Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fractal films and the architecture of complexity

Abstract Within the postmodern understanding of the centrality of space to filmic narrative, it is now possible to discern new developments that reflect both the contradictory tensions of globalization, and the widespread obsession with theories of chaos, chance, and networks. Nowhere are these changes more acutely revealed than in ‘fractal’ films, filmic portrayals of urban space which is no longer shaped by the linear mappings of modernity, but is posited as both entirely random and yet at the same time structured by complexity, simultaneity, and violent encounters. This paper identifies a number of key issues within this new perception of urban geometry, and investigates their considerable significance for contemporary European cinema, with specific reference to the articulation of filmic space and the fragmentation of narrative form. It concludes by considering the implication of these findings for contemporary readings of European identity. Supporting evidence is drawn from a range of films including: Free Radicals (Albert, 2003), Run Lola Run (Tykwer, 1999), Code Unknown (Haneke, 2000), Amélie (Jeunet, 2001), and Intermission (Crowley, 2003).
Towards a science education for all: The r ole of ideas, evidence and argument

Jonathan Osborne holds the Chair of Science Education at the Department for Educational and Professional Studies, King’s College London where he has been since 1985. Prior to that he taught physics in high schools. Professor Osborne is currently the head of department and the President of the US National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST). He has conducted research in the area of primary children’s understanding of science, attitudes to science, informal learning, argumentation and teaching the nature of science. He was a coeditor of the influential report Beyond 2000: Science Education for the Future, winner of the NARST award for best paper published in JRST in 2003 and 2004, and is a co-PI on the National Science Foundation funded Centre for Informal Learning and Schools. A particular agenda for his research is advancing the case for teaching science for citizenship. To this end, he has conducted a significant body of work exploring the teaching of ideas, evidence and argument in schools. Abstract
Face recognition: face in video, age invariance, and facial marks

Automatic face recognition has been extensively studied over the past decades in various domains (e.g., 2D, 3D, and video) resulting in a dramatic improvement. However, face recognition performance severely degrades under pose, lighting and expression variations, occlusion, and aging. Pose and lighting variations along with low image resolutions are major sources of degradation of face recognition performance in surveillance video. We propose a video-based face recognition framework using 3D face modeling and Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras to overcome the pose/lighting variations and low resolution problems. We propose a 3D aging modeling technique and show how it can be used to compensate for age variations to improve face recognition performance. The aging modeling technique adapts view invariant 3D face models to the given 2D face aging database. We also propose an automatic facial mark detection method and a fusion scheme that combines the facial mark matching with a commercial face recognition matcher. The proposed approach can be used (i) as an indexing scheme for a face image retrieval system and (ii) to augment global facial features to improve the recognition performance. Experimental results show (i) high recognition accuracy (>99%) on a large scale video data (>200 subjects), (ii) ∼10% improvement in recognition accuracy using the proposed aging model, and (iii) ∼0.94% improvement in the recognition accuracy by utilizing facial marks.
Implementation of Personalized Search Model Using Ontology

The relevant information retrieval from search engines is a difficult task, as there is huge amount of information present on the web. Every user has a distinct background and a specific goal when searching for information on the Web. The goal of Web search personalization is to search results for a particular user based on that user’s interests and preferences. Therefore, a new web search personalization approach has been proposed that captures the user's interests and preferences in the form of concepts by mining search results and their clickthroughs on the client side. To improve the personalized search, the ontological profile was created which will be very helpful in obtaining most relevant results. In personalized search system, ranking method is used which employs semantic similarity to improve the quality of search results. The results are re-ranked and combined with previous user’s activities, identify relevant documents and put them on top of the result list. Profile is being updated and saved into the database automatically, when user clicks URLs. The personalized search system is designed to support an effective execution usage on Web services and client applications. Keywords—Clickthrough data, Information Retrieval, Ontological User Profiles, Search Personalization, User Context, Web Search.
Approximate Lifting Techniques for Belief Propagation

Many AI applications need to explicitly represent relational structure as well as handle uncertainty. First order probabilistic models combine the power of logic and probability to deal with such domains. A naive approach to inference in these models is to propositionalize the whole theory and carry out the inference on the ground network. Lifted inference techniques (such as lifted belief propagation; Singla and Domingos 2008) provide a more scalable approach to inference by combining together groups of objects which behave identically. In many cases, constructing the lifted network can itself be quite costly. In addition, the exact lifted network is often very close in size to the fully propositionalized model. To overcome these problems, we present approximate lifted inference, which groups together similar but distinguishable objects and treats them as if they were identical. Early stopping terminates the execution of the lifted network construction at an early stage resulting in a coarser network. Noise-tolerant hypercubes allow for marginal errors in the representation of the lifted network itself. Both of our algorithms can significantly speed up the process of lifted network construction as well as result in much smaller models. The coarseness of the approximation can be adjusted depending on the accuracy required, and we can bound the resulting error. Extensive evaluation on six domains demonstrates great efficiency gains with only minor (or no) loss in accuracy.
The Blackwell Companion to Phonology

