Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ordinary Disc Herniation Changing into Posterior Epidural Migration of Lumbar Disc Fragments Confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Case Report of a Successful Endoscopic Treatment

The posterior epidural migration of lumbar disc fragments is an extremely rare event with an unknown pathogenesis. To the best of our knowledge, there are no previously reported cases of a change of ordinary disc herniation into the posterior epidural migration of lumbar disc fragments as confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 26-year-old male presented to our department complaining of left buttock and lateral leg pain. An ordinary herniation was shown in the first MRI. The patient's unilateral symptoms changed into bilateral symptoms while awaiting admission to the hospital. Posterior migrated lumbar disc fragments were shown in the second MRI taken at the time of admission. Microendoscopic surgery providing a detailed observation of the region was performed. Our case indicates that an ordinary lumbar disc herniation may lead to the posterior migration of lumbar disc fragments, and that microendoscopic surgery may provide a treatment.
Synthetic aperture Radar oil spill segmentation by stochastic complexity minimization

We present a new algorithm for oil spill segmentation in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images, using the minimum description length (MDL) principle and a polygonal active grid. This algorithm is based on two steps: a first partitioning step into homogeneous regions and a second classification step with an automatic MDL thresholding. The obtained method allows one to segment the different candidate oil spills in an image automatically and in a few seconds.
Image Reconstruction based on Local feature Descriptors

In this project, we show that an image can be reconstructed using local descriptors, with or without complete geometrical metadata. We use greedy algorithms to progressive ly learn the missing information before reconstruction and colorization is performed. Our experiments show that most of the vital information about a query image can be recovered even if scale metadata is missing. Compared to images reconstructed with scale information, we find that there is no significant decline in image quality, and a close resemblance of the original image can be obtained via colorization as a post-processing step.
DYNAMIC TARGET EXPANSION TO FACILITATE EYE-BASED POINTING AT MENUS

With recent advances in eye tracking technology, eye gaze gradually gains acceptance as a pointing modality. Its relatively low accuracy, however, determines the need to use enlarged controls in eye-based interfaces. This renders the overall design quite distant from “natural”. Another factor impairing pointing performance is deficient robustness of an eye tracker’s calibration. To facilitate pointing at standard-size menus, we developed a technique that uses dynamic target expansion for on-line correction of the eye tracker’s calibration. Correction is based on the relative change in the gaze point location upon the expansion. A user study suggests that the technique affords selection accuracy of 91%. User performance is thus shown to approach the limit of practical pointing. Effectively, developing a user interface that supports navigation through standard menus by eye gaze alone is feasible.
Person Identification Technique Using Human Iris Recognition

Abstract— A new iris recognition and person identification technique is introduced. The method is based on tracing the Eye image boundary, using the MarrHildreth edge technique. The Eye's pupil boundary is identified, using the contour follower which is based on the chain coding method. The coordinates of the pupil's center is then recognized as the center of figure of the pupil boundary chained points. The pupil radius (i.e. the iris inner radius) is determined as the average distance between the pupil center and the chained points on the pupil boundary. An image of 128128 pixels size surrounding the pupil center is then extracted which involve all the required necessary information for the identification process. The extracted raster form images then transformed from the Euclidian representation into polar representation (i.e. r- coordinates), all having the same size 36060 pixels (i.e. rows number for inner iris radius ≤ r≤ outer iris radius, and columns number for 0 ≤  ≤ 360). The transformed polar represented images are, then, inserted (each as a column vector) in an array, their average is determined and subtracted from each. The covariance of the average subtracted array then computed, the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix are, then, calculated and used to identify the tested eye by comparing its eigenvector with those already preserved as Database, using the minimum meansquare criterion.
Dynamic analysis of groundwater discharge and partial-area contribution to Pukemanga Stream, New Zealand

The proportion and origin of groundwater contri- bution to streamflow from agricultural catchments is relevant to estimation of the effects of nitrate leached from the soil on the quality of surface waters. This study addresses the partitioning of streamflow contributions from near-surface runoff and from groundwater, each with different contribut- ing land area, on a steep pastoral hillslope in a humid climate. The 3 ha headwater catchment of the perennial Pukemanga Stream, in the North Island of New Zealand, was instru- mented for continuous observation of climatic data, stream- flow and groundwater level. The dynamics of groundwater levels and groundwater contribution to streamflow were anal- ysed by means of a one-parameter, eigenvalue-eigenfunction description of a 1-D aquifer model. Model results for seven years of daily data predict that 36-44% of the topographi- cal catchment contributes groundwater to the stream. The remaining groundwater generated within the catchment con- tributes to streamflow outside the catchment. Groundwater was calculated to be 58-83% of observed annual streamflow from the topographical catchment. When the smaller ground- water catchment is taken into account, the groundwater con- tribution to streamflow is 78-93% on a unit area basis. Con- current hourly data for streamflow and groundwater levels at two sites indicate the dynamic behaviour of a local ground- water system. Groundwater flow dynamics that support the perennial nature of this headwater stream are consistent with the size of the groundwater body, porosity of the subsurface material, and hydraulic conductivity derived from partition- ing of streamflow contributions.
(Re)partitioning for stream-enabled computation

