Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chaotic Neuron Dynamics, Synchronization, and Feature Binding: Quantum Aspects

A central issue of cognitive neuroscience is to understand how a large collection of coupled neurons combines external signals with internal memories into new coherent patterns of meaning. An external stimulus localized at some input spreads over a large assembly of coupled neurons, building up a collective state univocally corresponding to the stimulus. Thus, the synchronization of spike trains of many individual neurons is the basis of a coherent perception. Based on recent investigations of homoclinic chaotic systems and their synchronization, a novel conjecture for the dynamics of single neurons and, consequently, for neuron assemblies is formulated. Homoclinic chaos is proposed as a suitable way to code information in time by trains of equal spikes occurring at apparently erratic times. In order to classify the set of different perceptions, the percept space can be given a metric structure by introducing a distance measure between distinct percepts. The distance in percept space is conjugate to the duration of the perception in the sense that an uncertainty relation in percept space is associated with timelimited perceptions. This coding of different percepts by synchronized spike trains entails fundamental quantum features which are not restricted to microscopic phenomena. It is conjectured that they are related to the details of the perceptual chain rather than depending on Planck’s action. 1. Introductory Remarks on the Biological Relevance of Homoclinic Chaos and Related Quantum Limitations Our current understanding of complexity in computer science is based on how the amount of computational resources invested in solving a problem scales with the system size. In the natural sciences we characterize a system as complex if its description cannot be confined to a unique model, but is stratified over different and mutually irreducible hierarchical levels, each one with its own rules and language. In cognitive processes, complexity arises already in the physical description of how external stimuli (light,
Prosodic and acoustic features of emotional speech in taiwan Mandarin

The present study investigated pitch and durational cues of emotional speech in Taiwan Mandarin. Acted connected speech in anger, joy, sorrow, fear and neutral emotions were recorded. Results showed that F0 height and speech rate were more correlated with the arousal dimension, which differentiate emotions of high arousal, such as anger and joy, from low arousal ones. On the other hand, final lengthening was shown to distinguish emotions of different valences. Negative emotions, such as anger and sorrow, had longer lengthening than positive ones. In addition, instead of using the size code, speakers of Taiwan Mandarin mainly utilize arousal cues in cueing anger, which was shown through raised pitch register and earlier peak alignment.
Social Endorsement Cues and Political Participation

Which individuals are most responsive to get-out-the-vote (GOTV) messages that emphasize the social aspects of voting? Recent literature has shown that GOTV messages that emphasize the social environment in which an individual is embedded are particularly effective at increasing voting rates. Until now, we have not had good estimates for the types of people for whom social GOTV messages are most effective. We report a new set of disaggregated results of a randomized controlled trial of political mobilization messages delivered to 61 million Facebook users during the 2010 U.S. Congressional elections. The results suggest that social endorsement cues are differentially effective for different types of political behaviors—political expression, information seeking, and voting—and for different kinds of people, based on both demographic and social characteristics, raising new questions about the mechanisms explaining social pressure effects.
Synthesis of basement membrane collagen by cultured human endothelial cells

Studies were performed to determine if cultured human endothelial cells synthesized basement membrane collagen. In culture, endothelial cells were attached to grossly visible membranous structures which on light microscopy were composed of ribbons of dense, amorphous material. On transmission electron microscopy, these membranous structures consisted of amorphous basement membrane, and material morphologically similar to microfibrils and elastic fibers. By immunofluorescence microscopy, these membranous structures stained brightly with antisera to human glomerular basement membrane. Cultured endothelial cells incorporated [3H]proline into protein; 18% of the incorporated [3H]proline was solubilized by purified collagenase. When endothelial cells were cultured with [14C]proline, 7.1% of the incorporated counts were present as [14C]hydroxyproline. Cultured endothelial cells were labeled with [3H]glycine and [3H]proline and digested with pepsin. The resulting fractions on analysis by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis contained two radioactive protein peaks of mol wt 94,200 and 120,500. Both these peaks disappeared after digestion with purified collagenase. The peak of mol wt 120,500 corresponds to that of alpha1 (IV) collagen; the peak of the mol wt 94,200 probably corresponds to that of alpha1 (III) collagen. Thus, cultured human endothelial cells synthesize material which is morphologically and immunologically like amorphous basement membrane and biochemically like basement membrane collagen. Cultured endothelial cells probably also synthesize material which is morphologically similar to microfibrils and elastic fibers.
The Littlest Higgs Model with T-Parity Facing CP-Violation in B s ¯ B s Mixing

