Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LASIK following Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) Lenticule Re-Implantation: A Feasibility Study of a Novel Method for Treatment of Presbyopia

Presbyopia remains a major visual impairment for patients, who have previously undergone laser refractive correction and enjoyed unaided distance vision prior to the onset of presbyopia. Corneal stromal volume restoration through small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) lenticule re-implantation presents an opportunity for restoring the patients’ non-dominant eye to previous low myopia to achieve a monovision. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of performing LASIK after lenticule re-implantation as a method to create presbyopic monovision. A -6.00D SMILE correction was performed in 9 rabbit eyes. The lenticules were cryopreserved for 14 days and re-implanted. Five weeks later, 3 of these eyes underwent LASIK for -5.00D correction (RL group); 3 underwent LASIK flap creation, which was not lifted (RN); and no further procedures were performed on the remaining 3 eyes. These groups were compared with 3 eyes that underwent standard LASIK for a -5.00D correction (LO); 3 that underwent creation of non-lifted flap (LN); and 3 non-operated eyes. Rabbits were euthanized 1 day post-surgery. Tissue responses were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, slit lamp and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). Intrastromal irregularities and elevated reflectivity levels of the excimer-ablated plane were observed on slit lamp and IVCM, respectively in the RL group. The results were comparable (P = 0.310) to IVCM findings in the LO group. RL and LO groups showed similar fibronectin expression levels, number of CD11b-positive cells (P = 0.304) and apoptotic cells (P = 0.198). There was no difference between the RN and LN groups in reflectivity levels (P = 0.627), fibronectin expression levels, CD11b-positive cells (P = 0.135) and apoptotic cells (P = 0.128). LASIK can be performed following lenticule re-implantation to create presbyopic monovision. The tissue responses elicited after performing LASIK on corneas that have undergone SMILE and subsequent lenticule re-implantation are similar to primary procedure.
Molecular replacement ± historical background

# 2001 International Union of Crystallography Printed in Denmark ± all rights reserved A review is given of the mathematical procedures required for a molecular-replacement structure determination. These apply equally to the more frequently encountered situations where a known homologous structure can be used as a search model and to phase determination in the presence of non-crystallographic symmetry (NCS). In general, the former represents improper NCS between two different unit cells, whereas the latter occurs when there is proper NCS within one unit cell. Received 7 February 2001 Accepted 6 June 2001
Probabilistic Text Retrieval for NTCIR9 GeoTime

For the NTCIR-9 Workshop UC Berkeley participated only in the GeoTime track. For our initial experiments we used only the Logistic Regression ranking with blind feedback approach that we also used in NTCIR-8. We participated in both English and Japanese monolingual and bilingual search tasks. For all Japanese topics we preprocessed the text using the ChaSen morphological analyzer for term segmentation. For these submitted runs we did not do any special purpose geographic or temporal processing. This brief paper describes the submitted runs and the methods used for them.
Managing the virtual collision in IEEE 802.11e EDCA

Abstract The IEEE 802.11e EDCA is the distributed channel access mechanism introduced by the Quality of Service amendment to the IEEE 802.11 standard. This mechanism introduces differentiation to the channel access. This led to the introduction of the principle of the virtual collision. We study, in this paper, the effect of the virtual collision management as presented by EDCA on its fairness among other properties. We give in this paper a new proposal of collision management for EDCA. The proposal is analyzed by means of a Markov Chain model of EDCA and its effects are discussed. The proposal reduces the unfairness of EDCA.
Do Wedge Issues Matter?: Examining Persuadable Voters and Base Mobilization in the 2004 Presidential Election

In the 2004 Presidential Election social and wedge issues were among the most publicized mobilization tools utilized by the Bush Campaign. Specifically, same-sex marriage has been suggested as a key wedge issue that may have mobilized voters, although research differs on its impact. My contention is that these previous studies miss the point with regard to wedge issues, which is that they are useful on persuadable voters, and persuadable voters live in swing states. I estimate a logit model using 2004 American National Election Studies survey data. I utilize voters‟ decisions to turn out as the dependent variable and control for respondents‟ positions on terrorism, the economy, same-sex marriage, political interest, party identification, and socioeconomic status. These findings demonstrate, consistent with my hypothesis, voters in swing same-sex marriage ballot measure states were more likely to turn out. These voters may not have been persuadable, but rather the Republican base. INDEX WORDS: Persuadable voters, Mobilization, Presidential elections, Base voters, Swing states, Swing voters, Same-sex marriage, Ballot measures, Wedge issues DO WEDGE ISSUE BALLOT MEASURES MATTER? : EXAMINING PERSUADABLE VOTERS AND BASE MOBILIZATION IN THE 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Integration of Chloroplast Nucleic Acid Metabolism into the Phosphate Deprivation Response in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii[OA]

