Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Virtual reality rehabilitation for all: Vivid GX versus Sony PlayStation II EyeToy

The main objective of this paper was to investigate the potential of the Sony PlayStation II EyeToy (www.EyeToy.com) for use in during the rehabilitation of elderly people with disabilities. This system is a projected, video-capture system which was developed as a gaming environment for children. As compared to other virtual reality systems such as VividGroup’s Gesture Xtreme (GX) VR (www.vividgroup.com), the EyeToy is sold commercially at a relatively low cost. This paper presents three pilot studies which were carried out in order to provide essential information of the EyeToy’s potential for use in rehabilitation. The first study included the testing of healthy, young adult participants (N=18) and compared their experiences using the EyeToy system to the GX system in terms of sense of presence, sense of enjoyment, control, success and perceived exertion. The second study assessed the usability of the EyeToy with healthy elderly subjects (N=10) and the third study assessed the use of the EyeToy with stroke patients (N=8). The implications of these three studies are discussed.
On the Use of Financial Data as a Random Beacon

In standard voting procedures, random audits are one method for increasing election integrity. In the case of cryptographic (or end-to-end) election verification, random challenges are often used to establish that the tally was computed correctly. In both cases, a source of randomness is required. In two recent binding cryptographic elections, this randomness was drawn from stock market data. This approach allows anyone with access to financial data to verify the challenges were generated correctly and, assuming market fluctuations are unpredictable to some degree, the challenges were generated at the correct time. However the degree to which these fluctuations are unpredictable is not known to be sufficient for generating a fair and unpredictable challenge. In this paper, we use tools from computational finance to provide an estimate of the amount of entropy in the closing price of a stock. We estimate that for each of the 30 stocks in the Dow Jones industrial average, the entropy is between 6 and 9 bits per trading day. We then propose a straight-forward protocol for regularly publishing verifiable 128-bit random seeds with entropy harvested over time from stock prices. These "beacons" can be used as challenges directly, or as a seed to a deterministic pseudorandom generator for creating larger challenges.
Improved temporal focusing at source location using deconvolution

Time reversal techniques are used in ocean acoustics, medical imaging and nondestructive evaluation to backpropagate recorded signals to the source of origin. We demonstrate experimentally a technique which improves the temporal focus achieved at the source location. The experiment consists of propagating a signal from a transducer within a concrete block to a single receiver on the surface, and then applying time reversal or deconvolution to focus the energy back at the source location. The results show that we are able to generate a focus in time at the correct location. The proposed method is simple and proven to be robust. Additionally, its costs are negligible due to deconvolution being a preprocessing step to the recorded data. The technique can be applied for detailed investigation of the source mechanisms (e. g. cracks) but also for monitoring purposes.
Energy-aware object tracking algorithm using heterogeneous wireless sensor networks

