Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monocular ego-motion estimation with a compact omnidirectional camera

We present a generalization of the Koenderink-van Doorn (KvD) algorithm that allows robust monocular localization with large motion between the camera frames for a wide range of optical systems including omnidirectional systems and standard perspective cameras. The KvD algorithm estimates simultaneously ego-motion parameters, i.e. rotation, translation, and object distances in an iterative way. However due to the linearization of the rotational component of optic flow, the original algorithm fails for larger rotations. We present a generalization of the algorithm to arbitrary rotations that is especially suited for omnidirectional cameras where features can be tracked for long sequences. This reduces the need for vector summation of several individual motion estimates that leads to accumulation of odometry errors. The significant improvement in the performance of the proposed generalized algorithm compared to the original KvD implementation is validated using simulated data. The algorithm is also tested in a real-world experiment with ground-truth data obtained from an external tracking system. The experiment was carried out using a novel compact omnidirectional camera that is designed for small aerial vehicles. It consists of an off-the-shelf webcam that is combined with a reflective surface machined into acrylic glass.
The Differences in STEM Feelings and Interest Between Boys and Girls

Author(s): Ngo, Brandon; Richert, Rebekah | Abstract: Children are exposed to many areas of interest and careers through accessible media and technologicaldevices. Research has shown that STEM careers are lacking in female representation. Accordingto the National Science Foundation, women only represented 28% of individuals in science andengineering occupations in 2010 (NSF 2014). Exposure to STEM careers in early childhood maybe an underlying cause of this underrepresentation; thus considering young children’s feelings andinterest in STEM is important for nurturing students to enter STEM fields. Children between ages3.61 to 7.21 years (N = 79) were asked about their interests in STEM activities and feelings abouta STEM task before and after playing a STEM application. Children reported decreased levels ofSTEM interest from pretest to posttest, whereas children’s self-efficacy for a STEM activity did notsignificantly differ from pretest to posttest. The results suggest that short-term exposure to a STEMapplication did not increase children’s STEM interest and self-efficacy toward STEM, as measuredby children’s verbal report.
Hypersensitivity to mGluR5 and ERK1/2 Leads to Excessive Protein Synthesis in the Hippocampus of a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by loss of the FMR1 gene product FMRP (fragile X mental retardation protein), a repressor of mRNA translation. According to the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) theory of FXS, excessive protein synthesis downstream of mGluR5 activation causes the synaptic pathophysiology that underlies multiple aspects of FXS. Here, we use an in vitro assay of protein synthesis in the hippocampus of male Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mice to explore the molecular mechanisms involved in this core biochemical phenotype under conditions where aberrant synaptic physiology has been observed. We find that elevated basal protein synthesis in Fmr1 KO mice is selectively reduced to wild-type levels by acute inhibition of mGluR5 or ERK1/2, but not by inhibition of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). The mGluR5-ERK1/2 pathway is not constitutively overactive in the Fmr1 KO, however, suggesting that mRNA translation is hypersensitive to basal ERK1/2 activation in the absence of FMRP. We find that hypersensitivity to ERK1/2 pathway activation also contributes to audiogenic seizure susceptibility in the Fmr1 KO. These results suggest that the ERK1/2 pathway, and other neurotransmitter systems that stimulate protein synthesis via ERK1/2, represent additional therapeutic targets for FXS.
Charged Black Holes in Three Dimensional Einstein Theory with Torsion and

We discuss exact solutions to 3D Einstein theory with torsion coupled to gravitational Chern Simons term and charged under Maxwell Chern Simons electrodynamics. Some of the solutions we found represent charged rotating black holes and generalize previous solutions reported in the literature. Also we find that Godel type solution exists in the theory considered. Finally we compute the conserved charges.
Feed-Forward and Feedback Active Noise Control System Using FxLMS Algorithm for Narrowband and Broadband Noise

