Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A polynomial-time bound for matching and registration with outliers

We present a framework for computing optimal transformations, aligning one point set to another, in the presence of outliers. Example applications include shape matching and registration (using, for example, similarity, affine or projective transformations) as well as multiview reconstruction problems (triangulation, camera pose etc.). While standard methods like RANSAC essentially use heuristics to cope with outliers, we seek to find the largest possible subset of consistent correspondences and the globally optimal transformation aligning the point sets. Based on theory from computational geometry, we show that this is indeed possible to accomplish in polynomial-time. We develop several algorithms which make efficient use of convex programming. The scheme has been tested and evaluated on both synthetic and real data for several applications.
The new frontier created by high-bandwidth digital video systems and services

Digital broadcasting services provide high-definition TV service and an increased number of standard definition TV channels. The allocated bit-stream rate, however, is around 30 Mb/s/channel, whereas original digital video signals require 100 to 1000 Mb/s. MPEG2 is used to compress the original source data to a rate suitable for broadcasting and recording. The compression codings are shown for digital video systems, together with computing power required for decoding. Advanced LSI technology with sophisticated architecture and device technology will enable high-bandwidth video systems. Performance improvement by a factor of two per year is possible. Availability of such advanced video systems will create various new business frontiers with sophisticated video applications such as the 3DCG game linked with Live TV, the multi-angle TV program and the video filtering to customer profile. This in turn will provide a large market opportunity for semiconductor business.
GTS: parallelization and vectorization of tight recurrences

In this paper we present a new method for extracting the maximum parallelism or vector operations out of DO loops with tight recurrences using sequential programming languages. We have named the method Graph Traverse Scheduling (GTS). It is devised to produce code for shared memory multiprocessors or vector machines. When parallelizing, hardware support for fast synchronization is assumed. The method is presented for single nested loops including one or several recurrences and we show how parallel and vector code is generated. Based on the dependence graph of a loop, we first evaluate its parallelism and vector length of statements. Then we apply GTS to distribute loop iterations between tasks or to generate vector operations of a given length. When this method is applied for parallel code generation, dependencies not included in the sequential execution of each task must be explicitly synchronized. A method to minimize the number of explicit synchronizations is also presented. We also present how to compute the synchronization-free parallelism obtaining fully independent tasks. When GTS is applied for vector code generation, a sequential loop of vector operations is obtained.
Polymer nanocomposite‐based shielding against diagnostic X‐rays

Lead is commonly used in medical radiology departments as a shielding material. Lead-based protective materials are also used by clinical personnel during X-ray image-guided interventional radiology (IVR) procedures. However, lead is extremely toxic and prolonged exposure to it can result in serious health concerns. Polymer composites, on the other hand, can be designed to be lead-free in addition to being lightweight, conformable, cost effective, and potentially capable of significantly attenuating X-rays. Nanomaterials have unique material properties that can be exploited to develop novel lead-free radiation-protection materials. In this study, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposites were fabricated using different weight percentages (wt %) of bismuth oxide (BO) nanopowder. The attenuation properties of the nanocomposites were characterized using diagnostic X-ray energies from 40 to 150 kV tube potential and were compared to the attenuation characteristics of 0.25-mm-thick pure lead sheet. The PDMS/BO nanocomposite (44.44 wt% of BO and 3.73-mm thick) was capable of attenuating all the scattered X-rays generated at a tube potential of 60 kV, which is the beam energy commonly employed in IVR. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2013
May arsenic pollution contribute to limiting Artemia franciscana invasion in southern Spain?

Limited information exists regarding the complex interactions between biological invasions, pollution, and climate change. Most studies indicate that pollution tends to favor invasive species. Here, we provide evidence that arsenic (As) pollution may have a role in limiting the invasion of the exotic brine shrimp Artemia franciscana. We tested As toxicity in natural populations of Artemia parthenogenetica (a native taxon) and A. franciscana from localities in southern Spain with differing degrees of As contamination. Tests were conducted both under current mean temperature conditions (25 °C), and as per a future climate scenario (i.e., an increase in mean temperature of 4 °C). Acute toxicity was estimated on the basis of the median lethal concentration (at 24 h), and chronic toxicity was evaluated by measuring Artemia survival and growth under sublethal exposures (after 26 days). At 25 °C, native A. parthenogenetica from the highly polluted Odiel and Tinto estuary was much more resistant to acute As stress (LC50-24 h, 24.67 mg L−1) than A. franciscana (15.78 mg L−1) and A. parthenogenetica from unpolluted sites (12.04 mg L−1)–suggesting that local adaptation to polluted conditions may occur. At 29 °C, resistance of A. parthenogenetica from Odiel decreased significantly, and there were no statistical differences in sensitivity between the three species/populations, suggesting that climate change may enhance the probability of invasion. Resistance increased with developmental stage from nauplii to adults, and was extremely high in cysts which still hatched at As concentrations of up to 6400 mg L−1. Under sublethal chronic exposure A. franciscana performed better (survival and growth) than A. parthenogenetica, and both species experienced a faster growth when exposed to As, compared with unexposed (control) individuals, probably due to the hormesis. We discuss the ecological implications of our results.
Combining object-oriented and ontology-based approaches in human behaviour modelling