Mobile target tracking consists in detecting and locating targets in a surveillance region. Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (WMSN) can provide more information about the moving target than classical Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), but their process and the transmission of multimedia data are costly which reduces the network's lifetime. In this paper, we propose a low-cost new solution for tracking a mobile target called EAOT (Energy Aware Object Tracking). It consists of a distributed cooperative algorithm that runs in heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks composed of both scalar and multimedia sensors. The scalar sensors (MS) are equipped with a motion detector; their role is to detect the target and then activate the camera sensors (CS) through message exchanges. We conducted simulations to evaluate the performance of the proposed mechanism in terms of tracking accuracy, number of exchanged messages, energy consumption, and spatial average deviation. The results are compared to two existing solutions: one based on simple camera sensors which always run in active mode and the other one based on the optimal camera node selection (OCNS) to track the target. The obtained results show that for the same number of nodes, EAOT consumes between 2.6% and 44% less energy than OCNS depending on the distribution of MS/CS.
Effect of saffron supplementation on the glycemic outcomes in diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim This meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of saffron supplementation on the glycemic outcomes in patients with diabetes. Methods Eight electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to March 31, 2023. RCTs of patients with diabetes receiving saffron compared with placebo which reported glycemic control outcomes were identified. WMD and 95% CIs were pooled using fixed-effects or random-effects models, depending on the significance of heterogeneity. Results Out of the 837 citations screened, ten RCTs were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 562 participants were enrolled, with 292 assigned to the intervention group and 270 to the control group. Saffron was administered at a dose of 5 mg/day to 1 g/day. Compared with placebo, saffron supplementation significantly reduced FPG (WMD = −8.42 mg/dL; 95% CI: −13.37, −3.47; p = 0.001) and HbA1c (WMD = −0.22%; 95% CI: −0.33, −0.10; p < 0.001). However, there was no significant effect on insulin levels, QUICKI and HOMA-IR. Conclusion Saffron is effective for patients with diabetes in terms of FPG and HbA1c, therefore, it appears to be a promising adjuvant for the glycemic control of DM. However, the overall methodological quality of the identified studies is heterogeneous, limiting the interpretation of the benefit of saffron in diabetes. More long-term follow-up, well-designed and large-scale clinical trials are warranted to draw definitive conclusions. Systematic review registration The protocol of review was registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (ID: CRD42023426353).
A Duplicate Detection Benchmark for XML ( and Relational ) Data

Duplicate detection, which is an important subtask of data cleaning, is the task of identifying multiple representations of a same real-world object. Numerous approaches both for relational and XML data exist. Their goals are either on improving the quality of the detected duplicates (effectiveness) or on saving computation time (efficiency). In particular for the first goal, the “goodness” of an approach is usually evaluated based on experimental studies. Although some methods and data sets have gained popularity, it is still difficult to compare different approaches or to assess the quality of one own’s approach. This difficulty of comparison is mainly due to lack of documentation of algorithms and the data, software and hardware used and/or limited resources not allowing to rebuild systems described by others. In this paper, we propose a benchmark for duplicate detection, specialized to XML, which can be part of a broader duplicate detection or even data cleansing benchmark. We discuss all necessary elements to make up a benchmark: Data provisioning, clearly defined operations (the benchmark workload), and metrics to evaluate the quality. The proposed benchmark is a step forward to representative comparisons of duplicate detection algorithms. We note that this benchmark is yet to be implemented and this paper is meant to be a starting point for discussion.
SVC-Based Multi-User Streamloading for Wireless Networks

In this paper, we present an approach for joint rate allocation and quality selection for a novel video streaming scheme called streamloading. Streamloading is a recently developed method for delivering high-quality video without violating copyright enforced restrictions on content access for video streaming. In regular streaming services, content providers restrict the amount of viewable video that users can download prior to playback. This approach can cause inferior user experience due to bandwidth variations, especially in mobile networks with varying capacity. In streamloading, the video is encoded using scalable video coding, and users are allowed to pre-fetch enhancement layers and store them on the device, while base layers are streamed in a near real-time fashion ensuring that buffering constraints on viewable content are met. We begin by formulating the offline problem of jointly optimizing rate allocation and quality selection for streamloading in a wireless network. This motivates our proposed online algorithms for joint scheduling at the base station and segment quality selection at receivers. The results indicate that streamloading outperforms the state-of-the-art streaming schemes in terms of the number of additional streams we can admit for a given video quality. Furthermore, the quality adaptation mechanism of our proposed algorithm achieves a higher performance than baseline algorithms with no (or limited) video-centric optimization of the base station's allocation of resources, e.g., proportional fairness.
The catenin/cadherin adhesion system is localized in synaptic junctions bordering transmitter release zones

