Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chapter 0 Calibration of EM Sensors for Spatial Tracking of 3 D Ultrasound Probes

Ultrasound (US) imaging is one of the modalities commonly used for interventional guidance. It offers many advantages over other imaging systems such as MRI, CT, and fluoroscopy in that it is considerably cheaper, is portable, offers real-time imaging, and has no radiation exposure. Recent developments have led to the advancement of 3D US technology, making it a more feasible alternative to 2D US imaging, despite its higher cost. Among 3D US technology includes real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) enabling US imaging of the heart from within the body. Unfortunately, there are many disadvantages of US that must be addressed. Due to the presence of speckle, the image quality is very poor, especially away from the focal zone. The imaging field-of-view (FOV) is also quite limited, due to the size of the US transducer. These disadvantages significantly limit the usability of US for many interventional procedures.
Dynamic macromodels for sensor devices

The focus of this paper is the generation of macromodels that capture all relevant information of sensor devices. The approach starts with a finite element model, which considers electromechanical coupling and fluid-structure interaction at the continuous-field level. ANSYS/Multiphysics reduced order model (ROM) procedures are used to reduce the large amount of degrees of freedom of the device model. The procedure is based on a linear modal analysis and the representation of the state variables in terms of a small series of basis functions. The resulting device models are suitable for system simulation. The generation pass and the use of such models will be demonstrated for capacitive sensor devices. Results are compared with analytical solutions and experimental data. The presented model generation path is part of the sensor design flow. Device models are used for optimization and circuit design.
Software-Defined-Networking-Enabled Traffic Anomaly Detection and Mitigation

Traffic anomaly detection has been a principal direction in the network security field, which aims to identify attacks based on significant deviations from the established normal usage profiles. Recently, a new networking paradigm, software defined networking (SDN), has emerged to facilitate effective network control and management. In this paper, we present the advantages of leveraging SDN to detect traffic anomaly, and review recent progresses in this direction. Despite their effectiveness for traditional traffic, SDN-based traffic anomaly detection methods have to face the challenge of continuously increasing network traffic. To this end, we propose two refined algorithms to be used in an anomaly detection framework which can handle voluminous data, and report some experimental results to demonstrate their performance.
Re-evaluation of primary structure, topology, and localization of Scamper, a putative intracellular Ca2+ channel activated by sphingosylphosphocholine.

Naturally occurring sphingoid molecules control vital functions of the cell through their interaction with specific receptors. Proliferation, differentiation and programmed death result in fact from a fine balance of signals, among which sphingosine and structurally related molecules play fundamental roles, acting as either first or second messengers. The corresponding receptors need to be identified in order that the role of sphingoid molecules can be established. Among them, several G-protein-coupled receptors specific for sphingosine 1-phosphate, sphingosylphosphocholine, or both, have already been investigated. In contrast, the identification of the postulated intracellular receptors has been problematical. In the present study we re-evaluated the molecular characterization of Scamper, the first proposed intracellular receptor for sphingosylphosphocholine [Mao, Kim, Almenoff, Rudner, Kearney and Kindman (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93, 1993-1996] and commonly believed to be a Ca(2+) channel of the endoplasmic reticulum (the name "SCaMPER" used by Mao et al. being derived from "sphingolipid Ca(2+)-release-mediating protein of the endoplasmic reticulum"). In contrast with what has been believed hitherto, our primary-structure and overexpression experiments indicate that Scamper is a 110-amino-acid protein spanning the membrane once with a Nexo/Ccyt topology [von Heijne and Gavel (1988) Eur. J. Biochem. 174, 671-678]. Overexpression of either wild-type or tagged Scamper induces a specific phenotype characterized by the rapid extension of actin-containing protrusions, followed by cell death.
The anatomy of midfacial ptosis.

PURPOSE To investigate the anatomic and histologic changes present in midfacial ptosis. METHODS Experimental study applying gross anatomic and histologic techniques to formalin-preserved and fresh-frozen cadaver heads with and without midfacial ptosis. High-resolution surface coil magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to obtain radiologic correlations. RESULTS The orbitomalar ligament was further characterized by identification of a well-developed lateral component in the sub-superficial musculoaponeurotic plane; abnormalities of this important supporting structure were present in the subcutaneous plane in 8 of 10 specimens with midfacial ptosis. The zygomatic and masseteric cutaneous ligaments also were further characterized on a gross anatomic level, and histologic evidence of these two structures was produced. The subcutaneous components of the zygomatic and masseteric cutaneous ligaments were attenuated or not identifiable in 40% and 30% of specimens with midfacial ptosis, respectively. High-resolution surface coil MRI provided exquisite correlations of midfacial anatomy. CONCLUSIONS The lateral component of the orbitomalar ligament provides major osteocutaneous midfacial support. Subcutaneous attenuation of the orbitomalar, masseteric cutaneous, and zygomatic ligaments was associated with midfacial ptosis.
Analysis and justification of a simple, practical 2 1/2-D capacitance extraction methodology

