Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tachyon condensation on separated brane-antibrane system

We study the effect of tachyon condensation on a brane antibrane pair in superstring theory separated in the transverse direction. The static properties of the tachyon potential analyzed using level truncated string field theory reproduces the desired property that the dependence of the minimum value of the potential on the initial distance of separation between the branes decreases as we include higher level terms. The rolling tachyon solution constructed using the conformal field theory methods shows that if the initial separation between the branes is less than a critical distance then the solution is described by an exactly marginal deformation of the original conformal field theory where the correlation functions of the deformed theory are determined completely in terms of the correlation functions of the undeformed theory without any need to regularize the theory. Using this we give an expression for the pressure on the brane-antibrane system as a power series expansion in exp(Cx0) for an appropriate constant C.
“Propeller” Regime of Disk Accretion to Rapidly Rotating Stars

We present results of axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the interaction of a rapidly rotating, magnetized star with an accretion disk. The disk is considered to have a finite viscosity and magnetic diffusivity. The main parameters of the system are the star's angular velocity and magnetic moment, and the disk's viscosity and diffusivity. We focus on the "propeller" regime where the inner radius of the disk is larger than the corotation radius. Two types of magnetohydrodynamic flows have been found as a result of simulations: "weak" and "strong" propellers. The strong propellers are characterized by a powerful disk wind and a collimated magnetically dominated outflow or jet from the star. The weak propellers have only weak outflows. We investigated the time-averaged characteristics of the interaction between the main elements of the system: the star, the disk, the wind from the disk, and the jet. Rates of exchange of mass and angular momentum between the elements of the system are derived as a function of the main parameters. The propeller mechanism may be responsible for the fast spinning down of the classical T Tauri stars in the initial stages of their evolution and for the spinning down of accreting millisecond pulsars.
Automated Bidding Strategy using Genetic Algorithm for Online Auctions

Due to the proliferation of online auctions, there is an increasing need to monitor and bid in multiple auctions in order to procure the best deal for the desired good. This paper reports on the development of a heuristic decision making framework that an agent can exploit to tackle the problem of bidding across multiple auctions with varying start and end times and with varying protocols. As the range of potential strategies is huge, we decided to use a genetic algorithm (GA) to search for effective strategies for each of the various environments that we identified. This strategy is termed the intelligent bidding strategy in the remainder of this article. Finally, we systematically evaluate the intelligent bidding strategy to highlight its operational characteristics in different scenarios and present our conclusions and further work.
Decreasing Nitrogen Fertilizer Input Had Little Effect on Microbial Communities in Three Types of Soils

In this study, we examined the influence of different nitrogen (N) application rates (0, 168, 240, 270 and 312 kg N ha-1) on soil properties, maize (Zea mays L.) yields and microbial communities of three types of soils (clay, alluvial and sandy soils). Phospholipid fatty acid analysis was used to characterize soil microbial communities. Results indicated that N fertilization significantly decreased microbial biomass in both clay and sandy soils regardless of application rate. These decreases were more likely a result of soil pH decreases induced by N fertilization, especially in the sandy soils. This is supported by structural equation modeling and redundancy analysis results. Nitrogen fertilization also led to significant changes in soil microbial community composition. However, the change differences were gradually dismissed with increase in N application rate. We also observed that N fertilization increased maize yields to the same level regardless of application rate. This suggests that farmers could apply N fertilizers at a lower rate (i.e. 168 kg N ha-1), which could achieve high maize yield on one hand while maintain soil microbial functions on the other hand.
Ve-ptp Modulates Vascular Integrity by Promoting Adherens Junction Maturation

Background Endothelial cell junctions control blood vessel permeability. Altered permeability can be associated with vascular fragility that leads to vessel weakness and haemorrhage formation. In vivo studies on the function of genes involved in the maintenance of vascular integrity are essential to better understand the molecular basis of diseases linked to permeability defects. Ve-ptp (Vascular Endothelial-Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase) is a transmembrane protein present at endothelial adherens junctions (AJs). Methodology/Principal Findings We investigated the role of Ve-ptp in AJ maturation/stability and in the modulation of endothelial permeability using zebrafish (Danio rerio). Whole-mount in situ hybridizations revealed zve-ptp expression exclusively in the developing vascular system. Generation of altered zve-ptp transcripts, induced separately by two different splicing morpholinos, resulted in permeability defects closely linked to vascular wall fragility. The ultrastructural analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction of junction complexes and the presence of immature AJs in zve-ptp morphants but not in control embryos. Conclusions/Significance Here we show the first in vivo evidence of a potentially critical role played by Ve-ptp in AJ maturation, an important event for permeability modulation and for the development of a functional vascular system.
Abraham Lincoln’s historical representation in children’s literature and young adult trade books

