Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Draft version : ( ) document High Spatial Resolution Imaging of NGC 1068 in the Mid Infrared

Mid-Infrared Imaging of NGC 1068 Bock et al. Draft version:() document High Spatial Resolution Imaging of NGC 1068 in the Mid Infrared J. J. Bock1,2, G. Neugebauer3, K. Matthews3,B. T. Soifer3,4, E. E. Becklin5, M. Ressler2, K. Marsh6, M. W. Werner2, E. Egami3 and R. Blandford1 1Division of Physics, Math and Astronomy, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125 2Jet Propulsion Lab, 169-327, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109 3Palomar Observatory, California Institute of Technology, 105-24, Pasadena, CA 91125 4SIRTF Science Center, California Institute of Technology 314-6, Pasadena, CA 91125 5Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California Los Angeles, 156205 Los Angeles, CA 90095 6IPAC, Jet Propulsion Lab/ California Institute of Technology, 100-22, Pasadena, CA 91125 jjb@astro.caltech.edu, gxn@caltech.edu, kym@caltech.edu,bts@mop.caltech.edu, becklin@astro.ucla. edu, ressler@cougar.jpl. nasa.gov, kam@ipac.caltech.edu, mww@ipac.caltech.edu, egami@mop.caltech.edu, rdb@tapir.caltech.edu abstract Mid-infrared observations of the central source of NGC 1068 have been obtained with a spatial resolution in the deconvolved image of 0.1′′ (∼7 pc). The central source is extended by ∼1′′ in the northsouth direction but appears unresolved in the east-west direction over most of its length. About two-thirds of its flux can be ascribed to a core structure which is itself elongated north-south and does not show a distinct unresolved compact source. The source is strongly asymmetric, extending significantly further to the north than to the south. The morphology of the mid-infrared emission appears similar to that of the radio jet, and has features which correlate with the images in [OIII]. Its 12.5–24.5 μm color temperature ranges from 215 to 260K and does not decrease smoothly with distance from the core. Silicate absorption is strongest in the core and to the south and is small in the north. The core, apparently containing two-thirds of the bolometric luminosity of the inner 4′′ diameter area, may be explained by a thick, dusty torus near the central AGN viewed at an angle of ∼65 to its plane. There are, however, detailed difficulties with existing models, especially the narrow east-west width of the thin extended mid-infrared “tongue” to the north of the core. We interpret the tongue as re-processed visual and ultraviolet radiation that is strongly beamed and that originates in the AGN.
A comparative study on speech summarization of broadcast news and lecture speech

We carry out a comprehensive study of acoustic/prosodic, linguistic and structural features for speech summarization, contrasting two genres of speech, namely Broadcast News and Lecture Speech. We find that acoustic and structural features are more important for Broadcast News summarization due to the speaking styles of anchors and reporters, as well as typical news story flow. Due to the relatively small contribution of lexical features, Broadcast News summarization does not depend heavily on ASR accuracies. We use SVM based summarizer to select the best features for extractive summarization, and obtain state-of-the-art performances: ROUGE-L F-measure of 0.64 for Mandarin Broadcast News, and 0.65 for Mandarin Lecture Speech. In the case of Lecture Speech summarization where lexical features are more important, we make the surprising discovery that summarization performance is very high (0.63 ROUGE-L F-measure) even when the ASR accuracy is low (21% CER). Index Terms: speech summarization
Time Synchronization Based on Slow-Flooding in Wireless Sensor Networks