This paper addresses post-routing capacitance extraction duringperformance-driven layout.We first show how basic driversin process technology (planarization and minimum metal densityrequirements) actually simplify the extraction problem; wedo this by proposing and validating five "foundations" throughdetailed experiments with representative 0.18¿m process parametersand a 3-D field solver.We then present a simple yetaccurate 2 1/2-D extraction methodology directly based on thefoundations.This methodology has been productized and isbeing shipped with the Cadence Silicon Ensemble 5.0 product.We conclude that the 2 1/2-D approach has sufficient accuracyfor current and near-term process generations.
Insights Gained from Development and Long-Term Operation of a Real-Environment Speech-Oriented Guidance System

This paper presents insights gained from operating a public speech-oriented guidance system. A real-environment speech database (300 hours) collected with the system over four years is described and analyzed regarding usage frequency, content and diversity. Having the first two years of the data completely transcribed, simulation of system development and evaluation of system performance over time is possible. The database is employed for acoustic and language modeling as well as construction of a question and answer database. Since the system input is not text but speech, the database enables also research on open-domain speech-based information access. Apart from that research on unsupervised acoustic modeling, language modeling and system portability can be carried out. A performance evaluation of the system in an early stage as well as late stage when using two years of real-environment data for constructing all system components shows the relative importance of developing each system component. The system's response accuracy is 83% for adults and 68% for children.
Pharmacophore mapping based inhibitor selection and molecular interaction studies for identification of potential drugs on calcium activated potassium channel blockers, tamulotoxin

Background: Tamulotoxin (TmTx) from Buthus tamulus was found to be a highly venomous toxin which accelerates the neurotransmitter release that directly affects the cardiovascular tissues and the respiratory system leading to death. TmTx from red Indian scorpion is a crucial inhibitor for Ca2+ activated K+ channel in humans. Objective: The study is aimed at the identification of potential inhibitors of TmTx through pharmacophore based inhibitor screening and understanding the molecular level interactions. Materials and Method: The potential inhibitors for TmTx were identified using pharmacophore model based descriptor information present in existing drugs with the analysis of pharmacokinetic properties. The compounds with good ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity) descriptors were subjected to molecular interaction studies. The stability of bound toxin-inhibitor complex was studied using molecular dynamics simulation over a period of one nanosecond. Results: From a dataset of 3406 compounds, few compounds were selected as potential inhibitors based on the generated best pharmacophore models, pharmacokinetic analysis, molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies. Conclusion: In conclusion, two compounds containing better inhibition properties against TmTx are suggested to be better lead molecules for drug development in future and this study will help us to explore more inhibitors from natural origin against tamulotoxin.
From a trickle to a flood.

Kenya established a National AIDS Committee in 1987, funded by 50 million shillings (CA$ 3.7 million), reversing prior official silence about the epidemic. Now every person in Kenya will receive information on prevention of AIDS, according to the Minister of Health, Kenneth Matiba. All possible media, including radio, television, print, posters, chiefs, youth clubs, the Kenya African National Union party, nongovernmental organizations, and schools will be asked to spread the message that casual sex and promiscuity are unsafe. By June 1988, 2732 cases of AIDS had been reported to WHO from Kenya, up from 1 case in 1984. A survey showed that radio and word of mouth are the most important information channels for AIDS information in Kenya. Television ranks last because it is unavailable to most people.
Changes in mixtures of whey protein and k-casein due to heat treatments.

Abstract Polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis developed by Davis (4) was investigated to determine its effectiveness in resolving whey proteins and for assessing the effect of heat on milk proteins. This technique was chosen because of its high resolution properties with protein solutions. The major whey protein bands are identified as β -lactoglobulin A and B, α -lactalbumin, bovine serum albumin (BSA), and the immune globulins in decreasing order of mobility. A complex begins to occur between κ -casein and β -lactoglobulin when they are mixed in equal parts by weight in a solution of milk salts and heated to 74.5C for 30min. They interact completely when heated to 85C under the same conditions. This complex did not occur with α -lactalbumin or BSA when heated with κ -casein at 74.5 or 85C for 30min. One common electrophoretic band was formed by heating β -lactoglobulin A and B to 74.5 or 85C for 30min. It had a slower electrophoretic mobility which may be due to increased molecular size or a change in molecular configuration during heating. This protein does not occur naturally in milk whey.
Structural Approach for Building Reconstruction from a Single DSM

