Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complexity-Based Phrase-Table Filtering for Statistical Machine Translation

We describe an approach for ﬁltering phrase tables in a Statistical Machine Translation sys-tem, which relies on a statistical independence measure called Noise , ﬁrst introduced in (Moore, 2004). While previous work by (Johnson et al., 2007) also addressed the question of phrase table ﬁltering, it relied on a simpler independence measure, the p-value , which is theoretically less satisfying than the Noise in this context. In this paper, we use Noise as the ﬁltering criterion, and show that when we partition the bi-phrase tables in several sub-classes according to their complexity, using Noise leads to improvements in BLEU score that are unreachable using p-value , while allowing a similar amount of pruning of the phrase tables.
A Unified Approach to Minimum Risk Training and Decoding

We present a unified approach to performing minimum risk training and minimum Bayes risk (MBR) decoding with BLEU in a phrase-based model. Key to our approach is the use of a Gibbs sampler that allows us to explore the entire probability distribution and maintain a strict probabilistic formulation across the pipeline. We also describe a new sampling algorithm called corpus sampling which allows us at training time to use BLEU instead of an approximation thereof. Our approach is theoretically sound and gives better (up to +0.6%BLEU) and more stable results than the standard MERT optimization algorithm. By comparing our approach to lattice MBR, we are also able to gain crucial insights about both methods.
High school students' understanding of resistance in simple series electric circuits

In view of the lack of work on the understanding of resistance concept, we studied the understanding that high school students (from the eighth to the twelfth grades) were able to develop with regard to the interrelationships between this concept, and the potential difference and current concepts (Ohm's law). In addition, we explored the immediate effects of exposure to electricity courses on the intuitive mastery of these relationships. The participants were presented with information on potential difference and intensity of current and asked to predict the corresponding resistance values. In this current-potential difference context, the resistance concept was difficult to understand. For the majority of participants, resistance was a direct function of both current and potential difference, which is more reminiscent of the concept of power than of the concept of resistance. The systematic teaching of electricity concepts and Ohm's law had only limited, positive as well as negative, effects on the understanding of these relationships. The implications for education are discussed.
Document representation in probabilistic models of information retrieval

Probabilistic models of retrieval have provided insights into the document retrieval process and contain the basis for very effective search strategies. A major limitation of these models is that they assume that documents are represented by binary index terms. In many cases the index terms will be assigned weights, such as within‐document frequency weights, which are derived from the content of the documents by the indexing process. These weights, which are referred to here as term significance weights, indicate the relative importance of the terms in individual documents. This article describes how retrieval models which use either independence or dependence assumptions can be extended to include document representatives containing term significance weights. Comparison with other research indicates that search strategies based on models modified in this way can further improve the effectiveness of document retrieval systems.
Folding paper with anthropomorphic robot hands using real-time physics-based modeling

The ability to manipulate deformable objects, such as textiles or paper, is a major prerequisite to bringing the capabilities of articulated robot hands closer to the level of manual intelligence exhibited by humans. We concentrate on the manipulation of paper, which affords us a rich interaction domain that has not yet been solved for anthropomorphic robot hands. Robust tracking and physically plausible modeling of the paper as well as feedback based robot control are crucial components for this task. This paper makes two novel contributions to this area. The first concerns real-time modeling and visual tracking. Our technique not only models the bending of a sheet of paper, but also paper crease lines which allows us to monitor deformations. The second contribution concerns enabling an anthropomorphic robot to fold paper, and is accomplished by introducing a set of tactile- and vision-based closed loop controllers.
Higher-order chromatin structure-dependent repair of DNA double-strand breaks: factors affecting elution of DNA from nucleoids.

The nuclear matrix is increasingly identified with the processing of DNA damage. Previous work has suggested that association of DNA with the matrix can influence the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and the sensitivity of mammalian cells to ionizing radiation. By selectively examining DSBs that occur as multiples (multiple DSBs) within looped DNA structures, we have identified a subset of DSBs that repair with slow kinetics through the V(D)J recombination-associated DSB repair pathway. Enrichment of S-phase populations by centrifugal elutriation and selective examination of nascent DNA by pulse-labeling were used to demonstrate that elution of DNA from nucleoids is retarded by the presence of replicating DNA. Previously, application of a Poisson-based model of induction of multiple DSBs and DNA elution to a panel of mammalian cell lines indicated that the size of the looped chromatin domains varied between cell lines. The data presented here explain the range in domain sizes between cells as the result of differences in the percentage of cells actively replicating their DNA. Correction of the model to account for S-phase populations results in a looped domain size of 2.9 Mbp independent of cell type. Single-cell gel electrophoresis of nucleoids provides additional evidence for such sized structures. Stabilization of DNA to elution during S phase does not permit repair of DSBs in the DSB repair mutants xrs5 and St.SCID, both defective for the DSB repair pathway associated with V(D)J recombination.
Energy-Efficient Leader Election Protocols for Single-Hop Radio Networks

