Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CPSC 514 Project : BRDF Fitting

A bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) specifies the ratio of incoming to outgoing light intensity at a particular point on a surface. Denoted , it is a function of wavelength , surface point , incoming light direction , and outgoing light direction . There is a vast literature [4] advocating different BRDF models on the basis of computational complexity, expressiveness, and theoretical/physical justification. The Lafortune BRDF model is an empirical model commonly used in rendering. We examine the effectiveness of various nonlinear optimization methods at parameterizing this class of BRDFs from synthetic image data.
A NOVEL FUZZY AND ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK REPRESENTATION OF OVERCURRENT RELAY CHARACTERISTICS

Accurate models of Overcurrent (OC) with inverse time relay characteristics play an important role for coordination of power system protection schemes. This paper proposes a new method for modeling OC relays curves. The model is based on fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks. The feed forward multilayer perceptron neural network is used to calculate operating times of OC relays for various Time Dial Settings (TDS) or Time Multiplier Settings (TMS). The new model is more accurate than traditional models. The model is validated by comparing the results obtained from the new method with linear and nonlinear Sachdev models as applied for various types of overcurrent relays.
Glucose Starvation in Cardiomyocytes Enhances Exosome Secretion and Promotes Angiogenesis in Endothelial Cells

Cardiomyocytes (CMs) and endothelial cells (ECs) have an intimate anatomical relationship that is essential for maintaining normal development and function in the heart. Little is known about the mechanisms that regulate cardiac and endothelial crosstalk, particularly in situations of acute stress when local active processes are required to regulate endothelial function. We examined whether CM-derived exosomes could modulate endothelial function. Under conditions of glucose deprivation, immortalized H9C2 cardiomyocytes increase their secretion of exosomes. CM-derived exosomes are loaded with a broad repertoire of miRNA and proteins in a glucose availability-dependent manner. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of exosome cargo molecules identified an enrichment of biological process that could alter EC activity. We observed that addition of CM-derived exosomes to ECs induced changes in transcriptional activity of pro-angiogenic genes. Finally, we demonstrated that incubation of H9C2-derived exosomes with ECs induced proliferation and angiogenesis in the latter. Thus, exosome-mediated communication between CM and EC establishes a functional relationship that could have potential implications for the induction of local neovascularization during acute situations such as cardiac injury.
Hunting the Monsters in the Database A critical review of computational tools for detecting chimeric 16 S PCR amplification

2 " The Chimera had the head of a lion and the tail of a serpent, while her body was that of a goat, and she breathed forth flames of fire; but Bellerophon slew her, for he was guided by signs from heaven. "-­‐ Book IV, Homer's Iliad. circa 800 BCE " Unprecedented diversity in a range of samples has been reported using pyrosequencing, and has been interpreted as evidence of an important and pervasive rare biosphere. " When applied, " rigorous chimera checking … reduced diversity estimates based on pyrosequencing by a factor of 10. "-­‐Hass et al. Chimeric 16S detection using chimera slayer.
Proactive traffic control based on human blockage prediction using RGBD cameras for millimeter-wave communications

This paper proposes an RGBD cameras-based wireless environment prediction and presents an implementation of a proactive traffic control system using the prediction results. In millimeter-wave and terahertz communications, frame loss rate increases and throughput is decreased tremendously when pedestrians block line-of-sight paths. Such serious human blockage does not occur in microwave communications. By using the RGBD cameras, we can predict human blockage easily as the cameras can detect obstacles and their mobility. We implement a prototype of a proactive traffic control system using camera-based human blockage prediction to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed system.
"I want to imagine how that place looks": designing technologies to support connectivity between africans living abroad and home

Uneven access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in parts of the African continent make it challenging for some Africans who migrate to the U.S. to communicate with family members in their countries of origin. However, Internet access is becoming more widespread throughout the continent and this development presents an opportunity to explore how future interactive systems can support exchanges between families with members living in developed and less developed countries. To investigate these design possibilities we interviewed 27 African-born students, currently living in Virginia, U.S., and asked them how they used ICTs to connect with family members in their home countries. Our findings informed the development of a low-fidelity prototype that eight students lived with for four to five months. Findings from this deployment study motivate a discussion regarding features to include in interfaces designed to support transnational family communication. Features include personally meaningful imagery, country specific content, and the ability to monitor the weather and changing currency rates in migrants' countries of origin.
Fathers experiences of sleeping problems in children with autism

