Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Novel Pre-Process Method of Raw Point Data for Real-Time Complex Scenes Rendering

In order to real-time rendering complex scenes, many algorithms need a multi-resolution representation data structure which can support good rendering performance. In this paper we introduce a novel stream-based (and out-of-core) point preprocessing algorithm which generating multi- resolution hierarchy based on bounding spheres by processing points in an orderly sequential way and sweeping double-plane along a spatial dimension. The major advantages of this novel concept are: (I) our algorithm can be used to in support of other stream operators, (2) generating a multi-resolution model representation, (3) low main-memory usage. This work is supported by the National Grand Fundamental Research 973 Program of China (2002CB312106).
An Empirical Study on the Interpersonal Relationship between Customers and Staff in Professional Services in China

This study examines the interpersonal relationship between Customers and Staff in professional service in China, which differs from the Chinese "Gunxi" in the B2B field. Based on the attitude theory, this study examines the interpersonal relationship between customer and staff from both cognitive and emotional aspects. Three dimensions are proposed: Closeness, Liking and Overall Recognition, and then a conceptual model between the interpersonal relationship and customer commitment is constructed. Both the scale and the model are tested with nation-wide data. The results show that interpersonal relationship has an impact on customers' firm commitment directly and through staff trust and staff commitment indirectly. Theoretical and practical contributions of the results are discussed.
Testing the stakeholders approach for historical cases of private patrimonies. The Osuna Ducal Estate (1590-1633)

The main aim of this paper is to test the validity of the stakeholder approach in a historical context different to the one in which it was originally developed. Specifically the late 16 and early 17 centuries. Furthermore, the paper applies this framework to the management of a private wealth, the Osuna ducal Estate, which is also a singularity with regards to previous works that have used this approach. For this purpose, we focus on the identification and salience of stakeholders. From 1590 onwards, the ducal Estate wealth was seized by the Government due to its high level of indebtedness. Since the changes in the ducal Estate management and accounting were promoted by creditors and the Crown, it seems that the stakeholder approach could be useful to analyse the case.
Decreased connectivity between the thalamus and the neocortex during human nonrapid eye movement sleep.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To determine whether thalamocortical signaling between the thalamus and the neocortex decreases from wakefulness to nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. DESIGN Electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected simultaneously at 02:30 after 44 h of sleep deprivation. SETTING Clinical research hospital. PARTICIPANTS There were six volunteers (mean age 24.2 y, one male) who yielded sufficient amounts of usable, artifact-free data. All were healthy, right-handed native English speakers who consumed less than 710 mL of caffeinated beverages per day. Psychiatric, neurological, circadian, and sleep disorders were ruled out by reviewing each patient's clinical history. A standard clinical nocturnal polysomnogram was negative for sleep disorders. INTERVENTIONS N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS A functional connectivity analysis was performed using the centromedian nucleus as the seed region. We determined the statistical significance of the difference between correlations obtained during wakefulness and during slow wave sleep. Neocortical regions displaying decreased thalamic connectivity were all heteromodal regions (e.g., medial frontal gyrus and posterior cingulate/precuneus), whereas there was a complete absence of neocortical regions displaying increased thalamic connectivity. Although more clusters of significant decreases were observed in stage 2 sleep, these results were similar to the results for slow wave sleep. CONCLUSIONS Results of this study provide evidence of a functional deafferentation of the neocortex during nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in humans. This deafferentation likely accounts for increased sensory awareness thresholds during NREM sleep. Decreased thalamocortical connectivity in regions such as the posterior cingulate/precuneus also are observed in coma and general anesthesia, suggesting that changes in thalamocortical connectivity may act as a universal "control switch" for changes in consciousness that are observed in coma, general anesthesia, and natural sleep.
What Motivates Women to Take Part in Clinical and Basic Science Endometriosis Research?

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to identify factors motivating women to take part in endometriosis research and to determine if these factors differ for women participating in clinical versus basic science studies. METHODS A consecutive series of 24 women volunteering for participation in endometriosis-related research were asked to indicate, in their own words, why they chose to volunteer. In addition, the women were asked to rate, on a scale of 0 to 10, sixteen potentially motivating factors. The information was gathered in the form of an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS Strong motivating factors (mean score > 8) included potential benefit to other women's health, improvement to one's own condition, and participation in scientific advancement. Weak motivating factors (mean score < 3) included financial compensation, making one's doctor happy, and use of 'natural' products. No difference was detected between clinical and basic science study participants. CONCLUSION This study is the first study to specifically investigate the factors that motivate women to take part in endometriosis research. Understanding why women choose to take part in such research is important to the integrity of the informed consent process. The factors most strongly motivating women to participate in endometriosis research related to improving personal or public health; the weakest, to financial compensation and pleasing the doctor.
Salvage Rates of Compromised Free Flap Breast Reconstruction After Recurrent Thrombosis

