Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Support Architecture for Second Screen Apps Dynamic Adaptation

The dynamics of social networks have increasingly driven TV viewers to interact while watching their favorite shows. By using polls, chats, news and other mechanisms in order to dialogue more directly with these viewers. However, social networks provide only a partial way of interaction for this type of media, since they were not designed to deal with the peculiarities of TV programs. To such purpose Second Screen applications were created, and they can be understood as an extension of the TV screen in which any information or interactions can be presented to users through apps for smartphones or tablets. Unlike social networks, Second Screen apps are made available by broadcasters specifically for TV users. For TV Stations, it is necessary to develop several applications in order to cover the various programs in their schedule, and as a consequence this generates expenses to companies, which may explain the massive use of social networks by these broadcasters in order to interact with viewers nowadays. Therefore, this paper aims at presenting a supporting architecture to a dynamic update of a generic Second Screen app. Such architecture enables the deployment of broadcasters, programs, media, quizzes and any other Second Screen features without the need to create new apps by broadcasters or install new apps by users. The results demonstrated several benefits that the versatility of the proposed architecture offers to all those involved in the chain of television content production.
Manifold Learning for ToF-based Human Body Tracking and Activity Recognition

Recent technological advances have lead to the development of cameras that measure depth by means of the time-of-flight (ToF) principle [5]. ToF cameras allow capturing an entire scene instantaneously, and thus provide depth images in real-time. Despite the relatively low resolution, this type of data offers a clear advantage over conventional cameras for specific applications, such as human-machine interaction. In this paper, we propose a method that allows simultaneously recognizing the performed activity and tracking the full-body pose of a person observed by a a single ToF camera. Our method removes the need for identifying body parts in sparse and noisy ToF images [4] or for fitting a skeleton using expensive optimisation techniques [1]. The proposed method consists of learning a prior model of human motion and using an efficient, sampling-based inference approach for activity recognition and body tracking (Figure 1). The prior motion model is comprised of a set of low-dimensional manifold embeddings for each activity of interest. We generate the embeddings from full-body pose training data using a manifold learning technique [2]. Each of the embeddings acts as a low-dimensional parametrisation of feasible body poses [3] that we use to constrain the problem of body tracking only from depth cues. In a generative tracking framework, we sample the low-dimensional manifold embedding space by means of a particle filter and thus avoid exhaustively searching the full-body pose space. This way, we are able to track multiple pose hypotheses for different activities and to select one that is most consistent with the observed depth cues. Our depth feature descriptor, intuitively a sparse 3D human silhouette representation, can easily be extracted from ToF images. The overall method combines the distinctiveness of multiple local, activity-specific motion models into a global model capable of recognising and tracking multiple activities from simple observations.
Object reconstruction from slices for vision

A method for reconstructing 3D models from cross-sectional signals is presented. This is specifically useful for low-resolution images (e.g. seismic or ultrasound images). The method is not voxel-based, and is faster and uses less memory than methods that are. The algorithm starts by pre-processing the images by thresholding, segmenting, contour finding, point sampling and then triangulating. The main objective of this algorithm is to produce the smoothest possible model for branching bodies, taking into consideration the fact that the slices might be far apart in reality, and consequently a novel branching/interpolation technique is used that proved superior to existing methods for this purpose. At the same time, it did not need the involvement of the user for objects within defined classes. Seismic simulations and CT data have been used to test the algorithm. We succeeded in reconstructing the tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen from simulated seismic data.
So many filters, so little time: the development of a search filter appraisal checklist.

OBJECTIVES The authors developed a tool to assess the quality of search filters designed to retrieve records for studies with specific research designs (e.g., diagnostic studies). METHODS The UK InterTASC Information Specialists' Sub-Group (ISSG), a group of experienced health care information specialists, reviewed the literature to evaluate existing search filter appraisal tools and determined that existing tools were inadequate for their needs. The group held consensus meetings to develop a new filter appraisal tool consisting of a search filter appraisal checklist and a structured abstract. ISSG members tested the final checklist using three published search filters. RESULTS The detailed ISSG Search Filter Appraisal Checklist captures relevance criteria and methods used to develop and test search filters. The checklist includes categorical and descriptive responses and is accompanied by a structured abstract that provides a summary of key quality features of a filter. DISCUSSION The checklist is a comprehensive appraisal tool that can assist health sciences librarians and others in choosing search filters. The checklist reports filter design methods and search performance measures, such as sensitivity and precision. The checklist can also aid filter developers by indicating information on core methods that should be reported to help assess filter suitability. The generalizability of the checklist for non-methods filters remains to be explored.
Strong Polyadenylation and Weak Pausing Combine To Cause Efficient Termination of Transcription in the Human Gγ-Globin Gene

