Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust adaptive-scale parametric model estimation for computer vision

Robust model fitting essentially requires the application of two estimators. The first is an estimator for the values of the model parameters. The second is an estimator for the scale of the noise in the (inlier) data. Indeed, we propose two novel robust techniques: the two-step scale estimator (TSSE) and the adaptive scale sample consensus (ASSC) estimator. TSSE applies nonparametric density estimation and density gradient estimation techniques, to robustly estimate the scale of the inliers. The ASSC estimator combines random sample consensus (RANSAC) and TSSE, using a modified objective function that depends upon both the number of inliers and the corresponding scale. ASSC is very robust to discontinuous signals and data with multiple structures, being able to tolerate more than 80 percent outliers. The main advantage of ASSC over RANSAC is that prior knowledge about the scale of inliers is not needed. ASSC can simultaneously estimate the parameters of a model and the scale of the inliers belonging to that model. Experiments on synthetic data show that ASSC has better robustness to heavily corrupted data than least median squares (LMedS), residual consensus (RESC), and adaptive least Kth order squares (ALKS). We also apply ASSC to two fundamental computer vision tasks: range image segmentation and robust fundamental matrix estimation. Experiments show very promising results.
Effects of Multimodal Error Feedback on Human Performance in Steering Tasks

This paper investigates the relationship between “error feedback” (when tracking or trajectory errors are made) and user performance in steering tasks. The experiment examines feedback presented in visual, auditory and tactile modalities, both individually and in combinations. The results indicate that feedback significantly affects the accuracy of steering tasks but not the movement time. The results also show that users perform most accurately with tactile feedback. This paper contributes to the basic understanding of “error feedback” and how it impacts on steering tasks, and it offers insights and implications for the future design of multimodal feedback mechanisms for steering tasks.
Clustering validity checking methods: part II

Clustering results validation is an important topic in the context of pattern recognition. We review approaches and systems in this context. In the first part of this paper we presented clustering validity checking approaches based on internal and external criteria. In the second, current part, we present a review of clustering validity approaches based on relative criteria. Also we discuss the results of an experimental study based on widely known validity indices. Finally the paper illustrates the issues that are under-addressed by the recent approaches and proposes the research directions in the field.
dRMT: Disaggregated Programmable Switching

We present dRMT (disaggregated Reconfigurable Match-Action Table), a new architecture for programmable switches. dRMT overcomes two important restrictions of RMT, the predominant pipeline-based architecture for programmable switches: (1) table memory is local to an RMT pipeline stage, implying that memory not used by one stage cannot be reclaimed by another, and (2) RMT is hardwired to always sequentially execute matches followed by actions as packets traverse pipeline stages. We show that these restrictions make it difficult to execute programs efficiently on RMT. dRMT resolves both issues by disaggregating the memory and compute resources of a programmable switch. Specifically, dRMT moves table memories out of pipeline stages and into a centralized pool that is accessible through a crossbar. In addition, dRMT replaces RMT's pipeline stages with a cluster of processors that can execute match and action operations in any order. We show how to schedule a P4 program on dRMT at compile time to guarantee deterministic throughput and latency. We also present a hardware design for dRMT and analyze its feasibility and chip area. Our results show that dRMT can run programs at line rate with fewer processors compared to RMT, and avoids performance cliffs when there are not enough processors to run a program at line rate. dRMT's hardware design incurs a modest increase in chip area relative to RMT, mainly due to the crossbar.
Social life and social knowledge : toward a process account of development

