Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Privacy for Personal Neuroinformatics

Human brain activity collected in the form of Electroencephalography (EEG), even with low number of sensors, is an extremely rich signal raising legal and policy issues. Traces collected from multiple channels and with high sampling rates capture many important aspects of participants' brain activity and can be used as a unique personal identifier. The motivation for sharing EEG signals is significant, as a mean to understand the relation between brain activity and well-being, or for communication with medical services. As the equipment for such data collection becomes more available and widely used, the opportunities for using the data are growing; at the same time however inherent privacy risks are mounting. The same raw EEG signal can be used for example to diagnose mental diseases, find traces of epilepsy, and decode personality traits. The current practice of the informed consent of the participants for the use of the data either prevents reuse of the raw signal or does not truly respect participants' right to privacy by reusing the same raw data for purposes much different than originally consented to. Here we propose an integration of a personal neuroinformatics system, Smartphone Brain Scanner, with a general privacy framework openPDS. We show how raw high-dimensionality data can be collected on a mobile device, uploaded to a server, and subsequently operated on and accessed by applications or researchers, without disclosing the raw signal. Those extracted features of the raw signal, called answers, are of significantly lower-dimensionality, and provide the full utility of the data in given context, without the risk of disclosing sensitive raw signal. Such architecture significantly mitigates a very serious privacy risk related to raw EEG recordings floating around and being used and reused for various purposes.
Organizational Legitimacy in the Global Education Policy Field: Learning from UNESCO and the Global Monitoring Report

In the field of global education policy, it is common for scholars to reflect on the progress made toward internationally agreed-upon agendas, such as Education for All (EFA). However, scant research has turned the gaze back on the major multilateral institutions that commit to taking the lead in meeting these agendas in order to ask, what implications do such agendas have for these organizations? We respond in this article by investigating the way in which UNESCO used its position as the coordinator of EFA to help it regain some of the legitimacy it lost in the preceding decades. To do so, the article first elaborates a tripartite conceptualization of organizational legitimacy and then applies it to the two prongs of UNESCO’s strategy—EFA coordination and the production of the Global Monitoring Reports (GMRs) during a key period, 2000–2014, that were at the forefront of UNESCO’s efforts to rebrand and reposition itself in the context of multilateralism.
Solving Bayesian Networks by Weighted Model Counting

Over the past decade general satisfiability testing algorithms have proven to be surprisingly effective at solving a wide variety of constraint satisfaction problem, such as planning and scheduling (Kautz and Selman 2003). Solving such NPcomplete tasks by “compilation to SAT” has turned out to be an approach that is of both practical and theoretical interest. Recently, (Sang et al. 2004) have shown that state of the art SAT algorithms can be efficiently extended to the harder task of countingthe number of models (satisfying assignments) of a formula, by employing a technique called formula caching. This paper begins to investigate the question of whether “compilation to model-counting” could be a practical technique for solving real-world #P complete problems. We describe an efficient translation from Bayesian networks to weightedmodel counting, extend the best model-counting algorithms to weighted model counting, develop an efficient method for computing all marginals in a single counting pass, and evaluate the approach on computationally challenging reasoning problems.
e role of creative innovation in economic growth : Some international mparisons §

For many countries, export-driven policies have thus far produced dramatic increases in real per capita income. At the same time, sustainable growth requires that technological innovation proceed at comparable rates if mutual gains from globalization are to be realized. In this paper, we derive a measure of innovation and test the extent to which institutional policy choices enhance or delay its diffusion. To do so we use a panel regression model, with data on a sample of 103 countries in different geographic regions for the 1980–2005 period. Our findings provide empirical evidence of the positive role of creative innovation in economic growth, and from which we derive several basic policy conclusions. 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Spider silk as a novel high performance biomimetic muscle driven by humidity

SUMMARY The abrupt halt of a bumble bee's flight when it impacts the almost invisible threads of an orb web provides an elegant example of the amazing strength and toughness of spider silk. Spiders depend upon these properties for survival, yet the impressive performance of silk is not limited solely to tensile mechanics. Here, we show that silk also exhibits powerful cyclic contractions, allowing it to act as a high performance mimic of biological muscles. These contractions are actuated by changes in humidity alone and repeatedly generate work 50 times greater than the equivalent mass of human muscle. Although we demonstrate that this response is general and occurs weakly in diverse hydrophilic materials, the high modulus of spider silk is such that it generates exceptional force. Furthermore, because this effect already operates at the level of single silk fibers, only 5 μm in diameter, it can easily be scaled across the entire size range at which biological muscles operate. By contrast, the most successful synthetic muscles developed so far are driven by electric voltage, such that they cannot scale easily across large ranges in cross-sectional areas. The potential applicability of silk muscles is further enhanced by our finding that silkworm fibers also exhibit cyclic contraction because they are already available in commercial quantities. The simplicity of using wet or dry air to drive the biomimetic silk muscle fibers and the incredible power generated by silk offer unique possibilities in designing lightweight and compact actuators for robots and micro-machines, new sensors, and green energy production.
Branch prediction on demand: an energy-efficient solution

