Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Key Information Extraction on Vietnamese Book Cover Images

Information extraction from images through OCR-based approach has been recently of high interest. In this paper, we implemented the task of extracting relevant information from text on Vietnamese book covers using Vi-BCI dataset consisting of over 7000 labeled book cover images. We constructed several different models according to four main approaches: text classification, text-box classification, named entity recognition, and combination model. We evaluated the models of each approach separately before comparing these approaches by selecting the model with the best result of each approach and evaluating these models on the Character Error Rate (CER) metric. All the proposed approaches have good results, with the named entity recognition approach achieving the highest overall prediction result, at 0.0973 with the Bi-LSTM model. In addition, we also propose a simple and effective method to arrange the extracted text from the image in the correct order. Finally, we discussed and analyzed the results for further improvement and proposed directions for future work.
Joint Relay–User Beamforming Design in a Full-Duplex Two-Way Relay Channel

A full-duplex (FD) two-way relay channel (TWRC) with multiple antennas is considered. For this three-node network, the beamforming design needs to suppress self-interference (SI). While a traditional way is to apply zero forcing (ZF) for SI mitigation, it may harm the desired signals. In this paper, a design that reserves a fraction of SI is proposed by solving a quality-of-service (QoS) constrained beamforming design problem. Since the problem is challenging due to the loop SI, a convergence-guaranteed alternating optimization (AO) algorithm is proposed to jointly design the relay–user beamformers. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme outperforms ZF method and achieves a transmit power value close to the ideal case.
Merced Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society Title The Emergence of Semantic Categories from Distributed Featural Representations Permalink

This paper presents a computational model of semantic memory, trained with behaviourally inspired vectors. The results are consistent with the conceptual structure account (Tyler, Moss, Durrant-Peatfield & Levy, 2000), which claims that concepts can be understood, and the effects of random damage predicted, based on (i) the number of correlations its features make, and (ii) the distinctiveness of those correlated features; the former indicating category membership, the latter distinguishing between concepts. The model shows a changing direction of domain-specific deficits as damage accumulates (animals concepts lost first, then objects upon severe lesioning). Also, the pattern of error differs between domains; animals tend to be confused for other members of the same category, whilst object errors disperse more widely across categories and domain. Recent neuropsychological evidence demonstrates a similar pattern for semantically impaired patients. For both patients and the model, this can be attributed to the timing of featural loss: distinctive features are lost earlier than shared features. The model demonstrates that the relative timing of feature loss differs between domains, resulting in the emergence of domain-specific effects.
AquaCrop-The FAO Crop Model to Simulate Yield Response to Water: I. Concepts and Underlying Principles

This article introduces the FAO crop model AquaCrop. It simulates attainable yields of major herbaceous crops as a function of water consumption under rainfed, supplemental, deficit, and full irrigation conditions. The growth engine of AquaCrop is water-driven, in that transpiration is calculated first and translated into biomass using a conservative, crop-specific parameter: the biomass water productivity, normalized for atmospheric evaporative demand and air CO 2 concentration. The normalization is to make AquaCrop applicable to diverse locations and seasons. Simulations are performed on thermal time, but can be on calendar time, in daily time-steps. The model uses canopy ground cover instead of leaf area index (LAI) as the basis to calculate transpiration and to separate out soil evaporation from transpiration. Crop yield is calculated as the product of biomass and harvest index (HI). At the start of yield formation period, HI increases linearly with time after a lag phase, until near physiological maturity. Other than for the yield, there is no biomass partitioning into the various organs. Crop responses to water deficits are simulated with four modifiers that are functions of fractional available soil water modulated by evaporative demand, based on the differential sensitivity to water stress of four key plant processes: canopy expansion, stomatal control of transpiration, canopy senescence, and HI. The HI can be modified negatively or positively, depending on stress level, timing, and canopy duration. AquaCrop uses a relatively small number of parameters (explicit and mostly intuitive) and attempts to balance simplicity, accuracy, and robustness. The model is aimed mainly at practitioner-type end-users such as those working for extension services, consulting engineers, governmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and various kinds of farmers associations. It is also designed to fit the need of economists and policy specialists who use simple models for planning and scenario analysis.
Mitigating Denial of Service Attacks in Software-Defined Networking Environments

software program-defined networking (SDN) environments provide many advantages over traditional networks, together with extended scalability and versatility. But, these same benefits include an extended threat panorama. Especially, SDN environments can be particularly at risk of Denial of carrier (Do's) attacks, which could cause service interruptions, resource depletion, and other critical network malfunctions. This paper gives a top level view of diverse strategies used to mitigate Do's assaults in SDN environments. The methods consist of community segmentation strategies, traffic filtering algorithms, and site visitors shaping techniques. Additionally, the paper also explores how software-defined networks may be leveraged to enhance the security of those networks, inclusive of imparting get admission to control, auditing, and intrusion detection competencies. Finally, the paper additionally speaks to the importance of tracking your SDN surroundings on a normal basis to be able to hit upon any suspicious activity and to reply fast.
Teleportation of a Quantum State – Quantum Computers Beating the Fiction