Cell survival depends on the cell's ability to acclimate to phosphorus (P) limitation. We studied the chloroplast ribonuclease polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase), which consumes and generates phosphate, by comparing wild-type Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells with strains with reduced PNPase expression. In the wild type, chloroplast RNA (cpRNA) accumulates under P limitation, correlating with reduced PNPase expression. PNPase-deficient strains do not exhibit cpRNA variation under these conditions, suggesting that in the wild type PNPase limits cpRNA accumulation under P stress. PNPase levels appear to be mediated by the P response regulator PHOSPHORUS STARVATION RESPONSE1 (PSR1), because in psr1 mutant cells, cpRNA declines under P limitation and PNPase expression is not reduced. PNPase-deficient cells begin to lose viability after 24 h of P depletion, suggesting that PNPase is important for cellular acclimation. PNPase-deficient strains do not have enhanced sensitivity to other physiological or nutrient stresses, and their RNA and cell growth phenotypes are not observed under P stress with phosphite, a phosphate analog that blocks the stress signal. In contrast with RNA metabolism, chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) levels declined under P deprivation, suggesting that P mobilization occurs from DNA rather than RNA. This unusual phenomenon, which is phosphite- and PSR1-insensitive, may have evolved as a result of the polyploid nature of cpDNA and the requirement of P for cpRNA degradation by PNPase.
A validation tool for traffic signs recognition systems

During the last few years many Advanced Driver Assistant Systems have been developed and a larger number of new car models every year is going to be equipped with these systems. However the product/function scenario lacks of common evaluation methodologies and tools for testing and improving performances of these systems. In this paper a validation methodology and a tool for Traffic Sign Recognition Systems evaluation (TSRs) is described.
Fairness-based parameter selection in multi-modal biometric authentication

A multi-modal biometric authentication system based on iterative fusion operator trees is considered, where the per-user performance is also depending on the order of biometric feature evaluations. Therefore, each user would have its own optimal choice of order parameters of the biometric system. However, for a system approach there should be only one general parametrization of the whole biometric system for all users, and the necessary consequence are performance wins and losses for each user. The common approach for this purpose is to use the parameter setting that maximizes the average performance over users. However, this does not necessarily reflect a good balance of performance wins and losses. In order to gain more insight into the corresponding trade-offs, and to facilitate an effective selection of an order parameter, the concept of fairness relations and their maximality, which has become a recent topic of many investigations in communication network resource sharing tasks, is applied to this problem of multi-modal biometric systems. The central idea of the paper is that by applying fairness relation to select the parameters, we obtain a system where subjects have a more fair chance of being right authenticated. A comparative study of an experimental test data set shows that maxmin fairness gives solutions with major drawbacks for the majority of users, while proportional fairness comes close to the maximum average.
Upregulated insulin secretion in insulin-resistant mice: evidence of increased islet GLP1 receptor levels and GPR119-activated GLP1 secretion

We previously demonstrated that the overall incretin effect and the β-cell responsiveness to glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) are increased in insulin-resistant mice and may contribute to the upregulated β-cell function. Now we examined whether this could, first, be explained by increased islet GLP1 receptor (GLP1R) protein levels and, secondly, be leveraged by G-protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) activation, which stimulates GLP1 secretion. Female C57BL/6J mice, fed a control (CD, 10% fat) or high-fat (HFD, 60% fat) diet for 8 weeks, were anesthetized and orally given a GPR119 receptor agonist (GSK706A; 10 mg/kg) or vehicle, followed after 10 min with gavage with a liquid mixed meal (0.285 kcal). Blood was sampled for determination of glucose, insulin, intact GLP1, and glucagon, and islets were isolated for studies on insulin and glucagon secretion and GLP1R protein levels. In HFD vs CD mice, GPR119 activation augmented the meal-induced increase in the release of both GLP1 (AUCGLP1 81±9.6 vs 37±6.9 pM×min, P=0.002) and insulin (AUCINS 253±29 vs 112±19 nM×min, P<0.001). GPR119 activation also significantly increased glucagon levels in both groups (P<0.01) with, however, no difference between the groups. By contrast, GPR119 activation did not affect islet hormone secretion from isolated islets. Glucose elimination after meal ingestion was significantly increased by GPR119 activation in HFD mice (0.57±0.04 vs 0.43±0.03% per min, P=0.014) but not in control mice. Islet GLP1R protein levels was higher in HFD vs CD mice (0.8±0.1 vs 0.5±0.1, P=0.035). In conclusion, insulin-resistant mice display increased islet GLP1R protein levels and augmented meal-induced GLP1 and insulin responses to GPR119 activation, which results in increased glucose elimination. We suggest that the increased islet GLP1R protein levels together with the increased GLP1 release may contribute to the upregulated β-cell function in insulin resistance.
An experimental system for robotic heart surgery

