Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unsupervised Triplet Hashing for Fast Image Retrieval

The explosive growth of multimedia contents has made hashing an indispensable component in image retrieval. In particular, learning-based hashing has recently shown great promising with the advance of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). However, the existing hashing methods are mostly tuned for classification. Learning hash functions for retrieval tasks, especially for instance-level retrieval, still faces many challenges. Considering the difficulty in obtaining labeled datasets for image retrieval task in large scale, we propose a novel CNN-based unsupervised hashing method, namely Unsupervised Triplet Hashing (UTH). The unsupervised hashing network is designed based on the following three principles: 1) maximizing the discrimination among image representations; 2) minimizing the quantization loss between the original real-valued feature descriptors and the learned hash codes; 3) maximizing the information entropy for the learned hash codes to improve their representation ability. Extensive experiments on CIFAR-10, MNIST and In-shop datasets have shown that UTH outperforms several state-of-the-art unsupervised hashing methods in terms of retrieval accuracy.
Are consumers willing to pay more for biofortified foods?: Evidence from a field experiment in Uganda

Vitamin A deficiency is a major health problem in Africa and in many other developing countries. Biofortified staple crops that are high in beta-carotene and adapted to local growing environments have the potential to significantly reduce the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency. One such example is the orange sweet potato (OSP). Because of its distinctive orange color, which is in contrast to the white varieties that are typically consumed in Africa, it is important to assess whether consumers will accept it. This paper attempts to address this question by using a choice experiment with the real product to quantify the magnitude of the premium or discount in consumers' willingness to pay that may be associated with it. It also considers the extent to which the provision of nutrition information affects valuations. Finally, the paper addresses whether the use of hypothetical scenarios is justified in a developing country context, and quantifies the magnitude of hypothetical bias that results as a consequence. We examine whether a “cheap talk” script, which as elaborated in the paper, reminds respondents that hypothetical scenarios are to be treated as if they are real, is effective in mitigating hypothetical bias. The experiment was conducted in Uganda, a key target country for the dissemination of orange sweet potato. Our results suggest that in the absence of nutrition information, there is no difference between white and orange varieties in consumers' willingness to pay, but there is a discount for yellow sweet potato (which does not have any beta-carotene). The provision of nutrition information does translate into substantial premia for the orange varieties, indicating that an information campaign may be key to driving market acceptance of the new product. Finally, there is a substantial hypothetical bias in both the willingness to pay (WTP), and the marginal WTP, for the new varieties; while “cheap talk” may mitigate this bias, it does not eliminate it.
AI-KU: Using Co-Occurrence Modeling for Semantic Similarity

In this paper, we describe our unsupervised method submitted to the Cross-Level Semantic Similarity task in Semeval 2014 that computes semantic similarity between two different sized text fragments. Our method models each text fragment by using the cooccurrence statistics of either occurred words or their substitutes. The co-occurrence modeling step provides dense, low-dimensional embedding for each fragment which allows us to calculate semantic similarity using various similarity metrics. Although our current model avoids the syntactic information, we achieved promising results and outperformed all baselines.
Rotating-table game and construction of periodic sequences with lightweight calculation

A well-known operator of vectors over finite field is the derivative, which is used to investigate the complexity of vectors in game theory, communication theory and cryptography. According to the operator, a corresponding complexity of the vector is called (the first) depth, which also contributes to two other definitions (the second and the third depths) by using polynomial factor and high order difference, respectively. For an n-dimensional vector over Fq (a finite field with q elements and characteristic p), the three depths are the same as its linear complexity if n = pr (r ≥ 0). In this paper, by investigation on vectors s of length n (or equivalent sequences of period n) with infinite third depth, and the cyclic-left-shift-difference operator E-1 on s, long least ultimate period sequences {(E-1)i(s)}i≥0 are constructed with high probability over big alphabet using lightweight calculation. Furthermore, distributions of sequences s with period n = pr-1 (r >; 0), are described in terms of the least ultimate periods of {(E-1)i (s)}i≥0. In addition, we depict circulant matrix structure of the operator (E - 1)i for 0 <; i <; n and determine its rank. Some upper bounds on the ultimate period of {(E-1)i (s)}i≥0 and a method to determine the least ultimate period are provided. The least ultimate period presents an adversary a sufficient condition to win the rotating-table game with rapid counteraction (RGRC).
Managing Quality in Qualitative Research

