Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accurate shape-based 6-DoF pose estimation of single-colored objects

The problem of accurate 6-DoF pose estimation of 3D objects based on their shape has so far been solved only for specific object geometries. Edge-based recognition and tracking methods rely on the extraction of straight line segments or other primitives. Straight-forward extensions of 2D approaches are potentially more general, but assume a limited range of possible view angles. The general problem is that a 3D object can potentially produce completely different 2D projections depending on the view angle. One way to tackle this problem is to use canonical views. However, accurate shape-based 6-DoF pose estimation requires more information than matching of canonical views can provide. In this paper, we present a novel approach to 6-DoF pose estimation of single-colored objects based on their shape. Our approach combines stereo triangulation with matching against a high-resolution view set of the object, each view having associated orientation information. The errors that arise from separating the position and orientation computation in first place are corrected by a subsequent correction procedure based on online 3D model projection. The proposed approach can estimate the pose of a single object within 20 ms using conventional hardware.
Dependability Evaluation and the Optimization of Performability

A new performance and performability modeling tool is introduced in this paper. PENE-LOPE is the rst tool which incorporates evaluation and optimization algorithms. It is the result of a combination between the performability modeling concept and Markov decision theory. Diierent algorithms are adopted and included in the tool under the unifying paradigm of reconngurability as the basis for adaptation and optimization. In addition to transient and steady-state performability measures, also transient and stationary control functions can be computed and graphically presented. Model speciication and speciication of transient or stationary control functions can be separately performed and deliberately combined with each other. Besides providing a new modeling paradigm, the tool supports model creation, experimentation , storage and presentation of results by means of an easily usable interface and an integrated model data base system.
Kinetic regulation of coated vesicle secretion

The secretion of vesicles for intracellular transport often relies on the aggregation of specialized membrane-bound proteins into a coat able to curve cell membranes. The nucleation and growth of a protein coat is a kinetic process that competes with the energy-consuming turnover of coat components between the membrane and the cytosol. We propose a generic kinetic description of coat assembly and the formation of coated vesicles and discuss its implication to the dynamics of COP vesicles that traffic within the Golgi and with the endoplasmic reticulum. We show that stationary coats of fixed area emerge from the competition between coat growth and the recycling of coat components, in a fashion resembling the treadmilling of cytoskeletal filaments. We further show that the turnover of coat components allows for a highly sensitive switching mechanism between a quiescent and a vesicle producing membrane, upon a slowing down of the exchange kinetics. We claim that the existence of this switching behavior, also triggered by factors, such as the presence of cargo and variation of the membrane mechanical tension, allows for efficient regulation of vesicle secretion. We propose a model, supported by different experimental observations, in which vesiculation of secretory membranes is impaired by the energy-consuming desorption of coat proteins, until the presence of cargo or other factors triggers a dynamical switch into a vesicle producing state.
Smoking, Mental Illness, and Public Health

Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death worldwide. In particular, people with mental illness are disproportionately affected with high smoking prevalence; they account for more than 200,000 of the 520,000 tobacco-attributable deaths in the United States annually and die on average 25 years prematurely. Our review aims to provide an update on smoking in the mentally ill. We review the determinants of tobacco use among smokers with mental illness, presented with regard to the public health HAVE framework of “the host” (e.g., tobacco user characteristics), the “agent” (e.g., nicotine product characteristics), the “vector” (e.g., tobacco industry), and the “environment” (e.g., smoking policies). Furthermore, we identify the significant health harms incurred and opportunities for prevention and intervention within a health care systems and larger health policy perspective. A comprehensive effort is warranted to achieve equity toward the 2025 Healthy People goal of reducing US adult tobacco use to 12%, with attention to all subgroups, including smokers with mental illness.
HPEQ A Hierarchical Periodic, Event-driven and Query-based Wireless Sensor Network Protocol

Applications that require fine-grain monitoring of physical environments subjected to critical conditions, such as fire, leaking of toxic gases and explosions, pose a great challenge to sensor network protocols. These networks have to provide a fast, reliable, fault tolerant and energy aware channel for events diffusion, which meets the requirements of query-based, event-driven and periodic sensor networks application scenarios. These requirements have to be met even in the presence of emergency conditions that can lead to node failures and path disruption to the sink. This paper presents HPEQ (hierarchical periodic, event-driven and query-based), a cluster-based routing protocol that groups sensor nodes to efficiently relay the sensed data to the sink. In HPEQ protocol nodes with more residual energy are selected as aggregator nodes that relay data to the sink by uniformly distributing energy dissipation among the nodes, and reducing latency and network data traffic. HPEQ is based on a previous protocol, PEQ, that meets sensor networks requirements for critical conditions surveillance applications. HPEQ uses the publish/subscribe paradigm to disseminate requests across the network. The algorithm was implemented using NS-2 simulator and compared to PEQ and to the directed diffusion paradigm. Important metrics were evaluated showing that the proposed algorithm can be a potential solution to meet constraints and requirements of events delivery in critical conditions monitoring applications
The Signature of a Wind Reverse Shock in Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglows

