Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Depth Perception with a Single Camera

A catadioptric stereo system has been developed for depth perception. The system uses two sets of planar mirrors to create two virtual cameras. A design procedure is presented with the aim of building a compact assembly. This has resulted in an inexpensive and compact system that achieves a depth resolution of 5.8 cm at a working distance of 2 m.
Understanding social exclusion and psychosocial adjustment of North Korean adolescents and young adult refugees in South Korea through Photovoice

A growing number of North Korean refugees residing in South Korea face significant challenges in cultural adjustment. However, psychosocial adjustment of North Korean young refugees is not fully understood. To address this research gap, this study explores the life experiences of 10 North Korean adolescent and young adult refugees who resettled in South Korea. Using Photovoice as a participatory research tool consisting of individual interviews, group discussions, and visual representations, six major themes emerged: friends, what we have lost, the world we live in, culture, life goals, and values. Participants reported experiencing social exclusion and peer discrimination as barriers to successful adjustment in South Korea. They also defined their new homeland as a place where competition, material wealth, and social status are highly valued, while traditional values and nature are shunned. Despite these barriers, all of the participants have made efforts to adapt to their new homeland and create new life goals with support from the group home where the participants resided in South Korea. Recognizing and understanding complex issues related to psychosocial adjustments of these refugees can inform the development of culturally relevant psychosocial interventions that foster a sense of belonging and promote coping mechanisms for these young people.
Correspondence Mapping Induced State and Action Metrics for Robotic Imitation

This paper addresses the problem of body mapping in robotic imitation where the demonstrator and imitator may not share the same embodiment [degrees of freedom (DOFs), body morphology, constraints, affordances, and so on]. Body mappings are formalized using a unified (linear) approach via correspondence matrices, which allow one to capture partial, mirror symmetric, one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one, and many-to-many associations between various DOFs across dissimilar embodiments. We show how metrics for matching state and action aspects of behavior can be mathematically determined by such correspondence mappings, which may serve to guide a robotic imitator. The approach is illustrated and validated in a number of simulated 3-D robotic examples, using agents described by simple kinematic models and different types of correspondence mappings
TatBC-Independent TatA/Tat Substrate Interactions Contribute to Transport Efficiency

The Tat system can transport folded, signal peptide-containing proteins (Tat substrates) across energized membranes of prokaryotes and plant plastids. A twin-arginine motif in the signal peptide of Tat substrates is recognized by TatC-containing complexes, and TatA permits the membrane passage. Often, as in the model Tat systems of Escherichia coli and plant plastids, a third component – TatB – is involved that resembles TatA but has a higher affinity to TatC. It is not known why most TatA dissociates from TatBC complexes in vivo and distributes more evenly in the membrane. Here we show a TatBC-independent substrate-binding to TatA from Escherichia coli, and we provide evidence that this binding enhances Tat transport. First hints came from in vivo cross-linking data, which could be confirmed by affinity co-purification of TatA with the natural Tat substrates HiPIP and NrfC. Two positions on the surface of HiPIP could be identified that are important for the TatA interaction and transport efficiency, indicating physiological relevance of the interaction. Distributed TatA thus may serve to accompany membrane-interacting Tat substrates to the few TatBC spots in the cells.
Impaired Hepatic Uptake by Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptides Is Associated with Hyperbilirubinemia and Hypercholanemia in Atp11c Mutant Mice

