Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mass spectrometric profiling of vitamin D metabolites beyond 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

BACKGROUND The frequency of measurements of vitamin D in the human population has significantly increased over the last decade because vitamin D has now been linked to many diseases, in addition to its established role in bone health. Usually, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are measured to assess the vitamin D status of individuals. Unfortunately, many studies investigating links between vitamin D and disease also use only this single metabolite. Intricate correlations with other vitamin D metabolites or dynamic effects of downstream metabolites may therefore be overlooked. Fortunately, powerful LC-MS/MS approaches have recently become available that can simultaneously quantify the concentrations of multiple vitamin D metabolites. These approaches are challenging, however, because of inherent instrumental problems with detection of vitamin D compounds and the low concentrations of the metabolites in biological fluids. CONTENT This review summarizes recent mass spectrometry assays for the quantitative measurement of multiple vitamin D metabolites and their application in clinical research, with a particular focus on the low-abundance downstream metabolic species generated after the initial hydroxylation to 25-hydroxyvitamin D. SUMMARY To study the pathobiological effects and function of vitamin D metabolites in disease, in particular in low-abundance species beyond 25-hydroxyvitamin D, we need to know their concentrations. Although detection of these vitamin D species is challenging, a number of recent mass spectrometry assays have successfully demonstrated that LC-MS/MS methods can quantify multiple vitamin D compounds over a wide dynamic range individually or as part of multimetabolite assays.
Image edge detection of wood defects based on multi-fractal analysis

A reliable detection method for X-ray image of wood with defects based on the multi-fractal analysis was presented in the paper. Adopting singular Holder index and multi-fractal spectrum theory and computing the singular value and multi-fractal spectrum of each pixel point of image edges of wood defects in order that the images were identified easily. According to the experimental results, the given algorithm can reduce unimportant edge information, while it also keeps some important detail information of the image well by correction of the measure. It is useful and current method for image processing. This study lays a foundation for automatic recognition. It is significant for the modern wood processing and utilization.
A study of productivity and efficiency for object-oriented methods and languages

A study was commissioned by the Hughes Space and Communications Software Engineering Group to determine the effectiveness of the recent introduction of object-oriented languages, technologies and development methodologies. Of particular interest was any effect on development productivity. Fundamentally, productivity metrics are difficult to apply across non-homogeneous projects and development teams. Furthermore, owing to many uncontrolled variables, such as the lack of a solid control project and non-rigorously collected data, productivity measures alone are were sufficient to determine meaningful results as requested for the study. A new, robust means of comparing non-homogenous development efforts (that does not require a control project) called "efficiency" was introduced and was used to augment the comparative analysis of the projects and address possible concerns with the use of productivity metrics alone. Efficiency measures the actual effort compared to an estimate of that effort with respect to an independent and well-defined baseline - for purposes of the study, this was COCOMO II. Conclusive evidence was found to support the hypothesis that object-oriented languages coupled with object-oriented methods result in greater productivity and efficiency as compared to other efforts. Furthermore, it is concluded that efficiency metrics, along with the non-standard use of COCOMO II, are a meaningful, useful and practical approach to compare development efforts.
Stereoscopic View-Dependent Visualization of Terrain Height Fields

Visualization of large geometric environments has always been an important problem of computer graphics. We present a framework for the stereoscopic view-dependent visualization of large scale terrain models. We use a quadtree based multiresolution representation for the terrain data. This structure is queried to obtain the view-dependent approximations of the terrain model at different levels of detail. In order not to lose depth information, which is crucial for the stereoscopic visualization, we make use of a different simplification criterion, namely, distance-based angular error threshold. We also present an algorithm for the construction of stereo pairs in order to speed up the view-dependent stereoscopic visualization. The approach we use is the simultaneous generation of the triangles for two stereo images using a single draw-list so that the view frustum culling and vertex activation is done only once for each frame. The cracking problem is solved using the dependency information stored for each vertex. We eliminate the popping artifacts that can occur while switching between different resolutions of the data using morphing. We implemented the proposed algorithms on personal computers and graphics workstations. Performance experiments show that the second eye image can be produced approximately 45 percent faster than drawing the two images separately and a smooth stereoscopic visualization can be achieved at interactive frame rates using continuous multiresolution representation of height fields.
Road Surface and Obstacle Detection Based on Elevation Maps from Dense Stereo

