Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of eye gaze points based on visual search

Recently there have been a lot of researches on eye gaze points in naturalistic scenes. But in many of these studies, subjects are instructed to view scenes without any particular task. So what are they different in visual research? In this paper, we provide detailed analysis of the eye gaze points from 11 subjects' eye movements when they performed a search task in 1307 images. The eye tracking data was analyzed in the following four aspects: agreement among subjects, center bias, difference of gaze points for each stimulus between target-present and target absent stimuli and the distribution of gaze points in the target-present image, The results of the analysis show that during visual search tasks, in which subjects are asked to find a particular target in a display, target object playa dominant role in the guidance of eye movements.
Organic thin film transistors: From theory to real devices

The organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) is now a mature device that has developed tremendously during the last twenty years. The aim of this paper is to update previous reviews on that matter that have been published in the past. The operating mode of OTFTs is analyzed in view of recent model development. This mainly concerns the distribution of charges in the conducting channel and problems connected with contact resistance. We also delineate what differentiates n - and p -type semiconductors, and show how this concept differs from what it covers in conventional semiconductors. In the chapter devoted to fabrication techniques, emphasis is placed on solution-based techniques and particularly printing processes. Similarly, soluble materials are given a prominent place in the section dedicated to the performance of devices. Finally, special attention is given to devices at the nanoscale level, which demonstrate a new route toward molecular electronics.
The Improvement of Laparoscopic Surgical Skills Obtained by Gynecologists after Ten Years of Clinical Training Can Reduce Peritoneal Adhesion Formation during Laparoscopic Myomectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective To evaluate if improvement of laparoscopic skills can reduce postoperative peritoneal adhesion formation in a clinical setting. Study Design We retrospectively evaluated 25 women who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy from January 1993 to June 1994 and 22 women who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy from March 2002 to November 2004. Women had one to four subserous/intramural myomas and received surgery without antiadhesive agents or barriers. Women underwent second-look laparoscopy for assessment of peritoneal adhesion formation 12 to 14 weeks after myomectomy. Adhesions were graded according to the Operative Laparoscopy Study Group scoring system. The main variable to be compared between the two cohorts was the proportion that showed no adhesions at second-look laparoscopy. Results Demographic and surgical characteristics were similar between the two cohorts. No complications were observed during surgery. No adverse events were recorded during postoperative course. At second-look laparoscopy, a higher proportion of adhesion-free patients was observed in women who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy from March 2002 to November 2004 (9 out of 22) compared with women who underwent the same surgery from January 1993 to June 1994 (3 out of 25). Conclusion The improvement of surgeons' skills obtained after ten years of surgery can reduce postoperative adhesion formation.
Greedy Fast Causal Interference (GFCI) Algorithm for Discrete Variables

GFCId is an algorithm that takes as input a dataset of discrete variables and has two phases. The first phase greedily searches over selected causal Bayesian network (CBN) structures1 (models), and outputs the highest scoring model it finds under the assumption that there are no unmeasured confounders and selection bias. This output is then input into a slight modification of the Fast Causal Inference (FCI) algorithm, which post-processes the output to produce a representation of a set of models that may include unmeasured confounders. The model that GFCId returns serves as a data-supported hypothesis about causal relationships that exist among the variables in the dataset. Such models are intended to help scientists form hypotheses and guide the design of experiments to investigate these hypotheses.
Effect of Obesity and Hypertension on Pulmonary Functions

Background: Obesity is a serious nutritional problem in the world and a source of multiple co-morbid conditions in metabolic and cardiopulmonary disorders. It offers mechanical obstruction to the movements of the body and the respiratory system. Further, it is hypothesized that the lung functions can be reduced to varying extents in obese hypertensive and obese normotensive subjects compared to normal subjects in the same age group. Aims & Objective: The present work is undertaken to study the effect of obesity and hypertension on the pulmonary functions. Materials and Methods: By using a computerized spirometer, the pulmonary functions FVC, FEV1 and PEF were evaluated in 20 obese normotensive subjects (BMI of 33.04 ± 2.42) and 20 obese hypertensive subjects (BMI of 32.89 ± 2.58) & 20 normal (BMI of 22.39 ± 1.65) male subjects in the age group of 40 to 60 years. Spirometry was performed by the subject in sitting posture. Trails were given for the subject to familiarize with the equipment, then they were asked to perform 3 trails and best of the three readings were computed for analysis. Results: The percentage of predicted value of FVC, FEV1 and PEF in normal subjects were 94.82 ± 13.07; 96.62 ± 15.19; 91.49 ± 23.21 and the corresponding values for obese normotensive subjects were 84.45 ± 15.75; 89.35 ± 16.48; 81.14 ± 20.54 and in obese hypertensive subjects were 76.60 ± 13.38; 78.65 ± 17.62; 71.09 ± 19.29 respectively. Conclusion: There was a significant decline in FVC, FEV1 and PEF in obese normotensive & obese hypertensive subjects when compared to normal individuals. Further, the extent of decline was greater in obese hypertensive when compared to obese normotensive subjects. It can be concluded that obesity and hypertension will have an adverse impact on pulmonary functions.
Fidelity of bacterial translation initiation: a stochastic kinetic model