Biliary excretion of organic anions, such as bile acids (BAs), is the main osmotic driving force for bile formation, and its impairment induces intrahepatic cholestasis. We investigated the involvement of Atp11c in the hepatic transport of organic anions using Atp11c mutant mice, which exhibit hypercholanemia and hyperbilirubinemia. Pharmacokinetic analysis following a constant intravenous infusion in Atp11c mutant mice showed decreased hepatic sinusoidal uptake and intact biliary secretion of [3H]17β estradiol 17β-d-glucuronide. Consistent with this result, compared with cells and membranes from control mice, isolated hepatocytes, and liver plasma membranes from Atp11c mutant mice had a much lower uptake of [3H]17β estradiol 17β-d-glucuronide and expression of organic anion-transporting polypeptides, which are transporters responsible for hepatic uptake of unconjugated BAs and organic anions, including bilirubin glucuronides. Uptake of [3H]TC into hepatocytes and expression of Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide in liver plasma membranes, which mediates hepatic uptake of conjugated BAs, was also lower in the Atp11c mutant mice. Bile flow rate, biliary BA concentration, and expression of hepatobiliary transporters did not differ between Atp11c mutant mice and control mice. These results suggest that Atp11c mediates the transport of BAs and organic anions across the sinusoidal membrane, but not the canalicular membrane, by regulating the abundance of transporters. Atp11c is a candidate gene for genetically undiagnosed cases of hypercholanemia and hyperbilirubinemia, but not of intrahepatic cholestasis. This gene may influence the pharmacological and adverse effect of drugs because organic anion-transporting polypeptides regulate their systemic exposure.
[The reliability and validity of a Drinking Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire-Revised (DRSEQ-R) in Korean college students].

PURPOSE This study was to test the reliability and validity of a Drinking Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire-Revised (DRSEQ-R) in Korean college students. METHODS The DRSEQ-R was designed to assess an individual's belief in their ability to refuse drinking alcohol by Oei et al. (2005) and consisted of three factors (social pressure, opportunity, and emotional relief). A methodological study design with an exploratory factor analysis for validity and correlation coefficients for reliability was used. DRSEQ-R was translated into Korean and a translation equivalency was obtained. DRSEQ-R was tested with a sample of 201 college students in Korea. The subjects consisted of 106 males and 95 females. Principal component factor analysis was used for construct validity and Cronbach's alpha was used to evaluate for internal consistency of the instrument. RESULTS The factor analysis showed three factors explaining 66.3% of total variance and the corresponding factors were emotional relief (48.01%), drinking contextual opportunity (11.18%), and social pressure (7.14%). The internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha=.937). All three factors of DRSEQ-R negatively correlated with alcohol dependency and a heavy drinker showed a lower DRSEQ-R than a moderate drinker. CONCLUSION Based on the findings, DRSEQ-R is a reliable and valid instrument to measure for drinking refusal self-efficacy in Korean college students.
Virtual multi-tools for hand and tool-based interaction with life-size virtual human agents

A common approach when simulating face-to-face interpersonal scenarios with virtual humans is to afford users only verbal interaction while providing rich verbal and non-verbal interaction from the virtual human. This is due to the difficulty in providing robust recognition of user non-verbal behavior and interpretation of these behaviors within the context of the verbal interaction between user and virtual human. To afford robust hand and tool-based non-verbal interaction with life-sized virtual humans, we propose virtual multi-tools. A single hand-held, tracked interaction device acts as a surrogate for the virtual multi-tools: the user's hand, multiple tools, and other objects. By combining six degree-of-freedom, high update rate tracking with extra degrees of freedom provided by buttons and triggers, a commodity device, the Nintendo Wii Remote, provides the kinesthetic and haptic feedback necessary to provide a high-fidelity estimation of the natural, unencumbered interaction provided by one's hands and physical hand-held tools. These qualities allow virtual multi-tools to be a less error-prone interface to social and task-oriented non-verbal interaction with a life-sized virtual human. This paper discusses the implementation of virtual multi-tools for hand and tool-based interaction with life-sized virtual humans, and provides an initial evaluation of the usability of virtual multi-tools in the medical education scenario of conducting a neurological exam of a virtual human.
An evaluation of statistical language modeling for speech recognition using a mixed category of both words and parts-of-speech