Partitioning an input graph over a set of workers is a complex operation. Objectives are twofold: split the work evenly, so that every worker gets an equal share, and minimize edge cut to achieve a good work locality (i.e. workers can work independently). Partitioning a graph accessible from memory is a notorious NP-complete problem. Motivated by the regain of interest for the stream processing paradigm (where nodes and edges arrive as a flow to the datacenter), we propose in this paper a stream-enabled graph partitioning system that constantly seeks an optimum between those two objectives. We first expose the hardness of partitioning using classic and static methods; we then exhibit the cut versus load balancing tradeoff, from an application point of view. With this tradeoff in mind, our approach translates the online partitioning problem into a standard optimization problem. A greedy algorithm handles the stream of incoming graph updates while optimizations are triggered on demand to improve upon the greedy decisions. Using simulations, we show that this approach is very efficient, turning a basic optimization strategy such as hill climbing into an online partitioning solution that compares favorably to literature's recent stream partitioning solutions.
Selective Inhibition of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Growth by the Mitotic MPS1 Kinase Inhibitor NMS-P715

Most solid tumors, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), exhibit structural and numerical chromosome instability (CIN). Although often implicated as a driver of tumor progression and drug resistance, CIN also reduces cell fitness and poses a vulnerability that can be exploited therapeutically. The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) ensures correct chromosome-microtubule attachment, thereby minimizing chromosome segregation errors. Many tumors exhibit upregulation of SAC components such as MPS1, which may help contain CIN within survivable limits. Prior studies showed that MPS1 inhibition with the small molecule NMS-P715 limits tumor growth in xenograft models. In cancer cell lines, NMS-P715 causes cell death associated with impaired SAC function and increased chromosome missegregation. Although normal cells appeared more resistant, effects on stem cells, which are the dose-limiting toxicity of most chemotherapeutics, were not examined. Elevated expression of 70 genes (CIN70), including MPS1, provides a surrogate measure of CIN and predicts poor patient survival in multiple tumor types. Our new findings show that the degree of CIN70 upregulation varies considerably among PDAC tumors, with higher CIN70 gene expression predictive of poor outcome. We identified a 25 gene subset (PDAC CIN25) whose overexpression was most strongly correlated with poor survival and included MPS1. In vitro, growth of human and murine PDAC cells is inhibited by NMS-P715 treatment, whereas adipose-derived human mesenchymal stem cells are relatively resistant and maintain chromosome stability upon exposure to NMS-P715. These studies suggest that NMS-P715 could have a favorable therapeutic index and warrant further investigation of MPS1 inhibition as a new PDAC treatment strategy. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(2); 307–15. ©2013 AACR.
Verification of selected market microstructure hypotheses for a Warsaw Stock Exchange traded stock

This paper uses a restricted factor model to estimate the HICP index excluding relative prices changes. The index thus obtained, hereinafter referred to as pure inflation, demonstrates stronger relationship to This paper analyses the properties of the transaction process for the most liquid stock traded at the Warsaw Stock Exchange, namely Bioton (ISIN: PLBIOTN00029), in the light of market microstructure theory. The Autoregressive Conditional Duration and Autoregressive Conditional Multinomial models are estimated for the transaction process. Estimation results are interpreted in favour or against market microstructure hypotheses. Tests are conducted for the ACD models in order to assess their fit to the data and in order to search for ways of improving fit. The article is a follow-up of research by Bien [1].
Data Preparation for User Profiling from Traffic Log

This paper presents our current work on traffic log processing. Our goal is to find an approach to modeling user behaviour based on their behavioural patterns. Since the amount of input data we have is really large, effective preprocessing is crucial for the profiling to provide significant results. This paper presents our approach to restricting the input data with respect to its relevance. We use histogram clustering to identify sets of users with similar frequencies of communication; entropy and TF-IDF (term frequency - inverse document frequency) help to select destinations that are relevant for a given set of users. The main profiling is done with preprocessed data and our experiments show that this approach to restricting the input has a positive impact on the significance of results.
Comparison of object oriented classification techniques and standard image analysis for the use of change detection between SPOT multispectral satellite images and aerial photos.

