Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blur-resistant joint 1D and 2D barcode localization for smartphones

With the proliferation of built-in cameras barcode scanning on smartphones has become widespread in both consumer and enterprise domains. To avoid making the user precisely align the barcode at a dedicated position and angle in the camera image, barcode localization algorithms are necessary that quickly scan the image for possible barcode locations and pass those to the actual barcode decoder. In this paper, we present a barcode localization approach that is orientation, scale, and symbology (1D and 2D) invariant and shows better blur invariance than existing approaches while it operates in real time on a smartphone. Previous approaches focused on selected aspects such as orientation invariance and speed for 1D codes or scale invariance for 2D codes. Our combined method relies on the structure matrix and the saturation from the HSV color system. The comparison with three other real-time barcode localization algorithms shows that our approach outperforms the state of the art with respect to symbology and blur invariance at the expense of a reduced speed.
Comparison of advanced and intermediate 200-m backstroke swimmers' dominant and non-dominant shoulder entry angles across various swimming speeds

Abstract During backstroke, an optimum shoulder entry angle of 180° has been anecdotally suggested; however, this has yet to be investigated biomechanically. The aim of this study was to quantify shoulder entry angles for advanced and intermediate backstroke swimmers. Six advanced (season's best <150 s) and six intermediate (season's best >160 s) 200-m backstroke swimmers had markers applied to the medial humeral epicondyles and glenoid cavities. Following a familarization period, participants completed backstroke swimming trials (90 s each) in a swimming flume at 50%, 60%, 70%, and 80% of their season's best 200-m velocity. A camera positioned above the flume recorded frontal plane motion, which was digitized and analysed in Simi Motion Systems. The mean peak angle between the upper arm and the line of progression was established in ten strokes for each participant. The results showed backstroke shoulder entry angles for advanced swimmers (170°) were significantly closer to the suggested optimum 180° compared with those of intermediate swimmers (161°). The non-dominant arm displayed values closer to the optimum (171°), while swimming speed had no effect on backstroke shoulder entry angle. In conclusion, backstroke shoulder entry angle may help discriminate between advanced and intermediate backstroke swimmers and may be influenced by laterality dominance, being independent of swimming speed.
Contextual Diversity and Rule-based Adaptive E-learning System Scheme

In an adaptive e-learning environment, the system must respond harmoniously to the changes of learner needs. The traditional e-learning systems provide adaptation based on user preferences only. To improve performance, it is required to incorporate learning context information such as the device and network context to determine the appropriate presentation method along with the user preferences. Mainly this paper discussed about the basic categories of context in e-learning environment and proposed an architectural overview of ontology driven rule-based adaptive system for obtaining effective delivery of learning material.
Tourism Goes Mobile: A Study on Young and Literate Mobile Users’ Adoption of Smartphone Enabled Tourism Product Booking Services

This study aims to investigate the in-depth feeling of young and literate mobile users in regard to the adoption of smartphone booking services (SBS) for purchasing tourism products. A research framework together with five hypotheses was proposed and empirically tested using data collected from a survey on SBS users between 18 and 29 years old. Innovation diffusion theory and fashion theory were used to investigate and explain young mobile users’ intention to purchase tourism products through SBS. Among the investigated factors, price level, relative advantage and complexity were found to significantly affect consumers’ intention to adopt SBS, but there was no evidence showing that slogan and fashion were significantly associated with users’ intention to use SBS. The validated research model and corresponding findings can be referenced by business executives and decision makers for making favorable tactics to catch the revolutionary benefits offered by SBS.
CXCL17 Is a Major Chemotactic Factor for Lung Macrophages

Chemokines are a superfamily of chemotactic cytokines that direct the movement of cells throughout the body under homeostatic and inflammatory conditions. The mucosal chemokine CXCL17 was the last ligand of this superfamily to be characterized. Several recent studies have provided greater insight into the basic biology of this chemokine and have implicated CXCL17 in several human diseases. We sought to better characterize CXCL17’s activity in vivo. To this end, we analyzed its chemoattractant properties in vivo and characterized a Cxcl17 −/− mouse. This mouse has a significantly reduced number of macrophages in its lungs compared with wild-type mice. In addition, we observed a concurrent increase in a new population of macrophage-like cells that are F4/80+CDllcmid. These results indicate that CXCL17 is a novel macrophage chemoattractant that operates in mucosal tissues. Given the importance of macrophages in inflammation, these observations strongly suggest that CXCL17 is a major regulator of mucosal inflammatory responses.
Altered morphology of hippocampal dentate granule cell presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals following conditional deletion of TrkB