A new approach for the detection of the road surface and obstacles is presented. The 3D data from dense stereo is transformed into a rectangular elevation map. A quadratic road surface model is first fitted, by a RANSAC approach, to the region in front of the ego vehicle. This primary solution is then refined by a region growing-like process, driven by the 3D resolution and uncertainty model of the stereo sensor. An optimal global solution for the road surface is obtained. The road surface is used for a rough discrimination between road and above-road points. Above-road points are grouped based on vicinity and false areas are rejected. Each above-road area is classified into obstacles (cars, pedestrians etc.) or traffic isles (road-parallel patches) by using criteria related to the density of the 3D points. The proposed real-time algorithm was evaluated in an urban scenario and can be used in complex applications, from ego-pose estimation to path planning.
The struggle to be seen: Muslim–Christian relations and religious (in)visibility at the Hispano–Moroccan borderland

ABSTRACT This article analyses the ways in which Muslim–Christian relations occur in the Hispano–Moroccan borderland, more precisely, in the North-African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. It argues that, in these two Spanish autonomous cities, the relations between Christians and Muslims are articulated through a symbolic system in which the former exercise the capacity of being apparent, whereas the latter tend to be ‘pushed away’ from the visible, although they exert resistance. This results in a decrease of Muslims’ degree of public exposure. The article critically assesses the relational dynamics between Muslims and Christians in Ceuta and Melilla against the trope of ‘invisibility’, by looking at how they use religion to exert these enunciations: a) I briefly contextualize historically the setting, b) I explore how religion is racialized, c) I look at the use of historical vocabulary and narratives on religion to manifest intergroup conflict, d) I expose how the regime of (in)visibility unfolds, e) I scrutinize the recent development by which Christians participate in making Islam more visible and the resulting consequences this has on the relations between the two groups. The article assesses why and how religion provides the language through which these particular forms of ‘othering’ are manifested.
Schlieren and Shadowgraph Imaging in the Great Outdoors

A review is given of outdoor schlieren and shadowgraph imaging, beginning with an historical perspective. The optical principles of the sunlight shadowgraph method and schlieren observation by background distortion are discussed. Examples and illustrations are given of the visualization of outdoor thermal convection, combustion, and explosion phenomena. Jet aircraft and high-speed flight are featured as important subjects for such flow visualization. Finally, though most of these examples are visible to the unaided eye, some instruments are available for enhanced outdoor refractive imaging in special cases.
Formal Verification of Temporal Specifications for Compile-Time Error Detection

From the early days of computer systems, a lot of endeavors have been devoted in developing interactive computer systems for improving the quality of communication between human and human, or human and computers. As the analogue interactive videodiscs combined with computer graphics and display technology have made the area of interactive applications enlarge, InteractiveMultimedia Applications(IMAs) have been emerged as a hot spot of trends in the field. In the late 1980s, digital video and digital audio supported in such systems as DVI carried one step further the capabilities of IMAs. It has been one of the key issues in the field that those who want to build IMAs are not professional computerprogrammers but educators andnonprogrammerswho are not skilled to program in conventional programming languages. In the past, for developing CAI(Computer Aided Instruction) courseware which is a typical example of IMAs, courseware developers should have programmed in a procedural language like Pascal, C, and COBOL[1]. This took the design of coursewares away from educators and into the hands of programmers. For the ease of building IMAs, authoring systems have been developed, which provide educators and nonprogrammers with the tools to write CAI courses in plain English or visual programming environments rather than conventional programming languages[2]. Although authoring systems have helped authors to build IMAs, we think building IMAs gets difficult as much as IMAs get more complex[3]. Let us imagine the process of building This work is supported in part by Center for Artificial Intelligence Research
Enhanced Data-Driven Optimal Terminal ILC Using Current Iteration Control Knowledge

In this paper, an enhanced data-driven optimal terminal iterative learning control (E-DDOTILC) is proposed for a class of nonlinear and nonaffine discrete-time systems. A dynamical linearization approach is first developed with iterative operation points to formulate the relationship of system output and input into a linear affine form. Then, an ILC law is constructed with a nonlinear learning gain, which is a function about the system partial derivative with respect to the time-varying control input. In addition, a parameter updating law is designed to estimate the unknown partial derivatives iteratively. The input signals of the proposed E-DDOTILC are time-varying and updated utilizing not only the terminal tracking error of the previous run but also the input signals of the previous time instants in the current iteration. The proposed approach is a data-driven control strategy and only the I/O data are required for the controller design and analysis. The monotonic convergence and effectiveness of the proposed approach is further verified by both the rigorous mathematical analysis and the simulation results.
The negative impact of media diversity on self-regulated learning strategies and cognitive load

