Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic segmentation of 3D human body scans

Realistic human figure animation has to take account of the deformations of body, hands and face as well as the articulate motion. We proposed to make best utility of high quality 3D human body scans for human body animation by combining it with available human animation models, such that a specific person can be animated in the virtual world. The first phase of our work is to segment the scanned human body. In this paper we present a simple but effective geometric algorithm for automatic segmentation of 3D human body scans.
A New Quorum-Based Scheme for Managing Replicated Data in Distributed Systems

We propose a new quorum-based scheme for managing replicated data in distributed systems. We first introduce a concept called difference pair to establish the basics for cyclic read-write coteries. A simple and efficient model is then presented to facilitate the construction of read-write coteries. The read-write coteries generated by the model are strictly symmetric. Our model can be applied to an arbitrary number of copy sites. More importantly, by introducing a parameter in the construction model, our scheme offers the flexibility of adjusting the sizes of read and write quorums. Such flexibility allows read and write quorums to be readily tailored for each individual data item according to its own request demand. Enhancement of data availability is also addressed by our model.
Adaptive filtering in ECG denoising: A comparative study

The performance of several adaptive filter (AdF) algorithm implementations was investigated in the context of cleaning noisy ambulatory ECGs. Together with a noisy ECG signal, both body movement measured with accelerometers and skin-electrode impedance (SEI) were considered as reference signals to the AdF. ECG with artificial motion artifacts were generated by combining clean ECGs with noise signals. Several implementations and combinations of AdFs, and two reference signals (accelerometers and SEI) were investigated. Performance was measured by evaluating the output (sensitivity (Se) and positive predictivity (+P)) of a beat detection (BD) algorithm. Using AdF algorithm improved the performance of a BD algorithm as compared to non-filtering. SEI used as reference signal outperformed accelerometers. A variant of LMS, LMS sign-error, gave the best performance from all implementations considered. However, distortion observed in the filtered signal is high and therefore, these results cannot be extended to other features within the ECG.
Online behavioural intentions: an empirical investigation of antecedents and moderators

Purpose – The current study aims to develop and extend existing research into online behavioural intentions of consumers' by proposing, operationalising, and testing a model of the antecedents of behavioural intentions that models and evaluates how switching costs and inducements moderate the behavioural intentions of online shoppers.Design/methodology/approach – The study employed a personally administered structured questionnaire to gather data regarding consumer's interpretations and evaluations of one specific website. A total of 296 completed questionnaires were analysed.Findings – Analyses found support for the theoretical framework and uncovered strong links between a number of hypothesised antecedent and moderating factors and behavioural intentions.Research limitations/implications – The study supplies an empirical contribution through conceptualising, and subsequently empirically verifying, a model of the antecedents and moderators of online behavioural intentions. Empirical contributions also s.
Relational language supports relational cognition in humans and apes

Abstract We agree with Penn et al. that our human cognitive superiority derives from our exceptional relational ability. We far exceed other species in our ability to grasp analogies and to combine relations into higher-order structures (Gentner 2003). However, we argue here that possession of an elaborated symbol system – such as human language – is necessary to make our relational capacity operational.
Why Dempster's fusion rule is not a generalization of Bayes fusion rule

In this paper, we analyze Bayes fusion rule in details from a fusion standpoint, as well as the emblematic Dempster's rule of combination introduced by Shafer in his Mathematical Theory of evidence based on belief functions. We propose a new interesting formulation of Bayes rule and point out some of its properties. A deep analysis of the compatibility of Dempster's fusion rule with Bayes fusion rule is done. We show that Dempster's rule is compatible with Bayes fusion rule only in the very particular case where the basic belief assignments (bba's) to combine are Bayesian, and when the prior information is modeled either by a uniform probability measure, or by a vacuous bba. We show clearly that Dempster's rule becomes incompatible with Bayes rule in the more general case where the prior is truly informative (not uniform, nor vacuous). Consequently, this paper proves that Dempster's rule is not a generalization of Bayes fusion rule.
Predicting interresidue contacts using templates and pathways

We present a novel method, HMMSTR‐CM, for protein contact map predictions. Contact potentials were calculated by using HMMSTR, a hidden Markov model for local sequence structure correlations. Targets were aligned against protein templates using a Bayesian method, and contact maps were generated by using these alignments. Contact potentials then were used to evaluate these templates. An ab initio method based on the target contact potentials using a rule‐based strategy to model the protein‐folding pathway was developed. Fold recognition and ab initio methods were combined to produce accurate, protein‐like contact maps. Pathways sometimes led to an unambiguous prediction of topology, even without using templates. The results on CASP5 targets are discussed. Also included is a brief update on the quality of fully automated ab initio predictions using the I‐sites server. Proteins 2003;53:497–502. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Threshold based decision-tree for automatic driving maneuver recognition using CAN-Bus signal

