Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dimensionality Reduction, Classification and Reconstruction Problems in Statistical Learning Approaches

Statistical learning theory explores ways of estimating functional dependency from a given collection of data. The specific sub-area of supervised statistical learning covers important models like Perceptron, Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). In this paper we review the theory of such models and compare their separating hypersurfaces for extracting group-differences between samples. Classification and reconstruction are the main goals of this comparison. We show recent advances in this topic of research illustrating their application on face and medical image databases.
A nationwide parallel computing environment

The National Computational Science Alliance (NCSA) hopes to accelerate the creation of a nationwide parallel computing environment for the US by developing hardware and software that will ease desktop access to the National Technology Grid. NCSA’s plans focus on experimental computer architectures, high performance user programs, machine independent analyzers for parallel computers and advanced application support that leverage parallel adaptive methods and numerical optimization.
ON RETRIEVAL OF OPTIMAL CLUSTERS

The most common approach to cluster-based retrieval is to retrieve one or more clusters in their entirety to a query. The system’s goal is to assign top ranks to the clusters that give best retrieval performance, out of all clusters. Previous research in this area has suggested that “optimal” clusters exist that, if retrieved, would yield very large improvements in effectiveness relative to document-based retrieval. However, it is precisely if and how the optimal clusters can be identified and used that has long been an interesting and challenging problem. In this paper, we provide a detailed analysis of the characteristics of optimal clusters and propose a new technique that allows the retrieval system to decide whether to use cluster-based or document-based retrieval for a given query. Experiments show that improvements over using either type of retrieval alone can be obtained in a fully automatic manner and without relevance information provided by human.
The solar abundance of iron and the photospheric model

Numerous papers on the solar photospheric abun- dance of iron have recently been published leading to a long- standing debate concerning rather different results obtained from the analyses of Fe i lines and, to a lesser extent, of Fe ii lines. Based on a set of 65 solar Fe i lines, with accurate tran- sition probabilities as well as new accurate damping constants, we construct a new empirical photospheric model. We succeed to reconcile abundance results obtained from low and high ex- citation Fe i lines as well as from Fe ii lines and derive a solar photospheric abundance of iron, AFe = 7.50 0.05, which per- fectly agrees with the meteoritic value.
Growth and Metabolism in the Embryonic White‐Spotted Bamboo Shark, Chiloscyllium plagiosum: Comparison with Embryonic Birds and Reptiles

Birds and reptiles have been important models for studying the energetics of embryonic development. Studies on these groups reveal three metabolic patterns: an exponential increase in metabolism with embryo age, a sigmoidal increase with age, or a sigmoidal increase followed by a decrease before hatching. Models developed to explain avian metabolic patterns and developmental costs partition total costs between growth and maintenance. To test the generality of these models, we examined embryonic energetics of the oviparous white‐spotted bamboo shark Chiloscyllium plagiosum. Oviparous sharks must actively ventilate during development, which could increase their development costs relative to birds and reptiles. Our results demonstrated that bamboo shark embryos have a peaked metabolic pattern and sigmoidal increase in body mass similar to ratites, crocodilians, and some turtles. The total cost of development was higher in bamboo sharks than in reptiles and many birds. However, calculations reveal that the high cost of bamboo shark development can be explained by the relatively long incubation time rather than the additional cost of muscular movement. Finally, an avian model can reasonably describe shark embryonic metabolism, suggesting that movement costs do not significantly alter the metabolic pattern during development.
Securing Structured P2P Overlay Networks

