Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Example-Based Subspace Stress Analysis for Interactive Shape Design

Stress analysis is a crucial tool for designing structurally sound shapes. However, the expensive computational cost has hampered its use in interactive shape editing tasks. We augment the existing example-based shape editing tools, and propose a fast subspace stress analysis method to enable <italic>stress-aware</italic> shape editing. In particular, we construct a reduced stress basis from a small set of shape exemplars and possible external forces. This stress basis is automatically adapted to the current user edited shape on the fly, and thereby offers reliable stress estimation. We then introduce a new finite element discretization scheme to use the reduced basis for fast stress analysis. Our method runs up to two orders of magnitude faster than the full-space finite element analysis, with average <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_2$</tex-math><alternatives><inline-graphic xlink:href="chen-ieq1-2618875.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> estimation errors less than 2 percent and maximum <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_2$</tex-math><alternatives><inline-graphic xlink:href="chen-ieq2-2618875.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> errors less than 6 percent. Furthermore, we build an interactive stress-aware shape editing tool to demonstrate its performance in practice.
Supporting disaster reconnaissance with social media data: A design-oriented case study of the 2013 Colorado floods

Engineering reconnaissance following an extreme event is critical in identifying the causes of infrastructure failure and minimizing such consequences in similar future events. Typically, however, much of the data about infrastructure performance and the progression of geological phenomena are lost during the event or soon after as efforts move to the recovery phase. A better methodology for reliable and rapid collection of perishable hazards data will enhance scientific inquiry and accelerate the building of disaster-resilient cities. In this paper, we explore ways to support post-event reconnaissance through the strategic collection and reuse of social media data and other remote sources of information, in response to the September 2013 flooding in Colorado. We show how tweets, particularly with postings of visual data and references to location, may be used to directly support geotechnical experts by helping to digitally survey the affected region and to navigate optimal paths through the physical space in preparation for direct observation.
The current approach to the diagnosis of vascular anomalies of the head and neck: A pictorial essay

Throughout the years, various classifications have evolved for the diagnosis of vascular anomalies. However, it remains difficult to classify a number of such lesions. Because all hemangiomas were previously considered to involute, if a lesion with imaging and clinical characteristics of hemangioma does not involute, then there is no subclass in which to classify such a lesion, as reported in one of our cases. The recent classification proposed by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA, 2014) has solved this problem by including non-involuting and partially involuting hemangioma in the classification. We present here five cases of vascular anomalies and discuss their diagnosis in accordance with the ISSVA (2014) classification. A non-involuting lesion should not always be diagnosed as a vascular malformation. A non-involuting lesion can be either a hemangioma or a vascular malformation depending upon its clinicopathologic and imaging characteristics.
Randomized 3D Geographic Routing

We reconsider the problem of geographic routing in wireless ad hoc networks. We are interested in local, memoryless routing algorithms, i.e. each network node bases its routing decision solely on its local view of the network, nodes do not store any message state, and the message itself can only carry information about O(1) nodes. In geographic routing schemes, each network node is assumed to know the coordinates of itself and all adjacent nodes, and each message carries the coordinates of its target. Whereas many of the aspects of geographic routing have already been solved for 2D networks, little is known about higher-dimensional networks. It has been shown only recently that there is in fact no local memoryless routing algorithm for 3D networks that delivers messages deterministically. In this paper, we show that a cubic routing stretch constitutes a lower bound for any local memoryless routing algorithm, and propose and analyze several randomized geographic routing algorithms which work well for 3D network topologies. For unit ball graphs, we present a technique to locally capture the surface of holes in the network, which leads to 3D routing algorithms similar to the greedy-face-greedy approach for 2D networks.
A rhodopsin gene mutation responsible for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa results in a protein that is defective in localization to the photoreceptor outer segment

Over 45 mutations in the rhodopsin gene have been identified in patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, including a cluster near the extreme carboxy-terminus, a region of the protein for which no function has yet been assigned. To elucidate the biochemical defect(s) in this group of mutants, we have studied a naturally occurring stop codon mutation that removes the last five amino acids of rhodopsin (Q344ter). When produced in transfected tissue culture cells, the mutant protein is indistinguishable from the wild type in light- dependent activation of the photoreceptor G-protein (transducin), and in serving as a light-dependent substrate for rhodopskin kinase. Mice that express a Q344ter transgene in rod photoreceptors show nearly normal light responses as determined by suction electrode recordings of the membrane current from single rod outer segments; the main difference between transgenic and nontransgenic responses is a 15% longer time-to-peak in the response of transgenic rods. In the Q344ter transgenic retina, direct immunofluorescent staining with antibodies specific for either wild-type or Q344ter rhodopsin shows abnormal accumulation of the Q344ter, but not the endogenous rhodopsin, in the plasma membrane of the photoreceptor cell body. These data indicate that rhodopsin's carboxy-terminus is required for efficient transportation to or retention in the outer segment.
Differentiation of Dominant Versus Subordinate Follicles in Cattle1

