Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gaze-directed adaptive rendering for interacting with virtual space

This paper presents a new method of rendering for interaction with 3D virtual space with the use of gaze detection devices. In this method, hierarchical geometric models of graphic objects are constructed prior to the rendering process. The rendering process first calculates the visual acuity, which represents the importance of a graphic object for a human operator, from the gaze position of the operator. Second, the process selects a level from the set of hierachical geometric models depending on the value of visual acuity. That is, a simpler level of detail is selected where the visual acuity is lower, and a more complicated level is used where it is higher. Then, the selected graphic models are rendered on the display. This paper examines three visual characteristics to calculate the visual acuity: the central/peripheral vision, the kinetic vision, and the fusional vision. The actual implementation and our testbed system are described, as well as the details of the visual acuity model.
Real-time admission control in 802.15.4 sensor clusters

The problem of admission control is considered in a beacon-enabled 802.15. 4 network. The network coordinator decides to admit or reject a new node on the basis of the analytical model of the packet service time, using the number of nodes in a cluster, packet arrival rate and packet size as independent variables. Simulation experiments confirm the validity of the chosen admission control algorithm, which is shown to provide a slightly conservative estimate with respect to the ideal condition.
Were class C iron-containing superoxide dismutases of trypanosomatid parasites initially imported into a complex plastid? A hypothesis based on analyses of their N-terminal targeting signals

SUMMARY Trypanosomatid parasites possess 2 distinct iron-containing superoxide dismutases (Fe-SODs) designated SODA and SODC, both of which are targeted to their mitochondria. In contrast to SODAs that carry typical mitochondrial transit peptides, SODCs have highly unusual mitochondrial targeting signals. Our analyses clearly show that these pre-sequences are bipartite possessing a signal peptide-like domain followed by a transit peptide-like domain. Consequently, they resemble N-terminal extensions of proteins targeted to multi-membrane plastids, suggesting that trypanosomatids once contained a eukaryotic alga-derived plastid. Further support for this hypothesis comes from striking similarities in length, hydropathy profile, and amino acid composition of SODC pre-sequences to those of Euglena and dinoflagellate plastid proteins. To account for these data, we propose that the Trypanosomatidae initially possessed a gene encoding a mitochondrial Fe-SOD with a classical mitochondrial transit peptide. Before or after plastid acquisition, a gene duplication event gave rise to SODA and SODC. In a subsequent evolutionary step a signal peptide was linked to SODC, enabling its import into the plastid. When the trypanosomatid plastid subsequently was lost, natural selection favoured adaptation of the SODC N-terminal signal as a mitochondrial transit peptide and re-targeting to the mitochondrion.
Differential Influence of Seabuckthorn on the In vivo and In vitro Cell-Mediated Immune Responses in Chickens with Gumboro Disease

Objective/Purpose: The study intended to clarify the restoring effects of an alcoholic seabuckthorn extract on the cell-mediated immunity in chickens with Gumboro disease. Material and Methods: Graft rejection was performed in vivo on healthy, Gumboro virus infected and convalescent chickens, by injecting 0.1 ml of a sheep lymphocyte suspension (5x106 cells/ml) mixed 1:1 with either saline or an alcoholic seabuckthorn extract. Wattle thickness was measured before and 24, 48 and 72 hours post injection and rejection indices were calculated. An in vitro blast transformation test was carried out on heparinized blood samples from the three groups. Blast transformation indices were calculated after 48 h at 37oC, for PHA M and seabuckthorn treated cultures, by glucose concentration measurements. The statistical significance of the differences was interpreted by Student’s t-test. Results & Discussion: The wattle thickness decreased from 24 onwards in all categories, while seabuckthorn increased the wattle response the most in healthy (40 ± 0.43mm) and the least (19.03 ± 0.11) in diseased chickens (p<0.01-0.001), which also showed the strongest inhibitory activity during blast transformation (-1.5 ±2.7%). Conclusion: The in vivo cell-mediated immune response seemed more fit than the in vitro test to evaluate the immunological role of alcoholic seabuckthorn extracts.
Research on Skeletal Muscle Diseases Using Pluripotent Stem Cells

The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), especially the generation of patient-derived pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) suitable for disease modelling in vitro, opens the door for the potential translation of stem-cell related studies into the clinic. Successful replacement, or augmentation, of the function of damaged cells by patientderived differentiated stem cells would provide a novel cell-based therapy for skeletal muscle-related diseases. Since iPSCs resemble human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in their ability to generate cells of the three germ layers, patient-specific iPSCs offer definitive solutions for the ethical and histo-incompatibility issues related to hESCs. Indeed human iPSC (hiPSC)-based autologous transplantation is heralded as the future of regenerative medicine. Interestingly, during the last years intense research has been published on disease-specific hiPSCs derivation and differentiation into relevant tissues/organs providing a unique scenario for modelling disease progression, to screen patient-specific drugs and enabling immunosupression-free cell replacement therapies. Here, we revise the most relevant findings in skeletal muscle differentia‐ tion using mouse and human PSCs. Finally and in an effort to bring iPSC technology to the daily routine of the laboratory, we provide two different protocols for the generation of patient-derived iPSCs.
Fission chamber's neutron signal characterization using nonnegative matrix factorization

