Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A diagram retrieval method with multi-label learning

In recent years, the retrieval of plane geometry figures (PGFs) has attracted increasing attention in the fields of mathematics education and computer science. However, the high cost of matching complex PGF features leads to the low efficiency of most retrieval systems. This paper proposes an indirect classification method based on multi-label learning, which improves retrieval efficiency by reducing the scope of compare operation from the whole database to small candidate groups. Label correlations among PGFs are taken into account for the multi-label classification task. The primitive feature selection for multi-label learning and the feature description of visual geometric elements are conducted individually to match similar PGFs. The experiment results show the competitive performance of the proposed method compared with existing PGF retrieval methods in terms of both time consumption and retrieval quality.
Chronotropic Modulation of the Source-Sink Relationship of Sinoatrial-Atrial Impulse Conduction and Its Significance to Initiation of AF: A One-Dimensional Model Study

Initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF) is often associated with pharmacologically or pathologically induced bradycardic states. Even drugs specifically developed in order to counteract cardiac arrhythmias often combine their action with bradycardia and, in turn, with development of AF, via still largely unknown mechanisms. This study aims to simulate action potential (AP) conduction between sinoatrial node (SAN) and atrial cells, either arranged in cell pairs or in a one-dimensional strand, where the relative amount of SAN membrane is made varying, in turn, with junctional resistance. The source-sink relationship between the two membrane types is studied in control conditions and under different simulated chronotropic interventions, in order to define a safety factor for pacemaker-to-atrial AP conduction (SASF) for each treatment. Whereas antiarrhythmic-like interventions which involve downregulation of calcium channels or of calcium handling decrease SASF, the simulation of Ivabradine administration does so to a lesser extent. Particularly interesting is the increase of SASF observed when downregulation G Kr, which simulates the administration of class III antiarrhythmic agents and is likely sustained by an increase in I CaL. Also, the increase in SASF is accompanied by a decreased conduction delay and a better entrainment of repolarization, which is significant to anti-AF strategies.
Reserve Banks, the Discount Rate Recommendation, and FOMC Policy

In the United States, private citizens play little direct role in policymaking. The directors of the boards of the regional Federal Reserve banks are an apparent exception to this rule. These directors recommend changes in the discount rate, although the Board of Governors decides whether to act on the recommendations. These directors would have greater influence if they affected the FOMC votes of their district bank presidents. This paper shows that the FOMC votes of the regional bank presidents are strongly correlated with the discount rate recommendation of their bank’s board. Several alternative explanations for the correlation are then examined.
Empirical Study of the Price Volatility of Domestic and International Oil Futures

The volatility of oil futures price is a subject which has been studied extensively by researchers. In this thesis, time series of closing price of thirty three oil futures contracts are selected, such as 180CST fuel oil futures contracts between March 2008 to April 2009, New York NYMEX’s WTI crude oil futures contracts and BRENT crude oil futures contracts of London ICE. The volatility of oil futures price among Shanghai, New York and London are researched, they all possess the features of fat-tail distribution and maturity effects. However, the efficiency of the fuel oil futures market in Shanghai is significantly lower than that in New York and London. The underlying reason is that China’s futures market is not opened up.
Cutting Edge: Back to “One-Way” Germinal Centers1

The present status of germinal center (GC) research is revisited using in silico simulations based on recent lymphocyte motility data in mice. The generally adopted view of several rounds of somatic hypermutations and positive selection is analyzed with special emphasis on the spatial organization of the GC reaction. We claim that the development of dark zones is not necessary for successful GC reactions to develop. We find that a recirculation of positively selected centrocytes to the dark zone is rather unlikely. Instead we propose a scenario that combines a multiple-step mutation and selection concept with a “one-way” GC in the sense of cell migration.
Modified fuzzy behavior coordination for autonomous mobile robot navigation system

In behavior based robotics, development of behavior coordination method is very important. Fuzzy Behavior Coordination (FBC) can be used here, but it still have weaknesses, because it can result in slow robot movement, too long time to reach the target and fail to avoid trap. In this paper, modification of FBC, by combining it with Subsumption Architecture, is proposed to overcome those weaknesses. The simulation result shows that MFBC give the faster robot movement and decrease the amount of time to reach the target.
Design Patterns in Cloud Computing

Patterns are widely used concept in computer science to describe good solutions to reoccurring problems in an abstract form. These solutions can be applied in concrete cases regardless of used technologies. We select a pattern (circuit breaker pattern) to describe cloud service. We have designed a web application to connect to the database using a circuit breaker pattern we detect a database connection and discuss the connection failure.
Design and realization of an FPGA-based generator for chaotic frequency hopping sequences

