Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Discriminant Subspace Analysis for Uncertain Situation in Facial Recognition

Facial analysis and recognition have received substential attention from researchers in biometrics, pattern recognition, and computer vision communities. They have a large number of applications, such as security, communication, and entertainment. Although a great deal of efforts has been devoted to automated face recognition systems, it still remains a challenging uncertainty problem. This is because human facial appearance has potentially of very large intra-subject variations of head pose, illumination, facial expression, occlusion due to other objects or accessories, facial hair and aging. These misleading variations may cause classifiers to degrade generalization performance. It is important for face recognition systems to employ an effective feature extraction scheme to enhance separability between pattern classes which should maintain and enhance features of the input data that make distinct pattern classes separable (Jan, 2004). In general, there exist a number of different feature extraction methods. The most common feature extraction methods are subspace analysis methods such as principle component analysis (PCA) (Kirby & Sirovich, 1990) (Jolliffe, 1986) (Turk & Pentland, 1991b), kernel principle component analysis (KPCA) (Scholkopf et al., 1998) (Kim et al., 2002) (all of which extract the most informative features and reduce the feature dimensionality), Fisher’s linear discriminant analysis (FLD) (Duda et al., 2000) (Belhumeur et al., 1997), and kernel Fisher’s discriminant analysis (KFLD) (Mika et al., 1999) (Scholkopf & Smola, 2002) (which discriminate different patterns; that is, they minimize the intra-class pattern compactness while enhancing the extra-class separability). The discriminant analysis is necessary because the patterns may overlap in decision space. Recently, Lu et al. (Lu et al., 2003) stated that PCA and LDA are the most widely used conventional tools for dimensionality reduction and feature extraction in the appearancebased face recognition. However, because facial features are naturally non-linear and the inherent linear nature of PCA and LDA, there are some limitations when applying these methods to the facial data distribution (Bichsel & Pentland, 1994) (Lu et al., 2003). To overcome such problems, nonlinear methods can be applied to better construct the most discriminative subspace. In real world applications, overlapping classes and various environmental variations can significantly impact face recognition accuracy and robustness. Such misleading information make Machine Learning difficult in modelling facial data. According to Adini et al. (Adini et al., 1997), it is desirable to have a recognition system which is able to recognize a face insensitive to these within-personal variations. O pe n A cc es s D at ab as e w w w . in te ch w eb . o rg
Towards a mechanistic understanding of vulnerability to hook-and-line fishing: Boldness as the basic target of angling-induced selection

In passively operated fishing gear, boldness- related behaviors should fundamentally affect the vulnerability of individual fish and thus be under fisheries selection. To test this hypothesis, we used juvenile common- garden reared carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) within a narrow size range to investigate the mechanistic basis of behavioral selection caused by angling. We focused on one key personality trait (i.e., boldness), measured in groups within ponds, two morphological traits (body shape and head shape), and one life-history trait (juvenile growth capacity) and studied mean standardized selection gradients caused by angling. Carp behavior was highly repeatable within ponds. In the short term, over seven days of fishing, total length, not boldness, was the main predictor of angling vulnerability. However, after 20 days of fishing, boldness turned out to be the main trait under selection, followed by juvenile growth rate, while morphological traits were only weakly related to angling vulnerability. In addition, we found juvenile growth rate to be moderately correlated with boldness. Hence, direct selection on boldness will also induce indirect selection on juvenile growth and vice versa, but given that the two traits are not perfectly correlated, independent evolution of both traits is also possible. Our study is among the first to mechanistically reveal that energy- acquisition-related behaviors, and not growth rate per se, are key factors determining the probability of capture, and hence, behavioral traits appear to be the prime targets of angling selection. We predict an evolutionary response toward increased shyness in intensively angling- exploited fish stocks, possibly causing the emergence of a timidity syndrome.
Neural Topography and Content of Movement Representations

We have used implicit motor imagery to investigate the neural correlates of motor planning independently from actual movements. Subjects were presented with drawings of left or right hands and asked to judge the hand laterality, regardless of the stimulus rotation from its upright orientation. We paired this task with a visual imagery control task, in which subjects were presented with typographical characters and asked to report whether they saw a canonical letter or its mirror image, regardless of its rotation. We measured neurovascular activity with fast event-related fMRI, distinguishing responses parametrically related to motor imagery from responses evoked by visual imagery and other task-related phenomena. By quantifying behavioral and neurovascular correlates of imagery on a trial-by-trial basis, we could discriminate between stimulus-related, mental rotation-related, and response-related neural activity. We found that specific portions of the posterior parietal and precentral cortex increased their activity as a function of mental rotation only during the motor imagery task. Within these regions, the parietal cortex was visually responsive, whereas the dorsal precentral cortex was not. Response- but not rotation-related activity was found around the left central sulcus (putative primary motor cortex) during both imagery tasks. Our study provides novel evidence on the topography and content of movement representations in the human brain. During intended action, the posterior parietal cortex combines somatosensory and visuomotor information, whereas the dorsal premotor cortex generates the actual motor plan, and the primary motor cortex deals with movement execution. We discuss the relevance of these results in the context of current models of action planning.
An architecture for supervising COTS products

