Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Screening-Off and Causal Incompleteness: A No-Go Theorem

We begin by considering two principles, each having the form causal completeness ergo screening-off. The first concerns a common cause of two or more effects; the second describes an intermediate link in a causal chain. They are logically independent of each other, each is independent of Reichenbach's principle of the common cause, and each is a consequence of the causal Markov condition. Simple examples show that causal incompleteness means that screening-off may fail to obtain. We derive a stronger result: in a rather general setting, if the composite cause C1 & C2 & … & Cn screens-off one event from another, then each of the n component causes C1, C2, …, Cn must fail to screen-off. The idea that a cause may be ordinally invariant in its impact on different effects is defined; it plays an important role in establishing this no-go theorem. Along the way, we describe how composite and component causes can all screen-off when ordinal invariance fails. We argue that this theorem is relevant to assessing the plausibility of the two screening-off principles. The discovery of incomplete causes that screen-off is not evidence that causal completeness must engender screening-off. Formal and epistemic analogies between screening-off and determinism are discussed. 1 Introduction 2 Influence and Non-degeneracy Conditions 3 A No-Go Theorem for Two Dichotomous Causes and its Limitations 4 A More General No-Go Theorem: Allowing Several Causes, Possibly Non-dichotomous 5 Examples Illustrating Corollary 3 and Theorem 5a 6 Determinism and Screening-Off: Disanalogy and Analogy Appendix 1 Introduction 2 Influence and Non-degeneracy Conditions 3 A No-Go Theorem for Two Dichotomous Causes and its Limitations 4 A More General No-Go Theorem: Allowing Several Causes, Possibly Non-dichotomous 5 Examples Illustrating Corollary 3 and Theorem 5a 6 Determinism and Screening-Off: Disanalogy and Analogy Appendix
Optimization design of orthogonal filter banks for image coding via multi-objective genetic algorithm

In this paper, we propose an optimisation method based on a multi-objective Genetic Algorithm (GA) for the design of orthogonal filter banks in an image coding scheme. A parameterization is used to achieve perfect reconstruction orthonormal FIR filter banks with a first order regularity. We search the optimal parameter set according to the coding gain, frequency selectivity and the group delay characteristics. Particularly, to design near linear phase filter banks, the group delay flatness in the filter pass-band is introduced as an objective to be minimised. We formulate the optimization problem as multi-objective and we use the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm approach (NSGAII) to solve this problem by searching solutions that achieve the best compromise between the different objectives criteria, these solutions are known as Pareto Optimal Solutions. From experimental results, our new optimal filter banks are shown to outperform significantly the Daubechies orthogonal filter banks for the majority of test images.
The effect of synchronisation errors on MC-CDMA performance

We investigate the sensitivity of MC-CDMA systems to synchronisation errors. We show that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the MC-CDMA system at the input of the decision device in the presence of a carrier frequency offset or a clock frequency offset is a rapidly decreasing function of the number of carriers. For a maximal load, carrier phase jitter and timing jitter give rise to a degradation that is independent of the spectral content of the jitter; moreover, the degradation caused by carrier phase jitter is independent of the number of carriers. A constant carrier phase offset and a constant timing offset cause no degradation of the MC-CDMA system performance.
Science drivers and requirements for an Advanced Technology Large Aperture Space Telescope (ATLAST): implications for technology development and synergies with other future facilities

The Advanced Technology Large-Aperture Space Telescope (ATLAST) is a concept for an 8-meter to 16-meter UVOIR space observatory for launch in the 2025-2030 era. ATLAST will allow astronomers to answer fundamental questions at the forefront of modern astronphysics, including "Is there life elsewhere in the Galaxy? " We present a range of science drivers that define the main performance requirements for ATLAST (8 to 16 milliarcsec angular resolution, diffraction limited imaging at 0.5 μm wavelength, minimum collecting area of 45 square meters, high sensitivity to light wavelengths from 0.1 μm to 2.4 μm, high stability in wavefront sensing and control). We will also discuss the synergy between ATLAST and other anticipated future facilities (e.g., TMT, EELT, ALMA) and the priorities for technology development that will enable the construction for a cost that is comparable to current generation observatory-class space missions.
Silka: a domestic technology to mediate the threshold between connection and solitude

Families living apart - with relatives and loved ones in different cities or countries - is not unusual. However, even though multiple communication technologies exist, communicating emotions can still be difficult. In this paper we present Silka: a device that supports long-distance communication by sending "smiles" and communicating presence in between traditional modes of communication, with the goal of enhancing bonds between two individuals or households. Silka's design is based on findings from an online survey, interviews and observations conducted to better understand how people communicate with loved ones and how they feel before and after communication. It aims to address worry and anxiety, which we found characterise the period between regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly calls.
Recursive and Non-Recursive Network Coding: Performance and Complexity

