Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A symmetric term weighting scheme for text categorization based on term occurrence probabilities

Term weighting schemes used in text categorization can be considered as functions of term occurence probabilities in positive and negative classes. In this paper, widely used weighting schemes are firstly evaluated from this perspective. Then, a novel feature weighting scheme based on term occurrence probabilities is proposed. Experiments conducted using SVM classifier on the Reuters-21578 ModApte Top10 dataset shows that the proposed method outperforms other well known measures such as CHI, IG, OR and RF in terms of macro-F1 and micro-F1 scores.
Suppressive action of miRNAs to ARP2/3 complex reduces cell migration and proliferation via RAC isoforms in Hirschsprung disease

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a congenital disorder caused by the defective function of the embryonic enteric neural crest. The impaired migration of embryonic enteric neural crest plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Recent studies showed that the ARP2/3 complex and RAC isoforms had effects on actin cytoskeleton remodelling, which contributes to migration. Moreover, some regulatory relationships were identified between ARP2/3 complex and RAC isoforms. Although microRNAs (miRNAs) have been known to modulate target gene expression on the post‐transcriptional level, little is known about the regulation among miRNAs, ARP2/3 complex and RAC isoforms. Here, we report that down‐regulation of ARP2 and ARP3, two main subunits of ARP2/3 complex, suppressed migration and proliferation in 293T and SH‐SY5Y cell lines via the inhibition of RAC1 and RAC2. Meanwhile, as the target genes, ARP2 and ARP3 are reduced by increased miR‐24‐1* and let‐7a*, respectively, in 70 HSCR samples as compared with 74 normal controls. Co‐immunoprecipitation showed that aberrant reduction in ARP2 and ARP3 could weaken the function of ARP2/3 complex. Our study demonstrates that the miR‐24‐1*/let‐7a*‐ARP2/3 complex‐RAC isoforms pathway may represent a novel pathogenic mechanism for HSCR.
Texture-Based Region Merging for Watershed Segmentation in Sonography

Watershed transformation is one of the most reliable automatic and unsupervised segmentation techniques. However, the watershed transformation always produced over-segmentation for images which comprise noise and irregular textures. In this paper, we propose a new texture-based region merging method for watershed segmentation to solve the over-segmentation problem. The texture information is utilized in our merging process to control over-segmentation. The experimental results show that the proposed texture-based merging method performed well for images that are rife with noise, speckles, and textures.
Channel estimation methods for preamble-based OFDM/OQAM modulations

In this paper, OFDM/OQAM is proposed as an alternative to conventional OFDM with cyclic prefix (CP) for transmission over multi-path fading channels. Two typical features of the OFDM/OQAM modulation are the absence of a guard interval (GI) and the fact that the orthogonality property only holds in the real field and for a distortion-free channel. Thus, the classical channel estimation (CE) methods used for OFDM cannot be directly applied to OFDM/OQAM. Therefore, we propose an analysis of the transmission of an OFDM/OQAM signal through a time-varying multi-path channel and we derive two new CE methods. The first proposed method only requires the use of pair of real pilots (POP). In a second method, named interference approximation method (IAM), we show how the imaginary interference can be used to improve the CE quality. Several preamble variants of the IAM are compared with respect to the resulting instantaneous power. Finally, the performance results obtained for the transmission of an OFDM/OQAM signal through an IEEE 802.22 channel using the POP method and three variants of IAM are compared to those obtained with CP-OFDM. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparing indirect and direct touch in a stereoscopic interaction task

In this paper we studied the impact that the directedness of touch interaction has on a path following task performed on a stereoscopic display. The richness of direct touch interaction comes with the potential risk of occluding parts of the display area, in order to express one's interaction intent. In scenarios where attention to detail is of critical importance, such as browsing a 3D dataset or navigating a 3D environment, important details might be missed. We designed a user study in which participants were asked to move an object within a 3D environment while avoiding a set of static distractor objects. Participants used an indirect touch interaction technique on a tablet and a direct touch technique on the screen. Results of the study show that in the indirect touch condition, participants made 30% less collisions with the distractor objects.
WIDER Working Paper No . 2013 / 065 Class size versus class composition What matters for learning in East Africa ?

