Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A real-time stereo matching algorithm using graphic hardware and hierarchical method

This paper proposes a real-time stereo matching algorithm implemented in the graphic hardware. The likelihood model is parallelized and implemented using GPU programming for real-time operation. And the prior energy model is proposed to improve the accuracy of disparity estimation. First, the likelihood matching based on rank transform is implemented in GPU programming. The shared memory handling in graphic hardware is introduced in calculating the matching errors. Once an initial disparity map is determined based on the likelihood model, then the disparity map is iteratively updated by the prior model of disparity field. The prior model reflects the smoothness of disparity map and is implemented by a pixel-wise energy function. The disparity is determined by minimizing the joint energy function which combines the likelihood model with the prior model. These processes are performed in the hierarchical successive approximation approach. The disparity map is interpolated using color-based similarity. This paper evaluates the proposed approach with the Middlebury stereo images. According to the experiments, the proposed method shows good estimation accuracy with more than 30 frame/second for 640×480 images and 60 disparity range. The proposed method is expected real-time stereo camera systems to be popular in the usual PC environments.
Glucose kinetics and substrate oxidation during exercise in the follicular and luteal phases.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether plasma glucose kinetics and substrate oxidation during exercise are dependent on the phase of the menstrual cycle. Once during the follicular (F) and luteal (L) phases, moderately trained subjects [peak O(2) uptake (V(O(2))) = 48.2 +/- 1.1 ml. min(-1). kg(-1); n = 6] cycled for 25 min at approximately 70% of the V(O(2)) at their respective lactate threshold (70%LT), followed immediately by 25 min at 90%LT. Rates of plasma glucose appearance (R(a)) and disappearance (R(d)) were determined with a primed constant infusion of [6,6-(2)H]glucose, and total carbohydrate (CHO) and fat oxidation were determined with indirect calorimetry. At rest and during exercise at 70%LT, there were no differences in glucose R(a) or R(d) between phases. CHO and fat oxidation were not different between phases at 70%LT. At 90%LT, glucose R(a) (28.8 +/- 4.8 vs. 33.7 +/- 4.5 micromol. min(-1). kg(-1); P < 0.05) and R(d) (28.4 +/- 4.8 vs. 34.0 +/- 4.1 micromol. min(-1). kg(-1); P < 0.05) were lower during the L phase. In addition, at 90%LT, CHO oxidation was lower during the L compared with the F phase (82.0 +/- 12.3 vs. 93.8 +/- 9.7 micromol. min(-1) . kg(-1); P < 0.05). Conversely, total fat oxidation was greater during the L phase at 90%LT (7.46 +/- 1.01 vs. 6.05 +/- 0.89 micromol. min(-1). kg(-1); P < 0.05). Plasma lactate concentration was also lower during the L phase at 90%LT concentrations (2.48 +/- 0.41 vs. 3.08 +/- 0.39 mmol/l; P < 0.05). The lower CHO utilization during the L phase was associated with an elevated resting estradiol (P < 0.05). These results indicate that plasma glucose kinetics and CHO oxidation during moderate-intensity exercise are lower during the L compared with the F phase in women. These differences may have been due to differences in circulating estradiol.
Hedging and Asset Allocation for Structured Products

This paper presents techniques for hedging structured products in incomplete markets. Under actual distributions, we simulate correlated ratings histories for pool exposures up to the hedging horizon and then employ conditional pricing functions estimated from a preliminary Monte Carlo based on risk adjusted distributions. The approach is very flexible. We apply it to a realistic multi-period CDO transaction.
Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Effects of Procyanidins from Wild Grape (Vitis amurensis) Seeds in Ethanol-Induced Cells and Rats

In the present study, we characterized the antioxidant and hepatoprotective mechanisms underlying of wild grape seed procyanidins (WGP) against oxidative stress damage in ethanol-treated HepG2 cell and Sprague-Dawley (SD)-rat models. In HepG2 cells, WGP not only diminished the ethanol (EtOH, 100 mM)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) expression, but also renovated both the activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes including catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Additionally, to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of WGP, rats were orally administered 10 or 50 mg/kg WGP once daily for seven days prior to the single oral administration of EtOH (6 g/kg). The results show that WGP administration decreased the EtOH-induced augment of the levels of serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase as well as serum alcohol and acetaldehyde. WGP treatment upregulated the activities and protein levels of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, and antioxidant enzymes but downregulated the protein expression level of liver CYP2E1 in EtOH-treated rats. Moreover, the decreased phosphorylation levels of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) by ethanol were induced in both HepG2 cell and rat models. Overall, pretreatment of WGP displayed the protective activity against EtOH-mediated toxicity through the regulation of antioxidant enzymes and alcohol metabolism systems via MAPKs pathways.
The application and interpretation of Keeling plots in terrestrial carbon cycle research

