Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Theory of Photometric Stereo for a Class of Diffuse Non-Lambertian Surfaces

A theory of photometric stereo is proposed for a large class of non-Lambertian reflectance maps. The authors review the different reflectance maps proposed in the literature for modeling reflection from real-world surfaces. From this, they obtain a mathematical class of reflectance maps to which the maps belong. They show that three lights can be sufficient for a unique inversion of the photometric stereo equation for the entire class of reflectance maps. They also obtain a constraint on the positions of light sources for obtaining this solution. They investigate the sufficiency of three light sources to estimate the surface normal and the illuminant strength. The issue of completeness of reconstruction is addressed. They show that if k lights are sufficient for a unique inversion, 2k lights are necessary for a complete inversion. >
Viewpoint-Dependent Recognition of Familiar Faces

The question whether object representations in the human brain are object-centered or viewer-centered has motivated a variety of experiments with divergent results. A key issue concerns the visual recognition of objects seen from novel views. If recognition performance depends on whether a particular view has been seen before, it can be interpreted as evidence for a viewer-centered representation. Earlier experiments used unfamiliar objects to provide the experimenter with complete control over the observer's previous experience with the object. In this study, we tested whether human recognition shows viewpoint dependence for the highly familiar faces of well-known colleagues and for the observer's own face. We found that observers are poorer at recognizing their own profile, whereas there is no difference in response time between frontal and profile views of other faces. This result shows that extensive experience and familiarity with one's own face is not sufficient to produce viewpoint invariance. Our result provides strong evidence for viewer-centered representations in human visual recognition even for highly familiar objects.
Performance Profile of Students in a University General Biology Course

Performance monitoring of at-risk and not-at-risk students was performed during the spring 1994 semester in a general biology course for non-science majors at a large land-grant institution in the southern United States. This course is required in such curricula as the social sciences, humanities, management, and engineering. Students' potential for success was assessed by Marsh's (1985) Biomathematical Skills Test (BST), a 46-item test using quantitatively-focused questions dealing with biological topics. Additionally, the opportunity was used to examine achievement levels and other characteristics of this class, with the assumption that its makeup and performance represented the profile of students who might typically enroll in this course. Beyond grades, comparative performance assessments were made among several criteria including gender and rank in both the at-risk and not-at-risk populations. Inventory measurements of self-concept and nature of science surveys were also given. This study was supported by a Teaching Excellence and Faculty Initiative Grant provided by the author's home institution and was approved by its Use of Human Subjects in Research Committee.
Suppression of dendritic cell maturation and T cell proliferation by synovial fluid myeloid cells from mice with autoimmune arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether myeloid cells (such as granulocytes) present in the synovial fluid (SF) of arthritic joints have an impact on adaptive immunity. Specifically, we investigated the effects of SF cells harvested from the joints of mice with proteoglycan-induced arthritis (PGIA), on dendritic cell (DC) maturation and antigen-specific T cell proliferation. METHODS We monitored DC maturation (MHCII and CD86 expression) by flow cytometry upon coculture of DCs with SF cells or spleen myeloid cells from mice with PGIA. The effects of these myeloid cells on T cell proliferation were studied using T cells purified from PG-specific T cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic (Tg) mice. Phenotype analysis of myeloid cells was performed by immunostaining, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and biochemical assays. RESULTS Inflammatory SF cells significantly suppressed the maturation of DCs upon coculture. PG-TCR-Tg mouse T cells cultured with antigen-loaded DCs showed dramatic decreases in proliferation in the presence of SF cells. Spleen myeloid cells from arthritic mice did not have suppressive effects. SF cells were unable to suppress CD3/CD28-stimulated proliferation of the same T cells, suggesting a DC-dependent mechanism. SF cells exhibited all of the characteristics of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and exerted suppression primarily through the production of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species by granulocyte-like cells. CONCLUSION SF in the joints of mice with PGIA contains a population of granulocytic MDSCs that potently suppress DC maturation and T cell proliferation. These MDSCs have the potential to limit the expansion of autoreactive T cells, thus breaking the vicious cycle of autoimmunity and inflammation.
A modular sensor microsystem utilizing a universal interface circuit

The performance features of MEMS transducers allow the development of a new class of small, low-power sensor microsystems which utilize a suite of sensors to support a wide range of applications. This paper presents a system-level framework for constructing such microsystems where system modularity for application adaptability is a primary design consideration. System architecture, communication protocols, modular packaging, and interface electronics are discussed in general terms, and an implementation of these concepts is presented. Key requirements for microsystem modularity, such as a communication bus and a universal microsensor interface circuit which support plug-n-play operation for online reconfiguration, are developed and presented in this paper.
Problems in Path Analysis and Causal Inference

This paper was prepared while the author was a staff member in the Methodology in Sociology training program at the University of Wisconsin, a project funded by the Institute of General Medical Sciences, N.I. H. The author is grateful to Hubert M. Blalock, Jr., and Otis Dudley Duncan for comments and criticisms of an earlier draft. They are in no way responsible for remaining errors, and the author is solely responsible for the general orientation and tone of the exposition.
PEVK domain of titin: an entropic spring with actin-binding properties.

