Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Head orientation in CBCT-generated cephalograms.

OBJECTIVE To determine the reliability of obtaining two-dimensional cephalometric measurements using two virtual head orientations from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) models. MATERIALS AND METHODS CBCT scans of 12 patients (6 class II and 6 class III) were randomly selected from a pool of 159 patients. An orthodontist, a dental radiologist, and a third-year dental student independently oriented CBCT three-dimensional (3D) renderings in either visual natural head position (simulated NHP) or 3D intracranial reference planes (3D IRP). Each observer created and digitized four CBCT-generated lateral cephalograms per patient, two using simulated NHP and two using 3D IRP at intervals of at least 3 days. Mixed-effects analysis of variance was used to calculate intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and to test the difference between the orientations for each measure. RESULTS ICC indicated good reliability both within each head orientation and between orientations. Of the 50 measurements, the reliability coefficients were > or =0.9 for 45 measurements obtained with 3D IRP orientation and 36 measurements with simulated NHP. The difference in mean values of the two orientations exceeded 2 mm or 2 degrees for 14 (28%) of the measurements. CONCLUSIONS The reliability of both virtual head orientations was acceptable, although the percentage of measurements with ICC >0.9 was greater for 3D IRP. This may reflect the ease of using the guide planes to position the head in the 3D IRP during the simulation process.
The relation between hiding skill and judgment of eye direction in preschool children.

This study examines J. H. Flavell, S. G. Shipstead, and K. Croft's (1978) finding that 2 1/2-year-old children can hide an object behind a screen but cannot achieve the same result by placing the screen in front of the object. Experiment 1 replicated this finding alongside a task in which children judged what a person in a picture was looking at. Performance on the move-object task approached ceiling; performances on the move-screen and looking-where tasks were highly correlated even after age and control task performance were partialed out (r = .54, p < .01). Experiment 2 examined whether the finding resulted because the object was more interesting to manipulate than the screen. The move-object task remained easier than the move-screen task with an interesting screen and a dull object. The move-screen task again correlated specifically with the looking-where task. Results are explained in terms of engagement, a precursor to a mature understanding of attention.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MATING SPEED AND WING LENGTH IN DROSOPHILA SUBOBSCURA

Mating speed is an important component of fitness as shown by Prakash (1967) who found a positive correlation between fast mating, repeat mating, and fertility in Drosophila robusta. Maynard Smith (1956) has shown that the Drosophila subobscura female performs only one effective mating during its life, so mating speed in this species should be of special significance in the males. In this paper the relationship between mating speed and wing length is studied. This study is part of a wider analysis of the correlations between wing length and the main components of fitness, aiming to get information about the selection mechanisms controlling size. Preliminary results of these experiments have been published elsewhereby Monclus and Prevosti (1967).
Temporal Dynamics of Aerodynamic Canopy Height Derived From Eddy Covariance Momentum Flux Data Across North American Flux Networks

Aerodynamic canopy height (ha) is the effective height of vegetation canopy for its influence on atmospheric fluxes and is a key parameter of surface‐atmosphere coupling. However, methods to estimate ha from data are limited. This synthesis evaluates the applicability and robustness of the calculation of ha from eddy covariance momentum‐flux data. At 69 forest sites, annual ha robustly predicted site‐to‐site and year‐to‐year differences in canopy heights (R2 = 0.88, 111 site‐years). At 23 cropland/grassland sites, weekly ha successfully captured the dynamics of vegetation canopies over growing seasons (R2 > 0.70 in 74 site‐years). Our results demonstrate the potential of flux‐derived ha determination for tracking the seasonal, interannual, and/or decadal dynamics of vegetation canopies including growth, harvest, land use change, and disturbance. The large‐scale and time‐varying ha derived from flux networks worldwide provides a new benchmark for regional and global Earth system models and satellite remote sensing of canopy structure.
Variants of the serotonin transporter gene and NEO‐PI‐R Neuroticism: No association in the BLSA and SardiNIA samples

The polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene promoter region (5‐HTTLPR) is by far the most studied variant hypothesized to influence Neuroticism‐related personality traits. The results of previous studies have been mixed and appear moderated by the personality questionnaire used. Studies that used the TCI to assess Harm Avoidance or the EPQ to assess Neuroticism have found no association with the 5‐HTTLPR. However, studies that used the NEO‐PI‐R or related instruments (NEO‐PI, NEO‐FFI) to measure Neuroticism have found some evidence of association. This study examines the association of variants in the serotonin transporter gene in a sample from a genetically isolated population within Sardinia (Italy) that is several times larger than previous samples that used the NEO‐PI‐R (N = 3,913). The association was also tested in a sample (N = 548) from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), in which repeated NEO‐PI‐R assessments were obtained. In the SardiNIA sample, we found no significant association of the 5‐HTTLPR genotypes with Neuroticism or its facets (Anxiety, Angry‐Hostility, Depression, Self‐Consciousness, Impulsiveness, and Vulnerability). In the BLSA sample, we found lower scores on Neuroticism traits for the heterozygous group, which is inconsistent with previous studies. We also examined eight SNPs in the SardiNIA (N = 3,972) and nine SNPs in the BLSA (N = 1,182) that map within or near the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), and found no association. Along with other large studies that used different phenotypic measures and found no association, this study substantially increases the evidence against a link between 5‐HTT variants and Neuroticism‐related traits. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Energy-noise trade-off to optimize the total number and the placement of wind turbines on wind farms: A hybrid approach