The non-minimal flavour violating interactions of mirror quarks and new heavy gauge bosons in the Littlest Higgs model with T-parity (LHT) give rise to naturally large CP-violating effects in the Bs system. In view of a large new CP phase in Bs− ¯ Bs mixing hinted by the CDF and DO data and the recent UTfit analysis, we update our 2006 analysis of particle-antiparticle mixing and rare K and B decays in the LHT model, using the most recent values of a number of input parameters and performing a more careful error analysis. We find that the CP-asymmetry !
High cognitive dietary restraint is associated with increased cortisol excretion in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND Cognitive dietary restraint (perceived ongoing effort to limit dietary intake to manage body weight) is common in women at all life stages. In young women, high dietary restraint has been associated with both increased excretion of cortisol (a stress hormone) and reduced bone mass. Whether this occurs in older women is unknown and is reported here for the first time. METHODS Postmenopausal women (49-75 years old) with high (n = 41) or low (n = 37) dietary restraint were compared to examine differences in urinary cortisol excretion, body composition assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (bone mineral density, % body fat), dietary intake, anthropometrics, current exercise, and perceived stress. RESULTS Women with high or low dietary restraint did not differ in age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, energy intake, perceived stress, current exercise, or measures of body composition. However, urinary cortisol excretion was higher in the high restraint group (248.2 +/- 61.7 nmol/d vs 204.3 +/- 66.1 nmol/d; p =.01). Multiple regression analysis indicated that restraint group (high or low) independently predicted 7.6% of the variance in cortisol excretion. CONCLUSIONS Postmenopausal women with high dietary restraint excrete more cortisol than do those with low restraint, suggesting that dietary restraint may be a source of stress. Although this was not associated with negative health effects in this sample, further investigation is warranted.
Crime and Justice research paper series An examination of sex differences in delinquency

This product, Catalogue no. 85-561-MIE, is published occasionally in electronic format on the Statistics Canada Internet site free of charge. To obtain single issues, visit our Web site at www.statcan. ca, and select Products and Services. Statistics Canada is committed to serving its clients in a prompt, reliable and courteous manner and in the official language of their choice. To this end, the Agency has developed standards of service which its employees observe in serving its clients. To obtain a copy of these service standards, please contact Statistics Canada toll free at 1 800 263-1136. Ottawa La version française de cette publication est disponible sur demande (n o 85-561-MIF au catalogue) The views expressed in this report are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Statistics Canada or the Department of Justice Canada. The report has benefited from the comments of many reviewers. In particular the author gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Yves Lafortune in Social Survey Methods Division, Ruth Martin, Eleanor Thomas and the team in Special Surveys Division, Lucie Leonard at NCPC, our federal-provincial-territorial partners on the CCJS Liaison Officers Committee and the staff of CCJS. A very special thank you is extended to Danielle Baum for her indispensable work in preparing the manuscript, and to Denyse Carriere and Sandra Suarez for their invaluable work leading up to the release. Canada owes the success of its statistical system to a long-standing cooperative effort involving Statistics Canada, the citizens of Canada, its businesses, governments and other institutions. Accurate and timely statistical information could not be produced without their continued cooperation and good will. Introduction 5 The relationship between school commitment and delinquency 5 The relationship between victimization and delinquency 6 The present study 6 Data source 6 Analytical techniques 7 Variables in the analysis 8 Property-related and violent delinquency 8 School commitment 9 Self-reported victimization 9 Socioeconomic and demographic factors 9 Findings 10 What are the differences between male and female self-reported offending in Canada? 10 Are males and females differently exposed to low school commitment and victimization? 12 Are males and females affected differently by their commitment to school? 14 Are males and females affected differently by experiences of victimization? 16
Insulin Sensitivity Assessed by Stable Isotopes with Oral Glucose Administration: Validation with Euglycaemic Clamp

