Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low-complexity QoS-aware frequency provisioning in downlink multi-user multicarrier systems

This paper studies quality-of-service (QoS)-aware frequency provisioning schemes for a downlink multi-user multi-carrier system in a frequency-selective fading environment with diverse user-QoS requirements in terms of target delay and effective capacity (EC). Since a jointly optimal power and sub-carrier allocation requires an exponential-time exhaustive search, we explore an alternative simpler approach with two steps: (i) frequency provisioning to allocate the available subcarriers to the demanding users, followed by (ii) power allocation for the set of subcarriers assigned to each user. The single-user EC-based power allocation can be directly applied to step (ii). Furthermore, its results can also be used to develop a low-complexity knowledge-based frequency provisioning algorithm for step (i). The proposed iterative frequency provisioning algorithm starts with an initial rate-based guess and analyzes the incremental cost of power with respect to each user's QoS requirement to modify the allocated numbers of subcarriers that can further reduce the power consumption, if possible, in each subsequent iteration. Illustrative results show that the initial rate-based guess can be very effective in many situations, whereas, when the demanding users have similar required ECs but widespread delay requirements, the initial rate-based guess can be far from the optimum solution and therefore, more iterations are needed.
Morphology of the corpus callosum at different stages of schizophrenia: cross-sectional study in first-episode and chronic illness.

BACKGROUND The shape of the corpus callosum may differ in schizophrenia, although no study has compared first-episode with established illness. AIMS To investigate the size and shape of the corpus callosum in a large sample of people with first-episode and established schizophrenia. METHOD Callosal size and shape were determined using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging on 76 patients with first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, 86 patients with established schizophrenia and 55 healthy participants. RESULTS There were no significant differences in total area across groups. Reductions in callosal width were seen in the region of the anterior genu in first-episode disorder (P<0.005). Similar reductions were seen in the chronic schizophrenia group in the anterior genu, but also in the posterior genu and isthmus (P=0.0005). CONCLUSIONS Reductions in anterior callosal regions connecting frontal cortex are present at the onset of schizophrenia, and in established illness are accompanied by changes in other regions of the callosum connecting cingulate, temporal and parietal cortices.
Diversity of predominant endophytic bacteria in European deciduous and coniferous trees.

The diversity of endophytic bacteria residing in root, stem, and leaf tissues was examined in coniferous and deciduous tree species, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), silver birch (Betula pendula Roth), and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.). Using cultivation-dependent and -independent analyses, the bacterial communities were observed to be significantly different in the belowground (roots and rhizosphere) and aboveground (leaves and stems) samples of the respective host trees. No significant differences, with respect to the different tree species, were observed in the associated communities. Predominant cultivable endophytes isolated included bacteria closely related to Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Paenibacillus spp. , and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. Comparisons of the most abundant cultivable bacteria in the rhizosphere and root samples suggested that root endophytic bacteria may be in residence through processes of selection or active colonization rather than by passive diffusion from the rhizosphere.
Integration of Multimodal Interaction as Assistance in Virtual Environments

This paper discusses the significance of the multimodal interaction in virtual environments (VE) and the criticalities involved in integration and coordination between modes during interaction. Also, we present an architecture and design of the integration mechanism with respect to information access in second language learning. In this connection, we have conducted an experiential study on speech inputs to understand how far users' experience of information can be considered to be supportive to this architecture.
Statistical encoding model for a primary motor cortical brain-machine interface

A number of studies of the motor system suggest that the majority of primary motor cortical neurons represent simple movement-related kinematic and dynamic quantities in their time-varying activity patterns. An example of such an encoding relationship is the cosine tuning of firing rate with respect to the direction of hand motion. We present a systematic development of statistical encoding models for movement-related motor neurons using multielectrode array recordings during a two-dimensional (2-D) continuous pursuit-tracking task. Our approach avoids massive averaging of responses by utilizing 2-D normalized occupancy plots, cascaded linear-nonlinear (LN) system models and a method for describing variability in discrete random systems. We found that the expected firing rate of most movement-related motor neurons is related to the kinematic values by a linear transformation, with a significant nonlinear distortion in about 1/3 of the neurons. The measured variability of the neural responses is markedly non-Poisson in many neurons and is well captured by a "normalized-Gaussian" statistical model that is defined and introduced here. The statistical model is seamlessly integrated into a nearly-optimal recursive method for decoding movement from neural responses based on a Sequential Monte Carlo filter.
Importance-weighted the imbalanced data for C-SVM classifier to human activity recognition

