Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-Supervised Depth Learning Improves Semantic Segmentation

How does a newborn agent learn about the world? When an animal (or robot) moves, its visual system is exposed to a shower of information. Usually, the speed with which something moves in the image is inversely proportional to its depth.1 As an agent continues to experience visual stimuli under its own motion, it is natural for it to form associations between the appearance of objects and their relative motion in the image. For example, an agent may learn that objects that look like mountains typically don’t move in the image (or change appearance much) as the agent moves. Objects like nearby cars and people, however, appear to move rapidly in the image as the agent changes position relative to them. This continuous pairing of images with motion acts as a kind of “automatic” supervision that could eventually allow an agent both to understand the depth of objects and to group pixels into objects by this predicted depth. That is, by moving through the world, an agent may gather training data sufficient for learning to understand static scenes. In this work, we explore the relationship between the appearance of objects and their relative depth in the image. To estimate object depths without human supervision, we use traditional techniques for estimating depth from motion, applied to simple videos taken from cars and trains. Since these depth estimation techniques produce depth up to an unknown scale factor, we output estimates of relative depth, that group pixels into 10 bins of progressively greater depths. Once we have depth estimates for these video images, we train a deep network to predict the depth of each pixel from a single image, i.e., to predict the depth without the benefit of motion. One might expect such a network to learn that an image patch that looks like a house and spans 20 pixels of an image is about 100 meters away, while a pedestrian that spans 100 image pixels is perhaps 10 meters away. Figure 1 illustrates this prediction task and shows example results obtained using
Skyline Query Processing in Graph Databases

Skyline queries are mostly used in decision making processes and search space reduction. They received much attention during the past years due to their importance in discarding the unneeded data and providing the users with data that best match their interest. The same attention has been directed to graph databases to handle highly connected data due to the increase in volume and connectedness of today’s data. The proposed work aims to augment graph databases with skyline queries. Two skyline query processing algorithms have been proposed; nested loops and divide-and-conquer. They are used to facilitate retrieving skyline results with multiple dimensions over graph databases. Performance evaluation for both algorithms over different sized graph databases and queries with different complexity levels were presented. The conducted experiments proved that divide-and-conquer outperforms nested loops in different cases.
Camera Field Rendering

Previous image-based rendering approaches rely on either accurate three-dimensional geometric information or dense image samples. It is, therefore, hard to render a complex real scene due to the difficulties of the following two problems: (1) how to model and represent a complex real scene using three-dimensional geometry; and (2) how to sample a real scene densely and to compress the samples. To avoid these problems, we propose two novel interpolation techniques, which can produce reasonable rendering results for sparsely sampled real scene. The first one, which is a color-matching based interpolation, searches for a possible physical point along the testing ray using color information in nearby reference images. The second technique, which is a disparity-matching based interpolation, tries to find the closest intersection between the testing ray and the disparity surfaces defined by the nearby reference images. Both approaches are designed as backward rendering techniques and they can be combined to produce robust results. In addition, a new sampling scheme called camera field is used. A camera field can be directly acquired using a two-dimensional array of cameras mounted on the corresponding support surface. Since no resampling process is required, we can fully utilize the resolution of the cameras. More importantly, new parameterization scheme allows us to find the corresponding point among reference images directly. This makes it possible to implement the proposed two interpolation approaches in the image space, rather than in the three-dimensional world space.
Fröhlich, H. et al. (2017) Statins attenuate but do not eliminate the reverse epidemiology of total serum cholesterol in patients with non-ischemic

Background: In patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) increasing levels of total serum cholesterol are associated with improved survival – while statin usage is not. The impact of statin treatment on the “reverse epidemiology” of cholesterol is unclear. Methods: 2,992 consecutive patients with non-ischemic CHF due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction from the Norwegian CHF Registry and the CHF Registries of the Universities of Hull, UK, and Heidelberg, Germany, were studied. 1,736 patients were individually double-matched on both cholesterol levels and the individual propensity scores for statin treatment. All-cause mortality was analyzed as a function of baseline cholesterol and statin use in both the general and the matched sample. Results: 1,209 patients (40.4%) received a statin. During a follow-up of 13,740 patient-years, 360 statin users (29.8%) and 573 (32.1%) statin non-users died. When grouped according to total cholesterol levels as low (≤3.6mmol/L), moderate (3.7-4.9mmol/L), high (4.8-6.2mmol/L), and very high (>6.2mmol/L), we found improved survival with very high as compared with low cholesterol levels. This association was present in statin users and non-users in both the general and matched sample (p<0.05 for each group comparison). The negative association of total cholesterol and mortality persisted when cholesterol was treated as a continuous variable (HR 0.83, 95%CI 0.77-0.90, p<0.001 for matched patients), but it was less pronounced in statin users than in non-users (F-test p<0.001). Conclusions: Statins attenuate but do not eliminate the reverse epidemiological association between increasing total serum cholesterol and improved survival in patients with non-ischemic CHF.
N-h EmoEmoEE InIIIIIIIIII

