Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Virtual View Generation with a Hybrid Camera Array

Virtual view synthesis from an array of cameras has been an essential element of three-dimensional video broadcasting/conferencing. In this paper, we propose a scheme based on a hybrid camera array consisting of four regular video cameras and one time-of-flight depth camera. During rendering, we use the depth image from the depth camera as initialization, and compute a view-dependent scene geometry using constrained plane sweeping from the regular cameras. View-dependent texture mapping is then deployed to render the scene at the desired virtual viewpoint. Experimental results show that the addition of the time-of-flight depth camera greatly improves the rendering quality compared with an array of regular cameras with similar sparsity. In the application of 3D video boardcasting/conferencing, our hybrid camera system demonstrates great potential in reducing the amount of data for compression/streaming while maintaining high rendering quality.
Cross-Culture study of Biases in Location Judgments

This paper examined cultural impacts on absolute and relative location estimates of 12 Eastern China cities, based on questionnaires of each city’s latitude and distances between city pairs. Linear regression analysis of the latitude estimates revealed that estimated latitude of a city is significantly related to its actual latitude. MDS analysis of the distance estimates revealed the gap that divided Eastern China into two regions and cultural-related causation of the gap was explained in detail. In particular, the Chinese language and its impact on spatial cognition were addressed. Results were compared with North America comparison was made to conclude important features of spatial cognition in common: the categorical storage of spatial information and the absolute-relative location reasoning process.
Tide Table Digit Recognition Based on Wavelet-Grid Feature Extraction and Support Vector Machine

To be represented in tabular form and graphical format in ship electronic navigation system, printing tidal material must be processed into textual information, which is completed by an automatic tide table recognition module consisting of a feature extractor and a classifier. In feature extraction, a new wavelet part grid feature is defined based on wavelet's directive characteristics. In classification phase, multi-class SVM classifier is used instead of neural networks. Experiments show that the wavelet grid feature has good stability and satisfactory distinction, and SVM classifiers have better generalization performance than that of neural networks.
An improved algorithm for fractal image encoding based on relative error

The fractal image coding algorithm is a kind of brand-new coding algorithm, which uses the self-similarity of the image to realize the image data's compression. But for each range block, searching out the best matched domain block is a extremely time-consuming thing. A faster encoding algorithm is thus proposed in this paper. The proposed algorithm uses an inequality linking the root-mean-square(RMS) and the relative error, sets up a kick-out condition based on the relative error to avoid the excessive searching, and thus the remaining domain blocks could be discarded, so its runtime is significantly shortened. The simulation results on 2 test images with different complexities demonstrate that the proposed scheme could averagely achieve the speed- up of 32 times as the baseline fractal algorithm with full searching, while it gives an insignificant degradation in the subjective quality of the decoded image.
A Novel Extracytoplasmic Function (ECF) Sigma Factor Regulates Virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Next to the two-component and quorum sensing systems, cell-surface signaling (CSS) has been recently identified as an important regulatory system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CSS systems sense signals from outside the cell and transmit them into the cytoplasm. They generally consist of a TonB-dependent outer membrane receptor, a sigma factor regulator (or anti-sigma factor) in the cytoplasmic membrane, and an extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor. Upon perception of the extracellular signal by the receptor the ECF sigma factor is activated and promotes the transcription of a specific set of gene(s). Although most P. aeruginosa CSS systems are involved in the regulation of iron uptake, we have identified a novel system involved in the regulation of virulence. This CSS system, which has been designated PUMA3, has a number of unusual characteristics. The most obvious difference is the receptor component which is considerably smaller than that of other CSS outer membrane receptors and lacks a β-barrel domain. Homology modeling of PA0674 shows that this receptor is predicted to be a bilobal protein, with an N-terminal domain that resembles the N-terminal periplasmic signaling domain of CSS receptors, and a C-terminal domain that resembles the periplasmic C-terminal domains of the TolA/TonB proteins. Furthermore, the sigma factor regulator both inhibits the function of the ECF sigma factor and is required for its activity. By microarray analysis we show that PUMA3 regulates the expression of a number of genes encoding potential virulence factors, including a two-partner secretion (TPS) system. Using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos as a host we have demonstrated that the P. aeruginosa PUMA3-induced strain is more virulent than the wild-type. PUMA3 represents the first CSS system dedicated to the transcriptional activation of virulence functions in a human pathogen.
Statistical aspects concerning signal coherence applied to randomly modulated periodic signals

The signal coherence (SC) function was developed for detecting signals that exhibit an inherent nondeterminism in their genesis. To allow the use of this technique as an objective response detector, the necessary statistical apparatus is developed in this letter. It is shown that SC is, in fact, a deterministic transformation of the magnitude-squared coherence (MSC) function, whose sampling distribution has been recently derived, between a random signal and a deterministic signal. As a result, it is demonstrated that both SC and MSC exhibit virtually identical performances in the detection of randomly modulated signals.
Real-Time Estimation of Satellite-Derived PM2.5 Based on a Semi-Physical Geographically Weighted Regression Model

