Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Map-based spatio-temporal interpolation in vehicle trajectory data using routing web-services

Interpolation of motion data is a challenging problem that is often overlooked by researchers when using GPS data with low sampling rate. In this paper we define a spatio-temporal query called Historical Spatio-Temporal Query (HSTQ). This query receives a time and returns a waypoint containing spatio-temporal data of a moving object at that particular time. To respond to the query for any given time (e.g. every second), we need to interpolate missing waypoints of the trajectory. Linear Interpolation (LI) is the most commonly used method although it can be grossly inaccurate. To deal with this problem, we propose a method called Map-Based Interpolation (MBI). This method uses routing web-services to find significant points (path) between two waypoints. Instead of using road networks, which is typically used by methods such as map-matching, we send a query to a routing web service and analyse the returned data to find missing waypoints. To be able to respond to queries sent to HSTQ for any input time within a trajectory period, we use a combination of MBI and LI (MBI+LI) to interpolate the missing data. We also propose two measures for comparing performance of our interpolation method with LI. Experimental results using realistic trajectories show significant improvement in quality and accuracy of interpolated and down-sampled trajectory data using HSTQ with MBI+LI in comparison to the earlier, widely used LI method.
Monitoring Urban Expansion in Beijing, China by Multi-Temporal TM and SPOT Images

We select Beijing City as the study area, focusing on the urban expansion in the past decade based on remotely sensed data (TM and SPOT of year 1997, 2001, 2004 and 2007) and GIS technology. Land use change is detected by means of post classification comparison. We obtain the distribution map of urban land during three periods for ten years. Then, spatial model of urban expansion is analyzed by GIS technology. Markov chains is used to gain the percentage for each type of land use convert to urban land; and urban expansion in given size of window is discussed. The main results are: (1) The work flow of multi-temporal land use change detection proved to be efficient. The outcomes were maps of land use pattern, urban ratio and expansion intensity maps; (2) From central city to suburb, the land use variation takes on strong spatio-temporal change. Urban expansion cores and traffic are two urban expansion spatial influence factors.
Identification and localization of retinal cystatin C.

PURPOSE Cystatin C is a mammalian cysteine protease inhibitor, synthesized in various amounts by many kinds of cells and appearing in most body fluids. There are reports that it may be synthesized in the mammalian retina and that a cysteine protease inhibitor may influence the degradation of photoreceptor outer segment proteins. In the current study cystatin C was identified, quantitated, and localized in mouse, rat, and human retinas. METHODS Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), DNA sequencing, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry have been used on mouse, rat, and human retinas (pigment epithelium included). RESULTS Cystatin C is present in high concentrations in the normal adult rat retina, as it is throughout its postnatal development. Its concentration increases to a peak at the time when rat pups open their eyes and then remains at a high level. It is mainly localized to the pigment epithelium, but also to some few neurons of varying types in the inner retina. Cystatin C is similarly expressed in normal mouse and human retinas. CONCLUSIONS Cystatin C was identified and the localization described in the retinas of rat, mouse, and human using several techniques. Cystatin C is known to efficiently inactivate certain cysteine proteases. One of them, cathepsin S, is present in the retinal pigment epithelium and affects the proteolytic processing by cathepsin D of diurnally shed photoreceptor outer segments. Hypothetically, it appears possible that retinal cystatin C, given its localization to the pigment epithelium and its ability to inhibit cathepsin S, could be involved in the regulation of photoreceptor degradation.
Disseminating messages among highly mobile hosts based on inter-vehicle communication

