Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The semantics of query modification

We present a method that exploits 'linked data' to determine semantic relations between consecutive user queries. Our method maps queries onto concepts in linked data and searches the linked data graph for direct or indirect relations between the concepts. By comparing relations between large numbers of user queries, we identify semantic modification patterns. The application of this method to the logs of an image search engine revealed interesting usage patterns, such as that users often search for two entities sharing a property (e.g., two players from the same team). These patterns can be used to generate query suggestions. Results of preliminary experiments show that the patterns enable us to generate suggestions for more queries than a method purely based on search-log statistics.
DISSIPATIVE FIELD THEORY WITH CALDEIRA-LEGGETT METHOD AND ITS APPLICATION TO DISORIENTED CHIRAL CONDENSATION

The effective field theory including the dissipative effect is developed based on the Caldeira-Leggett theory at the classical level. After the integration of the small field fluctuations considered as the field radiation, the integro-differential field equation is given and shown to include the dissipative effects. In that derivation, special cares should be taken for the boundary condition of the integration. Application to the linear sigma model is given, and the decay process of the chiral condensate is calculated with it, both analytically in the linear approximation and numerically. With these results, we discuss the stability of chiral condensates within the quenched approximation.
Spectroscopic Binaries in Globular Clusters. I. A Search for Ultra-Hard Binaries on the Main Sequence in M4

A search for spectroscopic binaries on the main sequence of the nearby globular cluster M4 has been undertaken with Argus, the multi-object spectrograph on the CTIO 4.0m telescope. A pair of radial velocities (median precision $\simeq$ 2 km/s) separated by 11 months have been obtained for 33 turnoff dwarfs in the magnitude range 16.9 $\le$ V $\le$ 17.4. Monte-Carlo simulations have been used to derive a binary fraction, X, for systems with periods in the range 2 days $\lae {\rm P} \lae$ 3 years and mass ratios between 0.2 and 1.0. This short-period cutoff is more than an order of magnitude smaller than those of existing radial velocity surveys and is comparable to the shortest periods possible for main-sequence turnoff stars. Our survey therefore provides a first glimpse into the abundance of ``ultra-hard" spectroscopic binaries in globular clusters. Although no star shows a velocity variation larger than 14 km/s, two objects are observed to have chi-square probabilities below 0.1\%. No such stars are expected in a sample of 33. We find a best-fit binary fraction of X $\simeq$ 0.15, a value which is consistent with recent estimates based on deep HST color-magnitude diagrams, as well as with the binary fraction of X $\simeq$ 0.1 for nearby solar-type stars having similar periods and mass ratios. Our derived binary fraction suggests that exchange interactions with pre-existing binaries are a plausible means of explaining the origin of the hierarchical triple system containing the pulsar PSR 1620-26.
Does the Model Matter? Exploring the Relationship Between Different Student Achievement-Based Teacher Assessments

Policymakers have demonstrated an interest in using measures of student achievement to inform high-stakes teacher personnel decisions, but the idea of using student outcomes as a teacher performance measure is complex to implement for a variety of reasons, not least of which is the fact that there is no universally agreed upon statistical methodology for translating student achievement into a measure of teacher performance. In this article, we use statewide data from North Carolina to evaluate different methodologies for translating student test achievement into measures of teacher performance at the elementary level. In particular, we focus on the extent to which there are differences in teacher effect estimates generated from different modeling approaches, and to what extent classroom level characteristics predict these differences. We find models that only include lagged achievement scores and student background characteristics are highly correlated with specifications that also include classroom characteristics, while value-added models (VAMs) estimated with school fixed effects have a lower correlation. Teacher effectiveness estimates based on median student growth percentiles are highly correlated with estimates from VAMs that include student background characteristics, despite the fact that the two methods for estimating teacher effectiveness are, at least conceptually, quite different. But even when the correlations between performance estimates generated by different models are quite high for the workforce as a whole, there are still sizable differences in teacher rankings generated by different models that are associated with the composition of students in a teacher's classroom.
INFLUENCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT ON POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON EMISSION IN STAR-FORMING REGIONS

We investigate the emission properties of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in various metallicity environments with the Infrared Spectrograph on board Spitzer. Local giant H ii regions are used as references as they enable access to the distinct interstellar medium components that contribute to the mid-infrared spectrum of star-forming galaxies: photodissociation regions (PDRs), photoionized gas, stellar clusters, and embedded regions. Three objects are considered: NGC 3603 in the Milky Way, 30 Doradus in the Large Magellanic Cloud, and N 66 in the Small Magellanic Cloud. From the variations of the PAH/14 μm ratio, we find that PAHs are destroyed in the ionized gas for a radiation field such that [Ne iii]/[Ne ii] ≳3. From the variations of the PAH/Huα ratio, we find that the PAH emission sources in the giant H ii regions follow the same photodestruction law regardless of metallicity. We then compare these results with observations of starburst galaxies, H ii galaxies, and blue compact dwarf galaxies (BCDs). While the integrated mid-infrared spectra of BCDs are reminiscent of a warm dusty ionized gas, we observe a significant contribution to the PAH emission in starburst galaxies that is not arising from PDRs.
Trace back optimization for DNA sequence alignment using Viterbi algorithm

