Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Document-centric and Multimodal Meeting Assistants ⇤

In this chapter, we will show how human-computer interaction (HCI) can benefit to meeting support technology, by reviewing the evolution of HCI research from a smart meeting minutes application, with document-centric meeting browsers, towards more user-centric assistance tools for meetings. The chapter will exemplify these trends with research performed at the University of Fribourg, within the IM2 NCCR. The chapter first focuses on a smart meeting minutes application, which consists in recording meetings and analyzing them in order to automatically produce minutes. More specifically, we show the importance of analyzing documents that are discussed or shown during meetings. Multimodal document alignment techniques link documents with other types of media such as meeting transcripts, audio, and video recordings. This opens the possibility of developing document-centric meeting browsers that use documents as indexes towards meeting parts and to the associated audio-video records. For instance, clicking on a part of a document will play the audio-video sequences of the meeting in which this document part was discussed or projected. Further on, additional explorations are discussed, including mainly ego-centric and cross-meeting browsing of large archives of multimedia meeting data through keywords, links and personal cues. A multimodal toolkit is presented, which facilitates the development of multimodal user interfaces (using voice, gestures, eyes movements, etc., to interact with machines) that can be used during meetings as online assistants to improve teamwork. For instance, a tabletop application was developed with this toolkit to facilitate brainstorming in groups.
A new priority based congestion control protocol for Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks

New applications made possible by the rapid improvements and miniaturization in hardware has motivated recent developments in wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs). As multimedia applications produce high volumes of data which require high transmission rates, multimedia traffic is usually high speed. This may cause congestion in the sensor nodes, leading to impairments in the quality of service (QoS) of multimedia applications. Thus, to meet the QoS requirements of multimedia applications, a reliable and fair transport protocol is mandatory. An important function of the transport layer in WMSNs is congestion control. In this paper, we present a new queue based congestion control protocol with priority support (QCCP-PS), using the queue length as an indication of congestion degree. The rate assignment to each traffic source is based on its priority index as well as its current congestion degree. Simulation results show that the proposed QCCP-PS protocol can detect congestion better than previous mechanisms. Furthermore it has a good achieved priority close to the ideal and near-zero packet loss probability, which make it an efficient congestion control protocol for multimedia traffic in WMSNs. As congestion wastes the scarce energy due to a large number of retransmissions and packet drops, the proposed QCCP-PS protocol can save energy at each node, given the reduced number of retransmissions and packet losses.
Outcomes after combined use of intraoperative MRI and 5-aminolevulinic acid in high-grade glioma surgery

Background Previous studies have shown the individual benefits of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and intraoperative (i)MRI in enhancing survival for patients with high-grade glioma. In this retrospective study, we compare rates of progression-free and overall survival between patients who underwent surgical resection with the combination of 5-ALA and iMRI and a control group without iMRI. Methods In 200 consecutive patients with high-grade gliomas, we recorded age, sex, World Health Organization tumor grade, and pre- and postoperative Karnofsky performance status (good ≥80 and poor <80). A 0.15-Tesla magnet was used for iMRI; all patients operated on with iMRI received 5-ALA. Overall and progression-free survival rates were compared using multivariable regression analysis. Results Median overall survival was 13.8 months in the non-iMRI group and 17.9 months in the iMRI group (P = .043). However, on identifying confounding variables (ie, KPS and resection status) in this univariate analysis, we then adjusted for these confounders in multivariate analysis and eliminated this distinction in overall survival (hazard ratio: 1.23, P = .34, 95% CI: 0.81, 1.86). Although 5-ALA enhanced the achievement of gross total resection (odds ratio: 3.19, P = .01, 95% CI: 1.28, 7.93), it offered no effect on overall or progression-free survival when adjusted for resection status. Conclusions Gross total resection is the key surgical variable that influences progression and survival in patients with high-grade glioma and more likely when surgical adjuncts, such as iMRI in combination with 5-ALA, are used to enhance resection.
Fresh hypothermically stored amniotic allograft in the treatment of chronic nonhealing ulcers: a prospective case series

outcomes were evaluated in patients receiving HSAM for the treatment of chronic nonhealing ulcers. Relevant medical history was captured in addition to data on wound characteristics and measurements. Two venous leg ulcers and one postsurgical wound were treated with HSAM. Findings: A significant reduction in wound size was observed for patients treated with HSAM. Overall, HSAM demonstrated a wound size reduction of 93.94% in 42 days. These results provide evidence that HSAM may reduce the long-term costs associated with the care of chronic ulcers by increasing the healing rate and lowering the risk of infection and complications.
Evolutionary game design: automated game design comes of age

