Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust subspace computation using L1 norm

Linear subspace has many important applications in computer vision, such as structure from motion, motion estimation, layer extraction, object recognition, and object tracking. Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) algorithm is a standard technique to compute the subspace from the input data. The SVD algorithm, however, is sensitive to outliers as it uses L2 norm metric, and it can not handle missing data either. In this paper, we propose using L1 norm metric to compute the subspace. We show that it is robust to outliers and can handle missing data. We present two algorithms to optimize the L1 norm metric: the weighted median algorithm and the quadratic programming algorithm. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the Carnegie Mellon University or the U.S. Government.
Executive Compensation , Hubris , Corporate Governance : Impact on Managerial Risk Taking and Value Creation in UK High-tech and Low-tech Acquisitions

While the traditional agency model assumes managerial risk aversion and underinvestment in high tech opportunities, the behavioural agency model allows for risk seeking by managers leading possibly to over-risky investment. Corporate governance mechanisms can correct both underand overrisky investment thereby ensuring value enhancing high tech acquisitions. Our study builds an empirical optimal risk model to identify the drivers of managerial risk taking by comparing UK high-tech and low-tech acquisitions. We then classify actual acquisitions into optimal risk, over-risk and under-risk acquisitions. We test whether under-risk and over-risk acquisitions underperform optimal-risk acquisitions in terms of 3-year post-acquisition shareholder wealth gains. Our main results demonstrate that none of the compensation contracts has any impact on managerial risk preferences in acquisitions while LTIP share award may discourage managers from high-tech acquisitions. Good past performance, stock market glamour status and flattering media profile that enhance managerial hubris make acquirer managers risk-seekers in favour of high-tech acquisitions. Corporate governance structure does not have a material impact on managers’ acquisition risk preferences. High-tech acquisitions as well as low-tech acquisitions destroy shareholder value but there is little difference between them. We find no major performance difference between acquisitions in optimal and suboptimal risk groups. We offer possible reasons for this result.
Cell‐autonomous notch signaling regulates endothelial cell branching and proliferation during vascular tubulogenesis

The requirement for notch signaling during vascular development is well‐documented but poorly understood. Embryonic and adult endothelial cells (EC) express notch and notch ligands; however, the necessity for cell‐autonomous notch signaling during angiogenesis has not been determined. During angiogenesis, EC display plasticity, whereby a subset of previously quiescent cells loses polarity and becomes migratory. To investigate the role of notch in EC, we have used a three‐dimensional in vitro system that models all of the early steps of angiogenesis. We find that newly forming sprouts are composed of specialized tip cells that guide the sprout and trunk cells that proliferate and rearrange to form intercellular lumens. Furthermore, we find that notch acts cell‐autonomously to suppress EC proliferation, thereby regulating tube diameter. In addition, when notch signaling is blocked, tip cells divide, and both daughter cells take on a tip cell phenotype, resulting in increased branching through vessel bifurcation. In contrast, notch signaling is not required for re‐establishment of EC polarity or for lumen formation. Thus, notch is used reiteratively and cell‐autonomously by EC to regulate vessel diameter, to limit branching at the tip of sprouts, and to establish a mature, quiescent phenotype.
Exact scalar minimum storage coordinated regenerating codes

We study the exact and optimal repair of multiple failures in codes for distributed storage. More particularly, we examine the use of interference alignment to build exact scalar minimum storage coordinated regenerating codes (MSCR). We show that it is possible to build codes for the case of k = 2 and d ≥ k by aligning interferences independently but that this technique cannot be applied as soon as k ≥ 3 and d >; k. Our results also apply to adaptive regenerating codes.
Wavelet zerotree image compression with packetization

We describe a combined wavelet zerotree coding and packetization method that provides excellent image compression and graceful degradation against packet erasure. For example, using 53-byte packets (48-byte payload), the algorithm compresses the 512/spl times/512 gray-scale Lena image to 0.2 b/pixel with a peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of 32.2 dB with no packet erasure, and 26.3 dB on average for 10% packets erased.
ICT usage and its impact on profitability of SMEs in 13 African Countries

This paper reports on a small and medium enterprise (SME) survey carried out by the ResearchICTAfrica (RIA) in 14 African countries. It argues that the negative return on investment reported in the literature can be attributed to the failure to distinguish between the formal and informal sectors. This paper demonstrates that informal SMEs have a higher profitability than formal ones. It further shows that ICTs are input factors for informal as well as formal SMEs. The paper argues that there is still demand for fixed line phones amongst SMEs, but that mobile phones have become the default communications tool because fixed lines are either too expensive or not available. The primary policy recommendation arising out of this is that applications for SMEs need to be developed using mobile phones
Untrusted User Detection in Microblogs

