Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Noise to Compute Error Surfaces in Connectionist Networks: A Novel Means of Reducing Catastrophic Forgetting

In error-driven distributed feedforward networks, new information typically interferes, sometimes severely, with previously learned information. We show how noise can be used to approximate the error surface of previously learned information. By combining this approximated error surface with the error surface associated with the new information to be learned, the network's retention of previously learned items can be improved and catastrophic interference significantly reduced. Further, we show that the noise-generated error surface is produced using only first-derivative information and without recourse to any explicit error information.
DieToRecs: a case-based travel advisory system.

There is a growing number of websites that support a traveller in the selection of travel destinations or travel products (e.g. flight or hotel). Typically, the user is required to input product constraints or preferences, which are matched by the system in an electronic catalogue. Major e-commerce websites dedicated to tourism such as Expedia, Travelocity and TISCover have started to cope with travel planning by incorporating recommender systems, i.e. applications that provide advice to users about products (Schafer et al., 2001). Recommender systems for travel planning try to mimic the interactivity observed in traditional counselling sessions with travel agents (Delgado and Davidson, 2002). The current generation of travel recommender systems focuses on destination selection and does not support the user through a personalized interaction in bundling a tailor-made trip comprising one or more locations to visit, an accommodation and additional attractions (museum, theatre, etc.). The DieToRecs10 system extends current recommender systems by incorporating a human choice model extracted from both the literature and the empirical analysis of the traveller’s behaviour. DieToRecs supports the selection of travel products (e.g. a hotel or a visit to a museum or a climbing school) and building a ‘travel bag’, i.e. a coherent (from the user point of view) bundling of products. DieToRecs also supports multiple decision styles by letting the user ‘enter’ the system through three main ‘doors’: iterative single-item selection, complete travel selection and inspiration-driven selection. The first
Evaluation of Electrocardiographic Changes after Arterial Switch Operation

Background: Transposition of Great Arteries (TGA) is a serious congenital heart disease which can be accompanied by good outcomes with anatomic correction within the first few weeks of life. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate electrocardiographic changes in the children with uncomplicated Arterial Switch Operation (ASO). Patients and Methods: Twelve lead electrocardiograms were obtained from thirty-three patients with TGA after ASO. Then, the patients’ QT-dispersion and P-wave dispersion were compared to those of 33 age- and gender-matched individuals as the normal control group. Both groups were also evaluated by M-mode echocardiography. Student’s t-test and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the data. Besides, P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the patients and the control group was 41 ± 3.7 and 40.12 ± 4.2 months, respectively. Comparison of P wave, T wave, QRS complex, PR interval, QT segment, and corrected QT segment showed significant differences in the frequency of inverted T wave in pericardial leads [V3, V4, V5, and V6] (P = 0.004; more in patients), P wave amplitude in lead II (P < 0.001; more in patients), R wave amplitude in V1 (P = 0.016; smaller in patients), R and S waves amplitude in V6 (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001; taller in patients), corrected QT segment (in lead V5; P < 0.0001: prolonger in patients), and PR interval (P = 0.001; prolonger in patients). However, no significant differences were found regarding the vector axis and heart rate. Right bundle branch block (18% vs. 0%), Bifascicular (3% vs. 0%), and first-degree blocks (15% vs. 0%) were significantly more in the patients. Besides, the PR interval was longer in the corrected complex TGA (146 ± 24.4 vs. 127.7 ± 23.1, P = 0.001). Moreover, R/S ratio in lead V1 was significantly prolonger, among the patients (2.86 ± 3.35 vs. 0.706 ± 0.53, P = 0.002). Nonetheless, no significant was observed between the patients and controls concerning the mean of QT dispersion. On the other hand, the two groups were significantly difference in terms of P wave dispersion (25.7 ± 13.8 vs. 33.74 ± 12.9, P = 0.024). Conclusions: In this study, first-degree block and right bundle branch were detected in the operated patients with TGA. Increased P dispersion in these patients may increase the risk of atrial arrhythmia. Thus, long-term follow-up is necessary in these patients.
Consolidating Understanding of ERP Conflicts: a Dialectic Perspective

