Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
All-Frequency Precomputed Radiance Transfer for Glossy Objects

We introduce a method based on precomputed radiance transfer (PRT) that allows interactive rendering of glossy surfaces and includes shadowing effects from dynamic, "all-frequency" lighting. Specifically, source lighting is represented by a cube map at resolution nL = 6 × 32 × 32. We present a novel PRT formulation which factors glossy BRDFs into purely view-dependent and light-dependent parts, achieving reasonable accuracy with only m=10 dimensional factors. We then tabulate an m × nL transfer matrix at each surface vertex as a preprocess, representing the object's response to this lighting. Because this surface signal is so high-dimensional, reducing m is crucial for making practical both the preprocessing and run-time. To compress the transfer matrices, we divide the cube map into 24 lighting segments and apply the Haar wavelet basis in each segment to provide sensible quantization. We also apply clustered principal component analysis (CPCA) to each PRT segment to approximate it as a linear combination of a few (n=16) representative transfer matrices within a small set of clusters over the surface. This exploits spatial coherence to compress very effectively. Most important, it maintains fast rendering rates with 2-3 orders of magnitude more lighting coefficients than previous methods, which increases accuracy and avoids temporal artifacts in high-frequency lighting environments. We demonstrate interactive performance (1-5Hz) on models having up to 50,000 vertices.
A Lesson from the Failure of Intramedullary Fixation of Atypical Subtrochanteric Fractures: A Report of Two Cases.

Surgical fixation of subtrochanteric fractures remains technically challenging, even to experienced fracture surgeons. These fractures are often treated with intramedullary devices; fixed-angle plating is an alternative. Recently, there have been an increasing number of reports about bisphosphonate-related atypical femoral fractures occurring at the subtrochanteric or proximal diaphyseal region1-4. These fractures are characterized by cortical beaking, thickening of the femoral cortex prior to fractures, and transverse or short oblique orientation in people who have been on long-term bisphosphonate therapy2,3,5,6. As with the vast majority of trauma-related subtrochanteric fractures, these bisphosphonate-related fractures are usually stabilized with cephalomedullary devices. Surgeons often do not pay adequate attention to the length of the intramedullary nail, which in effect is the working length of the fixation. Short nails are sometimes used for ease of insertion and their availability in most operating rooms. Spanning the distal femoral region with a longer nail is erroneously viewed as unnecessary. In fact, the less biomechanically sound fixation achieved by a short nail will predispose to the occurrence of delayed union, nonunion, and implant breakage. We report two cases of atypical subtrochanteric fractures in patients who had been on long-term bisphosphonate therapy; treatment with short cephalomedullary nails failed in both. We also discuss the underlying failure mechanism. Both patients were informed that data concerning their cases would be submitted for publication, and they provided consent. Case 1. An eighty-two-year-old woman who had taken alendronate for osteoporosis for six years was admitted to the hospital after a …
Managing the Business of Management Education: What Private Sector Eduprenuers in India Need to Retrospect

Globalization has created a host of opportunities with a demand for talents to manage these businesses which are huge, dynamic and operate in a constantly dynamic and vibrant global environment. The forces of Globalization have redefined the game of business for all organizations in India, especially it holds true for management education too. Globalization has had both positive and negative effects on our economy. Thus there was a need to gain knowledge to manage these businesses successfully. Management education will have to play a crucial role to enable industry to cope with emerging challenges. Both at the national level and at the global level, the ever-increasing demand for managers is leading to mushrooming of Management Institutes, both in the private sector and Government managed. The entrepreneurs who were quick to grab this opportunity did not have a far sighted vision to pay close attention to providing sustainable quality education of high standards. And the quality of management education provided by these institutes has opened various issues for discussion. The present research is an attempt to identify the various issues and challenges faced by entrepreneurs of private management institutes, employing the technique of focus group interview. The sample consisted of faculty members teaching at private management institutes and a few entrepreneurs themselves. On the basis of the study, findings are presented which will help these entrepreneurs not only to understand where they have gone wrong but also in help them relook into certain aspects and apply corrective measures. This stud will also help the faculty in understanding where they need to focus to promote the quality of management education at these Institutes.
Significance of Hepatectomy for AJCC/UICC T3 Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND It is difficult to treat the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/International Union against Cancer (UICC) T3 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), curatively. PATIENTS AND METHODS We compared the clinicopathology of T3 group (n=44: T3a 25, T3b 19) with that of the T1 (n=257) or T2 group (n=120) and evaluated favorable conditions of hepatectomy for T3 HCC patients. RESULTS The T3 group had significantly higher hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive rates and better liver function. Infiltrative large tumors located beyond one sub-segment with intrahepatic metastasis were significantly more common. Significantly, more non-curative large hepatectomies with transarterial embolization were performed. There was no significant difference between T3 and 2 groups in 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and survival (S). Tumor size more than 55 mm and serum albumin less than 3.5 g/dl were risk factors of hepatectomy for T3 HCC patients by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION Surgeons should resect AJCC/UICC T3 HCC lesions if the patient is able to tolerate surgery.
A survey of direction-preserving layout strategies