The term metathesis – Greek for ‘transposition’ – refers to a reordering of segments. This chapter outlines the range of phenomena that fall under this description, and theoretical perspectives on their insightful analysis. Other cross-linguistic surveys of this topic include Webb (1974), Ultan (1978), Hock (1985), Wanner (1989), Blevins and Garrett (1998, 2004), Becker (2000), and Hume (2001, 2004).
Papiercraft: A gesture-based command system for interactive paper

Paper persists as an integral component of active reading and other knowledge-worker tasks because it provides ease of use unmatched by digital alternatives. Paper documents are light to carry, easy to annotate, rapid to navigate, flexible to manipulate, and robust to use in varied environments. Interactions with paper documents create rich webs of annotation, cross reference, and spatial organization. Unfortunately, the resulting webs are confined to the physical world of paper and, as they accumulate, become increasingly difficult to store, search, and access. XLibris [Schilit et al. 1998] and similar systems address these difficulties by simulating paper with tablet PCs. While this approach is promising, it suffers not only from limitations of current tablet computers (e.g., limited screen space) but also from loss of invaluable paper affordances. In this article, we describe PapierCraft, a gesture-based command system that allows users to manipulate digital documents using paper printouts as proxies. Using an Anoto [Anoto 2002] digital pen, users can draw command gestures on paper to tag a paragraph, e-mail a selected area, copy selections to a notepad, or create links to related documents. Upon pen synchronization, PapierCraft executes the commands and presents the results in a digital document viewer. Users can then search the tagged information and navigate the web of annotated digital documents resulting from interactions with the paper proxies. PapierCraft also supports real time interactions across mix-media, for example, letting users copy information from paper to a Tablet PC screen. This article presents the design and implementation of the PapierCraft system and describes user feedback from initial use.
Photovoltaic Stand-Alone Power Generation System with Multilevel Inverter

This paper proposes a decentralized stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system, which presents a set of advantages when compared to conventional stand-alone PV system. In the proposed system, the generated energy by the PV arrays is processed by multi-string MPPT step-up converters, which assure a maximum utilization of this energy. The storage system is designed in a decentralized configuration, enabling to achieve a reduction of maintenance cost of back-up system. Moreover, the output stage is composed by a multilevel dc-ac inverter, which enables higher efficiency, low distortion ac waveforms, low leakage currents and the use of low voltage rating semiconductor devices.
Differential timing of arousals in obstructive and central sleep apnea in patients with heart failure.

STUDY OBJECTIVES In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), arousals generally occur at apnea termination and help restore airflow. However, timing of arousals in central sleep apnea (CSA) has not been objectively quantified, and since arousals can persist even when CSA is alleviated, may not play the same defensive role as they do in OSA. We hypothesized that arousals following central events would occur longer after event termination than following obstructive events and would be related to circulation time. METHODS We examined polysomnograms from 20 patients with heart failure (HF) (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 45%): 10 with OSA and 10 with CSA (apneahypopnea index ≥ 15). Twenty central or obstructive apneas or hypopneas were analyzed in each patient. RESULTS Compared to the OSA group in whom arousals generally occurred at obstructive event termination, in the CSA group they occurred longer after central event termination (0.9 ± 1.1 versus 8.0 ± 4.1 s, p < 0.0001), but before peak hyperpnea. Time from arousal to peak hyperpnea did not differ between groups (4.3 ± 1.1 vs 4.8 ± 1.6 s, p = 0.416). Unlike the OSA group, latency from apnea termination to arousal correlated with circulation time in the CSA group (r = 0.793, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS In HF patients with CSA, apnea-to-arousal latency is longer than in those with OSA, and arousals usually follow resumption of airflow. These observations provide evidence that arousals are less likely to act as a protective mechanism to facilitate resumption of airflow following apneas in CSA than in OSA.
Antigenic Diversity of Hepatitis B Virus Strains of Genotype F in Amerindians and Other Population Groups from Venezuela

ABSTRACT The adw4 subtype of hepatitis B virus (HBV) belongs to a unique genomic group (genotype F) representing the original HBV strains from the New World. Data regarding the prevalence of this subtype among HBV carriers in South America are, however, scarce, and those concerning HBV genotype F are based on only a few samples from Latin America. In this study, serum samples were obtained from 141 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers from Amerindians and urban populations from Venezuela. The HBsAg subtype was identified with monoclonal antibodies in 105 samples, and the HBV genotype was identified by reverse-phase hybridization with DNA fragments in 58 samples. The adw4 subtype was highly prevalent in the population studied (75%); among the Amerindians, the prevalence was 97%. The adw2 subtype was also present (10%), while other subtypes (ayw3 and ayw4) were only occasionally found. The HBV subtype was associated with the expected genotype in most cases (80%), and thus genotype F was highly prevalent. Sequencing of viral strains that gave genotypes unpredicted by the HBsAg subtyping confirmed seven of them as belonging to not previously described genotype-subtype associations: namely, adw2 and ayw4 within genotype F.
Processing in Memory: The Terasys Massively Parallel PIM Array