Ease of adaptive filter techniques of its implementation introduce various active noise control (ANC) systems, using different algorithms for efficient and effective acoustic noise control. Filtered-x least mean square (FxLMS) ANC system is used due to secondary path timing delay. In this paper comparison between feed-forward and feedback active noise control system using FxLMS algorithm is done for the two types of noises a) narrowband and b) broadband noise. For this comparison step-size parameter and filter order is assumed to be constant. Mean square error (MSE) for each case is shown to conclude the usefulness of system.
Accounting for localized defects in the optoelectronic design of thin-film solar cells

Controlled nanostructuring of thin-film solar cells offers a promising route toward increased efficiency through improved light trapping. Many such light trapping designs involve structuring of the active region itself. Optimization of these designs is aided by the use of computer simulations that account for both the optics and electronics of the device. We describe such a simulation-based approach that accounts for experimental tradeoffs between high-aspect ratio structuring and electronic material quality. Our model explicitly accounts for localized regions of degraded material quality that is induced by light trapping structures in n-i-p a-Si:H solar cells. We find that the geometry of the defects couples to the geometry of light absorption profiles in the active region and that this coupling impacts the spectral response of the device. Our approach yields insights into the nanoscale device physics that is associated with localized geometry-induced defects and provides a framework for full optoelectronic optimization.
Modelization of Limb Coordination for Human Action Analysis

This paper analyzes the movements of the human body limbs (hands, feet and head) and center of gravity in order to detect simple actions such as walking, jumping and displacing an object. Correlation between these points is guaranteed by considering them as cooperative agents forming a cooperative team : the whole body. The movements are analyzed at individual level and at team level using a hierarchical structure. We make use of a novel framework for online probabilistic plan recognition in cooperative multiagent systems (the multiagent abstract hidden Markov memory model, M-AHMEM) to modelize the human body and detect the actions performed. Knowledge of the high-level team actions (such as "walking") improves the pertinence of our predictions on the low-level individual actions (hand is moving back and forth) and allows us to compensate for missing or erroneous data produced by the feature extraction system. Experiments on real video sequences show the feasibility of the approach.
Gβγ and the C Terminus of SNAP-25 Are Necessary for Long-Term Depression of Transmitter Release

Background Short-term presynaptic inhibition mediated by G protein-coupled receptors involves a direct interaction between G proteins and the vesicle release machinery. Recent studies implicate the C terminus of the vesicle-associated protein SNAP-25 as a molecular binding target of Gβγ that transiently reduces vesicular release. However, it is not known whether SNAP-25 is a target for molecular modifications expressing long-term changes in transmitter release probability. Methodology/Principal Findings This study utilized two-photon laser scanning microscopy for real-time imaging of action potential-evoked [Ca2+] increases, in single Schaffer collateral presynaptic release sites in in vitro hippocampal slices, plus simultaneous recording of Schaffer collateral-evoked synaptic potentials. We used electroporation to infuse small peptides through CA3 cell bodies into presynaptic Schaffer collateral terminals to selectively study the presynaptic effect of scavenging the G-protein Gβγ. We demonstrate here that the C terminus of SNAP-25 is necessary for expression of LTD, but not long-term potentiation (LTP), of synaptic strength. Using type A botulinum toxin (BoNT/A) to enzymatically cleave the 9 amino acid C-terminus of SNAP-25 eliminated the ability of low frequency synaptic stimulation to induce LTD, but not LTP, even if release probability was restored to pre-BoNT/A levels by elevating extracellular [Ca2+]. Presynaptic electroporation infusion of the 14-amino acid C-terminus of SNAP-25 (Ct-SNAP-25), to scavenge Gβγ, reduced both the transient presynaptic inhibition produced by the group II metabotropic glutamate receptor stimulation, and LTD. Furthermore, presynaptic infusion of mSIRK, a second, structurally distinct Gβγ scavenging peptide, also blocked the induction of LTD. While Gβγ binds directly to and inhibit voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, imaging of presynaptic [Ca2+] with Mg-Green revealed that low-frequency stimulation only transiently reduced presynaptic Ca2+ influx, an effect not altered by infusion of Ct-SNAP-25. Conclusions/Significance The C-terminus of SNAP-25, which links synaptotagmin I to the SNARE complex, is a binding target for Gβγ necessary for both transient transmitter-mediated presynaptic inhibition, and the induction of presynaptic LTD.
The Vertical Structure and Ultraviolet Spectrum of Accretion Disks Heated by Internal Dissipation in Active Galactic Nuclei