We present an approach to distributing messages among highly mobile hosts in ad hoc networks. We focus on using direct radio communication between moving vehicles on the road that requires no additional infrastructure. Thus, the vehicles need to organize access to the radio channel in a decentralized manner. We derive the medium access control from the standard IEEE 802.11. Also, the vehicles use omnidirectional antennas implying that a sender can transit to multiple hosts simultaneously. As an example, we study a road accident that is reported to nearby vehicles. Simulations show that the quality of the proposed protocol by measuring how many vehicles inside a zone-of-relevance are informed under various conditions.
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in acute stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) is highly sensitive in detecting early cerebral ischemic changes in acute stroke patients. In this study we compared the sensitivity of DWI with that of conventional MRI techniques. Furthermore, we investigated the prognostic value of the volume of ischemic lesions on DWI scans and of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). METHODS We performed DWI, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, spin-echo T2-weighted MRI, and spin-echo proton density-weighted MRI in 42 patients with acute stroke and 15 control subjects. The volume of ischemic lesions was measured on early (<60 hours after onset) and follow-up MRI scans. Clinical outcome was measured 4 months after onset of symptoms with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, the Barthel Index, and the Rankin Scale. RESULTS With DWI, 98% of the ischemic lesions were detected, and with fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, 91% were detected, whereas with early T2-weighted or proton density-weighted scans, only 71% (P=0.002, chi2) and 80% (P=0.02, chi2) of lesions, respectively, were found. Lesion volume on early DWI scans correlated significantly with clinical outcome ratings (P<0.01). In patients with a first-ever stroke, a lesion volume of < or =22 mL on DWI predicted good outcome with a 75% sensitivity and a 100% specificity. The mean ADC of ischemic lesions was 29% lower than the ADC of normal-appearing parts of the brain (P<0.001). The ADC ratio correlated significantly with clinical outcome (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS DWI is a better imaging method than conventional MRI in detecting early ischemic lesions in stroke patients. Lesion size as measured on DWI scans and, to a lesser extent, ADC values are potential parameters for predicting clinical outcome in acute stroke patients.
Enhancements for real-time Monte-Carlo Tree Search in General Video Game Playing

General Video Game Playing (GVGP) is a field of Artificial Intelligence where agents play a variety of real-time video games that are unknown in advance. This limits the use of domain-specific heuristics. Monte-Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) is a search technique for game playing that does not rely on domain-specific knowledge. This paper discusses eight enhancements for MCTS in GVGP; Progressive History, N-Gram Selection Technique, Tree Reuse, Breadth-First Tree Initialization, Loss Avoidance, Novelty-Based Pruning, Knowledge-Based Evaluations, and Deterministic Game Detection. Some of these are known from existing literature, and are either extended or introduced in the context of GVGP, and some are novel enhancements for MCTS. Most enhancements are shown to provide statistically significant increases in win percentages when applied individually. When combined, they increase the average win percentage over sixty different games from 31.0% to 48.4% in comparison to a vanilla MCTS implementation, approaching a level that is competitive with the best agents of the GVG-AI competition in 2015.
Influence of cerebral blood flow on the ventilatory response to hypoxia in humans

The purpose of this study was to quantify the possible reduction in ventilation that could be attributed to changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) with hypoxia to determine whether it could be of sufficient magnitude to underlie hypoxic ventilatory decline (HVD). Six subjects underwent 20 min of isocapnic hypoxia (end‐tidal PO2, 50 mmHg). An index of CBF was obtained using transcranial Doppler ultrasound of the middle cerebral artery. The CBF sensitivities to hypoxia and hypercapnia were obtained from the percentage changes in CBF between the last 3 min of the hypoxic or hypercapnic exposure and the 3 min period prior to the exposure. The magnitude of HVD during hypoxia was estimated by fitting a simple model of the ventilatory response to the hypoxic stimulus. The predicted fall in expiratory ventilation (VE) due to a reduction in brain PCO2 generated by the increase in CBF with hypoxia in all subjects was less than the measured magnitude of HVD (33%). Thus, the results from this study suggest that, in awake humans, changes in CBF during acute isocapnic hypoxia are quantitatively insufficient to underlie HVD in humans.
Risk of cardiovascular mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