The latest developments in remote sensing analysis software allow new ways of integrating satellite imagery with archive data from aerial photography. This paper shows how this integration is useful in a decision support function in forestry applications in the argentine Nothofagus forests. Two important features are presented. One is the classification of SPOT multispectral data for determination of land cover in Tierra del Fuego. The other is the use of object-oriented classification for change detection using aerial photos combined with SPOT multispectral data. The until now critical objectivity of comparison was achieved by the methodological new approach of object-based classification. A basic description of the new concept of object-oriented classification is given, so far as it is necessary to understand its application in this study. The results for the SPOT data classification are that there are no great differences in accuracy of the two methods. Concerning the appearance of the output maps, the object-oriented method is preferred. The result for the change detection shows that the object-oriented approach offers new possibilities that exceeds the traditional visual interpretation of aerial photography and allows quantitative analysis of change detection and GIS-implementation using an automatic feature extraction. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Die neuesten Entwicklungen im Fernerkundungs- bzw. Bildanalysebereich ermoglichen neuartige Kombinationen von Satellitenbildern und Archivmaterial aus der Luftbildfotografie. Diese Arbeit zeigt, wie diese Kombination im Rahmen einer Entscheidungshilfe im Forstbereich fur argentinische Nothofagus Walder von Vorteil sein kann. Zwei wichtige Aspekte werden prasentiert. Der erste ist die Klassifizierung von SPOT Multispektraldaten zur Bestimmung der Bedeckungsformen in Feuerland, Argentinien. Der zweite Punkt befast sich mit der Quantifizierung von Anderungen innerhalb der Wald- Weidevegetation im Zeitraum 1960 bis 1995 unter Auswertung von SW Luftbildern und Daten des SPOT Satellitensystems. Die bisher kritische Objektivierung des Vergleichs wird durch den methodisch neuen Ansatz der Objektorientierten Klassifikation erreicht, mit welchem sowohl Luft- als auch Satellitenbilder ausgewertet wurden. Der verwendete Objektorientierte Ansatz wird soweit es zum Verstandnis der Anwendung in dieser Arbeit notig ist beschrieben. Zu den Ergebnissen der Klassifizierung der SPOT Daten last sich sagen, das es zu keinen grosen Unterschieden betreffend der Genauigkeit gekommen ist, die Ergebnisbilder der Objektorientierten Klassifizierungen allerdings denen der Pixelbasierten vorzuziehen waren. Die Versuche im Bereich der Luftbild/SPOT Datenauswertung ergaben neue Moglichkeiten im Bereich der GIS Anbindung und change detection unter Anwendung einer automatischen Objektextraktion, die die bisherigen Moglichkeiten visueller Interpretation ubersteigt.
Quantum–classical correspondence on compact phase space

We propose to study the L2-norm distance between classical and quantum phase space distributions, where for the latter we choose the Wigner function, as a global phase space indicator of quantum–classical correspondence. For example, this quantity should be the key to understanding the correspondence between quantum and classical Loschmidt echoes. We concentrate on fully chaotic systems with compact (finite) classical phase space. By means of numerical simulations and heuristic arguments we find that the quantum–classical fidelity stays at one up to the Ehrenfest-type time scale, which is proportional to the logarithm of effective Planck constant, and decays exponentially with a maximal classical Lyapunov exponent, after that time.
Applications of Ontology in Management of Information Asset

After being computerized, enterprises import various information assets to enhance competitiveness. In order to make management of information asset more efficient, reduce the difficulty of auditing and make professional knowledge of this domain to reach the goal of share and reuse through the concept and technique of semantic web, the research imports the methodology of knowledge engineering and combines auditing regulations composed by SWRL to build an information-asset knowledgebase system. The methodology of this research can divide into eight steps. The first six ones build professional knowledge of information asset to ontology according to OWL, RDF and technique of semantic web combined with the analyzing of information asset. The last two not only combine regulations in SWRL and utilize information-asset knowledgebase system built by Protégé, but also integrate database and import inference engine to implement. The methodology can assist auditors to know the status of information asset well at any moment. It can also support auditors to discover the problems apropos in efficiency. In addition to detecting harmful individual of information asset, it also can verify that all information assets are authorized and dealt with appropriately. Besides, it can make professional knowledge of this domain to reach the goal of share and reuse through the concept and technique of semantic web.
Space – Time Hotelling Model and Its Application to Retail Competition in a Duopoly

We propose a space–time Hotelling model that introduces a unit size of the vertical time axis in the classical Hotelling unit interval model. The proposed model allows explicit consideration of the probability that a consumer arrives at a retail store up to time t to purchase goods. The proposed model is useful in a variety of retailing problems. We briefly demonstrate an application of the proposed model to retail competition in a duopoly.
NeuroPep: a comprehensive resource of neuropeptides

