Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
2D nonrigid partial shape matching using MCMC and contour subdivision

Shape matching has many applications in computer vision, such as shape classification, object recognition, object detection, and localization. In 2D cases, shape instances are 2D closed contours and matching two shape contours can usually be formulated as finding a one-to-one dense point correspondence between them. However, in practice, many shape contours are extracted from real images and may contain partial occlusions. This leads to the challenging partial shape matching problem, where we need to identify and match a subset of segments of the two shape contours. In this paper, we propose a new MCMC (Markov chain Monte Carlo) based algorithm to handle partial shape matching with mildly non-rigid deformations. Specifically, we represent each shape contour by a set of ordered landmark points. The selection of a subset of these landmark points into the shape matching is evaluated and updated by a posterior distribution, which is composed of both a matching likelihood and a prior distribution. This prior distribution favors the inclusion of more and consecutive landmark points into the matching. To better describe the matching likelihood, we develop a contour-subdivision technique to highlight the contour segment with highest matching cost from the selected subsequences of the points. In our experiments, we construct 1,600 test shape instances by introducing partial occlusions to the 40 shapes chosen from different categories in MPEG-7 dataset. We evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm by comparing with three well-known partial shape matching methods.
A gene trap approach to identify genes that control development

One methodology called gene trap represents a versatile strategy by which murine genes that control developmental events can be captured and identified with corresponding mutants produced at the same time. Gene trap methodology has been developed and several genes and their mutants have been analyzed, but almost all of the genes reported are those already known or murine homologs of other species. In this study, the efficiency of the gene trap methodology was improved and a novel mutant mouse strain named jumonji established which displayed an intriguing defect. Homozygous fetal mice died in utero and a significant proportion of the homozygotes showed abnormal groove formation on the neural plate and a defect in neural tube closure with a mixed genetic background of 129/Ola and BALB/c. The trapped gene believed to be responsible for these phenotypes encodes a novel nuclear protein. The results reveal that the gene trap approach can identify unknown interesting genes in murine development. The gene trap strategy, however, has several problems, the greatest of which is the difficulty in prescreening embryonic stem (ES) cells for interesting trapped genes. Recent studies are solving this problem and show that the prescreening of ES cells for genes with several characteristics is possible.
Design, implementation and performance of a content-based switch

In this paper, we share our experience in designing and building a content-based switch which we call L5. In addition to the layer 2-3-4 information available in the packet, a content-based switch uses application level information to route traffic in the network. Making routing decisions based on information contained in the payload is not a new idea. In fact application level proxies which are functionally equivalent to a content-based switch, have been around for years. Our contribution is in combining the functionalities of an application level proxy with the data handling capabilities of a switch into a single system. In this paper, we describe the architecture of the L5 system along with the details of how application level information can be efficiently processed in the switch hardware. We cover two specific application examples that we believe are ideal candidates for content-based switching: one is routing HTTP sessions based on uniform resource locators (URL) and the other is session-aware dispatching of secure socket layer (SSL) connections.
An Improved Independent Component Analysis Algorithm Based on Artificial Immune System

Traditional independent component analysis (ICA) method based on FastICA algorithm faced two main disadvantages. One is that the order of the independent components (ICs) is difficult to be determined and the other is that the FastICA algorithm often leads to local minimum solution, and the suitable source signals are not isolated. To alleviate these problems, an improved ICA algorithm based on artificial immune system (AIS) (called AIS-ICA) is presented. AIS is an attractive heuristic technique and has many advantages over other heuristic techniques such as it can be easily implemented and has great capability of escaping local optimal solutions The basic idea of the proposed AIS-ICA algorithm is to use AIS to determine the separating matrix of ICA. Simulation results from the artificial signal data illustrate the efficiency of the proposed AIS-ICA approach.
Peptide and Amino Acid Transporters Are Differentially Regulated during Seed Development and Germination in Faba Bean1

Two peptide transporter (PTR) homologs have been isolated from developing seeds of faba bean (Vicia faba). VfPTR1 was shown to be a functional peptide transporter through complementation of a yeast mutant. Expression patterns of VfPTR1 and VfPTR2 as well as of the amino acid permease VfAAP1 (Miranda et al., 2001) were compared throughout seed development and germination. In developing seeds, the highest levels of VfPTR1 transcripts were reached during midcotyledon development, whereas VfAAP1 transcripts were most abundant during early cotyledon development, before the appearance of storage protein gene transcripts, and were detectable until late cotyledon development. During early germination, VfPTR1 mRNA appeared first in cotyledons and later, during seedling growth, also in axes and roots. Expression of VfPTR2 and VfAAP1 was delayed compared with VfPTR1, and was restricted to the nascent organs of the seedlings. Localization of VfPTR1 transcripts showed that this PTR is temporally and spatially regulated during cotyledon development. In germinating seeds, VfPTR1 mRNA was localized in root hairs and root epidermal cells, suggesting a role in nutrient uptake from the soil. In seedling roots, VfPTR1 was repressed by a dipeptide and by an amino acid, whereas nitrate was without influence.
Roadmapping as a Platform for Developing Management Toolkits: A Collaborative Design Approach with the LEGO Group

