Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Imaging Vector Fields Using Line Integral Convolution

Imaging vector fields has applications in science, art, image processing and special effects. An effective new approach is to use linear and curvilinear filtering techniques to locally blur textures along a vector field. This approach builds on several previous texture generation and filtering techniques[8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17, 23]. It is, however, unique because it is local, one-dimensional and independent of any predefined geometry or texture. The technique is general and capable of imaging arbitrary two- and three-dimensional vector fields. The local one-dimensional nature of the algorithm lends itself to highly parallel and efficient implementations. Furthermore, the curvilinear filter is capable of rendering detail on very intricate vector fields. Combining this technique with other rendering and image processing techniques - like periodic motion filtering - results in richly informative and striking images. The technique can also produce novel special effects.
Fracture of Highly Cross-linked All-Polyethylene Patella after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Recent advances in polyethylene fabrication have led to the introduction of highly cross-linked polyethylene tibial and patellar components for use in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with the goal of reducing wear-related osteolysis. However, some reports suggest decreased mechanical strength as a result of the additional thermal and sterilization treatments in the manufacturing of implants. Complications related to the patella are among the most common causes of failure in TKA, but patellar component fracture is rare. The authors report a case of a highly cross-linked all-polyethylene patellar component that failed as a result of fracture in vivo in a patient 3 years after TKA.
Performance of Full-Rate Full-Diversity Space-Time Codes Under Quantization and Channel Estimation Error

Performance of Full-Rate Full-Diversity Space-Time Codes Under Quantization and Channel Estimation Error Zhengwei Jiang Master of Applied Science Graduate Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Toronto 2010 In this work, we investigate the performance of full-rate full-diversity space-time codes (FRFD-STCs) under practical conditions. They were proposed recently, achieving the optimal diversity and multiplexing gain tradeoff. In this thesis, we first discuss the performance of FRFD-STCs in terms of bit error rate (BER) and frame error rate (FER) in the moderate SNR region. Different receivers are compared for these codes. The results show that the complexities of receivers are increased significantly in order to achieve the optimal performance. We also compare FRFD-STCs with spatial multiplexing, using the same transmission rate, for both un-coded and coded systems. The results show that FRFD-STCs have better performance than spatial multiplexing when the code rate is high and optimal or near-optimal detectors are implemented. Secondly, we investigate the issue of quantization in FRFD-STCs. We discuss the effect of the quantization error in the space-time encoding matrix. Our analysis and results show that the performance loss is negligible. Finally, we propose two receiver structures in the presence of imperfect channel state information (CSI). Variational expectation maximization (VEM) algorithm is used in our receivers. The two receivers use the VEM module as the channel estimator and MIMO detector respectively. The former structure is suitable for all kinds of STCs, while the latter one is specifically designed for FRFD-STCs. Both receivers are of low complexity, and have better performance than the methods proposed previously.
GSK3 inhibition improves skeletal muscle function and whole-body metabolism in the severe DBA/2J mdx mouse model

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe X-linked muscle wasting disorder that affects 1 in 5,000 males worldwide1. It is caused by the absence of functional dystrophin, which compromises muscle integrity, leading to progressive muscle wasting and weakness2. Glucocorticoids are the standard of care for patients with DMD as they delay the loss of ambulation by an average of 3 years3; however, they are also associated with adverse effects such as insulin resistance and increased risk of type 2 diabetes4. Thus, alternative therapeutic options should be explored. Here, we show that treating the DBA/2J mdx mouse with the glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) inhibitor, tideglusib, improved skeletal muscle function and insulin sensitivity, while also attenuating the hypermetabolic phenotype previously observed in these mice5. Furthermore, treating mdx mice with the GSK3 inhibitor, lithium, augmented the benefits of voluntary wheel running on insulin sensitivity and skeletal muscle function despite running half of the total distance compared to control-treated mdx mice. This is important given that some patients with DMD may not be able to engage in adequate amounts of physical activity. Thus, GSK3 inhibition alone or in combination with exercise can enhance skeletal muscle function and insulin sensitivity in mdx mice.
Interaction of two high Reynolds number axisymmetric turbulent wakes