The "Humies" awards are an annual competition held in conjunction with the Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference (GECCO), in which cash prizes totalling $10,000 are awarded to the most human-competitive results produced by any form of evolutionary computation published in the previous year. This article describes the gold medal-winning entry from the 2012 "Humies" competition, based on the LUDI system for playing, evaluating and creating new board games. LUDI was able to demonstrate human-competitive results in evolving novel board games that have gone on to be commercially published, one of which, Yavalath, has been ranked in the top 2.5% of abstract board games ever invented. Further evidence of human-competitiveness was demonstrated in the evolved games implicitly capturing several principles of good game design, outperforming human designers in at least one case, and going on to inspire a new sub-genre of games.
Readings in Object-Oriented Database Systems

This paper summarizes the interface, implementation, and use of a server process tha t is used as a backend by an object-oriented database system. This server is responsible for managing objects on secondary storage, managing transactions, and implementing a simple form of trigger. We sketch the interface of this system and point out some of the more interesting implementat ion issues tha t were encountered in building
Ownership Structure and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): An Empirical Study of the Listed Companies in Egypt

Relatively little research has examined the effects of ownership on the firms’ corporate social responsibility (CSR). In addition, prior research suggests that ownership structure is associated to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in developed countries. The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the impact of ownership structure on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Egypt as one of developing countries. Using a sample of 42 more active Egyptian firms covering the three year period 2007-2009, we hypothesize that different types of shareholders will have distinct motivations toward the firm’s CSR engagement. We break down ownership into different groups of shareholders: institutional, managerial, and foreign ownerships. Results indicate a significant, positive relationship between CSR ratings and ownership by institutions and foreign investors. In contrast, shareholding by top managers is negatively associated with firm’s CSR rating. We conclude that different owners have differential impacts on the firm’s CSR engagement.
Holographic renormalisation group flows and supergravity

This thesis can be divided into two related parts. In the first part the idea of the holographic beta function is reviewed and a new method is developed that allows to compute the scalar potential of one-scalar truncations of the five-dimensional gauged supergravity theory, provided that the beta function of the field theory is classical. A class of deformations that is likely to have a classical beta function are the N = 1 preserving operators in short multiplets of the N = 4. We classify all single-trace operators with such properties, and give extra emphasis to F-terms and D-terms. By writing the deformations in the most general way in terms of N = 1 superfields we find interesting relations to pairs of Kaluza-Klein towers that originate from the same ten-dimensional field in the gravity dual. The ideas of the holographic beta function can be generalized to vacuum expectation values, we record some basic observations, and give an outlook for future work. In the second part a full uplift of the GPPZ flow to ten dimensions is constructed using the exceptional field theory formalism. We obtain the metric, the axion-dilaton matrix, and a full set of RR potentials and fluxes, which are checked to satisfy the IIB equations of motion. The uplift contains an extended version of the GPPZ solution where the mass term m and the gaugino condensate are complex, and a U(1) gauge field Aμ is included for consistency. We argue that the phases of the complex scalars are related to the U(1)R and the bonus U(1) symmetries of the field theory. We complete a thorough analysis of the asymptotics of the uplift close to the conformal boundary and close to the singularity. While the near-boundary asymptotics are found to agree with the zero-temperature limit of the Freedman-Minahan analysis, we could not fully match with the Polchinski-Strassler solution. The near-singularity limits confirm and extend the results of Pilch-Warner. We show that there are conformal frames in which the singularity in the Ricci scalar is improved, but never completely eliminated. In order to relate the singularity to the presence of D-branesa search for D-brane sources is initiated and the first preliminary results are positive. In anticipation of a future Kaluza-Klein analysis of the solution we start a systematic derivation of corresponding spherical harmonic functions.
Multidimensional $\beta$-skeletons in $L_1$ and $L_{\infty}$ metric

The $\beta$-skeleton $\{G_{\beta}(V)\}$ for a point set V is a family of geometric graphs, defined by the notion of neighborhoods parameterized by real number $0 < \beta < \infty$. By using the distance-based version definition of $\beta$-skeletons we study those graphs for a set of points in $\mathbb{R}^d$ space with $l_1$ and $l_{\infty}$ metrics. We present algorithms for the entire spectrum of $\beta$ values and we discuss properties of lens-based and circle-based $\beta$-skeletons in those metrics. Let $V \in \mathbb{R}^d$ in $L_{\infty}$ metric be a set of $n$ points in general position. Then, for $\beta<2$ lens-based $\beta$-skeleton $G_{\beta}(V)$ can be computed in $O(n^2 \log^d n)$ time. For $\beta \geq 2$ there exists an $O(n \log^{d-1} n)$ time algorithm that constructs $\beta$-skeleton for the set $V$. We show that in $\mathbb{R}^d$ with $L_{\infty}$ metric, for $\beta<2$ $\beta$-skeleton $G_{\beta}(V)$ for $n$ points can be computed in $O(n^2 \log^d n)$ time. For $\beta \geq 2$ there exists an $O(n \log^{d-1} n)$ time algorithm. In $\mathbb{R}^d$ with $L_1$ metric for a set of $n$ points in arbitrary position $\beta$-skeleton $G_{\beta}(V)$ can be computed in $O(n^2 \log^{d+2} n)$ time.
Population-level neutral model already explains linguistic patterns

