Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motion Estimation Techniques

2.3. 1. Brightness constancy motion model and the optical flow equation 10 2.3. 2. Glossary 2D motion vector field: the 2D motion vector field is defined as the projection of the 3D objects motion onto the 2D image plane. Aperture problem: when observing a moving structure through a small aperture, different physical motions appear indistinguishable Block matching: Motion estimation algorithms based on the matching of blocks between two frames, with the objective to minimize a dissimilarity measure. Brightness constancy: Assumption that a pixel intensity remains constant along a motion trajectory. In other words, variations in time of the pixel intensity are exclusively due to the objects displacements. Dense motion field: Motion field which represents motion by assigning one motion vector to each image pixel. Lambertian reflectance: An ideal diffusely reflecting surface, whose apparent brightness is the same regardless of an observer view angle. Motion compensation: To perform temporal processing on pixels along motion trajectories, i.e. shifted by a motion vector, instead of on co-located pixels. In video coding, motion compensated prediction refers to the prediction of a block by using a shifted previously encoded block, where the shift correspond to the estimated motion vector. Motion trajectory: The path that a pixel follows through space and time when considering an image sequence as a three-dimensional continuous spatio-temporal field. Multi-resolution motion estimation: Techniques based on a multi-resolution or multi-scale data representation, which first compute a coarse estimate of the motion field at the lowest resolution level and then progressively refine it at successively higher resolution levels. Occlusion, Disocclusion: An occlusion refers to a region or object which is partially or fully hidden by another object closer to the camera. A disocclusion denotes a newly appearing region or object which was previously occluded. Optical flow: the optical flow is defined as the apparent motion of the brightness pattern. In other words, the optical flow captures the spatio-temporal variation of pixel intensities in an image sequence. Outlier: an outlier is sample which markedly deviates from the rest of the data samples. Sprite: a sprite, also known as mosaic or panoramic image, refers to a large composite image obtained by aligning and blending pixels from multiple displaced images Rate-distortion: in the context of lossy data compression, the optimal minimization of the date rate in order to be able to reconstruct the source without exceeding a given distortion, or reciprocally, the minimization of the reconstruction distortion for a …
Analysis of Grasping and Slip Detection of the Human Hand

In this paper, we present a novel strategy to detect the slipping of an object grasped by a human hand. The recognition of slipping of a grasped object early plays a significant role in designing the dexterous robotic hands to ensure a firm grasping. Here, we present a system that uses force sensors embedded in a tight glove to capture force variations during a slipping of a grasped object. The analysis of contribution by five fingers and the palm for grasping is presented based on new factor called contribution factor. Also, we propose a new direction to incorporate controlling of dexterous robot hands based on spatial activity of force exerted by hand to ensure a firm grasping.
Examining the role of perceived prestige in the link between students’ subjective socioeconomic status and sense of belonging

Low socioeconomic status (SES) students have a lower sense of belonging to college than high-SES students. Due to the importance of sense of belonging in the college pathway, understanding the reason for this relation is particularly important. Here, we argue that in addition to having less access to resources, low-SES students in the college context also perceive themselves as having lower prestige than their high-SES counterparts. Thus, in the present research, we tested perceived prestige as a mediator of the link between subjective SES and sense of belonging to college. We conducted 3 studies in 2 different countries (USA and China), and these investigations provided evidence that the lower students’ subjective SES, the lower their self-attributed prestige, and that prestige mediated the relation between students’ subjective SES and their sense of belonging to college. The implications of these findings for understanding the collegiate experience of low-SES students are discussed.
Improved classification and regression tree based omni-directional wheelchair control with eye movement

Omni-directional wheelchairs are capable of providing great help for users with difficult walking as wish. In order to help the users with problems controlling wheelchairs with physical contact methods, this paper presents a set of algorithms including improved classification and regression tree (CART), cross validation separation(CVS) and relative angle model (RAM) to control a wheelchair with eye movements. The worldwide researches and some earlier work done about eye movement data processing were introduced which reveal the difficulty of applying eye movement data processing methods into motion control tasks. Afterwards, a kind of improved CART algorithm was proposed to efficiently decrease noisy data and extract useful information from raw data. And CVS along with RAM methods were presented to finish recognition tasks and improve the robustness of the system for nonstandard user generated scanpaths. In the last, an experiment was conducted to verify the effectiveness of the algorithms, and also the future work based on the results was proposed.
Towards more sophisticated ARP Spoofing detection/prevention systems in LAN networks

The Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is used by computers to map network addresses (IP) to physical addresses [MAC] and we can't imagine a communications between networks without the support of ARP protocol. However, ARP had been misused by many malicious hosts for illegitimate penetration; ARP Spoofing is one example for such illegal access. ARP Spoofing can enable malicious hosts to perform Man-in-the-Middle attacks [MiM] as well as a Denial of Service attacks [DoS]. Unfortunately, ARP Spoofing has not been focused by security experts or solutions, e.g. Intrusion Detection Systems or Intrusion Protection Systems [IDS/IPS]. In this research we evaluate the most famous & expensive detection and prevention [IDS/IPS] systems for detecting all types of ARP spoofing attacks and introduce an algorithm which can be implemented in IDS/IPS systems to enhance it's security.
A switching formula for optimal gait transitions

This paper proposes a simple, closed-form switching formula for determining the optimal gait transition speeds of legged robots. For robots with even-numbered legs that are arranged symmetrically along the direction of locomotion, the formula determines the forward locomotion speed at which running (gallop) becomes more efficient than walking (trot). The accuracy of the switching formula is empirically evaluated through a series of dynamic optimization procedures for bipeds and quadrupeds: in each case, after determining the most energy-efficient walking and running gaits for a given desired speed, the common intersection of the speed-energy efficiency graphs for the two gaits is then taken to be the gait transition point. Our switching formula is then applied to various animals (human, ostrich, horse, dog and elephant), where the gait transition speeds predicted by our formula are found to be remarkably close to the actual transition speeds of the animals.
Estimating Finite Rate of Population Increase for Sharks Based on Vital Parameters

The vital parameter data for 62 stocks, covering 38 species, collected from the literature, including parameters of age, growth, and reproduction, were log-transformed and analyzed using multivariate analyses. Three groups were identified and empirical equations were developed for each to describe the relationships between the predicted finite rates of population increase (λ’) and the vital parameters, maximum age (Tmax), age at maturity (Tm), annual fecundity (f/Rc)), size at birth (Lb), size at maturity (Lm), and asymptotic length (L∞). Group (1) included species with slow growth rates (0.034 yr-1 < k < 0.103 yr-1) and extended longevity (26 yr < Tmax < 81 yr), e.g., shortfin mako Isurus oxyrinchus, dusky shark Carcharhinus obscurus, etc.; Group (2) included species with fast growth rates (0.103 yr-1 < k < 0.358 yr-1) and short longevity (9 yr < Tmax < 26 yr), e.g., starspotted smoothhound Mustelus manazo, gray smoothhound M. californicus, etc.; Group (3) included late maturing species (Lm/L∞ ≧ 0.75) with moderate longevity (Tmax < 29 yr), e.g., pelagic thresher Alopias pelagicus, sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus. The empirical equation for all data pooled was also developed. The λ’ values estimated by these empirical equations showed good agreement with those calculated using conventional demographic analysis. The predictability was further validated by an independent data set of three species. The empirical equations developed in this study not only reduce the uncertainties in estimation but also account for the difference in life history among groups. This method therefore provides an efficient and effective approach to the implementation of precautionary shark management measures.
Technique for authenticating H.264/SVC streams in surveillance applications

Surveillance streams coded by H.264/SVC (scalable video coding), which consist of one base layer and one or multiple enhancement layers, support flexible and various quality, resolution, and temporal scalabilities such that clients with different network bandwidth and terminal devices can seamlessly access them. In this paper, based on characteristics of SVC layer and surveillance sequences, we present an efficient and hybrid authentication scheme to ensure the integrity of SVC surveillance streams, named AUSSS (Authenticating SVC Surveillance Streams). Distinguished from the existing schemes, AUSSS exploits both cryptographic-based authentication and content-based authentication. Compared to existing authentication schemes, experimental results demonstrate that AUSSS causes less computation complexity and smaller compression overhead.
Analyzing Compatibility of BPEL Processes

The Business Process Execution Language for Web Services provides a powerful technology to aggregate encapsulated functionalities and define high-value Web services - backed by various development and runtime environments of major software companies. Nevertheless, modeling and composing BPEL processes is still a complicated, time and money consuming, and errorprone activity. Formal methods like Petri nets enable the effective analysis of one single BPEL process as well as the comparison of multiple given BPEL models, and the generation of a BPEL model out of another. The current paper presents an prototypically implemented analysis framework that integrates those methods into IBM’s business integration tools. The value of such a framework is illustrated by analyzing behavioral compatibility between BPEL processes, one of the most crucial properties in real-world B2B scenarios.
Sex hormone status may modulate rate of expansion of proximal femur diameter in older women alongside other skeletal regulators.

