Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
3D multimedia signal processing

3D multimedia attracts people by the vivid and the fascinating depth perception. The movie industry is in the Renaissance phase with the aid of 3D multimedia since the 3D experience will be amplified in the movie theater. Although we are living in a 3D world, the development of 3D multimedia just started in recent years. Therefore, we want to propose a 3D multimedia signal processing framework to deal with the various challenges coming from this newly appeared media. We have addressed the research issues regarding content creation, data compression and content protection with which the traditional 2D multimedia based approaches will not performed efficiently and properly. Furthermore, we are studying the core issue of 3D multimedia which is the quality assessment of stereopsis. We expect the research of 3D multimedia signal processing can further popularize the 3D contents and brings new thoughts of multimedia research to enable new paradigms of 3D multimedia applications.
Metabolic responses of willow (Salix purpurea L.) leaves to mycorrhization as revealed by mass spectrometry and 1H NMR spectroscopy metabolite profiling

The root system of most terrestrial plants form symbiotic interfaces with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which are important for nutrient cycling and ecosystem sustainability. The elucidation of the undergoing changes in plants' metabolism during symbiosis is essential for understanding nutrient acquisition and for alleviation of soil stresses caused by environmental cues. Within this context, we have undertaken the task of recording the fluctuation of willow (Salix purpurea L.) leaf metabolome in response to AMF inoculation. The development of an advanced metabolomics/bioinformatics protocol employing mass spectrometry (MS) and 1H NMR analyzers combined with the in-house-built metabolite library for willow (http://willowmetabolib.research.mcgill.ca/index.html) are key components of the research. Analyses revealed that AMF inoculation of willow causes up-regulation of various biosynthetic pathways, among others, those of flavonoid, isoflavonoid, phenylpropanoid, and the chlorophyll and porphyrin pathways, which have well-established roles in plant physiology and are related to resistance against environmental stresses. The recorded fluctuation in the willow leaf metabolism is very likely to provide AMF-inoculated willows with a significant advantage compared to non-inoculated ones when they are exposed to stresses such as, high levels of soil pollutants. The discovered biomarkers of willow response to AMF inoculation and corresponding pathways could be exploited in biomarker-assisted selection of willow cultivars with superior phytoremediation capacity or genetic engineering programs.
On pairwise connectivity of wireless multihop networks

This paper experimentally investigates the service availability of wireless multihop networks based on the following two metrics: Average Pairwise Connectivity (APC) and Pairwise Connected Ratio (PCR), where the former denotes the average number of node-disjoint paths per node pair and the latter is the fraction of node pairs that are pairwise connected. A theoretical upperbound are derived for APC, which can approximate the exact value very well. We also studied the fault tolerance and attack resilience and proposed a new resilience metric, α-ρ-resilience, where a network is α-ρ-resilient if at least a portion of nodes pairs remain connected as long as no more than p percentage nodes are removed. Three different node removal patterns are studied: random removal, selective removal and partition. The experimental studies show that wireless multihop networks are more sensitive to partition and selective removal attacks are a little bit more severe than random removal attacks.
Commentary on “Reflections on culture, structure and function of an intensive support service centred on positive behavioural support”

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on Patterson and Berry’s paper “Reflections on culture, structure and function of an intensive support service centred on positive behavioural support”. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews key ideas presented in Patterson and Berry’s article relative to the recent history of service delivery in the UK and the growing interest being shown in positive behaviour support. Findings Patterson and Berry’s article adds to a modest literature on specialist support services and should stimulate further descriptions of service models and the concepts underpinning them. Originality/value The literature on specialist support service models is limited and this addition should be relevant to a wide range of clinicians, consumers and commissioners.
Differential Roles of GSK-3&bgr; During Myocardial Ischemia and Ischemia/Reperfusion

Rationale: Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) protects the heart during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), yet the underlying mechanisms of cardioprotection afforded by beta isoform-specific inhibition GSK-3 remain to be elucidated. Objective: We studied the molecular mechanism mediating the effect of GSK-3&bgr; activation/inhibition upon myocardial injury during prolonged ischemia and I/R. Methods and Results: Beta isoform–specific inhibition of GSK-3 by dominant negative GSK-3&bgr; in transgenic mice (Tg-DnGSK-3&bgr;) or in heterozygous GSK-3&bgr; knock-out mice (GSK-3&bgr;+/−) significantly increased, whereas activation of GSK-3&bgr; in constitutively active GSK-3&bgr; knock-in mice (&bgr;KI) significantly decreased, myocardial ischemic injury after prolonged ischemia. In contrast, inhibition of GSK-3&bgr; in Tg-DnGSK-3&bgr; or GSK-3&bgr;+/− significantly reduced, while activation of GSK-3&bgr; in &bgr;KI significantly enhanced, myocardial I/R injury. Inhibition of GSK-3&bgr; stimulated mTOR signaling and inhibited autophagy through a rapamycin-sensitive (mTOR dependent) mechanism. Rapamycin enhanced autophagy and, at the same time, abolished the effects of GSK-3&bgr; inhibition on both prolonged ischemic injury and I/R injury. Importantly, the influence of rapamycin over the effects of GSK-3&bgr; inhibition on myocardial injury was reversed by inhibition of autophagy. Conclusions: Our results suggest that beta isoform–specific inhibition of GSK-3 exacerbates ischemic injury but protects against I/R injury by modulating mTOR and autophagy.
Cross-lingual Pseudo-Projected Expectation Regularization for Weakly Supervised Learning

