Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Algorithm Applied to Robotic Squad Coordination

The main goal of this paper is to describe the modeling, implementation and evaluation of the Genetic Algorithm's (GA) efficiency when applied to robotic group formation and coordination. The robotic task in this paper is performed over a natural disaster, simulated as a forest fire. The robot squad mission is to surround the fire and avoid fire's propagation. Experiments have been made with different chromosome models and several parameter's variation. This paper describes all performed experiments detailing all sets of parameters, including positive and negative results. The simulation's results showed that with an adequate set of parameters is possible to get satisfactory strategic positions for a multi-robotic system's operation; furthermore, this GA solution can be applied on similar activities.
The use of on-line co-training to reduce the training set size in pattern recognition methods: Application to left ventricle segmentation in ultrasound

The use of statistical pattern recognition models to segment the left ventricle of the heart in ultrasound images has gained substantial attention over the last few years. The main obstacle for the wider exploration of this methodology lies in the need for large annotated training sets, which are used for the estimation of the statistical model parameters. In this paper, we present a new on-line co-training methodologythat reduces the need for large training sets for such parameter estimation. Our approach learns the initial parameters of two different models using a small manually annotated training set. Then, given each frame of a test sequence, the methodology not only produces the segmentation of the current frame, but it also uses the results of both classifiers to retrain each other incrementally. This on-line aspect of our approach has the advantages of producing segmentation results and retraining the classifiers on the fly as frames of a test sequence are presented, but it introduces a harder learning setting compared to the usual off-line co-training, where the algorithm has access to the whole set of un-annotated training samples from the beginning. Moreover, we introduce the use of the following new types of classifiers in the co-training framework: deep belief network and multiple model probabilistic data association. We show that our method leads to a fully automatic left ventricle segmentation system that achieves state-of-the-art accuracy on a public database with training sets containing at least twenty annotated images.
Nonlinear excitations, stability inversions, and dissipative dynamics in quasi-one-dimensional polariton condensates

We study the existence, stability, and dynamics of the ground state and nonlinear excitations, in the form of dark solitons, for a quasi-one-dimensional polariton condensate in the presence of nonresonant pumping and nonlinear damping. We find a series of remarkable features that can be directly contrasted to the case of the typically energy-conserving ultracold alkali-atom Bose-Einstein condensates. For some sizable parameter ranges, the nodeless (''ground'') state becomes unstabletoward the formation of stable nonlinear single- or multi-dark-soliton excitations. It is also observed that for suitable parametric choices, the instability of single dark solitons can nucleate multi-dark-soliton states. Also, for other parametric regions, stable asymmetric sawtooth-like solutions exist. These are shown to emerge through a symmetry-breaking bifurcation from bubble-like solutions that we also explore. We also consider the dragging of a defect through the condensate and the interference of two initially separated condensates, both of which are capable of nucleating dark multisoliton dynamical states.
Non-linguistic influences on rates of disfluency in spontaneous speech

We investigate how non-linguistic factors influence rates of disfluency in spontaneous speech in a set of task-oriented dialogues (the HCRC Map Task Corpus). The factors we consider are: sex of the speaker; sex of the addressee; conversational role; ability to see the addressee; familiarity with the addressee; and practice at the task. Our analyses examined disfluency rate (the number of disfluencies per 100 intended words) and discard rate (the number of reparandum words per 100 intended words) in a series of withinand between-speaker comparisons. Our results suggest that, perhaps unsurprisingly, these non-linguistic factors do influence speaker fluency. However, their influences may manifest themselves through complex interactions with other factors, and in some cases may only be apparent for particular measures of disfluency or particular types of disfluency. The work has implications for both psychological and computational models of speech production and perception.
Moments of the Dividend Payments and Related Problems in a Markov-Modulated Risk Model

Abstract In this paper we derive some results on the dividend payments prior to ruin in a Markovmodulated risk process in which the rate for the Poisson claim arrival process and the distribution of the claim sizes vary in time depending on the state of an underlying (external) Markov jump process {J(t); t ≥ 0}. The main feature of the model is the flexibility in modeling the arrival process in the sense that periods with very frequent arrivals and periods with very few arrivals may alternate, and that the states of {J(t); t ≥ 0} could describe, for example, epidemic types in health insurance or weather conditions in car insurance. A system of integro-differential equations with boundary conditions satisfied by the nth moment of the present value of the total dividends prior to ruin, given the initial environment state, is derived and solved. We show that the probabilities that the surplus process attains a dividend barrier from the initial surplus without first falling below zero and the Laplace transforms of the time that the surplus process first hits a barrier without ruin occurring can be expressed in terms of the solution of the above-mentioned system of integro-differential equations. In the two-state model, explicit results are obtained when both claim amounts are exponentially distributed.
Beyond the Campus: How Colleges and Universities Form Partnerships with their Communities