U. Muller, J. Carpendale, N. Budwig, B. Sokol, Developmental Relations Between Forms of Social Interaction and Forms of Thought: An Introduction. M. Bickhard, Are You Social? The Ontological and Developmental Emergence of the Person. J. Martin, Perspectives and Persons: Ontological, Constitutive Possibilities. T. Behne, M. Carpenter, M. Grafenhain, K. Liebal, U. Liszkowski, H. Moll, H.Rakoczy, M. Tomasello, F. Warneken, E. Wyman, Cultural Learning and Cultural Creation. P. Hobson, J. Meyer, In the Beginning is Relation and Then What? V. Reddy, Experiencing the Social. M. B. Bibok, J.I. M. Carpendale, C. Lewis, Social Knowledge as Social Skill: An Action Based View of Social Understanding. J. Dunn, Relationships and Children's Discovery of Mind. G. Duveen, C. Psaltis, The Constructive Role of Asymmetry in Social Interaction. M. Bamberg, Selves and Identities in the Making: The Study of Microgenetic Processes in Interactive Practices. C. R. Hallpike, The Anthropology of Moral Development. E. Turiel, Individuals and Social Change.
Interleukin 7 induces CD4+ T cell-dependent tumor rejection

The potential of interleukin 7 (IL-7) to induce an antitumor response in vivo was analyzed. Therefore, the IL-7 gene was expressed in the plasmacytoma cell line J558L. Although the growth of IL-7-producing cells was not retarded in vitro, the IL-7-producing cells were completely rejected upon injection into mice. Tumor rejection was observed only in syngeneic but not in nude mice. The tumor-suppressive effect could be abolished by the parallel injection of an anti-IL-7 monoclonal antibody. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed IL-7- dependent infiltration of the tumor tissue by CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, and also type 3 complement receptor-positive (CR3+) cells, predominantly macrophages. Depletion of T cell subsets in tumor-bearing mice showed the absolute dependence of the antitumor response on CD4+ cells, whereas tumor rejection was unaffected by depletion of CD8+ cells. In addition to CD4+ cells, CR3+ cells were also needed for tumor rejection. The antitumor effect of IL-7 was confirmed by expression of the IL-7 gene in a second tumor cell line of different cellular origin. Together, our results demonstrate that a high local IL-7 concentration at the tumor site obtained by tumor cell-targeted gene transfer leads to tumor rejection involving a cellular mechanism that seems to be different from the ones observed in analogous experiments with other cytokines.
Bile salts are effective taste stimuli in channel catfish

SUMMARY Bile salts are known olfactory stimuli for teleosts, but only a single report has indicated that the taste system of a fish was sensitive to this class of stimuli. Here, gustatory responses of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, to four bile salts that included taurine-, glycine- and non-conjugated compounds along with three stimulatory amino acids as a comparison were investigated using extracellular electrophysiological techniques. Integrated multiunit responses were obtained from the branch of the facial nerve innervating taste buds on the maxillary barbel. Bile salts were shown to be highly effective facial taste stimuli, with estimated electrophysiological thresholds for three of the four tested bile salts of approximately 10–11 mol l–1 to 10–10 mol l–1, slightly lower by 1–2 log units than those to amino acids in the same species. Although the sensitivity of the facial taste system of the channel catfish to bile salts is high, the relative magnitude of the response to suprathreshold concentrations of bile salts was significantly less than that to amino acids. Multiunit cross-adaptation experiments indicate that bile salts and amino acids bind to relatively independent receptor sites; however, nerve-twig data and single-fiber recordings suggest that both independent and shared neural pathways exist for the transmission of bile salt and amino acid information to the primary gustatory nucleus of the medulla.
Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and mean platelet volume as predictive values after percutaneous coronary intervention for long-term clinical outcomes in Korea: A comparable and additive study