The accurate and efficient operation of many applications and protocols in wireless sensor networks require synchronized notion of time. To achieve network-wide time synchronization, a common strategy is to flood current time information of a reference node into the network, which is utilized by the de facto time-synchronization protocol Flooding Time-Synchronization Protocol (FTSP). In FTSP, the propagation speed of the flood is slow because each node waits for a given period of time to propagate its time information about the reference node. It has been shown that slow-flooding decreases the synchronization accuracy and scalability of FTSP drastically. Alternatively, rapid-flooding approach is proposed in the literature, which allows nodes to propagate time information as quickly as possible. However, rapid flooding is difficult and has several drawbacks in wireless sensor networks. In this paper, our aim is to reduce the undesired effect of slow-flooding on the synchronization accuracy without changing the propagation speed of the flood. Within this context, we realize that the smaller the difference between the speeds of the clocks, the smaller the undesired effect of waiting times on the synchronization accuracy. In the light of this realization, our main contribution is to show that the synchronization accuracy and scalability of slow-flooding can drastically be improved by employing a clock speed agreement algorithm among the sensor nodes. We present an evaluation of this strategy on a testbed setup including 20 MICAz sensor nodes. Our theoretical findings and experimental results show that employing a clock speed agreement algorithm among the sensor nodes drastically improves the synchronization accuracy and scalability of slow-flooding.
SpliceVista, a Tool for Splice Variant Identification and Visualization in Shotgun Proteomics Data*

Alternative splicing is a pervasive process in eukaryotic organisms. More than 90% of human genes have alternatively spliced products, and aberrant splicing has been shown to be associated with many diseases. Current methods employed in the detection of splice variants include prediction by clustering of expressed sequence tags, exon microarray, and mRNA sequencing, all methods focusing on RNA-level information. There is a lack of tools for analyzing splice variants at the protein level. Here, we present SpliceVista, a tool for splice variant identification and visualization based on mass spectrometry proteomics data. SpliceVista retrieves gene structure and translated sequences from alternative splicing databases and maps MS-identified peptides to splice variants. The visualization module plots the exon composition of each splice variant and aligns identified peptides with transcript positions. If quantitative mass spectrometry data are used, SpliceVista plots the quantitative patterns for each peptide and provides users with the option to cluster peptides based on their quantitative patterns. SpliceVista can identify splice-variant-specific peptides, providing the possibility for variant-specific analysis. The tool was tested on two experimental datasets (PXD000065 and PXD000134). In A431 cells treated with gefitinib, 2983 splice-variant-specific peptides corresponding to 939 splice variants were identified. Through comparison of splice-variant-centric, protein-centric, and gene-centric quantification, several genes (e.g. EIF4H) were found to have differentially regulated splice variants after gefitinib treatment. The same discrepancy between protein-centric and splice-centric quantification was detected in the other dataset, in which induced pluripotent stem cells were compared with parental fibroblast and human embryotic stem cells. In addition, SpliceVista can be used to visualize novel splice variants inferred from peptide-level evidence. In summary, SpliceVista enables visualization, detection, and differential quantification of protein splice variants that are often missed in current proteomics pipelines.
An Adjustable-threshold Algorithm for the Identification of Objects in Three-dimensional Images

MOTIVATION To develop a highly accurate, practical and fast automated segmentation algorithm for three-dimensional images containing biological objects. To test the algorithm on images of the Drosophila brain, and identify, count and determine the locations of neurons in the images. RESULTS A new adjustable-threshold algorithm was developed to efficiently segment fluorescently labeled objects contained within three-dimensional images obtained from laser scanning confocal microscopy, or two-photon microscopy. The result of the test segmentation with Drosophila brain images showed that the algorithm is extremely accurate and provided detailed information about the locations of neurons in the Drosophila brain. Centroids of each object (nucleus of each neuron) were also recorded into an algebraic matrix that describes the locations of the neurons. AVAILABILITY Interested parties should send their request for the NeuronMapper(TM) program with the segmentation algorithm to artemp@bcm.tmc. edu.
VMPatrol: Dynamic and automated QoS for virtual machine migrations