Photosynthesis and respiration impart distinct isotopic signatures to the atmosphere that are used to constrain global carbon source/sink estimates and partition ecosystem fluxes. Increasingly, the “Keeling plot” method is being used to determine the carbon isotope composition of ecosystem respiration (δ13CR) in order to better understand the processes controlling ecosystem isotope discrimination. In this paper we synthesize emergent patterns in δ13CR by analyzing 146 Keeling plots constructed at 33 sites across North and South America. In order to interpret results from disparate studies, we discuss the assumptions underlying the Keeling plot method and recommend standardized methods for determining δ13CR. These include the use of regression calculations that account for error in the x variable, and constraining estimates of δ13CR to nighttime periods. We then recalculate δ13CR uniformly for all sites. We found a high degree of temporal and spatial variability in C3 ecosystems, with individual observations ranging from −19.0 to −32.6‰. Mean C3 ecosystem discrimination was 18.3‰. Precipitation was a major driver of both temporal and spatial variability of δ13CR, suggesting (1) a large influence of recently fixed carbon on ecosystem respiration and (2) a significant effect of previous climatic effects on δ13CR. These results illustrate the importance of water availability as a key control on atmospheric 13CO2 and highlight the potential of δ13CR as a useful tool for integrating environmental effects on dynamic canopy and ecosystem processes.
Extract salient objects from natural images

Salient objects extraction has been a hot research topic recently, and it is very helpful in many other fields of computer vision, such as image recognition, content-based image retrieval, and image compression. In this paper, we propose a novel method to extract the salient objects from natural images. In the proposed algorithm, we partition the image into patches of homogeneous regions, and then compute the region saliency by combining three different kinds of salient maps, and extract the salient objects eventually by thresholding the quantity of the region saliency. Experiments on our database show the proposed algorithm yields high level of satisfaction.
Statistical design and estimation for the national social life, health, and aging project.

OBJECTIVES The paper discusses the sample design of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) and how the design affects how estimates should be calculated from the survey data. The NSHAP study allows researchers to study the links between sexuality and health in older adults. The goal of the design was to represent adults aged 57-85 years in six demographic domains. METHODS The sample design begins with a national area probability sample of households, carried out jointly with the 2004 round of the Health and Retirement Study. Selection of respondents for NSHAP balanced age and gender subgroups and oversampled African Americans and Latinos. Data collection was carried out from July 2005 to March 2006. RESULTS The survey obtained an overall response rate of 75.5%. DISCUSSION The complex sample design requires that the selection probabilities and the field implementation be accounted for in estimating population parameters. The data set contains weights to compensate for differential probabilities of selection and response rates among demographic groups. Analysts should use weights in constructing estimates from the survey and account for the complex sample design in estimating standard errors for survey estimates.
LITMUS RT : A Status Report ∗

This paper describes a real-time extension to Linux called LITMUS, which is being designed to support real-time workloads on multiprocessor and multicore platforms. The recent shift by chip makers to multicore designs, combined with building interest within the open-source community in supporting real-time features in Linux, makes this research quite timely. The development of LITMUS was driven by a desire to bridge the gap between those working on algorithmic issues pertaining to multiprocessor real-time resource allocation and operating-systems researchers working to improve real-time support within operating systems such
Blueprints for ETL workflows

Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) workflows are data centric workflows responsible for transferring, cleaning, and loading data from their respective sources to the warehouse. Previous research has identified graph- based techniques, in order to construct the blueprints for the structure of such workflows. In this paper, we extend existing results in several ways: (a) we explicitly capture the internal semantics of each activity in the workflow, (b) we complement querying semantics with insertions, deletions and updates, and (c) we show how we can transform the graph to allow zoom-in/out at multiple levels of abstraction (i.e., passing from the detailed description of the graph at the attribute level to more compact variants involving programs, relations and queries and vice-versa). Apart from the value that blueprints have per se, we exploit our modeling to introduce rigorous techniques for the measurement of ETL workflows. To this end, we build upon an existing formal framework for software quality metrics and formally prove how our quality measures fit within this framework.
Find a large number of reliable point correspondences for fish-eye images

In this paper, we propose a new approach to find a large number of reliable point features between high distorted stereo fisheye images, which is very valuable in many applications, such as image-based metrology, geometry estimation and 3D reconstruction. In first step the affine invariant regions are matched by classical approaches then distinctive points within the region can be matched based on the corresponding affine transformations in normalized frames. In addition, two distinctive point matching algorithms are proposed, one is based on the intensity similarity measure, and the others is based on the geometric consistency constraint. Experiment results show that the number of the final point correspondences increased greatly with high accuracy and reliability. This electronic document is a “live” template. The various components of your paper [title, text, heads, etc.] are already defined on the style sheet, as illustrated by the portions given in this document.
Flow graph reducibility

