Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic Transfer Function Generation Using Contour Tree Controlled Residue Flow Model and Color Harmonics

Transfer functions facilitate the volumetric data visualization by assigning optical properties to various data features and scalar values. Automation of transfer function specifications still remains a challenge in volume rendering. This paper presents an approach for automating transfer function generations by utilizing topological attributes derived from the contour tree of a volume. The contour tree acts as a visual index to volume segments, and captures associated topological attributes involved in volumetric data. A residue flow model based on Darcy's law is employed to control distributions of opacity between branches of the contour tree. Topological attributes are also used to control color selection in a perceptual color space and create harmonic color transfer functions. The generated transfer functions can depict inclusion relationship between structures and maximize opacity and color differences between them. The proposed approach allows efficient automation of transfer function generations, and exploration on the data to be carried out based on controlling of opacity residue flow rate instead of complex low-level transfer function parameter adjustments. Experiments on various data sets demonstrate the practical use of our approach in transfer function generations.
Can We Rely on Electronic Medical Record Systems to Reduce Medication Errors?

Expectations to Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems in healthcare are high when it comes to reducing medication errors and increasing security in the medication process. Studies show that certain types of medication errors are eliminated when introducing EMRs; however, such systems also entail new types of errors. Based on a study in an orthopedic surgical ward in a medium-sized Danish hospital, we investigate what previous types of errors can be reduced by using the EMRs but also what new types of errors may appear. We zoom in on the process of medicine prescription and focus on what new types of errors appear in the interaction between the doctors and the technology. Identifying and understanding the nature of errors that emerge when doctors use EMRs may enable system developers and implementers to better manage implementation and maintenance of future EMR projects and accordingly set up appropriate strategies to prevent medication errors.
AHP-Based Crucial Systems Requirement Critical Degree Algorithm

This paper's research work mainly pays attention to the requirement consistency validation. In order to solve the consistency evaluation and multi-branch selection problem during requirement validation process, this paper proposes a kind of requirement measurement method. At first, this paper proposes a keywords preprocessing method based on keywords extraction, synonyms expansion and a certain words reducing strategy. The method eliminates the influence to requirement measurement by thesaurus, low and high frequency, non-noun keywords. This paper proposes estimation matrix establishing rules in AHP model, and proposes requirement critical degree algorithm. The above points avoid the imprecise requirement qualitative analysis, and solve the quantitative evaluation problem to the requirement property value.
A fast convergence digital pre-distortion of APSK modulations based on joint algorithm

To compensate the nonlinear distortion of signals when high level APSK modulations is applied to satellite communication systems, a fast convergence memoryless digital pre-distortion algorithm is proposed. Based on the Saleh model of satellite high power amplifier (HPA), a joint algorithm for the adaptive parameter estimation is adopted which combines the normalized least mean square (NLMS) and recursive least square (RLS) algorithm. At the beginning of adaptive process RLS is used, and LMS is used when errors are reduced to a certain degree, and hence the factors of HPA models are calculated fast and accurately. Simulations results show that this algorithm converges fast and gets small steady state errors.
Role of the T cell in the genesis of angiotensin II–induced hypertension and vascular dysfunction

Hypertension promotes atherosclerosis and is a major source of morbidity and mortality. We show that mice lacking T and B cells (RAG-1−/− mice) have blunted hypertension and do not develop abnormalities of vascular function during angiotensin II infusion or desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)–salt. Adoptive transfer of T, but not B, cells restored these abnormalities. Angiotensin II is known to stimulate reactive oxygen species production via the nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase in several cells, including some immune cells. Accordingly, adoptive transfer of T cells lacking the angiotensin type I receptor or a functional NADPH oxidase resulted in blunted angiotensin II–dependent hypertension and decreased aortic superoxide production. Angiotensin II increased T cell markers of activation and tissue homing in wild-type, but not NADPH oxidase–deficient, mice. Angiotensin II markedly increased T cells in the perivascular adipose tissue (periadventitial fat) and, to a lesser extent the adventitia. These cells expressed high levels of CC chemokine receptor 5 and were commonly double negative (CD3+CD4−CD8−). This infiltration was associated with an increase in intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and RANTES in the aorta. Hypertension also increased T lymphocyte production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, and treatment with the TNFα antagonist etanercept prevented the hypertension and increase in vascular superoxide caused by angiotensin II. These studies identify a previously undefined role for T cells in the genesis of hypertension and support a role of inflammation in the basis of this prevalent disease. T cells might represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of high blood pressure.
The ‘Music Therapy with Families Network’: Creating a community of practice via social media

