Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diverse Expected Gradient Active Learning for Relative Attributes

The use of relative attributes for semantic understanding of images and videos is a promising way to improve communication between humans and machines. However, it is extremely labor- and time-consuming to define multiple attributes for each instance in large amount of data. One option is to incorporate active learning, so that the informative samples can be actively discovered and then labeled. However, most existing active-learning methods select samples one at a time (serial mode), and may therefore lose efficiency when learning multiple attributes. In this paper, we propose a batch-mode active-learning method, called diverse expected gradient active learning. This method integrates an informativeness analysis and a diversity analysis to form a diverse batch of queries. Specifically, the informativeness analysis employs the expected pairwise gradient length as a measure of informativeness, while the diversity analysis forces a constraint on the proposed diverse gradient angle. Since simultaneous optimization of these two parts is intractable, we utilize a two-step procedure to obtain the diverse batch of queries. A heuristic method is also introduced to suppress imbalanced multiclass distributions. Empirical evaluations of three different databases demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach.
Efficient learning by implicit exploration in bandit problems with side observations

We consider online learning problems under a a partial observability model capturing situations where the information conveyed to the learner is between full information and bandit feedback. In the simplest variant, we assume that in addition to its own loss, the learner also gets to observe losses of some other actions. The revealed losses depend on the learner's action and a directed observation system chosen by the environment. For this setting, we propose the first algorithm that enjoys near-optimal regret guarantees without having to know the observation system before selecting its actions. Along similar lines, we also define a new partial information setting that models online combinatorial optimization problems where the feedback received by the learner is between semi-bandit and full feedback. As the predictions of our first algorithm cannot be always computed efficiently in this setting, we propose another algorithm with similar properties and with the benefit of always being computationally efficient, at the price of a slightly more complicated tuning mechanism. Both algorithms rely on a novel exploration strategy called implicit exploration, which is shown to be more efficient both computationally and information-theoretically than previously studied exploration strategies for the problem.
Shill-Proof Fee Schedule: The Sunscreen against Seller Self-Collusion in Online English Auctions

Separate leaves to be bound together are arranged to provide a book body, the body being supported and the leaves relatively displaced to round the back of the body and to produce a corresponding concave shaping along the front of the body. Adhesive is then applied to the rounded back so as adhesively to secure the separate leaves of the body together. Longitudinal string elements may be secured along opposite sides of the body adjacent to the back to form shoulders which, upon completion of the binding operation, cooperate in retaining the body firmly within a case of the binding.
On the observability codistributions of a nonlinear system

The purpose of this is to introduce the notion of observability codistribution for a nonlinear system, which extends the (dual of the) notion of “unobservability subspace”. Then, we study its properties, which bear important similarities with a number of properties which render the notion of unobservability subspace powerful in the solution of certain design problems. c © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Role of Gut Microbiome-Host Metabolic Interactions in Metabolic Diseases

A two by two experimental study has been designed to determine the effect of gut microbiota on energy metabolism in mouse models. The metabolic phenotype of germ-free (GF, n=20) and conventional (n=20) mice was characterized using a NMR spectroscopy-based metabolic profiling approach, with a focus on sexual dimorphism (20 males, 20 females) and energy metabolism in urine, plasma, liver and brown adipose tissue (BAT). Physiological data of age-matched GF and conventional mice showed that male animals had a higher weight than females in both groups. In addition, conventional males had a significantly higher total body fat content (TBFC) compared to conventional females while this sexual dimorphism disappeared in GF animals (i.e. male GF mice had a TBFC similar to those of conventional and GF females). Profiling of BAT hydrophilic extracts revealed that sexual dimorphism in normal mice was absent in GF animals, which also displayed lower BAT lactate levels and higher levels of (D)-3-hydroxybutyrate in liver, plasma and BAT, together with lower circulating levels of VLDL. These data indicate that the gut microbiota modulate the lipid metabolism in BAT as the absence of gut microbiota stimulated both hepatic and BAT lipolysis while inhibiting lipogenesis. We also demonstrated that H NMR metabolic profiles of BAT were excellent predictors of BW and TBFC indicating the potential of BAT to fight against obesity.
ESTABLISHMENT PATTERNS OF NATIVE POPULUS AND SALIX IN THE PRESENCE OF INVASIVE NONNATIVE TAMARIX