BackgroundMicrovascular complications after free flap breast reconstruction are devastating problems that increase patient morbidity and potentially lead to flap loss. Yet, there is a dearth of literature about rates of free flap salvage after recurrent vascular thromboses. MethodsA retrospective review of all patients undergoing microvascular breast reconstruction at UCLA Medical Center from January 1991 to June 2010 was conducted. The incidence of microvascular thrombosis was evaluated and rates of flap salvage and complications were specifically analyzed after a single microvascular revision (Single Event), 2 or more revisions (Multiple Event), and delayed presentation (>2 days) with attempted salvage (Delayed Event). ResultsDuring the study period, 2094 free flap breast reconstructions were evaluated. Of these, 75 (3.6%) flaps suffered a microvascular complication and 16 (0.76%) flaps were lost. The overall salvage rate was 78.7% (59/75) with the highest salvage rate of 95.9% (47/49) for Single Events. Multiple Events had a salvage rate of 53.3% (8/15), whereas Delayed Events had a salvage rate of 27.3% (3/11). The salvage rate decreased with repeated microvascular events (P < 0.01). In the Multiple Event group, vascular conversion (alternate recipient vessel) correlated with improved flap salvage (87.5%), whereas the lack thereof was associated with flap loss (P < 0.001). ConclusionsThe salvage rate of free flap breast reconstruction diminishes dramatically with recurrent microvascular complications, but can be improved with vascular conversion. The salvage rate in cases of delayed presentation is even worse confirming the need for vigilant postoperative monitoring and aggressive intervention in the setting of flap compromise.
AN IOT BASED FARM MANAGEMENT USING IMAGE PROCESSING

— The recent technologies have paved a way to develop and offer advanced services to the stake holders in the agriculture sector . A shift is underway from the monolithic tools to internet based system that can enable more collaboration amongst the stake holders . This paradigm requires technical support from application developers in making specialized services that will interoperate, creating a customisable and sophisticated work environment to the end user. Here in this project, the system is like smart agriculture where it detects insect damge on cultivated crops through monitoring and updates the information about the status of the cultivated crops on the webpage through Ethernet. This system makes automatic irrigation possible. So, in the end it reduces the manpower involved.
Performance evaluation of XG-PON based mobile front-haul transport in cloud-RAN architecture

Time division multiplexing passive optical network (TDM-PON) technologies are viewed as an attractive solution for flexible and cost-efficient mobile front-haul for cloud radio access network (C-RAN) architecture. However, it is a challenge for TDM-PONs to meet the strict latency requirement of mobile front-haul in C-RAN because they use a dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) mechanism to manage upstream traffic. The latency issue of TDM-PON based mobile front-haul has been extensively investigated in the literature with particular focus on IEEE TDM-PON (e.g., 10G-EPON). However, ITU TDM-PONs such as XG-PON and XGS-PON have not yet even been explored in the context of mobile front-haul. To cover this gap, we first evaluate the performance of two recently proposed XG-PON-standard-compliant DBAs, namely, group-assured GIANT (gGIANT) and round-robin DBA (RR-DBA), over simulated mobile front-haul traffic. We conclude based on our evaluation that neither RR-DBA nor gGIANT satisfies the delay required for mobile front-haul. Therefore, we propose an optimized DBA known as optimized round-robin (optimized-RR) that support front-hauling over XG-PONs. The performance evaluation of our optimized DBA against gGIANT and RR-DBA shows significant improvement in upstream delay and utilization as well as lower packet loss and jitter for front-haul uplink traffic transmitted via XG-PON in virtualized C-RAN architecture.
Evolutionary Data Systems

Anyone in need of a data system today is confronted with numerous complex options in terms of system architectures, such as traditional relational databases, NoSQL and NewSQL solutions as well as several sub-categories like column-stores, row-stores etc. This overwhelming array of choices makes bootstrapping data-driven applications difficult and time consuming, requiring expertise often not accessible due to cost issues (e.g., to scientific labs or small businesses). In this paper, we present the vision of evolutionary data systems that free systems architects and application designers from the complex, cumbersome and expensive process of designing and tuning specialized data system architectures that fit only a single, static application scenario. Setting up an evolutionary system is as simple as identifying the data. As new data and queries come in, the system automatically evolves so that its architecture matches the properties of the incoming workload at all times. Inspired by the theory of evolution, at any given point in time, an evolutionary system may employ multiple competing solutions down at the low level of database architectures -- characterized as combinations of data layouts, access methods and execution strategies. Over time, "the fittest wins" and becomes the dominant architecture until the environment (workload) changes. In our initial prototype, we demonstrate solutions that can seamlessly evolve (back and forth) between a key-value store and a column-store architecture in order to adapt to changing workloads.
Estimation of pulmonary elastance by functional type SIRMs fuzzy reasoning method