The class imbalance problem is one of the new problems that emerged in activity recognition and that caused suboptimal classification performance. To deal this problem, we propose an efficient way of choosing the suitable regularization parameter C of the Soft-Support Vector Machines (C-SVM) method to perform automatic recognition of activities in a smart home environment. We also discuss how they differ when not considering the weights in C-SVM formulation using cross validation and how it affects their performance. Then, we compare C-SVM with Conditional Random Fields (CRF) considered as the reference method. Our experimental results carried out on three real world imbalanced datasets show that C-SVM based our proposed criterion is capable of solving this class imbalance problem by improving the class accuracy of activity classification compared to other methods.
Image-based Representations for Accelerated Rendering of Complex Scenes

This paper gives an overview of image-based representations commonly used for reducing the geometric complexity of a scene description in order to accelerate the rendering process. Several different types of representations and ways for using them have been presented, which are classiﬁed and discussed here. Furthermore, the overview includes techniques for accelerating the rendering of static scenes or scenes with animations and/or dynamic lighting effects. The advantages and drawbacks of the different approaches are illuminated, and unsolved problems and roads for further research are shown.
Correcting open-answer questionnaires through a Bayesian-network model of peer-based assessment

We have previously shown that, with the help of peer-assessment and of a finite-domain constraint-based model of the student's decisions, the teacher could have a complete assessment of the answers to open-ended questions, by grading just a subset of the answers (as low as half of the lot) and having the rest of the grading inferred by the supporting system. In this paper we present a probabilistic version of the earlier model, using Bayesian networks instead than constraints. Our aims are both defining the approach and prepare its validation: 1) modeling the peer-assessment activity of a student that evaluates others' answers, 2) using peer-assessment to help the teacher with a faster/shorter assessment process, 3) inferring the student's level of competence and ability to judge, from peer-assessment and from (partial) teacher-assessment, 4) learning the conditional probabilistic tables (CPTs) of the model from student data, and 5) comparing the probability distribution of competences in the class at different course phases. The model is under development and test with real data. We are developing a web-based interface to deliver open-answer and peer-assessment questionnaires and to assist the teacher-assessment.
Respiratory failure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Respiratory failure is still an important complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hospitalisation with an acute episode being a poor prognostic marker. However, other comorbid conditions, especially cardiovascular disease, are equally powerful predictors of mortality. The physiological basis of acute respiratory failure in COPD is now clear. Significant ventilation/perfusion mismatching with a relative increase in the physiological dead space leads to hypercapnia and hence acidosis. This is largely the result of a shift to a rapid shallow breathing pattern and a rise in the dead space/tidal volume ratio of each breath. This breathing pattern results from adaptive physiological responses which lessen the risk of respiratory muscle fatigue and minimise breathlessness. Treatment is directed at reducing the mechanical load applied to each breath, correcting specific precipitating factors, e.g. bacterial infection, and maintaining gas exchange. Both bronchodilators and oral corticosteroids can improve spirometric results in exacerbations of COPD and should be routinely offered to patients with respiratory failure. Controlled oxygen is still not always prescribed appropriately and high inspired oxygen concentrations can lead to severe acidosis by either worsening ventilation/perfusion mismatching and/or inducing a degree of hypoventilation. Ventilatory support using noninvasive ventilation has revolutionised the approach to these patients. Acute respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease remains a common medical emergency that can be effectively managed. More attention should be focused on the prevention of these episodes and identifying the factors which cause early relapse.
Factor VIIa and antithrombin III activity during severe sepsis and septic shock in neutropenic patients.

Septic shock and multiple organ failure may be associated with coagulation activation, disseminated fibrin formation, and consumption of coagulation inhibitors such as antithrombin III. We have evaluated prospectively coagulation measurements in patients with severe chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. This group of patients was chosen because of their high risk of developing severe septic complications, thus allowing serial prospective coagulation testing before and during evolving sepsis or septic shock. Sixty-two patients with febrile infectious events were accrued to the study. Of these, 13 patients progressed to severe sepsis and 13 additional patients to septic shock as defined according to standard diagnostic criteria. At the onset of fever, factor (F) VIIa activity, FVII antigen and antithrombin III (AT III) activity decreased from normal baseline levels and were significantly lower in the group of patients who progressed to septic shock compared with those that developed severe sepsis (medians: 0.3 v 1.4 ng/mL, 21 v 86 U/dL and 45% v 95%; P < .001). The decrease of these measurements in septic shock was accompanied by an increase in prothrombin fragment 1+2 (median: 3.6 v 1.4 nmol/L; P = .05), a marker of thrombin generation. These differences were sustained throughout the septic episode (P < .0001). FVIIa and AT III levels of < 0.8 ng/mL and < 70%, respectively, at onset of fever predicted a lethal outcome with a sensitivity of 100% and 85%, and a specificity of 75% and 85%, respectively. In contrast, FXIIa-alpha antigen levels were not different between groups at onset of fever but increased modestly during the course of septic shock (P = .001). Thus, septic shock in neutropenic patients is associated with increased thrombin generation. Furthermore, both FVIIa and AT III measurements are sensitive markers of an unfavorable prognosis.
Characterization of Cyclopropane Fatty-acid Synthase fromSterculia foetida *