Roadmapping holds a unique position in industrially-relevant management tools: it can act as an integrative central hub to which other tools easily connect. Unfortunately, this type of application is generally not considered. Therefore, we are championing roadmapping as a platform for developing management toolkits. This positions roadmapping as a foundational building block when integrating a set of tools which are configured to address a range of corporate challenges and activities. To illustrate the premise of 'roadmapping as a toolkit platform' and provide a proof-of-concept, this paper will report on a collaborative research engagement between the University of Cambridge and the LEGO Group which prototyped a management toolkit underpinned by roadmapping.
Polymorphysims of CYP17-I Gene in the Exons Were Associated with the Reproductive Endocrine of Japanese Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

The cytochrome P450c17-I (CYP17-I) is one of the enzymes critical to gonadal development and the synthesis of androgens. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected within the coding region of the CYP17-I gene in a population of 75 male Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). They were SNP1 (c.C445T) located in exon2 and SNP2 (c.T980C (p.Phe307Leu)) located in exon5. Four physiological indices, which were serum testosterone (T), serum 17β-estradiol (E2), Hepatosomatic index (HSI), and Gonadosomatic index (GSI), were studied to examine the effect of the two SNPs on the reproductive endocrines of Japanese flounder. Multiple comparisons revealed that CT genotype of SNP1 had a much lower T level than CC genotype (p<0.05) and the GSI of individuals with CC genotype of SNP2 was higher than those with TT genotype (p<0.05). Four diplotypes were constructed based on the two SNPs and the diplotype D3 had a significantly lower T level and GSI. In conclusion, the two SNPs were significantly associated with reproductive traits of Japanese flounder.
l‐Arginine currents in rat cardiac ventricular myocytes

l‐Arginine (l‐Arg) is a basic amino acid that plays a central role in the biosynthesis of nitric oxide, creatine, agmantine, polyamines, proline and glutamate. Most tissues, including myocardium, must import l‐Arg from the circulation to ensure adequate intracellular levels of this amino acid. This study reports novel l‐Arg‐activated inward currents in whole‐cell voltage‐clamped rat ventricular cardiomyocytes. Ion‐substitution experiments identified extracellular l‐Arg as the charge‐carrying cationic species responsible for these currents, which, thus, represent l‐Arg import into cardiac myocytes. This result was independently confirmed by an increase in myocyte nitric oxide production upon extracellular application of l‐Arg. The inward movement of Arg molecules was found to be passive and independent of Na2+, K2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+. The process displayed saturation and membrane potential (Vm)‐dependent kinetics, with a K0.5 for l‐Arg that increased from 5 mm at hyperpolarizing Vm to 20 mm at +40 mV. l‐Lysine and l‐ornithine but not d‐Arg produced currents with characteristics similar to that activated by l‐Arg indicating that the transport process is stereospecific for cationic l‐amino acids. l‐Arg current was fully blocked after brief incubation with 0.2 mmN‐ethylmaleimide. These features suggest that the activity of the low‐affinity, high‐capacity CAT‐2A member of the y2+ family of transporters is responsible for l‐Arg currents in acutely isolated cardiomyocytes. Regardless of the mechanism, we hypothesize that a low‐affinity arginine transport process in heart, by ensuring substrate availability for sustained NO production, might play a cardio‐protective role during catabolic states known to increase Arg plasma levels severalfold.
Designing for loose coupling in mobile groups

Loose coupling is a common way of organizing collaboration in work groups, but it has not been studied extensively in CSCW. In this paper, we consider the patterns of work that are seen in mobile groups that adopt a loosely coupled collaboration style. We report findings from interviews and fieldwork with teams of workers who deliver home healthcare services. In these teams, workers are mobile, widely dispersed, and autonomous, and team members communicate with each other only intermittently. Based on these findings, we identify and discuss four work patterns that occur in loosely coupled mobility: discretionary collaboration and effort thresholds, implicitly shared information, asynchronous communication and coordination, and barriers to synchrony. We consider the implications of these findings for the design of CSCW technologies.
Characterisation of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels modified with chitosan for cardiovascular applications

