Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and implementation of MARG sensors for 3-DOF orientation measurement of rigid bodies

This presents the latest design and implementation of the magnetic, angular rate, and gravity (MARG) sensor module. The MARG sensor module is designed for measuring 3-DOF orientations in real time without singularities. Each MARG sensor contains orthogonally mounted triads of micromachined rate sensors, accelerometers, and magnetometers for a total of nine sensor components. With an integrated microcontroller, the overall factor is less than one cubic inch. Digital data output rate is 100 Hz. To simplify calibration procedures and filtering algorithms, it is important that the response of the individual sensor components is linear within the typical operating regions. Experiments were conducted utilizing a precision tilt table and results indicate that all the sensor components are linear. A simple hand calibration method that requires no specialized equipment is also described. It was validated by experiments that indicate hand calibration produces results that are nearly equivalent to those obtained following precision tilt table calibration.
Efficient secondary access with intelligent spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks

In cognitive radio networks, cooperative sensing can significantly improve the performance in detection of a primary user via secondary users (SUs) sharing their detection results. However, a large number of cooperative SUs may induce great sensing delay, which degrades the performance of secondary transmissions. In this paper, we jointly consider cooperative sensing and cognitive transmission in cognitive radio networks, aiming to achieve efficient secondary access with low sensing overhead under both the sensing time and reporting power limitations, where primary users are guaranteed to be sufficiently protected. We first propose an adaptive sensing scheme to lower the detection time while not degrading the detection probability. Then, based on the proposed adaptive sensing scheme, an efficient cognitive transmission protocol is well designed, which improves the throughput of secondary transmissions while ensuring the QoS of primary transmissions. We analyze the performance for the proposed secondary access framework in terms of misdetection probability, average detection time and normalized secondary throughput, respectively, and derive their closed‐form expressions over Rayleigh fading channels with considering the reporting errors accordingly. We also study the problems of optimizing the number of cooperative SUs to minimize the misdetection probability and average detection time, and maximize the normalized secondary throughput for proposed framework. Simulation results reveal that the proposed framework outperforms the traditional case significantly. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular mechanisms of the coordination between astaxanthin and fatty acid biosynthesis in Haematococcus pluvialis (Chlorophyceae).

Astaxanthin, a red ketocarotenoid with strong antioxidant activity and high commercial value, possesses important physiological functions in astaxanthin-producing microalgae. The green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis accumulates up to 4% fatty acid-esterified astaxanthin (by dry weight), and is used as a model species for exploring astaxanthin biosynthesis in unicellular photosynthetic organisms. Although coordination of astaxanthin and fatty acid biosynthesis in a stoichiometric fashion was observed in H. pluvialis, the interaction mechanism is unclear. Here we dissected the molecular mechanism underlying coordination between the two pathways in H. pluvialis. Our results eliminated possible coordination of this inter-dependence at the transcriptional level, and showed that this interaction was feedback-coordinated at the metabolite level. In vivo and in vitro experiments indicated that astaxanthin esterification drove the formation and accumulation of astaxanthin. We further showed that both free astaxanthin biosynthesis and esterification occurred in the endoplasmic reticulum, and that certain diacylglycerol acyltransferases may be the candidate enzymes catalyzing astaxanthin esterification. A model of astaxanthin biosynthesis in H. pluvialis was subsequently proposed. These findings provide further insights into astaxanthin biosynthesis in H. pluvialis.
Risk and clinical predictors of osteoporotic fracture in East Asian patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a population-based cohort study

