Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Micro‐computed tomography: Applications for high‐resolution skeletal density determinations: An example using annually banded crustose coralline algae

Warming and acidification of the world's oceans are expected to have widespread consequences for marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. However, due to the relatively short record of instrumental observations, one has to rely upon geochemical and physical proxy information stored in biomineralized shells and skeletons of calcareous marine organisms as in situ recorders of past environments. Of particular interest is the response of marine calcifiers to ocean acidification through the examination of structural growth characteristics. Here we demonstrate the application of micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) for three‐dimensional visualization and analysis of growth, skeletal density, and calcification in a slow‐growing, annually banded crustose coralline alga Clathromorphum nereostratum (increment width ∼380 µm). X‐ray images and time series of skeletal density were generated at 20 µm resolution and rebinned to 40, 60, 80, and 100 µm for comparison in a sensitivity analysis. Calcification rates were subsequently calculated as the product of density and growth (linear extension). While both skeletal density and calcification rates do not significantly differ at varying spatial resolutions (the latter being strongly influenced by growth rates), clear visualization of micron‐scale growth features and the quantification of structural changes on subannual time scales requires higher scanning resolutions. In the present study, imaging at 20 µm resolution reveals seasonal cycles in density that correspond to summer/winter variations in skeletal structure observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Micro‐CT is a fast, nondestructive, and high‐resolution technique for structural and morphometric analyses of temporally banded paleoclimate archives, particularly those that exhibit slow or compressed growth or micron‐scale structures.
Divergence and Convergence in Enzyme Evolution: Parallel Evolution of Paraoxonases from Quorum-quenching Lactonases*

We discuss the basic features of divergent versus convergent evolution and of the common scenario of parallel evolution. The example of quorum-quenching lactonases is subsequently described. Three different quorum-quenching lactonase families are known, and they belong to three different superfamilies. Their key active-site architectures have converged and are strikingly similar. Curiously, a promiscuous organophosphate hydrolase activity is observed in all three families. We describe the structural and mechanistic features that underline this converged promiscuity and how this promiscuity drove the parallel divergence of organophosphate hydrolases within these lactonase families by either natural or laboratory evolution.
UVB phototherapy of atopic dermatitis

UVB phototherapy of atopic dermatitis was investigated in two paired‐comparison studies. In study 1, 17 patients were treated for 8 weeks with ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) on one half of the body and with visible light (placebo) on the other. A severity score based on eight clinical variables was determined before, during and after treatment. The total score, pruritus score and overall evaluation score were significantly better on the UVB treated sides than on the placebo treated sides (P < 0.001). In 13 patients the UVB treated side healed or improved considerably, while the placebo treated side improved considerably in one patient only.
Acceleration of the L4/Fiasco microkernel using scratchpad memory

In this paper we analyze the potential of using scratchpad memory in embedded devices to accelerate the operation of the L4/Fiasco microkernel affecting basically all applications on top of the kernel including virtualization software. We examine several low-level L4 system calls using a virtual prototype of Infineon's S-GOLD® platform for mobile phones based on an ARM11 processor. We present a profiling strategy identifying critical parts of the microkernel to be placed on the scratchpad memory. Applying this approach we achieve a worstcase speedup of up to 29% with one page of scratchpad memory (4 kB) and up to 63% with two pages. With regard to the real-time capability of Fiasco, worst-case interrupt latency can be improved by almost 45% with only 4 kB of scratchpad memory.
Self-regulation and working memory in musical performers

Performing music in front of others can be stressful, even for experienced performers. The physiological effects of stress, namely, increases in cortisol and sympathetic nervous system activity, have been shown to have detrimental effects on cognition, particularly working memory. This study used an audition-like performance scenario to elicit a stress response in performers who differed in their degree of musical experience. We expected that participants with more musical experience would be better able to regulate their stress response, would report lower levels of anxiety, insecurity, and nervousness, and would show better working memory following the stressor, compared to participants with less musical experience. Although we did not find differences between more and less experienced performers in their sympathetic nervous system activity or their self-reported feelings of anxiety and nervousness, we did find some important differences: following the stressor, more experienced performers were less insecure, they showed better regulation of their cortisol response, and they demonstrated better working memory.
Forearc Peridotites from Tonga Record Heterogeneous Oxidation of the Mantle following Subduction Initiation

