Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new approach to constrained parameter estimation applicable to some computer vision problems

Previous work of the authors developed a theoretically well-founded scheme (FNS) for finding the minimiser of a class of cost functions. Various problems in video analysis, stereo vision, ellipse-fitting, etc, may be expressed in terms of finding such a minimiser. However, in common with many other approaches, it is necessary to correct the minimiser as a post-process if an ancillary constraint is also to be satisfied. In this paper we develop the first integrated scheme (CFNS) for simultaneously minimising the cost function and satisfying the constraint. Preliminary experiments in the domain of fundamental-matrix estimation show that CFNS generates rank-2 estimates with smaller cost function values than rank-2 corrected FNS estimates. Furthermore, when compared with the HartleyZisserman Gold Standard method, CFNS is seen to generate results of comparable quality in a fraction of the time.
Prognostic value of pulmonary vascular resistance estimated by cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with chronic heart failure.

AIMS Pulmonary arterial hypertension is known to be related to worse prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF). Quantification of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) still requires invasive right heart catheterization. Recent studies have shown an accurate method for non-invasive estimation of PVR by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic value of PVR calculated by CMR in patients with congestive HF. METHODS AND RESULTS We calculated PVR by CMR in 132 patients [age 65.6 ± 13.1 years, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 35.1 ± 16.4%, ischaemic aetiology 40%] recently admitted for decompensated HF and derived to our cardiac imaging unit for diagnosis. Patients with cardiac events (readmission for HF or all-cause death) had higher values of PVR [6.77 ± 1.9 vs. 4.1 ± 1.6 Wood units (Wu), P < 0.001] during follow-up [mean 10.3 (1-31) months]. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, only a PVR ≥5.2 Wu [hazard ratio (HR) 4.27; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.75-10.42; P < 0.001) and the presence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on CMR (HR 2.24; 95% CI 1.03-4.86; P = 0.04) were independent predictors for adverse events at follow-up. CONCLUSION Non-invasive estimation of PVR by CMR might be useful for risk stratification of patients with chronic HF, irrespective of aetiology or LVEF.
iVideo - Interactive Videos as an Instrument for E-Learning and Knowledge Construction

As a multitude of studies has already revealed, illustrations can be profitably used to convey knowledge. While the importance of videos continues to increase on the internet, we notice major changes in usage patterns. In addition to the pure perception of pictographic material, interactivity especially in e-learning is considered to become more and more important. Although professional tools for creating interactive videos already exist, they hold serious disadvantages. Besides high licensing fees, it is almost impossible for a non-professional user to handle these tools due to their complexity. Therefore the aim is to develop an open and scalable tool for creating interactive videos, which is easy to use. The user shall be enabled to interact with videos directly and also to produce interactive videos without professional help. Within this paper the idea and realization of a tool for generating interactive videos is presented and discussed.
International Reserves and the Composition of Equity Capital Inflows

We study the effect of central banks’ international reserve hoardings on the composition of equity capital inflows, namely the ratio of portfolio equity investment (PEI) to foreign direct investment (FDI). Foreign investors’ decisions regarding the location and the type of equity capital investment might be influenced by a country’s level of international reserves. In a simple theoretical model, we show that higher reserves, thanks to their ability to lower exchange rate risk, reduce the risk premium of portfolio equity inflows. Hence, higher reserves are expected to increase the inflow of portfolio equity investment relative to FDI. We test this hypothesis for a sample of emerging markets during the period 1980-2007 using static and dynamic panel data methods. The results suggest that higher levels of reserves are associated with a larger ratio of PEI inflows relative to FDI. This result points to a collateral benefit of reserves that has been neglected so far: Reserves contribute to deeper domestic financial markets and facilitate domestic firms’ access to foreign financing.
Chapter I Financial Modeling and Forecasting with an Evolutionary Artifical Neural Network

In this chapter, I consider a design framework of a computational experiment in finance. The examination of statistics used for economic forecasts evaluation and profitability of investment decisions, based on those forecasts, reveals only weak relationships between them. The “degree of improvement over efficient prediction” combined with directional accuracy are proposed in an estimation technique, as an alternative to the conventional least squares. Rejecting a claim that the accuracy of the forecast does not depend upon which error-criteria are used, profitability of networks trained with L 6 loss function appeared to be statistically significant and stable. The best economic performances are realized for a 1-year investment horizon with longer training not leading to enhanced accuracy. An improvement in profitability is achieved for models optimized with genetic algorithm. Computational intelligence is advocated for searching optimal relationships among economic agents’ risk attitude, loss function minimization in the learning process, and the profitability of trading decisions.
Sex differentials in mortality among Israeli Jews in international perspective

