Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Image Feature Extraction ( NiN CNN ) Softmax Regression Object Proposals Detection

Conventional SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) systems typically provide odometry estimates and point-cloud reconstructions of an unknown environment. While these outputs can be used for tasks such as autonomous navigation, they lack any semantic information. Our project implements a modular object detection framework that can be used in conjunction with a SLAM engine to generate semantic scene reconstructions. A semantically-augmented reconstruction has many potential applications. Some examples include:
Innovating business communication courses in Oman: from design to implementation

The article challenges the conventional formats applied by business and professional education in higher academic institutions in Oman. The shift from the current traditional educational paradigm to more effective and engaging approaches to instruction is proposed through the launch of an alternative teaching/learning model which aims at preparing undergraduate students for the real-life workplace. The suggested model is rooted in the fundamentals of project-based learning pedagogy and based on the principles of collaboration, knowledge exchange and expertise transfer. It transcends the boundaries of academia and business urging both parties to merge under the umbrella of a collaborative educational project and giving rise to an intellectual product which translates interdisciplinary knowledge into a tangible, pragmatic asset for both stakeholders involved.
Effects of Place of Articulation and Vowel Context on VOT Production and Perception for French and English Stops

The focus of this study is the nature of the secondary effects of place of articulation and vowel quality on VOT (and other acoustic properties) in the production of stops in French and English and the consequences of these factors on the perception of VOT continua by speakers of those languages. Although the largest source of differences in VOT is that associated with the voicing contrast, a number of previous studies indicate that both French and English stops show an effect of place of articulation, with velars showing longer VOT than labials or coronals in accord with the general tendencies noted by Lisker and Abramson (1967; see also Volaitis and Miller 1992). However, some modulation of VOT by vowel context has also been reported. Thus, Fischer-Jørgensen (1972) finds that, in French voiceless stops, VOT is longer before a high vowel than before a low vowel. She further reports an interaction between the place of articulation of the consonant and the identity of the vowel. Specifically, for /p/, the longest voicing lags occur before high rounded vowels (/u/ and /y/); but for /t/ and /k/, they are longest before /i/. Yeni-Komshian, Caramazza and Preston (1977: 43) also report longer voicing lags before /i/ than before /a/ or /o/ for unilingual French speakers.
Implementing best practices for systems integration and distributed software development in service robotics - the Care-O-bot®robot family

To date, the complex and diverse demands on robotic software can only be handled by large teams which are often distributed geographically, with each team working on a specific aspect of the robot's functionality. The distributed nature of development and differences in the configuration of standard robot platforms impose particular challenges on the process of system integration. To address these challenges, this paper describes the application of best practices in software engineering to the developer community of the Care-O-bot® robot family: strictly defined developer roles, management of platform dependencies by Separation of Concerns, and automated testing. The concrete implementation of these concepts in the development process is demonstrated. By analyzing development activities over the last months we can validate the impact of the concepts in the distributed community.
Two Arabidopsis proteins synthesize acetylated xylan in vitro.

Xylan is the third most abundant glycopolymer on earth after cellulose and chitin. As a major component of wood, grain and forage, this natural biopolymer has far-reaching impacts on human life. This highly acetylated cell wall polysaccharide is a vital component of the plant cell wall, which functions as a molecular scaffold, providing plants with mechanical strength and flexibility. Mutations that impair synthesis of the xylan backbone give rise to plants that fail to grow normally because of collapsed xylem cells in the vascular system. Phenotypic analysis of these mutants has implicated many proteins in xylan biosynthesis; however, the enzymes directly responsible for elongation and acetylation of the xylan backbone have not been unambiguously identified. Here we provide direct biochemical evidence that two Arabidopsis thaliana proteins, IRREGULAR XYLEM 10-L (IRX10-L) and ESKIMO1/TRICOME BIREFRINGENCE 29 (ESK1/TBL29), catalyze these respective processes in vitro. By identifying the elusive xylan synthase and establishing ESK1/TBL29 as the archetypal plant polysaccharide O-acetyltransferase, we have resolved two long-standing questions in plant cell wall biochemistry. These findings shed light on integral steps in the molecular pathways used by plants to synthesize a major component of the world's biomass and expand our toolkit for producing glycopolymers with valuable properties.
Persistent changes in interleukin-6 and lower extremity function following hip fracture.