During the initiation stage of protein synthesis, a ribosomal initiation complex (IC) is assembled on a messenger RNA (mRNA) template. In bacteria, the speed and accuracy of this assembly process are regulated by the complementary activities of three essential initiation factors (IFs). Selection of an authentic N-formylmethionyl-transfer RNA (fMet-tRNA\textsuperscript{fMet}) and the canonical, triplet-nucleotide mRNA start codon are crucial events during assembly of a canonical, ribosomal 70S IC. Mis-initiation due to the aberrant selection of an elongator tRNA or a non-canonical start codon are rare events that result in the assembly of a pseudo 70S IC or a non-canonical 70S IC, respectively. Here, we have developed a theoretical model for the stochastic kinetics of canonical-, pseudo-, and non-canonical 70S IC assembly that includes all of the major steps of the IC assembly process that have been observed and characterized in ensemble kinetic-, single-molecule kinetic-, and structural studies of the fidelity of translation initiation. Specifically, we use the rates of the individual steps in the IC assembly process and the formalism of first-passage times to derive exact analytical expressions for the probability distributions for the assembly of canonical-, pseudo- and non-canonical 70S ICs. In order to illustrate the power of this analytical approach, we compare the theoretically predicted first-passage time distributions with the corresponding computer simulation data. We also compare the mean times required for completion of these assemblies with experimental estimates. In addition to generating new, testable hypotheses, our theoretical model can also be easily extended as new experimental 70S IC assembly data become available, thereby providing a versatile tool for interpreting these data and developing advanced models of the mechanism and regulation of translation initiation.
Bias control for linearizing class AB amplifiers using envelope detection

This paper propose a linearization method that is to control the operating point of a class AB amplifier according to its output power. The proposed linearization method is presented in this paper and the performance test results using two-tone signal are presented also. Power amplifiers with a good linearity are required for communication systems in order to use the limited frequency resources efficiently. The IMD(Inter-Modulation Distortion) generated by nonlinear characteristics of an amplifier causes adjacent channel interferences which decrease the efficiency of frequency usage especially when the output power of the amplifier is nearly saturated. Both MCPA(Multi-Carrier Power Amplifier) and HPA(High Power Amplifier) are used in mobile communication systems. In general, MCPAs are used in base station transmitters where a large capacity and high linearity is needed but HPAs are used in a small capacity system such as repeaters because the output power of the HPAs should be backed off by a large amount for guaranteeing the required linearity. Repeaters are commonly used for increasing cell coverage by delivering signals from the base station to the regions which can not receive the signal with an adequate power. Most of repeaters are installed outside and the performance of the repeater must be maintained even though the environment changes. MCPAs have used linearization techniques, such as a feedforward and a digital predistortion(1). Those linearization techniques, however, are not suited for an amplifier with a low price and small size. The characteristics of analog predistorters using diodes are easily changed by temperature and environmental changes and feedback systems can process narrow band signals due to the stability problems(2). Therefore diode predistorters and feedback systems are not adequate to low cost and small size amplifiers also. Therefore, another linearization method is needed for small and medium power amplifiers used in such an application like repeaters. One of those methods is to use the envelope of a transmit signal.
Standardisation and Certification of the ‘Internet of Things’

We are grateful to the European Commission, and in particular Gianmarco Baldini of the EC Research Centre, for commissioning the research that underpins this paper, and for permission to publish an abridged account of our findings. We are also grateful to Mike Ellims and Graeme Jenkinson for feedback on vehicle software, as well as to Robert Watson and other colleagues in the Cambridge security group for discussions of security sustainability.
A randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of yoga to an active control on ambulatory blood pressure in individuals with Pre-and Stage 1 Hypertension

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of yoga to an active control (non-aerobic exercise) in individuals with preand Stage 1 hypertension. A randomized clinical trial was performed using two arms: 1) yoga and 2) active control. Primary outcomes were 24-hour, day and night ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Within-group and between-group analyses were performed using paired t-tests and repeated measures ANOVAs (time x group), respectively. Eighty-four participants enrolled with 68 participants completing the trial. Withingroup analyses found 24-hour diastolic, night diastolic, and mean arterial pressure all significantly reduced in the yoga group (−3.93, −4.7, −4.23 mmHg, respectively) but no significant withingroup changes in the active control group. Direct comparisons of the yoga intervention to the control group found a single blood pressure variable (diastolic night) to be significantly different (p =.038). This study has demonstrated that a yoga intervention can lower blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension. Although this study was not adequately powered to show between-group differences, the size of the yoga-induced blood pressure reduction we observed appears to justify performing a definitive trial of this intervention to test whether it can provide meaningful therapeutic value for the management of hypertension.
A proposal for improving efficiency of inverter driven electrical motors

