Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Immersive Motion Capture Environment

Current and future animations seek for realistic motions to create a perception of authentic and human-like animations. A technology widely used for such purposes is motion capture. Therefore, to create such human-like animations, motion capture actors enrich the movements of digital avatars with realistic and believable motions and emotions.Acting for motion capture, as it is performed today, does not provide a natural acting environment. This is mostly because motion capture actors do not see and feel the virtual environment they act for, while acting. In many cases this can result in unnatural motions such as stiff looking and emotionless movements.To investigate ways to solve this, we first identify the challenges actors are facing as well as concepts to support a motion capture actor. Furthermore, we discussed, how the task of supporting motion capture actors was approached and which factors were discovered to provide support when designing and im- plementing a solution. Initial prototypes have been created to address the men- tioned issues and to find suitable solutions to support and immerse motion cap- ture actors during their performance. For this thesis, one goal was to conduct research by focusing on the question: What are the experiential qualities of immersion in an interactive system to create an immersive acting environment that supports motion capture actors.The developed application provides a flexibility to set up and modify digital assets and scenes quickly and with an easy to use interface. Furthermore, the prototype helps to provide an understanding on which hardware and software prototypes can be designed and used to build an immersive motion capture environment. The built prototype allows to investigate user experiences, user tests and the satisfaction of users and their effects on motion capture acting.
Phylogenetic analysis of Codium species from Brazil, with the description of the new species C. pernambucensis (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta)

The genus Codium comprises c. 125 species widely distributed in marine coastal environments throughout the world. Due to morphological plasticity, the taxonomic delimitation of Codium species can be difficult. Sequences of the first exon of the large subunit of RUBISCO (rbcL) have been used in the molecular delimitation of species and for phylogenetic purposes. In the present study, we complement previous morphological work on Brazilian Codium species with molecular systematics. Based on the partial rbcL sequences, seven species are recognized along the Brazilian coast: C. decorticatum, C. intertextum, C. isthmocladum, C. profundum, C. spongiosum, C. taylorii and the new species Codium pernambucensis. Ten unique sequences were obtained among the samples examined, which we used in combination with previously published sequences to infer molecular phylogenies using various methods. The resulting trees showed three principal monophyletic groupings: Clade A with species having a prostrate habit, not branched, and mostly with small, grouped utricles; Clade B primarily consisting of upright species with cylindrical branches and large individual utricles; and Clade C composed of upright species with cylindrical branches that are slightly flattened, and have intermediate-sized individual utricles. The Brazilian species grouped with morphologically similar taxa from other geographic localities, and are present in all three main clades. A new sprawling species, Codium pernambucensis is described based on morphology and molecular analyses.
Enamel demineralization and remineralization under plaque fluid-like conditions – a QLF study

The present study investigated deand remineralization in enamel lesions under plaque fluid (PF)-like conditions using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). Pre-formed lesions were exposed to partially saturated lactic acid solutions, varying in pH and fluoride concentration ([F]) based on a 5×3 factorial study design (0/0.1/0.5/1.5/4ppm F;pH 4.9/5.2/5.5). Average fluorescence loss (ΔF) was monitored for 11 days. Subsequently, lesions were demineralized in a partially saturated acetic acid solution for two 24h periods. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of covariance. Lesions exposed to PF at 4ppm F and pH 5.5 showed not only the most remineralization (ΔΔF=28.2±14.0%) for all groups after 11d, but also the most demineralization (ΔΔF=-19.3±13.5%) after subsequent acetic acid exposure. Increased [F] resulted in more remineralization regardless of pH. Higher pH values resulted in more remineralization. No remineralization was observed in lesions exposed to F-free solutions, regardless of pH. Remineralization was noticeable under the following conditions: pH 4.9 – [F]=4ppm, pH 5.2 – [F]≥1.5ppm, pH 5.5 – [F]≥0.5ppm. Overall, [F] had a stronger effect on remineralization than pH. Subsequent demineralization showed that little protection was offered by PF-like solutions, and further demineralization compared to baseline was observed on lesions not remineralized initially. [F] had a stronger effect on net mineral change than pH. The present study has shown that QLF is a valuable tool in studying lesion deand remineralization under PF-like conditions, where [F] was shown to be more important than pH.
Continued slowing of the Ross Ice Shelf and thickening of West Antarctic ice streams

