Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DENOISING TIME-OF-FLIGHT DEPTH MAPS USING TEMPORAL MEDIAN FILTER

In many types of 3D cameras, The Time-of-Flight (TOF) cameras have the advantages of simplicity for use and lower price for general public. The TOF cameras can obtain depth maps at video speed. However, the TOF cameras suffer from low resolution and high random noise. In this paper, we propose methods to reduce the random noise in depth maps captured by the TOF cameras. For each point in the noisy TOF depth map, we substitute the depth value with the median depth value of its corresponding points in temporally consecutive depth maps captured by the TOF cameras. The proposed methods require only the depth data captured by the TOF cameras without any extra information, such as illumination, geometric shape, or complex parameters. Experiments results suggest that the proposed temporal denoising methods can effective reduce the noise in TOF depth maps for up to 44 percent.
Rebuilding an Empire with Minecraft: Bringing the Classics into the Digital Space

Abstract:This article presents an innovative manner to supplement history and foreign language classes with a 3D modeling of ancient Rome by the widely played video game Minecraft. Assuming the persona of an ancient architect, students select a building, research it in primary and secondary sources and recreate it in its original Roman location. Here I discuss the benefits of using 3D software as a learning tool and the theory and methodology behind the implementation used with my Latin I–IV students, ages 13–18. I also analyze the data resulting from two iterations and offer further suggestions for implementation.
Moving forward with article level metrics: introducing altmetrics

In a prior editorial we discussed the journal impact factor (IF), including how this figure has been steadily increasing for the International Journal of Clinical Practice (1). The most recent IF (2014) for the journal is 2.566 and the International Journal of Clinical Practice is ranked 35th of the 153 journals in the General and Internal Medicine category. The IF of a journal is the average number of citations received per paper published in that journal during the two preceding years. For example, an IF of 2.566 for 2014 means that papers published in 2012 and 2013 received on average 2.566 citations each in 2014. As this is an average, actual citation rates for individual articles can range from zero citations to many (2). A new measure of the importance or impact of individual articles in a journal has recently become available. You may have noticed when accessing many new articles on-line that article level metrics are now displayed (3–5). Called an ‘Altmetric score’, this number provides an indicator of the amount of attention that the article has received. The score is a weighted count calculated using an automated algorithm taking into account mentions of the article in the news (with a greater weight being placed for mentions in an outlet such as The New York Times compared with smaller publications), blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Wikipedia, Youtube and other popular media sources. The Altmetric score does not rate the quality of the article, but is a reflection of the ‘buzz’ it creates and the potential impact it may have. This issue of the International Journal of Clinical Practice includes a letter to the editor that was published on-line in Early View on 1 June 2015 (6). At the time of this writing about 6 weeks later (15 July 2015), the letter’s Altmetric score is an astonishing 76, and may be higher at the time you are reading this. This is one of the highest ever scores for the journal and is in the 98th percentile of all articles of the same age. So far, this article is in the top 5% of all articles for all journals tracked by Altmetric. The reason for all this attention? The topic is about high-heeled shoes and how ankle strength is important, an issue that appears to resonate strongly in the lay press. Clearly a high Altmetric score is different than a citation count, and citations take a much longer time to accumulate. A research project for the future will be if Altmetric scores corrrelate with the number of times an article is read on-line, as well as the number of citations it receives in the biomedical literature.
Methyltransferase Recruitment and DNA Hypermethylation of Target Promoters by an Oncogenic Transcription Factor

DNA methylation of tumor suppressor genes is a frequent mechanism of transcriptional silencing in cancer. The molecular mechanisms underlying the specificity of methylation are unknown. We report here that the leukemia-promoting PML-RAR fusion protein induces gene hypermethylation and silencing by recruiting DNA methyltransferases to target promoters and that hypermethylation contributes to its leukemogenic potential. Retinoic acid treatment induces promoter demethylation, gene reexpression, and reversion of the transformed phenotype. These results establish a mechanistic link between genetic and epigenetic changes during transformation and suggest that hypermethylation contributes to the early steps of carcinogenesis.
Global synthesis of the temperature sensitivity of leaf litter breakdown in streams and rivers

