Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Target Tracking with Unreliable Binary Proximity Sensors

This paper describes an algorithm for target tracking in a distributed network of binary proximity sensors that is robust to sensor failures. Tracking with such sensors is a difficult problem as they only transmit a single binary digit regarding the presence of a target. The operational status of these sensors may also not be accurately known. This paper describes a Gaussian mixture-based tracking algorithm that addresses these two issues
Polar Localizing Class V Myosin Chitin Synthases Are Essential during Early Plant Infection in the Plant Pathogenic Fungus Ustilago maydis[W]

Fungal chitin synthases (CHSs) form fibers of the cell wall and are crucial for substrate invasion and pathogenicity. Filamentous fungi contain up to 10 CHSs, which might reflect redundant functions or the complex biology of these fungi. Here, we investigate the complete repertoire of eight CHSs in the dimorphic plant pathogen Ustilago maydis. We demonstrate that all CHSs are expressed in yeast cells and hyphae. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions to all CHSs localize to septa, whereas Chs5-GFP, Chs6-GFP, Chs7-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), and Myosin chitin synthase1 (Mcs1)-YFP were found at growth regions of yeast-like cells and hyphae, indicating that they participate in tip growth. However, only the class IV CHS genes chs7 and chs5 are crucial for shaping yeast cells and hyphae ex planta. Although most CHS mutants were attenuated in plant pathogenicity, Δchs6, Δchs7, and Δmcs1 mutants were drastically reduced in virulence. Δmcs1 showed no morphological defects in hyphae, but Mcs1 became essential during invasion of the plant epidermis. Δmcs1 hyphae entered the plant but immediately lost growth polarity and formed large aggregates of spherical cells. Our data show that the polar class IV CHSs are essential for morphogenesis ex planta, whereas the class V myosin-CHS is essential during plant infection.
Virtual Reality in Brain Damage Rehabilitation: Review

Given the high incidence of brain injury in the population, brain damage rehabilitation is still a relatively undeveloped field. Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to assist current rehabilitation techniques in addressing the impairments, disabilities, and handicaps associated with brain damage. The main focus of much of the exploratory research performed to date has been to investigate the use of VR in the assessment of cognitive abilities, but there is now a trend for more studies to encompass rehabilitation training strategies. This review describes studies that have used VR in the assessment and rehabilitation of specific disabilities resulting from brain injury, including executive dysfunction, memory impairments, spatial ability impairments, attention deficits, and unilateral visual neglect. In addition, it describes studies that have used VR to try to offset some of the handicaps that people experience after brain injury. Finally, a table is included which, although not an exhaustive list of everything that has been published, includes many more studies that are relevant to the use of VR in the assessment and rehabilitation of brain damage. The review concludes that the use of VR in brain damage rehabilitation is expanding dramatically and will become an integral part of cognitive assessment and rehabilitation in the future.
Community structure, succession and development of coral reefs in Hawaii

Reef building corals in the Hawaiian Archipelago consist of only 42 species belonging to 16 genera. The Hawaiian coral fauna is highly depauperate relative to the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, a result most likely due to geographic isolation. Although impoverished, the species composition of reef building corals is remarkably uniform throughout the archipelago. Differences in species composition which do exist appear to be caused by varying patterns of disturbance and recruitment. Although patchy distributional patterns exist within islands, the differences in species composition between islands are small. Where adequate substrata prevail within the euphotic zone most species are present. Hence species composition tends to be an all or none phenomenon. Contrary to most terrestrial ecosystems, a positive correlation does not exist between species richness and habitat area (0 to 20 m). This may be due to low habitat complexity within the zone for reef building corals and high rates of recruitment between islands. It also suggests that most reef building corals in Hawaii are generalized species. The fact that most do not drop out moving northwestward in the chain is evidence of their generalized life history (eurytopy). The most significant differences between coral reefs found on different islands, are differences in community structure. On seaward reefs differences in community structure appear to be primarily caused by differences in physical disturbance from long period swell; they can be interpreted as differences in successional age. Moving northwestward within the chain, coral growth rates steadily decline. This has the effect of lengthening the successional process and increasing the likelihood of intervening disturbance. A hypothetical model operational over generations is presented demonstrating the effect of disturbance on the successional process for coral reefs in general. The development of large-scale morphological features such as spurs and grooves, fringing and barrier reefs and atolls involve processes operational over geological periods of time. The chronology of the Hawaiian Archipelago is now sufficiently well known to serve as a time scale against which the development of these structures can be measured.
Increased sensitivity to light-induced damage in a mouse model of autosomal dominant retinal disease.

