Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EgoTransfer: Transferring Motion Across Egocentric and Exocentric Domains using Deep Neural Networks

Mirror neurons have been observed in the primary motor cortex of primate species, in particular in humans and monkeys. A mirror neuron fires when a person performs a certain action, and also when he observes the same action being performed by another person. A crucial step towards building fully autonomous intelligent systems with human-like learning abilities is the capability in modeling the mirror neuron. On one hand, the abundance of egocentric cameras in the past few years has offered the opportunity to study a lot of vision problems from the first-person perspective. A great deal of interesting research has been done during the past few years, trying to explore various computer vision tasks from the perspective of the self. On the other hand, videos recorded by traditional static cameras, capture humans performing different actions from an exocentric third-person perspective. In this work, we take the first step towards relating motion information across these two perspectives. We train models that predict motion in an egocentric view, by observing it from an exocentric view, and vice versa. This allows models to predict how an egocentric motion would look like from outside. To do so, we train linear and nonlinear models and evaluate their performance in terms of retrieving the egocentric (exocentric) motion features, while having access to an exocentric (egocentric) motion feature. Our experimental results demonstrate that motion information can be successfully transferred across the two views.
Coordinating declarative queries with a direct manipulation data exploration environment

Interactive visualization techniques allow data exploration to be a continuous process, rather than a discrete sequence of queries and results as in traditional database systems. However limitations in expressive power of current visualization systems force users to go outside the system and form a new dataset in order to perform certain operations, such as those involving the relationship among multiple objects. Further, there is no support for integrating data from the new dataset into previous visualizations, so users must recreate them. Visage's information centric paradigm provides an architectural hook for linking data across multiple queries, removing this overhead. This paper describes the addition to Visage of a visual query language, called VQE, which allows users to express more complicated queries than in previous interactive visualization systems. Visualizations can be created from queries and vice versa. When either is updated, the other changes to maintain consistency.
Performance Analysis of Contention Based Bandwidth Request Mechanisms in WiMAX Networks

WiMAX networks have received wide attention as they support high data rate access and amazing ubiquitous connectivity with great quality-of-service (QoS) capabilities. In order to support QoS, bandwidth request (BW-REQ) mechanisms are suggested in the WiMAX standard for resource reservation, in which subscriber stations send BW-REQs to a base station which can grant or reject the requests according to the available radio resources. In this paper we propose a new analytical model for the performance analysis of various contention based bandwidth request mechanisms, including grouping and no-grouping schemes, as suggested in the WiMAX standard. Our analytical model covers both unsaturated and saturated traffic load conditions in both error-free and error-prone wireless channels. The accuracy of this model is verified by various simulation results. Our results show that the grouping mechanism outperforms the no-grouping mechanism when the system load is high, but it is not preferable when the system load is light. The channel noise degrades the performance of both throughput and delay.
User Profile Modeling and Learning

A major theme of Information Science and Technology research is the study of personalization. The key issue of personalization is the problem of understanding human behaviour and its simulation by machines, in a sense that machines can treat users as individuals with respect to their distinct personalities, preferences, goals and so forth. The general fields of research in personalization are user modeling and adaptive systems, which can be traced back to the late 70s, with the use of models of agents by Perrault, Allen, and Cohen (1978) and the introduction of stereotypes by Rich (1979). With the wide progress in hardware and telecommunications technologies that has led to a vast increase in the services, volume and multimodality (text and multimedia) of content, in the last decade, the need for personalization systems is critical, in order to enable both consumers to manage the volume and complexity of available information and vendors to be competitive in the market.
Life History and Demographic Drivers of Reservoir Competence for Three Tick-Borne Zoonotic Pathogens

Animal and plant species differ dramatically in their quality as hosts for multi-host pathogens, but the causes of this variation are poorly understood. A group of small mammals, including small rodents and shrews, are among the most competent natural reservoirs for three tick-borne zoonotic pathogens, Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia microti, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, in eastern North America. For a group of nine commonly-infected mammals spanning >2 orders of magnitude in body mass, we asked whether life history features or surrogates for (unknown) encounter rates with ticks, predicted reservoir competence for each pathogen. Life history features associated with a fast pace of life generally were positively correlated with reservoir competence. However, a model comparison approach revealed that host population density, as a proxy for encounter rates between hosts and pathogens, generally received more support than did life history features. The specific life history features and the importance of host population density differed somewhat between the different pathogens. We interpret these results as supporting two alternative but non-exclusive hypotheses for why ecologically widespread, synanthropic species are often the most competent reservoirs for multi-host pathogens. First, multi-host pathogens might adapt to those hosts they are most likely to experience, which are likely to be the most abundant and/or frequently bitten by tick vectors. Second, species with fast life histories might allocate less to certain immune defenses, which could increase their reservoir competence. Results suggest that of the host species that might potentially be exposed, those with comparatively high population densities, small bodies, and fast pace of life will often be keystone reservoirs that should be targeted for surveillance or management.
The Impact of System Effects on Estimates of Faraday Rotation From Synthetic Aperture Radar Measurements