Distributed systems, such as structured P2P overlay networks, are vulnerable to malicious peers. This is due to their flexibility, which allows to any given single participant to appear as many. This will lead, unfortunately, to the possibility of allowing such participant to control much more peers than it can actually do. This is commonly known as Sybil attack. On the other hand, the voluntary arrival and departure of thousands or millions of peers creates a collective effect called Churn. Consequently, an attacker could exploit this way by generating peers which joining and leaving the network very quickly in order to corrupt the best function of the network. Moreover, an attacker could generate a pollution attack leading to corrupt or delete data stored in the system. In such situation, these attacks enable the malicious participant to mediate and monitor most overlay traffics, enabling arbitrarily the denial of service or censorship attacks. Unfortunately, most of existing security solutions are incapable or ineffective to detect malicious peers in dynamic and decentralized systems such as structured P2P systems. Hence, we propose in this paper a Monitoring Framework, which attempts to secure structured P2P networks by monitoring, analyzing, detecting, and mitigating misbehavior peers.
Speaker's gender classification and segmentation using spectral and cepstral feature averaging

This paper presents speaker gender classification and segmentation. Such classification is frequently used in broadcast news domain. Because pitch is a feature that is difficult to calculate reliably in noisy environment, and because telephone speech is present in broadcast material, we focused on using general acoustic features for gender discrimination task. We also averaged the feature values to emphasize general speaker's properties to discard short-time properties of speech production. Test show that Average Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (AMFCC) perform best. The AMFCC features are very convenient gender discriminator for automatic speech recognition system where MFCC features are used, as they perform better than classic MFCC features and only one additional calculation step is needed.
A Diffusion Model with Constant Source and Sinks for Social Graph Partitioning

Social services are more and more popular with the development of web and mobile internet. Behind social services, graph model is the key data structure representing the relationship among social entities. Partitioning social graphs according to graph connectivity is an important technique for the competency of social services including parallel computing, scalability, and analytics. This paper proposes a novel diffusion based approach for partitioning social graphs. A brand-new Random Walks model with Constant Source and Sink nodes (RWCSS) is devised to analogize a dynamic balanced diffusion procedure on graphs. The stationary state of RWCSS provides the closeness measurement between nodes which can serve as an effective global estimation for partitioning. Through incorporating the RWCSS model into the Bubble Framework, an efficient graph partitioning algorithm (Bubble-RWCSS) is implemented in a way gradually improving the partitioning quality with global consideration in each iteration. The evaluation on public well-known social graphs demonstrates the promising performance of the proposed method.
Large-Field-of-View Stereo for Automotive Applications

For automotive applications, a 3D perception of the car‘s surroundings is crucial, both for driver assistance and for safety systems. In addition, a large field of view for applications such as intersection assistance. A popular option to obtain 3D measurements of the surroundings is to use two passive cameras (stereo vision). Object detection is possible using this information. Automotive Applications based on object detection range from Adaptive Cruise Control, collision mitigation systems to intersection assistance systems. Stereo vision with conventional cameras only delivers a limited field of view. We extend the field of view investigating active cameras (camera on a pan-tilt unit), panoramic cameras (camera and mirror), and fisheye cameras (camera with a fisheye lens). The goal of this work is to find a setup that covers a large field of view and yields a good performance for object detection. The requirements for object detection are described and several options to meet these requirements are presented. We discuss their advantages and drawbacks and present results for all options. Keywords— Stereo Vision, Active Vision, Omnidirectional Vision, Fisheye Lens, Intelligent Vehicle
A step towards a sociable robot guide which monitors and adapts to the person's activities

This paper presents a framework for a mobile robot guide, which provides the human with the flexibility to decide upon the way he wants to be guided. During the guiding process at any instant, the exploratory nature of the human, the social behavior and the individual's desires contribute to the position of the person with respect to the robot. For a robot to behave socially, it should not expect that the human will always follow the exact trajectory of the robot or will always maintain a fixed distance with robot. Depending upon the human's will and desire, he can choose either to accompany or to follow the robot during the guiding. To give more privilege to human, robot should also not expect that human will always support the guiding. Human may temporarily suspend the joint commitment of guiding process, due to other interesting tasks and may completely abandon the path expected by robot. Also sometimes the structure of the environment could enforce separation or hide the human. As a ‘social’ guide, robot should not only tolerate human diverse behavior but also try to adapt its path to support the human activity as well as influence the human path towards the goal. It should take appropriate decisions about when, where and how to deviate, as the very frequent or unnatural maneuvers of robot will make the human feel uncomfortable. In this paper we present a framework of monitoring and adapting to the human commitment on the joint task, and carrying out appropriate and goal oriented re-engagement attempts, if required, from the view point of guiding.
Asymptotic-Giant-Branch Models at Very Low Metallicity

