Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generating Anaphoric Expressions: Pronoun or Definite Description?

In order to produce coherent text. natural language generation systems must have the ability to generate pronouns in the appropriate places. In the past, pronoun usage was primarily investigated with respect to the accessibility of referents. We.argue that generating appropriate referring expressions requires looking at factors beyond accessibility. Also important are sentence boundaries, distance from last mention, discourse structure and ambiguity. We present an algorithm for generating appropriate anaphoric expressions which takes the tent+ poral structure of texts and knowledge about ambiguous contexts into account. We back up our hypotheses with some empirical results indicating that our algorithm chooses the right referring expression in 85% of the cases.
Que peut le Parlement européen

La revalorisation constante des pouvoirs du Parlement europeen est l’un des traits les plus marquants de l’evolution du systeme institutionnel de l’Union depuis les origines. C’est aujourd’hui une assemblee puissante et surtout tres independante, capable d’influer reellement sur la production normative et de controler effectivement la Commission. Toutefois, l’evaluation de l’influence du Parlement se heurte au developpement de pratiques telles que les « trilogues », qui favorisent une generalisation des accords precoces en matiere legislative et occultent les rapports de forces entre les institutions.
‘Mugging up’ versus ‘exposure’: international schools and social mobility in Hyderabad, India

Drawing on 12 months of fieldwork in Hyderabad, India, this paper describes the emergence of ‘international’ schools that are only accessible to upper-middle class and elite families and provide forms of cultural capital increasingly important for middle-class employment – ‘communication skills’, ‘open-mindedness’ and ‘exposure’. The role of these schools in the educational strategies of my informants reveals the limitations of education as a route to social mobility in the context of differential access to social, economic and cultural resources, as well as the ways in which local people engage with their position within a globalised economy as they make educational choices.
N‐Buffers for efficient depth map query

We introduce the N-buffer as a tool for multiresolution depth map representation. This neighborhood buffer encodes the value and position of local depth extrema at different scales in an image cube, in contrast to the image pyramid. The resulting increase in storage space is largely compensated by the following benefits: objects of any size can be culled in constant time against an occlusion map using four depth lookups; visibility-like queries can be performed in vertex and fragment programs; N-buffers can be computed very efficiently with graphics hardware. We present three applications of this datastructure, and in particular a novel approach for shadow volume acceleration.
Multi-scale Forest Habitat Monitoring Using Remote Sensing Data

Remote sensing imagery and advanced image analysis methods show high potential for monitoring forest habitat issues. The objective of this paper is to provide ready-to-use information on forest habitats by conducting a multi-scale approach for the delineation of such, and the assessment of their conservation status on multi-spectral satellite imagery of high and very high spatial resolution, as well as LiDAR data. This information should help forest managers in the decision-making process and contribute to a sustainable management. The evaluation of the quality of forest habitats is performed on suitable indicators such as structure and composition on broad-scale for whole landscapes and on fine-scale for individual protected sites. In this context, information layers and direct habitat mapping can help to address the complex task of monitoring forest habitats and to harmonize information output.
Enriching WordNet Via Generative Metonymy and Creative Polysemy

Metonymy is a creative process that establishes relationships based on contiguity or semantic relatedness between concepts. We outline a mechanism for deriving new concepts from WordNet using metonymy. We argue that by exploiting polysemy in WordNet we can take advantage of the metonymic relations between concepts. The focus of our metonymy generation work has been the creation of noun noun compounds that do not already exist in WordNet and which can be profitably added to WordNet. The mechanism of metonymy generation we outline takes a source compound and creates new compounds by exploiting the polysemy associated with hyponyms of the head of the source compound. We argue that metonymy generation is a sound basis for concept creation as the newly created compounds are semantically related to the source concept. We demonstrate that metonymy generation based on polysemy is superior to a method of metonymy generation that ignores polysemy. These new concepts can be used to augment WordNet.
Escaping from the crime of inner cities: Church attendance and religious salience among disadvantaged youth

With the theoretical backdrop of social disorganization and “resilient youth” perspectives, we hypothesize that individual religiosity is protective in helping at-risk youths such as those living in poor inner-city areas to escape from drug use and other illegal activities. To test this hypothesis, we draw data from an interview survey of 2,358 youth black males from tracts in poverty in Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia, conducted in 1979 and 1980. Results from a series of multilevel analyses indicate that church attendance (the frequency of attending religious services) has significant inverse effects on nondrug illegal activities, drug use, and drug selling among disadvantaged youths. Religious salience (the perceived importance of religion in one's life), however, is not significantly linked to reductions in juvenile delinquency. We discuss the implications of our findings, focusing on individual religiosity as a potentially important protective factor for disadvantaged youths.
Organization and postnatal development of callosal connections in the visual cortex of the rat