In this paper we analyze different layout algorithms that preserve relative directions in geo-referenced networks. This is an important criterion for many sensor networks such as the electric grid and other supply networks, because it enables the user to match the geographic setting with the drawing on the screen. Even today, the layout of these networks are often created manually. This is due to the requirement that these layouts must respect geographic references but should still be easy to read and understand. The range of available automatic algorithms spans from general graph layouts over schematic maps to semi-realistic drawings. At first sight, schematics seem to be a promising compromise between geographic correctness and readability. The former property exploits the mental map of the user while the latter makes it easier for the user to learn about the network structure. We investigate different algorithms for such maps together with different visualization techniques. In particular, the group of octi-linear layouts is prominent in handcrafted subway maps. These algorithms have been used extensively to generate drawings for subway maps. Also known as Metro Map layouts, only horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions are allowed. This increases flexibility and makes the resulting layout look similar to the well-known subway maps of large cities. The key difference to general graph layout algorithms is that geographic relations are respected in terms of relative directions. However, it is not clear, whether this metaphor can be transferred from metro maps to other domains. We discuss applicability of these different approaches for geo-based networks in general with the electric grid as a use-case scenario.
Randomization Inference With Imperfect Compliance in the ACE-Inhibitor After Anthracycline Randomized Trial

Anthracyclines are quite effective at curing certain cancers of childhood, but they may damage the heart. The ACE-Inhibitor After Anthracycline (AAA) study compared enalapril to placebo in a randomized trial in an effort to determine whether treatment with enalapril would preserve or improve cardiac function among children previously treated with anthracylines. As is true in many clinical trials, patient compliance with the study protocol was imperfect; some children took less than the prescribed dose of enalapril or placebo. Most analytical procedures that acknowledge imperfect compliance do so at significant cost, abandoning the tight logic of random assignment. With noncompliance, assignment to enalapril or placebo is randomized, but the dose of enalapril actually received is not, and self-selection effects parallel to those in observational studies can exist and have been documented in some instances. Some researchers advocate adherence to the strict logic of randomization by reporting only, or else strongly emphasizing, the so-called “intent-to-treat” analysis, which makes no use of information about compliance. Other researchers report analyses that are not justified by random assignment and can be subject to substantial biases, such as “per protocol” analyses or “treatment received” analyses. Here we apply a recent proposal for randomization inference with an instrumental variable that uses randomization as the “reasoned basis for inference” in Fisher's phrase. We make no assumption that compliance is random; indeed, compliance may be severely biased. Importantly, the proposed analysis will find a statistically significant effect of the treatment if and only if the intent-to-treat analysis finds a significant effect; yet, unlike intent-to-treat analysis, our analysis acknowledges that a patient assigned to a drug that he or she does not take will not receive the drug's pharmacological benefits.
The coactivator TIF2 contains three nuclear receptor‐binding motifs and mediates transactivation through CBP binding‐dependent and ‐independent pathways

The nuclear receptor (NR) coactivator TIF2 possesses a single NR interaction domain (NID) and two autonomous activation domains, AD1 and AD2. The TIF2 NID is composed of three NR‐interacting modules each containing the NR box motif LxxLL. Mutation of boxes I, II and III abrogates TIF2–NR interaction and stimulation, in transfected cells, of the ligand‐induced activation function‐2 (AF‐2) present in the ligand‐binding domains (LBDs) of several NRs. The presence of an intact NR interaction module II in the NID is sufficient for both efficient interaction with NR holo‐LBDs and stimulation of AF‐2 activity. Modules I and III are poorly efficient on their own, but synergistically can promote interaction with NR holo‐LBDs and AF‐2 stimulation. TIF2 AD1 activity appears to be mediated through CBP, as AD1 could not be separated mutationally from the CBP interaction domain. In contrast, TIF2 AD2 activity apparently does not involve interaction with CBP. TIF2 exhibited the characteristics expected for a bona fide NR coactivator, in both mammalian and yeast cells. Moreover, in mammalian cells, a peptide encompassing the TIF2 NID inhibited the ligand‐induced AF‐2 activity of several NRs, indicating that NR AF‐2 activity is either mediated by endogenous TIF2 or by coactivators recognizing a similar surface on NR holo‐LBDs.
Similarity Digest Search: A Survey and Comparative Analysis of Strategies to Perform Known File Filtering Using Approximate Matching

