Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Représentation par graphe de mots manuscrits dans les images pour la recherche par similarité

Effective information retrieval on handwritten document images has always been a challenging task. In this paper, we propose a novel handwritten word spotting approach based on graph representation. The presented model comprises both topological and morphological signatures of handwriting. Skeleton-based graphs with the Shape Context labeled vertexes are established for connected components. Each word image is represented as a sequence of graphs. In order to be robust to the handwriting variations, an exhaustive merging process based on DTW alignment results introduced in the similarity measure between word images. With respect to the computation complexity, an approximate graph edit distance approach using bipartite matching is employed for graph matching. The experiments on the George Washington dataset and the marriage records from the Barcelona Cathedral dataset demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms the state-of-the-art structural methods.
Unsupervised HLA Peptidome Deconvolution Improves Ligand Prediction Accuracy and Predicts Cooperative Effects in Peptide–HLA Interactions

Ag presentation on HLA molecules plays a central role in infectious diseases and tumor immunology. To date, large-scale identification of (neo-)Ags from DNA sequencing data has mainly relied on predictions. In parallel, mass spectrometry analysis of HLA peptidome is increasingly performed to directly detect peptides presented on HLA molecules. In this study, we use a novel unsupervised approach to assign mass spectrometry–based HLA peptidomics data to their cognate HLA molecules. We show that incorporation of deconvoluted HLA peptidomics data in ligand prediction algorithms can improve their accuracy for HLA alleles with few ligands in existing databases. The results of our computational analysis of large datasets of naturally processed HLA peptides, together with experimental validation and protein structure analysis, further reveal how HLA-binding motifs change with peptide length and predict new cooperative effects between distant residues in HLA-B07:02 ligands.
Stressed and Unstressed Pronouns: Complementary Preferences

Abstract : I present a unified account of interpretation preferences of stressed and unstressed pronouns in discourse. The central intuition is the Complementary Preference Hypothesis that predicts the interpretation preference of a stressed pronoun from that of an unstressed pronoun in the same discourse position. The base preference must be computed in a total pragmatics module including commonsense preferences. The focus constraint in Rooth's theory of semantic focus is interpreted to be the salient subset of the domain in the local attentional state in the discourse context independently motivated for other purposes in Centering Theory.
In vitro models of tail contraction and cytoplasmic streaming in amoeboid cells

We have developed a reconstituted gel-sol and contractile model system that mimics the structure and dynamics found at the ectoplasm/endoplasm interface in the tails of many amoeboid cells. We tested the role of gel-sol transformations of the actin-based cytoskeleton in the regulation of contraction and in the generation of endoplasm from ectoplasm. In a model system with fully phosphorylated myosin II, we demonstrated that either decreasing the actin filament length distribution or decreasing the extent of actin filament cross-linking initiated both a weakening of the gel strength and contraction. However, streaming of the solated gel components occurred only under conditions where the length distribution of actin was decreased, causing a self-destruct process of continued solation and contraction of the gel. These results offer significant support that gel strength plays an important role in the regulation of actin/myosin II-based contractions of the tail cortex in many amoeboid cells as defined by the solation-contraction coupling hypothesis (Taylor, D. L., and M. Fechheimer. 1982. Phil. Trans. Soc. Lond. B. 299:185-197). The competing processes of solation and contraction of the gel would appear to be mutually exclusive. However, it is the temporal-spatial balance of the rate and extent of two stages of solation, coupled to contraction, that can explain the conversion of gelled ectoplasm in the tail to a solated endoplasm within the same small volume, generation of a force for the retraction of tails, maintenance of cell polarity, and creation of a positive hydrostatic pressure to push against the newly formed endoplasm. The mechanism of solation-contraction of cortical cytoplasm may be a general component of the normal movement of a variety of amoeboid cells and may also be a component of other contractile events such as cytokinesis.
Scaling or wider bioequivalence limits for highly variable drugs and for the special case of C(max).