ABSTRACT The human γ-globin genes form part of a 5-kb tandem duplication within the β-globin gene cluster on chromosome 11. Despite a high degree of identity between the two genes, we show that while the upstream Gγ-globin gene terminates transcription efficiently, termination in the Aγ gene is inefficient. This is primarily due to the different strengths of the poly(A) signals of the two genes; Gγ-globin has a functionally stronger poly(A) signal than the Aγ gene. The probable cause of this difference in poly(A) efficiency characteristics lies with a number of base changes which reduce the G/U content of the GU/U-rich region of the Aγ poly(A) signal relative to that of Gγ. The 3′ flanking regions of the two γ-globin genes have similar abilities to promote transcription termination. We found no evidence to suggest a cotranscriptional cleavage event, such as that seen in the human β-globin gene, occurs in either γ-globin 3′ flank. Instead we find evidence that the 3′ flank of the Gγ-globin gene contains multiple weak pause elements which, combined with the strong poly(A) signal the gene possesses, are likely to cause gradual termination across the 3′ flank.
La-Ni Substituted M-type Sr Hexaferrite Studied by 57Fe Mössbauer Spectroscopy

We have measured the 57 Fe Mössbauer spectra of Sr 1- x La x Fe 12- x Ni x O 19 ( x =0, 0.1 and 0.2) at room temperature using the powder and the single crystalline samples. All observed spectra were well fitted using the five subspectra, which correspond to the five nonequivalent Fe sites. In Sr 1- x La x Fe 12- x Ni x O 19 ( x =0.1 and 0.2), the substitutions of Ni 2+ ions for Fe 3+ ions are required by the electric charge balance. For SrFe 12 O 19 , the relative absorption intensities in the spectrum observed using the single crystalline sample are much different from those observed using the powder one. This result shows large anisotropies of the recoilless fractions at the Fe sites. The refined hyperfine interaction parameters of the 4 f 1 , 2 a , and 2 b sites decrease linearly with increasing x . The substitution of a Ni 2+ ion for a Fe 3+ ion changes hyperfine interaction parameters by the perturbation of the Fe-O-Ni hybridizations. Accordingly, the Fe ions in the vicinity of the 4 f 1 , 2 a , and 2 b sites are replaced by the Ni 2+ ions.
Légitimer l’implémentation d’un ERP: une comparaison Canada – Thailande

For more than 15 years, large, small and medium enterprises have been investing in enterprise systems. Gradually, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) turned out to become worldwide standards in information technology (IT) in most business sectors. However, a large part of these investments are associated with failing or counter-performance results in organisations. As a consequence, ERPs have a reputation deficit likely to jeopardise users’ acceptance. However, despite their potential reluctance and resistance, organisations continue to implement ERP, and in the Information Systems (IS) literature, there is a lack of research on the way to manage IT project legitimacy with stakeholders. From this perspective, the article identifies and analyses the decisions made by managers to get and maintain the support of stakeholders throughout the project to ensure its achievement. The empirical part presents and compares two cases studies in highly different sociocultural contexts: a North American university and a company based in Thailand. Qualitative data collected from the semi-structured interviews with the project managers allowed us to identify the way the ERP adoption decisions were associated to pragmatic, moral and cognitive legitimation actions. Then, the article introduces the legitimation trajectory concept as a key principle of change management.
Why is it Hard to Obtain a Dichotomy for Consistent Query Answering?

A database may for various reasons become inconsistent with respect to a given set of integrity constraints. To overcome the problem, a formal approach to querying such inconsistent databases has been proposed and since then, a lot of efforts have been spent to classify the complexity of consistent query answering under various classes of constraints. It is known that for the most common constraints and queries, the problem is in CONP and might be CONP-hard, yet several relevant tractable classes have been identified. Additionally, the results that emerged suggested that given a set of key constraints and a conjunctive query, the problem of consistent query answering is either in PTIME or is CONP-complete. However, despite all the work, as of today this dichotomy remains a conjecture. The main contribution of this paper is to explain why it appears so difficult to obtain a dichotomy result in the setting of consistent query answering. Namely, we prove that such a dichotomy w.r. t. common classes of constraints and queries, is harder to achieve than a dichotomy for the constraint satisfaction problem, which is a famous open problem since the 1990s.
Biological variation of cystatin C and creatinine

