Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Efficient Denoising Model based on Wavelet and Bilateral Filters

This paper investigates different models developed through hybridization of wavelet and bilateral filters for denoising of variety of noisy images. Hybridization between wavelet thresholding and bilateral filter is done in different configurations. The models are experimented on standard images like Lena, Barbara, Einstein and satellite as well as astronomical telescopic images and their performances are evaluated in terms of peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) and image quality index (IQI). Out of number of trial models developed, only 25 models are reported as the performance of the rest models are too poor to be reported. Results demonstrate that use of bilateral filters in combination with wavelet thresholding filters in different ways on decomposed subbands deteriorates the performance. But the application of bilateral filter before or after or both before and after decomposition enhances the performance. Specifically, the filter developed with bilateral filter before decomposition of an image is found to give uniform and consistent results on all the images. General Terms Image Denoising
A Discrete Labelling Approach to Attributed Graph Matching Using SIFT Features

Local invariant feature extraction methods are widely used for image-features matching. There exist a number of approaches aimed at the refinement of the matches between image-features. It is a common strategy among these approaches to use geometrical criteria to reject a subset of outliers. One limitation of the outlier rejection design is that it is unable to add new useful matches. We present a new model that integrates the local information of the SIFT descriptors along with global geometrical information to estimate a new robust set of feature-matches. Our approach encodes the geometrical information by means of graph structures while posing the estimation of the feature-matches as a graph matching problem. Some comparative experimental results are presented.
Insulin-like growth factor I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3, and urologic measures of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Laboratory studies suggest that insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) promotes prostatic growth. The authors evaluated the association between benign prostatic hyperplasia and IGF-I and its binding protein IGFBP-3 in community-dwelling men to determine whether this laboratory finding is manifest at the population level. Participants (n = 471) were Olmsted County, Minnesota, Caucasian males aged 40-79 years in 1990. Urologic measures were assessed from the International Prostate Symptom Score, peak urinary flow rates, prostate volume, and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were measured. After adjustment for age, the relative odds (odds ratios) of an abnormal urologic measure in men with high versus low serum IGF-I levels were 0.98 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66, 1.45) for a symptom score of >7, 1.14 (95% CI: 0.72, 1.80) for a peak urinary flow rate of <12 ml/second, 1.11 (95% CI: 0.72, 1.72) for a prostate volume of >30 ml, and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.46, 1.09) for a PSA level of >1.4 ng/ml. A low IGFBP-3 level was associated with an enlarged prostate (odds ratio = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.82), after simultaneous adjustment for IGF-I and age, but not with other urologic measures. These data do not provide evidence for an association between benign prostatic hyperplasia and serum IGF-I.
High density lipoprotein cholesterol: an evolving target of therapy in the management of cardiovascular disease

Since the pioneering work of John Gofman in the 1950s, our understanding of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and its relationship to coronary heart disease (CHD) has grown substantially. Numerous clinical trials since the Framingham Study in 1977 have demonstrated an inverse relationship between HDL-C and one’s risk of developing CHD. Over the past two decades, preclinical research has gained further insight into the nature of HDL-C metabolism, specifically regarding the ability of HDL-C to promote reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Recent attempts to harness HDL’s ability to enhance RCT have revealed the complexity of HDL-C metabolism. This review provides a detailed update on HDL-C as an evolving therapeutic target in the management of cardiovascular disease.
Health Promotion and Spirituality: making the implicit explicit

This paper considers the place of spirituality in health promotion. Growth in the spirituality and health literature has led healthcare professions across the globe to consider the nature of spirituality and spiritual care. This has rarely occurred in health promotion. For many, spirituality goes to the core of being human and is more than a religious framework; for others, spirituality is meaningless. In New Zealand, partly due to the contributions and aspirations of Māori, spiritual concerns are understood as an essential component of health. The paper argues that, due to growing evidence and a principled approach, attending to spirituality in health promotion is an ethical imperative, critical to our reflective practice is more institutionally understood. For most New Zealanders the role of religion has waned in terms of direction and participation. Perhaps the best way to express contemporary spirituality is with qualifiers to cover its eclectic and broad nature: for example ‘atheist spirituality’, ‘feminist spirituality’ or ‘religious spirituality’. Each of us may have our own qualifier or fit into one of many. Understanding spirituality generally includes better understanding religious spirituality. International studies confirm a range of commonalities among definitions which indicate a move towards
Functional Imaging Studies of Human Cognition Using Positron Emission Tomography