OBJECTIVE To illustrate that bioequivalence (BE) can be effectively evaluated for highly variable (HV) drugs and drug products and for the special case of C(max) by using average BE. To demonstrate that either scaling or wider regulatory limits need not result in large observed ratios of the geometric means (GMR) of the 2 drug products. METHODS Two- and 4-period crossover BE investigations with 24 subjects were simulated. Variabilities of 15, 25 or 35% were assumed in special studies of C(max) and 40% in the general investigations of HV drugs. Acceptance of BE was analyzed in each study by various procedures and regulatory criteria. Under each condition, the percentage of simulated investigations accepting BE was recorded as the simulated GMR was gradually raised from 1.00. RESULTS Scaled average BE for HV drugs (in both 2- and 4-period studies) and expanding limits for C(max) increased substantially, as expected, the proportion of investigations accepting BE. An additional secondary regulatory criterion constrained the simulated GMR to 1.25 and limited the possibility of large deviations between the mean metrics of the 2 formulations. Acceptance of BE by the composite regulatory expectation never exceeded the acceptances by the separate component criteria. CONCLUSIONS The sample size required for the evaluation of BE for HV drugs and drug products can be substantially reduced by applying the approach of scaled average BE. The same conclusion is reached from the determination of BE for the C(max) metric by expanding the regulatory limits to 0.75 - 1.33 or even to 0.70 - 1.43. Concerns for observations of high GMR values can be eased by imposing constraints with a secondary regulatory criterion.
Treatment of radiation retinopathy following plaque brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma

Purpose of review Radiation retinopathy and maculopathy are predictable complications resulting from exposure to any source of radiation, including external beam and plaque brachytherapy. Most choroidal melanomas are currently treated with plaque brachytherapy. However, the ensuing complications frequently compromise posttreatment vision. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent studies on the management of radiation retinopathy and maculopathy. Recent findings Intravitreal bevacizumab, intravitreal triamcinolone and laser photocoagulation appear to transiently decrease macular edema, although improvements in visual acuity are limited. In successful studies, recurrent treatments were needed to sustain the effects. Case studies of photodynamic therapy, oral pentoxyphylline and hyperbaric oxygen treatment describe positive results, but further studies are required. One study suggests that laser photocoagulation may be useful in prophylactically treating radiation retinopathy. Summary Currently, there are no proven treatments for radiation retinopathy or maculopathy. The current treatment methods require frequent administration with variable improvement in visual acuity.
Capillary electrophoresis‐based single strand DNA conformation analysis in high‐throughput mutation screening

The generation of the draft human genome sequence has created new possibilities for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of human disease. One consequence of these new possibilities is an increasing need for methods and technology that can be used for high‐throughput screening for mutations in large DNA sample materials. In recent years, a number of mutation screening methods have emerged that are based on the analysis of sequence‐dependent changes in the conformation of single‐ and double‐stranded DNA using capillary electrophoresis. Common features of these methods are high sensitivity and reproducibility as well as the possibility for automation and massive parallelization. Thus, at present they are among the most attractive technologies for high‐throughput mutation screening. This review describes the recent advances in capillary electrophoresis‐based single strand conformation polymorphism (CE‐SSCP) for detection of unknown mutations, and assesses its practical usability for high‐throughput mutation screening based on the available literature. In addition, future prospects are outlined in light of the recent advances in microchip‐based capillary electrophoresis. Hum Mutat 21:455–465, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
RhoA/Rho-Kinase and Nitric Oxide in Vascular Reactivity in Rats with Endotoxaemia

