Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vision Sensor Calibration Method based on Flexible 3d Target and Invariance of Cross Ratio

A vision sensor calibration method based on flexible three-dimensional (3d) target and invariance of cross ratio is proposed. Flexible 3d target is obtained by moving planar target to different positions. According to the relative position relationship of planar targets in the different positions, unify target points to the base coordinate frame of the flexible 3d target. Using the invariance of cross ratio, the coordinates of the points in the light plane are obtained, then converted to sensor measurement coordinate system. Finally, vision sensor calibration parameters are obtained by the nonlinear optimization algorithm. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can obtain higher calibration accuracy, reduce the calibration cost. In addition, the proposed method can adapt to field calibration for vision system.
Effects of a novel free radical scavenger, MCl-186, on ischemic brain damage in the rat distal middle cerebral artery occlusion model.

We investigated the effects of a free radical scavenger, 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (MCl-186), on infarct areas, neurological deficits and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), with use of a rat thrombotic distal middle cerebral artery (dMCA) occlusion model to elucidate its possible therapeutic effects on focal cerebral ischemia. In addition, we have attempted to measure 2-oxo-3-(phenylhydrazono)-butanoic acid (OPB), which is the major oxidation product of MCl-186, in the penumbral cortex of a thrombotic dMCA occlusion model. Postischemic treatment with MCl-186 (3 mg/kg) significantly (P < .05) decreased the size of the cerebral infarcts 1 day after dMCA occlusion. MCl-186 (3 mg/kg) significantly (P < .05) improved the neurological deficits 1 day after dMCA occlusion. On the contrary, MCl-186 had no effect on rCBF 1 day after dMCA occlusion. MCl-186 mainly reacted into OPB by peroxidation in rat brain homogenates. Furthermore, the increase in OPB content in the ischemic penumbral cortex tissue was confirmed after 90 min of MCl-186 perfusion. These results suggest that MCI-186 has a protective effect on brain ischemia by reacting with oxygen radicals and that oxygen radicals are closely related to postischemic brain injury.
Protons Acceleration by CO2 Laser Pulses and Perspectives for Medical Applications

The acceleration of electrons with the high electric fields generated in a plasma by a very intense laser pulse was proposed over forty years ago [Tajima & Dawson (1979)], but only the advent of the chirped pulse amplification CPA [Mourou et al. (2006)] allowed to increase the laser power and intensity up to the required values. The continuous progress, since a decade, of compact Ti:Sa lasers allowed 1 GeV good quality electron beams to be generated [Leemans et al. (2006)]. The optical acceleration of protons and ions has been also actively investigated. The highest energy of protons, 60 MeV, has been reached with short high energy pulses of Nd:Yag lasers, developed for inertial fusion [Snavely (2000)]. With compact ultrashort Ti:Sa laser pulses intensities of 1021 W/cm2 are reached and proton beams with energy up to a few tens of MeV are obtained [Zeil et al. (2010)].
DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH VOLTAGE ARBITRARY WAVEFORM GENERATOR CAPABLE OF SIMULATING THE NATURAL ELECTRIC FIELDS ARISING FROM STEPPED DOWNLEADERS

In this paper we describe the main features of a new prototype, high voltage, arbitrary waveform generator. The generator is capable of precisely simulating the rapidly escalating electric field due to a lightning downleader, including the well-known steps or pauses as the leader progresses toward its point of attachment near the ground. It utilises a computer controlled interface that drives a set of series-stacked flyback transformers. The resulting output is any desired (montonically) increasing waveform, downloaded from the computer.
Location of steepest corneal area of cone in keratoconus stratified by age using Pentacam.