Methods of determining insulin sensitivity that use an oral challenge of glucose are preferred to those using intravenous administration since the measurement is made in conditions more akin to normal physiology. One previously reported protocol (ODILE) studies glucose uptake in isolation from absorption and endogenous production by the intravenous administration of tracer approximately forty-five minutes after the oral dose is given. However, this methodology has not been validated against other accredited procedures. This study utilizes the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp in order to validate the ODILE method.
Impacts of ditch cleaning on hydrological processes in a drained peatland forest

One fourth of the forests in Finland are growing on drained peatlands. Forestry operations such as ditch network maintenance increase the export of suspended solids and nu- trients, and deteriorate water quality in lakes and rivers. Wa- ter protection presupposes an understanding of how forestry operations affect peatland hydrology. The objective was to study the hydrological impacts of ditch cleaning on the ba- sis of water table level and runoff measurements from two pairs of artificially delineated catchments in drained peat- land forests in Finland. Data from treated and control catch- ments indicated that ditch cleaning lowered the level of the water table in sites where a shallow peat layer was under- lain by mineral soil. In sites with deep peat formation, the water table showed no detectable response to ditch cleaning. Runoff data suggested that annual runoff clearly increased af- ter ditch cleaning, which was in conflict with the previously reported small impacts of ditch network maintenance. The hydrological model FEMMA was calibrated and applied to assess the conformity of the data and the experimental setup. In the model application, the catchments were assumed to behave as independent hydrological units. However, assess- ment of the model results and the measurements suggested that ditch cleaning had an impact on hydrological measure- ments in both treated and control catchments. It appeared that the independence assumption was violated and there was a hydrological connection between the artificial catchments and, therefore, the results of the data analysis were consid- ered misleading. Finally, a numerical experiment based on the model simulations was conducted to explain how the as- sumed relationship between soil moisture and transpiration is reflected in the modelled runoff. Modelled runoff decreases and evaporation increases when ditches are cleaned in poorly drained sites, where the initial ditch depth is small and the depth of a highly conductive topsoil layer is low. The numer- ical experiment can be applied to assess when ditch cleaning does not improve evapotranspiration and is unnecessary.
Domestic Violence or Elder Abuse? Why it Matters for Older Women

Law enforcement and legal services are 2 systems that respond to reports of abuse against women through programs such as adult protective services (APS) and domestic violence (DV). APS and DV systems operate independently and define the cause of the abuse differently. The designation of a woman as having suffered domestic violence or having been abused often depends on which system she enters. This designation can lead to different options for women to obtain services. Aging may further complicate access and usability of these systems to respond to the needs of abused elderly. Using vignettes, this article explores the definitions of abuse and highlights specific concerns of aging that impact usefulness of services.
A Viral microRNA Cluster Strongly Potentiates the Transforming Properties of a Human Herpesvirus