Iterative algorithms for signal reconstruction from partial timeand frequency-domain knowledge have proven useful in a number of application areas. In this report, a general convergence proof, applicable to one class of such iterative reconstruction algorithms, is presented. The proof relies on the concept of a nonexpansive mapping in both the time and frequency domains. Two examples studied in detail are timelimited extrapolation (equivalently, bandlimited extrapolation) and phase-only signal reconstruction. The proof of convergence for the phase-only iteration is a new result which illustrates this method of proof. The generality of the approach allows the incorporation of nonlinear constraints such as time(or space-) domain positivity or minimum and maximum value constraints. Finally, the underrelaxed form of these iterations is also shown to converge when the solution is not guaranteed to be unique.
LIMIT THEORY OF THE QMLE IN THE NON- STATIONARY ARCH(1) MODEL

In this note we extend the standard results for the limit theory of the popular QMLE in the context of the non-sta onary ARCH(1) model by allowing the innova onprocess not to possess fourthmoments. Depending on the value of the index of stability, we either derive α-stable weak limits with non-standard rates or inconsistency and nonghtness. We obtain the limit theory by the deriva on of a CLT for mul plica ve “mar ngale” transforms with limits mixtures of α-stable distribu ons for any α ∈ (0, 2]. K : α-stable distribu on, slow varia on, domain of a rac on, CLT withmixed limit, non sta onary ARCH(1), QMLE, inconsistency, nonghtness.
The Roles of Internal Representation and Processing in Problem Solving Involving Insight: A Computational Complexity Perspective

In human problem solving, there is a wide variation between individuals in problem solution time and success rate, regardless of whether or not this problem solving involves insight. In this paper, we apply computational and parameterized analysis to a plausible formalization of extended representation change theory (eRCT), an integration of problem solving by problem space search and insight as problem restructuring which proposes that this variation may be explainable by individuals having different problem representations and search heuristic choices. Our analyses establish not only the intractability of eRCT in general, but also sets of restrictions under which eRCT-based problem solving can and cannot be done quickly. As such, our analyses both prove that several conjectures about what makes problem solving under eRCT possible in practice are incomplete, in the sense that not all factors in the model whose restriction is responsible for efficient solvability are part of the explanation, and provide several new explanations that are complete.
DYNAMIC SCHEDULING BASED-DIST RIBUTED SEGMENT STORAGE FOR P2P INTERACTIVE VIDEO STREAMING

Random access functions in peer-to-peer videoon-demand streaming is challenging,due to not only the asynchronous user interactivity but also the unpredictability of group dynamics. Video-on-demand is one of media streaming services where movies are delivered to desktops of distributed users with low delay and free interactivity. P2P technologies have been proven as a scalable solution to multicasting and file sharing among distributed users. In P2P, user interactivity is an issue because user may jump forward, backward and resume its playback any time. Videoes in the video server are split into video segment and it is transmitted to the node in P2P network and send it to client. The P2P network is having a track sever which contains the information about each and every node in the peer to peer network. The node sends the collected video segment to the client and plays the video at the client appropriately. This project uses static local storage instead of sliding window buffering to help handle user interactivity efficiently and to reduce the complexity.The scheduling issues in video streaming will be addressed by using factored queue length. This scheme schedules the video with maximum factored queue length is obtained by each video queue length with factor which is biased against the more popular videos.
Hardware Implementation of a Low-Power K-Best MIMO Detector Based on a Hybrid Merge Network

Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology is anticipated to play a key role in future wireless communications systems. However, one of the main challenges of MIMO technology is the high complexity of the signal detection, which results in a high power consumption at the MIMO receiver. In this paper, we present the hardware implementation of a $K$-best detector based on a single-stage architecture, targeted at low-rate and low-power applications. To achieve a low complexity, we optimise the sorting stage of the detector by systematically eliminating redundant comparators. Furthermore, the sorter incorporates different merge algorithms at selected stages in order to reduce the total comparator count. For a 64-QAM $4 \times 4$ MIMO system, the detector achieves a power consumption of 34 mW using the STMicroelectronics 65 nm CMOS library, which compares favourably with similar works from the literature.
Role of the pathologist in diagnosis of the ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the eighth most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the world, accounting for nearly 4% of all female cancers, also represent the third leading gynecologic cancer, and mortality is high because women typically present with late stage disease. Cases of suspected and confi rmed advanced stage ovarian cancer should be discussed by multidisciplinary team whitin which the pathologist is a key member.
Learning 4.0: virtual immersive Engineering education