The elevated oxygen fugacity recorded by subduction-related lavas and peridotites, relative to their mid-ocean ridge counterparts, fundamentally influences the petrogenesis of arc magmas. However, the timing, process, and spatial extent of oxidizing mass transfer at subduction zones remain unknown. Forearc peridotites, which are sometimes exposed on the trench wall of the overriding plate, record chemical fingerprints of the melting and melt–rock interaction processes that occur during and following subduction initiation, and thus provide insight into the spatial and temporal evolution of this oxidized signature. In this study, we present new major element, trace element, and oxygen fugacity data for a suite of forearc peridotites recovered from the Tonga Trench, in addition to a new assessment of literature data for previously studied forearc peridotites. For Tonga samples and literature data for forearc, ridge, and subduction-zone peridotites, we calculate oxygen fugacity (fO2) using an updated method. In contrast to previous studies, we find that spinel Cr#, a proxy for extent of melt extraction, does not correlate with oxygen fugacity, such that many forearc peridotites with high spinel Cr# do not record oxygen fugacity higher than the mid-ocean ridge peridotite array. Combining these observations with trace element modeling, we conclude that forearc peridotites are less pervasively influenced by oxidation owing to subduction processes than previously reported. The oxygen fugacity recorded by Tonga forearc peridotites is heterogeneous between dredges and homogeneous within dredges. To explore these variations, we grouped the dredges into two categories. Group I peridotites have high spinel Cr#, extremely depleted trace element compositions and oxygen fugacity values consistent with the mid-ocean ridge peridotite array. We interpret these to be the residues of large degrees of fractional melting, with little influence from arc-like melts or fluids, formed during the first stages of subduction initiation. Group II peridotites have lower spinel Cr#, enriched light rare earth elements, and oxygen fugacity elevated by ≥1 log unit above the mid-ocean peridotite array. We interpret these peridotites to be the residues of flux melting, initiated once corner flow is established in the young subduction zone. We conclude that the forearc mantle is not pervasively oxidized relative to mid-ocean ridge mantle, and that the asthenospheric mantle in the proto-subduction zone region is not oxidized prior to subduction initiation. As the oxidized signature in Group II peridotites accompanies geochemical evidence of interaction with subduction-related fluids and melts, this suggests that the sub-arc mantle is oxidized concurrently with addition of subduction fluids to the mantle wedge.
On the distribution of inversive congruential pseudorandom numbers in parts of the period

The inversive congruential method is an attractive alternative to the classical linear congruential method for pseudorandom number generation. In this paper we present the first nontrivial bounds on the discrepancy of individual sequences of inversive congruential pseudorandom numbers in parts of the period. The proof is based on a new bound for certain incomplete exponential sums.
Molecular Dynamics Studies on the Conformational Transitions of Adenylate Kinase: A Computational Evidence for the Conformational Selection Mechanism

Escherichia coli adenylate kinase (ADK) is a monomeric phosphotransferase enzyme that catalyzes reversible transfer of phosphoryl group from ATP to AMP with a large-scale domain motion. The detailed mechanism for this conformational transition remains unknown. In the current study, we performed long time-scale molecular dynamics simulations on both open and closed states of ADK. Based on the structural analyses of the simulation trajectories, we detected over 20 times conformational transitions between the open and closed states of ADK and identified two novel conformations as intermediate states in the catalytic processes. With these findings, we proposed a possible mechanism for the large-scale domain motion of Escherichia coli ADK and its catalytic process: (1) the substrate free ADK adopted an open conformation; (2) ATP bound with LID domain closure; (3) AMP bound with NMP domain closure; (4) phosphoryl transfer occurred with ATP, and AMP converted into two ADPs, and no conformational transition was detected in the enzyme; (5) LID domain opened with one ADP released; (6) another ADP released with NMP domain open. As both open and closed states sampled a wide range of conformation transitions, our simulation strongly supported the conformational selection mechanism for Escherichia coli ADK.
PENGEMBANGAN MEDIA POLA BUSANA ZERO WASTE MENGGUNAKAN APLIKASI CLO VIRTUAL FASHION 3D DI SMK NEGERI 1 PRINGAPUS