Chaos-based pseudonoise (PN) sequences for spread spectrum (SS) communications ranks amongst the most promising applications of chaos to communications. This paper deals with the design and realization of a chaotic frequency hopping (FH) sequence generator that is compatible with current FH/SS technologies. A simplistic generator architecture adopting nonlinear auto-regressive (AR) filter structures is proposed, which is based on the random sequence model and the metric entropy criterion for generation of random sequences. Conventional PN sequences are employed to perturb the generator such that the resulted sequences fulfil the FH requirements on period and family size. In addition, a chaos-based FH sequence generator prototype is realized in field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and various tests are performed. The generator produces long period FH sequences with uniform distribution over the available bandwidth, large linear complexity as well as suboptimal Hamming correlation properties. Bit error rate (BER) performance of the chaos-based asynchronous FH/CDMA system is evaluated by means of computer simulation. These results suggest that the cost-effective and well-performing generator has the potential to be incorporated into existing FH systems.
Perception of Illumination Direction in Images of 3-D Convex Objects: Influence of Surface Materials and Light Fields

We investigated the perception of illumination direction in images of 3-D convex objects under variations of light field and surface material properties. In a first experiment, we used an illumination-matching procedure in order to measure observers' ability to estimate the direction of illumination in images of 3-D polyhedra rendered under different light fields and illumination directions. Match deviations were larger in frontal direction than in rear directions, mainly counterclockwise in azimuth component, and diverged, in elevation component, from the image plane. In a second experiment, we examined whether the direction estimate was affected by the surface material type (BRDF), the light field, and the illumination direction. Angular deviations varied with material surface type and were largest in the test elevation direction 0°. Elevation component deviations also differed with surface type and were larger in hemispherical diffuse lighting than in collimated lighting. These results suggest that the direction estimation is better with images of evenly distributed intensity gradients than with those of drastically varying gradients, and that the visual system may not take intensity variations due to the surface material or the light field into account in estimating the direction of illumination.
Attention-Set Based Metric Learning for Video Face Recognition

Face recognition has made great progress with the development of deep learning. However, video face recognition (VFR) is still an ongoing task due to various illumination, low-resolution, pose variations and motion blur. In this paper, we propose a novel Attention-Set based Metric Learning (ASML) method for VFR. It is a promising and generalized extension of Maximum Mean Discrepancy with Memory Attention Weighting inspired by Neural Turing Machine. ASML can be naturally integrated into Convolutional Neural Networks, resulting in an end-to-end learning scheme. Our method achieves state-of-the-art performance for the task of video face recognition on three widely used benchmarks including YouTubeFace, YouTube Celebrities and Celebrity-1000.
An Exact Penalty Function Approach for Solving the Linear Bilevel Multiobjective Programming Problem

In this paper, a new penalty function approach is proposed for the linear bilevel multiobjective programming problem. Using the optimality conditions of the lower level problem, we transform the linear bilevel multiobjective programming problem into the corresponding linear multiobjective programming problem with complementary constraint. The complementary constraint is appended to the upper level objectives with a penalty. Then, we give via an exact penalty method an existence theorem of Pareto optimal solutions and propose an algorithm for the linear bilevel multiobjective programming problem. Numerical results showing viability of the penalty function approach are presented.
Application of Data Mining for Optimization Settings of Controlled Variable in Shaft Furnace Roasting

The mechanism of Hematite furnace roasting process is complex and operating conditions change frequently which makes it difficult to get the set value of controlled variables in the furnace roasting process and makes it tough to control the controlled variable within the target range. In this paper, data mining technology is put forward to solve this issue. First, clustering method is used to deal with the sample data, and then the method of association rules in data mining is applied to obtain association rules which meet the conditions. In the process of production, the correct values can be acquired through the association rule table which provides new idea for the optimization settings of shaft furnace roasting controlled variable.
Executive Attention as a Predictor of Distracted Driving Performance

The present study empirically examines the role of executive attention as a predictor of distracted driving performance. As ADHD is an attention-related disorder, we hypothesized that ADHD individuals would show poorer executive attention compared to individuals from a community sample. Second, we predicted that individuals with poorer executive attention would show riskier driving as measured by a self-report questionnaire and simulated driving trials. One-hundred thirteen individuals with and without ADHD completed an executive attention task, a driving behavior questionnaire, and three (pre-distracted, distracted, and post-distracted) simulated driving routes. Results showed that executive attention is associated with braking response times during distracted driving trials. There was also evidence for carryover effects of distraction, with participants showing slower braking response times even after the distracting task was discontinued. Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between ADHD and executive attention.
Zigzag-coded modulation for high-speed fiber optical channels

