Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detecting and Tracking Concept Class Drift and Emergence in Non-Stationary Fast Data Streams

As the proliferation of constant data feeds increases from social media, embedded sensors, and other sources, the capability to provide predictive concept labels to these data streams will become ever more important and lucrative. However, the dynamic, non-stationary nature, and effectively infinite length of data streams pose additional challenges for stream data mining algorithms. The sparse quantity of training data also limits the use of algorithms that are heavily dependent on supervised training. To address all these issues, we propose an incremental semi-supervised method that provides general concept class label predictions, but it also tracks concept clusters within the feature space using an innovative new online clustering algorithm. Each concept cluster contains an embedded stream classifier, creating a diverse ensemble for data instance classification within the generative model used for detecting emerging concepts in the stream. Unlike other recent novel class detection methods, our method goes beyond detecting, and continues to differentiate and track the emerging concepts. We show the effectiveness of our method on several synthetic and real world data sets, and we compare the results against other leading baseline methods.
Retargeting 4K Video for Mobile Access Using Visual Attention and Temporal Stabilization

This paper presents different methods of retargeting 4K resolution videos for the smaller resolutions of mobile devices. Several methods are investigated using image cropping based on visual attention maps with removal of temporal jitter. Visual comparison between video sequences obtained from the retargeting methods is presented and evaluated through subjective testing. Based on subjective scores, the proposed algorithm shows the best performance for 480p target resolution.
Development of Information Thesauri and Ontologies for Professional Communication in Subject Domains

The current trend is the dynamic growth of information in the professional subject domains, which leads to the emergence of new terms, methods and technologies. The basis of effective professional communication are dictionaries that dynamically change and evolve from controlled vocabularies, taxonomies and information thesauri to machine readable ontologies. The paper presents the results of the automated development of dynamic thesauri and ontologies reflecting the trends in the knowledge domains presented in educational, scientific literature and employers’ requirements. The results of the work are applied in the educational process.
Free-standing leaping experiments with a power-autonomous elastic-spined quadruped

We document initial experiments with Canid, a freestanding, power-autonomous quadrupedal robot equipped with a parallel actuated elastic spine. Research into robotic bounding and galloping platforms holds scientific and engineering interest because it can both probe biological hypotheses regarding bounding and galloping mammals and also provide the engineering community with a new class of agile, efficient and rapidly-locomoting legged robots. We detail the design features of Canid that promote our goals of agile operation in a relatively cheap, conventionally prototyped, commercial off-the-shelf actuated platform. We introduce new measurement methodology aimed at capturing our robot’s “body energy” during real time operation as a means of quantifying its potential for agile behavior. Finally, we present joint motor, inertial and motion capture data taken from Canid’s initial leaps into highly energetic regimes exhibiting large accelerations that illustrate the use of this measure and suggest its future potential as a platform for developing efficient, stable, hence useful bounding gaits.
Block Smoothed Sigmoid-Based Shrinkage in Time-Frequency Domain for Robust Audio Denoising

In this paper, we propose a novel robust method for short-time spectral amplitude (STSA) estimation in audio denoising. This method extends the smoothed sigmoid-based shrinkage (SSBS), which does not require any prior information about the probability distribution of the signal of interest. With regard to audio processing, the SSBS method yields better performance in terms of noise reduction but nevertheless introduces significant musical noise. In order to benefit from non-diagonal processing, which removes background noise without introducing musical noise, two non-diagonal SSBS are derived. First, the decision-directed approach is incorporated into the SSBS method. Second, the time-frequency domain is divided into rectangular blocks and then, a SSBS function is applied to estimate the spectral amplitude in each block. The experimental results demonstrate the relevance of the proposed methods both in terms of speech quality and intelligibility via objective criteria.
Electroacupuncture Pretreatment as a Novel Avenue to Protect Brain against Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury

Electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment is a recent observation which has been shown to induce ischemic tolerance mimicking the ischemic pretreatment, suggesting that EA pretreatment may be a promising preventive strategy for the patients with high risk of acute ischemia/reperfusion injury. It was first described in the brain, then in the heart where EA stimulation at acupoint prior to ischemia led to neuroprotection and myocardial protection and induced rapid and delayed ischemic tolerance. Then the optimal parameters and acupoint specificity of EA pretreatment to induce protective effect were proved. Many studies have shown that protective mechanisms of EA pretreatment may involve a series of regulatory molecular pathways including activity enhancement of antioxidant, regulation of the endocannabinoid system, involvement of beta-adrenergic receptor, and postreceptor signaling pathway, inhibition of apoptosis. Recently, the neuroprotective and cardioprotective effect of EA pretreatment had been demonstrated in patients undergoing craniocerebral tumor resection or heart valve replacement surgery. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to collect the evidence for the neuroprotective effect of EA pretreatment, to summarize the proposed protective mechanisms of EA pretreatment, and to discuss the possibility of EA pretreatment as a new preventive strategy for patients with high risk of ischemia in clinic.
Connexin 43 Differentially Regulates Epileptiform Activity in Models of Convulsive and Non-convulsive Epilepsies