Explosions of massive stars are believed to be the source of a significant fraction of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). If this is indeed the case, then the explosion blast wave propagates into a complex density structure, composed of a stellar wind bounded by two shock waves—a wind reverse shock and a forward shock. As the explosion blast wave reaches R0, the radius of the wind reverse shock, it splits into two shock waves—a reverse and a forward shock wave. We show that the reverse shock thus produced is not strong; therefore, full analytical treatment is required in calculating its properties. We calculate the dynamics of the flow and the evolution of the blast waves in all of the different stages. We show that the fluid Lorentz factor at r > R0 is equal to 0.725 times the blast wave Lorentz factor as it reaches R0 and is time (and r) independent as long as the blast wave reverse shock exists. Following the calculation of the blast wave evolution, we calculate the radiation expected in different energy bands. We show that about a day after the main explosion, as the blast wave reaches R0, the observed afterglow flux starts to rise. It rises by a factor of about 2 in a few hours, during which the blast wave reverse shock exists, and then declines. We show that the power-law index describing the light-curve time evolution is different at early (before the rise) and late times and is frequency dependent. We present light curves in the different energy bands for this scenario.
Handbook of Microlithography, Micromachining, and Microfabrication, Volume 2: Micromachining and Microfabrication

PDF : Handbook Of Microlithography, Micromachining, And Microfabrication. Volume 2: Micromachining And Microfabrication (SPIE PRESS Monograph Vol. PM40) (Spie Press Monograph, Pm39-Pm40) Doc : Handbook Of Microlithography, Micromachining, And Microfabrication. Volume 2: Micromachining And Microfabrication (SPIE PRESS Monograph Vol. PM40) (Spie Press Monograph, Pm39-Pm40) ePub : Handbook Of Microlithography, Micromachining, And Microfabrication. Volume 2: Micromachining And Microfabrication (SPIE PRESS Monograph Vol. PM40) (Spie Press Monograph, Pm39-Pm40)
Skin stretch feedback for gaming environments

This paper presents the design and development of handheld gaming devices that provide a new form of touch feedback: skin stretch feedback. Our prior work showed 1-1.5 mm of skin stretch applied to the fingertips (or thumb tips) could provide direction cues with high accuracy. The direction of each cue corresponded to the direction of applied skin stretch. Haptic feedback via tactile skin stretch can be used to provide tactile gaming effects and directional information through the same interface used for game inputs. Tests conducted with devices that resemble modern game controllers indicated which grip style is preferred by users and how to present direction cues to achieve the highest recognition rates. The main contribution of this paper is to show an initial demonstration of the benefits of skin stretch feedback in a multimodal gaming scenario.
CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides Induce Differential Cytokine and Chemokine Gene Expression Profiles in Dapulian and Landrace Pigs

Oligodeoxynucleotides containing unmethylated CpG motifs (CpG ODN) mimic the immunostimulatory activity of microbial DNA by interacting with Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) to activate both the innate and adaptive immune responses in different species. However, few studies have been published to compare the effects of CpG ODN on different pig breeds. Therefore, in this study, whole blood gene expression profiles of DPL and Landrace pigs treated with CpG ODN were studied using RNA-seq technology. Five Hundred differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the two breeds. DPL pigs had significantly higher number of immune-relevant DEGs than the Landrace pigs after CpG ODN treatment. Pathway analysis showed that cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and chemokine signaling pathway were the major enriched pathways of the immune-relevant DEGs. Further in vitro experiments showed that PBMCs of the DPL pigs had significantly higher levels of TLR9 mRNA than those of the Landrace pigs, both before and after CpG ODN stimulation. Cytokine and chemokine induction in the PBMCs of both breeds were also measured after CpG ODN stimulation. Our data showed that mRNA levels of cytokines (IFNα, IL8, IL12 p40) and chemokines (CXCL9, CXCL13) were significantly higher in the PBMCs of the DPL pigs than those of the Landrace pigs. Taken together, our data provide new information regarding the pig breed difference in response to CpG ODN stimulation and that higher levels of TLR9 mRNA in DPL pigs may be a major contributor for disease resistance.
Serum Levels of Adipocyte Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Are Associated with the Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Chinese Women