While network coding promises to increase throughput, network nodes incur increased complexity as they are relied on to perform packet mixing. Previous works have proposed to manage network-level complexity by reducing the number of network coding transport nodes. Here, we study the tradeoff between transport-node complexity and achievable throughput rates. We compare two encoding schemes: recursive and non-recursive. We show that due to the peculiarities of network coding, non-recursive coding achieves considerably higher rates, for comparable computational and storage requirements. We also show that by replacing multiplication with shifting, complexity is further reduced, with negligible impact on performance.
GRAPH CUTS IN 3 D MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA SEGMENTATION

Segmentation methods suitable for 3D image analysis are especially important in robotics and medical imaging, where 3D data acquisition is available. This paper focuses on graphcuts application in segmentation of the magnetic resonance images. The background of the implemented method is presented in the paper, followed by the evaluation of the method on real images for which the ground truth was determined by a technician and a radiologist.
DEFINABLE TYPES IN PRESBURGER ARITHMETIC

We consider the first order theory of (Z,+, <), also known as Presburger arithmetic. We prove a characterization of definable types in terms of prime models over realizations, which has a similar flavor to the Marker-Steinhorn Theorem of o-minimality. We also prove that a type over a model is definable if and only if it has a unique coheir to any elementary extension, which is a characterization of definable types that Presburger arithmetic shares with stable theories and o-minimal theories. 1. Presburger Arithmetic Let L = {+,−, 0, 1, <} and let TPr = Th(Z,+,−, 0, 1, <). Note that all integers in Z are definable from + and <. We specify the following definable relations: (1) For n ∈ Z, a unary predicate Pn defining the elements divisible by n, i.e., TPr |= ∀x(Pn(x)↔ ∃y ny = x). (2) For n ∈ Z, a binary relation ≡n defining congruence mod n, i.e. TPr |= ∀x∀y(x ≡n y ↔ Pn(x− y)). Note that nx is shorthand for x+ . + x (n times). We will also use n|x to mean Pn(x). Theorem 1.1. [2] TPr has quantifier elimination in the language L ∪ {Pn : n ∈ Z}. See [2, Section 3.1] for more details on TPr, including a full axiomatization in L ∪ {Pn : n ∈ Z}. An important property of TPr, which is shown in [1] and follows easily from quantifier elimination, is that it is quasi-o-minimal, i.e., for any M |= TPr, any definable subset of M (in one dimension) is a Boolean combination of ∅-definable sets and intervals with endpoints in M. For the rest of this section, let M |= TPr. Definition 1.2. Let a, b ∈M with a < b. For n ∈ Z, set |b− a| = n if M |= ∃! n−1x a < x < b. If there is no such n, set |b− a| =∞. Set |b− a| = 0 for a = b; and let |a− b| = |b− a|. Date: March 26, 2013. 1
Querying XML data streams from wireless sensor networks: An evaluation of query engines

As the deployment of wireless sensor networks increase and their application domain widens, the opportunity for effective use of XML filtering and streaming query engines is ever more present. XML filtering engines aim to provide efficient real-time querying of streaming XML encoded data. This paper provides a detailed analysis of several such engines, focusing on the technology involved, their capabilities, their support for XPath and their performance. Our experimental evaluation identifies which filtering engine is best suited to process a given query based on its properties. Such metrics are important in establishing the best approach to filtering XML streams on-the-fly.
Automatically Assessing Personality from Speech

In this paper, we present first results on applying a personality assessment paradigm to speech input, and comparing human and automatic performance on this task. We cue a professional speaker to produce speech using different personality profiles and encode the resulting vocal personality impressions in terms of the "Big Five" NEO-FFI personality traits. We then have human raters, who do not know the speaker, estimate the five factors. We analyze the recordings using signal-based acoustic and prosodic methods and observe high consistency between the acted personalities, the raters' assessments, and initial automatic classification results. This presents a first step towards being able to handle personality traits in speech, which we envision will be used in future voice-based communication between humans and machines.
A humanoid robot for coaching patients for physical rehabilitation exercises

50 to 80% of the world population suffers at a given moment from back pain, which makes it in the lead in terms of health problems occurrence frequency [1,2]. It is the third common cause of disabling condition in the 45-65 years old population, whose proportion in European societies keeps rising. This incurs growing concern, as medical professionals will not be able to face this increasing demand for healthcare.
Probabilistic Localization and Mapping for Mobile Robots

The ability of a mobile robot to localize itself in the environment is a prerequisite for autonomous navigation.This is accomplished by using different sensors. Unfortunately all sensors’ measurements are noisy and suffer from errors. Thus it is essential to combine several sensors to reduce the errors and also compensate for the shortcomings of individual sensors by means of multi-sensor fusion and simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM).
False discovery rate controller for functional brain parcellation

