Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
InteractiveDisplay: A computer-vision-based solution to retrofit existing flat displays into interactive surfaces

This paper outlines InteractiveDisplay, a novel and cost effective solution to create vision-based interactive surface systems by retrofitting existing regular displays. The proposed solution uses a regular off-the-shelf web camera as the main input device, and the raw image data captured by the web camera are processed using several image processing algorithms such as, background subtraction and skin color detection, to identify foreground objects. InteractiveDisplay's configuration addresses complexity and cost related issues with currently available computer-vision-based interactive surfaces. The proposed system provides an opening for more people to experience a new level of interactions with computing systems using the existing and commonly available technologies. The presented system is capable of responding in real-time for user interactions and provides a cost-effective configuration that requires minimum engineering efforts to set-up.
Semantic Modeling for SNPs Associated with Ethnic Disparities in HapMap Samples

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been emerging out of the efforts to research human diseases and ethnic disparities. A semantic network is needed for in-depth understanding of the impacts of SNPs, because phenotypes are modulated by complex networks, including biochemical and physiological pathways. We identified ethnicity-specific SNPs by eliminating overlapped SNPs from HapMap samples, and the ethnicity-specific SNPs were mapped to the UCSC RefGene lists. Ethnicity-specific genes were identified as follows: 22 genes in the USA (CEU) individuals, 25 genes in the Japanese (JPT) individuals, and 332 genes in the African (YRI) individuals. To analyze the biologically functional implications for ethnicity-specific SNPs, we focused on constructing a semantic network model. Entities for the network represented by "Gene," "Pathway," "Disease," "Chemical," "Drug," "ClinicalTrials," "SNP," and relationships between entity-entity were obtained through curation. Our semantic modeling for ethnicity-specific SNPs showed interesting results in the three categories, including three diseases ("AIDS-associated nephropathy," "Hypertension," and "Pelvic infection"), one drug ("Methylphenidate"), and five pathways ("Hemostasis," "Systemic lupus erythematosus," "Prostate cancer," "Hepatitis C virus," and "Rheumatoid arthritis"). We found ethnicity-specific genes using the semantic modeling, and the majority of our findings was consistent with the previous studies - that an understanding of genetic variability explained ethnicity-specific disparities.
Defects Detection in Web Inspection Based on DM642 DSP

In this paper, a novel approach for defects detection in web inspection based on TMS320DM642 DSP development board is proposed. The whole commercial web inspection system can be divided into there major function units: image capture, real-time processing of line-scanned images and the networking transmission. An innovative line-analysis based threshold detection algorithm is presented. The experimental results corroborate that this real-time method implements efficiently in the limited resources on a single DSP with high detection accuracy and robustness to the linear grayscale change. Though the analysis, we can see the total process ability of this algorithm finally achieves 22.51 M/s, which is nearly five to ten times as large as the other algorithms such as SOM based on statistics running on general processor without any obvious decline of the detection accuracy.
NMDA Receptor Signaling Is Important for Neural Tube Formation and for Preventing Antiepileptic Drug-Induced Neural Tube Defects

Failure of neural tube closure leads to neural tube defects (NTDs), which can have serious neurological consequences or be lethal. Use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy increases the incidence of NTDs in offspring by unknown mechanisms. Here we show that during Xenopus laevis neural tube formation, neural plate cells exhibit spontaneous calcium dynamics that are partially mediated by glutamate signaling. We demonstrate that NMDA receptors are important for the formation of the neural tube and that the loss of their function induces an increase in neural plate cell proliferation and impairs neural cell migration, which result in NTDs. We present evidence that the AED valproic acid perturbs glutamate signaling, leading to NTDs that are rescued with varied efficacy by preventing DNA synthesis, activating NMDA receptors, or recruiting the NMDA receptor target ERK1/2. These findings may prompt mechanistic identification of AEDs that do not interfere with neural tube formation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neural tube defects are one of the most common birth defects. Clinical investigations have determined that the use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy increases the incidence of these defects in the offspring by unknown mechanisms. This study discovers that glutamate signaling regulates neural plate cell proliferation and oriented migration and is necessary for neural tube formation. We demonstrate that the widely used antiepileptic drug valproic acid interferes with glutamate signaling and consequently induces neural tube defects, challenging the current hypotheses arguing that they are side effects of this antiepileptic drug that cause the increased incidence of these defects. Understanding the mechanisms of neurotransmitter signaling during neural tube formation may contribute to the identification and development of antiepileptic drugs that are safer during pregnancy.
Inferring Microstructural Properties Using Angular Double Pulsed Gradient Spin Echo NMR in Orientationally Unknown Tissue