Purpose History-based trade books have an important and expanding role in various curricula. Contemporary education initiatives urge English and language arts educators to spend half their time on non-fiction and history and social studies teachers to include diverse sources starting in the early grades. Diverse professional organizations annually make financial commitments to promote new trade books. Research indicates misrepresentations abound in history-based trade books, yet few empirical studies have been completed. The purpose of this paper is to research examine the historical representation of Abraham Lincoln, arguably the most consequential nineteenth-century American. Design/methodology/approach Data samples included trade books intended for early grades and middle grades students. These grade ranges were selected because these students have the least prior knowledge and are perhaps most dependent on the text. Qualitative content analysis research methods were employed. Findings Misrepresentations emerged regarding Lincoln’s poverty, actions, motivations for actions, and implications of his actions as seemingly necessary historical content was minimized, vaguely included, or omitted. Findings are juxtaposed across and between selected grade ranges. Practical implications Discussion focused on the significance of findings for teachers and researchers. Teachers are guided to supplement trade books with primary sources to position students to distinguish historical misrepresentations. Originality/value This research builds on previous scholarship on Lincoln-based trade books by expanding grade range, data samples and research questions.
Fine-grained document genre classification using first order random graphs

We approach the general problem of classifying machine-printed documents into genres. Layout is a critical factor in recognizing fine-grained genres, as document content features are similar. Document genre is determined from the layout structure detected from scanned binary images of the document pages, using no OCR results and minimal a priori knowledge of document logical structures. Our method uses the attributed relational graphs (ARGs) to represent the layout structure of document instances, and the first order random graphs (FORGs) to represent document genres. In this paper we develop our FORG-based genre classification method and present a comparative evaluation between our technique and a variety of statistical pattern classifiers. FORGs are capable of modeling common layout structure within a document genre and are shown to significantly outperform traditional pattern classification techniques when fine-grained genre distinctions must be drawn.
Classroom Test Construction: The Power of a Table of Specifications.

Copyright is retained by the first or sole author, who grants right of first publication to the Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation. Permission is granted to distribute this article for nonprofit, educational purposes if it is copied in its entirety and the journal is credited. PARE has the right to authorize third party reproduction of this article in print, electronic and database forms.
Hue-preserving color image processing with a high arbitrariness without gamut problem

Preserving hue is an important issue for color image processing. In order to preserve hue, color image processing is often carried out in HSI or HSV color space which is translated from RGB color space. Transforming from RGB color space to another and processing in these spaces usually generate gamut problem. We propose image enhancement algorithms which conserve hue and preserve the range (gamut) of the R, G, B channels. First we show an intensity processing method while preserving hue and saturation. In this method, arbitrary gray-scale transform functions can be applied in the intensity component. Next, a hue and intensity preserving saturation mapping method is proposed. Arbitrary gray-scale methods can be also applied in the saturation mapping. Finally, we combine two methods and realize the hue-preserving color image processing with a high arbitrariness without gamut problem. Numerical results confirm our theoretical results and show that our processing scheme performs much better than the conventional hue-preserving methods.
Integrating Fuzzy Logic in Ontologies

Ontologies have proved to be very useful in sharing concepts across applications in an unambiguous way. Nowadays, in ontology-based applications information is often vague and imprecise. This is a well-known problem especially for semantics-based applications, such as e-commerce, knowledge management, web portals, etc. In computer-aided reasoning, the predominant paradigm to manage vague knowledge is fuzzy set theory. This paper presents an enrichment of classical computational ontologies with fuzzy logic to create fuzzy ontologies. So, it is a step towards facing the nuances of natural languages with ontologies. Our proposal is developed in the KAON ontology editor, that allows to handle ontology concepts in an high-level environment.
A Dual-Beam 3D Searchlight BSSRDF (Supplementary Doc)

We present a novel BSSRDF for rendering translucent materials. Angular effects lacking in previous BSSRDF models are incorporated by using a dual-beam formulation. We employ a Placzek’s Lemma interpretation of the method of images and discard diffusion theory. Instead, we derive a plane-parallel transformation of the BSSRDF to form the associated BRDF and optimize the image conﬁurations such that the BRDF is close to the known analytic solutions for the associated albedo problem. This ensures reciprocity, accurate colors
Infernal 1.1: 100-fold faster RNA homology searches

