Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gene expression profile for schizophrenia: discrete neuron transcription patterns in the entorhinal cortex.

BACKGROUND Several lines of evidence indicate the altered function of the temporal lobe, including the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex (EC), is associated with schizophrenia. We used single-cell gene expression technologies to assess coordinate changes in the expression of multiple genes, including neuronal signaling and synaptic-related markers in EC layer II stellate neurons. METHODS We used a single-neuron microdissection technique coupled with linear antisense RNA amplification and high density/candidate gene arrays to assess coordinate changes in gene expression. The expression and relative abundance of more than 18,000 messenger RNAs were assessed from EC layer II stellate neurons from postmortem samples of schizophrenic and age-matched control brains. Results of this initial screen were used to perform a more specific secondary messenger RNA screen for each subject. RESULTS Data disclosed marked differences in expression of various G-protein-coupled receptor-signaling transcripts, glutamate receptor subunits, synaptic proteins, and other transcripts. Results of secondary screening showed significant decreases in levels of G-protein subunit i(alpha)1, glutamate receptor 3, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1, synaptophysin, and sensory nerve action potentials 23 and 25 in the stellate neurons of schizophrenic patients. We observed down-regulation of phospholemman (a phosphoprotein associated with anion channel formation) messenger RNA and protein levels in layer II/III stellate neurons in the population with schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS These results provide a preliminary expression profile of schizophrenia in defined neuronal populations. Understanding the coordinated involvement of multiple genes in human disease provides insight into the molecular basis of the disease and offers new targets for pharmacotherapeutic intervention.
Building Detection in a Single Remotely Sensed Image with a Point Process of Rectangles

In this paper we introduce a probabilistic approach of building extraction in remotely sensed images. To cope with data heterogeneity we construct a flexible hierarchical framework which can create various building appearance models from different elementary feature based modules. A global optimization process attempts to find the optimal configuration of buildings, considering simultaneously the observed data, prior knowledge, and interactions between the neighboring building parts. The proposed method is evaluated on various aerial image sets containing more than 500 buildings, and the results are matched against two state-of-the-art techniques.
Demo abstract: FPGA-based implementation of a flexible FFT dedicated to LTE standard

Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology is expected to play a key role in the development of Software Defined Radio platforms. To reduce design time required when targeting such a technology, high-level synthesis tools can be used. These tools are available in current FPGA CAD tools. In this demo, we will present the design of a FFT component for Long Term Evolution standard and its implementation on a Xilinx Virtex 6 based ML605 board. Our flexible FFT can support FFT sizes among 128, 256, 512, 1024, 1536 and 2048 to compute OFDM symbols. The FFT is specified at a high-level (i.e. in C language). Both dynamic partial reconfiguration and run-time configuration based on input control signals of the flexible FFT will be shown. These two approaches provide interesting tradeoff between reconfiguration time and area.
Co-training and Learning with Noise

Blum and Mitchell introduced a model of learning in (Blum & Mitchell, 1998) where each instance X is composed of two views ( X 1 , X 2 ) with X 1 conditionally independent of X 2 given the label of X . They showed that the target concept is learnable using X 2 and the labels of a weak predictor f on X 1 because the labels generated by f behave like the actual label corrupted by independent classiﬁcation noise. Most works on learning with two views have not exploited this result but concentrated instead on maximizing the agreement of two functions trained on the two views X 1 and X 2 . In this paper, we show that it is possible to develop an effective learning algorithm for learning with two views by learning a linear function with noisy labeled data. This approach has the advantage of requiring a correct target concept to exist in only one but not both of the views. We then explore the consequence of the loss of conditional independence of the views when the positive and negative examples are drawn from a mixture distribution, where the views are conditionally independent given the component of the mixture but not conditionally independent given the label of the example.
The influence of sense of coherence, self-care and work satisfaction on secondary traumatic stress and burnout among child and youth residential care workers in Switzerland

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to investigate the incidence of post-traumatic and secondary traumatic stress as well as burnout symptoms among child and youth welfare workers in residential care in Switzerland and to assess the predictive value of sense of coherence, self-care, and job satisfaction. A sample of 319 child welfare professionals in Swiss child and youth residential care was assessed using questionnaires that addressed sense of coherence, perceived collective efficacy, self-care, and work satisfaction, as well as symptoms of traumatic stress and burnout. Linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the influence of sense of coherence, self-care and job satisfaction on symptoms of burnout and traumatic stress. Enhancing sense of coherence, work-related self-care and work satisfaction could reduce stress symptoms and increase the well-being of child and youth welfare staff. The authors discuss how child and youth residential care institutions could improve these factors among their staff.
License Plate Detection and Recognition Using Deeply Learned Convolutional Neural Networks