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the day-to-day biological variation of cystatin C in comparison with creatinine in healthy subjects and in patients with impaired renal function. Material and methods: Eight weekly morning blood samples were taken from 20 healthy subjects (13 females and 7 males, median age 44 years, range 25–61) and 19 patients with impaired renal function (8 females and 11 males, median age 61 years, range 35–70). Serum cystatin C was measured using Dade Behring N Latex Cystatin C assay and serum creatinine by an enzymatic method (Roche). Results: In the healthy subjects mean serum cystatin C was 0.70 mg/L (range 0.44–1.09) and mean serum creatinine 77 μmol/L (range 54–100). The analytical variance was 2.0% for cystatin C and 1.6% for creatinine. The intra-individual variance was greater for cystatin C than for creatinine (8.6% vs. 4.7%). The inter-individual variance was similar for both analytes (cystatin C 15.1% vs. creatinine 14.4%). In the patients with impaired renal function mean serum cystatin C was 1.86 mg/L (range 0.45–3.31) and mean serum creatinine 224 μmol/L (range 103–430). The analytical variance was 1.8% for cystatin C and 1.4% for creatinine. The intra-individual variance was greater for cystatin C than for creatinine (16.0% vs. 8.9%). Conclusion: In the present study, the intra-individual variance was greater for cystatin C than for creatinine in both healthy subjects and in patients with impaired renal function. Accordingly, serum creatinine is the preferred marker for serial monitoring of renal function in individuals with stable muscle mass.
Investigation of Cells Migration Effects in Microfluidic Chips

Microfluidic chips offer the unique opportunity to establish novelty in vitro cells models where the in vivo cells microenvironment could be precisely reconstituted. Although they have significances in the fields of cell biology, the real applications are extremely limited by ambient materials for cells culture, i.e., cells morphology and migration are greatly influenced by substrate material. In this study, we investigated the cells migration effects in four kinds of microfluidic chips with the same geometry. They are PDMS mold structures bonded on culture dish, glass slide, and PDMS substrates, respectively, and another PMMA mold structure bonded on PMMA substrate. For convenient description, we denoted these four chips as PDMS-DISH, PDMS-GLASS, PDMS-PDMS, and PMMA-PMMA, respectively. We compared and summarized the relationship of cells migration effects on different substrate. The cells are initially introduced into the culture area. The experiment results indicate that cells spreading time, spreading area and cells migration on these chips has obvious diversities. To further investigate the cells migration in these chips, a new model is prepared using trypsin/EDTA solution and cell culture medium. It shows a good repeatability. Most of cells could be formed a good morphology and monolayer growth in these microfluidic chips. The cells migrated furthest is in the PDMS-DISH chip after monitored 24 hours. The migration rates are 20.30 μm/h, 18.63 μm/h, 15.00 μm/h, and 10.75 μm/h in PDMS-DISH, PDMS-GLASS, PDMS-PDMS, and PMMA-PMMA, respectively. This study turns open up opportunities for new biochips in prospective applications of wound healing and antiscarring expected in drug screening and the related fields.
AliasCluster: A lightweight approach to interface disambiguation

Internet topologies discovered by standard traceroute-based probing schemes are limited by many factors. One of the main factors is the ambiguity of the returned interfaces, where multiple unique interface IP addresses belong to the same physical router. The unknown assignment of interface IPs to physical routers can result in grossly inflated estimated topologies compared with the true underlying physical infrastructure of the network. The ability to determine which interfaces belong to which router would aid in the ability to accurately reconstruct the underlying topology of the Internet. In this paper, we present ALIASCLUSTER, a lightweight learning-based methodology that disambiguates router aliases using only observed traceroute measurements and requires no additional load on the network. Compared with existing techniques, we find that ALIASCLUSTER can resolve the same number of true router alias pairs with 50% fewer false alarms.
Prevention of soccer injuries

To study the efficacy of an injury prevention program in a randomized trial, 12 teams (180 players) in a male senior soccer division were followed up for 6 months. The 12 teams were allocated at random to two groups of six teams, one being given a prophylactic program and the other serving as control. The program was based on previous studies of injury mechanisms. It comprised (1) correction of training, (2) provision of optimum equipment; (3) prophylactic ankle taping; (4) controlled rehabilitation; (5) exclusion of players with grave knee instability; (6) information about the impor tance of disciplined play and the increased risk of injury at training camps; and (7) correction and supervision by doctor(s) and physiotherapist(s). The injuries in the test teams were 75% fewer than in the controls. The most common types of soccer injuries, sprains and strains to ankles and knees, were all significantly reduced. It is concluded that the pro posed prophylactic program, including close supervi sion and correction by doctors and physiotherapists, significantly reduces soccer injuries.
Chronic Psychosocial Stress Causes Apical Dendritic Atrophy of Hippocampal CA3 Pyramidal Neurons in Subordinate Tree Shrews