The real-time estimation of ambient particulate matter with diameter no greater than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) is currently quite limited in China. A semi-physical geographically weighted regression (GWR) model was adopted to estimate PM2.5 mass concentrations at national scale using the Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aerosol Optical Depth product fused by the Dark Target (DT) and Deep Blue (DB) algorithms, combined with meteorological parameters. The fitting results could explain over 80% of the variability in the corresponding PM2.5 mass concentrations, and the estimation tends to overestimate when measurement is low and tends to underestimate when measurement is high. Based on World Health Organization standards, results indicate that most regions in China suffered severe PM2.5 pollution during winter. Seasonal average mass concentrations of PM2.5 predicted by the model indicate that residential regions, namely Jing-Jin-Ji Region and Central China, were faced with challenge from fine particles. Moreover, estimation deviation caused primarily by the spatially uneven distribution of monitoring sites and the changes of elevation in a relatively small region has been discussed. In summary, real-time PM2.5 was estimated effectively by the satellite-based semi-physical GWR model, and the results could provide reasonable references for assessing health impacts and offer guidance on air quality management in China.
Part of Speech Tagging of Punjabi Language using N Gram Model

POS tagger is the process of assigning a correct tag to each word of the sentence. We attempted to improve the accuracy of existing Punjabi POS tagger. This POS tagger lacks in resolving the ambiguity of a no of words as it uses only hand written Rules. A Bi-gram Model has been used to solve the part of speech tagging problem. An annotated corpus was used for training and estimating of bi gram probabilities. General terms POS tagging, NLP
Palmprint Verification using SIFT features

This paper describes the design and development of a prototype of robust biometric system for personnel verification. The system uses features extracted using scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) operator of human hand. The hand image for features is acquired using a low cost scanner. The palmprint region extracted is robust to hand translation and rotation on the scanner. The use of SIFT operator for feature extractions makes the system robust to scale or spatial resolution of the hand images acquired. The system is tested on IITK database of 200 images and PolyU database of 7751 images. The design of the system with low cost scanner as input device, robustness to translation, rotation and spatial resolution, and testing performance, FAR 0.02%, FRR 0.62%, and accuracy 99.67% suggests that the system can be used for civilian applications and high-security environments.
The influence of socioeconomic status on women’s preferences for modern contraceptive providers in Nigeria: a multilevel choice modeling

Background Contraceptives are one of the most cost effective public health interventions. An understanding of the factors influencing users’ preferences for contraceptives sources, in addition to their preferred methods of contraception, is an important factor in increasing contraceptive uptake. This study investigates the effect of women’s contextual and individual socioeconomic positions on their preference for contraceptive sources among current users in Nigeria. Methods A multilevel modeling analysis was conducted using the most recent 2008 Nigerian Demographic and Health Surveys data of women aged between 15 and 49 years old. The analysis included 1,834 ever married women from 888 communities across the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. Three outcome variables, private, public, and informal provisions of contraceptive sources, were considered in the modeling. Results There was variability in women’s preferences for providers across communities. The result shows that change in variance accounted for about 31% and 19% in the odds of women’s preferences for both private and public providers across communities. Younger age and being from the richest households are strongly associated with preference for both private and public providers. Living in rural areas and economically deprived neighborhoods were the community level determinants of women’s preferences. Conclusion This study documents the independent association of contextual socioeconomic characteristics and individual level socioeconomic factors with women’s preferences for contraceptive commodity providers in Nigeria. Initiatives that seek to improve modern contraceptive uptake should jointly consider users’ preferences for sources of these commodities in addition to their preference for contraceptive type.
A New Measurement of the Stellar Mass Density at z ≈ 5: Implications for the Sources of Cosmic Reionization