PURPOSE To describe a sensitivity to light-induced damage associated with expression of a T17M mutant human rhodopsin (hT17M) transgene in mice, with the goal of minimizing retinal injury during the subretinal delivery of rAAV-mediated gene therapy. METHODS Mice were bred to express the hT17M rhodopsin transgene in a line that was hemizygous null for wild-type mouse rhodopsin (mrho(+/-)), and the eyes of transgenic mice and nontransgenic littermates were exposed for 2.5 minutes to unilateral illumination with fiber-optic light ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 lux. Funduscopic images were made with a handheld camera (Genesis; Kowa Company, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). Full-field scotopic electroretinographic analysis (ERG) was performed to measure loss of retinal function. Morphometry in the light microscope was used to measure loss of rod photoreceptors. TUNEL staining and a nucleosome release assay were used to measure levels of apoptosis in retinal specimens. RESULTS mrho(+/-);hT17M mice exhibited a sensitivity to light-induced damage that caused severe loss of a- and b-wave ERG responses. hT17M transgenic mice on the mrho(+/+) background were equally sensitive to light-induced damage. Histologic analysis showed a concomitant loss of photoreceptors and TUNEL labeling of fragmented DNA in rod photoreceptor cells, demonstrating that the damage occurred via an apoptotic pathway. Nontransgenic littermate mice were not affected by this exposure to light. Mice expressing an hP23H mutant human rhodopsin transgene were minimally sensitive to light-induced damage at these intensities, in comparison to hT17M mice. Treating the hT17M mice with an equivalent regimen of exposure to red light was less damaging to the retina, as measured by ERG and histology. CONCLUSIONS Expression of a human hT17M mutant rhodopsin transgene in mice is associated with photoreceptor apoptosis in response to moderate exposure to light. This phenotype was not observed in nontransgenic littermates or in mice expressing an hP23H mutant human rhodopsin transgene. The results suggest that elimination of the glycosylation site at N15 is associated with increased sensitivity to light-induced damage.
Cation and sugar selectivity determinants in a novel family of transport proteins

A new family of homologous membrane proteins that transport galactosides–pentoses–hexuronides (GPH) is described. By analysing the aligned amino acid sequences of the GPH family, and by exploiting their different specificities for cations and sugars, we have designed mutations that yield novel insights into the nature of ligand binding sites in membrane proteins. Mutants have been isolated/constructed in the melibiose transport proteins of Escherichia coliKlebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhimurium, and the lactose transport protein of Streptococcus thermophilus which facilitate uncoupled transport or have an altered cation and/or substrate specificity. Most of the mutations map in the amino‐terminal region, in or near amphipathic α‐helices II and IV, or in interhelix‐loop 10–11 of the transport proteins. On the basis of the kinetic properties of these mutants, and the primary and secondary structure analyses presented here, we speculate on the cation binding pocket of this family of transporters. The regulation of the transporters through interaction with, or phosphorylation by, components of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system is also discussed.
Different phosphoinositide 3-kinase isoforms mediate carrageenan nociception and inflammation