BACKGROUND A hip fracture often heralds a period of functional decline in elderly persons. Although an inflammatory reaction would be expected following a hip fracture, whether the degree of this response is associated with adverse functional outcomes is unknown. METHODS In a cohort from the Baltimore Hip Studies, women aged 65 years or older with a hip fracture were evaluated at 3 or 10 days (baseline) and 2, 6, and 12 months (follow-up) postfracture. Serum was analyzed for interleukin-6 (IL-6) level. A score of timed performance of 9 tasks, the Lower Extremity Gain Scale (LEGS) was calculated at each evaluation. We divided participants into tertiles based on their cytokine levels at 2, 6, and 12 months, and examined the LEGS score trajectories as a function of IL-6 tertile using generalized estimating equations, adjusting for age, prefracture function, body fat, pain, cognitive function, type of surgical repair, the number of in-hospital complications, and the number of comorbid medical conditions. RESULTS At baseline, 2, 6, and 12 months, respectively, 149, 95, 101, and 82 participants provided serum samples; of these participants 65, 78, and 59 also provided a LEGS measure at 2, 6, and 12 months, respectively. At 12 months postfracture the median (interquartile range) of serum IL-6 levels was 7.4 (4.0, 15.9) pg/mL. Participants in the lowest tertile of IL-6 level performed better on the LEGS than did those in the highest tertile (p =.008). At 12 months postfracture, participants in the lowest tertile scored 5.3 points better (95% confidence interval, 2.0-8.6) on the LEGS than did those in the highest tertile (p =.002). CONCLUSIONS Higher IL-6 levels are adversely associated with recovery of lower extremity function after hip fracture. Factors that predict cytokine response and the potential mechanisms by which this effect is mediated warrant further study.
Parental Divorce and Child Mental Health: Accounting for Predisruption Differences

Although evidence shows that the effects of divorce can be observed in advance of the actual event, there remains ambiguity over which aspects of child mental health are affected and why. This study analyzed two waves of data from a national survey of Canadian children (N = 4,474) to compare depression, antisocial behavior, and hyperactivity at initial interview between children whose parents subsequently divorced and children whose parents remain married. Results confirmed significantly worse mental health problems among children whose parents later divorced. Differences were mostly attributable to greater socioeconomic disadvantage and more dysfunctional family processes among eventually divorcing households.
TRANSLATION POLICIES IN PRE-COMMUNIST AND COMMUNIST ROMANIA. THE CASE OF ALDOUS HUXLEY

The paper draws on the perspectives provided by the polysystem theory in Translation Studies and the "ideological" trends in the discipline in order to detect preliminary and textual translation norms that operated in Pre-Communist (Inter-War and World War II period) and Communist Romania. However, translation-related issues are examined in a wider historical, literary, cultural and political context. The "case of Aldous Huxley" is thus illustrative for more general tendencies that were manifest in terms of translation policies, textual norms and translators' status during the two distinct periods under discussion. In the paper we also emphasize the importance of translation studies for reception studies in general, as well as the necessity for translation criticism both to improve transla-tion standards at a given time and to highlight the translators' remarkable achievements that frequently tend to be overlooked.
Uncertainty in ethical consumer choice: a conceptual model

The market place has seen significant growth in the demand for ‘ethical’ products and services. Yet, consumers often experience knowledge, evaluation and choice uncertainties in decision-making processes, particularly in relation to products such as ethical clothing. The authors explore this pertinent form of consumer uncertainty through three qualitative studies of ethical consumers that examine their approaches to clothing consumption. In-depth interviews and focus groups confirm uncertainty arises; the results also identify the causes and consequences of consumer uncertainty in this context. The causes of uncertainty pertain to issues surrounding complexity, ambiguity, conflict and credibility that give rise to uncertainties that result in delaying purchase decisions, compromising beliefs and negative emotions. This study contributes to literature by offering a holistic understanding of the challenges facing consumers when making ethical choices. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Models of host-parasite interaction and MHC polymorphism.