Abstract Selection of a dominant follicle, capable of ovulating, from among a cohort of similarly sized follicles is a critical transition in follicular development. The mechanisms that regulate the selection of a species-specific number of dominant follicles for ovulation are not well understood. Cattle provide a very useful animal model for studies on follicular selection and dominance. During the bovine estrous cycle, two or three sequential waves of follicular development occur, each producing a dominant follicle capable of ovulating if luteal regression occurs. Follicles are large enough to allow analysis of multiple endpoints within a single follicle, and follicular development and regression can be followed via ultrasonographic imaging. Characteristics of recruited and selected follicles, obtained at various times during the first follicular wave, have been determined in some studies, whereas dominant and subordinate follicles have been compared around the time of selection in others. As follicular recruitment proceeds, mRNA for P450 aromatase increases. By the time of morphological selection, the dominant follicle has much higher concentrations of estradiol in follicular fluid, and its granulosa cells produce more estradiol in vitro than cells from subordinate follicles. Shortly after selection, dominant follicles have higher levels of mRNAs for gonadotropin receptors and steroidogenic enzymes. It has been hypothesized that granulosa cells of the selected follicle acquire LH receptors (LHr) to allow them to increase aromatization in response to LH, as well as FSH. However, LH does not appear to stimulate estradiol production by bovine granulosa cells, and the role of LHr acquisition remains to be determined. Recent evidence suggests a key role for changes in the intrafollicular insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in selection of the dominant follicle. When follicular fluid was sampled in vivo before morphological selection, the lowest concentration of IGF binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) was more predictive of future dominance than size or estradiol concentration. Consistent with this finding, dominant follicles acquire an FSH-induced IGFBP-4 protease activity. Thus, a decrease in IGFBP-4, which would make more IGF available to interact with its receptors and synergize with FSH to promote follicular growth and aromatization, appears to be a critical determinant of follicular selection for dominance.
Peer Influence on Adolescent Alcohol Use: The Moderating Role of Parental Support and Discipline

This study tested the moderating effects of parental social support and consistency of discipline on the relation between adolescents' affiliation with drug-use promoting peers and their subsequent alcohol use. Participants were a subsample (n = 300) of 454 children of alcoholics and matched community controls (ages 101/2-151/2 years). Results indicated that mothers' and fathers' social support and consistency of discipline buffered the effects of peer group affiliation on girls' alcohol use; however, both variables exacerbated peer effects on boys' alcohol use. For girls, results are consistent with the notion that parenting behaviors can serve as protective factors by promoting qualities that serve to resist peer group pressure. For boys, increases in support and discipline behaviors may be interpreted as threats to autonomy.
The Security of SARG04 Protocol in Plug and Play Quantum Key Distribution system with an Untrusted Source

The SARG04 protocol is one of the most frequently used protocol in commercial plug-and-play quantum key distribution (QKD) system, where an eavesdropper can completely control or change the photon number statistics of the QKD source. To ensure the security of SARG04 protocol in plug-and-play QKD system with an unknown and untrusted source, the bounds of a few statistical parameters of the source need to be monitored. An active or a passive source monitor schemes are proposed to verify these parameters. Furthermore, the practical issues due to statistical fluctuation and detection noise in the source monitoring process are quantitatively analyzed. Our simulation results show that the passive scheme can be efficiently applied to plug-and-play system with SARG04 protocol.
When the “Amen Corner” Comes to Class: An Examination of the Pedagogical and Cultural Impact of Call–Response Communication in the Black College Classroom

This research sought to examine the communicative impact of the Black English speech pattern, known as call–response, on African Americans within an educational environment. An ethnographic study of an Historically Black College and University (HBCU) classroom was conducted to ascertain the pedagogical and cultural meanings this speech event held for an African American instructor and her African American students. Detailed fieldnotes, videotapes of classroom interactions, participant observation, and in-depth interviews comprised the primary means of data collection for this study. Results of the study indicate that call–response did occur in the university classroom. Particularly, the study yielded data which revealed that call–response is initiated in the classroom through a variety of speaker techniques which are interpreted by the class members as “calls. ” It was also found that the performance of Black speech acts in the classroom did not serve as a detriment to students, but that by engaging in call–response, the students and the instructor together forwarded deeply embedded African American cultural values of sharing and uniqueness.
960 Gb/s Optical Backplane Ecosystem Using Embedded Polymer Waveguides and Demonstration in a 12G SAS Storage Array