Conventional inverter output has PWM output. This pulsed output waveform reduces insulation life time, contributes to quick degradation of the bearings and also is often source of acoustic noise. Furthermore, losses of PWM inverter-driven motors increase. In this paper a novel topology is proposed which is capable of generating a sinusoidal waveform, with low harmonic distortion. If the proposed method is used for driving motors, motor efficiency increases due to reduced losses and lifetime of the motor may be extended. The paper describes the topology used for generating power-level sinus output and how it works. The proposed converter is implemented and tested with resistive and inductive loads. The converter is shown to have the desired properties and the efficiency is shown to be above 95%. The tests on the converter while switching the load on and off illustrate that the converter output voltage is not affected at all from load switching.
Guided preprocessing based on visual perception for multiview coding

Video processing considering human visual perception attracts more attention in recent years. Based on characteristic of visual perception, a guided preprocessing method for multiview coding is proposed in this paper. Texture preprocessing is fulfilled by Gaussian filtering on the background, which led by the mask determined by depth map. And guided filtering is adopted for depth preprocessing, where guidance map is generated by luminance and chrominance components from both depth map and texture map. The resultant texture video and depth video are applied for multivew coding finally. Subjective evaluation towards the resultant video proves that the visual quality obtained by the proposed method is better than the anchor. As well as for objective evaluation in terms of PSNR index, the proposed method is superior to the anchor.
Suppression of signal fluctuation induced by crosstalk light in a gain saturated laser diode amplifier

This letter demonstrates that a gain saturated laser diode amplifier, due to its input/output characteristic, has the effect of reducing signal fluctuation. Bit error rate measurement shows that receiver sensitivity degradation caused by crosstalk light is improved with the amplifier. It also shows that there is an optimum saturation condition at which the sensitivity is efficiently improved.
Engaging Citizens in Environmental Monitoring via Gaming

Citizen science is quickly becoming one of the most effective tools for the rapid and low-cost collection of environmental information, filling a long recognized gap in in-situ data. Incentivizing citizens to participate, however, remains a challenge, with gaming being widely recognized as an effective solution to overcome the participation barrier. Building upon well-known gaming mechanics, games provide the user with a competitive and fun environment. This paper presents three different applications that employ game mechanics and have generated useful information for environmental science. Furthermore, it describes the lessons learnt from this process to guide future efforts.
Importance of Accurate Iron Permeability in Saturated Condition on Performance Evaluation of Flux-Switching Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines

Traditional industrial electrical machines are designed avoiding strong iron saturation in the magnetic circuit. Flux-switching permanent magnet synchronous machines (FSPMSMs), however, differ significantly by their construction and magnetic circuit from the traditional PMSMs. In PMSMs, local saturation in the stator at no load can be avoided by a proper stator tooth and yoke design, but in FSPMSMs, the flux accumulates in the teeth toward the air gap, and the armature steel often becomes heavily saturated in the region close to the air gap. Therefore, it is difficult to avoid local saturation in an FSPMSM, and proper design tools are required to take this saturation into account when the machine is designed. This paper demonstrates the importance of accurate knowledge of steel properties in regions with heavy magnetic saturation. It is shown that especially the design process of an FSPMSM should be supported by an accurate $B - H$ curve of the steel up to 2.2 T and beyond (or at the point where the steel is completely saturated), because it has a significant influence on the overall performance of the machine.
Information hiding technology based on block-segmentation strategy

This paper proposes an information hiding method based on block-segmentation strategy. The proposed scheme divides a grayscale image into several 4×4 blocks and further segment each block into four small blocks sized 2×2. Each small block chooses one reference point to be proceeded with outer embedding process. The chosen points then formed an inner block to be proceeded with inner embedding process for increasing hiding capacity. In addition, the proposed method effectively controls the distortion between the stego image and the original image by using remainder function. In the extracting phase, the proposed scheme subtracts the qualified reference point from each stego pixels to obtain the secret data. The proposed method does not need any extra information to extract the hidden information. According to the experiment results, the performances of the proposed scheme are better then that of Chang and Tseng's scheme.
A Computationally Efficient Continuous Model for the Modular Multilevel Converter