OBJECTIVE To determine the magnitude of risk of cardiovascular mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with the general population through a meta-analysis of observational studies. METHODS We searched Medline, EMBase, and Lilacs databases from their inception to July 2005. Observational studies that met the following criteria were assessed by 2 researchers: 1) prespecified RA definition, 2) clearly defined cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcome, including ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), and 3) reported standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). We calculated weighted-pooled summary estimates of SMRs (meta-SMRs) for CVD, IHD, and CVAs using the random-effects model, and tested for heterogeneity using the I(2) statistic. RESULTS Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 111,758 patients with 22,927 cardiovascular events. Overall, there was a 50% increased risk of CVD death in patients with RA (meta-SMR 1.50, 95% CI 1.39-1.61). Mortality risks for IHD and CVA were increased by 59% and 52%, respectively (meta-SMR 1.59, 95% CI 1.46-1.73 and meta-SMR 1.52, 95% CI 1.40-1.67, respectively). We identified asymmetry in the funnel plot (Egger's test P = 0.002), as well as significant heterogeneity in all main analyses (P < 0.0001). Subgroup analyses showed that inception cohort studies (n = 4, comprising 2,175 RA cases) were the only group that did not show a significantly increased risk for CVD (meta-SMR 1.19, 95% CI 0.86-1.68). CONCLUSION Published data indicate that CVD mortality is increased by approximately 50% in RA patients compared with the general population. However, we found that study characteristics may influence the estimate.
Evidence Supporting the Uptake and Genomic Incorporation of Environmental DNA in the “Ancient Asexual” Bdelloid Rotifer Philodina roseola

Increasing evidence suggests that bdelloid rotifers regularly undergo horizontal gene transfer, apparently as a surrogate mechanism of genetic exchange in the absence of true sexual reproduction, in part because of their ability to withstand desiccation. We provide empirical support for this latter hypothesis using the bdelloid Philodina roseola, which we demonstrate to readily internalize environmental DNA in contrast to a representative monogonont rotifer (Brachionus rubens), which, like other monogononts, is facultative sexual and cannot withstand desiccation. In addition, environmental DNA that was more similar to the host DNA was retained more often and for a longer period of time. Indirect evidence (increased variance in the reproductive output of the untreated F1 generation) suggests that environmental DNA can be incorporated into the genome during desiccation and is thus heritable. Our observed fitness effects agree with sexual theory and also occurred when the animals were desiccated in groups (thereby acting as DNA donors), but not individually, indicating the mechanism could occur in nature. Thus, although DNA uptake and its genomic incorporation appears proximally related to anhydrobiosis in bdelloids, it might also facilitate accidental genetic exchange with closely related taxa, thereby maintaining higher levels of genetic diversity than is otherwise expected for this group of “ancient asexuals”.
Effect of Using HMDs for One Hour on Preteens Visual Fatigue

We designed a within-subject experiment to compare visual discomfort to preteen users caused by using head-mounted displays (HMD) and tablet computers for an hour. 18 participants younger than 13 years old were recruited to fulfill a series of similar painting tasks under both display conditions. Visual fatigue was measured with visual analog scale before and after experiment and during the break of experiment. The results indicated that HMD had a trend to bring higher visual fatigue than tablet computer during the exposure of 1 hour. Although the symptoms of visual discomfort disappeared after resting, there is need for preteen-specific head-mounted displays.
Genetic Variation in ATP5O Is Associated with Skeletal Muscle ATP50 mRNA Expression and Glucose Uptake in Young Twins

