Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Covert zero-crossings represent envelope and phase of band-pass signals

The odd-order real zeros of a real-valued signal, s(t), correspond to its conventional or overt zero-crossings. They can be easily determined. But the complex zeros of s(t) are not easy to determine. This suggests the possibility of converting s(t) by using some invertible transformation, into a different signal, whose real zero-crossings determine s(t) completely. This process is known as real-zero conversion. The real zero-crossings of the converted signal are termed covert zero-crossings (cozecs), since they only indirectly determine s(t). In this paper we present a new adaptive algorithm for converting a band-pass signal into a pair of signals whose real zero-crossings essentially determine its envelope and phase. Our algorithm is based on modeling s(t) using pole-zero models in the complex-time (C) plane. Drawing parallels to well known ideas in the area of speech/spectral analysis, we decompose s(t) into its minimum-phase and all-phase components. These components are then represented by their associated zero-crossings.
Speech intelligibility prediction as a classification problem

Speech Intelligibility Prediction (SIP) algorithms are becoming increasingly popular for objective evaluation of speech processing algorithms and transmission systems. Most often, SIP algorithms aim to predict the average intelligibility of an average listener in some specific listening condition. In the present work, we instead consider the aim of predicting the intelligibility of single words. I.e. we attempt to predict whether or not a subject in a listening experiment was able to correctly repeat a particular word. We base the prediction on a noisy and potentially processed/degraded recording of the spoken word (as presented to a subject), as well as a clean reference recording of the spoken word. The problem can be treated as a supervised binary classification problem of predicting whether a specific word will or will not be understood. We investigate a number of different ways to extract features from the degraded and clean speech samples. The classification is carried out by means of Fisher discriminant analysis. Despite the large variability of speech intelligibility experiments, it is possible to obtain a considerable degree of predictive power.
A color segmentation and classification scheme for facial image and video retrieval extended summary

The creation of content in the form of digital images and video is continuously adding to the already large collection of worldwide digital imagery. The tremendous growth of the Internet has allowed users to share these rich media types and has also provided the means to browse, query, retrieve, and manipulate this extensive collection of imagery. This has created a substantial demand for algorithms that facilitate content-based access to these vast sources of information.
Notice of RetractionTourism Image of Cities in the Southern Yangtze River Perceived by Tourists--A Case Study of the Four Cities in Zhejiang and Jiangsu

On the basis of the comments from net-surfers on www.ctrip. com and www.17u. net, this paper analyzes the tourism image of four cities' (including Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi and Yangzhou) in the Southern Yangtze River perceived by domestic tourists through content analysis and correspondence analysis. The final results indicate that these cities' total tourism image perceived by domestic tourists mainly focus on scenery/landscape, water landscape and local culture. Although the four cities are all waterfront tourism cities, they are quite different in the image perceived by tourists. According to the above conclusions, the author put forward several suggestions for these cities' tourism development.
Learning and Self-Confidence in Contests

The paper studies a repeated contest when contestants are uncertain about their true abilities. A favourable belief about one's own ability (confidence) stimulates effort and increases the likelihood of success. Success, in turn, reinforces favourable beliefs. We consider a specific example in which this reinforcement mechanism implies that players fail to learn their true abilities, and that one player will eventually win the contest forever. As a consequence, persistent inequality arises, and the worse player may eventually prevail. Furthermore, confidence is self-serving in that it increases a player's utility and the likelihood to be the long-run winner.
Algorithms for HLA-based distributed simulation cloning

Distributed simulation cloning technology is designed to analyze alternative scenarios of a distributed simulation concurrently within the same execution session. One important goal is to optimize execution by avoiding repeated computation among independent scenarios. Our research is concerned with the cloning of High Level Architecture (HLA)-based distributed simulations; a federate may spawn clones to explore different scenarios at a decision point. This article introduces the cloning mechanism and the supporting infrastructure. When enabling cloning, our approach ensures the state consistency and supports user transparency and reusability of federate codes. When a federate clones, it is desirable to replicate only those federates whose states will be affected while the rest are shared among the old and new scenarios. This article discusses the theory and issues involved in such an incremental cloning mechanism, which guarantees accurate sharing and initiates cloning only when absolutely necessary. Experiments have been carried out to compare the performance of entire cloning and incremental cloning mechanisms. Experimental results indicate that the proposed approach provides correct cloning and can significantly reduce the execution time for evaluating different scenarios of a distributed simulation. Moreover the incremental cloning mechanism significantly surpasses entire cloning in terms of execution efficiency.
Formation of Polarization Gratings and Surface Relief Gratings in Photocrosslinkable Polymer Liquid Crystals by Polarization Holography

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Resource management for control tasks based on the transient dynamics of closed-loop systems

