Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expediting RL by Using Graphical Structures (Short Paper)

The goal of Reinforcement learning (RL) is to maximize reward (minimize cost) in a Markov decision process (MDP) without knowing the underlying model a priori. RL algorithms tend to be much slower than planning algorithms, which require the model as input. Recent results demonstrate that MDP planning can be expedited, by exploiting the graphical structure of the MDP. We present extensions to two popular RL algorithms, Q-learning and RMax, that learn and exploit the graphical structure of problems to improve overall learning speed. Use of the graphical structure of the underlying MDP can greatly improve the speed of planning algorithms, if the underlying MDP has a nontrivial topological structure. Our experiments show that use of the apparent topological structure of an MDP speeds up reinforcement learning, even if the MDP is simply connected.
Correlation between choline level measured by proton MR spectroscopy and Ki-67 labeling index in gliomas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The clinical relevance of proton MR spectroscopy needs further clarification as to its usefulness and limitations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the semiquantitative choline-containing compound level (Cho value) measured by MR spectroscopy and the Ki-67 labeling index in gliomas. METHODS Localized proton spectra were obtained in 26 consecutive patients with glioma who subsequently underwent surgery for tumor removal. Metabolic values in the spectra were measured semiquantitatively using an external standard of reference. The Ki-67 labeling index was measured in the surgical specimen. Because the semiquantitative metabolic values may be affected by tissue components included in the spectroscopic voxel, the MR imaging appearance of the voxel within the tumor was classed as homogeneous or heterogeneous through visual evaluation of the presence of necrosis, cyst, hemorrhage, and calcification, and pattern of enhancement. RESULTS We found a strong linear correlation between the Cho value and the Ki-67 labeling index in the 18 homogeneous gliomas, but no correlation was found in the eight heterogeneous gliomas, which turned out to be malignant. CONCLUSION The semiquantitative Cho value is a reliable predictor of proliferative activity of gliomas when the tumor appears homogeneous on MR images.
Gestalt Effects in Visual Working Memory: Whole-Part Similarity Works, Symmetry Does Not

Four experiments investigated whether conforming to Gestalt principles, well known to drive visual perception, also facilitates the active maintenance of information in visual working memory (VWM). We used the change detection task, which required the memorization of visual patterns composed of several shapes. We observed no effects of symmetry of visual patterns on VWM performance. However, there was a moderate positive effect when a particular shape that was probed matched the shape of the whole pattern (the whole-part similarity effect). Data support the models assuming that VWM encodes not only particular objects of the perceptual scene but also the spatial relations between them (the ensemble representation). The ensemble representation may prime objects similar to its shape and thereby boost access to them. In contrast, the null effect of symmetry relates the fact that this very feature of an ensemble does not yield any useful additional information for VWM.
Higher Multiplicity in the One-Dimensional Allen-Cahn Action Functional

We prove the i-convergence of the Allen-Cahn action functional in the sharp-interface limit. In previous work, good lower bounds were developed under the assumption of single-multiplicity, but the bounds deteriorated in the case of higher-multiplicity interfaces. We develop improved bounds by working directly with the limiting energy measures.
On the efficiency of multicast

The average number of joint hops in a shortest-path multicast tree from a root to m arbitrary chosen group member nodes is studied. A general theory for all graphs, hence including the graph representation of the Internet, is presented which quantifies the multicast reduction in network links compared to m times unicast. For two special types of graphs, the random graph Gp(N) and the k-ary tree, exact and asymptotic results are derived. Comparing these explicit results with previously published Internet measurements [13] indicates that the number of routers in the Internet that can be reached from a root grows exponentially in the number of hops with an effective degree of approximately 3.2.
Functional memory faults: a formal notation and a taxonomy

