Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fingerprint Matching by Extracting GLCM Features

Fingerprint matching is an important and challenging problem in fingerprint recognition.Even though so many different methods are there, it has been learned from studies that a better feature extraction technique may leads to very good results. In this paper, we have improved the efficiency of fingerprint matching by combining GLCM based feature extraction with Euclidean based matching. Co-occurrence matrices can be used to extract features from the fingerprint image because they are composed of regular texture patterns. First, the fingerprint image is preprocessed and a unique reference point is determined to secure a Region-ofInterest (ROI). Four co-occurrence matrices are computed from the ROI with a predefined set of parameters. A feature vector consisting of 16 features are used to match the input image with different types of images stored in the database. The fingerprint matching is based on the Euclidean distance between the two corresponding fingerprints and hence is extremely fast. The validity of newly derived algorithms is tested on fingerprint images of Db1_a&Db1_bof FVC2002database. A very good result of 97% of matching is achieved.The method significantly reduces the memory cost and processing time associated with verification, primarily because of the efficient use of GLCM feature extraction. The experimental results and the ROC curves demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, concerning the feature extraction of ROI, especially in low quality images. General Terms Pattern Recognition.
Kalman-Filtering-Based Joint Angle Measurement with Wireless Wearable Sensor System for Simplified Gait Analysis

The aim of this study is to realize a simplified gait analysis system using wearable sensors. In this paper, a joint angle measurement method using Kalman filter to correct gyroscope signals from accelerometer signals was examined in measurement of hip, knee and ankle joint angles with a wireless wearable sensor system, in which the sensors were attached on the body without exact positioning. The lower limb joint angles of three healthy subjects were measured during gait with the developed sensor system and a 3D motion measurement system in order to evaluate the measurement accuracy. Then, 10m walking measurement was performed under different walking speeds with a healthy subject in order to find the usefulness of the system as a simplified gait analysis system. The joint angles were measured with reasonable accuracy, and the system showed joint angle changes that were similar to those shown in a previous report as walking speed changed. It would be necessary to examine the influence of sensor attachment position and method for more stable measurement, and also to study other parameters for gait evaluation.
Fungal succession and lignin decomposition on Shorea obtusa leaves in a tropical seasonal forest in northern Thailand

Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu, Shiga 520-2113 Japan Division of Environmental Science and Technology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 6068502, Japan Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand Faculty of Pharmacy, Nihon University, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8555 Japan Sugadaira Montane Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Nagano 386-2204, Japan Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
Orbital image correction for multiple models of geometric transformations

This paper describes a method for geometric correction of orbital images supporting multiple models of geometric transformations. It is based on a previous method and represents a step forward by incorporating a new form of combining spectral information with the information from the geometric deformation between a pair of images. From this point it is possible to define homologous points used for the correction of geometry and positioning.
Triazabicyclodecene: a simple bifunctional organocatalyst for acyl transfer and ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters.

1,5,7-Triazabicyclo[4.4. 0]dec-5-ene (TBD) is an effective organocatalyst for acyl transfer as well as the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters. Its high activity is attributed to its ability to simultaneously activate both esters and alcohols, as demonstrated in a model reaction. This unique mechanism makes TBD a remarkably simple example of a bifunctional catalyst. The simplicity of the reaction conditions, the ready commercial availability of the catalyst, and its high activity provide an accessible methodology to allow future studies of tailor-made polyesters.
Equivalent single conductor for modeling near field radiated emission of carbon nanotube bundles

The electromagnetic field radiated from a singlewall carbon nanotube bundle in the common mode excitation, above a perfect conductive plane, is predicted in the frequency domain using the equivalent single conductor (ESC) formulation. The effect of the frequency and of the bundle configuration on the near field level is investigated, in order to predict the risk of electromagnetic interference against nearby components and devices, like interconnects.
NTPase and 5′ to 3′ RNA Duplex-Unwinding Activities of the Hepatitis E Virus Helicase Domain