Introduction Osteoporosis is becoming an impending epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region. The association between risk of osteoporotic fracture (OTPF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in East Asian patients is yet to be fully examined. We conducted a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study of 98,700 patients aged ≥50 years with or without COPD using a national administrative claims dataset. Materials and Methods The patients were divided into COPD and comparison groups comprising 19,740 and 78,960 patients, respectively. The groups were 1 to 4 matched for age, gender, index date, diabetes mellitus, pre-existing osteoporosis and chronic kidney disease. Information such as the geographic area where southern part represented more sunshine exposure, smoking-related diagnoses, alcohol use disorder, whether there was regular use of inhaled corticosteroids and oral corticosteroids, vitamin D prescriptions, Charlson-Deyo comorbidity index score, and other relevant medical comorbidities were extracted for analysis. They were followed up until OTPF or the end of the year 2013. The outcome measure was an osteoporotic vertebral fracture and other long-bone fractures. A multivariate Cox model was constructed to derive adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for OTPF with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) after controlling for age, sex, insurance premium category, vitamin D prescription, osteoporosis, and coronary heart disease (CHD). Kaplan–Meier curves of the probability of OTPF-free survival for each cohort were compared using the log-rank test. Patients with OTPF during the first follow-up year were excluded from the overall risk calculation. Contributing factors to the increased risk of OTPF in COPD patients were examined in a sensitivity analysis. Results After a total follow-up of 68,743 patient-years for the COPD group and 278,051 patient-years for the matched comparison group, the HR for OTPF was 1.24 (95% CI [1.02–1.51]; P = 0.0322) in COPD patients. The aHR was increased by 30% for vertebral OTPF (aHR = 1.297, 95% CI [1.020–1.649]; P = 0.0339). Differential lag time sensitivity analysis revealed a progressively elevated risk up to 8-fold increase in women (aHR = 8.0 (95% CI [1.81–35.4]; P < 0.01)) during the fifth follow-up year. COPD patients with pre-existing osteoporosis or given vitamin D prescription harbor a sustained increased risk up to the 5th (aHR, 4.1; 95% CI [1.61–10.35]) and third (aHR, 2.97; 95% CI [1.48–5.97]) follow-up year, respectively. Conclusions Our nationwide population-based cohort study demonstrates that East Asian COPD patients aged 50 and beyond do harbor a modestly increased risk for osteoporotic vertebral fractures particularly for those who are female, have pre-existing osteoporosis or require vitamin D prescription.
α-Spectrin and integrins act together to regulate actomyosin and columnarization, and to maintain a monolayered follicular epithelium

The spectrin cytoskeleton crosslinks actin to the membrane, and although it has been greatly studied in erythrocytes, much is unknown about its function in epithelia. We have studied the role of spectrins during epithelia morphogenesis using the Drosophila follicular epithelium (FE). As previously described, we show that α-Spectrin and β-Spectrin are essential to maintain a monolayered FE, but, contrary to previous work, spectrins are not required to control proliferation. Furthermore, spectrin mutant cells show differentiation and polarity defects only in the ectopic layers of stratified epithelia, similar to integrin mutants. Our results identify α-Spectrin and integrins as novel regulators of apical constriction-independent cell elongation, as α-Spectrin and integrin mutant cells fail to columnarize. Finally, we show that increasing and reducing the activity of the Rho1-Myosin II pathway enhances and decreases multilayering of α-Spectrin cells, respectively. Similarly, higher Myosin II activity enhances the integrin multilayering phenotype. This work identifies a primary role for α-Spectrin in controlling cell shape, perhaps by modulating actomyosin. In summary, we suggest that a functional spectrin-integrin complex is essential to balance adequate forces, in order to maintain a monolayered epithelium. Summary: α-Spectrin and integrins regulate apical constriction-independent cell elongation, identifying a primary role for α-Spectrin in controlling cell shape.
Systematic Review of the Human Milk Microbiota

Human milk–associated microbes are among the first to colonize the infant gut and may help to shape both short- and long-term infant health outcomes. We performed a systematic review to characterize the microbiota of human milk. Relevant primary studies were identified through a comprehensive search of PubMed (January 1, 1964, to June 31, 2015). Included studies were conducted among healthy mothers, were written in English, identified bacteria in human milk, used culture-independent methods, and reported primary results at the genus level. Twelve studies satisfied inclusion criteria. All varied in geographic location and human milk collection/storage/analytic methods. Streptococcus was identified in human milk samples in 11 studies (91.6%) and Staphylococcus in 10 (83.3%); both were predominant genera in 6 (50%). Eight of the 12 studies used conventional ribosomal RNA (rRNA) polymerase chain reaction (PCR), of which 7 (87.5%) identified Streptococcus and 6 (80%) identified Staphylococcus as present. Of these 8 studies, 2 (25%) identified Streptococcus and Staphylococcus as predominant genera. Four of the 12 studies used next-generation sequencing (NGS), all of which identified Streptococcus and Staphylococcus as present and predominant genera. Relative to conventional rRNA PCR, NGS is a more sensitive method to identify/quantify bacterial genera in human milk, suggesting the predominance of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus may be underestimated in studies using older methods. These genera, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, may be universally predominant in human milk, regardless of differences in geographic location or analytic methods. Primary studies designed to evaluate the effect of these 2 genera on short- and long-term infant outcomes are warranted.
Distributed Maximality based CTL Model Checking