Abstract In this paper we present the evolution of a low-mass model (initial mass M = 1.5 M⊙) with a very low metal content (Z = 5 × 10−5, equivalent to [Fe/H] = –2.44). We find that, at the beginning of the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) phase, protons are ingested from the envelope in the underlying convective shell generated by the first fully developed thermal pulse. This peculiar phase is followed by a deep third dredge-up episode, which carries to the surface the freshly synthesized 13C, 14N and 7Li. A standard thermally pulsing AGB (TP-AGB) evolution then follows. During the proton-ingestion phase, a very high neutron density is attained and the s process is efficiently activated. We therefore adopt a nuclear network of about 700 isotopes, linked by more than 1200 reactions, and we couple it with the physical evolution of the model. We discuss in detail the evolution of the surface chemical composition, starting from the proton ingestion up to the end of the TP-AGB phase.
Running pattern generation and its evaluation using a realistic humanoid model

This paper describes a possibility of a running humanoid robot based on the physical properties of an existing humanoid robot HRP-2L. To generate running motion, we develop a general method to control the total linear/angular momentum of a multi-link system. By this method, we can generate a reliable running pattern. Conducting simulations which take into account physical restrictions, we show that our humanoid robot can run at least at 0.5 m/s.
Double Agreement: Role Identification in Hungarian

In Hungarian, distinguishing subjects and objects in transitive clauses requires the processing of five m ajor types of cues: subject-verb agreement-marking, object-verb agreement-marking, case-marking, anim acy and word order. Two studies examined the relative strength of these cues in a sentence interpretation task. Because Hungarian has a “double agreement-marking” system, it was possible to compare the relative strengths of the two types of agreement-marking. Despite the fact that object-verb agreement is a fully deterministic grammatical marker, the studies showed that this type of agreement has a very weak impact on sentence processing. This weakness is dem onstrated in two experiments, the first using only sentences with definite objects and the second varying the definiteness of the object. The weakness of the object-verb cue is attributed to its lower contrast availability. The preservation of this marking in the Hungarian language is testimony to the diachronic tenacity of morphological markings.
R-linearizability: an extension of linearizability to replicated objects

The authors extend linearizability, a consistency criterion for concurrent systems, to the replicated context, where availability and performance are enhanced by using redundant objects. The mode of operation on sets of replicas and the consistency criterion of R-linearizability are defined. An implementation of R-linearizable replicated atoms (on which only read and write operations are defined) is described. It is realized in the virtually synchronous model, based on a group view mechanism. This framework provides reliable multicast primitives, enabling a fault-tolerant implementation. <<ETX>>
Holographic, = 1 supersymmetric RG flows on M2 branes

We find a family of holographic = 1 supersymmetric RG flows on M2 branes. These flows are driven by two mass parameters from the maximally ( = 8) supersymmetric theory and the infra-red theory is controlled by two fixed points, one with G2 symmetry and the other with SU(3) × U(1) symmetry and = 2 supersymmetry. The generic flow, with unequal mass parameters, is = 1 supersymmetric but goes to the SU(3) × U(1) symmetric, = 2 supersymmetric fixed point, where the masses are equal. The only flow that goes to the G2 symmetric point occurs when one of the mass parameters is set to zero. There is an = 1 supersymmetric flow from the G2 symmetric point to the SU(3) × U(1) symmetric point and supergravity gives a prediction of ±1/61/2 for the anomalous dimensions of the operators that drive this flow. We examine these flows from the field theory perspective but find that one is limited to qualitative results since = 1 supersymmetry in three dimensions is insufficient to protect the form and dimensions of the operators involved in the flow.
Efficient feedback quantization for orthogonal random beamforming schemes