Media pembelajaran merupakan alat yang dapat memperjelas materi sehingga pembelajaran dapat lebih efektif. Hasil observasi awal di SMK Negeri 1 Pringapus penggunaan media pembelajaran masih belum optimal dengan penggunaan media yang tepat sesuai capaian pembelajaran. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan produk media pembelajaran pola busana zero waste menggunakan aplikasi clo virtual fashion 3D dengan pendekatan RnD yang menerapkan 8 tahapan. Subjek penelitian yaitu 60 peserta didik kelas XI Busana Butik dengan pemilihan sampel menggunakan teknik sampling sistematis. Hasil penelitian ini yaitu: 1) menghasilkan produk media pembelajaran dari penggunaan media papan tulis, jobsheet, dan modul menjadi powerpoint dan video tutorial. 2) Kelayakan media yang dianalisis menggunakan teknik deskriptif persentase dari hasil validasi ahli materi, media, dan teknologi pada aspek pembelajaran, isi/materi, tampilan dan teknologi mendapatkan rata-rata 96,60% dengan kriteria valid. Hasil uji coba produk pada kelompok kecil mendapatkan hasil 87,76% dan uji coba kelompok besar mendapatkan rata-rata 89,01% dengan kategori sangat layak.
AUTOMOTIVE SEAT DESIGN AND COLLISION PERFORMANCE

Eighty-five laboratory full-scale force-deflection tests were conducted on passenger vehicle seats, foreign and domestic, for purposes of evaluating specific resistance to a collision environment and mechanism of collision induced seat distortion. These tests evaluated seats that span the past thirty years; additionally, seat design studies were conducted evaluating basic features of automotive seating during the past eighty years. Data from full-scale collision experiments and from a large number of actual accidents facilitated the establishment of seat design criteria for greatly improved collision performance. Evolution of seat and head support standards in the United States and Europe are presented with evaluation of their relative significance to the requirements of automotive seat collision performance. The foregoing research provided foundation for modification of a production automobile seat into a integral safety seat, based on a design concept that minimizes bending moments during collision.
Highly efficient DNA incorporation of intratumourally injected [125I]iododeoxyuridine under thymidine synthesis blocking in human glioblastoma xenografts

Intratumoural (i.t.) injection of radio‐iododeoxyuridine (IdUrd), a thymidine (dThd) analogue, is envisaged for targeted Auger electron‐ or beta‐radiation therapy of glioblastoma. Here, biodistribution of [125I]IdUrd was evaluated 5 hr after i.t. injection in subcutaneous human glioblastoma xenografts LN229 after different intravenous (i.v.) pretreatments with fluorodeoxyuridine (FdUrd). FdUrd is known to block de novo dThd synthesis, thus favouring DNA incorporation of radio‐IdUrd. Results showed that pretreatment with 2 mg/kg FdUrd i.v. in 2 fractions 0.5 hr and 1 hr before injection of radio‐IdUrd resulted in a mean tumour uptake of 19.8% of injected dose (% ID), representing 65.3% ID/g for tumours of approx. 0.35 g. Tumour uptake of radio‐IdUrd in non‐pretreated mice was only 4.1% ID. Very low uptake was observed in normal nondividing and dividing tissues with a maximum concentration of 2.9% ID/g measured in spleen. Pretreatment with a higher dose of FdUrd of 10 mg/kg prolonged the increased tumour uptake of radio‐IdUrd up to 5 hr. A competition experiment was performed in FdUrd pretreated mice using i.t. co‐injection of excess dThd that resulted in very low tumour retention of [125I]IdUrd. DNA isolation experiments showed that in the mean >95% of tumour 125I activity was incorporated in DNA. In conclusion, these results show that close to 20% ID of radio‐IdUrd injected i.t. was incorporated in tumour DNA after i.v. pretreatment with clinically relevant doses of FdUrd and that this approach may be further exploited for diffusion and therapy studies with Auger electron‐ and/or beta‐radiation‐emitting radio‐IdUrd. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Browsing through databases

