Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Camera motion characterization through image feature analysis

This paper presents an approach to characterize camera motion in video sequences based on image feature analysis. The approach predicts camera motion using spatio-temporal information obtained from tracking the feature points throughout an image sequence. The spatio-temporal information provides the advantage of rich visual characteristic along a larger temporal scale over the traditional approaches, which tend to formulate computational methodologies on a few adjacent frames. In this paper, we propose an algorithm to estimate camera motion by analyzing the motion trajectories of feature points over temporal change. The experimental results support that the proposed algorithm is effective in determining camera motion.
Artificial Liver Support System Combined with Liver Transplantation in the Treatment of Patients with Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure

Background The search for a strategy to provide temporary liver support and salvage the patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) remains an important issue. This study was designed to evaluate the experience in artificial liver support system (ALSS) combined with liver transplantation (LT) in the treatment of ACLF. Methodology/Principal Findings One hundred and seventy one patients with HBV related ACLF undergoing LT between January 2001 and December 2009 were included. Of the 171 patients, 115 received 247 sessions of plasma exchange-centered ALSS treatment prior to LT (ALSS-LT group) and the other 56 received emergency LT (LT group). The MELD score were 31±6 and 30±7 in ALSS-LT group and LT group. ALSS treatment resulted in improvement of liver function and better tolerance to LT. The average level of serum total bilirubin before LT was lower than that before the first time of ALSS treatment. The median waiting time for a donor liver was 12 days (2–226 days) from the first run of ALSS treatment to LT. Compared to LT group, the beneficial influences of ALSS on intraoperative blood loss and endotracheal intubation time were also observed in ALSS-LT group. The 1-year and 5-year survival rates in the ALSS-LT group and LT group were 79.2% and 83%, 69.7% and 78.6%. Conclusions/Significance Plasma exchange-centered ALSS is beneficial in salvaging patients with ACLF when a donor liver is not available. The consequential LT is the fundamental treatment modality to rescue these patients and lead to a similar survival rate as those patients receiving emergency transplantation.
Mini-review: CNS Melatonin Receptors and Signaling: Focus on Aging-Related Diseases and Future Perspectives

Melatonin plays important roles in modulating brain function especially in the entrainment of the sleep/wake cycle. This occurs in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (master biological clock) through melatonin receptors, MT1(MT1R ) and MT2(MT2R) and the coordinated release of melatonin from the pineal gland that result in peak nocturnal levels of circulating melatonin followed by daytime troughs [1]. Besides sleep, melatonin, acting through melatonin receptors, affects the release of hypothalamic/pituitary hormones involved in reproduction and stress [2-4] and modulates other brain centers involved in pain and blood pressure [5-8]. Though these areas of study are important and affected by age, the focus of this review will be on the role of melatonin and melatonin receptors in brain function greatly impacted by age, with an emphasis on those affecting memory, mood, and movement.The cellular mechanisms underlying melatonin and melatonin receptor action will be discussed in the context of the literature but also will highlight other potential targets to guide future studies in this area.
The canonical modifications by weighted blow-ups

In this paper we give a criterion for an isolated, hypersurface singularity of dimension $n\ (\geq 2)$ to have the canonical modification by means of a suitable weighted blow-up. Then we give a counter example to the following conjecture by Reid-Watanabe: For a 3-dimensional, isolated, non-canonical, log-canonical singularity $(X,x)$ of embedded dimension 4, there exists an embedding $(X,x)\subset ({\bC}^4, 0)$ and a weight ${\bw}=(w_0,w_1,\ldots ,w_n)$, such that the ${\bw}$-blow-up gives the canonical modification of $(X,x)$.
A new Fail-Safe Switch for fast Ethernet networks with a defined state in case of DC-power loss: Design and test

A new Fail-Safe Switch for Fast Ethernet networks with a defined state in case of DC-power loss is designed in order to improve the reliability of the network. High isolation and low insertion loss are essential to avoid losses in the network since a Fail-Safe Switch is connected in series with all the network devices. The paper shows the simulation and the layout of the switch, as well as the realization of a prototype switch which was completely tested focusing on the conservation of Fast Ethernet signal integrity and bit error rate due to the insertion of the Fail-Safe Switch in a network.
Using motion platform as a haptic display for virtual inertia simulation

Haptic displays serve great importance in creating the immersiveness sense that block virtual reality (VR) users from the contradictory impressions from the real world. We introduce the general structure of virtual reality systems. It reports common approaches in constructing different virtual scenarios and the way they are utilised. We integrate a motion platform with an application program interface (API) based virtual environment authoriser to provide force feedback for simulating inertia related applications such as virtual gliding, driving, and snowboarding.
Scalar-tensor bimetric brane world cosmology