In multiantenna downlink systems the optimization of the spatial precoding is severely hampered by the amount of feedback. An efficient solution consists in the opportunistic beamforming scheme (OB-MUX) that generates random orthogonal beams and schedules the user with the largest signal-to-interference-and- noise ratio (SINR) over each beam. In this paper we explore the effect of feedback quantization on the performance of OB-MUX scheme. We analytically assess the sum-rate of OB-MUX in terms of quantization strategy, number of users and number of antennas. Since the optimum quantization requires a numerical optimization, we design a practical quantization law that approaches the performance of the optimum scheme at reduced complexity. The proposed strategy permits to extract most of the multiuser diversity gain by using a few (in the limit of one) feedback bits.
The Element Abundances in Bare Planetary Nebula Central Stars and the Shell Burning in AGB Stars

We review the observed properties of extremely hot hydrogen-deficient post-AGB stars of spectral type [WC] and PG1159. Their H-deficiency is probably caused by a (very) late heliumshell flash or a AGB final thermal pulse, laying bare interior stellar regions which are usually kept hidden below the hydrogen envelope. Thus, the photospheric element abundances of these stars allow to draw conclusions about details of nuclear burning and mixing processes in the precursor AGB stars. We summarize the state-of-the-art of stellar evolution models which simulate AGB evolution and the occurrence of a late He-shell flash. We compare predicted element abundances to those determined by quantitative spectral analyses performed with advanced non-LTE model atmospheres. A good qualitative and quantitative agreement is found. Future work can contribute to an even more complete picture of the nuclear processes in AGB stars. Subject headings: stars: AGB and post-AGB — stars: abundances — stars: atmospheres — stars: evolution — stars: interiors — nuclear reactions, nucleosynthesis, abundances
The Shape Interaction Matrix-Based Affine Invariant Mismatch Removal for Partial-Duplicate Image Search

Mismatch removal is a key step in many computer vision problems. In this paper, we handle the mismatch removal problem by adopting shape interaction matrix (SIM). Given the homogeneous coordinates of the two corresponding point sets, we first compute the SIMs of the two point sets. Then we detect the mismatches by picking out the most different entries between the two SIMs. Even under strong affine transformations, outliers, noises, and burstiness, our method can still work well. Actually, this work is the first non-iterative mismatch removal method that achieves affine invariance. Extensive results on synthetic 2D points matching datasets and real image matching datasets verify the effectiveness, efficiency, and robustness of our method in removing mismatches. Moreover, when applied to partialduplicate image search, our method reaches higher retrieval precisions with shorter time cost compared with state-of-the-art geometric verification methods.
What kind of memory is needed to win infinitary Muller games

In an influential paper entitled "How much memory is needed to win infinite games", Dziembowski, Jurdzinski, and Walukiewicz have shown that there are Muller games of size O(n) whose winning strategies require memory of size at least n! This shows that the LAR-memory, based on the latest appearance records introduced by Gurevich and Harrington, is optimal for solving Muller games. We review these results and reexamine the situation for the case of infinitary Muller games, i.e. Muller games with infinitely many priorities. We introduce a new, infinite, memory structure, based on finite appearance records (FAR) and investigate classes of Muller games that can be solved with FAR- memory.
Praat on the Web: An Upgrade of Praat for Semi-Automatic Speech Annotation