Since the establishment of Israel sex differentials in the life expectancy at birth exhibited by Israeli Jews have been very low in comparison to other countries. This paper investigates the age and sex structure of sex differentials in mortality among Israeli Jews comparing them to the populations of Western and Eastern European countries. It also explores the similarities and differences between Israeli Jews and other Jewish populations in relation to sex differentials in mortality, relying on the published sources. This investigation reveals that small sex differentials in mortality of Israeli Jews, measured as a difference between female and male life expectancy at birth, are due to a stable pattern of low male and somewhat elevated female mortality at old ages, mainly 60/65 years and over. The differences between mortality schedules of younger males and females (25-64 years) are also relatively small. Selected features of Israeli Jewish sex differentials in mortality (but not all features) resemble those found in Jewish Diaspora communities. Detailed examination of levels and trends in age-specific male and female mortality in different subgroups of Israeli and Diaspora Jews provides the basis for two hypotheses regarding the origins of small sex differentials among Israeli Jews. The first hypothesis links low male mortality to health protective behaviour of Israeli Jewish males, the second hypothesis places the source of elevated mortality of Israeli Jewish females in the migrant origin of this population.
Star Formation Histories of Local Group Dwarf Galaxies

40 galaxies are currently known as, or suspected to be Local Group members within a radius of 1.8 Mpc. 37 of these galaxies are dwarf galaxies with M_B > -18.5 mag. I present a compilation of the star formation histories of dwarf irregulars, dwarf ellipticals, and dwarf spheroidals in the Local Group, and visualize their evolutionary histories through Hodge's population boxes. The study of these star formation histories is a multi-parameter problem: Ages, metallicities, population fractions, and spatial variations must be determined, which depend crucially on the knowledge of reddening and distance. Even the lowest-mass dwarf spheroidal galaxies can show significant spatial variations in star formation, ages, and metallicities. All Local Group dwarf galaxies appear to contain old (>10 Gyr) and intermediate-age (1-10 Gyr) populations irrespective of morphological type. No two galaxies are alike. They vary widely in star formation histories, metallicities, fractions, and ages of their subpopulations even within the same morphological type. Star formation has occurred either in distinct episodes or continuously over long periods of time.
The Holomorphic Tension of Nonabelian Vortices and the Quark = Dual-Quark Condensate

We continue the work hep-th/0411075 considering here the case of degenerate masses. A nonabelian vortex arises in r-vacua upon the breaking by a superpotential for the adjoint field. The holomorphic tension, equal to the dual-quark condensate, is found to be exactly equal to the quark condensate. We explain this equality as a consequence of the invariance of the BPS tension along the Higgs branch.
Equivariant vector bundles on group completions

Abstract In this paper, we describe the category of bi-equivariant vector bundles on a bi-equivariant smooth (partial) compactification of a connected reductive algebraic group with normal crossing boundary divisors. Our result is a generalization of the description of the category of equivariant vector bundles on toric varieties established by A. A. Klyachko (Math. USSR Izvest. 35 No. 2 (1990)). As an application, we prove splitting of equivariant vector bundles of low rank on the wonderful compactification of an adjoint simple group in the sense of C. De Concini and C. Procesi (Lect. Notes Math. 996 (1983)). Moreover, we present an answer to a problem raised by B. Kostant in the case of complex groups.
Physiological Transport Forces Govern Drug Distribution for Stent-Based Delivery

Background—The first compounds considered for stent-based delivery, such as heparin, were chosen on the basis of promising tissue culture and animal experiments, and yet they have failed to stop restenosis clinically. More recent compounds, such as paclitaxel, are of a different sort, being hydrophobic in nature, and their effects after local release seem far more profound. This dichotomy raises the question of whether drugs that have an effect when released from a stent do so because of differences in biology or differences in physicochemical properties and targeting. Methods and Results—We applied continuum pharmacokinetics to examine the effects of transport forces and device geometry on the distribution of stent-delivered hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. We found that stent-based delivery invariably leads to large concentration gradients, with drug concentrations ranging from nil to several times the mean tissue concentration over a few micrometers. Concentration variations were a function of the Peclet number (Pe), the ratio of convective to diffusive forces. Although hydrophobic drugs exhibited greater variability than hydrophilic drugs, they achieved higher mean concentrations and remained closer to the intima. Inhomogeneous strut placement influenced hydrophilic drugs more negatively than hydrophobic drugs, dramatically affecting local concentrations without changing mean concentrations. Conclusions—Because local concentrations and gradients are inextricably linked to biological effect, our results provide a potential explanation for the variable success of stent-based delivery. We conclude that mere proximity of delivery devices to tissues does not ensure adequate targeting, because physiological transport forces cause local concentrations to deviate significantly from mean concentrations.
People modify their tutoring behavior in robot-directed interaction for action learning

