Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Collective Entity Representations for Entity Ranking

Entity ranking, i.e., successfully positioning a relevant entity at the top of the ranking for a given query, is inherently difficult due to the potential mismatch between the entity's description in a knowledge base, and the way people refer to the entity when searching for it. To counter this issue we propose a method for constructing dynamic collective entity representations. We collect entity descriptions from a variety of sources and combine them into a single entity representation by learning to weight the content from different sources that are associated with an entity for optimal retrieval effectiveness. Our method is able to add new descriptions in real time and learn the best representation as time evolves so as to capture the dynamics of how people search entities. Incorporating dynamic description sources into dynamic collective entity representations improves retrieval effectiveness by 7% over a state-of-the-art learning to rank baseline. Periodic retraining of the ranker enables higher ranking effectiveness for dynamic collective entity representations.
Survey on challenges of Question Answering in the Semantic Web

Semantic Question Answering (SQA) removes two major access requirements to the Semantic Web: the mastery of a formal query language like SPARQL and knowledge of a specific vocabulary. Because of the complexity of natural language, SQA presents difficult challenges and many research opportunities. Instead of a shared effort, however, many essential components are redeveloped, which is an inefficient use of researcher’s time and resources. This survey analyzes 62 different SQA systems, which are systematically and manually selected using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, leading to 72 selected publications out of 1960 candidates. We identify common challenges, structure solutions, and provide recommendations for future systems. This work is based on publications from the end of 2010 to July 2015 and is also compared to older but similar surveys.
Les pratiques touristiques en voyage auto-organisé en Chine

L'evolution de la societe entraine une rapide progression du tourisme dans la societe. La Chine, pendant les dernieres annees de croissance economique rapide, a vu son tourisme se developper avec vigueur. Avec l'augmentation de la qualite de la population et l'accumulation des experiences de voyage, une partie des voyageurs veulent se distinguer du touriste de masse ; le voyage auto-organise, entant qu'un different mode de tourisme, devient un favori parmi les pratiques touristiques des voyageurs. De plus, les lieux comme le Yunnan de la Chine ayant des paysages naturels et abritant des cultures originaires deviennent les destinations privilegiees du voyage auto-organise. Cette etude a pour objet de rendre compte du voyage auto-organise en Chine. Les analyses des enquetes de questionnaires et d'entretiens avec les voyageurs auto-organises rencontres dans le Yunnan, ont permis de bien comprendre les agents du voyage auto-organise, les procedures de la realisation du voyage auto-organise et la condition du developpement du voyage auto-organise en Chine. En outre, les analyses des entretiens avec les autochtones dans le Yunnan, ont permis de mieux connaitre les influences du voyage autoorganise sur les destinations de la Chine. En definitive, cette etude pourra contribuer a l'enrichissement des connaissances de ce qu'est le tourisme en Chine, avec une reflexion sur le tourisme anthropologique et le tourisme durable.
Normative Data for Composite Scores for Children and Adults Derived from the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test

Norms on seven composite scores derived from the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) are reported here. These scores reflect a variety of verbal memory processes: learning, interference, retention over time, and retrieval efficiency. The norms are based on 943 children ranging in age from 8 to 17 years, divided into 10 age cohorts, and 528 adults, ranging in age from 21 to 91 years, divided into 6 age cohorts. Overall, the learning measures were the most sensitive to age. The most significant changes in memory as measured with these composite scores took place in the very young and very old age groups. These changes may be attributable to frontal lobe maturation in youth and deterioration in old age. Female participants show superiority over male participants on various verbal memory measures. These norms on the composite scores are primarily expected to serve the clinician in the process of memory assessment by supplementing the existing norms on individual trials of the Rey AVLT.
Disease-specific phenotypes in dopamine neurons from human iPS-based models of genetic and sporadic Parkinson's disease

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) offer an unprecedented opportunity to model human disease in relevant cell types, but it is unclear whether they could successfully model age‐related diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we generated iPSC lines from seven patients with idiopathic PD (ID‐PD), four patients with familial PD associated to the G2019S mutation in the Leucine‐Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene (LRRK2‐PD) and four age‐ and sex‐matched healthy individuals (Ctrl). Over long‐time culture, dopaminergic neurons (DAn) differentiated from either ID‐PD‐ or LRRK2‐PD‐iPSC showed morphological alterations, including reduced numbers of neurites and neurite arborization, as well as accumulation of autophagic vacuoles, which were not evident in DAn differentiated from Ctrl‐iPSC. Further induction of autophagy and/or inhibition of lysosomal proteolysis greatly exacerbated the DAn morphological alterations, indicating autophagic compromise in DAn from ID‐PD‐ and LRRK2‐PD‐iPSC, which we demonstrate occurs at the level of autophagosome clearance. Our study provides an iPSC‐based in vitro model that captures the patients' genetic complexity and allows investigation of the pathogenesis of both sporadic and familial PD cases in a disease‐relevant cell type.
IFN-α Is Not Sufficient to Drive Th1 Development Due to Lack of Stable T-bet Expression1