PURPOSE To evaluate topographic patterns in keratoconic cases and to classify those topographic patterns according to different age groups. METHODS Four hundred eighty-two eyes of 251 patients with keratoconus were separated into 3 groups based on age. The age range of group 1 (younger) was <21 years (83 eyes), group 2 (middle) was 21 to 40 years (362 eyes), and group 3 (older) was >40 years (37 eyes). All patients underwent full ocular examination and Pentacam (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH) measurement. Topographic patterns were analyzed by comparing the results according to age groups. RESULTS Distribution ratios of keratoconic eyes in the three age groups were 17.2% younger, 75.3% middle, and 7.5% older. The most frequent topographic patterns for those patients were vertical bowtie pattern (28.4%) in the younger group, inferior global cone pattern (23.7%) in the middle group, and inferotemporal global cone pattern (16.4%) in the older group. Temporal global cone pattern was more frequently seen among younger keratoconus patients--22% for the eyes in the younger group, 6.9% for the eyes in the middle group, and 11.1% for the eyes in the older group. CONCLUSIONS In keratoconus, the steepest part of the cone can be located temporally, especially in younger patients, which is unusual. Younger candidates for refractive surgery should be screened for temporal forme fruste.
On Gaussian MIMO BC-MAC Duality With Multiple Transmit Covariance Constraints

Owing to the special structure of the Gaussian multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) broadcast channel (BC), the associated capacity region computation and beamforming optimization problems are typically non-convex, and thus cannot be solved directly. One feasible approach is to consider the respective dual multiple-access channel (MAC) problems, which are easier to deal with due to their convexity properties. The conventional BC-MAC duality has been established via BC-MAC signal transformation, and is applicable only for the case in which the MIMO BC is subject to a single transmit sum-power constraint. An alternative approach is based on minimax duality, which can be applied to the case of the sum-power constraint or per-antenna power constraint. In this paper, the conventional BC-MAC duality is extended to the general linear transmit covariance constraint (LTCC) case, which includes sum-power and per-antenna power constraints as special cases. The obtained general BC-MAC duality is applied to solve the capacity region computation for the MIMO BC and beamforming optimization for the multiple-input single-output (MISO) BC, respectively, with multiple LTCCs. The relationship between this new general BC-MAC duality and the minimax duality is also discussed, and it is shown that the general BC-MAC duality leads to simpler problem formulations. Moreover, the general BC-MAC duality is extended to deal with the case of nonlinear transmit covariance constraints in the MIMO BC.
Spectral redistribution in spontaneous emission from quantum dot infiltrated three-dimensional photonic crystals

We report on the study of the emission property of PbSe QDs embedded in 3D woodpile polymer PCs fabricated by the two-photon polymerization (2PP) method. Photonic band gaps (PBGs) of PCs were tuned towards longer wavelengths by infiltrating the QDs. A spectral redistribution in spontaneous emission from QDs inside a 3D PC has been measured for both low and high concentrations of infiltration.
Blocking as a Function of Novelty of CS and Predictability of UCS

Kamin (1969) reported that after rats had been trained with one CS predicting shock, they learned virtually nothing about a second CS added to the first to form a compound—provided that the shock remained unchanged. If, however, the shock was either increased or omitted at the same time that the new CS was added, it acquired significant excitatory or inhibitory strength. Both these results were confirmed in the present experiment. In addition, however, it was found that this excitatory or inhibitory conditioning to the added element could itself be blocked if the shock remained unchanged for the first four trials after the addition of the new element. This finding implies that blocking is not due to any limitation on attentional or associative capacity, but rather occurs when subjects learn that a particular stimulus is redundant, i.e. that it predicts no change in reinforcement.
Improved single-ended traveling-wave fault-location algorithm based on experience with conventional substation transducers