CONTEXT Little is known of associations between hip geometry and skeletal regulators. This is important because geometry is a determinant of both hip function and resistance to fracture. OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine the effects of sex hormone status and other candidate regulators on hip geometry and strength. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A random sample of 351 women aged 67-79 had two to four hip dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans performed over 8 yr of follow-up. Hip structural analysis software was used to measure subperiosteal diameter (PD) and the distance from the center of mass to the lateral cortical margin (d-lat) on three 5-mm-thick cross-sectional regions: narrow neck, intertrochanter, and shaft. Section modulus (Z), bone mineral density (grams per centimeter squared), and an index of bone mineral content (cross-sectional area) were calculated as estimators of bone strength. Serum analytes measured at baseline included SHBG, estradiol, PTH, creatinine, albumin, vitamin D metabolites, and glutamate- and gamma-carboxyglutamate-osteocalcin (OC). A linear mixed model was used to model associations with predictor variables, including testing whether the predictors significantly modified the effect of aging. RESULTS Aging was associated with increasing PD and d-lat, and higher baseline SHBG significantly modified this effect, in the case of PD, increasing the rates of change at the narrow neck region by 19% for SHBG level 2 sd higher than population mean (P = 0.026). Higher baseline creatinine was independently associated with faster increases in PD and d-lat with aging (P < 0.041). Z declined faster with aging if baseline PTH was higher, and higher albumin had a contrary effect. Z was positively associated with free estradiol and inversely associated with SHBG and glutamate-OC. CONCLUSION These results show large effects of SHBG on the regulation of proximal femur expansion and bending resistance, probably acting as a surrogate for low bioavailable estrogen. Potentially important effects for fracture resistance in old age were also revealed for PTH, markers related to renal function and the nutritional markers albumin and undercarboxylated OC.
Processing image and audio information for recognising discourse participation status through features of face and voice

This paper describes a system based on a 360-degree camera with a single microphone that detects speech activity in a roundtable context for the purpose of estimating discourse participation status information for each member present. We have obtained 97% accuracy in detecting participants and have shown that the use of non-verbal and backchannel speech information is a useful indicator of participant status in a discourse. Index Terms: round-table meetings, image processing, nonverbal behaviour, speech activity, discourse management
Nucleotide sequence, functional characterization and evolution of pFKN, a virulence plasmid in Pseudomonas syringae pathovar maculicola

Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola strain M6 (Psm M6) carries the avrRpm1 gene, encoding a type III effector, on a 40 kb plasmid, pFKN. We hypothesized that this plasmid might carry additional genes required for pathogenesis on plants. We report the sequence and features of pFKN. In addition to avrRpm1, pFKN carries an allele of another type III effector, termed avrPphE, and a gene of unknown function (ORF8), expression of which is induced in planta, suggesting a role in the plant–pathogen interaction. The region of pFKN carrying avrRpm1, avrPphE and ORF8 exhibits several features of pathogenicity islands (PAIs). Curing of pFKN (creating Psm M6C) caused a significant reduction in virulence on Arabidopsis leaves. However, complementation studies using Psm M6C demonstrated an obvious virulence function only for avrRpm1. pFKN can integrate and excise from the chromosome of Psm M6 at low frequency via homologous recombination between identical sequence segments located on the chromosome and on pFKN. These segments are part of two nearly identical transposons carrying avrPphE. The avrPphE transposon was also detected in other strains of P. s. pv. maculicola and in P. s. tomato strain DC3000. The avrPphE transposon was found inserted at different loci in different strains. The analysis of sequences surrounding the avrPphE transposon insertion site in the chromosome of Psm M6 indicates that pFKN integrates into a PAI that encodes type III effectors. The integration of pFKN into this chromosomal region may therefore be seen as an evolutionary process determining the formation of a new PAI in the chromosome of Psm M6.
Tools and Techniques for the Sound Verification of Low Level Code

Software plays an increasingly crucial role in nearly every facet of modern life, from communications infrastructure to control systems in automobiles, airplanes, and power plants. To achieve the highest degree of reliability for the most critical pieces of software, it is necessary to move beyond ad hoc testing and review processes towards verification—to prove using formal methods that a program exhibits exactly those behaviors allowed by its specification and no others. A significant portion of the existing software infrastructure is written in low-level languages like C and C++. Features of these languages present significant verification challenges. For example, unrestricted pointer manipulation means that we cannot prove even the simplest properties of programs without first collecting precise information about potential aliasing relationships between variables. In this thesis, I present several contributions to the field of program verification. The first is a general framework for combining program analyses that are only conditionally sound. Using this framework, I show it is possible to design a sound verification tool that relies on a separate, previously-computed pointer analysis. The second contribution of this thesis is CASCADE, a multi-platform, multiparadigm framework for verification. CASCADE includes support for precise analysis of low-level C code, as well as for higher-level languages such as SPL. Finally, I describe a novel technique for the verification of datatype invariants in low-level systems code. The programmer provides a high-level specification for a low-level implementation in the form of inductive datatype declarations and code assertions. The connection between the high-level semantics and the implementation code is then checked using bit-precise reasoning. An implementation of this datatype verification technique is available as a C ASCADE module.
Parallel Algorithms for Testing Length Four Permutations