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), an oncogenic human herpesvirus, induces cell proliferation after infection of resting B lymphocytes, its reservoir in vivo. The viral latent proteins are necessary for permanent B cell growth, but it is unknown whether they are sufficient. EBV was recently found to encode microRNAs (miRNAs) that are expressed in infected B cells and in some EBV-associated lymphomas. EBV miRNAs are grouped into two clusters located either adjacent to the BHRF1 gene or in introns contained within the viral BART transcripts. To understand the role of the BHRF1 miRNA cluster, we have constructed a virus mutant that lacks all its three members (Δ123) and a revertant virus. Here we show that the B cell transforming capacity of the Δ123 EBV mutant is reduced by more than 20-fold, relative to wild type or revertant viruses. B cells exposed to the knock-out virus displayed slower growth, and exhibited a two-fold reduction in the percentage of cells entering the cell cycle S phase. Furthermore, they displayed higher latent gene expression levels and latent protein production than their wild type counterparts. Therefore, the BHRF1 miRNAs accelerate B cell expansion at lower latent gene expression levels. Thus, this miRNA cluster simultaneously enhances expansion of the virus reservoir and reduces the viral antigenic load, two features that have the potential to facilitate persistence of the virus in the infected host. Thus, the EBV BHRF1 miRNAs may represent new therapeutic targets for the treatment of some EBV-associated lymphomas.
Revisión Taurine and glucose metabolism : a review

Introducción: El aminoácido taurina ha demostrado estar involucrado en una amplia gama de procesos biológicos, así como proporcionar distintos e importantes beneficios para la salud. Los principales efectos de la tau-rina que han sido puestos de manifiesto a través de dis-tinto estudios, residen principalmente en su acción antioxidante y en su capacidad antiinflamatoria, entre otros que también señalaremos. Objetivos y métodos: La presente revisión tiene como objetivo proporcionar una sólida evidencia en relación a estos y otros efectos de la taurina en el contexto de la diabetes y sus complicaciones, con especial énfasis en las alteraciones de la salud cardiovascular, tan frecuente-mente asociadas a esta enfermedad, de manera que los datos de esta revisión sistemática de la literatura que hemos realizado, puedan constituir un base con la que respaldar futuros estudios clínicos y epidemiológicos, sobre las posibilidades que tiene la suplementación con taurina de convertirse en herramienta útil, tanto en la prevención como en el tratamiento de la diabetes y sus complicaciones. Conclusiones: Consideramos que los resultados de los distintos estudios experimentales, in vitro y algunos clíni-cos, proporcionan evidencia suficiente como para servir de base científica a futuros estudios clínicos y epidemi-ológicos sobre la utilidad de la suplementación con tau-rina en la enfermedad de diabetes y en sus complica-ciones. Abstract Introduction: Taurine has probed to be involved in a wide range of biological processes and to provide several different important health benefits. Its effects have been revealed to be exerted mainly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, among other mechanisms. Objectives and methods: The present review is aimed to provide a solid body of evidence regarding the beneficial effects of taurine in the context of diabetes and its complications, with an special focus on the cardiovascu-lar health impairments so frequently associated to this disease, so that data from this updated systematic review of the literature, may constitute a base to back up future clinical and epidemiological studies, on the possibilities of taurine supplementation as a useful tool for both prevention and treatment of diabetes complications. Conclusions: We consider results from the different experimental, in vitro studies as well as some clinical ones reviewed, to provide sufficient evidence as to constitute a solid base to back up future clinical and epidemiological studies on the usefulness of taurine supplementation both in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications .
ANALISIS FAKTOR RISIKO STRES KERJA PADA PEKERJA DI UNIT PRODUKSI PT. BORNEO MELINTANG BUANA EXPORT