Despite growing concern and research interest in plant invasions, we know very little about ecological processes involved during invasion episodes. Understanding these dynamics is especially important for habitats subject to reestablishment of historical disturbance regimes; because many invasive species respond positively to disturbance, interactions between colonizing natives and nonnatives at the seedling stage may determine success of invasions. In the American Southwest, reduced flood disturbance in this century has been associated with the invasion of nonnative Tamarix ramosissima, with Tamarix appearing to displace native flood-dependent species of Populus and Salix. We studied two riparian communities of these woody species that had established after over-bank flooding was allowed to occur in two protected areas in New Mexico. Growth and mortality were monitored for each individual within 1-m2 plots of seedling communities within these sites for 2–4 yr. Abiotic conditions measured for each plot in.
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Cc by an Approach for the Load Balancing in Cloud Based on the Dynamic Threshold

Cloud computing offer IT services to the users worldwide on the basis of pay-as-you-go model. Now a day cloud is so famous because of their attractive features such as universal accessibility, availability, cheap, pay as you go etc. Cloud is a business model, where the cloud provider, gives the resources on rent basis. Cloud provider wants to maximum profit, which can be achieved by the proper resource utilization and reduction in energy consumption. Energy consumption is depends on the number active server [1] says that a host consume 70% (of their total energy consume when they are fully utilize) even when the host is completely idle. So energy consumption can be reduced by minimizing the number of active server. Load balancing is one of the critical issue in the cloud, because it affect the user performance. In this paper we proposed a adaptive threshold based load balancing approach which increase the resource utilization and reduce the energy consumption. This approach uses two thresholds that are upper and lower threshold for the load balancing. Load of the physical machine (PM) must be within the lower and upper threshold rang. When the load on the host is above/below the threshold, some VM will be migrated to balance the load on the host.
A wavelet-based constrained PreconditionedConjugate Gradient for elliptic problemsA

The discrete representation of continuous operators is one of the main problems in the numerical solution of PDEs and ODEs 5]. The problem with classical methods is that they lead to dense representations of most of the usual operators. Therefore, an important step in numerical computations consist in building algorithms leading to better representations of usual operators. The method described in this paper is based on the wavelet transform which provides sparse representations of operator kernels. The wavelet adapts itself automatically in the sense that only few coee-cients are needed to describe smooth sections of the right hand side (r.h.s.) and more coeecients are needed for the singular points. We use the fact that the signiicant wavelet coeecients of the r.h. s. allows the determination of a subset containing the wavelet coeecients of the solution.
Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Partitioning of Cucumber Mosaic Virus Protein 2b Determines the Balance between Its Roles as a Virulence Determinant and an RNA-Silencing Suppressor

ABSTRACT The Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) 2b protein is an RNA-silencing suppressor that plays roles in CMV accumulation and virulence. The 2b proteins of subgroup IA CMV strains partition between the nucleus and cytoplasm, but the biological significance of this is uncertain. We fused an additional nuclear localization signal (NLS) to the 2b protein of subgroup IA strain Fny-CMV to create 2b-NLS and tested its effects on subcellular distribution, silencing, and virulence. The additional NLS enhanced 2b protein nuclear and nucleolar accumulation, but nuclear and nucleolar enrichment correlated with markedly diminished silencing suppressor activity in patch assays and abolished 2b protein-mediated disruption of microRNA activity in transgenic Arabidopsis. Nucleus/nucleolus-localized 2b protein possesses at least some ability to inhibit antiviral silencing, but this was not sufficient to prevent recovery from disease in younger, developing leaves in Arabidopsis. However, enhanced nuclear and nucleolar accumulation of 2b increased virulence and accelerated symptom appearance in older leaves. Experiments with Arabidopsis lines carrying mutant Dicer-like alleles demonstrated that compromised suppressor activity explained the diminished ability of 2b-NLS to enhance virus accumulation. Remarkably, the increased virulence that 2b-NLS engendered was unrelated to effects on microRNA- or short interfering RNA-regulated host functions. Thus, although nucleus- and nucleolus-localized 2b protein is less efficient at silencing suppression than cytoplasm-localized 2b, it enhances CMV virulence. We propose that partitioning of the 2b protein between the cytoplasmic and nuclear/nucleolar compartments allows CMV to regulate the balance between virus accumulation and damage to the host, presumably to maximize the benefit for the virus. IMPORTANCE In this work, the main finding is that nucleus/nucleolus-localized 2b protein is strongly associated with CMV virulence, which is independent of its effect on small RNA pathways. Moreover, this work supports the contention that the silencing suppressor activity of CMV 2b protein is predominantly exerted by that portion of the 2b protein residing in the cytoplasm. Thus, we propose that partitioning of the 2b protein between the cytoplasmic and nuclear/nucleolar compartments allows CMV to regulate the balance between virus accumulation and damage to the host, presumably to maximize the benefit for the virus.
On the power of the frame buffer