This paper presents a notation for describing functional fault models, which may occur in memory devices. Using this notation, the space of all possible memory faults has been constructed. It has been shown that this space is infinite, and contains the currently established fault models. New fault models in this space have been identified and verified using resistive and capacitive defect injection and simulation of a DRAM model.
Exploring the application of Personal Brands and Opinion Leadership in Political Marketing

Personal brands have received relatively limited academic treatment despite a commercial sector interest in the technique in the last few decades. As a relatively new academic phenomenon, much of the marketing research in the field is dedicated to the isolation of the personal brand construct from the interconnected areas of opinion leadership, celebrity endorsement and inanimate objects brand theory. This paper explores how personal brands are related to opinion leadership theory, and the growth of personal brands in political marketing.
Nonsense-Mediated Decay of HumanHEXA mRNA

ABSTRACT Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), the loss of mRNAs carrying premature stop codons, is a process by which cells recognize and degrade nonsense mRNAs to prevent possibly toxic effects of truncated peptides. Most mammalian nonsense mRNAs are degraded while associated with the nucleus, but a few are degraded in the cytoplasm; at either site, there is a requirement for translation and for an intron downstream of the early stop codon. We have examined the NMD of a mutant HEXA message in lymphoblasts derived from a Tay-Sachs disease patient homozygous for the common frameshift mutation 1278ins4. The mutant mRNA was nearly undetectable in these cells and increased to approximately 40% of normal in the presence of the translation inhibitor cycloheximide. The stabilized transcript was found in the cytoplasm in association with polysomes. Within 5 h of cycloheximide removal, the polysome-associated nonsense message was completely degraded, while the normal message was stable. The increased lability of the polysome-associated mutant HEXA mRNA shows that NMD of this endogenous mRNA occurred in the cytoplasm. Transfection of Chinese hamster ovary cells showed that expression of an intronless HEXA minigene harboring the frameshift mutation or a closely located nonsense codon resulted in half the normal mRNA level. Inclusion of multiple downstream introns decreased the abundance further, to about 20% of normal. Thus, in contrast to other systems, introns are not absolutely required for NMD ofHEXA mRNA, although they enhance the low-HEXA-mRNA phenotype.
Detection and 3D Measurement of a Rectangular Solid in a Single Image

This paper describes a new approach to automatic detection and 3D measurement of a rectangular solid in a single image shot under two imaging conditions. We find its six outer vertices in the image by searching the largest convex hexagon with a sufficiently small back projection error, and determine their 3D coordinates by using the rectangularity constraint. Experimental results show the accuracy obtained by this approach using the image that has noise and broken edges.
Entry Method Affects Password Security

Background. Text-based passwords continue to be the primary form of authentication to computer systems. Today, they are increasingly created and used with mobile text entry methods, such as touchscreen qwerty keyboards, in addition to traditional physical keyboards. Aim. This paper aims to answer a foundational question for usable security: whether text entry methods affect password generation and password security. Method. This paper presents results from a betweengroup study with 63 participants, in which each group generated passwords for multiple virtual accounts using different text entry methods. Participants were also asked to recall their passwords afterwards. Results. One-way ANOVA across groups was performed on metrics including password length, amount of different characters, and estimated password security. The results showed significant effect of text entry methods on the amount of lowercase letters per password across groups (F(2,60) = 3.186, p = . 048, η2 p = . 066), and non-significant effect on the password length, amount of uppercase letters, digits or symbols. No significant result was found for the estimated password security. The result of practical cracking attacks was also similar across groups. Conclusions. Text entry methods have effect on password security. However, the effect is subtler than expected.
A hypothesis on the role of perturbation size on the human sensorimotor adaptation