Background Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) has been described as a novel adipokine, playing an important role in the development of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum levels of A-FABP and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Chinese subjects. Methodology/Principal Findings Circulating A-FABP level was determined by ELISA in 341 Chinese subjects (221 men, 120 women) who underwent coronary angiography. A-FABP levels in patients with CAD were significantly higher compared with non-CAD subjects (P = 0.029 in men; P = 0.031 in women). Serum A-FABP increased significantly in multi-vessel diseased patients than in non-CAD subjects (P = 0.011 in men, P = 0.004 in women), and showed an independent correlation with coronary atherosclerosis index (standardized β = 0.173, P = 0.025). In multiple logistic regression analysis, serum A-FABP was an independent risk factor for CAD in women (OR = 5.637, 95%CI: 1.299-24.457, P = 0.021). In addition, amino terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was demonstrated to be positively and independently correlated with A-FABP (standardized β = 0.135, P = 0.027). Conclusions/Significance Serum A-FABP is closely associated with the presence and severity of CAD in Chinese women.
Periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease: epidemiology and possible mechanisms.

BACKGROUND Many early epidemiologic studies reported an association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. However, other studies found no association or nonsignificant trends. This report summarizes the evidence from epidemiologic studies and studies that focused on potential contributing mechanisms to provide a more complete picture of the association between periodontal and heart disease. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED The authors summarize the longitudinal studies reported to date, because they represent the highest level of evidence available regarding the connection between periodontal disease and heart disease. The authors also review many of the case-control and cross-sectional studies published, as well as findings from clinical, animal and basic laboratory studies. RESULTS The evidence suggests a moderate association--but not a causal relationship--between periodontal disease and heart disease. Results of some case-control studies indicate that subgingival periodontal pathogenic infection may be associated with myocardial infarction. Basic laboratory studies point to the biological plausibility of this association, since oral bacteria have been found in carotid atheromas and some oral bacteria may be associated with platelet aggregation, an event important for thrombosis. Animal studies have shown that atheroma formation can be enhanced by exposure to periodontal pathogens. CONCLUSIONS The accumulation of epidemiologic, in vitro, clinical and animal evidence suggests that periodontal infection may be a contributing risk factor for heart disease. However, legitimate concerns have arisen about the nature of this relationship. These are early investigations. Since even a moderate risk contributed by periodontal disease to heart disease could contribute to significant morbidity and mortality, it is imperative that further studies be conducted to evaluate this relationship. One particularly important study to be carried out is the investigation of a possible clinically meaningful reduction in heart disease resulting from the prevention or treatment of periodontal disease.
Circadian and noncircadian modulation of autophagy in photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium.

PURPOSE Autophagy in photoreceptors and the RPE promotes homeostasis and survival. The purpose of this study is to determine the daily pattern of changes in autophagy and factors contributing to its regulation in the outer retina. METHODS Levels of autophagy markers in the retina and RPE were evaluated over a 24-hour period. To assess the role of phagocytosis in stimulating autophagy in the RPE, cultured RPE-J cells were incubated with isolated photoreceptor outer segments and levels of autophagy markers were measured. Electron microscopy was performed on retina sections and RPE-J cells to assess formation of double-membraned vesicles consistent with autophagosomes. RESULTS In wild-type C57BL/6 mice maintained under normal cycling light conditions, autophagy in photoreceptor cells and the RPE exhibited a bimodal pattern of activation. In photoreceptors, shifts between light and dark evoked a sharp decrease in autophagy that was followed by a time-dependent increase. In photoreceptors, translocation of transducin and arrestin from the outer to inner segment appeared to contribute to the light-dependent upregulation of autophagy. In contrast, the cyclic variations in RPE autophagy were independent of lighting conditions, and are triggered, at least in part, by ingestion of outer segments. CONCLUSIONS Activation of autophagy in the outer retina exhibits a bimodal pattern that correlates with shifts in transduction proteins within the photoreceptor and by circadian ingestion of outer segments in the RPE. These dynamic shifts suggest a critical role for this pathway in maintaining homeostasis, with further study needed to define the mechanisms underlying the regulation of this phenomenon.
Dynamic profile analysis to characterize dynamics-driven allosteric sites in enzymes

We examine the dynamic features of non-trivial allosteric binding sites to elucidate potential drug binding sites. These allosteric sites were previously found to be allosteric after determination of the protein-drug co-crystal structure. After comprehensive search in the Protein Data Bank, we identify 10 complex structures with allosteric ligands whose structures are very similar to their functional forms. Then, possible pockets on the protein surface are searched as potential ligand binding sites. To mimic ligand binding to the pocket, complex models are generated to fill out each pocket with pseudo ligand blocks consisting of spheres. Normal mode analysis of the elastic network model is performed for the complex models and unbound structures to assess the change of protein dynamics induced by ligand binding. We examine nine profiles to describe the dynamic and positional characteristics of the pockets, and identify the change of fluctuation around the ligand, ΔMSFbs, as the best profile for distinguishing the allosteric sites from the other sites in 8 structures. These cases should be considered as examples of dynamics-driven allostery, which accompanies significant changes in protein dynamics. ΔMSFbs is suggested to be used for the search of potential dynamics-driven allosteric sites in proteins for drug discovery.
Molecular Determinants of Resistance Activation and Suppression by Phytophthora infestans Effector IPI-O