RhoA/Rho-kinase (RhoA/ROK) pathway promotes vasoconstriction by calcium sensitivity mechanism. LPS causes nitric oxide (NO) overproduction to induce vascular hyporeactivity. Thus, we tried to examine the role of RhoA/ROK and NO in the regulation of vascular reactivity in different time-point of endotoxaemia. Male Wistar rats were intravenously infused for 10 min with saline or E. coli endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS, 10 mg/kg) and divided to five groups (n = 8 in each group): (i) Control, sacrificed at 6 h after saline infusion; (ii) LPS1h, sacrificed at 1 h after LPS infusion; (iii) LPS2h, sacrificed at 2 h after LPS infusion; (iv) LPS4h, sacrificed at 4 h after LPS infusion; and (v) LPS6h, sacrificed at 6 h after LPS infusion. LPS1h and LPS2h were regarded as early endotoxaemia, whereas LPS4h and LPS6h were regarded as late endotoxaemia. Indeed, our results showed that LPS reproduced a biphasic hypotension and sustained vascular hyporeactivity to noradrenaline (NA) in vivo. Interestingly, this hyporeactivity did not occur in ex vivo during early endotoxaemia. This could be due to increases of aortic RhoA activity (n = 5, P<0.05) and myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 phosphorylation (n = 3, P<0.05). In addition, pressor response to NA and vascular reactivity in early endotoxaemia were inhibited by ROK inhibitor, Y27632. Furthermore, plasma bradykinin was increased at 10 min (24.6±13.7 ng/mL, n = 5, P<0.05) and aortic endothelial NO synthase expression was increased at 1 h (+200%. n = 3, P<0.05) after LPS. In late endotoxaemia, the vascular hyporeactivity was associated with aortic inducible NO synthase expression (n = 3, P<0.05) and an increased serum NO level (n = 8, P<0.05). Thus, an increased RhoA activity could compensate vascular hyporeactivity in early endotoxaemia, and the large NO production inhibiting RhoA activity would lead to vascular hyporeactivity eventually.
Segmentation of color image by ϕβ criterion fuzzy theory

In this paper, we propose to use the information criterion ϕβ to identify the optimal number of clusters in the segmentation of a color image. The performance of this criterion is verified on the image test "House", "Monarch", "Lenna" and "Peppers", and compared with the selection obtained by the Chen and Lu fuzzy segmentation method. We verify that the new proposed method is efficient with respect to Chen's algorithm. We finally propose an appropriate choice for the radius in order to have an optimal segmentation of the image
Tree of Wheels: A New Hierarichal and Scalabale Topology for Underwater Sensor Networks

Underwater Wireless Sensor Network (UWSN) is a new network paradigm that is being proposed to explore, monitor and protect the oceans. Some of the Underwater Sensor Nodes applications include oceanographic data collection, pollution monitoring, offshore exploration, disaster prevention, assisted navigation and tactical surveillance applications. The topology and model of communication play crucial roles in UWSNs. Very different topologies for UWSNs have been proposed which some of them are two- dimensional and three dimensional. In this paper we have presented a new topology called tree of wheels (ToWs) that is very suitable for three dimensional (3D) domains like aquatic environments. This topology is hierarchical and scalable which is capable of adapting itself to large numbers of nodes and overcoming distributed localization. With accurate connectivity degree and hierarchal level we can exactly estimate number of nodes which we are going to deploy for this environment. Furthermore, this topology can solve some other problems such as coverage and self-localization. ToWs has some specific properties that we will investigate them and explore its advantage and disadvantage.
Flavone Biotransformation by Aspergillus niger and the Characterization of Two Newly Formed Metabolites

Aspergillus niger isolated from Allium sativum was used at large scale fermentation (150 mg flavone/200 ml medium) to obtain suitable amounts of the products, efficient for identification. Then spectral analysis (UV, IR, 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR) and mass spectrometry were performed for the two products, which contributed to the identification process. The metabolite (1) was identified as 2'-hydroxydihydrochalcone, and the metabolite (2) was identified as 2'-hydroxyphenylmethylketone, which were more active than flavone itself. Antioxidant activities of the two isolated metabolites were tested compared with ascorbic acid. Antioxidant activity of metabolite (1) was recorded 64.58% which represented 79% of the antioxidant activity of ascorbic acid, and metabolite (2) was recorded 54.16% (67% of ascorbic acid activity). However, the antioxidant activity of flavone was recorded 37.50% which represented 46% of ascorbic acid activity. The transformed products of flavone have antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans, with MIC was recorded 250 μg/ml for metabolite (2) against all three organism and 500, 300, and 300 μg/ml for metabolite (1) against tested microorganisms (P. aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Klebsiella pneumonia, Fusarium moniliforme, A. flavus, Saccharomyces cerviceae, Kluveromyces lactis and C. albicans) at this order.
A Scaling Context Sensitive Points-to Analysis by Geometric Encoding

