Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sentence simplification, compression, and disaggregation for summarization of sophisticated documents

Sophisticated documents like legal cases and biomedical articles can contain unusually long sentences. Extractive summarizers can select such sentences—potentially adding hundreds of unnecessary words to the summary—or exclude them and lose important content. Sentence simplification or compression seems on the surface to be a promising solution. However, compression removes words before the selection algorithm can use them, and simplification generates sentences that may be ambiguous in an extractive summary. We therefore compare the performance of an extractive summarizer selecting from the sentences of the original document with that of the summarizer selecting from sentences shortened in three ways: simplification, compression, and disaggregation, which splits one sentence into several according to rules designed to keep all meaning. We find that on legal cases and biomedical articles, these shortening methods generate ungrammatical output. Human evaluators performed an extrinsic evaluation consisting of comprehension questions about the summaries. Evaluators given compressed, simplified, or disaggregated versions of the summaries answered fewer questions correctly than did those given summaries with unaltered sentences. Error analysis suggests 2 causes: Altered sentences sometimes interact with the sentence selection algorithm, and alterations to sentences sometimes obscure information in the summary. We discuss future work to alleviate these problems.
A COMPARISON OF TWO COMPUTER LITERACY TESTING APPROACHES

Although computer literacy is hard to define and means different things to different people, the advancement of information and communication technologies and the ubiquitous computing environment have made it a necessity for everyone to be computer literate. Computer literacy is a fundamental part of undergraduate education. The assessment of computer literacy remains to be a challenging issue faced by educators. This study focuses on a comparison of two computer literacy testing approaches. Two testing tools, the Computer Skills Placement (CSP) test and the Prentice Hall Train & Assess IT (TAIT) testing tool, were selected and investigated. A qualitative comparison of two testing tools was made. The differences in basic computer skills or sets of knowledgebase covered were discussed and the advantages and disadvantages of each testing tools were examined. As a case study, a quantitative comparison of two testing tools was done using data collected from a freshman-level computer literacy course in fall 2006 semester. In this freshman-level computer literacy course required for all majors at an urban university, students were tested on their computer literacy knowledgebase and computer skills at the end of the semester utilizing the two testing tools. Our study analyzed the performance of 132 students in this course. Correlations between the scores from the two testing instruments were analyzed. A paired sample t test was conducted to compare the students’ performance among the examination scores. For the colleges that plan to use Computer Skills Placement (CSP) test or Prentice Hall Train & Assess IT (TAIT) test as a testing tool for credit-by-exam, we made some recommendations on setting the cut scores. Limitations of this study were discussed and future works and directions were included.
Multi-locomotion robot - energy-based motion control for dexterous brachiation -

This paper introduces a multi-locomotion robot which has multiple types of locomotion. The robot is developed to achieve a bipedal walk, a quadrupedal walk and a brachiation, mimicking locomotion ways of a gorilla. It therefore has higher mobility by selecting a proper locomotion type according to its environment and purpose. In this paper we focus on brachiation mode and propose a control algorithm to realize stable and efficient continuous brachiation while the ultimate purpose of this study is to develop a unified control architecture which realize multiple types of dexterous locomotion like an animal as well as motion stability and efficiency. Swing control of brachiation according to the total energy of the system is one of key issues in order to realize the continuous brachiation, because the brachiation can be modeled as a pendulum-like motion and the amplitude of the oscillation determines whether the robot can grasp the target ladder or not. We propose an energy-based control algorithm and install it into the swing action controller. Experimental results show that the robot can successfully achieve smooth and continuous brachiation
Mesopredator Management: Effects of Red Fox Control on the Abundance, Diet and Use of Space by Feral Cats

Apex predators are subject to lethal control in many parts of the world to minimize their impacts on human industries and livelihoods. Diverse communities of smaller predators—mesopredators—often remain after apex predator removal. Despite concern that these mesopredators may be 'released' in the absence of the apex predator and exert negative effects on each other and on co-occurring prey, these interactions have been little studied. Here, we investigate the potential effects of competition and intraguild predation between red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cats (Felis catus) in south-eastern Australia where the apex predator, the dingo (Canis dingo), has been extirpated by humans. We predicted that the larger fox would dominate the cat in encounters, and used a fox-removal experiment to assess whether foxes affect cat abundance, diet, home-range and habitat use. Our results provide little indication that intraguild predation occurred or that cats responded numerically to the fox removal, but suggest that the fox affects some aspects of cat resource use. In particular, where foxes were removed cats increased their consumption of invertebrates and carrion, decreased their home range size and foraged more in open habitats. Fox control takes place over large areas of Australia to protect threatened native species and agricultural interests. Our results suggest that fox control programmes could lead to changes in the way that cats interact with co-occurring prey, and that some prey may become more vulnerable to cat predation in open habitats after foxes have been removed. Moreover, with intensive and more sustained fox control it is possible that cats could respond numerically and alter their behaviour in different ways to those documented herein. Such outcomes need to be considered when estimating the indirect impacts of fox control. We conclude that novel approaches are urgently required to control invasive mesopredators at the same time, especially in areas where apex predators are absent.
Face recognition based on bionic Pattern

