Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multifractal Properties of TCP Traffic: a Numerical Study

We analyze two traces of TCP--traffic recorded at the gateway of a LAN corresponding to two hours at Berkeley and to eight hours at CNET labs respectively. We are mainly interested in a multifractal approach which we compare with the (mono)fractal statistical tests for self-similarity being used so far. Though we find evidence for statistical self-similarity in certain aspects of the traffic, the overall conclusion is that it is clearly not monofractal. Consequently, previously proposed models based on fractional Brownian motion are correct only up to second order statistics. Moreover, with multifractal measures simple simulations of traffic traces become available. Multifractal analysis, finally, allows several conclusions which could not be made with an estimation of the statistical self-similarity parameter $H$, called {\em Hurst exponent}. Among these we mention the remarkable fact that incoming and outgoing traffic observed at the same gateway may show strikingly different multifractal behavior. Furthermore, our analysis suggests that heavy and moderate outgoing traffic at Berkeley are in some sense independent of each other. Finally, the outgoing and the incoming traffic at Berkeley and at CNET look entirely different from a multifractal point of view.
Orchestrating a mixed reality game 'on the ground'

Successfully staging a mixed reality game in which online players are chased through a virtual city by runners located in the real world requires extensive orchestration work. An ethnographic study shows how this concerted achievement extends beyond the control room to the runners on the street. This, in turn, suggests the need to 'decentralize' orchestration and develop support for collaboration 'on the ground'. The study leads to design proposals for orchestration interfaces for mobile experiences that augment situational awareness and surreptitious monitoring among mobile participants and support troubleshooting in situations where participants are disconnected or are unable to access positioning systems such as GPS.
A Winner-Take-All Method for Training Sparse Convolutional Autoencoders

We explore combining the benefits of convolutional architectures and autoencoders for learning deep representations in an unsupervised manner. A major challenge is to achieve appropriate sparsity among hidden variables, since neighbouring variables in each feature map tend to be highly correlated and a suppression mechanism is therefore needed. Previously, deconvolutional networks and convolutional predictive sparse decomposition have been used to construct systems that have a recognition pathway and a data generation pathway that are trained so that they agree and so that the hidden representation is sparse. We take a more direct approach and describe a way to train convolutional autoencoders layer by layer, where in each layer sparsity is achieved using a winner-take-all activation function within each feature map. Learning is computationally efficient and we show that our method can be used to train shallow and deep convolutional autoencoders whose representations can be used to achieve classification rates on the MNIST, CIFAR-10 and NORB datasets that are competitive with the state of the art.
Second order accurate distributed eigenvector computation for extremely large matrices

We propose a second-order accurate method to estimate the eigenvectors of extremely large matrices thereby addressing a problem of relevance to statisticians working in the analysis of very large datasets. More specifically, we show that averaging eigenvectors of randomly subsampled matrices efficiently approximates the true eigenvectors of the original matrix under certain conditions on the incoherence of the spectral decomposition. This incoherence assumption is typically milder than those made in matrix completion and allows eigenvectors to be sparse. We discuss applications to spectral methods in dimensionality reduction and information retrieval.
PPViBe: Privacy preserving background extractor via secret sharing in multiple cloud servers

Recently, with the maturity of cloud services and the development of distributed computing, increasing images and video data are stored in the cloud. However, cloud services are generally provided by the third party entities. In addition, the images and video which are stored in the cloud mostly depend on the security of the cloud servers, while the data are not encrypted, which is a great threat to the users' privacy. In this paper, we propose a method of privacy preserving background extraction of video surveillance in multiple cloud servers based on Chinese Remainder Theorem (CRT). The client uses the CRT to divide a video frame into several encrypted frames, which are sent to the corresponding cloud servers separately. The cloud servers conduct the algorithm of Visual Background Extractor (ViBe) in the encrypted video frames, hereafter, the results obtained are transmitted to the end server, in which the results are decrypted and combined to get the final extraction results in original videos. Finally, the results are transmitted back to the client. The proposed method has several advantages: (1) Based on our encryption method, the original extraction method in the original videos need not be changed; (2) Each cloud server learns only a portion of the video frame information, yet they cannot recover the original video even if the data is leaked; (3) Multiple cloud servers can improve the security of data and enhance the processing efficiency. The experimental results on several video surveillance datasets shows that our method can correctly extract the background as the original ViBe algorithm does while protecting the privacy of the client video data.
Decision Trees and Diagrams