ERP implementation and post implementation initiatives involve organizational changes. Conflicts, due to technology and processes, regularly arise in such a change process and the dialectic model of change is useful to understand such conflicts. The categorization of ERP conflicts can provide a better understanding of ERP implementation. The aim of this research-in-progress paper is thus to develop a categorization of ERP conflicts. We expressed this ERP categorization in terms of four scenarios which are in turn based on two characteristics: sources of conflicts and types of conflicts.
Low-Density Lipoprotein Particle Size Loci in Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia: Evidence for Multiple Loci From a Genome Scan

Objective—Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) size is associated with vascular disease and with familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL). Methods and Results—We used logarithm of odds (lod) score and Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) linkage analysis methods to perform a 10-cM genome scan of LDL size, measured as peak particle diameter (PPD) and adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and triglycerides in 4 large families with FCHL (n=185). We identified significant evidence of linkage to a chromosome 9p locus (multipoint lodmax=3.70; MCMC intensity ratio [IR]=21) in a single family, and across all 4 families to chromosomes 16q23 (lodmax=3.00; IR=43) near cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and to 11q22 (lodmax=3.71; IR=120). Chromosome 14q24-31, a region with previous suggestive LDL PPD linkage evidence, yielded an IR of 71 but an lodmax=1.79 in the combined families. Conclusions—These results of significant evidence of linkage to 3 regions (9p, 16q, and 11q) and confirmatory support of previous reported linkage to 14q in large FCHL pedigrees demonstrate that LDL size is a trait influenced by multiple loci and illustrate the complementary use of lod score and MCMC methods in analysis of a complex trait.
Structural Dynamics of Troponin I during Ca2+-Activation of Cardiac Thin Filaments: A Multi-Site Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Study

A multi-site, steady-state Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) approach was used to quantify Ca2+-induced changes in proximity between donor loci on human cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and acceptor loci on human cardiac tropomyosin (cTm) and F-actin within functional thin filaments. A fluorescent donor probe was introduced to unique and key cysteine residues on the C- and N-termini of cTnI. A FRET acceptor probe was introduced to one of three sites located on the inner or outer domain of F-actin, namely Cys-374 and the phalloidin-binding site on F-actin, and Cys-190 of cTm. Unlike earlier FRET analyses of protein dynamics within the thin filament, this study considered the effects of non-random distribution of dipoles for the donor and acceptor probes. The major conclusion drawn from this study is that Ca2+ and myosin S1-binding to the thin filament results in movement of the C-terminal domain of cTnI from the outer domain of F-actin towards the inner domain, which is associated with the myosin-binding. A hinge-linkage model is used to best-describe the finding of a Ca2+-induced movement of the C-terminus of cTnI with a stationary N-terminus. This dynamic model of the activation of the thin filament is discussed in the context of other structural and biochemical studies on normal and mutant cTnI found in hypertrophic cardiomyopathies.
Two elementary student teachers' understanding of mathematical power and related pedagogy