The claim in this paper is that exposing students to the theory and practice of quantum teleportation is both attractive and highly rewarding for practical applications. The subject stirs the imagination of young generations in general, while the mathematical foundation equips students with general tools in linear algebra and mathematical modelling. Ultimately, quantum computation knowledge prepares the young generation for the world of post-quantum cryptography and security and for the soon present quantum computers and networks.The experimental results of quantum teleportation shown in this paper are executed on IBM QX and show the versatility and availability of quantum computers to students of all ages and backgrounds. The mathematical apparatus described in the paper is appropriate for medium to advanced knowledge levels in algebra, particularly in linear algebra.
Input-based grammar pedagogy: a comparison of two possibilities

This article presents arguments for using listening and reading activities as an option for techniques in grammar pedagogy. It describes two possible approaches: Processing Instruction (PI) and Enriched Input (EI), and examples of their key features are included in the appendices. The article goes on to report on a classroom based quasi-experiment which compared their effectiveness for the learning of French verb inflections amongst 13- to 14-year-olds from two different secondary schools in England. The key feature of PI is that it comprises activities which systematically force learners to interpret the meaning of formal features in the input, rarely seen in published material and classroom activities. In this study, EI provided brief awareness-raising strategies followed by a flood of the target features. The study suggested that PI may indeed constitute a viable and effective option for grammar pedagogy for learners who are starting to develop a verb inflection system. These results were clear in the class from school 2 but more ‘fuzzy’ from school 1, demonstrating the importance of taking contextual factors into account when gathering evidence regarding practice.
Reversing the Autoimmune Condition: Experience with Experimental Autoimmune Gastritis

Autoimmune diseases remain a significant health problem in our society, despite the best efforts to understand and treat these conditions. Current clinical treatments are aimed at alleviating the consequences of these diseases, with limited prospects for cure. Our studies with the experimental model of autoimmune gastritis have led us to explore potential curative strategies that can reverse the autoimmune condition. Using mouse models, we have shown that expression of the known gastric autoantigen in the thymus results in immunological tolerance and resistance to the induction of autoimmune gastritis. Also, induced tolerance in donor mice can be transferred to syngeneic recipient mice by bone marrow cells. Strategies based on these observations could lead to reversal of established disease. Transfer of ensuing knowledge to the cure of serious human autoimmune diseases is our ultimate goal.
An Anisotropic Time-Domain Discontinuous Galerkin VIE method for Analysis of Scattering from Magnetized Plasma

We propose a time-domain discontinuous Galerkin volume integral equation (DGTD-VIE) method for transient scattering property from magnetized plasma. Due to the dispersive and anisotropic permittivity of the magnetized plasma, the relationship between the volumetric current and the total electric field is established through recursive convolution. Numerical examples are presented to validate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Imagery and Recognition: Dissociable Measures of Memory?

An assumption of many theories of visual cognition is that imagery tasks and picture recognition tasks tap the same kind of memory processes (i.e. visual), implying that these two types of tests can be used as interchangeable measures of visual memory. In this paper, we investigated whether articulatory suppression—a variable known to improve imagery performance—has a similar effect on picture recognition performance. In Experiment 1, subjects performed either an imagery task or a recognition task while engaging or not in articulatory suppression; in Experiment 2, the same subjects performed first the imagery task, and then the recognition task, while engaging or not in articulatory suppression. When the type of task was manipulated between subjects (Experiment 1), imagery performance was significantly improved by articulatory suppression. In contrast, recognition performance was significantly impaired by the introduction of articulatory suppression. In accordance with results of Experiment 1, in Experime.
A Developmental Model for the Community/Junior College

Several developmental models with different structural bases have been proposed for the community college. Thornton's (1960) three-stage model is based on the changing program emphasis of two-year institutions. Gleazer's (1974) three-state model is grounded in their evolving identy and purpose. Tillery and Wattenbarger's (1985) normative model is based on the governance structures and financial arrangements of the California and Florida community college systems. Social institutions contain both formal and substantive components (Parsons, 1982). The above models have dealt only with formal components. The element of patterned relationships presented by Tillery and Wattenbarger is clearly normative (Parsons, 1982). The models of Gleazer and Thornton present sets of standards and/or expectations which are also normative. None of the models incorporate the substantive elements of two-year colleges. Using the concept of social evolution incorporating both substantive and dynamic elements of the two-year colleges, this paper proposes a four-stage model for the development of community/junior colleges incorporating our present understanding of recent social and economic influences. The four stages are found by applying the concept of a social niche, as suggested by Veysey (1985) in reference to universities, to the observed growth and development of community colleges. Such a model fits the evolving and dynamic nature of the institutions called community colleges. Existing developmental models identify various formally defined stages that community college have passed through. Thornton (1960), for example, identified three major stages based on programs; the evolution of the junior college as the period between 1850-1920, occupational programs were expanded and received increased emphasis from 1920-1945. Finally, Thornton suggests that the community college concept emerged in the period 1945-1960 with an emphasis on community programs and meeting local educational needs. Gleazer (1974), on the other hand, suggests that the community college's first stage was 1900-1950, when the two-year college was the junior college and had its purpose of providing
Design of Gap-Waveguide Antenna Array for 77 GHz Automotive Radar Characterization