Cyclopropane synthase from Sterculia foetida developing seeds catalyzes the addition of a methylene group from S-adenosylmethionine to the cisdouble bond of oleic acid (Bao, X., Katz, S., Pollard, M., and Ohlrogge, J. (2002) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 99, 7172–7177). To understand this enzyme better, differential expression in leaf and seed tissues, protein properties, and substrate preferences of plant cyclopropane synthase were investigated. Immunoblot analysis with antibodies raised to recombinant S. foetidacyclopropane synthase (SfCPA-FAS) revealed thatSfCPA-FAS is expressed in S. foetidaseeds, but not in leaves, and is a membrane protein localized to microsomal fractions. Transformed tobacco cells expressingSfCPA-FAS were labeled in vivo withl-[methyl-14C]methionine and assayed in vitro withS-adenosyl-l-[methyl-14C]methionine. These kinetic experiments demonstrated that dihydrosterculate was synthesized from oleic acid esterified at the sn-1 position of phosphatidylcholine (PC). Furthermore, analysis of acyl chains atsn-1 and sn-2 positions that accumulated in PC from S. foetida developing seeds and from tobacco cells expressing SfCPA-FAS also demonstrated that greater than 90% of dihydrosterculate was esterified to the sn-1 position. Thus, we conclude that SfCPA-FAS is a microsomal localized membrane protein that catalyzes the addition of methylene groups derived from S-adenosyl-l-methionine across the double bond of oleic acid esterified to the sn-1 position of PC. A survey of plant and bacterial genomes for sequences related to SfCPA-FAS indicated that a peptide domain with a putative flavin-binding site is either fused to the methyltransferase domain of the plant protein or is often found encoded by a gene adjacent to a bacterial cyclopropane synthase gene.
A Comparative Evaluation of Three Skin Color Detection Approaches

JVRB, 12(2015), no. 1. - Skin segmentation is a challenging task due to several influences such as unknown lighting conditions, skin colored background, and camera limitations. A lot of skin segmentation approaches were proposed in the past including adaptive (in the sense of updating the skin color online) and non-adaptive approaches. In this paper, we compare three skin segmentation approaches that are promising to work well for hand tracking, which is our main motivation for this work. Hand tracking can widely be used in VR/AR e.g. navigation and object manipulation. The first skin segmentation approach is a well-known non-adaptive approach. It is based on a simple, pre-computed skin color distribution. Methods two and three adaptively estimate the skin color in each frame utilizing clustering algorithms. The second approach uses a hierarchical clustering for a simultaneous image and color space segmentation, while the third approach is a pure color space clustering, but with a more sophisticated clustering approach. For evaluation, we compared the segmentation results of the approaches against a ground truth dataset. To obtain the ground truth dataset, we labeled about 500 images captured under various conditions.
Fast Video Encryption Using the H.264 Error Propagation Property for Smart Mobile Devices

In transmitting video data securely over Video Sensor Networks (VSNs), since mobile handheld devices have limited resources in terms of processor clock speed and battery size, it is necessary to develop an efficient method to encrypt video data to meet the increasing demand for secure connections. Selective encryption methods can reduce the amount of computation needed while satisfying high-level security requirements. This is achieved by selecting an important part of the video data and encrypting it. In this paper, to ensure format compliance and security, we propose a special encryption method for H.264, which encrypts only the DC/ACs of I-macroblocks and the motion vectors of P-macroblocks. In particular, the proposed new selective encryption method exploits the error propagation property in an H.264 decoder and improves the collective performance by analyzing the tradeoff between the visual security level and the processing speed compared to typical selective encryption methods (i.e., I-frame, P-frame encryption, and combined I-/P-frame encryption). Experimental results show that the proposed method can significantly reduce the encryption workload without any significant degradation of visual security.
Role of brainstem–spinal projections in voluntary movement

Previous studies have emphasised the role of brainstem–spinal pathways in presetting reflex sensitivity (for example of stretch or flexion reflexes) or in reflex contributions to movement (for example, vestibulospinal control of neck or trunk position). However, little is known about the possible role of these pathways in volitional movements. Given the extensive projections from cortex onto areas of origin of brainstem–spinal tracts, such a role seems to be a reasonable anatomical possibility. This role is supported by two sets of data involving rapid voluntary movements in healthy subjects.
Inverse association between body mass and frequency of milk consumption in children