Quality of instruction within media-rich environments is an important aspect of the online learning process. Instructors need to avoid the presentation of confusing content caused by diverse forms of media, which can induce higher levels of extraneous processing and negatively affect germane cognitive load. Maintaining high levels of germane load is imperative for student success in e-learning, as germane load directly contributes to learning through the processing of relevant information. One approach that students may take to manage diverse forms of media is to regulate their effort, as past research has shown that high levels of effort not only positively contribute to learning, but also aid students in effectively overcoming distractions within the online learning environment. However, because extraneous processing caused by distracting media has such a negative influence on learning, it is hypothesised in this study that media diversity negatively moderates the relationship between self-regulated effort and germane load. This study analysed survey responses from a group of university students (N = 2363) who participated in online learning classes in South Korea and looked at the moderating effects of media diversity on the relationship between self-regulated effort and germane load. The results showed that as media diversity increased, the strength of the relationship between self-regulated effort and germane load decreased. A review of the extant research is provided along with analytical explanations as to why the results of this study show that self-regulated effort is not enough to overcome confusing content from media diversity.
Towards a practice-based understanding of organizational memory

This thesis puts forward a problematization of key assumptions within the field of organizational memory and develops a phenomenology-infused theory of organizational memory as a practice. The aim of the research is to depart from existing theoretical preconceptions of organizational memory in order to observe what organizational memory means, and looks like, to practitioners as they engage with it in their daily practice. Data collected during a 15-month long ethnography of architectural work is used to call into question an existing, broadly anthropocentric, understanding of organizational memory in favour of one where organizational memory is seen as distinct from practice memory (following Schatzki, 2006) and proceeds as an emergent, episodic accomplishment bound by local material arrangements and dynamics of organizational power. A new theoretical framework for classifying the literature is proposed alongside an emergence/submergence model of organizational memory as a practice (for illustrative purposes), implications for industry and further research, and a methodological approach to the study of such temporally-sensitive phenomena.
Three-level face features for face recognition based on center-symmetric Local Binary Pattern

Recently, Local Binary Pattern (LBP) operator has been applied into face recognition successfully. Center-symmetric Local Binary Pattern is a variation operator of LBP, which can not only reduce the dimensionality of LBP features, but also capture the gradient information better than basic LBP. In this paper, an algorithm is proposed for face recognition based on center-symmetric LBP. The main idea of the algorithm is using the center-symmetric LBP operator three times for extracting three-level face features with the assumption that a gray face image encoded by center-symmetric LBP operator is still a gray image. Since different level face features make different contributions to face recognition, we put appropriate weighting on each level face feature. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm performances superiority over the comparative algorithms on ORL and the subset of FERET face databases.
What Happens Next and when "Next" Happens: Mechanisms of Spatial and Temporal Prediction

The physics of the environment provide a rich spatiotemporal structure for our experience. Objects move in predictable ways and their features and identity remain stable across time and space. How does the brain leverage this structure to make predictions about and learn from the environment? This thesis describes research centered around a mechanistic description of sensory prediction called LeabraTI (TI: Temporal Integration) that explains precisely how predictive processing is accomplished in neocortical microcircuits. The fundamental prediction of LeabraTI is that predictions and sensations are interleaved across the same neural tissue at an overall rate of 10 Hz, corresponding to the widely studied alpha rhythm of posterior cortex. Experiments described herein tested this prediction by manipulating the spatiotemporal properties of three-dimensional object stimuli in a laboratory setting. EEG results indicated that predictions were subserved by ~10 Hz oscillations that reliably tracked the onset of stimuli and differentiated between spatially predictable and unpredictable object sequences. There was a behavioral advantage for combined spatial and temporal predictability for discrimination of unlearned objects, but prolonged study of objects under this combined predictability context impaired discriminability relative to other learning contexts. This counterintuitive pattern of results was accounted for by a neural network model that learned three-dimensional viewpoint invariance with LeabraTI's spatiotemporal prediction rule. Synaptic weight scaling from prolonged learning built viewpoint invariance, but led to confusion between ambiguous views of objects, producing slightly lower performance on average. Overall, this work advances a biological architecture for sensory prediction accompanied by empirical evidence that supports learning of realistic time- and space-varying inputs.
THE MASS STRUCTURE OF THE GALAXY CLUSTER Cl0024+1654 FROM A FULL LENSING ANALYSIS OF JOINT SUBARU AND ACS/NIC3 OBSERVATIONS

