Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Laser-only road-vehicle localization with dual 2D push-broom LIDARS and 3D priors

We demonstrate the viability of using 2D LIDAR data as the sole means for accurate, robust, long-term road-vehicle localization within a prior map in a complex, dynamic real-world setting. We utilize a dual-LIDAR system - one oriented horizontally, in order to infer vehicle linear and rotational velocity, and one declined to capture a dense view of the surrounds - that allows us to estimate both velocity and position within a prior map. We show how probabilistically modelling the noisy local velocity estimates from the horizontal laser feed, fusing these estimates with data from the declined LIDAR to form a dense 3D swathe and matching this swathe statistically within a map will allow for robust, long-term position estimation. We accommodate estimation errors induced by passing vehicles, pedestrians, ground-strike etc., by learning a positional-dependent sensor model - that is, a sensor-model that varies spatially - and show that learning such a model for LIDAR data allows us to deal gracefully with the complexities of realworld data. We validate the concept over more than 9 kilometres of driven distance in and around the town of Woodstock, Oxfordshire.
MaizeGDB: The Maize Model Organism Database for Basic, Translational, and Applied Research

In 2001 maize became the number one production crop in the world with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reporting over 614 million tonnes produced. Its success is due to the high productivity per acre in tandem with a wide variety of commercial uses. Not only is maize an excellent source of food, feed, and fuel, but also its by-products are used in the production of various commercial products. Maize's unparalleled success in agriculture stems from basic research, the outcomes of which drive breeding and product development. In order for basic, translational, and applied researchers to benefit from others' investigations, newly generated data must be made freely and easily accessible. MaizeGDB is the maize research community's central repository for genetics and genomics information. The overall goals of MaizeGDB are to facilitate access to the outcomes of maize research by integrating new maize data into the database and to support the maize research community by coordinating group activities.
Classification-based mapping of trees in commercial orchards and natural forests

ABSTRACT Hyperspectral remote sensing (RS) and images of various spatial resolution open new vistas for classification and mapping trees. These approaches would improve plant classification in a complex population of forest trees of diverse species, genera, and families, as well as monitoring commercial orchards. In this work, we used new RS indices for cellulose, lignin, wax, chlorophyll, carotenoid, and anthocyanin for plant species classification in natural forests and commercial orchards. For proof of concept, the indices were applied to the classification and mapping of various horticultural crop orchards, where error due to the spatial mixing of different trees is minimal. The classification accuracy of the maps varied between 65 and 82%. This wide range was a result of the following factors: The RS index used, the season, and the spatial resolution of the hyperspectral images. The classification quality was highest when the full set of RS indices was used. The effect of the wax index on accuracy was significant. Furthermore, seasonality played an important role in the classification; the target species were better resolved in spring than in the summer. The higher spatial resolution of the images does not necessarily yield better classification and mapping results; it appeared to be case-specific and greatly depended on the species/crop and the unique environment.
Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Single Intravenous Infusions of an Adenosine Agonist, AMP 579, in Healthy Male Volunteers

The pharmacokinetics of an adenosine agonist, AMP 579, following intravenous administration were evaluated. Single AMP 579 doses of 20 to 150 μg/kg were infused intravenously over 6 hours using a constant‐rate or two‐step rate of infusion to healthy male volunteers. Plasma and urine samples were collected for measurement of AMP 579 concentration using a validated HPLC assay. An assessment of safety and tolerability was also performed. Based on a noncompartmental method of analysis, the pharmacokinetics of AMP 579 were characterized by rapid systemic clearance (0.77 to 0.85 L/h/kg), a moderate steady‐state volume of distribution (0.80 to 0.94 L/kg), and a short terminal elimination half‐life (0.84 to 1.13 h). AMP 579 exhibited dose (infusion rate)‐proportional pharmacokinetics over the dose range. In addition, little or no unchanged AMP 579 was found in the urine. The primary cardiovascular pharmacodynamic response that was observed was a dose‐related increase in mean ventricular heart rate. Fifteen minutes prior to the end of the infusion, volunteers administered the highest dose (150 μg/kg) exhibited a mean (range) 59% (36%‐69%) increase in heart rate as compared to a mean (range) 18% (0%‐73%) increase for the placebo group. No clinically relevant changes in the systolic or diastolic blood pressure were observed. The information obtained in this study should allow the design of AMP 579 dosage regimens that would maximize plasma AMP 579 concentrations and minimize the incidence of adverse events.
Evaluating the effectiveness of spatial memory in 2D and 3D physical and virtual environments

User interfaces can improve task performance by exploiting the powerful human capabilities for spatial cognition. This opportunity has been demonstrated by many prior experiments. It is tempting to believe that providing greater spatial flexibility-by moving from flat 2D to 3D user interfaces-will further enhance user performance. This paper describes an experiment that investigates the effectiveness of spatial memory in real-world physical models and in equivalent computer-based virtual systems. The different models vary the user's freedom to use depth and perspective in spatial arrangements of images representing web pages. Results show that the subjects' performance deteriorated in both the physical and virtual systems as their freedom to locate items in the third dimension increased. Subjective measures reinforce the performance measures, indicating that users found interfaces with higher dimensions more 'cluttered' and less efficient
Early changes in rat liver and kidney cells induced by thioacetamide.