In this work, we apply Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF) algorithms of the blind source separation methods to extract independent components from signals recorded at the output of fission chamber detector, which is used to perform the flux-mapping within the nuclear research reactors. The simulation of the recorded signals is based on using the python-based of Fission Chambers (pyFC) suite code, employs the TRIM code and the Bolzig software. The output signals of the simulated fission chamber will be processed through Nonnegative Matrix Factorization techniques in order to achieve blind source separation task. The selection of the most efficient NMF technique is carried out by computing the performance index of separability of each algorithm and the extracted independent components that will be characterized by using time-frequency representation.
An Analysis of Means Tested Social Pensions

The complex matrix of retirement policy trade-o¤s encompassing elements of paternalism, market failure, and overlaying incentives in a life-cycle context have received much attention in the literature. But the issue of whether publicly funded retirement provision should be means tested, and if so how, has received limited attention, although it has been highlighted from time to time. This paper examines the economic welfare e¤ects of means testing using a stochastic overlapping generations model calibrated to the UK economy. A labour leisure choice is incorporated, with multiple individuals with di¤erent endowments of e¤ective labour. Our results indicate that a change in the taper rate has implications on both welfare and economic aggregates. In particular, in contrast to much received wisdom, higher taper rates increase social welfare. JEL Classi cation: E21, H55 Keywords: Means-Tested Pensions, Welfare, Social Security We are grateful to the Australian Research Council for nancial support. ySchool of Economics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia. Email:cs.kumru@unsw.edu. au zSchool of Economics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia. Email:j.piggott@unsw.edu. au
Lower Complexity Lifting Structures for Hierarchical Lapped Transforms Highly Compatible With JPEG XR Standard

This paper presents lifting structures for hierarchical lapped transforms (HLTs) that are highly compatible with the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) eXtended Range (XR) standard and that are lower in complexity in terms of the number of operations and lifting steps than the existing HLT in JPEG XR. Two structures (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ \text {T}_{RR}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ \text {T}_{HH}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>), called Householder-lifting structures, are obtained using a lifting factorization followed by a Householder factorization of a non-separable 2D transform of rotation matrices. The third structure (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ \text {T}_{HR}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) is simply derived from a combination of a Hadamard transform (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ \text {T}_{HH}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and two rotation matrices. The floating-point lifting coefficients are approximated as dyadic values, as in the existing structures of JPEG XR, because doing so costs less, thanks to the structures having only adders and shifters without multipliers. Although the new <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ \text {T}_{HH}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> does not outperform the existing structure, the new <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ \text {T}_{RR}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> has one fewer adder, one fewer shifter, and four fewer lifting steps than the existing one. Moreover, the new <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ \text {T}_{HR}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> not only has one fewer adder, three fewer shifters, and two fewer lifting steps, but also can reuse <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ \text {T}_{HH}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, i.e., it can be used to make a more stylish codec. We show that these lower complexity HLTs are comparable in performance to the existing HLT at lossy-to-lossless image coding and at the same time highly compatible with JPEG XR.
Affordable High-Performance Radar Networks for Homeland Security Applications

High-performance radar networks have been deployed for homeland security Applications. Having the radars on a network allows for increased coverage via multiple radars, as well as the communication of situational awareness in real time to multiple remote users. The radars and networks exploit commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology to be easily affordable for the wide-area surveillance needed for these applications. Implementing radar networks over the Internet enables the straightforward integration of operational systems. Results from a deployed three-node radar surveillance network covering western Lake Erie are presented. These results include the fusion of target tracks from the three radar nodes.
Scanning electron microscopic evaluation of the influence of manual and mechanical glide path on the surface of nickel-titanium rotary instruments in moderately curved root canals: An in-vivo study

