Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detail‐feature‐preserving surface reconstruction

In this paper, we propose a feature‐preserving surface reconstruction method from sparse noisy 3D measurements such as range scanning or passive multiview stereo. In contrast to earlier methods, we define a novel type of explicit 3D filter—regularized weighted least squares filter—to characterize the detail features such as surface wrinkles and sharp features. To account for noise, we rasterize input‐oriented points into a probabilistic volume (base volume) and then create a guidance volume by Gaussian filtering. Both the base volume and the guidance volume are further filtered by regularized weighted least squares filter to detect and recover detail features. After the two‐stage filtering, a global minimal surface is computed by graph cut and meshed as a geometric model. Experimental results on various datasets show that our method is robust to noise, outliers, and missing parts, which makes it more suitable to fit indoor/outdoor multiview stereo data. Unlike other methods, our method can completely recover scene structures and preserve detail features from noisy point samples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impressive Reduction of Dark Current in InSb Infrared Photodetector to achieve High Temperature Performance

(Received 27 Sep. 2018; Revised 16 Oct. 2018; Accepted 23 Nov. 2018; Published 15 Dec. 2018) Abstract: Infrared photo detectors have vast and promising applications in military, industrial and other fields. In this paper, we present a method for improving the performance of an infrared photodetector based on an InSb substance. To achieve good performance at high temperatures, thermal noise and intrusive currents should be reduced. For this purpose, a five-layer hetero structure photodetector based on We introduce n+ InSb / n+ In1-xAlxSb / π InSb / p+ In1-xGaxSb / p+ InSb to improve the thermal performance in the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) range. With inserting of two thin layers from InAlSb and InGaSb on both side of the new (π) optical absorber created a barrier in the structure that prevents from entrance of diffusion currents and noise carriers at n+ and p+ regions into the active area. And also by reducing the density of unwanted carriers in the active layer, leads to decrease dark current, which is the main limiting factor for photodetectors’ performance based on InSb. Our proposed design reduced 49% dark current, increased 57% resistivity (R0) and increased 39% detectivity at 300K. Simulation of the structure was done using the SILVACO ATLAS software.
SocialStreaming: P2P-assisted streaming in social networks

Video streaming has been the most popular applications in social networks. However, the current social networks still use the traditional client/server (C/S) architecture, which seriously limits the scale and scalability of video streaming system in social networks. To meet the requirement of more users in social networks, more money are invested to purchase server bandwidth and storage space. Recently, P2P streaming has been a promising way to deliver video streaming and reduce the pressure of the video server. Unfortunately, the traditional mechanisms of P2P streaming systems are suboptimal, even not suitable for social networks. In this paper, we propose a P2P-assisted video streaming system in social networks, called SocialStreaming. The main contribution of this paper is: i) we put forward a network coding based storage strategy, which can improve the utilization of each peer's limited storage space. Moreover, with the same storage space, it can increase the diversity of stored data, which can improve the efficiency of data sharing; ii) we propose a social network based streaming predelivery algorithm in distributed way, derived from the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm. This algorithm could effectively deliver the video streaming to some peers, which will watch this video later with high probability; iii) we present a social network based neighbor selection algorithm, which combines the network performance factor and social factor as a tradeoff to select proper neighbors to exchange data. The trace driven based simulation results also demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of SocialStreaming, which can bring good transmission performance and significantly reduce the load of the server.
SMIX: self-managing indexes for dynamic workloads

As databases accumulate growing amounts of data at an increasing rate, adaptive indexing becomes more and more important. At the same time, applications and their use get more agile and flexible, resulting in less steady and less predictable workload characteristics. Being inert and coarse-grained, state-of-the-art index tuning techniques become less useful in such environments. Especially the full-column indexing paradigm results in many indexed but never queried records and prohibitively high storage and maintenance costs. In this paper, we present Self-Managing Indexes, a novel, adaptive, fine-grained, autonomous indexing infrastructure. In its core, our approach builds on a novel access path that automatically collects useful index information, discards useless index information, and competes with its kind for resources to host its index information. Compared to existing technologies for adaptive indexing, we are able to dynamically grow and shrink our indexes, instead of incrementally enhancing the index granularity.
Plasma galectin-3 concentrations in patients with primary aldosteronism