Single-ended unsynchronized traveling-wave fault-location algorithms have been around for several years. They avoid the costs and complexities associated with remote-end synchronization. Nevertheless, there is a corresponding increase in required signal processing as each reflection must be identified and then related in time to the signal wavefront. The current signal processing techniques include a combination of modal and wavelet analysis, where the resulting vectors are often squared. However, the performance of this process degrades dramatically with the filtering associated with the substation transducers and secondary circuits. Furthermore, the variation in observed reflection patterns demonstrates that these methods cannot adequately distinguish between faults on the near, or far half of the transmission line. This paper considers the traveling-wave data observed on a 330-kV transmission system and presents a new signal processing methodology to cater for the observations. This is based on the continuous wavelet transform that is calculated at a suitably large scale. The polarities of the resulting coefficients are used to confirm the nature of the fault and to infer the true fault location.
Plasma Thyroid Hormone Concentrations and pH Values of Some GI-Tract Segments of Broilers Fed on Different Dietary Citric Acid and Microbial Phytase Levels

Problem statement: An experiment was conducted to study the effect of microbial phytase supplementation and citric acid on thyroid activity, relative weight of lymphoid organs and pH values of some GI-tract segments in broiler chickens fed corn-soybean meal based diets. Approach: The data was analyzed using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement of 3×3, three levels of citric acids (0, 3 and 6%) and three levels of phytase (0, 500 and 1000 IU kg−1). There were three replicates (with ten chicks in each replicate) for each treatment. A total of 270 Ross 308 broiler chicks were used. Results: Addition of citric acid to diets caused significant decrease in pH values of crop, gizzard, duodenum, jejunum and ileum (p<0.05) and caused significant increase (p<0.01) in plasma triiodothyronine (T3) concentration, T3:T4 ratio and relative weight of bursa and thymus, but had no significant effect on thyroxin (T4) concentrations. Microbial phytase significantly increased relative weight of thymus (p<0.01), but had no significant effects on thyroid gland activity, relative weight of bursa and values of pH in different parts of the GI-tract. Conclusion: Broiler chicks fed on acidifiers diets had better immune response resistance that lead to immunological advances. Also, decreasing pH in GI-tract by CA caused a beneficial effect in the inhibition of intestinal bacteria competition.
The Physiology of Leukocyte Recruitment: An In Vivo Perspective

The mechanisms of leukocyte recruitment have been studied extensively in vitro and have shed light on the basic molecular structure-function relationship of adhesion and signaling molecules involved in this essential immune response. This review will summarize how these in vitro observations extend to leukocyte behavior in inflamed blood vessels in the microcirculation. We highlight physiological results that might not have been predicted from in vitro systems. Special attention is placed on the physiology of rolling, adhesion, and intralumenal crawling in blood vessels. The importance of the glycocalyx, secondary tethers, shear, and the microenvironment are discussed. Docking structures forming rings of adhesion molecules together with a novel endothelial dome-like structure in vivo during transmigration are highlighted. Transcellular and paracellular emigration out of inflamed blood vessels is also discussed. The last section highlights leukocyte recruitment in some organs that do not always follow the accepted paradigm of leukocyte recruitment.
Biomechanical monitoring of cutaneous sulfur mustard‐induced lesions in the weanling pig model for depth of injury

Background/purpose: A sulfur mustard (SM)‐induced cutaneous injury model was developed in weanling swine to evaluate the efficacy of candidate treatment regimens. Lesions were assessed clinically and histopathologically. Histopathologic evaluation of lesions was a subjective and invasive assessment. Biomechanical engineering methods offer an objective and less invasive method to evaluate lesions. The purpose of this study was to use biomechanical engineering instruments to assess SM‐induced lesions for depth of injury and to correlate those assessments with histopathology.
Mechanism of impaired iron release by the reticuloendothelial system during the hypoferremic phase of experimental Neisseria meningitidis infection in mice