There is a growing need to develop automatic signal processing strategies for analysis, labeling, and modeling of massive naturalistic driving data. In order to contribute to the formulation of human centric driving assistive / active safety systems, it is also imperative to understand the human component along with vehicle dynamics. Using massive corpora of on-road real-traffic naturalistic driving data exported from CAN-Bus signals, it is possible to develop maneuver recognition for continuous driving performance evaluation. Although high accuracy of automatic maneuver recognition could be obtained using statistic methods such as Hidden Markov Models and/or Bayesian Statistics, this comes at great costs in computational complexity which can jeopardize the viability of applying such driving assistance in real-time embedded systems. To save computational resources, this study proposes to set up an easier threshold based decision-tree strategy. The method is based on filterbank analysis of time-frequency spectrogram processing of steering wheel angle and vehicle speed signals. It is shown that threshold selection is critical to ensure that specific maneuvers with higher levels of danger receive higher recognition accuracy. Analysis of the proposed maneuver recognition system is performed using data from the UTDrive vehicle corpus, with a 6-way decision-tree maneuver performance ranging from 54-73% depending on the specific maneuver class. It is suggested that lower performing specific maneuvers could subsequently be enhanced with statistical model based methods afterwards for both embedded in-vehicle systems and tagging of massive data sets.
Computing asymptotic gains of large-scale interconnections

This paper considers the problem of verifying stability of large-scale nonlinear dynamical systems. Using a comparison principle approach we present a numerical method for estimating the asymptotic gain characterizing the effect of external disturbances on the stability of a large-scale interconnection. The key contribution is to make use of solely the knowledge of one single trajectory of the comparison system for estimating the behavior of all possible trajectories. It is shown that an asymptotic gain can be obtained from just a single trajectory of a disturbance-free comparison system. The single-trajectory approach leads to a computationally cheap numerical check for the input-to-state practical stability property of a large-scale system.
List of References: Main References for Part I Electric Power Systems Research Control Enhancement of Power Conditioning Units for High Quality Pv Systems a Compact Digitally Controlled Fuel Cell/battery Hybrid Power Source

Keywords: Adaptive controller Maximum operating range Optimal control PV systems PV system loadability a b s t r a c t This paper presents an adaptive fuzzy-proportional integral derivative (PID) controller for DC–DC boost converters used as voltage regulators in PV systems. This proposed controller maximizes the stable operating range by tuning the PID parameters ultimately at various loading conditions. Then, a fuzzy logic approach is used to add a factor of intelligence to the controller such that it can move among different values of proportional gain (K p), integral gain (K i) and derivative gain (K d) based on the system conditions. This controller allows optimal control of boost converters at any loading condition with no need to retune parameters or possibility of failure. Moreover, the paper presents a novel technique to move between the PI and PID configurations of the controller such that the minimum overshoot and ripple are obtained, which increases the controller applicability for utilization in PV systems supplying sensitive loads. A PV system with a capacity of 1 kW has been simulated and implemented in hardware to examine the proposed controller. Furthermore, this paper discusses the loading limitations in PV systems resulting from switching the power electronic interfaces and transients associated with large loads. These conditions derate the power generation capability of the PV system. We propose some methods to enhance the loadability of these systems under both steady state and dynamic operations. A PV system for home application purposes, with a rated power of 280 W was designed and built to investigate the loadability issue. The proposed enhancements were applied to the experimental setup and the obtained results verified the effectiveness of the proposed methods. Photovoltaic systems have become globally accepted as a practical and feasible tool for electric power generation. Researchers' efforts for facilitating PV systems utilization and their integration to currently available systems have been always inspired by the national goal of having renewable and clean energy sources. These efforts successfully solved many of the problems that are attached to PV systems [1]. Generally, PV systems are of two types; grid-connected and stand-alone PV systems. Although grid-connected PV systems are designed to operate in parallel with the utility network, grid-connected PV systems may feed local loads independently from the utility grid in an islanded mode during outages. Moreover, they may involve battery storage or other generating sources in order to increase the overall …
The Relationship of Training and Education to Leadership Practices in Frontline Nurse Leaders

