Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geometric Modeling with Conical Meshes and Developable Surfaces

In architectural freeform design, the relation between shape and fabrication poses new challenges and requires more sophistication from the underlying geometry. The new concept of conical meshes satisfies central requirements for this application: They are quadrilateral meshes with planar faces, and therefore particularly suitable for the design of freeform glass structures. Moreover, they possess a natural offsetting operation and provide a support structure orthogonal to the mesh. Being a discrete analogue of the network of principal curvature lines, they represent fundamental shape characteristics. We show how to optimize a quad mesh such that its faces become planar, or the mesh becomes even conical. Combining this perturbation with subdivision yields a powerful new modeling tool for all types of quad meshes with planar faces, making subdivision attractive for architecture design and providing an elegant way of modeling developable surfaces.
Control of Resonant Acoustic Sound Fields by Electrical Shunting of a Loudspeaker

Low-frequency reverberant sound fields are usually suppressed by means of either adaptive feedforward control or Helmholtz resonator. Feedforward systems utilize a noise reference signal, error microphone, and loudspeaker to cancel sound propagating in one direction. Due to the requirement for multiple transducers and a powerful digital signal processor, feedforward systems are the most complex and expensive option for acoustic noise reduction. Helmholtz resonators, comprising auxiliary coupled acoustic chambers, are a popular passive technique for the control of dominant acoustic modes. Although lightly damped acoustic modes can be heavily attenuated, the resonators are difficult to tune and require unpractically large cavity volumes at frequencies below 200 Hz. This paper introduces a new technique for the control of low-frequency reverberant sound fields. By connecting an electrical impedance to the terminals of an acoustic loudspeaker, the mechanical dynamics, and hence, acoustic response can be made to emulate a sealed acoustic resonator. No microphone or velocity measurement is required. In some cases, the required electrical circuit is simply the parallel connection of a capacitor and resistor. With the addition of a single pressure microphone, a technique for online circuit adaptation is proposed. Experimental application to a closed acoustic duct results in 14-dB pressure attenuation of a single acoustic mode. Active impedances can be designed by viewing the system model from a feedback control perspective. The resulting electrical impedances, although not passive, are experimentally shown to attenuate four acoustic modes by up to 10 dB.
BatchFS: Scaling the File System Control Plane with Client-Funded Metadata Servers

Parallel file systems are often characterized by a layered architecture that decouples metadata management from I/O operations, allowing file systems to facilitate fast concurrent access to file contents. However, metadata intensive workloads are still likely to bottleneck at the file system control plane due to namespace synchronization, which taxes application performance through lock contention on directories, transaction serialization, and RPC overheads. In this paper, we propose a client-driven file system metadata architecture, BatchFS, that is optimized for noninteractive, or batch, workloads. To avoid metadata bottlenecks, BatchFS features a relaxed consistency model marked by lazy namespace synchronization and optimistic metadata verification. Capable of executing namespace operations on client-provisioned resources without contacting any metadata server, BatchFS clients are able to delay namespace synchronization until synchronization is really needed. Our goal in this vision paper is to handle these delayed operations securely and efficiently with metadata verification and bulk insertion. Preliminary experiments demonstrate that our client-funded metadata architecture outperforms a traditional synchronous file system by orders of magnitude.
Field-Deployed Spectroscopy from 350 to 2500 nm: A Promising Technique for Early Identification of Powdery Mildew Disease (Erysiphe necator) in Vineyards

This study explores spectroscopy in the 350 to 2500 nm range for detecting powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) in grapevine leaves, crucial for precision agriculture and sustainable vineyard management. In a controlled experimental vineyard setting, the spectral reflectance on leaves with varying infestation levels was measured using a FieldSpec 4 spectroradiometer during July and September. A detailed assessment was conducted following the guidelines recommended by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) to quantify the level of infestation; categorising leaves into five distinct grades based on the percentage of leaf surface area affected. Subsequently, spectral data were collected using a contact probe with a tungsten halogen bulb connected to the spectroradiometer, taking three measurements across different areas of each leaf. Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) analysis yielded coefficients of determination R2 = 0.74 and 0.71, and Root Mean Square Errors (RMSEs) of 12.1% and 12.9% for calibration and validation datasets, indicating high accuracy for early disease detection. Significant spectral differences were noted between healthy and infected leaves, especially around 450 nm and 700 nm for visible light, and 1050 nm, 1425 nm, 1650 nm, and 2250 nm for the near-infrared spectrum, likely due to tissue damage, chlorophyll degradation and water loss. Finally, the Powdery Mildew Vegetation Index (PMVI) was introduced, calculated as PMVI = (R755 − R675)/(R755 + R675), where R755 and R675 are the reflectances at 755 nm (NIR) and 675 nm (red), effectively estimating disease severity (R2 = 0.7). The study demonstrates that spectroscopy, combined with PMVI, provides a reliable, non-invasive method for managing powdery mildew and promoting healthier vineyards through precision agriculture practices.
A 256-Mcell Phase-Change Memory Chip Operating at $2{+}$ Bit/Cell