As more and more data centers embrace end host virtualization and virtual machine (VM) mobility becomes commonplace, we explore its implications on data center networks. Live VM migrations are considered expensive operations because of the additional network traffic they generate, which can impact the network performance of other applications in the network, and because of the downtime that applications running on a migrating VM may experience. Most virtualization vendors currently recommend a separate network for VM mobility. However, setting up an alternate network just for VM migrations can be extremely costly and thus presents a barrier to seamless VM mobility. Therefore, it is apparent that VM migrations should be orchestrated in a network-aware manner with appropriate QoS controls such that they do not degrade network performance of other flows in the network while still being allocated the bandwidth they require for successful completion within the specified time lines. In this context, we present VMPatrol - a QoS framework for VM migrations. VMPatrol uses a cost of migration model to allocate a minimal bandwidth for a migration flow such that it completes within the specified time limit while causing minimal interference to other flows in the network. Our implementation and experimental evaluation of VMPatrol on real and virtual software testbeds demonstrates that automated bandwidth reservation can reduce the impact of migrations on other flows in the network to a negligible level.
Model Level Design Pattern Instance Detection Using Answer Set Programming

Software engineering is becoming increasingly model-centric. Engineers are using models more within projects and their models are growing in complexity. A challenge facing the modeling community is evaluation of these models. One technique for software evaluation is detecting instances of established\ good"or\bad"solutions in a system, often termed design patterns or antipatterns, respectively. Most approaches require implemented code for detection. However, this precludes early-stage analysis, and the evaluation of purely or mostly model-centric systems. In this position paper, we introduce a detection technique that uses answer set programming tofind occurrences of patterns within sets of structural and behavioral models. We represent the patterns as rules and the structural and behavioral system models as facts, requiring both model types since some patterns specify both. We provide an overview of our proposed approach, contrast existing work, and present discussion points on its impact on model evaluation and anticipated challenges.
Soft Sensor Modeling Based on Extreme Learning Machine and Case-Based Reasoning

Neural network (NN) and Case-based reasoning (CBR) have common advantages over other learning strategies. NN and CBR can be directly applied to the classification and regression problem without additional transform mechanisms. However, they all have disadvantages. The knowledge representation of NN is unreadable and this black box property restricts the application of NN to areas which needs proper explanations. Meanwhile CBR suffers from the feature-weighting problem, when CBR measures the distance between cases, some input features should be treated more importantly than others. This paper, we propose a hybrid prediction system of extreme learning machine (ELM) and Case-based reasoning (ELM-CBR). In our hybrid system, the feature weight set calculated from the trained ELM network plays the core role in connecting both the learning strategies, and the explanation on prediction can be given by presenting the most similar cases from the case base. Moreover, the prediction value of the Online Sequential Extreme Learning Machine also utilized in conjunction with the neighborhood information. This provides extended information for the query with most similar cases in the database. Finally, we present an application in the sugarcane juice clarification, experiments show that the hybrid system has a better recognition rate compared the k-NN and GA-CBR method.
Millimeter Observations of Obscured Spitzer 24 μm Sources

We present MAMBO 1.2 mm observations of 40 extragalactic sources from the Spitzer First Look Survey that are bright in the mid-IR (S24 μm > 1 mJy) but optically obscured (log > 1). We use these observations to search for cold dust emission, probing the similarity of their spectral energy distributions to star-forming IR galaxies or obscured AGNs. The sample as a whole is well detected at mean S1.2 mm = 0.74 ± 0.09 mJy and S1.2 mm/S24 μm = 0.15 ± 0.03. Seven (three) of the sources are individually detected at >3 σ (>5 σ) levels. Mean millimeter fluxes are higher for sources with the reddest mid-IR/optical colors. Optically faint but with relatively low millimeter-to-mid-IR ratios, the typical SEDs are inconsistent with redshifted SED shapes of local star-forming IR galaxies. They also differ from SEDs of typical submillimeter-selected galaxies, with the 24 μm sources that are individually detected by MAMBO possibly representing intermediate objects. Compared to star-forming galaxies, a stronger but optically obscured mid-IR component without associated strong far-IR emission has to be included. This component may be due to luminous optically obscured AGN, which would represent a significant part of the high-redshift AGN population.
Periodontal health of anterior teeth with two types of fixed retainers.