BACKGROUND: Although organizations strive to develop transformational leaders, frontline nurse managers and directors are often inadequately prepared and lack transformational leadership (TL) behaviors. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of TL practices, nurse characteristics, and formal leadership training of frontline nurse leaders in a large health system. METHODS: A survey of 512 frontline nurse leaders in 23 hospitals assessed demographic characteristics, the amount of leadership training received, and self-perceived leadership behaviors, measured through the Leadership Practices Inventory. RESULTS: Formal training influences only 1 component of TL behaviors, helping train leaders to model the way for their employees. Increasing a nurse leader’s level of formal education has a significant effect in improving overall TL practices and behaviors that inspire a shared vision and challenge the process. CONCLUSION: To build transformational frontline nurse leaders, organizations should balance formal leadership training programs with advanced degree attainment to encourage leaders to envision and challenge the future.
Homeostasis and Religious Behaviour

The classic dichotomy between bodily and cognitive processes has survived in scientific thought and can still be seen undiminished in the classic paradigm of the cognitive sciences. Lately, however, the notion of amodal cognitive systems has been challenged by new insights. More and more findings from neurobiological and perceptual studies support the assumption that cognitive processes solely rely on the brain's modal activities – even the most complex ones. Discarding amodal systems, however, would have profound effects not only on the cognitive sciences, but also on the broader study of human behaviour. During the last two decades, cognitivist theories have made their entrance into humanistic studies, including the study of religion. Thus, in discarding one of the basic premises of the cognitive paradigm, as I argue in this article, could lead to a radical rethinking of the science of religion. I will argue that the body and its sensory-motor modalities are not only the mind's representational base, but also encompass the intentionality behind human behaviour in general and religious behaviour in particular. I will call this intentionality homeostatic intentionality, as it has to do with the self-regulation and optimization of the organism. Ignoring physiological activities, including homeostatic ones, in the mind's complex cognitive processes is unfortunately a characteristic of classic cognitivist theories, and this negligence, it seems to me, rules out a satisfying and realistic account of religious behaviour.
Identification of New Genes Involved in the Virulence of Listeria monocytogenes by Signature-Tagged Transposon Mutagenesis

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive, facultative intracellular pathogen that can cause severe food-born infections in humans and animals. We have adapted signature-tagged transposon mutagenesis to L. monocytogenes to identify new genes involved in virulence in the murine model of infection. We used transposon Tn1545 carried on the integrative vector pAT113. Forty-eight tagged transposons were constructed and used to generate banks of L. monocytogenes mutants. Pools of 48 mutants were assembled, taking one mutant from each bank, injected into mice, and screened for those affected in their multiplication in the brains of infected animals. From 2,000 mutants tested, 18 were attenuated in vivo. The insertions harbored by these mutants led to the identification of 10 distinct loci, 7 of which corresponded to previously unknown genes. The properties of four loci involving putative cell wall components were further studied in vitro and in vivo. The data suggested that these components are involved in bacterial invasion and multiplication in the brain.
Hematologic malignancies.

Our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of human hematologic malignancies has grown at an unprecedented pace during the past decade. Many of our insights have been gained through the cloning and characterization of chromosomal translocation breakpoints, which have identified genes that are causally implicated in disease pathogenesis. A decade ago only a handful of recurring chromosomal translocations had been cloned, whereas there are now more than 100. Furthermore it has become increasingly apparent, and is perhaps no surprise, that point mutations in hematopoietic transcription factors and tyrosine kinases also contribute to the pathogenesis of leukemia. Examples include the hematopoietic transcription factors RUNX1 and C/EBP , and the hematopoietic tyrosine kinases FLT3 and c-KIT. Finally, there is now considerable evidence that acute leukemias, like other human cancers, are the consequence of more than one mutation.
The Therapeutic Potential of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Mice Premature Ovarian Failure