Commercial off-the-shelf products (COTS) are now dominating the consumer market as well as specific applications, e.g., new military equipment. Since almost no control of the manufacturing is possible, backdoors to both, hard- and software, can be introduced easily with little chance of being detected by current detection approaches. Due to the irreversible dependency from COTS products and marginal possibilities for a medium term improvement, new techniques are necessary to discover COTS manipulations (e.g., data leakage and malicious COTS devices). Therefore, this publication contains first results of a new architecture for supervising COTS products which is currently under development.
Structural basis of instability of the nucleosome containing a testis-specific histone variant, human H3T

A histone H3 variant, H3T, is highly expressed in the testis, suggesting that it may play an important role in the chromatin reorganization required for meiosis and/or spermatogenesis. In the present study, we found that the nucleosome containing human H3T is significantly unstable both in vitro and in vivo, as compared to the conventional nucleosome containing H3.1. The crystal structure of the H3T nucleosome revealed structural differences in the H3T regions on both ends of the central α2 helix, as compared to those of H3.1. The H3T-specific residues (Met71 and Val111) are the source of the structural differences observed between H3T and H3.1. A mutational analysis revealed that these residues are responsible for the reduced stability of the H3T-containing nucleosome. These physical and structural properties of the H3T-containing nucleosome may provide the basis of chromatin reorganization during spermatogenesis.
Underachievers in school: Issues and intervention.

This book aims to contribute to the present understanding of the problems, dynamics and characteristics of underachievers of both average and superior intellectual abilities. It provides an effective means of identifying these children in class and offers practical intervention for treatment which has proved successful in improving their behaviour and school achievement. The book is divided into two sections - the first part is concerned with the theoretical issues of underachievement, and the second part deals with strategies for introducing effective intervention and teaching methods in order to reduce underachievement in schools.
Learning Contextual Embeddings for Structural Semantic Similarity using Categorical Information

Tree kernels (TKs) and neural networks are two effective approaches for automatic feature engineering. In this paper, we combine them by modeling context word similarity in semantic TKs. This way, the latter can operate subtree matching by applying neural-based similarity on tree lexical nodes. We study how to learn representations for the words in context such that TKs can exploit more focused information. We found that neural embeddings produced by current methods do not provide a suitable contextual similarity. Thus, we define a new approach based on a Siamese Network, which produces word representations while learning a binary text similarity. We set the latter considering examples in the same category as similar. The experiments on question and sentiment classification show that our semantic TK highly improves previous results.
Variation in NOD2 Augments Th2- and Th17 Responses to Myelin Basic Protein in Multiple Sclerosis

Variations in the gene for the nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain (NOD) 2 have been associated with Crohn's disease but not multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we investigate the effect of three polymorphisms in the NOD2 gene (rs5743277, rs2066842 and rs5743291) on cytokine production and CD4+ T cell proliferation elicited by human myelin basic protein (MBP) in blood mononuclear cell (MNC) cultures from 29 patients with MS. No polymorphism was observed at rs5743277. No associations with the rs2066842 polymorphism were found. Concerning rs5743291, none were homozygous for the minor allele. Seven of 29 (24%) patients were heterozygous, and five of these (71%) exhibited increased MBP-induced CD4+ T cell proliferation versus four of 22 (18%), who were homozygous for the major allele (p<0.04). Interleukin (IL)-5 was induced by MBP in MNC from the same five carriers versus two (9%) homozygotes (p<0.004); four carriers (57%) versus three non-carriers (14%) exhibited IL-17 responses to MBP (p<0.04). By contrast, we found no association between the polymorphisms investigated and interferon-gamma-, tumor necrosis factor-alpha-, IL-2, -4- or IL-10 responses to MBP. These results indicate that the rs5743291 polymorphism influences T helper (Th) cell 2- and Th17 cell responses in MNC from MS patients.
A Spectral Model for RF Oscillators With Power-Law Phase Noise