The structure of programs can often be described by a technique called “interval analysis” on their flow graphs. Here, we characterize the set of flow graphs that can be analyzed in this way in terms of two very simple transformation on graphs. We then give a necessary and sufficient condition for analyzability and apply it to “goto-less programs,” showing that they all meet the criterion.
EMA-Easy Microarray data Analysis

N. Servant , E. Gravier , P. Gestraud , C. Laurent , C. Paccard , A. Biton , I. Brito , J. Mandel , B. Asselain , E. Barillot , P. Hupé . Institut Curie, Paris F-75248, France, INSERM U900, Paris F-75248, France, Ecole des Mines ParisTech, Fontainebleau, F-77300 France, Institut Curie, Deṕartement de Transfert, Paris F-75248, France, CNRS, UMR144, Paris F-75248, France CNRS, UMR146, Paris F-75248, France
Improving the robustness of phonetic segmentation to accent and style variation with a two-staged approach

Correct and temporally accurate phonetic segmentation of speech utterances is important in applications ranging from transcription alignment to pronunciation error detection. Automatic speech recognizers used in these tasks provide insufficient temporal alignment accuracy apart from a recognition performance that is sensitive to accent and style variations from the training data. A two-staged approach combining HMM broad-class recognition with acousticphonetic knowledge based refinement is evaluated for phonetic segmentation accuracy in the context of accent and style mismatches with training data.
Overexpression of AtEDT1/HDG11 in Chinese Kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra) Enhances Drought and Osmotic Stress Tolerance

Plants are constantly challenged by environmental stresses, including drought and high salinity. Improvement of drought and osmotic stress tolerance without yield decrease has been a great challenge in crop improvement. The Arabidopsis ENHANCED DROUGHT TOLERANCE1/HOMEODOMAIN GLABROUS11 (AtEDT1/HDG11), a protein of the class IV HD-Zip family, has been demonstrated to significantly improve drought tolerance in Arabidopsis, rice, and pepper. Here, we report that AtEDT1/HDG11 confers drought and osmotic stress tolerance in the Chinese kale. AtEDT1/HDG11-overexpression lines exhibit auxin-overproduction phenotypes, such as long hypocotyls, tall stems, more root hairs, and a larger root system architecture. Compared with the untransformed control, transgenic lines have significantly reduced stomatal density. In the leaves of transgenic Chinese kale plants, proline (Pro) content and reactive oxygen species-scavenging enzyme activity was significantly increased after drought and osmotic stress, particularly compared to wild kale. More importantly, AtEDT1/HDG11-overexpression leads to abscisic acid (ABA) hypersensitivity, resulting in ABA inhibitor germination and induced stomatal closure. Consistent with observed phenotypes, the expression levels of auxin, ABA, and stress-related genes were also altered under both normal and/or stress conditions. Further analysis showed that AtEDT1/HDG11, as a transcription factor, can target the auxin biosynthesis gene YUCC6 and ABA response genes ABI3 and ABI5. Collectively, our results provide a new insight into the role of AtEDT1/HDG11 in enhancing abiotic stress resistance through auxin- and ABA-mediated signaling response in Chinese kale.
Analysis of advanced meter infrastructure data of water consumption in apartment buildings

We present our experience of using machine learning techniques over data originating from advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) systems for water consumption in a medium-size city. We focus on two new use cases that are of special importance to city authorities. One use case is the automatic identification of malfunctioning meters, with a focus on distinguishing them from legitimate non-consumption such as during periods when the household residents are on vacation. The other use case is the identification of leaks or theft in the unmetered common areas of apartment buildings. These two use cases are highly important to city authorities both because of the lost revenue they imply and because of the hassle to the residents in cases of delayed identification. Both cases are inherently complex to analyze and require advanced data mining techniques in order to achieve high levels of correct identification. Our results provide for faster and more accurate detection of malfunctioning meters as well as leaks in the common areas. This results in significant tangible value to the authorities in terms of increase in technician efficiency and a decrease in the amount of wasted, non-revenue, water.
An Alternative Approach to the Calculation and Analysis of Connectivity in the World City Network