ABSTRACT Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a causative agent of acute hepatitis, and it is the sole member of the genus Hepevirus in the family Hepeviridae. The open reading frame 1 (ORF1) protein of HEV encodes nonstructural polyprotein with putative domains for methyltransferase, cysteine protease, helicase and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. It is not yet known whether ORF1 functions as a single protein with multiple domains or is processed to form separate functional units. On the basis of amino acid conserved motifs, HEV helicase has been grouped into helicase superfamily 1 (SF-1). In order to examine the RNA helicase activity of the NTPase/helicase domain of HEV, the region (amino acids 960 to 1204) was cloned and expressed as histidine-tagged protein in Escherichia coli (HEV Hel) and purified. HEV Hel exhibited NTPase and RNA unwinding activities. Enzyme hydrolyzed all rNTPs efficiently, dATP and dCTP with moderate efficiency, while it showed less hydrolysis of dGTP and dTTP. Enzyme showed unwinding of only RNA duplexes with 5′ overhangs showing 5′-to-3′ polarity. We also expressed and purified two HEV Hel mutants. Helicase mutant I, with substitution in the nucleotide-binding motif I (GKS to GAS), showed 30% ATPase activity. Helicase mutant II, with substitutions in the Mg2+ binding motif II (DEAP to AAAP), showed 50% ATPase activity. Both mutants completely lost ability to unwind RNA duplexes with 5′ overhangs. These findings represent the first report demonstrating NTPase/RNA helicase activity of the helicase domain of HEV ORF1.
Measuring Twitter user Similarity as a Function of Strength of Ties

Users of online social networks reside in social graphs, where any given user-pair may be connected or unconnected. These connections may be formal or inferred social links; and may be binary or weighted. We might expect that users who are connected by a social tie are more similar in what they write than unconnected users, and that more strongly connected pairs of users are more similar again than less-strongly connected users, but this has never been formally tested. This work describes a method for calculating the similarity between twitter social entities based on what they have written, before examining the similarity between twitter user-pairs as a function of how tightly connected they are. We show that the similarity between pairs of twitter users is indeed positively correlated with the strength of the tie between them.
Renal cell carcinoma invading the hepatic veins

Hepatic vein invasion by renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus is relatively uncommon. The Budd–Chiari syndrome that results from obstruction of the suprahepatic venous drainage by the tumor could evolve toward liver fibrosis and death. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment of this condition is of prime importance. Complete mobilization of the liver and rotation of the inferior vena cava enhances exposure of the ostium of the hepatic veins. This maneuver allows for the complete removal of tumor from the hepatic veins and decompression of the liver.
Automatic Self-Commissioning for Secondary-Saliencies Decoupling in Sensorless-Controlled AC Machines Using Structured Neural Networks

The focus of this paper is secondary-saliency decoupling in carrier signal injection-based sensorless control of AC machines using structured neural networks. Structured neural networks are utilized for automatic commissioning and decoupling of secondary saliencies including saturation-induced saliencies. Automatic commissioning process is necessary for easy implementation and for acceptance of the carrier signal injection-based sensorless control by drives industry. In comparison with classical compensation methods, such as lookup tables, this technique has advantages of reducing commissioning time and automating the process. These advantages are result of a physics-based design of structured neural networks, which is responsible for their scalability, and moderate size and complexity. In comparison with traditional neural networks, structured neural networks are simpler, physically insightful, less computationally intensive and easier to train.
58 GHz front ends for a channel sounder

We report on the design of radio frequency (RF) front ends for radio channel sounding applications at 58 GHz. The realized up- and down-converter modules extend the frequency range of an existing real-time channel sounder, which has a maximum RF of 5.8 GHz. To facilitate rapid mm-wave system development, a low-cost 60 GHz prototyping system is introduced. It allows one to test each circuit block in a microstrip test fixture, before connecting it to other circuit blocks using removable electrical and mechanical bonds. The design of V-band microstrip RF filters was challenging because the transverse dimensions of the coupled sections are too wide for utilizing TEM transmission line models and surface-wave effects introduce additional coupling. Electromagnetic optimization was necessary for successful filter design, and this is discussed. The patch antenna and considerations about system dynamic range requirements for multipath measurements are examined.
Adaptive‐weighted cubic B‐spline using lookup tables for fast and efficient axial resampling of 3D confocal microscopy images

Confocal laser scanning microscopy has become a most powerful tool to visualize and analyze the dynamic behavior of cellular molecules. Photobleaching of fluorochromes is a major problem with confocal image acquisition that will lead to intensity attenuation. Photobleaching effect can be reduced by optimizing the collection efficiency of the confocal image by fast z‐scanning. However, such images suffer from distortions, particularly in the z dimension, which causes disparities in the x, y, and z directions of the voxels with the original image stacks. As a result, reliable segmentation and feature extraction of these images may be difficult or even impossible. Image interpolation is especially needed for the correction of undersampling artifact in the axial plane of three‐dimensional images generated by a confocal microscope to obtain cubic voxels. In this work, we present an adaptive cubic B‐spline‐based interpolation with the aid of lookup tables by deriving adaptive weights based on local gradients for the sampling nodes in the interpolation formulae. Thus, the proposed method enhances the axial resolution of confocal images by improving the accuracy of the interpolated value simultaneously with great reduction in computational cost. Numerical experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed interpolation approach and demonstrate its superiority both in terms of accuracy and speed compared to other interpolation algorithms. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tidal deformation of Ganymede: Sensitivity of Love numbers on the interior structure