As Micro blogs such as Sina Weibo and Twitter are becoming increasingly popular, a lot of users are benefiting from the convenience of social communication and information sharing. However, untrusted users can take advantage of these sites as gateways to make money, spread rumors and so on. This paper proposes a label propagation algorithm based on the trust model to detect the untrusted users on social networking sites. The algorithm consists of two main steps. Firstly, we conduct a hybrid graph with three types of nodes (users, tweets, topics) to model the trust relationship between each user pair. Secondly, we utilize a new method inspired by the Label Propagation Algorithm to detect more untrusted users based on a small known seed set. We conduct experiments with a real data set, and the evaluation demonstrates the effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability of the proposed solution.
Pro-Apoptotic Activity of 4-Isopropyl-2-(1-Phenylethyl) Aniline Isolated from Cordyceps bassiana

Cordyceps species including Cordyceps bassiana are a notable anti-cancer dietary supplement. Previously, we identified several compounds with anti-cancer activity from the butanol fraction (Cb-BF) of Cordyceps bassiana. To expand the structural value of Cb-BF-derived anti-cancer drugs, we employed various chemical moieties to produce a novel Cb-BF-derived chemical derivative, KTH-13-amine-monophenyl [4-isopropyl-2-(1-phenylethyl) aniline (KTH-13-AMP)], which we tested for anti-cancer activity. KTH-13-AMP suppressed the proliferation of MDA-MB-231, HeLa, and C6 glioma cells. KTH-13-AMP also dose-dependently induced morphological changes in C6 glioma cells and time-dependently increased the level of early apoptotic cells stained with annexin V-FITC. Furthermore, the levels of the active full-length forms of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were increased. In contrast, the levels of total forms of caspases-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and Bcl-2 were decreased in KTH-13-AMP treated-cells. We also confirmed that the phosphorylation of STAT3, Src, and PI3K/p85, which is linked to cell survival, was diminished by treatment with KTH-13-AMP. Therefore, these results strongly suggest that this compound can be used to guide the development of an anti-cancer drug or serve as a lead compound in forming another strong anti-proliferative agent.
Internet Engineering Task Force (ietf) Adding Acronyms to Simplify Conversations about Dns-based Authentication of Named Entities (dane)

Experience has shown that people get confused when discussing the three numeric fields of the TLSA record. This document specifies descriptive acronyms for the three numeric fields in TLSA records. This document updates the format of the IANA registry created by RFC 6698. Information about the current status of this document, any errata, and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at in effect on the date of publication of this document. Please review these documents carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect to this document. Code Components extracted from this document must include Simplified BSD License text as described in Section 4.e of the Trust Legal Provisions and are provided without warranty as described in the Simplified BSD License.
Road Traffic Accidents in Kazakhstan

Background: The article provides the analysis of death rates in road traffic accidents in Kazakhstan from 2004 to 2010 and explores the use of sanitary aviation. Methods: Data of fatalities caused by road traffic accidents were collected and analysed. Descriptive and analytical methods of epidemiology and biomedical statistics were applied. Results: Totaly 27,003 people died as a result of road traffic accidents in this period. The death rate for the total population due to road traffic accidents was 25.0±2.10/0000. The death rate for men was (38.3±3.20/0000), which was higher (P<0.05) than that for women (12.6±1.10/0000). High death rates in the entire male population were identified among men of 30–39 years old, whereas the highest rates for women were attributed to the groups of 50–59 years old and 70–79 years old. In time dynamics, death rates tended to decrease: the total population (Tdec=−2.4%), men (Tdec=−2.3%) and women (Tdec=−1.4%). When researching territorial relevance, the rates were established as low (to 18.30/0000), average (between 18.3 and 24.00/0000) and high (from 24.00/0000 and above). Thus, the regions with high rates included Akmola region (24.30/0000), Mangistau region (25.90/0000), Zhambyl region (27.30/0000), Almaty region (29.30/0000) and South Kazakhstan region (32.40/0000). Conclusion: The identified epidemiological characteristics of the population deaths rates from road traffic accidents should be used in integrated and targeted interventions to enhance prevention of injuries in accidents.
Physical Environment Monitoringand Controlling of Home Automation System

This paper presents the overall design of Home Automation System and physical environment monitoring with low cost and wireless remote control. General idea of home automation shows the quality of human being at house. Prime focus of this technology is to control the household equipment’s like light, fan, door etc. automatically. In hazardous condition, it is useful for old aged and handicapped persons. Also, the smart home concept in the system improves the standard living at home. The main control system implements wireless Bluetooth technology to provide remote access from PC/laptop or smart phone. The design remains the existing electrical switches and provides more safety control on the switches with low voltage activating method. The system intended to control electrical appliances and devices in house with relatively low cost design also for physical environment monitoring, user-friendly interface and ease of installation.
Discovery of CH and OH in the –513 km s–1 Ejecta of η Carinae