The influence of astrocytic cell networks on neuronal network activity is an emerging issue in epilepsy. Among the various mechanisms by which astrocytes modulate neuronal function, synchronization of astrocytes via gap junction channels is widely considered to be a crucial mechanism in epileptic conditions, contributing to the synchronization of the neuronal cell networks, possibly inducing recurrent epileptiform activity. Here, we explored whether modulation of astrocytic gap junctions could alter epileptic seizures in different types of epilepsy. Opening of gap junctions by trimethylamine intensifies seizure-like events (SLEs) in the low-[Mg2+] in vitro model of temporal lobe epilepsy, while alleviates seizures in the in vivo WAG/Rij rat model of absence epilepsy. In contrast, application of the gap junction blocker carbenoxolone prevents the appearance of SLEs in the low-[Mg2+] epilepsy model, but aggravates seizures in non-convulsive absence epilepsy, in vivo. Pharmacological dissection of neuronal vs. astrocytic connexins shows that astrocytic Cx43 contribute to seizure formation to a significantly higher extent than neuronal Cx36. We conclude that astrocytic gap junctions are key players in the formation of epileptiform activity and we provide a scheme for the different mode of action in the convulsive and non-convulsive epilepsy types.
Surface Model Extraction from Indentation Curves of Hyperelastic Simulation for Abnormality Detection

Manual palpation for the detection of anomalies is not possible through the small incisions of Robotic Minimally Invasive Surgery. The proposed novel approach allows robotic palpation by deforming the tissue surface with an indenter and analyzing the corresponding induced surface shape for indications of the abnormalities underneath. Three-dimensional hyperelastic finite element models were used to simulate the tool-tissue interaction of a hemispherical indenter pushing downwards onto the tissue surface. Curve fitting methods were employed to characterize the indentation curve of the deformed surface of either normal or abnormal tissue with an empirical equation. By analyzing these equations, we developed volume-based and gradient-based methods to investigate how the tumor position affects the surface deformation behavior of the tissue.The results of the simulations indicate that there are obvious differences in the surface deformation between healthy and diseased tissue, due to the higher stiffness of the tumor. A significant advantage of the proposed method is that it greatly broadens the detection area by providing estimates on the direction and distance of the tumor from the surrounding area of the indentation site, compared with previous studies only predicting the presence of a tumor in the contact area.
BER analysis of GFDM system augmented with SC diversity combining scheme for diverse Pulse Shaping Filters

Wireless communication technologies are revolutionizing the way of traditional communication. Moreover, the growth from 1G to 5G is phenomenal. Internet of Everything has created a huge impact on the people’s lifestyle. Expectations of more data rates with enhanced reliability gave rise to Multiple Input Multiple Output. The pulse shaping filters play a significant role in Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM). By varying the pulse shaping filter, Bit Error Rates (BER) can be reduced. This paper presents the performance analyses of various pulse shaping filter such as Square Root Raised Cosine (SRRC), Raised Cosine (RC) and Gaussian filter in different scenarios. The BER rates are calculated under different channel modeling conditions in GFDM-Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) environment with Selection combining scheme for various pulse shaping filters.
Inflammatory response associated with pulmonary complications in non-HIV immunocompromised patients

Background: A study was undertaken to evaluate the local and systemic inflammatory response associated with pulmonary complications in immunocompromised patients and potential implications regarding severity and prognosis. Methods: Levels of different inflammatory mediators were measured in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and serum on days 1 and 4 after the identification of the pulmonary complication in 127 patients with different immunosuppressive conditions. Results: Pulmonary complications were characterised by a high percentage of neutrophils and increased levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10 in the BAL fluid and high serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP). The inflammatory response was similar in the different groups of immunocompromised patients evaluated. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines were higher in patients with pulmonary infections, particularly those of bacterial aetiology. Patients with a more severe pulmonary infection had a more intense local and systemic inflammatory response. A BAL fluid IL-6 level of >40 pg/ml was an independent predictor of mortality (OR 4.65, 95% CI 1.3 to 16.1), together with a need for mechanical ventilation (OR 13.5, 95% CI 3.2 to 57.3). Patients who died had persistently high levels of CRP on day 4. Conclusions: The evaluation of the inflammatory response, particularly the determination of IL-6 levels in the BAL fluid and CRP in the serum, may be useful for deciding the appropriate management of pulmonary complications in immunocompromised patients.
Effects of primordial chemistry on the cosmic microwave background