We presented a hypothesis about the possible adaptation mechanisms employed in the brain based on error size. The proposed hypothesis can help to provide a better understanding of motor adaptation mechanism in brain. Further validation of the hypothesis requires more investigations and experiments. For example, adaptation in response to a gradual perturbation can be compared in deafferented subjects, cerebellar patients, and healthy individuals. This comparison may be performed regarding generalization patterns to untrained hand or to other contexts with the same hand, adaptation rate, wash-out rate, etc. It has been shown that deafferented individuals were able to adapt their reaches to altered visual feedback of the hand (Ingram et al., 2000; Bernier et al., 2006; Miall and Cole, 2007). Adaptation in these subjects may show different features compared to healthy ones.
Clustering to categorize desirability in software: Exploring cluster analysis of Product Reaction Cards in a stereoscopic retail application

We perform clustering over the Product Reactions Cards in order to group the terms in 8 groups and 41 subgroups. A card sorting exercise among software engineers and UX practitioners was performed in order to achieve this. We present a preliminary case study using this classification with a retailing application in order to see the difference in connotations that result introducing stereoscopic depth to the GUI.
The model of knowledge integration management for IT corporation and its operating mechanism

Knowledge is the dominant factor for IT corporation, knowledge creation and technology innovation can be achieved through the effective integration of various kinds of knowledge. The study analyzes the connotation and characteristic of knowledge integration for IT corporation. Then, it constructs knowledge integration management model system for IT corporation and discusses from three aspects, which are the elements of knowledge integration management, the model of knowledge integration force and the frame model of knowledge integration management. On this basis, it studies the operating mechanism and effective measures of knowledge integration management. In addition, the case about successful operation in IBM is studied.
Breathing and calling: Neuronal networks in the Xenopus laevis hindbrain

Xenopus laevis is an aquatic anuran with a complex vocal repertoire. Unlike terrestrial frogs, vocalizations are independent of respiration, and a single muscle group—the laryngeal dilators—produces underwater calls. We sought to identify the premotor neural network that underlies vocal behaviors. Vocal patterns generated by premotor networks control laryngeal motor neurons in cranial nucleus (n.) IX‐X. Glottal motor neurons, active during respiration, are also present in n.IX‐X. We used horseradish peroxidase (HRP), Lucifer yellow, and fluorescently conjugated dextrans to characterize the organization of n.IX‐X and to trace premotor neuron projections. Premotor nuclei include the inferior reticular formation (Ri) adjacent to n.IX‐X and the pretrigeminal nucleus of the dorsal tegmental area of the medulla (DTAM), the primary descending input to n.IX‐X. Intramuscular HRP injections revealed a spatially segregated pattern, with glottal motor neurons in anterior n.IX‐X and laryngeal motor neurons in the caudal portion of the nucleus. Dextran injections identified commissural n.IX‐X neurons that project to the contralateral motor nucleus and DTAM‐projecting n.IX‐X neurons. Both neuronal types are clustered in anteromedial n.IX‐X, closely associated with glottal motor neurons. Ri neurons project to ipsilateral and contralateral DTAM. Projections from DTAM target n.IX‐X bilaterally, and all four identified subtypes receive DTAM input. In contrast, Ri neurons receive little input from DTAM. We hypothesize that connectivity between neurons in n.IX‐X, Ri and DTAM may provide mechanisms to generate laryngeal and glottal activity patterns and that DTAM may coordinate vocal and respiratory motor pools, perhaps acting to switch between these two mutually exclusive behaviors. J. Comp. Neurol. 501:303–315, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pricing with a Smile: An Approach Using Normal Inverse Gaussian Distributions with a Sabr-Like Parameterisation

This article outlines a few properties of the Normal Inverse Gaussian distribution and demonstrates its ability to fit various shapes of smiles. A parametrization in terms of SABR inputs is derived. A few results related to vanilla options on RPI year-on-year inflation rates, as well as caplets on CHF Libor rates are exposed. Finally, further applications for multi-asset option pricing are considered when the NIG distribution is combined with a copula pricing framework.
Media-Oriented Service Composition with Service Overlay Networks: Challenges, Approaches and Future Trends (Invited Paper)