A fully integrated 256-Mcell multi-level cell (MLC) phase-change memory (PCM) chip in 90-nm CMOS technology is presented. The on-chip circuitry supports fast MLC operation at 4 bit/cell. A programmable digital controller is used to optimize closed-loop gain and timing of the iterative MLC programming scheme and two power-efficient 8-bit DACs support current-controlled as well as voltage-controlled write pulses. The read-out consists of a low-power auto-range frontend followed by a 6-bit cyclic ADC that converts the nonlinear PCM resistance in a range between 10 kΩ and 10 MΩ . A verilog-A model derived from a full 3-D simulation of the PCM cell was developed to simulate the complete chip. The chip was used to demonstrate operation at 2 bit/cell and programming below 10 μs with Ge 2Sb 2Te 5 (GST) based PCM cells at a raw bit error rate of ~ 2 × 10- 4. Two main roadblocks for MLC PCM are drift and endurance. The accuracy of the analog frontend in combination with the programmable controller enables drift mitigation at the system level and the exploration of new materials for MLC operation at 3+ bit/cell.
DIRECT PLATFORM ORIENTATION OF MULTISENSOR DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS

With increased use of various new sensors in mapping such as digital cameras, multi/hyperspectral scanners, radiometers, LIDAR, SAR (IFSAR), etc; multisensor data fusion has become an extremely crucial task of spatial data processing. One of the key aspects of integrating various data types is data geo-referencing. Direct platform orientation provides an efficient tool for geo-referencing at the data acquisition level, by substantially supporting the multisensor data integration process through furnishing a common geo-coding frame at a very early point. The Airborne Integrated Mapping System (AIMS ) developed at The Center for Mapping at The Ohio State University offers GPS/INS-based integrated direct platform orientation. Currently, the imaging component of the AIMS prototype system is based on a high-resolution Charge-Coupled Device (CCD), a solid-state image sensor capturing 4K by 4K panchromatic imagery. In cooperation with AIMS partners, however, laser and multi/hyper spectral sensors have been also included in a series of test flights. This paper investigates the performance of the AIMS GPS/INS orientation module as well as the data fusion experiences obtained from various sensor data.
DETERMINING THE LOCAL SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN COVID-19 AND NO2 USING SENTINEL 5P AND MGWR

: Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) may become one of the contributing factors to COVID-19 deaths. Nowadays, the effect of airborne epidemics on respiratory-related diseases, like COVID-19, can be demonstrated in the geographical region using GIS and Remote Sensing technologies. Thus, this study aims to determine the relationships between COVID-19 and NO 2 using satellite remote sensing data and the local regression approach. The NO 2 data were derived from Sentinel-5 Precursor satellite images, which were acquired in February and May 2021 respectively. Then, the Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) approach was applied to determine the local spatial relationships between NO 2 and COVID-19. It was found that the relationships between NO 2 and COVID-19 were extremely low at a global relationship with the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) technique. However, with the use of MGWR, a moderate relationship between the derived NO 2 and COVID-19 data cases was found in February 2021 (R² =0.49) and May 2021 (R² =0.47). The significant effect of NO 2 on the COVID-19 outbreak was found in Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, and Selangor. Although the lockdown had decreased air pollution, this study reveals that there was still a significant effect of air pollutants like NO 2 on the outbreak of COVID-19 of the selected period in micro-scale areas.
YeastFab: the design and construction of standard biological parts for metabolic engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

It is a routine task in metabolic engineering to introduce multicomponent pathways into a heterologous host for production of metabolites. However, this process sometimes may take weeks to months due to the lack of standardized genetic tools. Here, we present a method for the design and construction of biological parts based on the native genes and regulatory elements in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have developed highly efficient protocols (termed YeastFab Assembly) to synthesize these genetic elements as standardized biological parts, which can be used to assemble transcriptional units in a single-tube reaction. In addition, standardized characterization assays are developed using reporter constructs to calibrate the function of promoters. Furthermore, the assembled transcription units can be either assayed individually or applied to construct multi-gene metabolic pathways, which targets a genomic locus or a receiving plasmid effectively, through a simple in vitro reaction. Finally, using β-carotene biosynthesis pathway as an example, we demonstrate that our method allows us not only to construct and test a metabolic pathway in several days, but also to optimize the production through combinatorial assembly of a pathway using hundreds of regulatory biological parts.
Beware of cyberbullying! Evidence from high school students in Indonesia

