Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Embedded system for fall detection using body-worn accelerometer and depth sensor

This paper presents an embedded system for fall detection using accelerometric data and depth maps. A real-time processing of motion data and depth maps is realized on a low-cost PandaBoard platform. In order to achieve detection of human falls with low computational cost the system performs a depth-based inferring about the fall event when person's movement is above some preset threshold. The performance of the system has been evaluated on our publicly available dataset consisting of synchronized depth maps and motion data. To investigate the detection accuracy in depth maps from different camera views the image sequences were simultaneously recorded by two Kinect sensors, where one of them was placed in the front of the scene, whereas the second one was located on the ceiling. The motion data were acquired by a body-worn accelerometer and transmitted wirelessly to the processing unit, responsible for both synchronization and recording or processing of the data.
Simultaneous Tracking of Rigid Head Motion and Non-rigid Facial Animation by Analyzing Local Features Statistically

A quick and reliable model-based head motion tracking scheme is presented. In this approach, rigid head motion and non-rigid facial animation are robustly tracked simultaneously by statistically analyzing the local regions of several representative facial features. The features are defined and operated based on a mesh model that helps maintain a global constraint on the local features and avoid the time-consuming appearance computation. A statistical model is computed from a moderate training set that is obtained by synthesizing different poses from a given standard initial image. During tracking, feature-based local distributions are obtained directly from the video frames and the troublesome feature detection or model rendering process is avoided. The observed distribution is compared with the pre-computed statistical model and the tracking is achieved by minimizing an error function based on the maximum likelihood principle. Experimental results show that this tracking strategy is robust to a wide range of head motion, facial animation and partial occlusion. The tracking can be conducted in nearly real-time and is easy to recover from failures.
Lisp50: The 50th birthday of lisp at OOPSLA 2008

In October 1958, John McCarthy published one in a series of reports about his then ongoing effort for designing a new programming language that would be especially suited for achieving artificial intelligence. That report was the first one to use the name LISP for this new programming language. 50 years later, Lisp is still in use. We would like to celebrate Lisp's 50 th birthday. OOPSLA 2008 is an excellent venue for such a celebration, because object-oriented programming benefitted heavily from Lisp ideas and because OOPSLA 2008 takes place in October, exactly 50 years after the name Lisp has been used publicly for the first time. We will have talks by John McCarthy himself, and numerous other influential Lispers from the past five decades. We will also take a look at the next 50 years of Lisp.
The role of vitamin D in maintaining bone health in older people

This review summarises aspects of vitamin D metabolism, the consequences of vitamin D deficiency, and the impact of vitamin D supplementation on musculoskeletal health in older age. With age, changes in vitamin D exposure, cutaneous vitamin D synthesis and behavioural factors (including physical activity, diet and sun exposure) are compounded by changes in calcium and vitamin D pathophysiology with altered calcium absorption, decreased 25-OH vitamin D [25(OH)D] hydroxylation, lower renal fractional calcium reabsorption and a rise in parathyroid hormone. Hypovitaminosis D is common and associated with a risk of osteomalacia, particularly in older adults, where rates of vitamin D deficiency range from 10–66%, depending on the threshold of circulating 25(OH)D used, population studied and season. The relationship between vitamin D status and osteoporosis is less clear. While circulating 25(OH)D has a linear relationship with bone mineral density (BMD) in some epidemiological studies, this is not consistent across all racial groups. The results of randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation on BMD are also inconsistent, and some studies may be less relevant to the older population, as, for example, half of participants in the most robust meta-analysis were aged under 60 years. The impact on BMD of treating vitamin D deficiency (and osteomalacia) is also rarely considered in such intervention studies. When considering osteoporosis, fracture risk is our main concern, but vitamin D therapy has no consistent fracture-prevention effect, except in studies where calcium is coprescribed (particularly in frail populations living in care homes). As a J-shaped effect on falls and fracture risk is becoming evident with vitamin D interventions, we should target those at greatest risk who may benefit from vitamin D supplementation to decrease falls and fractures, although the optimum dose is still unclear.
Active Learning of Classification Models with Likert-Scale Feedback

Annotation of classification data by humans can be a time-consuming and tedious process. Finding ways of reducing the annotation effort is critical for building the classification models in practice and for applying them to a variety of classification tasks. In this paper, we develop a new active learning framework that combines two strategies to reduce the annotation effort. First, it relies on label uncertainty information obtained from the human in terms of the Likert-scale feedback. Second, it uses active learning to annotate examples with the greatest expected change. We propose a Bayesian approach to calculate the expectation and an incremental SVM solver to reduce the time complexity of the solvers. We show the combination of our active learning strategy and the Likert-scale feedback can learn classification models more rapidly and with a smaller number of labeled instances than methods that rely on either Likert-scale labels or active learning alone.
Shapiro conjecture: Prompt or delayed collapse in the head-on collision of neutron stars?