The distribution of callosal cells and terminals was studied in the posterior neocortex of pups whose ages ranged from 3 to 16 days and in adult rats 2 months of age or older. Callosal cells and terminations were revealed using retrograde (horseradish peroxidase) and anterograde (horseradish peroxidase; tritiated proline) tracing techniques, respectively, and the distribution of callosal connections was analyzed in tangential or coronal histological sections.
Interactivity: Using Expressy to Demonstrate Expressiveness in Touch-based Interactions

We present an interactivity demonstration of Expressy. A system that augments existing touchscreen devices with a variety of continuous expressive interaction capabilities, using movement data from a wrist-worn IMU. Our demonstration comprises a set of applications that show how the expressive touch interaction capabilities, offered by Expressy, can enable intuitive and meaningful interactions, in contexts including productivity, entertainment and lifestyle apps. This demo submission accompanies a full paper, describing a conceptual model of expressive touch interaction and the implementation and evaluation of Expressy.
A New Performance-Based Motion Planner for Nonholonomic Mobile Robots

We address the global trajectory planning problem of nonholonomic mobile robots in environments with static and dynamic obstacles. The global trajectory is composed of regional feasible trajectories which satisfy the dynamics of the robot kinematic model. Piecewise constant parameterization is used to construct regional feasible trajectory and steering control, and collision avoidance criterion is derived. Performance considered in the paper include robot safety, geometry-based criteria, time-based criteria, and physics-based criteria. Regional analytic trajectory solutions facilitate performance evaluation of the global trajectory. Simulations show a good performance of the planned trajectory using the proposed scheme.
Students’ and Lecturers’ Conceptions of Learning in Context: an interdisciplinary study

Abstract The study here contributes to our understanding of student learning, describing it from the viewpoint of students and lecturers engaged in specific learning and teaching contexts. The conceptions of learning, together with the relationships between the various conceptions, are discussed highlighting differences between lecturer and student experiences of the same phenomenon. A description of the implications of these findings for curriculum development, teaching and assessment is outlined. It is concluded that there is a definite need for lecturers to externalize, reflect upon, and respond to the conceptions of learning underpinning teaching and learning practices.
Multiscale detection of curvilinear structures in 2-D and 3-D image data

Presents a novel, parameter-free technique for the segmentation and local description of line structures on multiple scales, both in 2D and in 3D. The algorithm is based on a nonlinear combination of linear filters and searches for elongated, symmetric line structures, while suppressing the response to edges. The filtering process creates one sharp maximum across the line-feature profile and across the scale-space. The multi-scale response reflects local contrast and is independent of the local width. The filter is steerable in both the orientation and scale domains, leading to an efficient, parameter-free implementation. A local description is obtained that describes the contrast, the position of the center-line, the width, the polarity, and the orientation of the line. Examples of images from different application domains demonstrate the generic nature of the line segmentation scheme. The 3D filtering is applied to magnetic resonance volume data in order to segment cerebral blood vessels. <<ETX>>
Tenofovir plus lamivudine as rescue therapy for adefovir‐resistant chronic hepatitis B in hepatitis B e antigen‐positive patients with liver cirrhosis

Background/Aims: There is no consensus on the management of patients with adefovir (ADV)‐resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The aim of this study was to investigate whether tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) combined with lamivudine (LMV) is effective and safe in patients with resistance to or non‐response to ADV.
Bayesian Estimation of the Spatial Durbin Error Model with an Application to Voter Turnout in the 2004 Presidential Election

The potential for spatial dependence in models of voter turnout, although plausible from a theoretical perspective, has not been adequately addressed in the literature. Using recent advances in Bayesian computation, the authors formulate and estimate the previously unutilized spatial Durbin error model and apply this model to the question of whether spillovers and unobserved spatial dependence in voter turnout matters from an empirical perspective. Formal Bayesian model comparison techniques are employed to compare the normal linear model, the spatially lagged X model (SLX), the spatial Durbin model, and the spatial Durbin error model. The results overwhelmingly support the spatial Durbin error model as the appropriate empirical model.
Collaborative, Context-Aware Applications for Inter-networked Cars

