Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Segmenting and Summarizing General Events in a Long-Term Lifelog

Lifelogging aims to capture a person’s life experiences using digital devices. When captured over an extended period of time a lifelog can potentially contain millions of files from various sources in a range of formats. For lifelogs containing such massive numbers of items, we believe it is important to group them into meaningful sets and summarize them, so that users can search and browse their lifelog data efficiently. Existing studies have explored the segmentation of continuously captured images over short periods of at most a few days into small groups of “events” (episodes). Yet, for long-term lifelogs, higher levels of abstraction are desirable due to the very large number of “events” which will occur over an extended period. We aim to segment a long-term lifelog at the level of general events which typically extend beyond a daily boundary, and to select summary information to represent these events. We describe our current work on higher level segmentation and summary information extraction for long term life logs and report a preliminary pilot study on a real long-term lifelog collection.
The under-appreciated role of stigmergic coordination in software development

Coordination in software development teams has been a topic of perennial interest in empirical software engineering research. The vast majority of this literature has drawn on a conceptual separation between work and coordination mechanisms, separate from the work itself, which enable groups to achieve coordination. Traditional recommendations and software methods focused on planning: using analysis to predict and manage dependencies. Empirical research has demonstrated the limits of this approach, showing that many important dependencies are emergent and pointing to the persistent importance of explicit discussion to managing these dependencies as they arise. Drawing on work in Computer-Supported Collaborative Work and building from an analogy to collaboration amongst insects (stigmergy), we argue that the work product itself plays an under-appreciated role in helping software developers manage dependencies as they arise. This short paper presents the conceptual argument with empirical illustrations and explains why this mechanism would have significant implications for Software Engineering coordination research. We discuss issues in marshaling clear positive evidence, arguing that these issues are responsible, in part, for the under-consideration of this mechanism in software engineering and outlining research strategies which may overcome these issues.
Ieee Transactions on Software Engineering 1 Model-based Test Oracle Generation for Automated Unit Testing of Agent Systems

—Software testing remains the most widely used approach to verification in industry today, consuming between 30-50% of the entire development cost. Test input selection for intelligent agents presents a problem due to the very fact that the agents are intended to operate robustly under conditions in which developers did not consider, and would therefore be unlikely to test. Using methods to automatically generate and execute tests is one way to provide coverage of many conditions without significantly increasing cost. However, one problem using automatic generation and execution of tests is the oracle problem: how can we automatically decide if observed program behaviour is correct with respect to its specification. In this paper, we present a model-based oracle generation method for unit testing belief-desire-intention (BDI) agents. We develop a fault model based on the features of the core units to capture the types of faults that may be encountered, and define how to automatically generate a partial, passive oracle from the agent design models. We evaluate both the fault model and the oracle generation by testing 14 agent systems. Over 400 issues were raised, and these were analysed to ascertain whether they represented genuine faults or were false positives. We found that over 70% of issues raised were indicative of problems in either the design or the code. Of the 19 checks performed by our oracle, faults were found by all but 5 of these checks. We also found that 8 out the 11 fault types identified in our fault model exhibited at least one fault. The evaluation indicates that the fault model is a productive conceptualisation of the problems to be expected in agent unit testing, and that the oracle is able to find a substantial number of such faults with relatively small overhead in terms of false positives.
Transcriptome-wide identification and study of cancer-specific splicing events across multiple tumors

Dysregulation of alternative splicing (AS) is one of the molecular hallmarks of cancer, with splicing alteration of numerous genes in cancer patients. However, studying splicing mis-regulation in cancer is complicated by the large noise generated from tissue-specific splicing. To obtain a global picture of cancer-specific splicing, we analyzed transcriptome sequencing data from 1149 patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas project, producing a core set of AS events significantly altered across multiple cancer types. These cancer-specific AS events are highly conserved, are more likely to maintain protein reading frame, and mainly function in cell cycle, cell adhesion/migration, and insulin signaling pathways. Furthermore, these events can serve as new molecular biomarkers to distinguish cancer from normal tissues, to separate cancer subtypes, and to predict patient survival. We also found that most genes whose expression is closely associated with cancer-specific splicing are key regulators of the cell cycle. This study uncovers a common set of cancer-specific AS events altered across multiple cancers, providing mechanistic insight into how splicing is mis-regulated in cancers.
Logging Library Migrations: A Case Study for the Apache Software Foundation Projects