Recent studies have shown an inverse association between the level of dietary Ca, particularly from dairy sources, and body weight in adults; there is, however, a paucity of data regarding this relationship in children. We therefore investigated this issue in 1087 children who underwent body weight and height measurement during a survey on childhood obesity. Lifestyle and dietary habits were investigated by a questionnaire. After excluding children who were following a dietary regimen for any reason, 884 children (M:F 451:433; age 7·5 (sd 2·1) years) were selected. Milk consumption was pooled into four frequency categories: poor (≤1/week; n 125), moderate (>1 but ≤5–6/week; n 133), regular (1/d; n 408) and high (≥2/d; n 218). The frequency of consumption of milk was inversely and significantly associated (t=–2·64, P=0·003) with age- and sex-specific BMI z-scores by linear regression analysis, controlling for sex, age, physical activity, birth weight and parental overweight and education. The statistical association remained significant (t=–2·831, P=0·005) after the inclusion of children consuming only skimmed milk (n 91). Milk consumption was still significantly and inversely associated with BMI z score (t=–2·791, P=0·005) in the whole-milk consumers when controlling for age and the frequency of consumption of various foods; this association was no longer significant (P=0·21) when children consuming skimmed milk were included in the analysis. This is the first report showing a significant inverse association between frequency of milk consumption and body mass in children. Regardless of the mechanisms involved, our results might encourage further research on this issue and might have important implications for the prevention of obesity.
Outcomes of Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion in Utah Patients Receiving Workers’ Compensation: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Study Design. A retrospective cohort study consisting of a medical record review and a follow-up telephone survey of patients with lumbar fusion, at least 2 years after their surgery, was performed. Objective. To identify presurgical correlates and long-term outcomes from posterolateral lumbar fusion in Utah patients receiving workers’ compensation. Summary of Background Data. Lumbar fusion has been criticized for its highly variable outcomes, and compensated workers are at particular risk for poor outcomes. Evidence suggests that presurgical psychosocial factors may be important modifiers of back pain reporting and back surgery outcomes. Methods. The patients in this study were 185 compensated workers in Utah who underwent posterolateral lumbar fusion. Patient medical records were independently reviewed, and medical and sociodemographic variables were coded. A telephone outcome survey was completed with 130 patients (70%) an average of 4.6 years after their surgery. Results. Reported solid fusion, reoperation, and disability rates for the follow-up sample were 74%, 24%, and 25%, respectively. As reported by the patients, 41% experienced no change or a worsened quality of life. Mean scores from the Roland and Morris Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, the Stauffer-Coventry-Index, and the Short-Form 20 Multidimensional Health Survey indicate that many patients experienced postsurgical dysfunction. Presurgical predictors of outcomes were number of prior low back operations, income at time of injury, age, litigation, and depression. Conclusions. Outcomes of posterolateral lumbar fusion among compensated workers in Utah are inconsistent. Outcomes can be predicted by presurgical sociodemographic variables. Screening for such presurgical risk factors may be important for prudent surgical decisions and rehabilitation planning.
Vestibulo‐ocular function during co‐ordinated head and eye movements to acquire visual targets.

1. Experiments have been conducted on human subjects in an attempt to establish the role of the vestibulo‐ocular reflex in the co‐ordination of head and eye movements during visual target acquisition. 2. When the subject moved head and eyes to acquire visual targets in the horizontal plane, the eye movement consisted of an initial saccade in the direction of head movement followed by a slower return towards orbital centre which compensated for remaining head movement. 3. When the head was moved either voluntarily or passively in the dark the pattern of eye movement was very similar to that seen during target acquisition. 4. The mean latency between the start of head acceleration and the onset of the saccadic eye movement was greater in the dark (108 msec, S.D. 85 msec) than for the visually induced responses (14 msec, S.D. 59 msec), in which eye movement often preceded head movement when moving to small ( less than 45 degrees) target offset angles. 5. In all experimental conditions gaze displacement at the end of the initial saccade was normally related in a predictive manner to final head position, but when fixating visual targets offset by more than 60 degrees from the central position there were often large errors, 22% of responses undershooting the target by more than 15 degrees. 6. A highly significant (P less than 0.001) linear relationship was found between gaze displacement and head velocity under all experimental conditions. During target acquisition head velocity was normally positively correlated with amplitude of target offset. The large errors in gaze displacement in response to the larger target offsets occurred at levels of head velocity lower than normally associated with such target offsets. 7. The results have led to the suggestion of a dual mode of control for head‐eye co‐ordination. In one mode, normally associated with small target offsets (less than 45 degrees), control is mediated by retinal error information. In the other mode, associated with larger target offsets, gaze displacement is generated as an automatic response to head turning. 8. The observation of similar relationships between head and eye movement during passive head turning implicates the vestibulo‐ocular reflex in the secondary mode of control, and provides support for the hypothesis that the role of the vestibular saccade is to induce a rapid offset of the eyes in the direction of head movement, thus facilitating rapid search and target location.