Parcellation of brain imaging data is desired for proper neurological interpretation in resting-state functional-magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data. Some methods require specifying a number of parcels and using model selection to determine the number of parcels on a rs-fMRI dataset. However, this generalization does not fit with all subjects in a given dataset. A method has been proposed using parametric formulas for the distribution of modularity in random networks to determine the statistical significance between parcels. In this paper, we propose an agglomerative clustering algorithm using parametric formulas for the distribution of modularity in random networks, coupled with a false discovery rate (FDR) controller to parcellate rs-fMRI data. The proposed method combines FDR to reduce the number of false positives and incorporates spatial information to ensure the regions are spatially contiguous. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed FDR controlled method yields more accurate results when compared with existing methods. We also applied the proposed method to real a rs-fMRI dataset and found that it obtained higher reproducibility compared to the Ward hierarchical clustering method.
iSCAPS - Innovative Smart Car Park System integrated with NFC technology and e-Valet function

Innovative Smart Car Parking System (iSCAPS) integrated with e-Valet technology is proposed in this paper. The e-Valet function works just like how a valet parking would function. It ensures parking lot availability for the incoming customer. Beforehand, the smart phone is installed with the android apps to fully enjoy the functions of iSCAPS. By using the mobile apps, customer may reserve parking lot in advance, to enable the customer to park at a later time. Instead of using the conventional “Season Pass” or ticket, iSCAPS uses the Near Field Communication (NFC) function of smart phone as parking ticket. With the mobile apps, communication will occur when the smart phone is placed near the NFC reader. Therefore, customer only needs to tap the smart phone on the designated reader to enter the car park and tap again on the way out to complete payment. Arduino microcontroller is used as the brain of the system and control the input output of the system. Furthermore, vehicle searching function is included, which helps customers to locate their vehicle when forgotten. With the proposed iSCAPS the usage of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) cards and paper tickets will be eliminated resulting lower cost, more convenience and eco-friendly.
The N-Terminal Domain of EspF Induces Host Cell Apoptosis after Infection with Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) employs a type III secretion system (TTSS) to export the translocator and effector proteins required for mucosal colonization. As an important bacterial effector protein in locus of enterocyte effacement four, the EspF protein causes F-actin filament aggregations to form attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions, and induces the destruction of brush-border microvilli and cytoskeletal rearrangements to form pedestals. However, the molecular pathogenesis of A/E lesions due to EHEC O157:H7 infection is unclear. In this study, we constructed an espF-deficient mutant (ΔespF) with a 162-bp deletion in the N-terminal domain by using overlap extension PCR. The results showed that EHEC EspF translocated into intestinal epithelial cells, targeted mitochondria and induced apoptosis. The ΔespF mutant, compared to EHEC prototype Guangzhou strain, had lower cell attachment and effacement abilities, lower caspase-9/3 and lactate dehydrogenase levels, lower bacterial adhesion, weaker mitochondria apoptosis, and a higher mouse survival rate. Our results demonstrate the probable function of the EspF N-terminal domain, which targets mitochondria and binds mitochondria heat shock protein 70 to induce cell apoptosis via A/E lesions. These findings may be invaluable in clarifying the molecular pathogenesis of EspF of EHEC O157:H7.
Série Scientifique Scientific Series 2003 s-06 Company Flexibility , the Value of Management and Managerial Compensation

CIRANO Le CIRANO est un organisme sans but lucratif constitué en vertu de la Loi des compagnies du Québec. Le financement de son infrastructure et de ses activités de recherche provient des cotisations de ses organisations-membres, d'une subvention d'infrastructure du ministère de la Recherche, de la Science et de la Technologie, de même que des subventions et mandats obtenus par ses équipes de recherche. CIRANO is a private non-profit organization incorporated under the Québec Companies Act. Its infrastructure and research activities are funded through fees paid by member organizations, an infrastructure grant from the Ministère de la Recherche, de la Science et de la Technologie, and grants and research mandates obtained by its research teams. ASSOCIÉ AU :. Institut de Finance Mathématique de Montréal (IFM 2). Laboratoires universitaires Bell Canada. Réseau de calcul et de modélisation mathématique [RCM 2 ]. Réseau de centres d'excellence MITACS (Les mathématiques des technologies de l'information et des systèmes complexes) Les cahiers de la série scientifique (CS) visent à rendre accessibles des résultats de recherche effectuée au CIRANO afin de susciter échanges et commentaires. Ces cahiers sont écrits dans le style des publications scientifiques. Les idées et les opinions émises sont sous l'unique responsabilité des auteurs et ne représentent pas nécessairement les positions du CIRANO ou de ses partenaires. This paper presents research carried out at CIRANO and aims at encouraging discussion and comment. The observations and viewpoints expressed are the sole responsibility of the authors. They do not necessarily represent positions of CIRANO or its partners. Résumé / Abstract La variation dans les compensations des gestionnaires à travers les pays et les industries pour des compagnies de taille comparable est ahurissante. Nous analysons ce phénomène dans le cadre d'un modèle de compagnie en temps continu, dans lequel l'environnement économique évolue de manière stochastique et les changements dans le fonctionnement de la compagnie sont coûteux. L'idée sous-jacente est que les gestionnaires dans différents pays et industries sont rémunérés de manière très différente non pas parce que leurs compétences diffèrent de manière substantielle mais plutôt parce que la valeur ajoutée par la gestion diffère substantiellement. Si les coûts d'ajustement sont peu élevés ou si l'environnement économique est relativement volatile, alors le potentiel de valeur ajoutée par la gestion active est important. La relation positive entre la volatilité de l'environnement économique et la valeur de la gestion suggère une interprétation du gestionnaire en termes d'option réelle : …
Cx26 knockout predisposes the mammary gland to primary mammary tumors in a DMBA-induced mouse model of breast cancer