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of fathers in the management of sleeping problems in children with autism and their perspectives of the impact of these difficulties on family life. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews with 25 UK-based fathers of children with autism were undertaken. Findings Two-thirds of fathers reported that their children experienced severe sleeping problems in the areas of bed-time resistance, sleep onset and night-time waking. Fathers were significantly involved in the management of these difficulties and reported a range of associated deleterious impacts on the family, including significant negative effects on paternal and maternal health, father’s employment, couple relationship and sibling experiences. Research limitations/implications The interview sample cannot be said to be representative of all fathers of children with autism since the backgrounds of those taking part were relatively homogeneous in respect of ethnicity, marital status and level of education. Practical implications Improvements in effective, family-centred provision are urgently needed which employ a co-parenting, gender-differentiated methodology. Social implications Given the severity and frequency of difficulties, sleeping problems in children with autism should be viewed as a significant public health concern. Originality/value This is one of the first studies, qualitative or quantitative, to explore the role and perspectives of fathers of children with autism in the important area of sleep management.
Controlling for Unobserved Confounds in Classification Using Correlational Constraints

As statistical classifiers become integrated into real-world applications, it is important to consider not only their accuracy but also their robustness to changes in the data distribution. In this paper, we consider the case where there is an unobserved confounding variable z that influences both the features x and the class variable y. When the influence of z changes from training to testing data, we find that the classifier accuracy can degrade rapidly. In our approach, we assume that we can predict the value of z at training time with some error. The prediction for z is then fed to Pearl's back-door adjustment to build our model. Because of the attenuation bias caused by measurement error in z, standard approaches to controlling for z are ineffective. In response, we propose a method to properly control for the influence of z by first estimating its relationship with the class variable y, then updating predictions for z to match that estimated relationship. By adjusting the influence of z, we show that we can build a model that exceeds competing baselines on accuracy as well as on robustness over a range of confounding relationships.
Experimental procedures to identify and validate specific mRNA targets of miRNAs

Functionally matured microRNAs (miRNAs) are small single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules which are emerging as important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and consequently are central players in many physiological and pathological processes. Since the biological roles of individual miRNAs will be dictated by the mRNAs that they regulate, the identification and validation of miRNA/mRNA target interactions is critical for our understanding of the regulatory networks governing biological processes. We promulgate the combined use of prediction algorithms, the examination of curated databases of experimentally supported miRNA/mRNA interactions, manual sequence inspection of cataloged miRNA binding sites in specific target mRNAs, and review of the published literature as a reliable practice for identifying and prioritizing biologically important miRNA/mRNA target pairs. Once a preferred miRNA/mRNA target pair has been selected, we propose that the authenticity of a functional miRNA/mRNA target pair be validated by fulfilling four well-defined experimental criteria. This review summarizes our current knowledge of miRNA biology, miRNA/mRNA target prediction algorithms, validated miRNA/mRNA target data bases, and outlines several experimental methods by which miRNA/mRNA targets can be authenticated. In addition, a case study of human endoglin is presented as an example of the utilization of these methodologies.
Designing for Family Learning in Museums: How Framing, Joint Attention, Conversation, and Togetherness are at Play

Learning is social in nature and takes place across many contexts (e.g., Bandura & Walters, 1963; Lave & Wenger, 1991; Vygotsky, 1962, 1978). Informal learning environments, such as musuems, provide a venue to study such family learning. My dissertation acknowledges families as learning units and recognizes that thoughtful design informed by learning research can buttress their natural learning together. Through a review of the museum-based, family learning literature, I identified three mechanisms—framing, joint attention, and conversation—that can serve to deepen and extend family learning. I then present two studies of simple interventions targeted at these mechanisms. In one study, families in a natural history museum explored dioramas in an experimental condition where they used flashlights to see into dioramas in a darkened room or in a control condition where they visited the dioramas in normal lighting conditions. Findings suggested the flashlights increased joint attention, which lead to learning conversations. In a second study, families visiting a children’s museum exhibition were encouraged to adopt the interpretive frame of scientist or artist. Findings suggest that framing changed what the families focused on during their visit, how they interacted, and how they talked about the content. I propose that framing, joint attention, and conversation are all aspects of a broader state of togetherness—which might serve as a useful concept to encourage research/practice collaboration for understanding and supporting families’ informal learning. In both studies, the goal was to utilize an exhibition’s natural affordances and seamlessly integrate the design intervention into a typical parent-child museum experience. This contrasts with parent training programs or other interventions that might require additional time investment outside of the family museum experience. Rather, the challenge was to design “exhibit learning hacks,” or employ simple tools that would impact parent-child learning talk in exhibit-aligned, playful ways. We found that families, as learning units, are malleable and design interventions can assist and shape their learning in low intervention but high impact ways.
Decision phase regulation of streptomycin production in Streptomyces griseus

