Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Broyden restricted class of variable metric methods and oblique projections

In the paper the new formulation of the Broyden restricted convex class of updates involving oblique projections is introduced. It is a sum of two terms: the first one containing special oblique projection and the second standard term ensuring verification of the quasi-Newton condition (it is also an oblique projection multiplied by appropriate scalar). The applied oblique projection involves vector defined as the convex, linear combination of the difference between consecutive iterative points and the image of the previous inverse hessian approximation on the corresponding difference of derivatives, i.e. gradients. Formula relating coefficient in the convex combination of vectors in the oblique projection with its counterpart in the standard representation of the Broyden convex class is presented. Some preliminary numerical experiments results on two twice continuously differentiable strictly convex functions with increasing dimension are included.
Nicotine dependence in the United States: prevalence, trends, and smoking persistence.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of smoking in the United States has been closely monitored. However, little is known about the epidemiology of nicotine dependence. We studied DSM-III-R nicotine dependence in the United States, trends across cohorts, and the role of nicotine dependence in smoking persistence. METHODS The Tobacco Supplement to the National Comorbidity Survey was administered to a representative subset of 4414 persons aged 15 to 54 years. The World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to assess nicotine dependence. RESULTS Lifetime prevalence of nicotine dependence was 24%, nearly half of those who had ever smoked daily for a month or more. The highest risk for nicotine dependence occurred in the first 16 years after daily smoking began, at which point the rate declined and continued at a slower pace for several years. Nicotine dependence increased the risk of smoking persistence, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-3.0). Members of the most recent cohort, who were 15 to 24 years of age at the time of the survey, were the least likely to smoke daily, but those who smoked had the highest risk of dependence: OR for daily smoking in the most recent vs earliest cohort was 0.7 (95% CI, 0.5-0.9), and for dependence among smokers, 7.2 (95% CI, 5.0-10.4). CONCLUSIONS Despite evidence that nicotine dependence is the leading preventable cause of death and morbidity, it remains a common psychiatric disorder. Smoking cessation and the decline in uptake in recent years varied across subgroups of the population.
Optimal biorthogonal filter banks for multiple description coding

Pier Luigi Dragotti and Martin Vetterli Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland EECS Dept., UC Berkeley CA 947020 e-mail: dragotti,vetterli @lcavsun1.epfl. ch http://lcavwww.epfl. ch Multiple description coding (MDC) is a source coding technique for information transmission over unreliable networks. In MDC, the coder generates several different descriptions of the same signal and the decoder can produce a useful reconstruction of the source with any received subset of these descriptions. This paper addresses the design of a two-channel biorthogonal filter bank for optimal MDC of wide sense stationary Gaussian input processes. The problem is solved in the frequency domain, the redundancy rate-distortion curve is constructed and, for each given redundancy, filter responses are designed to meet the corresponding point in the redundancy rate-distortion curve. An application of the proposed algorithm to a first order GaussMarkov process is presented and for this case also approximated FIR solutions are proposed.
ON LIMITED MEMORY BFGS UPDATING IN A TRUST { REGIONFRAMEWORKJAMES

The limited memory BFGS method pioneered by Jorge Nocedal is usually implemented as a line search method where the search direction is computed from a BFGS approximation to the inverse of the Hessian. The advantage of inverse updating is that the search directions are obtained by a matrix{ vector multiplication. Furthermore, experience shows that when the BFGS approximation is appropriately re{scaled (or re{sized) at each iteration, the line search stopping criteria are often satissed for the rst trial step. In this note it is observed that limited memory updates to the Hessian approximations can also be applied in the context of a trust{region algorithm with only a modest increase in the linear algebra costs. This is true even though in the trust{region framework one maintains approximations to the Hessian rather than its inverse. The key to this observation is the compact form of the limited memory updates derived by Byrd, Nocedal, and Schnabel. Numerical results on a few of the MINPACK-2 test problems indicate that an implementation that incorporates re{scaling directly into the trust{region updating procedure exhibits convergence behavior comparable to a standard implementation of the algorithm by Liu and Nocedal.
A New Beacon Navigation System