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of manual versus mechanical glide path (GP) on the surface changes of two different nickel-titanium rotary instruments used during root canal therapy in a moderately curved root canal. Materials and Methods: Sixty systemically healthy controls were selected for the study. Controls were divided randomly into four groups: Group 1: Manual GP followed by RaCe rotary instruments, Group 2: Manual GP followed by HyFlex rotary instruments, Group 3: Mechanical GP followed by RaCe rotary instruments, Group 4: Mechanical GP followed by HyFlex rotary instruments. After access opening, GP was prepared and rotary instruments were used according to manufacturer's instructions. All instruments were evaluated for defects under standard error mean before their use and after a single use. The scorings for the files were given at apical and middle third. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-squared test was used. Results: The results showed that there is no statistical difference between any of the groups. Irrespective of the GP and rotary files used, more defects were present in the apical third when compared to middle third of the rotary instrument. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that there was no effect of manual or mechanical GP on surface defects of subsequent rotary file system used.
Comprehensive Molecular Characterization of Salivary Duct Carcinoma Reveals Actionable Targets and Similarity to Apocrine Breast Cancer

Purpose: Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is an aggressive salivary malignancy, which is resistant to chemotherapy and has high mortality rates. We investigated the molecular landscape of SDC, focusing on genetic alterations and gene expression profiles. Experimental Design: We performed whole-exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and immunohistochemical analyses in 16 SDC tumors and examined selected alterations via targeted sequencing of 410 genes in a second cohort of 15 SDCs. Results: SDCs harbored a higher mutational burden than many other salivary carcinomas (1.7 mutations/Mb). The most frequent genetic alterations were mutations in TP53 (55%), HRAS (23%), PIK3CA (23%), and amplification of ERBB2 (35%). Most (74%) tumors had alterations in either MAPK (BRAF/HRAS/NF1) genes or ERBB2. Potentially targetable alterations based on supportive clinical evidence were present in 61% of tumors. Androgen receptor (AR) was overexpressed in 75%; several potential resistance mechanisms to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) were identified, including the AR-V7 splice variant (present in 50%, often at low ratios compared with full-length AR) and FOXA1 mutations (10%). Consensus clustering and pathway analyses in transcriptome data revealed striking similarities between SDC and molecular apocrine breast cancer. Conclusions: This study illuminates the landscape of genetic alterations and gene expression programs in SDC, identifying numerous molecular targets and potential determinants of response to AR antagonism. This has relevance for emerging clinical studies of ADT and other targeted therapies in SDC. The similarities between SDC and apocrine breast cancer indicate that clinical data in breast cancer may generate useful hypotheses for SDC. Clin Cancer Res; 22(18); 4623–33. ©2016 AACR.
Intensity Video Guided 4D Fusion for Improved Highly Dynamic 3D Reconstruction

The availability of high-speed 3D video sensors has greatly facilitated 3D shape acquisition of dynamic and deformable objects, but high frame rate 3D reconstruction is always degraded by spatial noise and temporal fluctuations. This paper presents a simple yet powerful intensity video guided multi-frame 4D fusion pipeline. Temporal tracking of intensity image points (of moving and deforming objects) allows registration of the corresponding 3D data points, whose 3D noise and fluctuations are then reduced by spatio-temporal multi-frame 4D fusion. We conducted simulated noise tests and real experiments on four 3D objects using a 1000 fps 3D video sensor. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is effective at reducing 3D noise and is robust against intensity noise. It outperforms existing algorithms with good scalability on both stationary and dynamic objects.
Effect of Task and Eccentricity of the Target on Detection Thresholds in Mesopic Vision: Implications for Road Lighting

Objective: The aim of this work is to assess how adding a driving-related task affects the detection of objects in peripheral vision, under mesopic conditions. Background: The main index used to assess the quality of road lighting installations refers to simple detection tasks in foveal vision, which raises methodological and practical questions. Method: The experimental design consisted of a three-phase experiment. In the first phase, two groups (control and experimental) performed a peripheral detection task (simple task). Based on these results an individual detection threshold was computed for each participant and eccentricity. A tracking task was performed in Phase 2 for both groups (steering a tracking target along a circuit, on a screen). In the third phase, the control group performed the same task as in Phase 2. The experimental group performed a double task, with a tracking (primary) task and a peripheral detection (secondary) task. Results: The data show an effect of the tracking task and eccentricity on peripheral event detection. The tracking task caused detection performance to decrease from 84.2% to 67.5%, p < . 001. Conclusion: The small target visibility model used in road lighting may be improved, taking into account the effects of task and eccentricity on target detection. Application: This study supports improved roadway lighting design by guiding consideration of sign eccentricity and task load.
Analysis of YouTube as a Source of Information for West Nile Virus Infection

