Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Management and visualisation of non-linear history of polygonal 3D models

The research presented in this thesis concerns the problems of maintenance and revision control of large-scale three dimensional (3D) models over the Internet. As the models grow in size and the authoring tools grow in complexity, standard approaches to collaborative asset development become impractical. The prevalent paradigm of sharing files on a file system poses serious risks with regards, but not limited to, ensuring consistency and concurrency of multi-user 3D editing. Although modifications might be tracked manually using naming conventions or automatically in a version control system (VCS), understanding the provenance of a large 3D dataset is hard due to revision metadata not being associated with the underlying scene structures. Some tools and protocols enable seamless synchronisation of file and directory changes in remote locations. However, the existing web-based technologies are not yet fully exploiting the modern design patters for access to and management of alternative shared resources online. Therefore, four distinct but highly interconnected conceptual tools are explored. The first is the organisation of 3D assets within recent document-oriented No Structured Query Language (NoSQL) databases. These "schemaless" databases, unlike their relational counterparts, do not represent data in rigid table structures. Instead, they rely on polymorphic documents composed of key-value pairs that are much better suited to the diverse nature of 3D assets. Hence, a domain-specific non-linear revision control system 3D Repo is built around a NoSQL database to enable asynchronous editing similar to traditional VCSs. The second concept is that of visual 3D differencing and merging. The accompanying 3D Diff tool supports interactive conflict resolution at the level of scene graph nodes that are de facto the delta changes stored in the repository. The third is the utilisation of HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) for the purposes of 3D data management. The XML3DRepo daemon application exposes the contents of the repository and the version control logic in a Representational State Transfer (REST) style of architecture. At the same time, it manifests the effects of various 3D encoding strategies on the file sizes and download times in modern web browsers. The fourth and final concept is the reverse-engineering of an editing history. Even if the models are being version controlled, the extracted provenance is limited to additions, deletions and modifications. The 3D Timeline tool, therefore, implies a plausible history of common modelling operations such as duplications, transformations, etc. Given a collection of 3D models, it estimates a part-based correspondence and visualises it in a temporal flow. The prototype tools developed as part of the research were evaluated in pilot user studies that suggest they are usable by the end users and well suited to their respective tasks. Together, the results constitute a novel framework that demonstrates the feasibility of a domain-specific 3D version control.
THE IMPACT OF TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS ON TEACHER EFFICACY , JOB SATISFACTION , AND TEACHER PERFORMANCE : A COMPARISON OF TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between teacher perceptions of elementary school principal leadership style and teacher job satisfaction. The study also investigated differences in teachers’ perceptions of elementary school principal leadership style and teacher job satisfaction based on teachers’ demographics (i.e., age, grade level taught, education level, teaching experience). Additionally, an examination of the significant factors that contribute to teacher job satisfaction as identified by the elementary teachers was explored.
Vitrification and Devitrification during the Non-Isothermal Cure of a Thermoset. Theoretical Model and Comparison with Calorimetric Experiments

The processes of vitrification and devitrification that occur during the non-isothermal cure of a cross-linking system are studied in terms of their dependence on frequency. Experimental results are obtained by TOPEM, a new multi-frequency temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) technique, and a simulation with MATLAB was used to model the vitrification and devitrification times as a function of the frequency and heating rate. Simulations were made for five different velocities of scan. Other parameters, such as the exponents in the Kamal equation, λ in the DiBenedetto equation, and the activation energy for the frequency dependence of Tg, were also considered. The experimental and simulated results were found to be in good agreement and some advantages of the TOPEM technique are discussed.
Setting up crowd science projects

Crowd science is scientific research that is conducted with the participation of volunteers who are not professional scientists. Thanks to the Internet and online platforms, project initiators can draw on a potentially large number of volunteers. This crowd can be involved to support data-rich or labour-intensive projects that would otherwise be unfeasible. So far, research on crowd science has mainly focused on analysing individual crowd science projects. In our research, we focus on the perspective of project initiators and explore how crowd science projects are set up. Based on multiple case study research, we discuss the objectives of crowd science projects and the strategies of their initiators for accessing volunteers. We also categorise the tasks allocated to volunteers and reflect on the issue of quality assurance as well as feedback mechanisms. With this article, we contribute to a better understanding of how crowd science projects are set up and how volunteers can contribute to science. We suggest that our findings are of practical relevance for initiators of crowd science projects, for science communication as well as for informed science policy making.
Multiresidue automated turbulent flow online LC-MS/MS method for the determination of antibiotics in milk

