Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anatomical landmarks position estimation in incomplete 3D humerus models

A general method for estimating the anatomical landmarks location on incomplete 3D bone model was proposed in order to use standardized anatomical frame conventions. An estimate of the location of missing anatomical landmarks was obtained by matching the incomplete bone model under analysis to a template of a complete bone model on which anatomical landmarks have been previously identified. The methodology was tested on three humeri. Results have shown that while the method provided reliable results when the models of the bone portion and of the complete bone belonged to the same subject, errors highly increased (up to 19 deg) when bone meshes, relative to different subjects, were used. Keywords—Anatomical frame definition, humerus, bone meshes. I. INTRODUCTION Joint kinematics can be determined in a repeatable and clinical meaningful manner, by using standardized anatomical frame (AF) definitions. The International Society of Biomechanics (ISB) (1) has proposed a standardization recommendation for the definition of the AFs of the upper extremities based on the use of selected anatomical landmarks (ALs). Standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful tool in those clinical applications where the joint motion can be analyzed in quasi-static conditions (2) and small displacements need to be detected. However, due to its limited field of view, often, only portions of the 3D model of the analyzed bones can be reconstructed, while complete bone models are needed to use ISB recommendations. This problem could be overcome by obtaining the missing ALs by matching the MRI-based portion of the subject- specific 3D bone model (SBP), to a template of a complete bone model (TBC) on which the relevant ALs have been previously identified. Established algorithms exist for surface matching, popular ones being based on the Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm (3) for which an initial guess of the transformation between the bone meshes is required. The reliability of the abovementioned registration exercise would depend on the size of SBP and the similarity level between SBP and TBC morphologies. In this preliminary study, the feasibility and the assessment of the level of accuracy and repeatability of the procedure for the ALs estimate when applied to the proximal portion of the human humerus, was evaluated. To this purpose, two experimental scenarios which can be encountered in the clinical practice were simulated. First, the ALs estimate procedure was tested to different SBPs characterized by different extents (expressed as percentage of the humerus length) using as TBC the bone applied to SBP and TBC belonging to different subjects.
The Legionella pneumophila Effector Protein, LegC7, Alters Yeast Endosomal Trafficking

The intracellular pathogen, Legionella pneumophila, relies on numerous secreted effector proteins to manipulate host endomembrane trafficking events during pathogenesis, thereby preventing fusion of the bacteria-laden phagosome with host endolysosomal compartments, and thus escaping degradation. Upon expression in the surrogate eukaryotic model Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we find that the L. pneumophila LegC7/YlfA effector protein disrupts the delivery of both biosynthetic and endocytic cargo to the yeast vacuole. We demonstrate that the effects of LegC7 are specific to the endosome:vacuole delivery pathways; LegC7 expression does not disrupt other known vacuole-directed pathways. Deletions of the ESCRT-0 complex member, VPS27, provide resistance to the LegC7 toxicity, providing a possible target for LegC7 function in vivo. Furthermore, a single amino acid substitution in LegC7 abrogates both its toxicity and ability to alter endosomal traffic in vivo, thereby identifying a critical functional domain. LegC7 likely inhibits endosomal trafficking during L. pneumophila pathogenesis to prevent entry of the phagosome into the endosomal maturation pathway and eventual fusion with the lysosome.
International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning Security Risks and Protection in Online Learning: A Survey

This paper describes a survey of online learning which attempts to determine online learning providers’ awareness of potential security risks and the protection measures that will diminish them. The authors use a combination of two methods: blog mining and a traditional literature search. The findings indicate that, while scholars have identified diverse security risks and have proposed solutions to mitigate the security threats in online learning, bloggers have not discussed security in online learning with great
Learning dimensional sentiment of traditional Chinese words with word embedding and support vector regression

Dimensional sentiment analysis approach, which represents affective states as continuous numerical values on multiple dimensions, such as valence-arousal (VA) space, allows for more fine-grained analysis than the traditional categorical approach. In recent years, it has been applied in applications such as antisocial behavior detection, mood analysis and product review ranking. In this approach, an affective lexicon with dimensional sentiment values is a key resource, but building such a lexicon costs much. To reduce the cost and speed up the process, we explore methods to expand a seed lexicon automatically in this study. A hybrid approach combining word embedding and support vector regression is proposed. Preliminary experiments on the dataset of the IALP-2016 shared task demonstrate its effectiveness.
Modelling of terms across scripts through autoencoders