The seed for creating a network of music therapists working with families was planted at the 2012 Nordic Congress of Music Therapy in Jyvaskyla. As part of the Congress programme, there was a symposium titled ‘Music Therapy with Families’ chaired by Amelia Oldfield (UK) and Kirsi Tuomi (Finland). The symposium atmosphere was warm and collegial, with approximately 40 music therapists from around the world in attendance. During the presentations and the social gatherings that followed, there was a sense of excitement, with many feeling as though they had found their ‘tribe’. Conversations followed about how to continue to connect together professionally to provide support and share information about research, practice and therapeutic approaches. While music therapists from different countries acknowledged that there were various local support groups, they felt there was a need for a world-wide network.
FDRAM: DRAM architecture flexible in successive row and column accesses

Depending on the screen orientations of mobile devices, image and graphic applications access dynamic random access memory (DRAM) data in the complicated manner. Since conventional DRAMs cannot provide successive data in the same column, however, they achieve poor performance, and high power consumption in any screen orientations. This paper presents a novel DRAM efficient for both portrait and landscape screen orientations of mobile systems. We develop a simple, yet effective memory cell that is activated not only by a row activation command, but also by a new column activation command. Next, our DRAM architecture makes all the memory cells either on the same row, or on the same column successively accessed. The proposed DRAM commands and states are completely compatible with the conventional DRAM. Experimental results show the proposed DRAM is 2.6% more expensive, but achieves 5.8% higher memory utilization, 14.8% shorter memory latency, and 4.4% less memory power consumption than the conventional DRAM on average.
Estimating the aggregate/intraaggregate mass ratio of a shrinking soil

A recently introduced parameter, the ratio of an aggregate solid mass to a solid mass of an intraaggregate matrix (K ratio) is connected with the mean thickness of a deformable, but non-shrinking surface layer of aggregates and is a fundamental property of aggregated soils that essentially influences their shrinkage. The objective of this work is to suggest and validate an approach to estimating the K ratio at any soil clay content through characteristics of soil texture and structure. We derive an equation that reflects the interrelation between the K ratio and soil texture and structure. The K ratio can be estimated as the solution of the equation and is determined by the mean size of soil solids and the maximum size of soil aggregates in the oven-dried state, independently of a measured shrinkage curve. To validate the approach we use available data for eight soils.
On permanent-magnet synchronous generator current harmonics, due to rectifier at the generator end of the variable speed generator sets converter systems

This paper refers, mainly, to the problem of the current harmonics of PM synchronous generator, due to the electric conversion system rectifier, interfacing the generator and the grid, present in the structure of the variable speed windgenerators. The problem was experimentally studied on “Politehnica” University from Timisoara (UPT) laboratory test rig, based on the PM synchronous generator — “ac — ac frequency converter” — grid/consumer, of FORTIS Passaat of 1.5 kW horizontal axis windgenerator. The paper presents experimental results and conclusions regarding the generator characteristics, harmonic analysis of winding current, and their rejection / reduction methods.
Automatic construction of 3D models from architectural line drawings

We present a semi-automatic framework for construction of curved and polygonal 3D models from a 2D line drawing, such as architectural or mechanical drawings. Despite advances in image-based modeling, 3D modeling from a drawn image remains largely manual. In contrast, our method only requires the user to annotate the source image with a drawn cube for camera calibration. 3D models are then generated automatically. The modeling process has four steps: camera calibration, a novel line detection algorithm for noisy input, line labeling to calculate polygon adjacencies, a new incremental construction method that uses plane hinging-angle optimization to improve scalability over previous approaches. We also present algorithms for handling curved surfaces when they are part of a polygonal model that provides boundary conditions.
Proteomic Profile of Cryptococcus neoformans Biofilm Reveals Changes in Metabolic Processes

Cryptococcus neoformans, a pathogenic yeast, causes meningoencephalitis, especially in immunocompromised patients, leading in some cases to death. Microbes in biofilms can cause persistent infections, which are harder to treat. Cryptococcal biofilms are becoming common due to the growing use of brain valves and other medical devices. Using shotgun proteomics we determine the differences in protein abundance between biofilm and planktonic cells. Applying bioinformatic tools, we also evaluated the metabolic pathways involved in biofilm maintenance and protein interactions. Our proteomic data suggest general changes in metabolism, protein turnover, and global stress responses. Biofilm cells show an increase in proteins related to oxidation–reduction, proteolysis, and response to stress and a reduction in proteins related to metabolic process, transport, and translation. An increase in pyruvate-utilizing enzymes was detected, suggesting a shift from the TCA cycle to fermentation-derived energy acquisition. Additionally, we assign putative roles to 33 proteins previously categorized as hypothetical. Many changes in metabolic enzymes were identified in studies of bacterial biofilm, potentially revealing a conserved strategy in biofilm lifestyle.
Business modeling: The recipe for e-health success in Africa

