Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Traceable multimedia fingerprinting based on the multilevel user grouping

This paper presents a traceable fingerprinting scheme based on a multilevel user grouping strategy. In the proposed code structure, coding efforts for groups of users are apportioned to different levels of the code. Instead of making efforts to find one ldquohigh-performancerdquo traceability code, we try to derive a generalized framework of fingerprints construction which hierarchically constructs a traceability code having ldquohigh-performancesrdquo by composing several ldquomoderate-performancerdquo traceability codes together. Both theoretical analyses and experimental results are provided to show good performances of the proposed fingerprinting system, that is, it can serve a large amount of users with a much shorter code length and high traceability.
FleXPath: flexible structure and full-text querying for XML

Querying XML data is a well-explored topic with powerful database-style query languages such as XPath and XQuery set to become W3C standards. An equally compelling paradigm for querying XML documents is full-text search on textual content. In this paper, we study fundamental challenges that arise when we try to integrate these two querying paradigms.While keyword search is based on approximate matching, XPath has exact match semantics. We address this mismatch by considering queries on structure as a "template", and looking for answers that best match this template and the full-text search. To achieve this, we provide an elegant definition of relaxation on structure and define primitive operators to span the space of relaxations. Query answering is now based on ranking potential answers on structural and full-text search conditions. We set out certain desirable principles for ranking schemes and propose natural ranking schemes that adhere to these principles. We develop efficient algorithms for answering top-K queries and discuss results from a comprehensive set of experiments that demonstrate the utility and scalability of the proposed framework and algorithms.
Assessing the feasibility of OpenCL CPU implementations for agent-based simulations

Agent-based modeling (ABM) is a bottom-up modeling approach, where each entity of the system being modeled is uniquely represented as a self-determining agent. Large scale emergent behavior in ABMs is population sensitive. As such, it is advisable that the number of agents in a simulation is able to reflect the reality of the system being modeled. This means that in domains such as social modeling, ecology, and biology, systems can contain millions or billions of individuals. Such large scale simulations are only feasible in non-distributed scenarios when the computational power of commodity processors, such as GPUs and multi-core CPUs, is fully exploited. In this paper we evaluate the feasibility of using CPU-oriented OpenCL for high-performance simulations of agent-based models. We compare a CPU-oriented OpenCL implementation of a reference ABM against a parallel Java version of the same model. We show that there are considerable gains in using CPU-based OpenCL for developing and implementing ABMs, with speedups up to 10x over the parallel Java version on a 10-core hyper-threaded CPU.
The race to learn: Spike timing and STDP can coordinate learning and recall in CA3

The CA3 region of the hippocampus has long been proposed as an autoassociative network performing pattern completion on known inputs. The dentate gyrus (DG) region is often proposed as a network performing the complementary function of pattern separation. Neural models of pattern completion and separation generally designate explicit learning phases to encode new information and assume an ideal fixed threshold at which to stop learning new patterns and begin recalling known patterns. Memory systems are significantly more complex in practice, with the degree of memory recall depending on context‐specific goals. Here, we present our spike‐timing separation and completion (STSC) model of the entorhinal cortex (EC), DG, and CA3 network, ascribing to each region a role similar to that in existing models but adding a temporal dimension by using a spiking neural network. Simulation results demonstrate that (a) spike‐timing dependent plasticity in the EC‐CA3 synapses provides a pattern completion ability without recurrent CA3 connections, (b) the race between activation of CA3 cells via EC‐CA3 synapses and activation of the same cells via DG‐CA3 synapses distinguishes novel from known inputs, and (c) modulation of the EC‐CA3 synapses adjusts the learned versus test input similarity required to evoke a direct CA3 response prior to any DG activity, thereby adjusting the pattern completion threshold. These mechanisms suggest that spike timing can arbitrate between learning and recall based on the novelty of each individual input, ensuring control of the learn‐recall decision resides in the same subsystem as the learned memories themselves. The proposed modulatory signal does not override this decision but biases the system toward either learning or recall. The model provides an explanation for empirical observations that a reduction in novelty produces a corresponding reduction in the latency of responses in CA3 and CA1. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lexical Entailment and Its Extraction from Wikipedia