Abstract As part of the Ross Ice Shelf Geophysical and Glaciological Survey (RIGGS), ice velocities were measured on the Ross Ice Shelf (RIS) during 1973–78. Comparisons of these with velocity estimates at the same locations derived from RADARSAT synthetic aperture radar (SAR) measurements in 1997 and 2009 show velocity reduction in the southeast quadrant of the ice shelf by almost 200 m a−1, with deceleration rates increasing with time. Large areas of ice shelf in this region are lightly grounded, forming an ‘ice plain’ that increases local buttressing of the ice streams. ICESat measurements show this ice plain to be thickening. The observed decrease in ice-shelf velocities implies a total reduction in the mass of ice flowing into the RIS from the West Antarctic ice sheet (WAIS) by ∼23 Gt a−1, shifting the mass balance of the WAIS drainage basin from strongly negative in the 1970s to strongly positive in 2009. The resulting decrease in ice advection should lead to ice-shelf thinning further seaward of the ice plain. This thinning would reduce the lateral drag and back-stress of the shelf ice, further contributing to thinning through an increase in spreading rate. ICESat measurements show recent thinning of most of the freely floating ice shelf.
The influence of cardiac frequency on the properties of the arterial input function (AIF) and computed DCE-MRI parameter values

Introduction: Quantitative determination of tissue perfusion, permeability and blood volume fraction applying DCE-MRI requires knowledge of the arterial plasma concentration of the contrast agent (CA) in the vessels feeding the tissue of interest. This arterial input function (AIF) must be sampled with high temporal and spatial resolution to enable stable pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling [1]. With current MRI techniques it is difficult to achieve the temporal resolution needed for CA dynamics present in small animals. Partial volume and flow artifacts further complicate the situation. It was previously demonstrated that the use of dynamic computed tomography (CT) in combination with standard MR CA allows the determination of a population AIF (popAIF) in rats [2]. Applying this technique, we analyzed the impact of rat cardiac frequency on the AIF properties detected in the rat abdominal aorta and the accompanied changes in computed DCE-MRI parameter values. Methods: All animal experiments were approved by the local ethics committee. 10 healthy Buffalo rats (10-13 weeks old) were imaged twice (separated by 19 days) by DCE-CT using a clinical CT scanner (Siemens Somatom, Erlangen, Germany). Different anesthesia was used to induce altered cardiac frequency. The first imaging session was performed with rats being anesthetized by gaseous infusion of isofluorane (Iso), whereas i.m. injection of a mixture of midazolam, medetomidine and fentanyl (MMF) was used for anesthesia in the second session. Rectal temperature and cardiac frequency of the rats was continuously monitored. Dynamic acquisition was performed with three axial slices (thickness = 4.8 mm, in-plane resolution = 0.3 mm, 40 mAs) centered over the upper abdomen. A double dose of Gd-DTPA (Magnevist) was injected as bolus after 4.5 s. Bolus arrival and first pass was sampled every Δt1 = 0.75s until 75s and then every Δt2 = 38.5s until 380s. Corresponding plasma concentration time curves Cp were derived as previously described [2] and averaged prior to modeling of the population AIF. A model similar to the one described in [3] with an additional exponential to account for slow clearance was used for AIF fitting. The resulting popAIFs were applied to one-compartment PK modeling and computation of K and ve [4] of previously measured DCE-MRI data of muscle, liver and hepatic tumor in 20 buffalo rats [5]. Results: The raw averaged and fitted AIF curves of the Iso and MMF session and the AIF model function are displayed in Fig 1. Corresponding individual and mean cardiac frequencies are listed in Table 1. A mean difference of 97.4 ± 22.9 bpm was detected. No difference was observed for rectal temperature. The MMF AIF exhibited a slower initial rise, broader bolus and later recirculation peak. The recirculation was successfully fitted only for the Iso AIF. AIF modeling parameters are listed in Table 2. The observed changes in AIF properties due to the different cardiac frequency resulted in significantly > 10% higher K values (p <
What Drives Growth of Jobs and the Arts ? A Chicken and Egg Approach

In the classical economic view, jobs attract workers to a city, and as a result, the city grows, as complementary amenities, such as restaurants, shops, and entertainment also flourish. Thus, in the traditional view, jobs are the main factor for city growth. In this study, we consider that the arts also attract workers to a city, and thus following the development of non-arts related industries in the region due to the availability of labor. Therefore, do cities grow primarily due to the jobs created by the industries, or do cities also grow due to the presence of arts amenities and entertainment that are seen as essential to the workers before they choose where to live? In this research, we use the Country Business Patterns (CBP) data from the American census to analyze the relationship between the growth of the arts as related to other industries. We use cross-lagged regressions on sixteen years of data in more than 15.000 zip codes in the US, and geographical weighted regressions on the analysis. Results point that the arts are important drivers to the growth of cities.
A GENERALIZATION OF AN IMO PROBLEM

Bill Sands has conjectured that for no integer n ! 3 does there exist a vector of n integers whose dot products with all permutations of (1,.,n) form a complete residue system mod n! In this paper we verify this conjecture when n + 1 is not prime, n = 4, and n = 6. We also suggest a generalization of the problem.
Patterned Biofunctional Polymer Brushes