We present new parallel algorithms for testing pattern involvement for all length 4 permutations. Our algorithmshave the complexity of O(log n) time with n/log nprocessors on the CREW PRAM model, O(logloglog n) timewith n/logloglog n processors or constant time and nlog3 nprocessors on a CRCW PRAM model. Parallel algorithms werenot designed before for some of these patterns and for otherpatters the previous best algorithms require O(log n) time and n processors on the CREW PRAM model.
Populus euphratica XTH overexpression enhances salinity tolerance by the development of leaf succulence in transgenic tobacco plants

Populus euphratica is a salt-tolerant tree species that develops leaf succulence after a prolonged period of salinity stress. In the present study, a putative xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase gene (PeXTH) from P. euphratica was isolated and transferred to tobacco plants. PeXTH localized exclusively to the endoplasmic reticulum and cell wall. Plants overexpressing PeXTH were more salt tolerant than wild-type tobacco with respect to root and leaf growth, and survival. The increased capacity for salt tolerance was due mainly to the anatomical and physiological alterations caused by PeXTH overexpression. Compared with the wild type, PeXTH-transgenic plants contained 36% higher water content per unit area and 39% higher ratio of fresh weight to dry weight, a hallmark of leaf succulence. However, the increased water storage in the leaves in PeXTH-transgenic plants was not accompanied by greater leaf thickness but was due to highly packed palisade parenchyma cells and fewer intercellular air spaces between mesophyll cells. In addition to the salt dilution effect in response to NaCl, these anatomical changes increased leaf water-retaining capacity, which lowered the increase of salt concentration in the succulent tissues and mesophyll cells. Moreover, the increased number of mesophyll cells reduced the intercellular air space, which improved carbon economy and resulted in a 47–78% greater net photosynthesis under control and salt treatments (100–150mM NaCl). Taken together, the results indicate that PeXTH overexpression enhanced salt tolerance by the development of succulent leaves in tobacco plants without swelling.
A Fast Colourimetric Assay for Lead Detection Using Label-Free Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs)

A sensitive colourimetric method for lead (PbII) detection is reported in this paper using a common tripeptide, glutathione (GSH), and label-free gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). A limit of detection of 6.0 ppb in water was achieved and the dynamic linear range was up to 500 ppb. Selectivity over fourteen potential interfering metal ions was tested and most of these metal ions do not interfere with the method.
Reciprocal Attention and Norm of Reciprocity in Blogging Networks

Bloggers devote significant time not only producing content for others to read, watch or listen to, but also paying attention to and engaging in interactions with other bloggers. We hope to throw light not only on the factors that gain bloggers significant readership and lively interactions with their audience, but also on the rules that govern their relations with others. We relate bloggers' activity with the size and structure of their network of fellow bloggers. A blogger's readership increases with his activity, while bloggers who read back proportionally fewer of their readers tend also to be more active. We find evidence that those bloggers who read back proportionally fewer of their readers have less readers than bloggers who reciprocate more, but tend to receive more comments per posts.
The Applicability of the International Staging System in Chinese Patients with Multiple Myeloma Receiving Bortezomib or Thalidomide-Based Regimens as Induction Therapy: A Multicenter Analysis

The International Staging System (ISS) is the most important prognostic system for multiple myeloma (MM). It was identified in the era of conventional agents. The outcome of MM has significantly changed by novel agents. Thus the applicability of ISS system in the era of novel agents in Chinese patients needs to be demonstrated. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes and prognostic significance of ISS system in 1016 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in Chinese patients between 2008 and 2012, who received bortezomib- or thalidomide-based regimens as first-line therapy. The median overall survival (OS) of patients for ISS stages I/II/III was not reached/55.4 months/41.7 months (p < 0.001), and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 30/29.5/25 months (p = 0.072), respectively. Statistically significant difference in survival was confirmed among three ISS stages in thalidomide-based group, but not between ISS stages I and II in bortezomib-based group. These findings suggest that ISS system can predict the survival in the era of novel agents in Chinese MM patients, and bortezomib may have the potential to partially overcome adverse effect of risk factors on survival, especially in higher stage of ISS system.
Seasonality in Tourism: A Guide to the Analysis of Seasonality and Trends for Policy Making. Raphael Raymond V. BarOn. The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited, Spencer House, 27 St. James's Place, London, SWIA 1NT England. 1975. 70p plus appendix

1974 Virginia Visitor Travel Survey. Department of Highways and Transportation, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1221 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. 1975. 97p. Sixth survey of out-of-statc visitor travel in Virginia conducted seasonally throughout the calendar year 1974. The data derived from this survey and presented in this report includes intormation on vehicle and visitor volumes, vehicle iegistration, trip purpose, vehicle occupancy, length of stay, expendtures, and comparisons of travel habits with the previous five surveys. This survey was expanded to include camper vehicle categories, which had not been interviewed in the previous surveys.