Background: The incidence of cardiovascular events is higher in patients with primary aldosteronism than in patients with essential hypertension (EHT), despite similar blood pressure levels. This suggests detrimental cardiovascular effects of aldosterone. Amongst others, it has been suggested that galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a key mediator in aldosterone-induced myocardial fibrosis. Objective: We studied whether patients with primary aldosteronism have higher plasma Gal-3 concentrations than patients with EHT and evaluated its reversibility after adrenalectomy. Methods: In a retrospective cohort from our tertiary referral centre, we measured plasma Gal-3 concentrations in 78 patients with primary aldosteronism, 39 cured primary aldosteronism patients after adrenalectomy and 56 patients with EHT. Paired samples were available in 11 patients (preadrenalectomy and postadrenalectomy). We compared plasma Gal-3 levels by univariate analysis of covariance with correction for cardiovascular risk factors, plasma creatinine concentration, plasma potassium levels and alcohol intake. Results: Adjusted plasma Gal-3 concentrations in patients with primary aldosteronism, patients after adrenalectomy and patients with EHT were 11.39 ± 0.60, 11.64 ± 0.81 and 11.41 ± 0.73 ng/ml, respectively (mean ± SD; P = 0.95). In 11 patients of whom paired samples were available, mean Gal-3 concentrations increased from 10.03 ± 1.67 ng/ml preadrenalectomy to 14.36 ± 2.07 ng/ml postadrenalectomy (P < 0.01). Conclusion: In patients with primary aldosteronism, plasma Gal-3 concentrations are not elevated when compared with patients with EHT, and levels do not decrease after adrenalectomy. These results are in contrast to previous studies and do not support a pathophysiological role of plasma Gal-3 in the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with primary aldosteronism.
Graphene/semiconductor heterojunction solar cells with modulated antireflection and graphene work function

Theoretical and experimental studies have been performed to simulate and optimize graphene/semiconductor heterojunction solar cells. By controlling graphene layer number, tuning graphene work function and adding an antireflection film, a maximal theoretical conversion efficiency of ∼9.2% could be achieved. Following the theoretical optimization proposal, the Schottky junction solar cells with modified graphene films and silicon pillar arrays were fabricated and were found to give a conversion efficiency of up to 7.7%.
Sequential pattern mining and classification of patient path

The purpose of the French DRG’s information system is to describe hospital activity by focusing on hospital stays. However, certain types of healthcare should be analysed as a temporal process covering multiple hospital stays. We propose two data-mining methods for patient path analysis across multiple healthcare institution : sequential pattern mining and formal concept analysis. Our objective is to discover, to classify and to visualize frequent patterns among patient path. Results: Our work shows the feasibility of a new approach to analyse temporal symbolic data in the field of health information systems.
Regulation of Electroacupuncture on Gastric Myoelectrial Activities: Monitered by Electrogastrograms

It is reported that acupuncture on some acupoints can enhance the regularity of gastric myoelectrical activities, which can be observed from the electrogastrograms (EEGs). In this paper, the electroacupuncture (EA) treatments were performed on subjects with slight gastric disorders and the EEGs were monitored in the meanwhile. The EEGs features of baseline, during and after EA treatments were analyzed. The results show that the EA treatments do enhance the regularity of EEGs. And a highly possible pattern for EA to attain the enhancement is to regulate the pacemaker quantity and propagation of slow waves rather than regulating the amplitude of slow waves.
Molecular Ecology of Listeria monocytogenes: Evidence for a Reservoir in Milking Equipment on a Dairy Farm

ABSTRACT A longitudinal study aimed to detect Listeria monocytogenes on a New York State dairy farm was conducted between February 2004 and July 2007. Fecal samples were collected every 6 months from all lactating cows. Approximately 20 environmental samples were obtained every 3 months. Bulk tank milk samples and in-line milk filter samples were obtained weekly. Samples from milking equipment and the milking parlor environment were obtained in May 2007. Fifty-one of 715 fecal samples (7.1%) and 22 of 303 environmental samples (7.3%) were positive for L. monocytogenes. A total of 73 of 108 in-line milk filter samples (67.6%) and 34 of 172 bulk tank milk samples (19.7%) were positive for L. monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from 6 of 40 (15%) sampling sites in the milking parlor and milking equipment. In-line milk filter samples had a greater proportion of L. monocytogenes than did bulk tank milk samples (P < 0.05) and samples from other sources (P < 0.05). The proportion of L. monocytogenes-positive samples was greater among bulk tank milk samples than among fecal or environmental samples (P < 0.05). Analysis of 60 isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) yielded 23 PFGE types after digestion with AscI and ApaI endonucleases. Three PFGE types of L. monocytogenes were repeatedly found in longitudinally collected samples from bulk tank milk and in-line milk filters.
Novel cell segmentation and online SVM for cell cycle phase identification in automated microscopy

MOTIVATION Automated identification of cell cycle phases captured via fluorescent microscopy is very important for understanding cell cycle and for drug discovery. In this article, we propose a novel cell detection method that utilizes both the intensity and shape information of the cell for better segmentation quality. In contrast to conventional off-line learning algorithms, an Online Support Vector Classifier (OSVC) is thus proposed, which removes support vectors from the old model and assigns new training examples weighted according to their importance to accommodate the ever-changing experimental conditions. RESULTS We image three cell lines using fluorescent microscopy under different experiment conditions, including one treated with taxol. Then, we segment and classify the cell types into interphase, prophase, metaphase and anaphase. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed system in image segmentation and cell phase identification. AVAILABILITY The software and test datasets are available from the authors.
Novel Methodology Based on Thick Film Gas Sensors to Monitor the Hydraulic Oil Ageing