1. The Mission of Higher Education 2. Have Ivory Tower, Will Travel: The Univserity of Pennsylvania and West Philadelphia 3. Living Up to a People's University: San Francisco State University and the City of San Francisco 4. Community in the Roots: Xavier University and New Orleans 5. Just Getting By: Hostos Community College and the South Bronx 6. Comparisons and Conclusions
Role of Biofilm-Associated Protein Bap in the Pathogenesis of Bovine Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of intramammary infections, which frequently become chronic, associated with the ability of the bacteria to produce biofilm. Here, we report a relationship between the ability to produce chronic bovine mastitis and biofilm formation. We have classified bovine mastitis S. aureus isolates into three groups based on the presence of particular genetic elements required for biofilm formation: group 1 (ica+bap+), group 2 (ica+, bap negative), and group 3 (ica negative, bap negative). Overall, animals naturally infected with group 1 and 2 isolates had a lower milk somatic cell count than those infected with isolates of group 3. In addition, Bap-positive isolates were significantly more able to colonize and persist in the bovine mammary gland in vivo and were less susceptible to antibiotic treatments when forming biofilms in vitro. Analysis of the structural bap gene revealed the existence of alternate forms of expression of the Bap protein in S. aureus isolates obtained under field conditions throughout the animal's life. The presence of anti-Bap antibodies in serum samples taken from animals with confirmed S. aureus infections indicated the production of Bap during infection. Furthermore, disruption of the ica operon in a bap-positive strain had no effect on in vitro biofilm formation, a finding which strongly suggested that Bap could compensate for the deficiency of the PIA/PNAG product (a biofilm matrix polysaccharide). Altogether, these results demonstrate that, in the bovine intramammary gland, the presence of Bap may facilitate a biofilm formation connected with the persistence of S. aureus.
The Effect of Social Network Usage on the Formation of Social Capital : Based on Twitter, Facebook, KakaoStory

Social Network has common functions such as acting as primary platforms smoothing the sharing and distribution by combination with various contents. Hence, questionnaire has been conducted to users of all of Twitter, Facebook and KakaoStory, and the factors affected by each service are presented by statistical analyses of the survey and the results are resolved by dividing them into complete and instrumental social capital. This study will be able to provide a standard for users to select Social Network according to their purposes and contribute to development of new Social Network or improvement of existing ones.
Single image fog removal using bilateral filter

In this paper, a novel and efficient fog removal algorithm is proposed. Fog formation is due to attenuation and airlight. Attenuation reduces the contrast and airlight increases the whiteness in the scene. Proposed algorithm uses bilateral filter for the estimation of airlight and recover scene contrast. Qualitative and quantitative analysis demonstrate that proposed algorithm performs well in comparison with prior state of the art algorithms. Proposed algorithm is independent of the density of fog and does not require user intervention. It can handle color as well as gray images. Proposed algorithm has a wide application in tracking and navigation, consumer electronics and entertainment industries.
A Molecular Phylogeny of Hemiptera Inferred from Mitochondrial Genome Sequences

Classically, Hemiptera is comprised of two suborders: Homoptera and Heteroptera. Homoptera includes Cicadomorpha, Fulgoromorpha and Sternorrhyncha. However, according to previous molecular phylogenetic studies based on 18S rDNA, Fulgoromorpha has a closer relationship to Heteroptera than to other hemipterans, leaving Homoptera as paraphyletic. Therefore, the position of Fulgoromorpha is important for studying phylogenetic structure of Hemiptera. We inferred the evolutionary affiliations of twenty-five superfamilies of Hemiptera using mitochondrial protein-coding genes and rRNAs. We sequenced three mitogenomes, from Pyrops candelaria, Lycorma delicatula and Ricania marginalis, representing two additional families in Fulgoromorpha. Pyrops and Lycorma are representatives of an additional major family Fulgoridae in Fulgoromorpha, whereas Ricania is a second representative of the highly derived clade Ricaniidae. The organization and size of these mitogenomes are similar to those of the sequenced fulgoroid species. Our consensus phylogeny of Hemiptera largely supported the relationships (((Fulgoromorpha,Sternorrhyncha),Cicadomorpha),Heteroptera), and thus supported the classic phylogeny of Hemiptera. Selection of optimal evolutionary models (exclusion and inclusion of two rRNA genes or of third codon positions of protein-coding genes) demonstrated that rapidly evolving and saturated sites should be removed from the analyses.
Role of vaccination in the sustainability of healthcare systems

