Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constraining Contour Deformations Using Statistical A Priori Knowledge of Shape Without Requiring Point-to-Point Correspondence

In this paper we present a method for constraining the deformations of active contour models during image segmentation in a way that is consistent with a previously delineated training set of example images. The training examples are carefully traced with complete or semi- manual supervision without the need for pointto-point correspondence. Then frequency domain shape descriptors (in particular, Discrete Cosine Transform coefficients) are used to establish model parameter correspondence. The main modes of shape parameter variation are then captured (using Principal Component Analysis) and used to restrict the active contour model deformations. The method was applied to segment the human left ventricle in echocardiographic images.
Range-Efficient Counting of Distinct Elements in a Massive Data Stream

Efficient one-pass estimation of $F_0$, the number of distinct elements in a data stream, is a fundamental problem arising in various contexts in databases and networking. We consider range-efficient estimation of $F_0$: estimation of the number of distinct elements in a data stream where each element of the stream is not just a single integer but an interval of integers. We present a randomized algorithm which yields an (e, d)-approximation of $F_0$, with the following time and space complexities ($n$ is the size of the universe of the items): (1) The amortized processing time per interval is $O(\log{\frac{1}{\delta}}\log \frac{n}{\epsilon})$. (2) The workspace used is $O(\frac{1}{\epsilon^2}\log{\frac{1}{\delta}}\log n)$ bits. Our algorithm improves upon a previous algorithm by Bar-Yossef, Kumar and Sivakumar [Proceedings of the $13$th ACM-SIAM Symposium on Discrete Algorithms (SODA), 2002, pp. 623-632], which requires $O(\frac{1}{\epsilon^5} \log{\frac{1}{\delta}}\log^5 n)$ processing time per item. This algorithm can also be used to compute the max-dominance norm of a stream of multiple signals and significantly improves upon the previous best time and space bounds by Cormode and Muthukrishnan [Proceedings of the $11$th European Symposium on Algorithms (ESA), Lecture Notes in Comput. Sci. 2938, Springer, Berlin, 2003, pp. 148-160]. This algorithm also provides an efficient solution to the distinct summation problem, which arises during data aggregation in sensor networks [Proceedings of the $2$nd International Conference on Embedded Networked Sensor Systems, ACM Press, New York, 2004, pp. 250-262, Proceedings of the $20$th International Conference on Data Engineering (ICDE), 2004, pp. 449-460].
Influence of the Observation Likelihood Function on Object Tracking Performance in Particle Filtering

Since the introduction of particle filtering for object tracking, a lot of improvements have been suggested. However, the definition of the observation likelihood function, needed for determining the particle weights, has received little attention. Because particle weights determine how the particles are resampled, the likelihood function has a strong influence on the tracking performance. We show experimental results for three different tracking tasks for different parameter values of the assumed observation model. The results show a large influence of the model parameters on the tracking performance. Optimizing the likelihood function can give significant tracking improvement. Different optimal parameter settings are observed for the three different tracking tasks. Consequently, when performing multiple tasks a trade-off must be made for the parameter setting. In practical situations where robust tracking must be achieved with a limited amount of particles, the true observation probability is not always the optimal likelihood function.
Different weighted fusion scheme for Cooperative Spectrum Sensing using Normal Factor Graph

Cooperative Spectrum Sensing (CSS) is a reliable detection approach that performs better over faded channel. In CSS, all Secondary Users (SU) have equal weight. We have studied performance of Centralized CSS (CCSS) using Normal Factor Graph (NFG) model with logical OR and Neyman-Pearson based Likelihood Ratio Testing (LRT) fusion rules. Here, we have proposed a novel Weighted CCSS (WCCSS) using NFG based probabilistic inference model. Sum Product algorithm (SPA) has been used for message passing and different weight assignment strategies have been used. The performance of WCCSS approach in Cognitive Radio Network (CRN) under different channels have been studied through simulation.
Software development productivity tools and metrics

A description is given of the software development process used within one software engineering group at Digital Equipment Corporation, and the methods and tools used within the group to support the development of software products. Experience in the application of software metrics to parts of the process as a means of quantifying productivity and quality is described. The approach used to measure productivity is described. <<ETX>>
Author ' s personal copy Mitochondrial ABC proteins in health and disease