Decision trees and diagrams (also known as sequential evaluation procedures) have widespread applications in databases, dec~smn table programming, concrete complexity theory, switching theory, pattern recognmon, and taxonomy--in short, wherever discrete functions must be evaluated sequentially. In this tutorial survey a common framework of defimtmns and notation is established, the contributions from the main fields of apphcatmn are reviewed, recent results and extensions are presented, and areas of ongoing and future research are discussed.
Web and file based document collaboration via aysnchronous and synchronous updates

Collaborative documents can be worked on synchronously (collaborators see updates as they happen) and asynchronously (collaborators see updates after they are shared). Synchronous updates are useful when collaborators are working together in real-time on the details of a document. Asynchronous updates are more appropriate for sharing larger sets of changes or for publishing a particular version. Furthermore, although web-based collaboration is ideal for real-time updates, often authors wish to use software installed on their local computer to edit documents. As such, this note will outline an approach for merging synchronous and asynchronous updates across both the WWW and the user's local file system using Operational Transforms and Conflict-Free Replicated Data Types.
PLC-beta 1 regulates the expression of miR-210 during mithramycin-mediated erythroid differentiation in K562 cells

PLC-beta 1 (PLCβ1) inhibits in human K562 cells erythroid differentiation induced by mithramycin (MTH) by targeting miR-210 expression. Inhibition of miR-210 affects the erythroid differentiation pathway and it occurs to a greater extent in MTH-treated cells. Overexpression of PLCβ1 suppresses the differentiation of K562 elicited by MTH as demonstrated by the absence of γ-globin expression. Inhibition of PLCβ1 expression is capable to promote the differentiation process leading to a recovery of γ-globin gene even in the absence of MTH. Our experimental evidences suggest that PLCβ1 signaling regulates erythropoiesis through miR-210. Indeed overexpression of PLCβ1 leads to a decrease of miR-210 expression after MTH treatment. Moreover miR-210 is up-regulated when PLCβ1 expression is down-regulated. When we silenced PKCα by RNAi technique, we found a decrease in miR-210 and γ-globin expression levels, which led to a severe slowdown of cell differentiation in K562 cells and these effects were the same encountered in cells overexpressing PLCβ1. Therefore we suggest a novel role for PLCβ1 in regulating miR-210 and our data hint at the fact that, in human K562 erythroleukemia cells, the modulation of PLCβ1 expression is able to exert an impairment of normal erythropoiesis as assessed by γ-globin expression.
Multi-day training with vibrotactile feedback for virtual object manipulation

Optimal function of prosthetic hands for activities of daily living requires knowledge of contact force; however, users of prosthetic hands must rely on visual feedback for object manipulation, requiring constant concentration. Vibrotactile stimulation was explored as a modality for force feedback over multiple testing sessions. Unimpaired participants (N=6) performed virtual object manipulation with their right index finger using both visual feedback and vibrotactile feedback corresponding to the applied force on the virtual object on four days over a 4–8 day period. Object manipulation outcome measures were user difficulty ratings, object displacement, and object average velocity. Participants were able to utilize the vibrotactile feedback to statistically significantly improve performance of all three outcome measures over the four days. Significant improvements in all outcome measures were seen between days 3 and 4, indicating that steady state performance may not have been reached. Results support the use of augmentative vibrotactile feedback for users of prosthetic hands, though future longer longitudinal study will be necessary to determine steady state performance.
Microsatellite instability in yeast: dependence on repeat unit size and DNA mismatch repair genes

