Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On projection matrix identification for camera calibration

Abstract: The projection matrix identification problem is considered with application to calibration of intrinsic camera parameters. Physical and orthogonal intrinsic camera models in context of 2D and 3D data are discussed. A novel nonlinear goal function is proposed for homographic calibration method having the fast convergence of Levenberg-Marquardt optimization procedure. Three models (linear, quadratic, and rational) and four optimization procedures for their identification were compared wrt their time complexity, the projection accuracy, and the intrinsic parameters accuracy. The analysis has been performed for both, the raw and the calibrated pixel data, too. The recommended technique with the best performance in all used quality measures is the Housholder QR decomposition for the linear least square method of the linear form of projection equations.
Single-molecule spectroscopy reveals how calmodulin activates NO synthase by controlling its conformational fluctuation dynamics

Significance Electron transfer is a fundamental process in biology that can be coupled to catalysis within redox enzymes through a careful control of protein conformational movements. Using single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) spectroscopy, we find that calmodulin binding to neuronal NO synthase reductase domain (nNOSr) both alters and restricts the distributions of NOSr conformational states and the conformational lifetimes, thereby revealing a physical means by which calmodulin may control electron transfer for catalysis. Mechanisms that regulate the nitric oxide synthase enzymes (NOS) are of interest in biology and medicine. Although NOS catalysis relies on domain motions, and is activated by calmodulin binding, the relationships are unclear. We used single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) spectroscopy to elucidate the conformational states distribution and associated conformational fluctuation dynamics of the two electron transfer domains in a FRET dye-labeled neuronal NOS reductase domain, and to understand how calmodulin affects the dynamics to regulate catalysis. We found that calmodulin alters NOS conformational behaviors in several ways: It changes the distance distribution between the NOS domains, shortens the lifetimes of the individual conformational states, and instills conformational discipline by greatly narrowing the distributions of the conformational states and fluctuation rates. This information was specifically obtainable only by single-molecule spectroscopic measurements, and reveals how calmodulin promotes catalysis by shaping the physical and temporal conformational behaviors of NOS.
A PAM inverter system for vector control of induction motor

A new PAM method to reduce the torque ripple in an induction motor without producing an optional pulsating wave in a DC link is proposed. A modulating signal has a flat portion of 120-degrees. By using the proposed modulating signal, the amplitude of the fundamental component is increased to about 17 percent more than that of a conventional sinewave inverter; the switching loss is decreased and the motor driven by the PAM inverter produces approximately constant torque. <<ETX>>
The Renin–Angiotensin System Mediates the Effects of Stretch on Conduction Velocity, Connexin43 Expression, and Redistribution in Intact Ventricle

Effect of Stretch on Conduction and Cx43. Introduction: In disease states such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, and hypertrophy, changes in the expression and location of Connexin43 (Cx43) occur (Cx43 remodeling), and may predispose to arrhythmias. Stretch may be an important stimulus to Cx43 remodeling; however, it has only been investigated in neonatal cell cultures, which have different physiological properties than adult myocytes. We hypothesized that localized stretch in vivo causes Cx43 remodeling, with associated changes in conduction, mediated by the renin–angiotensin system (RAS).
Event-triggered high-gain observer design for nonlinear systems

In this work, an event-triggered high gain observer (ET-HGO) design is considered for a continuous-time nonlinear system combined with disturbance and uncertainty. In the event-trigger scheme, the performance of the ET-HGO depends on the triggering condition directly. Hence, in this work, for the high-gain observer considered, an event-triggered transmission strategy, which does not relies on the other system state but the output of the control system, is proposed such that the observation error is asymptotically bounded. Further, with mild restriction, the observation error is guaranteed to be bounded all the time. The obtained theoretical results are evaluated through the numerical simulations.
Visualization of Uncertain Contour Trees