An optical backplane ecosystem is described and demonstrated that is capable of multi-Tb/s bandwidth and is based on embedded polymer waveguides, passive optical backplane connectors, and midboard optical transceivers with bandwidth up to 28 Gb/s per lane. These systems provide the highest bandwidth-density, lowest power consumption, while maintaining the signal integrity. Ecosystems built around this architecture will provide the bandwidth-density required for next generation fabric interconnect for storage, switching, and routing applications in future high capacity generations of Data Centers and HPC systems. To demonstrate the applicability of this technology, it was used to provide embedded optical connectivity within a functional data storage enclosure.
How do users select stereoscopic 3D content?

A large number of research has looked into the three dimensional (3D) related technology especially in 3D content capture, production, compression, and delivery. However, few research has addressed the design practice of interaction techniques for stereoscopic 3D video interaction. This paper presents a study of object selection in 3D from users' perspective. The aim is to learn the user preferences and user behaviour of selecting stereoscopic 3D content. The study suggests that interaction techniques affects users' decision of object selection in terms of chosen location in 3D, while user attitudes do not have significant impact. Furthermore, the ray-casting based interaction using Wiimote can outper-form the volume-based interaction technique using the mouse and keyboard for object selection accuracy.
Physical biology of human brain development

Neurodevelopment is a complex, dynamic process that involves a precisely orchestrated sequence of genetic, environmental, biochemical, and physical events. Developmental biology and genetics have shaped our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms during neurodevelopment. Recent studies suggest that physical forces play a central role in translating these cellular mechanisms into the complex surface morphology of the human brain. However, the precise impact of neuronal differentiation, migration, and connection on the physical forces during cortical folding remains unknown. Here we review the cellular mechanisms of neurodevelopment with a view toward surface morphogenesis, pattern selection, and evolution of shape. We revisit cortical folding as the instability problem of constrained differential growth in a multi-layered system. To identify the contributing factors of differential growth, we map out the timeline of neurodevelopment in humans and highlight the cellular events associated with extreme radial and tangential expansion. We demonstrate how computational modeling of differential growth can bridge the scales–from phenomena on the cellular level toward form and function on the organ level–to make quantitative, personalized predictions. Physics-based models can quantify cortical stresses, identify critical folding conditions, rationalize pattern selection, and predict gyral wavelengths and gyrification indices. We illustrate that physical forces can explain cortical malformations as emergent properties of developmental disorders. Combining biology and physics holds promise to advance our understanding of human brain development and enable early diagnostics of cortical malformations with the ultimate goal to improve treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders including epilepsy, autism spectrum disorders, and schizophrenia.
An auditory model for robust speech recognition

Performance of automatic speech recognition system drops dramatically in the presence of background noise unlike the human auditory system which is more adept at noisy speech recognition. This paper proposes a novel auditory modelling algorithm which is integrated with a feature extraction front-end. The proposed algorithm simulates properties of the human auditory system and applies it to the speech recognition system to enhance its robustness. It integrates simultaneous masking, forward masking and temporal integration effects into traditional mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC) feature extraction algorithm for robust speech recognition. The proposed method sharpens the power spectrum of the signal in both the frequency domain and the time domain. Experiments carried out on AURORA2 database show that the word recognition rate using our proposed feature extraction method has been effectively increased.
A Distributed Cognition Perspective on Newcomers' Change Processes: The Management of Cognitive Uncertainty in Two Investment Banks

This paper examines newcomers' cognitive change processes in two investment banks during their socialization. A two-year ethnographic study examines how the two banks managed the duration of junior bankers' cognitive uncertainty differently, which resulted in distinct forms of individual cognitive change and cognition at the organizational level. Red Bank reduced cognitive uncertainty such that bankers experienced it as transient. It conveyed abstract concepts so that bankers could solve problems independently using deduction. This created an individual-centric organizational cognition. To highlight situational uniqueness, Amp Bank amplified cognitive uncertainty such that bankers experienced it as persistent. This created a collective-centric organizational cognition: because demands exceeded individuals' cognitive capacity, bankers used organizational resources to solve problems inductively. A grounded theory depicts the mutual constitution of individual and organizational cognition, including the relation of these levels over time and how the same individual cognitive process operates differently in a different organizational cognitive context. It uses a distributed cognition framework to contribute to theory development on how cognition becomes diversified and specialized in organizations.
The impact of eyeglasses on the academic performance of primary school students: Evidence from a randomized trial in rural china