The world has a new disease: successful e-health pilots that are ended before the actual product or service commercialization phase. It is an epidemic disorder that seems to spread rapidly. This paper searches for a remedy against this disease. By exploring five successful cases where e-health went beyond the pilot phase, we hope to explorer some best practices that may show Africa the way to implementing sustainable e-health innovations. We reached the following results. Theoretically, we found that e-health business model designs can help in explaining the success of specific e-health service innovations but we also found that these models mostly neglect the actual effort needed to create value. When analyzing the cases, we see that the business model concept is often applied in a too late stadium (post ante) and focuses too much on efficiency and not so much on e.g. user experience quality or convenience. These efficiency goals are mostly not met. Practically, we found communalities in the successful projects that can help making future e-health initiatives more successful and sustainable based on which we conclude that the usage of ex ante business model designs that include human capacity, motivation and effort will improve the chance of sustaining e-health initiatives. In Europe, this can be regarded as a luxury challenge but in Africa this is a necessity.
Lithographic defect aware placement using compact standard Cells without inter-cell margin

Conventional standard cells contain extra space, called inter-cell margin, to prevent potential defects caused by lithography process. Margin is indeed necessary between some cell pairs, but there are also lots of cell pairs that do not yield any defects (or have very low probability of defects) when they are placed without margin. We address a new placement problem using standard cells without inter-cell margin. Placement should be done such that defect probability is made as small as possible while standard objectives such as wirelength is also pursued. The key in this approach is efficient computation of defect probabilities of all cell pairs and arranging them as a table that is referred to by a placer. We study how the cell pairs can be grouped by examining similar patterns along cell boundary, which greatly reduces the number of defect probability computation. The proposed placement method was evaluated on a few test circuits using 28-nm technology. Chip area was reduced by 10.8% on average with average and maximum defect probability kept below 0.4% and 4.1%, respectively.
A fast GEMM implementation on the cypress GPU

We present benchmark results of optimized dense matrix multiplication kernels for Cypress GPU. We write general matrix multiply (GEMM) kernels for single (SP), double (DP) and double-double (DDP) precision. Our SGEMM and DGEMM kernels show ~ 2 Top/s and ~ 470 Glop/s, respectively. These results for SP and DP correspond to 73% and 87% of the theoretical performance of the GPU, respectively. Currently, our SGEMM and DGEMM kernels are fastest with one GPU chip to our knowledge. Furthermore, the performance of our matrix multiply kernel in DDP is 31 Gop/s. This performance in DDP is more than 200 times faster than the performance results in DDP on single core of a recent CPU (with mpack version 0.6.5). We describe our GEMM kernels with main focus on the SGEMM implementation since all GEMM kernels share common programming and optimization techniques. While a conventional wisdom of GPU programming recommends us to heavily use shared memory on GPUs, we show that texture cache is very effective on the Cypress architecture.
Compressed sensing for denoising in adaptive system identification

We propose a new technique for adaptive identification of sparse systems based on the compressed sensing (CS) theory. We manipulate the transmitted pilot (input signal) and the received signal such that the weights of adaptive filter approach the compressed version of the sparse system instead of the original system. To this end, we use random filter structure at the transmitter to form the measurement matrix according to the CS framework. The original sparse system can be reconstructed by the conventional recovery algorithms. As a result, the denoising property of CS can be deployed in the proposed method at the recovery stage. The experiments indicate significant performance improvement of proposed method compared to the conventional LMS method which directly identifies the sparse system. Furthermore, at low levels of sparsity, our method outperforms a specialized identification algorithm that promotes sparsity.
AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION OF TERRESTRIAL LASER SCANNER POINT CLOUDS USING NATURAL PLANAR SURFACES

