Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Canadian Raising in Victoria, B.C. An Acoustic Analysis

This article presents the results of a study of the phonetic realization of Canadian Raising, as produced by 39 speakers from Victoria, B.C. A total of 2489 tokens of the diphthongs /aI/ and /ao/ in nine different phonetic environments were analyzed acoustically by measuring the first and second formants (F1/F2). Contrary to the findings of Chambers & Hardwick (1986) and Hung, Davison & Chambers (1993), which predicted the "Americanization" of Canadian speech and a decline in the use of raising, Canadian Raising is still in existence for both diphthongs. Raising chiefly occurs in the phonetic environment of a following voiceless consonant, including the 'flapped' or 'voiced' /t/, and involves a lower F1 (i.e. raising) of the offglides as well. Moreover, a trend toward fronting of the onsets can be discerned, with /ao/ being predominantly realized as fronted already, and /aI/ increasingly becoming so, especially in the phonetic environment of a following obstruent.
Ecological and human health risks associated with abandoned gold mine tailings contaminated soil

Gold mining is a major source of metal and metalloid emissions into the environment. Studies were carried out in Krugersdorp, South Africa, to evaluate the ecological and human health risks associated with exposure to metals and metalloids in mine tailings contaminated soils. Concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) in soil samples from the area varied with the highest contamination factors (expressed as ratio of metal or metalloid concentration in the tailings contaminated soil to that of the control site) observed for As (3.5x102), Co (2.8x102) and Ni (1.1x102). Potential ecological risk index values for metals and metalloids determined from soil metal and metalloid concentrations and their respective risk factors were correspondingly highest for As (3.5x103) and Co (1.4x103), whereas Mn (0.6) presented the lowest ecological risk. Human health risk was assessed using Hazard Quotient (HQ), Chronic Hazard Index (CHI) and carcinogenic risk levels, where values of HQ > 1, CHI > 1 and carcinogenic risk values > 1×10−4 represent elevated risks. Values for HQ indicated high exposure-related risk for As (53.7), Cr (14.8), Ni (2.2), Zn (2.64) and Mn (1.67). Children were more at risk from heavy metal and metalloid exposure than adults. Cancer-related risks associated with metal and metalloid exposure among children were also higher than in adults with cancer risk values of 3×10−2 and 4×10−2 for As and Ni respectively among children, and 5×10−3 and 4×10−3 for As and Ni respectively among adults. There is significant potential ecological and human health risk associated with metal and metalloid exposure from contaminated soils around gold mine tailings dumps. This could be a potential contributing factor to a setback in the health of residents in informal settlements dominating this mining area as the immune systems of some of these residents are already compromised by high HIV prevalence.
Shotgun Mitogenomics Provides a Reference Phylogenetic Framework and Timescale for Living Xenarthrans

Xenarthra (armadillos, sloths, and anteaters) constitutes one of the four major clades of placental mammals. Despite their phylogenetic distinctiveness in mammals, a reference phylogeny is still lacking for the 31 described species. Here we used Illumina shotgun sequencing to assemble 33 new complete mitochondrial genomes, establishing Xenarthra as the first major placental clade to be fully sequenced at the species level for mitogenomes. The resulting data set allowed the reconstruction of a robust phylogenetic framework and timescale that are consistent with previous studies conducted at the genus level using nuclear genes. Incorporating the full species diversity of extant xenarthrans points to a number of inconsistencies in xenarthran systematics and species definition. We propose to split armadillos into two distinct families Dasypodidae (dasypodines) and Chlamyphoridae (euphractines, chlamyphorines, and tolypeutines) to better reflect their ancient divergence, estimated around 42 Ma. Species delimitation within long-nosed armadillos (genus Dasypus) appeared more complex than anticipated, with the discovery of a divergent lineage in French Guiana. Diversification analyses showed Xenarthra to be an ancient clade with a constant diversification rate through time with a species turnover driven by high but constant extinction. We also detected a significant negative correlation between speciation rate and past temperature fluctuations with an increase in speciation rate corresponding to the general cooling observed during the last 15 My. Biogeographic reconstructions identified the tropical rainforest biome of Amazonia and the Guiana Shield as the cradle of xenarthran evolutionary history with subsequent dispersions into more open and dry habitats.
Cross-layer design for providing service oriented architecture in a mobile Ad Hoc network

This paper presents a novel cross-layer design for providing service oriented architecture (SOA) in a mobile ad hoc network (MANET). In the design SOA service discovery is integrated into the ad hoc routing protocol underlying the MANET. We present a prototype implementation based on the optimized link state routing (OLSR) protocol, and its empirical evaluation.
From Parts-to-Whole: A Holistic Theory of Optimal Design and Adaptation in Complex Networks