In this paper, we discuss collaborative, context-aware applications for vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs). Inter-networked cars exchange information about sensor data in order to increase traffic safety. This infrastructure can also be used for personalized information services for drivers. We outline possible applications and give more detailed information on a context-aware gas station recommender we are currently implementing within the VANET infrastructure of the network-on-wheels project.
Erythropoietin inhibits the increase of intestinal labile zinc and the expression of inflammatory mediators after traumatic brain injury in rats.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to determine the effect of erythropoietin (Epo) on the intestinal labile zinc and the inflammatory factor in rats after traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into nine groups: (a) normal group; (b) sham-operation group; (c, d, e, f, and g) TBI group, killed at 1 hour, 6 hour, 24 hour, and 72 hour and 7 days postinjury, respectively; (h and i) TBI + saline and TBI + Epo, killed at 24 hour or 72 hour postinjury. Parietal brain contusion was produced by a free-falling weight on the exposed dura of the right parietal lobe. Intestinal labile zinc, the tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-8, and wet/dry weight ratio were investigated in different groups. RESULTS The gut contains a certain amount of labile zinc in normal animals and TBI caused obviously gradual increment of intestinal liabled zinc. The levels of inflammatory mediators and the gut wet/dry weight ratio were also found to increase in the trauma group (p < 0.05). There was a highly positive correlation between the abundance of zinc fluorescence and these proinflammation factors. Epo significantly reduced the intestinal labile zinc, the inflammatory mediators, and the gut wet/dry weight ratio compared with TBI group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Epo can protect intestine from TBI-induced injury by attenuating intestinal inflammation and labile zinc accumulation in vivo.
A novel 2D DOA estimation via tensor modeling for cylindrical conformal array

In this paper, a novel 2D direction of arrival (DOA) estimation approach based on tensor technique for the conformal array is proposed. In order to improve the estimation performance with low SNR and small snapshots, a third-order measurement tensor is constructed by exploiting the multidimensional information of the conformal array received data. Then, the desired signal subspace is obtained by the higher-order singular value decomposition (HOSVD) of the cross covariance tensor. Finally, the DOAs could be estimated by the conventional subspace based algorithms. This approach enables us to get a better DOA estimation performance owing to utilize the multidimensional information and the cross covariance tensor method, especially in the case of low SNR and small number of snapshots. At last, the simulation results demonstrate the validity and the advantages of the proposed method.
A Novel Blood-Brain Barrier Co-Culture System for Drug Targeting of Alzheimer’s Disease: Establishment by Using Acitretin as a Model Drug

In the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) the homeostasis of amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing in the brain is impaired. The expression of the competing proteases ADAM10 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10) and BACE-1 (beta site APP cleaving enzyme 1) is shifted in favor of the A-beta generating enzyme BACE-1. Acitretin–a synthetic retinoid–e.g., has been shown to increase ADAM10 gene expression, resulting in a decreased level of A-beta peptides within the brain of AD model mice and thus is of possible value for AD therapy. A striking challenge in evaluating novel therapeutically applicable drugs is the analysis of their potential to overcome the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for central nervous system targeting. In this study, we established a novel cell-based bio-assay model to test ADAM10-inducing drugs for their ability to cross the BBB. We therefore used primary porcine brain endothelial cells (PBECs) and human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) transfected with an ADAM10-promoter luciferase reporter vector in an indirect co-culture system. Acitretin served as a model substance that crosses the BBB and induces ADAM10 expression. We ensured that ADAM10-dependent constitutive APP metabolism in the neuronal cells was unaffected under co-cultivation conditions. Barrier properties established by PBECs were augmented by co-cultivation with SH-SY5Y cells and they remained stable during the treatment with acitretin as demonstrated by electrical resistance measurement and permeability-coefficient determination. As a consequence of transcellular acitretin transport measured by HPLC, the activity of the ADAM10-promoter reporter gene was significantly increased in co-cultured neuronal cells as compared to vehicle-treated controls. In the present study, we provide a new bio-assay system relevant for the study of drug targeting of AD. This bio-assay can easily be adapted to analyze other Alzheimer- or CNS disease-relevant targets in neuronal cells, as their therapeutical potential also depends on the ability to penetrate the BBB.
Tale of a robot: Humanoid robot assisted sign language tutoring

There is an on-going study which aims to assist in teaching Sign Language (SL) to hearing impaired children by means of non-verbal communication and imitation based interaction games between a humanoid robot and the child. In this study, the robot will be able to express a word in SL among a set of chosen words using hand movements, body and face gestures. Having comprehended the word, the child will give relevant feedback to the robot. In the current study, we propose an interactive story telling game between a NAO H25 humanoid robot and preschool children based on Turkish Sign Language (TSL). Since most of the children do not know how to read and write, and they are not familiar with sign language, we prepared a short story including specially selected words which is performed by the robot verbally and with sign language as well. The children are expected to give feedback to the robot with matching colour flashcards when it implements a word in sign language. The robotic event covered 106 preschool children. The aim is to evaluate the children's sign language learning ability from a robot, and comparison of these results with the results of video based studies.
Does the Change of the Polarity of Electrodes Influence the Results of Transoesophageal Bidirectional DC Cardioversion?