We present an analytical water diffusion model for inferring important microstructural properties such as axon radius, orientation, and packing density using low-q angular Double Pulsed Gradient Spin Echo (double-PGSE) NMR, taking into account finite gradient pulses. The MR signal attenuation obtained from Single Pulsed Gradient Spin Echo (single-PGSE) NMR reflects the underlying microstructural properties that restrict the molecular diffusion within. Estimating these properties using single-PGSE, however, requires prior knowledge of axon orientation and high q-values, inhibiting clinical application of these methods. Our simulation results are the first to use low-q angular double-PGSE experiments without prior knowledge of the axon orientation to demonstrate the feasibility of estimating axon radii of the typical human brain tissue range (1 to 5μm). Along with axon radius, we were also able to infer other important microstructural properties such as axon orientation, axon packing density and water diffusivity.
Exact sat-based toffoli network synthesis

Compact realizations of reversible logic functions are of interest in the design of quantum computers. Such reversible functions are realized as a cascade of Toffoli gates. In this paper, we present the first exact synthesis algorithm for reversible functions using generalized Toffoligates. Our iterative algorithm formulates the synthesis problem with d Toffoli gates as a sequence of Boolean Satisfiability (SAT) instances. Such an instance is satisfiable if there exists a network representation with d gates. Thus, we can guarantee minimality. In addition to fully specified reversible functions, the algorithm can be applied to incompletely specified functions. For a set of benchmarks experimental results are given.
Planning of the 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz Bands for Millimetre Wave High Capacity Fixed Link Technology

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to invite comment on the proposed use of the 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz bands for wireless point-to-point services including carriage of broadband wireless technology. • whether the proposed coordination arrangements are appropriate for the proposed spectrum use including whether the proposed database recording method, and self-coordination, arrangements are appropriate; • which licensing methodology is preferred; and • any other relevant matters that should be considered. Publication of submissions In general, ACMA publishes all submissions it receives. ACMA prefers to receive submissions which are not claimed to be confidential. However, ACMA accepts that a submitter may sometimes wish to provide information in confidence. In these circumstances, submitters are asked to identify the material over which confidentiality is claimed and provide a written explanation for confidentiality claims. ACMA will consider each claim for confidentiality on a case by case basis. If ACMA accepts a confidentiality claim, it will not publish the confidential information unless required by law to do so. When can ACMA be required by law to release information? Any submissions provided to ACMA may be released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. ACMA may also be required to release submissions for other reasons including for the purpose of parliamentary processes or where otherwise required by law (for example a court subpoena). While ACMA seeks to consult submitters of confidential information before that information is provided to another body or agency, ACMA cannot guarantee that confidential information will not be released through these or other legal means.
Polyphenolic profile and antiproliferative activity of bioaccessible fractions of zinc-fortified fruit beverages in human colon cancer cell lines.