Developers leverage logs for debugging, performance monitoring and load testing. The increased dependence on logs has lead to the development of numerous logging libraries which help developers in logging their code. As new libraries emerge and current ones evolve, projects often migrate from an older library to another one.In this paper we study logging library migrations within Apache Software Foundation (ASF) projects. From our manual analysis of JIRA issues, we find that 33 out of 223 (i.e., 14%) ASF projects have undergone at least one logging library migration. We find that the five main drivers for logging library migration are: 1) to increase flexibility (i.e., the ability to use different logging libraries within a project) 2) to improve performance, 3) to reduce effort spent on code maintenance, 4) to reduce dependence on other libraries and 5) to obtain specific features from the new logging library. We find that over 70% of the migrated projects encounter on average two post-migration bugs due to the new logging library. Furthermore, our findings suggest that performance (traditionally one of the primary drivers for migrations) is rarely improved after a migration.
Endothelial selectins regulate skin wound healing in cooperation with L‐selectin and ICAM‐1

Skin wound healing is mediated by inflammatory cell infiltration that is highly regulated by various adhesion molecules. Mice lacking intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) delayed skin wound healing and mice lacking both L‐selectin and ICAM‐1 (L‐selectin/ICAM‐1−/−) show more delayed wound healing. Deficiency of both endothelial selectins (E‐selectin or P‐selectin) also delays wound healing. However, the relative contribution and interaction of selectins and ICAM‐1 to the wound healing remain unknown. To clarify them, repair of excisional wounds was examined in L‐selectin/ICAM‐1−/− mice, wild‐type mice with both E‐ and P‐selectin blockade, and L‐selectin/ICAM‐1−/− mice with both E‐ and P‐selectin blockade. Wild‐type mice with both E‐ and P‐selectin blockade showed delayed wound healing that was comparable with that in L‐selectin/ICAM‐1−/− mice. Combined E‐ and P‐selectin blockade in L‐selectin/ICAM‐1−/− mice resulted in more significant delay. Mice lacking or blocked for adhesion molecules also showed suppressed keratinocyte migration, angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation, leukocyte infiltration, and cytokine expression, including transforming growth factor‐β and interleukin‐6. Application of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) but not platelet‐derived growth factor to the wounds significantly improved wound healing in L‐selectin/ICAM‐1−/− mice with both E‐ and P‐selectin blockade. bFGF significantly increased the leukocyte infiltration and subsequent fibrogenic cytokine production, as well as keratinocyte migration, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis despite the loss of four kinds of adhesion molecules. These results indicate that skin wound healing is regulated cooperatively by all selectins and ICAM‐1 and may provide critical information for the therapy of skin wounds.
ISAR imaging with sparse pulses based on compressed sensing

For the conventional Inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging, the observation durations must be long enough to achieve high cross-range resolution. However, it is often impossible to achieve enough echo samples in cross-range, making the imaging result with poor resolution. Compressed sensing (CS) is a new approach of sparse signals recovered. In this paper, a high resolution ISAR imaging method for sparse pulses based on CS method is presented. It shows that the image of sparse targets can be reconstructed by solving a convex optimization problem based on l1 norm minimization with only a small number of ISAR echo samples. The simulation results show that the CS imaging approach outperforms the range-Doppler one in resolution with limited data.
The reliability of linear position transducer, force plate and combined measurement of explosive power-time variables during a loaded jump squat in elite athletes

The purpose of this study was to determine the between day reliability of power-time measures calculated with data collected using the linear position transducer or the force plate independently, or a combination of the two technologies. Twenty-five male rugby union players performed three jump squats on two occasions one week apart. Ground reaction forces were measured via a force plate and position data were collected using a linear position transducer. From these data, a number of power-time variables were calculated for each method. The force plate, linear position transducer and a combined method were all found to be a reliable means of measuring peak power (ICC = 0.87‐0.95, CV = 3.4%‐8.0%). The absolute consistency of power-time measures varied between methods (CV = 8.0%‐53.4%). Relative consistency of power-time measures was generally comparable between methods and measures, and for many variables was at an acceptable level (ICC = 0.77‐0.94). Although a number of time-dependent power variables can be reliably calculated from data acquired from the three methods investigated, the reliability of a number of these measures is below that which is acceptable for use in research and for practical applications.
Abstract results on the finite extinction time property: application to a singular parabolic equation

We start by studying the finite extinction time for solutions of the abstract Cauchy problem u(t) + Au + Bu = 0 where A is a maximal monotone operator and B is a positive operator on a Hilbert space H. We use a suitable spectral energy method to get some sufficient conditions which guarantee this property. As application we consider a singular semilinear parabolic equation: Au = -Delta u, Bu = a(x)u(q), a(x) >= 0 bounded and -1 < q < 1, on a regular bounded domain Omega and Dirichlet boundary conditions.
SMARTER Teaching: Developing Accommodations To Reduce Cognitive Barriers to Learning for Individuals with Learning Disabilities.