Cases of cyberbullying among high school students have become the center of attention of educational institutions as a new form of bullying using information technology. Many studies examine cyberbullying as a new form of bullying. However, studies on school climate, social support, and social self-efficacy in reducing cyberbullying behavior among high school students are still limited. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of school climate, social support, and social self-efficacy on cyberbullying behavior. This study involved 290 high school students in three schools in Kupang City, Indonesia. We used a simple random sampling technique to determine which respondents were involved. SPSS version 20 and Amos 18 software were used to analyze the data for this study. Data analysis in this study used structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis. The study’s results revealed that school climate and social self-efficacy significantly negatively affected high school students’ cyberbullying behavior. Meanwhile, social support has no direct influence on students’ cyberbullying behavior. Social self-efficacy has also been shown to mediate the effect of school climate on high school students’ cyberbullying behavior. An in-depth discussion is presented in this paper to provide an overview of the critical implications for educational practitioners.
Mouse salivary gland virus plaque assay on a stable line of mouse embryo cells

Recently, a plaque assay for the enumeration of mouse salivary gland virus was described by Henson and Pinkerton (Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med. 114:130, 1963). Whereas their assay was based upon the use of cells recently acquired from embryonic Swiss mice, in this report we describe a plaque assay developed with a stable line of murine cells. Cells were obtained from embryonic Swiss mice by methods described by Madin, Andriese, and Darby (Am. J. Vet. Res. 18:932, 1957), and passaged in Earle's salt solution, 5% lactalbumin hydrolysate, and 0.05% NaHCO3 (LE medium), plus 10% calf serum. Early passages consisted primarily of fibroblastic cells, but after the ninth passage cells were uniformly epithelial. These cells
Msx2 Promotes Osteogenesis and Suppresses Adipogenic Differentiation of Multipotent Mesenchymal Progenitors*

In the aorta, diabetes activates an osteogenic program that includes expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) and the osteoblast homeoprotein Msx2. To evaluate BMP2-Msx2 signaling in vascular calcification, we studied primary aortic myofibroblasts. These cells express vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) markers, respond to BMP2 by up-regulating Msx2, and undergo osteogenic differentiation with BMP2 treatment or transduction with a virus encoding Msx2. The osteoblast factor osterix (Osx) is up-regulated 10-fold by Msx2, but Runx2 mRNA is unchanged; the early osteoblast marker alkaline phosphatase increases 50-fold with mineralized nodule formation enhanced 30-fold. Adipocyte markers are concomitantly suppressed. To better understand Msx2 actions on osteogenesis versus adipogenesis, mechanistic studies were extended to C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal cells. Msx2 enhances osteogenic differentiation in synergy with BMP2. Osteogenic actions depend upon intrinsic Msx2 DNA binding; the gain-of-function variant Msx2(P148H) directs enhanced mineralization, whereas the binding-deficient variant Msx2(T147A) is inactive. Adipogenesis (lipid accumulation, Pparg expression) is inhibited by Msx2. By contrast, suppression of adipogenesis does not require Msx2 DNA binding; inhibition occurs in part via protein-protein interactions with C/EBPα that control Pparg transcription. Thus, Msx2 regulates osteogenic versus adipogenic differentiation of aortic myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts capable of both fates can be diverted to the osteogenic lineage by BMP2-Msx2 signaling and contribute to vascular calcification.
Efficient Multi-Channel Signal Strength Based Localization via Matrix Completion and Bayesian Sparse Learning

Fingerprint-based location sensing technologies play an increasingly important role in pervasive computing applications due to their accuracy and minimal hardware requirements. However, typical fingerprint-based schemes implicitly assume that communication occurs over the same channel (frequency) during the training and the runtime phases. When this assumption is violated, the mismatches between training and runtime fingerprints can significantly deteriorate the localization performance. Additionally, the exhaustive calibration procedure required during training limits the scalability of this class of methods. In this work, we propose a novel, scalable, multi-channel fingerprint-based indoor localization system that employs modern mathematical concepts based on the Sparse Representations and Matrix Completion theories. The contribution of our work is threefold. First, we investigate the impact of channel changes on the fingerprint characteristics and the effects of channel mismatch on state-of-the-art localization schemes. Second, we propose a novel fingerprint collection technique that significantly reduces the calibration time, by formulating the map construction as an instance of the Matrix Completion problem. Third, we propose the use of sparse Bayesian learning to achieve accurate location estimation. Experimental evaluation on real data highlights the superior performance of the proposed framework in terms of reconstruction error and localization accuracy.
A Methodology to Generate Virtual Patient Repositories