A fast and reliable multiresidue method is reported for the identification and quantification of 36 different compounds from seven different classes of antibiotics (aminoglycosides, sulfonamides, macrolides, quinolones, tetracyclines, lincosamides and trimethoprim) in milk. Automated online sample cleanup was applied using turbulent flow chromatography (Transcend TLX system), directly coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS/MS) for sensitive and specific detection. The method involved a simple extraction/protein precipitation using acetonitrile, followed by centrifugation and filtration. After this preliminary step, the extract was injected into the TLX-ESI-MS/MS using optimised turbulent flow and liquid chromatography (LC) conditions. Single-laboratory validation of the method was carried out according to the Directive 2002/657/EC, clearly demonstrating the suitability of this method for quantitative determination of this wide range of antibiotics in milk. A small survey, which covered milk samples of different origin and varied fat content, demonstrated the robustness of this method and its suitability for enforcement purposes.
Global Routing Instabilities Triggered by Code Red II and Nimda Worm Attacks

We analyze the large, long-lasting, widespread instabilities of the global BGP routing system observed during the Code Red II and Nimda worm attacks in July and September 2001, respectively. The identification and characterization of global routing instabilities employs heuristic spatio-temporal correlation analysis of multiple BGP message streams collected from over 150 autonomous systems’ border routers in the RIPE RIS project, and their correlation with the worm traffic is exposed by the analysis of TCP packet traces collected in several /16 networks during the worm attacks. We analyze router failure modes that can be triggered by such abnormal traffic and lead to destabilization of the BGP routing system. To further illustrate the occurrence of cascading routing failures we also present data on another type of global routing instabilities associated with common router misconfigurations generating malformed BGP update messages. Our results show previously unrecognized global routing failure modes, and suggest new research directions.
Question Answering in the Swedish Core Language Engine

The paper describes how the Swedish Core Language Engine (S-CLE), a general-purpose natural-language processing system was extended to process questions posed to a Prolog database. Previous work on the S-CLE has included processing up to the level of quasi-logical form (QLF); here we address the problems encountered when extending that processing to ``pure'' logical form (LF) and translating the logical forms into questions to the SNACK-85 reginal database. We also show how some natural-language answers were generated from the original question-QLFs and the answers obtained from the database.
Integral Channel Feature based arbitrary object tracking

Object tracking is a challenging problem in computer vision as many performance affecting factors need to be considered in a robust algorithm. We propose a framework to consolidate Integral Channel Features (ICF) to represent targets' appearance by embedding global and patch based approaches which offer feature strength and accuracy to the target template. The use of ICF expedites the extraction of color and structural features from video frames in a very efficient manner. Application of the patch based approach on global templates with maximum similarity metric enables better object representation. Target's appearance representation is updated using k-means clustering and vector quantization. We use incremental PCA learning for acquiring training samples and presenting fixed size feature codebook vectors. Experiments are conducted to compare performance between the proposed approach and two other state of the art approaches. Results show that the proposed approach outperforms published state of the art methods.
Resistance exercise increases postprandial muscle protein synthesis in humans.

PURPOSE We examined the impact of an acute bout of resistance-type exercise on mixed muscle protein synthesis in the fed state. METHODS After a standardized breakfast, 10 untrained males completed a single, unilateral lower-limb resistance-type exercise session. A primed, continuous infusion of l-[ring-C6]phenylalanine was combined with muscle biopsy collection from both the exercised (Ex) and the nonexercised (NEx) leg to assess the impact of local muscle contractions on muscle protein synthesis rates after food intake. Western blotting with phosphospecific and pan antibodies was used to determine the phosphorylation status of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), 4E-binding protein (4E-BP1), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K1). RESULTS Muscle protein synthesis rates were approximately 20% higher in Ex compared with NEx (0.098% +/- 0.005% vs 0.083% +/- 0.002%.h, respectively, P < 0.01). In the fed state, resistance-type exercise did not elevate AMPK phosphorylation. However, the phosphorylation status of 4E-BP1 was approximately 20% lower after cessation of exercise in Ex compared with NEx (P < 0.05). Conversely, 4E-BP1 phosphorylation was significantly higher in Ex compared with NEx after 6 h of recovery (P < 0.05) with no changes in mTOR phosphorylation. S6 phosphorylation was greater in Ex versus NEx after cessation of exercise (P < 0.05), although S6K1 phosphorylation at T was not up-regulated (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION We conclude that resistance-type exercise performed in a fed state further elevates postprandial muscle protein synthesis rates, which is accompanied by an increase in S6 and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation state.
A new phantom for performance evaluation of bone mineral densitometry using DEXA and QCT