During inflammatory immune responses, the innate cytokine IL-12 promotes CD4+ Th-1 development through the activation of the second messenger STAT4 and the subsequent expression of T-bet. In addition, type I IFN (IFN-αβ), secreted primarily during viral and intracellular bacterial infections, can promote STAT4 activation in human CD4+ T cells. However, the role of IFN-αβ in regulating Th1 development is controversial, and previous studies have suggested a species-specific pathway leading to Th1 development in human but not mouse CD4+ T cells. In this study, we found that although both IFN-α and IL-12 can promote STAT4 activation, IFN-α failed to promote Th1 commitment in human CD4+ T cells. The difference between these innate signaling pathways lies with the ability of IL-12 to promote sustained STAT4 tyrosine phosphorylation, which correlated with stable T-bet expression in committed Th1 cells. IFN-α did not promote Th1 development in human CD4+ T cells because of attenuated STAT4 phosphorylation, which was insufficient to induce stable expression of T-bet. Further, the defect in IFN-α-driven Th1 development was corrected by ectopic expression of T-bet within primary naive human CD4+ T cells. These results indicate that IL-12 remains unique in its ability to drive Th1 development in human CD4+ T cells and that IFN-α lacks this activity due to its inability to promote sustained T-bet expression.
Serum levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-10 and C-reactive protein in relation to left ventricular function in patients with myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND Inflammatory factors are involved in the cardiac remodelling process after myocardial infarction (MI). Pronounced and sustained activation of proinflammatory factors is believed to enhance the damage to the myocardium and leads to its dysfunction and heart failure. Anti-inflammatory factors, especially interleukin-10 (IL-10), exert a protective action by reducing excessive inflammatory reactions. AIM To asses the relationship between serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, CRP and echocardiographic indices of myocardial function in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary angioplasty. Prognostic value of IL-6, IL-10 and CRP levels in predicting systolic and diastolic dysfunction 6 months after MI was also assessed. METHODS We studied 75 patients aged 36-82 (28 women and 47 men) presenting with STEMI treated with primary angioplasty. Blood samples for assesment of IL-6, IL-10 and CRP levels were on days 3 and 7 (3d, 7d) of MI and after 6-month follow-up (6m). Echocardiographic examination was performed on day 7 and 6 months after MI during which the parameters of LV systolic (LVEF, WMSI) and diastolic function (E/A, DT, IVRT, Ep, E/Ep) were evaluated. Twenty four healthy persons served as controls. RESULTS Interleukin-6 and CRP levels in consecutive measurements correlated significantly inversely with LVEF (7d) and LVEF (6m). The IL-10 (7d) and IL-10 (6m) level correlated positively with LVEF (6m) (r=0.39, p=0.02; r=0.27, p=0.04). The IL-6 and CRP levels in consecutive measurements correlated significantly positively with E/A and E/Ep and inversely with IVRT, DT and Ep. The IL-10 (3d) level correlated inversely with DT (6m) (r=-0.25, p=0.04), while IL-10 (7d) level correlated positively with DT (6m) (r=0.36, p=0.004). Increased level of IL-6 (3d) and CRP (3d) was an independent prognostic factor of LV systolic (OR=1.27, p=0.02; OR=1.14, p=0.05) and diastolic dysfunction (OR=1.14, p=0.03; OR=1.05, p=0.01) 6 months after MI. CONCLUSIONS 1. A significant, correlations between increased IL-6, CRP level and impaired LV systolic and diastolic function indicate the possible involvement of these factors in postinfarction cardiac damage. 2. Increased level of IL-6 and CRP in the acute phase of MI is an independent predictor of LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction 6 months after MI. 3. Increased serum level of IL-10 in the acute phase of MI reflects the extension of post-infarction myocardial lesion. 4. Maintenance of increased level of IL-10 for days/months after MI seems to be prognostically beneficial.
Efficiently Bounding Optimal Solutions after Small Data Modification in Large-Scale Empirical Risk Minimization

We study large-scale classification problems in changing environments where a small part of the dataset is modified, and the effect of the data modification must be quickly incorporated into the classifier. When the entire dataset is large, even if the amount of the data modification is fairly small, the computational cost of re-training the classifier would be prohibitively large. In this paper, we propose a novel method for efficiently incorporating such a data modification effect into the classifier without actually re-training it. The proposed method provides bounds on the unknown optimal classifier with the cost only proportional to the size of the data modification. We demonstrate through numerical experiments that the proposed method provides sufficiently tight bounds with negligible computational costs, especially when a small part of the dataset is modified in a large-scale classification problem.
Field study of cybercafe usage & security in Morocco