Electronic medical records (EMR) contain sensitive personal information. For example, they may include details about infectious diseases, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or they may contain information about a mental illness. They may also contain other sensitive information such as medical details related to fertility treatments. Because EMRs are subject to confidentiality requirements, accessing and analyzing EMR databases is a privilege given to only a small number of individuals. Individuals who work at institutions that do not have access to EMR systems have no opportunity to gain hands-on experience with this valuable resource. Simulated medical databases are currently available; however, they are difficult to configure and are limited in their resemblance to real clinical databases. Generating highly accessible repositories of virtual patient EMRs while relying only minimally on real patient data is expected to serve as a valuable resource to a broader audience of medical personnel, including those who reside in underdeveloped countries.
RANKOM : A QUERY-DEPENDENT RANKING SYSTEM FOR INFORMATION RETRIEVAL

Ranking plays an important role in information retrieval, aiming to sort the documents retrieved for a given query in the descending order of relevance. Recently, many approaches based on the idea of “learning to rank” have been proposed for doing ranking. Most of them consider all the documents of the training queries to build a static, query-independent ranking model. In this paper, we propose an adaptive, querydependent framework for learning to rank based on a distributional similarity measure for gauging the similarity between queries. For each training query, one individual ranking model is learned from its associated set of documents. When a new query is consulted, the individual trained models of those training queries most similar to the new query are obtained and combined into a joint model which is then used to rank the documents retrieved for the new query. Experimental results show that our proposed approach works very well compared with other methods.
SwissBioisostere: a database of molecular replacements for ligand design

The SwissBioisostere database (http://www.swissbioisostere.ch) contains information on molecular replacements and their performance in biochemical assays. It is meant to provide researchers in drug discovery projects with ideas for bioisosteric modifications of their current lead molecule, as well as to give interested scientists access to the details on particular molecular replacements. As of August 2012, the database contains 21 293 355 datapoints corresponding to 5 586 462 unique replacements that have been measured in 35 039 assays against 1948 molecular targets representing 30 target classes. The accessible data were created through detection of matched molecular pairs and mining bioactivity data in the ChEMBL database. The SwissBioisostere database is hosted by the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and available via a web-based interface.
[Withdrawal characteristics following frequent intravenous administration of several opioids in rats].

Characteristics of withdrawal signs of several opioids were compared in rats after short-term frequent intravenous infusions. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with catheters implanted in the jugular veins were infused with a fixed dose of a drug hourly for 72 hrs. Thirty min after the final infusion, naloxone 4 mg/kg, s.c. was administered and withdrawal signs were observed for 1 hr and the severity of the withdrawal signs was scored, classified into a behavioral sign score, autonomic sign score, and body weight loss score. As a result, total withdrawal scores of morphine, methadone, d-propoxyphene, loperamide, tramadol, and pentazocine were significantly higher than that of saline, with the highest score being observed for 4 mg/kg or more of morphine. The total score of ethylketocyclazocine was slightly but significantly higher than that of saline. Buprenorphine and thebaine produced no observable withdrawal signs. The behavioral sign score tended to be higher than the other 2 scores in the drugs showing relatively low but significant total scores such as tramadol, pentazocine, and ethylketocyclazocine, while the score of autonomic signs or the body weight loss tended to be higher in drugs showing high total scores. Thus, in the case of opioids, it is considered that the severity of withdrawal signs was mainly derived from the autonomic signs including diarrhea which may result in body weight loss.
Remediation of an Oil Contaminated Wetland and the Effects of Crude Oil and Brine on Two-Year Old Loblolly Pine (Pinus Taeda) Seedlings.

The goal of this project was to introduce a successful remediation and restoration plan for a wetland and pine forest contaminated by an oil well blowout. A field study focused on the effectiveness of ammoniated bagasse (ABG) to enhance the bioremediation of the contaminated wetland. A soil and vegetation greenhouse study investigated the effects of oil and brine on loblolly pine tree seedlings and the effectiveness of ABG to remove and remediate oil contaminated forest soils. The most effective, ecologically sound, and economical plan to remove the oil from the wetland was to bum the area. Once the area was burned a combination of ABG, lime, and topsoil was applied in situ to 20 research plots in order to monitor the effectiveness of ABG to remediate the soils. The soil total petroleum hydrocarbon results of the study question the ability of ABG to remediate the site, as there was no statistically significant difference between treatments. The spatial variability of oil within the wetland made it difficult to prove the effectiveness ABG to promote bioremediation of the oil contaminated soils. Suggestions for further studies are provided. Greenhouse studies investigated the effects of foliar and soil applications of unweathered crude oil and brine on two-year old loblolly pine seedlings. Results show that soil applied oil and brine had a greater negative effect (i.e. stress, death) than foliar applied oil and brine. A single short-term foliar application of brine had little or no effect on the seedlings. Foliar applied oil caused seedlings to show signs of stress when needle surface area coverage
Regional knowledge networks as evolving social technologies

This paper takes a look at regional networks working as institutions for the management of knowledge and technology. Based on a description of stylised steps on the way to a regional knowledge network, objectives, methodologies and results of evaluations of policies supporting the emergence of these networks and the networks themselves are discussed against the background of a long-term case study of more than two decades.