Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Assessment of Variational Surface Reconstruction from Sparse Point Clouds in Freehand 3D Ultrasound Imaging during Image-Guided Tumor Ablation

Surface reconstruction for freehand 3D ultrasound is used to provide 3D visualization of a VOI (volume of interest) during image-guided tumor ablation surgery. This is a challenge because the recorded 2D B-scans are not only sparse but also non-parallel. To solve this issue, we established a framework to reconstruct the surface of freehand 3D ultrasound imaging in 2011. The key technique for surface reconstruction in that framework is based on variational interpolation presented by Greg Turk for shape transformation and is named Variational Surface Reconstruction (VSR). The main goal of this paper is to evaluate the quality of surface reconstructions, especially when the input data are extremely sparse point clouds from freehand 3D ultrasound imaging, using four methods: Ball Pivoting, Power Crust, Poisson, and VSR. Four experiments are conducted, and quantitative metrics, such as the Hausdorff distance, are introduced for quantitative assessment. The experiment results show that the performance of the proposed VSR method is the best of the four methods at reconstructing surface from sparse data. The VSR method can produce a close approximation to the original surface from as few as two contours, whereas the other three methods fail to do so. The experiment results also illustrate that the reproducibility of the VSR method is the best of the four methods.
A Power Management mechanism for Handheld Systems having a Multimedia Accelerator

Recently the demand on high graphic ability has increased in handheld systems due to multimedia or game application. Conventional DVS (dynamic voltage scaling) methods focus on reducing energy consumption of CPU. They didn't consider the influence of multimedia accelerators to make DVS policies. From the preliminary experiment, we found that the conventional DVS algorithm is not optimal to a system with a multimedia accelerator in context of reducing energy consumption of the system. We propose a power management mechanism that guarantees both QoS and reduction of energy consumption by considering the relation between the frequencies of the CPU and the frequencies of the multimedia accelerator. The proposed mechanism is a DVS technique in context of multimedia accelerator. We experimented the proposed mechanism on a testbed equipped with Intel XScale processor and Intel 2700 G multimedia accelerator. The experimental result shows that the proposed method reduces energy consumption of the system as much as by 33% compared to conventional CPU-only DVS algorithms.
Civil Transportation Event Extraction from Chinese Microblog

People produce hundreds of millions of microblogs everyday. With its 140-character message, Microblog has yielded an enormous corpus of information, which is noisy but informative in some way. However, previous work with standard NLP tools of event extraction performs poorly on Microblog. In this paper, we adopt a series of methods to extract events from Chinese microblogs. In particular, we grab the chatters from Sina Weibo to extract civil transportation information. We eliminate buzz in Weibo, use CRF methods to filter microblogs so as to focus on transportation, and we also use CRF to recognize named entities and to extract events.
Nonlinear Expectation Maximization Estimator for TDOA Localization

Time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) techniques are widely used in high-accuracy positioning systems. The weighted nonlinear least squares (NLLS) algorithm can be used in such systems to estimate the target position. If the range measurement errors can be modeled as additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), the performance of the weighted NLLS algorithm approaches the Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB). However, TDOA with weighted NLLS is complex to implement because the covariance matrix of the range measurements is non-diagonal, which requires matrix multiplication and inversion. In this paper, we develop a low-complexity nonlinear expectation maximization localization algorithm. The proposed algorithm is much simpler to implement than the weighted NLLS method since no matrix manipulation is required, while their performances are similar, both approaching the CRLB.
A graph clustering technique based on discrete Morse theory

Graph clustering is an important area of cluster analysis with wide applications in social networks, data transformation and bioinformatics. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new method in graph clustering, the discrete Morse technique. We propose a new optimization outline using Morse theory, describe graph clustering into simplicial complex, and present an algorithm to construct the discrete vector fields. An example show the work procedure of the proposed method.
Resource allocation with SIC under statistical CSI in multi-carrier based cognitive radio networks

In this paper, we study the problem of resource allocation for an opportunistic spectrum-sharing channel under the assumption of statistical channel state information (CSI). More specifically, we assume that statistical CSI of the channels between both primary and secondary transmitters and the primary receiver is available at the secondary transmitter. We investigate the achievable rate maximization of both primary and secondary systems with successive interference cancellation (SIC) under outage, interference limit, and total power constraints. We deal with the secondary non-convex optimization problem by using the first order Taylor approximation. We propose a sequential convex approximation algorithm to solve the power allocation problem. Simulation results establish the efficiency of our proposed algorithm.
Genetic Relatedness and Novel Sequence Types of Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Strains Isolated in Argentina