This paper presents an implementation of the widely used speech analysis tool Praat as a web application with an extended functionality for feature annotation. In particular, Praat on the Web addresses some of the central limitations of the original Praat tool and provides (i) enhanced visualization of annotations in a dedicated window for feature annotation at interval and point segments, (ii) a dynamic scripting composition exemplified with a modular prosody tagger, and (iii) portability and an operational web interface. Speech annotation tools with such a functionality are key for exploring large corpora and designing modular pipelines.
Polarization of Na+/H+ and Cl−/Hco 3 − Exchangers in Migrating Renal Epithelial Cells

Cell migration is crucial for processes such as immune defense, wound healing, or the formation of tumor metastases. Typically, migrating cells are polarized within the plane of movement with lamellipodium and cell body representing the front and rear of the cell, respectively. Here, we address the question of whether this polarization also extends to the distribution of ion transporters such as Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) and anion exchanger in the plasma membrane of migrating cells. Both transporters are required for locomotion of renal epithelial (Madin-Darby canine kidney, MDCK-F) cells and human melanoma cells since their blockade reduces the rate of migration in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of migration of MDCK-F cells by NHE blockers is accompanied by a decrease of pHi. However, when cells are acidified with weak organic acids, migration of MDCK-F cells is normal despite an even more pronounced decrease of pHi. Under these conditions, NHE activity is increased so that cells are swelling due to the accumulation of organic anions and Na+. When exclusively applied to the lamellipodium, blockers of NHE or anion exchange inhibit migration of MDCK-F cells as effectively as when applied to the entire cell surface. When they are directed to the cell body, migration is not affected. These data are confirmed immunocytochemically in that the anion exchanger AE2 is concentrated at the front of MDCK-F cells. Our findings show that NHE and anion exchanger are distributed in a polarized way in migrating cells. They are consistent with important contributions of both transporters to protrusion of the lamellipodium via solute uptake and consequent volume increase at the front of migrating cells.
Appearance of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Liver Abscess Syndrome in Argentina: Case Report and Review of Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis

Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess syndrome (KLAS) is an emerging invasive infection caused by highly virulent community-acquired strains of K. pneumoniae displaying hypermucoviscosity. The salient features of this syndrome include the presence of bacteremia, primary monomicrobial liver abscess, and metastatic complications. A previously healthy Argentinean man presented with fever and found to have liver abscess caused by K. pneumoniae with metastatic seeding of gastric wall. Cultures from blood and liver abscess grew hypermucoviscous K1 K. pneumoniae with sequence type (ST) 23 by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), positive for rmpA (regulator of mucoid phenotype A), wzyKpK1 (capsular polymerase) and aerobactin genes. The hypermucoviscous phenotype of this K. pneumoniae isolate was readily identified by the "string test" (colonies formed a long string when touched with a loop). The patient responded favourably to percutaneous drainage of the abscess and antibiotics. This is the first documented report of KLAS described in Argentina, and may signal the emergence of this syndrome in South America.
Integrable hierarchies and dispersionless limit

Analogues of the KP and the Toda lattice hierarchy called dispersionless KP and Toda hierarchy are studied. Dressing operations in the dispersionless hierarchies are introduced as a canonical transformation, quantization of which is dressing operators of the ordinary KP and Toda hierarchy. An alternative construction of general solutions of the ordinary KP and Toda hierarchy is given as twistor construction which is quantization of the similar construction of solutions of dispersionless hierarchies. These results as well as those obtained in previous papers are presented with proofs and necessary technical details.
Spatial multiplexing using walsh-hadamard transform

This paper proposes a model (WHT-SMX), that combines spatial multiplexing (SMX) with walsh-hadamard transform (WHT). The use of WHT is to convert transmit symbols of SMX to change location of constellation points. This is helpful in extending the Euclidean distance between transmit symbols for precise detection. When phase modulation is applied on the transmit data sequences, proposed scheme shows better results compared to conventional SMX in terms of bit error rate (BER) performance. When BER is equal to 104, a gain of around 2dB is achieved. Simulations are carried out to show that BER performance of WHT-SMX outperforms other schemes like multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) with zero forcing (ZF) and space-time block coding (STBC).