They interpreted these anatomo-clinical associations conjecturing that the normal brain function (impaired by brain damage) was localized within the lesioned region (lesional hypothesis) and had been impaired from brain damage (Marshall & Fink, 2003). They also hypothesized that cognitive impairments could arise from lesions that spared the functional centers but disconnected them from other centers (disconnectional hypothesis). According this argument “basic psychological functions” are localized in a punctate fashion and complex psychological functions are constituted from many such basic functions joined together in distributed circuits. It follows that the symptoms may have arisen from a reconfiguration of the entire circuit in response to cerebral damage.
SBT-forest, an indexing approach for specialized binary tree

In our previous work, a time series representation framework, specialized binary tree (SB-tree) has been proposed for representing the stock time series data effectively and efficiently. By putting a set of SB-trees together, a time series database is formed while we termed it as a specialized binary tree-forest (i.e. SBT-forest). By manipulating the SBT-forest, different time series query and mining processes can be facilitated. However, the major challenge is how to locate a SB-tree in the forest efficiently. Therefore, the development of an indexing approach for the SB-trees is of fundamental importance for maintaining an acceptable speed for query. In this paper, a time series indexing approach, based on transforming the SB-trees to symbol strings first and then indexing the symbol strings by a trie data structure, is proposed. The proposed approach is efficient and effective as well. As demonstrated in the experiments, the proposed approach speeds up the time series query process. The proposed approach can handle the problem of updating new entries to the database without any difficulty.
Iterative operator-splitting methods for linear problems

The operator-splitting methods are based on splitting of the complex problem into a sequence of simpler tasks. A useful method is the iterative splitting method which ensures a consistent approximation in each step. In our paper, we suggest a new method which is based on the combination of the splitting time interval and the traditional iterative operator splitting. We analyse the local splitting error of the method. Numerical examples are given in order to demonstrate the method.
Robot-specific social cues in emotional body language

Humans use very sophisticated ways of bodily emotion expression combining facial expressions, sound, gestures and full body posture. Like others, we want to apply these aspects of human communication to ease the interaction between robots and users. In doing so we believe there is a need to consider what abstraction of human social communicative behaviors is appropriate for robots. The study reported in this paper is a pilot study to not offer simulated emotion but to offer an abstracted robot version of emotion expressions and an evaluation to what extent users interpret these robot expressions as the intended emotional states. To this end, we present the mobile, mildly humanized robot Daryl, for which we created six motion sequences that combine human-like, animal-like, and robot-specific social cues. The results of a user study (N=29) show that despite the absence of facial expressions and articulated extremities, subjects' interpretation of Daryl's emotional states were congruent with the abstracted emotion display. These results demonstrate that abstract displays of emotion that combine human-like, animal-like, and robot-specific modalities could in fact be an alternative to complex facial expressions and will feed into ongoing work identifying robot-specific social cues.
MultiComm: Finding Community Structure in Multi-Dimensional Networks

The main aim of this paper is to develop a community discovery scheme in a multi-dimensional network for data mining applications. In online social media, networked data consists of multiple dimensions/entities such as users, tags, photos, comments, and stories. We are interested in finding a group of users who interact significantly on these media entities. In a co-citation network, we are interested in finding a group of authors who relate to other authors significantly on publication information in titles, abstracts, and keywords as multiple dimensions/entities in the network. The main contribution of this paper is to propose a framework (MultiComm)to identify a seed-based community in a multi-dimensional network by evaluating the affinity between two items in the same type of entity (same dimension)or different types of entities (different dimensions)from the network. Our idea is to calculate the probabilities of visiting each item in each dimension, and compare their values to generate communities from a set of seed items. In order to evaluate a high quality of generated communities by the proposed algorithm, we develop and study a local modularity measure of a community in a multi-dimensional network. Experiments based on synthetic and real-world data sets suggest that the proposed framework is able to find a community effectively. Experimental results have also shown that the performance of the proposed algorithm is better in accuracy than the other testing algorithms in finding communities in multi-dimensional networks.
A Three-Dimensional Passive-Dynamic Walking Robot with Two Legs and Knees