In customizing the neutral model for language transmission, Reali & Griffiths [[1][1]] have added a new, ‘Bayesian’ learning interpretation to a neutral model that has been used in cultural evolution studies for some time (e.g. [[2][2]–[6][3]]). While Reali & Griffiths [[1][1], p. 435] dismiss
Evoke of The Motoric Brain Waves of Driver in Car Simulator at Night by Blue Light Exposure and Visual Distraction

Driving at night need high levels of concentration for respond any visual stimulation by motoric coordination. Such concentration while driving can be mounted using blue light inside the car’s compartment, since it can inhibit the secretion of melatonin hormone, to increase drivers’ alertnessand prevent drowsiness at night. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of blue light exposure on µ brain waves while driving at night in the simulator as a response to visual distraction. Brain waves data were recorded using electroencephalograph in brain motor areas from 7 men with predetermined criteria. Data were taken at night (7-9 pm) for 330 seconds in dark condition and blue light exposure, followed by the appearance of visual distraction automatically at 120 and 270 seconds and should be responded by braking. In blue light condition, µ brain waves were fluctuated in both motor areas since the first appearance of blue light exposure and was significantly different when compared to dark condition (p<0.05). It is concluded that blue light exposure at night in a driving simulator may increase drivers’ brain activity in the motor areas when responding to visual distraction, especially in the first appearance.
A Novel Approach for Clustering High Dimensional Data Using Kernal Hubness

Clustering of high dimensionality data which can be seen in almost all fields these days is becoming very tedious process. The key disadvantage of high dimensional data which we can pen down is curse of dimensionality. As the magnitude of datasets grows the data points become sparse and density of area becomes less making it difficult to cluster that data which further reduces the performance of traditional algorithms used for clustering. To route these toils, hubness based algorithms were introduced. These algorithms which influences the distribution of the data points among the k-nearest neighbor. The hubness is an unguided method which finds out which points appear more frequently in the k-nearest neighbor than other points in the dataset. Mainly three algorithms are used for hub based clustering such as K-hubs, Hubness proportional clustering and Hubness proportional K-means. K-hubs algorithm is used to initialize the hubs for the clusters. Hubness Proportional Clustering (HPC) algorithm is used group the probabilistic data models. Hubness Proportional K-Means (HPKM) algorithm integrates the hubness based centroid selection and partitioning process. These algorithms are basically used for increasing the efficiency and increasing predicting accuracy of the system. The main drawback of in this method is number of iteration increasing with dimensionality is increased. To overcome this drawback a new algorithm is proposed which is based on the combination of kernel mapping and hubness phenomenon. The proposed algorithm detects arbitrary shaped clusters in the dataset and also improves the performance of clustering by minimizing the intra-cluster distance and maximizing the inter-cluster distance which improves the cluster quality.
Commonalities and differences in visual and auditory multistability

II TABLE OF CONTENTS . IV INDEX OF TABLES . VII INDEX OF FIGURES . X LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . XII ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . XIII AUTHOR’S DECLARATION . XV 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 RESEARCH ON VISUAL AND AUDITORY MULTISTABILITY . 2 1.2 SEARCHING FOR COMMONALITIES: THE WHAT, WHERE AND HOW OF VISUAL AND AUDITORY MULTISTABILITY . 5 1.3 FOCUS OF THE THESIS . 6 1.4 COMMON INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN PERCEPTUAL SWITCHING ACROSS MODALITIES? 22 1.5 SUMMARY OF THE AIMS AND FINDINGS . 38 1.6 STATISTICAL NOTE . 40 2 STUDY 1: EFFECTS OF MODALITY AND LEVEL OF PROCESSING ON VISUAL AND AUDITORY MULTISTABILITY . 48 1.
Slip Sliding Away? The Changing Politics of European Car Distribution