Context. Previous works have demonstrated that the generation of secondary CMB anisotropies due to the molecular optical depth is likely too small to be observed. In this paper, we examine additional ways in which primordial chemistry and the dark ages might influence the CMB. Aims. We seek a detailed understanding of the formation of molecules in the postrecombination universe and their interactions with the CMB. We present a detailed and updated chemical network and an overview of the interactions of molecules with the CMB. Methods. We calculate the evolution of primordial chemistry in a homogeneous universe and determine the optical depth due to line absorption, photoionization and photodissociation, and estimate the resulting changes in the CMB temperature and its power spectrum. Corrections for stimulated and spontaneous emission are taken into account. Results. The most promising results are obtained for the negative hydrogen ion $\mathrm{H}^-$ and the $\mathrm{HeH}^+$ molecule. The free-free process of $\mathrm{H}^-$ yields a relative change in the CMB temperature of up to 2$\times$10 -11 , and leads to a frequency-dependent change in the power spectrum of the order 10 -7 at 30 GHz. With a change of the order 10 -10 in the power spectrum, our result for the bound-free process of $\mathrm{H}^-$ is significantly below a previous suggestion. $\mathrm{HeH}^+$ efficiently scatters CMB photons and smears out primordial fluctuations, leading to a change in the power spectrum of the order 10 -8 . Conclusions. We demonstrate that primordial chemistry does not alter the CMB during the dark ages of the universe at the significance level of current CMB experiments. We determine and quantify the essential effects that may contribute to changes in the CMB and leave an imprint from the dark ages, thus constituting a potential probe of the early universe.
Culture and Competition: National and Regional Levels

he lack of a competition culture has often been considered the central impediment to promoting competition. 1 However, the impact of citizens’ values upon competition culture has rarely been investigated. The values of a nation’s citizens, or a national culture, exert perpetual influence upon its competition culture and competition policy. National culture differences may substantially affect regional cooperation on competition policy. This article attempts to establish a correlation between culture and competition policy at both the national and regional level, and illuminate its implications for regional competition cooperation.
gmTest: an industry-wide database of VLSI layouts for quality control

The need for a standardized library of test cases and VLSI layouts has become increasingly important as the EDA industry matures into the nanometer regime. No such library has ever been developed due to the intimidating scope of such an undertaking, and intellectual property (IP) concerns of potential contributors. In this paper we present a new database of layouts and test cases under development to meet this need. The gmTest database supports twenty-three classes of EDA operations, from aerial image simulation to file format translation, in a consistent and standardized manner. Additionally we present a novel "layout hashing" technology which allows generation of new, IP-free layouts from proprietary designs to duplicate error causing files for vendors without disclosing intellectual property. Using an intelligent generation system, a database of "almost-real" design patterns are created for general testing and debugging
Model-based clustering of time-course RNA-seq data

The next generation sequencing technology (RNA-seq) provides absolute quantification of gene expression using counts of read. Transcriptome studies are switching to rely on RNA-seq rather than microarrays since RNA-seq has higher sensitivity and dynamic range, with lower technical variation and thus higher precision than microarrays. Limited work has been done on expression analysis of longitudinal RNA-seq data to account for the time-dependence nature of the count data with over-dispersion property. Functional clustering is an important method for examining gene expression patterns and thus discovering co-expressed genes to better understand the biological systems. We propose a model-based clustering method for identifying gene expression patterns using time-course RNA-seq data. A timecourse genomic dataset is employed for illustration.
Landscapes and Riverscapes: The Influence of Land Use on Stream Ecosystems

▪ Abstract Local habitat and biological diversity of streams and rivers are strongly influenced by landform and land use within the surrounding valley at multiple scales. However, empirical associations between land use and stream response only varyingly succeed in implicating pathways of influence. This is the case for a number of reasons, including (a) covariation of anthropogenic and natural gradients in the landscape; (b) the existence of multiple, scale-dependent mechanisms; (c) nonlinear responses; and (d) the difficulties of separating present-day from historical influences. Further research is needed that examines responses to land use under different management strategies and that employs response variables that have greater diagnostic value than many of the aggregated measures in current use. In every respect, the valley rules the stream. H.B. N. Hynes (1975)
Assessment criteria for policy on ICT and climate change