Despite intensive breeding efforts, potato late blight, caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans, remains a threat to potato production worldwide because newly evolved pathogen strains have consistently overcome major resistance genes. The potato RB gene, derived from the wild species Solanum bulbocastanum, confers resistance to most P. infestans strains through recognition of members of the pathogen effector family IPI-O. While the majority of IPI-O proteins are recognized by RB to elicit resistance (e.g. IPI-O1, IPI-O2), some family members are able to elude detection (e.g. IPI-O4). In addition, IPI-O4 blocks recognition of IPI-O1, leading to inactivation of RB-mediated programmed cell death. Here, we report results that elucidate molecular mechanisms governing resistance elicitation or suppression of RB by IPI-O. Our data indicate self-association of the RB coiled coil (CC) domain as well as a physical interaction between this domain and the effectors IPI-O4 and IPI-O1. We identified four amino acids within IPI-O that are critical for interaction with the RB CC domain and one of these amino acids, at position 129, determines hypersensitive response (HR) elicitation in planta. IPI-O1 mutant L129P fails to induce HR in presence of RB while IPI-O4 P129L gains the ability to induce an HR. Like IPI-O4, IPI-O1 L129P is also able to suppress the HR mediated by RB, indicating a critical step in the evolution of this gene family. Our results point to a model in which IPI-O effectors can affect RB function through interaction with the RB CC domain.
Irregular Heat Flow Problems

We study a nonsteady transmission problem across either a fractal layer S or the corresponding prefractal layer $S_h$. The transmission condition is of order two. Existence, uniqueness, and regularity results for the strict solution, in both cases, are established as well as convergence results for the solutions of the approximating problems in varying Hilbert spaces.
A new texture descriptor using multifractal analysis in multi-orientation wavelet pyramid

Based on multifractal analysis in wavelet pyramids of texture images, a new texture descriptor is proposed in this paper that implicitly combines information from both spatial and frequency domains. Beyond the traditional wavelet transform, a multi-oriented wavelet leader pyramid is used in our approach that robustly encodes the multi-scale information of texture edgels. Moreover, the resulting texture model shows empirically a strong power law relationship for nature textures, which can be characterized well by multifractal analysis. Combined with a statistics on affine invariant local patches, our proposed texture descriptor is robust to scale and rotation changes, more general geometrical transforms and illumination variations. In addition, the proposed texture descriptor is computationally efficient since it does not require many expensive processing steps, e.g., texton generation and cross-bin comparisons, which are often used by existing methods. As an application, the proposed descriptor is applied to texture classification and the experimental results on several public texture datasets verified the accuracy and efficiency of our descriptor.
Pedagogical agents on the Web

Animated pedagogical agents are lifelike animated characters that facilitate the learning process. This paper describes Adele, a pedagogical agent that is designed to work with Web-based educational simulations. The Adele architecture implements key pedagogical functions: presentation, student monitoring and feedback, probing questions, hints, and explanations. These capabilities are coupled with an animated persona that supports continuous multi-modal interaction with a student. The architecture supports client-side execution in a Web browser environment, and is able to inter-operate with simulations created by off-the-shelf authoring tools.
Designing Play to Support Hospitalized Children

Play as a form of complementary care is increasingly considered to support sick children with their hospital experience. Prior work around digital play is mostly focusing on distracting the child from the hospital experience. In contrast, we propose an alternative approach. We seek to engage the children with the hospital experience through play that utilizes the hospital environment and materials. We present findings from two hospital play workshops with 23 children with severe diseases. Based on these findings, we derive four lenses (reframing, ownership, privilege, body) through which researchers can examine these types of play experiences. We then use these lenses to articulate six practical strategies to aid designers in developing play that supports hospitalized children. Ultimately, our work extends our understanding of how play can be designed as a form of complementary care.
Wettability and Anti-icing Properties of Slippery Liquid Infused Porous Surfaces

HENNA NIEMELÄ-ANTTONEN: Wettability and Anti-icing Properties of Slippery Liquid Infused Porous Surfaces Tampere University of Technology Master of Science Thesis, 102 pages, 1 Appendix page November 2015 Master’s Degree Programme in Materials Sciences Major: Polymers and Biomaterials Examiners: Prof. Petri Vuoristo, Dr. Heli Koivuluoto, Dr. Hannu Teisala