Raster graphics displays are almost always refreshed out of a frame buffer in which a digital representation of the currently visible image is kept. The availability of the frame buffer as a two-dimensional memory array representing the displayable area in a screen coordinate system has motivated the development of algorithms that take advantage of this memory for more than just picture storage. The classic example of such an algorithm is the depth buffer algorithm for determining visible surfaces of a three-dimensional scene. This paper constitutes a first attempt at a disciplined analysis of the power of a frame buffer seen as a computational engine for use in graphics algorithms. We show the inherent power of frame buffers to perform a number of graphics algorithms in terms of the number of data fields (registers) required per pixel, the types of operations allowed on these registers, and the input data. In addition to upper bounds given by these algorithms, we prove lower bounds for most of them and show most of these algorithms to be optimal. One result of this study is the introduction of new frame buffer algorithms for computing realistic shadows and for determining the convex intersection of half spaces, an operation important in computational geometry and in rendering objects defined using planes rather than polygons. Another result is that it shows clearly the relationships between different and important areas of research in computer graphics, such as visible surface determination, compositing, and hardware for smart frame buffers.
The expressive power of modal logic with inclusion atoms

Modal inclusion logic is the extension of basic modal logic with inclusion atoms, and its semantics is defined on Kripke models with teams. A team of a Kripke model is just a subset of its domain. In this paper we give a complete characterisation for the expressive power of modal inclusion logic: a class of Kripke models with teams is definable in modal inclusion logic if and only if it is closed under k-bisimulation for some integer k, it is closed under unions, and it has the empty team property. We also prove that the same expressive power can be obtained by adding a single unary nonemptiness operator to modal logic. Furthermore, we establish an exponential lower bound for the size of the translation from modal inclusion logic to modal logic with the nonemptiness operator.
A failsafe architecture for mesh testbeds with real users

We build a research testbed at our campus with real users, namely all the members of the university, to bridge the gap between synthetic mesh testbeds and productive mesh deployments. This requires combining the flexibility of research-only testbeds with the high reliability of production networks. This paper shows how we bring these two contradicting design goals together, given the degree of flexibility we demand calls for the ability to exchange the implementation of possibly all layers of the network stack. Given the experimental nature of the environment, we expect frequent software failures. However, we argue our failsafe architecture can still limit the impact of such failures to a satisfactory level of user experience.
Association of spermatogenic failure with decreased CDC25A expression in infertile men.

BACKGROUND DAZ gene family is crucial for human spermatogenesis that requires the precise co-ordination of cell cycle events. CDC25A is recognized as the downstream substrate of DAZ gene family and is thought to function on the M-phase regulation of cell cycles. We investigated the expression profiles of CDC25A in the testes of infertile men and evaluated the relationship between CDC25A levels and testicular phenotype, clinical hormonal parameters and sperm retrieval results. METHODS The protein and mRNA transcript levels of CDC25A in the testes of 40 azoospermic men were determined by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time-PCR. CDC25A in human spermatozoa was investigated by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS The CDC25A protein was expressed mainly in spermatocyte, spermatid and spermatozoa. CDC25A transcript levels were significantly decreased (P = 0.0009) in patients with spermatogenic failure, especially in men with meiotic arrest and Sertoli cell-only syndrome. Significantly higher CDC25A transcript levels were detected in patients with successful sperm retrieval than in patients with failed sperm retrieval (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Decreased CDC25A is associated with spermatogenic failure and failed sperm retrieval in infertile men. Further studies are necessary to explore the functional roles of CDC25A in human spermatozoa.
Short-Term In-Vitro Expansion Improves Monitoring and Allows Affordable Generation of Virus-Specific T-Cells against Several Viruses for a Broad Clinical Application

Adenoviral infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in pediatric patients. Adoptive transfer of donor-derived human adenovirus (HAdV)-specific T-cells represents a promising treatment option. However, the difficulty in identifying and selecting rare HAdV-specific T-cells, and the short time span between patients at high risk for invasive infection and viremia are major limitations. We therefore developed an IL-15-driven 6 to 12 day short-term protocol for in vitro detection of HAdV-specific T cells, as revealed by known MHC class I multimers and a newly identified adenoviral CD8 T-cell epitope derived from the E1A protein for the frequent HLA-type A*02∶01 and IFN-γ. Using this novel and improved diagnostic approach we observed a correlation between adenoviral load and reconstitution of CD8+ and CD4+ HAdV-specific T-cells including central memory cells in HSCT-patients. Adaption of the 12-day protocol to good manufacturing practice conditions resulted in a 2.6-log (mean) expansion of HAdV-specific T-cells displaying high cytolytic activity (4-fold) compared to controls and low or absent alloreactivity. Similar protocols successfully identified and rapidly expanded CMV-, EBV-, and BKV-specific T-cells. Our approach provides a powerful clinical-grade convertible tool for rapid and cost-effective detection and enrichment of multiple virus-specific T-cells that may facilitate broad clinical application.
University Timetabling in ECLPS