This paper presents two trace back design for DNA sequences alignment using Viterbi algorithm for Pair Hidden Markov Models (PairHMMs) and design optimization for reducing the utilizing design resources. The replacement of the dynamic matrix trace back determination with the Viterbi algorithm for PairHMMs and optimization has reduced the size of the design with the correct result when determine the optimal path for the sequences alignment at the optimal resource utilization. Altera Quartus II version 10.0 was used for compiling the design and targeting to EP4CE115F29C7 devices from Cyclone V E family. The trace back design simulation and verification were conducted using ModelSim Altera with the 30.15% and 323.53% utilizing design resource has been recorded with the implementation of Viterbi for PairHMMs with optimization produced the optimal result.
Genomic Selection for Fruit Quality Traits in Apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.)

The genome sequence of apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.) was published more than a year ago, which helped develop an 8K SNP chip to assist in implementing genomic selection (GS). In apple breeding programmes, GS can be used to obtain genomic breeding values (GEBV) for choosing next-generation parents or selections for further testing as potential commercial cultivars at a very early stage. Thus GS has the potential to accelerate breeding efficiency significantly because of decreased generation interval or increased selection intensity. We evaluated the accuracy of GS in a population of 1120 seedlings generated from a factorial mating design of four females and two male parents. All seedlings were genotyped using an Illumina Infinium chip comprising 8,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and were phenotyped for various fruit quality traits. Random-regression best liner unbiased prediction (RR-BLUP) and the Bayesian LASSO method were used to obtain GEBV, and compared using a cross-validation approach for their accuracy to predict unobserved BLUP-BV. Accuracies were very similar for both methods, varying from 0.70 to 0.90 for various fruit quality traits. The selection response per unit time using GS compared with the traditional BLUP-based selection were very high (>100%) especially for low-heritability traits. Genome-wide average estimated linkage disequilibrium (LD) between adjacent SNPs was 0.32, with a relatively slow decay of LD in the long range (r 2 = 0.33 and 0.19 at 100 kb and 1,000 kb respectively), contributing to the higher accuracy of GS. Distribution of estimated SNP effects revealed involvement of large effect genes with likely pleiotropic effects. These results demonstrated that genomic selection is a credible alternative to conventional selection for fruit quality traits.
Nekoze! - monitoring and detecting head posture while working with laptop and mobile phone

Neck pain and other spine related injuries are on the rise. One potential cause is bad head posture while using digital devices. We present two systems to monitor and improve head posture for two of the common problematic cases: laptop and mobile phone use. The laptop system uses the front-facing camera. The mobile system the sensor data of a smart glasses prototype. Both systems work reasonable in an initial user study with 10 and 8 participants (72 % detection on the laptop system, 100% for the mobile one). From the discussion, it seems users are especially interested in the smart glasses based monitoring implementation.
Predicting Healthy Human and Amputee Walking Gait using Ideas from Underactuated Robot Control

The ability to predict human gait, particularly impaired human gait, has the potential to improve rehabilitation/training outcomes and to reduce prosthesis/orthosis development costs. This work presents a walking model of moderate complexity that accurately captures both sagittal plane joint kinematics and whole body energetics for healthy human walking. The six-link, left-right symmetric model with hips, knees, ankles, and rigid circular feet accurately predicts normal human walking over a wide range of speeds using a torque-squared objective function. For unilateral transtibial amputee gait, one ankle joint is eliminated, yielding a fivelink, asymmetric model that is used to quantify the differences between amputee gaits optimized for symmetry and efficiency.
The Design of a Cycle Accurate Multi-core Architecture Performance Simulator

As multi-core technology has become the trend to improve the performance of processor, there is more need to design a performance simulator for the design of multi-core architecture and for the evaluation of system performance. However there are few simulators that support different architectures of multi-core processor well. This paper presents a design and implementation of a cycle accurate multi-core processor architecture simulator, it is a component design, which can be customized to different multi-core architectures, furthermore, provides a practical tool for the design and evaluation of multi-core architecture.
Conserved Arginines of Bovine Adenovirus-3 33K Protein Are Important for Transportin-3 Mediated Transport and Virus Replication