In this paper we investigate an approach to perform a distributed CTL Model checker algorithm on a network of workstations using Kleen three value logic, the state spaces is partitioned among the network nodes, We represent the incomplete state spaces as a Maximality labeled Transition System MLTS which are able to express true concurrency. we execute in parallel the same algorithm in each node, for a certain property f on an incomplete MLTS , this last compute the set of states which satisfy f or which if they fail f are assigned the value  . The third value  mean unknown whether true or false because the partial state space lacks sufficient information needed for a precise answer concerning the complete state space . To solve this problem each node exchange the information needed to conclude the result about the complete state space. The experimental version of the algorithm is currently being implemented using the functional programming language Erlang.
Deformable soft wheel robot using hybrid actuation

The mobility of a wheeled robot in various terrains is basically limited by the size of the wheel. If the size of the wheel is fixed, the robot can only pass through a hole bigger than the wheel size. Furthermore, the robot cannot climb stairs much higher than the wheel size. Therefore, for a wheeled robot that has fixed dimensions, it is hard to improve the mobility depending on unexpected situations such as passing through a hole smaller than the original robot size and climbing stairs much higher than the original wheel size. To deal with the scale problem, we propose a deformable wheeled robot that can change the shape of the wheel depending on the obstacles. It improves the mobility the wheeled robot. In order to make the simple and robust robot, we employ smart structures and actuators such as composite flexure linkages, deformable polymers and shape memory alloy actuators. The robot shows three kinds of motion with combination of the motor and the SMA coil actuator. The motor is used for driving the wheel and the SMA coil actuators deform the wheel to produce a caterpillar-like motion. Using both actuators, the legged wheel motion can be produced. The light weight and the multimodal locomotion of the robot enhance the mobility for the search and rescue robot application.
Reproductive Consequences of a Changing Prey Base in Island Watersnakes (Reptilia: Colubridae)

Abstract Island populations of the Lake Erie watersnake (Nerodia sipedon insularum) have experienced a dramatic environmental change in the form of a new abundant prey species, the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus). Effects of this biotic change on watersnake reproductive characteristics were tested by comparing offspring size and the relationship between female size and offspring number before and after the round goby invasion. Offspring number, but not offspring size, increased as a consequence of watersnake diet change. In addition, female size explained a greater proportion of the variation in offspring number following the round goby invasion (60% vs. 25%). The combined effects of increased female size and offspring number are projected to result in an increase in watersnake fecundity exceeding 25% and may be stimulating watersnake population growth since the round goby invasion. The rapidity of watersnake diet change and consequent change in fecundity is consistent with the maximization hypothesis of life history theory and suggests that watersnake life history may have been more strongly limited by resource availability prior to the round goby invasion.
Small‐interfering RNAs (siRNAs) as a promising tool for ocular therapy

RNA interference (RNAi) can be used to inhibit the expression of specific genes in vitro and in vivo, thereby providing an extremely useful tool for investigating gene function. Progress in the understanding of RNAi‐based mechanisms has opened up new perspectives in therapeutics for the treatment of several diseases including ocular disorders. The eye is currently considered a good target for RNAi therapy mainly because it is a confined compartment and, therefore, enables local delivery of small‐interfering RNAs (siRNAs) by topical instillation or direct injection. However, delivery strategies that protect the siRNAs from degradation and are suitable for long‐term treatment would be help to improve the efficacy of RNAi‐based therapies for ocular pathologies. siRNAs targeting critical molecules involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and neovascular eye diseases (age‐related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and corneal neovascularization) have been tested in experimental animal models, and clinical trials have been conducted with some of them. This review provides an update on the progress of RNAi in ocular therapeutics, discussing the advantages and drawbacks of RNAi‐based therapeutics compared to previous treatments.
A Character Recognition Study Using a Biologically Plausible Neural Network of the Mammalian Visual System

Designs of most Artificial Neural Networks for visual pattern recognition fail to utilize our knowledge of the mammalian visual system. Nobel Prize winners Hubel and Wiesel discovered line and edge detectors in the visual cortex of cats, and the experiments described in this study model such detectors for improved character recognition in neural networks. The results obtained showed that performance and efficiency of a neural network using such detectors in the early layers are superior to one without such detectors.
Feasibility Study of a Distributed and Parallel Environment for Implementing the Standard Version of AAM Model