Abstract. Terrestrial laser scanners have become a standard piece of surveying equipment, used in diverse fields like geomatics, manufacturing and medicine. However, the processing of today's large point clouds is time-consuming, cumbersome and not automated enough. A basic step of post-processing is the registration of scans from different viewpoints. At present this is still done using artificial targets or tie points, mostly by manual clicking. The aim of this registration step is a coarse alignment, which can then be improved with the existing algorithm for fine registration. The focus of this paper is to provide such a coarse registration in a fully automatic fashion, and without placing any target objects in the scene. The basic idea is to use virtual tie points generated by intersecting planar surfaces in the scene. Such planes are detected in the data with RANSAC and optimally fitted using least squares estimation. Due to the huge amount of recorded points, planes can be determined very accurately, resulting in well-defined tie points. Given two sets of potential tie points recovered in two different scans, registration is performed by searching for the assignment which preserves the geometric configuration of the largest possible subset of all tie points. Since exhaustive search over all possible assignments is intractable even for moderate numbers of points, the search is guided by matching individual pairs of tie points with the help of a novel descriptor based on the properties of a point's parent planes. Experiments show that the proposed method is able to successfully coarse register TLS point clouds without the need for artificial targets.
Study of wave propagation in two-dimensional photonic crystal

Strict solution of vector integral - differential equation describing electromagnetic wave propagation in photonic crystals was obtained. The crystals include dielectric, semiconductor and thin metallic films. Complex dielectric permittivity of materials in optical diapason is taken into account. The simple method of obtaining complex propagate number in structures with low loss are proposed and proved. Bandgap effects were analyzed in planar photonic crystals composed from new and useful optical materials.
Evaluation of cytotoxicity and corrosion resistance of orthodontic mini-implants

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate and compare in vitro cytotoxicity and corrosion resistance of mini-implants from three different commercial brands used for orthodontic anchorage. Methods: Six mini-implants (Conexão(tm), Neodent(tm) and SIN(tm)) were separately immersed in artificial saliva (pH 6.76) for 30 and 60 days. The cytotoxicity of the corrosion extracts was assessed in L929 cell cultures using the violet crystal and MTT assays, as well as cell morphology under light microscopy. Metal surface characteristics before and after immersion in artificial saliva were assessed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The samples underwent atomic absorption spectrophotometry to determine the concentrations of aluminum and vanadium ions, constituent elements of the alloy that present potential toxicity. For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA/Bonferroni tests were used for comparisons among groups with p < 0.05 considered significant. Statistical analysis was carried out with Graph Pad PRISM software Version 4.0. Results: No changes in cell viability or morphology were observed. Mini-implants SEM images revealed smooth surfaces with no obvious traces of corrosion. The extracts assessed by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry presented concentrations of aluminum and vanadium ions below 1.0 µg/mL and 0.5 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: Orthodontic mini-implants manufactured by Conexão(tm), Neodent(tm) and SIN(tm) present high corrosion resistance and are not cytotoxic.
Clustering and Symbolic Analysis of Cardiovascular Signals: Discovery and Visualization of Medically Relevant Patterns in Long-Term Data Using Limited Prior Knowledge

This paper describes novel fully automated techniques for analyzing large amounts of cardiovascular data. In contrast to traditional medical expert systems our techniques incorporate no a priori knowledge about disease states. This facilitates the discovery of unexpected events. We start by transforming continuous waveform signals into symbolic strings derived directly from the data. Morphological features are used to partition heart beats into clusters by maximizing the dynamic time-warped sequence-aligned separation of clusters. Each cluster is assigned a symbol, and the original signal is replaced by the corresponding sequence of symbols. The symbolization process allows us to shift from the analysis of raw signals to the analysis of sequences of symbols. This discrete representation reduces the amount of data by several orders of magnitude, making the search space for discovering interesting activity more manageable. We describe techniques that operate in this symbolic domain to discover rhythms, transient patterns, abnormal changes in entropy, and clinically significant relationships among multiple streams of physiological data. We tested our techniques on cardiologist-annotated ECG data from forty-eight patients. Our process for labeling heart beats produced results that were consistent with the cardiologist supplied labels 98.6 of the time, and often provided relevant finer-grained distinctions. Our higher level analysis techniques proved effective at identifying clinically relevant activity not only from symbolized ECG streams, but also from multimodal data obtained by symbolizing ECG and other physiological data streams. Using no prior knowledge, our analysis techniques uncovered examples of ventricular bigeminy and trigeminy, ectopic atrial rhythms with aberrant ventricular conduction, paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, and pulsus paradoxus.
The Computer Generation's Willingness to Pay for Originals when Pirates are Present – A CV study

A contingent valuation method is applied to study subjects' willingness to pay for originals when illegal copies are freely available. The subjects consisted of 234 Swedish undergraduate students from the "computer generation". Only 2% of the "normal" (and 0% of the "elite") students were willing to pay the retail price for the original. However, the majority was prepared to pay a non-negligible amount for the original. Demand curves and profit maximizing behaviors are analyzed. The price elasticity of piracy indicates that piracy is insensitive to price cuts. The results have implications for the calculation of damages of piracy.