The authors have built the first three-dimensional, kneed, two-legged, passive-dynamic walking machine. Since the work of Tad McGeer in the late 1980s, the concept of passive dynamics has added insight into animal locomotion and the design of anthropomorphic robots. Various analyses and machines that demonstrate efficient human-like walking have been developed using this strategy. Human-like passive machines, however, have only operated in two dimensions (i.e., within the fore-aft or sagittal plane). Three-dimensional passive walking devices, mostly toys, have not had human-like motions but instead a stiff legged waddle. In the present three-dimensional device, the authors preserve features of McGeer’s two-dimensional models, including mechanical simplicity, human-like knee flexure, and passive gravitational power from descending a shallow slope. They then add specially curved feet, a compliant heel, and mechanically constrained arms to achieve a harmonious and stable gait. The device stands 85 cm tall. It weighs 4.8 kg, walks at about 0.51 m/s down a 3.1-degree slope, and consumes 1.3 W. This robot further implicates passive dynamics in human walking and may help point the way toward simple and efficient robots with human-like motions.
Measuring the Basketball Players

— This paper discusses the use of a computerized test to measure the decision-making abilities of teenage basketball players Singapore. There are five sections in this test anxiety inventory-2 (CSAI-2) questionnaire (measures player’s cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self-confidence), Corsi block tapping task (measures player’s short-term spatial mem awareness global assessment technique (SAGAT) (measures players’ situation awareness in a basketball game), multiple choice questions on basketball knowledge (measures players’ knowledge of basketball rules and concepts), and lastly, a learning test that requires participants to recall and recognize basketball set plays (measures player’s ability to learn and recognize set plays). A total of basketball players, aged 14 to 16 years old, from three secondary school teams participated in this experiment. basketball players obtained from this cognitive test were then used to compare with their physical fitness and basketball performance.
Auditory event-related potentials associated with perceptual reversals of bistable pitch motion

Previous event-related potential (ERP) experiments have consistently identified two components associated with perceptual transitions of bistable visual stimuli, the “reversal negativity” (RN) and the “late positive complex” (LPC). The RN (~200 ms post-stimulus, bilateral occipital-parietal distribution) is thought to reflect transitions between neural representations that form the moment-to-moment contents of conscious perception, while the LPC (~400 ms, central-parietal) is considered an index of post-perceptual processing related to accessing and reporting one’s percept. To explore the generality of these components across sensory modalities, the present experiment utilized a novel bistable auditory stimulus. Pairs of complex tones with ambiguous pitch relationships were presented sequentially while subjects reported whether they perceived the tone pairs as ascending or descending in pitch. ERPs elicited by the tones were compared according to whether perceived pitch motion changed direction or remained the same across successive trials. An auditory reversal negativity (aRN) component was evident at ~170 ms post-stimulus over bilateral fronto-central scalp locations. An auditory LPC component (aLPC) was evident at subsequent latencies (~350 ms, fronto-central distribution). These two components may be auditory analogs of the visual RN and LPC, suggesting functionally equivalent but anatomically distinct processes in auditory vs. visual bistable perception.
Intraspinal actinomycosis : a rare case report and literature review

To investigate the main clinical characteristics of intraspinal actinomycosis and help early diagnosis and treatment of this rare disease, we reported a case which was initially misdiagnosed as spinal cord tumor based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. The diagnosis of intraspinal actinomycosis was eventually confirmed by histopathology. We further studied the relevant literatures to comprehensively understand this uncommon disease. We searched through PubMed database using the keywords “actinomycosis” and “spinal cord” before Mar 20, 2016. We retrieved 26 articles describing 27 actinomycosis case reports with spinal cord involvement. Then, we analyzed their clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Together with our case, analysis of the 28 cases revealed that 71.4% (20/28) patients were diagnosed by histopathology and 32.1% (9/28) by culture. The difference between intraspinal and common actinomycosis was that most patients in our study series were immunocompetent [89.3% (25/28)]. Penicillin based treatment regimen accounted for 88.5% (23/26) intraspinal actinomycosis cases and the mean duration of antibiotic therapy was 6 months. Although rare, actinomycosis is an important pathogen for intraspinal inflammatory granulomas. Specimen biopsy or culture is essential for a correct diagnosis with biopsy highly recommended. Early initiative and long-term antibacterial therapy is crucial for improving prognosis. Direct decompressive surgical resection of spinal cord lesion is helpful for relief of symptoms.
Spontaneous brain activity changes in children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: A resting‐state fMRI study

Primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) is a common disorder in school‐aged children. However, little is known about resting‐state neural function in individuals with PMNE. In this work, resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to investigate changes in spontaneous brain activity in children with PMNE. We analyzed resting‐state fMRI data using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and a resting‐state fMRI data analysis toolkit (REST). Regional homogeneity (ReHo) and amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (ALFF) values were calculated to analyze spontaneous brain activity in 16 children with PMNE and 16 healthy controls. Children with PMNE exhibited significant differences in ALFF or ReHo in the left inferior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus (Brodmann area, BA 10), and left midbrain. Abnormalities in BA 10 and the inferior frontal gyrus may affect children's decision‐making with regard to voiding; abnormalities in the midbrain in PMNE children may influence the internal signal transmission in their bladder control network. Our data indicate that, in children with PMNE, several brain areas related to the micturate control network undergo developmental delay. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:99–104, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tagging personal information: A contrast between attitudes and behavior