This paper argues that successful programs for students with learning disabilities provide ongoing, intensive, explicit, and direct instruction in learning strategies that enable students to become independent learners. It then describes SMARTER teaching, a method developed to help teachers shift their approaches to teaching to make them more sensitive to the information processing needs. SMARTER is an acronym for a series of instructional steps that, when implemented, provide a framework for selecting accommodations that can address information processing differences. The steps include: (1) Shape critical questions that students should be able to answer to capture the essence of the lesson; (2) Map the critical content by drawing a content map of the information that the student will need to know to answer the questions; (3) Analyze difficulties students could encounter in processing the information; (4) Reach enhancement decisions using the critical questions and the content map; (5) Teach strategically by informing students about accommodation tactics or devices that have been selected and involving them in creating and using the device; (6) Evaluate mastery of the information; and (7) Revisit outcomes to ensure that students are able to answer the critical questions. A chart is provided that lists accommodations for instructional goals. (CR) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Cr) SMARTER Teaching
Symptom experience and quality of life of women following breast cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND Few studies have examined the correlates of breast cancer-related symptoms that persist posttreatment and determined the relationship between symptoms and quality of life (QOL). METHODS A population-based sample of women in the United States with stage 0-II breast cancer (n = 1372) completed a survey including the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Breast Cancer-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire. Described are the presence and frequency of 13 symptom scales and their associations with 10 QOL dimensions. RESULTS All study participants had completed primary treatment (surgery and radiation and/or chemotherapy, if applicable). Mean time from initial surgical treatment to completion of the questionnaire was 7.2 months (range 0.5-14.9 months). Mean number of symptoms reported was 6.8, with the 5 most common symptom scales being systemic therapy side effects (87.7%), fatigue (81.7%), breast symptoms (72.1%), sleep disturbance (57.1%), and arm symptoms (55.6%). Younger age and poorer health status at diagnosis were associated with worse symptoms. Fatigue had the greatest impact on QOL, with significant differences between those with high and low fatigue across 7 QOL dimensions. Sociodemographic, prior health status, clinical, and treatment/diagnostic factors explained only 9%-27% of the variance in QOL outcomes. Adding symptom experience increased the variance explained to 18%-60%. CONCLUSIONS More attention to the reduction and management of disease and treatment-related symptoms could improve QOL among women with breast cancer.
Phase II trial to evaluate the ActiGait implanted drop-foot stimulator in established hemiplegia.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate a selective implantable drop foot stimulator (ActiGait) in terms of effect on walking and safety. DESIGN A phase II trial in which a consecutive sample of participants acted as their own controls. SUBJECTS People who had suffered a stroke at least 6 months prior to recruitment and had a drop-foot that affected walking were recruited from 3 rehabilitation centres in Denmark. METHODS Stimulators were implanted into all participants. Outcome measures were range of ankle dorsiflexion with stimulation and maximum walking speed and distance walked in 4 minutes. Measurements were applied before implantation, at 90 days and at a long-term follow-up assessment. Changes over time and with and without stimulation are reported. Safety was evaluated by nerve conduction velocity and adverse events. RESULTS Fifteen participants were implanted and 13 completed the trial. Long-term improvements were detected in walking speed and distance walked in 4 minutes when stimulated, and the orthotic effect of stimulation showed statistically significant improvement. The device did not compromise nerve conduction velocity and no serious device-related adverse events were reported. Technical problems were resolved by the long-term follow-up assessment at which further improvement in walking was observed. CONCLUSION This trial has evaluated the safety and performance of the device, which was well accepted by patients and did not compromise safety.
A prototype implementation of metadata generation for image retrieval

We present a prototype implementation of a metadata generation method by exemplary textual indexing to digital images for image retrieval. The proposed method uses image processing for computing structural similarity between the prepared sample images with sample indexes and query images based on visual features, and selects the sample indexes of the most similar image as metadata to the requested query images. The use of image processing allows cost-efficient implementation for content-based metadata indexing to visual objects.
On Circulant Matrices