cripts (e.g., Arabic, Greek and Indic languages) one can often find a large amount of user generated transliterated content on the Web in the Roman script. Such content creates a monolingual or cross-lingual space with more than one scripts which is referred as mixed-script space and information retrieval in this space is referred as mixed-script information retrieval (MSIR) [1]. In mixed-script space, the documents and queries may either be in the native script and/or the Roman transliterated script for a language (mono-lingual scenario). There can be further extension of MSIR such as multi-lingual MSIR in which terms can be in multiple scripts in multiple languages. Since there are no standard ways of spelling a word in a non-native script, transliteration content almost always features extensive spelling variations. This phenomenon presents a non-trivial term matching problem for search engines to match the native-script or Roman-transliterated query with the documents in multiple scripts taking into account the spelling variations. This problem, although prevalent inWeb search for users of many languages around the world, has received very little attention till date. Very recently we have formally defined the problem of MSIR and presented the quantitative study on it through Bing query log analysis.
On the statistical detection of propagating waves in polar coronal holes

Context. Waves are important to the study of dynamical processes in coronal holes and the acceleration of the fast solar wind. A spectral time series was taken with the SUMER spectrometer on-board SoHO on 20 October 1996. The observations were obtained in the N iv 765 A transition region line and the Ne viii 770 A line of the low corona. Aims. We detect the presence of waves and study their characteristic properties in terms of their propagation speeds and direction. Previous statistical studies, undertaken with data from the CDS spectrometer, report the presence of waves in these regions.We extend this analysis using SUMER observations. Methods. Using Fourier techniques, we measured the phase delays between intensity oscillations, as well as between velocity oscillations, in our two lines over the full range of available frequencies. From this, we were able to measure the travel time of the propagating oscillations, hence the propagation speeds of the waves that produce the oscillations. Results. We detect the long period oscillations in polar coronal holes on the disc. For network bright locations within coronal holes, our results indicate the presence of compressional waves with a dominant period of ≈25 min. However, we also find power at many other different frequencies, so we are able to study oscillations over a full range of frequencies. We find evidence of propagating waves with a fixed time delay in the coronal hole.We find, moreover, that there is a difference in the nature of the wave propagation in the bright (“network”), as opposed to the dark (“internetwork”) regions, with the latter sometimes showing evidence of downwardly propagating waves that are not seen in the former. From a measurement of propagation speeds, we find that all measured waves are subsonic in nature. Conclusions. Waves with different characteristics are found to be present at different locations in the observed coronal hole. The measured propagation speeds are subsonic, indicating that the majority of them are slow magneto-acoustic in nature. These waves, measured in the lower atmosphere, could accelerate farther at higher altitudes and may be important for the acceleration of the fast solar wind.
The neural basis of value accumulation in intertemporal choice

Making intertemporal choices (choosing between rewards available at different points in time) requires determining and comparing the subjective values of available rewards. Several studies have found converging evidence identifying the neural systems that encode subjective value in intertemporal choice. However, the neural mechanisms responsible for the process that produces intertemporal decisions on the basis of subjective values have not been investigated. Using model‐based and connectivity analyses of functional magnetic resonance imaging data, we investigated the neural mechanisms underlying the value‐accumulation process by which subjective value guides intertemporal decisions. Our results show that the dorsomedial frontal cortex, bilateral posterior parietal cortex, and bilateral lateral prefrontal cortex are all involved in the accumulation of subjective value for the purpose of action selection. Our findings establish a mechanistic framework for understanding frontoparietal contributions to intertemporal choice and suggest that value‐accumulation processes in the frontoparietal cortex may be a general mechanism for value‐based choice.
Using Linguistic Information to Improve the Performance of Vector-Based Semantic Analysis

The use of vector-based models of information for the purpose of semantic analysis is an area of research that has gained substantial recognition over the last decade. However, the application of high-dimensional vector representations to linguistic data has, to a large extent, remained exclusively statistical and consequently paid minimal or no attention to the linguistic structures of the data used in the experiments. In this paper, we show that the performance of vector based semantic analysis can be improved by considering basic linguistic structures - e.g. morphology - in the data.
A Parallel MOEA/D Generating Solutions in Minimum Overlapped Update Ranges of Solutions

This work focuses on representative MOEA/D and propose a method to efficiently evaluate solutions in parallel. The proposed parallel MOEA/D assigns the computational resources to generate solutions in the minimum overlapped update ranges of solutions. Also, the proposed parallel MOEA/D uses a tournament selection based on the scalarizing function value to strengthen the selection pressure of parents. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, we use DTLZ2 problems with 2-4 objectives and the racing car design problem using the car simulator TORCS.
Supporting Real-Time Active Visual Surveillance in Wireless Network *