Hypoferremia, the reduction of plasma transferrin iron levels during infection, has been shown to control Neisseria meningitidis infection in mice. The exact nature of the mechanism that regulates this response has been obscure. We have previously shown that hypoferremia does not result from an accelerated removal of iron from the plasma transferrin pool. In this study, we have examined the processing of iron by the reticuloendothelial system during infection. Normal and hypoferremic meningococcus-infected mice were injected with 59Fe-labeled erythrocytes. Kinetics of uptake and redistribution of the label indicated that during the hypoferremic phase of the infection, reticuloendothelial system-processed iron was not returned to the plasma transferrin pool. Fractionation of hepatic cellular compartments showed that this impaired release of iron resulted from a preferential incorporation of heme-derived iron into the intracellular ferritin pool during the hypoferremic phase of the infection. These findings indicate that this withholding of iron within the intracellular pool leads to hypoferremia and therefore denies the extracellular pathogen its essential iron.
Localisation et navigation d'un robot humanoïde en environnement domestique. (Localization and navigation of a humanoid robot in a domestic environment)

Cette these traite du probleme de la localisation et de la navigation de robots humanoides a bas cout dans un environnement dynamique non contraint. Elle a ete realisee en collaboration entre le laboratoire de robotique CAOR de Mines ParisTech et Aldebaran, dont les robots NAO et Pepper sont utilises comme plateformes.On verra ici comment il est possible de deduire des informations d'orientation et de position du robot malgre les fortes contraintes de puissance de calcul, de champ de vision et de genericite de l'environnement. L'environnement est represente sous une forme topologique : les lieux sont stockes dans des nœuds, relies par des transitions. On apprend l'environnement dans une phase prealable permettant de construire une reference. Les contributions principales de la these reposent sur les methodes de calcul de l'orientation et d'une mesure de position du robot a l'aide des cameras monoculaires a faible champ de vision,et leur integration dans une structure topologique. Pour se localiser dans le graphe, on utilise principalement les donnees de vision fournies par les cameras monoculaires du robot, tout en laissant la possibilite de completer a l'aide de cameras 3D. Les differentes methodes de localisation sont combinees dans une structure hierarchique qui permet a la fois d'ameliorer la robustesse et de fusionner les donnees de localisation. Un controle de la trajectoire est egalement mis en place pour permettre d'effectuer de facon fiable les transitions d'un nœud a l'autre, et accessoirement fournir un systeme de retour pour la marche du robot.Les travaux de cette these ont ete integres dans la suite logicielle d'Aldebaran, et testes intensivement dans differents environnements afin de valider les resultats obtenus et preparer une livraison aux clients.
A robust set-valued state estimation approach to the problem of vision based SLAM for mobile robots

The problem of visual simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is examined in this paper using ideas and algorithms from robust control and estimation theory. Using a stereo-vision based sensor, a nonlinear measurement model is derived which leads to nonlinear measurements of the landmark coordinates along with optical flow based measurements of the relative robot-landmark velocity. Using a novel analytical measurement transformation, the nonlinear SLAM problem is converted into the linear domain and solved using a robust linear filter. The linear filter is guaranteed stable and the SLAM state estimation error is bounded within an ellipsoidal set. No similar results are available for the commonly employed extended Kalman filter which is known to exhibit divergence and inconsistency characteristics in practice.
Learning a partial-weight-bearing skill: effectiveness of two forms of feedback.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Partial weight bearing (PWB) is a skill commonly taught by physical therapists. This study compared the effects of practice with either augmented feedback provided during the task (concurrent feedback) or augmented feedback provided after the task (postresponse feedback) for the learning of PWB with crutches. SUBJECTS Sixty young adults without known impairment of the neuromusculoskeletal system volunteered for the study. METHODS Subjects practiced supporting 30% of body weight while stepping onto a floor scale. Augmented feedback was provided during each trial for the concurrent feedback group and either following each trial or after every five trials for the postresponse feedback groups. Subjects returned 2 days later for a no-feedback retention test. RESULTS During practice, the concurrent feedback group was more accurate and consistent than either of the postresponse feedback groups. During retention, however, the postresponse feedback groups were the most accurate; all groups were equally consistent during retention. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION These results suggest that practice with concurrent feedback is beneficial for the immediate performance but not for the learning of this sensorimotor skill.
Speaker Age and Vowel Perception