This paper examines the development of EU regulations in the car distribution sector. In the span of approximately fifteen years, the sector has shifted from being regarded by its critics as being one of the most protected havens of European industry to one faced with open competition. The paper claims that the inability of the car industry to resist liberalization in this sector is related to several factors. First, there was declining support from member states for their national producers, in part explained by global shifts in ownership and production which rendered concepts of “national producer” problematic. Second, technological changes combined with the impact of globalization on in the industry undermined the case for a link between sales and service of cars. Third, DG competition, led by Mario Monti, wished to push through the ability of consumers to make cross-border purchases of cars. Fourth, a more general logic embedded in the Single European Market programme (SEM) had led to several decisions to prosecute EU car producers for infringing SEM rules and thereby undermining the ability of EU member states to protect their “national producers. ” This has implications more broadly: will increasing globalization of industrial ownership further undermine the state-firm nexus in the EU, thus reducing the propensity of national industries to resist liberalization? In this context, will member states be prepared to give the EU Commission a freer hand in forcing through liberalization in the remaining sectors that remain problematic?
Hybrid Self-Tracker: An Inertial/Optical Hybrid Three-Dimensional Tracking System

This proposal describes a new approach to tracking the three-dimensional position and orientation of a moving person or object in a dynamic environment. The approach involves using a technique similar to that historically employed in spacecraft navigation whereby sun and star trackers are used to optically aid the spacecraft’s inertial navigation system (INS). Similarly the idea of the hybrid SelfTracker is to track the (earthly) position and orientation of a person or object by employing an INS as the primary means of tracking, and then supplementing that with an outward-looking computer vision system (CVS) that when aided by the INS can lock on to still targets in a not necessarily static environment. The novel aspect of this approach is that the complementary behavior of each system is leveraged to obtain more accurate and stable tracking information than either system alone. With an INS, bias and drift errors become noticeable during periods of slow movement. However, during such periods these errors could be controlled by a CVS which exhibits its best behavior under such conditions. Conversely a CVS typically performs worst during rapid movement, precisely the conditions where the INS signal-to-noise ratio is high. In addition, while a typical CVS is affected by unrelated motion in an environment, an INS is not and can provide assistance with static feature discrimination. Kalman filter theory can be employed in weighting each subsystem most heavily in the circumstances where it performs best, thus providing more accurate and stable estimates than either system alone. Advantages of this new approach include: high-rate and low-latency position and orientation information across a wide range of motion; operation in a dynamic environment; self-contained passive operation. Welch: Hybrid Self-Tracker 1 UNC-Chapel Hill , TR 95-048
Synchronized Action of Synaptically Coupled ChaoticNeurons : I . Simulations Using Model NeuronsHenry

Experimental observations of the intracellular recorded electrical activity in individual neurons show that the temporal behavior is often chaotic. We discuss both our own observations on a cell from the stomatogastric central pattern generator of lobster and earlier observations in other cells. Our analysis of this chaotic behavior in our own measurements uses new tools for the analysis of time series from nonlinear sources, and we are able to better characterize the precise nature of the chaotic motions than has previously been possible. Using this observation about the temporal behavior of individual neurons, we study how chaotic neurons can communicate and synchronize as the beginning of our analysis of how central pattern generating neurons individually and in ensembles can act in a collective fashion to achieve biological functionality. In this paper we work with models of these chaotic neurons, building on models by Hindmarsh and Rose for bursting, spiking activity in neurons. The key features of these simpliied models of neurons are the presence of coupled slow and fast subsystems. Our model neurons possess these features. We analyze the model neurons using the same tools employed in the analysis of our experimental data. We then couple two model neurons both electrotonically and electrochemically in inhibitory and excitatory fashions. In each of these cases we demonstrate that the model neurons can synchronize in phase and out of phase depending on the strength of the coupling. For normal synaptic coupling we have a time delay between the action of one neuron and the response of the other. We also analyze how the synchronization depends on this delay. A rich spectrum of synchronized behaviors is possible for electrically coupled neurons and for inhibitory coupling between neurons. In synchronous neurons one typically sees chaotic motion of the coupled neurons. Excitatory coupling produces essentially periodic voltage trajectories which are also synchronized. We display and discuss these synchronized behaviors using twòdistance' measures of the synchronization. We also evaluate the mutual information between the coupled neuron voltages during synchronized and unsynchronized behavior as a quantitative measure of the information transmission between neurons. The key question we address in this paper is the transmission of information between two chaotic neurons in order to synchronize them for directed collective behavior. The role of information , as deened by Shannon 1], is widely recognized in the communications literature; viewing the synaptic connections among neurons as communications channels makes a useful …
Quantum invariant, modular form, and lattice points

We study the Witten--Reshetikhin--Turaev SU(2) invariant for the Seifert manifold with 4-singular fibers. We define the Eichler integrals of the modular forms with half-integral weight, and we show that the invariant is rewritten as a sum of the Eichler integrals. Using a nearly modular property of the Eichler integral, we give an exact asymptotic expansion of the WRT invariant in $N\to\infty$. We reveal that the number of dominating terms, which is the number of the non-vanishing Eichler integrals in a limit $\tau\to N\in\mathbb{Z}$, is related to that of lattice points inside 4-dimensional simplex, and we discuss a relationship with the irreducible representations of the fundamental group.