In this paper we investigate leader election protocols for single-hop radio networks from the perspective of energetic complexity. We discuss different models of energy consumption and their impact on time complexity. We also present some results about energy consumption in classic protocols optimal with respect to time complexity - we show that some very basic, intuitive algorithms for simpler model (with known number of stations) do not have to be optimal when energy of stations is restricted. We show that they can be significantly improved by introducing very simple modifications. Our main technical result is however a protocol for solving leader election problem in case of unknown number of stations n, with expected time O(log epsilon n), such that each station transmits O(1) number of times and no station is awake for more than O(log log log n) rounds.
Gender Inequality in Leadership Positions of Teachers

By integrating individual and contextual approaches, the present study examines gender differences in appointment to leadership positions in schools in three different educational sectors in Israel. Based on a sample of 10,733 Israeli high school teachers in two Jewish educational sectors and one Arab educational sector, we performed a set of multinomial logistic regressions. The main findings indicate that gender has an independent influence on the probability of entering various leadership positions in schools, even after controlling for personal characteristics and teaching fields. However, the patterns and the extent of gender inequality differ between the three sectors. The findings are interpreted in accordance with the glass ceiling and the queuing model approaches. We conclude that gender inequality is context bound and should be analyzed from this point of view.
Dissociations between spatial-attentional processes within parietal cortex: insights from hybrid spatial cueing and change detection paradigms

Spatial cueing has been used by many different groups under multiple forms to study spatial attention processes. We will present evidence obtained in brain-damaged patients and healthy volunteers using a variant of this paradigm, the hybrid spatial cueing paradigm, which, besides single-target trials with valid and invalid cues, also contains trials where a target is accompanied by a contralateral competing stimulus (competition trials). This allows one to study invalidity-related processes and selection between competing stimuli within the same paradigm. In brain-damaged patients, lesions confined to the intraparietal sulcus result in contralesional attentional deficits, both during competition and invalid trials, according to a pattern that does not differ from that observed following inferior parietal lesions. In healthy volunteers, however, selection between competing stimuli and invalidity-related processes are partially dissociable, the former relying mainly on cytoarchitectonic areas hIP1-3 in the intraparietal sulcus, the latter on cytoarchitectonic area PF in the right inferior parietal lobule. The activity profile in more posterior inferior parietal areas PFm and PGa, does not distinguish between both types of trials. The functional account for right PF and adjacent areas is further constrained by the activity profile observed during other experimental paradigms. In a change detection task with variable target and distracter set size, for example, these inferior parietal areas show highest activity when the stimulus array consists of only one single target, while the intraparietal sulcus show increased activity as the array contains more targets and distracters. Together, these findings lead us to the hypothesis that right PF functions as a target singleton detector, which is activated when a target stands out from the background, referring both to the temporal background (expectancy) and the momentaneous background (stimulus-driven saliency).
The SHINE Clade of AP2 Domain Transcription Factors Activates Wax Biosynthesis, Alters Cuticle Properties, and Confers Drought Tolerance when Overexpressed in Arabidopsis w⃞

The interface between plants and the environment plays a dual role as a protective barrier as well as a medium for the exchange of gases, water, and nutrients. The primary aerial plant surfaces are covered by a cuticle, acting as the essential permeability barrier toward the atmosphere. It is a heterogeneous layer composed mainly of lipids, namely cutin and intracuticular wax with epicuticular waxes deposited on the surface. We identified an Arabidopsis thaliana activation tag gain-of-function mutant shine (shn) that displayed a brilliant, shiny green leaf surface with increased cuticular wax compared with the leaves of wild-type plants. The gene responsible for the phenotype encodes one member of a clade of three proteins of undisclosed function, belonging to the plant-specific family of AP2/EREBP transcription factors. Overexpression of all three SHN clade genes conferred a phenotype similar to that of the original shn mutant. Biochemically, such plants were altered in wax composition (very long fatty acid derivatives). Total cuticular wax levels were increased sixfold in shn compared with the wild type, mainly because of a ninefold increase in alkanes that comprised approximately half of the total waxes in the mutant. Chlorophyll leaching assays and fresh weight loss experiments indicated that overexpression of the SHN genes increased cuticle permeability, probably because of changes in its ultrastructure. Likewise, SHN gene overexpression altered leaf and petal epidermal cell structure, trichome number, and branching as well as the stomatal index. Interestingly, SHN overexpressors displayed significant drought tolerance and recovery, probably related to the reduced stomatal density. Expression analysis using promoter-β-glucuronidase fusions of the SHN genes provides evidence for the role of the SHN clade in plant protective layers, such as those formed during abscission, dehiscence, wounding, tissue strengthening, and the cuticle. We propose that these diverse functions are mediated by regulating metabolism of lipid and/or cell wall components.
Analysis of operating system diversity for intrusion tolerance