This work investigates the lexical entailment relation and develops a Wikipediabased resource of lexical entailment rules. Lexical entailment is a semantic relation that holds between lexical elements when the meaning of one element can be inferred from the meaning of the other. This relation can be represented as a rule in which the left hand side (LHS) entails the right hand side (RHS), denoted by LHS⇒ RHS. This relation is very useful in many Natural Language Processing (NLP) applications. For instance, a Question Answering system may use the lexical entailment rule cruiser ⇒ ship in order to find the answer to the question “What is the name of the Russian ship that sunk at Port Arthur? ” in the sentence “Russian cruiser Pallada sunk at Port Arthur”. Even though NLP systems apply lexical semantic inference, there is no common definition for this relation and no resource was built as dedicated to include lexical entailment rules. We suggest deriving the missing definition from the framework of Textual Entailment, a recent paradigm for semantic inference. We present two definitions which bridge the gap between textual entailment and lexical entailment. These definitions help understanding the intended meaning of the lexical entailment relation and deciding which rules should be included in a lexical entailment rule base. We utilize these definitions to investigate the utility of several state-of-theart lexical semantic resources as potential sources for lexical entailment rules. In that process we reveal the strengths and weaknesses of these resources, with respect to the task of recognizing lexical entailment, and the different types of the lexical entailment relations that each resource covers. A second contribution of this work is the development of a large-scale lexical entailment rule base, the first one designed to contain lexical entailment rules, which was extracted from Wikipedia. We present extraction methods geared to cover the broad range of the lexical entailment relation and evaluate them under this target criterion. We conduct both an internal evaluation, by comparing results to human judgments, and an external evaluation, by using our rule base within a real NLP task. By filtering rules, according to the type of method which extracted them, one can choose different recall-precision tradeoffs varying from a precision of 0.87 for almost 2 million rules up to 8 million rules with a precision of 0.66. On the text categorization evaluation our resource performs better than previous automatically-created resources, and performs comparably to WordNet, a lexicon in which relations between terms were manually crafted by experts, even though the rules in our resource were automatically extracted from texts written for human consumption.
Enhanced rig‐space simulation

Rig‐space physics a finite element method(FEM) based simulation technique that aims at adding secondary motion on a character while maintaining seamless cooperation with traditional animation pipelines. We enhance the rig‐space physics by introducing several techniques, including general field interaction, proportional‐derivative control, and improved material control. This allows an animator to perform various interferences to the simulation process and create more abundant animation effects. Moreover, we also improve the numerical stability of the simulation algorithm by prepending a conjugate gradient procedure. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Static and dynamic metrics for effective object clustering

In client/server and distributed applications, the quality of object clustering plays a key role in determining the overall performance of the system. Therefore, a set of objects with higher coupling should be grouped into a single cluster so that each cluster can have a higher cohesion. As a result, the overall message traffic among objects can be greatly minimized. In addition, it should also be considered in CORBA-based applications that clusters themselves can evolve due to the dynamic object migration feature of CORBA. Hence, dynamic metrics as well as as static metrics should be developed and used in order to measure the dynamic message traffic and to tune up the system performance effectively. Various object-oriented design metrics proposed mainly deal with static coupling and cohesion, and they only consider the basic class relationships such as association, inheritance, and composition. Therefore, these metrics are not appropriate for measuring the traffic load of object messages which is closely related to the system performance. In this paper, we propose a set of metrics which considers the relevant weights on the various class relationships and estimates the static and dynamic message flow among the objects at the detailed level of member functions. By applying these metrics along with OMT or UML, we believe that clusters can be defined more efficiently and systematically, yielding high performance distributed applications.
Treatment of Glioma Using neuroArm Surgical System

The use of robotic technology in the surgical treatment of brain tumour promises increased precision and accuracy in the performance of surgery. Robotic manipulators may allow superior access to narrow surgical corridors compared to freehand or conventional neurosurgery. This paper reports values and ranges of tool-tissue interaction forces during the performance of glioma surgery using an MR compatible, image-guided neurosurgical robot called neuroArm. The system, capable of microsurgery and stereotaxy, was used in the surgical resection of glioma in seven cases. neuroArm is equipped with force sensors at the end-effector allowing quantification of tool-tissue interaction forces and transmits force of dissection to the surgeon sited at a remote workstation that includes a haptic interface. Interaction forces between the tool tips and the brain tissue were measured for each procedure, and the peak forces were quantified. Results showed maximum and minimum peak force values of 2.89 N (anaplastic astrocytoma, WHO grade III) and 0.50 N (anaplastic oligodendroglioma, WHO grade III), respectively, with the mean of peak forces varying from case to case, depending on type of the glioma. Mean values of the peak forces varied in range of 1.27 N (anaplastic astrocytoma, WHO grade III) to 1.89 N (glioblastoma with oligodendroglial component, WHO grade IV). In some cases, ANOVA test failed to reject the null hypothesis of equality in means of the peak forces measured. However, we could not find a relationship between forces exerted to the pathological tissue and its size, type, or location.
Supramolecular Interactions in the Dermo-epidermal Junction Zone