The PEVK domain of the giant muscle protein titin is a proline-rich sequence with unknown secondary/tertiary structure. Here we compared the force-extension behavior of cloned cardiac PEVK titin measured by single-molecule atomic force spectroscopy with the extensibility of the PEVK domain measured in intact cardiac muscle sarcomeres. The analysis revealed that cardiac PEVK titin acts as an entropic spring with the properties of a random coil exhibiting mechanical conformations of different flexibility. Since in situ, titin is in close proximity to the thin filaments, we also studied whether the PEVK domain of cardiac or skeletal titin may interact with actin filaments. Interaction was indeed found in the in vitro motility assay, in which recombinant PEVK titin constructs slowed down the sliding velocity of actin filaments over myosin. Skeletal PEVK titin affected the actin sliding to a lesser degree than cardiac PEVK titin. The cardiac PEVK effect was partially suppressed by physiological Ca(2+) concentrations, whereas the skeletal PEVK effect was independent of [Ca(2+)]. Cosedimentation assays confirmed the Ca(2+)-modulated actin-binding propensity of cardiac PEVK titin, but did not detect interaction between actin and skeletal PEVK titin. In myofibrils, the relatively weak actin-PEVK interaction gives rise to a viscous force component opposing filament sliding. Thus, the PEVK domain contributes not only to the extensibility of the sarcomere, but also affects contractile properties.
A novel cognitive MAC layer protocol towards 5G spectrum and energy efficiency

Future wireless networks are witnessing a major demand for mobile data, which necessitates reconsidering the design and deployment of their infrastructures. To fill this gap, the next-generation mobile 5G is defined as one of the promising solutions. Although the heterogeneous network, the small cell concept and the Cognitive Radio (CR) are considered as key drive technologies for 5G, the major challenge facing them is how to enhance the spectral efficiency system for an Ultra Dense Heterogeneous 5G Network (UDHetNet) while saving energy consumption. This paper suggests a novel media access control layer design for an UDHetNet, using the CR approach with a new sensing strategy through the dynamic common cognitive monitor channel protocol to overcome the encountered issue. Therefore, a closed-form expression of energy efficiency model is derived and analysed using the stochastic geometry system.
The Influence of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ Concentration on Ca2+ Sparks and Spontaneous Transient Outward Currents in Single Smooth Muscle Cells

Localized, transient elevations in cytosolic Ca2+, known as Ca2+ sparks, caused by Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum, are thought to trigger the opening of large conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels in the plasma membrane resulting in spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) in smooth muscle cells. But the precise relationships between Ca2+ concentration within the sarcoplasmic reticulum and a Ca2+ spark and that between a Ca2+ spark and a STOC are not well defined or fully understood. To address these problems, we have employed two approaches using single patch-clamped smooth muscle cells freshly dissociated from toad stomach: a high speed, wide-field imaging system to simultaneously record Ca2+ sparks and STOCs, and a method to simultaneously measure free global Ca2+ concentration in the sarcoplasmic reticulum ([Ca2+]SR) and in the cytosol ([Ca2+]CYTO) along with STOCs. At a holding potential of 0 mV, cells displayed Ca2+ sparks and STOCs. Ca2+ sparks were associated with STOCs; the onset of the sparks coincided with the upstroke of STOCs, and both had approximately the same decay time. The mean increase in [Ca2+]CYTO at the time and location of the spark peak was ∼100 nM above a resting concentration of ∼100 nM. The frequency and amplitude of spontaneous Ca2+ sparks recorded at −80 mV were unchanged for a period of 10 min after removal of extracellular Ca2+ (nominally Ca2+-free solution with 50 μM EGTA), indicating that Ca2+ influx is not necessary for Ca2+sparks. A brief pulse of caffeine (20 mM) elicited a rapid decrease in [Ca2+]SR in association with a surge in [Ca2+]CYTO and a fusion of STOCs, followed by a fast restoration of [Ca2+]CYTO and a gradual recovery of [Ca2+]SR and STOCs. The return of global [Ca2+]CYTO to rest was an order of magnitude faster than the refilling of the sarcoplasmic reticulum with Ca2+. After the global [Ca2+]CYTO was fully restored, recovery of STOC frequency and amplitude were correlated with the level of [Ca2+]SR, even though the time for refilling varied greatly. STOC frequency did not recover substantially until the [Ca2+]SR was restored to 60% or more of resting levels. At [Ca2+]SR levels above 80% of rest, there was a steep relationship between [Ca2+]SR and STOC frequency. In contrast, the relationship between [Ca2+]SR and STOC amplitude was linear. The relationship between [Ca2+]SR and the frequency and amplitude was the same for Ca2+ sparks as it was for STOCs. The results of this study suggest that the regulation of [Ca2+]SR might provide one mechanism whereby agents could govern Ca2+ sparks and STOCs. The relationship between Ca2+ sparks and STOCs also implies a close association between a sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release site and the Ca2+-activated potassium channels responsible for a STOC.
Increasing Polymer Solar Cell Fill Factor by Trap‐Filling with F4‐TCNQ at Parts Per Thousand Concentration