The use of vaccines to prevent diseases in children, adults, and the elderly results in fewer medical visits, diagnostic tests, treatments, and hospitalisations, which leads to substantial savings in healthcare costs each year in Europe and elsewhere. Vaccines also contribute to reducing resource utilisation by preventing nosocomial infections, such as rotavirus gastroenteritis, which can increase hospital stays by 4–12 days. Vaccination also has an important role in the prevention of cancers with, for example, human papillomavirus or hepatitis B vaccines. Since the financial impact of cancer is high for patients, healthcare systems, and society as a whole, any cases prevented will reduce this impact. Newer vaccines, such as the herpes zoster vaccine, can provide an answer to unmet medical needs by preventing and reducing the severity of shingles and associated post-herpetic neuralgia, which are difficult conditions to treat. Thus, in the context of increasing pressure on healthcare budgets, vaccination can contribute to the sustainability of healthcare systems through reduced and more efficient use of healthcare resources.
Initial Value Problems and Signature Change

We make a rigorous study of classical field equations on a two-dimensional signature-changing spacetime using the techniques of operator theory. Boundary conditions at the surface of signature change are determined by forming self-adjoint extensions of the Schrodinger Hamiltonian. We show that the initial-value problem for the Klein - Gordon equation on this spacetime is ill-posed, in the sense that its solutions are unstable. Furthermore, if the initial data are smooth and compactly supported away from the surface of signature change, the solution has a divergent -norm after finite time.
Nanocalcium-deficient hydroxyapatite–poly (ɛ-caprolactone)–polyethylene glycol–poly (ɛ-caprolactone) composite scaffolds

A bioactive composite of nano calcium-deficient apatite (n-CDAP) with an atom molar ratio of calcium to phosphate (Ca/P) of 1.50 and poly(ɛ-caprolactone)–poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL–PEG–PCL) was synthesized, and a composite scaffold was fabricated. The composite scaffolds with 40 wt% n-CDAP contained well interconnected macropores around 400 μm, and exhibited a porosity of 75%. The weight-loss ratio of the n-CDAP/PCL–PEG–PCL was significantly greater than nano hydroxyapatite (n-HA, Ca/P = 1.67)/PCL–PEG–PCL composite scaffolds during soaking into phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4) for 70 days, indicating that n-CDAP-based composite had good degradability compared with n-HA. The viability ratio of MG-63 cells was significantly higher on n-CDAP than n-HA-based composite scaffolds at 3 and 5 days. In addition, the alkaline phosphatase activity of the MG-63 cells cultured on n-CDAP was higher than n-HA-based composite scaffolds at 7 days. Histological evaluation showed that the introduction of n-CDAP into PCL–PEG–PCL enhanced the efficiency of new bone formation when the composite scaffolds were implanted into rabbit bone defects. The results suggested that the n-CDAP-based composite exhibits good biocompatibility, biodegradation, and osteogenesis in vivo.
People And Parliament In The European Union

1. Electoral Participation, Democracy, and Legitimacy in the European Union 2. The Extent and Nature of the Problem of Abstention in European Parliament Elections 3. Legitimacy and Participation 4. Interest, Knowledge, and Participation 5. The European Parliament: Power, Responsiveness, Image, and Participation 6. Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns 7. Turnout in Context: Variations among the Member States 8. Sources of Turnout and Abstention in the European Parliament 9. Conclusion: Participation, Democracy, and Legitimacy in the European Union
Enriching Trust Prediction Model in Social Network with User Rating Similarity

Trust management is an increasingly important issue in large social networks, where the amount of data is too extensive to be analysed by ordinary users. Hence there is an urgent need for research aiming at building automated systems that can support users in making their decisions concerning trust.This work is a preliminary implementation of selected ideas described in our previous research proposal which concerns taking a machine-learning approach to the problem of trust prediction in social networks.We report experiments conducted on a publicly available social network dataset epinions.com. The results indicate that i) it is possible to predict trust to some extent, but much room for improvement is present; ii) enriching the model with attributes based on similarity between users can significantly improve trust prediction accuracy for more similar users.
Designing graphical user interfaces integrating gestures

The world of today and its new technologies like smartphones, tablets, or any flat interaction surface has increasing the need for graphical user interfaces integrating gestural interaction in which 2D pen-based gestures are properly used. Integrating this interaction modality in streamlined software development represents a significant challenge for designers or developers: it requires important knowledge in gestures management, in deciding which gesture recognition algorithm should be used or refined for which types of gestures, or which usability knowledge should be used for supporting the development. These skills usually belong to experts for gesture interaction and not actors usually involved in user interface design process. In this paper, we present a structured method for facilitating the integration of gestures in graphical user interfaces by describing the roles of the gesture specialist and other stakeholders involved in the development life cycle, and the process of cooperation leading to the creation of a gesture-based user interface. The method consists of three pillars: a conceptual model for describing gestures on top of graphical user interfaces and its associated language, a step-wise approach for defining gestures depending on the end user's task, and a software that supports this approach. This method is exemplified with a running example in the area of document navigation.
Systems for Change in Literacy Education: A Guide to Professional Development