The 21st Century is driven by the enrolment of the industry 4.0 to a society 4.0. The concept of being digitally connected in human-machine-networks is more and more spread over the entire society. Smart Cities, eGovernment and quantified-self movements are only some of the key phrases. Physical reality and virtuality increasingly melt together and international teams collaborate across the globe within immersive virtual environments. The training of virtual and joint problem solving within networks of avatars, virtual human and machines therefor is a huge field of research which has to be done. In the context of the development from purely document based learning systems to complex virtual learning environments (VLEs), a shift towards more interactive and collaborative components within higher educational e-learning can be noticed, but is still far from being called the state of the art. Benefits of those virtual worlds can be summarized in the possibility of hazard-free, explorative learning, visualization of invisible processes, the slow-motion of fast processes as well as the immersion in those worlds on the basis of natural user interfaces. Those environments bear a huge potential to support the student lifecycle by situated learning, problem based learning and immersion as a key resource for high transfer achievements of developed knowledge and skills. Tomorrows teachers need technological competencies in order to create VLE and interact with students in within VLE. This digital literacy includes not only the design of VLE but also experience in digital coaching and joint problem solving in virtual worlds. The paper shows the state of the art discourse by examples of VLE and outlines three different studies, designed and conducted to increase the success of implementing VLE in engineering education.
SOFTWARE CODE MAINTAINABILITY : A LITERATURE REVIEW

Software Maintainability is one of the most important quality attributes. To increase quality of a software, to manage software more efficient and to decrease cost of the software, maintainability, maintainability estimation and maintainability evaluation models have been proposed. However, the practical use of these models in software engineering tools and practice remained little due to their limitations or threats to validity. In this paper, results of our Literature Review about maintainability models, maintainability metrics and maintainability estimation are presented. Aim of this paper is providing a baseline for further searches and serving the needs of developers and customers.
Automatic lexical acquisition from corpora: some limitations and tentative solutions

This paper deals with lexical acquisition. We take another look at some experiments we have recently carried out on the automatic acquisition of lexical resources from French corpora. We describe the architecture of our system for lexical acquisition. We formulate the hypothesis that some of the limitations of the current system are mainly due to a poor representation of the constraints used. Finally, we show how a better representation of constraints would yield better results.
lemonGAWN-WordNet Gaeilge as Linked Data

We introduce lemonGAWN, a conversion of WordNet Gaeilge, a wordnet for the Irish language, with synset relations projected from EuroWordNet. lemonGAWN is linked to the English WordNet, as well as the wordnets for four Iberian languages covered by Multilingual Central Repository (MCR), and additionally contains links to both the Irish and English editions of DBpedia.
Award Number: W81XWH-11-1-0637 TITLE: “The Role of Gluococorticoids and Neuroinflammation in Mediating the Effects of Stress on Drug Abuse” PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:

Methamphetamine (METH) induces neuroinflammatory effects, which may contribute to the neurotoxicity of METH. However, the mechanism by which METH induces neuroinflammation has yet to be clarified. A considerable body of evidence suggests that METH induces cellular damage and distress, particularly in dopaminergic neurons. Damaged neurons release danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) such as high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), which induces pro-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we explored the notion here that METH induces neuroinflammation indirectly through the release of HMGB1 from damaged neurons. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were injected IP with METH (10 mg/kg) or vehicle (0.9% saline). Neuroinflammatory effects of METH were measured in nucleus accumbens (NAcc), ventral tegmental area (VTA) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) at 2 h, 4 h and 6 h after injection. To assess whether METH directly induces pro-inflammatory effects in microglia, whole brain or striatal microglia were isolated using a Percoll density gradient and exposed to METH (0, 0.1, 1, 10, 100, or 1000 lM) for 24 h and pro-inflammatory cytokines measured. The effect of METH on HMGB1 and IL-1b in striatal tissue was then measured. To determine the role of HMGB1 in the neuroinflammatory effects of METH, animals were injected intra-cisterna magna with the HMGB1 antagonist box A (10 lg) or vehicle (sterile water). 24 h post-injection, animals were injected IP with METH (10 mg/kg) or vehicle (0.9% saline) and 4 h later neuroinflammatory effects measured in NAcc, VTA, and PFC. METH induced robust proinflammatory effects in NAcc, VTA, and PFC as a function of time and pro-inflammatory analyte measured. In particular, METH induced profound effects on IL-1b in NAcc (2 h) and PFC (2 h and 4 h). Exposure of microglia to METH in vitro failed to induce a pro-inflammatory response, but rather induced significant cell death as well as a decrease in IL-1b. METH treatment increased HMGB1 in parallel with IL1b in striatum. Pre-treatment with the HMGB1 antagonist box A blocked the neuroinflammatory effects (IL-1b) of METH in NAcc, VTA and PFC. The present results suggest that HMGB1 mediates, in part, the neuroinflammatory effects of METH and thus may alert CNS innate immune cells to the toxic effects of METH. 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
An Evangelical Anomaly: Religious Observance and Intertemporal Choice

