Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Random Multi-Hopper Model. Super-Fast Random Walks on Graphs

We develop a model for a random walker with long-range hops on general graphs. This random multi-hopper jumps from a node to any other node in the graph with a probability that decays as a function of the shortest-path distance between the two nodes. We consider here two decaying functions in the form of the Laplace and Mellin transforms of the shortest-path distances. Remarkably, when the parameters of these transforms approach zero asymptotically, the multi-hopper's hitting times between any two nodes in the graph converge to their minimum possible value, given by the hitting times of a normal random walker on a complete graph. Stated differently, for small parameter values the multi-hopper explores a general graph as fast as possible when compared to a random walker on a full graph. Using computational experiments we show that compared to the normal random walker, the multi-hopper indeed explores graphs with clusters or skewed degree distributions more efficiently for a large parameter range. We provide further computational evidence of the speed-up attained by the random multi-hopper model with respect to the normal random walker by studying deterministic, random and real-world networks.
Opportunistic Consensus Clustering

A method and apparatus to prevent charging of a substrate, retained by an electrostatic chuck in a plasma chamber, during ignition of a plasma. The method deactivates a voltage to the chuck electrodes (or other conductive element in a substrate support pedestal) and allows the chuck electrodes to float during ignition of the plasma. The method activates the chuck electrodes again following the ignition of the plasma.
Safety Evaluation and Anti-wrinkle Effects of Retinoids on Skin

Retinoids have many beneficial effects on dermatological applications. But, retinoids cause skin irritation. In this study, the safety of retinoids was clarified via both primary skin irritation test in rabbits and sensitization study using an integrated model for the differentiation of chemical-induced allergic and irritant skin reaction (IMDS), an alternative method to sensitization test. The effects of retinoids on the change of ultraviolet A (UVA)-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in human skin fibroblasts and the modulation of type-1 pN collagen synthesis in hairless mice were examined to clarify the anti-wrinkle effects. All- trans retinol (t-ROL) and its derivative, all- trans retinoic acid (t-RA), showed mild skin irritation but did not induce the sensitization. t-ROL and t-RA exerted anti-wrinkle effects by inhibiting the UVA-induced MMP-1 in human skin fibroblasts and increasing the type-1 pN collagen synthesis in hairless mice. These findings suggest that retinoids do not induce the allergy, and show anti-wrinkle effects by decreasing MMP-1 activation and increasing collagen synthesis.
Interactive Q-learning for social robots that learn from the Wizard: A pilot study

This paper discusses interactive Q-learning as a method for learning appropriate robot behavior from the human teleoperator in order to increase the robot's autonomy in various human-robot interaction scenarios. We demonstrate the usability of our approach on a simulation of a simple task. The results show the feasibility of this method in different kinds of interactions. As a conclusion, we discuss the results and the next steps of the research.
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NATIONAL ADVANCED DRIVING SIMULATOR

This paper describes how the large excursion capabilities and redundant degrees of freedom of the National Advanced Driving Simulator (NADS) motion system provide unique control and tuning challenges. The multi-belt system that drives the crossbeam and the belt that drives the turntable are both innovations in simulator technology. This paper presents some of the characteristics of the motion system, paying particular attention to the capabilities unique to the NADS. Several measurements of the motion characteristics have been taken to help quantify the performance of the device. Specific measurements include transfer functions between command and feedback accelerations, noise at constant velocity, ½ hertz noise levels, and dynamic threshold measurements. The motion controller tuning approach is one that results in a moderate bandwidth, relatively low noise level, and good response for high amplitude inputs.
Limitations of NIRS-Based BCI for Realistic Applications in Human-Computer Interaction

Recent work in human-computer interaction (HCI) has endorsed NIRS-based BCI as suitable for use as a realtime input modality in realistic interaction settings. However, several discrepancies between the state-of-the-art NIRS signal processing and the purported applications in HCI suggest otherwise. To investigate such discrepancies and their effects on signal reliability, we conducted a large-scale evaluation of three factors – (1) unrestricted subject movement, (2) variable task duration, and (3) realtime signal processing – factors central to realistic settings. Our findings show high signal unreliability with NIRS-based BCI subject to these three factors, suggesting NIRS-based systems are premature for realistic applications in HCI.
Kinetic Analysis of Growth Rate, ATP, and Pigmentation Suggests an Energy-Spilling Function for the Pigment Prodigiosin of Serratia marcescens