Recent research in network science has shown that complex networks in diverse application areas seem to exhibit several universal features. In this paper, we describe a holistic theory of optimal design and adaptation of complex networks based on the universal organizing principle of network structure optimization to meet overall survival or performance objectives. We demonstrate how a network self-organizes by evolutionary adaptation to maximize its survival or performance fitness, which in turns depends, under given environmental survival pressure, on the network’s efficiency, robustness and cost. The theory provides a general conceptual framework for integrating network topology with survival objectives, selection pressures, evolutionary adaptation and performance optimization in a single coherent formalism. Further, we investigate another related and important question, namely, how “parts-level” network properties such as the vertex degree determine “system-level” properties such as survival or performance. We also examine the implications of uncertainty in the environment on optimal network design. Using the concepts of interaction ‘values’ and network ‘satisfaction’ as generic performance measures, we show that the underlying organizing principle is to meet an overall performance target with reliable performance under maximum environmental uncertainty. This leads to the emergence of the power law degree distribution, often displayed in complex networks, as a consequence of the Maximum Entropy Principle. This notion also leads to other distributions under various limiting conditions.
PSG Validation of minute-to-minute scoring for sleep and wake periods in a consumer wearable device

Background Actigraphs are wrist-worn devices that record tri-axial accelerometry data used clinically and in research studies. The expense of research-grade actigraphs, however, limit their widespread adoption, especially in clinical settings. Tri-axial accelerometer-based consumer wearable devices have gained worldwide popularity and hold potential for a cost-effective alternative. The lack of independent validation of minute-to-minute accelerometer data with polysomnographic data or even research-grade actigraphs, as well as access to raw data has hindered the utility and acceptance of consumer-grade actigraphs. Methods Sleep clinic patients wore a consumer-grade wearable (Huami Arc) on their non-dominant wrist while undergoing an overnight polysomnography (PSG) study. The sample was split into two, 20 in a training group and 21 in a testing group. In addition to the Arc, the testing group also wore a research-grade actigraph (Philips Actiwatch Spectrum). Sleep was scored for each 60-s epoch on both devices using the Cole-Kripke algorithm. Results Based on analysis of our training group, Arc and PSG data were aligned best when a threshold of 10 units was used to examine the Arc data. Using this threshold value in our testing group, the Arc has an accuracy of 90.3%±4.3%, sleep sensitivity (or wake specificity) of 95.5%±3.5%, and sleep specificity (wake sensitivity) of 55.6%±22.7%. Compared to PSG, Actiwatch has an accuracy of 88.7%±4.5%, sleep sensitivity of 92.6%±5.2%, and sleep specificity of 60.5%±20.2%, comparable to that observed in the Arc. Conclusions An optimized sleep/wake threshold value was identified for a consumer-grade wearable Arc trained by PSG data. By applying this sleep/wake threshold value for Arc generated accelerometer data, when compared to PSG, sleep and wake estimates were adequate and comparable to those generated by a clinical-grade actigraph. As with other actigraphs, sleep specificity plateaus due to limitations in distinguishing wake without movement from sleep. Further studies are needed to evaluate the Arc’s ability to differentiate between sleep and wake using other sources of data available from the Arc, such as high resolution accelerometry and photoplethysmography.
Spatial multiplexing applied to turbo coded multicarrier CDMA

We combine spatial multiplexing with a multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) system associated to a turbo coding (TC) scheme. MC-CDMA is likely to be a very promising access technique for future wireless communication systems. In fact, MC-CDMA exploits the advantages of both the multi-carrier modulation and code division multiple access (CDMA) technique. On the other hand, the capacity of a multi-antenna system can linearly increase with the minimum of transmit and receive antennas using spatial multiplexing. We study the concatenation of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems for N/sub t/ transmit and N/sub r/ receive antennas and MC-CDMA with a TC scheme. Simulation results are provided for different loads in order to demonstrate the efficiency of spatial multiplexing combined with the turbo channel coding scheme for a multiuser system based on MC-CDMA for both uncorrelated and correlated antenna systems.
A new sensitivity-based pruning technique for feed-forward neural networks that improves generalization

Multi-layer neural networks of the back-propagation type (MLP-networks) became a well-established tool used in various application areas. Reliable solutions require, however, also sufficient generalization capabilities of the formed networks and an easy interpretation of their function. These characteristics are strongly related to less sensitive networks with an optimized network structure. In this paper, we will introduce a new pruning technique called SCGSIR that is inspired by the fast method of scaled conjugate gradients (SCG) and sensitivity analysis. Network sensitivity inhibited during training impacts efficient optimization of network structure. Experiments performed so far yield promising results outperforming the reference techniques when considering both their ability to find networks with optimum architecture and improved generalization.
Evolution of Signalling in a Swarm of Robots Controlled by Dynamic Neural Networks