In this paper a new beacon localisation system for mobile robots in indoor environments is presented. Laser and radiofrequency technologies are combined in order to determine robot's position and orientation by means of a triangulation algorithm. The system allows the identification of the different beacons, which provides the robot's absolute position without requiring the maintenance of a position estimate. The system supplies up to 15 localisations per second to an accuracy of 1 cm in position and 0.1o in orientation.
Virtual teams: an exploratory study of key challenges and strategies

Virtual arrangements are proposed as a way for organizations to face the challenges of the upcoming century and to operate both efficiently and innovatively (Jarvenpaa and Ives 1994; Savage 1996). Among other emerging arrangements, virtual teams, both within and across organizations, are relatively recent phenomena brought about in part by the development of technologies such as Internet, groupware and videoconferencing (Barnatt 1995; Lipnack and Stamps 1997). The reluctance of many workers to relocate for a new job, the global nature of the marketplace, the need to complete projects as quickly as possible, and the need to tap the best brains no matter where they may be are all examples of virtual team drivers within and across organizations (Geber 1995; Lipnack and Stamps 1997).
The one hundredth year of Rudolf Wolf's death: Do we have the correct reconstruction of solar activity?

In the one hundred years since Wolf died, little effort has gone into research to see if improved reconstructions of sunspot numbers can be made. We have gathered more than 349,000 observations of daily sunspot group counts from more than 350 observers active from 1610 to 1993. Based upon group counts alone, it is possible to make an objective and homogeneous reconstruction of sunspot numbers. From our study, it appears that the Sun has steadily increased in activity since 1700 with the exception of a brief decrease in the Dalton Minimum (1795–1823). The significant results here are the greater depth of the Dalton Minimum, the generally lower activity throughout the 1700's, and the gradual rise in activity from the Maunder Minimum to the present day. This solar activity reconstruction is quite similar to those Wolf published before 1868 rather than the revised Wolf reconstructions after 1873 which used geomagnetic fluctuations.
Common Polymorphisms in IL-27 Genes May Contribute to Risk of Various Human Diseases in Asian Populations: A Meta-Analysis

Background Genetic variations in the IL-27 gene have been proven to be associated with various types of human cancers and diseases. The purpose of the current study was to clarify the associations of the IL-27 rs153109 A>G and rs181206 T>C variants with human diseases using a meta-analysis study. Material/Methods A comprehensive electronic and manual search was carried out to find potential eligible studies. The effect size was represented by the unadjusted odds ratios (ORs). A 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was tested for the pooled OR using the Z test. Results A total of 17 case-control studies (cases=4185, healthy controls=4077) were included in our study. Our study showed that the carriers of the rs181206 T>C and rs153109 A>G polymorphism in the IL-27 gene have elevated risks of diseases in the allele model (rs181206 T>C: OR=0.76, 95%CI=0.69~0.84, P<0.001; rs153109 A>G: OR=0.85, 95%CI=0.76~0.94, P=0.002) and dominant model (rs181206 T>C: OR=0.77, 95%CI=0.69~0.87, P<0.001; rs153109 A>G: OR=0.84, 95%CI=0.71~0.99, P=0.033). Disease type-stratified subgroup analysis yielded increased risk of related diseases in IL-27 rs181206 T>C carriers in the allele model in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), asthma, and esophageal cancer (EC) subgroups (ITP: OR=0.69, 95%CI=0.53~0.88, P=0.004; asthma: OR=0.60, 95%CI=0.41~0.89, P=0.010; EC: OR=0.79, 95%CI=0.64~0.97, P=0.026); and IL-27 rs153109 A>G polymorphism was remarkably associated with the increased risk of related diseases in the allele model in ovarian cancer (OC), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), tuberculosis (TB), ulcerative colitis (UC), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) subgroups (all P<0.05). Conclusions Our results indicate that the genetic polymorphisms of IL-27 rs153109 and rs181206 may be involved in the progression of human cancers and diseases, especially of TB, UC, COPD, OC, and ITP.
Map making in small field modulated CMB polarization experiments: approximating the maximum likelihood method