Summary Daily subcutaneous injections of thioacetamide (TA), a hepatic carcinogen, induced characteristic cytological changes in the parenchymal cells of the liver and, to a lesser degree, in the proximal convoluted tubule cells of the kidney of the rat. A gradual increase in nuclear and nucleolar volumes, and a change in the distribution of the cytoplasmic basophilia of the liver cells, were the first cytological changes noted. The increase in nuclear volume of the liver cells reached 2.5-fold after 14 days of treatment. Photometric measurements of Feulgen-stained nuclei indicated that the increase in volume was not associated with increased amounts of DNA. The nucleolar volume and ribonucleoprotein content increased 13-fold in the tetraploid liver cells and fivefold in the kidney cells after 10 days of treatment. Upon withdrawal of drug treatment, the morphology of the liver and kidney cells returned to normal.
Redox Signaling of the Arteriolar Myogenic Response

Arteriolar vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are mechanosensitive, constricting to elevations in transmural pressure (PTM). The goal of the present study was to determine using mouse isolated tail arterioles and arteries whether oxidant signaling regulates this myogenic response. In response to PTM elevation, VSMCs of arterioles but not arteries generated constriction and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity (using the H2O2-sensitive probe dichlorodihydrofluorescein). Arterioles had increased expression of NADPH oxidase components compared with arteries. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase, using mice with targeted impairment of enzyme components (p47phox or rac1) or diphenyleneiodonium, prevented the pressure-induced generation of ROS. When ROS activity was inhibited, either by inhibiting NADPH oxidase or with N-acetylcysteine, the myogenic constriction was abolished. The myogenic constriction was also inhibited by catalase, which inactivates H2O2, but was unaffected by a cell-permeant mimic of superoxide dismutase (MnTMPyP). &agr;1-Adrenergic constriction was not associated with altered ROS activity and was not affected by inhibition of NADPH oxidase or ROS. Exogenous H2O2 constricted VSMCs of arterioles but not arteries. Thus, NADPH oxidase and ROS, in particular H2O2, contribute to the myogenic response of arteriolar VSMCs.
Analysis Approach for System Reliability , Diagnostics and Prognostics

This paper discusses data analysis approaches for effective reliability prediction using prognostics and health management methodology, which integrates sensory data with models based on either healthy training data or physics-of-failure knowledge. This approach enables in-situ assessment of a product’s performance degradation or deviation from an expected normal operating condition (i.e., the system’s “health”). It also estimates future system reliability based on systems current health state by considering its historical performances as well as operating conditions. Various studies have been conducted, to implement prognostics for electronics are summarized in this paper. These studies consider all types of electronics, ranging from components and boards to electronic products and systems. A hybrid approach based on feature extraction and trending with physics-of-failure for prognostics is given here. This paper then discusses feature extraction, data trending and data mapping technologies that are being used by CALCE for prognostics.
A Theory of Numerical Patterns : Numerical ” Kolmogorov Complexity ” Theory

Intuitively, patterns of numerical sequences are often interpreted as formulas. However, we have observed earlie r that such an intuition is too naive. Numerical Kolmogorov complexity theory is further developed. Based on these new formulations, a sequence is random if There is no patterns that are simpler than the complexity of data.
Type 1 interferon receptor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells may predict response to intra-arterial 5-fluorouracil + interferon therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Background Type 1 interferon alpha receptor 2 (IFNAR2) in the liver has been reported to be a predictive factor for the response to intra-arterial 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) + systemic interferon (IFN)-alpha combination therapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. We tested whether IFNAR2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells could predict the response to 5-FU + IFN. Methods Predictive factors for survival and response to therapy were determined in 30 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent treatment with 5-FU + IFN. IFNAR2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured in 11 of the 30 patients. Results With a mean number of 4.2 courses of combination therapy, one patient (3%) showed a complete response, eight (27%) showed partial responses, 13 (43%) had stable disease, and eight (27%) showed progressive disease. The median survival time of responders (complete response/partial response) was 12.7 months and that of nonresponders (stable disease/progressive disease) was 7.5 months. The one-year and two-year cumulative survival rates of responders and nonresponders were 87/69% and 40/11%, respectively (P = 0.019). Multivariate analysis identified response to therapy (P = 0.037) as the sole independent determinant of survival. The expression level of IFNAR2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly (P = 0.012) higher in responders (6.5 ± 2.4) than in nonresponders (2.4 ± 0.6), even though no clinical factors were identified as being associated with the response to the combination therapy. Conclusion IFNAR2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells may predict the response to 5-FU + IFN therapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, although these data are preliminary.
Headphones with touch control