The L6 region of bovine adenovirus (BAdV)-3 encodes a spliced protein designated 33K. The 33K specific sera detected five major proteins and three minor proteins in transfected or virus infected cells, which could arise by internal initiation of translation and alternative splicing. The 33K protein is predominantly localized to the nucleus of BAdV-3 infected cells. The 33K nuclear transport utilizes both classical importin-α/-β and importin-β dependent nuclear import pathways and preferentially binds to importin-α5 and transportin-3 receptors, respectively. Analysis of mutant 33K proteins demonstrated that amino acids 201–240 of the conserved C-terminus of 33K containing RS repeat are required for nuclear localization and, binding to both importin-α5 and transportin-3 receptors. Interestingly, the arginine residues of conserved RS repeat are required for binding to transportin-3 receptor but not to importin-α5 receptor. Moreover, mutation of arginines residues of RS repeat proved lethal for production of progeny virus. Our results suggest that arginines of RS repeat are required for efficient nuclear transport of 33K mediated by transportin-3, which appears to be essential for replication and production of infectious virion.
Identification and Validation of Novel Hedgehog-Responsive Enhancers Predicted by Computational Analysis of Ci/Gli Binding Site Density

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway directs a multitude of cellular responses during embryogenesis and adult tissue homeostasis. Stimulation of the pathway results in activation of Hh target genes by the transcription factor Ci/Gli, which binds to specific motifs in genomic enhancers. In Drosophila, only a few enhancers (patched, decapentaplegic, wingless, stripe, knot, hairy, orthodenticle) have been shown by in vivo functional assays to depend on direct Ci/Gli regulation. All but one (orthodenticle) contain more than one Ci/Gli site, prompting us to directly test whether homotypic clustering of Ci/Gli binding sites is sufficient to define a Hh-regulated enhancer. We therefore developed a computational algorithm to identify Ci/Gli clusters that are enriched over random expectation, within a given region of the genome. Candidate genomic regions containing Ci/Gli clusters were functionally tested in chicken neural tube electroporation assays and in transgenic flies. Of the 22 Ci/Gli clusters tested, seven novel enhancers (and the previously known patched enhancer) were identified as Hh-responsive and Ci/Gli-dependent in one or both of these assays, including: Cuticular protein 100A (Cpr100A); invected (inv), which encodes an engrailed-related transcription factor expressed at the anterior/posterior wing disc boundary; roadkill (rdx), the fly homolog of vertebrate Spop; the segment polarity gene gooseberry (gsb); and two previously untested regions of the Hh receptor-encoding patched (ptc) gene. We conclude that homotypic Ci/Gli clustering is not sufficient information to ensure Hh-responsiveness; however, it can provide a clue for enhancer recognition within putative Hedgehog target gene loci.
Dynamic composition and reconfiguration of Internet-scale control systems

The runtime and life-cycle of distributed cyber-physical ecosystems is highly unpredictable and challenging to manage. A large number of spatially located control elements organize distributed control systems. These systems require dynamic interactions of their control elements during their runtime and life-cycle to tolerate failures, balance their computational load, scale and meet application requirements. This paper addresses the problem of dynamic composition and reconfiguration of these dynamic interactions in Internet-scale control systems. Rather than introducing a new middleware or mechanism with a limited applicability and integration in such systems, this paper introduces the ‘binding control model’ designed as a control system for higher abstraction, integration and applicability in distributed control systems. The binding control model, its possible granularity levels and its applicability are illustrated in this paper.
Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Promotes Retinal Ganglion Cell Death in Glaucoma via Calcium-Permeable AMPA Receptor Activation

Loss of vision in glaucoma results from the selective death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) signaling has been linked to RGC damage, however, the mechanism by which TNFα promotes neuronal death remains poorly defined. Using an in vivo rat glaucoma model, we show that TNFα is upregulated by Müller cells and microglia/macrophages soon after induction of ocular hypertension. Administration of XPro1595, a selective inhibitor of soluble TNFα, effectively protects RGC soma and axons. Using cobalt permeability assays, we further demonstrate that endogenous soluble TNFα triggers the upregulation of Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptor (CP-AMPAR) expression in RGCs of glaucomatous eyes. CP-AMPAR activation is not caused by defects in GluA2 subunit mRNA editing, but rather reflects selective downregulation of GluA2 in neurons exposed to elevated eye pressure. Intraocular administration of selective CP-AMPAR blockers promotes robust RGC survival supporting a critical role for non-NMDA glutamate receptors in neuronal death. Our study identifies glia-derived soluble TNFα as a major inducer of RGC death through activation of CP-AMPARs, thereby establishing a novel link between neuroinflammation and cell loss in glaucoma. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) has been implicated in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death, but how TNFα exerts this effect is poorly understood. We report that ocular hypertension, a major risk factor in glaucoma, upregulates TNFα production by Müller cells and microglia. Inhibition of soluble TNFα using a dominant-negative strategy effectively promotes RGC survival. We find that TNFα stimulates the expression of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPAR) in RGCs, a response that does not depend on abnormal GluA2 mRNA editing but on selective downregulation of the GluA2 subunit by these neurons. Consistent with this, CP-AMPAR blockers promote robust RGC survival supporting a critical role for non-NMDA glutamate receptors in glaucomatous damage. This study identifies a novel mechanism by which glia-derived soluble TNFα modulates neuronal death in glaucoma.
Neuronal dysfunction and death in rabies virus infection