Wind energy is gaining importance as one the most progressive renewable energies due to rapid depletion of conventional energy resources. Micro-siting is the optimal way of placing turbines inside a wind farm to convert wind power into electrical energy avoiding constraints related to wake loss. Though a significant progress has been made towards proposing efficient methodologies for micro-siting, limited availability of land area has resulted in the construction of wind farms near to the human habitats causing a negative impact on the human health. Compared to the other effects, the effect of noise is a matter of immense concern for the wind farm designers, as it needs to be constrained within the mandatory limits. Using a well-established wake model and ISO-9613-2 noise calculation, this study performs a wind farm layout optimization (WFLO) based on multi-objective trade-off between minimization of the noise propagation and maximization of the energy generation. A novel hybrid methodology is proposed as a combination of probabilistic multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (NSGA-II) and a deterministic gradient based Normalized normal constraint (NNC) method. In contrast to previous studies, the generated Pareto Optimal (PO) front provides several options for a decision maker, where optimal number of turbines and their optimal layouts are obtained at the same time along with the alternative solutions.
Unsupervised border detection of skin lesion images

As a result of the advances in skin imaging technology and the development of suitable image processing/computer vision algorithms, during the last decade, there has been a significant increase of interest in the computer-aided diagnosis of skin cancer. Automated border extraction is one of the most important steps in this procedure since the accuracy of the subsequent steps crucially depends on the accuracy of this very first step. In this paper, we present an unsupervised approach to border detection in skin lesion (tumor) images based on a modified version of the JSEG algorithm [Y. Deng et al., (2001)]. The segmentation results are visually examined by an expert dermatologist and are found to be highly accurate.
BINDING PROPERTIES AND IMMUNOLOCALIZATION OF A FATTY ACID–BINDING PROTEIN IN GIARDIA LAMBLIA

We describe here a fatty acid–binding protein (FABP) isolated and purified from the parasitic protozoon Giardia lamblia. The protein has a molecular mass of 8 kDa and an isoelectric point of 4.96. A Scatchard analysis of the data at equilibrium revealed a dissociation constant of 3.12 × 10−8 M when the labeled oleic acid was displaced by a 10-fold greater concentration of unlabeled oleic acid. Testosterone, sodium desoxycholate, taurocholate, metronidazol, and α-tocopherol, together with butyric, arachidonic, palmitic, retinoic, and glycocholic acids, were also bound to the protein. Assays with polyclonal antibodies revealed that the protein is located in the ventral disk and also appears in the dorsal membrane, the cytoplasm, and in the vicinity of the lipid vacuoles.
Perchlorate natural attenuation in a riparian zone

Multiple lines of evidence were used to document the natural attenuation of perchlorate in a shallow alluvial aquifer. In the upgradient, aerobic portion of the aquifer, perchlorate did not biodegrade. However, natural flushing by groundwater flow is reducing perchlorate concentrations in the aquifer over time. Perchlorate concentrations in the source area are expected to meet cleanup criteria in 11 to 27 years without active remedial measures. At the distal end of the plume, perchlorate is rapidly degraded as it migrates upward through organic rich littoral zone sediments. Apparent first-order degradation rates in groundwater were about 0.20 d−1 and are consistent with laboratory macrocosm rates (0.12 d−1). qPCR results show a distinct region of the littoral zone where perchlorate degraders are elevated. The Eh within this zone varies from +0.1 to +0.3 V indicating perchlorate degraders can thrive in moderately oxidizing conditions. The study has shown that (i) there was no apparent perchlorate biodegradation in aerobic aquifer; (ii) perchlorate declines over time in aerobic aquifer due to flushing; (iii) there was a rapid perchlorate attenuation in organic rich littoral zone; and, (iv) qPCR results show large increases in perchlorate degraders in the littoral zone.
Use of lecithin to control fiber morphology in electrospun poly (ɛ‐caprolactone) scaffolds for improved tissue engineering applications