In this paper, we study the design of an efficient wireless visual surveillance system. Two important considerations are to minimize: (1) the video workload on the wireless network; and (2) the processing workload at the front-end video capturing units. To achieve the first objective, we propose a cooperative framework for semantic filtering of video frames instead of forwarding every video frame to the backend server for analysis. To minimize the processing workload at the front-end unit, a hierarchical object model (HOM) is designed to model the status of the objects in a video scene and their temporal and spatial properties in the scene. With the information provided from the backend server, the front-end unit analyses the current status of the objects in the HOM by comparing with the selection conditions in the submitted monitoring queries. An adaptive object-based evaluation (APOBE) scheme is proposed to reduce the processing workload at the front-end unit in which a higher evaluation frequency is given to the object which is closer to satisfy the condition in the monitoring queries.
Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for child on bullying behaviors among children

Aims: Bullying is an ever-increasing phenomenon in schools and it has far-reaching consequences on children and adolescents, for which necessary measures must be taken to prevent and reduce it. This study was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for child (MBCT-C) on bullying behavior among children. Materials and Methods: the population of this study consisted of Grade 3 through 5 students in Kashan town in 2017–2018 school years. The sample consisted of 20 students who had been selected by inclusion and exclusion criteria. The conventional sampling method was used. A quasi-experimental design was used in this study. Participants completed the Illinois Bullying Scale before and after the intervention of experimental and control groups. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Results: The findings showed that MBCT-C had a significant effect on bullying behavior reduction and the effect size in this intervention was 0.89. Furthermore, results from individual mean scores in bullying scale questions indicated that in pretest both experimental and control groups, “excluding others from in a group of friends” was the most frequent behavior and mindfulness training had effectively the highest effect on decreasing this character. Conclusion: It suggests that intervention concerning diminishing bullying behaviors may start with mindfulness training.
A novel method of two‐locus linkage analysis applied to a genome scan for late onset Alzheimer's disease

A number of methods have previously been described which carry out linkage analysis considering information for two or more loci simultaneously. Apart from some ad hoc methods such as analysing subsamples, these methods use information regarding linkage at all loci under consideration. However, if the actual genotype‐specific effects are known for some loci then it would be preferable to consider the genotypes of these loci directly, rather than the amount of allele‐sharing they demonstrate. Here we present an extension to our likelihood‐based method of model‐free linkage analysis as implemented in the MFLINK program. This allows the incorporation of liability classes. The genotypes of a locus known to affect risk can be used to assign subjects to liability classes prior to carrying out linkage tests at other loci. An example application is presented for genome scan data on Alzheimer's disease with analysis conditional on Apoliprotein E (APOE) genotypes. The results provide support for the existence of additional susceptibility loci linked to D10S1211 and to D12S358.
A monocular vision localization method based on unmanned underground mining vehicle using barcode

A method to compute the lean stance of the camera is proposed, which is based on the parallel perspective mapping model of the camera. This method improved the common monocular vision-based localization method and can be used in the operating system of unmanned underground mining vehicle to detect the travelling status of vehicle in real-time, fit the bad underground road condition, and reduce the distance detection error which occurred when the camera is lean to the road. This method computes the lean angle of the camera according to the high of landmark and the interior parameters of the camera, so we can detect the distance between the vehicle and the landmark and reduce the error which occurred if the optical axis. Experiments show that this method can faster detect the lean angle which is one of the camera exterior parameters. It is of high precision and fit real-time processing. This method is easy and effective, can reduce the detection error and is suitable for the requirement of underground mining work.
Resting-State Network Disruption and APOE Genotype in Alzheimer's Disease: A lagged Functional Connectivity Study

Background The apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 (APOE-4) is associated with a genetic vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and with AD-related abnormalities in cortical rhythms. However, it is unclear whether APOE-4 is linked to a specific pattern of intrinsic functional disintegration of the brain after the development of the disease or during its different stages. This study aimed at identifying spatial patterns and effects of APOE genotype on resting-state oscillations and functional connectivity in patients with AD, using a physiological connectivity index called “lagged phase synchronization”. Methodology/Principal Findings Resting EEG was recorded during awake, eyes-closed state in 125 patients with AD and 60 elderly controls. Source current density and functional connectivity were determined using eLORETA. Patients with AD exhibited reduced parieto-occipital alpha oscillations compared with controls, and those carrying the APOE-4 allele had reduced alpha activity in the left inferior parietal and temporo-occipital cortex relative to noncarriers. There was a decreased alpha2 connectivity pattern in AD, involving the left temporal and bilateral parietal cortex. Several brain regions exhibited increased lagged phase synchronization in low frequencies, specifically in the theta band, across and within hemispheres, where temporal lobe connections were particularly compromised. Areas with abnormal theta connectivity correlated with cognitive scores. In patients with early AD, we found an APOE-4-related decrease in interhemispheric alpha connectivity in frontal and parieto-temporal regions. Conclusions/Significance In addition to regional cortical dysfunction, as indicated by abnormal alpha oscillations, there are patterns of functional network disruption affecting theta and alpha bands in AD that associate with the level of cognitive disturbance or with the APOE genotype. These functional patterns of nonlinear connectivity may potentially represent neurophysiological or phenotypic markers of AD, and aid in early detection of the disorder.
Integrin-targeted imaging and therapy with RGD4C-TNF fusion protein