Down-regulation of the gap junction protein connexin26 (Cx26) is an early event following breast cancer onset and has led to Cx26 being classically described as a tumor suppressor. Interestingly, mutations in theCx26 gene (GJB2) reduce or ablate Cx26 gap junction channel function and are the most common cause of genetic deafness. It is unknown if patients with loss-of-function GJB2 mutations have a greater susceptibility to breast tumorigenesis or aggressive breast cancer progression. To investigate these possibilities, 7, 12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA)-induced tumor development was evaluated in BLG-Cre; Cx26fl/fl mice expressing Cre under the β-Lactoglobulin promoter (Cre+) compared to Cx26fl/fl controlmice (Cre-) following pituitary isograft driven Cx26 knockout. A significantly increased number of DMBA-treated Cre+ mice developed primary mammary tumors, as well as developed multiple tumors, compared to Cre- mice. Primary tumors of Cre+ mice were of multiple histological subtypes and had similar palpable tumour onset and growth rate compared to tumors from Cre- mice. Lungs were evaluated for evidence of metastases revealing a similar percentage of lung metastases in Cre+ and Cre- mice. Together, our results suggest that loss of Cx26 predisposes the mammary gland to chemically induced mammary tumour formation which may have important implications to patients with GJB2 mutations.
The biology of DHX9 and its potential as a therapeutic target

DHX9 is member of the DExD/H-box family of helicases with a “DEIH” sequence at its eponymous DExH-box motif. Initially purified from human and bovine cells and identified as a homologue of the Drosophila Maleless (MLE) protein, it is an NTP-dependent helicase consisting of a conserved helicase core domain, two double-stranded RNA-binding domains at the N-terminus, and a nuclear transport domain and a single-stranded DNA-binding RGG-box at the C-terminus. With an ability to unwind DNA and RNA duplexes, as well as more complex nucleic acid structures, DHX9 appears to play a central role in many cellular processes. Its functions include regulation of DNA replication, transcription, translation, microRNA biogenesis, RNA processing and transport, and maintenance of genomic stability. Because of its central role in gene regulation and RNA metabolism, there are growing implications for DHX9 in human diseases and their treatment. This review will provide an overview of the structure, biochemistry, and biology of DHX9, its role in cancer and other human diseases, and the possibility of targeting DHX9 in chemotherapy.
Global data set of biogenic VOC emissions calculated by the MEGAN model over the last 30 years

Abstract. The Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGANv2.1) together with the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) meteorological fields were used to create a global emission data set of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) available on a monthly basis for the time period of 1980–2010. This data set, developed under the Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Climate project (MACC), is called MEGAN–MACC. The model estimated mean annual total BVOC emission of 760 Tg (C) yr−1 consisting of isoprene (70%), monoterpenes (11%), methanol (6%), acetone (3%), sesquiterpenes (2.5%) and other BVOC species each contributing less than 2%. Several sensitivity model runs were performed to study the impact of different model input and model settings on isoprene estimates and resulted in differences of up to ±17% of the reference isoprene total. A greater impact was observed for a sensitivity run applying parameterization of soil moisture deficit that led to a 50% reduction of isoprene emissions on a global scale, most significantly in specific regions of Africa, South America and Australia. MEGAN–MACC estimates are comparable to results of previous studies. More detailed comparison with other isoprene inventories indicated significant spatial and temporal differences between the data sets especially for Australia, Southeast Asia and South America. MEGAN–MACC estimates of isoprene, α-pinene and group of monoterpenes showed a reasonable agreement with surface flux measurements at sites located in tropical forests in the Amazon and Malaysia. The model was able to capture the seasonal variation of isoprene emissions in the Amazon forest.