Abstract Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) participate in signal transduction cascades that can directly activate and sensitize nociceptors and enhance pain transmission. They also play essential roles in chemotaxis and immune cell infiltration leading to inflammation. We wished to determine which PI3K isoforms were involved in each of these processes. Lightly anesthetized rats (isoflurane) were injected subcutaneously with carrageenan in their hind paws. This was preceded by a local injection of 1% DMSO vehicle or an isoform-specific antagonist to PI3K-&agr; (compound 15-e), -&bgr; (TGX221), -&dgr; (Cal-101), or -&ggr; (AS252424). We measured changes in the mechanical pain threshold and spinal c-Fos expression (4 hours after injection) as indices of nociception. Paw volume, plasma extravasation (Evans blue, 0.3 hours after injection), and neutrophil (myeloperoxidase; 1 hour after injection) and macrophage (CD11b+; 4 hour after injection) infiltration into paw tissue were the measured inflammation endpoints. Only PI3K-&ggr; antagonist before treatment reduced the carrageenan-induced pain behavior and spinal expression of c-Fos (P ⩽ 0.01). In contrast, pretreatment with PI3K-&agr;, -&dgr;, and-&ggr; antagonists reduced early indices of inflammation. Plasma extravasation PI3K-&agr; (P ⩽ 0.05), -&dgr; (P ⩽ 0.05), and -&ggr; (P ⩽ 0.01), early (0-2 hour) edema -&agr; (P ⩽ 0.05), -&dgr; (P ⩽ 0.001), and -&ggr; (P ⩽ 0.05), and neutrophil infiltration (all P ⩽ 0.001) were all reduced compared to vehicle pretreatment. Later (2-4 hour), edema and macrophage infiltration (P ⩽ 0.05) were reduced by only the PI3K-&dgr; and -&ggr; isoform antagonists, with the PI3K-&dgr; antagonist having a greater effect on edema. PI3K-&bgr; antagonism was ineffective in all paradigms. These data indicate that pain and clinical inflammation are pharmacologically separable and may help to explain clinical conditions in which inflammation naturally wanes or goes into remission, but pain continues unabated.
High-speed camera characterization of voluntary eye blinking kinematics

Blinking is vital to maintain the integrity of the ocular surface and its characteristics such as blink duration and speed can vary significantly, depending on the health of the eyes. The blink is so rapid that special techniques are required to characterize it. In this study, a high-speed camera was used to record and characterize voluntary blinking. The blinking motion of 25 healthy volunteers was recorded at 600 frames per second. Master curves for the palpebral aperture and blinking speed were constructed using palpebral aperture versus time data taken from the high-speed camera recordings, which show that one blink can be divided into four phases; closing, closed, early opening and late opening. Analysis of data from the high-speed camera images was used to calculate the palpebral aperture, peak blinking speed, average blinking speed and duration of voluntary blinking and compare it with data generated by other methods previously used to evaluate voluntary blinking. The advantages of the high-speed camera method over the others are discussed, thereby supporting the high potential usefulness of the method in clinical research.
An Outer Bound for Multiple Access Channels with Correlated Sources

The capacity region of the multiple access channel with correlated sources remains an open problem. Cover, El Gamal and Salehi gave an achievable region in the form of single-letter entropy and mutual information expressions, without a single-letter converse. Cover, El Gamal and Salehi also suggested a converse in terms of some n-letter mutual informations, which are incomputable. We have proposed an upper bound for the sum rate of this channel in a single-letter expression, by utilizing a new necessary condition for the Markov chain constraint on the valid channel input distributions. In this paper, we extend our results from the sum rate to the entire capacity region. We obtain an outer bound for the capacity region of the multiple access channel with correlated sources in finite-letter expressions.
Vertical accuracy assessment of global digital elevation models and validation of gravity database heights in Niger