Latar belakang: Stres kerja sampai saat ini masih menjadi salah satu pemasalahan yang sering dikeluhkan oleh pekerja di berbagai sektor industri. Stres kerja selain berdampak negatif bagikesehatan pekerja, juga akan menghambat kegiatan produksi di suatu industri. Secara umum penyebab stres kerja di industri berkaitan dengan faktor pekerjaan dan faktor individual dari pekerja.Tujuan penelitian: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh faktor individual (jenis kelamin, umur, masa kerja) dan faktor pekerjaan (jadwal kerja, beban kerja, konflik peran, konflik interpersonal) terhadap stres kerja pada pekerja di PT. Borneo Melintang Buana Export.Metode penelitian: Penelitian kuantitatif studi crosssectional dengan menggunakan NIOSH Generic Job Stress Questionnaire sebagai alat ukur pada penelitian.Hasil penelitian: Dari hasil analisis chi-square dengan menggunakan taraf signifikasi (p) â‰¤ 0,05 maka variabel independen yang berhubungan dengan stres kerja yaitu; jenis kelamin (p = 0,00), jadwal kerja (p = 0,00), konflik peran dan ketaksaan peran (p = 0,00), serta konflik interpersonal (p = 0,00). Sedangkan untuk variabel independen yang tidak berhubungan dengan stres kerja yaitu; umur (p = 0,28), masa kerja (p = 0,35), serta beban dan kecepatan kerja (p = 0,61). Hasil analisis mutivariabel dengan uji regresi logistik diketahui bahwa variabel independen yang paling dominan mempengaruhi stres kerja adalah konflik interpersonal dengan nilai odds rasio sebesar 13,145. Nilai Pseudo R2 sebesar 0,5124 bermakna bahwa varibel independen yang disertakan pada penelitian mempengaruhi variabel dependen sebesar 51,24 %. Kesimpulan: Berdasarkan hasil di atas maka dapat disimpulkan bahwa variabel independen seperti jenis kelamin, jadwal kerja, konflik peran, serta konflik interpersonal mempengaruhi stres kerja. Sedangkan variabel independen seperti umur, masa kerja, serta beban kerja tidak berpengaruh terhadap stres kerja.
Camera self orientation and docking maneuver using normal flow

In this paper, the possibility of driving egomotion in order to dock with a nonmoving target using information on the first order approximation of the optic flow in the center of the image is presented; specifically it will be shown how a camera mounted on the end-effector of a six degrees of freedom robot arm can be driven toward a planar surface whose position and orientation in space are unknown, avoiding collisions with the target and orienting the camera with its viewing direction perpendicular to the surface. It will be described how it is possible to achieve this task combining the effect of three simple independent processes: braking, fixation, and sideway translation.
A Coupled Oscillator Model of Interactive Tapping

Background: Synchronization in music has been a popular experimental basis for studying social interactions, as musicians are required to synchronize to each other’s beats and integrate abstract social information in order to coordinate their actions as part of a non-verbal communication process. A finger-tapping paradigm has been used in studies of sensorimotor synchronization as well as coordination dynamics within and between people (Repp 2005). Recent models of tapping dynamics have included two error-correction mechanisms: phase and period correction (Repp & Keller). They have generally been linear models, which are oversimplifications of these dynamics. Aims: To model the dynamics capturing entrainment between pairs in a finger-tapping paradigm. Method: Pairs of subjects were asked to tap on their respective keyboards following an 8-beat auditory stimulus sent through their headphones. Subjects were instructed to keep the given beat as precisely as possible as well as synchronize with the ‘other’. They were in scenarios where they received auditory feedback of themselves tapping, the other, or the computer metronome. Results: A dynamical systems approach was taken to model the tapping dynamics, using a system of two oscillators coupled in both phase and frequency, corresponding to phase and period correction. The model demonstrated that the tapping dynamics depend on the four coupling constants (phase and frequency for each oscillator), and are highly sensitive to noise. Conclusions: Both phase and frequency coupling is required to capture the tapping dynamics of dyads. Coupling constants can be used to capture the degree of interaction.
Estimating the Number and Sizes of Fuzzy-Duplicate Clusters

Duplicates in a dataset are multiple representations of the same real-world entity and constitute a major data quality problem. This paper investigates the problem of estimating the number and sizes of duplicate record clusters in advance and describes a sampling-based method for solving this problem. In extensive experiments, on multiple datasets, we show that the proposed method reliably estimates the number of duplicate clusters, while being highly efficient. Our method can be used a) to measure the dirtiness of a dataset, b) to assess the quality of duplicate detection configurations, such as similarity measures, and c) to gather approximate statistics about the true number of entities represented in the dataset.