Abstract This study aimed to determine the association of the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and mean platelet volume (MPV) with the development of adverse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The baPWV and MPV were analyzed in 372 patients who underwent PCI, with the primary endpoint as cardiac death. The secondary endpoint was cardiovascular events (CVE): a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), target vessel revascularization (TVR), ischemic stroke, and stent thrombosis (ST). During the follow-up period (mean, 25.8 months), there were 21 cardiac deaths, 10 MIs including four events of ST, seven ischemic strokes, and 29 TVRs. The baPWV cut-off level was set at 1672 cm/s using the receiver operating characteristic curve; the sensitivity and specificity was 85.7 and 60.1%, respectively, to differentiate between the groups with and without cardiac death. The MPV cut-off level was set at 8.20 fL using the receiver operating characteristic curve; the sensitivity and specificity were 81 and 53.3%, respectively, to differentiate between the groups with and without cardiac death. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that the higher baPWV group (≥1672 cm/s) had a significantly higher cardiac death and CVE rate than the lower baPWV group (<1672 cm/s) (11.4 vs. 1.4%, log-rank: p < 0.0001; 25.3 vs. 7.5%, log-rank: p < 0.0001; respectively), and the higher MPV group (median, >8.20 fL,) had a significantly higher cardiac death and CVE rate than the lower MPV group (≤8.20 fL) (9.4 vs. 2.1%, log-rank: p = 0.0026; 23.8 vs. 6.8%, log-rank: p < 0.0001; respectively). Furthermore, the high baPWV and MPV groups were significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiac death. These results show that baPWV and MPV are predictive markers after PCI for cardiac death; they are also additively associated with a higher risk of cardiac death.
Management of Childhood Onset Nephrotic Syndrome

The therapeutic approach to childhood nephrotic syndrome is based on a series of studies that began with an international collaborative effort sponsored by the International Study of Kidney Disease in Children in 1967. The characteristics of children presenting with nephrotic syndrome have changed over recent decades with greater frequency of the challenging condition focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and a greater prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus, which may be resistant to glucocorticoids in the former and exacerbated by long-term glucocorticoid therapy in the latter 2 conditions. The Children's Nephrotic Syndrome Consensus Conference was formed to systematically review the published literature and generate a children's primary nephrotic syndrome guideline for use in educational, therapeutic, and research venues.
The Effects of Sevoflurane and Propofol on Glucose Metabolism Under Aerobic Conditions in Fed Rats

BACKGROUND: Recent studies reported that intraoperative hyperglycemia is an independent risk factor for mortality and morbidity related to surgery. Volatile anesthetics, such as sevoflurane, impair glucose use, suggesting their possible contributions to intraoperative hyperglycemia. However, the effects of IV anesthetics, such as propofol, on glucose metabolism are poorly understood. Thus, we compared the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on glucose metabolism under aerobic conditions in fed rats. METHODS: We first examined changes in blood glucose levels in rats undergoing sigmoid colostomy under sevoflurane, sevoflurane/buprenorphine, propofol, and propofol/buprenorphine anesthesia. We then examined changes in blood glucose levels after glucose administration using awake rats, rats under sevoflurane anesthesia, and rats under propofol anesthesia. RESULTS: Blood glucose levels increased markedly after sigmoid colostomy under sevoflurane anesthesia; the marked increases could not be prevented by the coadministration of buprenorphine. Under propofol anesthesia, blood glucose levels did not change after sigmoid colostomy at the highest dose, but increased slightly at the lowest and intermediate doses; the slight increases were completely prevented by the coadministration of buprenorphine. Whereas changes in blood glucose levels after glucose administration in rats under sevoflurane anesthesia were significantly greater than those in awake rats, the changes in rats under propofol anesthesia were similar to those in awake rats. CONCLUSIONS: During surgery, hyperglycemia was observed under sevoflurane and sevoflurane/buprenorphine anesthesia, but blood glucose levels were relatively stable under propofol and propofol/buprenorphine anesthesia. Whereas sevoflurane exaggerates glucose intolerance, propofol has no significant effects on glucose tolerance. We speculate that this feature of propofol contributes, at least in part, to the stable glucose metabolism during surgery observed in this study. The results of this study confirm the marked difference in the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on glucose metabolism.
Lipase-selective Functional Domains of Perilipin A Differentially Regulate Constitutive and Protein Kinase A-stimulated Lipolysis*