Dentate granule cells play a critical role in the function of the entorhinal‐hippocampal circuitry in health and disease. Dentate granule cells are situated to regulate the flow of information into the hippocampus, a structure required for normal learning and memory. Correspondingly, impaired granule cell function leads to memory deficits, and, interestingly, altered granule cell connectivity may contribute to the hyperexcitability of limbic epilepsy. It is important, therefore, to understand the molecular determinants of synaptic connectivity of these neurons. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and its receptor TrkB are expressed at high levels in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, and are implicated in regulating neuronal development, neuronal plasticity, learning, and the development of epilepsy. Whether and how TrkB regulates granule cell structure, however, is incompletely understood. To begin to elucidate the role of TrkB in regulating granule cell morphology, here we examine conditional TrkB knockout mice crossed to mice expressing green fluorescent protein in subsets of dentate granule cells. In stratum lucidum, where granule cell mossy fiber axons project, the density of giant mossy fiber boutons was unchanged, suggesting similar output to CA3 pyramidal cell targets. However, filopodial extensions of giant boutons, which contact inhibitory interneurons, were increased in number in TrkB knockout mice relative to wildtype controls, predicting enhanced feedforward inhibition of CA3 pyramidal cells. In knockout animals, dentate granule cells possessed fewer primary dendrites and enlarged dendritic spines, indicative of disrupted excitatory synaptic input to the granule cells. Together, these findings demonstrate that TrkB is required for development and/or maintenance of normal synaptic connectivity of the granule cells, thereby implying an important role for TrkB in the function of the granule cells and hippocampal circuitry. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytotoxic Function of Umbilical Cord Blood Natural Killer Cells: Relevance to Adoptive Immunotherapy

Decreased graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), ease of accessibility, and sustained engraftment encourage the use of umbilical cord blood (UCB) as an alternative source to bone marrow for immune reconstitution in children with leukemia. Natural killer (NK) cells rapidly expand after stem cell transplantation and are important for regulating GVHD and providing graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects. This review highlights the phenotypic and functional differences between UCB NK cells and adult peripheral blood (APB) NK cells, and discusses the possible therapeutic benefit of using UCB NK cells for adoptive immunotherapy in leukemia. Alloreactive NK cells show potent cytotoxic activities against human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-nonidentical leukemic cells and reduce leukemia relapses. The higher numbers of NK progenitors in UCB makes it a convenient source for ex vivo expansion of UCB NK cells for posttransplant treatment. UCB NK cells readily respond to interleukin-15, which may greatly enhance their antitumor effect. Activation and expansion protocols for UCB NK cells are currently being developed.
Androgen receptor disruption increases the osteogenic response to mechanical loading in male mice

In female mice, estrogen receptor‐alpha (ERα) mediates the anabolic response of bone to mechanical loading. Whether ERα plays a similar role in the male skeleton and to what extent androgens and androgen receptor (AR) affect this response in males remain unaddressed. Therefore, we studied the adaptive response of in vivo ulna loading in AR‐ERα knockout (KO) mice and corresponding male and female single KO and wild‐type (WT) littermates using dynamic histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry. Additionally, cultured bone cells from WT and AR KO mice were subjected to mechanical loading by pulsating fluid flow in the presence or absence of testosterone. In contrast with female mice, ERα inactivation in male mice had no effect on the response to loading. Interestingly, loading induced significantly more periosteal bone formation in AR KO (+320%) and AR‐ERα KO mice (+256%) compared with male WT mice (+114%) and had a stronger inhibitory effect on SOST/sclerostin expression in AR KO versus WT mice. In accordance, the fluid flow‐induced nitric oxide production was higher in the absence of testosterone in bone cells from WT but not AR KO mice. In conclusion, AR but not ERα activation limits the osteogenic response to loading in male mice possibly via an effect on WNT signaling. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Importance of skin perfusion pressure in treatment of critical limb ischemia﻿.

UNLABELLED ﻿ The authors studied whether skin perfusion pressure (SPP) measurements can be used to accurately predict wound healing in critical limb ischemia (CLI) and to select peripheral arterial reconstructive procedures. METHODS Forty-seven patients (33 men and 14 women, age 36-83 years) with 69 ischemic limbs with foot ulcers or gangrene were studied retrospectively. Skin perfusion pressure was compared to the treatment outcomes (ulcers healed and ulcers that failed to heal). As a diagnostic test for CLI, the sensitivity, specificity, and the positive and the negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) of SPP measurement were calculated; the data was then analyzed by the receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS According to the ROC curve, the best SPP measurement performance was at 35 mmHg. CONCLUSION Wound healing at the appropriate amputation level must be predicted to minimize invasive debridement. Skin perfusion pressure measurement is useful for predicting wound healing in the presence of CLI. Skin perfusion pressure ≥ 35 mmHg is requisite for wound healing; at SPP <35 mmHg, peripheral arterial reconstruction is necessary before debridement.
Modelling coarse woody debris in Pinus spp. plantations. A case study in Northern Spain

