Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Virtual Woodwork: Making Toys from Geometric Models

Shape idealization techniques provide a simplified description of a geometric model. Idealized descriptions are useful for recognition, animation, and other applications, providing a compact and efficient alternative to manipulating the complete model. Often idealized models are visually interesting in their own right and provide an appealing artistic impression of the models. We describe an algorithm for automatic generation of idealized bead figures from recognizable 3D models (animals, humans, etc.). The bead figures approximate the model by a set of cylindrical shapes threaded onto a skeleton of the model. As such, they provide volumetric shape information in addition to the skeleton. The bead figures can be used by applications requiring a simple and compact description of the shapes. They also provide a visually appealing, toy-like description which can be used in artistic applications. The input models are given as 3D triangulated meshes. A bead figure is generated using the skeleton of the model, often referred to as the "stick figure". The skeleton reflects the structure of the original mesh and its features, using a small number of edges. Once the skeleton is computed, beads are threaded onto it to create the final model. Computation of a compact and concise skeleton which captures the features of the model is crucial for realistic bead figure generation. The figure making process involves voxelization of the model; computation of the 3D Euclidean distance transform (DT); extraction of the skeleton from the DT data (combined with the model's curvature information); and threading the beads over the skeleton. In addition to the generation of the beaded figures, our work also introduces a novel skeleton construction algorithm. The algorithm has several advantages over existing methods and may be used in other applications which utilize skeletons.
The CRISP theory of hippocampal function in episodic memory

Over the past four decades, a “standard framework” has emerged to explain the neural mechanisms of episodic memory storage. This framework has been instrumental in driving hippocampal research forward and now dominates the design and interpretation of experimental and theoretical studies. It postulates that cortical inputs drive plasticity in the recurrent cornu ammonis 3 (CA3) synapses to rapidly imprint memories as attractor states in CA3. Here we review a range of experimental studies and argue that the evidence against the standard framework is mounting, notwithstanding the considerable evidence in its support. We propose CRISP as an alternative theory to the standard framework. CRISP is based on Context Reset by dentate gyrus (DG), Intrinsic Sequences in CA3, and Pattern completion in cornu ammonis 1 (CA1). Compared to previous models, CRISP uses a radically different mechanism for storing episodic memories in the hippocampus. Neural sequences are intrinsic to CA3, and inputs are mapped onto these intrinsic sequences through synaptic plasticity in the feedforward projections of the hippocampus. Hence, CRISP does not require plasticity in the recurrent CA3 synapses during the storage process. Like in other theories DG and CA1 play supporting roles, however, their function in CRISP have distinct implications. For instance, CA1 performs pattern completion in the absence of CA3 and DG contributes to episodic memory retrieval, increasing the speed, precision, and robustness of retrieval. We propose the conceptual theory, discuss its implications for experimental results and suggest testable predictions. It appears that CRISP not only accounts for those experimental results that are consistent with the standard framework, but also for results that are at odds with the standard framework. We therefore suggest that CRISP is a viable, and perhaps superior, theory for the hippocampal function in episodic memory.
dTune: Leveraging reliable code generation for adaptive dependability tuning under process variation and aging-induced effects

Designing dependable on-chip manycore systems is subjected to consideration of multiple reliability threats, i.e. soft errors, aging, process variation, etc. In this paper, we introduce a novel adaptive Dependability Tuning (dTune) scheme for manycore processors. It leverages the knowledge of varying vulnerability and error masking properties of different applications along with multiple compiled versions (each offering distinct reliability and performance properties). Our dTune system dynamically tunes the dependability mode at the hardware level through hybrid Redundant Multithreading tuning and at the software level through selection of reliable code version under given performance constraints. It jointly accounts for soft errors and cores' performance variations due to design-time process variation and/or run-time aging-induced performance degradation. We compare our dTune system with four different state-of-the-art techniques and achieve on average 44% and up to 63% improved task reliability for different chip configurations, different variability maps, and different aging years.
An aerodynamic modelling methodology for an offshore floating vertical axis wind turbine

Wind energy has witnessed a consistent expansion in the past decade especially with the move to offshore generation. There is an increasing need to further exploit offshore wind resources which is pushing wind farms into deeper water locations where the current popular horizontal axis wind turbine configuration may not be entirely suitable. Subsequently, a transition from fixed to floating wind turbines is essential to ensure offshore wind farms are economically viable in the future. In particular, there has been a renewed interest in the vertical axis wind turbine configuration due its clear inherent attributes for an offshore floating application. A review of current conceptual floating vertical axis wind turbines and associated aerodynamic modelling methods are presented. Also, an efficient two stage aerodynamic modelling methodology delivering initial analysis using the Cascade model and secondary stage analysis using detailed Navier-Stokes numerical simulations for the aerodynamic optimisation of a new offshore floating vertical axis wind turbine is outlined.
A Review on the Development of the Inverted Polymer Solar Cell Architecture