Background Impaired oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle mitochondria contribute to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Furthermore, mRNA expression of genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, including ATP5O, is reduced in skeletal muscle from T2D patients. Our aims were to investigate mechanisms regulating ATP5O expression in skeletal muscle and association with glucose metabolism, and the relationship between ATP5O single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and risk of T2D. Methodology/Principal Findings ATP5O mRNA expression was analyzed in skeletal muscle from young (n = 86) and elderly (n = 68) non-diabetic twins before and after a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. 11 SNPs from the ATP5O locus were genotyped in the twins and a T2D case-control cohort (n = 1466). DNA methylation of the ATP5O promoter was analyzed in twins (n = 22) using bisulfite sequencing. The mRNA level of ATP5O in skeletal muscle was reduced in elderly compared with young twins, both during basal and insulin-stimulated conditions (p<0.0005). The degree of DNA methylation around the transcription start of ATP5O was <1% in both young and elderly twins and not associated with mRNA expression (p = 0.32). The mRNA level of ATP5O in skeletal muscle was positively related to insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (regression coefficient = 6.6; p = 0.02). Furthermore, two SNPs were associated with both ATP5O mRNA expression (rs12482697: T/T versus T/G; p = 0.02 and rs11088262: A/A versus A/G; p = 0.004) and glucose uptake (rs11088262: A/A versus A/G; p = 0.002 and rs12482697: T/T versus T/G; p = 0.005) in the young twins. However, we could not detect any genetic association with T2D. Conclusions/Significance Genetic variation and age are associated with skeletal muscle ATP5O mRNA expression and glucose disposal rate, suggesting that combinations of genetic and non-genetic factors may cause the reduced expression of ATP5O in T2D muscle. These findings propose a role for ATP5O, in cooperation with other OXPHOS genes, in the regulation of in vivo glucose metabolism.
Variable-State-Dimension Kalman-Based Filter for Orientation Determination Using Inertial and Magnetic Sensors

In this paper a quaternion-based Variable-State-Dimension Extended Kalman Filter (VSD-EKF) is developed for estimating the three-dimensional orientation of a rigid body using the measurements from an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) integrated with a triaxial magnetic sensor. Gyro bias and magnetic disturbances are modeled and compensated by including them in the filter state vector. The VSD-EKF switches between a quiescent EKF, where the magnetic disturbance is modeled as a first-order Gauss-Markov stochastic process (GM-1), and a higher-order EKF where extra state components are introduced to model the time-rate of change of the magnetic field as a GM-1 stochastic process, namely the magnetic disturbance is modeled as a second-order Gauss-Markov stochastic process (GM-2). Experimental validation tests show the effectiveness of the VSD-EKF, as compared to either the quiescent EKF or the higher-order EKF when they run separately.
A method for one-dimensional topological entity matching in integration of heterogeneous CAD systems

In the feature modeling procedure, one-dimensional topological entities (edges) are always used as references or operational objects. Hence, to realize the integration of heterogeneous CAD systems, the corresponding one-dimensional topological entities must be found in the target CAD system to match the source ones. This paper presents a method to gain one-dimensional topological entity matching. The method is based on two algorithms, i.e. combining algorithm and matching algorithm. The combining algorithm is adopted to combine the edges retrieved in a source CAD system. Then, for each combined edge, the matching edges are found by using the matching algorithm in a target CAD system. The experiments prove that our method is valid for both offline and online integrations.
Research in the large 3.0: app stores, wide distribution, and big data in MobileHCI research

Mobile HCI studies are often conducted in a highly controlled environment and with a small convenient sample. The findings cannot always be generalized to the behaviour of real users in real contexts. In contrast, researchers recently started to use apps and other wide distribution channels as an apparatus for mobile HCI research. Publishing apps in mobile application stores and public APIs for mobile services enable researchers to study large samples in their 'natural habitat'. This workshop continues the successful Research in the Large workshop series held at UbiComp 2010 and 2011. Relevant topics include the design of large-scale studies, reaching target users, dealing with new types of evaluation data, and heterogeneous usage contexts. We seek ways to systematically collect, analyse and make sense of large datasets, potentially in real-time. The goal of this workshop is to provide a forum for researchers and developers from academia and industry to exchange experiences, insights and strategies for wide distribution of user studies towards large-scale mobile HCI research.
Alu Polymorphic Insertions Reveal Genetic Structure of North Indian Populations