A significant number of Moroccans use cybercafes on a regular basis for work and leisure. Unfortunately, if these cybercafe machines are infected with malware, such malware can steal users' passwords and other sensitive information. Assessing cybercafe security in Morocco can help assess the risk that users encounter when using cybercafes. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no academic study of cyber-cafe security in Morocco. In this work, we study the security of 30 cybercafes in Rabat, Sale, Temara, and Casablanca. We interview managers and customers of these cybercafes and examine computers directly. We find that 50% of computers have a disabled basic security tools such as firewalls. We also find that 60% of computers are infected with malware that can steal users information. Finally, we find that such infection rate decreases with managers education level. In summary, our results indicate that cybercafe security level is very poor, but that level could be improved with awareness programs targeted towards cybercafe managers.
Early Duplication of a Single MHC IIB Locus Prior to the Passerine Radiations

A key characteristic of MHC genes is the persistence of allelic lineages over macroevolutionary periods, often through multiple speciation events. This phenomenon, known as trans-species polymorphism (TSP), is well documented in several major taxonomic groups, but has less frequently been observed in birds. The order Passeriformes is arguably the most successful terrestrial vertebrate order in terms of diversity of species and ecological range, but the reasons for this success remain unclear. Passerines exhibit the most highly duplicated MHC genes of any major vertebrate taxonomic group, which may generate increased immune response relative to other avian orders with fewer MHC loci. Here, we describe phylogenetic patterns of the MHC IIB in the passerine family Corvidae. Our results indicate wide-spread TSP within this family, with at least four supported MHC IIB allelic lineages that predate speciation by many millions of years. Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations indicate that divergence of these lineages occurred near the time of the divergence of the Passeriformes and other avian orders. We suggest that the current MHC diversity observed in passerines is due in part to the multiple duplication of a single MHC locus, DAB1, early in passerine evolution and that subsequent duplications of these paralogues have contributed to the enormous success of this order by increasing their ability to recognize and mount immune responses to novel pathogens.
A closed-form solution to implement interference alignment and cancellation scheme for the MIMO three-user X-channel model

This paper proposes a non-iterative interference alignment (IA) scheme for the three-user MIMO X-channel network without symbol extension. We first demonstrate the basic principle of how to design the beamforming (BF) matrices for the set-up, then the achievable sum rate is estimated under perfect and imperfect channel state information (CSI). It will be shown that this scheme can achieve over 64 bits/s/Hz. Finally, we also derive its computational complexity.
Understanding player threat responses in FPS games

This paper describes the results of a study designed to understand the components contributing to a participant's assessment of threatening situations in a competitive First Person Shooter (FPS) game Quake III: Arena. The analysis process described compares theoretical, questionnaire based data with that of actual game play footage and identifies how skill and experience can affect a player's ability to accurately assess threat. This research also identifies relationships between variables contributing to a participant's threat assessment process which are not usually acknowledged in game AI design. A suggestion for integrating player-like threat based decision making processes is proposed.
Interannual to Decadal Predictability in a Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere General Circulation Model

Abstract The predictability of the coupled ocean–atmosphere climate system on interannual to decadal timescales has been studied by means of ensemble forecast experiments with a global coupled ocean–atmosphere general circulation model. Over most parts of the globe the model’s predictability can be sufficiently explained by damped persistence as expected from the stochastic climate model concept with damping times of considerably less than a year. Nevertheless, the tropical Pacific and the North Atlantic Ocean exhibit oscillatory coupled ocean–atmosphere modes, which lead to longer predictability timescales. While the tropical mode shares many similarities with the observed ENSO phenomenon, the coupled mode within the North Atlantic region exhibits a typical period of about 30 yr and relies on an interaction of the oceanic thermohaline circulation and the atmospheric North Atlantic oscillation. The model’s ENSO-like oscillation is predictable up to one-third to one-half (2–3 yr) of the oscillation period .
EFL Vocabulary Growth in Intensive Language Study

Investigations into typical vocabulary growth rates of EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners are important to the setting of more realistic targets as well as to the evaluation of the success of language programs. Previous research into second language vocabulary growth was conducted in settings which were not particularly conducive to substantial vocabulary growth. They involved either explicit but limited language instruction as part of a school curriculum or indirect incidental learning through degree study in English. The present study investigates the vocabulary growth of EFL learners in a setting which is expected to induce more growth owing to a greater amount of explicit language instruction. The growth in the written receptive (i.e. reading) vocabulary sizes of 410 EFL learners in an intensive language program in a major Turkish university was studied over one academic year. Vocabulary sizes of learners from a range of English language proficiency levels were measured using the Vocabulary Size Test (Nation and Beglar, 2007). The results suggested greater annual growth than those reported in previous research. The study also indicated that vocabulary growth rates were not stable across proficiency levels, and showed a fall-rise pattern. However, when proficiency was determined lexically, the results suggested that growth slowed down as the vocabulary size increased. These results point to the limitations of explicit instruction in more advanced levels of proficiency as far as vocabulary learning is concerned. Universities are advised to evaluate cost against benefits before implementing these programmes.
Relevance Realization and the Emerging Framework in Cognitive Science

