Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Obtaining reference road geometry parameters from recorded sensor data

In many applications of tracking and sensing systems, reference data for tuning and verification of system performance is unavailable. In this article the problem of automotive on-line road shape estimation is discussed and a method for obtaining reference data for this application is presented. The reference data is based on a least squares curve which is fitted geometrically to the lane boundaries. It does not require any extra sensors or other hardware. It is also shown that the accuracy of the estimate is high enough to be used as a reference in most applications
SVM-Prot 2016: A Web-Server for Machine Learning Prediction of Protein Functional Families from Sequence Irrespective of Similarity

Knowledge of protein function is important for biological, medical and therapeutic studies, but many proteins are still unknown in function. There is a need for more improved functional prediction methods. Our SVM-Prot web-server employed a machine learning method for predicting protein functional families from protein sequences irrespective of similarity, which complemented those similarity-based and other methods in predicting diverse classes of proteins including the distantly-related proteins and homologous proteins of different functions. Since its publication in 2003, we made major improvements to SVM-Prot with (1) expanded coverage from 54 to 192 functional families, (2) more diverse protein descriptors protein representation, (3) improved predictive performances due to the use of more enriched training datasets and more variety of protein descriptors, (4) newly integrated BLAST analysis option for assessing proteins in the SVM-Prot predicted functional families that were similar in sequence to a query protein, and (5) newly added batch submission option for supporting the classification of multiple proteins. Moreover, 2 more machine learning approaches, K nearest neighbor and probabilistic neural networks, were added for facilitating collective assessment of protein functions by multiple methods. SVM-Prot can be accessed at http://bidd2.nus. edu.sg/cgi-bin/svmprot/svmprot.cgi.
Fixed Precision Sampling Plans for White Apple Leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) on Apple

Abstract Constant precision sampling plans for the white apple leafhopper, Typhlocyba pomaria McAtee, were developed so that it could be used as an indicator species for system stability as new integrated pest management programs without broad-spectrum pesticides are developed. Taylor’s power law was used to model the relationship between the mean and the variance, and Green’s constant precision sequential sample equation was used to develop sampling plans. Bootstrap simulations of the sampling plans showed greater precision (D = 0.25) than the desired precision (Do = 0.3), particularly at low mean population densities. We found that by adjusting the Do value in Green’s equation to 0.4, we were able to reduce the average sample number by 25% and provided an average D = 0.31. The sampling plan described allows T. pomaria to be used as reasonable indicator species of agroecosystem stability in Washington apple orchards.
Foundations of Intrinsic Habit Formation

We provide theoretical foundations for several common (nested) representations of intrinsic linear habit formation. Our axiomatization introduces an intertemporal theory of weaning a decision-maker from her habits using the device of compensation. We clarify differences across specifications of the model, provide measures of habit-forming tendencies, and suggest methods for axiomatizing time-nonseparable preferences.
Natural frequency based optimal design of a two-link flexible manipulator

Modern industries, e.g., semiconductor packaging, imposes increasing stringent requirement on equipment with very high acceleration and high precision. Traditionally, arm linkage and drive mechanism are first designed followed by control design. The integrated design method is proposed as a preferable technique of the traditional one. In this paper, a general framework of the integrated design method for a point-to-point control is presented. The dynamic model for a flexible planar two-link manipulator is derived by the finite element method. The PD control strategy is applied in the closed-loop system. The structural parameters and control parameters are optimized simultaneously by solving the integrated design problem. The differential evolution (DE) technique, a global optimization technique, is used to solve the optimal design problem. A simulation shows the integrated design method gives improved system performance.
PepTiger: Search Engine for Error-Tolerant Protein Identification from de Novo Sequences

In recent years a number of de novo sequencing software products became available providing possible partial or complete amino acid sequence tags for MS/MS spectra of peptides. However, for a variety of reasons including spectral chemical noise and imperfect fragmentation these sequence tags almost always contain errors. Additional difficulties arise from actual protein sequence variation and post-translational modifications. We present a search engine named PepTiger which is capable of correctly matching de novo sequence tags with errors to protein sequences in a protein database. The algorithm is based on approximate string matching followed by a novel scoring procedure which takes into account mass differences and the string distance between de novo sequence and matched peptides and similarities between theoretical and experimental MS/MS spectra. Comparison of PepTiger with other protein identification software shows that PepTiger is better able to assign de novo sequence tags with errors to the correct peptide sequences.
Nber Working Paper Series Intellectual Property Rights, Foreign Direct Investment, and Industrial Development