About 10% of primary school students in developing countries have poor vision, yet in virtually all of these countries very few children wear glasses. There has been almost no research on the impact of poor vision on school performance in developing countries, and simple OLS estimates are likely to be biased because students who study more often are likely to develop poor vision faster. This paper presents results from the first year of a randomized trial in Western China that began in the summer of 2004. The trial involves over 19,000 students in 165 schools in two counties of Gansu province. The schools were randomly divided (at the township level) into 103 schools that received eyeglasses (for students in grades 3-5) and 62 schools that served as controls. The results from the first year indicate that, after one year, provision of eyeglasses increased test scores by 0.15 to 0.30 standard deviations (of the distribution of the test scores).
Cementum‐Forming Cells Are Phenotypically Distinct from Bone‐Forming Cells

Normal human cementum‐derived cells (HCDCs), expanded in vitro, formed mineralized matrix when attached to a ceramic carrier and transplanted subcutaneously into immunodeficient mice. The mineralized matrix elaborated by transplanted HCDC exhibited several features identical to cementum in situ and was significantly different from bone deposited by similarly transplanted human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). No bone marrow formation and very few or no tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)‐positive cells (osteoclasts and osteoclastic precursors) were found in HCDC transplants. In contrast, in BMSC transplants both hematopoiesis and TRAP‐positive cells were routinely observed. Furthermore, compared with BMSC‐derived matrix, HCDC‐derived matrix was less cellular, numerous empty lacunae were present, and fewer cells were found on the cementum matrix/ceramic carrier interface. The organization of collagen fibers in HCDC‐derived matrix, as visualized by using the Picrosirus red staining method, was similar to cementum, with typical unorganized bundles of collagen fibers. In contrast, bone matrix elaborated by transplanted BMSC had lamellar structure, identical to mature bone in situ. Finally, cementocytes embedded in the cementum‐like matrix were immunopositive for fibromodulin and lumican, whereas osteocytes within the bonelike matrix were negative. This pattern is consistent with the cementum and bone in situ, respectively. These results indicate that human cementum cells are phenotypically distinct from bone cells and provide further validation of the combined in vitro/in vivo model of human cementogenesis recently developed in our laboratory.
P58 molecules as putative receptors for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules in human natural killer (NK) cells. Anti-p58 antibodies reconstitute lysis of MHC class I-protected cells in NK clones displaying different specificities

Human CD3-16+56+ natural killer (NK) cells have been shown to display a clonally distributed ability to recognize major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I alleles. Opposite to T lymphocytes, in NK cells, specific recognition of MHC class I molecules appears to induce inhibition of cytolytic activity and, thus, to protect target cells. Since a precise correlation has been established between the expression of the NK-specific GL183 and EB6 surface molecules (belonging to the novel p58 molecular family) and the specificity of NK clones, we analyzed whether p58 molecules could function as receptors for MHC in human NK cells. NK clones displaying the previously defined "specificity 2" and characterized by the GL183+EB6+ phenotype, specifically recognize the Cw3 allele and thus fail to lyse the Fc gamma R+ P815 target cells transfected with Cw3. On the other hand, NK clones displaying "specificity 1" and expressing the GL183-EB6+ phenotype failed to lyse Cw4+ target cells. Addition of the F(ab')2 fragments of either GL183 or EB6 mAb as well as the XA141 mAb of IgM isotype (specific for the EB6 molecules) completely restored the lysis of Cw3-transfected P815 cells by the Cw3-specific NK clones EX2 and EX4. Similarly, both the entire EB6 mAb, its F(ab')2 fragment and the XA141 mAb reconstituted the lysis of C1R, a Fc gamma R- target cell expressing Cw4 as the only serologically detected class I antigen. Thus, it appears that masking of different members of p58 molecules prevents recognition of "protective" MHC class I alleles and thus the delivering of inhibitory signals. Further support to the concept that p58 molecules represent a NK receptor delivering a negative signal was provided by experiments in which the entire anti-p58 mAbs (of IgG isotype) could inhibit the lysis of unprotected Fc gamma R+ P815 target cells, thus mimicking the inhibitory effect of MHC class I molecules.