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a foodborne pathogen responsible for severe disease in humans such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and cattle, the principal reservoir. Identification of the clones/lineages is important as several characteristics, among them propensity to cause disease varies with STEC phylogenetic origin. At present, we do not know what STEC clones, especially of non-O157:H7, are circulating in Argentina. To fill this knowledge gap we assessed the genetic diversity of STEC strains isolated in Argentina from various sources, mostly cattle and food, using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Our objectives were to determine the phylogenetic relationships among strains and to compare them with strains from different geographic origins, especially with those from clinical human cases, in order to evaluate their potential health risk. A total of 59 STEC isolates from 41 serotypes were characterized by MLST. Analysis using EcMLST database identified 38 sequence types (ST), 17 (45%) of which were new STs detected in 18 serotypes. Fifteen out of 38 STs identified were grouped into 11 clonal groups (CGs) and, 23 not grouped in any of the defined CGs. Different STs were found in the same serotype. Results highlighted a high degree of phylogenetic heterogeneity among Argentinean strains and they showed that several cattle and food isolates belonged to the same STs that are commonly associated with clinical human cases in several geographical areas. STEC is a significant public health concern. Argentina has the highest incidence of HUS in the world and this study provides the first data about which STEC clones are circulating. Data showed that most of them might pose a serious zoonotic risk and this information is important for developing public health initiatives. However, the actual potential risk will be defined by the virulence profiles, which may differ among isolates belonging to the same ST.
Malware Classification using Naïve Bayes Classifier for Android

-------------------------------------------------------ABSTRACT--------------------------------------------------In the global world of mobile technology millions of users connect and share on unknown networks without being aware of vulnerability of their confidentiality. Android platform is most popular OS among the smart phones users as well as developers, its open and flexible nature allows a large community to upload and download applications. Such extensive usage makes it an easy target for attack and misuse. A malicious application may steal the confidential data of user and upload it on its server, which is a threat to user's security. In this paper, we propose an approach to classify an application as malware or benign app by using data mining. To categorize an application we use various attributes of an app:(i) the permissions used by an application, (ii) battery usage rating based on permissions and (iii)rating acquired by the application on Android market. We apply Naive Bayes classifier to deduce the results based on the probability of an application being malware or not. These results are uploaded on the cloud where a user can view the results and query an application as being malicious or not to our server.
On the Word Problem for Tensor Products and Amalgams of Monoids

We prove that the word problem for the free product with amalgamation S *UT of monoids can be undecidable, even when S and T are finitely presented monoids with word problems that are decidable in linear time, the factorization problems for U in each of S and T, as well as other problems, are decidable in polynomial time, and U is a free finitely generated unitary submonoid of both S and T. This is proved by showing that the equality problem for the tensor product S ⊗UT is undecidable and using known connections between tensor products and amalgams. We obtain similar results for semigroups, and by passing to semigroup rings, we obtain similar results for rings as well. The proof shows how to simulate an arbitrary Turing machine as a communicating pair of two deterministic pushdown automata and is of independent interest. A similar idea is used in a paper by E. Bach to show undecidability of the tensor equality problem for modules over commutative rings.
Development of a Mote for Wireless Image Sensor Networks

This paper presents the design of a new mote for distributed image sensing applications in wireless sensor networks. The processing and memory limitations in current mote designs are analyzed and a simple but powerful new platform is developed. The mote is based on a 32-bit ARM7 micro-controller operating at clock frequencies of up to 48 MHz and accessing up to 64 KB of on-chip RAM. An expansion interface is provided to support multiple mid- and low-resolution image sensors concurrently as well as traditional sensors. Wire- less communication is provided by the Chipcon CC2420 radio which operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM band and is compliant with the IEEE 802.15. 4 standard. An integrated USB and serial debug interface allows simple programming and debugging of applications. The additional requirements of an image sensor mote are discussed along with a discussion of possible applications and research areas.
Motion control of a bio-inspired wire-driven multi-backbone continuum minimally invasive surgical manipulator

Due to the reduced trauma and hospitalization time, robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has attracted intense research interest from both engineering and medical communities. This paper hence presents a newly designed bio-inspired wire-driven multi-backbone continuum MIS manipulator. The manipulator consists of two segments, and each segment is composed of a super-elastic backbone and a series of thin disks. Two groups of wires are implemented to actuate each segment by controlling the upward/downward bending and the leftward/rightward bending. Therefore, the system possesses four controllable bending degrees-of-freedom (DoFs) in total, which enhances its flexibility and dexterity significantly. Forward and inverse kinematics of the manipulator is derived, and the corresponding motion control system is developed. To evaluate the performance of the proposed prototype, workspace of the system is firstly provided, then a benchmark trajectory tracking experiment is carried out. Priorities and potential limitations of the design are discussed, including the flexibility, payload capability, and manipulability. And the presented manipulator offers a promising alternative for MIS in future.
Nanocomposite Treatment Reduces Disease and Lethality in a Murine Model of Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease and Preserves Anti-Tumor Effects