Contour trees can represent the topology of large volume data sets in a relatively compact, discrete data structure. However, the resulting trees often contain many thousands of nodes; thus, many graph drawing techniques fail to produce satisfactory results. Therefore, several visualization methods were proposed recently for the visualization of contour trees. Unfortunately, none of these techniques is able to handle uncertain contour trees although any uncertainty of the volume data inevitably results in partially uncertain contour trees. In this work, we visualize uncertain contour trees by combining the contour trees of two morphologically filtered versions of a volume data set, which represent the range of uncertainty. These two contour trees are combined and visualized within a single image such that a range of potential contour trees is represented by the resulting visualization. Thus, potentially erroneous topological structures are visually distinguished from more certain structures. Moreover, topological structures can be revealed that are otherwise obscured by data errors. We present and discuss results obtained with a prototypical implementation using well-known volume data sets.
Combining Collaborative Filtering and Topic Modeling for More Accurate Android Mobile App Library Recommendation

The applying of third party libraries is an integral part of many mobile applications. With the rapid development of mobile technologies, there are many free third party libraries for developers to download and use. However, there are a large number of third party libraries which always iterate rapidly, it is hard for developers to find available libraries within them. Several previous studies have proposed approaches to recommend third party libraries, which works in the scenario where a developer knows some required libraries, and needs to find other relevant libraries with limited knowledge. In the paper, to further improve the performance of app library recommendation, we propose an approach which combines collaborative filtering and topic modeling techniques. In the collaborative filtering component, given a new app, our approach recommends libraries by using its similar apps. In the topic modelling component, our approach first extracts the topics from the textual description of mobile apps, and given a new app, our approach recommends libraries based on the libraries used by the apps which has similar topic distributions. We perform experiments on a set of 1,013 apps, and the results show that our approach improves the state-of-the-art by a substantial margin.
The Rise of the Concept of Scale in Ecology

Recognition of the concept of scale occurred rapidly in the 1980s, but the concept itself is far older. The last quarter of the 20th century witnessed major changes in the science of ecology, including increases in skill and rigor in the design of field experiments, the growth of mathematically based theory, computer-mediated advances in analytical capacity, and the accelerating capacity to acquire and retrieve data. These changes were accompanied by growing recognition of the problem of scale (Wiens 1989, Steele 1991, Levin 1992). The problem has three components. First, pressing problems in ecology often exist at the scale of decades and large ecosystems. Second, most variables can only be measured directly in small areas, over short periods of time. Relatively few variables, such as ocean color, can be measured at fine resolution over large areas via remote sensing. Most variables, and in particular most rates, can be measured only on site. Third, patterns measured at small scales do not necessarily hold at larger scales; nor do processes prevailing at small scales necessarily prevail at large scales. Consequently, pressing problems in ecology cannot be automatically addressed by scaling locally measured variables directly to larger areas and longer times.
P o S ( I S C C 2 0 1 5 ) 0 0 4 A New Robust Object Tracking Algorithm Based on Multi-Feature Fusion

The object tracking by single feature often leads to poor robustness. In this paper, an object tracking algorithm based on multi-features fusion is presented. An adaptive method of choosing object color histogram is presented and the histogram is background weighted in order to get an accurate color model of the object. At meanwhile, then spatiograms feature is applied to obtain spatial layout of these color information. These features are rationally fused in the framework of Particle filter. The uncertainty measurement method is then introduced into features fusion to adjust the relative contribution of different features adaptively. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method is robust and highlights good performance in complex scene.
Substrate integrated waveguide band-pass filter with coupled complementary split ring resonators

This paper presents a design of bandpass filter applied to ultra-wide band RFID system (IEEE standard 802.15.4f), by combining SIW's high-pass property with the loaded CSRR played as low pass filter. The working mechanism of CSRR, single-cell CSRR on SIW structure and SIW-coupled CSRR pair is introduced. The principle of CSRR equivalent circuit of SIW transmission line and SIW-coupled CSRR pair is analyzed and achieves good agreement with configuration of the structure. The resonant frequency of CSRR is set at transmission zeros at stopband. The measured 3 dB passband bandwidth is 5.5-8.25 GHz with insertion loss less than 2dB. The stopband extends from 8.5 GHz to 11.5 GHz with better than 30 dB rejection.
Entanglement in Gauge / Gravity Duality by Sunok