INTRODUCTION Colorectal cancer risks could be reduced by polyphenol-rich diets that inhibit tumour cell growth. AIMS To determine the polyphenolic profile of four fruit beverages (FbZn, FbZnFe, FbZnM and FbZnFeM) as affected by the presence of Zn with/without Fe and with/without skimmed milk, and the digestion conditions. To evaluate the antiproliferative activity of bioaccessible fractions against Caco-2 and HT-29 cells. To clarify whether cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis is involved in their possible antiproliferative activity. METHODS The polyphenolic profiles were analyzed by RP-HPLC-DAD before and after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Cell proliferation and viability were measured using Trypan blue test, mitochondrial enzyme activity by means MTT test, cell cycle distribution using flow cytometry and apoptosis by means Hoechst dye. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The presence of zinc, iron and/or milk decreased the soluble extractable phenolic content before digestion probably by chelate formation, FbZn and FbZnFe being the samples with the highest soluble extractable phenolics. After digestion, a decrease in phenolics was observed in all zinc-fortified samples (up to 32% with respect to the original fruit beverages) - the FbZnFeM sample showing the lowest soluble extractable phenolic content, though with the lowest percentage decrease in phenolics (14%). FbZnM digest (approximately 50 microM total soluble extractable phenolics) was the sample that most inhibited Caco-2 and HT-29 cell proliferation after 24 h of incubation, without cytotoxicity. The specific combination of phytochemicals in FbZnM digest proved cytostatic and significantly suppressed proliferation through cell cycle arrest in the S-phase in both cell lines, without apoptosis.
A linear translation from LTL to the first-order modal µ-calculus

The modal µ-calculus is a very expressive temporal logic. In particular, logics such as LTL, CTL and CTL* can be translated into the modal mu-calculus, although existing translations of LTL and CTL* are at least exponential in size. We show that an existing simple first-order extension of the modal µ-calculus allows for a linear translation from LTL. Furthermore, we show that solving the translated formulae is as efficient as the best known methods to solve LTL formulae directly.
Towards precise defect control in layered oxide structures by using oxide molecular beam epitaxy

In this paper we present the atomic-layer-by-layer oxide molecular beam epitaxy (ALL-oxide MBE) which has been recently installed in the Max-Planck Institute for Solid State Research and we report on its present status, providing some examples that demonstrate its successful application in the synthesis of different layered oxides, with particular reference to superconducting La2CuO4 and insulator-to-metal La2−xSrxNiO4. We briefly review the ALL-oxide MBE technique and its unique capabilities in the deposition of atomically smooth single-crystal thin films of various complex oxides, artificial compounds and heterostructures, introducing our goal of pursuing a deep investigation of such systems with particular emphasis on structural defects, with the aim of tailoring their functional properties by precise defects control.
Profile of Histone Lysine Methylation across Transcribed Mammalian Chromatin

ABSTRACT Complex patterns of histone lysine methylation encode distinct functions within chromatin. We previously reported that trimethylation of lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3K9) occurs at both silent heterochromatin and at the transcribed regions of active mammalian genes, suggesting that the extent of histone lysine methylation involved in mammalian gene activation is not completely defined. To identify additional sites of histone methylation that respond to mammalian gene activity, we describe here a comparative assessment of all six known positions of histone lysine methylation and relate them to gene transcription. Using several model loci, we observed high trimethylation of H3K4, H3K9, H3K36, and H3K79 in the transcribed region, consistent with previous findings. We identify H4K20 monomethylation, a modification previously linked with repression, as a mark of transcription elongation in mammalian cells. In contrast, H3K27 monomethylation, a modification enriched at pericentromeric heterochromatin, was observed broadly distributed throughout all euchromatic sites analyzed, with selective depletion in the vicinity of the transcription start sites at active genes. Together, these results underscore that similar to other described methyl-lysine modifications, H4K20 and H3K27 monomethylation are versatile and dynamic with respect to gene activity, suggesting the existence of novel site-specific methyltransferases and demethylases coupled to the transcription cycle.
Performance Evaluation of Multistage Multiuser Detector for Asynchronous DS-CDMA System