In this paper, a novel design of 1×8 antenna array based on gap waveguide for 77GHz automotive radar characterization is presented. The structure of power division is realized by gap waveguide. Two kinds of array included in Transmitting and receiving is designed and simulated. The measured results about transmitting antennas show impedance bandwidth of 16% for a reflection coefficient lower than −10 dB, a gain of higher than 16 dBi and a sidelobe level below −13 dB in H-plane. The efficiency of antenna > 95% meets the requirement during the bandwidth of antenna
Mood at the interface

L'A. propose un resume de sa these qui porte sur l'analyse de la notion de mode a l'interface entre la morphologie, la syntaxe, la semantique et la pragmatique. En se basant plus particulierement sur l'opposition indicatif/subjonctif dans les langues romanes, notamment le catalan et l'espagnol, il reprend les arguments qu'il a developpes en faveur de l'idee selon laquelle le marquage du mode fournit en surface une information concernant les modeles dans lesquels les propositions doivent etre interpretees, un modele etant compris comme un ensemble de mondes ancres a un individu. Ce resume est suivi d'un compte rendu dans lequel V. Brennan souligne les points forts et les limites de la these
The cytoplasmic tail of lysosomal acid phosphatase contains overlapping but distinct signals for basolateral sorting and rapid internalization in polarized MDCK cells.

Lysosomal acid phosphatase (LAP) is synthesized as a type I membrane glycoprotein and targeted to lysosomes via the plasma membrane. Its cytoplasmic tail harbours a tyrosine‐containing signal for rapid internalization. Expression in Madine‐Darby canine kidney cells results in direct sorting to the basolateral cell surface, rapid endocytosis and delivery to lysosomes. In contrast, a deletion mutant lacking the cytoplasmic tail is delivered to the apical plasma membrane where it accumulates before it is slowly internalized. A chimeric protein, in which the cytoplasmic tail of LAP is fused to the extracytoplasmic and transmembrane domain of the apically sorted haemagglutinin, is sorted to the basolateral plasma membrane. A series of truncation and substitution mutants in the cytoplasmic tail was constructed and comparison of their polarized sorting and internalization revealed that the determinants for basolateral sorting and rapid internalization reside in the same segment of the cytoplasmic tail. The cytoplasmic factors decoding these signals, however, tolerate distinct mutations indicating that different receptors are involved in sorting at the trans‐Golgi network and at the plasma membrane.
Suggesting New Plot Elements for an Interactive Story

We present a system that uses evolutionary optimization to suggest new story-world events that, if added to an existing interactive story, would most improve the average interactive experience, according to author-supplied criteria. In doing so, we aim to apply some of the ideas from drama-managed storytelling, such as authorial aesthetic control, in an unguided setting more akin to emergent storytelling: rather than guiding or directing a player towards an experience in line with an author's aesthetic goals, the storyworld is augmented with new content in a way that will tend to align with an author's goals, even if the player is not guided. In this paper, we present an offline system, and demonstrate its robustness to a number of variations in authorial criteria and player-model assumptions. This is intended to lay the groundwork for a future system that would generate new content online, allowing for interactive stories larger than those explicitly written by the author.
Changes in cystic fibrosis airway microbiota at pulmonary exacerbation.

RATIONALE In persons with cystic fibrosis (CF), repeated exacerbations of pulmonary symptoms are associated with a progressive decline in lung function. Changes in the airway microbiota around the time of exacerbations are not well understood. OBJECTIVES To characterize changes in airway bacterial communities around the time of exacerbations and to identify predictors for these changes. METHODS DNA prepared from 68 paired baseline and exacerbation sputum samples collected from 28 patients with CF were subjected to barcoded 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. Bacterial density was calculated by quantitative PCR. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Overall, significant differences in bacterial community diversity and bacterial density between baseline and exacerbation samples were not observed. However, considerable changes in community structures were observed in a subset of patients. In these patients, the dominant taxa and initial level of community diversity were significant predictors of the magnitude of community structure changes at exacerbation. Pseudomonas-dominant communities became more diverse at exacerbation compared with communities with other or no dominant species. The relative abundance of Gemella increased in 24 (83%) of 29 samples at exacerbation and was found to be the most discriminative genus between baseline and exacerbation samples. CONCLUSIONS The magnitude of changes in the CF lung microbiota around the time of exacerbation was found to be largely dependent on community diversity and composition at baseline. Certain genera appear to play important roles in driving change in airway bacterial community composition at exacerbation. Gemella might play a direct role in and/or be a biomarker for pulmonary exacerbation.
Polyangiitis with Granulomatosis as a Paraneoplastic Syndrome of B-Cell Lymphoma of the Lacrimal Gland