Face detection and identification has widespread applications, the paper Using the timer every 0.2 seconds to read video sequences from an image for face recognition. First, we use color information to create a skin color model, with basic knowledge of image processing for face localization and face image preprocessing, then Eigenfaees based on Statistical features and Neural Network are applied in Face Recognition. The experimental results show that the algorithm is successful and practical.
Botanically Templated Monolithic Macrostructured Zinc Oxide Materials for Photocatalysis

With an increased focus on light energy to facilitate catalytic processes, photocatalysts have been intensively studied for a wide range of energy and environmental applications. In this report, we describe the use of chemically dehydrated leaves as sacrificial foam-like templates for the growth of monolithic macrostructured semiconducting zinc oxide and nickel or cobalt doped zinc oxide materials. The composition and structure of these templated zinc oxides were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Optical properties were examined using solid-state UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The metal-doped ZnO materials have enhanced visible absorption and lower band gaps as compared to ZnO. The botanically templated ZnO materials retain the macroscopic cellular form of the leaf template with fused nanoparticle walls. Their UV photocatalytic oxidative abilities were investigated using methylene blue dye degradation in air. The leaf templated zinc oxides degrade ~85% of methylene blue dye with 30 min of UV illumination. Nickel and cobalt doped zinc oxides showed varying degrees of decreased UV and visible light photocatalytic activity, possibly due to metal-mediated charge recombination. The mild chemical dehydration process here allows complex soft botanical structures to be easily utilized for templating materials.
Investigating Pressure-based Interactions with Mobile Phones While Walking and Encumbered

In encumbered (e.g. carrying shopping bags) and walking situations, interacting with mobile phones is physically demanding and leads to poor input performance. This paper presents two user studies which investigate the effectiveness of using pressure as an alternative input modality to touch when using mobile phones while walking and encumbered. Force-sensing resistors (FSR) were placed around the edges of a mobile phone to provide multiple pressure points to execute onscreen spreading, pinching, rotating and dragging single handedly. Experimental results showed that it is possible that encumbrance had no significant effect on pressure-based targeting performance. Our preliminary findings show promise with using multi-digit pressure input to facilitate one-handed touchless interactions with handheld devices in multitasking encumbered contexts.
Comparison of 68Ga-HBED-CC PSMA-PET/CT and multiparametric MRI for gross tumour volume detection in patients with primary prostate cancer based on slice by slice comparison with histopathology

Purpose: The exact detection and delineation of the intraprostatic tumour burden is crucial for treatment planning in primary prostate cancer (PCa). We compared 68Ga-HBED-CC-PSMA PET/CT with multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) for diagnosis and tumour delineation in patients with primary PCa based on slice by slice correlation with histopathological reference material. Methodology: Seven patients with histopathologically proven primary PCa underwent 68Ga-HBED-CC-PSMA PET/CT and MRI followed by radical prostatectomy. Resected prostates were scanned by ex-vivo CT in a special localizer and prepared for histopathology. Invasive PCa was delineated on a HE stained histologic tissue slide and matched to ex-vivo CT to obtain gross tumor volume (GTV-)histo. Ex-vivo CT including GTV-histo and MRI data were matched to in-vivo CT(PET). Consensus contours based on MRI (GTV-MRI), PSMA PET (GTV-PET) or the combination of both (GTV-union/-intersection) were created. In each in-vivo CT slice the prostate was separated into 4 equal segments and sensitivity and specificity for PSMA PET and mpMRI were assessed by comparison with histological reference material. Furthermore, the spatial overlap between GTV-histo and GTV-PET/-MRI and the Sørensen-Dice coefficient (DSC) were calculated. In the case of multifocal PCa (4/7 patients), SUV values (PSMA PET) and ADC-values (diffusion weighted MRI) were obtained for each lesion. Results: PSMA PET and mpMRI detected PCa in all patients. GTV-histo was detected in 225 of 340 segments (66.2%). Sensitivity and specificity for GTV-PET, GTV-MRI, GTV-union and GTV-intersection were 75% and 87%, 70% and 82%, 82% and 67%, 55% and 99%, respectively. GTV-histo had on average the highest overlap with GTV-union (57±22%), which was significantly higher than overlap with GTV-MRI (p=0.016) and GTV-PET (p=0.016), respectively. The mean DSC for GTV-union, GTV-PET and GTV-MRI was 0.51 (±0.18), 0.45 (±0.17) and 0.48 (±0.19), respectively. In every patient with multifocal PCa there was one lesion which had both the highest SUV and the lowest ADC-value (mean and max). Conclusion: In a slice by slice analysis with histopathology, 68Ga-HBED-CC-PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI showed high sensitivity and specificity in detection of primary PCa. A combination of both methods performed even better in terms of sensitivity (GTV-union) and specificity (GTV-intersection). A moderate to good spatial overlap with GTV-histo was observed for PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI alone which was significantly improved by GTV-union. Further studies are warranted to analyse the impact of these preliminary findings for diagnostic (multimodal guided TRUS biopsy) and therapeutic (focal therapy) strategies in primary PCa.
Post-Streaming Rate Analysis—A New Approach to Mobile Video Streaming with Predictable Performance