Pulmonary characteristics differ in patients, and the suitable setting of ventilation condition is needed for every patient in the artificial respiration. The pulmonary elastance is one of the important features of lung, and it is a basis for deciding the air-way pressure limit value. In this study, an estimation method for pulmonary elastance is proposed based on functional type SIRMs fuzzy reasoning, and represent a static P-V curve needed for the parameter setting of the respirator. Furthermore, this paper presents a choice of the fuzzy variables influencing to estimation results, and the effectiveness of the suggested technique is illustrated by an estimation example using real patient data.
A Knowledge Engineering Process for the Development of Argumentation Schemes for Risk Management in Software Projects

The engagement of project stakeholders in collaborative debates of risk management has an important contribution to software projects. To promote the identification, (re)use and critical analysis of stakeholders’ arguments in these debates, this paper lays out a knowledge engineering process for the development of “argumentation schemes” for risk management. This process covers activities of identification, interpretation and causal-and-effect analysis of typical risk statements. From such risk management information and reusing generalized argumentation templates from argumentation catalogues discussed in the field of Artificial Intelligence, the process leads to the specification, generalization, validation and indexing of the developed schemes. As implemented in our project, a web-based system to support the execution of these development activities allows the recording of these schemes in a semi-structured representation format. An argumentation scheme for risks of non-stable requirements is presented so as to show the reusable argumentation artifacts that can be produced when our development process is followed. Keywords-component: Risk Management; Argumentation Schemes; Argumentation.
Value evaluation method of industrial product-service based on customer perception

It has become an important trend in the manufacturing industry that service is used to enhance the competitiveness of businesses as well as an important source of values. Aiming to realise the performance evaluation of industrial product-service and lay a basis for further development and application of industrial product-service systems, a value evaluation method based on customer perception is presented in this paper. First, performance evaluation index system of industrial product-service is proposed based on product-service value properties. The performance evaluation method is developed based on ordered weighted averaging operator of fuzzy language. Second, ability evaluation index system of service value creation is proposed based on value demands of customers. And the ability evaluation method is developed based on fuzzy synthetic and hierarchy analysis. Finally, the proposed approach to product-service value evaluation is demonstrated by an example of automobile marketing service from XX 4S shop.
Global Market Liquidity and Corporate Investments

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Explaining Differences in Team Performance. Does team learning behavior matter

The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between team learning behavior and team performance. Following Edmondson (1999) we regard team learning as a group process comprising several concrete learning behaviors. Although previous research has shown a positive relationship between team learning behavior and team performance, there is a need to better understand the extent of this relationship as well as the distinct team learning behaviors and team performance criteria that might be significant. Partly based on a literature review, four initial semi-structured interviews were held with project managers, resulting in a list of nine performance criteria and 53 possible factors influencing team performance. This list was then prioritized by samples of team members (n=30), team leaders (n=19), and supervisors (n=15). Outcomes show that respondents perceive team leadership, goal clarity, and team learning behaviors as main predictors of team performance. The most frequently used criteria to measure team performance are: (1) reaching the target goals, (2) timeliness, (3) satisfying quality requirements, and (4) customer satisfaction with regard to the team’s services or products. Implications for further research are presented.
Development of Ophiocordyceps sinensis through Plant-Mediated Interkingdom Host Colonization

Ophiocordyceps sinensis is a well-known entomogenous and medicinal fungus. After its anamorphs parasitize the larvae of the genus Thitarodes, fruit-bodies may form to be used as medicine. However, its developmental mechanisms remain unknown. The distribution of O. sinensis was determined in different tissues of the Thitarodes larvae and the dominant plant species using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, respectively. We found that more fungal material was located in plants than in larvae, especially in Ranunculus tanguticus. A considerable amount was detected in larval intestinal-wall and plant roots. It is suggested that plants are the potential hosts of O. sinensis, which modifies our understanding of the life cycle of O. sinensis and indicates that the phytophagous larvae may become infected as they feed. Our research may contribute to the study of systematic evolution and population ecology of O. sinensis, elucidate its developmental mechanism and promote sustainable harvesting.
Dependence of count rate on magnetic field in superconducting thin-film TaN single-photon detectors