We study a scalar-tensor bimetric cosmology in the Randall-Sundrum model with one positive tension brane, where the biscalar field is assumed to be confined on the brane. The effective Friedmann equations on the brane are obtained and analyzed. We comment on the resolution of cosmological problems in this bimetric model.
Diversity, Abundance and Community Structure of Benthic Macro- and Megafauna on the Beaufort Shelf and Slope

Diversity and community patterns of macro- and megafauna were compared on the Canadian Beaufort shelf and slope. Faunal sampling collected 247 taxa from 48 stations with box core and trawl gear over the summers of 2009–2011 between 50 and 1,000 m in depth. Of the 80 macrofaunal and 167 megafaunal taxa, 23% were uniques, present at only one station. Rare taxa were found to increase proportional to total taxa richness and differ between the shelf ( 100 m) where they tended to be sparse and the slope where they were relatively abundant. The macrofauna principally comprised polychaetes with nephtyid polychaetes dominant on the shelf and maldanid polychaetes (up to 92% in relative abundance/station) dominant on the slope. The megafauna principally comprised echinoderms with Ophiocten sp. (up to 90% in relative abundance/station) dominant on the shelf and Ophiopleura sp. dominant on the slope. Macro- and megafauna had divergent patterns of abundance, taxa richness ( diversity) and diversity. A greater degree of macrofaunal than megafaunal variation in abundance, richness and diversity was explained by confounding factors: location (east-west), sampling year and the timing of sampling with respect to sea-ice conditions. Change in megafaunal abundance, richness and diversity was greatest across the depth gradient, with total abundance and richness elevated on the shelf compared to the slope. We conclude that megafaunal slope taxa were differentiated from shelf taxa, as faunal replacement not nestedness appears to be the main driver of megafaunal diversity across the depth gradient.
A security framework for wireless mesh networks

The class of Wireless Mesh Networks (WMN) supports an ample set of applications including wireless community networks, radio access networks in rural or metropolitan areas, or wireless backbones for factory/process automation. Guaranteeing security is crucial for within these application scenarios. While contemporary wireless technologies, such as the IEEE 802.16 or the IEEE 802.11s standard, provide the basic protocol mechanisms for mesh networking, they lack in comprehensive security mechanisms. Additionally, novel security features of the above standards such as per-link encryption break existing security solutions that rely on overhearing of the wireless channel. We close this gap by developing a holistic approach toward securing WMNs with particular focus on the network layer. We perform a threat analysis and then develop solutions (1) guaranteeing the integrity and authenticity of routing messages, (2) to locally and globally detect misbehavior of nodes in forwarding data or routing messages even for settings that do not allow for overhearing the channel, and (3) to dynamically manage reputation of nodes throughout the network. The combination of these building blocks enables to provide for secure, self-organizing WMNs. As a proof-of-concept, we tailor and implement our solutions for the setting of a realistic IEEE 802.16 mesh network; we discuss the protection achieved and assess selected performance trade-offs for the developed mechanisms. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (This paper is an extended version of the research presented in our paper originally presented at the IEEE LCN 2007 [1], it incorporates also results from our paper presented at GlobeCom 2007 [2].)
True discrete cepstrum: An accurate and smooth spectral envelope estimation for music processing

In the tradition of the spectral envelope estimation of periodic sounds, we propose a new accurate method, called True Discrete Cepstrum. Solving a constrained optimization problem, it provides a smooth envelope which fits exactly the given peak values. Moreover, based on the auditory masking, we propose a release of the constraint which improves the smoothness, without perceptual change. Contrarily to some other methods, the parametrization of this method is easy, and it gives a complete control of the maximal deviation of the spectral envelope from the peak values. The benefit of this new method is illustrated and an evaluation procedure validates it with a comparison with some other methods.
A price-based interactive data queue management approach for delay-tolerant mobile sensor networks

This paper presents a price-based interactive data queue management approach (PI-DQM) for delay-tolerant mobile sensor networks (DT-MSNs) to address the priority deviation problem during the data transmission process. Three interactive parameters are introduced and weighted values α and the p-value are used in the price-based interaction model to identify the data priority. The method is transparent to prioritized data packets. Its effectiveness is illustrated by showing that it can ameliorate the data delivery ratio and achieve good performance in terms of average delay.
Losses in VSI-PWM fed axial flux machines

The goal of this paper is to study the additional loss caused by Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), on the one hand in an axial flux permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM), and on the other hand in the voltage source inverter (VSI) that supplies the machine. Via a computationally efficient technique, the losses are computed in the stator iron and in the magnets of the axial flux PMSM with PWM supply. In addition, the switching losses of the converter are estimated as a function of the PWM frequency. The losses are evaluated in both the machine and the power electronic converter for several PWM frequencies, for several stator currents and for different magnet segmentations. It is observed that with unsegmented magnets, a high PWM frequency results in much lower total losses of the drive than a low PWM frequency. With segmented magnets, the influence of the PWM frequency on the losses of the drive is much smaller. Only in overload conditions, at twice the rated stator current, the lowest considered PWM frequency results in the lowest losses.
Design of a high-performance brokaw band-gap reference