ABSTRACT In this study, we assessed the vertical accuracy of ASTER GDEM (Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer – Global Digital Elevation Model) version 2, AW3D30 (ALOS World 3D – 30m) and the 1 and 3 arc-seconds versions of SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) in Niger Republic. We explored the GDEMs to evaluate large void and erroneous pixel areas. GDEMs were then compared to three kinds of ground control data located on several sites and all merged data after vertical datum matching. We also analysed the vertical accuracy by land cover and compared GDEMs to each other. We finally validated the gravity database heights by using the relatively most accurate GDEM. All GDEMs still contain void pixels except for SRTM3 CGIAR, it was then retained for the assessment with 1 arc-second GDEMs. The vertical accuracies in terms of RMS (Root Mean Square) and in m are: ASTER (6.2, 8.0, 9.8 and 9.2), AW3D30 (2.2, 2.1, 1.8 and 1.6), SRTM1 (3.8, 4.3, 2.5 and 2.9) and SRTM3 (3.7, 4.1, 2.4 and 2.7) compared to levelling data, local DEM of Imouraren, GPS (Global Positioning System) data and all merged data. Absolute height differences are less than 10 m at 74.00%, 99.99%, 99.91% and 99.98% for ASTER, AW3D30, SRTM1 and SRTM3, respectively. AW3D30 is the most accurate and ASTER is the least accurate. For all GDEMs, different accuracies were found depending on land cover classes that could be caused by the random spatial distribution of validation data. Small differences were observed between SRTM and AW3D30 and large values between the two models and ASTER similarly. The gravity database was validated using AW3D30, large values of height differences were found in the northern part in agreement with the database specifications and in the southern part indicating erroneous elevations.
Interações e práticas no Facebook

Este artigo discute as transformações trazidas pela comunicação mediada por computadores, e mais especificamente os serviços de redes sociais na internet, para a expressão subjetiva, o relato cotidiano e a escrita de si. Mais tarde, a partir de resultados quantitativos obtidos através de uma survey que alcançou 810 respondentes, discute-se os usos mais prevalentes do Facebook: manter-se informado sobre temas atuais; divertir-se com piadas, vídeos e fotos engraçados; participar de campanhas de conscientização; falar sobre trabalho e saber do crescimento profissional de outros; e saber o que amigos, inimigos e desafetos estão fazendo.
Hemodynamic Spectrum of Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock: A Conceptual Model

Despite the recent accumulation of a large hemodynamic data base describing myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock, precise characterization of patient subsets has been elusive. This paper represents an attempt to identify the major factors contributing to this wide hemodynamic spectrum, and their interrelation using a theoretical model based upon currently emerging concepts of this disease. It is proposed that the hemodynamic alterations associated with acute infarction are a consequence both of reduction in contractile mass and alteration in left ventricular compliance. In addition, mitral insufficiency, altered contractility, and the peripheral circulation interact to produce wide divergence between clinical and hemodynamic features from case to case and during the progression of the course of the illness. This model may more rationally explain the genesis and natural history of “heart failure’ and the “shock syndrome’ associated with acute myocardial infarction and in addition explain the extremely variable responses to both drug therapy and to more aggressive modes of treatment of power failure.
We are still better than them: A longitudinal field study of ingroup favouritism during a merger

The authors examine the impact of predictors for ingroup favouritism and a positive attitude towards a university merger by conducting a longitudinal field study investigating students' perceptions of a merger. Thus, the focus of this paper lies on the developmental and dynamic aspect of social identity processes and the test of directional hypotheses in an applied setting. Based on a cross-lagged regression approach, it was shown that pre-merger identification increased favouritism, but favouritism also increased pre-merger identification. Moreover, ingroup favouritism was uni-directionally related to a negative attitude towards the merger. Contact with the merger partner revealed lagged effects on ingroup favouritism. These results confirm that issues of identity change and compatibility are crucial aspects in understanding merger adjustment and support.
Online scaffolding in digital open badge-driven learning