In arguing that natural selection at major histocompatibility complex (MHC) loci is frequency-dependent rather than overdominant, SLADE and MCCALLUM rely heavily on previously published theoretical models of host-parasite interactions. While such models can yield valuable insights, it is important to recall that they are based on assumptions which are not necessarily justified for real host-parasite interactions. Here we point out several assumptions crucial to SLADE and MCCALLUM’S argument that are not consistent with what we know about the interaction of parasites with the vertebrate immune system. SLADE and MCCALLUM write that host-parasite interactions “are intrinsically frequency-dependent and dynamic, because transmission efficiency increases with the frequency of susceptible hosts. ” While this assumption is commonly made in theoretical models, i t need not be true in practice. If a particular host genotype is quickly killed by a given parasite, transmission of the parasite will actually be decreased rather than increased. For example, in the case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, a highly susceptible patient who dies in childhood shortly after initial infection may not spread the parasite at all, whereas an individual who remains infected throughout a long life without suffering any serious illness can be a source of numerous additional infections. In modeling the interaction of a parasite with the host’s MHC, it is important to incorporate the basic features of the MHC’s function. The MHC encodes cell surface glycoproteins that function to bind foreign peptides and present them to T cells, thereby triggering an appropriate immune response (LAWLOR et al. 1990). Note that any given MHC allelic product can bind several hundred different peptides, which have certain sequence characteristics in common (FALK et al. 199 1) . Since allelic products differ in their capacity to bind different peptides, it has been argued that an allelic product that does a particularly good job of binding a peptide from a given parasite should enhance the host’s resistance to that parasite (DOHERTY and ZINKERNACEL 1975). Therefore, MHC-linked resistance to an infectious disease is expected to be at least semidominant if not completely dominant. This prediction is supported by the finding that a class I MHC allele and a class 11 MHC haplotype are associated with resistance to P. falciparum malaria, whereas no single allele or haplotype associated with susceptibility to this parasite was found (HILL et al. 1991). However, in postulating that a particular MHC allele can be “attacked” by a particular parasite genotype, SLADE and MCCALLUM are in
"Silhouette-Box": An Interactive Interface for Modeling and Direct Manipulation in Mixed Reality

Recently, the trial that is going to use a virtual reality for mathematics education is performed. In particular, the effect of using for study of the space figure that cannot be expressed on the textbook or the blackboard is expected. In this paper, the learning system possessing the function which projects easily the object that the student imagined on a computer display, and the interface that operates the object intuitively is proposed. This system consists of a box that prints special patterns, a monitor, and a video camera. A 3D object is overlaid on the special box and an image is taken with a video camera in real-time. By moving the special box, it is possible to observe the shape of a 3D object from different viewpoints. From a viewpoint of mathematics education, it is the system that supports from a projection improvement in the capability to imagine a 3D object, and the capability to create the projection of conversely arbitrary objects.
The Built Environment and Car Use in Mexico City

This article explores differences in the relationship between the built environment and households’ car use in Mexico City in 1994 and 2007. After controlling for income and other household attributes, population and job density, transit and highway proximity, destination diversity, intersection density, and accessibility are statistically correlated with households’ weekday car travel in Mexico City. These correlations are generally stronger than those found in studies from U.S. cities and fairly stable over time. Where correlations have changed, they have strengthened. Findings suggest that land use planning can play a modest and growing role in reducing car travel in Mexico City.
Proportional Fair Scheduling for Downlink Single-Carrier NOMA Systems

The non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has been investigated recently as a candidate radio access technology for future wireless networks. This paper focuses on the proportional fair scheduling (PFS) for downlink single-carrier NOMA systems. Assuming an ideal NOMA system with an arbitrary number of multiplexed users, we derive a closed- form solution of the optimal power allocation for PFS. Based on this solution, we design a low- complexity algorithm for joint power allocation and user set selection (USS). Its performance is an upper bound for various PFS schemes in practical NOMA systems where the number of multiplexed users is limited. We utilize this algorithm to pre-select the candidate users and propose a pre-selection-based USS (PSU) scheme. The performance of the PSU scheme and various existing PFS schemes in the literature is evaluated by simulations and compared with the upper bound obtained in the ideal NOMA system. The proposed PSU scheme achieves the optimal performance that is close to the upper bound. Moreover, its computational complexity is significantly reduced and is nearly linear in the number of users.
Fatty infiltration of the minor salivary glands is a selective feature of aging but not Sjögren’s syndrome

Abstract Objective: Determine the presence and assess the extent of fatty infiltration of the minor salivary glands (SG) of primary SS patients (pSS) as compared to those with non-SS sicca (nSS). Methods: Minor SG biopsy samples from 134 subjects with pSS (n = 72) or nSS (n = 62) were imaged. Total area and fatty replacement area for each glandular cross-section (n = 4–6 cross-sections per subject) were measured using Image J (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD). The observer was blinded to subject classification status. The average area of fatty infiltration calculated per subject was evaluated by logistic regression and general linearized models (GLM) to assess relationships between fatty infiltration and clinical exam results, extent of fibrosis and age. Results: The average area of fatty infiltration for subjects with pSS (median% (range) 4.97 (0.05–30.2)) was not significantly different from that of those with nSS (3.75 (0.087–41.9). Infiltration severity varied widely, and subjects with fatty replacement greater than 6% were equivalently distributed between pSS and nSS participants (χ2 p = .50). Age accounted for all apparent relationships between fatty infiltration and fibrosis or reduced saliva flow. The all-inclusive GLM for prediction of pSS versus non-SS classification including fibrosis, age, fatty replacement, and focus score was not significantly different from any desaturated model. In no iteration of the model did fatty replacement exert a significant effect on the capacity to predict pSS classification. Conclusions: Fatty infiltration is an age-associated phenomenon and not a selective feature of Sjögren’s syndrome. Sicca patients who do not fulfil pSS criteria have similar rates of fatty infiltration of the minor SG.
A fuzzy description logic F-SHIQ(G)