We examined the stability of microsatellites of different repeat unit lengths in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains deficient in DNA mismatch repair. The msh2 and msh3 mutations destabilized microsatellites with repeat units of 1, 2, 4, 5, and 8 bp; a poly(G) tract of 18 bp was destabilized several thousand-fold by the msh2 mutation and about 100-fold by msh3. The msh6 mutations destabilized microsatellites with repeat units of 1 and 2 bp but had no effect on microsatellites with larger repeats. These results argue that coding sequences containing repetitive DNA tracts will be preferred target sites for mutations in human tumors with mismatch repair defects. We find that the DNA mismatch repair genes destabilize microsatellites with repeat units from 1 to 13 bp but have no effect on the stability of minisatellites with repeat units of 16 or 20 bp. Our data also suggest that displaced loops on the nascent strand, resulting from DNA polymerase slippage, are repaired differently than loops on the template strand.
Distributed under Creative Commons Cc-by 4.0 Spatial Structure Arising from Neighbour- Dependent Bias in Collective Cell Movement

Mathematical models of collective cell movement often neglect the effects of spatial structure, such as clustering, on the population dynamics. Typically, they assume that individuals interact with one another in proportion to their average density (the mean-field assumption) which means that cell–cell interactions occurring over short spatial ranges are not accounted for. However, in vitro cell culture studies have shown that spatial correlations can play an important role in determining collective behaviour. Here, we take a combined experimental and modelling approach to explore how individual-level interactions give rise to spatial structure in a moving cell population. Using imaging data from in vitro experiments, we quantify the extent of spatial structure in a population of 3T3 fibroblast cells. To understand how this spatial structure arises, we develop a lattice-free individual-based model (IBM) and simulate cell movement in two spatial dimensions. Our model allows an individual's direction of movement to be affected by interactions with other cells in its neighbourhood, providing insights into how directional bias generates spatial structure. We consider how this behaviour scales up to the population level by using the IBM to derive a continuum description in terms of the dynamics of spatial moments. In particular, we account for spatial correlations between cells by considering dynamics of the second spatial moment (the average density of pairs of cells). Our numerical results suggest that the moment dynamics description can provide a good approximation to averaged simulation results from the underlying IBM. Using our in vitro data, we estimate parameters for the model and show that it can generate similar spatial structure to that observed in a 3T3 fibroblast cell population.
CONDITIONAL VALUE AT RISK

We suggest a new methodology to overcome several well-known deeciencies of Value at Risk computations. Our approach mainly addresses two aspects of Value at Risk: rst, to avoid potentially disastrous clustering in predicted tail events we derive a new approach to accurately estimating the conditional distribution of asset returns using maximum entropy densities. Second, by the very nature of the maximum entropy model, we account for negative skewness and fat tails in asset returns. In particular, to obtain a robust and scalable estimate of the covariance matrix of the assets in the portfolio we extend an approach by Hull and White to the case of conditional distributions. In extensive experiments with historical stock index data we compare the proposed methodology to alternative estimation approaches using a new, simulation-based statistical testing procedure for serial dependence in the predicted tail events.
Empirical cognitive semantics: Some thoughts

The transformation of a discipline from an art to a science involves at least three steps: First, the discipline must adopt the protocols and practices of empirical research; second, it must adapt those protocols to its object of research and, in the process of doing so, operationalize its theoretical concepts (i.e., redefine them in terms that allow them to be measured objectively and reliably); third, it must relegate to the metaphysical level all concepts that resist such a redefinition until an operationalization has been found. This paper sketches out the current progress of cognitive semantics along this three-step process and discusses different definitions of the notion meaning – meaning as concept, as proposition, as reference and as context of use – and their potential for operationalization. It is argued that while the field as a whole still seems hesitant about the future direction of the discipline, there is a range of interesting methods that are available for transforming cognitive semantics into empirical cognitive semantics.
Vascular Pharmacology of Mokuboito (Mu-Fang-Yi-Tang) and Its Constituents on the Smooth Muscle and the Endothelium in Rat Aorta