Communication is a point of central importance in swarms of robots. This paper describes a set of simulations in which artificial evolution is used as a means to engineer robot neuro-controllers capable of guiding groups of robots in a categorisation task by producing appropriate actions. In spite of the absence of explicit selective pressures (coded into the fitness function) which favour signalling over non-signalling groups, communicative behaviour emerges. Post-evaluation analyses illustrate the adaptive function of the evolved signals and show that they are tightly linked to the behavioural repertoire of the agents.
J-CAR: An efficient joint channel assignment and routing protocol for IEEE 802.11-based multi-channel multi-interface mobile Ad Hoc networks

The capacity of an IEEE 802.11-based multi-hop wireless network is limited. By effectively utilizing multiple non-overlapping channels and multiple interfaces, collision and co-channel interference can be reduced. This allows more concurrent transmissions and thus enhances the network capacity. In this paper, we introduce an efficient distributed joint channel assignment and routing protocol, called J-CAR. Unlike existing schemes, J-CAR allows a data interface to dynamically change its routing protocol working mode between send and receive on a call-by-call basis, which distributed joint channel assignment enhances the utilization of both interface and channel. In J-CAR, channels are negotiated and assigned to active links in conjunction with the on-demand routing process. At each hop, J-CAR conducts a local optimization by selecting the least interfered channel according to the channel interference index. The channel interference index is designed by taking both the protocol and physical interference models into consideration. To find the least interfered path for network load balancing on a global scale, J-CAR employs a length-constrained widest-path routing. The ldquowidthrdquo of a path is determined by the interference level of its bottleneck link. With an adjustable threshold on the path length (with respect to the shortest-path), the excessively long path can also be avoided. We show that with a comparable complexity as the existing schemes, J-CAR provides much higher system good puts and shorter end-to-end packet delays.
A new subgrid eddy-viscosity model for large-eddy simulation of anisotropic turbulence

A new subgrid eddy-viscosity model is proposed in this paper. Full details of the derivation of the model are given with the assumption of homogeneous turbulence. The formulation of the model is based on the dynamic equation of the structure function of resolved scale turbulence. By means of the local volume average, the effect of the anisotropy is taken into account in the generalized Kolmogorov equation, which represents the equilibrium energy transfer in the inertial subrange. Since the proposed model is formulated directly from the filtered Navier–Stokes equation, the resulting subgrid eddy viscosity has the feature that it can be adopted in various turbulent flows without any adjustments of model coefficient. The proposed model predicts the major statistical properties of rotating turbulence perfectly at fairly low-turbulence Rossby numbers whereas subgrid models, which do not consider anisotropic effects in turbulence energy transfer, cannot predict this typical anisotropic turbulence correctly. The model is also tested in plane wall turbulence, i.e. plane Couette flow and channel flow, and the major statistical properties are in better agreement with those predicted by DNS results than the predictions by the Smagorinsky, the dynamic Smagorinsky and the recent Cui–Zhou–Zhang–Shao models.
Moving target detection for sense and avoid using regional phase correlation

This paper outlines a video-based method for detecting intruder aircraft to assist with sense and avoid for small, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A key consideration is that the algorithm is suitable for real-time implementation on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The method begins by estimating the motion in the scene using regional phase correlation, and then fitting the positional predictions obtained using these regional motion vectors to an affine model representing the effect of camera motion on the background imagery. A combination of metrics, including phase correlation peak height (a confidence measure) and the error between the position predicted by the affine model and that obtained using the measured phase correlation vector, is used to indicate regions of interest where moving targets are present. The ability of the algorithm to detect approaching aircraft is analyzed using a number of aerial video sequences with different encounter geometries.
The fine-interval tracking algorithm of GPS signal for high-speed spinning objects

Since the location services becomes more and more important in people's life, the navigation methods for all kinds of objects, such as objects in high-dynamic movement or in strong interference environment, need to be researched. Because the high-speed spinning is a special condition of high-dynamic, it is necessary to research the navigation method for this kind of objects. For the high-dynamic object without spinning, it will have a good tracking performance by using high-order tracking loop or Kalman filter. But for high-speed spinning object, because the Doppler changes very fast, it can't be tracked by traditional tracking algorithm. This paper analyzed the features of spinning signal at first; then expounded the problems of tacking this kind of signal by traditional tracking algorithm; and then proposed the fine-interval tracking algorithm at last. This new algorithm decreases the range of Doppler in tracking interval by decreasing the integration interval. It is shown by the simulation results that the high-speed spinning object can be tracked by the algorithm.
Index Terms – Bayesian network, Bayesian morphological analysis, voxel-based morphometry, morphology-function analysis, atrophy detection, computational anatomy 1. Introduction