The interaction between turbulent axisymmetric wakes plays an important role in many industrial applications, notably in the modelling of wind farms. While the non-equilibrium high Reynolds number scalings present in the wake of axisymmetric plates has been shown to modify the averaged streamwise scalings of individual wakes, little attention has been paid to their consequences in terms of wake interactions. We propose an experimental setup that tests the presence of non-equilibrium turbulence using the streamwise variation of velocity fluctuations between two bluff bodies facing a laminar flow. We have studied two different sets of plates (one with regular and another with irregular peripheries) with hot-wire anemometry in a wind tunnel. By acquiring streamwise profiles for different plate separations and identifying the wake interaction length for each separation it is possible to show that the interaction between them is consistent with non-equilibrium scalings. This work also generalises previous studies concerned with the interaction of plane wakes to include axisymmetric wakes. We find that a simple mathematical expression for the wake interaction length based on non-equilibrium turbulence scalings can be used to collapse the streamwise developments of the second, third and fourth moments of the streamwise fluctuating velocity.
Prevalence of risk factors and of coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke, carotid arterial disease and lower extremity peripheral arterial disease in 96 patients undergoing elective surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm

1Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division; 2Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA Correspondence: Dr Wilbert S Aronow, Cardiology Division, New York Medical College, Macy Pavilion, Room 138, Valhalla, New York 10595, USA. Telephone 914-493-5311, fax 914-235-6274, e-mail WSAronow@aol.com S Sule, WS Aronow, S Babu. Prevalence of risk factors and of coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke, carotid arterial disease and lower extremity peripheral arterial disease in 96 patients undergoing elective surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Int J Angiol 2008;17(3):141-142.
On the Growth of Stannic Oxide by Ion Beam Sputter Deposition (IBSD)

SnO2 thin films were grown on (0001) (c‐plane), (01 1¯2) (r‐plane), (112¯0) (a‐plane) and (101¯0) (m‐plane) sapphire substrates using ion beam sputter deposition (IBSD) of a pure metallic Sn target at a constant gas mixture of 2.5 sccm argon and 15 sccm oxygen at 550 °C substrate temperature. X‐ray diffraction in Bragg–Brentano geometry revealed that SnO2 film deposited on each substrate is grown with preferential out‐of‐plane orientation. The determined orientation relationships were SnO2 (100)∥ Al2O3 (0001) (c‐plane), SnO2 (101)∥ Al2O3 (112¯0) (a‐plane), SnO2 (101)∥ Al2O3 (011¯2) (r‐plane) and SnO2 (002)∥ Al2O3 (101¯0) (m‐plane). X‐ray diffraction (XRD) proved epitaxial growth, perceivable by very narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) in rocking curves and Laue oscillations in standard Θ–2Θ Bragg–Brentano scans. X‐ray pole figures even revealed epitaxial in‐plane relationships.
Malignant tumors engender and employ cancer-specific organelles for self-protection and metastasis

Cancer is a leading source of human lethality but current therapies have had limited efficacy in many cancers, which highlights an unmet need to assess the underlying mechanisms that govern cancer progression in vivo. Here we show that, upon malignant transformation, aggressive oncocells generate extracellular membranous compartments, cytocapsulas or cytocapsular tubes (CCTs), to enclose oncocells and engender cytocapsular oncocells in vivo. Cytocapsular oncocells are universally present in solid cancers and appear in hematologic cancers in the immune organs. Networks of cytocapsular tubes provide membrane-enclosed freeways for protected cancer metastasis. CCT networks interconnect cytocapsular tumors creating cytocapsular tumor network systems. Our findings suggest that cytocapsular oncocells drive membrane-encompassed cancer progression. Thus, interconnected cytocapsular oncocells, CCT networks and cytocapsular tumor network systems coordinate cancer progression in the integrated cytocapsular membrane systems.
Global meta-analysis reveals overall benefits of silvopastoral systems for biodiversity