In our previous paper, we proposed a mixed category of words and parts-of-speech names of the MWP category based on class N-gram modeling (Kawai et al., 1995). However, we had not confirmed the efficiency of the MWP category. In this paper, we evaluate the proposed MWP category. At first we use "coverage of words and category sequences to open data" and "perplexity to training data" for the evaluation and we confirmed that the characteristics of parts-of-speech are useful for generating a suitable class N-gram modeling. As a result of the speech recognition experimentation, we also confirmed that the class N-gram modeling using the MWP category is effective in improving the recognition rate for open data that shows a low coverage of words and category sequences, without decreasing the recognition rate much for closed data.
Cognitive and Psychosocial Phenotype of Young Children with Neurofibromatosis-1

Abstract Children with neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1), a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from a mutation of the NF1 gene (17q11.2), often have difficulties with learning and attention, but there is little research in the early childhood years. In this study, the cognitive and psychosocial functioning of 40 young children with NF1 (ages 3 through 6) was examined and compared both to normative data and to a contrast group comprised of unaffected siblings and community members matched for age and socio-economic status (n = 37). Children with NF1 showed significantly weaker cognitive abilities across all domains and for the vast majority of subtests. Consistent with research in older children, a variety of patterns of intra-individual strength and weakness were present for young children with NF1. Few significant group differences in psychosocial functioning were observed, but the children with NF1 showed significantly greater functional communication problems than did the unaffected group. Overall, the results indicate that in participant groups matched for age and socioeconomic status, cognitive vulnerabilities are evident for close to half of young children with NF1, with some relations to psychosocial functioning, particularly functional communication, attention problems and social skills. (JINS, 2014, 1, 1–11)
Sexual Self-Schemas of Bisexual Men

This qualitative study investigated the sexual self-schemas and masculinity ideologies of 20 bisexual men. Sexual self-schema was defined as a cognitive generalization about sexual aspects of the self, as derived from past experience and sociocultural context, which guides current experiences and facilitates the processing of sexual information. In-depth interviews, a focus group, documentary evidence, and grounded theory analysis were used. Categories were coded and analyzed, revealing two models. The first, the sexual self-schema of bisexual men, is an eight-category model of the bisexual male sexual self-schema describing men’s relationships with other men and with women, as well as attitudes about themselves. The second model, the process of emerging awareness of bisexual attraction, outlines how sexual and romantic relationship experiences lead to bisexual sexual orientation identity. The two theoretical models depict how bisexual men understand their own sexual self-schemas. Implications for counseling psychology research and practice are addressed.
The mediation of gender-specific interests in science: A self-to-prototype matching approach

General assumptions: ⇒Women perceive science as more difficult than men. ⇒Men attribute their success more likely to ability than women and women attribute their success more likely to effort than men. ⇒The self-concepts of men match with the prototype of a scientist whereas the selfconcepts of women are less likely to match. ⇒This suggests that women prefer science less compared to other fields of study or careers and compared to men, because of a mismatch between women’s selfconcepts and the scientist-prototype.
Prenatal Exposure to Low Doses of Bisphenol A Alters the Periductal Stroma and Glandular Cell Function in the Rat Ventral Prostate1

Abstract Environmental estrogens (xenoestrogens) are chemicals that bind to estrogen receptor, mimic estrogenic actions, and may have adverse effects on both human and wildlife health. Bisphenol A (BPA), a monomer used in the manufacture of epoxy resins and polycarbonate has estrogenic activity. In male rodents prenatal exposure to BPA resulted in modifications at the genital tract level. Our objective was to examine the effects of in utero exposure to low, environmentally relevant levels, of the xenoestrogen BPA on proliferation and differentiation of epithelial and stromal cells on the prepubertal rat ventral prostate. To characterize the periductal stromal cells phenotype the expression of vimentin and smooth muscle α-actin was evaluated. Androgen receptor (AR) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) expression were also evaluated in epithelial and stromal compartments. Prenatal exposure to BPA increases the fibroblastic:smooth muscle cells ratio and decreases the number of AR-positive cells of periductal stroma of the ventral prostate. In contrast, no differences in AR expression were observed in epithelial cells between control and BPA-treated groups. No changes in proliferation patterns were observed in epithelial and stromal compartments; however, the expression of PAP was diminished in prostate ductal secretory cells of rats in utero exposed to BPA. Our results suggest that prenatal exposure to BPA altered the differentiation pattern of periductal stromal cells of the ventral prostate. These findings are significant in light of the data on human prostate cancers where alterations in the stroma compartment may enhance the invasive and/or malignant potential of the nascent tumor.
Evaluation of Epoxy Ether Fixed Bovine Arterial Grafts for Mutagenic Potential