We propose new coded modulation schemes for ultra-high-speed optical transmission (e.g., 100 Gb/s and above) using component concatenated zigzag codes in combination with high-order digital modulation and coherent detection. In particular, we propose single-level coded modulation and multi-level coded modulation using concatenated zigzag codes. For single-level coded modulation, only one concatenated zigzag code is employed to encode the information bits, and Gray mapping is employed to map the coded bits to channel symbols. For multi-level coded modulation, the mapping bits are divided into several layers, and one component concatenated zigzag code is employed at each layer; the layers are decoded successively, and the decoded layers are used to assist the decoding of the subsequent layers. Furthermore, we propose a rate allocation scheme for the component concatenated zigzag codes and a parameter selection scheme for multi-level coded modulation. Simulation results demonstrate that single-level and multi-level coded systems with zigzag codes show up to 0.5 dB performance gain over structured low-density parity check codes.
Frequency and the Type of Chromosomal Abnormalities in Patients with Primary Amenorrhea in Northeast of Iran

Objective(s): Primary and secondary amenorrhea are different from each other in that the former refers to a physiological failure in the onset of spontaneous menarche during the time when it is expected. whereas the latter involves the cessation of normal menstruation any time prior to menopause. In this study we aimed to investigate chromosomal abnormalities in patients with Primary Amenorrhea in Northeast of Iran by employing GTG banding. Materials and Methods: Chromosomal analysis was carried out on 180 cases that were referred from different clinics in eastern cities of Iran to our laboratory from 2004 to 2009. We implemented the suggested protocol regarding peripheral blood lymphocyte culture for metaphase chromosome preparation as well as conventional analysis for G-banded chromosome. Results: The karyotype results revealed that 75.55% (n=136) had normal chromosome composition and 24.45% (n=44) showed chromosomal abnormalities. Among the patients with abnormal chromosome constituents 86.36% exhibit numerical aberration and 13.63% showed structural abnormalities. The most frequent abnormality detected was X chromosome monosomy, homogeneous (21 cases –11.66%) or mosaic (8 cases – 4.44%). The other 6 cases (3.33%) had X chromosome structural imbalanced abnormalities (homogeneous or in mosaic). Discussion: As expected, this study confirmed previously reported cytogentic abnormalities in patients with amenorrhea. Although there are percentage differences between these studies and also verities in chromosomal abnormalities, they have still demonstrated the importance of cytogenetic investigations in the etiological diagnosis of amenorrhea.
A “ Tough Nuts ” Track for the IPC Jörg

In the development of the IPC, there is an ongoing conflict between pushing the frontiers, and consolidating our technology. With growing PDDL, it becomes ever more difficult to achieve both. We propose to introduce a separate instrument for consolidation. A “tough nut” is a domain that can be addressed, language-wise, by existing planning techniques, but that cannot be solved efficiently. In a tough nuts track, domains would be submitted to the IPC committee, and a web repository of accepted domains and results would be maintained. A domain can be removed if it is considered “solved”. Awards can be given to the first technique that solves a domain, and to the domains that survive longest. This simple mechanism naturally keeps track of the challenges remaining behind the moving frontier of PDDL. It explicits open questions and encourages research on subtle issues.
Simplifying amino acid alphabets by means of a branch and bound algorithm and substitution matrices

MOTIVATION Protein and DNA are generally represented by sequences of letters. In a number of circumstances simplified alphabets (where one or more letters would be represented by the same symbol) have proved their potential utility in several fields of bioinformatics including searching for patterns occurring at an unexpected rate, studying protein folding and finding consensus sequences in multiple alignments. The main issue addressed in this paper is the possibility of finding a general approach that would allow an exhaustive analysis of all the possible simplified alphabets, using substitution matrices like PAM and BLOSUM as a measure for scoring. RESULTS The computational approach presented in this paper has led to a computer program called AlphaSimp (Alphabet Simplifier) that can perform an exhaustive analysis of the possible simplified amino acid alphabets, using a branch and bound algorithm together with standard or user-defined substitution matrices. The program returns a ranked list of the highest-scoring simplified alphabets. When the extent of the simplification is limited and the simplified alphabets are maintained above ten symbols the program is able to complete the analysis in minutes or even seconds on a personal computer. However, the performance becomes worse, taking up to several hours, for highly simplified alphabets. AVAILABILITY AlphaSimp and other accessory programs are available at http://bioinformatics.cribi. unipd.it/alphasimp
Exercise‐induced alterations in pancreatic oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in type 2 diabetic Goto‐Kakizaki rats