Pharmacological actions of Mokuboito and its constituents (Sinomenium acutum and sinomenine) on rat aorta were examined. Mokuboito and S. acutum at lower concentrations (0.03–1 mg ml−1) contracted the non-loaded aorta, but at higher concentrations (1–3 mg ml−1), reversed to dilate it. The vasoconstriction was blocked by phentolamine (10 μM). Sinomenine failed to exhibit the vasoconstriction. On the other hand, Mokuboito and S. acutum dilated the NE (5 μM)-induced vasoconstriction: at 3 mg ml−1, by 98.9 ± 2.5% (n = 6, P < 0.01) and 97.0 ± 4.8% (n = 6, P < 0.01). Vasorelaxation induced by Mokuboito and S. acutum was attenuated by indomethacin, L-NMMA and nicardipine. Propranolol decreased the vasorelaxation induced by Mokuboito, but not by S. acutum. Sinomenine also relaxed the constriction and at 100 μM, by 68.8 ± 5.1% (n = 7, P < 0.01). This vasorelaxation was attenuated by indomethacin, L-NMMA and nicardipine, and also by propranolol. Therefore, these results indicate that Mokuboito and its constituents exert both vasodilating actions mediated by endothelium-dependent mechanisms (PGI2 and NO from endothelium) and by endothelium-independent mechanisms (Ca2+ influx control on smooth muscle cells). Simultaneously, Mokuboito and S. acutum cause the vasoconstrictions mediated through α-adrenoceptor stimulation, but not sinomenine. Also, Mokuboito and sinomenine possess β-adrenoreceptor stimulating action, but not S. acutum.
A Study on Similarity Computations in Template Matching Technique for Identity Verification

— This paper describes a study on the development of a human face verification system by merely using template matching (TM) as the main verification engine. In contrast to common face recognition techniques, our approach for the identity verification (face recognition) consists of matching the facial features extracted from the detected face. These facial features namely left eye, right eye and mouth regions; are detected using a system known as EMoTracker. As TM is sensitive to lighting, this study considered different type of lighting directions and similarity computation in TM. Three types of TM functions are evaluated in this paper: Sum of Squared Difference, Cross Correlation and Correlation Coefficient. In the experiments, YaleB Database is used. Based on the observation results, using Correlation Coefficient is shown to be the most reliable similarity computation to handle different lighting conditions using TM.
Optical triggered seizures using a caged 4-Aminopyridine

Animal models of epilepsy are critical not only for understanding the fundamental mechanism of epilepsy but also for testing the efficacy of new antiepileptic drugs and novel therapeutic interventions. Photorelease of caged molecules is widely used in biological research to control pharmacologic events with high spatio-temporal resolution. We developed a technique for in vivo optical triggering of neocortical seizures using a novel caged compound based on ruthenium photochemistry (RuBi-4AP). Epileptiform events in mouse cortex were induced with blue light in both whole brain and focal illumination. Multi-electrode array recording and optical techniques were used to characterize the propagation of these epileptic events, including interictal spikes, polyspikes, and ictal discharges. These results demonstrate a novel optically-triggered seizure model, with high spatio-temporal control, that could have widespread application in the investigation of ictal onset, propagation and to develop novel light-based therapeutic interventions.
Lip Reading Based Surveillance System

In this paper we propose a lip reading recognition technique designed to be a part of a surveillance system and will be used for physical security. The proposed technique would be used for security issues using motion estimation analysis, applying a new five step search block matching algorithm. The proposed technique is characterized by high speed performance suitable for real time applications. The three-step search (TSS) algorithm has been widely used as the motion estimation technique in some low bit-rate video compression applications, owing to its simplicity and effectiveness. However, TSS uses a uniformly allocated checking point pattern in its first step, which becomes inefficient for the estimation of small motions. The lip recognition technique deemed valuable in fast recognition of lip reading that can be used in security paradigm for real time applications like password entries that are shoulder surfing resilient.
Theory of Digital filter banks Realized via multivariate Empirical mode Decomposition