Protein patterning was carried out using a simple procedure based on photolithography wherein the protein was not subjected to UV irradiation and high temperatures, or contacted with denaturing solvents, and strongly acidic or basic solutions. Self-assembled monolayers of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on silicon surfaces were exposed to oxygen plasma through a patterned photoresist. The etched regions were back-filled with an initiator for surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). ATRP of sodium acrylate was readily achieved at room temperature in an aqueous medium. Protonation of the polymer resulted in patterned poly(acrylic acid) brushes. A variety of biomolecules containing amino groups could be covalently tethered to the dense carboxyl groups in the brush region under relatively mild conditions. The PEG regions surrounding the poly(acrylic acid) brush prevented non-specific adsorption. Bovine serum albumin (BSA), tagged with specific ligands, were immobilized on the brushes. BSA enhanced the non-denaturing environment of the PAA brushes and also “blocked” non-specific interactions. Biotin-tagged BSA was used to demonstrate a strategy of physically immobilizing proteins through the strong streptavidin-biotin complex formation. Such a specific, physical immobilization is expected to better retain the protein functionality than covalent binding.
HSI Image Restortion using Low Rank Matrix Recovery

Restoration is process of undoing or recovering an image from degraded state. The image restoration techniques are used to make the corrupted image as similar as that of the original image. Hyper spectral image are often corrupted by a mixture of various kinds of noise in the acquisition process, which can include Gaussian noise, impulse noise, deadlines, stripes, and so on. Various restoration methods are used. A new HSI restoration method based on low-rank matrix recovery (LRMR) is introduced, which can simultaneously remove the Gaussian noise, impulse noise, deadlines, and stripes but there is no spatial constraint applied on neighbouring pixels that causes large areas of missing pixels . To handle the problem of missing pixels non-reference regularization algorithm is used .
A Concept for Consensus-based Ordering of Views

High-dimensional data poses a signiﬁcant challenge for analysis, as patterns typically exist only in subsets of dimensions or records. A common approach to reveal patterns, such as meaningful structures or relationships, is to split the data and then to create a visual representation (views) for each data subset. This introduces the problem of ordering the views effectively because patterns can depend on the presented sequence. Existing methods provide metrics and heuristics to achieve an ordering of views based on their data characteristics. However, an effective ordering of subspace views is expected to rely on task-and data-dependent properties. Hence, heuristic-based ordering methods can be highly objective and not relevant to the task at hand, which is why the user involvement is key to ﬁnd a meaningful ordering. We introduce a concept for a consensus-based ordering of views that learns to form sequences of subset views ﬁtting the overall users’ needs. This concept allows users to decide on the ordering freely and accumulates their preference into a global view that reﬂects the consensus. We showcase and discuss this concept based on ordering colored tiles from the controversially discussed rainbow color map.
ImprovIng the ecologIcal valIdIty of non-market valuatIon:

This paper introduces a variant of choice experiment valuation designed to ameliorate common limitations related to a lack of ecological clarity in stated preference survey scenarios. This approach, which we call BioindicatorBased Stated Preference Valuation (BSPV), is distinguished by guidelines that inform the structure and use of ecological indicators to define policy scenarios in valuation surveys. The approach begins with a formal basis in ecological science and extends to relationships between attributes in respondents’ preference functions and those used to characterize policy outcomes. The resulting welfare measures are designed to be unambiguously linked to models and indicators of ecosystem function, are based on measurable and unambiguous ecological outcomes, and are more easily incorporated into benefit cost analysis. Performance of the developed methods is illustrated through an application to diadromous fish passage restoration in a Rhode Island watershed. Results suggest that less structured treatments of ecological change within stated preference surveys can omit information that is essential for the estimation of nonuse or indirect use values and relevant to respondents when determining WTP.
Running title: Ropy phenotype in B. animalis subsp. lactis

Title: Insights into the ropy phenotype of the exopolysaccharide-producing strain Bifidobacterium 1 animalis subsp. lactis A1dOxR 2 3 Running title: Ropy phenotype in B. animalis subsp. lactis 4 5 Authors: Claudio Hidalgo-Cantabrana 1 , Borja Sánchez 1 , Deborah Moine 2 , Bernard Berger 2 , Clara 6 G. de los Reyes-Gavilán 1 , Miguel Gueimonde 1 , Abelardo Margolles 1 and Patricia Ruas-Madiedo 1 # 7 8 Addresses: 9
Enhancement of Gut Immune Functions by Short-Chain Fructooligosaccharides and Reduction of Colon Cancer Risk