Tidal deformation of icy satellites provides crucial information on their subsurface structures. In this study, we investigate the parameter dependence of the tidal displacement and potential Love numbers (i.e., h2 and k2, respectively) of Ganymede. Our results indicate that Love numbers for Ganymede models without a subsurface ocean are not necessarily smaller than those with a subsurface ocean. The phase lag, however, depends primarily on the presence/absence of a subsurface ocean. Thus, the determination of the phase lag would be of importance to infer whether Ganymede possesses a subsurface ocean or not based only on geodetic measurements. Our results also indicate that the major control on Love numbers is the thickness of the ice shell if Ganymede possesses a subsurface ocean. This result, however, does not necessarily indicate that measurement of either of h2 or k2 alone is sufficient to estimate the shell thickness; while a thin shell leads to large h2 and k2 independent of parameters, a thick shell does not necessarily lead to small h2 and k2. We found that to reduce the uncertainty in the shell thickness, constraining k2 in addition to h2 is necessary, highlighting the importance of collaborative analyses of topography and gravity field data.
Comparison of anti-predatory defenses of Red Sea and Caribbean sponges. II. Physical defense

In addition to the commonly used chemical defense mechanism against predation, ses- sile organisms such as terrestrial plants, soft corals and seaweeds are known to have a physical defense mechanism comprising structural elements made of lignin, CaCO3, silica, etc. Most sponges have siliceous spicules that play a key role as skeletal elements. To date, there has been no evidence to show that these spicules also play a role in defense against predation. It is known that low nutri- tional value of a prey may make it less susceptible to predation. The siliceous spicules found in sponges are indigestible to predators and so sponges that produce large amounts of these spicules may be less susceptible to predation due to their low nutritional value. In the present study, we tested the physical defenses of 6 Red Sea sponge species and 6 Caribbean sponge species against the gen- eralist Red Sea wrasse Thalassoma klunzingeri. Physical defense of the 6 species collected in the Red Sea was also tested using the Caribbean wrasse T. bifasciatum. The spicules of 4 out of the 6 Red Sea sponges deterred predation by T. klunzingeri. Two out of the 6 Caribbean sponges were found to deter predation by T. klunzingeri. In assays conducted in the Bahamas on the Caribbean wrasse T. bifasciatum, only 1 Red Sea sponge species, Suberites clavatus, was found to be physically defended by its spicules. A positive correlation was found between the size of the spicules and their ability to deter predation by T. klunzingeri. Only spicules larger than ~250 µm deterred predation. On the other hand, T. bifasciatum seemed to be deterred based on reduced nutritional quality resulting from high concentration of spicules in a sponge, irrespective of their size. The combination of Crella cyatophora spicules and crude chemical extract deterred predation to a greater extent than that observed for each defense mechanism separately. This finding most probably indicates an additive mechanism of defense used by this sponge species.
Multiobjective scheduling of a reentrant hybrid flowshop

This paper deals with the multiobjective scheduling of a two stages reentrant hybrid flow shop. The system studied here is reentrant: jobs have to be processed more than once at each stage which is made of several identical parallel machines. Furthermore, the sequence is the same on each stage. In this study the two objectives are the minimization of both the maximum completion time and the sum of the tardiness. Two evolutionary algorithms are proposed : our Lorenz-Non dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (L-NSGA) and the Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm version 2 (SPEA2). Several configurations of the system are tested and the results of the two algorithms are compared with the Pareto optimal front with respect to two different measures. The results show that our L-NSGA is more efficient than SPEA2 in 81% of the configurations. Furthermore the L-NSGA reaches optimal solutions for some instances.
Humidity sensor failure: a problem that should not be neglected by the numerical weather prediction community