The theoretical model presented in this paper builds upon and extends that presented in Branstetter, Fisman, Foley, and Saggi (2007). We thank Ray Fisman and Fritz Foley for their contributions to that earlier work and for useful comments on this research. All errors remain our own. Views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Bureau of Economic Analysis or the National Bureau of Economic Research. ABSTRACT This paper develops a North-South product model in which Southern imitation and the North-South flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) are endogenously determined. In the model, a strengthening of IPR protection in the South reduces the rate of imitation, which, in turn, increases the flow of FDI. The increase in FDI more than offsets the decline in production undertaken by Southern imitators, so that the South's share of goods produced by the global economy increases. Furthermore, real wages of Southern workers increase even though prices of goods produced by multinationals exceed those of Southern imitators. The preceding results hold when Northern innovation is endogenously determined; in addition, the rate of innovation increases with a strengthening of Southern IPR protection.
The radio flaring behaviour of GRO J1655-40: an analogy with extragalactic radio sources

At radio frequencies, the current evidence for the microquasar-quasar connection is based on imaging observations showing that relativistic outflows/jets are found in both classes of objects. Some microquasars also display superluminal motion, further strengthening the view that microquasars are in fact Galactic miniatures of quasars. Here we demonstrate that this connection can be extended to incorporate timing and spectral observations. Our argument is based on the striking similarity found in the radio flaring behaviour of the Galactic superluminal source GRO J1655-40 and of extragalactic sources, such as the blazar 3C 273. We find that the variability of GRO J1655-40 can be explained within the framework of the successful generalized shock model for compact extragalactic radio sources in which the radio emission arises from shocked plasma in relativistic jets. Specifically, the multifrequency flare amplitudes, time-delays and radio polarization position angle measurements are consistent with the predictions of the growth stage of this model.
Low resolution face recognition with pose variations using deep belief networks

In practice face recognition sometimes encountered by low resolution (LR) face images with varying poses, which degrade the performance significantly. To address this problem, we propose an approach that applies deep belief network (DBN) to handle the non-linearity caused by pose variations. The manifold assumption states that point-pairs from high resolution (HR) manifold share the topology with the corresponding LR manifold. Inspired by this assumption, we learn the relationship between HR manifold and LR manifold by sending both HR images and LR images to a deep architecture. High performance is achieved in the experiment on ORL and UMIST, in which great facial pose variations present.
An improved recommendation algorithm in E-commerce

To improve the drawback of collaborative-based recommendation algorithm and content-based recommendation algorithm in e-commerce, a new algorithm is proposed, which is integrated the collaborative-based recommendation and content-based recommendation algorithm. In e-commerce system, user information is divided into field information and atomic information according to the two classifications. First, collaborative-based recommendation algorithm is adopted for field information, and then content-based recommendation algorithm is used to atomic information. Theoretical analysis and simulations prove that the improved recommendation algorithm outperforms the traditional algorithms.
Clinical, angiographic, and genetic factors associated with early coronary stent thrombosis.

CONTEXT Despite dual antiplatelet therapy, stent thrombosis remains a devastating and unpredictable complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). OBJECTIVE To perform a sequential analysis of clinical and genetic factors associated with definite early stent thrombosis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Case-control study conducted in 10 centers in France between January 2007 and May 2010 among 123 patients undergoing PCI who had definite early stent thrombosis and DNA samples available, matched on age and sex with 246 stent thrombosis-free controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Accuracy of early stent thrombosis prediction by 23 genetic variants. RESULTS Among the 23 genetic variants investigated in 15 different genes, the significant determinants of early stent thrombosis were CYP2C19 metabolic status (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.99; 95% CI, 1.47-2.69), ABCB1 3435 TT genotype (adjusted OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.21-3.88), and ITGB3 PLA2 carriage (adjusted OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.28-0.95). Nongenetic independent correlates were acuteness of PCI (adjusted OR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.54-6.07), complex lesions (American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association type C) (adjusted OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.40-3.89), left ventricular function less than 40% (adjusted OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.09-4.70), diabetes mellitus (adjusted OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.02-3.24), use of proton pump inhibitors (adjusted OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.29-3.75), and higher clopidogrel loading doses (adjusted OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57-0.93). The discriminative accuracy of the clinical-only model was similar to that of a genetic-only model (area under the curve, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.67-0.78] vs 0.68 [95% CI, 0.62-0.74], respectively; P = .34). A combined clinical and genetic model led to a statistically significant increase in the discriminatory power of the model compared with the clinical-only model (area under the curve, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.73-0.83] vs 0.73 [95% CI, 0.67-0.78]; P = .004). CONCLUSIONS This case-control study identified 3 genes (CYP2C19, ABCB1, and ITGB3) and 2 clopidogrel-related factors (loading dose and proton pump inhibitors) that were independently associated with early stent thrombosis. Future studies are needed to validate the prognostic accuracy of these risk factors in prospective cohorts.
Random Graphs as Models of Networks

