Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fingers' Angle Calculation using Level-Set Method

In the current age, use of natural communication in human computer interaction is a known and well installed thought. Hand gesture recognition and gesture based applications has gained a significant amount of popularity amongst people all over the world. It has a number of applications ranging from security to entertainment. These applications generally are real time applications and need fast, accurate communication with machines. On the other end, gesture based communications have few limitations also like bent finger information is not provided in vision based techniques. In this paper, a novel method for fingertip detection and for angle calculation of both hands bent fingers is discussed. Angle calculation has been done before with sensor based gloves/devices. This study has been conducted in the context of natural computing for calculating angles without using any wired equipment, colors, marker or any device. The pre-processing and segmentation of the region of interest is performed in a HSV color space and a binary format respectively. Fingertips are detected using level-set method and angles were calculated using geometrical analysis. This technique requires no training for system to perform the task.
Cyclical Appearance of African Trypanosomes in the Cerebrospinal Fluid: New Insights in How Trypanosomes Enter the CNS

It is textbook knowledge that human infective forms of Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of sleeping sickness, enter the brain across the blood-brain barrier after an initial phase of weeks (rhodesiense) or months (gambiense) in blood. Based on our results using an animal model, both statements seem questionable. As we and others have shown, the first infection relevant crossing of the blood brain border occurs via the choroid plexus, i.e. via the blood-CSF barrier. In addition, counting trypanosomes in blood-free CSF obtained by an atlanto-occipital access revealed a cyclical infection in CSF that was directly correlated to the trypanosome density in blood infection. We also obtained conclusive evidence of organ infiltration, since parasites were detected in tissues outside the blood vessels in heart, spleen, liver, eye, testis, epididymis, and especially between the cell layers of the pia mater including the Virchow-Robin space. Interestingly, in all organs except pia mater, heart and testis, trypanosomes showed either a more or less degraded appearance of cell integrity by loss of the surface coat (VSG), loss of the microtubular cytoskeleton and loss of the intracellular content, or where taken up by phagocytes and degraded intracellularly within lysosomes. This is also true for trypanosomes placed intrathecally into the brain parenchyma using a stereotactic device. We propose a different model of brain infection that is in accordance with our observations and with well-established facts about the development of sleeping sickness.
Mining relationships from text in social networking sites

Majority of an individual's social interaction takes place through social networking site like Facebook. But one thing to focus is that the way we interact with different people through these social networking sites are different. If we are interacting with our close friends we use more informal language whereas with our relatives or elders and with our seniors at job interaction is little less informal or some time formal also as compared to the interaction with close friends. This difference in interaction can be a good measure of guessing relationship of the persons interacting with each other through these social networking sites. In this research paper we collected data through one of the very famous and very fast growing social networking site, Facebook. We considered comments, wall posts and messages exchanged through chat boxes of some people. From this data we have extracted some very interesting features like difference in number of emoticons, type of emoticons, degree of informal language, degree of intentional spelling mistakes, frequency of social acronyms and degree and type of interjections used in interaction of different people. We have used these features for mining relationships of the people involved in online social interaction.
Experimental and Metabolic Modeling Evidence for a Folate-Cleaving Side-Activity of Ketopantoate Hydroxymethyltransferase (PanB)

Tetrahydrofolate (THF) and its one-carbon derivatives, collectively termed folates, are essential cofactors, but are inherently unstable. While it is clear that chemical oxidation can cleave folates or damage their pterin precursors, very little is known about enzymatic damage to these molecules or about whether the folate biosynthesis pathway responds adaptively to damage to its end-products. The presence of a duplication of the gene encoding the folate biosynthesis enzyme 6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin pyrophosphokinase (FolK) in many sequenced bacterial genomes combined with a strong chromosomal clustering of the folK gene with panB, encoding the 5,10-methylene-THF-dependent enzyme ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase, led us to infer that PanB has a side activity that cleaves 5,10-methylene-THF, yielding a pterin product that is recycled by FolK. Genetic and metabolic analyses of Escherichia coli strains showed that overexpression of PanB leads to accumulation of the likely folate cleavage product 6-hydroxymethylpterin and other pterins in cells and medium, and—unexpectedly—to a 46% increase in total folate content. In silico modeling of the folate biosynthesis pathway showed that these observations are consistent with the in vivo cleavage of 5,10-methylene-THF by a side-activity of PanB, with FolK-mediated recycling of the pterin cleavage product, and with regulation of folate biosynthesis by folates or their damage products.
Metaphilosophy in practice : the responsibility of psychopathic offenders as a case study