Abstract• Coarse woody debris (CWD) plays a substantial role in several ecological processes in forest ecosystems, providing a habitat for many organisms and participating in biogeochemical fluxes. Understanding CWD dynamics is important to classify adequate density, size and amount into different decay classes and to make decisions that include biodiversity and the carbon budget in practical forestry. • A two-step model has been developed to quantify CWD in Pinus spp. plantations in Northern Spain. The two-step approach was composed of a logistic model to predict the probability of CWD occurrence and linear models to quantify the two components considered, basal area of snags and volume of logs. • Site conditions, and climatic and stand variables were included in the models as independent variables. Good performance of the two-step model (R2snag = 39.9%, R2log = 62.8%) was observed. • Modelling CWD is a useful tool for simulating future scenarios in the current context of climate change. Models inform stakeholders properly about defining the best silvicultural options for the distribution of CWD under sustainable forest management.
Closed-loop control using a stretch sensor for restoration of standing with functional electrical stimulation in complete paraplegia.

A closed-loop control system for standing with functional electrical stimulation (FES) using percutaneous intramuscular electrodes in complete paraplegia is described. The system consisted of ultrafine percutaneous intramuscular electrodes, a 32-channel stimulator and a stretch sensor with active current control to detect knee buckling. The closed-loop control system was applied in a T8 completely paraplegic patient. Compared to the stretch sensor with a wide use flexible goniometer for direct current control during standing, the stretch sensor was superior to the flexible goniometer in both ease of use and response. The average time delay from the start of knee buckling until the sensor turned on was 0.56+/-0.19 seconds (Mean+/-S.D.) in the goniometer and 0.21+/-0.06 seconds in the stretch sensor. The average time delay from the start of knee buckling until the recovery from knee buckling was 1.01+/-0.05 seconds in the goniometer and 0.78+/-0.06 seconds in the stretch sensor. The continuous standing ability of the patient increased from 12 minutes with open-loop stimulation to 30 minutes with the closed-loop control. No complications such as falling occurred during clinical use. This system prevented falling due to knee buckling during standing and prolonged upright activities in complete paraplegics.
Work practices and childhood agricultural injury

Objective: To evaluate whether children’s agricultural work practices were associated with agricultural injury and to identify injury and work practice predictors. Design: Analyses were based on nested case–control data collected by the Regional Rural Injury Study-II (RRIS-II) surveillance study in 1999 and 2001 by computer-assisted telephone interviews. Subjects: Cases (n = 425) and controls (n = 1886) were persons younger than 20 years of age from Midwestern agricultural households. Those reporting agricultural injuries became cases; controls (no injury) were selected using incidence density sampling. Main outcome measures: Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the risks of injury associated with agricultural work, performing chores earlier than developmentally appropriate, hours worked per week, and number of chores performed. Results: Increased risks of injury were observed for children who performed chores 2–3 years younger than recommended, compared to being “age-appropriate” (odds ratio (OR) = 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.4–4.5); performed any agricultural work (3.9 (2.6–5.6)); performed seven to ten chores per month compared to one chore (2.2 (1.3–3.5)); and worked 11–30 or 31–40 h per week compared to 1–10 h (1.6 (1.2–2.1) and 2.2 (1.3–3.7), respectively). Decreased risks of injury were observed for non-working children compared to children performing what are commonly considered safe levels of agricultural work. Conclusions: This study demonstrated elevated risks of agricultural injury among children who perform developmentally inappropriate chores. Results suggest that the efficacy of age restrictions for preventing the occurrence of childhood agricultural injuries warrants further evaluation.
Purification and properties of inducible penicillin beta-lactamase isolated from Alcaligenes faecalis

An inducible penicillin beta-lactamase was purified from a strain of Alcaligenes faecalis resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. The purified enzyme preparation gave a single protein band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and its molecular weight was 29,000 based on sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Its isoelectric point was 5.9. The enzyme more rapidly hydrolyzed penicillins, such as penicillin G, ampicillin, carbenicillin, piperacillin, and cloxacillin, than it hydrolyzed cephalosporins. For the hydrolysis of penicillin G, the optimal pH was 5.5, and the optimal temperature was 35 degrees C. The enzyme activity was inhibited by iodine, Cu2+, Hg2+, and EDTA but was not inhibited by clavulanic acid and sulbactam.
Shuffle, throw or take it! working efficiently with an interactive wall

In this paper, we report on interaction techniques for very large displays such as interactive walls. Since display space is a crucial aspect for most visually-oriented tasks, we developed an interactive wall with an active area of 4.5 meters width, 1.1 meters height, and with 3072x768 pixels. At this wall, three users are able to work simultaneously on separate areas using pen, finger, and hand gestures. They can shuffle display objects around, throw them to other users standing at the opposite side of the wall, they can take objects from the wall and put them back at another location without explicit mode changes.
Retrolabyrinthine versus middle fossa vestibular neurectomy.