In developmental research, tutoring behavior has been identified as scaffolding infants' learning processes. It has been defined in terms of child-directed speech (Motherese), child-directed motion (Motionese), and contingency. In the field of developmental robotics, research often assumes that in human-robot interaction (HRI), robots are treated similar to infants, because their immature cognitive capabilities benefit from this behavior. However, according to our knowledge, it has barely been studied whether this is true and how exactly humans alter their behavior towards a robotic interaction partner. In this paper, we present results concerning the acceptance of a robotic agent in a social learning scenario obtained via comparison to adults and 8-11 months old infants in equal conditions. These results constitute an important empirical basis for making use of tutoring behavior in social robotics. In our study, we performed a detailed multimodal analysis of HRI in a tutoring situation using the example of a robot simulation equipped with a bottom-up saliency-based attention model [1]. Our results reveal significant differences in hand movement velocity, motion pauses, range of motion, and eye gaze suggesting that for example adults decrease their hand movement velocity in an Adult-Child Interaction (ACI), opposed to an Adult-Adult Interaction (AAI) and this decrease is even higher in the Adult-Robot Interaction (ARI). We also found important differences between ACI and ARI in how the behavior is modified over time as the interaction unfolds. These findings indicate the necessity of integrating top-down feedback structures into a bottom-up system for robots to be fully accepted as interaction partners.
Mining User's Interest from Interactive Behaviors in QA System

User interest model, as a key component of user model, is very important for personalized or user adaptive E-learning systems. In this paper, we propose an approach for mining user’s interest from interactive behaviors. We also develop and implement a domain-specific interactive QA system oriented to Artificial Intelligence. The course ontology, predefined to describe the skeleton of AI course, is used to generate the structure of our interactive QA system. Students can pose and browse questions and answers on their favorite boards. The interactive behaviors, including whether student has pose a question, browsing and answering times, are considered to compute each student’s interest. The experiment conducted to evaluate the performance of our approach indicates that our method can capture user’s interest precisely.
Direct sequencing of flanking regions of a transgene amplified by inverted PCR.

In transgenic mice, recombinant DNAsmicroinjected into pronuclei of fertilized eggs are generally integrated into host chromosomes.1} The integration mechanism of microinjected DNA is not fully understood because of limited information concerning the structures of integrated foreign DNAs(transgenes) and their flanking chromosomalDNAs.Transgenes of a few transgenic mice and their flanking regions have been cloned and analyzed.2~6) However, these methods included time-consuming steps, such as construction of genomic libraries, cloning, and subcloning. We have reported that polymerase chain reaction (PCR)7) and inverted PCR (IPCR)8~10) techniques were
Early Optical-Infrared Emission from GRB 041219a: Neutron-rich Internal Shocks and a Mildly Magnetized External Reverse Shock

Very early optical and near-infrared emission was discovered to have accompanied the long gamma-ray burst GRB 041219a. Here we show that the optical-IR flash tracking the gamma-ray light curve during the prompt emission can be understood as emission from neutron-rich internal shocks, as has been suggested by Fan & Wei. The early Ks-band afterglow light curve after the prompt phase can be well modeled as the superposition of a reverse and a forward shock component. The radio data also support the reverse-shock interpretation.
Advances in Medical Education and Practice Preparation for High-acuity Clinical Placement: Confidence Levels of Final-year Nursing Students

Aim: To measure final-year nursing students' preparation for high-acuity placement with emphasis on clinical skill performance confidence. Background: Self-confidence has been reported as being a key component for effective clinical performance, and confident students are more likely to be more effective nurses. Clinical skill performance is reported to be the most influential source of self-confidence. Student preparation and skill acquisition are therefore important aspects in ensuring students have successful clinical placements, especially in areas of high acuity. Curriculum development should aim to assist students with their theoretical and clinical preparedness for the clinical environment. Method: A modified pretest/posttest survey design was used to measure the confidence of third-year undergraduate nursing students (n = 318) for placement into a high-acuity clinical setting. The survey comprised four questions related to clinical placement and prospect of participating in a cardiac arrest scenario, and confidence rating levels of skills related to practice in a high-acuity setting. Content and face validity were established by an expert panel (α = 0.90) and reliability was established by the pilot study in 2009. Comparisons were made between confidence levels at the beginning and end of semester. Results: Student confidence to perform individual clinical skills increased over the semester; however their feelings of preparedness for high-acuity clinical placement decreased over the same time period. Reported confidence levels improved with further exposure to clinical placement. Conclusion: There may be many external factors that influence students' perceptions of confidence and preparedness for practice. Further research is recommended to identify causes of poor self-confidence in final-year nursing students. Summary An evaluation tool was developed for final-year undergraduate nursing students to measure perceived confidence in both clinical skill performance and high-acuity clinical placement. The evaluation tool consisted of three sections which reflected collated data relating to: (1) participant characteristics including previous clinical placement experience; (2) self-reported readiness for clinical placement; and (3) participant confidence with individual clinical skills. Content and face validity was established by an expert panel (α = 0.90) and reliability was established by the pilot study in 2009. Final-year students from two university campuses (n = 318) enrolled in a single nursing degree were invited to participate in this study. Further research is recommended to validate the survey internationally.
Perceived Collective Efficacy and Trust in Government Influence Public Engagement with Climate Change-Related Water Conservation Policies

