Receiver-side semantic reasoning for digital TV personalization in the absence of return channels

Experience has proved that interactive applications delivered through Digital TV must provide personalized information to the viewers in order to be perceived as a valuable service. Due to the limited computational power of DTV receivers (either domestic set-top boxes or mobile devices), most of the existing systems have opted to place the personalization engines in dedicated servers, assuming that a return channel is always available for bidirectional communication. However, in a domain where most of the information is transmitted through broadcast, there are still many cases of intermittent, sporadic or null access to a return channel. In such situations, it is impossible for the servers to learn who is watching TV at the moment, and so the personalization features become unavailable. To solve this problem without sacrificing much personalization quality, this paper introduces solutions to run a downsized semantic reasoning process in the DTV receivers, supported by a pre-selection of material driven by audience stereotypes in the head-end. Evaluation results are presented to prove the feasibility of this approach, and also to assess the quality it achieves in comparison with previous ones.

Machine learning in corporate credit rating assessment using the expanded audit report

Machine Learning - We investigate whether key audit matter (KAM) paragraphs disclosed in extended audit reports—paragraphs in which the auditor highlights significant risks and critical...     

Reversible Thermochromic Polymeric Thin Films Made of Ultrathin 2D Crystals of Coordination Polymers Based on Copper(I)‐Thiophenolates

A one‐pot reaction between Cu(BF₄)₂·xH₂O and 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid in acetone or methanol gives rise to the formation of lamellar microcrystals of two Cu(I)‐thiophenolate‐based coordination polymers (CPs) with the formulas [CuCT] _n ( 1 ) (CT = 4‐carboxy‐thiophenolate) and [CuMCT]_n ( 2 ) (MCT = 4‐methoxycarbonyl‐thiophenolate). Both 1 and 2 show a reversible luminescent thermochromic behavior upon cooling, changing their color from pale yellow to green to orange in the case of 1 , and from pale orange to green in the case of 2 . It is shown that the lamellar character of these crystals, which exhibit micrometer lateral dimensions and sub‐micrometer/nanometer thicknesses, allows processing them with an organic polymer such as polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) to form thermochromic 1 @PVDF and 2 @PVDF thin films. These thermal stimuli‐responsive thin films are freestanding, free of macroscopic defects, and robust under mechanical bending stress, opening up the possibility to use them in, for example, 2D imaging sensor films.     

Electrospray‐assisted fabrication of core‐shell arabinoxylan gel particles for insulin and probiotics entrapment

This work presents the fabrication and characterization of electro‐sprayed core‐shell particles that were composed of maize bran arabinoxylans (MBAX) with insulin in the core, and maize wastewater arabinoxylans (MWAX) with Bifidobacterium in the shell. Two concentrations of MBAX (3% and 6% w/v) and MWAX (6% and 10% w/v) were evaluated. The particles fabricated with MBAX at 6% (w/v) in the core and MWAX at 10% (w/v) in the shell were more stable, presented spherical shape and no aggregation being therefore selected to be loaded with insulin and probiotics. These particles presented a size of 2.9 mm. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the particle cross section revealed the presence of both, a smooth (shell) and a porous (core) microstructure. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed the core‐shell structure of the particles and the viability of the probiotic entrapped. Gastrointestinal simulation strongly suggests that these particles are not degraded in the stomach and small intestine and that 76% of the carried insulin is released in colon. These results indicate that insulin and Bifidobacterium encapsulation by tetraaxial electro spraying can be a feasible and adequate technique to produce arabinoxylan capsules containing both insulin and probiotics. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46411.     

Overview of the Therapeutic Potential of Aptamers Targeting Coagulation Factors

Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA sequences that bind target molecules with high specificity and affinity. Aptamers exhibit several notable advantages over protein-based therapeutics. Aptamers are non-immunogenic, easier to synthesize and modify, and can bind targets with greater affinity. Due to these benefits, aptamers are considered a promising therapeutic candidate to treat various conditions, including hematological disorders and cancer. An active area of research involves developing aptamers to target blood coagulation factors. These aptamers have the potential to treat cardiovascular diseases, blood disorders, and cancers. Although no aptamers targeting blood coagulation factors have been approved for clinical use, several aptamers have been evaluated in clinical trials and many more have demonstrated encouraging preclinical results. This review summarized our knowledge of the aptamers targeting proteins involved in coagulation, anticoagulation, fibrinolysis, their extensive applications as therapeutics and diagnostics tools, and the challenges they face for advancing to clinical use.     

Stereoselective Tandem Epoxidation–Alcoholysis/Hydrolysis of Glycals with Molybdenum Catalysts

Molybdenum catalysts are efficient and selective catalysts for the tandem epoxidation/alcoholysis or epoxidation/hydrolysis of glucal and galactal derivatives. In glucal derivatives the selectivity is mainly controlled by the allylic substituent at position 3 of the glycal, obtaining in general the products derived from the initial formation of the α‐epoxide (gluco) when this hydroxy group is protected, while products derived from the β‐epoxide (manno) are mainly obtained when it is unprotected. In galactal derivatives the estereoselectivity is always high to give the α‐epoxide (galacto) and independent of the protecting groups.     

Effect of Osmotic Dehydration and Vacuum-Frying Parameters to Produce High-Quality Mango Chips

ABSTRACT:  Mango ( Mangifera indica  L.) is a fruit rich in flavor and nutritional values, which is an excellent candidate for producing chips. The objective of this study was to develop high-quality mango chips using vacuum frying. Mango (" Tommy Atkins ") slices were pretreated with different maltodextrin concentrations (40, 50, and 65, w/v), osmotic dehydration times (45, 60, and 70 min), and solution temperatures (22 and 40 °C). Pretreated slices were vacuum fried at 120, 130, and 138 °C and product quality attributes (oil content, texture, color, carotenoid content) determined. The effect of frying temperatures at optimum osmotic dehydration times (65 [w/v] at 40 °C) was assessed. All samples were acceptable (scores > 5) to consumer panelists. The best mango chips were those pretreated with 65 (w/v) concentration for 60 min and vacuum fried at 120 °C. Mango chips under atmospheric frying had less carotenoid retention (32%) than those under vacuum frying (up to 65%). These results may help further optimize vacuum-frying processing of high-quality fruit-based snacks.     

User studies of knowledge acquisition tools: methodology and lessons learned

Knowledge acquisition research concerned with the development of knowledge acquisition tools is in need of a methodological approach to evaluation. This paper describes experimental methodology to conduct studies and experiments of users modifying knowledge bases with knowledge acquisition tools. The paper also reports on the lessons learned from several experiments that have been performed using this methodology. The hope is that it will help others design user evaluations of knowledge acquisition tools. Ideas are discussed for improving the current methodology and some open issues that remain.