We consider a multilingual weakly supervised learning scenario where knowledge from annotated corpora in a resource-rich language is transferred via bitext to guide the learning in other languages. Past approaches project labels across bitext and use them as features or gold labels for training. We propose a new method that projects model expectations rather than labels, which facilities transfer of model uncertainty across language boundaries. We encode expectations as constraints and train a discriminative CRF model using Generalized Expectation Criteria (Mann and McCallum, 2010). Evaluated on standard Chinese-English and German-English NER datasets, our method demonstrates F1 scores of 64% and 60% when no labeled data is used. Attaining the same accuracy with supervised CRFs requires 12k and 1.5k labeled sentences. Furthermore, when combined with labeled examples, our method yields significant improvements over state-of-the-art supervised methods, achieving best reported numbers to date on Chinese OntoNotes and German CoNLL-03 datasets.
RECOD at MediaEval 2015: Affective Impact of Movies Task

This paper presents the approach used by the RECOD team to address the challenges provided in the MediaEval 2015 Affective Impact of Movies Task. We designed various video classiers, which relied on bags of visual features, and on bags of auditory features. We combined these classiers using dierent approaches, ranging from majority voting to machine-learned techniques on the training dataset. We only participated in the Violence Detection subtask.
Evolutionary Optimized Networks and Their Properties

Summary Networks in the real world have a variety of structures and they are different in many respects. Among them, in both natural and artificial networks, they often show scale-free as the result of optimization of growth. An important feature of many complex networks is the structure and performance. Such networks with desirable properties become important in a variety of applications such as in supply chain networks, computer and transportation networks etc. In this paper we present a methodology of evolutionary design of optimized networks in which the structure of a network is designed to optimize various performance measurements. We propose a methodology in which a complex system optimizes its network structure in order to optimize its overall object function. Especially these in turn depend on two critical measures of the network performances, congestion and economy in terms of design cost. In this paper, we use the genetic algorithm (GA) as a tool of optimization. We also propose some methodologies to investigate the properties of evolved networks. The objective functions of GA are the combination of the congestion function which is defined by node betweenness and the density of links. We show that an evolutionary optimization process can account for the observed regularities displayed by most networks. Using a graph theoretical case study, we show that when design cost is paramount the Star network emerges and when congestion is important the dense network is found. When congestion and design cost requirements are both important to varying degrees, other classes of networks such as the network with multiples hubs including scale-free emerge. Four major types of networks are encountered: (a) sparse exponential-like networks, (b) sparse scale-free networks, (c) star networks and (d) highly dense networks. The evolutionary consequences of these results are outlined.
Geo-registered 3D models from crowdsourced image collections

In this article we present our system for scalable, robust, and fast city-scale reconstruction from Internet photo collections (IPC) obtaining geo-registered dense 3D models. The major achievements of our system are the efficient use of coarse appearance descriptors combined with strong geometric constraints to reduce the computational complexity of the image overlap search. This unique combination of recognition and geometric constraints allows our method to reduce from quadratic complexity in the number of images to almost linear complexity in the IPC size. Accordingly, our 3D-modeling framework is inherently better scalable than other state of the art methods and in fact is currently the only method to support modeling from millions of images. In addition, we propose a novel mechanism to overcome the inherent scale ambiguity of the reconstructed models by exploiting geo-tags of the Internet photo collection images and readily available StreetView panoramas for fully automatic geo-registration of the 3D model. Moreover, our system also exploits image appearance clustering to tackle the challenge of computing dense 3D models from an image collection that has significant variation in illumination between images along with a wide variety of sensors and their associated different radiometric camera parameters. Our algorithm exploits the redundancy of the data to suppress estimation noise through a novel depth map fusion. The fusion simultaneously exploits surface and free space constraints during the fusion of a large number of depth maps. Cost volume compression during the fusion achieves lower memory requirements for high-resolution models. We demonstrate our system on a variety of scenes from an Internet photo collection of Berlin containing almost three million images from which we compute dense models in less than the span of a day on a single computer.
Occupation, Health and Well-Being