This paper presents a resource management strategy for control tasks that maximizes control performance within the available resources by readjusting the task periods at runtime. A feedback scheduler is used to determine on-line the optimal task periods considering the response over a finite time horizon of the plants controlled by arbitrary linear control laws. We show how this problem can be expressed as an optimization problem, where the objective function relates the sampling periods to the transient responses of the controlled plants, and where restrictions are based on EDF schedulability constraints. For the general case, the solution of the optimization problem is computationally expensive, and thus, an approximate procedure to be executed on-line has been developed. We present simulation results that validate the presented approach
Spatial processing and visual backward masking

Most theories of visual masking focus prima-rily on the temporal aspects of visual information processing, strongly neglecting spatial factors. In recent years, however, we have shown that this position is not tenable. Spatial aspects cannot be neglected in metacontrast, pattern and un-masking. Here, we review these results.
Repairable System Reliability: Recent Developments in CBM Optimization

This paper presents some developed and implemented theory which can be applied to optimization of condition-based maintenance decisions within the context of physical asset management. We examine a replacement problem for a system subject to stochastic deterioration. In particular, the analysis of a preventive replacement policy of the control-limit type for a system subject to inspections at discrete points of time is presented. Cox’s Proportional Hazards Model with Weibull baseline hazard function and time dependent stochastic covariates, reflecting the item’s condition, is used to describe the hazard rate of the system. Statistical results are then blended with economic or performance considerations to establish long-run optimal maintenance strategies. The structure of the decision-making software EXAKTTM is presented, and recently added optimization and prognostic capabilities are described.
Abscisic Acid Represses Growth of the Arabidopsis Embryonic Axis after Germination by Enhancing Auxin Signaling[W]

Under unfavorable environmental conditions, the stress phytohormone ABA inhibits the developmental transition from an embryo in a dry seed into a young seedling. We developed a genetic screen to isolate Arabidopsis thaliana mutants whose early seedling development is resistant to ABA. Here, we report the identification of a recessive mutation in AUXIN RESISTANT1 (AUX1), encoding a cellular auxin influx carrier. Although auxin is a major morphogenesis hormone in plants, little is known about ABA–auxin interactions during early seedling growth. We show that aux1 and pin2 mutants are insensitive to ABA-dependent repression of embryonic axis (hypocotyl and radicle) elongation. Genetic and physiological experiments show that this involves auxin transport to the embryonic axis elongation zone, where ABA enhances the activity of an auxin-responsive promoter. We propose that ABA represses embryonic axis elongation by potentiating auxin signaling in its elongation zone. This involves repression of the AUXIN INDUCIBLE (Aux/IAA) gene AXR2/IAA7, encoding a key component of ABA- and auxin-dependent responses during postgerminative growth.
Mining Logical Clones in Software: Revealing High-Level Business and Programming Rules

Software systems contain many implicit application-specific business and programming rules. These rules represent high-level logical structures and processes for application-specific business and programming concerns. They are crucial for program understanding, consistent evolution, and systematic reuse. However, existing pattern mining and analysis approaches cannot effectively mine such application-specific rules. In this paper, we present an approach for mining logical clones in software that reveal high-level business and programming rules. Our approach extracts a program model from source code, and enriches the program model with code clone information, functional clusters (i.e., a set of methods dealing with similar topics or concerns), and abstract entity classes (representing sibling entity classes). It then analyzes the enriched program model for mining recurring logical structures as logical clones. We have implemented our approach in a tool called MiLoCo (Mining Logical Clone) and conducted a case study with an open-source ERP and CRM software. Our results show that MiLoCo can identify meaningful and useful logical clones for program understanding, evolution and reuse.
Estimating mandibular motion based on chin surface targets during speech.

PURPOSE The movement of the jaw during speech and chewing has frequently been studied by tracking surface landmarks on the chin. However, the extent to which chin motions accurately represent those of the underlying mandible remains in question. In this investigation, the movements of a pellet attached to the incisor of the mandible were compared with those of pellets attached to different regions of the chin. METHOD Ten healthy talkers served as participants. Three speaking contexts were recorded from each participant: word, sentence, and paragraph. Chin position errors were estimated by computing the standard distance between the mandibular incisor pellet and the chin pellets. RESULTS Relative to the underlying mandible, chin pellets moved with an average absolute and relative error of 0.81 mm and 7.30%, respectively. The movements of chin and mandibular pellets were tightly coupled in time. CONCLUSION The chin tracking errors observed in this investigation are considered acceptable for descriptive studies of oromotor behavior, particularly in situations where mandibular placements are not practical (e.g., young children or edentulous adults). The observed amount of error, however, may not be tolerable for fine-grained analyses of mandibular biomechanics. Several guidelines are provided for minimizing error associated with tracking surface landmarks on the chin.
Camera motion estimation via optimization-on-a-manifold