We present a new measurement of the integrated stellar mass per comoving volume at redshift 5 determined via spectral energy fitting drawn from a sample of 214 photometrically selected galaxies with z < 26.5 in the southern GOODS field. Following recent procedures introduced by Eyles et al., we estimate stellar masses for various subsamples for which reliable and unconfused Spitzer IRAC detections are available. A spectroscopic sample of 14 of the most luminous sources with = 4.92 provides a firm lower limit to the stellar mass density of 1 × 106 M☉ Mpc-3. Several galaxies in this subsample have masses of order 1011 M☉, implying that significant earlier activity occurred in massive systems. We then consider a larger sample whose photometric redshifts in the publicly available GOODS-MUSIC catalog lie in the range 4.4 < z < 5.6. Before adopting the GOODS-MUSIC photometric redshifts, we check the accuracy of their photometry and explore the possibility of contamination by low-z galaxies and low-mass stars. After excising probable stellar contaminants and using the z - J color to exclude any remaining foreground red galaxies, we conclude that 196 sources are likely to be at z ≃ 5. The implied mass density from the unconfused IRAC fraction of this sample, scaled to the total available, is 6 × 106 M☉ Mpc-3. We discuss the uncertainties, as well as the likelihood that we have underestimated the true mass density. By including fainter and quiescent sources, the total integrated density could be as high as 1 × 107 M☉ Mpc-3. Even accounting for 25% cosmic variance within a single GOODS field, such a high mass density only 1.2 Gyr after the big bang has interesting consequences for the implied past average star formation during the period when cosmic reionization is now thought to have taken place. Using the currently available (but highly uncertain) rate of decline in the star formation history over 5 < z < 10, a better fit is obtained for the assembled mass at z ≃ 5 if we admit significant dust extinction at early times or extend the luminosity function to very faint limits. An interesting consequence of the latter possibility is an abundant population of low-luminosity sources just beyond the detection limits of current surveys. As mass density estimates improve at z ≃ 5-6, our method is likely to provide one of the tightest constraints on the question of whether star-forming sources were responsible for reionizing the universe.
Do differences in Toxoplasma prevalence influence global variation in secondary sex ratio? Preliminary ecological regression study

SUMMARY Sex of the fetus is genetically determined such that an equal number of sons and daughters are born in large populations. However, the ratio of female to male births across human populations varies significantly. Many factors have been implicated in this. The theory that natural selection should favour female offspring under suboptimal environmental conditions implies that pathogens may affect secondary sex ratio (ratio of male to female births). Using regression models containing 13 potential confounding factors, we have found that variation of the secondary sex ratio can be predicted by seroprevalence of Toxoplasma across 94 populations distributed across African, American, Asian and European continents. Toxoplasma seroprevalence was the third strongest predictor of secondary sex ratio, β = −0·097, P < 0·01, after son preference, β = 0·261, P < 0·05, and fertility, β = −0·145, P < 0·001. Our preliminary results suggest that Toxoplasma gondii infection could be one of the most important environmental factors influencing the global variation of offspring sex ratio in humans. The effect of latent toxoplasmosis on public health could be much more serious than it is usually supposed to be.
Nonintegrating Lentiviral Vector-Based Vaccine Efficiently Induces Functional and Persistent CD8+ T Cell Responses in Mice

CD8+ T cells are an essential component of an effective host immune response to tumors and viral infections. Genetic immunization is particularly suitable for inducing CTL responses, because the encoded proteins enter the MHC class I processing pathway through either transgene expression or cross-presentation. In order to compare the efficiency and persistence of immune response induced by genetic vaccines, BALB/c mice were immunized either twice intramuscularly with DNA plasmid expressing a codon-optimized HIV-1 gp120 Envelope sequence together with murine GM-CSF sequence or with a single immunization using an integrase defective lentiviral vector (IDLV) expressing the same proteins. Results strongly indicated that the schedule based on IDLV vaccine was more efficient in inducing specific immune response, as evaluated three months after the last immunization by IFNγ ELISPOT in both splenocytes and bone marrow- (BM-) derived cells, chromium release assay in splenocytes, and antibody detection in sera. In addition, IDLV immunization induced high frequency of polyfunctional CD8+ T cells able to simultaneously produce IFNγ, TNFα, and IL2.
A p53 Drug Response Signature Identifies Prognostic Genes in High-Risk Neuroblastoma

Chemotherapy induces apoptosis and tumor regression primarily through activation of p53-mediated transcription. Neuroblastoma is a p53 wild type malignancy at diagnosis and repression of p53 signaling plays an important role in its pathogenesis. Recently developed small molecule inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 interaction are able to overcome this repression and potently activate p53 dependent apoptosis in malignancies with intact p53 downstream signaling. We used the small molecule MDM2 inhibitor, Nutlin-3a, to determine the p53 drug response signature in neuroblastoma cells. In addition to p53 mediated apoptotic signatures, GSEA and pathway analysis identified a set of p53-repressed genes that were reciprocally over-expressed in neuroblastoma patients with the worst overall outcome in multiple clinical cohorts. Multifactorial regression analysis identified a subset of four genes (CHAF1A, RRM2, MCM3, and MCM6) whose expression together strongly predicted overall and event-free survival (p<0.0001). The expression of these four genes was then validated by quantitative PCR in a large independent clinical cohort. Our findings further support the concept that oncogene-driven transcriptional networks opposing p53 activation are essential for the aggressive behavior and poor response to therapy of high-risk neuroblastoma.
Proteomic analysis of lipid body from the alkenone‐producing marine haptophyte alga Tisochrysis lutea