Streams and rivers are important conduits of terrestrially derived carbon (C) to atmospheric and marine reservoirs. Leaf litter breakdown rates are expected to increase as water temperatures rise in response to climate change. The magnitude of increase in breakdown rates is uncertain, given differences in litter quality and microbial and detritivore community responses to temperature, factors that can influence the apparent temperature sensitivity of breakdown and the relative proportion of C lost to the atmosphere vs. stored or transported downstream. Here, we synthesized 1025 records of litter breakdown in streams and rivers to quantify its temperature sensitivity, as measured by the activation energy (Ea, in eV). Temperature sensitivity of litter breakdown varied among twelve plant genera for which Ea could be calculated. Higher values of Ea were correlated with lower‐quality litter, but these correlations were influenced by a single, N‐fixing genus (Alnus). Ea values converged when genera were classified into three breakdown rate categories, potentially due to continual water availability in streams and rivers modulating the influence of leaf chemistry on breakdown. Across all data representing 85 plant genera, the Ea was 0.34 ± 0.04 eV, or approximately half the value (0.65 eV) predicted by metabolic theory. Our results indicate that average breakdown rates may increase by 5–21% with a 1–4 °C rise in water temperature, rather than a 10–45% increase expected, according to metabolic theory. Differential warming of tropical and temperate biomes could result in a similar proportional increase in breakdown rates, despite variation in Ea values for these regions (0.75 ± 0.13 eV and 0.27 ± 0.05 eV, respectively). The relative proportions of gaseous C loss and organic matter transport downstream should not change with rising temperature given that Ea values for breakdown mediated by microbes alone and microbes plus detritivores were similar at the global scale.
Social Complexity and Food Systems at Altun Ha, Belize: The Isotopic Evidence

This study reports stable carbon-isotope ratios for both bone collagen and apatite, and nitrogen-isotope ratios for bone collagen for 72 Maya skeletons from 9 zones representing contrasting status groups at Altun Ha, Belize. The sample spans the Preclassic to Postclassic periods, approximately 800 B. C. to after A. D. 950. Although Altun Ha has a maize-based (C-4) diet, it has a much stronger marine/reef component than any other Maya site studied so far. Two possible dedicatory burial groups are dietarily distinct. The source of protein appears to have been fairly stable throughout the site sequence, but a marked shift to reduced consumption of C4 foods seems to have occurred after the Early Classic period. A second similar decline probably occurred between the Late/Terminal Classic and the Postclassic periods. These apparent temporal trends may, however, be confounded by differences between zones. High status is marked by consumption of large quantities of C4 foods, possibly including C4-fed terrestrial animals. Males consumed more meat and C4 foods than did females. All δ-values and collagen-apatite spacings indicate that children were breastfed until at least the age of three or four.
Biotransformation and utilization of drimane sesquiterpenes by endophytic microorganisms

Endophyten umfassen alle Mikroorganismen, die Pflanzengewebe besiedeln ohne Krankheitssymptome hervor zu rufen. Der Pfefferrindenbaum, Warburgia ugandensis, kommt im tropischen Sudostafrika vor und ist bekannt hinsichtlich seiner Sekundarmetaboliten, Drimansesquiterpene, die sich durch eine Reihe von verschiedenen biologischen Aktivitaten und dem Einsatz in der Volksmedizin auszeichnen, insbesondere fur ihre antimikrobielle Wirkung. In Zusammenhang mit Endophyten stellt dieser Baum ein interessantes Modellsystem dar, in dem erforscht werden kann, wie Endophyten in einer Wirtspflanze mit effizienten antimikrobiellen Sekundarmetaboliten uberleben konnen beziehungsweise in welchem Ausmas Endophyten Sekundarstoffwechselmuster der Wirtspflanze beeinflussen konnen. In diesem Zusammenhang wurden verschiedene Experimente ausgefuhrt. Mehrere endophytische Pilze und taxonomisch verwandte Isolate von anderen Quellen wurden in die Studie aufgenommen. Deren Empfindlichkeit gegenuber verschiedenen Wurzel, Blatt- und Fruchtextrakten, deren jeweilige angereicherte und hydrolisierte Drimanfraktion (letztere als Versuch, maskierende Zucker- und Estergruppen abzutrennen) wurde fur alle Pilze uberpruft. Dieselben Extrakte und Extrakpraperationen wurden als Substrat den Pilzisolaten angeboten und die Verwertung mittels Vergleich mit Wasserkulturen uberpruft. Biotransformationsversuche mit denselben Extraktfraktionen schlugen fehl, daher wurde der kommerziell erhaltliche Sesquiterpenealkohol Farnesol als Ersatz verwendet. Hoher Drimangehalt fuhrte zu einer Hemmung der getesteten Pilze. Einer der Endophyten war weniger empfindlich, doch andere Endophyten wurden ahnlich gehemmt wie Nichtendophyten. In allen erfolgreichen Experimenten fuhrten hohere Substratkontentrationen (sofern es die antimikrobielle Aktivitat zulies) zu einer Entwicklungsforderung. Keine Biotransformationsprodukte von Farnesol konnten detektiert werden und alle getesteten Isolate verringerten die Farnesolkonzentration. Der schwer zu interpretierende Charakter der Ergebnisse wird im Lichte von Depolymerisations und Repolymerisationsdynamik der Drimane diskutiert, welche durch ihre Redoxaktivitat hervorgerufen wird. Redoxchemie ist offenbar ein Faktor, der zur Anpassung eines Pilzes an einen endophytischen Lebensstil beizutragen scheint.
A digital tachometer for high-temperature telemetry utilizing thermally uprated commercial electronic components