Digital forensics is a branch of Computer Science aiming at investigating and analyzing electronic devices in the search for crime evidence. There are several ways to perform this search. Known File Filter (KFF) is one of them, where a list of interest objects is used to reduce/separate data for analysis. Holding a database of hashes of such objects, the examiner performs lookups for matches against the target device. However, due to limitations over hash functions (inability to detect similar objects), new methods have been designed, called approximate matching. This sort of function has interesting characteristics for KFF investigations but suffers mainly from high costs when dealing with huge data sets, as the search is usually done by brute force. To mitigate this problem, strategies have been developed to better perform lookups. In this paper, we present the state of the art of similarity digest search strategies, along with a detailed comparison involving several aspects, as time complexity, memory requirement, and search precision. Our results show that none of the approaches address at least these main aspects. Finally, we discuss future directions and present requirements for a new strategy aiming to fulfill current limitations.
The spatial distribution and dynamics of CXCL13 in lymphoid tissues

Morphogens are soluble signalling molecules that regulate a broad spectrum of biological processes. However, the distances and scales over which this regulation occurs are unclear. To date, many studies have highlighted source-sink mechanisms for morphogen gradient formation but fail to take the role of the tissue microenvironment into account. Using a systems-based approach we show that the chemokine CXCL13 is regulated by the B-cell microenvironment on distinct but interconnected levels of biological organization. CXCL13 is a key determinant of humoral immune responses, regulating the localisation of lymphocytes within lymphoid tissues. Due to a complex and dynamic interaction network occurring over broad spatiotemporal scales, mapping the spatial distribution of CXCL13 in situ is challenging. To address this we have mapped the 3-dimensional organisation of CXCL13+ stromal cells in situ using a fluorescent reporter system, identifying three distinct but interconnected stromal subsets that are unique in their network properties. We quantify CXCL13 dynamics using high-speed narrowfield microscopy in collagen matrix and lymph node tissue sections with results suggesting that diffusion is highly constrained by local tissue microanatomy. However, this data alone is insufficient to describe CXCL13 gradient formation. To consolidate this data we employ a quantitative modelling approach hybridising different techniques into a high fidelity in silico representation of the B-follicle, where immune cells can interact with stroma capable of creating and shaping complex physiological gradients. Simulation analyses and immunohistochemistry suggest that chemokine fields within the follicle are dynamic and non-uniform, with multiobjective optimization analysis suggesting that this spatial configuration is designed to promote scanning rates. Taken in concert, our data suggests that CXCL13 acts over short distances creating a complex landscape of expression. Importantly, this study provides a basis for understanding the spatial distribution of morphogens with complex binding behaviours.
ACE2 and TMPRSS2 Expression in Hepatocytes of Chronic HBV Infection Patients

Abstract Background: Pre-existing liver disease is a risk factor for the worse prognosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We aimed to evaluate whether chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) affect the expression of viral receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) in the liver. Methods: Twelve pairs of matched liver tissues of HCC and para-carcinoma were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. And 20 liver biopsies from CHB patients were collected from Peking University People's Hospital. The expression of ACE2 and TMRPSS2 were detected using immunofluorescence staining, western blot, and RT-qPCR. The effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication or interferon on ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression were tested in hepatic cell lines. Results: The mRNA expression of TMPRSS2 in HCC tissues was six-fold higher than that of para-carcinoma tissues (P = 0.002), whereas that of ACE2 was not statistically different between HCC and para-carcinoma tissues. Hepatocellular ACE2 expression was detected in 35% (7/20) of CHB patients and mostly distributed in the inflammatory areas. However, there was no difference in TMPRSS2 expression between areas with or without inflammation. IFN-α2b slightly induced ACE2 expression (2.4-fold, P = 0.033) in HepG2 cells but not in Huh-7, QSG-7701, and L-02 cells. IFN-α2b did not affect TMPRSS2 expression in these cell lines. In addition, HBV replication did not alter ACE2 expression in HepAD38 cells. Conclusions: Although HBV replication does not directly affect the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2, intrahepatic inflammation and carcinogenesis may increase their expression in some patients, which, in turn, may facilitate SARS-CoV-2 infection in hepatocytes.
Pro-BNP Levels and Its Prognostic Role in Chronic Hypertensive Pregnancies: A Prospective Case-Control Study From A Tertiary Care Hospital

ABSTRACT Background: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in pregnancies with isolated chronic hypertension (HT). Method: 34 pregnant women with chronic HT and 40normotensive controls were enrolled. The association between plasma NT-proBNP levels obtained in the first trimester and perinatal complications were evaluated. Results: NT-proBNP levelsstrongly predicted low birth weight (AUC=0.842, p<0.001). NT-proBNP and birth weight were negatively correlated (r= -0.323, p=0.005). NT-proBNP was found to be an individual determinant of low birth weight in univariate analysis (OR:1.03; 95%CI:1.01-1.04). Conclusion: NT-proBNP levels can be useful to predict low birth weight in pregnancies with chronic HT.
Information Logistics Service Router. An ESB for integrating enterprise services

xi Acknowledgements . xiii
Power-optimized Deployment of Key-value Stores Using Storage Class Memory