The Touch Headphones are meant for portable music players and aim to present an improvement to the conventional remote control in the headphone wire, and a solution for controls on wireless in-ear type headphones. Two capacitive touch sensors per earpiece sense when earpieces are being tapped on, and being put in or out.
A case-control study of environmental and behavioural risk factors associated with multiple parasitic infections in Western Kenya

Many rural African villages are characterized by high prevalence of endemic parasitic diseases with cases of multiple parasite infections often too being common. This study was conducted in the Western Province of Kenya within a 45 km radius from Busia town, falling within the Lake Victoria Crescent Zone. The study aimed at determining whether there was a relationship between contact with particular environmental features, or specific human social behaviour and the risk of infection with multiple parasitic diseases. The sample frame for this nested case-control study comprised the 467 individuals randomly selected and sampled from this study site as part of a larger, on-going, cross-sectional study. The participants had been screened for a variety of zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases and questionnaires administered to obtain information on specific aspects of their social behaviour. From the sample frame, 24 subjects with multiple parasitic infections defined as cases, were randomly selected and matched for age and sex with 24 other individuals who had one or no infection, herein defined as controls. Cases and controls were followed to their daily activity points using a GPS waypoint data of the activity points mapped. The study revealed high prevalence of parasitic infections. The infections co-occurred spatially within the same geographic setting with cases of sampled individuals bearing multiple infections at any one time being common. Cases and controls displayed a relatively homogeneous social behaviour and visited nearly the same activity points. Conditional logistic regression analysis did not reveal any significant difference between cases and controls with respect to any difference in their social behaviour and interaction with potentially risky environments and thus perceived odds of acquiring parasitic infections. These findings are an initial step to further research into the dynamics of human-environment-parasite interaction in an environment where parasitic infections are co-endemic. The findings will also be vital in helping design long-term strategies for control.
Sector beam synthesis for cellular systems using phased antenna arrays

Cell sectorization is used extensively to increase the capacity of cellular systems; however, inter-sector interference caused by non-ideal sector antennas hinders full realization of sectorization benefits. We propose a new technique for sector beam synthesis, using phased antenna arrays, to minimize inter-sector interference, or equivalently, to maximize the beam efficiency. A peak-to-peak ripple constraint on the power density inside the sector leads to a non-convex optimization task; a reparametrization results in an easily solved convex fractional linear program. The proposed procedure accommodates non-isotropic antenna elements, arbitrary element spacing, and arbitrary sector boundaries, but is limited to uniformly spaced linear (or planar) arrays. Finally, the proposed method is used to predict antenna array size requirements for a DS-CDMA cellular system.
Evolution of language.

To the Editor. — The article entitled "The Dominance of Scientific English" by Robertson and Robertson 1 is of interest. The plea for a single scientific English may be a good one, but each "language" developed by a process more complicated than a simple "split," as is generally the case, and languages once "split" scarcely ever reunite. The one standard scientific English will never be a reality. In fact, the problem may be how long the standard American English will remain "standard. " It is being observed in our American educational system that fewer and fewer people learn to read at an advanced level. Many reasons are given, but rarely or never discussed is the simple fact that people throughout history have generally had a hankering for reading their spoken language and an aversion for reading foreign languages, including dialects that are not their spoken dialect. As painful as it may be
Interlinking Developer Identities within and across Open Source Projects: The Linked Data Approach

Software developers use various software repositories in order to interact with each other or to solve related problems. These repositories provide a rich source of information for a wide range of tasks. However, one issue to overcome in order to make this information useful is the identification and interlinking of multiple identities of developers. In this paper, we propose a Linked Data-based methodology to interlink and integrate multiple identities of a developer found in different software repositories of a project as well as across repositories of multiple projects. Providing such interlinking will enable us to keep track of a developer’s activity not only within a single project but also across multiple projects. The methodology will be presented in general and applied to 5 Apache projects as a case study. Further, we show that the few methods suggested so far are not always appropriate to overcome the developer identification problem.
Tinman function is essential for vertebrate heart development: elimination of cardiac differentiation by dominant inhibitory mutants of the tinman-related genes, XNkx2-3 and XNkx2-5.