In this thesis, we present studies that elucidate the relationship between entanglement in strongly coupled gauge theories and the geometry of their gravity duals. In the first, we find that in a certain class of time-dependent states which have a gravity dual in which a black hole forms, the entanglement entropy of large regions grows linearly in time, following the growth of certain time-like slices in the interior of the black hole. In the second, we find a unified prescription in the gravity dual for calculating the action of the entanglement Hamiltonian associated to an arbitrary spatial region in a given holographic state. In particular, we find that the linearized perturbation of the metric caused by the entanglement Hamiltonian propagates from the bulk entangling surface. Thesis Supervisor: Hong Liu Title: Professor of Physics
Systemic Risk & Diversi cation across European Banks and Insurers

The mutual and cross company exposures to fat tail distributed risks determine the potential impact of a nancial crisis on banks and insurers. We examine the systemic interdependencies within and across the European banking and insurance sectors during times of stress by means of extreme value analysis. While insurers exhibit a slightly higher interdependency in comparison with banks, the interdependency across the two sectors turns out to be considerably lower. This suggests that downside risk can be lowered through nancial conglomeration.
EXPERIÊNCIAS DE USO DE ROCHAS SILICÁTICAS COMO FONTE DE NUTRIENTES

O presente artigo aborda os beneficios produtivos, sociais e ambientais da incorporacao da tecnica de Rochagem para o setor agricola, especialmente para o grupo dos agricultores familiares. A Rochagem e uma tecnologia social de baixo impacto, que pode ser entendida como um rejuvenescimento ou recondicionamento de solos empobrecidos quimicamente pelo uso intensivo ou pelo desgaste natural. Baseia-se no uso do po de determinados tipos de rochas que contenham, preferencialmente, quantidades apreciaveis de macronutrientes (calcio, potassio, fosforo e magnesio) e de micronutrientes (cobalto, molibdenio, vanadio, boro, cobre etc). Os resultados descritos neste trabalho refletem cerca de 12 anos de pesquisa desenvolvida pela equipe da UnB (NEAGRI/ CEAM/CDS) junto a agricultores familiares assentados, quilombolas e ribeirinhos.
A 232-Channel Epiretinal Stimulator ASIC

This paper presents the architecture and design of a stimulator ASIC for a visual prosthesis. The circuit employs fully wireless operation and features 232 channels with a maximum of 116 parallel stimulations. The architecture is separated into shared global functions and locally distributed stimulation functions. High tissue impedance of epiretinal stimulation sets the need for high-voltage output compliance, which is typically as high as 22.5 V in this implementation. For implantation-ready design, full testability has been achieved, full ESD protection was implemented, and novel safety features were realized in order to combine highly flexible operation with maximum innocuousness for the patient. The overall stimulator occupies 22 mm2 in a 0.35 HVCMOS technology.
Enhancing the accuracy of iBeacons for indoor proximity-based services

Proximity-based Services (PBS) require high detection accuracy, energy efficiency, wide reception range, low cost and availability. However, most existing technologies cannot satisfy all these requirements. Apple's Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), named iBeacon, has emerged as a leading candidate in this domain and has become an almost industry standard for PBS. However, it has several limitations. It suffers from poor proximity detection accuracy due to its reliance on Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI). To improve proximity detection accuracy of iBeacons, we present two algorithms that address the inherent flaws in iBeacon's current proximity detection approach. Our first algorithm, Server-side Running Average (SRA), uses the path-loss model-based estimated distance for proximity classification. Our second algorithm, Server-side Kalman Filter (SKF), uses a Kalman filter in conjunction with SRA. Our experimental results show that SRA and SKF perform better than the current moving average approach utilized by iBeacons. SRA results in about a 29% improvement while SKF results in about a 32% improvement over the current approach in proximity detection accuracy.
Classical Authenticated Key Exchange and Quantum Cryptography