Abstract We elucidate the effects of incorporating surfactants into electrospun poly (ɛ‐caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds on network homogeneity, cellular adherence and osteogenic differentiation. Lecithin was added with a range of concentrations to PCL solutions, which were electrospun to yield functionalized scaffolds. Addition of lecithin yielded a dose‐dependent reduction in scaffold hydrophobicity, whilst reducing fiber width and hence increasing specific surface area. These changes in scaffold morphology were associated with increased cellular attachment of Saos‐2 osteoblasts 3‐h postseeding. Furthermore, cells on scaffolds showed comparable proliferation over 14 days of incubation to TCP controls. Through model‐based interpretation of image analysis combined with gravimetric estimates of porosity, lecithin is shown to reduce scaffold porosity and mean pore size. Additionally, lecithin incorporation is found to reduce fiber curvature, resulting in increased scaffold specific elastic modulus. Low concentrations of lecithin were found to induce upregulation of several genes associated with osteogenesis in primary mesenchymal stem cells. The results demonstrate that functionalization of electrospun PCL scaffolds with lecithin can increase the biocompatibility and regenerative potential of these networks for bone tissue engineering applications. © 2017 The Authors Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2865–2874, 2017.
Magnetic stimulation at Neiguan (PC6) acupoint increases connections between cerebral cortex regions

Stimulation at specific acupoints can activate cortical regions in human subjects. Previous studies have mainly focused on a single brain region. However, the brain is a network and many brain regions participate in the same task. The study of a single brain region alone cannot clearly explain any brain-related issues. Therefore, for the present study, magnetic stimulation was used to stimulate the Neiguan (PC6) acupoint, and 32-channel electroencephalography data were recorded before and after stimulation. Brain functional networks were constructed based on electroencephalography data to determine the relationship between magnetic stimulation at the PC6 acupoint and cortical excitability. Results indicated that magnetic stimulation at the PC6 acupoint increased connections between cerebral cortex regions.
REAL TIME IMPLEMENTATION OF GUIDED FILTER

- The real time implementation of guided filter highlights the implementation of Guided filter for image and video using VLSI hardware incorporated with real time application. The filter implementation is done with the use of guided image as reference image. A 30 frames/second video is given as input to this architecture and is separated into frames. These frames undergo preprocessing, noise analysis, smoothing of noisy pixels, and enhancement of edge level pixels by using MATLAB. Both color images as well as gray images are simulated by reformation of parameters in the guided filter formulae. Here the double integral image hardware architecture for the guided filter is proposed using FPGA controller by making use of Xilinx Platform Studio and Visual Basic. The guided filter simulation done using MATLAB is extended to build an architecture using Xilinx Platform Studio and FPGA Controller. With the help of the hardware implementation using FPGA there will be additional benefits like better performance at edges and suppression of color noise while preserving edges. This structure can support full HD 30 frames/second at a reduced gate count and chip memory. Guided filter is the ideal option since it performs better at the edges and suppresses color noise while preserving structures and as a result it is widely adopted in the field of computer vision and computational photography.
sequoia controls the type I>0 daughter proliferation switch in the developing Drosophila nervous system

Neural progenitors typically divide asymmetrically to renew themselves, while producing daughters with more limited potential. In the Drosophila embryonic ventral nerve cord, neuroblasts initially produce daughters that divide once to generate two neurons/glia (type I proliferation mode). Subsequently, many neuroblasts switch to generating daughters that differentiate directly (type 0). This programmed type I>0 switch is controlled by Notch signaling, triggered at a distinct point of lineage progression in each neuroblast. However, how Notch signaling onset is gated was unclear. We recently identified Sequoia (Seq), a C2H2 zinc-finger transcription factor with homology to Drosophila Tramtrack (Ttk) and the positive regulatory domain (PRDM) family, as important for lineage progression. Here, we find that seq mutants fail to execute the type I>0 daughter proliferation switch and also display increased neuroblast proliferation. Genetic interaction studies reveal that seq interacts with the Notch pathway, and seq furthermore affects expression of a Notch pathway reporter. These findings suggest that seq may act as a context-dependent regulator of Notch signaling, and underscore the growing connection between Seq, Ttk, the PRDM family and Notch signaling. Summary: During Drosophila embryonic CNS development, the zinc-finger protein Sequoia interacts with the Notch pathway to control lineage progression.
Learning Cluster Analysis through Experience

The field of machine learning is constantly developing useful new techniques for data analysis, but they are often ignored by researchers outside the field due to unfamiliarity and the difficulty of keeping up with a large body of work. We propose a methodology for training researchers how algorithms work through experience, such that they gain an implicit, rather than explicit, understanding of their function. Thus we combine theory from discovery learning with advanced software and a more educated target population to foster such understanding. We have developed an open source application for exploratory data analysis called Divvy that lets users quickly and visually interact with a range of data analysis techniques. Using a simplified version of Divvy, we find that undergraduate subjects are generally able to learn machine learning concepts through experience, though they have only partial success in applying them.
Assitive teleoperation for manipulation tasks