We present an improved calculation of the vertical structure and ultraviolet spectrum of a dissipative accretion disk in an active galactic nucleus (AGN). We calculate model spectra in which the viscous stress is proportional to the total pressure, the gas pressure only, and the geometric mean of the radiation and gas pressures. As a result of a more complete treatment of absorptive opacity, we find greater overall spectral curvature than Laor & Netzer did, as well as larger amplitudes in both the Lyman and He II photoionization edges. The local blackbody approximation is not a good description of the near-UV spectrum. With relativistic corrections (appropriate to nonrotating black holes) included, we find that the near-UV spectrum hardens with increasing ṁ/m8 (ṁ is the accretion rate in Eddington units, m8 the black hole mass in units of 108 M☉). The near-UV spectrum is consistent with observations if ṁm−18~10−3, but disks this cold would have absorption features at the Lyman edge, which are never seen in real AGNs. The edge amplitude is reduced when ṁ/m8 is larger, but then the near-UV slope is too hard to match observations. We conclude that models in which conventional disks orbit nonrotating black holes do not adequately explain UV continuum production in AGNs.
Exploiting reconfigurable SWP operators for multimedia applications

Implementing image processing applications in embedded systems is a difficult challenge due to the drastic constraints in terms of cost, energy consumption and real time execution. Reconfigurable architectures are good candidates to take-up this challenge and especially when the architecture is able to support different word-lengths of pixel through Sub-Word Parallelism (SWP) capabilities. Exploiting the diversity of supported data-types requires automation tools able to optimize the data word-length under an accuracy constraint. In this paper, a new approach for word-length optimization in the case of SWP operations is proposed. Compared to existing approaches the optimization time is significantly reduced without sacrificing the quality of the optimized solution. The results show the ability of our approach to exploit the SWP capabilities associated with multimedia processors.
Contagious fear: Escape behavior increases with flock size in European gregarious birds

Abstract Flight initiation distance (FID), the distance at which individuals take flight when approached by a potential (human) predator, is a tool for understanding predator–prey interactions. Among the factors affecting FID, tests of effects of group size (i.e., number of potential prey) on FID have yielded contrasting results. Group size or flock size could either affect FID negatively (i.e., the dilution effect caused by the presence of many individuals) or positively (i.e., increased vigilance due to more eyes scanning for predators). These effects may be associated with gregarious species, because such species should be better adapted to exploiting information from other individuals in the group than nongregarious species. Sociality may explain why earlier findings on group size versus FID have yielded different conclusions. Here, we analyzed how flock size affected bird FID in eight European countries. A phylogenetic generalized least square regression model was used to investigate changes in escape behavior of bird species in relation to number of individuals in the flock, starting distance, diet, latitude, and type of habitat. Flock size of different bird species influenced how species responded to perceived threats. We found that gregarious birds reacted to a potential predator earlier (longer FID) when aggregated in large flocks. These results support a higher vigilance arising from many eyes scanning in birds, suggesting that sociality may be a key factor in the evolution of antipredator behavior both in urban and rural areas. Finally, future studies comparing FID must pay explicit attention to the number of individuals in flocks of gregarious species.
Object-oriented engineering data exchange as a base for automatic generation of simulation models