This article proposes a combination of object-oriented and ontology-based approaches for real-time interworking of human behaviour models in the context of agent-based simulation systems. We present a conceptual design of a semantic intermediation framework, including the split of the responsibilities between the intermediation ontology and software code. We illustrate our design in the context of the EDA project A-0938-RT-GC EUSAS, where it will be used for integrating various behaviour models and for virtual trainings running in real time. We also report the results of preliminary performance tests related to ontological queries, and conclude with our future plans concerning the intermediation infrastructure.
Multimodal segmentation combining active contours and watersheds

This paper presents a segmentation method combining an active contour approach with a watershed pre-segmentation. Segmentation is performed on two modalities: one being the color of the regions, the other one being the change due to motion. On the one hand, watershed methods are very efficient to provide an oversegmentation of homogeneous color regions. On the other hand, active contours methods are efficient to obtain a smooth segmentation. We apply in this paper an active contour method to segment the change detection mask. The incertitude on the motion induces artifacts on the resulting contours. Our original contribution consists in using the intra-image watershed segmentation to correct the contours. To reach such a goal, we construct a distance map from the oversegmentation of the homogeneous color region. The active contour is then corrected to better fit to the real object by introducing a specific term based on this distance map in the evolving equation of the active contour.
Preparation and optimization of aminolevulinic acid with gold nanoparticles for photothermal and photodynamic therapies applications

The use of gold nanoparticles (AuNps) as the vehicle for 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) delivery for photodynamic and photothermic plasmonic therapies is a promising approach, especially with the recent demonstration that this photosensitizer immobilization on the particle surface improves reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, increasing its cytotoxicity. Gold nanorods (AuNRs) present an absorption spectrum shifted to 700 nm, within the tissue transparency window, which allows excitation of the nanoparticles situated deeper in the tissues. Here, we describe a new synthesis method that was applied to control the shape of the gold nanoparticles during its synthesis. To obtain ALA:AuNRs, precursor ALA:AuNps were irradiated by ultrashort laser pulses. The variation of the laser parameters such as pulse energy and duration and irradiation time was assessed. The relevant mechanisms are discussed.
Stress-Strain Behavior of Hot-Compression Mg-Li Alloy

The stress-strain behavior of hot-compression Mg-Li alloy was investigated by using a physical simulator Gleeble-3500 system. And the constitutive equation was set up by regression analysis and BP neural networks. Results show that the dynamic recrystallization occured during the hot-compression process. The grain size of the alloy increased and the stress decreased with increasing temperature. Regression analysis indicates that the flow stress can be expressed by hyperbolic sine model and the arithmetic average of errors is 14.13%. Training the flow stress prediction model with MatLab by an improved BP，the maximum arithmetic average of errors is 4.27%. The predicted stress-strain curves are in good agreement with the experimental results.
Ca2+-dependent and -independent mechanisms of calmodulin nuclear translocation

Translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus is a major response by calmodulin (CaM) to stimulation of cells by Ca2+. However, the mechanisms involved in this process are still controversial and both passive and facilitated diffusion have been put forward. We tested nuclear translocation mechanisms in electroporated HeLa cells, rat cortical neurons and glial cells using novel calmodulin and inhibitor peptide probes and confocal microscopy. Passive diffusion of calmodulin across the nuclear membrane was measured in conditions in which facilitated transport was blocked and was compared to that of a similarly sized fluorescein-labeled dextran. Wheat germ agglutinin, which blocks facilitated transport but not passive diffusion, inhibited the nuclear entry of both wild-type and Ca2+-binding-deficient mutant calmodulin both in low and elevated [Ca2+]. Ca2+-dependent nuclear translocation was prevented by a membrane-permeant CaM inhibitor, the mTrp peptide, which indicated that it was specific to Ca2+/CaM. Diffusion of free CaM and Ca2+/CaM was considerably slower than the observed nuclear translocation by facilitated transport. Our data show that the majority of CaM nuclear entry occurred by facilitated mechanisms in all cell types examined, in part by a Ca2+-independent and in part by a Ca2+-dependent translocation mechanism.
Visual analysis of compound graphs