ABSTRACT Background: Digital open badges support competence-based professional development and criteria-based assessment of competences in digital environments. As the use of digital badges is growing rapidly, there is a need for in-depth pedagogical understanding to enable effective classroom application. Purpose: This study seeks to examine the stages of online scaffolding and instructional badging in the digital open badge-driven learning process. We researched students’ experiences of scaffolding in badge-driven learning. Sample: Data were collected from group online interviews (n = 6) with trained Finnish vocational teachers (n = 17) and students of vocational teacher education (n = 12) who earned badges of digital pedagogical competences in the national Professional Development (PD) programme called ‘Learning Online’. Design and methods: This qualitative study was conducted via data-driven content analysis. Hierarchically inclusive relationships were analysed in an ongoing comparison to examine the stages of scaffolding in the digital open badge-driven learning process. The findings were mapped against Salmon’s five-stage-model to represent individual and group thinking regarding a specific concept at a particular time. Findings: The findings reflect students’ experiences and provide insights regarding the optimal form of assessments and scaffolding. They further illustrate the challenges and opportunities involved in badge-driven learning from the perspective of professional development. Conclusions: Based on the findings, we raise questions for further research and suggest a practical approach to help teachers to plan and conduct scaffolding and instructional badging in the digital open badge-driven learning environment.
Molecular Bases for the Recognition of Tyrosine-based Sorting Signals

Targeting of transmembrane proteins to different compartments of the endocytic and late (post-Golgi) secretory pathways is largely dependent upon sorting signals contained within the cytosolic domains of the proteins (reviewed in reference [19][1], [24][2]). The signals are thought to interact with
Blind document image enhancement based on diffusion process

Document image enhancement is a well investigated field of research. Many approaches based on nonlinear anisotropic diffusion have been proved efficient for removing some common artifacts such as bleed-through. However, the proposed methods are somewhat ineffective in removing bleed-through artifacts while strengthening original side strokes. The purpose of this work is to propose a novel nonlinear anisotropic diffusion approach which enhances foreground edges coherence while smoothly removes background artifacts. The proposed method is based on a structure tensor using a new parameter which permits to better distinguish between foreground and artifacts characters. The diffusion scheme is expressed through a new set of equations using the tensor eigenvalues. This system allows to perform a second discrimination between foreground/background strokes. The performance of the proposed enhancement scheme is evaluated by means of objective measures and perceptual judgment of the obtained results on real images.
Components of Antagonism and Mutualism in Ips pini–Fungal Interactions: Relationship to a Life History of Colonizing Highly Stressed and Dead Trees

Abstract Efforts to describe the complex relationships between bark beetles and the ophiostomatoid (stain) fungi they transport have largely resulted in a dichotomous classification. These symbioses have been viewed as either mutualistic (i.e., fungi help bark beetles colonize living trees by overcoming tree defenses or by providing nutrients after colonization in return for transport to a host) or antagonistic (i.e., fungi compete for a limited resource and reduce brood development with no apparent benefit to the beetle). We investigated several components of one beetle–fungus interaction. Specifically, we addressed whether beetle entry into, and development within, a host tree vary with the degree of colonization by ophiostomatoid fungi. Ips pini (Say) transports several species of ophiostomatoid fungi, the most common being Ophiostoma ips (Rumbold) Nannfeldt, in the process of colonizing its host, Pinus resinosa Aitman. We introduced this fungus 0, 3, 7, and 10 d before beetle entry to characterize its effects on I. pini colonization and development. This sequence allowed quantification of temporal effects and comparison of results with other systems. Fungal growth was greatest when inoculated before beetle colonization. Fungal colonization reduced beetle entry into logs, but increased brood production. Mate capture was not significantly affected by fungal growth. The benefits imparted by O. ips to its beetle vector during brood development are compared with results from other systems. This difference may in part be related to the exploitation of highly stressed and dead trees, rather than vigorous hosts, by I. pini.
An Approach for Privacy Enhanced Pixel-Level Image Processing in Hybrid Clouds

This paper presents a chaotic map based image encoding scheme that allows pixel-level operations to be applied on an image while it remains encoded. Using this image encoding scheme, sensitive images can be manipulated by untrusted public cloud servers. Before the images are uploaded onto the public cloud servers they are encoded using user supplied keys by trusted-cloud servers. We fully describe the chaotic map based image encoding algorithm and perform a detailed security analysis of it. Our security analysis demonstrates that the encoding scheme is robust against a wide variety of threats. Additionally, we implemented many pixel- level filtering operations on images over the proposed encoding and found that the overhead is less than 20%.