Summary: Infernal builds probabilistic profiles of the sequence and secondary structure of an RNA family called covariance models (CMs) from structurally annotated multiple sequence alignments given as input. Infernal uses CMs to search for new family members in sequence databases and to create potentially large multiple sequence alignments. Version 1.1 of Infernal introduces a new filter pipeline for RNA homology search based on accelerated profile hidden Markov model (HMM) methods and HMM-banded CM alignment methods. This enables ∼100-fold acceleration over the previous version and ∼10 000-fold acceleration over exhaustive non-filtered CM searches. Availability: Source code, documentation and the benchmark are downloadable from http://infernal.janelia. org. Infernal is freely licensed under the GNU GPLv3 and should be portable to any POSIX-compliant operating system, including Linux and Mac OS/X. Documentation includes a user’s guide with a tutorial, a discussion of file formats and user options and additional details on methods implemented in the software. Contact: nawrockie@janelia.hhmi. org
Why is the Doha Development Agenda Failing? And What can be Done? A Computable General Equilibrium-Game Theoretical Approach

We use a world computable general equilibrium model to simulate 143 potential trade reforms and seek solutions to the issues hampering progress in the Doha Development Agenda (DDA). Inside the domain defined by all these possible outcomes, we apply the axiomatic theory of bargaining and select the Nash solution of cooperative games. The solutions vary according to the objective functions adopted by the trade negotiators. When real income is the objective and services are excluded, or when optimising terms of trade is the objective, the Nash solution is the status quo. Trade liberalisation is feasible only when the negotiators focus on national exports or gross domestic product (GDP). Our assessment of some possible solutions reveals that excluding members having a GDP below a certain threshold improves the bargaining process, regardless of the governments’ objective. Formation of coalition, such as the G20, constitutes an option for its members to block outcomes imposed by rich members. We also find that side payments may be a solution, but represent a very high share of the global income gain.
Functional Neuroanatomy in Depressed Patients with Sexual Dysfunction: Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent Functional MR Imaging

Objective To demonstrate the functional neuroanatomy associated with sexual arousal visually evoked in depressed males who have underlying sexual dysfunction using Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent-based fMRI. Materials and Methods Ten healthy volunteers (age range 21-55: mean 32.5 years), and 10 depressed subjects (age range 23-51: mean 34.4 years, mean Beck Depression Inventory score of 39.6±5.9, mean Hamilton Rating Scale Depression (HAMD)-17 score of 33.5±6.0) with sexual arousal dysfunction viewed erotic and neutral video films during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with 1.5 T MR scanner (GE Signa Horizon). The fMRI data were obtained from 7 oblique planes using gradient-echo EPI (flip angle/TR/TE=90°/6000 ms/50 ms). The visual stimulation paradigm began with 60 sec of black screen, 150 sec of neutral stimulation with a documentary video film, 30 sec of black screen, 150 sec of sexual stimulation with an erotic video film followed by 30 sec of black screen. The brain activation maps and their quantification were analyzed by SPM99 program. Results There was a significant difference of brain activation between two groups during visual sexual stimulation. In depressed subjects, the level of activation during the visually evoked sexual arousal was significantly less than that of healthy volunteers, especially in the cerebrocortical areas of the hypothalamus, thalamus, caudate nucleus, and inferior and superior temporal gyri. On the other hand, the cerebral activation patterns during the neutral condition in both groups showed no significant differences (p < 0.01). Conclusion This study is the first demonstration of the functional neuroanatomy of the brain associated with sexual dysfunction in depressed patients using fMRI. In order to validate our physiological neuroscience results, further studies that would include patients with other disorders and sexual dysfunction, and depressed patients without sexual dysfunction and their treatment response are needed.
Biosafety Risk Assessment and Management of Laboratory-Derived Influenza A (H5N1) Viruses Transmissible in Ferrets

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) viruses occasionally infect humans, but currently do not transmit efficiently among them. However, the risk for human pandemic influenza is a major concern should these viruses acquire the capacity for human-to-human transmission and retain their current virulence. Recently, two research teams have succeeded in modifying HPAI A (H5N1) viruses in such a way that they could be efficiently transmitted by respiratory route between ferrets, the experimental model for studying influenza virus transmission. In this article, the authors discuss the risk assessment of these mutant HPAI A (H5N1) viruses in the context of the European Union regulatory framework and recommend that laboratory-derived HPAI A (H5N1) viruses transmissible in ferrets should be handled in biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) facilities with some additional biosafety measures.
Turning Web 2.0 Social Software into Versatile Collaborative Learning Solutions