High-end processors typically incorporate complex branch predictors consisting of many large structures that together consume a notable fraction of total chip power (more than 10% in some cases). Depending on the applications, some of these resources may remain underused for long periods of time. We propose a methodology to reduce the energy consumption of the branch predictor by characterizing prediction demand using profiling and dynamically adjusting predictor resources accordingly. Specifically, we disable components of the hybrid direction predictor and resize the branch target buffer. Detailed simulations show that this approach reduces the energy consumption in the branch predictor by an average of 72% and up to 89% with virtually no impact on prediction accuracy and performance.
The Biological Clock is Regulated by Adrenergic Signaling in Brown Fat but is Dispensable for Cold-Induced Thermogenesis

The biological clock plays an important role in integrating nutrient and energy metabolism with other cellular processes. Previous studies have demonstrated that core clock genes are rhythmically expressed in peripheral tissues, including the liver, skeletal muscle, pancreatic islets, and white and brown adipose tissues. These peripheral clocks are entrained by physiological cues, thereby aligning the circadian pacemaker to tissue functions. The mechanisms that regulate brown adipose tissue clock in response to physiological signals remain poorly understood. Here we found that the expression of core clock genes is highly responsive to cold exposure in brown fat, but not in white fat. This cold-inducible regulation of the clock network is mediated by adrenergic receptor activation and the transcriptional coactivator PGC-1α. Brown adipocytes in mice lacking a functional clock contain large lipid droplets accompanied by dysregulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism and adaptive thermogenesis. Paradoxically, the “clockless” mice were competent in maintaining core body temperature during cold exposure. These studies elucidated the presence of adrenergic receptor/clock crosstalk that appears to be required for normal thermogenic gene expression in brown fat.
Discourse markers in Saudi English and British English : a comparative investigation of the use of English discourse markers

Based on two corpora, one of Saudi learners and the other of native English speakers, this thesis investigates qualitatively and quantitatively the use of English discourse markers in the speech of advanced Saudi learners of English in the third and fourth years of undergraduate study of English and compares it to the use of discourse markers by native speakers of English. Three of the most frequently occurring discourse markers in the spoken language, namely so, you know and like, are analysed. Qualitatively, the results from the Saudi learners’ corpus show that the three discourse markers under investigation serve a variety of discourse functions. In particular, they show that native speakers of English use so and like more frequently than Saudi learners. You know is used more frequently by Saudis. These results introduce to the research field of discourse markers a new conceptualization of how non-native Saudi English language learners use discourse markers in their speech. Even though the results from the Saudi learners’ corpus show that the three discourse markers are used with a variety of discourse functions, the analysis of the textbooks shows that of the three discourse markers, so is the only one introduced. This makes it difficult to make a strong claim about the connection of the local pedagogy and the use of the discourse markers. Saudi English learners are possibly able to acquire them through their exposure to the media and through their interaction in English with their peers.
Synchronization of a linear singularly perturbed complex network with potential application in electric power systems

This paper is concerned with the synchronization problem for a linear singularly perturbed complex network. The slow sub-network and the fast subnetwork are obtained on the different time-scale by employing singularly perturbed decomposition method. Sufficient conditions for the synchronization of the two sub-networks are obtained by introducing the reference error system and analyzing the corresponding stability. These conditions are characterized in terms of the feasibility of a set of linear matrix inequalities that can be easily solved by using semi-definite programming method. A practical model concerning an electric system grid with N synchronous machines is established, which can be used to illustrate the potential applicability of the proposed results.
Relationship between literacy skills and self-reported health in the Nordic countries

Aims: This study investigated the association between literacy skills and self-reported health among Danish (n = 7284), Finnish (n = 5454), Norwegian (n = 4942) and Swedish (n = 4555) participants aged 16–65 years. Methods: Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between literacy skills and self-reported health after adjusting for sex, age and educational level. Results: Nordic participants aged 16–65 years with literacy skills at the lowest level reported sub-optimal health more often (28–37%) than those with literacy skills at the highest level (7–9%). After adjusting for sex, age and educational level, the likelihood of reporting sub-optimal health was 1.99–3.24 times as high for those with literacy skills at the lowest level as for those with literacy skills at the highest level. Conclusions: These results suggest that poor literacy skills increase the likelihood of experiencing poor health in the Nordic countries, even after controlling for educational level.
In vitro remineralization of hybrid layers using biomimetic analogs