Occupational therapists believe that there is a relationship between occupation, health and well-being but there is little evidence in the occupational therapy literature to support this belief. This paper describes the results of a critical review of research examining the relationship between occupation and health and well-being. Twenty-two studies from the health and social sciences literature were reviewed using specific methodological review criteria. The findings of these studies provide moderate to strong evidence that occupation has an important influence on health and well-being. Because most of this research has been completed with persons without disabilities, further research is required to explain the nature of the relationship between occupation and health and well-being for persons who experience a disability which affects their daily occupations
Untyped Aspect Calculus : Formal theory of aspect-oriented programming languages

The Object Calculi proposed by Abadi and Cardelli, treat objects as primitive constructs and define operations on these objects directly. This approach used by the object calculi overcomes the problem of complex encoding of objects as functions. The object calculi do not provide the direct support for aspects and its related concepts. We propose a calculus which provides direct support for aspects and other construct of Aspect-oriented programming paradigm. Our proposed calculus is an extension to the Untyped Imperative Object Calculus which is a part of the family of object calculi. We have worked upon the syntax and operational semantics of the proposed Untyped Aspect Calculus. The paper discusses the syntax and operational semantics of the calculus. Interpreter for the calculus is also designed and implemented and the same is discussed in the paper.
Neurons of a Limited Subthalamic Area Mediate Elevations in Cortical Cerebral Blood Flow Evoked by Hypoxia and Excitation of Neurons of the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla

Sympathoexcitatory reticulospinal neurons of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) are oxygen detectors excited by hypoxia to globally elevate regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). The projection, which accounts for >50% of hypoxic cerebral vasodilation, relays through the medullary vasodilator area (MCVA). However, there are no direct cortical projections from the RVLM/MCVA, suggesting a relay that diffusely innervates cortex and possibly originates in thalamic nuclei. Systematic mapping by electrical microstimulation of the thalamus and subthalamus revealed that elevations in rCBF were elicited only from a limited area, which encompassed medial pole of zona incerta, Forel's field, and prerubral zone. Stimulation (10 sec train) at an active site increased rCBF by 25 ± 6%. Excitation of local neurons with kainic acid mimicked effects of electrical stimulation by increasing rCBF. Stimulation of the subthalamic cerebrovasodilator area (SVA) with single pulses (0.5 msec; 80 μA) triggered cortical EEG burst–CBF wave complexes with latency 24 ± 5 msec, which were similar in shape to complexes evoked from the MCVA. Selective bilateral lesioning of the SVA neurons (ibotenic acid, 2 μg, 200 nl) blocked the vasodilation elicited from the MCVA and attenuated hypoxic cerebrovasodilation by 52 ± 12% (p < 0.05), whereas hypercarbic vasodilation remained preserved. Lesioning of the vasodilator site in the basal forebrain failed to modify SVA-evoked rCBF increase. We conclude that (1) excitation of intrinsic neurons of functionally restricted region of subthalamus elevates rCBF, (2) these neurons relay signals from the MCVA, which elevate rCBF in response to hypoxia, and (3) the SVA is a functionally important site conveying vasodilator signal from the medulla to the telencephalon.
Access to social support among homeless urban women and men in Tehran (Iran)

Purpose Social support is a significant factor in the life of homeless people, as it helps them meet their life challenges more efficiently and increases the likelihood of return to a normal life. Social support plays a different role in homeless women’s life, as gender culture often causes them to be exposed to more risks. The purpose of this paper is to identify homeless people’s access to social support from their network members, with a comparison between men and women. Design/methodology/approach In this study, a survey method was used with an administrated questionnaire. Participants were recruited from among the homeless people (men and women) who used the municipal social services in shelters and social service centers in Tehran. The main variables in this study included frequency of contact, social support, and gender. Findings The results have shown significant differences between homeless men and homeless women in terms of frequency of contact and receipt of social support. Homeless women contacted their network members more often than did homeless men and also received more support. There seems to be a strong correlation between the receipt of social support and women’s greater ability for social communication, as well as with traditional culture, which considers women to be weak and dependent so that they receive more support compared with men. The weakness of social support, especially among homeless men, requires serious attention; however, homeless women are not in a favorable situation either. Originality/value The social networks of homeless people who usually live on the streets and in public places without permanent shelter are weak because of various reasons, including poverty, addiction, immigration, and divorce. The weakness of social support leads to an escalation of their vulnerabilities. Thus, it is necessary, in social policy and services, to improve the social network of high-risk people such as homeless people, which would help the rehabilitation process and reduce the probability of exposure to harm.
Speed Limit Sign Recognition Using MSER and Artificial Neural Networks