Radio waves traversing the Earth's ionosphere suffer from Faraday rotation with noticeable effects on measurements from lower frequency space-based radars, but these effects can be easily corrected given estimates of the Faraday rotation angle, i.e., Ω. Several methods to derive Ω from polarimetric measurements are known, but they are affected by system distortions (crosstalk and channel imbalance) and noise. A first-order analysis for the most robust Faraday rotation estimator leads to a differentiable expression for the bias in the estimate of Ω in terms of the amplitudes and phases of the distortion terms and the covariance properties of the target. The analysis applies equally to L-band and P-band. We derive conditions on the amplitudes and phases of the distortion terms that yield the maximum bias and a compact expression for its value for the important case where Ω = 0. Exact simulations confirm the accuracy of the first-order analysis and verify its predictions. Conditions on the distortion amplitudes that yield a given maximum bias are derived numerically, and the maximum bias is shown to be insensitive to the amplitude of the channel imbalance terms. These results are important not just for correcting polarimetric data but also for assessing the accuracy of the estimates of the total electron content derived from Faraday rotation.
Analysis and Design of Optimal Admission Control Policies in Multiservice Cellular Networks

Forthcoming cellular networks will provide multimedia services along with QoS guarantees. In this context admission control is a key aspect in the design and operation of such systems. In this paper we consider several admission control policies together with appropriate algorithms for their analysis and design. We conclude that the family of randomized stationary policies provide the required versatility to adapt to several goals for both network planning and operation. Appropriate algorithms stem from the fact that randomized stationary policies can be suitably analyzed and adjusted by means of Markov decision processes theory and linear programming techniques.
Green Optical Communications—Part II: Energy Limitations in Networks

This is Part II of a two-part paper that explores the fundamental limitations on energy consumption in optical communications. Part I covers energy consumption in optical transport. Part II explores the lower bound on energy consumption in optical switches and networks, analyzes the energy performance of a range of switching devices, and presents quantitative models of the lower bounds on energy consumption in these devices. These models are incorporated into a simple model of a global switched network and the lower bound on total network energy consumption is estimated. We compare the results of this bottom-up calculation of the lower bound on network energy with a previous top-down analysis of overall network energy consumption based on real-world data for state-of-the art equipment and “business-as-usual” forward projections. The present analysis confirms a previous finding in that in a global scale network, the energy consumption of the switching infrastructure is larger than the energy consumption of the transport infrastructure. We find that the theoretical lower bounds on transport energy identified in Part I and the switching energy in this paper are more than three orders of magnitude lower than predicted by a “business-as-usual” analysis. In this paper, we explore how the gap between the theoretical lower bounds on energy consumption and current trends in network energy efficiency can be closed. We argue that future research needs to focus on improving the energy efficiency of switching and on devising methods to reduce the quantity of switching infrastructure in the network. Further key strategies for reducing network energy consumption include developing of low-energy transport technologies, reducing the energy overheads associated with peripheral functions that are not central to the transport and switching of data, and reducing the energy consumption of the access network.
Effects of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormones, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone, and Vasopressin on Female Sexual Behavior

The effects of intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of four neuropeptides on female sexual behavior were examined in the female musk shrew (Suncus murinus). In the first experiment, (icv) infusion of 100 ng of the mammalian form of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (mGnRH) facilitated rapid display of receptivity. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone-infused females had shorter latencies to rump present and tail wag, compared with controls. In a second experiment, icv administration of the other form of GnRH present in musk shrew brain, the chicken GnRH-II form, produced no changes in female behavior relative to the control condition. In Experiment 3, icv delivery of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) facilitated female sexual behavior, relative to vasopressin and controls. The females treated with CRH had shorter latencies to display rump present, tail wag, and for the receipt of the first missed intromission compared with females in the other treatment groups. Vasopressin increased female scent marking relative to that of CRH-treated females. These data indicate that neurohormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes can facilitate reproductive behavior in S. murinus.
Regulation of N-WASP and the Arp2/3 Complex by Abp1 Controls Neuronal Morphology