We argue that philosophy has an important role to play in bridging certain social practices with certain scientific advancements. Specifically, we describe such a role by focusing on the issue of how and whether neuropsychological data concerning psychopathic offenders reflect on their criminal culpability. We offer some methodological requirements for this type of philosophical application. In addition, we show how it might help in addressing the problem of determining the criminal responsibility of psychopathic offenders.
A General Coverage Theory for Shotgun DNA Sequencing

The classical theory of shotgun DNA sequencing accounts for neither the placement dependencies that are a fundamental consequence of the forward-reverse sequencing strategy, nor the edge effect that arises for small to moderate-sized genomic targets. These phenomena are relevant to a number of sequencing scenarios, including large-insert BAC and fosmid clones, filtered genomic libraries, and macro-nuclear chromosomes. Here, we report a model that considers these two effects and provides both the expected value of coverage and its variance. Comparison to methyl-filtered maize data shows significant improvement over classical theory. The model is used to analyze coverage performance over a range of small to moderately-sized genomic targets. We find that the read pairing effect and the edge effect interact in a non-trivial fashion. Shorter reads give superior coverage per unit sequence depth relative to longer ones. In principle, end-sequences can be optimized with respect to template insert length; however, optimal performance is unlikely to be realized in most cases because of inherent size variation in any set of targets. Conversely, single-stranded reads exhibit roughly the same coverage attributes as optimized end-reads. Although linking information is lost, single-stranded data should not pose a significant assembly liability if the target represents predominantly low-copy sequence. We also find that random sequencing should be halted at substantially lower redundancies than those now associated with larger projects. Given the enormous amount of data generated per cycle on pyro-sequencing instruments, this observation suggests devising schemes to split each run cycle between twoor more projects. This would prevent over-sequencing and would further leverage the pyrosequencing method.
Semiclassical model for the formation of Rydberg molecules

A fascinating aspect of Rydberg atoms is their ability to form huge but very weakly bound molecules with a ground state atom, only held together by a scattering process between the latter and the Rydberg electron. Beyond the usual way of creating such molecules by laser excitation from two ground state atoms with a distance of less than the Rydberg radius, we demonstrate that Rydberg molecules can also be formed by capturing an initially faraway ground state atom when it comes in contact with a Rydberg atom. To demonstrate this effect, we investigate the scattering process between the Rydberg electron and the ground state atom within a semiclassical framework. In this picture capturing results from a dissipative finite-mass correction term in the classical equations of motion. We show that and under which conditions the capturing takes place. PACS numbers: 34.50. Cx, 34.20. Cf Semiclassical model for the formation of Rydberg molecules 2
Evaluation of Carbon Dioxide Pressure through Radial Velocity Difference in Arterial Blood Modeled by Drift Flux Model

In this paper, we are interested to determine the carbon dioxide pressure in the arterial blood through radial velocity difference. The blood was modeled as a two phase mixture (an aqueous carbon dioxide solution with carbon dioxide gas) by Drift flux model and the Young-Laplace equation. The distributions of mixture velocities determined from the considered model permitted the calculation of the radial velocity distributions with different values of mean mixture pressure and the calculation of the mean carbon dioxide pressure knowing the mean mixture pressure. The radial velocity distributions are used to deduce a calculation method of the mean mixture pressure through the radial velocity difference between two positions which is measured by ultrasound. The mean carbon dioxide pressure is then deduced from the mean mixture pressure. Keywords—Mean carbon dioxide pressure, mean mixture pressure, mixture velocity, radial velocity difference.
1 Modular Set-Based Analysis from Contracts

In PLT Scheme,programsconsistof moduleswith contracts.The latter describethe inputs and outputs of functions and objects via predicates.A run-time systemenforcesthesepredicates;if a predicatefails, the enforcerraisesan exception that blamesa specificmodulewith anexplanationof thefault. In thispaper , weshow how to usesuchmodulecontractsto turn set-basedanalysisinto a fully modularparameterizedanalysis.Using this analysis,a staticdebuggercanindicatefor any givencontractcheckwhetherthecorrespondingpredicateis alwayssatisfied, partially satisfied,or (potentially) completelyviolated.The static debuggercanalsopredict the sourceof potentialerrors,i.e., it is soundwith respecto theblameassignment of thecontractsystem.
Network-design sensitivity analysis