Raising schooling quality in low-income countries is a pressing challenge. Substantial research has considered the impact of cutting class sizes on skills acquisition. Considerably less attention has been given to the extent to which peer effects, which refer to class composition, also may affect outcomes. This study uses new microdata from East Africa, incorporating test score data for over 250,000 children, to compare the likely efficacy of these two types of interventions. Endogeneity bias is addressed via fixed effects and instrumental variables techniques. Although these may not fully mitigate bias from omitted variables, the preferred IV results indicate considerable negative effects due to larger class sizes and larger numbers of overage-for-grade peers. The latter, driven by the highly prevalent practices of grade repetition and academic redshirting, should be considered an important target for policy interventions.
Spatial Presence in Dynamic Environments : Tracking the Visual Attention Allocation During Exposure

Attention allocation towards the mediated environment is assumed to be a necessary precondition to experience presence. In presence research, however, the potential of visual attention theories or eye-tracking techniques have not been exploited so far. In this study, participants (N= 44) ride on a virtual roller coaster simulation. We compare participants scoring high versus low on presence. In addition, we manipulated the degree of presence (low vs. high). During the ride, the eye movements were captured. In addition, we assessed subjective ex-post presence judgments. We found high sensations of presence to be associated with more fixations, shorter fixation durations, smaller saccade amplitudes, and decreased saccade velocity. We discuss individual scan patterns and reflect on the possible implications of our findings for presence theory and VRdesign. Keywords---Presence, Visual Attention, Attention Allocation, Scene Perception, Eye-Tracking.
Goal oriented interest based negotiation

This paper presents a goal oriented interest based negotiation automation approach. In this approach, negotiation parties exchange justifications (higher level goals) of their positions to seek agreements without compromise. The philosophy behind is that people normally hold different and incomplete knowledge set. Through exchanging knowledge and revise their knowledge base, negotiation parties could accept different positions yet still reach the same goal, reaching a win-win agreement.
Integrating Photogrammetry and Inertial Sensors for Robotics Navigation and Mapping

Integrating visual and inertial sensors has become a common practice in navigation due to the increase in computer power, in algorithms advancement and in sensor improvements. One of the problems yet to be solved is the Simultaneous Localisation And Mapping (SLAM). SLAM is a term used in the robotics community to describe the problem of mapping the environment. In this paper, the methodology is presented, differences with other SLAM solutions are pointed out, and numerical tests are provided and discussed.
On the Multivariate α-μ Distribution With Arbitrary Correlation

In this paper, an exact new closed formula for the multivariate α-μ joint probability density function (PDF) is derived allowing for an arbitrary correlation matrix. In addition, the bit error rate (BER) and the outage probability for the selection combining (SC) technique in a correlated α-μ fading channel is obtained.
Modelling Network Memory Servers with Parallel Processors, Break-downs and Repairs

This paper presents an analytical method for the performability evaluation of a previously reported network memory server attached to a local area network. To increase the performance and availability of the proposed system, an additional server is added to the system. Such systems are prone to failures. With this in mind, a mathematical model has been developed to analyse the performability of the proposed system with break-downs and repairs. Mean queue lengths and the probability of job losses for the LAN feeding the network memory server is calculated and presented
Integrated Product and Process Management in EPOS

EPOS is a kernel, software engineering environment. EPOS supports integrated product and process modeling through a two-layer architecture. The bottom-level EPOSDB offers a traditional ER data model extended with subtyping and meta-types, uniform versioning, and nested and cooperating transactions. The SPELL process modeling language extends the underlying data model with behavioral object-orientation, type-level properties, and tasking. EPOS can thus be used to model, plan, execute, and evolve activities “processes”; with associated products, tools, human roles, and projects. EPOS tools include a Simple CM tool, a Schema Manager, a Process Engine, a Planner, a Workspace Manager, and a Project/Cooperation Manager.
A Memoryless Semi-Physical Power Amplifier Behavioral Model Based on the Correlation Between AM–AM and AM–PM Distortions

A new semi-physical memoryless computationally effective behavioral model (BM) capable of predicting amplitude-modulation-to-amplitude-modulation (AM-AM) and amplitude-modulation-to-phase-modulation (AM-PM) distortions is proposed. In recent years, AM-AM and AM-PM distortions have been separately studied in literature. Here, we investigate the correlation between AM-AM and AM-PM distortions first. Based on the observed correlation, a novel AM-PM model is derived from the well-known Rapp AM-AM model. On the basis of the close relationship between the AM-AM and AM-PM model, a highly accurate and computationally effective large-signal BM is obtained. The newly developed model addresses the current needs of the mobile industry that requires BMs of the power amplifier (PA), which can be interpreted by the designers. In addition, the models must be computationally effective due to the limited computation power in mobile handset. Therefore, only memoryless BMs can be taken into account and larger errors are accepted for the sake of computational effectiveness. In this paper, it is shown that the newly introduced model achieves excellent results, when it is applied to actual industrial applications of two GaAs-based class-AB PAs in 65-nm technology and one CMOS-based class AB PA in 28-nm technology, which are designed for mobile communications.
Spectrum of Complex DNA Damages Depends on the Incident Radiation