This paper presents the results related to performance evaluation of 4-stage multiuser detector for asynchronous DS-CDMA system. To meet the real-time requirements for asynchronous multiuser detection, a bit streaming, parallel interference cancellation (PIC) cascade architecture is used. An asynchronous multiuser detection involves block-based computations and matrix inversions. The paper covers iterative-based suboptimal schemes that have been used to decrease the computational complexity, eliminate the need for matrix inversions, decreases the execution time, reduces the memory requirements by making use of joint estimation and detection process that gives better performance than the independent parameter estimation method. The stages of the iteration are cascaded and bits processed in a streaming fashion. The simulation has been carried out for asynchronous DS-CDMA system by varying two parameters, i.e., number of users and number of stages. The simulation results exhibit that system gives better performance at 3rd stage and the number of users decrease with increase in signal to noise ratio (SNR).
Electrical Vestibular Stimuli to Enhance Vestibulo-Motor Output and Improve Subject Comfort

Electrical vestibular stimulation is often used to assess vestibulo-motor and postural responses in both clinical and research settings. Stochastic vestibular stimulation (SVS) is a recently established technique with many advantages over its square-wave counterpart; however, the evoked muscle responses remain relatively small. Although the vestibular-evoked responses can be enhanced by increasing the stimulus amplitude, subjects often perceive these higher intensity electrical stimuli as noxious or painful. Here, we developed multisine vestibular stimulation (MVS) signals that include precise frequency contributions to increase signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) of stimulus-evoked muscle and motor responses. Subjects were exposed to three different MVS stimuli to establish that: 1) MVS signals evoke equivalent vestibulo-motor responses compared to SVS while improving subject comfort and reducing experimentation time, 2) stimulus-evoked vestibulo-motor responses are reliably estimated as a linear system and 3) specific components of the cumulant density time domain vestibulo-motor responses can be targeted by controlling the frequency content of the input stimulus. Our results revealed that in comparison to SVS, MVS signals increased the SNR 3–6 times, reduced the minimum experimentation time by 85% and improved subjective measures of comfort by 20–80%. Vestibulo-motor responses measured using both EMG and force were not substantially affected by nonlinear distortions. In addition, by limiting the contribution of high frequencies within the MVS input stimulus, the magnitude of the medium latency time domain motor output response was increased by 58%. These results demonstrate that MVS stimuli can be designed to target and enhance vestibulo-motor output responses while simultaneously improving subject comfort, which should prove beneficial for both research and clinical applications.
Cement Augmentation in Fracture Treatment

Surgical treatment of fractures close to joints, especially in osteoporotic patients, is often associated with problems to obtain adequate strength of the bone-implant construct as well as sufficient purchase for screws in the weak bone. One way to address this increasing problem is through the development of new metal implants specifically designed for fixation of fractures in osteopenic bone. An alternative strategy is to develop methods for augmentation of the weak bone that surrounds the metal implant. In most instances augmentation is achieved by using injectable cement to reinforce the bone. Conventional PMMA provides good strength but due to several drawbacks it has never gained general acceptance for fracture augmentation. More recently several injectable cements based on calcium-phosphate, calcium-sulphate or bioglass has been developed for augmentation of fractures in the extremities as well as for vertebral compressive fractures in the spine. On the basis of biomechanical studies and the clinical experience so far, cement augmentation will enable faster rehabilitation, as the strength of the cement makes it possible to allow full weight-bearing earlier than conventional metal implants alone. More clinical studies are needed in order to refine the surgical technique, develop cement types aimed for fracture treatment and define the most appropriate indications and limitations of augmentation for fracture repair. The purpose of this article is to review the possible use of augmentation as a technique in the treatment of fractures in the extremities as well as in the spine.
INPUT VARIABLE SELECTION FOR FORECASTING MODELS