An efficient real-time speed limit sign recognition system could provide significant benefits for realizing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This paper presents an approach for real-time recognition of U.S. speed limit sign. Detection of speed limit sign is carried out using shape and intensity information after identifying the candidate regions as maximally stable extremal regions (MSERs). The detected sign is tracked through the subsequent image sequences using Kalman filter. Finally, artificial neural networks based classifier is used for the recognition of speed limit sign. About 98% correct recognition with an average processing speed of about 40 fps on a standard PC is achieved for 12300 images of different conditions.
Improved simulated annealing algorithm for task allocation in real-time distributed systems

This paper addresses the problem of task allocation in real-time distributed systems with the goal of maximizing the system reliability, it has been shown to be NP-hard. Many studies have been made to solve this problem without considering the real-time constraint. We first take account of the deadline constraint in order to formulate this problem, and then propose an improved simulated annealing algorithm call adaptive memory-based simulated annealing (AMSA) to solve the problem. The AMSA introduces adaptive factors to reduce the total computation time, and adds memory function to save the recently visited solutions and best solution by now. The effectiveness of AMSA is evaluated by comparing with traditional simulated annealing algorithm. The results show that AMSA can produce “good enough” solution in much less time.
A hybrid filtering and Maximum Likelihood approach to SLAM

This paper introduces a new approach to SLAM which combines an Information Filter and a non linear optimizer. The basic idea of the suggested technique is to use the Information Filter when the system non linearities are negligible, and to switch to the use of the non linear optimizer when the non linearities are not negligible. Extensive simulations are provided in order to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. In particular, a comparison with the Exactly Sparse Delayed-state Filers (ESDF) technique is carried out.
Classification of CpG Islands in the Human Genome Based on the Interval Distance Distribution of Adjacent CG Sites

There have been many studies analyzing relations between CpG islands and gene functions. Most results showed that promoters of many housekeeping genes contain CpG islands, however, the relation between gene functions and CG dinucleotides positions in CpG islands was less considered. In this study, we try to classify CpG islands according to interval distance distribution of adjacent CG sites and find some functional correlations. First the human genome sequences were downloaded from the EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Database. Then a dataset was constructed, each record of which is an interval distance distribution of adjacent CG sites of a CpG island. Finally an algorithm was designed, which can calculate approximately minimal difference of any two records. Based on the algorithm, we obtained many classes using the hierarchical clustering method, each of which contains some similar CpG islands, and some of their common features were studied.
Algebraic Multilevel Preconditioner for the Helmholtz Equation in Heterogeneous Media

An algebraic multilevel (ML) preconditioner is presented for the Helmholtz equation in heterogeneous media. It is based on a multilevel incomplete $LDL^T$ factorization and preserves the inherent (complex) symmetry of the Helmholtz equation. The ML preconditioner incorporates two key components for efficiency and numerical stability: symmetric maximum weight matchings and an inverse-based pivoting strategy. The former increases the block-diagonal dominance of the system, whereas the latter controls $\|L^{-1}\|$ for numerical stability. When applied recursively, their combined effect yields an algebraic coarsening strategy, similar to algebraic multigrid methods, even for highly indefinite matrices. The ML preconditioner is combined with a Krylov subspace method and applied as a “black-box” solver to a series of challenging two- and three-dimensional test problems, mainly from geophysical seismic imaging. The numerical results demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of the ML preconditioner, even at higher frequency regimes.
The Effect of Holder Pasteurization on Nutrients and Biologically-Active Components in Donor Human Milk: A Review

When a mother’s milk is unavailable, the best alternative is donor milk (DM). Milk delivered to Human Milk Banks should be pasteurized in order to inactivate the microbial agents that may be present. Currently, pasteurization, performed at 62.5 °C for 30 min (Holder Pasteurization, HoP), is recommended for this purpose in international guidelines. Several studies have been performed to investigate the effects of HoP on the properties of DM. The present paper has the aim of reviewing the published papers on this topic, and to provide a comparison of the reported variations of biologically-active DM components before and after HoP. This review was performed by searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAL and Cochrane Library databases. Studies that clearly identified the HoP parameters and compared the same DM samples, before and after pasteurization, were focused on. A total of 44 articles satisfied the above criteria, and were therefore selected. The findings from the literature report variable results. A possible explanation for this may be the heterogeneity of the test protocols that were applied. Moreover, the present review spans more than five decades, and modern pasteurizers may be able to modify the degradation kinetics for heat-sensitive substances, compared to older ones. Overall, the data indicate that HoP affects several milk components, although it is difficult to quantify the degradation degree. However, clinical practices demonstrate that many beneficial properties of DM still persist after HoP.