We derive an accurate mass distribution of the rich galaxy cluster Cl0024+1654 (z = 0.395) based on deep Subaru BRcz′ imaging and our recent comprehensive strong-lensing analysis of Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys/NIC3 observations. We obtain the weak-lensing distortion and magnification of undiluted samples of red and blue background galaxies by carefully combining all color and positional information. Unlike previous work, the weak and strong lensing are in excellent agreement where the data overlap. The joint mass profile continuously steepens out to the virial radius with only a minor contribution ∼10% in the mass from known subcluster at a projected distance of ≃700 kpc h−1. The cluster light profile closely resembles the mass profile, and our model-independent M/LR profile shows an overall flat behavior with a mean of 〈M/LR〉 ≃ 230h(M/LR)☉, but exhibits a mild declining trend with increasing radius at cluster outskirts, r ≳ 0.6rvir. The projected mass distribution for the entire cluster is well fitted with a single Navarro–Frenk–White model with a virial mass, Mvir = (1.2 ± 0.2) × 1015 M☉ h−1, and a concentration, cvir = 9.2+1.4−1.2. This model fit is fully consistent with the depletion of the red background counts, providing independent confirmation. Careful examination and interpretation of X-ray and dynamical data, based on recent high-resolution cluster collision simulations, strongly suggest that this cluster system is in a post collision state, which we show is consistent with our well-defined mass profile for a major merger occurring along the line of sight, viewed approximately 2–3 Gyr after impact when the gravitational potential has had time to relax in the center, before the gas has recovered and before the outskirts are fully virialized. Finally, our full lensing analysis provides a model-independent constraint of M2D(<rvir) = (1.4 ± 0.3) × 1015 M☉ h−1 for the projected mass of the whole system, including any currently unbound material beyond the virial radius, which can constrain the sum of the two pre-merger cluster masses when designing simulations to explore this system.
A hybrid scheme for perceptual audio coding

Most parametric audio coders use a traditional sinusoidal model to represent the tonal parts of audio signals, together with dedicated models for the noise and transient-like parts of the audio signal. In this paper we apply Total Least Squares (TLS) algorithms to automatically extract the modeling parameters of a Exponential Sinusoidal Model (ESM) for audio signals. This sum of exponentially damped sinusoids is capable of accurately modeling most transient segments that are readily found in audio signals. In order to turn the SNR optimization criterion of these TLS algorithms into a perceptual modeling strategy we incorporate the psychoacoustic model of MPEG 1 Layer 1 into a subband TLS-ESM scheme. This allows us to model each subband in accordance with its perceptual relevance. Informal listening tests confirm that perceptual ESM achieves the same perceived quality as plain ESM while using substantially less components. The ESM model can serve as the parametric part of a hybrid audio coder in combination with traditional waveform coding techniques for the ESM residual signals.
Task Prioritization in Dual-Tasking: Instructions versus Preferences

The role of task prioritization in performance tradeoffs during multi-tasking has received widespread attention. However, little is known on whether people have preferences regarding tasks, and if so, whether these preferences conflict with priority instructions. Three experiments were conducted with a high-speed driving game and an auditory memory task. In Experiment 1, participants did not receive priority instructions. Participants performed different sequences of single-task and dual-task conditions. Task performance was evaluated according to participants’ retrospective accounts on preferences. These preferences were reformulated as priority instructions in Experiments 2 and 3. The results showed that people differ in their preferences regarding task prioritization in an experimental setting, which can be overruled by priority instructions, but only after increased dual-task exposure. Additional measures of mental effort showed that performance tradeoffs had an impact on mental effort. The interpretation of these findings was used to explore an extension of Threaded Cognition Theory with Hockey’s Compensatory Control Model.
Immigrant student identities: how Bakhtin and Hermans'' theories conceptualize their fluidity

This essay discusses how Bakhtin's conception of double-voicedness and cultural identities, along with Hermans's theories of I-positionality and subjectivities, helps frame researchers' characterization of immigrant students' complex and fluid identities. This age of globalization has increased the number and dimensions of positions anyone can assume. Immigrant identities, particularly students, can especially be conceptualized as dynamic and in flux, fluctuating between at least two cultural positions. Sometimes their transnational identities can be conceived as hybridized and dialogic between these cultural norms.
TestEra A Novel Framework for Testing Java Programs y

TestEra is a novel framework for automated specification-based testing of Java programs. Given a formal specification for a method, TestEra uses the method precondition to automatically generate all nonisomorphic test inputs up to a given bound. TestEra executes the method on each test input, and uses the method postcondition as a test oracle to check the correctness of each output. TestEra allows users to give specifications as first-order logic formulae. As an enabling technology, TestEra uses the Alloy toolset, which provides an automatic tool for analyzing first-order logic formulae. We have used TestEra to check several Java programs including a networking architecture, the Alloy-alpha analyzer, and methods from the Java Collection Framework. This article describes the TestEra framework and gives experimental results.