ABSTRACT Serratia marcescens is a gram-negative environmental bacterium and opportunistic pathogen. S. marcescens expresses prodigiosin, a bright red and cell-associated pigment which has no known biological function for producing cells. We present here a kinetic model relating cell, ATP, and prodigiosin concentration changes for S. marcescens during cultivation in batch culture. Cells were grown in a variety of complex broth media at temperatures which either promoted or essentially prevented pigmentation. High growth rates were accompanied by large decreases in cellular prodigiosin concentration; low growth rates were associated with rapid pigmentation. Prodigiosin was induced most strongly during limited growth as the population transitioned to stationary phase, suggesting a negative effect of this pigment on biomass production. Mathematically, the combined rate of formation of biomass and bioenergy (as ATP) was shown to be equivalent to the rate of prodigiosin production. Studies with cyanide inhibition of both oxidative phosphorylation and pigment production indicated that rates of biomass and net ATP synthesis were actually higher in the presence of cyanide, further suggesting a negative regulatory role for prodigiosin in cell and energy production under aerobic growth conditions. Considered in the context of the literature, these results suggest that prodigiosin reduces ATP production by a process termed energy spilling. This process may protect the cell by limiting production of reactive oxygen compounds. Other possible functions for prodigiosin as a mediator of cell death at population stationary phase are discussed.
The effects of a MAP2K5 microRNA target site SNP on risk for anxiety and depressive disorders

Functional variants that contribute to genomewide association study (GWAS) signals are difficult to identify. MicroRNAs could contribute to some of these gene–trait relationships. We compiled a set of GWAS trait gene SNPs that were predicted to affect microRNA regulation of mRNA. Trait associations were tested in a sample of 6725 European‐American (EA) and African‐American (AA) subjects that were interviewed using the polydiagnostic SSADDA to diagnose major psychiatric disorders. A predicted miR‐330‐3p target site SNP (rs41305272) in mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 5 (MAP2K5) mRNA was in LD (d′ = 1.0, r2 = 0.02) with a reported GWAS‐identified variant for restless legs syndrome (RLS), a disorder frequently comorbid with anxiety and depression, possibly because of a shared pathophysiology. We examined the SNP's association with mood and anxiety‐related disorders. Rs41305272 was associated with agoraphobia (Ag) in EAs (odds ratio [OR] = 1.95, P = 0.007; 195 cases) and AAs (OR = 3.2, P = 0.03; 148 cases) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in AAs (OR = 2.64, P = 0.01; 427 cases), but not EAs (465 cases). Rs41305272*T carrier frequency was correlated with the number of anxiety and depressive disorders diagnosed per subject. RLS was not evaluated in our subjects. Predicted miR‐330‐3p target genes were enriched in pathways relevant to psychiatric disorders. These findings suggest that microRNA target site information may be useful in the analysis of GWAS signals for complex traits. MiR‐330‐3p and MAP2K5 are potentially important contributors to mood and anxiety‐related traits. With support from additional studies, these findings could add to the large number of risk genes identified through association to medical disorders that have primary psychiatric effects. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Person identification system for future digital tv with intelligence

Intelligent digital TV (iDTV) is a future digital TV with intelligence which can automatically provide user-personalized services for each audience. For the user-personalized services, the iDTV should recognize audiences in real-time. In this paper, we define a novel structure of the iDTV and propose a real-time person identification system in the iDTV that analyzes captured images and recognizes audiences. The proposed system consists of three processing units: preprocessing for reducing computational costs of the proposed system, face detection using a statistical approach, and face recognition using support vector machines (SVMs). Experimental results show that the proposed system achieves efficient performance with high recognition accuracy of 90% or higher at the speed of 15~20 fps, which is suitable for the iDTV
Unextendible Mutually Unbiased Bases (after Mandayam, Bandyopadhyay, Grassl and Wootters)

We consider questions posed in a recent paper of Mandayam et al. (2014) on the nature of “unextendible mutually unbiased bases. ” We describe a conceptual framework to study these questions, using a connection proved by the author in Thas (2009) between the set of nonidentity generalized Pauli operators on the Hilbert space of N d-level quantum systems, d a prime, and the geometry of non-degenerate alternating bilinear forms of rank N over finite fields F d . We then supply alternative and short proofs of results obtained in Mandayam et al. (2014), as well as new general bounds for the problems considered in loc. cit. In this setting, we also solve Conjecture 1 of Mandayam et al. (2014) and speculate on variations of this conjecture.
Risk Factors, Microbiological Findings, and Clinical Outcomes in Cases of Microbial Keratitis Admitted to a Tertiary Referral Center in Ireland