Abstract Hada, M. and Sutherland, B. M. Spectrum of Complex DNA Damages Depends on the Incident Radiation. Radiat. Res. 165, 223–230 (2006). Ionizing radiation induces bistranded clustered damages— two or more abasic sites, oxidized bases and strand breaks on opposite DNA strands within a few helical turns. Since clusters are refractory to repair and are potential sources of double-strand breaks (DSBs), they are potentially lethal and mutagenic. Although induction of single-strand breaks (SSBs) and isolated lesions has been studied extensively, little is known about the factors affecting induction of clusters other than DSBs. To determine whether the type of incident radiation could affect the yields or spectra of specific clusters, we irradiated genomic T7 DNA, a simple 40-kbp linear, blunt-ended molecule, with ion beams [iron (970 MeV/nucleon), carbon (293 MeV/nucleon), titanium (980 MeV/nucleon), silicon (586 MeV/nucleon), protons (1 GeV/nucleon)] or 100 kVp X rays and then quantified DSBs, Fpg-oxypurine clusters and Nfo-abasic clusters using gel electrophoresis, electronic imaging and number average length analysis. The yields (damages/Mbp Gy−1) of all damages decreased with increasing linear energy transfer (LET) of the radiation. The relative frequencies of DSBs compared to abasic and oxybase clusters were higher for the charged particles—including the high-energy, low-LET protons—than for the ionizing photons.
A-HEP : Adaptive Hybrid Evolutionary Programming for Learning Bayesian Networks

This paper describes an optimized algorithm for learning Bayesian Network structure by using adaptive population sized evolutionary programming. Bayesian network (BN) is a popular knowledge discovery model which can represent the causal relationship of different events or attributes with uncertainty. Learning the structure solely by dependency analysis or search-and-score approach is not effective. The hybrid algorithm on evolutionary programming, HEP, has been shown to be effective and efficient to solve this learning problem [8]. By introducing the concept of adjusting the population size according to the individuals’ dissimilarity, HEP is further optimized on the execution time with comparable performance. The empirical results illustrate that the optimized algorithm has reduced the running time by half.
Shadow detection based on combinations of HSV color space and orthogonal transformation in surveillance videos

Shadow removing is an important issue in performance of intelligent transportation system. In this paper, a synthetic shadow detection algorithm using combination of orthogonal transformation and HSV color space is proposed. In this algorithm, orthogonal transformation and HSV color space are applied to improve the performance of shadow detection. At first, the current and background images are transferred from RGB color space to HSV color space, then using combination of orthogonal transformation and shadow color feature in HSV color space, the shadow is detected in the image blocks. Our proposed algorithm is evaluated on a real and operation videos. The obtained results by our algorithm demonstrate the efficiently and effectiveness of this algorithm in intelligent transportation system application.
Design and analysis of efficient multilevel receiver for current mode interconnect system

The focus of the present research is to design a receiver circuit for high speed and high throughput data transmission over the interconnect line. This is achieved using current mode signaling in interconnects. In the present paper an efficient receiver for current mode interconnect system is proposed. The analysis shows that the proposed receiver has 26.65% lesser latency at room temperature for an interconnect length of 8 mm and 18.59% at 40°C. It offers higher throughput of 37.5% for an interconnect length of 8mm in comparison to voltage mode interconnect system. The proposed technique shall be useful for systems with operating frequencies in GHz range and low latency requirement.
Large-system transformation in health care: a realist review.

CONTEXT An evidence base that addresses issues of complexity and context is urgently needed for large-system transformation (LST) and health care reform. Fundamental conceptual and methodological challenges also must be addressed. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health in Canada requested a six-month synthesis project to guide four major policy development and strategy initiatives focused on patient- and family-centered care, primary health care renewal, quality improvement, and surgical wait lists. The aims of the review were to analyze examples of successful and less successful transformation initiatives, to synthesize knowledge of the underlying mechanisms, to clarify the role of government, and to outline options for evaluation. METHODS We used realist review, whose working assumption is that a particular intervention triggers particular mechanisms of change. Mechanisms may be more or less effective in producing their intended outcomes, depending on their interaction with various contextual factors. We explain the variations in outcome as the interplay between context and mechanisms. We nested this analytic approach in a macro framing of complex adaptive systems (CAS). FINDINGS Our rapid realist review identified five "simple rules" of LST that were likely to enhance the success of the target initiatives: (1) blend designated leadership with distributed leadership; (2) establish feedback loops; (3) attend to history; (4) engage physicians; and (5) include patients and families. These principles play out differently in different contexts affecting human behavior (and thereby contributing to change) through a wide range of different mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS Realist review methodology can be applied in combination with a complex system lens on published literature to produce a knowledge synthesis that informs a prospective change effort in large-system transformation. A collaborative process engaging both research producers and research users contributes to local applications of universal principles and mid-range theories, as well as to a more robust knowledge base for applied research. We conclude with suggestions for the future development of synthesis and evaluation methods.
Workers Transitions from Temporary to Permanent Employment: the Spanish Case