Cryptography plays an integral role in secure communication and is usually the strongest link in the chain of security. Yet security problems abound in electronic communication: spyware, phishing, denial of service, and side-channel attacks are still major concerns. The main goal in this thesis is to consider how cryptographic techniques can be extended to offer greater defence against these non-traditional security threats. In the first part of this thesis, we consider problems in classical cryptography. We introduce multi-factor password-authenticated key exchange which allows secure authentication and key agreement based on multiple short secrets, such as a long-term password and a one-time response; it can provide an enhanced level of assurance in higher security scenarios because a multi-factor protocol is designed to remain secure even if all but one of the factors has been compromised due to attacks such as phishing or spyware. Next, we consider the integration of denial of service countermeasures with key exchange protocols: by introducing a formal model for denial of service resilience that complements the extended Canetti-Krawczyk model for secure key agreement, we cover a wide range of existing denial of service attacks and prevent them by carefully using client puzzles. Additionally, we look at how side-channel attacks affect certain types of formulae used in elliptic curve cryptography, and demonstrate that information leaked during field operations such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication can be exploited by an attacker. In the second part of this thesis, we examine cryptography in the quantum setting. We argue that quantum key distribution will have an important role to play in future information security infrastructures and will operate best when integrated with the powerful public key infrastructures that are used today. Finally, we present a new look at quantum money and describe a quantum coin scheme where the coins are not easily counterfeited, are locally verifiable, and can be transferred to another party.
Varicella zoster virus infection in inflammatory bowel disease

Background: The risk of viral infection is increased in immunosuppressed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is of particular interest in IBD because of a number of reports of severe, disseminated, and occasionally fatal varicella infection in immunosuppressed IBD patients. Methods: We reviewed publications describing VZV infection in IBD patients and combined these data with a review of the current literature relating to both primary and secondary varicella in IBD. Results: Twenty cases of primary varicella infection and 32 cases of herpes zoster infection have been reported in IBD. Additional cases are reported in clinical trials. The risk of VZV infection is increased with all immunosuppressants used in IBD, but corticosteroids and combination immunosuppression appear to be a particular risk. Conclusions: Healthcare providers need to be aware of the various manifestations of primary and secondary VZV infection in immunosuppressed IBD patients. Patients should be screened for VZV immunity and vaccinated prior to commencing immunosuppression. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2012;)
Design and dynamic modelling of an ankle-foot prosthesis for humanoid robot

Bipedal locomotion is an important function of the human body, as it enables the mobility of the body through space, changing, therefore, the position of the person. Thus, a trauma (i.e limb amputation) or disease of the musculoskeletal system will affect not only the individual's locomotion but also the physical and psychological health, as well as the individual's social-interaction. Thereby, this work presents the 3D sketch of a transtibial prosthesis as well as a scale reduced model to be implemented on a biped robot (DARwIn-OP Robot). This model that will serve as case study to test the mechanism proposed for human ankle-foot prosthesis, is described throughout this paper. Also, for future system control implementation, a dynamic model of the prosthesis' main mechanism is described.
Sterol-binding proteins in late endosomes : Regulation of endosome motility and lipid metabolism