Aim: To identify the risk factors for, and to report the microbiological findings and clinical outcomes of, severe microbial keratitis (MK). Methods: This was a retrospective study of all cases of presumed MK admitted to a tertiary referral center over a 2-year period (September 2001 to August 2003). Data recorded included demographic data, details relating to possible risk factors, results of microbiological studies, clinical findings at presentation, and clinical and visual outcomes. Results: Ninety patients were admitted with a diagnosis of presumed MK during the study period. The mean age of patients was 45 ± 32 years, and the male to female ratio was 47:43 (52.2%:47.7%). Predisposing risk factors for MK included contact lens wear (37; 41.1%), anterior segment disease (19; 21.1%), ocular trauma (13; 14.4%), systemic disease (5; 5.6%), and previous ocular surgery (1; 1.1%). Cultured organisms included gram-negative bacteria (17; 51.5%), gram-positive bacteria (11, 33.3%), acanthamoeba (2; 6.1%), and fungi (1; 3%). Visual acuity improved significantly after treatment [mean best-corrected visual acuity (±standard deviation) at presentation: 0.76 (±0.11); mean best-corrected visual acuity at last follow-up: 0.24 (±0.07); P < 0.001]. Secondary surgical procedures were required in 18 (20%) cases, and these included punctal cautery (1; 1.1%), tissue glue repair of corneal perforation (2; 2.2%), tarsorrhaphy (9; 9.9%), Botulinum toxin-induced ptosis (1; 1.1%), penetrating keratoplasty (3; 3.3%), and evisceration (2; 2.2%). Conclusions: Contact lens wear remains a significant risk factor for severe MK. MK remains a threat to vision and to the eye, but the majority of cases respond to prompt and appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
New Structural Scaffolds for Centrally Acting Oxime Reactivators of Phosphylated Cholinesterases*

We describe here the synthesis and activity of a new series of oxime reactivators of cholinesterases (ChEs) that contain tertiary amine or imidazole protonatable functional groups. Equilibration between the neutral and protonated species at physiological pH enables the reactivators to cross the blood-brain barrier and distribute in the CNS aqueous space as dictated by interstitial and cellular pH values. Our structure-activity analysis of 134 novel compounds considers primarily imidazole aldoximes and N-substituted 2-hydroxyiminoacetamides. Reactivation capacities of novel oximes are rank ordered by their relative reactivation rate constants at 0.67 mm compared with 2-pyridinealdoxime methiodide for reactivation of four organophosphate (sarin, cyclosarin, VX, and paraoxon) conjugates of human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE). Rank order of the rates differs for reactivation of human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) conjugates. The 10 best reactivating oximes, predominantly hydroxyimino acetamide derivatives (for hAChE) and imidazole-containing aldoximes (for hBChE) also exhibited reasonable activity in the reactivation of tabun conjugates. Reactivation kinetics of the lead hydroxyimino acetamide reactivator of hAChE, when analyzed in terms of apparent affinity (1/Kox) and maximum reactivation rate (k2), is superior to the reference uncharged reactivators monoisonitrosoacetone and 2,3-butanedione monoxime and shows potential for further refinement. The disparate pH dependences for reactivation of ChE and the general base-catalyzed oximolysis of acetylthiocholine reveal that distinct reactivator ionization states are involved in the reactivation of ChE conjugates and in conferring nucleophilic reactivity of the oxime group.
Image enhancement based on quality pre-assessment and weighted wavelet fusion for WSN nodes

According to the characteristics of wireless sensor networks, image enhancement for WSN nodes is presented in this paper. In particular, the source images are pre-evaluated and unqualified images are rejected; then, qualified images are decomposed into several coefficients by using wavelet transform; finally, the fusion image is obtained by weighted wavelet fusion. Experimental results, using four sample images, show that the decision made by majority voting correlate highly with subjective judgment, and data volume has reduced up to 75%. These results compare very favorably with the results obtained with other methods.
The Spiral of Silence: Public Opinion—Our Social Skin . By Noelle-Neumann Elisabeth. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984. Pp. xi + 184. $20.00.)

within the academy, but rather that the basis upon which each of these is built, the philosophy of knowledge, is irrational and must be replaced by a philosophy of wisdom. The basic difference between these philosophies is: "Whereas for the philosophy of knowledge the fundamental kind of rational learning is acquiring knowledge, for the philosophy of wisdom the fundamental kind of rational learning is learning how to live, learning how to see, to experience, to participate in and create what is of value in existence" (p. 66). The stress on objective knowledge rather than the pursuit of human values emerged in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries with the rise of modern science and dominates scientific inquiry today.
Anger, Fear, and Games: The Long Event of #GamerGate