This study highlighted the reform goal of “mathematical power for all students” as described in the NCTM Standards documents (NCTM 1989; NCTM 1991; NCTM 1995). The study recounted the experiences of two student teachers placed with cooperating teachers who were implementing the NCTM Curriculum Standards, for the purpose of determining how such a placement can strengthen a student teacher's understanding of mathematical power and help the student teacher develop empowering instructional strategies. The NCTM Professional Teaching Standards were used to guide and interpret observations related to the tasks, discourse, environment, and analysis of teaching and learning in each classroom. Multiple data collection methods, including observation and field notes, journals, and interviews, provided data regarding participants’ understanding of mathematical power and related pedagogy. Although both cooperating teachers were effectively implementing the Standards, and both student teachers verbally indicated an understanding of the meaning of mathematical power, one student teacher, Miss Aragon, was able to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the instructional practices which help students develop mathematical power. The instructional variable which seemed to have the strongest potential for making the processes of mathematical power visible and concrete to a student teacher, was the routine presence of empowering student discourse about challenging mathematical problems which occured daily in Classroom A. Another important feature of Miss Aragon’s student teaching experience was a schedule of responsibility which allowed her to observe empowering pedagogy being modeled by her cooperating teacher throughout the term, rather than just at the beginning. Finally, Mrs. Birch’s mentoring style, which encouraged Miss Barnaby, the less effective student teacher, to actively reflect on her teaching, was also noted to be an important influence on Miss Barnaby’s growing understanding of mathematical power.
Research and Implementation of Total Organic Carbon of Seawater Using the Chemiluminescence Dynamic Method

This paper presents a kind of TOC (Total Organic Carbon) based on the dynamic method of chemiluminescence, which utilizes ozone oxidation and organic pollutants to conduct oxidation reaction and chemiluminescence, then combines the detection technique of glimmer photoelectric conversion and the time-series integration method carried out on the curve of luminescence kinetics to realize the rapid and real-time on-site measurements on seawater TOC. For this method, the design of chemical sensors, optical detection and dynamics algorithm are further discussed. Experiments show that this design is reliable, simple and can provide new method and thought for the study of marine environment.
Timing Recovery Problem

he last decade has seen the development of iteratively decodable error-control codes of unprecedented power, whose large coding gains enable reliable communication at very low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A by-product of this trend is that timing recovery must be performed at an SNR lower than ever before. Conventional timing recovery ignores the presence of error-control coding and is thus doomed to fail when the SNR is low enough. This article describes iterative timing recovery, a method for implementing timing recovery in cooperation with iterative error-control decoding so as to approximate a more complicated receiver that jointly solves the timing recovery and decoding problems.
THE PECULIAR MOTIONS OF EARLY-TYPE GALAXIES IN TWO DISTANT REGIONS - V. THE MG-SIGMA RELATION, AGE AND METALLICITY

We investigate the variation in the zero-point of the Mg‐j relation between clusters. We find that it is consistent with the number of galaxies observed per cluster and the intrinsic scatter between galaxies in the global Mg‐j relation. We find no significant correlation between the Mg‐j zero-point and the cluster velocity dispersion, X-ray luminosity or X-ray temperature over a wide range in cluster mass. These results provide constraints for models of the formation of elliptical galaxies. However, the Mg‐j relation on its own does not place strong limits on systematic errors in Fundamental Plane (FP) distance estimates resulting from stellar population differences between clusters. We compare the intrinsic scatter in the Mg‐j and Fundamental Plane relations with stellar population models in order to constrain the dispersion in ages, metallicities and M=L ratios for early-type galaxies at fixed velocity dispersion. We find that variations in age or metallicity alone cannot explain the measured intrinsic scatter in both Mg‐j and the FP. We derive the joint constraints on the dispersion in age and metallicity implied by the scatter in the Mg‐j and FP relations for a simple Gaussian model. We find upper limits on the dispersions in age and metallicity at fixed velocity dispersion of 32 per cent in dt=t and 38 per cent in dZ=Z if the variations in age and metallicity are uncorrelated; only strongly anticorrelated variations lead to significantly higher upper limits. The joint distribution of residuals from the Mg‐j and FP relations is only marginally consistent with a model having no correlation between age and metallicity, and is better matched by a model in which age and metallicity variations are moderately anticorrelated (dt=t < 40 per cent, dZ=Z < 50 per cent and r < ˇ0:5), with younger galaxies being more metal-rich.
Chronic inflammatory disease, lymphoid tissue neogenesis and extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas

Chronic autoimmune or pathogen-induced immune reactions resulting in lymphoid neogenesis are associated with development of malignant lymphomas, mostly extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas. This review article examines the role of chronic inflammatory responses and the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and progression of extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas. Chronic autoimmune or pathogen-induced immune reactions resulting in lymphoid neogenesis are associated with development of malignant lymphomas, mostly extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas (MZBCLs). In this review we address (i) chemokines and adhesion molecules involved in lymphoid neogenesis; (ii) the autoimmune diseases and pathogens which are associated with development of B-cell lymphomas; (iii) the molecular mechanisms involved in the initiation and progression of MZBCL; and (iv) ‘potential’ mouse models for MZBCL.
A PSCAD simulation on integration of multi-level converters with DC-DC converter for AC drive applications

Bidirectional dc-dc converter allows transfer of energy between two dc buses. As renewable energy systems are fluctuating in nature we use a energy storage system, bidirectional dc-dc converter allows exchange of energy between storage system and the system. Bidirectional dc-dc boost converter can be utilized to step-up voltage level in renewable energy sources which reduces the ripple content in output. This paper focuses on Integration of Multilevel converter with bidirectional dc-dc converter by connecting to a common DC bus to feed AC motor drives. multilevel converters has low ripple content, can generate near sinusoidal voltages with only fundamental switching which is very suitable for large motor drives this paper focuses on low frequency, high power applications of AC motor drives by employing a Hysteresis current control.
Review of image interpolation and super-resolution

Image/video interpolations and super-resolution are topics of great interest. Their applications include HDTV, image coding, image resizing, image manipulation, face recognition and surveillance. The objective is to increase the resolution of an image/video through upsampling, deblurring, denoising, etc. This paper reviews the development of various approaches on image interpolation and super-resolution theory for image/video enlargement in multimedia applications. Some basic formulations will be derived such that readers can make use of them to design their own, practical and efficient interpolation algorithms. New results, such as hole filling using nonlocal means for 3D video synthesis and fast interpolation using a simplified image model will be introduced. New directions and trends will also be discussed at the end of the paper.
Stabilization of Generalized Triangular Form Systems with Dynamic Uncertainties by Means of Small Gain Theorems

Abstract We prove that a nonlinear control system with periodic dynamics in the generalized triangular form (GTF) which is affected by external disturbances can be uniformly input-to-state stabilized by means of a periodic feedback and the gain can be chosen arbitrarily small in some sense. This allows us to stabilize such a system in presence of unmeasured dynamic uncertainties.
Video Traffic Prioritization in WLANs Using Single Queue Priority Scheduler

Mobile video transmission poses many challenges in standard wireless networks like Wireless Local Area Network. Some challenges including handover, delay, packet loss, jitter, fading and signal loss may be attributed to network congestion. Several studies have suggested increasing network resources as a way to cater for huge demands and reduce congestion in the network, while others suggest optimizing the available resources. In line with the optimization approach, a solution to improving video transmission in IEEE 802.11 networks is discussed that uses the Single-Queue Priority Scheduler (SQPS) to rearrange video frames according to their importance. In the presented simulation performed using the OPNET 14.5 modeler, an MPEG video (trace file) was rearranged by assigning weights to the video frames I, B and P, which, were then prioritized and arranged in a single queue for transmission. A parameter (Sn) was deduced from three metrics- deadline, priority and cost and used to actively arrange the video trace or frames from the lowest to the highest. The results show that the implementation of the SQPS algorithm improves the transmission of video in Wireless Local Area Network as the buffer-overflow loss is reduced from 22.8% to 8% of the total load, while, the Packet Loss Ratio is reduced from about 61% to 34%.
Journal of Internet Banking and Commerce End-user Acceptance of Technology Interface in Transaction Based Environment

Creators and investors of technology need information about the customers' assessment of their technology interface based on the features and various quality dimensions to make strategic decisions in improving technology interfaces and compete on various quality dimensions. The research study identifies the technology interface dimensions as perceived by the end-users in a transaction based environment (viz. Internet banking)in India, using exploratory factor analysis. The influence of these dimensions on the utility of technology interface and hence the usage is examined by Structural Equation Modeling. The moderating role of user demographics and technology comfort is also tested. Managerial implications are discussed.
Responses of spinothalamic lamina I neurons to repeated brief contact heat stimulation in the cat.