The aim of the study was to compare the bidirectional transoesophageal DC cardioversion (BOC) with unidirectional transoesophageal DC cardioversion (UOC) and to evaluate, if the reversion of the polarity of electrodes alters the effectiveness and the amount of energy during BOC. UOC was attempted in 300 patients (pts) with atrial fibrillation (AF) and BOC in 241 pts with AF. In UOC mode shocks were delivered between the 4‐ring oesophageal electrode (cathode) and the chest pad (anode) positioned in the precordial region. In BOC shocks were delivered between the same oesophageal electrode and two chest pads joined with each other, positioned on both sides of the sternum. First 147 pts were cardioverted with the oesophageal electrode as a cathode, next 94 with an anode in oesophageal position. The effectiveness of both modes (UOC and BOC) was very high, however in pts with chronic AF success rate was better in BOC approach (82% vs 100%). BOC, compared with UOC, allowed to decrease the threshold defrbrillation signifrcantly: in pts with recent onset of AF from 61,5 J to 33,3 J and in pts with chronic AF from 99,8 J to 75,2 J. In pts with long standing AF the reduction of the defrbrillation threshold was statistically not significant (from 68,6 J to 50,6 J). The effectiveness of BOC was also very high independently of the polarity of electrodes. The change of the polarity did not affect the minimal and total successful energy of shocks, too. In pts with oesophageal electrode as a cathode defibrillation threshold was 48,4 J and in pts with the anodal electrode 43,7 J. In conclusions we found BOC as a very effective method in pts with AF. Defibrillation threshold in BOC is lower than in UOC and the polarity of electrodes does not influence the success rate and successful energy.
Enhancing modular OO verification with separation logic

Conventional specifications for object-oriented (OO) programs must adhere to behavioral subtyping in support of class inheritance and method overriding. However, this requirement inherently weakens the specifications of overridden methods in superclasses, leading to imprecision during program reasoning. To address this, we advocate a fresh approach to OO verification that focuses on the distinction and relation between specifications that cater to calls with static dispatching from those for calls with dynamic dispatching. We formulate a novel specification subsumption that can avoid code re-verification, where possible. Using a predicate mechanism, we propose a flexible scheme for supporting class invariant and lossless casting. Our aim is to lay the foundation for a practical verification system that is precise, concise and modular for sequential OO programs. We exploit the separation logic formalism to achieve this.
JOINT INTENT DETECTION AND SLOT FILLING USING CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORKS

We describe a joint model for intent detection and slot filling based on convolutional neural networks (CNN). The proposed architecture can be perceived as a neural network (NN) version of the triangular CRF model (TriCRF), which exploits the dependency between intents and slots, and models them simultaneously. Our slot filling component is a globally normalized CRF style model (as opposed to left-to-right models in recent NN based slot taggers), thus allowing the two tasks to share the same features extracted through CNN layers. We show that our slot model component generates state-of-the-art results, and our joint model outperforms the standard TriCRF by 1% absolute. On a number of other domains, our joint model achieves 0.7 1%, and 0.9 2.1% absolute gains over the independent modeling approach for intent and slot respectively.
Reliability-Aware Speed Control Policy for Energy Reduction in Server Farms

Server farms are playing an important role in large-scale computing infrastructure today. However, the increasing energy consumption of server farms makes them expensive to operate. There are many technologies aiming at reducing the power consumption of server farms, for example, dynamic server speed scaling is an effective way to make the energy consumption proportional to the work load. But most of them have negative effect on system reliability due to increased transient failure rates. The repeated transition cycles increase the wear-and-tear of server components. In this paper, we control the process of speed scaling of a single server based on the dynamic workload using Markov Decision Process (MDP), and propose two reliability-aware algorithms for energy-efficient dynamic server speed control. Furthermore, we extend the model to multi-servers, it could provide speed control policies with performance, reliability and energy consumption concern. We evaluate the proposed models and policies via numerical experiments, which could show the effectiveness of our algorithms.
A Method for Hidden Process Detection Based on Routines of Thread Scheduling List

the hidden process detection thread-based scheduling list exist hardcode problem and some hidden processes could be skipped by some malicious programs. The article proposes a new method based on the routines of thread scheduling list, which derived through the system exporting Routine Long Instructions Disassembling (RLID) to find a Thread Scheduling List (TSL) to solve the hardcode problem as we use the thread-based scheduling list to detect hidden process, so that all hidden processes could not be skipped in the detection . The experiment shows that this method has well reliability and integrity.