The high-temperature environment of an oil well requires reliable downhole instrumentation, typically based on simple and robust circuits, low power consumption, and smart measurement algorithms. In this paper, we present an electronic design and measurement methodology for a simple microcontroller-based digital tachometer, optimized for downhole spinner-flowmeter applications and multichannel telemetry. We have developed and experimentally evaluated an effective algorithm for direction-sensitive rotational speed measurement, which combines quadrature pulse decoding with the method of dependent count. The algorithm employs a temperature compensation technique, making it suitable for the high-temperature application of commercial-grade electronic parts. Our results confirm the functionality and reliable operation of the tachometer, targeted at high-temperature short-term oil-well logging applications.
Tight and Rigorous Error Bounds for Basic Building Blocks of Double-Word Arithmetic

We analyze several classical basic building blocks of double-word arithmetic (frequently called “double-double arithmetic” in the literature): the addition of a double-word number and a floating-point number, the addition of two double-word numbers, the multiplication of a double-word number by a floating-point number, the multiplication of two double-word numbers, the division of a double-word number by a floating-point number, and the division of two double-word numbers. For multiplication and division we get better relative error bounds than the ones previously published. For addition of two double-word numbers, we show that the previously published bound was incorrect, and we provide a new relative error bound. We introduce new algorithms for division. We also give examples that illustrate the tightness of our bounds.
Clinical Outcomes, Predictors, and Prevalence of Anterior Pituitary Disorders Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review

Objectives:To assess the clinical outcomes, predictors, and prevalence of anterior pituitary disorders following traumatic brain injury. Data Sources:We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Registry, BIOSIS, and Trip Database up to February 2012 and consulted bibliographies of narrative reviews and selected articles. Study Selection:We included cohort, case-control, cross-sectional studies and randomized trials enrolling at least five adults with blunt traumatic brain injury in whom at least one anterior pituitary axis was assessed. We excluded case series and studies in which other neurological conditions were indistinguishable from traumatic brain injury. Data Extraction:Two independent reviewers selected citations, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using a standardized form. Data Synthesis:We performed meta-analyses using random effect models and assessed heterogeneity using the I2 index. Results:We included 66 studies (5,386 patients) evaluating prevalence, 14 evaluating clinical outcomes, and 27 evaluating predictors. Thirty studies were at low risk of bias. Anterior pituitary disorders were associated with a trend toward increased ICU mortality (risk ratio, 1.79; 95% CI, 0.99–3.21; four studies) and no difference in Glasgow Outcome Scale score (mean difference, –0.45; 95% CI, –1.10 to 0.20; three studies). Age (mean difference, 3.19; 95% CI, 0.31–6.08; 19 studies), traumatic brain injury severity (risk ratio, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.20–3.86 for patients with severe vs nonsevere traumatic brain injury; seven studies), and skull fractures (risk ratio, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.03–2.91; six studies) predicted anterior pituitary disorders. Over the long term, 31.6% (95% CI, 23.6–40.1%; 27 studies) of patients had at least one anterior pituitary disorder. We observed significant heterogeneity that was not solely explained by the risk of bias or traumatic brain injury severity. Conclusions:Approximately one third of traumatic brain injury patients have persistent anterior pituitary disorder. Older age, traumatic brain injury severity, and skull fractures predict anterior pituitary disorders, which in turn may be associated with higher ICU mortality. Further high-quality studies are warranted to better define the burden of anterior pituitary disorders and to identify high-risk patients.
System design and implementation of remotely sensed image information services based on grid technology

With the increase of the data amounts received from Remote Sensing (RS), many data can’t be used efficiently in good time because of the traditional service mode such as purchasing data. In fact, many users only want to get some information from RS images, and they don’t want to purchase these images, especially high-resolution images, which is very expensive. Based on Grid technology, we proposed RS information service that can avoid these restricts and offer more rapid and convenient service modes to help people efficiently use RS images. In this paper, we firstly introduce and analyze some major characteristics of RS and Grid technologies. Then, the RS information service system architecture is designed and key technologies such as data management and services management are also discussed. In our system, this design conforms to the OGSA (Open Grid Services Architecture) standard and takes into account the idea of grid service. Finally, the paper designs and implements a prototype system, the result shows the feasibility of the application of RS image information services based on Grid technology. Keywords-Information Service; Grid Technology; Open Grid Services Architecture; Remote Sensing;;
The prehistoric Aegean : Dendrochronological progress as of 1995