Molecular mechanisms linking pre- and postsynaptic membranes at the interneuronal synapses are little known. We tested the cadherin adhesion system for its localization in synapses of mouse and chick brains. We found that two classes of cadherin-associated proteins, alpha N- and beta-catenin, are broadly distributed in adult brains, colocalizing with a synaptic marker, synaptophysin. At the ultrastructural level, these proteins were localized in synaptic junctions of various types, forming a symmetrical adhesion structure. These structures sharply bordered the transmitter release sites associated with synaptic vesicles, although their segregation was less clear in certain types of synapses. N-cadherin was also localized at a similar site of synaptic junctions but in restricted brain nuclei. In developing synapses, the catenin-bearing contacts dominated their junctional structures. These findings demonstrate that interneuronal synaptic junctions comprise two subdomains, transmitter release zone and catenin-based adherens junction. The catenins localized in these junctions are likely associated with certain cadherin molecules including N-cadherin, and the cadherin/ catenin complex may play a critical role in the formation or maintenance of synaptic junctions.
Tool path planning of ball-end milling of free-form surfaces as a search algorithm

This paper introduces an innovative approach for generating three-axis CNC tool paths for machining free-form surfaces. The method is designed to minimize variations in the effective tool diameter, addressing a common challenge encountered when using ball-end tools for machining free-form surfaces. These surfaces exhibit varying inclinations, leading to fluctuations in the tool’s working diameter from one point to another, resulting in inconsistent cutting speeds and milling parameters despite a constant spindle speed. Consequently, the machined surface tends to lack uniformity. In contrast to conventional tool path planning techniques, the proposed method calculates the working diameter at each adjacent point and guides the tool’s movement towards the point where the smallest change in working diameter is anticipated. This approach reduces fluctuations in cutting speed and promotes the generation of a more homogeneous surface.
Lens The Intraocular Lens as a Drug Delivery Device : In Vitro Screening of Pharmacologic Substances for the Prophylaxis of Posterior Capsule Opacification

Christian Wertheimer, Stefan Kassumeh, Nick P. Piravej, Olga Nilmayer, Christian Braun, Claudia Priglinger, Nikolaus Luft, Armin Wolf, Wolfgang J. Mayer, Siegfried G. Priglinger, and Kirsten H. Eibl-Lindner Department of ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany Department of corneal tissue banking, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Planegg, Germany Department for forensic medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, München, Germany
Serotonergic Raphe Neurons Express TASK Channel Transcripts and a TASK-Like pH- and Halothane-Sensitive K+ Conductance

The recently described two-pore-domain K+channels, TASK-1 and TASK-3, generate currents with a unique set of properties; specifically, the channels produce instantaneous open-rectifier (i.e., “leak”) K+ currents that are modulated by extracellular pH and by clinically useful anesthetics. In this study, we used histochemical and in vitroelectrophysiological approaches to determine that TASK channels are expressed in serotonergic raphe neurons and to show that they confer a pH and anesthetic sensitivity to these neurons. By combining in situ hybridization for TASK-1 or TASK-3 with immunohistochemical localization of tryptophan hydroxylase, we found that a majority of serotonergic neurons in both dorsal and caudal raphe cell groups contain TASK channel transcripts (∼70–90%). Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were obtained from raphe cells that responded to 5-HT in a manner characteristic of serotonergic neurons (i.e., with activation of an inwardly rectifying K+ current). In those cells, we isolated an endogenous K+conductance that had properties expected of TASK channel currents; raphe neurons expressed a joint pH- and halothane-sensitive open-rectifier K+ current. The pH sensitivity of this current (pK ∼7.0) was intermediate between that of TASK-1 and TASK-3, consistent with functional expression of both channel types. Together, these data indicate that TASK-1 and TASK-3 are expressed and functional in serotonergic raphe neurons. The pH-dependent inhibition of TASK channels in raphe neurons may contribute to ventilatory and arousal reflexes associated with extracellular acidosis; on the other hand, activation of raphe neuronal TASK channels by volatile anesthetics could play a role in their immobilizing and sedative–hypnotic effects.
A new species of Paramesotriton ( Caudata : Salamandridae ) from Guizhou Province , China