The very massive star η Carinae (η Car) is enshrouded in an unusual complex of stellar ejecta, which is highly depleted in C and O and enriched in He and N. This circumstellar gas gives rise to distinct absorption components corresponding to at least 20 different velocities along the line of sight. The velocity component at -513 km s-1 exhibits very low ionization with predominantly neutral species of iron-peak elements. Our statistical equilibrium/photoionization modeling indicates that the low temperature (T = 760 K) and high density (nH ~ 107 cm-3) of the -513 km s-1 component is conducive to molecule formation including those with the elements C and O. Examination of echelle spectra obtained with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) confirms the model's predictions. The molecules H2, CH, and most likely OH have been identified in the -513 km s-1 absorption spectrum. This paper presents the analysis of the HST STIS spectra with the deduced column densities for CH, OH, and C I and an upper limit for CO. It is quite extraordinary to see molecular species in a cool environment at such a high velocity. The sharp molecular and ionic absorptions in this extensively CNO-processed material offer us a unique environment for studying the chemistry, dust formation processes, and nucleosynthesis in the ejected layers of a highly evolved massive star.
Uncertainties of global warming metrics: CO2 and CH4

We present a comprehensive evaluation of uncertainties in the Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Global Temperature Change Potential (GTP) of CH4, using a simple climate model calibrated to AOGCMs and coupled climate‐carbon cycle models assessed in the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). In addition, we estimate uncertainties in these metrics probabilistically by using a method that does not rely on AOGCMs but instead builds on historical constraints and uncertainty estimates of current radiative forcings. While our mean and median GWPs and GTPs estimates are consistent with previous studies, our analysis suggests that uncertainty ranges for GWPs are almost twice as large as estimated in the AR4. Relative uncertainties for GTPs are larger than for GWPs, nearly twice as high for a time horizon of 100 years. Given this uncertainty, our results imply the possibility for substantial future adjustments in best‐estimate values of GWPs and in particular GTPs.
Unbalanced quantized multiple description video transmission using path diversity

Multiple Description Coding is a forward error correction scheme where two or more descriptions of the source are sent to the receiver over different channels. If only one channel is received the signal can be reconstructed with distortion D1 or D2. On the other hand, if both channels rae received the combined information is used to achieve a lower distortion D0. Our approach is based on the Multiple State Video Coding with the novelty that we achieve a flexible unbalance rate of the two streams by varying the quantization step size while keeping the original frame rate constant. The total bitrate Rτ is fixed which is to be allocated between the two streams. If the assigned bitratres are not balanced there will be PSNR variations between neighboring frames after reconstruction. Our goal is to find the optimal rate allocation while maximizing the average reconstructed frame PSNR and minimizing the PSNR variations given the total bitrate Rτ and the packet loss probabilities p1 and p2 over the two paths. The reconstruction algorithm is also taken into account in the optimization process. The paper will report results presenting optimal system designs for balanced but also for unbalanced path conditions.
Modelling ecological systems in a changing world

The world is changing at an unprecedented rate. In such a situation, we need to understand the nature of the change and to make predictions about the way in which it might affect systems of interest; often we may also wish to understand what might be done to mitigate the predicted effects. In ecology, we usually make such predictions (or forecasts) by making use of mathematical models that describe the system and projecting them into the future, under changed conditions. Approaches emphasizing the desirability of simple models with analytical tractability and those that use assumed causal relationships derived statistically from data currently dominate ecological modelling. Although such models are excellent at describing the way in which a system has behaved, they are poor at predicting its future state, especially in novel conditions. In order to address questions about the impact of environmental change, and to understand what, if any, action might be taken to ameliorate it, ecologists need to develop the ability to project models into novel, future conditions. This will require the development of models based on understanding the processes that result in a system behaving the way it does, rather than relying on a description of the system, as a whole, remaining valid indefinitely.
Dietary glycemic load and cancer recurrence and survival in patients with stage III colon cancer: findings from CALGB 89803.