In this paper we present an application of robotic systems in minimally invasive surgery. We have assembled a bi-manual telemanipulator capable of delicate operations. Each robotic arm has eight degrees of freedom which enables free manipulation via trocar kinematics. In addition minimally invasive instruments were equipped with strain gauge force sensors that can measure forces along three translational directions of the instrument's shaft. Forces are displayed to the user by means of two haptic devices which are also used for input. An endoscopic stereo-camera provides pictures from the region of operation to the user. In order to emulate a stereoscopic impression, pictures can be displayed by means of either a head mounted display, a CRT-screen equipped with shutter technology or a 3D video projection. With this system we have assessed the quality of force feedback and we have performed typical operations known from cardiac surgery. We also have shown that it is possible to perform certain recurrent tasks (like knot tying) automatically. Within this context we have implemented two application examples. In the first example a surgical knot is recorded and afterwards replayed with increased speed at the same position. The second example is the instantiation of a predefined knot at an arbitrary position.
A GPU-based parallel algorithm for time series pattern mining

Mining of time series pattern is an important research area, of which getting LCSS(Longest Common Subsequence) between high-dimensional time series is one of the most important issues. Large scale data needs to be handled in practical applications, so the research of efficient retrieval method is becoming a realistic work. Based on the issues above, we propose an efficient parallel algorithm to get LCSS between time series with the help of GPU (Graphics Processor Unit). On that basis, propose a parallel limit least matching rate LCSS algorithm (Parallel-Limited-LCSS), and optimize the retrieve parts of the algorithm with the help of inverted index structure, so as to enhance the efficiency of the algorithm. Experiments show that our algorithm has excellent speed and accuracy, and can be applied to the field of data mining widely.
Paternal Self-Efficacy: A Parenting Resilience Factor for Fathers Paternal Self-Efficacy: A Parenting Resilience Factor for Fathers with Depression with Depression

Parental depression has a negative e ﬀ ect on child development including mental and physical health, language and development, and externalizing and internalizing behavior. This quantitative research study examined the relationship between paternal self-e ﬃ cacy (PSE) and parenting behaviors often associated with paternal depression. Data from the Survey of Contemporary Fathers were used and responses from self-identi ﬁ ed fathers ( n = 1,156) on paternal involvement, warmth, harsh parenting practices, and parenting self-e ﬃ cacy were analyzed to assess the association between depression and PSE on fathering behavior. Ordinary least squares regression analysis indicated that depression was associated with harsh parenting and parenting warmth, while parenting self-e ﬃ cacy was associated with warmth. PSE moderated the relationship between depression and warmth, indicating a potential resilience factor for neglectful parenting practices in fathers who are depressed. Parenting self-e ﬃ cacy did not moderate the relationship between depression and harsh parenting, indicating that it may serve well as a resilience factor for fathers with low engagement rather than for fathers with high negativity.
Protein Disordered Region Prediction by SVM with Post-Processing

In proteomics, a proteinpsilas function is always strongly related to its structure. But, while some parts of a protein have a fixed definite structure, such as alpha-helix, beta-sheet, or coil, other parts are not associated with well-defined conformations. Previously, these so-called disordered regions were not thought to have a specific function of their own. But, recent studies suggest that some disordered regions may have important signaling or regulatory functions. In addition, some critical diseases are strongly related to these disordered regions. Hence, prediction of these disordered regions is essential. In this paper, we try to use the support vector machine (SVM) to predict the disordered regions. Furthermore, this paper emphasizes post processing of the SVM prediction results. Two post-processing algorithms are introduced. These algorithms are used to smooth the primary results by SVM. Different from other studies, these smoothing steps are related to the neighborspsila distance to the candidate node. The results show that these algorithms can improve the prediction accuracy further by 1%.
Precision Robot Calibration Using Kinematically Placed Inclinometers

In the field of industrial robotics, many different calibration methods exist to reduce error in the robot system. Locating the manipulator home position is a common calibration technique, which can be divided into three main categories — relative, optimal and leveling based methods. The home position of an industrial manipulator is a position where all joint angles have a pre-defined value (e.g. zero or 90 degrees), which can be transformed into Cartesian space via the robot kinematics. Large industrial manipulators, with a working range in the order of several meters, require an accurately defined home position that can be restored with repeatability in the order of 0.2mm in Cartesian space or 0.01 degrees in Joint space.
Values for Information System Security in an Academic Environment: A Pilot Study