The dermis and the epidermis of normal human skin are functionally separated by a basement membrane but, together, form a stable structural continuum. Anchoring fibrils reinforce this connection by insertion into the basement membrane and by intercalation with banded collagen fibrils of the papillary dermis. Structural abnormalities in collagen VII, the major molecular constituent of anchoring fibrils, lead to a congenital skin fragility condition, dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, associated with skin blistering. Here, we characterized the molecular basis of the interactions between anchoring fibrils and banded collagen fibrils. Suprastructural fragments of the dermo-epidermal junction zone were generated by mechanical disruption and by separation with magnetic Immunobeads. Anchoring fibrils were tightly attached to banded collagen fibrils. In vitro binding studies demonstrated that a von Willebrand factor A-like motif in collagen VII was essential for binding of anchoring fibrils to reconstituted collagen I fibrils. Since collagen I and VII molecules reportedly undergo only weak interactions, the attachment of anchoring fibrils to collagen fibrils depends on supramolecular organization of their constituents. This complex is stabilized in situ and resists dissociation by strong denaturants.
The power of myth in the IT workplace: Creating a 24-hour workday during the dot-com bubble

The central purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that managers of several IT companies, during the dot‐com bubble, used the myths that were readily available in the wider American culture of the time to motivate and manipulate their employees. These managers motivated their employees to put in long hours at the worksite, to be continually on‐call, to intensify their work pace, and to self police their co‐programming teams. The methods used were qualitative social research including interviews, observations, self‐reported organizational charts and time diaries. This is a single case study conducted during a specific period of time. The implications discussed in this paper may provide insight to the managers of IT personnel who seek to motivate their employees to greater efficiency. This paper adds to a discussion on the role of myth in managing IT personnel.
ICU Acquisition Rate, Risk Factors, and Clinical Significance of Digestive Tract Colonization With Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase–Producing Enterobacteriaceae: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis*

Objective: To evaluate the acquisition rate, identify risk factors, and estimate the risk for subsequent infection, associated with the colonization of the digestive tract with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae during ICU-hospitalization. Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, and reference lists of all eligible articles. Study Selection: Included studies provided data on ICU-acquired colonization with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae in previously noncolonized and noninfected patients and used the double disk synergy test for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae phenotypic confirmation. Studies reporting extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae outbreaks or data on pediatric population were excluded. Data Extraction: Two authors independently assessed study eligibility and performed data extraction. Data Synthesis: Thirteen studies (with 15,045 ICUs-patients) were evaluated using a random-effect model and a meta-regression analysis. The acquisition rate of digestive tract colonization during ICU stay was 7% (95% CI, 5–10) and it varies from 3% (95% CI, 2–4) and 4% (95% CI, 2–6) in the Americas and Europe to 21% (95% CI, 9–35) in the Western Pacific region. Previous hospitalization (risk ratio, 1.57 [95% CI, 1.07–2.31]) or antibiotic use (risk ratio, 1.65 [95% CI, 1.15–2.37]) and exposure to beta-lactams/beta-lactamase inhibitors (risk ratio, 1.78 [95% CI, 1.24–2.56]) and carbapenems (risk ratio, 2.13 [95% CI, 1.49–3.06]) during the ICU stay were independent risk factors for ICU-acquired colonization. Importantly, colonized patients were more likely to develop an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae infection (risk ratio, 49.62 [95% CI, 20.42–120.58]). The sensitivity and specificity of prior colonization to predict subsequent extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae infection were 95.1% (95% CI, 54.7–99.7) and 89.2% (95% CI, 77.2–95.3), respectively. Conclusions: The ICU acquisition rate of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae ranged from 5% to 10%. Previous use of beta-lactam/beta-lactamase or carbapenems and recent hospitalization were independent risk factors for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae colonization, and colonization was associated with significantly higher frequency of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae subsequent infection and increased mortality.
A Case of Dementia With PRNP D178Ncis-129M and No Insomnia