The streptomycin (Sm) producer, Streptomyces griseus N2-3-11, shows medium-independent biphasic kinetics of the vegetative or exponential growth phase (EGP), reflecting an innate clock-like behaviour of growth and differentiation. The S. griseus growth and development cycle has the following characteristics: (1) after the developmental cycle commences, it cannot be influenced by environmental conditions; (2) the first EGP (decision phase) and its duration seem to be genetically determined, and it is also exhibited in pleiotropic mutants deficient in differentiation and antibiotic production; (3) during this early phase of growth, the decision to produce Sm is established and the fixation of later production and differentiation can only be influenced by effector molecules, e.g. A-factor, during this period; (4) after the onset of the second EGP, the commitment to Sm production cannot be reversed by dilution into fresh medium, nor by effector molecules; (5) the length of time of this effector-insensitive growth phase (second EGP or execution phase) can be extended by dilution into fresh medium; (6) the differentiation cycle of S. griseus is completed on entering stationary phase. The cells of S. griseus then return to a decision-making stage and recover sensitivity to effector molecules. Evidence that this type of phasing is valid for the growth and developmental cycles of all streptomycetes is discussed.
Natural resource scarcity and technological change

Nonrenewable natural resources, such as aluminum and crude oil, exist only in fixed amounts on Earth. Consequently, some observers are concerned that natural resource scarcity will eventually limit future economic growth and human well-being. Others remain optimistic that technological change will overcome geophysical scarcity. Brown and Wolk examine the evidence for natural resource scarcity and find that over the past century reliance on free markets has promoted sufficient technological change to overcome geophysical scarcity for most nonrenewable natural resources. Rather than rising--as would result from increased scarcity--the relevant real prices of most nonrenewable natural resources have fallen. Although declines in real prices have moderated since World War II, the authors find little evidence of increased scarcity in the postwar era. Increased reliance on markets during the closing decades of the twentieth century is cause for optimism that these trends will continue in the twenty-first.
Global Versus Domain-Specific Identity Processes

The current study contributes to the ongoing discussion about validity and utility of global and domain-specific assessment of identity processes in emerging adulthood (EA) by using a three-dimensional model of identity development and examining four identity domains (best friend, education, occupation, and partner). The links between global and domain-specific identity processes and main features of EA are analyzed in the Eastern European context, which is largely underrepresented in studies on identity development. Participants were 1,217 (49.9% females) emerging adults aged between 20 and 31 years (M age = 25.89, SD age = 3.51). This study showed that global identity processes only partly explain domain-specific ones and that domain-specific processes have unique links with features of EA. Taken together, this study shows that consideration of different life domains to measure identity processes is essential, since identity development in friendship, partnership education, and work domains can have different associations with outcomes of interest.
The art of serendipity: killing of Caenorhabditis elegans by human pathogens as a model of bacterial and fungal pathogenesis

The nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, has been used to develop a facile model system of host–pathogen interactions to identify basic evolutionarily conserved pathways associated with microbial pathogenesis. The model involves the killing of Caenorhabditis elegans by a variety of human pathogens. Several virulence-related genes in a variety of pathogens previously shown to be involved in mammalian infection have also been shown to play a role in Caenorhabditis elegans killing. Screening of large numbers of microbial mutants for attenuation in a mammalian model would require thousands of mice, rats or rabbits. In contrast, the Caenorhabditis elegans model allows rapid identification of mutants in microbial genes associated with pathogenesis and then these phenotypes can be confirmed in a relevant mammalian model.
Computerized ionospheric tomography based on geosynchronous SAR: Theory, advantages and feasibility study

Computerized Ionospheric Tomography (CIT) is a power tool for investigating the ionospheric electron density in three-dimensional space, and has important implications for weather forecast and scientific research. The existing researches on CIT are mostly based on the GPS data, which have disadvantages of complex operation, bad environment adaptability, small covering area and so on. The researches on CIT based on space-borne SAR are still at primarily stage and the relevant research methods are based on the low earth orbit SAR (LEO SAR) data, which have disadvantages of real-time performance and small covering area. This paper proposes a CIT technique based on geosynchronous SAR (GEO SAR), which may well solve the problems in the existing CIT techniques. In this paper, firstly, the advantages of CIT based on GEO SAR are analyzed. Then, the geometry and implementation process of CIT technique based on GEO SAR are given. Moreover, a GEO SAR satellite formation design is proposed in order to achieve better CIT performance. Finally, the simulation results of CIT based on GEO SAR using the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) data are shown, verifying the theoretical analysis.
Achieving learning object interoperability and reusability through object orientation

Throughout the literature there is significant evidence to show that in general the goals of learning object reusabil-ity and interoperability are not being met very well. In this paper we discuss how object orientation can be applied to the learning object concept to improve interoperability and reusability. In particular we show how features of object orientation such as inheritance, polymorphism, information hiding and instantiation among others play a significant role in interoperability and reusability in a theory of learning objects presented in a previous paper.
SPARC-like 1 (SPARCL1), a gene downregulated in non-small cell lung cancer