This work details Sighthounds fully automated license plate detection and recognition system. The core technology of the system is built using a sequence of deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) interlaced with accurate and efficient algorithms. The CNNs are trained and fine-tuned so that they are robust under different conditions (e.g. variations in pose, lighting, occlusion, etc.) and can work across a variety of license plate templates (e.g. sizes, backgrounds, fonts, etc). For quantitative analysis, we show that our system outperforms the leading license plate detection and recognition technology i.e. ALPR on several benchmarks. Our system is available to developers through the Sighthound Cloud API at this https URL
The Effect of Subcarrier-Based Channel Estimation on the BER Bound of Turbo Coded OFDM/SDMA System

In this paper, we study the performance of the channel estimation in a Turbo coded, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with multiple antennas at the receiver. We survey the accuracy of the channel estimation for different number of users and different number of pilot subcarriers. Moreover, since there is not a closed form solution to the BER of the Turbo coded system for different number of constellation size. We develop an equation to obtain the BER bound of the Turbo coded OFDM/SDMA system with M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (MQAM) in the Rayleigh flat fading channel as a function of the signal constellation and characteristic of the Turbo code with a curve fitting and then propose a method for selecting switching threshold in adaptive modulation case.
Application of the Relational Concept Analysis (RCA) for Remodularization of a Software Architecture and Comparison with Others Techniques Based on FCA and Oriented Graph

Summary In a previous study we proceeded to the remodularization architecture based on classes and packages using the Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) [2] [13] [14], we then got two possible remodularized architectures and we explored the issue of redistributing classes of a package to other packages, we used an approach based on Oriented Graph to determine the packages that receive the redistributed classes and we evaluated the quality of a remodularized software architecture by metrics[1]. This paper presents the usefulness of relational concept analysis (RCA) for remodularization of a software architecture composed of classes and packages and we evaluate the quality of the result by metrics of coupling and cohesion. Also we compare results obtained by application of techniques based on Relational concept analysis (RCA) between Formal Concept analysis and Oriented graph. Keyword: Remodularization, Software architecture, Relational Concept Analysis (RCA), Metrics of Coupling and Cohesion.
A feature transformation method using genetic programming for two-class classification

In this paper, a feature transformation method for two-class classification using genetic programming (GP) is proposed. GP derives a transformation formula to improve the classification accuracy of Support Vector Machine, SVM. In this paper, we propose a weight function to evaluate converted feature space and the proposed function is used to evaluate the function of GP. In the proposed function, the ideal two-class distribution of items is assumed and the distance between the actual and ideal distributions is calculated. The weight is imposed to these distances. To examine the effectiveness of the proposed function, a numerical experiment was performed. In the experiment, as the result, the classification accuracy of the proposed method showed the better result than that of the existing method.
Cultural Barriers and Familial Resources for Negotiation of Engineering Careers Among Young Women: Relational Dialectics Theory in an Asian Perspective

ABSTRACT The study takes a critical approach to understanding how girls/women discursively navigate engineering career discourses with their families by using the lens of relational dialectics theory 2.0. In particular, the study examines 28 interviews of Asian women engineers to explore the ways in which cultural meanings of engineering careers influence families’ messages towards girls in choosing their future careers. Contrapuntal analysis shows that competing culturally circulating discourses intersect with familial material/discursive resources through which girls make sense of the support and barriers they experience from parents and other family members regarding their engineering careers. Findings have considerable implications for the role of culture in familial understanding of engineering careers and how families contribute towards sustaining young women in engineering from an Asian perspective.
An extended least difference greedy clique-cover algorithm for index coding

In this paper, linear binary index coding is considered. It is shown that the minimum clique-cover heuristic algorithm can provide an efficient way to solving linear binary index coding problems. Based on the least difference greedy (LDG) clique-cover algorithm, an existing minimum clique-cover algorithm for index coding, proposed by Birk and Kol [1], [2], we develop an extended LDG algorithm by considering a transpose index coding model and cycle detection in the side information graph. Numerical results show that the proposed algorithm considerably outperforms the conventional LDG algorithm in terms of the number of transmissions.
GPU-based total variation image restoration using Sliding Window Gauss-Seidel algorithm