Introduction A major outbreak of West Nile Virus was seen last year in different parts of the United States. Adequate dissemination of correct information about the disease would have helped decrease its spread and the associated panic in the general population. In this study, we looked into the use of YouTube as a resource for providing information about West Nile Virus infection. Objective This study aims to identify and evaluate YouTube as resource for providing information on West Nile Virus infection to the general public. Methods YouTube was searched on November 25, 2012, using the keywords West Nile Virus epidemic, West Nile Virus infection, and West Nile Virus prevention for videos uploaded in the past 6 months containing relevant information about the disease. The videos were classified as useful, misleading, or as news updates based on the type of information contained. Total viewership, number of days since upload, total duration of videos, and source of upload were noted. Results A total of 106 videos with information on West Nile Virus infection were included in the study, with 79.24% having useful information about the disease. Among the useful videos, 51/84 (60.71%) had information on disease prevention, and 29/84 (34.52%) contained information on news and research updates. The majority of these videos were uploaded by individuals (54.6%) or news agencies (41.8 %). Healthcare agencies contributed only 3.4 % of the total videos. Even though the useful videos represented 72% of all videos, there was significantly higher total viewership and viewership per day for the non-useful videos (P<0.05). Conclusions YouTube may be a significant resource for dissemination of information on public health issues like West Nile virus infection and should be targeted by healthcare agencies for this use. The major drawback of this medium is lack of verification by authorized healthcare professionals before these videos are made available for viewing by the community. Hence, a strict caution should be exercised in obtaining the information from unauthorized videos posted on YouTube.
Zinc, Copper, and Magnesium and Risks for All-Cause, Cancer, and Cardiovascular Mortality

Background: Experimental data suggest that zinc, copper, and magnesium are involved in carcinogenesis and atherogenesis. Few longitudinal studies have related these minerals to cancer or cardiovascular disease mortality in a population. Methods: Data from the Paris Prospective Study 2, a cohort of 4035 men age 30–60 years at baseline, were used to assess the association between serum zinc, copper, and magnesium and all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality. Serum mineral values measured at baseline were divided into quartiles and classified into low (1st quartile, referent group), medium (2nd–3rd quartiles), and high (4th quartile) values. During 18-year follow up, 339 deaths occurred, 176 as a result of cancer and 56 of cardiovascular origin. Relative risks (RRs) for each element were inferred using Cox's proportional hazard model after controlling for various potential confounders. Results: High copper values (4th quartile) were associated with a 50% increase in RRs for all-cause deaths (RR = 1.5; 95% confidence interval = 1.1–2.1), a 40% increase for cancer mortality (1.4; 0.9–2.2), and a 30% increase for cardiovascular mortality (1.3; 0.6–2.8) compared with low values (1st quartile). High magnesium values were negatively related to mortality with a 40% decrease in RR for all-cause (0.6; 0.4–0.8) and cardiovascular deaths (0.6; 0.2–1.2) and by 50% for cancer deaths (0.5; 0.3–0.8). Additionally, subjects with a combination of low zinc and high copper values had synergistically increased all-cause (2.6; 1.4–5.0) and cancer (2.7; 1.0–7.3) mortality risks. Similarly, combined low zinc and high magnesium values were associated with decreased all-cause (0.2; 0.1–0.5) and cancer (0.2; 0.1–0.8) mortality risks. Conclusions: High serum copper, low serum magnesium, and concomitance of low serum zinc with high serum copper or low serum magnesium contribute to an increased mortality risk in middle-aged men.
On the performance evaluation of CSMA/E2CA protocol with open loop ARF-based adaptive modulation and coding

Carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSHA/CA) has been the access protocol of choice for IEEE 802.11-based WLANs. In addition to channel sensing before transmission, the probability of a collision in these WLANs is typically reduced by the application of a binary exponential backoff (BEB) algorithm that randomizes the selection of the time slot in which a given station transmits. In a system without adaptive modulation and coding (AHC), the reduction in spectral efficiency caused by BEB is outweighed by the reduction in the number of collisions. In contrast, in systems using the ubiquitous auto rate fallback (ARF) AHC algorithm, which is unable to distinguish a collision from an erroneous transmission, the remaining collisions induce a dramatic drop in system performance. This degradation is caused by the utilization of low-rate transmission modes even when the channel conditions would permit the use of much higher-rate modes. In an attempt to further reduce the number of collisions, a variant of CSHA/CA, called enhanced collision avoidance (CSHA/E2CA), has been recently proposed. In this paper, a model approach to the performance evaluation of both BEB-based CSHA/CA and CSHA/E2CA, used in conjunction with ARF, is presented and validated. Results reveal the synergistic properties of the E2CA and ARF combination, as demonstrated by the superior goodput performance when compared against other strategies.
Mature Cystic Teratoma of the Lung: A Case Report

Teratomas are tumours composed of tissues derived from more than one germ cell line. Intrathoracic teratomas are usually seen in the mediastinum and very rarely in the lung. We report a case of a giant pulmonary teratoma occupying most of the right hemithorax in a 5-year-old female child with complaints of chest pain and low grade fever for the last 5 days. Patient was successfully operated with no recurrence in a 9 months follow up.