Mesenchymal stem cells, which are poorly immunogenic and have potent immunosuppressive activities, have emerged as promising cellular therapeutics for the treatment of several diseases. Mesenchymal-like cells derived from Wharton's Jelly, called umbilical cord matrix stem cells (UCMSCs), reportedly secrete a variety of cytokines and growth factors, acting as trophic suppliers. Here, we used UCMSCs to treat premature ovarian failure (POF). Ovarian function was evaluated by ovulation and the number of follicles. Apoptosis of the granulosa cells (GC) was analyzed by TUNEL staining. We found that after transplantation of the UCMSCs, apoptosis of cumulus cells in the ovarian damage model was reduced and the function of the ovary had been recovered. The sex hormone level was significantly elevated in mice treated with UCMSCs. The number of follicles in the treated group was higher than in the control group. Our results demonstrate that UCMSCs can effectively restore ovary functionality and reduce apoptosis of granulosa cells. We compared the RNA expression of the UCMSCs treated group with the POF model and wild-type control group and found that the UCMSC group is most similar to the wild-type group. Our experiments provide new information regarding the treatment of ovarian function failure.
Reconceptualising academic work as professional practice: implications for academic development

Despite increasing research and scholarship in the area of academic development in recent years, it remains an under-theorised field of endeavour. The paper proposes that academic developers take a view on what constitutes academic work and see it as a form of professional practice. It discusses the features of practice theory that illuminate professional practice and identifies three foci for the application of these ideas within academic development: practice development, fostering learning-conducive work and deliberately locating activity within practice. It also suggests that academic development be viewed as a practice and points to features within its own traditions on which to build.
ANESTHESIA AGGRAVATES LUNG DAMAGE AND PRECIPITATES HYPOTENSION IN ENDOTOXEMIC SHEEP

Beneficial anti-inflammatory properties have been ascribed to volatile anesthetics in septic conditions, but no studies have compared anesthesia to the conscious state in a large-animal model. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of isoflurane anesthesia on cardiovascular and respiratory function, leukocyte activation, and lung damage in a model of endotoxemia in sheep. Conscious (n = 6) and anesthetized (n = 6) sheep were made endotoxemic by continuous infusion of LPS for 48 h. Central hemodynamics were monitored continuously, and blood samples were collected regularly. Activation of leukocytes was assessed by surface expression of CD11b and plasma myeloperoxidase concentration. Lung damage was determined by electron microscopy, cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and analysis of lung vascular permeability. Four additional animals (two conscious and two anesthetized) went through the same protocol but did not receive LPS. LPS infusion induced a hyperdynamic sepsis. The drop in total peripheral resistance was compensated by an increase in heart rate and cardiac output in the conscious group, whereas anesthetized sheep failed to compensate in this way. Endotoxemic isoflurane-anesthetized sheep also showed signs of aggravated lung edema formation and tissue damage together with enhanced neutrophil activation and lung tissue accumulation. Our data suggest that isoflurane in conjunction with mechanical ventilation blunts cardiovascular compensatory mechanisms in sepsis and enhances leukocyte activation, which may contribute to lung edema formation and tissue damage.
Multiple access Gaussian channels with feedback

We consider the problem of multiple access communication with feedback, and show that the well known schemes of Ozarow and Kramer may be represented as feedback systems with a marginally unstable decoder. Other approaches represent these schemes as feedback systems with a strictly unstable encoder. Both approaches achieve the same rate of convergence, however the latter has a Bode sensitivity function which can be very large, indicating the potential for poor robustness and disturbance response.
MiNT: Multimodal Interaction for Modeling and Model Refactoring

Domain experts are usually not proficient with the modeling tools used by developers. MiNT is an extensible platform based on M3 meta-model addresses this problem by introducing multimodal interactions. The extensibility and multimodal usability of MiNT was demonstrated in two reference implementations and two controlled experiments. The results show that multimodal interfaces using speech as an input modality improve the efficiency of modelers. In particular, a combination of touch, speech and touch gestures is more useful than a multimodal interface employing only touch and speech.
Computational Aspects of Reordering Plans

This article studies the problem of modifying the action ordering of a plan in order to optimise the plan according to various criteria. One of these criteria is to make a plan less constrained and the other is to minimize its parallel execution time. Three candidate definitions are proposed for the first of these criteria, constituting a sequence of increasing optimality guarantees. Two of these are based on deordering plans, which means that ordering relations may only be removed, not added, while the third one uses reordering, where arbitrary modifications to the ordering are allowed. It is shown that only the weakest one of the three criteria is tractable to achieve, the other two being NP-hard and even difficult to approximate. Similarly, optimising the parallel execution time of a plan is studied both for deordering and reordering of plans. In the general case, both of these computations are NP-hard. However, it is shown that optimal deorderings can be computed in polynomial time for a class of planning languages based on the notions of producers, consumers and threats, which includes most of the commonly used planning languages. Computing optimal reorderings can potentially lead to even faster parallel executions, but this problem remains NP-hard and difficult to approximate even under quite severe restrictions.