Domestic livestock grazing accounts for roughly one quarter of the world’s terrestrial surface and is a leading driver of biodiversity loss. Yet, it also provides a critical livelihood for nearly one billion smallholder farmers, creating a paradox that highlights the need for conservation strategies to balance human and ecological needs. Silvopastoral systems (SPS) integrate trees with livestock pastures, offering a promising solution to boost livestock productivity while safeguarding natural areas and biodiversity. However, evidence for the biodiversity benefits provided by SPS is limited to studies focusing on specific geographic regions or taxa. Through a global meta-analysis of 45 studies spanning 15 countries, four biogeographic regions, and seven taxa, we provide the first quantitative synthesis evaluating how SPS affect biodiversity and community stability relative to treeless pastures and natural forests. Overall, we show that SPS harbor higher levels of biodiversity (i.e., richness, abundance, and diversity) and stability than treeless pastures, and perform comparably to nearby forests. However, variations exist across regions and taxa, with the strongest positive responses in tropical dry regions and for low-mobility taxa like invertebrates and plants. Mammals, birds, and soil microorganisms, on the other hand, showed no significant biodiversity differences between treeless pastures and SPS. Thus, integrating SPS and protected areas as complementary components of a multifunctional landscape will be key to halting multi-taxa biodiversity loss and building sustainable livestock systems. Our findings support the conservation potential of SPS, while underscoring the need for strategic implementation to maximize benefits for biodiversity conservation.
Prior EEG marks focused and mind-wandering mental states across trials

Mind wandering is a mental process involving spontaneously generated thought irrelevant to the current task or goal. Irrelevant thought in itself, however, does not necessarily lead to mind wandering, as this could be prevented by cognitive control functions. The strength of the control varies over time, as does the rate of spontaneous thought generation. Their combined dynamics generates a complex transition pattern among mental states, e.g., from task-focusing via multi-tasking to mind wandering. We investigated neural substrates of these mental dynamics. Participants reported mind-wandering and task-focused states during a tone counting task, while their electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. Amplitudes of EEG alpha-band activity and auditory evoked potentials were computed as measures of default-mode network (DMN) and cognitive control network (CCN) activity, respectively. Effects of the measures on task performance and self-reported number of thoughts were estimated, allowing for effect latencies of up to 20min. Alpha amplitude effects were found to change in direction as the mental state shifts between task focusing and mind wandering; before a reported task-focused state, the amplitude effect on task performance was negative, while it was positive before a reported mind wandering. The fist effect occurred 4-6min, and the second effect 6-10min before a report. The results suggest that DMN slowly but dynamically influences cognitive control, effectuating transitions between task focused and mind wandering behavior.
Klebsiella pneumoniae OmpR facilitates lung infection through transcriptional regulation of key virulence factors