The event known as #GamerGate (GG) emphasized the need to take the study of game culture seriously and pursue it across several platforms. It demonstrated how seemingly ephemeral media created echo chambers of anger, and how the outbursts of hypermasculine aggression exemplified by hooligans also can connect to games and play. Starting from how GG gained popular attention, this article outlines and discusses the nature of GG, the relation to the victims, the sense of victimization among the participants, and how it may have been provoked by the long-standing, general disregard of games as a culture and a cultural artifact of value. It discusses GG as a swarm using this metaphor to describe its self-organizing nature. Further comparing GG to hooligans, this article also introduces a class and marginalization aspect to understanding the event, opening up for discourses that complicates the image of game culture as mainly a culture of isolated consumption.
Clustering of short commercial documents for the web

Document clustering techniques have been applied in several areas, with the Web as one of the most recent and influent. Both general-purpose and text-oriented techniques exist and can be used to cluster a collection of documents in many ways. In this work we propose an online, single-pass document clustering model that can be combined with a variety of text-oriented similarity measures. An experimental evaluation of the proposed model was conducted in the e-commerce domain. Performances were measured using a clustering-oriented metric based on F-Measure and compared with those obtained by other well-known approaches.
Universities-industry collaboration: A literature review

The collaboration between universities and the industry is increasingly perceived as a vehicle to enhance innovation through knowledge exchange. This is evident by a significant increase in studies that investigate the topic from different perspectives. However, this body of knowledge is still described as fragmented and lacks efficient comprehensive view. To address this gap, we employed a systematic procedure to review the literature on universities-industry collaboration (UIC). The review resulted in identifying five key aspects, which underpinned the theory of UIC. We integrate these key aspects into an overarching process framework, which together with the review, provide a substantial contribution by creating an integrated analysis of the state of literature concerning this phenomenon. Several research avenues are reported as distilled from the analysis.
Temperature-dependent Sellmeier coefficients and chromatic dispersions for some optical fiber glasses

Temperature-dependent Sellmeier coefficients are necessary to optimize optical design parameters of the optical fiber transmission system. These coefficients are calculated for fused silica (SiO/sub 2/), aluminosilicate, and Vycor glasses for the first time to find the temperature dependence of chromatic dispersion at any wavelength from UV to 1.7 /spl mu/m. The zero dispersion wavelength /spl lambda//sub 0/ (1.273 /spl mu/m for SiO/sub 2/, 1.393 /spl mu/m for aluminosilicate, and 1.265 /spl mu/m for Vycor glasses at 26/spl deg/C) varies linearly with temperature, and d/spl lambda//sub 0//dT is 0.03 nm/K for aluminosilicate and Vycor glasses, whereas for SiO/sub 2/ it is 0.025 nm/K. This study interprets the recently observed experimental value of d/spl lambda//sub 0//dT for two dispersion shifted optical fibers; and the dominantly material origin of d/spl lambda//sub 0//dT is confirmed here as a fundamental property of the optical fiber glasses. >
The MAL Proteolipid Is Necessary for Normal Apical Transport and Accurate Sorting of the Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney Cells

The MAL (MAL/VIP17) proteolipid is a nonglycosylated integral membrane protein expressed in a restricted pattern of cell types, including T lymphocytes, myelin-forming cells, and polarized epithelial cells. Transport of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) to the apical surface of epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells appears to be mediated by a pathway involving glycolipid- and cholesterol- enriched membranes (GEMs). In MDCK cells, MAL has been proposed previously as being an element of the protein machinery for the GEM-dependent apical transport pathway. Using an antisense oligonucleotide-based strategy and a newly generated monoclonal antibody to canine MAL, herein we have approached the effect of MAL depletion on HA transport in MDCK cells. We have found that MAL depletion diminishes the presence of HA in GEMs, reduces the rate of HA transport to the cell surface, inhibits the delivery of HA to the apical surface, and produces partial missorting of HA to the basolateral membrane. These effects were corrected by ectopic expression of MAL in MDCK cells whose endogenous MAL protein was depleted. Our results indicate that MAL is necessary for both normal apical transport and accurate sorting of HA.
Using Semantic Commonsense Resources in Image Retrieval

Many people use the Internet is to find pictures of things. When extraneous images appear in response to simple queries on a search engine, the user has a hard time understanding why his seemingly clear request was not properly satisfied. If the computer could only understand what he wanted better, then maybe the results would be more precise. We believe that the introduction of an ontology, though hidden from the user, into current image retrieval engines would provide more accurate image responses to his query. Coordinating the use of an ontology (OWL representation of WordNet) with image processing techniques, we have developed a system that, given an initial query, automatically returns images associated with the query by specializing the query concept using only its deepest hyponyms from the ontology. We show that picking randomly from this new set of images provides a better representation for the initial, more general query. In addition, we exploit the visual aspects of the images for these deepest hyponyms (the leaves of WordNet) to cluster the images into coherent sets. In this way we can present the results in a structured, and even ontologically labeled, manner to the user