It was recently shown that repeated heat stimulation, using brief contacts (<1 s) with a preheated thermode at sufficiently short interstimulus intervals (ISIs <5 s) and high temperatures (> or =51 degrees C), will elicit in humans a sensation of rapidly augmenting "second" (burning) pain with only a weak "first" (sharp) pain sensation. Most strikingly, at short intertrial intervals (ITIs >5 s) such summation will reset, or begin again at baseline. In the present experiments, the responses of nociceptive lamina I spinothalamic (STT) neurons in the lumbosacral dorsal horn of barbiturate-anesthetized cats were examined using this repeated brief contact heat paradigm. The neurons were classified as nociceptive-specific (NS, n = 8) or polymodal nociceptive (HPC, n = 8) based on their responses to quantitative thermal stimuli; all had receptive fields on the glabrous ventral hindpaw. A pneumatic piston was used to apply a thermode preheated to 34, 46, 49, 53, or 58 degrees C with a contact dwell time of approximately 0.7 s to the ventral hindpaw repeatedly (15 times) at ISIs of 2, 3, and 5 s, with 3-5 min between trials. The mean responses of the 16 nociceptive lamina I STT cells showed rapid temporal summation that was directly dependent on temperature and inversely dependent on ISI, with the greatest increases occurring between the 3rd and 10th contacts. The temporal profiles of this family of curves correspond with the psychophysical data on human sensation. Further analysis showed that this summation was due to the HPC cells, which all showed strong summation; in contrast, the NS cells showed little, if any. The HPC responses to the repeated heat stimuli lagged each contact by approximately 1 s, consistent with the strong, monosynaptic C-fiber input that is characteristic of HPC cells and also with the dependence of second pain on C-fiber nociceptors. HPC cells also displayed the reset phenomenon at short ITIs, again in correspondence with the psychophysical data. The summation and the reset displayed by HPC cells were not related to skin temperature. Thus the results presented in this study, together with those in the preceding article, demonstrate a double dissociation indicating that NS and HPC lamina I STT cells can subserve the qualitatively distinct sensations of first (sharp) and second (burning) pain, respectively. These findings support the concept that the lamina I STT projection comprises several discrete sensory channels that are integrated in the forebrain to generate distinct sensations.
Does 3D really make sense for visual cluster analysis? yes!

Our paper takes the stance that a 3D shaded display can add a significant amount of information to the visualization of high-dimensional data. We believe that it makes better use of the innate cognitive capabilities of the human visual system which is highly optimized to recognize and reason with 3D shape information. As a first step we studied a variety of real-world datasets and confirmed that the extension from the traditional 2D space to 3D space is indeed justified - most datasets we studied had clusters residing in subspaces with more than two significant principal components. We then describe an interactive interface that allows users to navigate these 3D subspaces, expand the exploration to higher dimensionalities, and also transition among the distinct subspaces inhabited by different clusters in the data.
Speed Up Kernel Projection Vector Machine Using Kronecker Decomposition

We present a speedup algorithm for kernel projection vector machine (KPVM) based on kronecker product decomposition. The large scale kernel matrix K with size of n × n is factorized into two small matrices K<sub>1</sub> and K<sub>2</sub> with size n<sub>1</sub> × n<sub>1</sub> and n<sub>2</sub> × n<sub>2</sub> respectively where n<sub>1</sub> × n<sub>2</sub> = n. The time-consuming SVD operation on K in KPVM is calculated through K<sub>1</sub> and K<sub>2</sub>. The computation complexity is reduced to O(n<sup>2</sup>) from O(n<sup>3</sup>) originally while generalization ability is undiminished or even better than KPVM.