The increase in energy production costs for fossil fuels has led to a search for an economically viable alternative energy source. One alternative energy source of particular interest is solar energy. A promising alternative to inorganic materials is organic semiconductor polymer solar cells due to their advantages of being cheaper, light weight, flexible and made into large areas by roll-to-roll processing. However, the conventional architecture that is typically used for fabricating solar cells requires high vacuum to deposit the top metal electrode which is not suitable for roll-to-roll processing. Recently an inverted device architecture has been investigated as a suitable architecture for developing the ideal roll-to-roll type processing of polymer-based solar cells. This review will go over the recent advances and approaches in the development of this type of inverted device architecture. We will highlight some of the work that we have done to integrate materials, device, interface, and processing of the inverted device architecture platform to produce more idealized polymer-based solar cells.
Therapist Narcissism

Alice Miller hypothesized that narcissistic disturbance predisposes individuals to become psychotherapists (1981). Raskin and Hairs Narcissistic Personality Inventory (1979) was administered to master's-level graduate students in the fields of counseling psychology, business, and educational computing. Neither the psychology group of 23 subjects nor the educational computing groupof 16 subjects scored significantly high in narcissism compared with Hall and Raskin's normative group of 721 subjects or with the business group of 19 subjects.
AHAM: a Dexter-based reference model for adaptive hypermedia

Hypermedia applications offer users the impression that there are many meaningful ways to navigate through a large body of information nodes. This rich link structure not only creates orientation problems, it may also be a source of comprehension problems when users follow paths through the information which the author did not foresee. Adaptive techniques have been used by a number of researchers [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 19, 20, 22] in an attempt to offer guidance through and orientation support for rich link structures. The majority of these adaptive hypermedia systems (AHS) have been used in educational applications. The terminology used in this paper also has an educational “flavor”. However, there are some adaptive on-line information systems (or “kiosk”systems), adaptive information retrieval systems, and other adaptive hypermedia applications. In this paper we describe a reference model for adaptive hypermedia applications, called AHAM, which encompasses most features supported by adaptive systems that exist today or that are being developed (and have been published about). Our description of AHS is based on the Dexter model [15, 16], a widely used reference model for hypermedia. The description is kept somewhat informal in order to be able to explain AHAM rather than formally specify it. AHAM augments Dexter with features for doing adaptation based on a user model which persists beyond the duration of a session. Key aspects in AHAM are: Paul De Bra is also affiliated with the University of Antwerp, Belgium, and with the “Centrum voor Wiskunde en Informatica” (CWI) in Amsterdam. yGeert-Jan Houben is also affiliated with the University of Antwerp, Belgium, and with Origin in Eindhoven. The adaptation is based on a domain model, a user model and a teaching model which consists of pedagogical rules. We give a formal definition of each of these (sub)models (but only describe the pedagogical rules informally throughexamples). We distinguish the notions of concept, page and fragment. In some AHS these notions are confused. We provide a formalism which lets authors write pedagogical rules (about concepts) in such a way that they can be applied automatically. We illustrate various aspects of AHAM by means of some features of some well-known AHS [6, 10].
Development and characterization of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the raccoon tick (Ixodes texanus)

Fourteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for the raccoon tick (Ixodes texanus). Three multiplexed panels comprising the loci were developed and 50 ticks collected from two infected raccoons (Procyon lotor) were genotyped. The number of alleles per locus ranged from five to 22, and single locus heterozygosities ranged from 0.46 to 0.94. Future research will further our understanding of I. texanus biology and help in elucidating the effects of life‐history variation on parasite population genetic structure, using I. texanus as a model organism.
Optically bright p-excitons indicating strong Coulomb coupling in transition-metal dichalcogenides

It is shown that the strong Coulomb coupling in intrinsic suspended semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides can exceed the critical value needed for an excitonic ground state. The dipole-allowed optical excitations then correspond to intra-excitonic transitions such that the optically bright excitonic transitions near the Dirac points have a p-like symmetry, whereas the s-like states are dipole forbidden. The large intrinsic coupling strength seems to be a generic property of the semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides and strong Coulomb-coupling signatures in the form of the optical selection rules can be observed even in samples grown on typical substrates like SiO2. For the examples of WS2 and WSe2, excellent agreement of the computed excitonic resonance energies with recent experiments is demonstrated.
Sequential Pattern Mining with Constraints on Large Protein Databases