1. How to manage and assess the quality of qualitative research 2. Standards in qualitative research 3. Criteria in qualitative research 4. Using CAQDAS for advancing the quality of qualitative research 5. Quality indicators of specific methods and approaches 6. Checklists and guidelines 7. Strategies for managing diversity in qualitative research 8. Relevance, evidence and quality of qualitative research 9. Quality, creativity and ethics: different ways to ask the question 10. Managing quality in qualitative research: process and transparency
How to compute the length of a geodesic on a Riemannian manifold with small error in arbitrary Sobolev norms

We compute the length of geodesics on a Riemannian manifold by regular polynomial interpolation of the global solution of the eikonal equation related to the line element $ds^2=g_{ij}dx^idx^j$ of the manifold. Our algorithm approximates the length functional in arbitrarily strong Sobolev norms. Error estimates are obtained where the geometric information is used. It is pointed out how the algorithm can be used to get accurate approximation of solutions of parabolic partial differential equations leading obvious applications to finance and physics.
Adaptive Relevance Matrices in Learning Vector Quantization

We propose a new matrix learning scheme to extend relevance learning vector quantization (RLVQ), an efficient prototype-based classification algorithm, toward a general adaptive metric. By introducing a full matrix of relevance factors in the distance measure, correlations between different features and their importance for the classification scheme can be taken into account and automated, and general metric adaptation takes place during training. In comparison to the weighted Euclidean metric used in RLVQ and its variations, a full matrix is more powerful to represent the internal structure of the data appropriately. Large margin generalization bounds can be transferred to this case, leading to bounds that are independent of the input dimensionality. This also holds for local metrics attached to each prototype, which corresponds to piecewise quadratic decision boundaries. The algorithm is tested in comparison to alternative learning vector quantization schemes using an artificial data set, a benchmark multiclass problem from the UCI repository, and a problem from bioinformatics, the recognition of splice sites for C.elegans.
Assembly of the fluorescent acrosomal matrix and its fate in fertilization in the water strider, Aquarius remigis

Animal sperm show remarkable diversity in both morphology and molecular composition. Here we provide the first report of intense intrinsic fluorescence in an animal sperm. The sperm from a semi‐aquatic insect, the water strider, Aquarius remigis, contains an intrinsically fluorescent molecule with properties consistent with those of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which appears first in the acrosomal vesicle of round spermatids and persists in the acrosome throughout spermiogenesis. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching reveals that the fluorescent molecule exhibits unrestricted mobility in the acrosomal vesicle of round spermatids but is completely immobile in the acrosome of mature sperm. Fluorescence polarization microscopy shows a net alignment of the fluorescent molecules in the acrosome of the mature sperm but not in the acrosomal vesicle of round spermatids. These results suggest that acrosomal molecules are rearranged in the elongating acrosome and FAD is incorporated into the acrosomal matrix during its formation. Further, we followed the fate of the acrosomal matrix in fertilization utilizing the intrinsic fluorescence. The fluorescent acrosomal matrix was observed inside the fertilized egg and remained structurally intact even after gastrulation started. This observation suggests that FAD is not released from the acrosomal matrix during the fertilization process or early development and supports an idea that FAD is involved in the formation of the acrosomal matrix. The intrinsic fluorescence of the A. remigis acrosome will be a useful marker for following spermatogenesis and fertilization. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 999–1006, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Examination of the Dynamics of Happiness Using Vector Autoregressions

We use a panel vector autoregressions model to examine the coevolution of changes in happiness and changes in income, health, marital status as well as employment status for the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) data set. This technique allows us to simultaneously analyze the impact of the aforementioned factors on each other. We find that increases in happiness are associated with subsequent increases in income, marriage, employment, and health variables, while increases in the these life-domain variables (except health) tend to be followed by decreases in happiness in subsequent periods, suggesting adaptation dynamics in all domains. These findings are quite robust to different model specifications.
Human object segmentation using Gaussian mixture model and graph cuts

In this paper, we propose an efficient approach to automatic human object segmentation. First, foreground (human object) model and background model are built based on the face detection result, and are used to obtain the seed pixels for foreground and background, respectively. Then seed pixels are clustered using K-means algorithm, and Gaussian mixture models are exploited to generate the foreground/background probability map. Finally, pixels are efficiently classified into foreground and background under the framework of graph cuts. Experimental results on a variety of video sequences demonstrate the better segmentation performance of the proposed approach.
Innovative Design and Analysis Strategies in the Evaluation of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign : Propensity Scores and Counterfactual Projection Weights in a National Probability Survey