SRC researchers have designed and fabricated a processor-in-memory (PIM) chip, a standard 4-bit memory augmented with a single-bit ALU controlling each column of memory. In principle, PIM chips can replace the memory of any processor, including a supercomputer. To validate the notion of integrating SIMD computing into conventional processors on a more modest scale, we have built a half dozen Terasys workstations, which are Sun Microsystems Sparcstation-2 workstations in which 8 megabytes of address space consist of PIM memory holding 32K single-bit ALUs. We have designed and implemented a high-level parallel language, called data parallel bit C (dbC), for Terasys and demonstrated that dbC applications using the PIM memory as a SIMD array run at the speed of multiple Cray-YMP processors. Thus, we can deliver supercomputer performance for a small fraction of supercomputer cost. Since the successful creation of the Terasys research prototype, we have begun work on processing in memory in a supercomputer setting. In a collaborative research project, we are working with Cray Computer to incorporate a new Cray-designed implementation of the PIM chips into two octants of Cray-3 memory. >
Cloning and Characterization of Sialidases with 2-6′ and 2-3′ Sialyl Lactose Specificity from Pasteurella multocida

ABSTRACT Pasteurella multocida is a mucosal pathogen that colonizes the respiratory system of susceptible hosts. Most isolates ofP. multocida produce sialidase activity, which may contribute to colonization of the respiratory tract or the production of lesions in an active infection. We have cloned and sequenced a sialidase gene, nanH, from a fowl cholera isolate ofP. multocida. Sequence analysis of NanH revealed that it exhibited significant amino acid sequence homology with many microbial sialidases. Insertional inactivation of nanH resulted in a mutant strain that was not deficient in sialidase production. However, this mutant exhibited reduced enzyme activity and growth rate on 2-3′ sialyl lactose compared to the wild type. Subsequently, we demonstrated the presence of two sialidases by cloning another sialidase gene that differed from nanH in DNA sequence and substrate specificity. NanB demonstrated activity on both 2-3′ and 2-6′ sialyl lactose, while NanH demonstrated activity only on 2-3′ sialyl lactose. Neither enzyme liberated sialic acid from colominic acid (2-8′ sialyl lactose). Recombinant E. coli containing the sialidase genes were able to utilize several sialoconjugants when they were provided as sole carbon sources in minimal medium. These data suggest that sialidases have a nutritional function and may contribute to the ability of P. multocida to colonize and persist on vertebrate mucosal surfaces.
Reading and Spelling in Good and Poor Readers

To more easily distinguish patterns of reading and spelling errors, two parallel, standardized reading and spelling forms were designed, based on Boder's work 1971, 1973. They were used in a large metropolitan elementary school to test two groups of children: a normal sample of 34 children from regular fifth-grade classes, and a sample of 18 fourth- to sixth-grade children previously diagnosed as retarded readers. Reliability and validity were examined. The correlation between parallel forms given to the normal sample was 0.96, and correlations with the Wide Range Achievement Test for the combined samples was 0.95. Criteria were established to differentiate between normal, dyseidetic, dysphonetic, and alexic patterns. The two samples were combined to determine the frequency with which these patterns occurred in High, Average and Low readers. Boder's atypical patterns were significantly more common in Average and Low readers.
An asymmetry of translational biological motion perception in schizophrenia

Background: Biological motion perception is served by a network of regions in the occipital, posterior temporal, and parietal lobe, overlapping areas of reduced cortical volume in schizophrenia. The atrophy in these regions is assumed to account for deficits in biological motion perception described in schizophrenia but it is unknown whether the asymmetry of atrophy found in previous studies has a perceptual correlate. Here we look for possible differences in sensitivity to leftward and rightward translation of point-light biological motion in data collected for a previous study and explore its underlying neurobiology using functional imaging. Methods: n = 64 patients with schizophrenia and n = 64 controls performed a task requiring the detection of leftward or rightward biological motion using a standard psychophysical staircase procedure. six control subjects took part in the functional imaging experiment. Results: We found a deficit of leftward but not rightward biological motion (leftward biological motion % accuracy patients = 57.9% ± 14.3; controls = 63.6% ± 11.3 p = 0.01; rightward biological motion patients = 62.7% ± 12.4; controls = 64.1% ± 11.7; p > 0.05). The deficit reflected differences in distribution of leftward and rightward accuracy bias in the two populations. Directional bias correlated with functional outcome as measured by the Role Functioning Scale in the patient group when co-varying for negative symptoms (r = -0.272, p = 0.016). Cortical regions with preferential activation for leftward or rightward translation were identified in both hemispheres suggesting the psychophysical findings could not be accounted for by selective atrophy or functional change in one hemisphere alone. Conclusion: The findings point to translational direction as a novel functional probe to help understand the underlying neural mechanisms of wider cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.
Preliminary Antiplaque Efficacy of Aloe Vera Mouthwash on 4 Day Plaque Re-Growth Model: Randomized Control Trial