Traffic matrices are used in many network engineering tasks, for instance optimal network design. Unfortunately, measurements of these matrices are error-prone, a problem that is exacerbated when they are extrapolated to provide the predictions used in planning. Practical network design and management should consider sensitivity to such errors, but although robust optimisation techniques exist, it seems they are rarely used, at least in part because of the difficulty in generating an ensemble of admissible traffic matrices with a controllable error level. We address this problem in our paper by presenting a fast and flexible technique of generating synthetic traffic matrices. We demonstrate the utility of the method by presenting a methodology for robust network design based on adaptation of the mean-risk analysis concept from finance.
Systematic Review of the Empirical Evidence of Study Publication Bias and Outcome Reporting Bias — An Updated Review

Background The increased use of meta-analysis in systematic reviews of healthcare interventions has highlighted several types of bias that can arise during the completion of a randomised controlled trial. Study publication bias and outcome reporting bias have been recognised as a potential threat to the validity of meta-analysis and can make the readily available evidence unreliable for decision making. Methodology/Principal Findings In this update, we review and summarise the evidence from cohort studies that have assessed study publication bias or outcome reporting bias in randomised controlled trials. Twenty studies were eligible of which four were newly identified in this update. Only two followed the cohort all the way through from protocol approval to information regarding publication of outcomes. Fifteen of the studies investigated study publication bias and five investigated outcome reporting bias. Three studies have found that statistically significant outcomes had a higher odds of being fully reported compared to non-significant outcomes (range of odds ratios: 2.2 to 4.7). In comparing trial publications to protocols, we found that 40–62% of studies had at least one primary outcome that was changed, introduced, or omitted. We decided not to undertake meta-analysis due to the differences between studies. Conclusions This update does not change the conclusions of the review in which 16 studies were included. Direct empirical evidence for the existence of study publication bias and outcome reporting bias is shown. There is strong evidence of an association between significant results and publication; studies that report positive or significant results are more likely to be published and outcomes that are statistically significant have higher odds of being fully reported. Publications have been found to be inconsistent with their protocols. Researchers need to be aware of the problems of both types of bias and efforts should be concentrated on improving the reporting of trials.
Recommendations for the Remediation of Bots in ISP Networks

This document contains recommendations on how Internet Service Providers can use various remediation techniques to manage the effects of malicious bot infestations on computers used by their subscribers. Internet users with infected computers are exposed to risks such as loss of personal data and increased susceptibility to online fraud. Such computers can also become inadvertent participants in or components of an online crime network, spam network, and/or phishing network as well as be used as a part of a distributed denial-of- service attack. Mitigating the effects of and remediating the installations of malicious bots will make it more difficult for botnets to operate and could reduce the level of online crime on the Internet in general and/or on a particular Internet Service Provider's network. This document is not an Internet Standards Track specification; it is published for informational purposes.
Fusion of Hand Based Biometrics Using Particle Swarm Optimization

Multi-modal biometrics has numerous advantages over uni- modal biometric systems. Decision level fusion is the most popular fusion strategy in multimodal biometric systems. Recent research has shown promising performance of hand based biometrics, i.e. palmprint and hand geometry over other biometric modalities. However, the improvement in performance is constrained by the lack of optimal sensor points and fusion strategy. In this paper, we have implemented a particle swarm based optimization technique for selecting optimal parameters through decision level fusion of two modalities: palmprint and hand geometry. The experimental evaluation on a database of 100 users confirms the utility of the decision level fusion using particle swarm optimization.
Plasma d-dimer levels correlate with outcomes in patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of plasma d-dimer levels in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). DESIGN Prospective observational study. SETTING Hospital Lluis Alcanyis of Xativa, Spain. PATIENTS Consecutive adult patients admitted to the hospital with CAP from January 2000 to October 2002. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS A total of 302 patients were included. Plasma d-dimer was measured using an automated latex assay. The relationships between plasma d-dimer and prognostic variables included in the pneumonia severity index (PSI) were examined using univariate and multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses. d-Dimer levels were negative (ie, < 500 ng/mL) in 16.9% of the patients. In nonsurvivors, the d-dimer plasma level mean value was 3,786 ng/mL, while in survivors it was 1,609 ng/mL (p < 0.0001). A significant relationship was found between the presence of elevated d-dimer levels and the PSI and APACHE (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) II score. Elevated d-dimer levels were associated with radiologic pneumonia extension. The d-dimer predictive value for mechanical ventilation therapy showed an area under the curve of 0.78 (95% confidence interval, 0.71 to 0.81). CONCLUSIONS d-Dimer plasma levels could be useful for predicting clinical outcome in patients with CAP.
Image foresting transform with geodesic star convexity for interactive image segmentation