Accurate performance assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) methods is crucial due to the fact that a high level of exact estimation of bone situation is needed for correct diagnosis. Variation of parameters like sensitivity and error ratio highly affects the densitometry results that may induce some level of uncertainty in diagnosis. So, designing an algorithm for correction is necessary to assure examiners about measurement results. In this study several phantoms consisting of soft tissue-and bone-equivalent material were devised to accurately test bone densitometry systems. It should be noted that to the best of our knowledge there is no unique phantom to be able to use for evaluation of both Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT). The main motivation of this study was to design a reliable and easy to use phantom. A QCT quality control, quality assurance, and Plexiglas cylindrical phantoms as a spine phantom were designed and constructed to assess different bone densities. Four inserts in spine phantom with precisely wide range of K2HPO4 solutions were used for simulation of bone tissues and to determine the BMD systems characteristics. The designed phantoms were also used for performance assessment of BMD systems. In this research it is demonstrated that by decreasing of bone mineral densities an increasing trend in error ratio of measured densities and declining trend in methods sensitivities were observed, that may cause some level of uncertainty in low densities.
Allergenic and blastogenic reactivity of three antigens from Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sensitized guinea pigs

Three antigens from a culture filtrate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv were purified by affinity chromatography, using monoclonal antibodies. The molecular weights of the purified antigens are 17,000 to 19,000, 32,000 to 33,000, and 39,000, respectively, and by their migration patterns in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing and nonreducing conditions, they all appeared to be single-chain polypeptides. Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyses indicated that the antigens are non-cross-reactive. All antigens generated an intermediate to strong skin reaction when tested in guinea pigs previously immunized with a live M. bovis BCG vaccine or with an oil emulsion preparation of phenol-or heat-killed M. tuberculosis. Lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood or lymph nodes of similarly immunized guinea pigs could be stimulated by purified protein derivative and the purified antigens. Qualitative differences in stimulatory capacity between the preparations were demonstrated. The antigens may prove useful in further studies of the immunology and pathogenesis of tuberculosis.
Ectoine as a natural component of food: detection in red smear cheeses

Ectoine is a compatible solute accumulated in halophilic bacteria in response to high salt concentrations and offers protection from osmotic stress. The occurrence of compatible solutes is widespread among bacteria, yet ectoine has never been detected in foods. The use of an ectoine producing microorganism (Brevibacterium linens) in the surface ripening of red smear cheeses led to the question whether ectoine can be found in cheese. Therefore we examined samples from a variety of cheese manufacturers and different types of red smear cheeses for the presence of ectoine using HPLC and HPLC/MS analysis. Ectoine solely appears in the rind and was detected up to 178 mg/200 g red smear cheese, depending on several factors like ripening status and conditions throughout the cheese production process (e.g. salt concentrations of used brine baths).
UWB positioning system for elderly persons monitoring

The NITICS1 project is focused on assistance to elderly people in their homes. Its main goal is to develop a complex system which would cover all aspects from elderly people's safety to convenient living. This paper describes briefly NITICS system, its architecture and UWB localization subsystem. Infrastructure and developed devices are presented. Results of selected laboratory tests of UWB localization subsystem are described and analysed.
Compact single-band planar crossover based on coupled lines

A compact single-band planar crossover based on coupled lines loaded with open stubs is proposed in this paper. Two conventional coupled lines loaded with different electrical wavelength open stubs are used to realize the single passband. The center frequencies of the planar crossover can be adjusted over a wide frequency band by changing the even/odd-mode characteristic impedance of the coupled lines and the characteristic impedance of the open stubs. A compact planar single-band crossover located at 1.78 GHz is designed and fabricated for verification. The theoretical and measured results are in good agreement and show good in-band performances.
A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PRIMIDONE VERSUS CARBAMAZEPINE IN EPILEPTIC OUTPATIENTS

Prior to the release of carbamazepine for the treatment of patients with psychomotor and grand mal seizures, primidone was regarded as the drug of choice for these disorders, especially when combined with diphenylhydantoin (DPH). It was, therefore, of interest to compare the effectiveness of carbamazepine against primidone when added to a therapeutic dose of DPH. Forty-five patients completed a 6-month study with each patient serving as his own control. The patients were initially stabilized on therapeutic doses of DPH and one of the test compounds, while all other medications were withdrawn. After 3 months of treatment, they were transferred onto the other drug for a second 3-month period. Extensive laboratory testing, including anticonvulsant levels, electroencephalograms, and neuropsychological evaluations, was performed. For the most part, the patients remained on outpatient status, returning for reports of seizure frequency, side effects, and laboratory studies every 14 days. The study was conducted in a single blind fashion by the treating neurologists; double blind by the electroencephalographer and psychologists. The results indicated that the two drugs did not differ in their effectiveness on seizure control. There were somewhat more side effects—none serious—with carbamazepine than with primidone. The EEG showed increased fast activity with primidone and increased &thetas; activity with carbamazepine. There was no difference in regard to decrease of electroencephalographic seizure discharges. The patients showed more impairment on a repeatable neuropsychological test battery with primidone than with carbamazepine, and they also showed an increase on the psychopathic deviate scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Inventory. Depressive feelings, when present, lessened while under treatment with carbamazepine. The results suggest that patients with the seizure types under consideration and who do not respond to DPH alone or to a DPH-phenobarbital combination can be placed on either carbamazepine or primidone while phenobarbital is discontinued. A patient who is intellectually and emotionally intact with no past history of behavioral disturbances may do better on primidone than carbamazepine, because this drug gives fewer side effects. On the other hand, those patients who have a past history of emotional and/or intellectual disturbances may profit more from carbamazepine.
High Performance Low Power Single Chip Reconfigurable Supercomputer for High-end Aerospace Applications Venkateswaran