The problem of abnormally dry bias induced by radiosonde humidity sensor failure in the low and midtroposphere is studied based on the global operational radiosonde relative humidity observations from December 2008 to November 2009. The concurrent humidity retrievals from the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC radio occultation mission are also used to assess the quality of the radiosonde humidity observations. It is found that extremely dry relative humidity are common in the low and mid-troposphere, with an annual globally averaged occurrence of 4.2 %. These lowhumidity observations usually exist between 20 and 40 latitude in both the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere, and from heights of 700 to 450 hPa. Winter and spring are the favored seasons for their occurrence, with a maximum fraction of 9.53 % in the Northern Hemisphere and 16.82 % in the Southern Hemisphere. The phenomenon does not result from natural atmospheric variability, but rather humidity sensor failure. If the performance of humidity sensors is not good, low-humidity observations occur easily, particularly when the radiosonde ascends through stratiform clouds with high moisture content. The humidity sensor cannot adapt to the huge change of the atmospheric environment inside and outside stratiform clouds, resulting in sensor failure and no response to atmospheric change. These extremely dry relative humidity observations are erroneous. However, they have been archived as formal data and applied in many research studies. This may seriously undermine the reliability of numerical weather prediction and the analysis of weather and climate if quality control is not applied before using these data.
An Image-Based Approach to Three-Dimensional Computer Graphics

The conventional approach to three-dimensional computer graphics produces images from geometric scene descriptions by simulating the interaction of light with matter. My research explores an alternative approach that replaces the geometric scene description with perspective images and replaces the simulation process with data interpolation. I derive an image-warping equation that maps the visible points in a reference image to their correct positions in any desired view. This mapping from reference image to desired image is determined by the center-of-projection and pinhole-camera model of the two images and by a generalized disparity value associated with each point in the reference image. This generalized disparity value, which represents the structure of the scene, can be determined from point correspondences between multiple reference images. The image-warping equation alone is insufficient to synthesize desired images because multiple reference-image points may map to a single point. I derive a new visibility algorithm that determines a drawing order for the image warp. This algorithm results in correct visibility for the desired image independent of the reference image's contents. The utility of the image-based approach can be enhanced with a more general pinhole-camera model. I provide several generalizations of the warping equation's pinhole-camera model and discuss how to build an image-based representation when information about the reference image's center-of-projection and camera model is unavailable.
Dual-energy CT pulmonary angiography in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism: value for the detection and quantification of pulmonary venous congestion.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate if vascular and pulmonary parenchymal enhancement values in dual-energy (DE) CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) can suggest the diagnosis of pulmonary congestion. METHODS DE-CTPA images of 90 out of 1321 patients negative for pulmonary embolism showed signs of congestive heart failure. We measured DE-derived pulmonary parenchymal [perfused blood volume (PBV)], pulmonary artery (PA) and left atrium (LA) enhancement values in these patients and in 142 control patients. Enhancement values were compared between the populations and correlated with serum values of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and proBNP, where available. RESULTS No significant difference of PBV but significant differences of mean PA and LA enhancement and individual enhancement differences (PA - LA) were found between the populations. PA - LA was higher in patients with elevated BNP and proBNP and was positively correlated with these values. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed a moderate discriminatory power of the PA - LA difference for the presence of cardiac biomarker elevations. CONCLUSION PBV in DE-CTPA is not altered in patients with signs of congestive heart failure. However, differences in enhancement values in the pre- and post-pulmonary vessels were found in comparison with the control population. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE Altered pulmonary vascular haemodynamics in pulmonary venous congestion are not reflected in dual-energy-derived PBV maps. In the diagnosis of left heart failure in patients with chest pain and dyspnoea, density measurements in the pulmonary artery and in the left atrium in CTPA images may be a helpful diagnostic tool.
Outcomes of Combined Internal Medicine—Pediatrics Residency Programs: A Review of the Literature

Purpose To evaluate the outcomes of combined internal medicine and pediatrics (IMP) residency programs using the published literature. Method A literature search was conducted using Medline. Published articles were categorized as research or non-research (commentary, program requirements, program descriptions). Research articles were summarized and the results grouped under ten outcome variables. Results Of the 32 articles located, 18 were research articles, of which only four had been published since 1993. All the research conducted was cross-sectional and most involved surveys of program directors (seven studies) or graduates (four studies). At the time the studies were conducted, 20-33% of IMP residents did not complete their combined training; attrition rates have not been documented recently. Approximately 80% of IMP graduates achieved certification in both specialties, one third subspecialized to some degree, and 80% provided care to both adults and children. One fourth of the graduates felt that more training was needed in ambulatory settings and less was needed in intensive care. Very few studies of the outcomes of IMP physicians were found. Conclusion The outcomes of IMP residency programs are important for health workforce policy, and this study documents a need for more extensive research on the outcomes of training programs for primary care physicians.