In the framework of the European Integrated Project PALETTE, the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) is developing the eLogbook Web 2.0 social software. The purpose of eLogbook is to support tacit and explicit knowledge management in communities of practice. It can be customized by the users to serve as an asset management system, as a task management system or as a discussion platform. In this paper, the innovative Computer-Human Interaction features of eLogbook are introduced and its deployment scenario to support collaborative laboratory activities in engineering education is described. The main idea is to sustain interaction for learning purpose within self-organized teams that integrate -on a seamless level- both human actors (students, teaching assistants) and non-human actors such as laboratory equipments or software agents.
The HISCORE face recognition application : A ordable desktop face recognition based on a novel 3 D camera

A toolchest of modules useful for 3D object recognition, and in particular for face and gesture recognition, based on color image and depth map data, is currently being developed. Using the early versions of these modules, a prototype face recognition application has already been built. Our results so far have indicated that our goal of an a ordable desktop or even embedded face recognition system with robust and reliable performance using a novel cheap 3D camera subsystem based on the CCLA method (Color Coded Light Approach) is well within reach, and that the extra depth map information that is available in this case can signi cantly aid in simplifying and speeding up this application, which can help enhance many real-world surveillance, security and HCI (Human-Computer Interface) systems.
Machine Vision Tools for CAGD

In this paper, the problem of constructing geometric models from data provided by 3-D imaging sensors is addressed. Such techniques allow for rapid modeling of sculptured free-form shapes and generation of geometric models for existing parts. In order for a complete data set to be obtained, multiple images, each from a different viewpoint, have to be merged. A technique stemming from the Iterative Closest Point (ICP) method for estimating the relative transformations among the viewpoints is developed. Computational solutions are provided for estimating shape from noisy sensory measurements using representations that conform with commonly used representations from Computer Aided Geometric Design (CAGD). In particular, NURBS and triangular surface representations are applied in shape estimation. The surface approximations are refined by the algorithms to meet a user-defined tolerance value.
Optimal complexity scalable H.264/AVC video decoding scheme for portable multimedia devices

Abstract. Limited computing resources in portable multimedia devices are an obstacle in real-time video decoding of high resolution and/or high quality video contents. Ordinary H.264/AVC video decoders cannot decode video contents that exceed the limits set by their processing resources. However, in many real applications especially on portable devices, a simplified decoding with some acceptable degradation may be desirable instead of just refusing to decode such contents. For this purpose, a complexity-scalable H.264/AVC video decoding scheme is investigated in this paper. First, several simplified methods of decoding tools that have different characteristics are investigated to reduce decoding complexity and consequential degradation of reconstructed video. Then a complexity scalable H.264/AVC decoding scheme is designed by selectively combining effective simplified methods to achieve the minimum degradation. Experimental results with the H.264/AVC main profile bitstream show that its decoding complexity can be scalably controlled, and reduced by up to 44% without subjective quality loss.
A Novel High Performance Distributed Sensor Positioning System

In this work, we consider the sensor localization problem from a novel perspective by treating it as a functional dual of target tracking. In traditional tracking problems, static location-aware sensors track and predict the position/speed of a moving target. As a dual, we utilize a moving location-assistant (LA) (with global positioning system (GPS) or pre-defined moving path) to help location-unaware sensors to accurately discover their positions. We call our proposed system Landscape. In Landscape, an LA (an aircraft, for example) periodically broadcasts its current location while it moves around or through a sensor field. Each sensor collects the location beacons, measures the distance between itself and the LA based on received signal strength (RSS), and individually calculates their locations via an Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) based algorithm. Our contributions are at least twofold. (1) Landscape is a distributed scheme, it does not rely on measured distances among neighbors (as used by most current proposals), which makes it robust to topology and density; Landscape involves zero sensor-to-sensor communication overhead, and is highly scalable to network size. (2) By introducing UKF in sensor localization problem, we reap multiple benefits: our UKF-based algorithm nicely exploits the constraints increasingly added by the beacons; it elegantly solves the nonlinear problem with low computation cost and complexity; and most importantly, it efficiently reduces the effects of measurement errors, making Landscape robust to ranging errors. Extensive simulations and evaluations against the state-of-the-art systems show that Landscape is a high-performance sensor positioning scheme for outdoor sensor networks.
Spanish Broadcast News Transcription System

This paper describes the 1998 CMU Hub 4 Spanish broadcast news transcription system. We focus on the development and improvements of the system with respect to the 1997 system. Both the 1997 and 1998 systems were developed using exactly the same acoustic and language model training material, thus the improvements obtained resulted from a better utilization and modeling of these corpora and a better decoding configuration and strategy. Specifically, we employed several language models, a larger lexicon and larger acoustic models than our 1997 system. Due to these improvements, we achieved a reduction of 28% in the error rate on this year’s development material.