Map making presents a significant computational challenge to the next generation of kilopixel cosmic microwave background polarization experiments. Years worth of time ordered data (TOD) from thousands of detectors will need to be compressed into maps of the T, Q and U Stokes parameters. Fundamental to the science goal of these experiments, the observation of B modes, is the ability to control noise and systematics. In this paper, we consider an alternative to the maximum likelihood method, called destriping, where the noise is modelled as a set of discrete offset functions and then subtracted from the time stream. We compare our destriping code (Descart: the DEStriping CARTographer) to a full maximum likelihood mapmaker, applying them to 200 Monte Carlo simulations of TOD from a ground-based, partial-sky polarization modulation experiment. In these simulations, the noise is dominated by either detector or atmospheric 1/f noise. Using prior information of the power spectrum of this noise, we produce destriped maps of T, Q and U which are negligibly different from optimal. The method does not filter the signal or bias the E- or B-mode power spectra. Depending on the length of the destriping baseline, the method delivers between five and 22 times improvement in computation time over the maximum likelihood algorithm. We find that, for the specific case of single detector maps, it is essential to destripe the atmospheric 1/f in order to detect B modes, even though the Q and U signals are modulated by a half-wave plate spinning at 5Hz.
Discovery of factors in binary data triangular decomposition of matrices

We present new methods of decomposition of an n◊ m binary matrix I into a product A B of an n◊ k binary matrix A and a k◊m binary matrix B. These decompositions are alternative to the usual one which is sought in Boolean factor analysis (BFA), where is a Boolean product of matrices. In the new decompositions, are the left and the right triangular products of Boolean matrices. In BFA, I is interpreted as object◊ attribute matrix, A and B are interpreted as object ◊ factor and factor◊ attribute matrices, and the aim is to find a decomposition with the number k of factors as small as possible. The new decompositions have dierent semantics from the one with Boolean matrix product. The presented methods are optimal in that they provide the smallest number k possible. We provide a geometric insight showing that the factors correspond to I-beam- and H-beam-shaped patterns in the input matrix. We present an approximation algorithm for computing the optimal decomposition. The algorithm is based on a greedy approximation algorithm for set covering optimization problem. We demonstrate our results by illustrative examples.
BEM-Based Limited Feedback for Precoding and Scheduling over Doubly Selective Multiuser MISO Downlink Channels

This paper studies the problem of scheduling, precoding and limited feedback design for the emerging 3GPP-LTE systems over time- and frequency-selective (doubly selective) channels. In particular, greedy scheduling with zero-forcing (ZF) precoding is considered for the doubly selective multiuser multiple-input single-output (MISO) orthogonal frequency division ultiplexing (OFDM) downlink channels. In limited feedback design, the discrete prolate spheroidal basis expansion model (DPS-BEM) is used as a fitting parametric model for capturing the time-variation of the doubly selective channels and reducing the number of the channel parameters. The resulting dimension reduction in the channel representation, in turn, translates into a reduced feedback load of channel state information (CSI). To exploit the considerable reduction in CSI feedback load, vector quantization (VQ) of DPS-BEMparameters is performed at users' receivers under the assumption that perfect BEM parameter estimation has been established by existing algorithms. The output indices of the quantized BEM parameter vectors are, then, sent to the base station (BS) via error-free limited feedback links. With the channel state information (CSI) at transmitter (CSIT), greedy scheduling and ZF precoding are deployed for multiuser transmission in each subcarrier of OFDM symbols in a LTE frame. Numerical results show that the ZF based multiuser transmission scheme with the suggested BEM quantization and limited feedback design offers significant sum-rate gains and stable performance with high robustness against time-varying channels.
18.657: Mathematics of Machine Learning