Neuropeptides play a variety of roles in many physiological processes and serve as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of some nervous-system disorders. In recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of identified neuropeptides. Therefore, we have developed NeuroPep, a comprehensive resource of neuropeptides, which holds 5949 non-redundant neuropeptide entries originating from 493 organisms belonging to 65 neuropeptide families. In NeuroPep, the number of neuropeptides in invertebrates and vertebrates is 3455 and 2406, respectively. It is currently the most complete neuropeptide database. We extracted entries deposited in UniProt, the database (www.neuropeptides.nl) and NeuroPedia, and used text mining methods to retrieve entries from the MEDLINE abstracts and full text articles. All the entries in NeuroPep have been manually checked. 2069 of the 5949 (35%) neuropeptide sequences were collected from the scientific literature. Moreover, NeuroPep contains detailed annotations for each entry, including source organisms, tissue specificity, families, names, post-translational modifications, 3D structures (if available) and literature references. Information derived from these peptide sequences such as amino acid compositions, isoelectric points, molecular weight and other physicochemical properties of peptides are also provided. A quick search feature allows users to search the database with keywords such as sequence, name, family, etc., and an advanced search page helps users to combine queries with logical operators like AND/OR. In addition, user-friendly web tools like browsing, sequence alignment and mapping are also integrated into the NeuroPep database. Database URL: http://isyslab.info/NeuroPep
University of Groningen Artificial Intelligence Prepublications Author: N.a. Taatgen Title: a Model of Individual Differences in Skill Acquisition in the Kanfer-ackerman Air Traffic Control Task Status: Accepted for Publication by Cognitive Systems Research

Individual differences in skill acquisition are influenced by several architectural factors. According to Ackerman’s theory, general intelligence, speed of proceduralization and psychomotor speed influence different stages of skill acquisition. The ACT-R cognitive architecture allows for direct testing of this theory by manipulating parameters that correspond to these factors. The present study discusses an ACT-R model of the KanferAckerman Air Traffic Control task in which the relevant abilities can be manipulated directly. The model predictions show the same patterns of correlations as the patterns found by Ackerman in the experimental data.
Fused passive acoustic and electric detection of divers

Underwater surveillance against small and low signature targets is challenging, especially in disturbed and shallow water areas such as harbors. Today the most frequently used system for surveillance in harbors is active sonar. However, the detection range of an active system can rapidly degrade due to changes in the sound propagation conditions and in the ambient noise. We focus our research on how passive underwater sensors can be used as a complement to active acoustic systems. We have previously reported on diver detectors for passive acoustic and electric field data, with promising results. The use of the two sensor systems together is mainly motivated by the fact that the acoustic and electric background noise often are uncorrelated. In this paper we test different data fusion methods in order to combine the decisions from the two detectors into one unified decision. The performance of the detectors and the data fusion methods is evaluated using data from a sea trial conducted in the port of Gothenburg in 2009. We present an approach to fusion that will result in a robust system solution for harbor security.
Apical Leakage of Different Gutta-Percha Techniques: Thermafil, Js Quick-Fill, Soft Core, Microseal, System B and Lateral Condensation with a Computerized Fluid Filtration Meter

Objectives To investigate apical leakage of roots filled with 6 different gutta-percha techniques; Thermafil, JS Quick-Fill, Soft Core, Microseal, System B and lateral condensation using a new computerized filtration meter. Materials and Methods 60 extracted single rooted teeth were used. Coronal part of each tooth was removed and the root canals were prepared with step-back technique. The roots were randomly divided into six groups of 10 teeth, filled by one of the obturation technique and Kerr sealer. The teeth were kept in 100% humidity for 2 years. After this period, apical parts of roots (10 ± 0.05 mm) were attached to computerized fluid filtration meter. Apical leakage quantity was determined as μl. cmH2O−1.min−1. Results Statistical analysis indicated that Thermafil, Soft Core, Quick-Fill and System B techniques showed lower leakage than Microseal and lateral condensation (P < .05). However, statistically no difference was found among the core techniques and no difference was found between microseal and lateral condensation techniques (P > .05). Conclusions Thermafil, Soft Core, Quick-Fill and System B techniques showed lower leakage than Microseal and lateral condensation. In addition, this new computerized fluid filtration meter allowed quantitative measurement of leakage easily.
Towards Adaptive Peer Assessment for MOOCs

The increase in popularity of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) requires the resolution of new issues related to the huge number of participants to such courses. Among the main challenges is the difficulty in students' assessment, especially for complex assignments, such as essays or open-ended exercises, which is limited by the ability of teachers to evaluate and provide feedback at large scale. A feasible approach to tackle this problem is peer assessment, in which students also play the role of assessor for assignments submitted by others. Unfortunately, as students may have different expertise, peer assessment often does not deliver accurate results compared to human experts. In this paper, we describe and compare different methods aimed at mitigating this issue by adaptively combining peer grades on the basis of the detected expertise of the assessors. The possibility to improve these results through optimized techniques for assessors' assignment is also discussed. Experimental results with synthetic data are presented and show better performances compared to standard aggregation operators (i.e. median or mean) as well as to similar existing approaches.