A high-performance CMOS band-gap reference (BGR) is designed in this paper. The proposed circuit employs the current-mode architecture optimized for low supply voltage applications. The key portion of the circuit employs the Brokaw BGR architecture, in which a three-stage operational amplifier is adopted to get high PSRR and only first-order temperature compensation technology is employed to get a low temperature coefficient. The circuit is on the Chartered 0.18 μ m CMOS process under the operating voltage of 1.8V and its simulation results are presented. The simulation results show that the temperature coefficient is 9 ppm/°K over the −40°C to 125°C temperature range and the fluctuation of reference voltage is within 0.067m V when the power voltage changes from 1.44V to 2.16V. In addition, the PSRR is 108.5dB at 10 kHz, and the power consumption is only 0.355mW1
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS USING ITÔ – MALLIAVIN CALCULUS AND

Abstract. We consider a multidimensional diffusion process (Xα t )0≤t≤T whose dynamics depends on a parameter α. Our first purpose is to write as an expectation the sensitivity ∇αJ(α) for the expected cost J(α) = E(f(Xα T )), in order to evaluate it using Monte Carlo simulations. This issue arises, for example, from stochastic control problems (where the controller is parameterized, which reduces the control problem to a parametric optimization one) or from model misspecifications in finance. Previous evaluations of ∇αJ(α) using simulations were limited to smooth cost functions f or to diffusion coefficients not depending on α (see Yang and Kushner, SIAM J. Control Optim., 29 (1991), pp. 1216–1249). In this paper, we cover the general case, deriving three new approaches to evaluate ∇αJ(α), which we call the Malliavin calculus approach, the adjoint approach, and the martingale approach. To accomplish this, we leverage Itô calculus, Malliavin calculus, and martingale arguments. In the second part of this work, we provide discretization procedures to simulate the relevant random variables; then we analyze their respective errors. This analysis proves that the discretization error is essentially linear with respect to the time step. This result, which was already known in some specific situations, appears to be true in this much wider context. Finally, we provide numerical experiments in random mechanics and finance and compare the different methods in terms of variance, complexity, computational time, and time discretization error.
Potency and Specificity of the Pharmacological Action of a New, Antiasthmatic, Topically Administered Soft Steroid, Etiprednol Dicloacetate (BNP-166)

In the present study, the pharmacological effects of etiprednol dicloacetate (BNP-166; ethyl-17α-dichloroacetoxy-11β-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3-one-17β-carboxylate), a new soft steroid, intended to use for the treatment of asthma, were investigated in an animal model of allergen sensitized and challenged Brown Norway rats using local treatment. The examinations involved the determination of the effect of the compound on the extent of allergen induced broncho-alveolar fluid and lung tissue eosinophilia, goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus production, perivascular edema formation, and airways hyperresponsiveness. The activity of etiprednol dicloacetate was compared with that of budesonide. Using in vitro methods, the soft character of etiprednol dicloacetate was investigated together with its capability to dissociate transrepressing and transactivating properties. We found that combining all the examined parameters etiprednol dicloacetate was at least equipotent with budesonide in the animal model, but in several investigated variables it surpassed the activity of budesonide. The effect of etiprednol dicloacetate in vitro was shown to be the function of the quantity of the serum, present in the assay, it was also strongly affected by the incubation time and decreased significantly when it was preincubated with human plasma. These features are characteristics of a soft drug that is quickly inactivated in the systemic circulation. In addition, it was revealed that while the transrepressing potential of etiprednol dicloacetate remained high, its transactivating activity was greatly reduced. These data indicate that the strong local effect of the compound will very likely be accompanied with a significantly reduced systemic activity predicting favorable selectivity in the pharmacological action of etiprednol dicloacetate.
The Photometric and Kinematic Structure of Face-on Disk Galaxies. I. Sample Definition, Hα Integral Field Spectroscopy, and H I Line Widths