Recent research provides evidence that individuals shift in their perception of variants depending on social characteristics attributed to the speaker. This paper reports on a speech perception experiment designed to test the degree to which the age attributed to a speaker influences the perception of vowels undergoing a chain shift. As a result of the shift, speakers from different generations produce different variants from one another. Results from the experiment indicate that a speaker’s perceived age can influence vowel categorization in the expected direction. However, only older participants are influenced by perceived speaker age. This suggests that social characteristics attributed to a speaker affect speech perception differently depending on the salience of the relationship between the variant and the characteristic. The results also provide evidence of an unexpected interaction between the sex of the participant and the sex of the stimulus. The interaction is interpreted as an effect of the participants’ previous exposure with male and female speakers.The results are analyzed under an exemplar model of speech production and perception where social information is indexed to acoustic information and the weight of the connection varies depending on the perceived salience of sociophonetic trends.
Genetic effects on the variation and covariation of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional-defiant disorder/conduct disorder (ODD/CD) symptomatologies across informant and occasion of measurement

Background. Previous studies have shown that the presence of conduct disorder may contribute to the persistence of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptomatology into adolescence; however, the aetiological relationship between the two phenotypes remains undetermined. Furthermore, studies utilizing multiple informants have indicated that teacher ratings of these phenotypes are more valid than maternal reports. Methods. The genetic structure underlying the persistence of ADHD and oppositional-defiant disorder/conduct disorder (ODD/CD) symptomatologies as rated by mothers and teachers at two occasions of measurement was investigated on a sample of 494 male and 603 female same sex adolescent twin pairs participating in the Virginia Twin Study of Adolescent Behavioral Development (VTSABD). Results. Using structural modelling techniques, one common genetic factor was shown to govern the covariation between the phenotypes across informants and occasion of measurement with additional genetic factors specific to ODD/CD symptomatology and persistence of symptomatology at reassessment. Genetic structures underlying the phenotypes were, to some extent, informant dependent. Conclusions. The findings indicate that it is unlikely that the co-morbidity between ADHD and ODD/CD is due to environmental influences that are independent of ADHD. Rather it is likely to be due to a shared genetic liability either operating directly, or indirectly through gene–environment correlations or interactions. The covariation between phenotypes across informants and time is governed by a common set of genes, but it seems that ODD/CD is also influenced by additional genetic factors. Developmentally, different forms of genetic liability control ADHD in males and inattention in females.
Unity power factor controller for neutral point clamped active front end converter with DC voltage balancing

The use of power electronics converters influencing the generation of harmonics and reactive power flow in a power system. Therefore, three-phase improved power quality AC-DC converters are gaining lot of popularity in power conversion applications. This paper deals with the control of three-phase neutral point clamped (NPC) 3-level AC-DC converter under balanced and unbalanced load condition. A unity power factor controller (UPC) is designed and developed for unity power factor operation of the converter under steady state and transient conditions. Further, the UPC is validated through experimentation performed on prototype developed in the laboratory.
Female Nudity in Advertisements, Arousal and Response: A Parsimonious Extension

This study extended a 1990 report of LaTour, Pitts, and Snook-Luther by further analysis. Relationships between the key dimensions of High Activation (tension) and General Activation (energy) and ratings of attitude toward the advertisement were analyzed in a test of two hypothetical models performed on ratings by 134 undergraduate business students who responded to the paper-and-pencil tests which operationalized the constructs. In addition, attitude toward the brand was added to the formulation to evaluate the tenability of direct effects of arousal on attitude toward the brand (Ab) and indirect effects “filtered through” attitude toward the advertisement (Aad). Analysis supported the idea that excessive rated tension induced from an erotic advertisement has negative consequences. As predicted, different structural relations between these variables occur under different conditions.