Sequential pattern mining in protein databases has the potential of efficiently discovering recurring structures that exist in protein sequences. This in turn may provide an understanding of the functional role of proteins which support such structures. In this paper we generalize a well known sequential pattern mining algorithm, SPAM [1], by incorporating gap and regular expression constraints along the lines proposed in SPIRIT [2]. However the advantages of using a depth-first algorithm like SPAM is that (a) it allows us to push the constraints deeper inside the mining process by exploiting the prefix antimonotone property of some constraints, (b) It uses a simple vertical bitmap data structure for counting and (c) it is known to be efficient for mining long patterns. Our work onextending SPAM is motivated by its role in two concrete applications: (1) as a “feature factory” for a secondary structure classification problem in integral membrane proteins and (2) as an underlying engine for answering secondary stucture queries on protein databases. A detailed set of experiments confirm that the incorporation of gap and regular expresssion constraints allows us to extract more specific and biologically relevant information.
Luminous Organs of Fish Which Emit Light Indirectly

INTRODUCTI9N THERE ARE MANY REPO~TS of luminous fishes, all of which, in earlier days, were taken from the deep seas. Luminous organs were found on the sides of the bodies, on the barbels, or on the antennae. In ourward 'appearance these fishes were strangely shaped and feebl y developed, with soft bones and loose muscles, and it was assumed that such 'unusual fishes belonged exclusively to the deepsea fauna. The material examined was invariably dead and damaged. It might have been newly . caught, or else had been preserved in formalin or in alcohol for an indefinite period. There seems to be very little record of observations on living material , 'and only the , morphology of the organs of these fishes was studied. The organs were never really understood, and were mistaken for sensory organs, electric organs, or secondary eyes, or they were simply referred to as eye-like organs. , In the early days bacteriological knowledge, especially knowledge of luminous bacteria was not far advanced, and fish which became luminous after death as a result of contamination by saprophytic luminous bacteria were mistaken for true luminous fishes. Recent advances in the study of these interesting problems of luminosity have shown that luminous fishes are not confined to the deep-sea fauna, but may be found among the fauna of the shallow and coastal waters of the sea, and that luminosity may be caused by luminous bacteria. Moreover these studies have revealed that luminous bacteria play an important role in the production of light in
Effect of Temperature on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Steel Bolts

AbstractWhen steel-framed structures are exposed to fire, connections play a crucial role in transferring forces from highly stressed members to less stressed members. The performance of bolted connections, under ambient and fire conditions, depends on the strength characteristics of bolts. At present, the fire resistance of bolts is evaluated by assuming the high-temperature properties to be same as those of conventional mild steel. This is due to lack of data on high-temperature properties specific to high-strength steel bolts. To overcome this drawback, high-temperature thermal and mechanical properties of Grade A325 and A490 high-strength steel bolts are evaluated. Thermal conductivity and specific heat of A325 and A490 were measured in the temperature range 20–735°C, whereas thermal expansion was measured in the range 20–1000°C in both the heating and cooling phases of fire. Steady-state single shear and tension tests were carried out on A325 and A490 bolts at 20–800°C. Results from these tests were .
NY-ESO-1 antigen-reactive T cell receptors exhibit diverse therapeutic capability

The cancer‐testis antigen NY‐ESO‐1 has been used as a target for different immunotherapies like vaccinations and adoptive transfer of antigen‐specific cytotoxic T cells, as it is expressed in various tumor types and has limited expression in normal cells. The in vitro generation of T cells with defined antigen specificity by T cell receptor (TCR) gene transfer is an established method to create cells for immunotherapy. However, an extensive characterization of TCR which are candidates for treatment of patients is crucial for successful therapies. The TCR has to be efficiently expressed, their affinity to the desired antigen should be high enough to recognize low amounts of endogenously processed peptides on tumor cells, and the TCR should not be cross‐reactive to other antigens. We characterized three NY‐ESO‐1 antigen‐reactive cytotoxic T lymphocyte clones which were generated by different approaches of T cell priming (autologous, allogeneic), and transferred their TCR into donor T cells for more extensive evaluations. Although one TCR most efficiently bound MHC‐multimers loaded with NY‐ESO‐1 peptide, T cells expressing this transgenic TCR were not able to recognize endogenously processed antigen. A second TCR recognized HLA‐A2 independent of the bound peptide beside its much stronger recognition of NY‐ESO‐1 bound to HLA‐A2. A third TCR displayed an intermediate but peptide‐specific performance in all functional assays and, therefore, is the most promising candidate TCR for further clinical development. Our data indicate that multiple parameters of TCR gene‐modified T cells have to be evaluated to identify an optimal TCR candidate for adoptive therapy.
Reconstructing B-spline Curves from Point Clouds--A Tangential Flow Approach Using Least Squares Minimization

