Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AAAI-98 Robot Exhibition

The robot exhibition had a very successful 1998. At the conference, we had 11 robot demonstrations (including three multirobot demos), 5 oral presentations, and an additional 5 video or poster submissions. The exhibition also included a published video proceedings for the first time. One of the most interesting features of the exhibition was the variety of capabilities shown. From a mechanical point of view, indoor wheeled robots were, as usual, the most common form of robot, but the exhibit also featured several outdoor wheeled robots, several legged robots, two humanoids, a snake, and a plant. From a software perspective, the exhibit featured general-purpose robot-control software, vision, teleoperation, language learning, teamwork and expression of emotion. A significant number of entries addressed the important, emerging research area of robot-human interaction, both for entertainment purposes and ease of use.
The Developmental Transcription Factor Slug Is Widely Expressed in Tissues of Adult Mice

The Slug transcription factor plays an important role in epithelial-mesenchymal transformation during embryogenesis and is expressed in adult tissues during carcinogenesis. By detecting expression of a Slug–β-galactosidase fusion protein, we have now demonstrated that Slug is also re-expressed in a variety of normal tissues in the adult mouse. Slug is expressed at relatively high levels in patchy stretches of basal cells in stratified and pseudostratified epithelium, including skin, oral mucosa, esophagus, stomach, rectum, cervix, and trachea. Slug is also found at variable levels in fibroblasts and stromal smooth muscle cells in many tissues. Sites of more intense Slug expression in mesenchymal tissues include cartilage, kidney glomeruli, lung, ovary, and uterus. Therefore, Slug expression is not restricted to the period of embryonic development or to pathological processes. The pattern of localization to basal cells in various epithelia suggests that Slug may play a role in the cell migration that occurs during continual renewal of these tissues. (J Histochem Cytochem 52:959–965, 2004)
Adaptive Load Balancing for DHT Lookups

In the past few years, several DHT-based abstractions for peer-to-peer systems have been proposed. The main characteristic is to associate nodes (peers) with objects (keys) and to construct distributed routing structures to support efficient location. These approaches partially consider the load problem by balancing storage of objects without, however, considering lookup traffic. In this paper we present an analysis of structured peer-to-peer systems taking into consideration Zipf-like requests distribution. Based on our analysis, we propose a novel approach for load balancing taking into account object popularity. It is based on dynamic routing table reorganization in order to balance the routing load and on caching objects to balance the request load. We can therefore significantly improve the load balancing of traffic in these systems, and consequently their scalability and performance. Results from experimental evaluation demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Embedding Retrieval of Articulated Geometry Models

Due to the popularity of computer games and animation, research on 3D articulated geometry model retrieval has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. However, most existing works extract high-dimensional features to represent models and suffer from practical limitations. First, misalignment in high-dimensional features may produce unreliable euclidean distances and affect retrieval accuracy. Second, the curse of dimensionality also degrades efficiency. In this paper, we propose an embedding retrieval framework to improve the practicability of these methods. It is based on a manifold learning technique, the Diffusion Map (DM). We project all pairwise distances onto a low-dimensional space. This improves retrieval accuracy because intercluster distances are exaggerated. Then we adapt the Density-Weighted Nyström extension and further propose a novel step to locally align the Nyström embedding to the eigensolver embedding so as to reduce extension error and preserve retrieval accuracy. Finally, we propose a heuristic to handle disconnected manifolds by augmenting the kernel matrix with multiple similarity measures and shortcut edges, and further discuss the choice of DM parameters. We have incorporated two existing matching algorithms for testing. Our experimental results show improvement in precision at high recalls and in speed. Our work provides a robust retrieval framework for the matching of multimedia data that lie on manifolds.
Absolute quantification of AMPA receptor subunit mRNAs in single hippocampal neurons

α‐Amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionate (AMPA) receptor subunit (GluR1–4) mRNAs expressed by single neurons in rat hippocampal cultures were quantified by single‐cell RT‐PCR using an internal standard RNA after whole‐cell patch‐clamp recording. The internal standard RNA, derived from GluR2 with a single nucleotide substitution, was reverse‐transcribed and PCR‐amplified with the same efficiency as GluR1–4 mRNAs. The mean mRNA numbers harvested in vitro from pyramidal‐like neurons on day 9 were 1150 ± 324 molecules of GluR1, 1080 ± 273 molecules of GluR2, 100 ± 20 molecules of GluR3, and 50 ± 10 molecules of GluR4 (mean ± SEM, n = 12). In a non‐pyramidal neuronal population that expresses AMPA receptors characterized by high Ca2+ permeability, the numbers of GluR1, GluR3 and GluR4 mRNA molecules harvested per cell were 354 ± 64, 25 ± 17 and 168 ± 36, respectively (n = 8). The GluR2 mRNA was not detected in this cell type. The calculated ratio of AMPAR mRNA molecules per total mRNA molecules was 1/240 in pyramidal‐like neurons (1/500 for GluR2), being in the range obtained with total RNA from rat forebrain and cerebellum (1/170 and 1/380, respectively). Finally, our results indicated that the proportion of GluR1–4 mRNA located in neurites reached ∼60% in pyramidal‐like neurons. However, we found no evidence of preferential subcellular distribution of a given subunit.
Long-term directional changes in upland Quercus forests throughout Oklahoma, USA.