We have shown previously that repeated laboratory restraint stress or daily corticosterone administration affects the structure of CA3 hippocampal neurons in rats. In the present study, we investigated the effect of repeated daily psychosocial stress on the structure of hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons in male tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri). Male tree shrews develop social hierarchies in which subordinates show characteristic changes in physiological and behavioral parameters when confronted with a dominant. In the present experiments, subordinate animals lost body weight soon after starting the daily social conflict, and urinary excretion of cortisol was elevated throughout the experiment as compared with the control period. Golgi-impregnated brain tissue from subordinates exposed to 28 d (1 hr/d) of social confrontations was compared with that fromcontrol nonstressed animals. The apical dendrites of the CA3 pyramidal cells from subordinates had a decreased number of branch points and total dendritic length as compared with controls. No differences were observed in apical dendritic spine density or in the basal dendritic tree morphology. The stress-induced CA3 apical dendritic atrophy in subordinates was prevented by administering daily oral doses of the antiepileptic drug phenytoin (Dilantin, Sigma, St. Louis, MO) (200 mg/kg), which interferes with excitatory amino acid (EAA) action. These results suggest that the naturalistic stressorpsychosocial stress induces specific structural changes in hippocampal neurons of subordinate male tree shrews. These changes, like those in the rat after glucocorticoid treatment or restraint stress, probably are mediated by activation of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal-axis acting in concert with endogenous EAAs from mossy fiber input.
Risk management in embedded devices using metering applications as example

Along with the rise in use of everyday life electronic products that collect and communicate personal data, there is an increasing need for adequate security. The use of ultra-low-power MCUs in such applications provides a clear advantage in terms of energy consumption. However, given their general-purpose nature and low-power needs, security has not been the main focus in the past. This work places emphasis on methodologically analyzing open security gaps at a system level and providing a score for each vulnerability found. Such vulnerability scores help prioritize the efforts towards building a secure system and balancing the trade-off between suitable protection and minimal cost. The work presented uses as an example an abstraction of metering applications implemented using a general purpose microcontroller. The presented approach makes use of the Common Vulnerability Scoring System open framework to quantify the impact of possible vulnerabilities and prioritize their remediation based on their relevancy.
Electrophysiological challenges of cell-based myocardial repair.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the major cause of death in the Western world.1 Stem and progenitor cell (SPC)–based therapies in animal models and human trials in recent years have suggested promising therapeutic potential and drawn intense public interest. Possible beneficial mechanisms of cell-based therapies include generation of new and mature ventricular cardiomyocytes (cardiomyogenesis), recruitment of endogenous SPCs for cardiomyogenesis, and salvage of native myocardium through paracrine, angiogenic, and antiapoptotic effects.2,3 We refer readers to several excellent reviews for an overview of cell-based therapies for cardiac diseases.2–5 Here we discuss potential electrophysiological challenges and arrhythmic risks posed by cell therapies designed to replace damaged myocardium. Although adverse outcomes after cell therapies, such as lethal arrhythmias, occurred in early clinical trials of skeletal myoblast transplantation,5–8 recent clinical trials using various sources of SPCs, novel modes of cell delivery, better cell selection, and different timing of cell transplantation did not show any significant increase in arrhythmic incidence. It is tempting to conclude on this basis that cell-based therapies are “safe” and nonarrhythmogenic (reviewed in References 2 and 4); however, the negligible production of new cardiomyocytes documented for many SPCs employed makes it difficult to extrapolate their safety records toward future trials in which substantial numbers of new cardiomyocytes might be generated or introduced. Clinical trials to test cardiomyocyte replacement (cardiomyogenesis), long a goal of SPC-based therapy, are bound to take place in the near future, thanks to many investigators who are developing technologies for efficient generation of cardiomyocytes from SPCs and for increasing their retention after transplantation. In weighing the benefits of replacement therapies, we should not overlook the fact that SPC-derived cardiomyocytes exhibit variable electrophysiological properties and are typically immature compared with adult cardiomyocytes (see below). This immaturity of primitive SPC-derived cardiomyocytes remains a major hurdle toward developing safe …
A double-laser diode onboard sensor for velocity measurements

In this paper, we validate the feasibility of an onboard velocity sensor using the self-mixing effect. Roughness of the target surface, wet target surface, noncontrolled changes of incident angle, and speed vector vertical components have been considered during this development. A first prototype has been designed with an automotive application so to illustrate this feasibility. This low-cost and low-clutter prototype presents an interesting basic performance (/spl sigma//spl ap/0.22%). In order to improve the accuracy as well as the robustness of the system, a double-laser diode sensor has then been tested successfully (/spl sigma//spl ap/0.038%) by removing the influence of the pitching and the pumping effects.
Bayesian Inference Based Temporal Modeling for Naturalistic Affective Expression Classification

In real life, the affective state of human beings changes gradually and smoothly. There is a high probability that the affective state of a certain moment depends on the states of a previous period. In this study, we propose to explicitly model the temporal relationship using a Bayesian inference based two-stage classification approach. This approach could involve knowledge about the dynamics of affective states during a period, so that the inferred affective states are predicted by considering a certain amount of context. Evaluations on the Audio Sub-Challenge of the 2011 Audio/Visual Emotion Challenge show our approach obtains competitive results to those of Audio Sub-Challenge winners. The temporal context modeling method proposed in this paper is also helpful for other sequential pattern recognition problems.