Image restoration has been a research topic deeply investigated within the last two decades. As is well-known, total variation (TV) minimization by Rudin, Osher, and Fatami [6] offers superior image restoration quality and involves solving a second order nonlinear partial differential equation (PDE). In more recent years, some effort has been made in improving computational speed for solving the associated PDE remained a bottleneck, preventing its applications to high-resolution digital images. In this paper, we improve a novel parallel algorithm Gauss-Seidel on GPU, called QL-SWGS. The algorithm is improved from the original Sliding Window Gauss Seidel proposed in [1]. As expected, our numerical results on realistic and synthetic images not only confirm that the proposed algorithm on GPU delivers quality results but also that it is many orders of magnitude faster than those algorithms on multicore CPU, particularly by at most 80% from our benchmark.
Building a flexible common operational picture to support situation awareness in crisis management

Decision support systems for emergency management tend to focus on making a lot of data meaningful to particular users via a common operational picture (COP). This paper describes one such system, but one that goes further by making the COP flexible enough to support multiple users. Large crises involve frequent role switching between different actors in a response. Hence, predicting the support needs of a given user of a COP is difficult at best, complicating the design process. The solution described here is to use interactive information overlays to enable different users to fit the COP to their particular SA needs. The design was evaluated in two user workshops and a demonstration. In general, it was well-received, but domain experts cautioned that the tool must be usable not only in large crises but in everyday operations, or else it will not be used.
Computing Circumscription

Circumscription is a transformation of predicate formulas proposed by John McCarthy for the purpose of formalizing non-monotonic aspects of commonsense reasoning. Circumscription is difficult to implement because its definition involves a second-order quantifier. This paper presents metamathematical results that allow us in some cases to replace circumscription by an equivalent first-order formula.
Are Uzbeks Better Off than Kyrgyz? Measuring and Decomposing Horizontal Inequality

We investigate horizontal inequality between two conflictive ethnic groups, the Kyrgyz and the Uzbeks in Kyrgyzstan, by employing the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition. This technique has a long tradition in labour economics but has not been used in the literature that links ethnic inequality and violent conflict. We measure welfare differentials between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks and find that, depending on the welfare indicator used, Uzbeks are either better off or worse off than Kyrgyz. Specifically, we find that Uzbeks are not better off, if welfare is measured in terms of household expenditure. They are, however, clearly more prosperous in terms of the value and the size of their houses - at least in urban areas, where most Uzbeks reside. The picture is mixed when we use ownership of assets as a welfare measure. We conclude that the choice of welfare indicator is essential in studies of horizontal inequality, as it is most likely the more visible aspects of life that drive people's perceptions about other ethnic groups' standard of living. Decomposing welfare differentials between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks shows that the gap in expenditure is due to differences in group characteristics, such as household composition and ownership of livestock, whereas the gap in assets and house values remains unexplained.
A link between low‐frequency mesoscale eddy variability around Madagascar and the large‐scale Indian Ocean variability

[1] A connection is shown to exist between the mesoscale eddy activity around Madagascar and the large-scale interannual variability in the Indian Ocean. We use the combined TOPEX/Poseidon-ERS sea surface height (SSH) data for the period 1993– 2003. The SSH-fields in the Mozambique Channel and east of Madagascar exhibit a significant interannual oscillation. This is related to the arrival of large-scale anomalies that propagate westward along 10–15S in response to the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) events. Positive (negative) SSH anomalies associated to a positive (negative) IOD phase induce ashift intheintensity andpositionofthetropicaland subtropical gyres.Aweakening (strengthening) results in the intensity of the South Equatorial Current and its branches along east Madagascar. In addition, the flow through the narrows of the Mozambique Channel around 17S increases (decreases) during periods of a stronger and northward (southward) extension of the subtropical (tropical) gyre. Interaction between the currents in the narrows and southward propagating eddies from the northern Channel leads to interannual variability in the eddy kinetic energy of the central Channel in phase with the one in the SSH-field.
Spine Neck Plasticity Controls Postsynaptic Calcium Signals through Electrical Compartmentalization

