Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic visual attributes extraction from web offers images

In this study we propose a method for the automatic extraction of Visual Attributes from images. In particular, our case study concerns the processing of images related to commercial offers in the fashion domain. The proposed method is based on a pre-processing phase in which an object detection algorithm identifies the object of interest, subsequently the visual attributes are extracted using a descriptor based on the Pyramid of Histograms of Orientation Gradients. In order to classify these descriptions, we have trained a discriminative model using a manually annotated dataset of commercial offers, available for comparisons. To increase the performance of the visual attributes extraction, the results provided by the previous step have been refined with an a priori probability which models the occurrence of each visual attribute with a specific product type, opportunely estimated on the dataset.
Maximum likelihood position estimation in ad-hoc networks using a dead reckoning approach

Classical multilateration techniques for position estimation assume direct connectivity between land-reference nodes with known fixed locations and a node whose location we want to estimate so that range, and angle of arrival estimates can be readily obtained using channel observations. In the case of Ad-Hoc networking a mobile node may not have direct connectivity to any or some land-reference nodes and these multilateration techniques will be difficult to apply. This work uses a dead reckoning approach to derive a multihop maximum likelihood multilateration scheme based on connectivity between several land-reference nodes and a node of interest via multiple intermediate links. Performance of the proposed location estimation scheme is analyzed, via simulations, with respect to the number of available reference nodes, time and angle of arrival estimation accuracy at each node, node transmission range, and node density in the network. The algorithm is shown to outperform linearized multilateration techniques and to become insensitive to knowledge of nuisance parameters as the number of available land-references increases.
Computing Shortest, Fastest, and Foremost Journeys in Dynamic Networks

New technologies and the deployment of mobile and nomadic services are driving the emergence of complex communications networks, that have a highly dynamic behavior. This naturally engenders new route-discovery problems under changing conditions over these networks. Unfortunately, the temporal variations in the network topology are hard to be effectively captured in a classical graph model. In this paper, we use and extend a recently proposed graph theoretic model, which helps capture the evolving characteristic of such networks, in order to propose and formally analyze least cost journey (the analog of paths in usual graphs) in a class of dynamic networks, where the changes in the topology can be predicted in advance. Cost measures investigated here are hop count (shortest journeys), arrival date (foremost journeys), and time span (fastest journeys).
Gaze tracking with particle swarm optimization

In order to develop the next generation of gaze tracking system that can operate under visible lighting conditions, the difficulty of estimating limbus circle in real time needs to be solved. The iris model-based approaches excel the feature-based ones, but high computation complexity remains a problem. This paper presents an advanced iris model-based matching algorithm which adopts particle swarm optimization (PSO) to improve the overall performance. As a result, the developed system achieves high accuracy and the objective of 30 frames.
Molecular Correlates of Laminar Differences in the Macaque Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

In anthropoid primates, cells in the magnocellular and parvocellular layers of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) are distinguished by unique retinal inputs, receptive field properties, and laminar terminations of their axons in visual cortex. To identify genes underlying these phenotypic differences, we screened RNA from magnocellular and parvocellular layers of adult macaque dLGN for layer-specific differences in gene expression. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and in situ hybridization were used to confirm gene expression in adult and fetal macaque. Cellular localization of gene expression revealed 11 new layer-specific markers, of which 10 were enriched in magnocellular layers (BRD4, CAV1, EEF1A2, FAM108A1, INα, KCNA1, NEFH, NEFL, PPP2R2C, and SFRP2) and one was enriched in parvocellular and koniocellular layers (TCF7L2). These markers relate to functions involved in development, transcription, and cell signaling, with Wnt/β-catenin and neurofilament pathways figuring prominently. A subset of markers was differentially expressed in the fetal dLGN during a developmental epoch critical for magnocellular and parvocellular pathway formation. These results provide new evidence for the molecular differentiation of magnocellular and parvocellular streams through the primate dLGN.
A Novel Approach to Analyze Students’ Expectation from Colleges using Data Mining Technique

College being home away from home for students, expecting multiple facilities is quite demanding. The following paper aims at building an intelligent Mathematical model to categorize and identify the amenities expected by students from a college using a data mining technique called as classification. Data mining, a vital step in „Knowledge Discovery in Database‟ is a practice of transforming raw data into constructive information from large data repositories. A data mining tool is employed to analyze the dataset. The knowledge gained thus helps institutions to deploy the facilities that students expect.
Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel Irradiated and Acetalized for Osteochondral Defect Repair: Mechanical, Chemical, and Histological Evaluation after Implantation in Rat Knees

Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) hydrogel plugs were implanted in artificial osteochondral defects on the trochlear groove of rat knees. After 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks of followup, samples containing the implants were mechanically evaluated by creep indentation test, chemically, and histologically by optical microscopy. The mechanical test pointed towards an increase of the implant creep modulus and the chemical analysis exhibited an increasing concentration of calcium and phosphorus within the implants over time. Optical microscopy showed no foreign body reaction and revealed formation, differentiation, and maintenance of new tissue at the defect/implant interface. The absence of implant wear indicated that the natural articular lubrication process was not disturbed by the implant. The performance of the irradiated and acetalized PVA was considered satisfactory for the proposed application.
Memory Crossover Neural Network Predistorter for the compensation of memory crosstalk and HPA nonlinearity

In [1] and [2], authors proposed two efficient crossover predistortion schemes which are capable to compensate simultaneously HPA nonlinearity and crosstalk effects in MIMO systems. The crosstalk model considered in these papers was memoryless one. However, memory effects of crosstalk can no longer be ignored due to the broadband transmitted signal. Then, in this paper, we demonstrate the effect of memory crosstalk on the Crossover Neural Network Predistorter (CO-NNPD) proposed in [1]. Along, we propose a new crossover predistortion structure based on this conventional CO-NNPD which is capable to enhance good performance in MIMO OFDM systems in presence of HPA nonlinearities with taken into account the memory effects of crosstalk. The Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm (LM) is used for neural network training, which has proven [3] to exhibit a very good performance with lower computation complexity and faster convergence than other algorithms used in literature. This paper is supported with simulation results for the Alamouti STBC MIMO OFDM system in terms of Bit Error Rate (BER) in Rayleigh fading channel.
WindMine: Fast and Effective Mining of Web-click Sequences

Given a large stream of users clicking on web sites, how can we find trends, patterns and anomalies? We have developed a novel method, WindMine, and its fine-tuning sibling, WindMine-part, to find patterns and anomalies in such datasets. Our approach has the following advantages: (a) it is effective in discovering meaningful “building blocks” and patterns such as the lunch-break trend and anomalies, (b) it automatically determines suitable window sizes, and (c) it is fast, with its wall clock time linear on the duration of sequences. Moreover, it can be made sub-quadratic on the number of sequences (WindMine-part), with little loss of accuracy. We examine the effectiveness and scalability by performing experiments on 67 GB of real data (one billion clicks for 30 days). Our proposed WindMine does produce concise, informative and interesting patterns. We also show that WindMine-part can be easily implemented in a parallel or distributed setting, and that, even in a single-machine setting, it can be an order of magnitude faster (up to 70 times) than the plain version.
Interactive Sampling and Rendering for Complex and Procedural Geometry

We present a new sampling method for procedural and complex geometries, which allows interactive point-based modeling and rendering of such scenes. For a variety of scenes, object-space point sets can be generated rapidly, resulting in a sufficiently dense sampling of the final image. We present an integrated approach that exploits the simplicity of the point primitive. For procedural objects a hierarchical sampling scheme is presented that adapts sample densities locally according to the projected size in the image. Dynamic procedural objects and interactive user manipulation thus become possible. The same scheme is also applied to on-the-fly generation and rendering of terrains, and enables the use of an efficient occlusion culling algorithm. Furthermore, by using points the system enables interactive rendering and simple modification of complex objects (e.g., trees). For display, hardware-accelerated 3-D point rendering is used, but our sampling method can be used by any other point-rendering approach.
Identifying preferences in networks with bounded degree

This paper provides a framework for identifying preferences in a large network where links are pairwise stable. Network formation models present difficulties for identification, especially when links can be interdependent, for example, when indirect connections matter. We show how one can use the observed proportions of various local network structures to learn about the underlying preference parameters. The key assumption for our approach restricts individuals to have bounded degree in equilibrium, implying a finite number of payoffâ€ relevant local structures. Our main result provides necessary conditions for parameters to belong to the identified set. We then develop a quadratic programming algorithm that can be used to construct this set. With further restrictions on preferences, we show that our conditions are also sufficient for pairwise stability and therefore characterize the identified set precisely. Overall, the use of both the economic model along with pairwise stability allows us to obtain effective dimension reduction.
Frequency of undetected thyroid nodules in a large I-131-exposed population repeatedly screened by ultrasonography: results from the Ukrainian-American cohort study of thyroid cancer and other thyroid diseases following the Chornobyl accident.