Les travaux de l'Aegean Dendrochronology Project, menes depuis 23 ans, ont pour but d'etablir les chronologies prehistoriques de la moitie orientale de la Mediterranee et d'ordonner de maniere rationnelle les chronologies de la region egeenne et du Proche-Orient, du Neolithique a nos jours. Cet article rapporte les recents resultats obtenus dans ces regions pour le Neolithique, le Chalcolithique, l'Age du Bronze Ancien et l'Age du Bronze Moyen/Recent/Premier Age du Fer
Microsatellite loci analysis for individual identification in Shiba Inu

Eighteen autosomal microsatellite loci were examined using 275 Shiba Inus in Japan. Eighteen dogs representing eight trios were obtained from four breeders to calculate mutation rates, and 257 dogs kept by owners were collected through veterinary clinics throughout Japan to calculate population genetic parameters and estimate discrimination power. After two loci (INU005 and AHTk253) were excluded, average expected heterozygosity (He), polymorphic information content (PIC) and fixation index (F) were 0.665, 0.623 and 0.046, respectively. The combined power of discrimination over the 16 microsatellite markers was more than 0.9999. Therefore, it is suggested that these 16 microsatellite loci recommended by the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) are applicable for individual identification and parentage testing of domestic Shiba Inu in Japan.
A Review of Significance of Energy-Consumption Anomaly in Malware Detection in Mobile Devices

Mobile devices, such as smartphones, have become an important part of modern lives. However, as these devices have tremendously become popular they are attracting a range of attacks. Malware is one of the serious threats posed to smartphones by the attackers. Due to the limited resources of mobile devices malware detection on these devices remains a challenge. Malware detection techniques based on energy-consumption anomaly present several advantages to circumvent the resource constraints of mobile devices. This paper reviews the selected energy consumption based malware detection methods and presents an analysis of the significance of the energyconsumption behaviour in determining the following: i) the causes of the energy-drain in mobile devices, ii) energy consumption pattern indicating the type and hence the behaviour of an application iii) energy consumption anomaly in detecting malicious activity. The challenges faced in developing energy-based detection methods and advantages of such methods are also discussed. The paper mainly focuses on Android platform.
Coaxial-resonator-driven rf (Paul) trap for strong confinement.

much less than an optical wavelength (Lamb-Dicke regime). The trapping potentials are generated by a high-g, vacuum-compatible, quarter-wave resonator driven at about 240 MHz. The binding strength of the trap has been characterized. The trap contains compensation electrodes which allow the cancellation of stray static electric fields within the trap. Secular frequencies of tens of megahertz have been achieved for trapped magnesium and beryllium ions.
A multi-site randomized controlled trial of a cognitive skills programme for male mentally disordered offenders: social–cognitive outcomes

Background Cognitive skills programmes have been associated with improvements on psychometric measures and reductions in antisocial behaviour in mentally disordered offenders (MDOs). However, to date there have been no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of such programmes with this population. In the first RCT of a cognitive skills programme with MDOs we aimed to determine if participation in the Reasoning and Rehabilitation (R&R) programme was associated with improvements in social–cognitive skills and thinking styles. Method A total of 84 men with a primary diagnosis of psychotic disorder and a history of violence were recruited from medium-secure forensic units and allocated to receive R&R (n=44) or treatment as usual (TAU; n=40). At baseline and post-treatment interviews, participants completed questionnaires to assess social problem-solving, criminal attitudes, anger experience, blame externalizing and perspective-taking. Researchers were not blind to group status. Results The R&R group demonstrated significant improvements on measures of social problem-solving relative to the TAU group, some of which were maintained at 12 months post-treatment. Only half of those allocated to receive R&R completed the full programme. In post-hoc analyses programme completers showed improvements in social problem-solving at the end of treatment and changes in criminal attitudes at 12 months post-treatment. Conclusions Among male MDOs, R&R participation was associated with improvements in social–cognitive skills, some of which were maintained for up to 12 months post-treatment. Our finding that programme completers do better may reflect pre-treatment patient characteristics. This study establishes that multi-site RCTs can be conducted in medium-secure forensic units.
Imitating human movement with teleoperated robotic head

Effective teleoperation requires real-time control of a remote robotic system. In this work, we develop a controller for realizing smooth and accurate motion of a robotic head with application to a teleoperation system for the Furhat robot head [1], which we call TeleFurhat. The controller uses the head motion of an operator measured by a Microsoft Kinect 2 sensor as reference and applies a processing framework to condition and render the motion on the robot head. The processing framework includes a pre-filter based on a moving average filter, a neural network-based model for improving the accuracy of the raw pose measurements of Kinect, and a constrained-state Kalman filter that uses a minimum jerk model to smooth motion trajectories and limit the magnitude of changes in position, velocity, and acceleration. Our results demonstrate that the robot can reproduce the human head motion in real time with a latency of approximately 100 to 170 ms while operating within its physical limits. Furthermore, viewers prefer our new method over rendering the raw pose data from Kinect.