Polymerization and organization of actin filaments into complex superstructures is indispensable for structure and function of neuronal networks. We here report that knock down of the F-actin-binding protein Abp1, which is important for endocytosis and synaptic organization, results in changes in axon development virtually identical to Arp2/3 complex inhibition, i.e., a selective increase of axon length. Our in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that Abp1 interacts directly with N-WASP, an activator of the Arp2/3 complex, and releases the autoinhibition of N-WASP in cooperation with Cdc42 and thereby promotes N-WASP-triggered Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin polymerization. In line with our mechanistical studies and the colocalization of Abp1, N-WASP and Arp2/3 at sites of actin polymerization in neurons, we reveal an essential role of Abp1 and its cooperativity with Cdc42 in N-WASP-induced rearrangements of the neuronal cytoskeleton. We furthermore show that introduction of N-WASP mutants lacking the ability to bind Abp1 or Cdc42, Arp2/3 complex inhibition, Abp1 knock down, N-WASP knock down and Arp3 knock down, all cause identical neuromorphological phenotypes. Our data thus strongly suggest that these proteins and their complex formation are important for cytoskeletal processes underlying neuronal network formation.
The role of left inferior frontal Gyrus in the integration of point- ing gestures and speech

Comprehension of pointing gestures is fundamental to human communication. However, the neural mechanisms that subserve the integration of pointing gestures and speech in visual contexts in comprehension are unclear. Here we present the results of an fMRI study in which participants watched images of an actor pointing at an object while they listened to her referential speech. The use of a mismatch paradigm revealed that the semantic unification of pointing gesture and speech in a triadic context recruits left inferior frontal gyrus. Complementing previous findings, this suggests that left inferior frontal gyrus semantically integrates information across modalities and semiotic domains.
Threshold level approach for streamflow drought analysis in the Central Andes of Argentina: a climatological assessment

ABSTRACT A streamflow drought climatology was developed over the Central Andes of Argentina, a semi-arid region highly vulnerable to climatic variations, based on the analysis of daily historical streamflow records. A threshold level approach was applied on a daily basis for three different severity levels in order to depict the main characteristics of droughts – number of drought events, mean duration and mean severity – over the period 1957–2014. Based on three annual indices that summarize the frequency of drought events, their duration and severity, we identified the main regional dry periods and the main modes of variability through an empirical decomposition. These modes are linked to La Niña conditions on inter-annual time scales and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation for the decadal variations, showing the influence of the tropical Pacific Ocean in the development of streamflow drought conditions and its relevance for potential predictability of hydroclimatic variations over the region.
The Tea Catechin Epigallocatechin Gallate Suppresses Cariogenic Virulence Factors of Streptococcus mutans

ABSTRACT Streptococcus mutans, the primary etiologic agent of dental caries, possesses a series of virulence factors associated with its cariogenicity. Alternatives to traditional antimicrobial treatment, agents selectively inhibiting the virulence factors without necessarily suppressing the resident oral species, are promising. The anticariogenic properties of tea have been suggested in experimental animals and humans. Tea polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), have been shown to inhibit the growth and glucosyltransferases activity of S. mutans. However, their effects on biofilm and cariogenic virulence factors of oral streptococci other than glucosyltransferases have not been well documented. In this study, we investigated the biological effect of EGCg on the virulence factors of S. mutans associated with its acidogenicity and acidurity. The antimicrobial effects of EGCg on S. mutans biofilm grown in chemically defined medium were also examined. EGCg inhibited growth of S. mutans planktonic cells at an MIC of 31.25 μg/ml and a minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 62.5 μg/ml. EGCg also inhibited S. mutans biofilm formation at 15.6 μg/ml (minimum concentration that showed at least 90% inhibition of biofilm formation) and reduced viability of the preformed biofilm at 625 μg/ml (sessile MIC80). EGCg at sub-MIC levels inhibited acidogenicity and acidurity of S. mutans cells. Analysis of the data obtained from real-time PCR showed that EGCg significantly suppressed the ldh, eno, atpD, and aguD genes of S. mutans UA159. Inhibition of the enzymatic activity of F1Fo-ATPase and lactate dehydrogenase was also noted (50% inhibitory concentration between 15.6 and 31.25 μg/ml). These findings suggest that EGCg is a natural anticariogenic agent in that it exhibits antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and suppresses the specific virulence factors associated with its cariogenicity.
Tactical combat casualty care: Strategic issues of a serious simulation game development