Undecimated and decimated multivariate empirical mode decomposition filter banks (MEMDFBs) are introduced in order to incorporate MEMD equipped with downsampling into any arbitrary tree structure and provide flexibility in the choice of frequency bands. Undecimated MEMDFBs show the same results as those of original MEMD for an octave tree structure. Since the exact cut-off frequencies of MEMD are not known (i.e. due to data-driven decomposition), employing just simple downsampling in MEMD might cause aliasing. However, decimated MEMDFBs in this paper achieve perfect reconstruction with aliasing cancelled for any arbitrary tree. Applications of decimated/undecimated MEMDFBs for speech/audio and image signals are also included. Since decimated MEMDFBs can be applied into any arbitrary tree structure, this extends into MEMD packets. Arbitrary tree structures in decimated MEMDFBs also lead to more diverse choices in frequency bands for various multivariate applications requiring decimations.
A compensation method for word-familiarity difference with SNR control in intelligibility test

Isolated-monosyllable listening tests are widely used in Japan to assess personal hearing ability. However, word intelligibility tests could be more suitable for measuring hearing ability. We developed new word lists with controlled word familiarity and phonetic balance. Listening test results showed slight differences in intelligibility scores among word lists within the same word familiarity rank. We examined whether such variation can be compensated by changing the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of each word to equalize intelligibility scores of word lists in identical word familiarity ranks. Results of listening tests indicated that a 1.0 difference in word familiarity was approximately equivalent to a 2.0 dB difference in SNR. Based on the results, we developed and tested a method of compensating for the difference caused by word familiarity by controlling SNR. We confirmed that this compensation method was effective in equalizing the intelligibility score of each word list.
The Role of Fibroblast Growth Factors in Tooth Development and Incisor Renewal

The mineralized tissue of the tooth is composed of enamel, dentin, cementum, and alveolar bone; enamel is a calcified tissue with no living cells that originates from oral ectoderm, while the three other tissues derive from the cranial neural crest. The fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are critical during the tooth development. Accumulating evidence has shown that the formation of dental tissues, that is, enamel, dentin, and supporting alveolar bone, as well as the development and homeostasis of the stem cells in the continuously growing mouse incisor is mediated by multiple FGF family members. This review discusses the role of FGF signaling in these mineralized tissues, trying to separate its different functions and highlighting the crosstalk between FGFs and other signaling pathways.
What to do when there's too much information

Hypertext systems with small units of text are likely to drown the user with information, in the same way that online catalogs or bibliographic retrieval systems often do. Experiments with a catalog of 800,000 book citations have shown two useful ways of dealing with the “too many hits” problem. One is a display of phrases containing the excessively frequent words; another is a display of titles by hierarchical category. The same techniques should apply to other text-based retrieval systems. In general, interactive solutions seem more promising than attempts to do detailed query analysis and get things right the first time.
Towards Sensor-Aided Multi-View Reconstruction for High Accuracy Applications

Author(s): Shashkov, Misha; Hess-Flores, Mauricio; Recker, Shawn; Joy, Kenneth I. | Abstract: We present the general idea of a computer vision structure-from-motion framework that makes use of sensor fusion to provide very accurate and efficient multi-view reconstruction results that can capture internal geometry. Given the increased ubiquity and cost-effectiveness of embedding sensors, such as positional sensors, into objects, it has become feasible to fuse such sensor data and camera-acquired data to vastly improve reconstruction quality and enable a number of novel applications for structure-from-motion. Application areas, which require very high accuracy, include medicine, robotics, security, and additive manufacturing (3D printing). Specific examples and initial results are discussed, followed by a discussion on proposed future work.