In this paper, we apply correlation theory methods to obtain a model for the near-carrier oscillator power-spectral density (PSD). Based on the measurement-driven representation of phase noise as a sum of power-law processes, we evaluate closed form expressions for the relevant oscillator autocorrelation functions. These expressions form the basis of an enhanced oscillator spectral model that has a Gaussian PSD at near-carrier frequencies followed by a sequence of power-law regions. New results for the effect of white phase noise, flicker phase noise and random walk frequency modulated phase noise on the near-carrier oscillator PSD are derived. In particular, in the case of 1/f phase noise, we show that despite its lack of stationarity it is possible to derive a closed form expression for its effect on an oscillator PSD and show that the oscillator output can be considered to be wide-sense stationary
Maximum A Posteriori Inference in Sum-Product Networks

Sum-product networks (SPNs) are a class of probabilistic graphical models that allow tractable marginal inference. However, the maximum a posteriori (MAP) inference in SPNs is NP-hard. We investigate MAP inference in SPNs from both theoretical and algorithmic perspectives. For the theoretical part, we reduce general MAP inference to its special case without evidence and hidden variables; we also show that it is NP-hard to approximate the MAP problem to 2nε for fixed 0 ≤ ε < 1, where n is the input size. For the algorithmic part, we first present an exact MAP solver that runs reasonably fast and could handle SPNs with up to 1k variables and 150k arcs in our experiments. We then present a new approximate MAP solver with a good balance between speed and accuracy, and our comprehensive experiments on real-world datasets show that it has better overall performance than existing approximate solvers.
Styles of Thinking, Abilities, and Academic Performance

This study was designed to investigate the role of thinking styles in academic performance. Participants were 199 gifted students enrolled in the Yale Summer School Program. Their abilities were evaluated by the Sternberg Triarchic Abilities Test; their academic performance was judged by independent raters blind to the conditions of the study; and their thinking styles were measured by two converging self-report questionnaires. The results of the study show that, after controlling for levels of abilities, styles of thinking significantly contribute to prediction of academic performance. Moreover, equally able thinkers of different styles tend to do better in different assessment settings.
Estimation of Multinomial Logit Models with Unobserved Heterogeneity using Maximum Simulated Likelihood

In this paper, we suggest a Stata routine for multinomial logit models with unobserved heterogeneity using maximum simulated likelihood based on Halton sequences. The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we describe the technical implementation of the estimation routine and discuss its properties. Further, we compare our estimation routine with the Stata program gllamm, which solves integration by using Gauss–Hermite quadrature or adaptive quadrature. For the analysis, we draw on multilevel data about schooling. Our empirical findings show that the estimation techniques lead to approximately the same estimation results. The advantage of simulation over Gauss–Hermite quadrature is a marked reduction in computational time for integrals with higher dimensions. Adaptive quadrature leads to more stable results relative to the other integration methods. However, simulation is more time efficient. We find that maximum simulated likelihood leads to estimation results with reasonable accuracy in roughly half the time required when using adaptive quadrature.
Modeling the Covering Test Problem ?

Covering arrays have been studied for their applications to drug screening and software and hardware testing. In this paper, we model the problem as a constraint program. Our proposed models exploit non-binary (global) constraints, redundant modelling, channelling constraints, and symmetry breaking constraints. Our initial experiments show that with our best integrated model, we are able to either prove optimality of existing bounds or find new optimal values for problems of relatively moderate size (2000 variables). When the size of the problem increases our models’ performance degrades, but local search on a SAT-encoding of the model is able to find improved bounds on larger problems.
Optimization of a Single Relation Expression in a Relational Data Base System

This paper examines optimization within a relational data base system. It considers the optimization of a single query defined by an expression of the relational algebra. The expression is transformed into an equivalent expression or sequence of expressions that cost less to evaluate. Alternative transformations, and combinations of several transformations, are analyzed. Measurements on an experimental data base showed improvements, especially in cases where the original expression would be impracticably slow in its execution. A small overhead was incurred, which would be negligible for large data bases.
In vivo volumetric depth-resolved vasculature imaging of human limbus and sclera with 1 μm swept source phase-variance optical coherence angiography

We present in vivo volumetric depth-resolved vasculature images of the anterior segment of the human eye acquired with phase-variance based motion contrast using a high-speed (100 kHz, 105 A-scans/s) swept source optical coherence tomography system (SSOCT). High phase stability SSOCT imaging was achieved by using a computationally efficient phase stabilization approach. The human corneo–scleral junction and sclera were imaged with swept source phase-variance optical coherence angiography and compared with slit lamp images from the same eyes of normal subjects. Different features of the rich vascular system in the conjunctiva and episclera were visualized and described. This system can be used as a potential tool for ophthalmological research to determine changes in the outflow system, which may be helpful for identification of abnormalities that lead to glaucoma.
Several Characteristics on the Development of Informatization in China