We present a new approach for building reconstruction from a single Digital Surface Model (DSM). It treats buildings as an assemblage of simple urban structures extracted from a library of 3D parametric blocks (like a LEGO set). First, the 2D-supports of the urban structures are extracted either interactively or automatically. Then, 3D-blocks are placed on the 2D-supports using a Gibbs model which controls both the block assemblage and the fitting to data. A Bayesian decision finds the optimal configuration of 3D--blocks using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampler associated with original proposition kernels. This method has been validated on multiple data set in a wide-resolution interval such as 0.7 m satellite and 0.1 m aerial DSMs, and provides 3D representations on complex buildings and dense urban areas with various levels of detail.
Stochastic Multiple Context-Free Grammar for RNA Pseudoknot Modeling

Several grammars have been proposed for modeling RNA pseudoknotted structure. In this paper, we focus on multiple context-free grammars (MCFGs), which are natural extension of context-free grammars and can represent pseudoknots, and extend a specific subclass of MCFGs to a probabilistic model called SMCFG. We present a polynomial time parsing algorithm for finding the most probable derivation tree and a probability parameter estimation algorithm. Furthermore, we show some experimental results of pseudoknot prediction using SMCFG algorithm.
Motivating Compliance Behavior Among Offenders

Research shows that procedural justice can motivate compliance through the mediating influence of either legitimacy or social identity. Using three waves of longitudinal survey data collected from 359 tax offenders, we examine whether procedural justice is important to offenders’ decisions to comply with future tax obligations despite fear of sanctions, and whether legitimacy and social identity processes mediate the relationship between procedural justice and compliance. Our results reveal that (a) legitimacy mediates the effect of procedural justice on compliance, (b) social identity mediates the procedural justice/compliance relationship, (c) identity seems to matter slightly more than perceptions of legitimacy when predicting tax compliance, and (d) perceived risk of sanction plays a small, but counterproductive role in predicting tax compliance. We conclude that normative concerns dominate taxpayers’ compliance decisions. Implications are relevant for understanding behavioral compliance and how procedural justice can motivate such behavior.
The effect of stone‐wool on rat lungs and on the primary culture of rat alveolar macrophages and type II pneumocytes

The effect of stone‐wool has been studied in both in vivo long term sequential and in vitro methods in male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Stone‐wool was administered by single intratracheal instillation and the lungs were examined after 1, 3 and 6 months of exposure by morphological methods. UICC crocidolite was applied as a positive control. In addition, the effects of both fibres were examined in primary cultures of alveolar macrophages (AM) and type II pneumocytes (T2) by morphological, biochemical and immunological methods. By the end of 6 months stone‐wool induced moderate pulmonary interstitial inflammation and fibrosis without progression, whereas crocidolite induced progressive interstitial inflammation and fibrosis as a function of time. Although stone‐wool inhibited phagocytosis, it did not induce serious membrane damage to the cells examined and did not destroy their ultrastructure. It significantly reduced the activity of Cu,Zn/superoxide dismutase (SOD) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) in alveolar macrophages and significantly decreased the activity of AP and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in type II pneumocytes. Crocidolite, on the other hand, decreased the activity of all enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, GSH‐Px; glutathione reductase, GSH‐Rd) of glutathione metabolism as well as alkaline phosphatase in alveolar macrophages. It decreased the activity of all enzymes in type II pneumocytes, except for Cu,Zn/SOD. On exposure to stone‐wool, the production of inflammatory proteins, macrophage chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and macrophage inhibitory protein‐1α (MIP‐1α) increased in both cultured cells but did not reach the level induced by crocidolite. Our results suggested that stone‐wool is less toxic than crocidolite. Whether it is carcinogenic or not, is still an open question. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determinants of Marital Satisfaction: A Comparison of the United States and Japan

Past literature, mostly based on US data, indicates that satisfaction with marriage is determined by each spouse's rewards from marital interactions but not by socioeconomic characteristics. To examine the differences and similarities between American and Japanese spouses in the determinants of marital satisfaction, comparative survey data are analyzed in this study. It was expected that expressive (interaction) aspects of marriage are more important in the United States and instrumental (socioeconomic) aspects more in Japan. Results indicate that determinants are similar between husbands and wives within each country and somewhat different between the two countries, largely in the expected way. The husband's income is important for Japanese spouses but not for the American. Age has a negative relationship to marital satisfaction in the United States but not in Japan. Rewards from marital interactions are equally important in these two countries, contrary to the expectation. Different ideals and conceptions about marriage in each country partly explain these differences.
Surprise leads to noisier perceptual decisions