Short-chain fructooligosaccharides occur in a number of edible plants, such as chicory, onions, asparagus, wheat. They are produced industrially from sucrose. They are a group of linear fructose oligomers with a degree of polymerisation ranging from 1 up to 5 (oligosaccharides). Short-chain fructooligosaccharides to a large extent escape digestion in the human upper intestine and reach the colon where they are totally fermented mostly to lactate, short chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate and butyrate), and gas. Butyrate is the most interesting of the short chain fatty acids (SCFA) since, it regulates cell growth and differentiation of colonocyte. In addition to this trophic effect, butyrate stimulates the immunogenicity of the cancerous cells. Short-chain fructooligosaccharides also stimulate bifidobacterial growth. The colonic microflora has a considerable influence on the immune system of the host. The intestinal mucosa, play an important role in the immune system too, it is the largest immunological organ of the body containing. The gutassociated lymphoid tissue (GALT) plays a key role according to its singular interface situation in the body and constitutes an important line of defence which is confronted with a large range of antigenic or immunomodulating substances. Recent founding in animal models clearly demonstrate that pre and probiotic may exert beneficial effects on gut health by enhancing GALT responses directly or indirectly by the mediation of butyrate and lactic bacteria. GALT may play a pivotal role in the rejection of nascent colon tumours. Intestinal microflora modulates the GALT responses and recent founding in animal models clearly demonstrate that pre and probiotic may exert beneficial effects on gut health by enhancing GALT responses directly or indirectly by the mediation of butyrate. The demonstration of the potential health benefits of sc-FOS on reduction risk of colon cancer is an active field of research in human nutrition. The sc-FOS, in animal models, reduce colon tumour development by enhancing both colon butyrate concentrations and local immune system effectors. The objective of this review is to discuss the critical role of GALT and its effectors, associated to butyrate, on colorectal cancer prevention. Both target functions have shown to be enhanced by sc-FOS.
An exact multivariate model-based structural decomposition

We describe a simple procedure for decomposing a vector of time series into trend, cycle, seasonal and irregular components. Contrary to common practice, we do not assume these components to be orthogonal conditional on their past. However, the state-space representation employed assures that their smoothed estimates converge to exact values, with null variances and covariances. Among ather implications, this means that the components are not revised when the sample increases. The practical application of the method is illustrated both with simulated and real data.
Immersed boundary methods for numerical simulation of confined fluid and plasma turbulence in complex geometries: a review

Immersed boundary methods for computing confined fluid and plasma flows in complex geometries are reviewed. The mathematical principle of the volume penalization technique is described and simple examples for imposing Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions in one dimension are given. Applications for fluid and plasma turbulence in two and three space dimensions illustrate the applicability and the efficiency of the method in computing flows in complex geometries, for example in toroidal geometries with asymmetric poloidal cross-sections.
GENETIC DISORDERS IN QATAR

Qatar is ranked as the wealthiest country in the world with the highest GDP per capita, derived from the production and export of oil and natural gas. A monarchy, Qatar has been ruled by the Al-Thani family since the mid1800s and has since transformed itself from a poor British protectorate, noted mainly for pearling, into an independent state with Islam as the official religion, Sharia as the prime source of legislation and Arabic as the official language.
Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

Background: Conventional methods for susceptibility testing require several months before results can be reported. However, rapid methods to determine drug susceptibility have been developed recently. Phage assay have been reported as a rapid useful tools for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The aim of this study was to apply the Phage assay for rapid detection of resistance on Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in Cuba. Methods: Phage D29 assay was performed on 102 M. tuberculosis strains to detect rifampicin resistance. The results were compared with the proportion method (gold standard) to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Phage assay. Results: Phage assay results were available in 2 days whereas Proportion Methods results were obtain in 42 days. A total of 44 strains were detected as rifampicin resistant by both methods. However, one strains deemed resistant by Proportion Methods was susceptible by Phage assay. The sensitivity and specificity of Phage assay were 97.8 % and 100% respectively. Conclusion: Phage assay provides rapid and reliable results for susceptibility testing; it's easy to perform, requires no specialized equipment and is applicable to drug susceptibility testing in low income countries where tuberculosis is a major public health problem. Background Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is estimated that about one-third of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, more than eight million new cases of active TB occur annually and the estimated global annual mortality from this disease is close to two million people [1]. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), caused by strains resistant to at least isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RMP), is considered an emergent disease as well as the consequence of inadequate treatment [2]. WHO has estimated that approximately 460.000 MDR-TB cases occur Published: 21 April 2006 Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials 2006, 5:11 doi:10.1186/1476-0711-511 Received: 30 January 2006 Accepted: 21 April 2006 This article is available from: http://www.ann-clinmicrob.com/content/5/1/11 © 2006 Yzquierdo et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials 2006, 5:11 http://www.ann-clinmicrob.com/content/5/1/11
Viten om samtiden og refleksivitet

This article is downloaded from www.idunn. no. © 2015 Author(s). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons CC-BY-NC 4.0 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material for non-commercial use, provided the original author and source are credited. DOI: 10.18261/issn.0805-95352016-04-05 Viten om samtiden og refleksivitet