Resin-dentin bond degradation is a major cause of restoration failures. The major aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of a remineralization medium on collagen matrices of hybrid layers of three different adhesive resins using nanotechnology methods. Coronal dentin surfaces were prepared from freshly extracted premolars and bonded to composite resin using three adhesive resins (FluoroBond II, Xeno-III-Bond, and iBond). From each tooth, two central slabs were selected for the study. The slabs used as controls were immersed in a simulated body fluid (SBF). The experimental slabs were immersed in a Portland cement-based remineralization medium that contained two biomimetic analogs (biomineralization medium (BRM)). Eight slabs per group were retrieved after 1, 2, 3, and 4 months, respectively and immersed in Rhodamine B for 24 h. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to evaluate the permeability of hybrid layers to Rhodamine B. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s honest significant difference (HSD) tests. After four months, all BRM specimens exhibited a significantly smaller fluorescent area than SBF specimens, indicating a remineralization of the hybrid layer (P≤0.05). A clinically applicable biomimetic remineralization delivery system could potentially slow down bond degradation. 概要目 的探讨再矿化介质聚乙烯磷酸和聚丙烯酸对3 种粘 结剂(FluoroBond II、Xeno-III 和iBond) 和牙本 质所形成的树脂-牙本质界面再矿化程度的影 响。 创新点(1) 多数仿生再矿化研究集中于通过透射电子 显微镜观察牙本质粘结剂界面的再矿化情况, 鲜 有采用激光共聚焦显微镜(CLSM) 作为观察手 段的。 虽有研究应用CLSM, 但也仅是从定性的 角度比较再矿化效应, 没有定量分析比较, 难以 令人信服。 而本项研究从定性和定量两方面分析 对比。 (2) 本研究从当前牙本质粘结剂系统(共 七代) 常用的后四代中选择典型代表产品为研究 对象, 便于横向比较各类粘结剂。 (3) 本研究 的定量结果除了比较同一时间实验组和对照组 的矿化情况, 还增加了纵向分析思路, 进一步比 较矿化程度随时间的变化以及不同牙本质粘结 剂粘结界面的矿化情况。 方 法将96 颗健康前磨牙按照FluoroBond II、Xeno-III 和iBond 粘结剂随机分为3 组, 每颗牙均暴露表 层牙本质。 3 种粘结剂分别严格按照各自产品说 明书处理牙本质表面, 牙合面堆制5 mm 厚的树 脂。 每颗牙沿牙合-龈向切成0. 9 mm 厚的薄片, 获取中间两片样本用于矿化组和模拟组。 矿化组 采用含聚乙烯磷酸和聚丙烯酸的再矿化液浸泡; 模拟组采用不含聚乙烯磷酸和聚丙烯酸的模拟 体液浸泡。 各组标本在储存1、2、3 和4 个月后, 各取出8 片, 经苏丹明B 荧光染料染色24 h, 冲 洗, 吹干, 置CLSM 下观察渗入混合层及粘结层 的荧光情况, 测量荧光面积、平均荧光量及总荧 光量。 所有数据统计方法采用方差分析 (ANOVA) 和Tukey’s HSD 检验分析。 结 论本研究中聚丙烯酸和聚乙烯磷酸双仿生类似物分 子对FluoroBond II、Xeno-III 及iBond 粘结剂均 显示不同程度的再矿化效应, 其中对iBond 粘结 剂再矿化效应最明显, FluoroBond II 粘结剂次之, Xeno-III 粘结剂再矿化效应较差, 但能够起到抵 制基底矿物继续丢失或阻止胶原降解的作用。 CLSM 结合应用苏丹明B 是量化混合层再矿化的 一项有效手段。 因此, 上述双仿生类似物分子应 用于口腔粘结剂修复材料促使混合层再矿化, 具 有良好的应用前景, 值得进一步深入研究。
Recent progress in the theory of Nonlinear Diffusion with Fractional Laplacian Operators