BACKGROUND The influence of glycemic load and related measures on survival among colon cancer patients remains largely unknown. METHODS We conducted a prospective, observational study of 1011 stage III colon cancer patients reporting dietary intake during and 6 months after participation in an adjuvant chemotherapy trial. We examined the influence of glycemic load, glycemic index, fructose, and carbohydrate intakes on cancer recurrence and mortality using Cox proportional hazards regression; all tests of statistical significance were two-sided. RESULTS Stage III colon cancer patients in the highest quintile of dietary glycemic load experienced an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for disease-free survival of 1.79 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29 to 2.48), compared with those in the lowest quintile (P (trend) across quintiles <. 001). Increased glycemic load was associated with similar detriments in recurrence-free (P (trend) across quintiles <. 001) and overall survival (P (trend) across quintiles <. 001). These associations differed statistically significant by body mass index (BMI) (P (interaction) =. 01). Whereas glycemic load was not associated with disease-free survival in patients with BMI < 25kg/m(2), higher glycemic load was statistically significant associated with worse disease-free survival among overweight or obese participants (BMI ≥ 25kg/m(2); HR = 2.26; 95% CI = 1.53 to 3.32; P (trend) across quintiles <. 001). Increasing total carbohydrate intake was similarly associated with inferior disease-free, recurrence-free, and overall survival (P (trend) across quintiles <. 001). CONCLUSION Higher dietary glycemic load and total carbohydrate intake were statistically significant associated with an increased risk of recurrence and mortality in stage III colon cancer patients. These findings support the role of energy balance factors in colon cancer progression and may offer potential opportunities to improve patient survival.
Research on Semantic Orientation Classification of Chinese Online Product Reviews Based on Multi-Aspect Sentiment Analysis

User-generated reviews on the e-commerce site reflect consumers' sentiment about products, which can further direct consumers' purchasing behaviors and sellers' marketing strategies. In this paper, we propose a semi-supervised approach to mine the aspects of product discussed in Chinese online reviews and also the sentiments expressed in different aspects. We first apply the Latent Dirichlet Allocation model to discover multi-aspect global topics of the product reviews, then extract the opinion short sentences based on sliding windows and pattern matching from context over the review text. The polarity of the associated sentiment is classified by the domain lexicon-based method. Finally the results are collected as features for the feedback for the machine learning method and applied in semantic orientation classification. The experiment results show that the novel method we proposed could help to discover multi-aspect fine-grained topics and associated sentiment, which helps to improve semantic orientation classification simultaneously.
Improvement on delay dependent absolute stability of Lurie control systems with multiple time-delays and nonlinearities

Abstract. In this paper we study the absolute stability of Lurie control systems with multiple time-delays and nonlinearities, based on the Lyapunov stability theory via the approach of decomposing matrices, by using extended Lyapunov functional, we avoid the use of the stability assumption on the main operator and derive to improve stability criteria, which are strictly less conservative than the criteria in other papers.
HCV-Induced miR-21 Contributes to Evasion of Host Immune System by Targeting MyD88 and IRAK1

Upon recognition of viral components by pattern recognition receptors, such as the toll-like receptors (TLRs) and retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like helicases, cells are activated to produce type I interferon (IFN) and proinflammatory cytokines. These pathways are tightly regulated by the host to prevent an inappropriate cellular response, but viruses can modulate these pathways to proliferate and spread. In this study, we revealed a novel mechanism in which hepatitis C virus (HCV) evades the immune surveillance system to proliferate by activating microRNA-21 (miR-21). We demonstrated that HCV infection upregulates miR-21, which in turn suppresses HCV-triggered type I IFN production, thus promoting HCV replication. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-21 targets two important factors in the TLR signaling pathway, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), which are involved in HCV-induced type I IFN production. HCV-mediated activation of miR-21 expression requires viral proteins and several signaling components. Moreover, we identified a transcription factor, activating protein-1 (AP-1), which is partly responsible for miR-21 induction in response to HCV infection through PKCε/JNK/c-Jun and PKCα/ERK/c-Fos cascades. Taken together, our results indicate that miR-21 is upregulated during HCV infection and negatively regulates IFN-α signaling through MyD88 and IRAK1 and may be a potential therapeutic target for antiviral intervention.
Paola Fabrizio , Sch 9 in Yeast Regulation of Longevity and Stress

www.sciencemag. org (this information is current as of January 13, 2009 ): The following resources related to this article are available online at http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/full/292/5515/288 version of this article at: including high-resolution figures, can be found in the online Updated information and services, http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/full/1059497/DC1 can be found at: Supporting Online Material 212 article(s) on the ISI Web of Science. cited by This article has been http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/full/292/5515/288#otherarticles 67 articles hosted by HighWire Press; see: cited by This article has been http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/collection/cell_biol Cell Biology : subject collections This article appears in the following http://www.sciencemag. org/about/permissions.dtl in whole or in part can be found at: this article permission to reproduce of this article or about obtaining reprints Information about obtaining
Stringy instantons and quiver gauge theories

We explore contributions to the 4D effective superpotential which arise from Euclidean D3 branes (''instantons'') that intersect space-filling D-branes. These effects can perturb the effective field theory on the space-filling branes by nontrivial operators composed of charged matter fields, changing the vacuum structure in a qualitative way in some examples. Our considerations are exemplified throughout by a careful study of a fractional brane configuration on a del Pezzo surface.