How should a human user and a robot collaborate during teleoperation? The user understands the full semantics of the task: they know, for example, what the robot should search for in a cupboard, or that it should be more careful when moving near a glass of water than near a box of tissues. Since the robot might not have this knowledge, allowing it to operate fully autonomously may be risky; its model is incomplete and its policy might be wrong. On the other hand, teleoperating the robot through every motion is slow and tiresome, especially on difficult tasks. Between these two extremes lies a spectrum, from almost no assistance at all (very timid) to full autonomy (very aggressive). So what is the appropriate level of assistance? And how do factors like task difficulty and policy correctness affect this decision?
Modeling-in-Context: User Design of Complementary Objects with a Single Photo

The products that we use everyday are typically designed and produced for mass consumption. However, it is difficult for such products to satisfy the needs of individual users. We present a framework that allows the end-user to participate in the entire process of designing their own objects, from the initial concept stage to the production of a new real-world object that fits well with the existing complementary objects. We advocate using a single photo as a rough guide for the user to sketch a new customized object that does not exist in the photo. Our system provides a 2D interface for sketching the outline of the new object and annotating certain geometric properties of it directly on the photo. We introduce a Modified Lipson optimization method for generating the 3D shape. We design a variety of real-world everyday objects that are complementary to the existing objects and environment in the photo. We show that novice users can learn and create new objects with our system within minutes.
Cognitive radio inspired M2M communications

The Internet of Things (IoT) presents itself as one of the basic pillars of the Future Internet. Such an extended network of heterogeneous “things” forms a global network infrastructure supported by several communication protocols where physical and virtual objects are interconnected. It is envisaged that billions of machines will be connected to the Internet, pushing the current communication technologies to their limits in terms of connectivity and performance. The wireless interconnectivity of a large number of devices in the ISM bands is a fundamental issue due to the resulting high interference environment, which degrades severely the performance and the connectivity of these devices. The Cognitive Radio technology can help mitigate the interference effect in such environments, employing smart techniques for accessing the wireless spectrum in an opportunistic manner. This paper discusses the adaptation of Cognitive Radio technology for enhancing the machine-to-machine communications, presenting the challenges and open issues for future research.
Coastal Dune Surveying Using a Low-Cost Remotely Piloted Aerial System (RPAS)

ABSTRACT Moloney, J.G. ; Hilton, M.J.; Sirguey, P., and Simons-Smith, T. , 2018. Coastal dune surveying using a low-cost remotely piloted aerial system (RPAS). Monitoring coastal morphodynamics is important for understanding the response of coasts to short-term storm events, for understanding coastal response to long-term environmental change, and for managing beach-dune systems. Remotely piloted aerial systems (RPAS), or “drones,” present new opportunities for coastal monitoring. They are inexpensive and efficient, require minimal expertise, and provide high-resolution aerial imagery. This paper investigates the efficacy of low-cost RPAS for coastal foredune monitoring. Comparisons among total station, real-time kinematic global navigation satellite system, terrestrial laser scanner, and RPAS surveys were made based on the efficiency of point acquisition, cost, accuracy of the output surface, and the method's sensitivity to atmospheric and environmental limitations. Temporal elevation and volumetric changes in sand were quantified using RPAS photogrammetry and conventional survey methods. An intentionally notched section of foredune was monitored over a 12 month period. The RPAS survey was the most efficient method and had a high level of accuracy. The digital surface model (DSM) derived from the RPAS survey had a vertical root mean square error of 8 cm. However, RPAS was more sensitive to environmental and atmospheric conditions, although the survey rapidity means undesirable weather conditions can be avoided. The RPAS did not accurately quantify total sand deposition downwind of the notches due to an elevational offset caused by vegetation, which is dense throughout the study site. Comparison of the DSMs derived from RPAS surveys indicated a decrease in elevation (between 10 and 20 cm) during the survey period. The method affords the advantages of point acquisition efficiency and flexibility. However, low-cost red-green-blue RPAS is more suited to quantifying the morphology of bare sand or sparsely vegetated areas, quantifying large-scale changes, or for long-term morphologic monitoring due to its inability to penetrate vegetation. It is expected that future sensors capable of penetrating vegetation will become more accessible for low-cost platforms.
The Fuzzy Sars'a'(λ) Learning Approach Applied to a Strategic Route Learning Robot Behaviour

This paper presents a novel Fuzzy Sarsa(λ) Learning (FSλL) approach applied to a strategic route leaning task of a mobile robot. FSlambdaL is a hybrid architecture that combines reinforcement learning and fuzzy logic control. The Sarsa(λ) learning algorithm is used to tune the rule-base of a fuzzy Logic controller which has been tested in a route learning task. The robot explores its environment using its fixed experience provided by a discretized fuzzy logic controller, and then learns optimal policies to achieve goals in less time and less error.