The use of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) hydrogels combined with chitosan as a vascular tissue substitute for in vitro vascular cell culture studies was investigated. Hydrogels possess many characteristics that can be controlled and adjusted during the fabrication processes, such as tissue-like elasticity, mechanical strength and permeability. In order to develop a material with appropriate inherent material properties that may be used to fabricate a bioartificial vessel with appropriate structural properties, arterial wall mechanics were investigated. A three layer finite element model, incorporating the effects of circumferential and longitudinal residual stresses, was developed to identify the effect of vessel geometry, constitutive properties and residual stresses on the structural response of an arterial segment. Chitosan was blended to the hydrogel to enhance cell adhesion and growth. The effect of fabrication parameters on the mechanical and morphological characterisation of the PVA-chitosan blended hydrogels was determined using uniaxial extension tests, bi-axial inflation tests, opening angle observations and scanning electron microscopy. PVA-chitosan hydrogel vessels were constructed, and the compliance was measured and compared with numerical predictions. In vitro experiments have been conducted to investigate vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell adhesion and growth to PVA-chitosan hydrogel surfaces. The structure and composition of the cultured cells on the PVA-chitosan hydrogel surfaces was studied using immunocytochemistry techniques. Cellular proliferation and viability under static and shear culture conditions have been explored using fluorescent activated cell sorter analysis. The finite element analysis results showed that the constitutive properties had a significant affect on the overall structural response of the artery wall. The mechanical and morphological studies established that the PVA-chitosan blended hydrogel membranes could be fabricated with similar properties to porcine aortic tissue. The findings of the biological experiments demonstrated that vascular cells adhered to the PVA-chitosan membranes and exhibited comparable proliferation and apoptosis characteristics to control samples. The results described increase understanding of PVA-chitosan blended hydrogel membranes specifically with regard to the development of bioartificial vessels for use in in vitro vascular bioreactors.
Psychological adjustment and sleep quality in a randomized trial of the effects of a Tibetan yoga intervention in patients with lymphoma

Research suggests that stress‐reduction programs tailored to the cancer setting help patients cope with the effects of treatment and improve their quality of life. Yoga, an ancient Eastern science, incorporates stress‐reduction techniques that include regulated breathing, visual imagery, and meditation as well as various postures. The authors examined the effects of the Tibetan yoga (TY) practices of Tsa lung and Trul khor, which incorporate controlled breathing and visualization, mindfulness techniques, and low‐impact postures in patients with lymphoma.
Prevalence and prognostic value of poor R-wave progression in standard resting electrocardiogram in a general adult population. The Health 2000 Survey

Abstract Aims. We examined the prevalence and prognostic impact of poor R-wave progression (PRWP) in a standard electrocardiogram (ECG) in a general population. Methods. Data and standard resting ECG recording were collected from a large nationally representative (random sample) health examination survey conducted in Finland in 2000–2001. The final study population consisted of 5613 individuals. Results. The prevalence of PRWP (defined as RV3 ≤ 3 mm and RV2 ≤ RV3) was 7.0% in women and 2.7% in men (P≤ 0.001 for difference). During follow-up of 70 ± 9 months (mean ± SD), 317 patients died (5.6%). Both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was higher in the group with PRWP than in those without PRWP in both women and men. In Cox regression analysis after adjustment for age, hypertension, diabetes, previous myocardial infarction, and coronary heart disease, the relative risk for all-cause mortality for PRWP was 1.69 (95% CI 0.89-3.22, P=0.112) for men and 2.00 (95% CI 1.28-3.13, P=0.002) for women. For cardiovascular mortality the relative risk for individuals with PRWP was 1.85 (0.74-4.65, P=0.19) for men and 3.02 (1.54-5.93, P=0.001) for women. Conclusions. PRWP is a common ECG finding and predicts risk for total and cardiovascular mortality in women in a general population.
Chemical composition and antigenotoxic properties of Lippia alba essential oils

The present work evaluated the chemical composition and the DNA protective effect of the essential oils (EOs) from Lippia alba against bleomycin-induced genotoxicity. EO constituents were determined by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis. The major compounds encountered being citral (33% geranial and 25% neral), geraniol (7%) and trans-β-caryophyllene (7%) for L. alba specimen COL512077, and carvone (38%), limonene (33%) and bicyclosesquiphellandrene (8%) for the other, COL512078. The genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of EO and the compounds citral, carvone and limonene, were assayed using the SOS Chromotest in Escherichia coli. The EOs were not genotoxic in the SOS chromotest, but one of the major compound (limonene) showed genotoxicity at doses between 97 and 1549 mM. Both EOs protected bacterial cells against bleomycin-induced genotoxicity. Antigenotoxicity in the two L. alba chemotypes was related to the major compounds, citral and carvone, respectively. The results were discussed in relation to the chemopreventive potential of L. alba EOs and its major compounds.
Wearable-Sensor-Based Classification Models of Faller Status in Older Adults