When it comes to Aerospace applications, poweraware computing plays an important role. There is always a trade-off between the power consumed and the performance achieved. On the other hand, in on-board supercomputers, both power and performance are of equal importance, due to the mission criticality of applications and hence, no trade-off is acceptable. In this paper, we present the capability of Memory In Processor Super Computer On a Chip (MIP SCOC)[1][2] to achieve sustained higher order performance by consuming less power as against the ALU architectures employed in conventional supercomputing clusters. The unique features of the MIP SCOC, the Algorithm Level Functional Units (ALFU) and the Algorithm level Instruction Set Architecture (ALISA), are greatly responsible for achieving very high performance to power ratio. These varied class of algorithm level functional units are directly amenable for efficient FPGA based implementation over the ALU based node architectures. Through intensive simulations of the process of Mapping synthetic applications (custom designed, involving widest class of algorithms) on MIP SCOC, it is brought out that the power reduction is achieved by drastic cut down in the number of memory accesses. By simulation it is found that on an average the ratio of number of MIP instructions to that of IA32 for the designed synthetic applications is found to be 1 to 330. The ALFUs are pipelinable and also parallel execution of ALISA takes place across them. The average number of instructions executed parallely in MIP SCOC is in the order of few hundreds, leading to a peak performance of 1.72 TeraOps and sustained performance of 1.46 TeraOps, in terms of MIP instructions. Such compaction of high performance and low power aspects onto a single chip reduces the size of the on-board supercomputer to a large extent.
Interactive Ray-tracing Based on OptiX to Visualize Signed Distance Fields

We propose a parallel ray-tracing technique to visualize signed distance fields generated from triangular meshes based on NVIDIA OptiX. Our method visualizes signed distance fields with various distance offset values at interactive rates (2–12 fps). Our method utilizes a parallel kd-tree implementation to query the nearest triangle and the sphere tracing method to visualize the implicit surface.
A model for left ventricular hypertrophy enabling non-invasive assessment of cardiac function

Objective.To develop a porcine model for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) in which cardiac performance could be quantified non-invasively by Doppler ultrasound. Design.Sixteen 5 kg piglets were divided into two groups. In the first group (n=12) we performed an aortic banding and in the second group (n=4) a sham-operation. Endpoints were echo-assessed left ventricular midseptal and free-wall thickness, heart/body-weight ratio and cardiac myocyte diameter. Results.Free-wall thickness: 0.77±0.013 cm in the intervention group and 0.60±0.006 cm in the control group (p=0.015). Midseptal thickness: 0.79±0.015 cm in the intervention group and 0.58±0.010 cm in the control group (p=0.012). Heart/body-weight ratio: 7.73±0.970 in the intervention group and 6.23±0.430 in the control group (p=0.003). Cardiac myocyte diameter: 19.6±4.9 µm in the intervention group and 11.0±1.9 µm in the control group (p=0.000). Conclusion. A chronic porcine model for LVH has been established in which Doppler ultrasound can be used to quantify cardiac function non-invasively.
Contact heterogeneities in feral swine: implications for disease management and future research

Contact rates vary widely among individuals in socially structured wildlife populations. Un- derstanding the interplay of factors responsible for this variation is essential for planning effective disease management. Feral swine (Sus scrofa ) are a socially structured species which pose an increasing threat to livestock and human health, and little is known about contact structure. We analyzed 11 GPS data sets from across the United States to understand the interplay of ecological and demographic factors on vari- ation in co- location rates, a proxy for contact rates. Between- sounder contact rates strongly depended on the distance among home ranges (less contact among sounders separated by >2 km; negligible between sounders separated by >6 km), but other factors causing high clustering between groups of sounders also seemed apparent. Our results provide spatial parameters for targeted management actions, identify data gaps that could lead to improved management and provide insight on experimental design for quantitat - ing contact rates and structure.