In this paper, we study the problem of recovering the camera motion in a multiview setting given observation of tracked features in a three-dimensional environment. We propose a novel algorithm to simultaneously recover the pose (orientation and translation to within a scale) of every camera directly using a manifold optimization approach. Our contributions are four-fold. We present a new analytic method based on singular value decomposition that yields a closed-form solution for the multiview motion estimation problem in the noise-free case. Secondly, we use this method to derive a good initial estimate of a solution in the noisy case. This initialization step may, independently, be of use in any general iterative scheme. Thirdly, we present an iterative scheme based on Gauss-Newton's method on a product manifold that exhibits local quadratic convergence. Finally, we also present a simple linear least squares approach to recover the individual camera centers from relative translations obtained after the iteration process. Our algorithm has been implemented, and we demonstrate the efficacy of our scheme on both synthetic data and real data.
Fabrication of long-range ordered, broccoli-like SERS arrays and application in detecting endocrine disrupting chemicals

Periodic broccoli-shaped Au and Ag surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) arrays were fabricated by combining ordered SiO2 colloidal crystal templates with the physical deposition technique. The SiO2 colloidal crystal-assisted Au and Ag SERS substrates have a long-range, adjustable periodic structure and a clean surface without incorporating any reductants or surfactant chemicals. Different from depositing directly on the flat substrates, the colloidal crystal-assisted nanostructure array has a larger effective surface area under the same projected area of laser irradiation, which exposes more “hot spots”. An increased roughness and a larger surface area have also been created as the highly bumpy surface feature of the broccoli-shaped SERS morphologies, resulting in a greater Raman amplification than the conventional metal film over nanosphere (MFON). SERS performances by Au and Ag SERS arrays reveal that the long-range broccoli-like morphology is a promising SERS platform as it is highly sensitive, reproducible and stable. The colloidal crystal-assisted Ag SERS array has a slightly higher enhancement factor (EF) than the Au SERS array, and they both are of the order of 107 enhancement. Compared to our previous work, which directly deposited noble metal nanoparticles onto flat substrates, the EF of the colloidal crystal-assisted SERS array is improved by one to two orders of magnitude. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation was performed to estimate the electromagnetic field distribution. Finally, two endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) (dioctyl phthalate (DOP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), homologous series) at different concentrations were successfully identified by Au and Ag SERS arrays with the detection limits of 0.24 × 10−9 M and 0.22 × 10−9 M, respectively. This study suggests that the broccoli-like Au and Ag SERS arrays are promising candidates for chemical sensing and this SERS substrate fabrication technique can be accessible to the standard industrial processes.
Androgen Action via Testicular Arteriole Smooth Muscle Cells Is Important for Leydig Cell Function, Vasomotion and Testicular Fluid Dynamics

Regulation of blood flow through the testicular microvasculature by vasomotion is thought to be important for normal testis function as it regulates interstitial fluid (IF) dynamics which is an important intra-testicular transport medium. Androgens control vasomotion, but how they exert these effects remains unclear. One possibility is by signalling via androgen receptors (AR) expressed in testicular arteriole smooth muscle cells. To investigate this and determine the overall importance of this mechanism in testis function, we generated a blood vessel smooth muscle cell-specific AR knockout mouse (SMARKO). Gross reproductive development was normal in SMARKO mice but testis weight was reduced in adulthood compared to control littermates; this reduction was not due to any changes in germ cell volume or to deficits in testosterone, LH or FSH concentrations and did not cause infertility. However, seminiferous tubule lumen volume was reduced in adult SMARKO males while interstitial volume was increased, perhaps indicating altered fluid dynamics; this was associated with compensated Leydig cell failure. Vasomotion was impaired in adult SMARKO males, though overall testis blood flow was normal and there was an increase in the overall blood vessel volume per testis in adult SMARKOs. In conclusion, these results indicate that ablating arteriole smooth muscle AR does not grossly alter spermatogenesis or affect male fertility but does subtly impair Leydig cell function and testicular fluid exchange, possibly by locally regulating microvascular blood flow within the testis.
Age-associated changes in the subcellular localization of phosphorylated p 38 MAPK in human granulosa cells

p38 MAPK (p38) plays pivotal roles in aging and reproductive physiology. Nevertheless, involvement of p38 in female reproductive aging is uncertain. To improve knowledge of the role of p38 in age-associated reproductive failure, the expression and subcellular localization of phosphorylated p38 was investigated in human granulosa cells. p38 was 7-fold more activated in cells from older subjects than in those from younger subjects. Similar results were obtained in human granulosa-like KGN cells treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Interestingly, phosphorylated p38 was detected in the nucleus less frequently in older cells than in younger cells (Younger: 58.6%; Older: 29.8%, P , 0.01). Similarly cytoplasmic localization of phosphorylated p38 in KGN cells was observed after treatment with H2O2. The activation and cytoplasmic localization of p38 in H2O2-treated KGN cells were blocked by N-acetylcysteine and SB203580. Although the p38 activators, FSH and tumor necrosis factor-a, induced a similar localization of phosphorylated p38 in KGN cells, the expression and localization patterns of p38 were distinct from those in older granulosa cells and H2O2-treated KGN cells. These results indicate that the characteristic localization of p38 in older granulosa cells is induced by oxidative stress.
Effect of Nanoparticle Impact on Material Removal