Surprising events in the environment can impair task performance. This might be due to complete distraction, leading to lapses during which performance is reduced to guessing. Alternatively, unpredictability might cause a graded withdrawal of perceptual resources from the task at hand and thereby reduce sensitivity. Here we attempt to distinguish between these two mechanisms. Listeners performed a novel auditory pitch—duration discrimination, where stimulus loudness changed occasionally and incidentally to the task. Responses were slower and less accurate in the surprising condition, where loudness changed unpredictably, than in the predictable condition, where the loudness was held constant. By explicitly modelling both lapses and changes in sensitivity, we found that unpredictable changes diminished sensitivity but did not increase the rate of lapses. These findings suggest that background environmental uncertainty can disrupt goal-directed behaviour. This graded processing strategy might be adaptive in potentially threatening contexts, and reflect a flexible system for automatic allocation of perceptual resources.
Reconstructing shapes with guarantees by unions of convex sets

A simple way to reconstruct a shape A from a sample P is to output an r-offset P + r B, where B = {x ∈ RN x ≤ 1} designates the unit Euclidean ball centered at the origin. Recently, it has been proved that the output P + r B is homotopy equivalent to the shape A, for a dense enough sample P of A and for a suitable value of the parameter r. In this paper, we extend this result and find convex sets C ⊂ RN, besides the unit Euclidean ball B, for which P + rC reconstructs the topology of A. This class of convex sets includes in particular N-dimensional cubes in RN. We proceed in two steps. First, we establish the result when P is an ε-offset of A. Building on this first result, we then consider the case when P is a finite noisy sample of A.
Gaussian distribution resampling algorithm of particle filter

This paper proposes a new resampling algorithm - Gaussian distributed resampling (GDR) algorithm - in order to solve particle impoverishment phenomenon in particle filter. The key idea of proposed algorithm generates the new particles based on Gaussian distribution, which depend on the size of weight in resampling process. In comparison with established resampling algorithms, diversity of particles can be maintained, and thus the proposed algorithm avoids the sample impoverishment.
Environmental Equity in Canada: An Empirical Investigation into the Income Distribution of Pollution in Ontario

In this paper, we attempt to contribute to the growing environmental justice debate by exploring environmental equity in the forty-nine counties of Ontario, Canada. We use multiple regression analysis to address a central research question: what variables predict the location of pollution emissions? Data were extracted from the 1993 National Pollutant Release Inventory and the 1991 Census of Canada to assess relationships among socioeconomic class variables, industrial and land-use variables, and pollution emissions. The results agree with the findings of recent US studies. Manufacturing employment, urbanization variables, dwelling value, and household income were all significantly related to pollution emissions. These relationships took the same direction as in most of the US studies. In total, the four variables account for about 63% of the variation in pollution emissions (adjusted R2 = 0.626, p< 0.0001). Contrary to a hypothesis of environmental inequity, the household income variable displayed a positive relationship with pollution emissions. A conceptual model of the development process is formulated to explain the positive relationship between pollution emissions and income levels. We conclude the paper with suggestions for future research.
Sensitivity to Context: The Past and Future of Effective Schools Research

According to these authors, research on school effectiveness underwent a 'values shift' from equity to efficiency at the time that socioeconomic status and other context variables were introduced into the research models. After elaborating on that observation, the article moves from the history to the future of effective schools research (1) by developing lines from a variety of other kinds of inquiry on school effects that can complement future effective schools research - given that the other approaches also control for contexts - and (2) by arguing for the simultaneous attention to equity and efficiency in future effective schools research.
Hedonic Coalition Formation Game for Cooperative Spectrum Sensing and Channel Access in Cognitive Radio Networks

Cooperative spectrum sensing is an effective technique to improve the sensing performance and increase the spectrum efficiency in cognitive radio networks (CRNs). In this paper, we consider a CRN with multiple primary users (PUs) and multiple secondary users (SUs). We first propose a cooperative spectrum sensing and access (CSSA) scheme for all the SUs, where the SUs cooperatively sense the licensed channels of the PUs in the sensing subframe. If a channel is determined to be idle, the SUs which have sensed that channel will have a chance to transmit packets in the data transmission subframe. We then formulate this multi-channel spectrum sensing and channel access problem as a hedonic coalition formation game, where a coalition corresponds to the SUs that have chosen to sense and access a particular channel. The value function of each coalition and the utility function of each SU take into account both the sensing accuracy and the energy consumption. We propose an algorithm for decision node selection in a coalition. Moreover, we propose an algorithm based on the switch rule to allow the SUs to make decisions on whether to join or leave a coalition. We prove analytically that the set with all the SUs converges to a final network partition, which is both Nash-stable and individually stable. Besides, the proposed algorithms are adaptive to changes in network conditions. Simulation results show that our proposed CSSA scheme achieves a better performance than the closest PU (CPU) scheme and the noncooperative spectrum sensing and access (NSSA) scheme in terms of the average utility of the SUs.