BACKGROUND Imperfect detection on screening tests can lead to erroneous conclusions about the natural history of thyroid nodules following radiation exposure. Our objective was to assess in a repeatedly screened I-131-exposed population the frequency with which a thyroid nodule could be retrospectively identified on ultrasonography studies preceding the one on which it was initially detected. METHODS A cohort of over 13,000 young people exposed to fallout from Chornobyl underwent ultrasonography screening at 2-year intervals from 1998 to 2007. The study group consisted of screening examinations on which a thyroid nodule was detected following one or more prior negative examinations. In the study group there were 48 cancers and 92 benign nodules. For each of these 140 index studies a comparison set was created containing all available prior studies plus (to test for bias) negative studies from control subjects. While viewing the index study, three independent reviewers scored the comparison studies for the presence and size of a preexisting nodule. Detection rates were compared for true priors versus controls, for cancer versus benign, and for histologic subtypes of papillary carcinoma. RESULTS A preexisting nodule was identified by at least one reviewer in 24.0% of the true prior versus 8.3% of the controls and by all three reviewers in 11% versus 1% (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in detection rates between cancers and benign nodules (22.4% vs. 24.7%, p = 0.411). There was no correlation between time from prior to index study and change in nodule size for either malignant or benign nodules (r = 0.01, NS). There were no differences in detection rates or size among papillary cancer subtypes. Reviewers could not distinguish between true priors and controls. CONCLUSIONS These findings, showing significant rates of undetected benign and malignant nodules and no evidence for rapid growth, suggest that conclusions drawn from screening studies about the frequency of late-developing, rapidly growing thyroid nodules following radiation exposure should be interpreted with caution.
Natural Analogue Peptides of an HIV‐1 GP120 T‐Helper Epitope Antagonize Response of GP120‐Specific Human CD4 T‐Cell Clones

Summary: Neutralizing antibodies and specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) may contribute to controlling viral spread, and ideally, to virus clearance in HIV infection. Both effector mechanisms depend on specific CD4 T‐helper (Th) cells. Nevertheless, HIV hypervariability facilitates appearance of escape mutants for antibodies and for CTL responses. Here we also show that natural mutations (i.e., from sequences of different HIV strains) in an immunodominant Th epitope recognized by human CD4 clones specific for the envelope glycoprotein gp120 escape CD4 T‐cell recognition. Furthermore, several natural analogue peptides exert an antagonistic function by inhibiting proliferative response of T cells specific to gp120 with a wild‐type sequence. If similar events occur in vivo, they may represent an additional escape mechanism for HIV. In fact, antagonism for CD4 Th response may occur during superinfection with a different strain, or with the appearance of a variant carrying a mutated antagonistic sequence. In both cases, impaired Th cell function could lead to reduced immune control of HIV infection by interfering with CTL and antibody response.
Long-term dynamics of natural populations of Schistosoma mansoni among Rattus rattus in patchy environment

SUMMARY Dynamics of natural populations of Schistosoma mansoni were studied during 8 consecutive years among Rattus rattus populations from 8 transmission sites of the marshy forest focus of Guadeloupe (French West Indies). The schistosome population is over-dispersed (k = 0·119) within the murine hosts and ecological factors linked to the patchy environment may be responsible for such aggregated distribution. Analysis of the spatio-temporal variations in prevalences, intensities and abundances showed limited variations of the infection during the 8 years at the level of the whole parasite population but great spatial heterogeneity at the level of local schistosome populations. Inter-populational genetic variability linked to the degree of adaptation of this human parasite to the murine host may explain differences in transmission dynamics between the local populations of S. mansoni.
The Stength of Weak cooperation: A Case Study on Flickr

Web 2.0 works with the principle of weak cooperation, where a huge amount of individual contributions build solid and structured sources of data. In this paper, we detail the main properties of this weak cooperation by illustrating them on the photo publication website Flickr, showing the variety of uses producing a rich content and the various procedures devised by Flickr users themselves to select quality. We underlined the interaction between small and heavy users as a specific form of collective production in large social networks communities. We also give the main statistics on the (5M-users, 150M-photos) data basis we worked on for this study, collected from Flickr website using the public API.
Decoupling Control of Secondary Regulation Loading System