Serious game techniques permit rapid development of cost effective educational software but face two apparently conflicting objectives: efficiently teaching extremely complex subject matter (such as emergency medical care for a severely wounded, dying casualty) yet enhancing learning motivation by emphasizing game entertainment value. Our development strategy for a battlefield first aid training game for the German Federal Armed Forces resolves this contradiction by relying on separate development teams working in parallel, a pedagogical expert team concentrating on deciding how and in which form the medical principles are to be taught, and a game developer team best able to package that subject-matter in an attractive game with a motivating storyboard and an appealing graphics environment. After an overview of existing battlefield first aid training games and of the essential battlefield first aid procedures to be implemented and simulated, this paper presents concrete elements of our dual-team game development and modeling choices.
Regression Testing of Component-Based Software: A Systematic Practise Based on State Testing

Component-based software systems consist of various components, such as third-party components and in-house built components. Component changes frequently occur in software maintenance, which refers to regression testing. When changes made to a component, the component could be affected, moreover, the changes could bring impacts on the entire system. Related existing research did not address the issue of systematic regression testing of component-based software, especially at system level. This paper proposes a systematic regression testing method from components to system, including analysis of change, impact and test suite refreshment. The paper also reports a case study based on a realistic component-based software system using a state-based testing practice, which shows that the approach is feasible and effective.
An array-oriented (APL) wish list: ideas I think may be useful

The fundamental, data structure in APL is the array. Arrays are, in most APL dialects, the only data structure, from scalars as arrays with no dimensions to the complex structures of nested arrays. But there are other ways in which array concepts could be applied, yet so far they have not. These are the top items on my "Array-Oriented Wish List". Less fundamental---but far easier to implement---should be certain operators and functions I propose, which I think would enhance the power of existing array operations. Some of these already exist in one or more dialects of APL, and I think all would benefit if they were universally adopted.In this suite of proposals, some are general, others more specific, and some could interact with each other in positive synergy, but none of them requires any of the others to be useful. In some cases, I suggest potential variants, each reasonable in its own right.The purpose of this paper is to present the concepts. In most cases, I don't attempt to go into details of implementation. That would require a much more extensive treatment of each concept. I hope that others---especially implementers---might take up the challenge.
Measuring Marketing Effects on Customer Equity for Frequently Purchased Brands

The customer equity paradigm is readily implemented in relationship businesses where the distinction between a prospect and an existing customer is unambiguous. That enables firms in such industries to be customer and long-term focused in the allocation of their marketing resources. This is not the case in frequently purchased product categories, where customers may switch back and forth between competing brands, and even consume multiple brands in the same time period. However, by adopting an always-a-share customer definition and using a probabilistic classification of active and inactive customers, we demonstrate that measures of customer equity may still be obtained in such categories, using readily available scanner panel data. We illustrate our approach for the leading national and private-label brands in two CPG categories and show that the brands’ sources of customer equity and the impact of their marketing activities are very different. As a result, the brands’ customer equity levels may be evolving in different directions that are not readily apparent. We discuss the managerial implications of our findings and offer several areas for future research.
A Random Walk Model for Item Recommendation in Folksonomies

Social tagging, as a novel approach to information organization and discovery, has been widely adopted in many Web2.0 applications. The tags provide a new type of information that can be exploited by recommender systems. Nevertheless, the sparsity of ternary interaction data limits the performance of tag-based collaborative filtering. This paper proposes a random-walk-based algorithm to deal with the sparsity problem in social tagging data, which captures the potential transitive associations between users and items through their interaction with tags. In particular, two smoothing strategies are presented from both the user-centric and item-centric perspectives. Experiments on real-world data sets empirically demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm.
Using the Workflow Technology in Secure Software Engineering Education

Security has become an increasingly important topic in software engineering. In this paper, an approach of using the workflow technology in teaching secure software engineering courses is presented. This approach can free students from lowlevel tools manipulation and command line interactions so that students can focus on learning the important secure software principles. Four case studies using the workflow technology, including using a local static analysis tool for code review, using a remote tool for code analysis, integrating local and remote tools, and implementing a web service fuzzer for penetration tests, are presented. Our educational practice has shown that the benefits of using the workflow technology in teaching secure software engineering classes have been well received by the