Two epoxy ether compounds [glycerol polyglycidyl ether (Denacol EX-313) and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (Denacol EX-810)] are under consideration as alternatives to glutaraldehyde for use in the processing of an arterial graft. The two are utilized as cross-linking and sterilant agents, respectively. Epoxy resins are multifunctional alkylating agents, and bifunctional alkylating epoxide solutions are known to be mutagenic. The correlation between mutagenic potential and carcinogenicity, in addition to evidence that diepoxides are carcinogenic in mice and rats, prompted the evaluation of the mutagenic potential of the epoxy treated, clinically rinsed graft. Ames and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test procedures were used to assess mutagenic potential.1'2 Normal saline and distilled water were selected as the most physiologically representative and procedurally acceptable extraction mediums for the Ames and SCE tests, respectively. The results of the Ames and SCE tests in both the activated and non activated systems indicated that there were no statistically significant differences detected between various test article concentrates and the spontaneous mutation controls for both the activated and non activated systems. The epoxy treated graft was determined to be non mutagenic and demonstrated no dose related responses by these methods.
The H1 linker histones: multifunctional proteins beyond the nucleosomal core particle

The linker histone H1 family members are a key component of chromatin and bind to the nucleosomal core particle around the DNA entry and exit sites. H1 can stabilize both nucleosome structure and higher‐order chromatin architecture. In general, H1 molecules consist of a central globular domain with more flexible tail regions at both their N‐ and C‐terminal ends. The existence of multiple H1 subtypes and a large variety of posttranslational modifications brings about a considerable degree of complexity and makes studying this protein family challenging. Here, we review recent progress in understanding the function of linker histones and their subtypes beyond their role as merely structural chromatin components. We summarize current findings on the role of H1 in heterochromatin formation, transcriptional regulation and embryogenesis with a focus on H1 subtypes and their specific modifications.
Genetic epidemiology of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are interrelated disorders, as most patients with PsA also have psoriasis. Thus it is not surprising that epidemiological and immunogenetic studies have uncovered important links between these two disorders. Both disorders are highly heritable, and the prevalence of psoriasis is 19 times higher among first degree relatives of probands with PsA compared with the general population. Multiple human leucocyte antigen (HLA) associations are shared between psoriasis and PsA, though the magnitudes of these associations differ between the diseases. Genome-wide linkage studies have noted overlapping regions of significance for these two disorders within and outside the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region. Thus, exploration of the genetic basis of psoriasis will likely strengthen the contention of an underlying genetic susceptibility for PsA and vice versa.
Exploring Mobility Indoors: an Application of Sensor‐based and GIS Systems

The popularization of tracking devices, such as GPS, accelerometers and smartphones, have made it possible to detect, record, and analyze new patterns of human movement and behavior. However, employing GPS alone for indoor localization is not always possible due to the system's inability to determine location inside buildings or in places of signal occlusion. In this context, the application of local wireless networks for determining position is a promising alternative solution, although they still suffer from a number of limitations due to energy and IT‐resources. Our research outlines the potential for employing indoor wireless network positioning and sensor‐based systems to improve the collection of tracking data indoors. By applying various methods of GIScience we developed a methodology that can be applicable for diverse human indoor mobility analysis. To show the advantage of the proposed method, we present the result of an experiment that included mobility analysis of 37 participants. We tracked their movements on a university campus over the course of 41 days and demonstrated that their movement behavior can be successfully studied with our proposed method.
The N-terminal domain of c-Myc associates with alpha-tubulin and microtubules in vivo and in vitro