Abstract Educational achievement is positively correlated with religious devotion. However, religious sects that are more devoted have, on average, lower levels of education. Evangelical Protestants, for example, have the highest level of religious devotion but the lowest level of educational achievement. Previous research explains this by proposing that education enhances the gains to social interaction while substituting for religious belief. We examine an alternative hypothesis, where religion is a moderator of time preference across potential investments, including savings, social capital, and human capital. We use the Center on Philanthropy Panel Study and wealth supplements of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to observe household investments of time and money. Our results suggest that education is the anomaly, and that Evangelical Protestants do not behave differently than other religious groups in areas of altruism or saving. Instead, we find that differences in the level of devotion to religious activities best explains group behavior.
Summary and interpretive geochemical maps of West Virginia

The geochemical maps in this series were prepared to assist the evaluation of mineral resources in West Virginia. Other relevant geochemical maps in this series include I-2364-D, I-2364-E, I-2364-F, and 1-2364-G. These maps and figures were compiled from geochemical data generated by the National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) program of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and from supplemental analyses of NURE samples conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The NURE samples are archived by the USGS and the data are released in a USGS Open-File Report (Adrian and others, 1992). The USGS was not able to conduct new field work to further evaluate the results. Consequently, the interpretations are tentative. Map A (1:1,000,000 scale) includes the outline of the state, lanthanum isopleths, simplified geology, and structural features (Woodward, I968). Lanthanum anomaly patterns correlate closely with major regional faults, and in particular with fault intersections, which suggests faultcontrolled mineralization in those areas. Although lanthanum is shown on map A, anomalies of other key elements, such as titanium, cerium, thorium, and iron, show similar regional relationships with these major faults. Map B (l:I,OOO,OOO scale) includes the outline of the state, anomaly tracts, simplified geology, and structural features (Woodward, I968). Five tracts contain regional stream-sediment anomalies within extensive geographic areas (tracts A, B, C, L-I, and L-2). The figures (1 :500,000 scale) show element concentrations within tracts A and B, summaries of element statistics, and interelement comparisons for the entire state and the various anomaly tracts.
Geography, poverty and conflict in Nepal

We conduct an empirical analysis of the geographic, economic, and social factors that contributed to the spread of civil war in Nepal over the period 1996—2006. This within-country analysis complements existing cross-country studies on the same subject. Using a detailed dataset to track civil war casualties across space and over time, several patterns are documented. Conflict-related deaths are significantly higher in poorer districts and in geographical locations that favor insurgents, such as mountains and forests; a 10 percentage point increase in poverty is associated with 25—27 additional conflict-related deaths. This result is similar to that documented in cross-country studies. In addition, the relationship with poverty and geography is similar for deaths caused by the insurgents and deaths caused by the state. Furthermore, poorer districts are likely to be drawn into the insurgency earlier, consistent with the theory that a lower cost of recruiting rebels is an important factor in starting conflict. On the other hand, geographic factors are not significantly associated with such onset, suggesting that they instead contribute to the intensity of violence only after conflict has started. Finally, in contrast to some cross-country analyses, ethnic and caste polarization, land inequality, and political participation are not significantly associated with violence.
LOW POWER, LOW NOISE AMPLIFIERS DESIGN AND ANALYSIS FOR RF RECEIVER FRONT END USING 90NM CMOS TECHNOLOGY USED FOR WIMAX APPLICATIONS

This work is mainly to ensure the reliability of low power low noise amplifier design and analysis which is useful for 4G receiver front ends in particularly WIMAX applications. The low noise amplifiers implemented by using different topologies namely (a) Cascoded Common source amplifier technique(b) Folded Cascode amplifier technique (c) Shunt feedback amplifier technique (d) Current reuse Common gate amplifier with gm boosted technique with 90 nm TSMC CMOS technology, which is used for WIMAX applications with 1V supply. In order to simulate and measurement the parameters such as Scattering parameters(S21, S12 S11. S22 ),noise-figure, input matching, output matching ,stability, linearity the Cadence ,Agilent technologies ADS and lab view graphical software have been used and Compare the performance of the various parameters .