The authors' experience in treating incapacitating peripheral vertigo using the middle cranial fossa (MCF) and the retrolabyrinthine (RL) approaches is presented. Among 94 operated cases, 56 have been treated using the MCF approach and 38 the RL approach. In 18 of the RL cases, a simple vestibular neurectomy has been associated with different adjunctive techniques (i.e., drainage of the endolymphatic sac, section of the Wrisberg intermediary nerve, and neurovascular decompression of the eight nerve) in an attempt to influence the disease from a pathogenetic viewpoint. The RL approach has demonstrated to be a valid alternative to the MCF approach, since it allows the same results to be obtained in the control of vertigo, with fewer risks to the facial nerve and hearing functions. Moreover, it allows the association, although still in an experimental way, of the simple vestibular neurectomy and the other "pathogenetic" methods mentioned above.
Antibiotic therapy for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in surgical wounds.

BACKGROUND Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection after surgery is usually rare, but incidence can be up to 33% in certain types of surgery. Postoperative MRSA infection can occur as surgical site infections (SSI), chest infections, or bloodstream infections (bacteraemia). The incidence of MRSA SSIs varies from 1% to 33% depending upon the type of surgery performed and the carrier status of the individuals concerned. The optimal antibiotic regimen for the treatment of MRSA in surgical wounds is not known. OBJECTIVES To compare the benefits and harms of various antibiotic treatments in people with established surgical site infections (SSIs) caused by MRSA . SEARCH METHODS In February 2013 we searched the following databases: The Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register; The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE); NHS Economic Evaluation Database; Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Database; Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations); Ovid EMBASE; and EBSCO CINAHL. SELECTION CRITERIA We included only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing one antibiotic regimen with another antibiotic regimen for the treatment of SSIs due to MRSA. All RCTs irrespective of language, publication status, publication year, or sample size were included in the analysis. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently decided on inclusion and exclusion of trials, and extracted data. We planned to calculate the risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for comparing the binary outcomes between the groups and mean difference (MD) with 95% CI for comparing the continuous outcomes. We planned to perform the meta-analysis using both a fixed-effect and a random-effects model. We performed intention-to-treat analysis whenever possible. MAIN RESULTS We included one trial involving 59 people hospitalised because of MRSA SSIs. Thirty participants were randomised to linezolid (600 mg either intravenously or orally every 12 hours for seven to 14 days) and 29 to vancomycin (1 g intravenously every 12 hours for seven to 14 days). The type of surgical procedures that were performed were not reported. The trial reported one outcome, which was the eradication of MRSA. The proportion of people in whom MRSA was eradicated was statistically significantly higher in the linezolid group than in the vancomycin group (RR 1.80; 95% CI 1.20 to 2.68). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is currently no evidence to recommend any specific antibiotic in the treatment of MRSA SSIs. Linezolid is superior to vancomycin in the eradication of MRSA SSIs on the basis of evidence from one small trial that was at high risk of bias, but the overall clinical implications of using linezolid instead of vancomycin are not known. Further well-designed randomised clinical trials are necessary in this area.
Blocked element compensation in phased array imaging

In clinical applications using large apertures, a significant number of phased array elements may be blocked due to discontinuous acoustic windows into the body. These blocked elements produce undesired beamforming artifacts, degrading spatial and contrast resolution. To minimize these artifacts, an algorithm using multiple receive beams and the total-least-squares method is proposed. Simulations and experimental results show that this algorithm can effectively reduce imperfections in the point spread function of the imager. Combined with first-and second-order scatterer statistics derived from multiple receive beams, the algorithm is modified for blocked element compensation on distributed scattering sources. Results also indicate that compensated images are comparable to full array images, and that even full array images can be improved by removing undesired sidelobe contributions. This method, therefore, can enhance detection of low contrast lesions using large phased-array apertures. <<ETX>>
Special Issue “Advances in Epitaxial Materials”-Editorial Preface

In this Special Issue, we have 10 excellent papers on epitaxy. In this editorial preface, I will make comments on the following issues: (1) applications of the materials examined, (2) lattice mismatch, (3) epitaxial growth methods used, (4) characterization methods used, (5) material problems: solved and still to be solved. The “Advances in Epitaxial Materials” has a big advantage of having, in one issue, papers on different materials, but in every paper the reader should find interesting information on epitaxial growth and characterization.