The massive and timely delivery of media is gradually integrating itself with the dynamic composition of media-oriented services so that new types of customized media services can be created according to the diverse de- mand of end users. The resulting effective and differentiated networking support will become one of the most important requirements of the network infrastructure in the future. In this survey paper, we first present the emerging trend on the interaction of media-oriented service composition and overlay-based networks by introducing related technical issues. Then, we describe the top-down and the bottom- up approaches that coordinate service mapping using the service overlay networks (SONs) and provisioning resources for them, respectively. Finally, we examine latest research on futuristic overlay networks for service realization.
To Blame or Not to Blame: Analysts' Reactions to External Explanations for Poor Financial Performance

Managers often provide self-serving disclosures that blame poor financial performance on temporary, external factors. Results of an experiment conducted with 124 financial analysts suggest that when analysts perceive such disclosures as plausible, they provide higher earnings forecasts and stock valuations than if the explanation had not been provided. However, we also show that these disclosures can backfire if analysts find them implausible. Specifically, implausible external explanations for poor performance lead analysts to provide lower earnings forecasts and assess a higher cost of capital than if the explanation had not been provided.
The Role of Financial Depth on the Asymmetric Impact of Monetary Policy

This paper investigates the role of financial markets in evaluating the asymmetric impact of monetary policy on real output over the business cycle. We use quarterly US data which cover 1971:q1-2011:q4 and implement an instrumental variables Markov regime switching methodology to account for the endogeneity problem. Our investigation shows that monetary policy has a significant impact on output growth during recessions. More interestingly, we find that financial depth plays an important role as it dampens the effects of monetary policy in recessions. The results are robust compared to an alternative financial depth measure and a different sample period.
Capital Stocks, Capital Services, and Depreciation: An Integrated Framework

Neo-classical theory provides an integrated framework by means of which we can measure capital stocks, capital services and depreciation. In this paper the theory is set out and reviewed. It is found that the theory is quite robust and can deal with assets like computers that are subject to rapid obsolescence. Using the framework, estimates are presented of aggregate wealth, aggregate capital services and aggregate depreciation for the United Kingdom between 1979 Q1 and 2002 Q2, and the results are tested for sensitivity to the assumptions. The principal source of uncertainty in estimating capital stocks and capital services is found to relate to the treatment and measurement of investment in computers and software. Applying US methods for these assets to UK data has a substantial effect on the growth rate of capital services and on the ratio of depreciation to GDP.
Multi-ring color fiducial systems for scalable fiducial tracking augmented reality

Registration is one of the major issues in augmented reality (AR). It requires high accuracy or an error-correction mechanism in tracking. Fiducial tracking has been gaining interest as a solution of the registration problem. A single-size fiducial might help fast fiducial detection, but the system will have a narrow tracking range, since all fiducials have the same detection range. Different size fiducials have different detection ranges, and by combining a series of different detection ranges from multi-size fiducials, the whole tracking range can be extended seamlessly. Multi-ring color fiducials have different number of rings at different fiducial levels. We extend the concentric circular fiducials to multi-ring, multi-size fiducial systems. These provide scalability to fiducial tracking AR. Because the fiducial systems are incremental, they allow the tracking range to be easily extended. The fiducial systems also introduce a large number of unique fiducials, and that makes fiducial identification easier. These fiducial systems help in building large-scale applications by providing a convenient way to unify multiple local coordinate systems. It makes it easy to determine fiducial positions in a large-scale application with a small-range digitizer. We analyze the optimality of ring widths and develop formulas to get an optimal set of fiducials easily for any size of working area by plugging in some system-specific parameters. We provide a simple and low-cost way to achieve wide-area tracking.
A benchmark of multiple sequence alignment programs upon structural RNAs