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is an immunological disorder triggered by bone marrow transplantation that affects several organs, including the gastrointestinal tract and liver. Fullerenes and their soluble forms, fullerols, are nanocomposites with a closed symmetrical structure with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The present study evaluated the effects of treatment with the fullerol (C60(OH)18-20) in the development and pathogenesis of GVHD in a murine model. Mice with experimental GVHD that were treated with the fullerol showed reduced clinical signs of disease and mortality compared with untreated mice. Treatment with the fullerol decreased the hepatic damage associated with reduced hepatic levels of reactive oxygen species, pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (IFN-γ TNF-α, CCL2, CCL3 and CCL5) and reduced leukocyte accumulation. The amelioration of GVHD after treatment with the fullerol was also associated with reduced intestinal lesions and consequent bacterial translocation to the blood, liver and peritoneal cavity. Moreover, the fullerol treatment alleviated the GVHD while preserving effects of the graft against a leukemia cell line (GFP+P815). In summary, the fullerol was effective in reducing the GVHD inflammatory response in mice and may suggest novel ways to treat this disease.
A Framework for Citizen Participation in the Internet of Things

In line with the view of the SOCIOTAL EU project, this work presents a crucial next step in the transformation of an emerging business-driven Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure into an all-inclusive one, tailored to the society and with the aim to accelerate the creation of a socially aware citizen-centric Internet of Things. To this purpose, this paper try to establish an IoT ecosystem that puts trust, user control and transparency at its heart in order to gain the confidence of everyday citizens. In line with this view, a privacy-preserving framework which integrates the explored relationships among identity, privacy, trust and reputation concepts is explored.
QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF HIGH RESOLUTION MULTISPECTRAL IMAGE USING FUSION TECHNIQUE BY MEASURING ENTROPY – A CASE STUDY USING QUICKBIRD DATASET

This paper presents the qualitative as well as quantitative assessment of high resolution image generated by fusion technique. The information contained in fused image measured and compared with different methods. Current satellites produce high resolution panchromatic but low resolution multispectral images. As for example, QuickBird satellites provide panchromatic image with 0.6 m resolution but multispectral image with 2.44m resolution. However high resolution multispectral images can be generated using resolution merge technique, which takes care of spatial as well as spectral resolution of the image. Information content in the high resolution panchromatic as well as low resolution multispectral image is preserved during the fusion of images. In this work image fusion is carried out by principal component analysis technique. Focal analysis technique is used to reduce the noise in input image before fusion. Fused image is generated by use of focal analysis technique and then compared using entropy with the fused image generated without removing noise of the input images.
A novel control of human keratin expression: cannabinoid receptor 1-mediated signaling down-regulates the expression of keratins K6 and K16 in human keratinocytes in vitro and in situ

Cannabinoid receptors (CB) are expressed throughout human skin epithelium. CB1 activation inhibits human hair growth and decreases proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes. Since psoriasis is a chronic hyperproliferative, inflammatory skin disease, it is conceivable that the therapeutic modulation of CB signaling, which can inhibit both proliferation and inflammation, could win a place in future psoriasis management. Given that psoriasis is characterized by up-regulation of keratins K6 and K16, we have investigated whether CB1 stimulation modulates their expression in human epidermis. Treatment of organ-cultured human skin with the CB1-specific agonist, arachidonoyl-chloro-ethanolamide (ACEA), decreased K6 and K16 staining intensity in situ. At the gene and protein levels, ACEA also decreased K6 expression of cultured HaCaT keratinocytes, which show some similarities to psoriatic keratinocytes. These effects were partly antagonized by the CB1-specific antagonist, AM251. While CB1-mediated signaling also significantly inhibited human epidermal keratinocyte proliferation in situ, as shown by K6/Ki-67-double immunofluorescence, the inhibitory effect of ACEA on K6 expression in situ was independent of its anti-proliferative effect. Given recent appreciation of the role of K6 as a functionally important protein that regulates epithelial wound healing in mice, it is conceivable that the novel CB1-mediated regulation of keratin 6/16 revealed here also is relevant to wound healing. Taken together, our results suggest that cannabinoids and their receptors constitute a novel, clinically relevant control element of human K6 and K16 expression.
Democracy Upside Down: Public Opinion and Cultural Hegemony in The United States