The random graph of Erdos and Renyi is one of the oldest and best studied models of a network, and possesses the considerable advantage of being exactly solvable for many of its average properties. However, as a model of real-world networks such as the Internet, social networks or biological networks it leaves a lot to be desired. In particular, it differs from real networks in two crucial ways: it lacks network clustering or transitivity, and it has an unrealistic Poissonian degree distribution. In this paper we review some recent work on generalizations of the random graph aimed at correcting these shortcomings. We describe generalized random graph models of both directed and undirected networks that incorporate arbitrary non-Poisson degree distributions, and extensions of these models that incorporate clustering too. We also describe two recent applications of random graph models to the problems of network robustness and of epidemics spreading on contact networks.
Performance of a hybrid spectral/finite element solver for incompressible flows with parallel direct solver

Abstract| The development of parallel directsolvers enabled many CFD codes to apply on nerand ner meshes. Since a decade, our departmenthas expanded the capacities of an in-house hybridspectral/ nite element solver for 3D unsteady in-compressible ow problems with a direction of pe-riodicity. The use of a spectral development alongthe direction of periodicity leads to a set of 2D de-coupled systems of equations within each time stepto determine the modal components of the nodalunknowns. The parallelization within the code ismade both in physical and spectral domains, tryingto keep as few communications between the pro-cesses as possible. We chose to couple the paralleldirect solver MUMPS to our CFD code in order tosolve each mode by several cores. Doing so, we cannow perform computations on meshes containingtens of millions of nodes, which is now a standardin the CFD community. In the present work, we rst present the nature of the parallelization madein our code. Then, on the basis of a standard valida-tion case for magnetohydrodynamic ows, we com-pare the time and memory requirements betweenour former direct solver and the new one.Keywords| incompressible ow, magnetohydro-dynamics, parallel direct solver, spectral/ nite el-ement method
Coevolving intelligent game players in a cultural framework

Game playing has always provided an exciting avenue of research in Artificial Intelligence. Various methodologies and techniques have been developed to build intelligent game players. Coevolution has proven to be successful in learning how to play games with no prior game knowledge. In this paper we develop a coevolutionary system for the General Game Playing framework, where absolutely nothing is known about the game beforehand, and enhance it using Cultural Algorithms. In order to test the effectiveness of complementing coevolution with cultural algorithms, we play matches in several games between our player, a random player and one trained using standard coevolution.
Towards a theory model for product search

With the growing pervasiveness of the Internet, online search for products and services is constantly increasing. Most product search engines are based on adaptations of theoretical models devised for information retrieval. However, the decision mechanism that underlies the process of buying a product is different than the process of locating relevant documents or objects. We propose a theory model for product search based on expected utility theory from economics. Specifically, we propose a ranking technique in which we rank highest the products that generate the highest surplus, after the purchase. In a sense, the top ranked products are the "best value for money" for a specific user. Our approach builds on research on "demand estimation" from economics and presents a solid theoretical foundation on which further research can build on. We build algorithms that take into account consumer demographics, heterogeneity of consumer preferences, and also account for the varying price of the products. We show how to achieve this without knowing the demographics or purchasing histories of individual consumers but by using aggregate demand data. We evaluate our work, by applying the techniques on hotel search. Our extensive user studies, using more than 15,000 user-provided ranking comparisons, demonstrate an overwhelming preference for the rankings generated by our techniques, compared to a large number of existing strong state-of-the-art baselines.
Towards targeted open data interlinking

Several challenges face the interlinking of large RDF datasets. Perhaps some of the most salient are the polysemy of natural language labels and the lack of reference anchors or starting points. In this paper we propose a novel interlinking method, called TERA, driven by text annotation. The proposed method consists in annotating the same textual context with two different datasets and comparing the selected RDF resources. We discuss the adequacy of the annotation methods with this particular task and evaluate the precision of the interlinking method in preliminary experiments.
On the threshold for observing approximate invariance of effective bandwidth

Effective bandwidth is a descriptor in the context of stochastic models for statistical sharing of resources. One of the most interesting properties of effective bandwidth is that it does not change when passing a network node under many sources limiting regime (infinitely many sources). This is called ldquoinvariance propertyrdquo of effective bandwidth. Numerical simulations have suggested that in some cases, the ldquoinvariance propertyrdquo of effective bandwidths holds already for a surprisingly small number of competing flows even in the presence of aggressive TCP traffic. The real question, though, is: how many input processes are needed for reasonable convergence over the scale of interest? This work addresses this question using recent results from the large deviations theory under many sources limiting regime and the theory of statistical network calculus. The advantage of predefining the minimum number of independent multiplexing flows at each network node to observe approximate invariance of effective bandwidth is that the task of network resources dimensioning can be greatly simplified.
Female genital mutilation. Programmes to date: what works and what doesnt. A review.