Questions: (1) How have the composition and structure of undisturbed upland Quercus forests changed over 50 years across a large region and moisture gradient; (2) What factors are associated with longterm and broad-scale changes in these forests? Location: Oklahoma, USA. Methods: We re-sampled 30 forest stands originally sampled in the 1950s across a large geographical area and compared basal area, tree density, and sapling density between the sampling periods using paired t-tests, CCA, and DCA. We examined vegetation dynamics in the context of drought indices compiled for the sample period. Results: Total and Quercus stellata basal area and tree density increased, but Q. stellata and Q. marilandica sapling density decreased. Juniperus virginiana and woody species richness increased for all measures. DCA indicated that re-sampled stands generally changed from Q. stellata–Q. marilandica-dominated forests to forests with greater woody species richness and more J. virginiana. Q. stellata remained a dominant tree species; otherwise, composition shifted towards mesophytic and invasive woody species. Measurements taken in the 1950s immediately followed a major drought; whereas subsequent decades were significantly moister. Conclusions: Fire exclusion and drought may have played an important role in driving changes towards lower dominance by Quercus, increased importance of mesophytic and invasive species, and greater woody species richness. These phenomena are similar to those found in Quercus-dominated forests throughout the northern hemisphere.
A ug 2 00 3 1 5 Optical , Ultraviolet and Infrared Observations of X-ray Binaries

In the 35 years since the first X-ray binary was optically identified (Sco X-1) the basic division of X-ray binaries into high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) and low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) has become firmly established. The nomenclature refers to the nature of the mass donor, with HMXBs normally taken to be ≥10M ⊙ , and LMXBs ≤1M ⊙. However, the last decade has seen the identification and measurement of a significant number of X-ray binaries whose masses are intermediate between these limits. Nevertheless, the nature of the mass-transfer process (stellar wind dominated in HMXBs, Roche lobe overflow in LMXBs) produces quite different properties in the two groups and so this chapter will be divided into two main sections on HMXBs and LMXBs. A more complete Introduction can be found in chapter 1. While the nature of the compact object and its properties are largely determined from X-ray studies (e.g. chapters 1,4), longer-wavelength observations allow detailed studies of the properties of the mass donor. This is most straightforward for the intrinsically luminous early-type companions of HMXBs, which provides the potential for a full solution of the binary parameters for those systems containing X-ray pulsars. This is particularly important for HMXB evolution in that it allows a comparison of the derived masses with those obtained for neutron stars in the much older binary radio pulsar systems (Thorsett & Chakrabarty, 1999 [208]). However, when HMXBs are suspected of harbouring black holes (e.g. Cyg X-1), the mass measurement process runs into difficulties. By definition, there will be no kinematic features (such as pulsations) associated with the compact object, and hence the analysis is based entirely on the mass-losing companion. Most importantly, the mass of the compact object depends on the accuracy to which that of the companion is known. The situation for LMXBs, such as Sco X-1, is completely different, in that their short orbital periods require their companion stars to be of much lower mass. In section 5.3 we collect together and discuss the results of mass determinations in all X-ray binaries. We also emphasise those properties that LMXBs have in common with cataclysmic variables (chap 10), most of which are related to the similar structure of their accretion discs. More recently, the advent of near-IR spectroscopic instrumentation on large telescopes has allowed the first detailed investigations of X-ray binaries in the Galactic Bulge and other regions of high extinction.
Frequency, Types, and Potential Clinical Significance of Medication-Dispensing Errors