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign was funded by the Congress in 1998 to reduce and prevent drug use among young people by addressing youth directly, as well as indirectly, by encouraging their parents and other adults to take actions known to affect youth drug use. The major intervention components include televis ion, radio, and other advertising, complemented by public relations efforts including community outreach and institutional partnerships. An evaluation of the Campaign is being conducted under contract to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) by Westat and its subcontractor, the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania. Funding of the evaluation is provided by ONDCP from the appropriation for the Media Campaign itself. The primary tool for the evaluation is the National Survey of Parents and Youth (NSPY). This survey is collecting initial and followup data from nationally representative samples of youth between 9 and 18 years of age and parents of these youth. The principal goal of the evaluation is to assess the effectiveness of the Campaign in reducing drug use initiation and its precursors (e.g., attitudes, intentions) among youth, particularly with respect to marijuana. The model of Campaign influence integrates propositions from the Theory of Reasoned Action and Social Cognitive Theory.
Wireless Positioning Based on a Segment-Wise Linear Approach for Modeling the Target Trajectory

Positioning solutions in infrastructure-based wireless networks generally operate by exploiting the channel information of the links between the Wireless Devices and fixed networking Access Points. The major challenge of such solutions is the modeling of both the noise properties of the channel measurements and the user mobility patterns. One class of typical human being movement patterns is the segment-wise linear approach, which is studied in this paper. Current tracking solutions, such as the Constant Velocity model, hardly handle such segment-wise linear patterns. In this paper we propose a segment-wise linear model, called the Drifting Points model. The model results in an increased performance when compared with traditional solutions.
Executive Compensation in Ereits: Ereit Size is But One Determinant

Prior research of senior executive compensation in real estate investment trusts (REITs) has found REIT size as the sole statistically significant determinant of compensation. This research finds that size is only one of several determinants of equity REITs (EREIT) senior executive compensation. In addition to size as measured by EREIT market value, the designation of the EREIT as a retail EREIT, the percentage of stock owned by the senior executive, the dollar amount of dividends paid to the senior executive and the number of years since an EREITâ€™s initial public offering were found to be significant factors impacting senior executive compensation. The results also contrast with the general executive compensation literature that shows proxies for size as the primary determinants of executive compensation. This research indicates the need for industry specific compensation models to account for variation in executive compensation.
When cells tell their neighbors which direction to divide

Many cells must divide in specific orientations, yet for only a handful of cases do we have some understanding of how cells choose division orientations. We know of only a few cases where division orientations are controlled by specific cell–cell interactions. These cases are of interest, because they tell us something new and seemingly fundamental about how cells can function during development. Here, the evidence that interactions control division orientation in some cells of the early C. elegans embryo is presented, and what is known about how contact can regulate division orientation is discussed. Whether contact‐mediated division orientation is a peculiarity of C. elegans or whether it may be more widespread is addressed. Dev Dyn;218:23–29. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Personal Identification Using Footstep Based on Wavelets

The characteristics of a footstep are determined by the gait, the footwear and the floor. Accurate footstep analysis would be useful in various applications, home security service, surveillance and understanding of human action since the gait expresses personality, age and gender. The feasibility of personal identification has been confirmed by using the feature parameter of footsteps, however, it is necessary to use more effective parameters since the recognition rate of this method decreases as the number of subjects increases. In this paper, wavelet transform is applied to feature extraction from footsteps. In audio classification, Fourier and wavelet transform are used to extract the feature of audio signals. Results show that the parameter proposed herein yields effective and practical personal identification
Avoiding unscheduled transcription in shared promoters: Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sum1p represses the divergent gene pair SPS18-SPS19 through a midsporulation element (MSE)

The sporulation-specific gene SPS18 shares a common promoter region with the oleic acid-inducible gene SPS19. Both genes are transcribed in sporulating diploid cells, albeit unevenly in favour of SPS18, whereas in haploid cells grown on fatty acids only SPS19 is highly activated. Here, SPS19 oleate-response element (ORE) conferred activation on a basal CYC1-lacZ reporter gene equally in both orientations, but promoter analysis using SPS18-lacZ reporter constructs with deletions identified a repressing fragment containing a midsporulation element (MSE) that could be involved in imposing directionality towards SPS19 in oleic acid-induced cells. In sporulating diploids, MSEs recruit the Ndt80p transcription factor for activation, whereas under vegetative conditions, certain MSEs are targeted by the Sum1p repressor in association with Hst1p and Rfm1p. Quantitative real-time PCR demonstrated that in haploid sum1Δ, hst1Δ, or rfm1Δ cells, oleic acid-dependent expression of SPS18 was higher compared with the situation in wild-type cells, but in the sum1Δ mutant, this effect was diminished in the absence of Oaf1p or Pip2p. We conclude that SPS18 MSE is a functional element repressing the expression of both SPS18 and SPS19, and is a component of a stricture mechanism shielding SPS18 from the dramatic increase in ORE-dependent transcription of SPS19 in oleic acid-grown cells.
A Video-based Approach for Translating Sign Language to Simple Sentence in English