Background Due to increasing resistance to antibiotics and rising incidence of oral diseases, there is a need for alternative treatment modalities to combat oral diseases. The aim of the present study was to access the effect of Aloe vera mouthwash on the dental plaque in the experimental period of 4 days and to compare it with the bench mark control chlorhexidine and placebo (saline water). Material and Methods A total of 300 systemically healthy subjects were randomly allocated into 3 groups: Aloe vera mouthwash group (n=100), control group (=100)-chlorhexidene group and saline water-Placebo (n=100). To begin with, Gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) were recorded. Then, baseline plaque scores were brought to zero by professionally cleaning the teeth with scaling and polishing. After randomization of the participants into three groups they were refrained from regular mechanical oral hygiene measures. Subjects were asked to swish with respective mouthwash (Aloe vera mouthwash, 0.2%chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash, or normal saline) as per therapeutic dose for 4 days. Results The results showed that Aloe vera mouthrinse is equally effective in reducing plaque as Chlorhexidine compared to placebo over a period of 4 days. There was a significant reduction on plaque in Aloe vera and chlorhexidine groups and no statistically significant difference was observed among them (p>0.05). Aloe vera mouthwash showed no side effects. Conclusion The results of the present study indicated that Aloe vera may prove an effective mouthwash due to its ability in reducing dental plaque.
High resolution, high speed and low power comparator for high speed ADCs

A high-speed CMOS comparator with preamplifier and compare-latch circuit designed in UMC 0. 18μm CMOS process with 1.8V power supply has been presented in this paper. It is a suitable choice for high speed flash-type ADCs. The comparator gives a resolution of 0.1mV at 500MHz with a power dissipation of 175 μW.
Changes in criminal offending around the time of job entry: a study of employment and desistance

Does employment promote desistance from crime? Most perspectives assume that individuals who become employed are less likely to offend than those who do not. The critical issue has to do with the timing of employment transitions in the criminal trajectory. The turning point hypothesis expects reductions in offending after job entries, whereas the maturation perspective assumes desistance to have occurred ahead of successful transitions to legitimate work. Focusing on a sample of recidivist males who became employed during 2001-2006 (N = 783), smoothing spline regression techniques were used to model changes in criminal offending around the point of entry to stable employment. Consistent with the maturation perspective, the results showed that most offenders had desisted prior to the employment transition and that becoming employed was not associated with further reductions in criminal behavior. Consistent with the turning point hypothesis, we identified a subset of offenders who became employed during an active phase of the criminal career and experienced substantial reductions in criminal offending thereafter. However, this trajectory describes less than 2 percent of the sample. The patterns observed in this research suggest that transition to employment is best viewed as a consequence rather than as a cause of criminal desistance. Language: en
Hierarchical involvement of various GGDEF domain proteins in rdar morphotype development of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

GGDEF and EAL domain proteins are involved in the turnover of the novel secondary messenger cyclic‐di(3′→5′)‐guanylic acid (c‐di‐GMP) in many bacteria. In this work the role of the 12 GGDEF domain proteins encoded by the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) chromosome in rdar morphotype development was investigated. Previously, it was shown that the GGDEF domain protein AdrA activated the biosynthesis of cellulose by production of c‐di‐GMP. Enhancement of the c‐di‐GMP levels by overexpression of the GGDEF domain protein AdrA did lead to the activation of curli fimbriae biosynthesis through the elevated expression of CsgD and CsgA. Although knock‐out of the chromosomal copy of adrA influenced CsgA expression, CsgD expression was not altered, although more than half of the total cellular c‐di‐GMP was produced by AdrA at 16 h of growth. On the other hand, chromosomally encoded GGDEF–EAL domain proteins STM2123 and STM3388 were required to additively activate CsgD expression on a transcriptional and post‐transcriptional level. Enhanced c‐di‐GMP levels did overcome temperature regulation of rdar morphotype expression by activation of curli fimbriae as well as cellulose biosynthesis through CsgD expression. Thus in the regulatory cascade leading to rdar morphotype expression c‐di‐GMP activates several subsequent steps in the network.