We present a survey of the photometric and kinematic properties of 39 nearby, nearly face-on disk galaxies. Our approach exploits echelle-resolution integral-field spectroscopy of the Hα regions, obtained with DensePak on the WIYN 3.5 m telescope Bench Spectrograph. These data are complemented by H I line profiles observed with the Nançay radio telescope for 25 of these sample galaxies. Twelve additional line widths are available for sample galaxies from the literature. In this paper, we introduce the goals of this survey, define the sample selection algorithm, and amass the integral field spectroscopic data and H I line widths. We establish spatially integrated Hα line widths for the sample. We test the veracity of these spatially integrated line profiles by convolving narrowband imaging data with velocity field information for one of the sample galaxies, PGC 38268, and also by comparing to H I line profiles. We find H I and Hα line profiles to be similar in width but different in shape, indicating that we are observing different spatial distributions of ionized and neutral gas in largely axisymmetric systems with flat outer rotation curves. We also find vertical velocity dispersions of the ionized disk gas within several disk scale lengths have a median value of 18 km s-1 and an 80% range of 12-26 km s-1. This is only a factor of ~2 larger than what is observed for neutral atomic and molecular gas. With standard assumptions for intrinsic and thermal broadening for Hα, this translates into a factor of 3 range in turbulent velocities, between 8 and 25 km s-1.
Developing and building a quality management system based on stakeholder behavior for enterprise architecture

Existing Enterprise Architecture (EA) frameworks (EAF) focus on the governance and alignment of an enterprise's strategic business plans and operating model with its Information Technology (IT) capabilities. These technically-oriented processes attempt to simplify the verification and validation of design artifacts used during software development. Yet, many EA projects fail mostly for non-technical reasons. The development of an EA can necessitate organizational change which can influence stakeholder behavior in ways that may be detrimental to the EA. An analysis of EAFs finds that they are deficient in incorporating human behavior and that they avoid any of the consequences of human action during EA development. This paper proposes a behavior-driven EA requirements quality management program designed to encourage stakeholder collaboration and participation in EA.
L'altérationduréseaulexico-sémantique dans la maladie d'Alzheimer et la démence sémantique à travers le prisme des effets d'amorçage sémantique Lexico-semantic alteration in Alzheimer's disease and semantic dementia through the prism of semantic priming effects

Priming paradigms depend on implicit memory, so do not rely on other non-semantic processes. Thus, they allow a very pure and sharp measure of semantic memory and also constitute a relevant methodology to explore the structure of the semantic network. Consequently, many studies have examined semantic priming effects produced by patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. They allow a better understanding of cognitive deficits in these pathologies and also bring interesting data about semantic memory models. The current paper deals with semantic deficits in two dementia syndromes – Alzheimer’s disease and semantic dementia – through semantic priming effects. In Alzheimer disease, the first studies focused on the issue of the nature of the semantic memory disorders, ending in the characterization of the dynamic of the semantic memory degradation. Neuroimaging studies provide another approach offering new insights about semantic deficits in Alzheimer’s disease. Dossier
Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder: a new approach to hearing aid fitting

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the outcome of hearing aid amplification in children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) using speech P1 cortical auditory evoked potential (P1-CAEP). Study design Forty-five children were divided into three groups: the ANSD group (n=15), the sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) group (n=15), and the normal hearing group (n=15). The ANSD group had a mean age of 48.2 (±29.4) months and included children with moderate-to-severe hearing loss, a history of bilateral hearing aid use for at least 6 months, and absence of comorbid disorders. The SNHL group was closely matched to the ANSD group. Verification of hearing aids was carried out twice with 6 months of interval and included evaluation of aided sound field and P1-CAEP, and evaluation using the Arabic version of the Infant Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS). The P1-CAEPs were elicited using the temporally modified synthetic ‘ba’ and ‘da’ syllables. Results In the initial evaluation, 80% of ANSD children showed P1 response to the ‘ba’ stimulus and 87% of children to the ‘da’ stimulus. Only one child from the SNHL group did not show P1-CAEP responses to the ‘da’ stimulus. The latency of P1 was prolonged in both groups compared with the normal hearing loss group. At 6-month evaluation, the P1-CAEP latencies improved equally in the ANSD and SNHL groups. Children with absent responses persisted to have absent responses. The mean IT-MAIS scores was initially 45.5 (±20) in the ANSD group and 79 (±9) in the SNHL group and increased after 6 months in both groups. The IT-MAIS scores negatively correlated with the P1-CAEP latency in the two evaluation sessions and positively correlated with the age of hearing aid fitting. Conclusion Around 50% of ANSD children demonstrated benefit from amplification. They showed evidence of normal central auditory maturation and progress in auditory skill development. Longitudinal P1 recording is recommended in the comprehensive audiological test battery in ANSD population using temporally modified speech stimuli.
A model for web application and web service peer-to-peer hosting network architecture

Peer-to-peer systems offer significant scalability in content delivery and distribution. Many applications and systems have been researched and developed for this purpose, but achieving a peer-to-peer distributed service or application delivery is mostly neglected. There are some solutions at the application level, but neither achieved any serious success because of the narrow scope of applicability. In this paper we propose a model that would enable distributed service delivery through use of existing technologies and applications.