4 Review of the Literature . 6 1. Cholesterol in Cells . 6 1.1. Cholesterol in Cellular Membranes . 7 1.2. Metabolic Homeostasis of Cholesterol . 7 2. Cholesterol Trafficking in Cells . 10 2.2. Endosomal Cholesterol Trafficking . 11 2.2. 1. NPC Family of Proteins . 12 2.2.2. ORP Family of Proteins . 13 2.3. Uptake of Cholesterol into Cells . 14 2.4. Secretion of Cholesterol from Cells . 15 3. Studying Cholesterol Trafficking in Cells . 18 3.1. Biochemical Methods to Study Cholesterol . 18 3.2. Imaging Methods to Study Cholesterol . 20 4. Metabolic Diseases Affected By Endosomal Cholesterol . 21 4.1. Role of Hepatocytes in Metabolic Disease . 21 4.2. Role of Macrophages in Atherosclerosis . 22 Aims of the Study . 24 5. Materials and Methods . 25 5.1. Animal Work. 25 5.2. Cell Culture and Transfection . 25 5.3. Labeling of Cells with Fluorescent Probes . 26 5.4. Labeling of Cells with Radioactive Probes . 26 5.5. Lipid Extraction and Analysis . 27 5.6. Immunohistochemistry, Microscopy and Image Analysis . 28 5.7. Other Methods . 28 Results and Discussion . 29 6. BODIPY-Cholesterol as a Tool to Visualize Cholesterol in Cells and Tissues . 29 6.1. Atomic Scale Computer Simulations of BODIPY-Cholesterol in Membranes . 29 6.2. Biochemichal Charasteristics of BODIPY-Cholesterol . 30 6.3. BODIPY-Cholesterol Imaging in Living Cells and Organisms . 31 7. Triglycerides in Niemann-Pick Type C Disease . 34 7.1. NPC1 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) Associate with Triglyceride Levels in Man . 34 7.2. Lipid Balance in Npc1-/Mouse Serum, Liver and Hepatocytes . 35 7.3. Fatty Acid Metabolism in Npc1-/Hepatocytes. 36 7.3. Inhibition of Cholesterol Synthesis Corrects the Triglyceride Reduction in Npc1-/Hepatocytes . 38 8. ORP1L Function in Endosomal Trafficking and Function . 39 8.1. Sterol Binding by ORP1L . 39 8.2. Endosomal Functions by ORP1L . 39 8.3. ORP1L in Macrophages . 42 Conclusions and Future Prospects . 44 Acknowledgements . 46 References . 48
Outcomes After Trimodality Therapy for Esophageal Cancer: The Impact of Histology on Failure Patterns

Objectives: This retrospective analysis of patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgical resection was performed to determine if histology or pathologic response affected local-regional control (LRC), survival outcomes or patterns of failure. Methods: We performed a review of 164 patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgical resection from 1992 to 2006 for esophageal cancer. Information on patient characteristics, pathologic response, failure patterns, and survival was collected. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox multivariable Regression model was used to analyze trends. Results: The median follow-up was 18 months and 27 months in surviving patients. The 3-year overall survival (OS) and LRC was 46% and 79%. The overall response for the entire cohort included a pathologic complete response (pCR) rate of 41.4%, 21.3% with microscopic residual disease (mRD) and 36.3% with gross residual disease (gRD). The 3-year OS of patients who achieved a pCR versus mRD versus gRD was 58%, 53%, and 29%. OS was significantly improved in patients with a pCR and mRD compared with gRD (P = 0.001). On multivariate analysis both pCR and mRD correlated with an improved OS. Squamous cell cancers (SCC) had a higher rate of pCR than adenocarcinomas (AC), 54% versus 34.8% (P = 0.01). The 3 year LRC for patients with SCC and AC was 100% and 71% (P = 0.03). Among SCC with recurrence, there were no local failures and all failed distantly (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with microscopic residual disease following trimodality therapy had similar outcomes to patients achieving a pCR. Patients with SCC were more likely to achieve a pCR, and had a higher propensity to fail distantly when compared with patients with AC. This data should be considered in the design of future clinical trials.
Cell Wall Anchoring of the 37-Kilodalton Oncofetal Antigen by Lactobacillus plantarum for Mucosal Cancer Vaccine Delivery

ABSTRACT The 37-kDa oncofetal antigen (OFA), a tumor immunogen expressed on all mammalian cancers examined to date, was secreted and anchored to the cell wall of Lactobacillus plantarum using homologous signal peptides and LPxTG anchors. Orally administered L. plantarum expressing anchored OFA induced a specific immune response against OFA in mice.