We study the question of prompt versus delayed collapse in the head-on collision of two neutron stars. We show that the prompt formation of a black hole is possible, contrary to a conjecture of Shapiro which claims that collapse is delayed until after neutrino cooling. An understanding of the limitation of the conjecture is provided in terms of the many time scales involved in the problem. General relativistic simulations with the full set of Einstein equations coupled to the general relativistic hydrodynamic equations are carried out.
Verbale Verwerkingstaken bij Kinderen met een Taalontwikkelingsstoornis: Samenhang tussen de AWMA en de BRIEF

This study explored the cohesion between cognitive tests and behavior questionnaires relating to verbal processing tasks. Thirty-six monoand bilingual children with specific language impairment between ages 9;3 and 13;0 years participated in this study. The participants completed the verbal processing tasks Listening Recall, Counting Recall and Backward Digit Recall of the Automated Working Memory Assessment (AWMA). The parents and teachers of the participants filled in the working memory scale of respectively the parentand teacher questionnaire of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Correlation analysis showed a negligible, negative effect between the subtests of the AWMA and the working memory scale of the questionnaires of the BRIEF. An exception was the small, negative effect between Counting Recall and the teacher questionnaire. The results indicate no cohesion between these measuring instruments. A follow-up study with a larger sample based on international indications and the use of more cognitive tests and behavior questionnaires could provide more useful information.
Prevention of preterm birth: Harnessing science to address the global epidemic

This review summarizes the state of research on the causes of preterm birth, potential targets for prevention, and translational challenges and opportunities. Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide, but current interventions to prevent prematurity are largely ineffective. Preterm birth is increasingly recognized as an outcome that can result from a variety of pathological processes. Despite current research efforts, the mechanisms underlying these processes remain poorly understood and are influenced by a range of biological and environmental factors. Research with modern techniques is needed to understand the mechanisms responsible for preterm labor and birth and identify targets for diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. This review evaluates the state of reproductive science relevant to understanding the causes of preterm birth, identifies potential targets for prevention, and outlines challenges and opportunities for translating research findings into effective interventions.
Building the PDT-Vallex valency lexicon

In our contribution, we relate the development of a richly annotated corpus and a computational valency lexicon. Our valency lexicon, called PDT-Vallex (Hajič et al., 2003) has been created as a “byproduct” of the annotation of the Prague Dependency Treebank (PDT) but it became an important resource for further linguistic research as well as for computational processing of the Czech language. We will present a description of the verbal part of this lexicon (more than 5300 verbs with 8200 valency frames) that has been built on the basis of the PDT corpus. Rigorous approach and the linking of each verb occurrence to the valency lexicon has made it possible to verify and refine the very notion of valency as introduced in the Functional Generative Description theory (Sgall et al., 1986; Panevová, 1974-5). Every occurrence of a verb in the corpus contains a reference to its valency frame (i.e., to an entry in the PDT-Vallex valency lexicon). The annotators insert the verbs (verb senses) found in the course of the annotation and their associated valency frames into the lexicon, adding an example (or more examples) of its usage (directly from the corpus). They also insert a note that refers to another verb that has one of its valency frames related to the current one (a synonym/antonym, an aspectual counterpart, etc.). A functor as well as its surface realization is recorded in every slot of each valency frame. The mapping between the valency frame and its surface realization is generally quite complex (Hajič and Urešová, 2003). The surface realizations through the morphemic case, preposition and a case, and subordinate sentence are the most common. The valency frame is fully formalized to allow for automatic computerized processing of the valency dictionary entries. Verb complementations are marked for obligatoriness, and their surface realization is attached. The realization of inner participants (arguments) is always given in full, since there is no “standard” or “default” realization; free modifications’ (adjuncts’) realization need not be specified. The PDT-Vallex is available as part of the PDT version 2 published by the Linguistic Data Consortium (http://www.ldc.upenn.edu, LDC2006T01).
C59T mutation in exon 2 of monocytic leukemia-associated antigen-34 gene indicates a high risk of recurrence of acute myeloid leukemia