In Drosophila, the tinman gene is absolutely required for development of the dorsal vessel, the insect equivalent of the heart. In vertebrates, the tinman gene is represented by a small family of tinman-related sequences, some of which are expressed during embryonic heart development. At present however, the precise importance of this gene family for vertebrate heart development is unclear. Using the Xenopus embryo, we have employed a dominant inhibitory strategy to interfere with the function of the endogenous tinman-related genes. In these experiments, suppression of tinman gene function can result in the complete elimination of myocardial gene expression and the absence of cell movements associated with embryonic heart development. This inhibition can be rescued by expression of wild-type tinman sequences. These experiments indicate that function of tinman family genes is essential for development of the vertebrate heart.
Constrained Signaling in Auction Design

We consider the problem of an auctioneer who faces the task of selling a good (drawn from a known distribution) to a set of buyers, when the auctioneer does not have the capacity to describe to the buyers the exact identity of the good that he is selling. Instead, he must come up with a constrained signalling scheme: a (non injective) mapping from goods to signals, that satisfies the constraints of his setting. For example, the auctioneer may be able to communicate only a bounded length message for each good, or he might be legally constrained in how he can advertise the item being sold. Each candidate signaling scheme induces an incomplete-information game among the buyers, and the goal of the auctioneer is to choose the signaling scheme and accompanying auction format that optimizes welfare. In this paper, we use techniques from submodular function maximization and no-regret learning to give algorithms for computing constrained signaling schemes for a variety of constrained signaling problems.
Evidence for a Common Origin of Blacksmiths and Cultivators in the Ethiopian Ari within the Last 4500 Years: Lessons for Clustering-Based Inference

The Ari peoples of Ethiopia are comprised of different occupational groups that can be distinguished genetically, with Ari Cultivators and the socially marginalised Ari Blacksmiths recently shown to have a similar level of genetic differentiation between them (F ST ≈ 0.023 − 0.04) as that observed among multiple ethnic groups sampled throughout Ethiopia. Anthropologists have proposed two competing theories to explain the origins of the Ari Blacksmiths as (i) remnants of a population that inhabited Ethiopia prior to the arrival of agriculturists (e.g. Cultivators), or (ii) relatively recently related to the Cultivators but presently marginalized in the community due to their trade. Two recent studies by different groups analysed genome-wide DNA from samples of Ari Blacksmiths and Cultivators and suggested that genetic patterns between the two groups were more consistent with model (i) and subsequent assimilation of the indigenous peoples into the expanding agriculturalist community. We analysed the same samples using approaches designed to attenuate signals of genetic differentiation that are attributable to allelic drift within a population. By doing so, we provide evidence that the genetic differences between Ari Blacksmiths and Cultivators can be entirely explained by bottleneck effects consistent with hypothesis (ii). This finding serves as both a cautionary tale about interpreting results from unsupervised clustering algorithms, and suggests that social constructions are contributing directly to genetic differentiation over a relatively short time period among previously genetically similar groups.
The defective phosphoribosyl diphosphate synthase in a temperature-sensitive prs-2 mutant of Escherichia coli is compensated by increased enzyme synthesis.

An Escherichia coli strain which is temperature-sensitive for growth due to a mutation (prs-2) causing a defective phosphoribosyl diphosphate (PRPP) synthase has been characterized. The temperature-sensitive mutation was mapped to a 276 bp HindIII-BssHII DNA fragment located within the open reading frame specifying the PRPP synthase polypeptide. Cloning and sequencing of the mutant allele revealed two mutations. One, a G --> A transition, located in the ninth codon, was responsible for the temperature-conditional phenotype and resulted in a serine residue at this position. The wild-type codon at this position specified a glycine residue that is conserved among PRPP synthases across a broad phylogenetic range. Cells harbouring the glycine-to-serine alteration specified by a plasmid contained approximately 50% of the PRPP synthase activity of cells harbouring a plasmid-borne wild-type allele, both grown at 25 degrees C. The mutant enzyme had nearly normal heat stability, as long as it was synthesized at 25 degrees C. In contrast, there was hardly any PRPP synthase activity or anti-PRPP synthase antibody cross-reactive material present in cells harbouring the glycine to serine alteration following temperature shift to 42 degrees C. The other mutation was a C --> T transition located 39 bp upstream of the G --> A mutation, i.e. outside the coding sequence and close to the Shine-Dalgarno sequence. Cells harbouring only the C --> T mutation in a plasmid contained approximately three times as much PRPP synthase activity as a strain harbouring a plasmid-borne wild-type prs allele. In cells harbouring both mutations, the C --> T mutation appeared to compensate for the G --> A mutation by increasing the amount of a partially defective enzyme at the permissive temperature.