This course focuses on statistical learning theory, which roughly means understanding the amount of data required to achieve a certain prediction accuracy. To better understand what this means, we first focus on stating some differences between statistics and machine learning since the two fields share common goals. Indeed, both seem to try to use data to improve decisions. While these fields have evolved in the same direction and currently share a lot of aspects, they were at the beginning quite different. Statistics was around much before machine learning and statistics was already a fully developed scientific discipline by 1920, most notably thanks to the contributions of R. Fisher, who popularized maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) as a systematic tool for statistical inference. However, MLE requires essentially knowing the probability distribution from which the data is draw, up to some unknown parameter of interest. Often, the unknown parameter has a physical meaning and its estimation is key in better understanding some phenomena. Enabling MLE thus requires knowing a lot about the data generating process: this is known as modeling. Modeling can be driven by physics or prior knowledge of the problem. In any case, it requires quite a bit of domain knowledge. More recently (examples go back to the 1960’s) new types of datasets (demographics, social, medical,. . . ) have become available. However, modeling the data that they contain is much more hazardous since we do not understand very well the input/output process thus requiring a distribution free approach. A typical example is image classification where the goal is to label an image simply from a digitalization of this image. Understanding what makes an image a cat or a dog for example is a very complicated process. However, for the classification task, one does not need to understand the labelling process but rather to replicate it. In that sense, machine learning favors a blackbox approach (see Figure 1).
Balancing an Inverted Pendulum with an EEG-Based BCI

To research the brain computer interface (BCI) for dynamic objects control, in this study, we constructed a BCI paradigm for balancing a virtual inverted pendulum on a cart (IPC). In the paradigm, subjects balanced the pendulum by imaging left/right movements. Not only was the direction, but also the strength of motor imagery was estimated simultaneously from the EEG signals, to generate suitable control force for IPC. Additionally, to solve the inconsistent problem between offline training and online controlling, a special online training experiment was designed to obtain more robust parameters of BCI. Three graduate subjects participated in this study, and two of them fast grasped the skill of IPC balancing, achieved balancing time of about 20 seconds. The results showed that the paradigm in this study was feasible and efficient for dynamic objects control.
The Impact of Perceived Security on Consumer E-Loyalty: A Study of Online Tourism Purchasing

With the development of e-commerce and smart tourism, the combination of tourism and the internet has caused tourism purchasing in China to shift from traditional channels to online ones. However, while online tourism consumption has many advantages there are also high associated security risks. Understanding how perceived security impacts online tourism purchasing behavior is extremely important for tourism e-commerce enterprises. In this paper, we adopt the self-regulatory process proposed by Bagozzi (1992) as our theoretical framework. By employing structural equation modeling and bootstrapping, we systematically investigated the effects of perceived security on consumer e-loyalty. Data were collected in two ways, via an online survey and via a field survey of several famous tourism spots in Xiamen, a seaside tourism city in southern China. After confirmation, 330 valid questionnaires were received from respondents who had recently purchased tourism products online. The study results indicate that the impact of perceived security comprises two parts: first, perceived security significantly and positively impacts customer emotional elements (trust and satisfaction), thereby affecting their loyalty behavior, second, perceived security also affects subsequent behavior through other cognitive elements (perceived value and website image). Discussion and implications are provided based on the research results.
Basins of attraction for chimera states

Chimera states—curious symmetry-broken states in systems of identical coupled oscillators—typically occur only for certain initial conditions. Here we analyze their basins of attraction in a simple system comprised of two populations. Using perturbative analysis and numerical simulation we evaluate asymptotic states and associated destination maps, and demonstrate that basins form a complex twisting structure in phase space. Understanding the basins’ precise nature may help in the development of control methods to switch between chimera patterns, with possible technological and neural system applications.
Towards player’s affective and behavioral visual cues as drives to game adaptation