ObjectiveTo describe a dementia case clinically diagnosed as Alzheimer disease with a PRNP genotype usually associated with familial fatal insomnia. MethodsPolymerase chain reaction amplification and subsequent direct sequencing of PGRN, MAPT, PSEN1, PSEN2, APP, and PRNP genes. ResultsA point mutation (D178N) was found in the PRNP gene. ConclusionsThe mutation D178N in the PRNP gene associated with the M129 genotype is usually associated with familial fatal insomnia. However, a few cases have been reported with different clinical phenotypes. Here, we describe one of these cases and stress the importance of genetic screening of PRNP in early onset dementia cases.
White Matter Damage After Chronic Subclinical Inflammation in Newborn Mice

Preterm infants exposed to inflammation are at increased risk of white matter injury and/or cerebral palsy. To investigate the effect of chronic inflammation on the developing white matter, we administered low-dose lipopolysaccharide once a day from postnatal days 3 to 11, examined white matter changes at postnatal day 12, and monitored serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin-like factor binding protein-3. A single injection of lipopolysaccharide decreased the serum insulin-like growth factor 1 level but not the insulin-like factor binding protein-3 level. At postnatal day 12, quantification of immunohistochemical staining for axonal, myelin, and oligodendrocyte markers revealed impaired myelination in subcortical white matter. In addition, brain gray matter volume decreased and spleen and liver weight increased at postnatal day 12. These data suggest chronic subclinical inflammation hampers development of white and gray matter in early life, which may be associated with insulin-like growth factor 1 deficiency.
Characterization of plastic blends made from mixed plastics waste of different sources

This paper studies the recyclability of construction and household plastic waste collected from local landfills. Samples were processed from mixed plastic waste by injection moulding. In addition, blends of pure plastics, polypropylene and polyethylene were processed as a reference set. Reference samples with known plastic ratio were used as the calibration set for quantitative analysis of plastic fractions in recycled blends. The samples were tested for the tensile properties; scanning electron microscope–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used for elemental analysis of the blend surfaces and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis was used for the quantification of plastics contents.
Validity and reliability of short-term heart-rate variability from the Polar S810.

PURPOSE : To assess the validity and the reliability of short-term resting heart-rate variability (HRV) measures obtained using the Polar S810 heart-rate monitor and accompanying software. METHODS : Measures of HRV were obtained from 5-min R to R wave (RR) interval data for 19 males and 14 females during 10 min of quiet rest on three separate occasions at 1-wk intervals using the Polar S810. Criterion measures of HRV were obtained simultaneously using the CardioPerfect (CP; Medical Graphics Corporation, St Paul, MN) 12-lead ECG module. Measures of validity of the Polar S810 were estimated by regression analysis, and measures of reliability of both devices were estimated by analysis of change scores. Measures of the SD of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), and the low-frequency (LF) and the high-frequency (HF) spectral power and their ratio (LF/HF) were analyzed after log transformation, whereas mean RR and LF and HF in normalized units were analyzed without transformation. RESULTS : There were marginal differences between the Polar and the CP mean measures of HRV, and the uncertainty in the differences was small. The Polar S810 demonstrated high correlations (0.85-0.99) with CP for all measures of HRV indicating good to near-perfect validity. Except for the low- and the high-frequency normalized units, Polar S810 did not add any substantial technical error to the within-subject variability in the repeated measurements of HRV. CONCLUSION : HRV measures obtained with the Polar S810 and accompanying software have no appreciable bias or additional random error in comparison with criterion measures, but the measures are inherently unreliable over a 1-wk interval. Reliability of HRV from longer (e.g., 10 min) and/or consecutive 5-min RR recordings needs to be investigated with the Polar and criterion instruments.
Valuation and Information Acquisition Policy for Claims Written on Noisy Real Assets

We study contingent claims written on real assets whose values are observed with noise and the acquisition of information to improve irreversible exercise decisions. We determine the conditional expected asset value and show that it can depend on historical observed values. In a noisy setting, claim values are calculated by simply adjusting the asset value and variance inputs and applying standard valuation procedures for pricing European and American options. Noise tends to slow the rate of information arrival, reduce contingent claim value, and provide incentives to purposefully acquire additional information. These incentives are illustrated for the case of secured risky debt. The value of acquired information increases when the option holder is indifferent between exercise alternatives, and decreases as one choice increasingly dominates the other. Opportunities to repeatedly acquire information reduce over- or underinvestment in information.