Dendritic spines have been proposed to function as electrical compartments for the active processing of local synaptic signals. However, estimates of the resistance between the spine head and the parent dendrite suggest that compartmentalization is not tight enough to electrically decouple the synapse. Here we show in acute hippocampal slices that spine compartmentalization is initially very weak, but increases dramatically upon postsynaptic depolarization. Using NMDA receptors as voltage sensors, we provide evidence that spine necks not only regulate diffusional coupling between spines and dendrites, but also control local depolarization of the spine head. In spines with high-resistance necks, presynaptic activity alone was sufficient to trigger calcium influx through NMDA receptors and R-type calcium channels. We conclude that calcium influx into spines, a key trigger for synaptic plasticity, is dynamically regulated by spine neck plasticity through a process of electrical compartmentalization.
Chronic profession-limiting problems in musicians: Underlying mechanisms and neuroplastic routes to recovery

14 Introduction . 16 Methods . 20 Results . 27 Discussion . 31 Conclusion . 39 References . 40 Figures . 48 Tables . 56 Appendix . 61 This dissertation has been prepared on my understanding that two documents are required: a literature review and original research both in the style of a journal paper.
WHY USABILITY TESTING WORKS FOR IT AUDIT

This report is based on data from our usability study conducted to evaluate the internal control of an Information System at a Thai foundation. The main software, called Fund Management System (FMS), was developed in-house and was used to store and provide a management information system. In addition to administering the test data and the generalized audit package, we applied usability testing to gain better evidence on the users’ aspect when using fund management system in specified tasks. This report aims to describe this new IT based technique and its performance when used in the auditing environment. This report shares what we found and what we think the related implications are for usability testing in IT audits, and the work of internal auditor. This can be seen as usability practice since the study results give direct input on how real users use the fund management system and results in discovery of mistakes that users make when using an interface of the fund management system software. Also, this paper uses the constructs of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) (i.e., staff perceptions of software usefulness and ease of use, staff attitudes toward use, and behavioral intentions to use software) to evaluate staff acceptance of the fund management system software. Moreover, the study results show that staff acceptance of fund management system software is generally lower than what the system development team expected, and provides a quick and inexpensive way to gather general information about staff perceptions of fund management system software.
A novel computational sheep atria model for the study of atrial fibrillation

Sheep are often used as animal models for experimental studies into the underlying mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias. Previous studies have shown that biophysically detailed computer models of the heart provide a powerful alternative to experimental animal models for underpinning such mechanisms. In this study, we have developed a family of mathematical models for the electrical action potentials of various sheep atrial cell types. The developed cell models were then incorporated into a three-dimensional anatomical model of the sheep atria, which was recently reconstructed and segmented based on anatomical features within different regions. This created a novel biophysically detailed computational model of the three-dimensional sheep atria. Using the model, we then investigated the mechanisms by which paroxysmal rapid focal activity in the pulmonary veins can transit to sustained atrial fibrillation. It was found that the anisotropic property of the atria arising from the fibre structure plays an important role in facilitating the development of fibrillatory atrial excitation waves, and the electrical heterogeneity plays an important role in its initiation.
Grasping guidance for visually impaired persons based on computed visual-auditory feedback

We propose a system for guiding a visually impaired person toward a target product on a store shelf using visual-auditory feedback. The system uses a hand-held, monopod-mounted CCD camera as its sensor and recognizes a target product in the images using sparse feature vector matching. Processing is divided into two phases: In Phase1, the system acquires an image, recognizes the target product, and computes the product location on the image. Based on the location data, it issues a voice-based command to the user in response to which the user moves the camera closer toward the target product and adjusts the direction of the camera in order to keep the target product in the camera's field of view. When the user's hand has reached grasping range, the system enters Phase 2 in which it guides the user's hand to the target product. The system is able to keep the camera's direction steady during grasping even though the user has a tendency of unintentionally rotating the camera because of the twisting of his upper body while reaching out for the product. Camera direction correction is made possible due to utilization of a digital compass attached to the camera. The system is also able to guide the user's hand right in front of the product even though the exact product position cannot be determined directly at the last stage because the product disappears behind the user's hand. Experiments with our prototype system show that system performance is highly reliable in Phase 1 and reasonably reliable in Phase 2.
Multi-metric geo-routing protocol for tactical ad hoc networks

Tactical ad hoc networks equipped with multiple radios have been considered as the basis of future force communication networks envisioned for use in the network-centric warfare paradigm. In this paper, we propose a new geographical routing protocol for such a multi-radio, multi-band tactical ad hoc networking environment. Our protocol is designed to use more than a single routing metric with multiple radio interfaces, each of which runs on different frequency bands. The idea behind the proposed scheme is to choose the right metric and radio for QoS provisioning. Simulation results using the well-known OPNET simulator confirm that the proposed scheme can enhance the routing performance in terms of efficiency and QoS requirement in tactical ad hoc networks.