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Chern-Simons foam

Chern-Simons theory can be defined on a cell complex, such as a network of bubbles, which is not a (Hausdorff) manifold. Requiring gauge invariance determines the action, including interaction terms at the intersections, and imposes a relation between the coupling constants of the CS terms on adjacent cell walls. We also find simple conservation laws for charges at the intersections. CECS-PHY-08/14 email: steve-at-cecs.cl, z-at-cecs.cl
Dynamics of Recent Climate Change in the Arctic

The pattern of recent surface warming observed in the Arctic exhibits both polar amplification and a strong relation with trends in the Arctic Oscillation mode of atmospheric circulation. Paleoclimate analyses indicate that Arctic surface temperatures were higher during the 20th century than during the preceding few centuries and that polar amplification is a common feature of the past. Paleoclimate evidence for Holocene variations in the Arctic Oscillation is mixed. Current understanding of physical mechanisms controlling atmospheric dynamics suggests that anthropogenic influences could have forced the recent trend in the Arctic Oscillation, but simulations with global climate models do not agree. In most simulations, the trend in the Arctic Oscillation is much weaker than observed. In addition, the simulated warming tends to be largest in autumn over the Arctic Ocean, whereas observed warming appears to be largest in winter and spring over the continents.
Resolving Redundancy of Series Kinematic Chains through Imaginary Links

A new approach of redundancy resolution for dextero us robots intended for the operations in clustered ar as is proposed. These robots are modeled by series kinematic chains with a high numb er of degrees of freedom and are described by under determined systems of kinematic equations. The inverse problem has therefore an inf i ite number of solutions. The basic idea of the pr oposed approach is to for complement this system with some simple geometrical equations, which take the real existing decrease of the robot flexibility because of the tasks and/or workspace properties into consideration. Tha t is done by the addition of a corresponding number of imaginary links to the redundant open kinematic chain. The resulted multi-loop kinem atic structure is no more redundant. It has a simpl e structure and for many practical relevant kinematic chains with parallel and/or perp endicular joint axes admit an exact symbolic soluti n of the inverse kinematics in a closed form.
Assessing the Quality of Meta-models

Meta-models play a pivotal role in Model-Driven Engineering (MDE), as they define the abstract syntax of domain-specific languages, and hence, the structure of models. However, while they play a crucial role for the success of MDE projects, the community still lacks tools to check meta-model quality criteria, like design errors or adherence to naming conventions and best practices. In this paper, we present a language (mmSpec) and a tool (metaBest) to specify and check properties on meta-models and visualise the problematic elements. Then, we use them to evaluate over 295 meta-models of the ATL zoo by provisioning a library of 30 meta-model quality issues. Finally, from this evaluation, we draw recommendations for both MDE practitioners and meta-model tool builders.
Graph-based text database for knowledge discovery

While we expect to discover knowledge in the texts available on the Web, such discovery usually requires many complex analysis steps, most of which require different text handling operations such as similar text search or text clustering. Drawing an analogy from the relational data model, we propose a text representation model that simplifies the steps. The model represents texts in a formal manner, Subject Graphs, described herein, provides text handling operations whose inputs and outputs are identical in form, i.e. a set of subject graphs. We develop a graph-based text database, which is based on the model, and an interactive knowledge discovery system. Trials of the system show that it allows the user to interactively and intuitively discover knowledge in Web pages by combining text handling operations defined on subject graphs in various orders.
OO-Motivated Process Algebra: A Calculus for CORBA-like Systems

This paper is a proposal for a new two-tier calculus, designed to model aspects of CORBA-like systems at the CORBA object level. The higher object level known as Oompa abstracts away from the details of distribution (e.g. location and mobility), whereas the lower level, known as Loompa provides primitives for specifying these details. We present the syntax, and operational semantics, as well as two examples, a local invocation, and a remote one, to illustrate the features of the calculi. In the paper we also seek to justify our design decisions, both as to the nature of the calculi, and the need to develop same. A key strength of our approach is to maintain a close match between the level of object abstraction in Oompa/Loompa, and that found in conventional OO programming languages for CORBA systems.
The Rise of the Bureaucratic State

During its first 150 years, the American republic was not thought to have a "bureaucracy," and thus it would have been meaningless to refer to the problems" of a "bureaucratic state. " There were, of course, appointed civilian officials. Though only about 3,000 at the end of the Federalist period, there were about 95,000 by the time Grover Cleveland assumed office in 1881, and nearly half a million by 1925. Some aspects of these numerous officials were regarded as problems—notably, the standards by which they were appointed and the political loyalties to which they were held—but these were thought to be matters of proper character and good management. The great political and constitutional struggles were not over the power of the administrative apparatus, but over the power of the President, of Congress, and of the states.