Most methods for structure-function analysis in medical images usually are based on voxel-wise statistical tests performed on registered Magnetic Resonance (MR) images across subjects. A major drawback of such methods is the inability to accurately locate regions that manifest nonlinear associations with clinical variables. In this paper we propose Bayesian Morphological Analysis (BMA) methods, based on a Bayesian-network representation, for the analysis of MR brain images. First, we describe how Bayesian networks can represent probabilistic associations among voxels and clinical (functional) variables. Second, we present a model-selection framework, which generates a Bayesian network that captures structure-function relationships from MR brain images and functional variables. We demonstrate our methods in the context of determining associations between regional brain atrophy (as demonstrated on MR images of the brain), and functional deficits. We employ two data sets for this evaluation: the first contains MR images of 11 subjects, where associations between regional atrophy and a functional deficit are almost linear; the second data set contains MR images of the ventricles of 84 subjects, where the structure-function association is nonlinear. Our methods successfully identify voxel-wise morphological changes that are associated with functional deficits in both data sets, whereas standard statistical analysis (i. e., t-test and paired t-test) finds only some of these changes in the linear-association case, and fails in the nonlinear-association case.
Acceptance of future persuasive in-car interfaces towards a more economic driving behaviour

Measuring user acceptance to avoid system rejection by the users in pre-prototype stage of product development is of high interest for both researchers and practitioners. This is especially true when technology uses strategies of persuasion in an emotional laden environment like the car. This paper presents the results of an online survey aiming at evaluating the acceptance of future persuasive in-car interaction approaches for a more economic driving behaviour. Five different persuasive interface concepts are presented and studied towards their acceptance. The results show an overall acceptance of the system concepts and the usefulness of the presented method. We show that individual expectations of the systems' disturbance and risk have an effect on the acceptance of technology and the behavioural intention to use.
BEAF Regulates Cell-Cycle Genes through the Controlled Deposition of H3K9 Methylation Marks into Its Conserved Dual-Core Binding Sites

Chromatin insulators/boundary elements share the ability to insulate a transgene from its chromosomal context by blocking promiscuous enhancer–promoter interactions and heterochromatin spreading. Several insulating factors target different DNA consensus sequences, defining distinct subfamilies of insulators. Whether each of these families and factors might possess unique cellular functions is of particular interest. Here, we combined chromatin immunoprecipitations and computational approaches to break down the binding signature of the Drosophila boundary element–associated factor (BEAF) subfamily. We identify a dual-core BEAF binding signature at 1,720 sites genome-wide, defined by five to six BEAF binding motifs bracketing 200 bp AT-rich nuclease-resistant spacers. Dual-cores are tightly linked to hundreds of genes highly enriched in cell-cycle and chromosome organization/segregation annotations. siRNA depletion of BEAF from cells leads to cell-cycle and chromosome segregation defects. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses in BEAF-depleted cells show that BEAF controls the expression of dual core–associated genes, including key cell-cycle and chromosome segregation regulators. beaf mutants that impair its insulating function by preventing proper interactions of BEAF complexes with the dual-cores produce similar effects in embryos. Chromatin immunoprecipitations show that BEAF regulates transcriptional activity by restricting the deposition of methylated histone H3K9 marks in dual-cores. Our results reveal a novel role for BEAF chromatin dual-cores in regulating a distinct set of genes involved in chromosome organization/segregation and the cell cycle.
Weaker Forms of Monotonicity for Declarative Networking

The CALM-conjecture, first stated by Hellerstein [2010] and proved in its revised form by Ameloot et al. [2013] within the framework of relational transducer networks, asserts that a query has a coordination-free execution strategy if and only if the query is monotone. Zinn et al. [2012] extended the framework of relational transducer networks to allow for specific data distribution strategies and showed that the nonmonotone win-move query is coordination-free for domain-guided data distributions. In this article, we extend the story by equating increasingly larger classes of coordination-free computations with increasingly weaker forms of monotonicity and present explicit Datalog variants that capture each of these classes. One such fragment is based on stratified Datalog where rules are required to be connected with the exception of the last stratum. In addition, we characterize coordination-freeness as those computations that do not require knowledge about all other nodes in the network, and therefore, can not globally coordinate. The results in this article can be interpreted as a more fine-grained answer to the CALM-conjecture.
Optimal indexing using near-minimal space

We consider the index selection problem. Given either a fixed query workload or an unknown probability distribution on possible future queries, and a bound B on how much space is available to build indices, we seek to build a collection of indices for which the average query response time is minimized. We give strong negative and positive peformance bounds.Let m be the number of queries in the workload. We show how to obtain with high probability a collection of indices using space O(B ln m) for which the average query cost is optB, the optimal performance possible for indices using at most B total space. Moreover, this space relaxation is necessary: unless NP ⊆ nO(log log n), no polynomial time algorithm can guarantee average query cost less than M1--ε optB using space αB, for any constant α, where M is the size of the dataset. We quantify the error in performance introduced by running the algorithm on a sample drawn from a query distribution.