The polymerization of alpha- and beta-tubulin into microtubules results in a complex network of microfibrils that have important structural and functional roles in all eukaryotic cells. In addition, microtubules can interact with a diverse family of polypeptides which are believed to directly promote the assembly of microtubules and to modulate their functional activity. We have demonstrated that the c-Myc oncoprotein interacts in vivo and in vitro with alpha-tubulin and with polymerized microtubules and have defined the binding site to the N-terminal region within the transactivation domain of c-Myc. In addition, we have shown that c-Myc colocalizes with microtubules and remains tightly bound to the microtubule network after detergent extraction of intact cells. These findings suggest a potential role for Myc-tubulin interaction in vivo.
Combined Pharmacologic/Nonpharmacologic Intervention in Individuals at High Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to grow, and it is predicted that, unless effective prevention and control measures are implemented, the global prevalence of the disease will exceed 366 million by 2030 (1). Type 2 diabetes is associated with considerable morbidity, excess mortality, and substantial costs (2–4). A recent statement issued by the American Diabetes Association estimates that in the U.S., the cost of diabetes in 2007 was $174 million. However, the actual national burden is likely to exceed this figure because it does not include the social costs of intangibles such as care provided by nonpaid caregivers. Overall costs are expected to increase further because of the projected rise in the proportion of the population over the age of 65 years. Therefore, if successful, early intervention to delay or prevent the development of diabetes offers enormous potential benefit to individuals, health care systems, and society. Current diagnostic criteria for overt diabetes include a fasting plasma glucose concentration of ≥126 mg/dl or a 2-h postchallenge plasma glucose concentration of ≥200 mg/dl during a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (5). The term “pre-diabetes” has recently been adopted to describe conditions in which blood glucose levels are elevated, but not above the American Diabetes Association–defined level for diabetes; it includes the presence of impaired fasting glucose (fasting plasma glucose concentration of 100–125 mg/dl) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (a 2-h post-challenge plasma glucose concentration of 140–199 mg/dl) (6). Most individuals with pre-diabetes will eventually develop overt diabetes. In the American Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), the annual rate of development of diabetes in subjects who had impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose was ∼10% (7). There is evidence that microvascular disease typically associated with diabetes is also observed in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (8). A recent analysis …
Conflict Prevention and Decentralized Governance: Some Remarks About the State of the Art in Theory and Practice

CAt) Existeix alguna relacio entre governabilitat descentralitzada i prevencio de conflictes? El present article intenta respondre a aquesta pregunta presentant la situacio actual de la interseccio entre ambdos conceptes. Partint del fet que el conflicte social es inevitable, aixi com de l’existencia de noves amenaces i conflictes i de noves demandes de seguretat basades en les persones (seguretat humana), les nostres societats han d’intentar que els canvis siguin pacifics. A traves d’un exhaustiu analisis de la bibliografia existent i de l’estudi de diversos casos, aquest article soste que la governabilitat descentralitzada pot contribuir a aquests esforcos transformant conflictes, fomentant el repartiment de poder i augmentant els incentius d’inclusio de grups minoritaris. Tot i la dificultat de mesurar el seu impacte sobre la prevencio de conflictes, s’ argumenta que la governabilitat descentralitzada pot tenir un impacte molt positiu en la reduccio de les causes que produeixen conflictes gracies a la seva habilitat per crear war/violence preventors. Mes concretament, en aquest article se suggereix que la governabilitat descentralitzada pot influir positivament sobre les causes a curt i mitja termini. Paraules clau: prevencio de conflictes violents; causes de les guerres; governanca descentralitzada; descentralitzacio; preventors de la violencia; construccio de pau