Perilipin (Peri) A is a lipid droplet-associated phosphoprotein that acts dually as a suppressor of basal (constitutive) lipolysis and as an enhancer of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)-stimulated lipolysis by both hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and non-HSL(s). To identify domains of Peri A that mediate these multiple actions, we introduced adenoviruses expressing truncated or mutated Peri A and HSL into NIH 3T3 fibroblasts lacking endogenous perilipins and HSL but overexpressing acyl-CoA synthetase 1 and fatty acid transporter 1. We identified two lipase-selective functional domains: 1) Peri A (amino acids 1–300), which inhibits basal lipolysis and promotes PKA-stimulated lipolysis by HSL, and 2) Peri A (amino acids 301–517), which inhibits basal lipolysis by non-HSL and promotes PKA-stimulated lipolysis by both HSL and non-HSL. PKA site mutagenesis revealed that PKA-stimulated lipolysis by HSL requires phosphorylation of one or more sites within Peri 1–300 (Ser81, Ser222, and Ser276). PKA-stimulated lipolysis by non-HSL additionally requires phosphorylation of one or more PKA sites within Peri 301–517 (Ser433, Ser492, and Ser517). Peri 301–517 promoted PKA-stimulated lipolysis by HSL yet did not block HSL-mediated basal lipolysis, indicating that an additional region(s) within Peri 301–517 promotes hormone-stimulated lipolysis by HSL. These results suggest a model of Peri A function in which 1) lipase-specific “barrier” domains block basal lipolysis by HSL and non-HSL, 2) differential PKA site phosphorylation allows PKA-stimulated lipolysis by HSL and non-HSL, respectively, and 3) additional domains within Peri A further facilitate PKA-stimulated lipolysis, again with lipase selectivity.
The Relationship Between The Level of Language Acquisition and Reading Achievement Among English Language Learners

This study examined two research questions: How are reading proficiency and English language proficiency assessment scores in third and fourth grades associated with fifth grade reading proficiency? As well as: How are reading proficiency and English language proficiency assessment scores in third and fourth grades associated with fifth grade English language proficiency? The purpose of this study was to better understand the relationship between English language proficiency and reading achievement in English Language Learners. This study included one cohort of English Language Learners from a middle sized district in the Portland, Oregon metro area, enrolled from their third grade school year through their fifth grade school year (n=26). Archived data were analyzed using a Pearson Correlation, which included the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills Oral Reading Fluency (DIBELS ORF) test scores and the Oregon English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) scores for this cohort. Results of the correlations indicated a significant relationship between third grade ELPA scores and both the fourth and fifth grade ELPA scores. Significant correlations were also found between the fourth grade DIBELS ORF and both the fifth grade ORF and the fifth grade ELPA scores. This study may be used as a pilot study for future research into the relationship between reading achievement and English language proficiency.
Ionizing Radiation Effects on Nonvolatile Memory Properties of Programmable Metallization Cells

The impact of ionizing radiation on the retention and endurance of programmable metallization cells (PMC) ReRAM cells is investigated and presented for the first time, with additional work on resistance switching. This study shows that 60Co gamma-ray exposure has a minimal effect on the retention of PMC devices, up to a total ionizing dose (TID) of 2.8 Mrad (Ge30Se70), the maximum TID level tested. The retention of both high resistance states (HRS) and low resistance states (LRS) during exposure was tested. Endurance appears to be slightly reduced with gamma-ray exposure. The endurance was tested to maximum TID of 4.62 Mrad (Ge30Se70). DC response characterizations were also performed on PMC devices after cumulative dose exposures with 50 MeV protons and 100 keV electrons. The data show that PMCs are most sensitive to proton irradiation incident from the backside of the device. For the electron exposures, it is shown that the LRS is mostly unaffected, but the HRS drifts to lower resistance values with an increase in radiation exposure.
The Afterlife Is Where We Come From: The Culture of Infancy in West Africa