One of the key benefits of using intrusion‐tolerant systems is the possibility of ensuring correct behavior in the presence of attacks and intrusions. These security gains are directly dependent on the components exhibiting failure diversity. To what extent failure diversity is observed in practical deployment depends on how diverse are the components that constitute the system. In this paper, we present a study with operating system's (OS's) vulnerability data from the NIST National Vulnerability Database (NVD). We have analyzed the vulnerabilities of 11 different OSs over a period of 18 years, to check how many of these vulnerabilities occur in more than one OS. We found this number to be low for several combinations of OSs. Hence, although there are a few caveats on the use of NVD data to support definitive conclusions, our analysis shows that by selecting appropriate OSs, one can preclude (or reduce substantially) common vulnerabilities from occurring in the replicas of the intrusion‐tolerant system. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thrombolytic Intervention in Acute Thrombotic and Embolic Stroke

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the industrial nations of the world. Up to now, there has been no therapeutic strategy available which has been proven by controlled clinical trials. In the majority of acute stroke patients acute thrombosis contributes to carotid and vertebrobasilar arterial occlusions. Therefore, significant interest has focused on the possible value of fibrinolytic therapy in acute stroke. The principal goal is the rapid lysis of occluding thrombus with a minimum risk of intracranial or systemic hemorrhage. Clinical investigations on thrombolysis in cerebrovascular ischemia included different plasminogen-activators such as urokinase, streptokinase, and tissue plasminogen activator, either given systemically or locally via an intraarterial catheter. The pivotal trials conducted so far have revealed a wide range of recanalization rates, an acceptable safety and, also, encouraging effects on neurologic outcome. Thrombolysis itself carries the risk of intracranial bleeding, a practical limitation of this approach in acute stroke. On the other hand, hemorrhagic infarction and parenchymatous hematoma are natural consequences of thromboembolic stroke, possibly as a result of persistent occlusion of an artery. Hemorrhage following thrombolysis seems to show the same features seen in untreated patients and with an incidence similar to that in untreated patients. Future developments in thrombolysis in acute stroke should include improved early recruitment of patients, evaluation of noninvasive techniques in the pretreatment assessment of patients, the evaluation of advanced invasive techniques for delivery of the thrombolytic agent and assessment of combined treatment strategies. Clinical studies evaluating these strategies are currently under way.
Cisplatin Tumor Biodistribution and Efficacy after Intratumoral Injection of a Biodegradable Extended Release Implant

Local delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs has long been recognized as a potential method for reaching high drug doses at the target site while minimizing systemic exposure. Cisplatin is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of various tumors; however, its systemic toxicity remains the primary dose-limiting factor. Here we report that incorporation of cisplatin into a fatty acid-based polymer carrier followed by a local injection into the solid tumor resulted in a successful tumor growth inhibition in heterotopic mouse bladder tumor model in mice. Platinum concentration in the tumor tissue surrounding the injected implant remained above the therapeutic level up to 14 days after the injection, while the plasma levels were several orders of magnitude lower comparing to systemic delivery. The reported delivery system increased the maximum tolerated dose of cisplatin 5 times compared to systemic delivery, thus potentially improving antitumor efficacy of cisplatin in solid tumor model.
Some Applications of the Method of Pivotal Condensation in Statistical Analysis

THE EXISTENCE of a particular method of statistical analysis is only one of the necessary conditions for its utilization in any applied field. Equally important is the ease of calculation of the quantities involved in the method. The major purpose of this paper is that of considering the latter problem in connection with the Generalized Distance Statistic and related quantities. Pivotal condensation, the calculation technique to be illus trated, was introduced by Rao (3,4, 5). It is in tended, therefore, that this paper in part be a clarification of Rao's original work.
The coxBAC Operon Encodes a Cytochromec Oxidase Required for Heterotrophic Growth in the Cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis Strain ATCC 29413

ABSTRACT Three genes, coxB, coxA, and coxC, found in a clone from a gene library of the cyanobacteriumAnabaena variabilis strain ATCC 29413, were identified by hybridization with an oligonucleotide specific foraa3-type cytochrome c oxidases. Deletion of these genes from the genome of A. variabilisstrain ATCC 29413 FD yielded strain CSW1, which displayed no chemoheterotrophic growth and an impaired cytochrome coxidase activity. Photoautotrophic growth of CSW1, however, was unchanged, even with dinitrogen as the nitrogen source. A higher cytochrome c oxidase activity was detected in membrane preparations from dinitrogen-grown CSW1 than from nitrate-grown CSW1, but comparable activities of respiratory oxygen uptake were found in the wild type and in CSW1. Our data indicate that the identifiedcox gene cluster is essential for fructose-dependent growth in the dark, but not for growth on dinitrogen, and that other terminal respiratory oxidases are expressed in this cyanobacterium. Transcription analysis showed that coxBAC constitutes an operon which is expressed from two transcriptional start points. The use of one of them was stimulated by fructose.
Bouc–Wen Modeling and Feedforward Control of Multivariable Hysteresis in Piezoelectric Systems: Application to a 3-DoF Piezotube Scanner