In this work, we discuss how to incorporate Gulshan's geodesic star convexity prior in a region-based approach for interactive image segmentation, called “IFT segmentation by Seed Competition”, which encompasses many popular methods, such as watersheds, and fuzzy connectedness. This convexity constraint eliminates undesirable intricate shapes, improving the segmentation of objects with more regular shape. We include a theoretical proof of the optimality of the new algorithm in terms of a global minimum of an energy function subject to the shape constraints. We also present an experimental evaluation that shows the obtained gains in accuracy for segmenting a variety of medical images, including MR images of the foot, CT thoracic studies of the liver, and MR images of the breast.
Genetic Variability of Triatoma brasiliensis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Populations

Abstract Isoenzymes, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and morphometry were used to compare genetic variability within and between three populations of Triatoma brasiliensis Neiva, 1911 from northeast Brazil. The isoenzyme profiles were identical for the three populations, whereas the complex RAPD patterns allowed clear discrimination between the three. Morphometric analysis, using characters of the head capsule, also showed discrimination between the three populations but only in comparisons of males, not females. The results show considerable genetic heterogeneity in T. brasiliensis, with an indication of geographic structuring possibly resulting from a recent series of domestication events.
Towards Real-Time, Volunteer Distributed Computing

Many large-scale distributed computing applications demand real-time responses by soft deadlines. To enable such real-time task distribution and execution on the volunteer resources, we previously proposed the design of the real-time volunteer computing platform called RT-BOINC. The system gives low O(1) worst-case execution time for task management operations, such as task scheduling, state transitioning, and validation. In this work, we present a full implementation RT-BOINC, adding new features including deadline timer and parameter-based admission control. We evaluate RT-BOINC at large scale using two real-time applications, namely, the games Go and Chess. The results of our case study show that RT-BOINC provides much better performance than the original BOINC in terms of average and worst-case response time, scalability and efficiency.
The Page{server versus the Enhanced Client{server Dbms

In this paper, we describe two Client{Server DBMSs namely, the Page{Server and the Enhanced Client{ Server DBMS and compare their performance under diierent workloads. The role of the server in both ar-chitectures is to provide system{wide data consistency. The Page{Server (PS) clients perform CPU intensive operations on data shipped over from the server while the clients of the Enhanced Client{Server (ECS) take advantage of their disk managers. ECS clients cache server data of their interest into their local disk units. When updates occur at the server, some of the client data managers may need to not only be notiied but also obtain portions of the updates as well. Our experimental results show that for moderate continuous local access by the individual clients, ECS ooers excellent performance which is signiicantly higher than that of the Page{Server connguration. Only under very update intensive operations, the two conngura-tions present similar performance.
Decomposition of the linking number of a closed ribbon: A problem from molecular biology.

A closed duplex DNA molecule relaxed and containing nucleosomes has a different linking number from the same molecule relaxed and without nucleosomes. What does this say about the structure of the nucleosome? A mathematical study of this question is made, representing the DNA molecule by a ribbon. It is shown that the linking number of a closed ribbon can be decomposed into the linking number of a reference ribbon plus a sum of locally determined "linking differences. "
Enhancement and Implementation of Network Access Control Architecture for Virtualization Environments

The demand for protecting the enterprise network infrastructure from network security threats has shown an increase in recent years. Therefore, a security enforcement mechanism for the network is required to protect the network against the threats especially from internal. Generally, staffs and visitors that use their computer everywhere could bring a threat as it escape from the protective measures imposed by an organization. Therefore, it is necessary to secure enterprise network from being compromised by using endpoint security solution. Network Access Control (NAC) is capable to provide solution for determining the integrity of endpoints which serve as a basis for trustworthy communication. However, literature review reveals several types of NAC architecture that have been implemented by solution providers such as CISCO NAC and Microsoft NAP employs proprietary standard and the deployment method used is not comprehensive. In addition, previous architecture only complies with one of the NAC characteristic such as in-band or out-band, managed or unmanaged LAN, agent or agentless, pre-admission or postadmission and limited OS support. Hence, this study will focus on reviewing all those NAC architecture as a baseline to produce an enhanced NAC architecture which can cater for all NAC characteristics. The results shows that proposed NAC architecture which is combination of all the NAC characteristics can effectively control the network access by endpoint device. This proposed NAC architecture maybe useful as a basis for reference not only for researchers in this field but also for network administrator. It is necessary to review the NAC architecture from time to time to ensure that the security is remain intact.