This document describes an approach to support an automated generation of simulation models by use of already existing engineering data. The concept enables engineers to execute tests in parallel to the development of the control applications, using a physical model of the controlled system. The simulation model forms a virtual representation of the process plant that is still under construction at that time. Both simulation approaches, Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or System Simulation, can be applied with varying intensity during the test phases. The piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) as an essential design document within engineering processes serves as the data source for model generation. Nowadays, P&IDs are still exchanged between the different project partners on a paper base or portable document format (PDF) respectively. Thus a computer-aided further processing is not possible. In this context the authors use and extend an XML-based data exchange format to export all information from the P&ID that is required for the generation and parameterization of a physical simulation model. With this approach, the object-oriented structure available in some of today's computer aided engineering (CAE) tools can be transferred into a generic representation and be re-used for automatic model generation.
Contravariantly finite resolving subcategories over commutative rings

Contravariantly finite resolving subcategories of the category of finitely generated modules have been playing an important role in the representation theory of algebras. In this paper we study contravariantly finite resolving subcategories over commutative rings. The main purpose of this paper is to classify contravariantly finite resolving subcategories over a henselian Gorenstein local ring; in fact there exist only three such subcategories. Our method to obtain this classification also recovers as a by-product the theorem of Christensen, Piepmeyer, Striuli and Takahashi concerning the relationship between the contravariant finiteness of the full subcategory of totally reflexive modules and the Gorenstein property of the base ring.
Principles in knowledge management maturity: a South African perspective

Purpose – The institutionalization of knowledge management (KM) principles, policies and strategies could be summarized as being diverse, problematic and located across the spectrum of views. Studies suggest that very little is reported on how these principles are institutionalized in organizations. This paper seeks to examine the role these principles play in the establishment of KM and report on an empirical study conducted in 86 South African-based organizations. Design/methodology/approach – From a large urban South African University engaged in numerous collaboration programs with industry, the authors gained insight into KM maturity in industry groupings over a five-year period. The authors applied an inventory developed by Kruger and Snyman to a set of 86 organizations distributed over nine economic sectors in South Africa. In total 434 employees were interviewed over three managerial levels (operational, middle, and senior). This was achieved by having 178 senior practitioners to each interview three subjects (one in each group level). Findings – Findings indicate that there is a definite trend towards the establishment of KM principles and the successful implementation of KM across South African industries. Industries achieving higher than average scores in the establishment of KM principles also achieved higher than average scores in the implementation of KM. Findings strongly support the argument that elements such as the formulation of strategy, measurement, policy, content, process, technology and culture enable or influence KM ability to manage knowledge. Originality/value – The paper is of relevance to KM practitioners interested in gaining insight into KM maturity that occurred in the extremely diversified environment of South Africa.
Slowing of neurofilament transport and the radial growth of developing nerve fibers

Several lines of evidence indicate that neurofilaments are major intrinsic determinants of axonal caliber in myelinated nerve fibers, and that the delivery of neurofilaments by slow axonal transport is an important mechanism by which neurons regulate axonal caliber. To further clarify the relationship between neurofilament transport and axonal caliber, we examined transport in developing motor fibers of rat sciatic nerve. In 3-, 10-, 12-, and 20-week-old rats, lumbar motor neurons were labeled by the intraspinal injection of radioactive amino acids, and the distributions of labeled cytoskeletal proteins within the sciatic nerve were analyzed at various times afterwards using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel fluorography, and liquid scintillation spectroscopy. There was a progressive decline in the velocity of neurofilament transport with increasing distance along axons undergoing radial growth. By examining transport in different regions of the nerve in animals of the same age, we separated age-dependent reductions in velocity from those related to position along the nerve. The cross-sectional areas of these motor axons (in the L5 ventral root) increased linearly between 3 and 18 weeks of age. Quantitative electron microscopic analysis at 3 and 10 weeks of age revealed that neurofilament density was comparable in fibers of all calibers, indicating that the radial growth of these myelinated nerve fibers correlates with a proportional increase in neurofilament content. We propose that progressive reduction in the velocity of neurofilament transport along the nerve provides for radial growth during development.
Wide-pulse-high-frequency neuromuscular stimulation of triceps surae induces greater muscle fatigue compared with conventional stimulation.