When a new baby arrives among the Beng people of West Africa, they see it not as being born, but as being reincarnated after a rich life in a previous world. Far from being a tabula rasa, a Beng infant is thought to begin its life filled with spiritual knowledge. How do these beliefs affect the way the Beng rear their children? In this unique and engaging ethnography of babies, Alma Gottlieb explores how religious ideology affects every aspect of Beng childrearing practices from bathing infants to protecting them from disease to teaching them how to crawl and walk and how widespread poverty limits these practices. A mother of two, Gottlieb includes moving discussions of how her experiences among the Beng changed the way she saw her own parenting. Throughout the book she also draws telling comparisons between Beng and Euro-American parenting, bringing home just how deeply culture matters to the way we all rear our children. All parents and anyone interested in the place of culture in the lives of infants, and vice versa, will enjoy "The Afterlife Is Where We Come From. " "This wonderfully reflective text should provide the impetus for formulating research possibilities about infancy and toddlerhood for this century. " Caren J. Frost, "Medical Anthropology Quarterly" Alma Gottlieb s careful and thought-provoking account of infancy sheds spectacular light upon a much neglected topic. [It] makes a strong case for the central place of babies in anthropological accounts of religion. Gottlieb s remarkably rich account, delivered after a long and reflective period of gestation, deserves a wide audience across a range of disciplines. Anthony Simpson, "Critique of Anthropology""
Floating-point arithmetic

Floating-point numbers have an intuitive meaning when it comes to physics-based numerical computations, and they have thus become the most common way of approximating real numbers in computers. The IEEE-754 Standard has played a large part in making floating-point arithmetic ubiquitous today, by specifying its semantics in a strict yet useful way as early as 1985. In particular, floating-point operations should be performed as if their results were first computed with an infinite precision and then rounded to the target format. A consequence is that floating-point arithmetic satisfies the ‘standard model’ that is often used for analysing the accuracy of floating-point algorithms. But that is only scraping the surface, and floating-point arithmetic offers much more. In this survey we recall the history of floating-point arithmetic as well as its specification mandated by the IEEE-754 Standard. We also recall what properties it entails and what every programmer should know when designing a floating-point algorithm. We provide various basic blocks that can be implemented with floating-point arithmetic. In particular, one can actually compute the rounding error caused by some floating-point operations, which paves the way to designing more accurate algorithms. More generally, properties of floating-point arithmetic make it possible to extend the accuracy of computations beyond working precision.
Conventionality in cognitive development : how children acquire shared representation in language, thought, and action

1. Conventionality and Cognitive Development: Learning to Think the Right Way (Charles W. Kalish, Mark A. Sabbagh) Language, object categorization, tool use, and game playing are all characterized by conventionality, which has important implications for describing development in these fundamental domains. 2. Conventionality and Contrast in Language and Language Acquisition (Eve V. Clark) When acquiring word meaning, syntax, and phonology, young children show evidence that they are especially motivated to acquire conventional forms that are provided by experts in their linguistic environment. 3. How an Appreciation of Conventionality Shapes Early Word Learning (Mark A. Sabbagh, Annette M. E. Henderson) An assumption of conventionality provides children a basis for extending knowledge of words to other speakers, avoiding errors they might encounter in everyday speech, and learning the meanings of new words. 4. Pragmatic and Prescriptive Aspects of Children's Categorization (Charles W. Kalish) When learning how to categorize, children face the general problem that conventionalized domains involve flexible, optional activities as well as normative, standardized practices. 5. Play, Games, and the Development of Collective Intentionality (Hannes Rakoczy) Through children's play, researchers can gain insight into the developmental trajectory of children's ability to negotiate agreements about the right way to share goals and intentions in a given setting. 6. The Role of Information About "Convention," "Design," and "Goal" in Representing Artificial Kinds (Tim P. German, Danielle Truxaw, Margaret Anne Defeyter) When determining the correct function of a given artifact, children seem to weigh information about the creator's intended use more heavily than other sources of information, including community agreement. 7. Conventionality in Family Conversations About Everyday Objects (Maureen A. Callanan, Deborah R. Siegel, Megan R. Luce) During everyday conversations in various contexts, parents subtly promote an understanding of conventionality by providing young children with information that particular ways of using words or artifacts are more normative than others. INDEX.