Monocytic leukemia-associated antigen-34 (MLAA-34) is a novel monocytic leukemia-associated antigen and a candidate oncogene. The aim of the present study was to investigate the involvement of the MLAA-34 gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). MLAA-34 expression level, chromosome location, gene copy number and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 40 patients with AML and 5 healthy volunteers were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence in situ hybridization and DNA sequencing. The effects of MLAA-34 mutation on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with AML were also analyzed. MLAA-34 was significantly upregulated in patients with AML when compared with volunteer controls, and this upregulation was associated with a C59T SNP site located in the second exon of MLAA-34. MLAA-34 was mapped to 13q14.2 and no translocation was observed in patients with AML. In addition, this SNP site is affinitive to the well-known molecular markers of AML, including Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 and DNA methyltransferase 3A, as well as extramedullary lesions, periphery leukocyte numbers, remission and cytogenetic abnormalities of patients with AML. Patients with AML with MLAA-34 C59T mutations had significantly shorter OS and PFS times compared with that of patients without C59T mutations. The present findings indicated that the MLAA-34 C59T mutation was a high-risk factor for recurrence of AML, and may be a candidate target for AML therapy.
Cache time-behavior analysis on AES

In a recent manuscript Dan Bernstein [Ber] claims the successful extraction of an AES key from a network server through another client computer. His side-channel attack was actually the most simplest conceivable timing analysis of AES. Although Bernstein gave no thorough analysis of his methodology or the underlying technique the paper contained the full C-source code. This was actually very useful to repeat, analyze and extend his experiments and technique. Our paper improves upon the work done by Bernstein in the following ways: 1. We present a thorough analysis of his used methodology hereby formally proving why and how his technique works. From this analysis we also derive a general limit on the number of derivable key bits through his technique which depends on the architecture of the underlying CPU. 2. We show the results of several important practical experiments. Those undermine first that the pure Bernstein technique cannot extract in practice all key bits — even when the sample space is drastically increased. Second, they give evidence, that the Bernstein technique itself cannot be changed simply into a real remote side-channel analysis — by just letting the client computer measuring himself the round trip times of his queries to the server. 3. Motivated by the above shortcomings of Bernstein’s technique we improve upon his technique: while he uses only first round information, we show how to use this first round information to extract second round information. Thus, using a much lower number of samples this second round analysis allows for a direct full AES key recovery through simple overall timing measurements. Our results aim at solving two fundamental open problems related to this kind of AES sidechannel analysis: i. ) What are appropriate AES software implementations combating those AES side-channel vulnerabilities? ii. ) Is a truly remote AES key recovery through timing analysis really possible?
2D CLAFIC Subspace Technique in Probabilistic Speaker Verification

User-specific subspace method in speaker recognition, such as CLAFIC is used to construct the individual subspace which represents the distinct spectral characteristic for each speaker. It concatenates the speech matrices side by side before forming the correlation matrix. In this paper, we proposed a new method, coined as Probabilistic 2D CLAFIC which applied a straightforward two-dimensional (2D) speech matrix for feature dimension reduction to improve the discrimination and reduce the computation complexity. Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) is used instead of norm of the projected feature in conventional CLAFIC to boost up the performance. Experimental results showed that our proposed method attained an encouraging performance with the best Equal Error Rate (EER) of 0.56% with full feature dimension, and EER of 2.98% with 50% reduction of feature dimension compare to baseline GMM, 5.36%.
Endotracheal intubation in elective cervical surgery

Background: We compared the effectiveness and safety of endotracheal intubation using the GlideScope (GS) video laryngoscope, CTrach laryngeal mask airway (LMA), or Shikani optical stylet rigid laryngoscope (SOS) during elective cervical surgery. Methods: Forty-five patients undergoing elective cervical surgery were randomly and equally assigned to endotracheal intubation via GS, LMA, or SOS airway management. Results: Endotracheal intubation was successfully completed in all patients. The mean intubation times of the groups differed significantly (P < .01): GS, 17.9 ± 3.1 s; SOS, 40.4 ± 13.7 s; and LMA, 80.5 ± 22.5 s. The groups had similar heart rates and mean arterial pressures throughout the intubation, except that at 2 minutes after intubation the mean arterial pressure of the GS group (106.1 ± 18.5 mm Hg) was significantly higher than that of the LMA (89.7 ± 18.5 mm Hg) or SOS (89.7 ± 18.5 mm Hg; P < .01). The change in C2–5 Cobb angle from baseline was significantly higher in the GS group (GS, 34.2° ± 7.3°) than the LMA (24.4° ± 5.8°) or SOS (25.5° ± 6.4°); P < . 01). Conclusions: The CTrach LMA and SOS rigid laryngoscope are effective, safe alternatives to the GS video laryngoscope for patients undergoing elective cervical surgery.
Angiotensin II revisited: new roles in inflammation, immunology and aging