Wearable sensors have potential for quantitative, gait-based, point-of-care fall risk assessment that can be easily and quickly implemented in clinical-care and older-adult living environments. This investigation generated models for wearable-sensor based fall-risk classification in older adults and identified the optimal sensor type, location, combination, and modelling method; for walking with and without a cognitive load task. A convenience sample of 100 older individuals (75.5 ± 6.7 years; 76 non-fallers, 24 fallers based on 6 month retrospective fall occurrence) walked 7.62 m under single-task and dual-task conditions while wearing pressure-sensing insoles and tri-axial accelerometers at the head, pelvis, and left and right shanks. Participants also completed the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale, Community Health Activities Model Program for Seniors questionnaire, six minute walk test, and ranked their fear of falling. Fall risk classification models were assessed for all sensor combinations and three model types: multi-layer perceptron neural network, naïve Bayesian, and support vector machine. The best performing model was a multi-layer perceptron neural network with input parameters from pressure-sensing insoles and head, pelvis, and left shank accelerometers (accuracy = 84%, F1 score = 0.600, MCC score = 0.521). Head sensor-based models had the best performance of the single-sensor models for single-task gait assessment. Single-task gait assessment models outperformed models based on dual-task walking or clinical assessment data. Support vector machines and neural networks were the best modelling technique for fall risk classification. Fall risk classification models developed for point-of-care environments should be developed using support vector machines and neural networks, with a multi-sensor single-task gait assessment.
Distinct distributed patterns of neural activity are associated with two languages in the bilingual brain

This fMRI study using MVPA reveals separated neural patterns for the first and second languages. A large body of previous neuroimaging studies suggests that multiple languages are processed and organized in a single neuroanatomical system in the bilingual brain, although differential activation may be seen in some studies because of different proficiency levels and/or age of acquisition of the two languages. However, one important possibility is that the two languages may involve interleaved but functionally independent neural populations within a given cortical region, and thus, distinct patterns of neural computations may be pivotal for the processing of the two languages. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and multivariate pattern analyses, we tested this possibility in Chinese-English bilinguals when they performed an implicit reading task. We found a broad network of regions wherein the two languages evoked different patterns of activity, with only partially overlapping patterns of voxels in a given region. These regions, including the middle occipital cortices, fusiform gyri, and lateral temporal, temporoparietal, and prefrontal cortices, are associated with multiple aspects of language processing. The results suggest the functional independence of neural computations underlying the representations of different languages in bilinguals.
Academic Achievement Profiles of Children with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome: A Review of the Literature

High functioning autism (HFA) and Asperger syndrome (AS) are foremost social disorders (Church, Alisanski, & Amanullah, 2000; Myles & Simpson, 2001) yet many students with HFA/AS experience difficulties with academic functioning. Educators report difficulties in teaching and identifying appropriate educational interventions for children with HFAIAS. Research in the area of academic achievement of children with HFA/AS is in the stage of infancy and more research is needed (Prior, 2003). To address the need for development of appropriate academic interventions, several research studies have been conducted to determine the academic achievement profile of children with AS/ HFA (Barnhill, Hagiwara, Smith Myles, & Simpson, 2000; Mayes & Calhoun, 2003a, 2003b, 2008; Goldstein, Minshew, & Siegel, 1994; Griswold, Barnhill, Smith Myles, Hagiwara, & Simpson, 2002; Minshew, Goldstein, Taylor, & Siegel, 1994). This article provides a synthesis of the literature on the academic achievement of students with HIFA/AS from 1981 to the present to help determine if an academic profile for students with HFA/AS emerges.
A Hybrid Method for Abstracting Newspaper Articles

This paper introduces a hybrid method for abstracting Chinese text. It integrates the statistical approach with language understanding. Some linguistics heuristics and segmentation are also incorporated into the abstracting process. The prototype system is of a multipurpose type catering for various users with different requirements. Initial responses show that the proposed method contributes much to the flexibility and accuracy of the automatic Chinese abstracting system. In practice, the present work provides a path to developing an intelligent Chinese system for automating the information.
Clinical observation of long-term deep-cryopreserved cornea in penetrating keratoplasty

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of using LC-DCP versus fresh corneas on graft transparency after penetrating keratoplasty. The observation group (25 eyes of 25 patients) was performed penetrating keratoplasty with LT-DCP cornea, while the control group (23 eyes of 23 patients) was performed penetrating keratoplasty with fresh cornea form human corpses. The follow-up was 3 to 32 months. 18 corneal grafts in the observation group were transparent (accounting for 72.0%), 5 cases were semi-transparent, 1 case was un-transparent, and 1 case was performed eyeball removal. The control group had 17 cases of transparent corneal grafts (73.5%), 5 cases were semi-transparent and 1 case was un-transparent. The results of transparent grafts between the 2 groups had no statistical significance (x2=0.003, p>0.05). LT-DCP cornea had important clinical and promotional values towards penetrating keratoplasty.