Intrinsic traps in organic semiconductors can be eliminated by trap-filling with F4-TCNQ. Photovoltaic tests show that devices with F4-TCNQ at parts per thousand concentration outperform control devices due to an improved fill factor. Further studies confirm the trap-filling pathway and demonstrate the general nature of this finding.
Enhanced Brain Responses to Pain-Related Words in Chronic Back Pain Patients and Their Modulation by Current Pain

Previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies in healthy controls (HC) and pain-free migraine patients found activations to pain-related words in brain regions known to be activated while subjects experience pain. The aim of the present study was to identify neural activations induced by pain-related words in a sample of chronic back pain (CBP) patients experiencing current chronic pain compared to HC. In particular, we were interested in how current pain influences brain activations induced by pain-related adjectives. Subjects viewed pain-related, negative, positive, and neutral words; subjects were asked to generate mental images related to these words during fMRI scanning. Brain activation was compared between CBP patients and HC in response to the different word categories and examined in relation to current pain in CBP patients. Pain-related words vs. neutral words activated a network of brain regions including cingulate cortex and insula in subjects and patients. There was stronger activation in medial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and anterior midcingulate cortex in CPB patients than in HC. The magnitude of activation for pain-related vs. negative words showed a negative linear relationship to CBP patients’ current pain. Our findings confirm earlier observations showing that pain-related words activate brain networks similar to noxious stimulation. Importantly, CBP patients show even stronger activation of these structures while merely processing pain-related words. Current pain directly influences on this activation.
On the Exact Analysis of Scheduling Algorithms for Bluetooth Piconets and Scatternets

Bluetooth enables wireless communication via ad-hoc networks. The basic network topology (piconet) is a collection of slaves controlled by a master. A scatternet is a multihop network of piconets. Efficient piconet and scatternet communication requires design of intra and inter-piconet scheduling algorithms. Thus, numerous scheduling algorithms have been recently proposed. Analytical performance evaluation of such algorithms has great importance, since it may provide insight on their design and optimization. However, due to inherent complexities of the Bluetooth Medium Access Control (MAC), the performance of these scheduling algorithms has been analyzed mostly via simulation. Recently, Misic and Misic (17), (18), (19), (21), (22), (23), (24), (25) have claimed to provide exact analytic results regarding intra and inter-piconet scheduling algorithms which are based on the theory of M/G /1 queue with vacations. In this paper, we present alternative analytic results which are based on the theory of polling systems. Using these results we show that the results presented in (19) are incorrect, as they are based on unsatisfied assumptions leading to inaccurate probability generating functions. Thus, in some cases (19) underestimates the intra-piconet delay by more than 50% and in other cases it overestimates the delay by more than 50%. We also indicate that for similar reasons the results presented in (17), (18), (20), (21), (22), (23), (24), and (25) seem to be incorrect.
Priority Auctions and Queue Disciplines That Depend on Processing Time

We analyze the allocation of priority in queues via simple bidding mechanisms. In our model, the stochastically arriving customers are privately informed about their own processing time. They make bids upon arrival at a queue whose length is unobservable. We consider two bidding schemes that differ in the definition of bids (these may reflect either total payments or payments per unit of time) and in the timing of payments (before or after service). In both schemes, a customer obtains priority over all customers, waiting in the queue or arriving while he is waiting, who make lower bids. Our main results show how the convexity/concavity of the function expressing the costs of delay determines the queue discipline (i.e., shortest-processing-time-first (SPT), longest-processing-time-first (LPT)) arising in a bidding equilibrium.
Currently used and investigational drugs for Cushing´s disease

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cushing’s disease (CD) is caused by a corticotroph adenoma of the pituitary gland that secretes excess adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) causing increased morbidity and mortality. Surgery is the treatment of choice, but is not always successful. Alternatives include radiotherapy, adrenal surgery, and pharmaceutical therapy. The latter is increasingly gaining momentum due to the recent development of compounds that reduce hypercortisolaemia or its symptoms, acting through different mechanisms. Areas covered: In this article, the authors provide a complete overview of the treatment options for Cushing´s disease, including adrenal-directed, tumor-targeted, and peripheral therapies that are currently used or in development, and discuss their potential advantages and limitations. Expert opinion: Considering the lack of long-term remission in up to half of the patients after surgery, and the delayed response to radiotherapy along with potential side effects, there is a strong need for an effective pharmaceutical treatment. Pasireotide, mifepristone, ketoconazole and metyrapone have been approved by regulatory authorities but their use remains limited due to considerable costs and side effects. Research in this field has focused recently on the improvement of pre-existing drugs and the development of safe new ones. However, few approaches aim at targeting the source of the disease, the ACTH-secreting adenoma.
Objective measures of listening effort: effects of background noise and noise reduction.