Recent advances in emotion and affect recognition can play a crucial role in game technology. Moving from the typical game controls to controls generated from free gestures is already in the market. Higher level controls, however, can also be motivated by player’s affective and cognitive behavior itself, during gameplay. In this paper, we explore player’s behavior, as captured by computer vision techniques, and player’s details regarding his own experience and proﬁle. The objective of the current research is game adaptation aiming at maximizing player enjoyment. To this aim, the ability to infer player engagement and frustration, along with the degree of challenge imposed by the game is explored. The estimated levels of the induced metrics can feed an engine’s artiﬁcial intelligence, allowing for game adaptation.
Ecosystem service tradeoff analysis reveals the value of marine spatial planning for multiple ocean uses

Marine spatial planning (MSP) is an emerging responsibility of resource managers around the United States and elsewhere. A key proposed advantage of MSP is that it makes tradeoffs in resource use and sector (stakeholder group) values explicit, but doing so requires tools to assess tradeoffs. We extended tradeoff analyses from economics to simultaneously assess multiple ecosystem services and the values they provide to sectors using a robust, quantitative, and transparent framework. We used the framework to assess potential conflicts among offshore wind energy, commercial fishing, and whale-watching sectors in Massachusetts and identify and quantify the value from choosing optimal wind farm designs that minimize conflicts among these sectors. Most notably, we show that using MSP over conventional planning could prevent >$1 million dollars in losses to the incumbent fishery and whale-watching sectors and could generate >$10 billion in extra value to the energy sector. The value of MSP increased with the greater the number of sectors considered and the larger the area under management. Importantly, the framework can be applied even when sectors are not measured in dollars (e.g., conservation). Making tradeoffs explicit improves transparency in decision-making, helps avoid unnecessary conflicts attributable to perceived but weak tradeoffs, and focuses debate on finding the most efficient solutions to mitigate real tradeoffs and maximize sector values. Our analysis demonstrates the utility, feasibility, and value of MSP and provides timely support for the management transitions needed for society to address the challenges of an increasingly crowded ocean environment.
Re-Ranking for Geo-Relevance With Non-Contextual Heuristics at GeoCLEF 2007

University of Edinburgh, School of Informatics,2 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh EH8 9LW, Scotland UK.Abstract. Geographic Information Retrieval (GIR) in an attempt to improve rel-evance by taking geographic information in textual documents into account.WedescribeoutexperimentscarriedoutattheGeoCLEF2007evaluation[1]thatinvestigate further the role of geo-ﬁltering based re-ranking and query expansionwith geographic terms. Our main ﬁndings are that manual query expansion withgeo-terms is moderately effective and simple automatic geo-ﬁltering based re-ranking suffers from robustness across queries.
The Importance of Integrative Anthropology: A Preliminary Investigation Employing Primatological and Cultural Anthropological Data CollectionMethods in Assessing Human-Monkey Co-existence in Bali, Indonesia

This study investigates the interplay between humans (Homo sapiens) and long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) living in sympatric associations at 11 Hindu temple sites on the island of Bali, Indonesia. Primatological methods were utilized to examine demography, habitat type, and record long-tailed macaque feeding, and ranging behavior. Additionally, interviews and questionnaires were conducted to ascertain Balinese individuals’ perspectives regarding the macaques, local folklores surrounding the macaques, the perceived level of human-macaque overlap, and the degree of crop raiding by the macaques. Ethnographic methods revealed that attitudes toward long-tailed macaques vary, suggesting that human perceptions are determined by religious/local folklores and potential economic variables. In contrast to reports of ubiquitous protection for the monkeys, informants revealed that macaques in some locations are hunted, eaten, captured, and illegally sold to animal dealers, thus providing important insights into our understanding of nonhuman primate conservation and the impact that each primate can have on the other's behavior.