In this study, we describe a new species of salamander, Paramesotriton maolanensis sp. n. , from the Maolan National Nature Reserve, Libo County, Guizhou Province, China. The new species is placed in the genus Paramesotriton based on morphological characteristics and molecular data. It differs from all other members of the genus in a number of morphological characteristics, especially in its much larger body size, absence of granular warts from head and body, largely reduced external eyes and peculiar shape of epibranchia in hyoid apparatus. We examined the relationships of nuclear POMC haplotypes between and within the new species and six recognized species. POMC variation and published mitochondrial data suggested that the new species’ closest known relatives are P. longliensis, P. zhijinensis and P. caudopunctatus, and it should be placed into the P. caudopunctatus species group or subgenus Allomesotriton.
GraphR: Accelerating Graph Processing Using ReRAM

Graph processing recently received intensive interests in light of a wide range of needs to understand relationships. It is well-known for the poor locality and high memory bandwidth requirement. In conventional architectures, they incur a significant amount of data movements and energy consumption which motivates several hardware graph processing accelerators. The current graph processing accelerators rely on memory access optimizations or placing computation logics close to memory. Distinct from all existing approaches, we leverage an emerging memory technology to accelerate graph processing with analog computation. This paper presents GRAPHR, the first ReRAM-based graph processing accelerator. GRAPHR follows the principle of near-data processing and explores the opportunity of performing massive parallel analog operations with low hardware and energy cost. The analog computation is suitable for graph processing because: 1) The algorithms are iterative and could inherently tolerate the imprecision; 2) Both probability calculation (e.g., PageRank and Collaborative Filtering) and typical graph algorithms involving integers (e.g., BFS/SSSP) are resilient to errors. The key insight of GRAPHR is that if a vertex program of a graph algorithm can be expressed in sparse matrix vector multiplication (SpMV), it can be efficiently performed by ReRAM crossbar. We show that this assumption is generally true for a large set of graph algorithms. GRAPHR is a novel accelerator architecture consisting of two components: memory ReRAM and graph engine (GE). The core graph computations are performed in sparse matrix format in GEs (ReRAM crossbars). The vector/matrix-based graph computation is not new, but ReRAM offers the unique opportunity to realize the massive parallelism with unprecedented energy efficiency and low hardware cost. With small subgraphs processed by GEs, the gain of performing parallel operations overshadows the wastes due to sparsity. The experiment results show that GRAPHR achieves a 16.01× (up to 132.67×) speedup and a 33.82× energy saving on geometric mean compared to a CPU baseline system. Compared to GPU, GRAPHR achieves 1.69× to 2.19× speedup and consumes 4.77× to 8.91× less energy. GRAPHR gains a speedup of 1.16× to 4.12×, and is 3.67× to 10.96× more energy efficiency compared to PIM-based architecture.
A taxonomic review of Korean species of the genus Philhygra Mulsant & Rey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

A taxonomic review of Korean species of the athetine genus Philhygra Mulsant & Rey, 1873 is presented. Seven species are recognized, two of which, P. pseudoelongatula (Bernhauer, 1907) and P. sparsa (Bernhauer, 1907), are new to the Korean Peninsula. A key, descriptions and illustrations of diagnostic characters are provided.
Test Zone Size Characterization With Measured MIMO Throughput for Simulated MPAC Configurations in Conductive Setups