Lipid body (LB) is recognized as the cellular carbon and energy storage organelle in many organisms. LBs have been observed in the marine haptophyte alga Tisochrysis lutea that produces special lipids such as long‐chain (C37‐C40) ketones (alkenones) with 2–4 trans‐type double bonds. In this study, we succeeded in developing a modified method to isolate LB from T. lutea. Purity of isolated LBs was confirmed by the absence of chlorophyll auto‐fluorescence and no contamination of the most abundant cellular protein ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. As alkenones predominated in the LB by GC‐MS analysis, the LB can be more appropriately named as “alkenone body (AB). ” Extracted AB‐containing proteins were analyzed by the combination of 1DE (SDS‐PAGE) and MS/MS for confident protein identification and annotated using BLAST tools at National Center for Biotechnology Information. Totally 514 proteins were identified at the maximum. The homology search identified three major proteins, V‐ATPase, a hypothetical protein EMIHUDRAFT_465517 found in other alkenone‐producing haptophytes, and a lipid raft‐associated SPFH domain‐containing protein. Our data suggest that AB of T. lutera is surrounded by a lipid membrane originating from either the ER or the ER‐derived four layer‐envelopes chloroplast and function as the storage site of alkenones and alkenes.
Uncovering Hidden Phylogenetic Consensus in Large Data Sets

Many of the steps in phylogenetic reconstruction can be confounded by "rogue” taxa-taxa that cannot be placed with assurance anywhere within the tree, indeed, whose location within the tree varies with almost any choice of algorithm or parameters. Phylogenetic consensus methods, in particular, are known to suffer from this problem. In this paper, we provide a novel framework to define and identify rogue taxa. In this framework, we formulate a bicriterion optimization problem, the relative information criterion, that models the net increase in useful information present in the consensus tree when certain taxa are removed from the input data. We also provide an effective greedy heuristic to identify a subset of rogue taxa and use this heuristic in a series of experiments, with both pathological examples from the literature and a collection of large biological data sets. As the presence of rogue taxa in a set of bootstrap replicates can lead to deceivingly poor support values, we propose a procedure to recompute support values in light of the rogue taxa identified by our algorithm; applying this procedure to our biological data sets caused a large number of edges to move from "unsupported” to "supported” status, indicating that many existing phylogenies should be recomputed and reevaluated to reduce any inaccuracies introduced by rogue taxa. We also discuss the implementation issues encountered while integrating our algorithm into RAxML v7.2. 7, particularly those dealing with scaling up the analyses. This integration enables practitioners to benefit from our algorithm in the analysis of very large data sets (up to 2,500 taxa and 10,000 trees, although we present the results of even larger analyses).
U-Skyline: A New Skyline Query for Uncertain Databases

The skyline query, aiming at identifying a set of skyline tuples that are not dominated by any other tuple, is particularly useful for multicriteria data analysis and decision making. For uncertain databases, a probabilistic skyline query, called P-Skyline, has been developed to return skyline tuples by specifying a probability threshold. However, the answer obtained via a P-Skyline query usually includes skyline tuples undesirably dominating each other when a small threshold is specified; or it may contain much fewer skyline tuples if a larger threshold is employed. To address this concern, we propose a new uncertain skyline query, called U-Skyline query, in this paper. Instead of setting a probabilistic threshold to qualify each skyline tuple independently, the U-Skyline query searches for a set of tuples that has the highest probability (aggregated from all possible scenarios) as the skyline answer. In order to answer U-Skyline queries efficiently, we propose a number of optimization techniques for query processing, including 1) computational simplification of U-Skyline probability, 2) pruning of unqualified candidate skylines and early termination of query processing, 3) reduction of the input data set, and 4) partition and conquest of the reduced data set. We perform a comprehensive performance evaluation on our algorithm and an alternative approach that formulates the U-Skyline processing problem by integer programming. Experimental results demonstrate that our algorithm is 10-100 times faster than using CPLEX, a parallel integer programming solver, to answer the U-Skyline query.
A Model-free Redundancy Resolution Technique for Visual Motor Coordination of a 6 DOF robot manipulator

In this paper, visual motor coordination of a 6 DOF robot manipulator is considered. It is difficult to analytically derive inverse kinematic relationships for such manipulators. The problem becomes more challenging owing to the presence of multiple solutions for the inverse-kinematic relationship between robot end-effector position and joint angle vector. Many of the current redundancy resolution techniques necessitate explicit orientation information which cannot be obtained from visual feedback. Hence such techniques cannot be used for visual motor coordination of redundant manipulators. In this paper, it is demonstrated that a feasible inverse kinematic solution may be obtained by using input-output space clustering along with the KSOM algorithm. The method is innovative in the sense that it does not require any orientation information for resolving redundancy and it is model-independent. The efficacy of the proposed method is illustrated through simulations on a 6 DOF PUMA 560 manipulator model.