Progressive metabolic complications accompanied by oxidative stress are the hallmarks of type 2 diabetes. The precise molecular mechanisms of the disease complications, however, remain elusive. Exercise‐induced nontherapeutic management of type 2 diabetes is the first line of choice to control hyperglycemia and diabetes associated complications. In this study, using 11‐month‐old type 2 Goto‐Kakizaki (GK) rats, we have investigated the effects of exercise on mitochondrial metabolic and oxidative stress in the pancreas. Our results showed an increase in the NADPH oxidase enzyme activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in GK rats, which was inhibited after exercise. Increased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation and SOD activity were also inhibited after exercise. Interestingly, glutathione (GSH) level was markedly high in the pancreas of GK diabetic rats even after exercise. However, GSH‐peroxidase and GSH‐reductase activities were significantly reduced. Exercise also induced energy metabolism as observed by increased hexokinase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities. A significant decrease in the activities of mitochondrial Complexes II/III and IV were observed in the GK rats. Exercise improved only Complex IV activity suggesting increased utilization of oxygen. We also observed increased activities of cytochrome P450s in the pancreas of GK rats which was reduced significantly after exercise. SDS‐PAGE results have shown a decreased expression of NF‐κB, Glut‐2, and PPAR‐ϒ in GK rats which was markedly increased after exercise. These results suggest differential oxidative stress and antioxidant defense responses after exercise. Our results also suggest improved mitochondrial function and energy utilization in the pancreas of exercising GK rats.
Generating functional analysis of complex formation and dissociation in large protein interaction networks

We analyze large systems of interacting proteins, using techniques from the non-equilibrium statistical mechanics of disordered many-particle systems. Apart from protein production and removal, the most relevant microscopic processes in the proteome are complex formation and dissociation, and the microscopic degrees of freedom are the evolving concentrations of unbound proteins (in multiple post-translational states) and of protein complexes. Here we only include dimer-complexes, for mathematical simplicity, and we draw the network that describes which proteins are reaction partners from an ensemble of random graphs with an arbitrary degree distribution. We show how generating functional analysis methods can be used successfully to derive closed equations for dynamical order parameters, representing an exact macroscopic description of the complex formation and dissociation dynamics in the infinite system limit. We end this paper with a discussion of the possible routes towards solving the nontrivial order parameter equations, either exactly (in specific limits) or approximately.
Adaptive Optimal Locomotion of Snake Robot Based on CPG-Network Using Fuzzy Logic Tuner

Periodic locomotion of animal bodies with large degrees of freedom is known to be realized by network of central pattern generators (CPGs) that are distributed in spinal cord (in vertebrates) or nerve cords (in invertebrates). In this paper, optimization of a controller for a snake robot locomotion based on CPG-network is presented. CPGs are modeled as nonlinear oscillators for each joint. The inter-joint coordination is achieved by altering the connection weights between joints. Genetic algorithm (GA) is used to optimize CPG parameters and connection weights in terms of moving speed. We proposed a new method that can be used as on line detection of changes in environmental conditions. Effect of friction coefficients on optimal parameters is next investigated. Results are utilized to design a fuzzy logic tuner with the goal of maintaining optimality of the locomotion while snake robot moves in different environmental condition (surfaces with different friction coefficients). Optimal CPG-network parameters are also obtained for snake robot with different numbers of links. Results indicate that the fuzzy rules can be expanded for snake robot with any numbers of links. This paper is a step towards designing an optimal CPG controller with improved environmental adaptability.
Current Status of Norovirus Infections in Children in Sub-Saharan Africa

Noroviruses are a leading cause of acute sporadic gastroenteritis worldwide. In Sub-Saharan Africa, information regarding norovirus infections in children is scarce. A systematic review of studies performed between 1993 and June 2015 was conducted to establish the genotypic distribution and prevalence of norovirus infections in children (≤17) in Sub-Saharan Africa. Analysis of data from 19 studies involving 8,399 samples from children with symptomatic and nonsymptomatic gastroenteritis revealed prevalence of 12.6% (range 4.6% to 32.4%). The prevalence of norovirus infections was higher in symptomatic children (14.2%) than asymptomatic children (9.2%). Genogroup II (GII) was the most prevalent genogroup accounting for 76.4% of all the reported norovirus infections. The rest of the infections were GI (21.7%) and GI/GII (1.9%). The most common genotypes were GII.4 (65.2%), GI.7 (33.3%), and GI.3 (21.3%). These statistics were calculated from studies carried out in 12 out of 48 Sub-Saharan African countries. Therefore, more studies involving several countries are required to determine fully the epidemiology of noroviruses and their contribution to childhood diarrhoea in Sub-Saharan Africa.