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the empirical ‘world city network’ (WCN) literature by proposing an analytical framework that considers the significance of the positions of cities in the urban networks created by multinational corporations. To this end, we introduce an approach in which network centrality measures are interpreted against a randomized baseline model that retains the network's original degree distribution. Our framework is applied to Taylor's (2001 Geographical Analysis 33 181–194) specification of world cities being ‘interlocked’ through the office networks of globalized service firms. We thereby develop a new analytical take on Taylor's specification by using a primary-linkage algorithm that produces a one-mode directed graph based on the initial two-mode city and firm network data. We then randomize the resultant empirical network with a bootstrapping simulation approach, and compare the simulated parameters of this null model with our empirical network parameter, that is, betweenness centrality. We show the potential and limitations of our framework by discussing the position of cities such as Tokyo, Sydney, Melbourne, Almaty, and Karachi, which seem to hold more strategic and valuable positions than is suggested in Taylor's analyses. We discuss the wider significance of our approach by showing that the analytical strategy of interpreting measures against a randomized baseline model can also be adopted in other WCN approaches, including those using other data sources and network-related measures.
Addressing concomitant executive dysfunction and aphasia: previous approaches and the new brain budget protocol

ABSTRACT Background: Findings from a number of researchers have suggested that many individuals with aphasia demonstrate concomitant, non-linguistic cognitive deficits, particularly affecting executive function, and that such deficits are not directly related to nor predictable from the primary linguistic deficit. These impairments are an important component of aphasia management, given that they not only may underlie or exacerbate aphasia symptoms, but also hamper language reacquisition and learning and use of communication support strategies. Aims: This paper provides a review of procedures in the recent aphasia literature designed to address executive function deficits. Additionally, a case study is presented in which a self-management treatment protocol was provided to an individual with aphasia. The protocol was based on existing metacognitive strategies successfully utilised with non-aphasic patient populations presenting with executive dysfunction. Main Contribution: Three general intervention approaches addressing executive dysfunction were identified across the aphasia literature, with negligible examination of strategy training approaches. To address this research gap, the Brain Budget protocol presented in our case study offers collaborative, dynamic metacognitive strategy training in the context of traditional aphasia therapy, is consistent with best practices for cognitive rehabilitation, and reflects the realities of current medical reimbursement policies. Conclusions: Despite the prevalent co-occurrence of non-linguistic cognitive deficits and aphasia, relatively few aphasia studies describe evidence-based, executive function treatment approaches. Future research should explore the application of such paradigms under controlled conditions and with a variety of aphasia profiles.
Integrating Isosurface Statistics and Histograms

Many data sets are sampled on regular lattices in two, three or more dimensions, and recent work has shown that statistical properties of these data sets must take into account the continuity of the underlying physical phenomena. However, the effects of quantization on the statistics have not yet been accounted for. This paper therefore reconciles the previous papers to the underlying mathematical theory, develops a mathematical model of quantized statistics of continuous functions, and proves convergence of geometric approximations to continuous statistics for regular sampling lattices. In addition, the computational cost of various approaches is considered, and recommendations made about when to use each type of statistic.
Coordinated Regulation of Hepatic Energy Stores by Leptin and Hypothalamic Agouti-Related Protein

Like obesity, prolonged food deprivation induces severe hepatic steatosis; however, the functional significance of this phenomenon is not well understood. In this study, we show that the fall in plasma leptin concentration during fasting is required for the development of hepatic steatosis in mice. Removal of leptin receptors from AGRP neurons diminishes fasting-induced hepatic steatosis. Furthermore, the suppressive effects of leptin on fasting-induced hepatic steatosis are absent in mice lacking the gene encoding agouti-related protein (Agrp), suggesting that this function of leptin is mediated by AGRP. Prolonged fasting leads to suppression of hepatic sympathetic activity, increased expression of acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 in the liver, and elevation of hepatic triglyceride content and all of these effects are blunted in the absence of AGRP. AGRP deficiency, despite having no effects on feeding or body adiposity in the free-fed state, impairs triglyceride and ketone body release from the liver during prolonged fasting. Furthermore, reducing CNS Agrp expression in wild-type mice by RNAi protected against the development of hepatic steatosis not only during starvation, but also in response to consumption of a high-fat diet. These findings identify the leptin-AGRP circuit as a critical modulator of hepatic triglyceride stores in starvation and suggest a vital role for this circuit in sustaining the supply of energy from the liver to extrahepatic tissues during periods of prolonged food deprivation.
Synchronous/asynchronous Ethernet networking for mixed criticality systems

This paper summarizes how high-bandwidth asynchronous/synchronous Ethernet technologies can support design of distributed mixed criticality systems with time-, safety-, and mission-critical functions, and how this influences architecture design. Distributed IMA and distributed mixed criticality system are related concepts which help to address rising complexity in integrated systems. Distributed IMA offers all benefits of IMA, but for completely distributed systems. This closes the gap between federated and integrated modular architectures. Ethernet networks with time-triggered services (SAE AS6802) enable robust bandwidth partitioning and enable standard asynchronous and TDM-style communication, which is the key to integration of hard real-time controls, audio, video and other non-critical functions in one networked system. In our view, time-triggered services enable application of Ethernet for any type of critical embedded system.