It is widely recognized that management of data types is an indispensable component in intelligent knowledge-based applications. Recent research has shown that OWL (Web Ontology Language) has a serious limitation on data types and does not support customized data types and predicates. Some work has been carried out to address this issue in crisp situations. In order to deal with fuzzy information in the Semantic Web, this paper proposes a new kind of fuzzy description logic F-SHIQ(G), which can support not only the representation and reasoning of fuzzy concept knowledge, but also fuzzy data information with customized fuzzy data types and customized fuzzy data type predicates. The syntax, semantics and reasoning algorithm of the F-SHIQ(G) are investigated in the paper, and its decidability, soundness, completeness and complexity of the reasoning algorithm are discussed in the paper also. For the reasoning for F-SHIQ(G), the paper adopts a traditional reasoning architecture for fuzzy data type reasoning and as a result, new fuzzy data type reasoners can be added without changing the fuzzy concept reasoner.
Two-Stage Mixed Queuing Model for Web Security Gateway Performance Evaluation

Web Security Gateway (WSG) is a new type of network security product that maintains the security of trusted networks. In this paper, a WSG model for evaluating WSG performance is presented. This paper advances discussion of previous studies on series services under multiple service windows. The proposed model consists of a two-stage queuing system. The first stage is a network layer simulation. The second stage is thus similar to a parallel hyper-Erlang distribution model. The results of a simulation test verified the feasibility and performance of the proposed model.
MRI screening for breast cancer in women at high risk; is the Australian breast MRI screening access program addressing the needs of women at high risk of breast cancer?

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening of women under 50 years old at high familial risk of breast cancer was given interim funding by Medicare in 2009 on the basis that a review would be undertaken. An updated literature review has been undertaken by the Medical Services Advisory Committee but there has been no assessment of the quality of the screening or other screening outcomes. This review examines the evidence basis of breast MRI screening and how this fits within an Australian context with the purpose of informing future modifications to the provision of Medicare‐funded breast MRI screening in Australia. Issues discussed will include selection of high‐risk women, the options for MRI screening frequency and measuring the outcomes of screening.
Hybrid Texts

Consistent with a sociocritical frame and the analytic tools of hybridity theory, this article explicates how urban fifth-grade children made language hybrids using rap and poetry to participate in classroom literacy. Ethnographic data from a yearlong study illustrate two key findings. First, standards-based and canon-driven writing models maintained literacy and language borders through antihybrid practices based in antipopular ideologies. Second, the children used hybrid rap poems to negotiate and challenge linguistic and ideological constraints that hemmed in classroom literacy. The author suggests that canon-driven writing pedagogies be more inclusive of youth popular cultures and culturally relevant literacies.
Who Believes Us?

Because research-supported human resource (HR) practices appear to positively affect organizational outcomes, it is important to understand the factors that impact managers’ agreement with HR research findings. The authors drew from two theoretical perspectives to develop and test a model of factors related to managers’ agreement with research findings about effective HR practices. Using structural equation modeling, the authors found that job level and managers’ perceptions of their organizations’ business strategies directly influence managers’ agreement with HR research findings. In addition, managers who read academic journals are more likely to agree with research findings. Implications for reducing the belief gap between academics and managers are discussed.
An asymmetric form of muscle acetylcholinesterase contains three subunit types and two enzymic activities in one molecule.

We have purified completely the principal asymmetric ("heavy") form of acetylcholinesterase (Ac-ChoEase; EC 3.1.1.7) from chick muscle (i.e., the synaptic form in the twitch muscle fibers) by using a monoclonal antibody that recognizes AcChoEase but not pseudocholinesterase (ChoEase; cholinesterase, EC 3.1.1.8). The purified protein exhibits catalytic and inhibition properties characteristic of AcChoEase and ChoEase and contains three distinct subunits of apparent sizes 110 kDa, 72 kDa, and 58 kDa in the ratio 2:2:1. The discovery of an AcChoEase/ChoEase hybrid asymmetric form has been further supported by (i) the identification of active site properties of AcChoEase in the 110-kDa subunit and of ChoEase in the 72-kDa subunit, (ii) the purification or precipitation of both activities together by, also, a ChoEase-specific monoclonal antibody, and (iii) evidence that all subunits are bound in the asymmetric forms by disulfide bonds. The 58-kDa subunit is the only one that is sensitive to digestion with purified collagenase; it carries the collagenous "tail" of the asymmetric form. A model is proposed for this form of AcChoEase.