OBJECTIVE To compare the periodontal health of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth retained with two types of fixed retainers. MATERIALS AND METHODS A fixed straight retainer (SR) group had 39 subjects, and a fixed wave retainer (WR) group had 35 subjects. Subjects were between the ages of 13 and 22 years and had been in fixed retention for 2 to 4 years. Pocket probing depths, bleeding on probing, plaque index, calculus index, recession, and gingival crevicular fluid volume were compared between the two retainer groups. A four-question oral hygiene survey was given to each subject. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Fisher exact test was used to analyze the data. RESULTS There was no clinically significant difference between the retainer groups regarding plaque index, gingival crevicular fluid volume, calculus index, recession, bleeding on probing, and pocket probing depths. A statistically significant increase in the reported frequency of flossing (P = .006) and ease of flossing (P < .001) was associated with the WR group. There was no significant difference between the groups in reported frequency of brushing and comfort of the retainer. CONCLUSIONS Under the conditions of this study, no clinical difference was found in the periodontal health of anterior teeth retained with a SR or WR for a period of 2 to 4 years. Subjects in the WR group reported an increase in frequency and ease of flossing.
Type-2 Fuzzy Logic: A Historical View

Type-2 fuzzy logic offers an opportunity to model levels of uncertainty with which traditional fuzzy logic (type-1) struggles. This article provides a historical perspective of the development of type-2 fuzzy logic with a retrospective review of important developments in the field. We discuss key questions about the technology such as - when should type-2 systems be used? and why has it taken so long for this technology to emerge? The article concludes by highlighting areas where, we believe, type-2 fuzzy logic will have a significant role to play in the future
Tailoring International Pressure Ulcer Prevention Guidelines for Nigeria: A Knowledge Translation Study Protocol

Background: The 2014 International Pressure Ulcer Prevention (PUP) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) provides the most current evidence based strategies to prevent Pressure Ulcer (PU). The evidence upon which these guidelines have been developed has predominantly been generated from research conducted in developed countries. Some of these guidelines may not be feasible in developing countries due to structural and resource issues; therefore there is a need to adapt these guidelines to the context thus making it culturally acceptable. Aim: To present a protocol detailing the tailoring of international PUPCPG into a care bundle for the Nigerian context. Methods: Guided by the Knowledge to Action (KTA) framework, a two phased study will be undertaken. In Phase 1, the Delphi technique with stakeholder leaders will be used to review the current PUPCPG, identifying core strategies that are feasible to be adopted in Nigeria. These core strategies will become components of a PUP care bundle. In Phase 2, key stakeholder interviews will be used to identify the barriers, facilitators and potential implementation strategies to promote uptake of the PUP care bundle. Results: A PUP care bundle, with three to eight components is expected to be developed from Phase 1. Implementation strategies to promote adoption of the PUP care bundle into clinical practice in selected Nigerian hospitals, is expected to result from Phase 2. Engagement of key stakeholders and consumers in the project should promote successful implementation and translate into better patient care. Conclusion: Using KTA, a knowledge translation framework, to guide the implementation of PUPCPG will enhance the likelihood of successful adoption in clinical practice. In implementing a PUP care bundle, developing countries face a number of challenges such as the feasibility of its components and the required resources.
Verifying Non-functional Properties of Software Product Lines: Towards an Efficient Approach Using Parametric Model Checking

In this paper, we describe how probabilistic model checking techniques and tools can be used to verify non-functional properties of different configurations of a software product line. We propose a model-based approach that enables software engineers to assess their design solutions in the early stages of development. Furthermore, we discuss how verification time can surprisingly be reduced by applying parametric model checking instead of classic model checking, and show that the approach can be effective in practice.
The Influence of Shc Proteins on the Whole Body Energetic Response to Calorie Restriction Initiated in 3-Month-Old Mice