A new methodology for the real time monitoring of hydraulic oil aging based on the vapor analysis using metal oxide semiconductor (MOX) gas sensors has been successfully developed. A dedicated hydraulic test bench was designed and realized to age the oil under controlled condition. Gas chromatographic analyses were performed to detect oil volatile compounds (VOCs) and their concentrations at increasing oil working time. Moreover, a laboratory sensor system have been realized to test the headspace of the same samples. Both measurements highlighted a decrease of the VOCs concentrations.
Another Intermediate-Mass Black Hole in a Starburst Galaxy? The Luminous X-Ray Source in NGC 3628 Reappears

In a 52 ks long Chandra X-Ray Observatory ACIS-S observation of the nearby starburst galaxy NGC 3628, obtained to study the starburst-driven outflow from this galaxy, we have detected a very luminous (LX ≈ 1.1 × 1040 ergs s-1 in the 0.3-8.0 keV energy band) point source located at least 20'' (~970 pc) from the nucleus of the galaxy. No radio, optical, or near-IR counterpart to this source has been found. This is most probably the reappearance of the strongly variable X-ray luminous source discovered by Dahlem, Heckman, & Fabbiano, which faded by a factor of ≳27 between 1991 December and 1994 March (at which point it had faded below the detection limit in a ROSAT HRI observation). This source is clearly a member of an enigmatic class of X-ray sources that are considerably more luminous than conventional X-ray binaries but less luminous than active galactic nuclei and which are not found at the dynamical center of the host galaxy. The Chandra spectrum is best fitted by an absorbed power-law model with a photon index of Γ = 1.8 ± 0.2, similar to that seen in Galactic black hole binary candidates in their hard state. Bremsstrahlung models or multicolor disk models (the favored spectral model for objects in this class on the basis of ASCA observations) can provide statistically acceptable fits only if the data at energies E > 5 keV are ignored. This is one of the first X-ray spectra of such an object that is unambiguously that of the source alone, free from the spectral contamination by X-ray emission from the rest of the galaxy that affects previous spectral studies of these objects using ASCA.
Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Permeation Enhancers, Lipid Nanoparticles and Colloidal Silica on in vivo Human Skin Penetration of Quercetin

Background/Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate emulsions containing a penetration enhancer, lipid nanoparticles (LNs) or colloidal silica as systems to improve the topical delivery of the flavonoid quercetin. Methods: The skin penetration of quercetin was investigated in vivo on human volunteers by tape stripping. Quercetin-loaded LNs were prepared using hot high-pressure homogenization and characterized by means of dynamic light scattering and release studies. The location of the silica nanoparticles in the skin was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry assay of silicon in the stratum corneum strips. Results and Conclusions: The penetration enhancer diethylene glycol monoethyl ether did not produce any significant increase in the fraction of the applied quercetin dose permeated in vivo into human stratum corneum (17.1 ± 3.2%) compared to the control emulsion (18.1 ± 2.3%). A greater but statistically nonsignificant accumulation of the flavonoid in the human horny layer (21.2 ± 2.9% of the applied dose) was measured following topical application of quercetin-loaded LNs (mean particle size: 527 nm). On the other hand, the addition of colloidal silica (average particle diameter: 486 nm) to the emulsion (2%, w/w) significantly increased the in vivo uptake of quercetin by the human stratum corneum to 26.7 ± 4.1% of the applied dose, the enhancing effect on permeation being more marked in the deepest horny layer strips. The measured in vivo skin penetration profile of colloidal silica showed that silica particles diffused down to the intermediate region of the human horny layer and hence could act as carrier for quercetin.
Dependence of ferroelectric and magnetic properties on measuring temperatures for polycrystalline BiFeO3 films

A multiferroic BiFeO3 film was fabricated on a Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si(100) substrate by a chemical solution deposition (CSD) method, and this was followed by postdeposition annealing at 923 K for 10 min in air. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the formation of the polycrystalline single phase of the BiFeO3 film. A high remanent polarization of 89 muC/cm2 was observed at 90 K together with a relatively low electric coercive field of 0.32 MV/cm, although the ferroelectric hysteresis loops could not be observed at room temperature due to a high leakage current density. The temperature dependence of the ferroelectric hysteresis loops indicated that these hysteresis loops lose their shape above 165 K, and the nominal remanent polarization drastically increased due to the leakage current. Magnetic measurements indicated that the saturation magnetization was less than 1 emu/cm3 at room temperature and increased to approximately 2 emu/cm3 at 100 K, although the spontaneous magnetization could not appear. The magnetization curves of polycrystalline BiFeO3 film were nonlinear at both temperatures, which is different with BiFeO3 single crystal.
Preview : Published ahead of advance online publication Impact of lifestyle intervention for obese women during pregnancy on maternal metabolic and inflammatory markers