The article discusses on the development of informatization in China, on basis of analysis of the developing trend of the world’s informatization. The article states that the level of informatization development has become an important indicator in measure of the ability of international competitiveness, the degree of modernization, overall national strength and the ability of economic growth of countries and regions. In discussing the characteristics on the development of informatization in china, the article suggests that china put informatization coverage of the overall situation of modernization as a major strategy, the information network already became the important basis facility which the support development of economy and society, the information industry has become a leader in development of the national economy, information technology plays a significant supporting role in various fields of national economic and social development, informatization development environment has been further optimized. Keywordsinformatization; characteristic; trend; China
City Spaces and Human Relations in Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway: From Circulation to Everyday Life

Subways have experienced a tremendous variety of development, securing their positions within cities and producing unique spaces whose characteristics have influenced human relations. This study focuses on the relationships between subways and the cities, spaces, and human relationships that surround them. It explores the connections between subways and the aforementioned elements (city, space, and human relations) to provide insight into how best to pursue improvements. The Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway's fame as a representational subway on a global scale makes it the ideal choice for a case study.
A Multi-parameter Synthetic Signal Sorting Algorithm Based on Clustering

Radar signal sorting is one of important techniques in electron reconnaissance signal processing and generally uses PRI, RF, DOA, PW, PA and pulse-inner characteristics and so on parameters. Traditional signal sorting is a serial regulation detection system and has some limitation. Especially for a great lot of complicated data, it will be useless. Clustering is an important technique of data mining. It can divide data objects into several classes or clusters based on the comparability of data objects. So a multi-parameter synthetic signal sorting algorithm based on clustering is proposed in order to overcome the limitation of traditional radar signal sorting algorithm. This algorithm makes use of the clustering technique of data mining and combines with DOA diluting algorithm and PRI sorting algorithm, so it can be applied to signal sorting of general radar and special radar. In the end of paper, the simulated experiments show that the synthetic algorithm is effective.
Supplemental Reading Instruction for Students at Risk for Reading Disabilities: Improve Reading 30 Minutes at a Time

Supplemental reading instruction provides a way to improve the reading outcomes of students at risk for reading difficulties and to meet the challenges produced by increases in student diversity in today's classrooms. The research–based intervention described in this article includes intensive, explicit, and systematic reading instruction in five areas: fluency, phonemic awareness, instructional–level reading with an emphasis on comprehension, word analysis, and spelling. This intervention was effective in improving the reading skills of low SES, second–grade English monolingual and English–language learners.
DELE framework: an innovative sight on didactics for deaf people

Deafness is a "hidden" problem, which is only partially considered in the design of interactive tools. The E-Learning Environment DELE proposes an answer by exploiting the mechanism of conceptual metaphor, in particular the "learning story". In this way DELE creates an environment for a "friendly" learning, which is strongly based on the visual channel, through the use of a structural iconicity of navigation.
Capacity-Approaching Turbo Coding For Half-Duplex Relaying

In this paper, we develop capacity-approaching turbo-coding schemes for half-duplex relay systems as an extension of our previous work on coding for full-duplex relays. We consider the use of specific signal constellations (e.g., binary phase-shift keying) in transmission, develop practical coding schemes to be used at the source and the relay nodes, and describe a suitable information combining technique at the destination node. Unlike the full-duplex relay systems, the destination node does not perform joint decoding of multiple consecutive blocks; instead, it works with one frame at a time. Furthermore, for the half-duplex relaying scheme, the optimization of the length of the listening period for the relay node is an issue. By utilizing information theoretical tools, we perform this optimization and use it in the development of our capacity-approaching coding/decoding schemes. Specifically, when the fraction of time turns out to be less than the transmission rate, the relay node is unable to decode all the information bits transmitted, and a partial decoding approach has to be used. Through a comprehensive set of examples, we observe that the proposed scheme is promising to approach the corresponding information theoretical limits (bounds). In particular, for all the cases studied, we have obtained bit error rates of 10-5 or lower within 1--1.5 dB (in most cases, almost within 1.2 dB) of the constrained capacity under a variety of channel conditions. Extensions of the proposed scheme to coded modulation and to multiple-input multiple-output systems are also described.