High-performance flash-based key-value stores in data-centers utilize large amounts of DRAM to cache hot data. However, motivated by the high cost and power consumption of DRAM, server designs with lower DRAM-per-compute ratio are becoming popular. These low-cost servers enable scale-out services by reducing server workload densities. This results in improvements to overall service reliability, leading to a decrease in the total cost of ownership (TCO) for scalable workloads. Nevertheless, for key-value stores with large memory footprints, these reduced DRAM servers degrade performance due to an increase in both IO utilization and data access latency. In this scenario, a standard practice to improve performance for sharded databases is to reduce the number of shards per machine, which degrades the TCO benefits of reduced DRAM low-cost servers. In this work, we explore a practical solution to improve performance and reduce the costs and power consumption of key-value stores running on DRAM-constrained servers by using Storage Class Memories (SCM). SCMs in a DIMM form factor, although slower than DRAM, are sufficiently faster than flash when serving as a large extension to DRAM. With new technologies like Compute Express Link, we can expand the memory capacity of servers with high bandwidth and low latency connectivity with SCM. In this article, we use Intel Optane PMem 100 Series SCMs (DCPMM) in AppDirect mode to extend the available memory of our existing single-socket platform deployment of RocksDB (one of the largest key-value stores at Meta). We first designed a hybrid cache in RocksDB to harness both DRAM and SCM hierarchically. We then characterized the performance of the hybrid cache for three of the largest RocksDB use cases at Meta (ChatApp, BLOB Metadata, and Hive Cache). Our results demonstrate that we can achieve up to 80% improvement in throughput and 20% improvement in P95 latency over the existing small DRAM single-socket platform, while maintaining a 43–48% cost improvement over our large DRAM dual-socket platform. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of the DCPMM platform in a commercial data center.
Reporting the Syria conflict on television (2011-2014): how the use of user generated content (UGC) has shaped BBC World News TV coverage and affected journalistic practices

This thesis examines the ways in which user-generated content (UGC) has been used by BBC journalists to cover the conflict in Syria, and how journalistic working practices have altered. The data collection methods included a content analysis of news reports about Syria which aired on BBC World News TV from 2011 to 2014, staff interviews and newsroom observations. Syria has been a challenging story to report as often news organisations have had very little, if any, presence in the country, forcing journalists to rely on UGC produced inside the country to depict events. Results show the task of sourcing UGC and putting it through a verification process involved a steep learning curve for many BBC journalists during the Arab uprisings and remains a complex process. Journalists and producers had to adapt to new ways of locating content, particularly on digital platforms, developing new skills to enable them to carry out ‘social media newsgathering’. In doing so they harnessed expertise from across the BBC, including BBC Arabic and BBC Monitoring. These changes have happened as the BBC has created more digital news products. However, there were systematic failings in the ways that BBC News passed on information about the UGC used in its news reports to its audiences, particularly verification warnings and the crediting of content. While journalists have become more social media and technology savvy, UGC is still not fully understood by BBC newsrooms, though it is regularly used to cover breaking stories and news. This thesis contributes to a body of literature examining how UGC is used by news outlets and also revisits established theories to consider the extent to which journalists continue to be information gatekeepers or ‘gatewatchers’ when audiences have access to news on numerous social, mobile and digital platforms.
The Complexity of Online Graph Games

Online computation is a concept to model uncertainty where not all information on a problem instance is known in advance. An online algorithm receives requests which reveal the instance piecewise and has to respond with irrevocable decisions. Often, an adversary is assumed that constructs the instance knowing the deterministic behavior of the algorithm. Thus, the adversary is able to tailor the input to any online algorithm. From a game theoretical point of view, the adversary and the online algorithm are players in an asymmetric two-player game. To overcome this asymmetry, the online algorithm is equipped with an isomorphic copy of the graph, which is referred to as unlabeled map. By applying the game theoretical perspective on online graph problems, where the solution is a subset of the vertices, we analyze the complexity of these online vertex subset games. For this, we introduce a framework for reducing online vertex subset games from TQBF. This framework is based on gadget reductions from 3-SATISFIABILITY to the corresponding offline problem. We further identify a set of rules for extending the 3-SATISFIABILITY-reduction and provide schemes for additional gadgets which assure that these rules are fulfilled. By extending the gadget reduction of the vertex subset problem with these additional gadgets, we obtain a reduction for the corresponding online vertex subset game. At last, we provide example reductions for online vertex subset games based on VERTEX COVER, INDEPENDENT SET, and DOMINATING SET, proving that they are PSPACE-complete. Thus, this paper establishes that the online version with a map of NP-complete vertex subset problems form a large class of PSPACE-complete problems.