Compound graphs consist of two separate components. On the one hand a graph structure describes which elements are related to each other and to what extent, i.e., inherent edge weights and directions may exist, which we refer to as adjacency edges. On the other hand the graph elements are not only related by adjacencies, but they are also hierarchically organized which might be considered another kind of relationship among the graph vertices. Those relations are further referred to as inclusion edges. There are various application domains in which such a data structure occurs and with which a data analyst has to deal, either analytically on the basis of algorithms or visually, i.e., more on the basis of diagrams and visual languages. In this paper we introduce a visualization tool that is able to provide linked views on both aspects, i.e., the graph relations and the hierarchical organization. We illustrate the usefulness of our tool in a case study investigating soccer team results that build weighted directed adjacency relations in a hierarchically structured world.
The role of the Quality and Outcomes Framework in the care of long-term conditions: a systematic review

Background Improving care for people with long-term conditions is central to NHS policy. It has been suggested that the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), a primary care pay-for-performance scheme that rewards practices for delivering effective interventions in long-term conditions, does not encourage high-quality care for this group of patients. Aim To examine the evidence that the QOF has improved quality of care for patients with long-term conditions. Design and setting This was a systematic review of research on the effectiveness of the QOF in the UK. Method The authors searched electronic databases for peer-reviewed empirical quantitative research studying the effect of the QOF on a broad range of processes and outcomes of care, including coordination and integration of care, holistic and personalised care, self-care, patient experience, physiological and biochemical outcomes, health service utilisation, and mortality. Because the studies were heterogeneous, a narrative synthesis was carried out. Results The authors identified three systematic reviews and five primary research studies that met the inclusion criteria. The QOF was associated with a modest slowing of both the increase in emergency admissions and the increase in consultations in severe mental illness (SMI), and modest improvements in diabetes care. The nature of the evidence means that the authors cannot be sure that any of these associations is causal. No clear effect on mortality was found. The authors found no evidence that the QOF influences integration or coordination of care, holistic care, self-care, or patient experience. Conclusion The NHS should consider more broadly what constitutes high-quality primary care for people with long-term conditions, and consider other ways of motivating primary care to deliver it.
Profiling of the SiO2 - SiC Interface Using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

The implementation of SiC based sensors and electronics for operation in chemically harsh, high temperature environments depends on understanding the SiO 2/SiC interface in field effect devices. We have developed a technique to fabricate wedge polished samples (angle ~ 1x10 -4 rad) that provides access to the SiO 2/SiC interface via a surface sensitive probe such as xray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Lateral scanning along the wedge is equivalent to depth profiling. Spatially resolved XPS images of the O 1s and Si 2p core levels were obtained of the interfacial region. Samples consist of device-quality thermally grown oxides on 4H-SiC single crystal substrates. The C 1s spectrum suggests the presence of a graphitic layer on the nominally bare SiC surface following thermal oxidation.
An Effective Grouping Method for Privacy-Preserving Bike Sharing Data Publishing

Bike sharing programs are eco-friendly transportation systems that are widespread in smart city environments. In this paper, we study the problem of privacy-preserving bike sharing microdata publishing. Bike sharing systems collect visiting information along with user identity and make it public by removing the user identity. Even after excluding user identification, the published bike sharing dataset will not be protected against privacy disclosure risks. An adversary may arrange published datasets based on bike’s visiting information to breach a user’s privacy. In this paper, we propose a grouping based anonymization method to protect published bike sharing dataset from linking attacks. The proposed Grouping method ensures that the published bike sharing microdata will be protected from disclosure risks. Experimental results show that our approach can protect user privacy in the released datasets from disclosure risks and can keep more data utility compared with existing methods.
Orthogonality-Based User and Receive Antenna Selection for MIMO Broadcast Channels