The aim of this thesis was to find out whether SPARCL1 is a tumor suppressor gene with mutation or deletion in its genomic region and to reveal the mechanism leading to its downregulation. Furthermore, we wanted to see whether SC1 mRNA is also downregulated in mouse lung tumors. Using a new anti-SPARCL1/SC1 antibody we planned to investigate the protein expression pattern in different healthy tissues as well as in tumorous tissues of humans and mice.
Fight evolution with evolution: plasmid-dependent phages with a wide host range prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance

The emergence of pathogenic bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics is a serious worldwide public health concern. Whenever antibiotics are applied, the genes encoding for antibiotic resistance are selected for within bacterial populations. This has led to the prevalence of conjugative plasmids that carry resistance genes and can transfer themselves between diverse bacterial groups. In this study, we investigated whether it is feasible to attempt to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistances with a lytic bacteriophage, which can replicate in a wide range of gram‐negative bacteria harbouring conjugative drug resistance–conferring plasmids. The counter‐selection against the plasmid was shown to be effective, reducing the frequency of multidrug‐resistant bacteria that formed via horizontal transfer by several orders of magnitude. This was true also in the presence of an antibiotic against which the plasmid provided resistance. Majority of the multiresistant bacteria subjected to phage selection also lost their conjugation capability. Overall this study suggests that, while we are obligated to maintain the selection for the spread of the drug resistances, the ‘fight evolution with evolution’ approach could help us even out the outcome to our favour.
Synthesis and Cytotoxic Effect of Some Novel 1,2-Dihydropyridin-3-carbonitrile and Nicotinonitrile Derivatives

1-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propen-1-one (1) was prepared and reacted with an active methylene compound (ethyl cyanoacetate) in the presence of ammonium acetate to give the corresponding cyanopyridone 2. Compound 2 reacted with hydrazine hydrate, malononitrile, ethyl bromoacetate and phosphorous oxychloride to afford compounds 4 and 7–11, respectively. The 2-chloropyridine derivative 11 reacted with different primary amines, namely benzyl amine, piperonyl amine, 1-phenylethyl amine, and/or the secondary amines 2-methyl-pipridine and morpholine to give the corresponding derivatives 12–15. Hydrazinolysis of chloropyridine derivative 11 with hydrazine hydrate afforded the corresponding hydrazino derivative 17. Condensation of compound 17 with ethyl acetoacetate, acetylacetone, isatin and different aldehydes gave the corresponding derivatives 18–21. Some of newly synthesized compounds were screened for cytotoxic activity against three tumor cell lines. The results indicated that compounds 8 and 16 showed the best results, exhibiting the highest inhibitory effects towards the three tumor cell lines, which were higher than that of the reference doxorubicin and these compounds were non-cytotoxic towards normal cells (IC50 values > 100 μg/mL).
Cortisol as a Prognostic Marker of Short-Term Outcome in Chinese Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background Early prediction of outcome is important for allocation of therapeutic strategies. Endocrine alterations of the hypothalamus–pituitary–axis are one of the first stress-induced alterations after cerebral ischemia. We therefore evaluated the prognostic value of serum cortisol in Chinese patients with an acute ischemic stroke. Methods In a prospective observational study, serum cortisol was measured using a solid-phase, competitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay on admission in serum of 226 consecutive Chinese patients with an acute ischemic stroke. The prognostic value of serum cortisol to predict the functional outcome, mortality within 90 days, was compared with clinical variables (e.g., advanced age and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NHISS] score) and with other known predictors. Results Patients with a poor outcome and nonsurvivors had significantly increased serum cortisol levels on admission (P<0.0001, P<0.0001). There was a positive correlation between levels of cortisol and the NIHSS (r = 0.298, P<0.0001), glucose levels (r = 0.324, P<0.0001) and infarct volume (r = 0.328, P<0.0001). Cortisol was an independent prognostic marker of functional outcome and death [odds ratio 3.44 (2.58–6.23) and 4.21 (1.89–9.24), respectively, P<0.0001 for both, adjusted for age, the NIHSS and other predictors] in patients with ischemic stroke. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, cortisol could improve the NIHSS score in predicting short-term functional outcome (Area under the curve [AUC] of the combined model, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.82–0.92; P = 0.01) and mortality (AUC of the combined model, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84–0.95; P = 0.01). Conclusion Cortisol can be seen as an independent short-term prognostic marker of functional outcome and death in Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke even after correcting confounding factors. Combined model can add significant additional predictive information to the clinical score of the NIHSS.