There is increasing evidence that Shc proteins play a role in energy metabolism, and we have previously reported that knockdown of Shc proteins influences the energetic response to acute (3 days) calorie restriction (CR) in 18-month-old mice. Whether Shc proteins play a role in the metabolic response to CR in younger mice has yet to be elucidated. Hence, we sought to determine the impact of 3 days and longer term (2 months) CR on energy expenditure (EE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) in 3 month-old Shc knockout (ShcKO) and wild-type (WT) mice. ShcKO mice decreased (P < 0.001) EE normalized for body weight (EEBW) by 3 days of CR, while no such change was observed in WT animals. However, both ShcKO and WT mice decreased (P < 0.001) EEBW at 2 months of CR and there were no differences in body weight between the ShcKO and WT mice at either 3 days or 2 months of CR. Consistent with increased fatty acid oxidation, only ShcKO mice maintained decreased (P < 0.001) 24 h RQ through 2 months of CR, suggesting that they were able to maintain increased fatty acid oxidation for a longer period of time than WT mice. These results indicate that Shc proteins may contribute to some of the acute energetic responses to CR.
Human Coronaviruses HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1 in Hospitalized Children with Acute Respiratory Infections in Beijing, China

The human coronaviruses (HCoVs) HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1 are two recently discovered coronaviruses that circulate widely and are associated with acute respiratory infections (ARI). We detected HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1 in specimens collected from May 2008 to March 2010 from patients with ARI aged <7.75 years of age attending the Beijing Children's Hospital. Thirty-two (8.4%) and 57 (14.9%) of 382 specimens tested positive for HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU1, respectively, by real-time RT-PCR. Use of a Luminex xTAG RVP Fast kit showed that coinfection with respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza 3 virus was common among patients infected with either virus type. In HCoV-HKU1-infected patients, the predominant clinical symptoms were cough, fever, and expectoration. In HCoV-NL63-infected patients they were cough, fever, and rhinorrhea. Phylogenetic studies showed that the HCoV-HKU1 nucleoprotein gene was relatively conserved compared to NCBI reference sequences, while the 1ab gene of HCoV-NL63 showed more variation.
Diagnostic Accuracy Assessment of Immunochromatographic Tests for the Rapid Detection of Antibodies against Orientia tsutsugamushi Using Paired Acute and Convalescent Specimens

We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of two immunochromatographic tests (ICTs), the Access Bio CareStart Scrub Typhus test (Somerset, NJ) (IgM), and the SD BIOLINE Tsutsugamushi test (Kyonggi-do, Republic of Korea) (IgG, IgM, or IgA) compared with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and real-time PCR results as reference tests using 86 paired acute and convalescent specimens from febrile patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the CareStart test were 23.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.8–38.6) and 81.4% (95% CI: 66.6–91.6), respectively, for acute specimens and 32.6% (95% CI: 19.1–48.5) and 79.1% (95% CI: 64.0–90.0), respectively, for convalescent specimens. For the SD BIOLINE test, sensitivity and specificity were 20.9% (95% CI: 10.0–36.0) and 74.4% (95% CI: 58.8–86.5), respectively, for acute specimens and 76.7% (95% CI: 61.4–88.2) and 76.7% (95% CI: 61.4–88.2), respectively, for convalescent specimens. The poor sensitivity obtained for both ICTs during this study when performed on acute specimens highlights the difficulties in prompt diagnosis of scrub typhus.
Walking up and down in immersive virtual worlds: Novel interactive techniques based on visual feedback

We introduce novel interactive techniques to simulate the sensation of walking up and down in immersive virtual worlds based on visual feedback. Our method consists in modifying the motion of the virtual subjective camera while the user is really walking in an immersive virtual environment. The modification of the virtual viewpoint is a function of the variations in the height of the virtual ground. Three effects are proposed: (1) a straightforward modification of the camera's height, (2) a modification of the camera's navigation velocity, (3) a modification of the camera's orientation. They were tested in an immersive virtual reality setup in which the user is really walking. A Desktop configuration where the user is seated and controls input devices was also tested and compared to the real walking configuration. Experimental results show that our visual techniques are very efficient for the simulation of two canonical shapes: bumps and holes located on the ground. Interestingly, a strong ¿orientation-height illusion¿ is found, as changes in pitch viewing orientation produce perception of height changes (although camera's height remains strictly the same in this case). Our visual effects could be applied in various virtual reality applications such as urban or architectural project reviews or training, as well as in videogames, in order to provide the sensation of walking on uneven grounds.