SYMPOSIa33 Knowledge-guided learning o r structural descriptions A. Fox, M.S. B, Reddy, D. R. We demonstrate how the use of do. ~in dependent knowledge can reduce the combinatorios of learning structural descriptions, usimg as an example the creation of alternative pronunciations from examples of spoken words. Briefly, certain learning problems (Winston9 1970; Fox & Hayes-Roth~ 1976) can be solved by presenting to a learning program exemplars (tralni~ data) representative of a class° The program constructs a characteristic representation (CR) of the class that best fits the training data. Learning can be viewed as search in the space of representations. Applied complex domalns the search is highly combinatorial due to the: i) Number of alternative CRSo 2) Size of training set. 3) Size of the exemplars. help hack next mark return top display comment goto find
Fingerprint liveness detection based on histograms of invariant gradients

Security of fingerprint authentication systems remains threatened by the presentation of spoof artifacts. Most current mitigation approaches rely upon the fingerprint liveness detection as the main anti-spoofing mechanisms. However, liveness detection algorithms are not robust to sensor variations. In other words, typical liveness detection algorithms need to be retrained and adapted to each and every sensor used for fingerprint capture. In this paper, inspired by popular invariant feature descriptors such as histograms of oriented gradients (HOG) and the scale invariant feature transform (SIFT), we propose a new invariant descriptor of fingerprint ridge texture called histograms of invariant gradients (HIG). The proposed descriptor is designed to preserve robustness to variations in gradient positions. Spoofed fingerprints are detected using multiple histograms of invariant gradients computed from spatial neighborhoods within the fingerprint. Results show that proposed method achieves an average accuracy comparable to the best algorithms of the Fingerprint Liveness Detection Competition 2013, while being applicable with no change to multiple acquisition sensors.
Scalable root cause analysis assisted by classified alarm information model based algorithm

One of the important issues for telecom carrier is that the time required to identify the root cause of a failure has increased since the number and types of alarms caused by network or service failures has increased in a fixed-mobile convergence network environment,. To address this issue, this paper proposes a root cause analysis (RCA) mechanism which classifies alarms based on their types of failures, such as resource, performance and service failures, and then promptly identifies the root cause by using a hierarchical alarm information model. Our proposed mechanism which is the implemented into a prototype system was successfully demonstrated in a testbed. Its effectiveness was validated that our RCA mechanism handled 65,000 alarms within 550 seconds in a practical network consisting of 100,000 equipments. The results also show that the algorithm minimizes the overhead of RCA itself to apply large-scale environment, and thus the total RCA performance is limited only by the DB access.
Assistive robotic manipulation through shared autonomy and a Body-Machine Interface

Assistive robotic manipulators have the potential to improve the lives of people with motor impairments. They can enable individuals to perform activities such as pick-and-place tasks, opening doors, pushing buttons, and can even provide assistance in personal hygiene and feeding. However, robotic arms often have more degrees of freedom (DoF) than the dimensionality of their control interface, making them challenging to use-especially for those with impaired motor abilities. Our research focuses on enabling the control of high-DoF manipulators to motor-impaired individuals for performing daily tasks. We make use of an individual's residual motion capabilities, captured through a Body-Machine Interface (BMI), to generate control signals for the robotic arm. These low-dimensional controls are then utilized in a shared-control framework that shares control between the human user and robot autonomy. We evaluated the system by conducting a user study in which 6 participants performed 144 trials of a manipulation task using the BMI interface and the proposed shared-control framework. The 100% success rate on task performance demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed system for individuals with motor impairments to control assistive robotic manipulators.
A Content-Based Approach to Medical Images Retrieval