This study used integrin αvβ3 as a target for tumor-specific delivery of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF). The fusion protein RGD4C-TNF bound specifically to αvβ3 as evidenced by cell receptor binding assay and noninvasive micro-positron emission tomography imaging. 64Cu-DOTA-RGD4C-TNF had significantly higher activity accumulation in integrin-positive tumors (U87MG and MDA-MB-435) but not in integrin-negative tumors (C6) compared with 64Cu-DOTA-TNF. The magnitude of tumor uptake of 64Cu-DOTA-RGD4C-TNF correlated well with the αvβ3 level (U87MG > MDA-MB-435 > C6). Tumor accumulation of 64Cu-DOTA-RGD4C-TNF could be effectively blocked by c(RGDyK) peptide in αvβ3-positive tumor models, suggesting αvβ3 specificity of RGD4C-TNF fusion protein in vivo. Furthermore, although the fusion of RGD4C moiety to TNF had little effect on the bioactivity and cytotoxicity of RGD4C-TNF compared with TNF in cell culture, RGD4C-TNF was significantly more potent than TNF in inhibiting orthotopic MDA-MB-435 tumor growth. Ex vivo tissue staining confirmed specific cytotoxicity of RGD4C-TNF against integrin-positive tumor cells and tumor vasculature. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(5):1044–53]
Federation of Community Networking testbeds

Experimentation using testbeds has become increasingly important in the area of Community Networking research. An example is Community-Lab, a distributed testbed to support experimentally-driven research deployed in multiple real Community Networks across Europe. Diversity in the characteristics of Community Networks and the need to use multiple or distributed testbeds, also including laboratory or campus-wide testbeds has led to consider the opportunity and challenges of federation, so that interoperability is achieved and multiple testbeds can offer and combine their capabilities. As a result, research in community networking can benefit from experiments performed in diverse experimental testbeds, consecutively or concurrently, using a common architecture and standard APIs. This paper describes the testbed federation scenario to identify its main challenges and it presents the implementation of an federation service for the Community-Lab testbed that aims to enable the federation with other testbeds through the SFA standard. The service has been validated and it has reached operational status.
MULTITALKER : BUILDING CONVERSATIONAL AGENTS IN SECOND LIFE USING BASILICA

Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) such as Second Life can be great tools for educating people and researching how people learn. Utilizing conversational agents automated with artificial intelligence can further enhance MUVEs. They can be used for tutoring students and they can be used to manage or consistently orchestrate environments for research purposes. However, most intelligent tutoring systems are designed for one-on-one conversations, whereas MUVEs usually involve learners studying together in groups to leverage social aspects of learning. We have been working on conversational agents that can talk to learning groups in effective ways. Those at LTI have built the Basilica framework. Basilica is a system to facilitate rapid development of conversational agents that participate in collaborative environments. On top of Basilica, Dr. Weusijana of LIFE developed with LTI a Second Life conversational agent called MultiTalker. We consider our new technology an enabling tool for educators and learning researchers. We discuss its expected utility for educators and their learners, as well as future research directions.
A reusable 3D visualization component for the semantic web

Ontology visualization and exploration is not a trivial task as many issues can affect the effectiveness of interactions. As ontologies are, in the general case, quite connected graphs where concepts are the nodes and semantic relationships the edges, the problems include space allocation, edge superposition, scene over-crowding, etc. In this paper we propose a solution for the visualization and the exploration of ontologies using a 3-dimensional space, where information is represented on a 3D view-port enriched by visual cues. Our visualization tool aims at tackling representation issues of ontology models (as space allocation or the completeness and read-ability of displayed information) by adopting different views, at different granularities, in order to grant a constant navigability of the rendered model. Each provided view represents semantic information according to a different, task-based visualization paradigm, at a suitable level of detail. Besides being primarily implemented as a Protégé plug-in, the proposed solution (named OntoSphere3D) is designed to be a reusable visualization component within Semantic Web applications; in fact, every scene can be exploited as a standalone facility that provides access to ontological data through an intuitive and appealing 3D interface. A case-study, is presented, where re-usability is demonstrated by integrating the OntoSphere3D visualization inside an Eclipse-based tool for Web Service design (called Web Services Design Tool) developed by some of the authors in the context of another research project.