Simulation models of the modular multilevel converter (MMC) play a very important role for studying the dynamic performance. Detailed modeling of the MMC in electromagnetic transient simulation programs is cumbersome, as it requires high computational effort and simulation time. Several averaged or continuous models proposed in the literature lack the capability to describe the blocked state. This paper presents a continuous model, which is capable of accurately simulating the blocked state. This feature is very important for accurate simulation of faults. The model is generally applicable, although it is particularly useful in high-voltage dc applications.
Stability limit analysis for peak-current-controlled Ćuk converter

The goal of this paper is to derive the analytical stability boundaries for Ćuk converter and to highlight the joint impact of power stage passive components and current controller characteristics on the converter stability. Stability conditions are determined by means of a novel dynamic model of the Peak Current Controlled (PCC) Ćuk converter, taking into account the difference between the small signal ac components of the voltage across coupling capacitor and of the sum of input and output voltage. A reduced-order small model of PCC Ćuk converter is proposed.
Hábitos alimentarios, ingesta de energía y nutrientes y padecimiento de sobrepeso-obesidad en escolares españoles: diferencias en función de su consumo de pan

El objeto del presente estudio se centra en analizar la problematica nutricional de varios colectivos de escolares espanoles, prestando especial atencion a la asociacion entre habitos alimentarios e ingesta de energia y nutrientes con datos indicadores de padecimiento de sobrepeso/obesidad y planteando como objetivo prioritario el analisis de la situacion nutricional y habitos alimentarios en escolares con diferente consumo de pan.
Dislessia e Videogames: Il Potenziale Didattico dei Videogiochi

Obiettivo del presente lavoro e quello di illustrare, sulla base dei dati forniti dalla letteratura scientifica, come l’utilizzo di una specifica categoria di videogiochi possa favorire lo sviluppo della competenza di lettura in soggetti dislessici e argomentare come individuare, sulla base delle caratteristiche di interazione che essi offrono, videogiochi attualmente in commercio potenzialmente fruibili in ambito didattico per favorire lo sviluppo della competenza di lettura in soggetti dislessici. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014. v5n23p1165
A survey of visualisation for live cell imaging

Live cell imaging is an important biomedical research paradigm for studying dynamic cellular behaviour. Although phenotypic data derived from images are difficult to explore and analyse, some researchers have successfully addressed this with visualisation. Nonetheless, visualisation methods for live cell imaging data have been reported in an ad hoc and fragmented fashion. This leads to a knowledge gap where it is difficult for biologists and visualisation developers to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different visualisation methods, and for visualisation researchers to gain an overview of existing work to identify research priorities. To address this gap, we survey existing visualisation methods for live cell imaging from a visualisation research perspective for the first time. Based on recent visualisation theory, we perform a structured qualitative analysis of visualisation methods that includes characterising the domain and data, abstracting tasks, and describing visual encoding and interaction design. Based on our survey, we identify and discuss research gaps that future work should address: the broad analytical context of live cell imaging; the importance of behavioural comparisons; links with dynamic data visualisation; the consequences of different data modalities; shortcomings in interactive support; and, in addition to analysis, the value of the presentation of phenotypic data and insights to other stakeholders.
Regulation of Cytotoxicity by Quorum-Sensing Signaling in Vibrio vulnificus Is Mediated by SmcR, a Repressor of hlyU

ABSTRACT Cytotoxicity is an important virulence determinant in the pathogenesis of Vibrio vulnificus, and two cytotoxins, RTX (encoded by rtxA1) and cytolysin/hemolysin (encoded by vvhA), have been identified in this organism. We showed that the quorum-sensing regulator LuxO controlled the cytotoxicity of this organism: a ΔluxO mutant exhibited low cytotoxicity, whereas a constitutively activated luxO mutant, luxO(D47E), remained highly cytotoxic. The cytotoxicity of the ΔluxO mutant was restored when smcR, a Vibrio harveyi luxR homologue repressed by luxO, was further deleted. SmcR then was shown to repress the expression of both rtxA1 and vvhA. A DNA library of V. vulnificus was screened in Escherichia coli for clones that upregulated vvhA in the presence of SmcR, and hlyU, which has been shown to positively regulate rtxA1 and vvhA, was identified. We demonstrated that SmcR repressed the expression of hlyU and bound to a region upstream of hlyU in V. vulnificus. The deletion of hlyU resulted in the loss of cytotoxicity and reduced cytolysin/hemolysin production in the ΔsmcR mutant. The ΔsmcR ΔhlyU mutant regained cytotoxicity and cytolysin/hemolysin activity when hns, which has been shown to repress the transcription of rtxA1 and interfere with hlyU, was further removed. Collectively, our data suggest that SmcR mediates the regulation of cytotoxicity by quorum-sensing signaling in V. vulnificus by repressing hlyU, an activator of rtxA1 and vvhA.