We present a novel algorithm based on least-squares minimization to approximate point cloud data in 2D plane with a smooth B-spline curve. The point cloud data may represent an open curve with self intersection and sharp corner. Unlike other existing methods, such as the moving least-squares method and the principle curve method, our algorithm does not need a thinning process. The idea of our algorithm is intuitive and simple - we make a B-spline curve grow along the tangential directions at its two end-points following local geometry of point clouds. Our algorithm generates appropriate control points of the fitting B-spline curve in the least squares sense. Although presented for the 2D case, our method can be extended in a straightforward manner to fitting data points by a B-spline curve in higher dimensions
Biomolecule localization and surface engineering within size tunable nanoporous silica particles

OF DISSERTATION BIOMOLECULE LOCALIZATION AND SURFACE ENGINEERING WITHIN SIZE TUNABLE NANOPOROUS SILICA PARTICLES Mesoporous silica materials are versatile platforms for biological catalysis, isolation of small molecules for detection and separation applications. The design of mesoporous silica supports for tailored protein and biomolecule interactions has been limited by the techniques to demonstrate biomolecule location and functionality as a function of pore size. This work examines the interaction of proteins and lipid bilayers with engineered porous silica surfaces using spherical silica particles with tunable pore diameters (3 – 12 nm) in the range relevant to biomolecule uptake in the pores, and large particle sizes (5 15 μm) amenable to microscopy imaging The differentiation of protein location between the external surface and within the pore, important to applications requiring protein protection or catalytic activity in pores, is demonstrated. A protease / fluorescent protein system is used to investigate protein location and protection as a function of pore size, indicating a narrow pore size range capable of protein protection, slightly larger than the protein of interest and approaching the protease dimensions. Selective functionalization, in this case exterior-only surface functionalization of mesoporous particles with amines, is extended to larger pore silica materials. A reaction time dependent functionalization approach is demonstrated as the first visually confirmed, selective amine functionalization method in protein accessible supports. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles are effective supports for lipid bilayer membranes and membrane associated proteins for separations and therapeutic delivery, although the role of support porosity on membrane fluidity is unknown. Transport properties of bilayers in lipid filled nanoparticles as a function of pore diameter and location in the particle are measured for the first time. Bilayer diffusivity increases with increasing pore size and is independent of bilayer location within the core, mid or cap of the particle, suggesting uniform long range bilayer mobility in lipid filled pores. Application of lipid bilayers on mesoporous silica was examined for membrane associated proteins A unique method to adhere functional proteins in lipid bilayers on mesoporous silica particles is established using vesicles derived from cell plasma membranes and their associated proteins. This method of membrane protein investigation retains proteins within native lipid membranes, stabilizing proteins for investigation on supports.
ATP-Dependent Transport of Leukotrienes B4 and C4 by the Multidrug Resistance Protein ABCC4 (MRP4)

The proinflammatory mediators leukotriene (LT) B4 and LTC4 must be transported out of cells before they can interact with LT receptors. Previously, we identified the multidrug resistance protein ABCC1 (MRP1) as an efflux pump for LTC4. However, the molecular basis for the efflux of LTB4 was unknown. Here, we demonstrate that human ABCC4 mediates the ATP-dependent efflux of LTB4 in the presence of reduced glutathione (GSH), whereby the latter can be replaced by S-methyl GSH. Transport studies were performed with inside-out membrane vesicles from V79 fibroblasts and Sf9 insect cells that contained recombinant ABCC4, with vesicles from human platelets and myelomonocytic U937 cells, which were rich in endogenous ABCC4, but ABCC1 was below detectability. Moreover, human polymorphonuclear leukocytes contained ABCC4. Km values for LTB4 were 5.2 μM with vesicles from fibroblasts and 5.6 μM with vesicles from platelets. ABCC4, with its broad substrate specificity, also functioned as an ATP-dependent efflux pump for LTC4 with a Km of 0.13 μM in vesicles from fibroblasts and 0.32 μM in vesicles from platelets. However, GSH was not required for the transport of this glutathionylated leukotriene. The transport of LTC4 by ABCC4 explains its release from platelets during transcellular synthesis. ATP-dependent transport of LTB4 and LTC4 by ABCC4 was inhibited by several organic anions, including S-decyl GSH, sulindac sulfide, and by the LTD4 receptor antagonists montelukast and 3-(((3-(2-(7-chloro-2-quinolinyl)ethenyl)phenyl)-((3-dimethyl-amino-3-oxopropyl)-thio)-methyl)thio)propanoic acid (MK571). Thus, as an efflux pump for the proinflammatory mediators LTB4 and LTC4, ABCC4 may represent a novel target for anti-inflammatory therapies.