ABSTRACT Bacteria must adapt to the stresses of specific environmental conditions to survive. This adaptation is often achieved by altering gene expression through two-component regulatory systems (TCSs). In Gram-negative bacteria, the response to environmental changes in osmolarity and pH is primarily mediated by the EnvZ/OmpR TCS. Although the functioning of EnvZ/OmpR has been well characterized in Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and the Yersinia genus, the importance of EnvZ/OmpR TCS in the opportunistic human pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae has been limitedly studied. Here, we investigated the importance of EnvZ/OmpR in K. pneumoniae for fitness, gene regulation, virulence, and infection. Through the generation of a markerless ompR-deletion mutant, we show that overall fitness of K. pneumoniae is not impacted in vitro. Using dual RNA sequencing of K. pneumoniae co-incubated with human lung epithelial cells, we demonstrate that the K. pneumoniae OmpR regulon includes important virulence factors but shows otherwise limited overlap with the regulons of other Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, we show that deletion of ompR in K. pneumoniae leads to a stronger antibacterial transcriptional response in human lung epithelial cells. Lastly, we show that OmpR is crucial for K. pneumoniae virulence and infection through a murine lung infection model. As the adaptation of commensal bacteria to specific niches is mediated by TCSs, we show that EnvZ/OmpR plays a crucial role in successful lung infection, as well as in virulence. These results suggest that OmpR is an interesting target for anti-virulence drug discovery programs. IMPORTANCE Bacteria use two-component regulatory systems (TCSs) to adapt to changes in their environment by changing their gene expression. In this study, we show that the EnvZ/OmpR TCS of the clinically relevant opportunistic pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae plays an important role in successfully establishing lung infection and virulence. In addition, we elucidate the K. pneumoniae OmpR regulon within the host. This work suggests that K. pneumoniae OmpR might be a promising target for innovative anti-infectives. Bacteria use two-component regulatory systems (TCSs) to adapt to changes in their environment by changing their gene expression. In this study, we show that the EnvZ/OmpR TCS of the clinically relevant opportunistic pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae plays an important role in successfully establishing lung infection and virulence. In addition, we elucidate the K. pneumoniae OmpR regulon within the host. This work suggests that K. pneumoniae OmpR might be a promising target for innovative anti-infectives.
On the effect of ionospheric delay on geodetic relative GPS positioning

Uncorrected ionospheric delay is one of the factors limiting the accuracy in geodetic relative positioning with single frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) carrier phase observations. Dual frequency measurements can be combined to eliminate the ionospheric delay in the observations. A comparison of single and dual frequency baseline results indicates that the main effect of the ionosphere is of systematic nature. A model is developed for the correction of single frequency carrier phase observations based on estimated vertical ionospheric delays.
Chronic total left main coronary artery occlusion— A case report

We report on the clinical and angiographic data of a patient suffering from total chronic occlusion of the left main coronary artery. For many years the patient s only complaint was of mild stable angina (CCS I). He had a history of a previous acute myocardial infarction 20 years ago, possibly caused by the occlusion of the left main coronary artery. The anatomic and clinical findings of chronic total occlusion of the left main coronary artery during his life are discussed.
A Robust Poincare Maps Method for Damage Detection based on Single Type of Measurement

The classical vibration-based structural health monitoring evaluates damage via the analysis of single type measurement. The relationships between different types of measurements, however, are usually neglected. To address this problem, vibration data is to be analyzed in state space in this paper based on the the Poincare map method. The Poincare map method is an effective approach in damage detection. This method, however, requires the dependent measurements for displacement, velocity and acceleration, respectively. Based on the Fourier transform properties, a robust Poincare map method for damage detection is proposed based on the single type of measurement. Numerical and experimental verifications are employed to verify the effectiveness of the developed method. Compared with the classical numerical differential method, the present method is more accurate and robust to noise.
Machine Listening for Park Soundscape Quality Assessment

The increasing importance attributed to soundscape quality in urban design generates a need for a system for automatic quality assessment that could be used for example in monitoring. In this work, the possibility for using machine listening techniques for this purpose is explored. The outlined approach detects the presence of particular sounds in a human-inspired way, and therefore allows to draw conclusions about how soundscapes are perceived. The system proposed in this paper consists of a partly recurrent artificial neural network modified to incorporate human attention mechanisms. The network is trained on sounds recorded in typical urban parks in the city of Antwerp, and thus becomes an auditory object creation and classification system particularly tuned to this context. The system is used to analyze a continuous sound level recording in different parks, resulting in a prediction of sounds that will most likely be noticed by a park visitor. Finally, it is shown that these indicators for noticed sounds allow to construct more powerful models for soundscape quality as reported in a survey with park visitors than indicators that are more regularly used in soundscape research.
PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION BASED APPROACH TO ESTIMATE EPIPOLAR GEOMETRY FOR REMOTELY SENSED STEREO IMAGES