Preface Cultural Hegemony in the United States by Calvin F. Exoo The Broken Promise of Democracy by Calvin F. Exoo The Bias of the News by Calvin F. Exoo The Great American Dream Machine by Douglas Kellner Education and Inequality by Michael W. Apple and Kenneth Teitelbaum Ideology at Work by Alan Draper and Richard Guarasci Alternative Cultures, Autonomous Institutions by Calvin F. Exoo and Alan Draper Looking Upward by Calvin F. Exoo About the Authors
Interaction-based Rendering Optimization in Sketch-based User Interfaces

We describe two mechanisms, rendering task scheduling and the render cache, used to optimize graphics rendering in a scenegraph to provide continuous visual feedback and high interactivity in large-scale sketch-based user interfaces. We have implemented these mechanisms in SATIN, a toolkit to support development of sketch-based user interfaces. Our experiments with DENIM, an early-stage web site design tool built with SATIN, show that our changes significantly improve performance.
Short Note Frequency-Dependent Crustal Correction for Finite-Frequency Seismic Tomography

Removing the crustal signature from teleseismic travel times is an important procedure to reduce the trade-off between crustal and mantle velocity heterogeneities in seismic tomography. Because reverberations of longand short-period body-wave arrivals in the crust affect the waveforms of the direct arrivals differently, the crustal effects on travel times measured by waveform cross correlation are frequency dependent. With synthetic responses of selected crustal models, this short note illustrates the significance of frequency-dependent crustal corrections to finitefrequency body-wave travel-time tomography. The differences in crustal correction between longand short-period body waves at the same station can be as large as 0.6 sec, depending on the crustal thickness, velocity contrast at the Moho, and layering within the crust.
A Distributed System for Device Diagnostics Utilizing Augmented Reality, 3D Audio, and Speech Recognition

Technology developed for Virtual Reality (VR) has been established as a valuable tool for providing an intuitive human-computer interface over the past years. This technology is now being applied in integration with real world environment in Augmented Reality (AR). The Rockwell Science Center (RSC) is developing and integrating components for a system using AR techniques for visualization and auralization during maintenance and error diagnostics procedures. This system is based on an overlay of textual information, 3D rendered objects, and animations onto a live video of the actual device to be diagnosed, and ultimately by directly overlaying this display into the eld of view of the user. 3D audio techniques are used to indicate cues about objects which are currently not in the user's eld of view. In order to employ a non-tethered human-computer interface, the system is operated by speaker-independent speech recognition. For achieving registration which is necessary for a well-aligned visual overlay, we have developed a visual tracking module, relying on tracking of visual ducial markers. The novelty of our concept is the integration of computer vision, speech recognition, AR visualization, and 3D audio in a distributed networked PC environment.
The Role of HCV E2 Protein Glycosylation in Functioning of Virus Envelope Proteins in Insect and Mammalian Cells

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope proteins E1 and E2, being virion components, are involved in the formation of infectious particles in infected cells. The detailed structure of the infectious particle of HCV remains poorly understood. Moreover, the virion assembly and release of virions by the cell are the least understood processes. It is believed that virion properties depend on glycosylation of the virus envelope proteins in a cell, while glycansat several glycosylation sites of these proteins play a pivotal role in protein functioning and the HCV life cycle. N-glycans of glycoproteins can influence viral particle formation, virus binding to cell surface, and HCV pathogenesis. We studied the effect of glycans on the folding ofthe E2 glycoprotein, formation of functional glycoprotein complexes and virus particles in insect and mammalian cells. In order to investigate these processes, point mutations of the N-glycosylation sites of HCV protein E2 (genotype 1b strain 274933RU) were generated and the mutant proteins were further analyzed in the baculovirus expression system. Elimination of the single glycosylation sites of the E2 glycoprotein, except for the N6 site, did not affect its synthesis efficiency in Sf9 insect cells, while the electrophoretic mobility of mutant proteins increased in proportion to the decrease in the number of glycosylation sites. The level of synthesis of HCV glycoprotein E2 in human HEK293T cells depended on the presence of glycans at the N1 and N8 glycosylation sites in contrast to Sf9 cells. At the same time, elimination of glycans at the N1, N2, and N10 sites led to the accumulation of unproductive E1E2 dimers as aggregates and productive assembly suppression of virus-like particles both in insect and mammalian cells. In addition, elimination of single glycosylation sites of HCV E2 had no impact on the RNA synthesis of structural proteins and formation of virus-like particles in insect and mammalian cells.