domain AD, and the number of the constraints C are all exponential to the length of the longest path in the call graph. To make it useful, Whaley et.al [Whaley and Lam 2004] and Zhu [Zhu and Calman 2004] leverage the BDD data structure to compress the abstract domain and conduct the analysis in a compressed form. Their methodology successfully lowers the processing time down to a practical level. HowACM Transactions on Embedded Computing Systems, Vol. V, No. N, Article A, Publication date: January YYYY.
Network Monitoring with Nprobe

This paper presents an architecture for monitoring 10 Gbps networks, drawing on experience from a current 1 Gbps implementation. The architecture performs full line-rate capture and implements on-line analysis and compression to record interesting data without loss. The use of the monitoring and analysis system is demonstrated along with the presentation of several initial findings made possible with the tool. Keywords— Passive network monitoring, full line-rate capture, multi-protocol analysis
Modeling and Generating Tone Contour with Phrase Intonation for Mandarin Chinese Speech

This paper models F0 curves with discrete cosine transform (DCT) representations on both syllable-level tone and phrase-level intonation for Chinese Mandarin speech. Decision trees growing with maximum likelihood (ML) and stopping with minimum description length (MDL) are used to cluster very rich context-dependent DCT models into generalized ones to predict unseen contexts in test robustly. Additionally, we propose to generate Mandarin tone contours by jointly optimizing FO contours of syllable and phrase in ML sense. Experimental results on speaker-dependent continuous and speaker-independent isolated speech corpora show that the proposed approach can be able to generate FO contour with high correlation coefficients of 0.92 and 0.82 respectively, measured between the original and generated F0.
Are Traditional NPD Processes Relevant to IoT Product and Service Development Activities? A Critical Examination

Increasingly physical products are being equipped with sensors, which connect them to the Internet; the network ofthese 'smart products' are acknowledged as the Internet of Things. These digitalized artefacts have a wide variety of material properties that could include a range of outcomes, such as new products, platforms, services, and other value pathways that differentiate them from their non-digital counterparts. Practitioners and researchers acknowledge that these differences influence tremendously on IoT product and service development processes. These are significant for IoT firms that occupy the market, due toa paucity of established literature on this theme; it is difficult to find studies on NPD processes, which reflects this digitization. This is an exploratory paper. That explores current literature prior to further empirical data collection. Through a critical examination of literature, this paper examines how smart product development processes are different from traditional product development processes. Thus, this paper offers critical insights and observations to enable both practitioners and academics to ascertain a detailed understanding of diverse approaches to NPD process activities for the IoT.
A Secure Compiler for ML Modules – Extended Version

Many functional programming languages compile to lowlevel languages such as C or assembly. Most security properties of those compilers, however, apply only when the compiler compiles whole programs. This paper presents a compilation scheme that securely compiles a standalone module of ModuleML, a light-weight version of an ML with modules, into untyped assembly. The compilation scheme is secure in that it reflects the abstractions of a ModuleML module, for every possible piece of assembly code that it interacts with. This is achieved by isolating the compiled module through a low-level memory isolation mechanism and by dynamically type checking the low-level interactions. We evaluate an implementation of the compiler on relevant test scenarios.
Climate change and Mediterranean seagrass meadows: a synopsis for environmental managers