Sign Language is the language of deaf. This paper discusses an approach for translating Sign Lan-guage videos to its corresponding simple sentence in English. There are different types of sign languages spread all over the world. American Sign Language (ASL) is one of the sign languages. ASL is used by deaf Americans. We have collected some ASL videos in which a person is signing a particular word which will be translated to words of English language. We have created a translator that converts the ASL video to grammatically correct textual simple sentence in English. This textual simple sentence is then converted to speech.
An MINLP Model for Scheduling and Placement of Quantum Circuits with a Heuristic Solution Approach

Recent works on quantum physical design have pushed the scheduling and placement of quantum circuit into their prominent positions. In this article, a mixed integer nonlinear programming model is proposed for the placement and scheduling of quantum circuits in such a way that latency is minimized. The proposed model determines locations of gates and the sequence of operations. The proposed model is proved reducible to a quadratic assignment problem which is a well-known NP-complete combinatorial optimization problem. Since it is impossible to find the optimal solution of this NP-complete problem for large quantum circuits within a reasonable amount of time, a metaheuristic solution method is developed for the proposed model. Some experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the developed solution approach. Experimental results show that the proposed approach improves average latency by about 24.09% for the attempted benchmarks.
SLPW: A Virulent Bacteriophage Targeting Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus In vitro and In vivo

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a Gram-positive pathogen causing a variety of infections in humans and animals. Extensive use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). As an alternative antibacterial agent against drug-resistant S. aureus, a lytic phage, designated SLPW, was isolated from fecal sewage in a pig farm. The SLPW was morphologically classified under Podoviridae and contains a double-stranded DNA genome. The genome of SLPW was 17,861 bp (29.35% G+C) containing 20 open reading frames and lacked regions encoding lysogeny-related integrase gene and cI repressor gene. Phage SLPW showed a broad host range and high efficiency of plating against various types of S. aureus. One-step growth curve showed a short latency period (10 min) and a long lytic period (120 min). Phage SLPW remained stable under a wide range of temperatures or pH and was almost unaffected in chloroform or ultraviolet light. Further, it efficiently lysed MRSA strains in vitro and in vivo. Intraperitoneal phage administration at 1 h post-infection cured the mice and reduced the bacterial expression of inflammatory cytokines in mice. Specifically, the phage SLPW displayed a wide antibacterial spectrum. It was therapeutically effective against intra-abdominal infection in mice harboring different multilocus sequence typing (MLST) types of S. aureus strains. Therefore, phage SLPW is a potential therapeutic agent against MRSA infections.
Advanced planning and scheduling (APS) and enterprise planning system (ERP) planning reference models for Personal Computer assembly industry: A process perspective

Human resources in science and technology (HRST) are important for promoting national competitiveness. The capacity utilization of HRST refers to the ratio of the amount of output that can be produced using the installed productivity capacity to the optimal output. This study uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) to measure the capacity utilization of global ten countries. Six HRST productivity indexes from the 323 indexes listed in the world competitiveness yearbook published by IMD in 2010 were selected as a reference. In the process, a multiple criteria procedure is used to assess the performance in these nations. Observing the average efficiency values, Japan is the highest with a mean of 1.000. On top of that, Japan has the lowest standard deviation of 0.000. We also can see that the total productivity change score (Malmquist productivity indexes presented in column 5) is higher than one for almost all periods, except for 2008 to 2009 showing that a large proportion of group of ten countries experienced gains in total productivity in the five periods considered. The research provides evidence which establishes whether benchmarking provides a real and lasting benefit to nations. A series of managerial implications are set forth and discussed. Key words: Malmquist index, window analysis, capacity utilization, data envelopment analysis (DEA).
Assignment 2 Report

Our project builds a binary classifier that predicts the existence of a connection between any pair of nodes in a facebook ego-net graph. We investigate the most representative features to use and compare the performance of Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest (RF). SVM performs well on the specific task. LR performs decently and will potentially play a large role in a friend recommending system across different ego-nets.