We compared the extent and origin of muscle fatigue induced by short-pulse-low-frequency [conventional (CONV)] and wide-pulse-high-frequency (WPHF) neuromuscular electrical stimulation. We expected CONV contractions to mainly originate from depolarization of axonal terminal branches (spatially determined muscle fiber recruitment) and WPHF contractions to be partly produced via a central pathway (motor unit recruitment according to size principle). Greater neuromuscular fatigue was, therefore, expected following CONV compared with WPHF. Fourteen healthy subjects underwent 20 WPHF (1 ms-100 Hz) and CONV (50 μs-25 Hz) evoked isometric triceps surae contractions (work/rest periods 20:40 s) at an initial target of 10% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force. Force-time integral of the 20 evoked contractions (FTI) was used as main index of muscle fatigue; MVC force loss was also quantified. Central and peripheral fatigue were assessed by voluntary activation level and paired stimulation amplitudes, respectively. FTI in WPHF was significantly lower than in CONV (21,717 ± 11,541 vs. 37,958 ± 9,898 N·s P<0,001). The reductions in MVC force (WPHF: -7.0 ± 2.7%; CONV: -6.2 ± 2.5%; P < 0.01) and paired stimulation amplitude (WPHF: -8.0 ± 4.0%; CONV: -7.4 ± 6.1%; P < 0.001) were similar between conditions, whereas no change was observed for voluntary activation level (P > 0.05). Overall, our results showed a different motor unit recruitment pattern between the two neuromuscular electrical stimulation modalities with a lower FTI indicating greater muscle fatigue for WPHF, possibly limiting the presumed benefits for rehabilitation programs.
MiR-122 Induces Radiosensitization in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Line

MiR-122 is a novel tumor suppresser and its expression induces cell cycle arrest, or apoptosis, and inhibits cell proliferation in multiple cancer cells, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Radioresistance of cancer cell leads to the major drawback of radiotherapy for NSCLC and the induction of radiosensitization could be a useful strategy to fix this problem. The present work investigates the function of miR-122 in inducing radiosensitization in A549 cell, a type of NSCLC cells. MiR-122 induces the radiosensitization of A549 cells. MiR-122 also boosts the inhibitory activity of ionizing radiation (IR) on cancer cell anchor-independent growth and invasion. Moreover, miR-122 reduced the expression of its targeted genes related to tumor-survival or cellular stress response. These results indicate that miR-122 would be a novel strategy for NSCLC radiation-therapy.
Learning Topology of Curves with Application to Clustering

We propose a method for learning the intrinsic topology of a point set sampled from a curve embedded in a high-dimensional ambient space. Our approach does not rely on distances in the ambient space, and thus can recover the topology of sparsely sampled curves, a situation where extant manifold learning methods are expected to fail. We formulate a loss function based on the smoothness of a curve, and derive a greedy procedure for minimizing this loss function. We compare the efficacy of our approach with representative manifold learning and hierarchical clustering methods on both real and synthetic data.
Video communications over IEEE 802.11p using single channel devices

IEEE 802.11p is a new communication standard for wireless access in vehicular environment (WAVE), intended to support road safety messages, electronic toll collection, infotainment services, and other as well as a number of other intelligent transportation systems (ITS) applications. In this paper, we focus on the impact of the dwelling time on the control channel (CCH) vs. that on the SCH (i.e., the duty cycle) on the performance of video communication on the service channel (SCH), using a novel analytical model. We show that a range of duty cycles allows for satisfactory performance of video traffic on SCH as well as timely delivery of safety messages on CCH.