ABSTRACT Water insecurity, induced or intensified due to climate change, has emerged as a key policy challenge in poor and developing countries such as India. Drawing on social cognitive theory, this paper examines the role of perceived collective efficacy—people's shared beliefs about their group's capabilities to accomplish collective tasks—and trust in government as factors influencing Indians' engagement with government water conservation policies. Using a national survey of Indians (N = 4031), we found that individuals with high levels of perceived collective efficacy and trust in government are more likely to support government water conservation policies. Moreover, for individuals with low trust in government, higher collective efficacy is associated with greater policy support. Perceived collective efficacy is also associated with activist behaviours, while distrust is not. Increasing collective efficacy beliefs, for example through mass media channels and targeted campaigns, could help increase citizens' engagement with climate change adaptation policies.
Inverse relation between Serum Silicon levels and Microalbuminuria in non-diabetic hypertensive patients of Mica Mine workers

Hypertension is an important risk factor in cardiovascular diseases. Microalbuminuria in non diabetic hypertension is an important early marker for cardiovascular risk. Silicon is an important trace element and possesses beneficial effects on cardiovascular events. Mica mines consists of large amount of silicon, hence workers were exposed to huge amounts of silicon dust. Aim of this study is to find out the relation between silicon levels and microalbuminuria in non diabetic hypertensive patients of mica mine workers. We have recruited 61 non diabetic hypertensive subjects from mica mine (group-I), 60 non diabetic hypertensive subjects who were not exposed to mica mines (group-II) and 60 healthy non exposure to mica mines were included as control subjects (group-III). We did biochemical analysis, urine albumin/creatinine ratio and serum silicon for all the study subjects. Among hypertensive groups (group-I&II) we observed serum total cholesterol, and urine albumin/creatinine ratio were decreased in group-I, whereas serum silicon levels were elevated significantly in group-I than group-II. Percentage of microalbuminuria is less in group-I patients (15%) than group-II patients (28%). Among group – I patients, serum silicon shows negative correlation with total cholesterol (r=-0.04, p=<0.05) and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (r=-0.03, p=<0.05) There is a significant inverse relationship observed in group-I towards serum silicon, whereas there was no such relationship found in group-II. Our study concludes Silicon can decrease microalbuminuria which is an endothelial damage marker and hence it has beneficial effect on endothelial functions but exact mechanism of action is not yet clear.
Total Fluid Intake and Use of Individual Beverages and Risk of Renal Cell Cancer in Two Large Cohorts

Moderate alcohol consumption has been inversely associated with risk of renal cell cancer in recent prospective studies, and increased total fluid intake has been hypothesized to be a possible mechanism. We prospectively examined the associations between total fluid and beverage intakes and risk of renal cell cancer. Among 88,759 women followed for 20 years in the Nurses' Health Study, and 47,828 men followed for 14 years in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, we documented 248 incident cases of renal cell cancer. We assessed consumption of beverages every 2 to 4 years using a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire, and total fluid intake was derived from the frequency of consumption of 18 to 22 beverage items. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate study-specific multivariate relative risks (RR), which were pooled using a random-effects model. We found no association between total fluid intake and risk of renal cell cancer; the pooled multivariate RR for the highest quartile versus the lowest was 0.99 (95% confidence interval, 0.63-1.55; P, test for trend = 0.78). Alcohol intake was marginally inversely associated with renal cell cancer risk; compared with nondrinkers, the pooled multivariate RR for ≥15 g/d was 0.66 (95% confidence interval, 0.43-1.00; P, test for trend = 0.07). We did not find clear associations between intakes of coffee, tea, milk, juice, soda, punch, and water and risk of renal cell cancer. Our data suggest an inverse association between alcohol intake and risk of renal cell cancer, but do not support the hypothesis that greater total fluid intake reduces the risk of renal cell cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(6):1204–11)