In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Keywords: Heme biosynthesis Intracellular transport Iron homeostasis Iron–sulfur cluster assembly Mitochondrial targeting Oxidative stress ABC transporters represent one of the largest families of membrane proteins that are found in all three phyla of life. Mitochondria comprise up to four ABC systems, ABCB7/ATM1, ABCB10/MDL1, ABCB8 and ABCB6. These half-transporters, which assemble into homodimeric complexes, are involved in a number of key cellular processes, e.g. biogenesis of cytosolic iron–sulfur clusters, heme biosynthesis, iron homeostasis, multidrug resistance, and protection against oxidative stress. Here, we summarize recent advances and emerging themes in our understanding of how these ABC systems in the inner and outer mitochondrial membrane fulfill their functions in important (patho) physiological processes, including neurodegenerative and hematological disorders. ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters belong to one of the most abundant families of integral membrane proteins found in all three kingdoms of life. Members of the ABC family play a major role in many cellular processes and mediate the active transport of a vast variety of solutes (e.g. amino acids, polysaccharides, peptides, lipids, drugs, antibiotics, toxins) across cellular membranes [1,2]. Although ABC proteins are represented in all organisms analyzed so far, their expression profiles and substrate specificities are highly diverse and differ in dependence of the specific cellular growth requirements and environmental influences. For instance, the genome of Agrobacterium tumefaciens encodes for 153 ABC proteins [3,4], while in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human, 22 and 45 ABC transporters are present [5,6]. ABC transporters can be divided into two classes: i) ABC exporters that mediate e.g. the extrusion of toxic compounds (self-defense), and ii) ABC importers that primarily function as uptake systems for nutrients (metabolism). ABC importers typically recruit an extra substrate-binding protein that complexes the solute and hands it over to an outward-facing conformation of the ABC importer [7]. In eukaryotes, ABC transporters are located in the plasma membrane as well as in intracellular membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, peroxisomes and mitochondria. Almost all eukaryotic ABC transporters function as exporters by translocating a wide range of unrelated substances across cell membranes …
Establishing Evidence-Based Behavioral Screening Practices in U.S. Schools

Abstract The purpose of this commentary is to discuss articles in the special issue focused on improving procedures for universal screening for social–emotional and behavioral problems. Based on work by Hunsley and Mash (2007), we examine factors to consider for those seeking to establish evidence-based behavioral screening practices in school settings. Discussed are the selection of appropriate constructs for a given assessment task, the selection of instruments and methods to inform the decision-making process, the accuracy and utility of the decision-making process, the cost of the assessment process, and the impact the assessment has on the outcomes of students. Finally, we discuss factors to consider for the maximization of screening usage.
Efficient reactive monitoring

Networks are monitored in order to ensure that the system operates within desirable parameters. The increasing complexity of networks and services provided by them increases this need for monitoring. Monitoring consists of measuring properties of the network, and of inferring an aggregate predicate from these measurements. Conducting such monitoring introduces traffic overhead that may reduce the overall effective throughput. This paper studies ways to minimize the monitoring communication overhead in IP networks. We develop and analyze several monitoring algorithms that achieve significant reduction in the management overhead while maintaining the functionality. The main idea is to combine global polling with local event driven reporting. The amount of traffic saving depends on the statistical characterization of the monitored data. We indicate the specific statistical factors that affect the saving and show how to choose the right algorithm for the type of monitored data. In particular our results show that for Internet traffic our algorithms can save more than 90% of the monitoring traffic.
Antitcoagulant and antiplatelet activities of scolymoside

Cyclopia subternata is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine to relieve pain. Here, the anticoagulant effects of scolymoside, an active compound in C. subternata, were examined by monitoring activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), and the activities of thrombin and activated factor X (FXa). The effects of scolymoside on plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) expression were evaluated in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-activated human endothelial cells. Treatment with scolymoside resulted in prolonged aPTT and PT and the inhibition of thrombin and FXa activities and production. In addition, scolymoside inhibited thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization and platelet aggregation. Scolymoside also elicited anticoagulant effects in mice, including a significant reduction in the PAI-1 to t-PA ratio. Collectively, these findings indicate that scolymoside possesses anticoagulant activities and could be developed as a novel anticoagulant. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(10): 577-582]
Model Specification for the Estimation of the Optimal Hedge Ratio with Stock Index Futures: an Application to the Italian Deri