There is an important connection between ICT-based innovation, environment and climate change. ICTs have a direct impact on the environment, consuming energy, materials and producing e-waste. But ICTs are the major enabling technology for mitigation of environmental impacts across all economic sectors. ICTs can contribute in achieving more sustainable lifestyles, consumption and production. ICT applications can help limit energy use and material consumption. In other words ICTs can be the driver for an emission reduction policy. Public policies can be pivotal in promoting a “smarter and greener ICT”. Government policies can support the application of ICTs across the economy, to tackle the challenges of global warming and environmental degradation. But potential benefits have to be quantified, in order to be fostered, planned, monitored and assessed. An effective ICT-based emission reduction policy needs an assessment of the “net” environmental impacts of green ICTs. This assessment have to take into consideration all kind of effects, both positive and negative, that have to be analyzed and quantified.
On Using Gait in Forensic Biometrics

Abstract: Given the continuing advances in gait biometrics, it appears prudent to investigate the translation of these techniques for forensic use. We address the question as to the confidence that might be given between any two such measurements. We use the locations of ankle, knee, and hip to derive a measure of the match between walking subjects in image sequences. The Instantaneous Posture Match algorithm, using Harr templates, kinematics, and anthropomorphic knowledge is used to determine their location. This is demonstrated using real CCTV recorded at Gatwick International Airport, laboratory images from the multiview CASIA‐B data set, and an example of real scene of crime video. To access the measurement confidence, we study the mean intra‐ and inter‐match scores as a function of database size. These measures converge to constant and separate values, indicating that the match measure derived from individual comparisons is considerably smaller than the average match measure from a population.
Parallelization of an ultrasound reconstruction algorithm for non destructive testing on multicore CPU and GPU

The CIVA software platform developed by CEA-LIST offers various simulation and data processing modules dedicated to non-destructive testing (NDT). In particular, ultrasonic imaging and reconstruction tools are proposed, in the purpose of localizing echoes and identifying and sizing the detected defects. Because of the complexity of data processed, computation time is now a limitation for the optimal use of available information. In this article, we present performance results on parallelization of one computationally heavy algorithm on general purpose processors (GPP) and graphic processing units (GPU). GPU implementation makes an intensive use of atomic intrinsics. Compared to initial GPP implementation, optimized GPP implementation runs up to ×116 faster and GPU implementation up to ×631. This shows that, even with irregular workloads, combining software optimization and hardware improvements, GPU give high performance.
Software Characteristic Analysis Based on History of Software Metrics

This paper proposes a method for software characteristic analysis based on software metrics transitions. Software metrics transitions can be measured from development historical information archived by version control system, and they can be used for identifying peculiar modules, metrics, and changes of the software system. Identification of those elements is useful for efficient software development and maintenance. We have implemented a software tool based on the proposal, and conducted case studies with open source software systems. The results of the case studies show that the proposal is helpful.
Dynamical Surveying Adjustments for Crowd-sourced Data Observations

Advances in positioning, imaging, location-based services capabilities, and broadband connectivity enable public participation in environmental monitoring and decision making in a manner previously only possible for professional scientists. Data collected by volunteers has long been an important factor in environmental programmes, but the difficulties in applying quality control measures and in ensuring an appropriate sample size of observations for a given area limit their scientific value. This paper addresses this challenge in describing a surveying architecture, allowing efficient in-field data collection from a GPS enabled ubiquitous device. The originality of this architecture comes from a real-time analysis of surveyed responses in order to “drive” the survey for optimised precision and validity. Spatial awareness from the surveying engine allows one to modify the sets of questions for each surveyor volunteer as the survey goes along, and even to try to recruit volunteers in the area. As a result this architecture is able to support the implementation of a dynamic and directed approach to in-field data collection with real-time quality control driven by an adaptive surveying modelling technique insuring optimised data collection and personalised feedback to users. A plug-in architecture gives the possibility to extend using RSS, Twitter and Mappiness data sources, with other real time feeds, then allowing the adaptive surveying engine to use multilevel multi-sourced sets of information. The paper describes this conceptual architecture and a technical solution for its implementation, independent of the mobile hardware producer, tablets, smart phones, netbooks, laptops, in order to allow the widest public participation opportunity possible. The implementation was tested on Google Android and Apple iPhone devices with a use case coming from the Tranquillity Report of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).