In MIMO broadcast channels, the Block Diagonalization (BD) transmit precoding performs better than the Zero-Forcing (ZF) transmit precoding when the user equipment has multiple receive antennas and can support multiple data streams. The number of users simultaneously supported by BD is much less than the total number of users in the system, so selecting proper users and/or receive antennas is important to achieve high overall sum capacity. So far, the capacity-based and norm-based user and receive antenna selection algorithms are proposed, which are greedy based and have much lower complexity than the brute-force based algorithms. In this paper, the orthogonality-based user and receive antenna selection algorithms are employed. The idea of the algorithm is simple, however, we show by detailed complexity analysis and extensive simulations that the orthogonality-based user and receive antenna selection achieves much better complexity and performance tradeoff than the existing capacity-based and norm-based algorithms. So, the orthogonality-based algorithms are more attractive for practical MIMO broadcast systems.
Growth performance and carcass quality of broilers fed with palm kernel meal-based rations.

A feeding trial was carried out to compare the effect of feeding broiler chicken with rations formulated with different types of palm kernel meal. A total of 96 one-day-old chicks (male, COBB) were reared in 2-tier battery cages in the open house system. Birds were assigned to 4 different treatments: T1, corn-soy ration as control, T2, ration formulated with 20% palm kernel expeller (PKE), T3, ration formulated with 20% commercial solvent extracted palm kernel cake (PKC) with about 4% shell and dirt and T4, laboratory produced solvent extracted palm kernel cake (PKC) with less than 3% shell and dirt content. The average weight of the birds, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were calculated for each ration. The feeding trial lasted 42 days and results showed that there were significant differences (p <0.05) among treatment rations in average body weight and feed conversion ratio for the starter and growth periods. Broilers fed with corn-soy-based ration gave the best result compared to PKE and PKC-based rations. Feed cost per kg bird live weight was lowest for T1 compared to other
Differential Effect of Active Smoking on Gene Expression in Male and Female Smokers

Smoking is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Cohort epidemiological studies have demonstrated that women are more vulnerable to cigarette-smoking induced diseases than their male counterparts, however, the molecular basis of these differences has remained unknown. In this study, we explored if there were differences in the gene expression patterns between male and female smokers, and how these patterns might reflect different sex-specific responses to the stress of smoking. Using whole genome microarray gene expression profiling, we found that a substantial number of oxidant related genes were expressed in both male and female smokers, however, smoking-responsive genes did indeed differ greatly between male and female smokers. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) against reference oncogenic signature gene sets identified a large number of oncogenic pathway gene-sets that were significantly altered in female smokers compared to male smokers. In addition, functional annotation with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) identified smoking-correlated genes associated with biological functions in male and female smokers that are directly relevant to well-known smoking related pathologies. However, these relevant biological functions were strikingly overrepresented in female smokers compared to male smokers. IPA network analysis with the functional categories of immune and inflammatory response gene products suggested potential interactions between smoking response and female hormones. Our results demonstrate a striking dichotomy between male and female gene expression responses to smoking. This is the first genome-wide expression study to compare the sex-specific impacts of smoking at a molecular level and suggests a novel potential connection between sex hormone signaling and smoking-induced diseases in female smokers.
Membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase in human retinal pigment epithelium.

PURPOSE Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase (CA) by acetazolamide causes a decrease in the standing potential of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and an increase in the rate of subretinal fluid absorption, and it may improve cystoid macular edema. These effects are thought to be mediated by the RPE. Given the solubility coefficient of acetazolamide, the drug is most likely to act by direct inhibition of membrane-bound CA (CA IV). To identify a substrate for acetazolamide in the RPE, the distribution of CA activity and the isoform of CA in the RPE membrane were investigated. METHODS Carbonic anhydrase activity was determined by Hansson's technique in fresh human eyes from donors of both sexes and different ages. The presence of the membrane-bound isoform CA IV was investigated immunohistochemically at the light and electron microscopic level, as well as by Western blotting in fresh RPE, and in adult and fetal RPE cultures. RESULTS Hansson's histochemical method demonstrated CA activity on the apical and basolateral cell membrane of the RPE. Using the gamma-globulin fraction of a polyclonal antibody against pure CA IV, immunocytochemistry showed labeling for CA IV on the apical RPE membrane or morphologically polarized human adult and fetal RPE cultures. Gel electrophoresis and Western blotting demonstrated a major immunoreactive band at 55 kDa in homogenates, which was consistently reduced to approximately 35 kDa by incorporation of 0.1% Triton X-100 detergent. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the clinical effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors on RPE function may be mediated via membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase activity in RPE and that CA IV is responsible for activity on the apical surface.