To date, few attempts have been made to benchmark the alignment algorithms upon nucleic acid sequences. Frequently, sophisticated PAM or BLOSUM like models are used to align proteins, yet equivalents are not considered for nucleic acids; instead, rather ad hoc models are generally favoured. Here, we systematically test the performance of existing alignment algorithms on structural RNAs. This work was aimed at achieving the following goals: (i) to determine conditions where it is appropriate to apply common sequence alignment methods to the structural RNA alignment problem. This indicates where and when researchers should consider augmenting the alignment process with auxiliary information, such as secondary structure and (ii) to determine which sequence alignment algorithms perform well under the broadest range of conditions. We find that sequence alignment alone, using the current algorithms, is generally inappropriate <50–60% sequence identity. Second, we note that the probabilistic method ProAlign and the aging Clustal algorithms generally outperform other sequence-based algorithms, under the broadest range of applications.
Practical identification of NARMAX models using radial basis functions

A wide class of discrete-time non-linear systems can be represented by the nonlinear autoregressive moving average (NARMAX) model with exogenous inputs. This paper develops a practical algorithm for identifying NARMAX models based on radial basis functions from noise-corrupted data. The algorithm consists of an iterative orthogonal-forward-regression routine coupled with model validity tests. The orthogonal-forward-regression routine selects parsimonious radial-basisTunc-tion models, while the model validity tests measure the quality of fit. The modelling of a liquid level system and an automotive diesel engine are included to demonstrate the effectiveness of the identification procedure.
Early Effects of a Hypocaloric, Mediterranean Diet on Laboratory Parameters in Obese Individuals

Calorie restriction is a common strategy for weight loss in obese individuals. However, little is known about the impact of moderate hypocaloric diets on obesity-related laboratory parameters in a short-term period. Aim of this study was to evaluate the variation of laboratory biomarkers in obese individuals following a Mediterranean, hypocaloric (1400–1600 Kcal/die) diet. 23 obese, pharmacologically untreated patients were enrolled and subjected to the determination of anthropometric variables and blood collection at baseline, 1 and 4 months after diet initiation. After 4 months of calorie restriction, we observed a significant decrease in body weight and BMI (both P < 0.0001), insulin (P = 0.037), HOMA-IR (P = 0.026), leptin (P = 0.008), and LDH (P = 0.023) and an increase in EGF (P = 0.013). All these parameters, except LDH, varied significantly already at 1 month after diet initiation. Also, lower levels of insulin (P = 0.025), leptin (P = 0.023), and EGF (P = 0.035) were associated with a greater (>5%) weight loss. Collectively, our data support a precocious improvement of insulin and leptin sensitivity after a modest calorie restriction and weight reduction. Moreover, EGF and LDH may represent novel markers of obesity, which deserve further investigations.
A Capability Maturity Framework for Sustainable Information and Communication Technology

Researchers estimate that information and communication technology (ICT) is responsible for at least 2 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Furthermore, in any individual business, ICT is responsible for a much higher percentage of that business's GHG footprint. Yet researchers also estimate that ICT can provide business solutions to reduce its GHG footprint fivefold. However, because the field is new and evolving, few guidelines and best practices are available. To address this issue, a consortium of leading organizations from industry, the nonprofit sector, and academia has developed and tested a framework for systematically assessing and improving SICT capabilities. The Innovation Value Institute (IVI; http://ivi.nuim.ie) consortium used an open-innovation model of collaboration, engaging academia and industry in scholarly work to create the SICT-Capability Maturity Framework (SICT-CMF), which is discussed in this paper.
Textual noise analysis and removal for effective search engines

In the field of intelligent information retrieval (IR), latent semantic indexing (LSI) is a popular technique used to retrieve information related more in meaning than in lexical matching. A core component in the process is the use of the singular value decomposition (SVD) which is used to remove the lexical noise in the term document matrix (TDM). The topic of mathematical modelling for noise reduction in LSI is important and demands attention. In this paper some observations on aspects of this topic are introduced. The work addresses a definition for noise in text processing and seeks to determine the best structure for the TDM. In other words, the structure of the TDM that would facilitate efficient searching within the LSI.