Fueled by the growth of 3G/4G mobile networks, mobile video streaming has become one of the main applications in the mobile Internet. Due to mobile networks’ inherent bandwidth fluctuations, the industry as well as researchers have developed many adaptive streaming algorithms to compensate for such fluctuations to improve streaming performance. Given the wide range of network settings, it is not surprising that existing algorithms can and do perform differently across different network and system conditions. This work breaks away from the conventional one-size-fits-all approach to designing adaptive streaming systems by developing a new framework called PSRA where past throughput trace data - captured as a by-product of streaming, are analyzed to construct a statistical model to automatically tune the adaptation algorithm for future streaming sessions according to the underlying network and system configurations. Compared to existing approaches, the PSRA-optimized streaming algorithm can achieve predictable, consistent, and controllable streaming performance across a wide-range of network and system configurations. Moreover, PSRA offers to service provider a new tool to precisely control the tradeoff between video quality and streaming performance. Results from extensive trace-driven simulations as well as experiments verified PSRA's performance under real-world mobile network and system configurations.
Urinary tract infection of mice to model human disease: Practicalities, implications and limitations

Abstract Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections in humans. Murine models of human UTI are vital experimental tools that have helped to elucidate UTI pathogenesis and advance knowledge of potential treatment and infection prevention strategies. Fundamentally, several variables are inherent in different murine models, and understanding the limitations of these variables provides an opportunity to understand how models may be best applied to research aimed at mimicking human disease. In this review, we discuss variables inherent in murine UTI model studies and how these affect model usage, data analysis and data interpretation. We examine recent studies that have elucidated UTI host–pathogen interactions from the perspective of gene expression, and review new studies of biofilm and UTI preventative approaches. We also consider potential standards for variables inherent in murine UTI models and discuss how these might expand the utility of models for mimicking human disease and uncovering new aspects of pathogenesis.
A Bambara Tonalization System for Word Sense Disambiguation Using Differential Coding, Segmentation and Edit Operation Filtering

In many languages such as Bambara or Arabic, tone markers (diacritics) may be written but are actually often omitted. NLP applications are confronted to ambiguities and subsequent difficulties when processing texts. To circumvent this problem, tonalization may be used, as a word sense disambiguation task, relying on context to add diacritics that partially disambiguate words as well as senses. In this paper, we describe our implementation of a Bambara tonalizer that adds tone markers using machine learning (CRFs). To make our tool efficient, we used differential coding, word segmentation and edit operation filtering. We describe our approach that allows tractable machine learning and improves accuracy: our model may be learned within minutes on a 358K-word corpus and reaches 92.3% accuracy.
Coordination techniques for distributed artificial intelligence

Coordination, the process by which an agent reasons about its local actions and the (anticipated) actions of others to try and ensure the community acts in a coherent manner, is perhaps the key problem of the discipline of Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI). In order to make advances it is important that the theories and principles which guide this central activity are uncovered and analysed in a systematic and rigourous manner. To this end, this paper models agent communities using a distributed goal search formalism, and argues that commitments (pledges to undertake a specific course of action) and conventions (means of monitoring commitments in changing circumstances) are the foundation of coordination in all DAI systems.
The Net Effect: Modeling and Measuring the Integration of Electronic Communities