The selection of input variables plays a crucial role when modelling time series. For nonlinear models there are not well developed techniques such as AIC and other criteria that work with linear models. In the case of Short Term Load Forecasting (STLF) generalization is greatly influenced by such selection. In this paper two approaches are compared using real data from a Spanish utility company. The models used are neural networks although the algorithms can be used with other nonlinear models. The experiments show that that input variable selection affects the performance of forecasting models and thus should be treated as a generalization problem.
Large-Deviation Probabilities for One-Dimensional Markov ChainsPart 1: Stationary Distributions

In this paper, we consider time-homogeneous and asymptotically space-homogeneous Markov chains that take values on the real line and have an invariant measure. Such a measure always exists if the chain is ergodic. In this paper, we continue the study of the asymptotic properties of $\pi([x,\infty))$ as $x \rightarrow \infty$ for the invariant measure $\pi$, which was started in [A. A. Borovkov,Stochastic Processes in Queueing Theory, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1976], [A. A. Borovkov, Ergodicity and Stability of Stochastic Processes, TVP Science Publishers, Moscow, to appear], and [A. A. Brovkov and D. Korshunov, Ergodicity in a sense of weak convergence, equilibrium-type identities and large deviations for Markov chains, in Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics, Coronet Books, Philadelphia, 1984, pp. 89--98]. In those papers, we studied basically situations that lead to a purely exponential decrease of $\pi([x,\infty))$. Now we consider two remaining alternative variants: the case of "power" decr.
A Weather-Based Prediction Model of Malaria Prevalence in Amenfi West District, Ghana

This study investigated the effects of climatic variables, particularly, rainfall and temperature, on malaria incidence using time series analysis. Our preliminary analysis revealed that malaria incidence in the study area decreased at about 0.35% annually. Also, the month of November recorded approximately 21% more malaria cases than the other months while September had a decreased effect of about 14%. The forecast model developed for this investigation indicated that mean minimum (P = 0.01928) and maximum (P = 0.00321) monthly temperatures lagged at three months were significant predictors of malaria incidence while rainfall was not. Diagnostic tests using Ljung-Box and ARCH-LM tests revealed that the model developed was adequate for forecasting. Forecast values for 2016 to 2020 generated by our model suggest a possible future decline in malaria incidence. This goes to suggest that intervention strategies put in place by some nongovernmental and governmental agencies to combat the disease are effective and thus should be encouraged and routinely monitored to yield more desirable outcomes.
The juxtamembrane and carboxy-terminal domains of Arabidopsis PRK2 are critical for ROP-induced growth in pollen tubes

Polarized growth of pollen tubes is a critical step for successful reproduction in angiosperms and is controlled by ROP GTPases. Spatiotemporal activation of ROP (Rho GTPases of plants) necessitates a complex and sophisticated regulatory system, in which guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RopGEFs) are key components. It was previously shown that a leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase, Arabidopsis pollen receptor kinase 2 (AtPRK2), interacted with RopGEF12 for its membrane recruitment. However, the mechanisms underlying AtPRK2-mediated ROP activation in vivo are yet to be defined. It is reported here that over-expression of AtPRK2 induced tube bulging that was accompanied by the ectopic localization of ROP-GTP and the ectopic distribution of actin microfilaments. Tube depolarization was also induced by a potentially kinase-dead mutant, AtPRK2K366R, suggesting that the over-expression effect of AtPRK2 did not require its kinase activity. By contrast, deletions of non-catalytic domains in AtPRK2, i.e. the juxtamembrane (JM) and carboxy-terminal (CT) domains, abolished its ability to affect tube polarization. Notably, AtPRK2K366R retained the ability to interact with RopGEF12, whereas AtPRK2 truncations of these non-catalytic domains did not. Lastly, it has been shown that the JM and CT domains of AtPRK2 were not only critical for its interaction with RopGEF12 but also critical for its distribution at the plasma membrane. These results thus provide further insight into pollen receptor kinase-mediated ROP activation during pollen tube growth.