Several techniques to estimate the hedge ratio with index futures contracts have been proposed in the literature. While these techniques hold theoretical appeal, there is no univocal evidence as to their effectiveness. This research provides an empirical comparison of four different econometric techniques in the context of hedging the market risk using the FIB 30 index futures contract of the Italian Derivatives Market. Specifically, the OLS regression model, the bivariate vector autoregressive model (BVAR), the vector error correction model (VECM) and the multivariate GARCH model are employed. Then the hedging effectiveness is measured in terms of ex-post and ex-ante variance minimization. It is generally found that only the GARCH model is able to outperform the OLS model and the improvement is not really consistent.
Experimental and Computational Analysis of Polyglutamine-Mediated Cytotoxicity

Expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) proteins are known to be the causative agents of a number of human neurodegenerative diseases but the molecular basis of their cytoxicity is still poorly understood. PolyQ tracts may impede the activity of the proteasome, and evidence from single cell imaging suggests that the sequestration of polyQ into inclusion bodies can reduce the proteasomal burden and promote cell survival, at least in the short term. The presence of misfolded protein also leads to activation of stress kinases such as p38MAPK, which can be cytotoxic. The relationships of these systems are not well understood. We have used fluorescent reporter systems imaged in living cells, and stochastic computer modeling to explore the relationships of polyQ, p38MAPK activation, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), proteasome inhibition, and inclusion body formation. In cells expressing a polyQ protein inclusion, body formation was preceded by proteasome inhibition but cytotoxicity was greatly reduced by administration of a p38MAPK inhibitor. Computer simulations suggested that without the generation of ROS, the proteasome inhibition and activation of p38MAPK would have significantly reduced toxicity. Our data suggest a vicious cycle of stress kinase activation and proteasome inhibition that is ultimately lethal to cells. There was close agreement between experimental data and the predictions of a stochastic computer model, supporting a central role for proteasome inhibition and p38MAPK activation in inclusion body formation and ROS-mediated cell death.
The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook 01 Inlant Development

Humans are inherently social. We live in complex societies, navigate intricate social interactions, and rapidly learn from those around us. We have a special adaptation that supports this-the ability to learn from observing others. Instead of having to rely on trial and error learning (which can be dangerous) or on independent invention (which can be slow), we profit from others' examples, including their actions, goals, intended efforts, and mistakes. Humans carefully study what others are doing in their transactions with the physical and social world and learn by observing their behavior. Anyone who has visited a foreign culture or attended a dinner party with a formal place setting has felt the need for rapid learning. In such cases we turn to others and imitate what they do. This powerful form of social learning is rare in the animal kingdom. There is a wide consensus among developmental psychologists and primatologists that humans are the most imitative creatures on the planet, imitating more prolifically than other species, including our closest living evolutionary relative, the chimpanzee. In this chapter we will examine imitation from a developmental perspective, focusing particularly on preverbal imitation. We will show that imitation serves Ihree important functions in infancy: (a) social-communicative, (b) cognitive, and (c) as a foundation for understanding other minds. Imitation serves a social-communicative function, because copying the actions qf others facilitates social engagement. Imitation serves a cognitive function because copying acts on objects helps infants learn how to use tools and cognitive strategies that are used by experts in the culture. Imitation is foundational for children's understanding of other minds because . it provides opportunities for mapping the similarities and differences between self and other, what Meltzoff (2007a) calls the "Like-Me" aspect of imitation. A developmental pathway has been described for how infants progress from the 346 Meltzoffand Williamson recognition ofshared acts to an understanding ofshared minds (Melrzoff, 2007b), thereby jumpstarting "mentalizing" and "theory of mind. " There is evidence that even the earliest forms of imitation are connected to infants' social-communicative development. In 1977, Meltzoff and Moore reported that 12-to 21-day-old infants imitate simple body acts. These infants responded to an adult's tongue protrusion by sticking out their own tongues and responded to an adult's mouth opening/ closing by duplicating that action themselves. Subsequent studies conducted in a hospital setting (Meltzoff & Moore, 1983, 1989) showed facial imitation in newborns as young as 42 minutes old. Imitation …
HDR in the living room

High dynamic range (HDR) imaging has been an active area of research in visual computing for more than a decade. HDR imaging technologies are concerned with the capture, processing, compression and display of content with a wider luminance range and offer a significant increase in visual quality. Despite that, HDR technologies have not yet penetrated the consumer market. We investigate the reasons behind this apparent resistance and discuss some solutions for dealing with the main aspects of an HDR imaging pipeline in a real world entertainment context.
A Study of Organizational Justice on the Trust in Organization under the Mediating Role of Ethical Leadership