This paper studies the duration pattern of fixed-term contracts and the determinants of the transformation of these into permanent ones. To address this issue we estimate a duration model for temporary employment, with competing risks of flowing into permanent employment versus non-employment, and flexible duration dependence. We find that the shape of the baseline hazard is suggestive of two possible uses of temporary contracts by employers. Spikes at durations around one year support the idea that fixed-term contracts are used as a screening device instrument: successful workers obtain a permanent renewal much before the legal limit of their contracts. There is also evidence of a much pronounced spike at three years of duration, coinciding with the maximum duration of fixed-term contracts. This suggests that some employers only opt for permanent hirings when there is no other way to retain the worker. In other words, fixed-term contracts just provide a cheaper option for adjusting their employment level.
Civic Identity, Public Education, and the African-American Community in Indianapolis: Mending the Fracture

This article reports on the conclusions of a methodologically innovative research project focused upon civic identity in Indianapolis’ African-American community, and considers the implications for the transmission of civic knowledge and encouragement of civic engagement in marginalized communities. The authors' findings suggest that formal civics education, even when done well, may not be sufficient to encourage lifelong civic participation.
Differences in Lactococcal Cell Wall Polysaccharide Structure Are Major Determining Factors in Bacteriophage Sensitivity

ABSTRACT Analysis of the genetic locus encompassing a cell wall polysaccharide (CWPS) biosynthesis operon of eight strains of Lactococcus lactis, identified as belonging to the same CWPS type C genotype, revealed the presence of a variable region among the strains examined. The results allowed the identification of five subgroups of the C type named subtypes C1 to C5. This variable region contains genes encoding glycosyltransferases that display low or no sequence homology between the subgroups. In this study, we purified an acidic polysaccharide from the cell wall of L. lactis 3107 (subtype C2) and confirmed that it is structurally different from the previously established CWPS of subtype C1 L. lactis MG1363. The CWPS of L. lactis 3107 is composed of pentasaccharide repeating units linked by phosphodiester bonds with the structure 6-α-Glc-3-β-Galf-3-β-GlcNAc-2-β-Galf-6-α-GlcNAc-1-P. Combinations of genes from the variable region of subtype C2 were introduced into a mutant of subtype C1 L. lactis NZ9000 deficient in CWPS biosynthesis. The resulting recombinant mutant synthesized a polysaccharide with a composition characteristic of that of subtype C2 L. lactis 3107 and not wild-type C1 L. lactis NZ9000. By challenging the recombinant mutant with various lactococcal phages, we demonstrated that CWPS is the host cell surface receptor of tested bacteriophages of both the P335 and 936 groups and that differences between the CWPS structures play a crucial role in determining phage host range. IMPORTANCE Despite the efforts of nearly 80 years of lactococcal phage research, the precise nature of the cell surface receptors of the P335 and 936 phage group receptors has remained elusive. This work demonstrates the molecular nature of a P335 group receptor while bolstering the evidence of its role in host recognition by phages of the 936 group and at least partially explains why such phages have a very narrow host range. The information generated will be instrumental in understanding the molecular mechanisms of how phages recognize specific saccharidic receptors located on the surface of their bacterial host. Despite the efforts of nearly 80 years of lactococcal phage research, the precise nature of the cell surface receptors of the P335 and 936 phage group receptors has remained elusive. This work demonstrates the molecular nature of a P335 group receptor while bolstering the evidence of its role in host recognition by phages of the 936 group and at least partially explains why such phages have a very narrow host range. The information generated will be instrumental in understanding the molecular mechanisms of how phages recognize specific saccharidic receptors located on the surface of their bacterial host.
Globalization, Skill Dynamics, Inequality and Welfare

We analyze the impact of globalization upon education and inequality in advanced countries (the North) and upon the world welfare. We build a simple two-goods North-South intergenerational model with human capital formation and in which globalization consists of an increase in the size of the South. The model generates a continuum of possible steady states, one of which is optimal in terms of world welfare. The skill dynamics can thus produce sub-optimal states. Globalization causes an enlargement of the set of potentially sub-optimal situations and can cause the world to shift from an optimal to a sub-optimal state. Its impacts on the skill endowment and inequality depend on the intensity of the globalization shock and on the elasticity of substitution between goods. In addition, globalization produces rather different impacts upon the generation in work and upon the following generations in terms of income and inequality. Finally, there is a threshold value of the skill endowment under which inequality is lower after than before the globalization shock, and above which inequality is higher.