Nanoparticle impacting on a solid surface always occurs in nano-machining processes, such as the chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) of wafers. Although the material removal induced by nanoparticle impact has been observed in some simulations and tests, the contribution of nanoparticle impact to the material removal in a real CMP process is still unclear. In the present work, a cylindrical liquid jet containing SiO2 nanoparticle impacts normally on a glass surface at speeds of 1 ms−1 and 3 ms−1. The desorption of the fluorescent nanoparticles adsorbed on the glass surface has been observed by a fluorescent microscope system and used to evaluate the contribution of the nanoparticle impact to the material removal. The experimental results indicate that the impact has a negligible effect on the material removal of the solid surface if the impacting speed is less than 3 ms−1 and the impacting time is less than 1.5 min. It may be helpful to the understanding of the material removal mechanisms in the CMP processes.
The predictive and prognostic values of factors associated with visceral pleural involvement in resected lung adenocarcinomas

Background The predictive and prognostic impact of factors associated with visceral pleural invasion (VPI) on survival and recurrence in patients with resected lung adenocarcinomas is not clearly defined. Patients and methods A total of 505 consecutive patients with stage Ia–IIIa lung adenocarcinomas treated with radical resection were included. The predominant growth pattern was classified according to the new classification system for lung adenocarcinoma proposed by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, the American Thoracic Society, and the European Respiratory Society. The correlations of VPI with clinical and pathologic parameters were analyzed. Results The incidence of VPI was significantly lower in lepidic predominant group (15.5% vs 4.5%, P<0.001) and higher in solid and micropapillary predominant group (28.6% vs 17.6%, P=0.004 and 14.7% vs 4.2%, P<0.001, respectively). VPI correlated with higher risk in regional postoperative recurrence (hazard ratio, 2.341; 95% confidence interval, 1.564–3.504) and distant recurrence (hazard ratio, 2.193; 95% confidence interval, 1.665–2.89) in surgically resected lung adenocarcinomas. However, when growth patterns of adenocarcinoma were lumped into multivariate analysis, VPI was not a significant independent predictive factor for survival (P=0.854 for overall survival [OS] and P=0.575 for disease-free survival [DFS]) and recurrence (P=0.38 for regional recurrence and P=0.089 for distant recurrence). Of the 95 patients with stage Ib, those who received adjuvant chemotherapy had longer DFS and OS than the patients who received no chemotherapy after surgery. However, these differences in DFS and OS did not reach statistical significance (P=0.063 for DFS, P=0.85 for OS). Conclusion VPI was associated with solid and micropapillary histology. In addition, stage Ib patients with solid histologic subtype tumor showed longer DFS and OS, highlighting a potential benefit in this subgroup of patients and necessitating the need for larger clinical trials.
Modeling Networks of Coupled Enzymatic Reactions Using the Total Quasi-Steady State Approximation

In metabolic networks, metabolites are usually present in great excess over the enzymes that catalyze their interconversion, and describing the rates of these reactions by using the Michaelis–Menten rate law is perfectly valid. This rate law assumes that the concentration of enzyme–substrate complex (C) is much less than the free substrate concentration (S 0). However, in protein interaction networks, the enzymes and substrates are all proteins in comparable concentrations, and neglecting C with respect to S 0 is not valid. Borghans, DeBoer, and Segel developed an alternative description of enzyme kinetics that is valid when C is comparable to S 0. We extend this description, which Borghans et al. call the total quasi-steady state approximation, to networks of coupled enzymatic reactions. First, we analyze an isolated Goldbeter–Koshland switch when enzymes and substrates are present in comparable concentrations. Then, on the basis of a real example of the molecular network governing cell cycle progression, we couple two and three Goldbeter–Koshland switches together to study the effects of feedback in networks of protein kinases and phosphatases. Our analysis shows that the total quasi-steady state approximation provides an excellent kinetic formalism for protein interaction networks, because (1) it unveils the modular structure of the enzymatic reactions, (2) it suggests a simple algorithm to formulate correct kinetic equations, and (3) contrary to classical Michaelis–Menten kinetics, it succeeds in faithfully reproducing the dynamics of the network both qualitatively and quantitatively.