This correspondence discusses over-the-air (OTA) testing for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) capable terminals, with an emphasis on test zone size characterization for multi-probe anechoic chamber (MPAC) OTA configurations. For an MPAC setup, it is important to understand the test zone size that can be supported by its design. Further, it is desirable that the test zone size should be determined in terms of measured throughput deviation. However, such works have not been reported in the literature yet, due to challenges in practical MPAC setups. In this correspondence, we propose to simulate the MPAC OTA configuration and MS design in a channel emulator and perform MIMO throughput measurements in a conductive setup. With the proposed scheme, we can investigate how large a test zone can be supported for the synthetic MPAC configuration in terms of throughput deviation. This scheme is attractive, since various MS antenna designs and MPAC configurations can be flexibly selected and test zone size in terms of measured MIMO throughput deviation can be achieved. Measurement results show that with a high antenna correlation at the base station (BS) side, measured throughput results would be low, irrelevant to MPAC OTA designs and antenna designs at the MS side. Therefore, the antenna correlation at BS side should be set uncorrelated to ensure that true MS performance can be measured. Further, spatial correlation accuracy at the MS side becomes critical for throughput accuracy only when correlation values are in the high region (e.g., $\rho > 0.5$).
A General Joint Source-Channel Matching Method for Error Resilient Wireless Video Transmission

With the rapid growth of multimedia content in wireless communication, there is an increasing demand for efficient and error-resilient image and video transmission systems over noisy communication channels. We have developed a general joint source-channel matching scheme for wireless video transmission. This method yields the optimal transmission quality based on the current channel situation while satisfying real-time delay and buffer size constraints. We utilize a parametric model approach which avoids the necessity of having detailed a priori knowledge of the coders, thus making the scheme applicable to a wide variety of source and channel coder pairs. Simulations show that the scheme yields excellent results and works for several different types of source and channel coders. 1
Beyond empathy: expanding expressions of caring.

In this paper, a model describing nurses' responses to patients who are suffering is presented. The nurse's level of engagement with the patient is affected by whether the caregiver is focused on him-/herself or on the sufferer (i.e. embodied with the patient) and whether the caregiver is responding reflexively or with a learned response. Four types of communication patterns are identified: engaged responses (first-level) are used in a connected relationship; when the nurse responses reflexively and is focused on him-/herself, the response is reflected; when the caregiver is patient-focused, a learned response is labelled a professional response; and a self-focused, learned response is labelled detached. Examples of each type of response are provided.
A simple radiative‐convective model with a hydrological cycle and interactive clouds

We have developed a simple, analytically tractable radiative‐convective model of the tropical climate system that includes an explicit moisture budget, a simple convection parametrization, a simple but physically based radiation parametrization, and interactive clouds. the underlying surface is assumed to be ocean. the model includes prognostic equations for the sea surface temperature and the vertically integrated water vapour content. A stratosphere in radiative equilibrium limits the depth of the convective layer. the lower‐tropospheric lapse rate, surface evaporation rate, and clear‐sky long‐wave and short‐wave radiative fluxes at the surface and the top of the atmosphere are determined as functions of the sea surface temperature and precipitable water only. the radiative‐convective equilibria of the model atmosphere resemble the observed tropical climate, if realistic sea surface temperatures are prescribed. However, cloud‐free radiative‐convective equilibria of the tropical atmosphere‐ocean system do not occur for realistic values of the surface albedo. When cloud radiative effects are included, the model produces radiative‐convective equilibria that are unrealistically warm. With prescribed realistic lateral energy and moisture transports, however, the equilibria of the model are realistic.
Secure Cooperative Single Carrier Systems Under Unreliable Backhaul and Dense Networks Impact

In this paper, the impacts of unreliable backhaul links on the secrecy performance of cooperative single carrier heterogeneous networks in the presence of eavesdroppers are investigated. A two-phase transmitter/relay selection scheme is proposed, where the best transmitter is selected to maximize signal-to-noise ratio at the relays in the first phase and the best relay is chosen in the second phase to minimize the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio of the eavesdroppers with the aid of a friendly jammer. Closed-form expressions are derived for the secrecy outage probability, probability of non-zero achievable secrecy rate, and ergodic secrecy rate. The asymptotic performance analysis is furthermore performed to explicitly reveal the impacts of unreliable backhaul links on the secrecy performance. Our results show that the diversity gain cannot be achieved in the presence of imperfect backhaul links.