Introduction. The clinical course of an autoimmune paraneoplastic syndrome parallels the natural history of the primary malignancy. In most cases, such paraneoplastic are syndromes hardly distinguishable from idiopathic autoimmune diseases. A case of polyangiitis with granulomatosis as a paraneoplastic syndrome in a patient with B-cell Lymphoma of the lacrimal gland has not yet been reported. Case Presentation. We present the case of a male patient with a B-cell Lymphoma of the lacrimal gland, who debuted with symptoms similar to rheumatoid arthritis and acute renal failure, secondary to polyangiitis with granulomatosis. The current pathophysiological hypotheses explaining the relationship between a lymphoproliferative disease and an autoimmune paraneoplastic disorder are discussed. Conclusion. Tumor-associated segmental necrotizing glomerulopathy is a very rare manifestation of glomerular diseases. Some atypical clinical features should increase the suspicion of an underlying tumor, in which case it is essential to treat the primary neoplasia, in order to control the autoimmune manifestations.
Effect of Nonuniform Muscle Contraction on Sustainability and Frequency of Triggered Arrhythmias in Rat Cardiac Muscle

Background— Arrhythmias are benign or lethal, depending on their sustainability and frequency. To determine why lethal arrhythmias are prone to occur in diseased hearts, usually characterized by nonuniform muscle contraction, we investigated the effect of nonuniformity on sustainability and frequency of triggered arrhythmias. Methods and Results— Force, membrane potential, and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were measured in 51 rat ventricular trabeculae. Nonuniform contraction was produced by exposing a restricted region of muscle to a jet of 20 mmol/L 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) or 20 &mgr;mol/L blebbistatin. Sustained arrhythmias (>10 seconds) could be induced by stimulus trains for 7.5 seconds only with the BDM or blebbistatin jet (100 nmol/L isoproterenol, 1.0 mmol/L [Ca2+]o, 24°C). During sustained arrhythmias, Ca2+ surges preceded synchronous increases in [Ca2+]i, whereas the stoppage of the BDM jet made the Ca2+ surges unclear and arrested sustained arrhythmias (n=6). With 200 nmol/L isoproterenol, 2.5 mmol/L [Ca2+]o, and the BDM jet, lengthening or shortening of the muscle during sustained arrhythmias accelerated or decelerated their cycle in both the absence (n=10) and presence (n=10) of 100 &mgr;mol/L streptomycin, a stretch-activated channel blocker, respectively. The maximum rate of force relaxation correlated inversely with the change in cycle lengths (n=14; P<0.01). Sustained arrhythmias with the BDM jet were significantly accelerated by 30 &mgr;mol/L SCH00013, a Ca2+ sensitizer of myofilaments (n=10). Conclusion— These results suggest that nonuniformity of muscle contraction is an important determinant of the sustainability and frequency of triggered arrhythmias caused by the surge of Ca2+ dissociated from myofilaments in cardiac muscle.
A Theoretical Model for Finite-Element Magnetoinductive Waveguides

In this work, we present an alternative method for modeling finite-element magnetoinductive waveguides (MIWs) based on an equivalent circuit derivation. The proposed method provides practical insight into the behavior and operation of finite MIWs that cannot be fully explained using the dispersion model currently dominating MIW analysis, such as passband ripples. The model shows excellent agreement with simulated and experimental results when compared with first-order dispersion relation analysis and demonstrates the ability to predict behavior under complex MIW structures, such as junctions. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the equivalent circuit model presented in this work has been used to analyze MIW behavior and performance.
An autonomous quadrotor for indoor exploration with laser scanner and depth camera

In this paper, we present a fully autonomous quadrotor for indoor exploration. The quadrotor is fully customized and capable of localization, mapping, planning and flying in unknown indoor environment with all real-time computations performed onboard. Two laser scanners are equipped to determine the 3D position of the quadrotor. The position measurements are further fused with Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to get a robust 6DOF state estimation. A depth camera is deployed to build 3D maps for the environment. Also, vision-based algorithms are designed to detect visual targets and perform precision landing. The whole system is verified in Singapore Amazing Flight Machine Competition (SAFMC). As Unmanned Systems Research Group from the National University of Singapore, we rank top in the fully autonomous category.