Background: Offspring of obese mothers have increased risk of developing obesity and related short and long-term disease. The cause is multifactorial and may partly be explained by the unfavorable intrauterine environment. Intervention during pregnancy leading to a healthier lifestyle among obese may alter this. Objective: To assess the effect of lifestyle intervention on markers of maternal metabolism and inflammation in “the TOP (Treatment of Obese Pregnant Women)-study”, a randomized controlled trial. Methods: In the TOP-study 425 participants with BMI≥30 kg/m 2 were randomized to intervention with dietary advices and physical activity assessed by pedometer (PA+D), physical activity assessed by pedometer (PA) or control (C). Of 389 participants completing the study 376 had available blood samples. Serum was analyzed for insulin, c-peptide, lipid profile, leptin, high sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), and Soluble urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR), in week 18-20 and 2830, and simultaneously a 2-hour oral glucose-tolerance-test was performed. Diet was assessed in gestational week 11-14 and 36-37 using a validated 360-item Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results: Median levels of hsCRP in gestational week 28-30 were lower in each of the intervention groups (8.3 mg/l in PA+D group, P=0.03; and 8.8 mg/l in PA group, P=0.02) versus the control group (11.5 mg/l). Obtaining 11.000 steps per day as aimed for resulted in a 21% lower hsCRP compared to non-compliant women. Women reporting high carbohydrate intake had around 30% higher hsCRP concentrations in late gestation than women reporting the lowest intake. There were © 2017 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved. 3 no differences in lipid profile or any of the metabolic markers in gestational week 28-30 when comparing the intervention and control groups. Conclusions: Lifestyle intervention in obese women can reduce hsCRP representing a marker of inflammation during pregnancy. The effect may partly be mediated by more physical activity and partly by changes in intake of carbohydrates and the glycaemic load.
Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation

Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) who would otherwise require dialysis. Patients with ESRD are at dramatically increased cardiovascular (CV) risk compared with the general population. As well as improving quality of life, successful transplantation accords major benefits by reducing CV risk in these patients. Worldwide, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death with a functioning graft and therefore is a leading cause of graft failure. This review focuses on the mechanisms underpinning excess CV morbidity and mortality and current evidence for improving CV risk in kidney transplant recipients. Conventional CV risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia and pre‐existing ischaemic heart disease are all highly prevalent in this group. In addition, kidney transplant recipients exhibit a number of risk factors associated with pre‐existing renal disease. Furthermore, complications specific to transplantation may ensue including reduced graft function, side effects of immunosuppression and post‐transplantation diabetes mellitus. Strategies to improve CV outcomes post‐transplantation may include pharmacological intervention including lipid‐lowering or antihypertensive therapy, optimization of graft function, lifestyle intervention and personalizing immunosuppression to the individual patients risk profile.
Derivation of a Screening Tool to Identify Patients with Right Ventricular Dysfunction or Tricuspid Regurgitation after Negative Computerized Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography of the Chest

Many dyspneic patients who undergo computerized tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for presumed acute pulmonary embolism (PE) have no identified cause for their dyspnea yet have persistent symptoms, leading to more CTPA scanning. Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction or overload can signal treatable causes of dyspnea. We report the rate of isolated RV dysfunction or overload after negative CTPA and derive a clinical decision rule (CDR). We performed secondary analysis of a multicenter study of diagnostic accuracy for PE. Inclusion required persistent dyspnea and no PE. Echocardiography was ordered at clinician discretion. A characterization of isolated RV dysfunction or overload required normal left ventricular function and RV hypokinesis, or estimated RV systolic pressure of at least 40 mmHg. The CDR was derived from bivariate analysis of 97 candidate variables, followed by multivariate logistic regression. Of 647 patients, 431 had no PE and persistent dyspnea, and 184 (43%) of these 431 had echocardiography ordered. Of these, 64 patients (35% [95% confidence interval (CI): 28%–42%]) had isolated RV dysfunction or overload, and these patients were significantly more likely to have a repeat CTPA within 90 days (P = .02, χ 2 test). From univariate analysis, 4 variables predicted isolated RV dysfunction: complete right bundle branch block, normal CTPA scan, active malignancy, and CTPA with infiltrate, the last negatively. Logistic regression found only normal CTPA scanning significant. The final rule (persistent dyspnea + normal CTPA scan) had a positive predictive value of 53% (95% CI: 37%–69%). We conclude that a simple CDR consisting of persistent dyspnea plus a normal CTPA scan predicts a high probability of isolated RV dysfunction or overload on echocardiography.