Some mathematical topics, circulant matrices, in particular, are pure gems that cry out to be admired and studied with different techniques or perspectives in mind. Our work on this subject was originally motivated by the apparent need of one of the authors (IK) to derive a specific result, in the spirit of Proposition 24, to be applied in his investigation of theta constant identities [9]. Although progress on that front eliminated the need for such a theorem, the search for it continued and was stimulated by enlightening conversations with Yum-Tong Siu during a visit to Vietnam. Upon IK’s return to the US, a visit by Paul Fuhrmann brought to his attention a vast literature on the subject, including the monograph [4]. Conversations in the Stony Brook Mathematics’ common room attracted the attention of the other author, and that of Sorin Popescu and Daryl Geller∗ to the subject, and made it apparent that circulant matrices are worth studying in their own right, in part because of the rich literature on the subject connecting it to diverse parts of mathematics. These productive interchanges between the participants resulted in [5], the basis for this article. After that version of the paper lay dormant for a number of years, the authors’ interest was rekindled by the casual discovery by SRS that these matrices are connected with algebraic geometry over the mythical field of one element. Circulant matrices are prevalent in many parts of mathematics (see, for example, [8]). We point the reader to the elegant treatment given in [4, §5.2], and to the monograph [1] devoted to the subject. These matrices appear naturally in areas of mathematics where the roots of unity play a role, and some of the reasons for this to be so will unfurl in our presentation. However ubiquitous they are, many facts about these matrices can be proven using only basic linear algebra. This makes the area quite accessible to undergraduates looking for research problems, or mathematics teachers searching for topics of unique interest to present to their students. We concentrate on the discussion of necessary and sufficient conditions for circulant matrices to be non-singular, and on various distinct representations they have, goals that allow us to lay out the rich mathematical structure that surrounds them. Our treatement though is by no means exhaustive. We expand on their connection to the algebraic geometry over a field with one element, to normal curves, and to Toeplitz’s operators. The latter material illustrates the strong presence these matrices have in various parts of modern and classical mathematics. Additional connections to other mathematics may be found in [11]. The paper is organized as follows. In §2 we introduce the basic definitions, and present two models of the space of circulant matrices, including that as a
Robust control with decoupling performance for steering and traction of 4WS vehicles under velocity-varying motion

This paper mainly studies robust steering and traction of four-wheel steering (4WS) vehicles with varying velocity, mass, moment of inertia, and road-tire interaction. To this end, a nonlinear vehicle model is developed which both takes the acceleration and braking effects on the system dynamics into account and avoids using the complicated side force relation. Based on this model, a nonlinear input-output decoupling controller is first designed, by which the vehicle system can be decoupled into three two-order subsystems, i.e., the velocity subsystem controlled by the longitudinal acceleration/braking force, the lateral motion subsystem by the front steering angle, and the yaw motion subsystem by the rear steering angle, so that the load of the driver can be relieved. Especially, a new decoupling condition is derived. It is proved that a vehicle with the front wheel braking or rear wheel drive can always be decoupled provided it does not accelerate so fast or brake so hard that its front or rear wheels are lifted from the ground. Furthermore, in order to reduce the effects of the vehicle parameter variations on steering performance, a robust control scheme is proposed. The corresponding controller and observer gains can be obtained by solving two new Riccati algebraic equations. Meanwhile, by properly choosing the form of the observer, the robust controller does not destroy the decoupling structure of the longitudinal and yaw motions. The numerical simulation shows that the robust control with decoupling performance can improve safety and comfort of the vehicle driving.
Ambiguity-Free Edge-Bundling for Interactive Graph Visualization

Graph visualization has been widely used to understand and present both global structural and local adjacency information in relational data sets (e.g., transportation networks, citation networks, or social networks). Graphs with dense edges, however, are difficult to visualize because fast layout and good clarity are not always easily achieved. When the number of edges is large, edge bundling can be used to improve the clarity, but in many cases, the edges could be still too cluttered to permit correct interpretation of the relations between nodes. In this paper, we present an ambiguity-free edge-bundling method especially for improving local detailed view of a complex graph. Our method makes more efficient use of display space and supports detail-on-demand viewing through an interactive interface. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method with public coauthorship network data.
Morphology of the Daphnia nervous system: A comparative study on Daphnia pulex, Daphnia lumholtzi, and Daphnia longicephala

The freshwater crustacean Daphnia is well known for its phenotypic plasticity, in which environmental cues are perceived by the nervous system and transformed into phenotypic adaptations beneficial under current conditions. Critical knowledge regarding the distribution and localization of neuronal antigens or neurotransmitters and differentially expressed proteins is sparse. Here, we applied immunohistochemical and histological‐staining methods in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy on whole mount preparations in Daphnia pulex, Daphnia longicephala, and Daphnialumholtzi. We document the nervous system, elements of the sensory system, and cell clusters with secretory characteristics in the Daphnia head. This is the first report on the nervous system of the species D.longicephala and D.lumholtzi. The methods established in this investigation will help to foster research on specific neuronal mechanisms in this rapidly advancing model system of life science research. J. Morphol. , 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.