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Many dispensing errors occur in the hospital, and these can endanger patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the rate of dispensing errors by a unit dose drug dispensing system, to categorize the most frequent types of errors, and to evaluate their potential clinical significance. METHODS: A prospective study using a direct observation method to detect medication-dispensing errors was used. From March 2007 to April 2007, “errors detected by pharmacists” and “errors detected by nurses” were recorded under six categories: unauthorized drug, incorrect form of drug, improper dose, omission, incorrect time, and deteriorated drug errors. The potential clinical significance of the “errors detected by nurses” was evaluated. RESULTS: Among the 734 filled medication cassettes, 179 errors were detected corresponding to a total of 7249 correctly fulfilled and omitted unit doses. An overall error rate of 2.5% was found. Errors detected by pharmacists and nurses represented 155 (86.6%) and 24 (13.4%) of the 179 errors, respectively. The most frequent types of errors were improper dose (n = 57, 31.8%) and omission (n = 54, 30.2%). Nearly 45% of the 24 errors detected by nurses had the potential to cause a significant (n = 7, 29.2%) or serious (n = 4, 16.6%) adverse drug event. CONCLUSIONS: Even if none of the errors reached the patients in this study, a 2.5% error rate indicates the need for improving the unit dose drug-dispensing system. Furthermore, it is almost certain that this study failed to detect some medication errors, further arguing for strategies to prevent their recurrence.
The pragmatics of clone detection and elimination

The occurrence of similar code, or `code clones', can make program code difficult to read, modify and maintain. This paper describes industrial case studies of clone detection and elimination using a refactoring and clone detection tool. We discuss how the studies have informed the design of the tool; more importantly, we use the studies to illustrate the complex set of decisions that have to be taken when performing clone elimination in practice. The case studies were performed in collaboration with engineers from Ericsson AB, and used the refactoring tool Wrangler for Erlang. However, the conclusions we draw are largely language-independent, and set out the pragmatics of clone detection and elimination in real-world projects as well as design principles for clone detection decision-support tools.
Trilateral filtering of range images using normal inner products

Accuracy of Kinect like range images is limited due to the infrared laser projector mode, so, in mobile robot applications, it is needed to preprocess them to achieve high quality range images without missing data. In this paper, we employ the cosine of the angle between neighboring normal vectors to determine edges and desired regions of range image that the direction of normal vector changed in comparison with neighbors pixels. We propose a novel Trilateral filter which uses the edge regions, detected in the previous step, as direction similarity and distance from plane fitted across the normal vector of central pixel for neighbor's pixels as distance similarity Gaussian filter beside spatial and intensity similarity Gaussian. By using this filter we can preserve perceptually important `sharp edges' or `boundaries' in a range image while reducing the noise or `small details'. Experimental results on several simulated 3D data show that proposed method gains 0.0102 meter in RMS and 87.2151 dB in PSNR criteria.
Color filter arrays based on mutually exclusive blue noise patterns

The ordered color filter arrays (CFA) used in single sensor, color digital still cameras introduce distracting color artifacts. These artifacts are due to the phase shifted, aliased signals introduced by the sparse sampling by the CFAs. This work reports the results of an investigation on the possibility of using random patterns as a CFA for single sensor, digital still cameras. From a single blue noise mask pattern, three mutually exclusive, random CFAs are constructed representing the red, green, and blue color filters. An edge adaptive method consisting of missing-pixel edge detection and boundary sensitive interpolation is employed to reconstruct the entire image. Experiments have shown that the random CFA alleviates the problem of the low-frequency color banding associated with ordered arrays. This method also has the advantage of better preserving color free, sharp neutral edges, and results in less deviation from neutral on high frequency, monochrome information.
Head Modeling with Camera Autocalibration and Deformation

A 3D head modeling method from a sequence of 2D images is described. The views from which the input images are acquired are not calibrated. Therefore, an auto-calibration method for a sequence of images with small rotations and translation is developed. For this purpose, we have modified an already existing auto-calibration algorithm to incorporate known aspect ratio and skew values to make it applicable for small rotation around a single axis. We apply this auto-calibration technique to head (face) modeling. Three dimensional positions of known facial features computed from two dimensional images are used to deform a generic head model by using a spring based energy minimization method.
Phosphorylation of Tyrosine Residues in the Kinase Domain and Juxtamembrane Region Regulates the Biological and Catalytic Activities of Eph Receptors

ABSTRACT Members of the Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases exhibit a striking degree of amino acid homology, particularly notable in the kinase and membrane-proximal regions. A mutagenesis approach was taken to address the functions of specific conserved tyrosine residues within these catalytic and juxtamembrane domains. Ligand stimulation of wild-type EphB2 in neuronal NG108-15 cells resulted in an upregulation of catalytic activity and an increase in cellular tyrosine phosphorylation, accompanied by a retraction of neuritic processes. Tyrosine-to-phenylalanine substitutions within the conserved juxtamembrane motif abolished these responses. The mechanistic basis for these observations was examined using the highly related EphA4 receptor in a continuous coupled kinase assay. Tandem mass spectrometry experiments confirmed autophosphorylation of the two juxtamembrane tyrosine residues and also identified a tyrosine within the kinase domain activation segment as a phosphorylation site. Kinetic analysis revealed a decreased affinity for peptide substrate upon substitution of activation segment or juxtamembrane tyrosines. Together, our data suggest that the catalytic and therefore biological activities of Eph receptors are controlled by a two-component inhibitory mechanism, which is released by phosphorylation of the juxtamembrane and activation segment tyrosine residues.
Genetic architecture and behavioral analysis of attention and impulsivity