Abstract The Indian subcontinent is characterized by the ancestral and cultural diversity of its people. Genetic input from several unique source populations and from the unique social architecture provided by the caste system has shaped the current genetic landscape of India. In the present study 200 individuals each from three upper-caste and four middle-caste Hindu groups and from two Muslim populations in North India were examined for 10 polymorphic Alu insertions (PAIs). The investigated PAIs exhibit high levels of polymorphism and average heterozygosity. Limited interpopulation variance and genetic flow in the present study suggest admixture. The results of this study demonstrate that, contrary to common belief, the caste system has not provided an impermeable barrier to genetic exchange among Indian groups.
Multiple structural alignment and clustering of RNA sequences

MOTIVATION An apparent paradox in computational RNA structure prediction is that many methods, in advance, require a multiple alignment of a set of related sequences, when searching for a common structure between them. However, such a multiple alignment is hard to obtain even for few sequences with low sequence similarity without simultaneously folding and aligning them. Furthermore, it is of interest to conduct a multiple alignment of RNA sequence candidates found from searching as few as two genomic sequences. RESULTS Here, based on the PMcomp program, we present a global multiple alignment program, foldalignM, which performs especially well on few sequences with low sequence similarity, and is comparable in performance with state of the art programs in general. In addition, it can cluster sequences based on sequence and structure similarity and output a multiple alignment for each cluster. Furthermore, preliminary results with local datasets indicate that the program is useful for post processing foldalign pairwise scans. AVAILABILITY The program foldalignM is implemented in JAVA and is, along with some accompanying PERL scripts, available at http://foldalign.ku. dk/
A comparison of various selective media, including a new selective medium for the isolation of brucellae from milk.

Summary: A comparative trial of a new medium for brucella was made on samples of milk from individual cows and herd samples of milk. The new medium gave a higher isolation rate than any of the other 3 selective media tested. There was no evidence that the new medium inhibited any of the biotypes of Brucella abortus, especially biotype 2; it was the only medium suitable for isolating from samples of herd milk strains of biotype 2 which are sensitive to antibiotics and aniline dyes.
Active Learning with Rationales for Text Classification

We present a simple and yet effective approach that can incorporate rationales elicited from annotators into the training of any offthe-shelf classifier. We show that our simple approach is effective for multinomial na¨ Bayes, logistic regression, and support vector machines. We additionally present an active learning method tailored specifically for the learning with rationales framework.
Sticky policies for data control in the cloud

One of the main security concerns related to the cloud hosting and virtualization, is the lack of Trust in the infrastructure. This lack of trust is due to the absence of transparency concerning the data handling and storage conditions. There are no concrete technical guarantees that can convince a potential cloud customer that he is fully controlling his data. In this paper we propose a security service (called SPACE) in the cloud that provides all the tools to data owner to impose his privacy preferences during the virtualization phase. SPACE is based on the sticky policy technology and offers access and usage control functionalities to the data anywhere in the cloud. In addition to the main security features offered by SPACE, new visualization and control functionalities are proposed to make the user fully aware on the storage condition of his private information.
Medical Treatment for Men Who Have Sex With Men and Are Living With HIV/AIDS

This study focuses on a sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV/AIDS in a south Florida community. The study uses a mixed-method, quantitative, and qualitative research design. The purpose of the study was to identify individual and service system characteristics that impact access, retention, and adherence to an HIV/AIDS medical treatment regimen. The study identified many men who were not likely to seek treatment after their initial HIV/AIDS diagnosis. Compared with the general population living with HIV/AIDS in the same south Florida community many of these men were less likely to maintain a regimen of medical care for their HIV/AIDS. The study indicated that the following issues affected medical treatment and treatment adherence: treatment readiness, presence of support networks, availability of “MSM-friendly” health providers, and the cultural competency of substance abuse providers.