Information technology can link geographically separated people and help them locate interesting or compatible resources. Although these attributes have the potential to bridge gaps and unite communities, they also have the potential to fragment interaction and divide groups by leading people to spend more time on special interests and by screening out less preferred contact. This paper introduces precise measures of information integration and develops a model of individual knowledge profiles and community affiliation. These factors suggest different conditions under which improved access, search, and screening can integrate or fragment interaction. As IT capabilities continue to improve, preferences, not geography or technology, become the key determinants of community boundaries. The Net Effect and Integration 3
Study the effects of an addition of titanium dioxide (TiO2) on the mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene-rice husk green composites

New composites based on polypropylene as polymer matrix reinforced rice husk have been developed. The improvement of mechanical and thermal properties can be achieved by the addition of inorganic filler namely titanium dioxide (TiO2). In this work, two series of composites formulation of polypropylene reinforced rice husk with and without TiO2 incorporation were prepared. The composite was firstly melt compounding with a twin screw extruder and then were injection molded. Mechanical tests were applied to obtain tensile strength, Young’s modulus and elongation at break. Morphology of fractured surface of the composites also was observed using Scanning Electron Microscope as well as thermal properties was analyzed by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The results showed that the composites with an inclusion of inorganic filler TiO2 gave better mechanical properties than the composites without inclusion of TiO2 and pure PP. The maximum value of tensile strength which was 41.2 MPa represented by the composites formulation of PP/RH-10 wt%/TiO2. Generally, Young’s modulus of PP/RH-40 wt%/TiO2 composites showed increment which was 1086.16 MPa and 635.48 MPa higher than that of pure PP and PP/RH. Elongation at break decreased in PP/RH/TiO2 as compared to PP/RH composites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs show improved interaction between RH and PP matrix by having a good interfacial adhesion as a result of TiO2 inclusion in PP/RH composites. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that thermal stability of PP/RH/TiO2 composite was increased as compared to pure PP and PP/RH composites. Incorporation of inorganic filler TiO2 into PP/RH significantly enhanced mechanical properties and thermal stabilities of the green hybrid PP/RH/TiO2 composites.
Chip-level verification for parasitic coupling effects in deep-submicron digital designs

Interconnect parasitics are playing a dominant role in determining chip performance and functionality in deep-submicron designs. This problem is compounded by increasing chip frequencies and design complexity. As parasitic coupling capacitances are a significant portion of total capacitance in deep-submicron designs, verification of both performance and functionality assumes greater importance. This paper describes techniques for the modeling and analysis of parasitic coupling effects for large VLSI designs. Analysis results from a controlled experimental setup are presented to show the need for accurate cell models. Results from application of these techniques on a lending edge Digital Signal Processor (DSP) design are presented. Accuracy comparison with detailed SPICE-level analysis is included.
Multi-angle projection imaging of short-wave infrared (SWIR) fluorescence for small animal optical tomography

Short-wave infrared imaging in tissue in the 1000-2000 nm range is characterized by reduced photon scatter and comparable or higher absorption compared to the NIR-I regime. These characteristics have implications for the performance of fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) techniques, potentially improving the resolution of subsurface structure, possibly at the expense of depth sensitivity. To examine these questions, we have developed a SWIR small animal fluorescence tomography system. This instrument acquires multi-angle SWIR projection images of a stationary platform through a rotating gantry technique. These images are then processed for tomographic reconstruction of the SWIR fluorescence activity. Herein, we describe the development of this system and show multi-angle images from a mouse carcass containing a SWIR-specific fluorophore inclusion.
Covariance and Time-Scale Methods for Blind Separation of Delayed Sources

An extension of the blind source separation technique based on the second-order blind identification (SOBI) approach is presented to separate mixtures of delayed sources. When the delay is small such that the first-order Taylor approximation holds, the delayed mixture is transformed as the mixture of the original sources and their derivatives. Two algorithms are proposed for the rotation step that recovers the extended source vector (original sources and the corresponding derivatives). The first approach is based on the odd symmetry of the derivative of the autocorrelation function; and the second method identifies the locations of single auto terms in the optimized time-scale plane. A simulation analysis was conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms. The results showed that the proposed methods substantially improved the performance of SOBI and its extension in the time-scale plane when the sources presented delays in the mixtures. In addition, the proposed algorithms were applied representatively to experimental multichannel surface electromyographic signals to identify motor unit action potential trains from the interference signal. The performance of the proposed methods was superior to previous methods also in this representative application. In conclusion, extensions of the SOBI approach of source separation have been proposed for the case of sources being delayed in the mixtures. These techniques were proven superior to previous approaches.