That the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in regulation of blood pressure, vasoconstriction, sodium intake and potassium excretion is well established. Studies in the last few years have however documented new roles for this molecule as a pro‐inflammatory molecule and more recently as a possible pro‐fibrotic agent that contributes to progressive deterioration of organ function in disease. Binding of Ang II to its receptors (in particular AT1) mediates intracellular free radical generation that contributes to tissue damage by promoting mitochondrial dysfunction. Blocking Ang II signalling protects against neurodegenerative processes and promotes longevity in rodents. Altogether these findings open the unanticipated perspective for exploring Ang II signalling in therapeutic interventions in inflammatory diseases and aging‐related tissue injury. This review extends from the discovery of Ang II and its implications in renal and cardiovascular physiology to cover the roles of the system in inflammation, tissue injury, autoimmunity, oxidative stress and aging.
Something in the Way She Moves: A Fresh Look at an Old Gap

Most studies of the gender pay gap use cross-section earnings functions to apply a Oaxaca decomposition into the contributions of differences in characteristics and coefficients. But the accounts that these studies provide of the gender pay gap are often hard to relate to more informal stories told about the sources of women's disadvantage in the labour market. In this paper we show how one can use a minimal amount of panel data to decompose average earnings into the contribution of the average starting wage for workers entering paid work from non-employment, average wage growth for those in continuous employment and the fraction of workers entering employment. We use this decomposition to try to identify the source of the pay gap between men and women and the gap between full-time and part-time women using data drawn from the British Household Panel Survey. Comparing men and women we find no significant differences in wage growth whilst in continuous employment so that the source of the gender pay gap comes from the entrant pay gap and the share of entrants. Looking at longer-run changes suggests that we would expect to see a further narrowing of the gap. Comparing full- and part-time women there is no difference in entry pay shares and little difference in wage growth so that the bulk of the differential can be explained in terms of the fact that part-time women are much more likely to be entrants.
Problems of Reproducibility in Complex Mind-Matter Systems

Systems exhibiting relationships between mental states and material states, briefly mind-matter systems, offer epistemological and methodological problems exceeding those of systems involving mental states or material states alone. Some of these problems can be addressed by proceeding from standard first-order approaches to more sophisticated second-order approaches. These can illuminate questions of reference and validity, and their ramifications for the topic of reproducibility. For various situations in complex systems it is shown that second-order approaches need to be employed. Considering mind- matter systems as generalized complex systems provides some guidelines for analyzing the problem of reproducibility in such systems from a novel perspective.
A functional quantum programming language

We introduce the language QML, a functional language for quantum computations on finite types. Its design is guided by its categorical semantics: QML programs are interpreted by morphisms in the category FQC of finite quantum computations, which provides a constructive semantics of irreversible quantum computations realisable as quantum gates. QML integrates reversible and irreversible quantum computations in one language, using first order strict linear logic to make weakenings explicit. Strict programs are free from decoherence and hence preserve superpositions and entanglement -which is essential for quantum parallelism.
Scheduling using interactive oracles: connection between iterative optimization and low-complexity scheduling

Since Tassiulas and Ephremides proposed the maximum weight scheduling algorithm of throughput-optimality for constrained queueing networks in 1992, extensive research efforts have been made for resolving its high complexity issue under various directions. In this paper, we resolve this issue by developing a generic framework for designing throughput-optimal and low-complexity scheduling algorithms. Under the framework, an algorithm updates current schedules via an interaction with a given oracle system that generates a solution of a certain discrete optimization problem in a finite number of interactive queries. The complexity of the resulting algorithm is decided by the number of operations required for an oracle processing a single query, which is typically very small. Somewhat surprisingly, we prove that an algorithm using any such oracle is throughput-optimal for general constrained queueing network models that arise in the context of emerging large-scale communication networks. To our best knowledge, our result is the first that establishes a rigorous connection between iterative optimization methods and low-complexity scheduling algorithms, which we believe provides various future directions and new insights in both areas.