The simulation loading system with secondary regulation contains hydraulic coupling and mechanical coupling. This study analyzed the influence on the performance of the system caused by coupling disturbances. Control performance under coupling disturbances with PID control was simulated by MATLAB. With the increasing of the pressure fluctuations, fluctuations of torque control and speed control system all changed. The influence of torque control system is greater than speed control system. When the torque fluctuated, the drive speed appeared large fluctuation error and the error was direct ratio to the torque fluctuation. But the torque system is immune to the speed fluctuation. In order to eliminate the influences, a decoupling controller has been designed. Control performances under the disturbance of hydraulic and mechanical coupling with decoupling controller and without decoupling controller were simulated. The results showed that, when added decoupling components, the system was decoupled, the negative influence of the coupling interferences to the system was reduced or eliminated, the control property was improved.
Early and tardive skin adverse events in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients treated with imatinib

Abstract: Imatinib related non‐haematological side‐effects are reported in <10% of chronic myeloid leukaemia patients and include oedema, weight gain, nausea, vomiting and muscle cramps. Cutaneous reactions are well‐recognized events occurring mostly in patients treated at doses of 600 mg/d and higher, either in stable or progressive disease. We report on our experience relating to dermatological toxicities in imatinib treated CML patients showing a spectrum of skin reactions ranging from rashes to cutaneous carcinoma.
Speech categorization context effects in seven- to nine-month-old infants

Adults have been shown to categorize an ambiguous syllable differently depending on which sound precedes it. The present paper reports preliminary results from an on-going experiment, investigating seven- to nine-month-olds on their sensitivity to non-speech contexts when perceiving an ambiguous syllable. The results suggest that the context effect is present already in infancy. Additional data is currently collected and results will be presented in full at the conference.
Laboratory Approach to the Management of Clinical Emergencies: A Diagnostic Series

This article emphasizes on the laboratory investigations that may play a significant role in the prompt management of the patient. Hence, other conditions where laboratory investigations will not play a major role are not included in this article. An attempt has been made to highlight certain issues wherein we can prevent inadvertent ordering of tests to minimize the burden on the overworked emergency laboratory, without compromising patient care. The conditions that will be dealt here include: acute chest pain, acute abdominal pain, road traffic injuries, acute respiratory distress, high grade fever, vomiting, loss of consciousness, poisoning and laboratory accidents, and lastly occupational exposure to potential biological hazards.
Purple bamboo salt has anticancer activity in TCA8113 cells in vitro and preventive effects on buccal mucosa cancer in mice in vivo

Bamboo salt is a traditional healthy salt known in Korea. The in vitro anticancer effects of the salt were evaluated using a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in TCA8113 human tongue carcinoma cells. At 1% concentration, the growth inhibitory rate of purple bamboo salt was 61% higher than that of sea salt (27%). Apoptosis analysis of the cancer cells was carried out using 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining to investigate the mechanism of the anticancer effects in tongue carcinoma cells. Purple bamboo salt induced a stronger apoptotic effect than sea salt. An Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mouse buccal mucosa cancer model was established by injecting mice with U14 squamous cell carcinoma cells. Following injection, the wound at the injection site was smeared with salt samples. It was observed that the tumor volumes for the group treated with purple bamboo salt were smaller than those from the sea salt treatment and control groups. The sections of buccal mucosa cancer tissue showed that canceration in the purple bamboo salt group was weaker compared with that in the sea salt group. Similar results were observed in the lesion section of the cervical lymph. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting, the purple bamboo salt group demonstrated an increase in Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and a decrease in B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, compared with the sea salt and control groups. The results demonstrated that purple bamboo salt had improved in vivo buccal mucosa cancer preventive activity compared with sea salt in mice.
Empowering Evolving Social Network Users with Privacy Rights

Considerable concerns exist over privacy on social networks, and huge debates persist about how to extend the artifacts users need to effectively protect their rights to privacy. While many interesting ideas have been proposed, no single approach appears to be comprehensive enough to be the front runner. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive and novel reference conceptual model for privacy in constantly evolving social networks and establish its novelty by briefly contrasting it with contemporary research. We also present the contours of a possible query language that we can develop with desirable features in light of the reference model, and refer to a new query language, {\em PiQL}, developed on the basis of this model that aims to support user driven privacy policy authoring and enforcement. The strength of our model is that such extensions are now possible by developing appropriate linguistic constructs as part of query languages such as SQL, as demonstrated in PiQL.