Content-based image retrieval CBIR makes use of image features, such as color, texture or shape, to index images with minimal human intervention. Content-based image retrieval can be used to locate medical images in large databases. In this paper, the fundamentals of the key components of content-based image retrieval systems are introduced first to give an overview of this area. Then, a case study which describes the methodology of a CBIR system for retrieving human brain magnetic resonance images, is presented. The proposed method is based on Adaptive Neuro-fuzzy Inference System ANFIS learning and could classify an image as normal and tumoral. This research uses the knowledge of CBIR approach to the application of medical decision support and discrimination between the normal and abnormal medical images based on features. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method is reliable and has high image retrieval efficiency.
A QUANTUM CIRCUIT SIMULATOR BASED ON DECISION DIAGRAMS

The advantages of quantum computing as compared to classical computing are currently being researched; therefore, the ability to correctly simulate quantum circuits is becoming increasingly more important. A Quantum Multiple-valued Decision Diagram, or QMDD, is a structure which allows for an efficient implementation of a quantum circuit simulator. This structure can be used to create a quantum circuit simulator that is both computationally efficient as well as economic with memory usage. In this thesis, a background of quantum computing and analyzing quantum gates and circuits is given. The concept of a QMDD is presented, and the relationship between a QMDD and a quantum circuit simulator is discussed. In addition to these topics, the basic theory behind creating a quantum circuit simulator is discussed. This thesis proposes two different approaches for creating a quantum circuit simulator and analyzes the results generated from both approaches. The first approach utilizes explicit matrix-vector multiplication using QMDD representations of the quantum circuit as well as the input vector. The second approach utilizes implicit matrix-vector multiplication where a QMDD structure representing the quantum circuit undergoes a guided traversal based on the input vector. Both of these approaches are v compared to explicit multiplication using matrices and vectors instead of the QMDD structure. Finally, results are discussed, and the effectiveness of the two circuit simulation methods is analyzed and compared with an existing quantum circuit simulator.
From plans to planning: the case of nursing plans

Drawing on a critical perspective stemming from socially informed studies of medicine, we analyze an ongoing effort to establish electronic nursing plans at the university hospital of central Norway (St. Olav's hospital). We argue for an alternative interpretation of the relative lack of success to date of making the nurses use the nursing plans. Rather than a preoccupation with the singular artifact the - plan - we emphasize the process of planning as a collective, ongoing and heterogeneous achievement. Our perspective on plans implies that they should be recognized as more of a network and less a singular artifact.
VALib and SimpleVector: tools for rapid initial research on vector architectures

Vector architectures have been traditionally applied to the supercomputing domain with many successful incarnations. The energy efficiency and high performance of vector processors, as well as their applicability in other emerging domains, encourage pursuing further research on vector architectures. However, there is a lack of appropriate tools to perform this research. This paper presents two tools for measuring and analyzing an application's suitability for vector microarchitectures. The first tool is VALib, a library that enables hand-crafted vectorization of applications and its main purpose is to collect data for detailed instruction level characterization and to generate input traces for the second tool. The second tool is SimpleVector, a fast trace-driven simulator that is used to estimate the execution time of a vectorized application on a candidate vector microarchitecture. The potential of the tools is demonstrated using six applications from emerging application domains such as speech and face recognition, video encoding, bioinformatics, machine learning and graph search. The results indicate that 63.2% to 91.1% of these contemporary applications are vectorizable. Then, over multiple use cases, we demonstrate that the tools can facilitate rapid evaluation of various vector architecture designs.