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Improving Analogy-Based Software Cost Estimation through Probabilistic-Based Similarity Measures

The performance of software cost estimation based on analogy reasoning depends upon the measures that specifying the similarity between software projects. This paper empirically investigates the use of probabilistic-based distance functions to improve the similarity measurement. The probabilistic-based distance functions are considerably more robust, because they collect the implicit correlation between the occurrences of project feature attributes. This information gain enables the constructed estimation model to be more concise and comprehensible. The study compares 6 probabilistic-based distance functions against the commonly-used Euclidian distance. We empirically evaluate the implemented cost estimation model using 5 real-world datasets collected from the PROMISE repository. The result shows a significant improvement in terms of error reduction, that implies an estimation based on probabilistic-based distance functions achieve higher accuracy on average, and the peak performance significantly outperforms the Euclidian distance based on Wilcox on signed-rank test.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene mutations, blood pressures, and cardiovascular homeostasis.

A common polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene (ACE in humans, Ace in mice) is associated with differences in circulating ACE levels that may confer a differential risk for cardiovascular diseases. To study the effects of genetically determined changes in Ace gene function within a defined genetic and environmental background, we have studied mice having one, two, or three functional copies of the Ace gene at its normal chromosomal location. ACE activities in the serum increased progressively from 62% of normal in the one-copy animals to 144% of normal in the three-copy animals (P < 10(-15), n = 132). The blood pressures of the mice having from one to three copies of the Ace gene did not differ significantly, but the heart rates, heart weights, and renal tubulointerstitial volumes decreased significantly with increasing Ace gene copy number. The level of kidney renin mRNA in the one-copy mice was increased to 129 +/- 9% relative to that of the normal two-copy mice (100 +/- 4%, P = .01, n = 16). We conclude that significant homeostatic adaptations successfully normalize the blood pressures of mice that have quantitative changes in Ace gene function. Our results suggest only that quantitative changes in expression of the Ace gene will observably affect blood pressures when accompanied by additional environmental or genetic factors that together with Ace exceed the capacity of the homeostatic mechanisms.
Pivot Probability Induction for Statistical Machine Translation with Topic Similarity

Previous works employ the pivot language approach to conduct statistical machine translation when encountering with limited amount of bilingual corpus. Conventional solutions based upon phrase-table combination overlook the semantic discrepancy between the source-pivot corpus and pivot-target corpus and consequently lead to probability estimation inaccuracy for the induced translation rules. In this paper, the latent topic structure of the document-level training data is learned automatically and each phrase translation rule is assigned to a topic distribution. Furthermore, the phrase probability induction is carried out on the basis of the topic similarity, allowing the translation system to consider the semantic relatedness among different rules. Using BLEU as a metric of translation accuracy, we find out our system is capable of achieving a absolute improvement in in-domain test compared with the baseline system.
Quality Assurance in Blood Transfusion

In recent years, in industrialised countries, blood transfusion has been the subject of ever greater controls through regulations, guidelines and standardisation. This process is often seen as the goal in itself, requiring the use of vast resources. Yet in reality, compliance with regulations and guidelines is not an end in itself but a means to an end the safety and eficacy of the product or service provided. In all countries, the application of the principles of quality is dependent both on changes in attitudes and work culture and on the availability of adequate resources, both human and material. In much of the developing world, the latter may be scarce, and when available, they may be less than adequate. Quality assurance is often seen as a resource-hungry and costly activity achievable only by affluent countries. It is our intention to show that this is not the case if the need for and proper application of the quality ethos are examined, properly understood and planned for. It is our considered view that the achievement of the highest quality in blood transfusion should be a universal aspiration that can and should be met by all. The fundamental mission of any blood transfusion service (BTS) is to provide blood products that are safe and effective when and where needed, and to provide a range of patient services such as laboratory testing and education, as needed. This mission is the same, whether applied to developed or developing countries although the means of achieving the mission may be different according to the economic and human resources available. The lack of adequate resources should not be a barrier to the application of quality assurance for there are many ways of achieving high quality even in the absence of vast resources. In summary, the overall quality objective of a BTS may be defined as the identification of measures which must be taken to ensure that the products and services that it offers are of the highest possible standard in order to maximise the benefit to the patient while safeguarding the well-being of the donor. While it is possible and feasible to achieve this intuitively, as is clearly evident from the early years of the BTS, the knowledge and use of established quality principles and techniques assist in achieving the objective methodically and repeatably.