While previous sources of literature have proven the importance of justice, procedural, distributive and interactions are shown that have a greater impact on employees in the workplace. This paper summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the issue of organizational justice as important predictors for many outcomes for individuals’ level and organization level. The main purpose of the research is to investigate the association between justice and trust in the organization. Further, this study identified ethical leadership as an essential mechanism on this relationship between organizational justice and trust in the organization. The relevance of the decision of this scientific problem is that lack of trust in the workplaces. Investigation of the topic has predetermined several procedures and is carried out in the paper in the following logical sequence. Methodological tools of the research methods were self-administered. The object of research is the chosen postgraduate students from various Universities in Malaysia Kuala Lumpur. Thus, the paper presents the results of an empirical analysis. The research empirically confirms and theoretically proves that a significant association between justice and trust in the organization, both an immediate and indirect indicator of organizational justice identified with trust and through ethical leadership (EL). Distributive justice is connected in an indirect way to trust of an organization through ethical leadership and directly to trust in the organization. As was expected procedural justice is directly connected to the trust in the organization and organizational justice and ethical leadership have closer links.
Environmental health promotion at a National Science Festival: An experiential-education based approach

Abstract To increase individual and communal environmental health awareness through an experiential-education project. A computer-based pre- and postintervention quiz; an educational poster; an interactive board game; and a take-home information leaflet were utilized for a school learners-centered health promotion exhibit at a National Science Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. Out of all the participants, 55.7% were female, and 76.5% attended or had attended a government school. Participants showed significant improvement in their pre- and posteducational intervention. The exhibit was effective in educating participants on environmental health, natural resources, and the impact environmental pollution has on their quality of life.
Compiling generics through user-directed type specialization

Compilation of polymorphic code through type erasure gives compact code but performance on primitive types is significantly hurt. Full specialization gives good performance, but at the cost of increased code size and compilation time. Instead we propose a mixed approach, which allows the programmer to decide what code to specialize. Our approach supports separate compilation, allows mixing of specialized and generic code, and gives very good results in practice.
Expanding Technological Frames Towards Mediated Collaboration - Groupware Adoption in Virtual Learning Teams

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the technological and social factors that led to the successful adoption of groupware by a virtual team in a educational setting. Drawing on a theoretical framework based on the concept of technological frames, we conducted an action research study to analyse the chronological sequence of events in groupware adoption. We argue that groupware adoption can be conceptualised as a three-step process of expanding and aligning individual technological frames towards groupware. The first step comprises activities that bring knowledge of new technological opportunities to the participants. The second step involves facilitating the participants to articulate and evaluate their work practices and their use of technology. The third and final step deals with the participants' commitment to, and practical enactment of, groupware technology. The alignment of individual technological frames requires the articulation and re-evaluation of experience with collaborative practice and with the use of technology. One of the key findings is that this activity cannot take place at the outset of groupware adoption.
Single Image Super Resolution Method Based on Edge Preservation

In this paper, we present a novel super resolution (SR) framework based on edge preservation. The iterative back-projection algorithm (IBP) is a classical SR method and has low computational complexity, which can be applied in real time applications. However, it often produces many artifacts especially along the strong edges. To reduce the jaggy artifacts, our approach has three steps. First, we improve the initial estimate using bilateral filtering to strengthen the true edges. Second, we learn the structural content of low resolution pixel and the correlation among the pixels with similar structure. Third, we use the correlation to guide the output image reconstructed by the IBP algorithm. The experimental result proved that our proposed method can remove the artifacts and obtain clear and sharp edges in visual perception.
Leader of the pack: On plagiarism prevention through research group enculturation

Mispractice by researchers—plagiarism in particular—is, according to the research evidence enculturated within research groups. We interview a small sample of senior academics with a clean record regarding plagiarism, to investigate what has influenced their practice, and how they in turn influence the research groups and research students that they oversee. Our aim is to understand what strategies enculturate good practice. We point to surprisingly complex interactions between technology and culture.
Talisman - rapid application development for the grid

In order to make use of the emerging grid and network services offered by various institutes and mandated by many current research projects, some kind of user accessible client is required. In contrast with attempts to build generic workbenches, Talisman is designed to allow a bioinformatics expert to rapidly build custom applications, immediately visible using standard web technology, for users who wish to concentrate on the biology of their problem rather than the informatics aspects. As a component of the MyGrid project, it is intended to allow access to arbitrary resources, including but not limited to relational, object and flat file data sources, analysis programs and grid based storage, tracking and distributed annotation systems.