In this paper we present a process of identifying individual and organizational values within an academic environment. These values have been identified by using Value Sensitive Approach (VSA) in the area of Information System Security (ISS). VSA is a methodological framework for identifying organizational and individual values. We believe that ISS objectives and ISS strategy suitable for each specific type of organization can be decided by eliciting these values. The study resulted in a number of value areas related to university general issues (UGV) and ISS issues important within an academic environment. The UGV and the ISS values can be further analyzed and transformed into ISS objectives suitable within an academic environment. Furthermore the identified values should be considered when ISS strategy to achieve those objectives is decided. Results presented in this paper will contribute to the ongoing research efforts to view security problems from a more holistic, socio-organizational perspective
Primordial black holes in braneworld cosmologies: Formation, cosmological evolution, and evaporation

We consider the population evolution and evaporation of primordial black holes in the simplest braneworld cosmology, Randall-Sundrum type II. We demonstrate that black holes forming during the high-energy phase of this theory (where the expansion rate is proportional to the density) have a modified evaporation law, resulting in a longer lifetime and lower temperature at evaporation, while those forming in the standard regime behave essentially as in the standard cosmology. For sufficiently large values of the AdS radius, the high-energy regime can be the one relevant for primordial black holes evaporating at key epochs such as nucleosynthesis and the present. We examine the formation epochs of such black holes, and delimit the parameter regimes where the standard scenario is significantly modified. Comment: 9 pages RevTeX4 file with four figures incorporated, minor changes to match published version
An ANFIS-PI based boost converter control scheme

The PI algorithm has proven to be a popular and widely used control method, due to its relative simplicity and robustness. Despite this, the linear nature of the algorithm means it doesn't provide optimal control to non-linear systems. This paper presents a novel method of improving the performance of the PI controller using an ANFIS network to provide gain scheduling. This control scheme is applied to a Boost Converter circuit and simulated within the PSIM modelling environment. The simulation results indicate that using the ANFIS controller provides a fast system response with minimal errors even under dynamic operating conditions. The ANFIS controller is also shown to simplify the design flow in comparison to the popular Fuzzy-PI gain scheduling method.
The Political Economy of East Asia at a Time of Crisis

The economic and political dislocation that began to engulf East Asia in the latter part of 1997 may prove to be one of the defining events of the post-Cold War era. At the very least, it dramatically illustrated the way an increasingly internationalized and inter-linked global economy operates, and the impact associated flows of financial capital can have not just on individual nation states, but on entire regions. In the longer term, the crisis and the attempts of institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to manage it, may presage a more enduring struggle to define the rules that govern the global economy - an issue of particular significance given the IMF's close links with the United States and an Anglo-American agenda of market-oriented reform. To understand why the sorts of reforms proposed by inter-governmental agencies like the IMF were so deeply political and potentially destabilizing, it is helpful to look at East Asia before the crisis. By examining the distinctive way in which capitalism developed in East Asia it is possible to see both why its reform was considered to be so desirable by many outsiders, and why it has proved so problematic. Consequently, I initially examine the East Asian patterns of capitalist organisation, particularly the Japanese and Chinese variants, before considering the styles of policymaking that characterize government-business relations in much of East Asia. I illustrate the importance of these relations in the Malaysian case. Finally, I look at East Asia in the context of an increasingly inter-linked global economy. The central argument I develop here is that the crisis not only highlighted fundamental differences between East Asian and Anglo-American variants of capitalism, but presented a possibly unique opportunity for the Anglo-American nations to force the adoption of neoliberal policies in a region which has hitherto shown little enthusiasm for them.
Energy transition dynamics: Does participatory modelling contribute to alignment among differing future world views?

A large international classification, assurance, and advisory services company provides for an energy microcosm where two opposing energy camps project initiated were assumed to be present. This research applies a case study design to analyse the contribution of participatory modelling to align differing views of energy futures. The modelling process as an intervention in a pretest and posttest setting is outlined. The hypothesis that the organization contained differing world views among respectively renewable and Oil & Gas professionals was however only marginally supported. Similarly, a survey showed no effect of the modelling intervention. We discuss the role of modelling at societal and organizational levels and indicate that even if the modelling effort includes dozens of participants and frequent workshops, if the model effort is minor and marginal to the transformational issue, one cannot expect participatory modelling to contribute strongly to alignment to a new direction. We also argue that there might be limits to positive findings of impacts of participatory modelling efforts if the issues are of high complexity. Finally, we find that the potential self‐confirming bias of participatory modelling accounts argues for expanding measuring effects to encompass also those organizational members outside the core participants teams.