We have studied the magnetic-field dependence of both dark-count rates and photon-count rates in a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector made of TaN in external magnetic fields $|{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{0}H|l10$ mT perpendicular to the plane of the underlying meander structure and at $T=4$ K. The dark-count rates show a characteristic field dependence, which is asymmetric with respect to magnetic-field direction. The field and the current dependence of the dark counts can be quantitatively well explained if one assumes that the critical current is reduced to $\ensuremath{\approx}$$50%$ at the ${180}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ meander turns when compared to a straight strip, and the observed asymmetry can be modeled assuming that the turnarounds are not all strictly equal. Surprisingly, the photon-count rates do not show any significant field dependence, which seems to be at odds with existing detection models invoking vortex crossings.
Construction and use of a human immunodeficiency virus vector for analysis of virus infectivity

We constructed a recombinant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vector to facilitate studies of virus infectivity. A drug resistance gene was inserted into a gp160- HIV proviral genome such that it could be packaged into HIV virions. The HIV genome was rendered replication defective by deletion of sequences encoding gp160 and insertion of a gpt gene with a simian virus 40 promoter at the deletion site. Cotransfection of the envelope-deficient genome with a gp160 expression vector resulted in packaging of the defective HIV-gpt genome into infectious virions. The drug resistance gene was transmitted and expressed upon infection of susceptible cells, enabling their selection in mycophenolic acid. This system provides a quantitative measure of HIV infection, since each successful infection event leads to the growth of a drug-resistant colony. The HIV-gpt virus produced was tropic for CD4+ human cells and was blocked by soluble CD4. In the absence of gp160, noninfectious HIV particles were efficiently produced by cells transfected with the HIV-gpt genome. These particles packaged HIV genomic RNA and migrated to the same density as gp160-containing virions in a sucrose gradient. This demonstrates that HIV virion formation is not dependent on the presence of a viral envelope glycoprotein. Expression of a murine leukemia virus amphotropic envelope gene in cells transfected with HIV-gpt resulted in the production of virus capable of infecting both human and murine cells. These results indicate that HIV can incorporate envelope glycoproteins other than gp160 onto particles and that this can lead to altered host range. Like HIV type 1 and vesicular stomatitis virus(HIV) pseudotypes, gp-160+ HIV-gpt did not infect murine NIH 3T3 cells that bear human CD4, confirming that these cells are blocked at an early stage of HIV infection.
Conceptualising an Organisational Innovation Capability

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS . 3 STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP . 6 LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES . 7 ABBREVIATIONS . 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . 9 CHAPTER ONE . 10 INTRODUCTION TO THE RESEARCH . 10 1.
Abstract: The Normal-Theory and Asymptotic Distribution-Free Covariance Matrix of Standardized Regression Coefficients

The Normal-Theory and Asymptotic Distribution-Free Covariance Matrix of Standardized Regression Coefficients Jeff A. Jones and Niels G. Waller University of Minnesota-Twin Cities We extend Yuan and Chan’s (2011) recent work on the covariance matrix of standardized regression coefficients. Yuan and Chan derived their equations using covariances. We rederive their results using correlations. We then show that Yuan and Chan’s original equations can also be used when only correlational data are available. Next, we describe an asymptotic distribution-free (ADF; Browne, 1984) method for computing the covariance matrix of standardized regression coefficients. Finally, using both simulated and real-data examples, we show that the ADF method works well with nonnormal data in moderate-to-large samples. Browne, M. W. (1984). Asymptotically distribution-free methods for the analysis of covariance structures. British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, 37, 62–83. Yuan, K. H. , & Chan, W. (2011). Biases and standard errors of standardized regression coefficients. Psychometrika, 76, 670–690. Jeff Jones expresses his appreciation to his SMEP sponsor, Niels Waller. Correspondence concerning this abstract should be addressed to Jeff A. Jones, University of Minnesota, Department of Psychology, N218 Elliott Hall, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455. E-mail: jone1087@umn.edu
Smart Disaster Safety Management System for Social Security

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-CommercialLicense(http://creativecommons .org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Received 23 January 2017; Revised 12 February 2017 Accepted 25 February 2017 *Corresponding Author; Heau-jo Kang Tel: +82-42-829-7634 E-mail: hjkang@mokwon.ac. kr JDCS 디지털콘텐츠학회논문지 Journal of Digital
A New Look at the Channels from Housing to Employment Decisions

This study investigated the role housing assistance (e.g. rent assistance or social housing), housing wealth and home ownership mortgages have on individuals' incentive to work or on other employment decisions. The study also explored whether intergenerational wealth transfers (as bequests or parental cash transfers), which are typically financed (directly or indirectly) through housing wealth, lower work effort and participation in skills and training programs.