory proteins.
Intangible asset knowledge

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the culmination of an engineering concept of a knowledge valuation system that identifies the name of intangible assets.Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs the methodology or approach of identifying or naming intangible assets within the business environment.Findings – The paper finds that knowing what to capture is fundamental to alignment with measures and indicators inherent in a business operational data.Originality/value – The paper tackles the elusiveness of intangibles and attempts to bring structure and identification to a complex and confusing discipline. The decomposition of an intangible assets system that names intangibles could be the first step to measuring, valuing and managing them.
Peritraumatic Dissociation as a Mediator of Peritraumatic Distress and PTSD: A Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study

The objective of the present article was to examine the mediational significance of peritraumatic dissociation in the relationship between peritraumatic distress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A total of 71 individuals with spinal cord injuries completed interviews and questionnaires measuring PTSD symptomatology, peritraumatic dissociation, and peritraumatic distress. Peritraumatic dissociation was found to partially mediate the relationship between peritraumatic distress and PTSD symptomatology. These findings provide support for the hypothesis that peritraumatic distress and peritraumatic dissociation significantly impact PTSD severity. The findings also support the hypothesis that peritraumatic dissociation is provoked by peritraumatic distress. The results further indicate that although peritraumatic dissociation seems to be a significant risk factor for PTSD, it is not necessary for the development of PTSD; the presence of peritraumatic distress may be sufficient. These findings highlight the importance of investigating peritraumatic reactions after a traumatic event in order to identify individuals at risk for developing PTSD. Such a practice may help prevent the development of chronic conditions.
X-band 30 cm resolution fully polarimetric SAR images obtained by Pi-SAR2

This paper presents very high resolution (30 cm) and fully polarimetric images acquired with a new airborne Polarimetric Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar 2 (Pi-SAR2) system operating at the X-band. Pi-SAR2 is a successive version of the former X-band Pi-SAR aiming at exploring the possibility of fully polarimetric SAR. In collaborative works among NICT and research institutions in Japan, data acquisition flights over Niigata have been carried out on August 25 and November 17, 2013. Some imaging results with interesting phenomena are shown using polarimetric scattering power decomposition.
Attitudes Toward Workplace Mobbing in Slovenian Research Organisations

Attitudes Toward Workplace Mobbing in Slovenian Research Organisations Creating a "mobbing-safe" working environment can be a real challenge; to achieve it, a better understanding of related constructs is necessary. To obtain insight into researchers' attitudes toward workplace mobbing and behavioural intentions, we used a case scenario method. The results show that respondents, on average, consider the mobbing cases presented in a questionnaire to be very serious. Their attitudes and behavioural intentions depend more on their opinion about colleagues' attitudes and related intentions and less on their own, which shows a lower integrity than desired. Low willingness to report the violator, lenient discipline sanctions and the absence of proper organisational rules create favourable conditions for workplace mobbing in Slovenian public research organisations. This paper also proposes measures based on the research findings of various authors and identifies new questions that could be addressed in further research.
Learning an Image-based Obstacle Detector With Automatic Acquisition of Training Data

We detect and localize obstacles in front of a mobile robot by means of a deep neural network that maps images acquired from a forward-looking camera to the outputs of five proximity sensors. The robot autonomously acquires training data in multiple environments; once trained, the network can detect obstacles and their position also in unseen scenarios, and can be used on different robots, not equipped with proximity sensors. We demonstrate both the training and deployment phases on a small modified Thymio robot.
The rise and fall of turlough typologies: A call for a continuum concept

Turloughs are seasonal ground-water-dependent wetlands that occur in the karst landscape of western Ireland. Various typologies based on between-site variation have been applied to turloughs. However valid in understanding turlough functioning, these typologies are difficult to relate to one another, tend to overlook within-site variation, and do not address management issues affecting these priority habitats of the European Union. Furthermore, typologies have not fully utilized available data and lack the comprehensive perspective needed to capture processes driving turlough ecology. We used unpublished and published data on a per-turlough basis to explore the main variables affecting turlough ecology in Ireland. Multivariate analysis shows that turloughs do not split into distinct types; rather, there is one continuum from dry to wet sites, which affects all aspects of turlough ecology. This dry-wet continuum arises from various degrees of karstification of the underlying and surrounding bedrock, which in turn leads to different water inputs, water chemistries, and different deposits on the turlough floor. Few turloughs can be considered as truly dry or wet; most are intermediate or dry-wet mosaics. Turloughs or parts of turloughs at extremes of the dry-wet continuum need different protection measures to prevent water pollution, manage summer grazing, or maintain the hydrologic regime. Although turlough typologies seem logical and straightforward in theory, in practice, typing turloughs is difficult. Trying to fit turloughs within typologies that are weakly supported by the data on which they are based can lead to problems if inappropriately used. A dry-wet continuum concept not only better fits these same data but also gives scope for a more flexible approach to turlough conservation.