The Active Appearance Model (AAM) is a class of deformable models, which, in the segmentation process, integrates the priori knowledge on the shape and the texture and deformation of the structures studied. This model in its sequential form is computationally intensive and operates on large data sets. This paper presents another framework to implement the standard version of the AAM model. We suggest a distributed and parallel approach justified by the characteristics of the model and their potentialities. We introduce a schema for the representation of the overall model and we study of operations that can be parallelized. This approach is intended to exploit the benefits build in the area of advanced image processing.
A multidirectional system for shape measurement of a human body in motion

We present a novel approach to 4D (XYZ + time) body scanning, developed for supporting medical rehabilitation monitoring. The system reflects the actual requirements for 4D measurements, providing a feature of capturing up to 120 Hz sequences of point clouds, with a spatial resolution of 1.0 mm and inaccuracy of 0.5 mm. The presented system consists of four directional modules arranged evenly around the measurement volume to provide complete scans. A structured light method is utilized, therefore each directional module consists of detectors and projectors. In order to enhance body surface coverage from every direction each measurement module uses two detectors and a single projector. This configuration is a result of optimizing the best scanning results considering proper amount of data and a reasonable number of hardware elements (that translates into system price). For the chosen number of directional modules a problem of synchronization (projected patterns overlapping is highly erroneous) was solved. We decided to apply spectral separation in a form of colored projection and color filters. This solution allows each detector to register only the pattern associated with it. A single frame pattern for structured light method was used to achieve presented measurement frequency. A set of algorithms was developed in order to perform all processing steps, including phase unwrapping, based only on a single image per detector. The final phase distribution is scaled into XYZ coordinates, therefore an extended common calibration process was introduced to receive a single multidirectional cloud as the output. The system is able to reconstruct dynamic objects in the form of point clouds, where each point, aside from XYZ coordinates, also contains an information about it’s normal vector. The future work will include improving the system accuracy and error-resistance.
Social synthetic characters

What are social synthetic characters? What good are they? In this column, we'll describe how we make social characters in the Synthetic Characters Group at the MIT Media Lab, and mention a few of the applications where we think they might be useful. The Synthetic Characters Group, founded in 1996 by Bruce Blumberg, explores ways of making virtual creatures that are inspired by real animal behavior. Over the last several years, we've created a toolkit for building these creatures, including models of action selection, learning, motor control and social behavior. In recent years, we've used the toolkit to make a selection of installations for a variety of venues Swampedt (SIGGRAPH 98), (void*): A Cast of Characters (SIGGRAPH 99), sand:stone (NY Digital Salon 99) and sheepldog: Trial by Eire (Electronic Entertainment Expo 2001). Our toolkit is more fully described in "CreatureSmarts:The Art and Architecture of aVirtual Brain" [I ].
Shape memory alloy sensory particles for damage detection: Experiments, analysis, and design studies

Developing novel techniques for monitoring structural integrity has become an important area of research in the aerospace community. One new technique exploits the stress-induced phase transformation behavior in shape memory alloy particles embedded in a structure. By monitoring changes in the mechanical and/or electromagnetic behavior of such particles, the formation or propagation of fatigue cracks in the vicinity of these particles can be detected. This work demonstrates sensory particle response to local structural damage using finite element modeling for the first time. Using an optimization method to minimize the difference between experimentally measured strain and simulated results, a good approximation of sensory particle properties can be determined and the strong sensory response of the transforming particle demonstrated. To illustrate an application of this method, a multi-scale finite element model of sensory particles embedded in the root rib of an aircraft wing is then considered. In particular, this unique model utilizes substructure modeling to maintain computational efficiency while relating globally applied loads to local structural response, allowing for the consideration of predicted particle response to crack propagation during wing loading. The effect of particle position relative to the crack tip on particle sensory response is assessed. Finally, this work demonstrates how sensory particles can be used to approximate the location of structural damage by interpolating a stress field based on the responses of multiple sensory particles in the vicinity of a propagating crack.
Argumentation based decision making for autonomous agents

This paper presents an argumentation based framework to support the decision making of an agent within a modular architecture for agents. The proposed argumentation framework is dynamic, with arguments and their strength depending on the particular context that the agent finds himself, thus allowing the agent to adapt his decisions in a changing environment. In addition, in order to enable the agent to operate within an open environment where the available information may be incomplete we have integrated abduction within this argumentation framework. This is particular useful when the agent finds himself in a dilemma and hence needs additional information to resolve this. We have also developed, motivated by work in Cognitive Psychology, within the same framework an argumentation based personality theory for agents thus incorporating a dimension of individuality in the decisions of the agent.