In a previous work we tested users' preferences with systems that allow to store and retrieve information either using tags or folders. In the current study we asked participants sampled from the same population about their attitudes towards tags by using a questionnaire (N = 168). We then compared the results regarding attitudes gathered in this study with the ones testing actual behavior gathered in our previous one. Overall, results showed positive attitudes towards tagging and multiple classification. These finding are in sharp contrast with our previous behavioral study which showed clear preference for folders and single classification: Our participants tended to agree with statements such as "most people use folders only due to habits", "if users were taught to use tags they would prefer them over folders", and "In 20 years children born today will use mostly"; however in our previous study in which we taught our participants to use tags there was a clear behavioral preference for folders over tags. Most participants in the present study thought that giving several classifications to personal information is a good idea, while our previous results showed that even when tags were used, multiple classification was exceptional. Furthermore, our current participants tended to agree that "the use of tags is more efficient than folder use" while in our previous study retrieval was faster without tags. We conclude this paper with suggestions regarding future research.
Comparative Study of Bullying Victimization Among Students in General and Special Education

Research on bullying is an important avenue for understanding the social integration of students in special education. Focused on 3,305 students who self-reported victimization of two to three times per month or more, this study compared the pattern of verbal, relational, and physical bullying among students in general education and special education. Overall, students in special education reported more physical and emotional harm as well as more psychological distress as a result of their victimization. Self-reported rates of verbal and relational victimization were similar, but physical victimization was more often reported among students in special education. In addition, adult teachers and staff were more likely to verbally, relationally, and physically bully students in special education, according to student self-report.
PCNA binding domains in all three subunits of yeast DNA polymerase δ modulate its function in DNA replication

DNA polymerase δ (Polδ) plays an essential role in replication from yeast to humans. Polδ in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is comprised of three subunits, the catalytic subunit Pol3 and the accessory subunits Pol31 and Pol32. Yeast Polδ exhibits a very high processivity in synthesizing DNA with the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) sliding clamp; however, it has remained unclear how Polδ binds PCNA to achieve its high processivity. Here we show that PCNA interacting protein (PIP) motifs in all three subunits contribute to PCNA-stimulated DNA synthesis by Polδ, and mutational inactivation of all three PIP motifs abrogates its ability to synthesize DNA with PCNA. Genetic analyses of mutations in these PIPs have revealed that in the absence of functional Pol32 PIP domain, PCNA binding by both the Pol3 and Pol31 subunits becomes essential for cell viability. Based on our biochemical and genetic studies we infer that yeast Polδ can simultaneously utilize all three PIP motifs during PCNA-dependent DNA synthesis, and suggest that Polδ binds the PCNA homotrimer via its three subunits. We consider the implications of these observations for Polδ’s role in DNA replication.
William J. Morgan’s ‘conventionalist internalism’ approach. Furthering internalism? A critical hermeneutical response

Several authors, such as William J. Morgan, John S. Russell and R. Scott Kretchmar, have claimed that the limits between the diverse normative theories of sport need to be revisited. Most of these works are philosophically grounded in Anglo-American philosophical approaches. For instance, William J. Morgan’s proposal is mainly based on Richard Rorty’s philosophy. But he also discusses with some European philosophers like Jürgen Habermas. However, Habermas’ central ideas are rejected by Morgan. The purpose of this paper is to analyse Morgan’s rejection of Habermas’ thought and show that a more appropriate normative of sport that explains better our current sporting world can be achieved by drawing on the German philosopher’s ideas. The plan of this paper is the following. It shall analyse the limits of the distinction between broad internalism and externalism by taking Morgan’s work as its starting point. To do so, firstly, the conventionalist way in which Morgan criticises the limits of interpretivism shall be explained (§2). Secondly, the relationship between Morgan’s proposals and the hermeneutical theories which are at the roots of his proposal shall be brought to light. Thirdly, since Morgan takes Habermas’ hermeneutical ethics to be an example of externalism, the relationship between his theory and Habermas’ ethical account shall be clearly defined. Moreover, Morgan’s proposal shall be criticised in the light of Habermas’ discourse ethics (§3). To conclude, a Habermasian approach in sport ethics shall be described (§4).