This paper is concerned with multivariable coupled hysteretic systems. The traditional Bouc-Wen monovariable hysteresis model devoted to 1 degree of freedom (DoF) actuated systems is extended to model the hysteresis in systems with multiple DoF, which typify strong cross-couplings. The proposed approach is able to model and to compensate for known hysteresis nonlinearities that affect smart materials. First, after presenting the new multivariable hysteresis Bouc-Wen model, a procedure of identification of its parameters is proposed. Then, we propose a multivariable compensator for the hysteresis. The compensator is based on the combination of the inverse multiplicative structure with the model, which permits to avoid additional calculation of its parameters. Such advantage is essential when the number of DoF is high. All along this paper, the cases of underactuated, overactuated, and fully actuated hysteretic systems are discussed. Finally, the proposed method is used to model and to compensate for the hysteresis in a 3-DoF piezoelectric tube actuator. The experimental results demonstrate its efficiency to linearize the hysteresis in the direct transfers and to minimize the hysteresis of the cross-couplings.
A differential evolution approach to dimensionality reduction for classification needs

Abstract The feature selection problem often occurs in pattern recognition and, more specifically, classification. Although these patterns could contain a large number of features, some of them could prove to be irrelevant, redundant or even detrimental to classification accuracy. Thus, it is important to remove these kinds of features, which in turn leads to problem dimensionality reduction and could eventually improve the classification accuracy. In this paper an approach to dimensionality reduction based on differential evolution which represents a wrapper and explores the solution space is presented. The solutions, subsets of the whole feature set, are evaluated using the k-nearest neighbour algorithm. High quality solutions found during execution of the differential evolution fill the archive. A final solution is obtained by conducting k-fold crossvalidation on the archive solutions and selecting the best one. Experimental analysis is conducted on several standard test sets. The classification accuracy of the k-nearest neighbour algorithm using the full feature set and the accuracy of the same algorithm using only the subset provided by the proposed approach and some other optimization algorithms which were used as wrappers are compared. The analysis shows that the proposed approach successfully determines good feature subsets which may increase the classification accuracy.
No eigenvalues outside the support of the limiting spectral distribution of large-dimensional sample covariance matrices

Let B n = (1/N)T n 1/2 X n X n *Tn 1/2 , where X n is n x N with i.i. d. complex standardized entries having finite fourth moment and T n 1/2 is a Hermitian square root of the nonnegative definite Hermitian matrix T n . It is known that, as n → ∞, if n/N converges to a positive number and the empirical distribution of the eigenvalues of T n converges to a proper probability distribution, then the empirical distribution of the eigenvalues of B n converges a.s. to a nonrandom limit. In this paper we prove that, under certain conditions on the eigenvalues of T n , for any closed interval outside the support of the limit, with probability 1 there will be no eigenvalues in this interval for all n sufficiently large.
Total and intra-abdominal fat measurements by ultrasound and computerized tomography.

Computerized tomography, a method of proven reliability for direct measurement of both total and visceral body fat, is not widely usable and alternative means of assessing body fat are required. Several anthropometric parameters, including ultrasound measurements of intra-abdominal and subcutaneous fat, were considered in 119 females (age 15-72 years, body mass index 24-51 kg/m2). Computerized tomography was also performed for total and visceral fat areas at the L4-L5 level. Reliability of each of these measurements in predicting total fat was assessed. Tertiles for visceral fat area were calculated (< 114, 114-170, > 170 cm2). Only ultrasound intra-abdominal fat measurements were able to distinguish between all three VAT groups (16 +/- 10, 32 +/- 13, 50 +/- 22 mm); neither sagittal diameter nor waist/hip girth ratio were able to distinguish between the two > 114 cm2 groups. Predictive equations for total adipose tissue area confirmed weight/height ratio as the best predictor of total fat. Ultrasound intra-abdominal thickness was the 1 degree variable to enter the stepwise regression in predictive equations for visceral adipose tissue area. The 2 degrees was age, the 3 degrees sagittal diameter, the 4 degrees waist/hip girth ratio and the 5 degrees ultrasound subcutaneous abdominal thickness (adjusted r2 = 0.784; P < 0.001).