This review is designed to serve as a programming tool and/or a baseline for monitoring the evolution of FGM elimination efforts. It is also designed to serve as a programming tool for donors and policy makers trying to understand FGM and behaviour change and non-governmental groups implementing anti-FGM programmes. Governments and countries are confronted with complex and culturally entrenched beliefs of FGM referred to in the review as “the mental map”. (excerpt)
Social- and Computer-based Generated Expectations about Pain Influence Pain Experience Similarly

: Twenty-two participants were divided into social-and computer-based groups testing whether the type of source regarding upcoming pain influenced how the participants experienced heat pain. Effects were found on pain ratings based on the temperature of the actual stimulus and also whether the information about the upcoming pain was rated overall high or overall low. No other effects were found leading to the conclusion that the source of the information about the upcoming pain stimulus does not matter as much as the information received about the stimulus.
Structural health monitoring of wind turbines observed by autonomous software components – 2 nd level monitoring

Wind energy, with an annual growth of about 30%, represents one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources. Continuous long-term monitoring of wind turbines can greatly reduce maintenance and repair costs, ensure structural safety, extend operational life, and, ultimately, improve the profitability of wind turbines. A decentralized wind turbine monitoring system has been developed and installed on a 500 kW wind turbine in Germany. During its operation, temporary malfunctions of the installed sensing units have been observed. If not detected in a timely manner, these malfunctions can lead to the loss of important monitoring data. To monitor the installed sensors, autonomous software based on multi-agent technology has been developed and modularly integrated into the monitoring system. Since the initial deployment of the autonomous software in 2009, various sensor malfunctions have autonomously been detected, and email notifications were automatically composed and immediately issued to the responsible personnel by the autonomous software. As a result, appropriate actions, such as replacing or remotely restarting malfunctioning sensing units, were undertaken in a timely fashion by the responsible engineers.
Bayes-Adaptive Simulation-based Search with Value Function Approximation

Bayes-adaptive planning offers a principled solution to the exploration-exploitation trade-off under model uncertainty. It finds the optimal policy in belief space, which explicitly accounts for the expected effect on future rewards of reductions in uncertainty. However, the Bayes-adaptive solution is typically intractable in domains with large or continuous state spaces. We present a tractable method for approximating the Bayes-adaptive solution by combining simulation-based search with a novel value function approximation technique that generalises appropriately over belief space. Our method outperforms prior approaches in both discrete bandit tasks and simple continuous navigation and control tasks.
Research on Structure and Functionality of Network Teaching Integrated Platform Based on MVC

Network teaching integration platform is the education development needs. According to network teaching platform's problems in current, this paper presents a network teaching integration platform design idea which based on MVC framework. Through the integration of the MVC framework research network teaching integration platform structure, research the three major MVC structure and network integration platform's system structure, The use of functional block diagram to show the network teaching integration platform's features, include teaching organization management, online communication, online assessment, online management, download center. The results show that in the modern information technology support, network teaching integration platform design idea which based on MVC is the future trend, bound to accelerate the process of education for far-reaching impact.
Mandarin vowel pronunciation quality evaluation by a novel formant classification method and its combination with traditional algorithms

This paper discusses the vowel pronunciation quality assessment of our computer assisted Mandarin Chinese learning system. Under the speech recognition framework, phonetic pronunciation assessment is usually based on the phonetic posterior probability score, which may be computed by normalizing the frame-based posterior probability or be calculated on the phone segment directly. By the first method, we can achieve a human-machine scoring correlation coefficient (CC) of 0.832 for vowel; and by the second, the CC can be up to 0.847. In order to improve the performance, we suggest employing the formant feature of vowel. This paper proposes a novel method to utilize formant: we plot formant candidates of each frame on the time-frequency plane to form a bitmap, and then extract its Gabor feature for pattern classification. When we use the classification probability score for pronunciation assessment, we get a CC of 0.842. Finally we combine the three scores with various linear or nonlinear methods; the best CC of 0.913 is gotten by using neural network.