Abstract. A novel particle swarm optimization based approach for the estimation of epipolar geometry for remotely sensed images is proposed and implemented in this work. In stereo vision, epipolar geometry is described using 3 × 3 fundamental matrix and is used as a validation tool to assess the accuracy of the stereo correspondences. The validation is performed by enforcing the geometrical constraint of stereo images on the two perspective projections of a point in the scene for finding inliers. In the proposed method, the steps of particle swarm optimization such as the initialization of the position and velocity of the particles, the objective function to compute the best position found by the swarm as well as by each particle experienced so far, the updating rule of velocity for the improvement of the position of each particle, is designed and implemented to estimate the fundamental matrix. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, the results are obtained on a pair of remotely sensed stereo image. A comparison of the result obtained using the proposed algorithm with RANSAC algorithm is carried out. The comparison shows that, the proposed method is effective to estimate robust fundamental matrix by giving improved number of inliers than RANSAC.
Omega-3-Fettsäuren und Atherosklerose

Zusammenfassung Die beiden maritimen Omega-3-Fettsäuren Eicosapentaensäure (EPA) und Docosahexaensäure (DHA), nicht aber die pflanzliche Omega-3-Fettsäure a-Linolensäure, werden von kardiologischen Fachgesellschaften zur Prävention kardiovaskulärer Erkrankungen und des plötzlichen Herztodes empfohlen. Dies beruht auf einer konsistenten wissenschaftlichen Datenlage u. a. auf dem Boden von Epidemiologie, Wirkmechanismen und Ergebnissen klinischer Studien. Als Quellen für EPA und DHA kommen fetter Fisch, besser aber hochgereinigte Fischöle in Frage. Zur Abschätzung des Risikos für den plötzlichen Herztod eignet sich der Omega-3-Index, der auch zur Kontrolle der Behandlung mit EPA und DHA eingesetzt werden kann.
Epistemological Naturalness: What is a good heuristic strategy good for?

According to the standard interpretation of Lewis’s theory of predicate meaning (the U&N theory), the naturalness of meaning candidates should be stated metaphysically  as a length of definition in terms of fundamental properties. Recently, Weatherson has criticized the U&N theory and argued that the criterion of naturalness should be stated epistemologically  as the amount of evidence needed to form a belief. Despite the criticism, his attitude towards the U&N theory is quite relaxed. According to Weatherson, the U&N theory can be used as a good heuristic for delivering the correct verdicts when doing applied semantics, i.e., when we try to determine the best meaning candidate for a particular predicate. In this paper, I try to show that the “good heuristic strategy” is of no use because A) there is no guarantee that the epistemological and the metaphysical criteria of naturalness deliver the same verdicts and B) even if they deliver the same verdicts, the difference in their theoretical backgrounds may affect arguments which rely on the verdicts. The difference will be shown by drawing on the example of Theodore Sider and his use of the U&N theory.
GRAY HOLE ATTACK ON HYBRID 5G NETWORK

5G device to device communication is such a product of progressive thinking, a network that uses both LTE communication scenario in conjugation with Wi-Fi low band communication. The main idea for conjunction of two different types of network is based on the fact that base stations suffer large amount of traffic and tend to drop data and information in such cases. Apart from these facts another main stream goal is to provide security for such a communication technology. The network is based on the transitioning nodes, a set of cluster head communicates with another cluster head using base stations and nodes in between transfer from one cluster head to another. Gray hole attack is a situation in which the attacker inserts a malicious node into cluster head and steals information. This paper is based on the performance of 5G networks and effects of gray hole attacks on 5G networks.
Marco Polo's Travels Revisited: From Motion Event Detection to Optimal Path Computation in 3D Maps

In this work, we present a workflow for semi-automatic extraction of geo-references and motion events from the book "The Travels of Marco Polo". These are then used to create 3D renderings of the space and movement which allows readers to visually trace Marco Polo's route themselves to provide the exprience of the entirety of the journey.