We argue that an explanation of relevance realization is a pervasive problem within cognitive science, and that it is becoming the criterion of the cognitive in terms of which a new framework for doing cognitive science is emerging. We articulate that framework and then make use of it to provide the beginnings of a theory of relevance realization that incorporates many existing insights implicit within the contributing disciplines of cognitive science. We also introduce some theoretical and potentially technical innovations motivated by the articulation of those insights. Finally, we show how the explication of the framework and development of the theory help to clear up some important incompleteness and confusions within both Montague's work and Sperber and Wilson's theory of relevance.
Functional Role of mTORC2 versus Integrin-Linked Kinase in Mediating Ser473-Akt Phosphorylation in PTEN-Negative Prostate and Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Although the rictor-mTOR complex (mTORC2) has been shown to act as phosphoinositide-dependent kinase (PDK)2 in many cell types, other kinases have also been implicated in mediating Ser473-Akt phosphorylation. Here, we demonstrated the cell line specificity of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) versus mTORC2 as PDK2 in LNCaP and PC-3 prostate and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells, of which the PTEN-negative status allowed the study of Ser473-Akt phosphorylation independent of external stimulation. PC-3 and MDA-MB-468 cells showed upregulated ILK expression relative to LNCaP cells, which expressed a high abundance of mTOR. Exposure to Ku-0063794, a second-generation mTOR inhibitor, decreased Ser473-Akt phosphorylation in LNCaP cells, but not in PC-3 or MDA-MB-468 cells. In contrast, treatment with T315, a novel ILK inhibitor, reduced the phosphorylation of Ser473-Akt in PC-3 and MDA-MB-468 cells without affecting that in LNCaP cells. This cell line specificity was verified by comparing Ser473-Akt phosphorylation status after genetic knockdown of rictor, ILK, and other putative Ser-473-Akt kinases. Genetic knockdown of rictor, but not ILK or the other kinases examined, inhibited Ser473-Akt phosphorylation in LNCaP cells. Conversely, PC-3 and MDA-MB-468 cells were susceptible to the effect of ILK silencing on Ser473-Akt phosphorylation, while knockdown of rictor or any of the other target kinases had no appreciable effect. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated the physical interaction between ILK and Akt in PC-3 cells, and T315 blocked ILK-mediated Ser473 phosphorylation of bacterially expressed Akt. ILK also formed complexes with rictor in PC-3 and MDA-MB-468 cells that were disrupted by T315, but such complexes were not observed in LNCaP cells. In the PTEN-functional MDA-MB-231 cell line, both T315 and Ku-0063794 suppressed EGF-induced Ser473-Akt phosphorylation. Inhibition of ILK by T315 or siRNA-mediated knockdown suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition in MDA-MB-468 and PC-3 cells. Thus, we hypothesize that ILK might bestow growth advantage and metastatic potential in the course of tumor progression.
Reality-based Haptic Feedback for Needle Puncture - Modeling, Validation, and Simulation

Reality-based models and accurate simulations of needle insertions into soft tissue require the extraction of internal tissue deformation and needle forces during insertion. It also requires the development of devices that can accurately display these forces to the user. Our dual C-Arm fluoroscopy setup allows for the real time 3-D extraction of the displacement of implanted fiducials in the soft tissue during needle insertion. Using this information and collected force data, we have, validated the LEM computed from our finite element model with arbitrary needle puncture tasks. Additionally, we have simulated a realistic needle puncture task using the 7 degree-of-freedom haptic feedback device developed in our laboratory.
A Cognitive Model for the Forensic Recovery of End-User Passwords

Despite the existence of a number of advanced authentication mechanisms such as two- factor tokens, biometrics etc., the use of passwords is still the most popular means of authenticating users in a computing system. Consequently, we need to generate and remember a large number of passwords, and these passwords need to be as strong as the assets they protect. During the course of a forensic examination a computer forensics analyst may come across a number of situations where the recovery of passwords is required, either in order to access a particular user account, or to unlock encrypted or otherwise obfuscated digital content. In this paper we create a cognitive model to describe the creation of end-user generated passwords that may be applied particularly during an attempt to forensically recover such passwords. We propose that it may be feasible to recover a password by reversing the logic of its creation, taking into account contextual and other parameters, instead of applying computationally expensive brute force.