This paper describes how the university timetabling problem is addressed in the Laurea course Ingegneria dell’Informazione (Information Engineering) for the University of Ferrara, Italy. The university timetabling problem is modelled as a Constraint Optimisation Problem and addressed with ECLPS, one of the leading Constraint Logic Programming languages.
Geometric effect of cell adhesive polygonal micropatterns on neuritogenesis and axon guidance

Recent advances in nano- and micro-technology have made it possible to deliver surface-bound extracellular signaling cues to cultured neurons. In this study, we investigated the formation of neurites and axonal outgrowth using various types of polygonal micropatterns (‘micropolygon arrays’) on cell culture substrates and suggested a novel design principle of in vitro axon guidance. Ten different types of micropolygons (circle, triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, stars and isosceles triangles) were printed on a culture substrate using micro-contact printing with a mixture of poly-l-lysine and laminin A chain synthetic peptide. E18 rat hippocampal neurons were cultured on the patterned substrates, and the relation between micropatterns and neurite outgrowth was analyzed. Micropolygon arrays had effects on the soma shape and neurite initiation. In the case of regular triangle patterns, neurons showed vertex preference in terms of neurite initiation: neurites were more frequently generated from the vertex region. In the case of isosceles triangles, a major neurite was formed from the sharpest vertex and axons were developed from the sharpest vertex. Thus, the direction of axon growth could be controlled by the orientation of the sharpest vertex in the isosceles triangles. This work suggests that the geometry of cell adhesive regions influences the development of a cultured neuron, and the structure of neural circuits can be designed by controlling axonal outgrowth with individual micropolygons.
Using Highly Structured Document Collection for Simulating Multimedia Object Retrieval

This paper describes the use of a highly structured document collection in XML (IMDb) for simulating retrieval of non-overlapped XML multimedia objects. In our experiments conducted in Data Centric Ad Hoc Task, we inspect two types of dynamically formed units of retrieval, combining them with different models for searching and ranking. Our purpose is to find the combination that leads to most effective retrieval of XML multimedia objects from very complex documents. We concluded that retrieval is more effective using the Dirichlet Smoothing as Language Model rather than the Pivoted Cosine as Vector Space Model. Also, better scores are achieved using the textual content of the whole document because it supplies more terms and better identification of the multimedia object compared to the textual content contained in smaller document’s parts as the root’s first level descendants.
Don't race the memory bus: taming the GC leadfoot

Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is ubiquitous on mobile devices as a mechanism for saving energy. Reducing the clock frequency of a processor allows a corresponding reduction in power consumption, as does turning off idle cores. Garbage collection is a canonical example of the sort of memory-bound workload that best responds to such scaling. Here, we explore the impact of frequency scaling for garbage collection in a real mobile device running Android's Dalvik virtual machine, which uses a concurrent collector. By controlling the frequency of the core on which the concurrent collector thread runs we can reduce power significantly. Running established multi-threaded benchmarks shows that total processor energy can be reduced up to 30%, with end-to-end performance loss of at most 10%.
Destination-oriented Routing and Maximum Capacity Scheduling Algorithms in Cayley Graph Model for Wireless Mesh Network

Routing and scheduling act important roles in improving capacity and throughput in wireless mesh networks. In this paper, Cayley graph model is suggested for wireless Mesh Networks (WMN) with MIMO channels for efficient routing and fair scheduling. The model is based on the multiple interfaces, directional antennas, single channel mesh model. And the link edges or active edges can be viewed as connections between node pairs. A node can have as many links as its interface permits, but links are limited not conflicting with the interference model in wireless network. By placing edges into different channel plane virtually, the Cayley graph model allows a node to use maximum active edges under orthogonal channels. The model is helpful for WMN routing and scheduling schemes with the symmetry coding character in WMN. Consequently, layered active edge group scheduling algorithm and destination oriented routing schemes are proposed for maximum capacity and throughput. Furthermore, efficient transformations are used to take advantage of previous maximum active edge group scheduling for fairness.