PURPOSE This work is aimed at addressing a seeming contradiction related to the use of noise-reduction (NR) algorithms in hearing aids. The problem is that although some listeners claim a subjective improvement from NR, it has not been shown to improve speech intelligibility, often even making it worse. METHOD To address this, the hypothesis tested here is that the positive effects of NR might be to reduce cognitive effort directed toward speech reception, making it available for other tasks. Normal-hearing individuals participated in 2 dual-task experiments, in which 1 task was to report sentences or words in noise set to various signal-to-noise ratios. Secondary tasks involved either holding words in short-term memory or responding in a complex visual reaction-time task. RESULTS At low values of signal-to-noise ratio, although NR had no positive effect on speech reception thresholds, it led to better performance on the word-memory task and quicker responses in visual reaction times. CONCLUSIONS Results from both dual tasks support the hypothesis that NR reduces listening effort and frees up cognitive resources for other tasks. Future hearing aid research should incorporate objective measurements of cognitive benefits.
Symbolic pointer analysis for detecting memory leaks

It is well accepted that pointers are a common source of memory anomalies such as loosing references to dynamic records without deallocating them (also known as memory leaks). This paper presents a novel pointer analysis framework that detects memory leaks by statically analyzing the behavior of programs. Our approach is based on symbolic evaluation of programs. Symbolic evaluation is an advanced static symbolic analysis that is centered around symbolic variable values, assumptions about and constraints between variable values, and control flow information (path conditions). As part of symbolic evaluation we introduce a new symbolic heap algebra for modeling heap operations. Predicates — defined over the program's input — are derived which allow to detect memory leaks. Our approach goes beyond previous work in the field of statically detecting memory leaks by considering also path conditions which increases the accuracy of our results, symbolically modeling heap data structures and heap operations. Examples are used to illustrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Study on flood clustering and recognition methods based on fuzzy set theory

the authors give a comprehensive analysis on flood clustering and recognition methods based on fuzzy set theory. In the methods, historical flood data are clustered into several partitions by applying fuzzy clustering iteration algorithm and the optimal number of cluster is obtained by using cluster validity criterion, and a real-time flood hydrograph partition is recognized by fuzzy pattern recognition model. The above-mentioned flood clustering and recognition methods are also used to Huanren reservoir and the results show that the methods are feasible and practicable to cluster and recognize flood hydrographs.
Electrodermal Activity in Bipolar Patients during Affective Elicitation

Bipolar patients are characterized by a pathological unpredictable behavior, resulting in fluctuations between states of depression and episodes of mania or hypomania. In the current clinical practice, the psychiatric diagnosis is made through clinician-administered rating scales and questionnaires, disregarding the potential contribution provided by physiological signs. The aim of this paper is to investigate how changes in the autonomic nervous system activity can be correlated with clinical mood swings. More specifically, a group of ten bipolar patients underwent an emotional elicitation protocol to investigate the autonomic nervous system dynamics, through the electrodermal activity (EDA), among different mood states. In addition, a control group of ten healthy subjects were recruited and underwent the same protocol. Physiological signals were analyzed by applying the deconvolutive method to reconstruct EDA tonic and phasic components, from which several significant features were extracted to quantify the sympathetic activation. Experimental results performed on both the healthy subjects and the bipolar patients supported the hypothesis of a relationship between autonomic dysfunctions and pathological mood states.
Race Differences in Parental Influences on Child Achievement: Multiple Pathways to Success

Using data from a national multiethnic, longitudinal study of children, this study examined the process of how parents' educational attainment is related to children's achievement through the beliefs and behaviors of parents and how this influence varies by race/ethnicity. Measures of socioeconomic status, parental expectations for educational success, reading, school involvement, and warmth were collected through home interviews. Achievement measures were collected in kindergarten and third grade. Using structural equation modeling techniques, we found parents' educational attainment to be an important predictor of children's achievement as well as the change in their achievement across time. Parental beliefs and behaviors were important indirect pathways of this influence, especially for European American families, but varied in important ways by race/ethnicity. Parents' educational attainment is a powerful predictor of what parents provide in the home environment, and researchers and policymakers who want to understand children's achievement need to examine the important role that education may play in child development.