Because morphologic changes in natural rabies are usually relatively mild, it is thought that the severe clinical disease with a fatal outcome must be due to neuronal dysfunction of rabies virus-infected neurons. The precise bases of this functional impairment are unknown, and current knowledge on electrophysiological alterations, effects on ion channels and neurotransmission, and neurotoxicity are reviewed. Rabies virus may induce neuronal death, possibly through apoptotic mechanisms. Neuronal apoptosis has been observed in vitro and also in vivo under particular experimental conditions. The relevance of neuronal apoptosis in these situations to natural rabies has not yet been fully elucidated.
Preparing for Product Derivation - Activities and Issues

Software product lines (SPL) advocates the development of applications by reusing shared software assets across a set of related products. Current approaches to the derivation of products from a product line has focused on handling the commonalities and variabilities of the shared software assets. These approaches have failed to consider the early phases of product derivation. In this paper we report on how we compared both industrial and academic approaches to the establishment of a product derivation project. Based on this research and our experiences, we have identified key activities and important issues that should be considered when establishing a product derivation project
Worst-case communication time analysis of networks-on-chip with shared virtual channels

Network-on-Chip (NoC) based multi- and many-core architectures show high potential for use in real-time applications due to their superior efficiency. In real-time systems, it is necessary to guarantee that the application's timing requirements are met through the analysis of the worst-case behavior. A typical approach to guarantee real-time is the exclusive assignment of virtual channels to tasks or cores. Virtual channels, however, are a limited resource in NoCs. In future systems, there will be more tasks than virtual channels (VCs) in the network. In this paper, we propose a worst-case communication analysis of wormhole-switched best-effort NoCs (no special QoS mechanism) with SLIP arbitration and support to shared VCs. The approach is based on Compositional Performance Analysis, which enables non-symmetrical guarantees for the streams. The analysis is evaluated experimentally and compared with simulation and related work.
Object Tracking System Using Motion Detection

Visual monitoring of activities using cameras automatically without human intervention is a challenging problem so we need automatic object tracking system. This paper presents a new object tracking model that systematically combines region and boundary features. We design a new boundarybased object detector for accurate and robust tracking in low-contrast and complex scenes, which usually appear in the commonly used monochrome surveillance systems.
Talent, Looks or Brains? New Zealand Advertising Practitioners' Views on Celebrity and Athlete Endorsers

“They add a whole heap of value to the communication … the bigger the personality the better. ” (New Zealand advertising practitioner) The established practice of using celebrities and professional athletes as endorsers shows no sign of abating. While a substantial body of literature exists researching effective celebrity and athlete endorser characteristics, little research has been conducted from the advertising practitioner perspective. This research investigating New Zealand advertising agencies found they use celebrities/athletes primarily to achieve ‘cut through’ and believe their use is generally effective provided there is a tight fit between celebrity/athlete, brand and message. This study confirmed previous practitioner research concerning selection factors but found that priority given to each factor varies with brand, target audience and campaign objectives. Interestingly , for New Zealand practitioners, the risk of negative publicity and hiring costs were the most important factors considered.
Self-Employment Dynamics, State Dependence and Cross-Mobility Patterns

This paper analyzes the mobility between self-employment, wage employment and non-employment. Using data for men in West Germany, we find strong true state dependence in all three states. Moreover, compared to wage employment, non-employment increases the probability of self-employment significantly, and self-employment goes along with a higher risk of future non-employment.
Can Mutual Fund "Stars" Really Pick Stocks? New Evidence from a Bootstrap Analysis

We apply a new bootstrap statistical technique to examine the performance of the U.S. openend, domestic-equity mutual fund industry over the 1975 to 2002 period. Speci cally, we bootstrap the joint distribution of performance measures (\alphas") across all funds to determine whether managers of high-alpha funds are simply the luckiest in a large eld of managers, or whether they possess genuine stockpicking skills. This bootstrap approach is necessary because the cross-section of mutual fund alphas has a complex, non-normal distribution{due to heterogeneous risk-taking by funds as well as non-normalities in individual fund alpha distributions. Our bootstrap approach reveals ndings that di er from many past studies. Speci cally, we nd that a sizable minority of managers really do pick stocks well enough to more than cover their costs. Moreover, our bootstrap indicates that the superior alphas of these managers persist.