This synopsis focuses on the effects of climate change on Mediterranean seagrasses, and associated communities, and on the contribution of the main species, Posidonia oceanica , to the mitigation of climate change effects through its role of sequestering carbon dioxide. Whilst the regression of seagrass meadows is well documented, generally linked to anthropogenic pressures, global warming could be a cause of new significant regressions, notably linked to the introduction of exotic species, the rise of Sea-Surface Temperature (SST), and relative sea level. Seagrass communities could also be affected by climate change through the replacement of seagrass species having high structural complexity by species of lower complexity and even by opportunistic introduced species. Although it is currently very difficult to predict the consequences of these alterations and their cascade effects, two main conflicting trends in the functioning of seagrass ecosystems that could occur are acceleration of the herbivore pathway or of the detritivore pathway. The mean net primary production of the dominant species, Posidonia oceanica, is relatively high and can be estimated to range between 92.5 to 144.7 g C m -2 a -1 . Around 27% of the total carbon fixed by this species enters the sedimentary pathway leading to formation, over millennia, of highly organic deposits rich in refractory carbon. At the Mediterranean scale, the sequestration rate might reach 1.09 Tg C a -1 . The amount of this stored carbon is estimated to range from 71 to 273 kg C m -2 , which when considered at the Mediterranean scale would represent 11 to 42% of the CO 2 emissions produced by Mediterranean countries since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. The greatest value of the P. oceanica ecosystem, in the context of mitigation of global climate change, is linked to this vast long-term carbon stock accumulated over the millennia, and therefore, efforts should be focused on preserving the meadows to keep this reservoir intact.
Heterogeneous Subgroup Identification with Observational Data: A Case Study Based on the National Study of Learning Mindsets

Abstract:In this paper, we use a two-step approach for heterogeneous subgroup identification with a synthetic data set motivated by the National Study of Learning Mindsets. In the first step, optimal full propensity score matching is used to estimate stratum-specific treatment effects. In the second step, regression trees identify key subgroups based on covariates for which the treatment effect varies. In working with regression trees, we emphasize the role of the cost-complexity tuning parameter, selected through permutation-based Type I error rate studies, in justifying inferential decision-making, which we contrast with graphical and quantitative exploration for future study. Results indicate that the mindset intervention was effective, overall, in improving student achievement. While our exploratory analyses identified XC, C1, and X1 as potential effect modifiers worthy of further study, we find no statistically significant evidence of effect heterogeneity with the exception of urbanicity category XC = 3, but the finding is not robust to propensity score estimation method.
Linear coding of complex sound spectra by discharge rate in neurons of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) and its inputs

The interaural level difference (ILD) cue to sound location is first encoded in the lateral superior olive (LSO). ILD sensitivity results because the LSO receives excitatory input from the ipsilateral cochlear nucleus and inhibitory input indirectly from the contralateral cochlear nucleus via glycinergic neurons of the ipsilateral medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB). It is hypothesized that in order for LSO neurons to encode ILDs, the sound spectra at both ears must be accurately encoded via spike rate by their afferents. This spectral-coding hypothesis has not been directly tested in MNTB, likely because MNTB neurons have been mostly described and studied recently in regards to their abilities to encode temporal aspects of sounds, not spectral. Here, we test the hypothesis that MNTB neurons and their inputs from the cochlear nucleus and auditory nerve code sound spectra via discharge rate. The Random Spectral Shape (RSS) method was used to estimate how the levels of 100-ms duration spectrally stationary stimuli were weighted, both linearly and non-linearly, across a wide band of frequencies. In general, MNTB neurons, and their globular bushy cell inputs, were found to be well-modeled by a linear weighting of spectra demonstrating that the pathways through the MNTB can accurately encode sound spectra including those resulting from the acoustical cues to sound location provided by head-related directional transfer functions (DTFs). Together with the anatomical and biophysical specializations for timing in the MNTB-LSO complex, these mechanisms may allow ILDs to be computed for complex stimuli with rapid spectrotemporally-modulated envelopes such as speech and animal vocalizations and moving sound sources.