We report on recent progress in the study of nonlinear diffusion equations involving nonlocal, long-range diffusion effects. Our main concern is the so-called fractional porous medium equation, $\partial_t u +(-\Delta)^{s}(u^m)=0$, and some of its generalizations. Contrary to usual porous medium flows, the fractional version has infinite speed of propagation for all exponents $0 0$; on the other hand, it also generates an $L^1$-contraction semigroup which depends continuously on the exponent of fractional differentiation and the exponent of the nonlinearity. After establishing the general existence and uniqueness theory, the main properties are described: positivity, regularity, continuous dependence, a priori estimates, Schwarz symmetrization, among others. Self-similar solutions are constructed (fractional Barenblatt solutions) and they explain the asymptotic behaviour of a large class of solutions. In the fast diffusion range we study extinction in finite time and we find suitable special solutions. We discuss KPP type propagation. We also examine some related equations that extend the model and briefly comment on current work.
The MACHO Project: Microlensing Results from 5.7 Years of Large Magellanic Cloud Observations

We report on our search for microlensing toward the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Analysis of 5.7 yr of photometry on 11.9 million stars in the LMC reveals 13-17 microlensing events. A detailed treatment of our detection efficiency shows that this is significantly more than the ~2-4 events expected from lensing by known stellar populations. The timescales () of the events range from 34 to 230 days. We estimate the microlensing optical depth toward the LMC from events with 2 < < 400 days to be τ = 1.2 × 10-7, with an additional 20% to 30% of systematic error. The spatial distribution of events is mildly inconsistent with LMC/LMC disk self-lensing, but is consistent with an extended lens distribution such as a Milky Way or LMC halo. Interpreted in the context of a Galactic dark matter halo, consisting partially of compact objects, a maximum-likelihood analysis gives a MACHO halo fraction of 20% for a typical halo model with a 95% confidence interval of 8%-50%. A 100% MACHO halo is ruled out at the 95% confidence level for all except our most extreme halo model. Interpreted as a Galactic halo population, the most likely MACHO mass is between 0.15 and 0.9 M☉, depending on the halo model, and the total mass in MACHOs out to 50 kpc is found to be 9 × 1010 M☉, independent of the halo model. These results are marginally consistent with our previous results, but are lower by about a factor of 2. This is mostly due to Poisson noise, because with 3.4 times more exposure and increased sensitivity to long-timescale events, we did not find the expected factor of ~4 more events. In addition to a larger data set, this work also includes an improved efficiency determination, improved likelihood analysis, and more thorough testing of systematic errors, especially with respect to the treatment of potential backgrounds to microlensing. We note that an important source of background are supernovae (SNe) in galaxies behind the LMC.
In vitro and in situ visualization of cytoskeletal deformation under load: traumatic axonal injury

It is difficult to obtain insight into the mechanisms occurring within live cells during mechanical loading, because this complex environment is dynamic and evolving. This is a particular challenge from a subcellular mechanics perspective, where temporal and spatial information on the evolving cytoskeletal structures is required under loading. Using fluorescently labeled proteins, we visualize 3‐dimensional live subcellular cytoskeletal populations under mechanical loading using a high‐resolution confocal microscope. The mechanical forces are determined using a computational (finite element) model that is validated by integrating instrumentation into the testing platform. Transfected microtubules and neurofilaments of E17 rat neuronal axons are imaged before, during, and after loading. Comparisons between unloaded and loaded live cells demonstrate both spatial and temporal changes for cytoskeletal populations within the imaged volume. NF signal decreases by 24%, yet the microtubule signal exhibits no significant change 20 ‐35 s after loading. Transmission electron microscopy assesses cytoskeletal structure spatial distribution for undeformed and deformed axons. While cytoskeletal degeneration occurs at prolonged time intervals following loads, our data provides insights into real time cytoskeletal evolution occurring in situ. Our findings suggest that, for axons undergoing traumatic injury in response to applied mechanical loads, changes at the substructural level of neurofilaments may precede microtubule rupture and degeneration. —Fournier, A. J., Rajbhandari, L. , Shrestha, S. , Venkatesan, A. , Ramesh, K. T. , In vitro and in situ visualization of cytoskeletal deformation under load: traumatic axonal injury. FASEB J. 28, 5277–5287 (2014). www.fasebj. org
V-Twin: A Lightweight Engine for Interactive Use

This paper describes V-Twin, an information access toolkit designed to provide indexing and search capabilities for a variety of applications. We discuss the phenomenon of very short queries generated by users of interactive search services, and summarize a new technique we are using in V-Twin to handle these queries more effectively. We then present some results based on V-Twin's performance at the TREC-5 ad hoc task. V-Twin achieved a high level of performance despite having much lower index overhead and memory footprint than other systems participating in TREC
Challenging claims in the study of migratory birds and climate change

Recent shifts in phenology in response to climate change are well established but often poorly understood. Many animals integrate climate change across a spatially and temporally dispersed annual life cycle, and effects are modulated by ecological interactions, evolutionary change and endogenous control mechanisms. Here we assess and discuss key statements emerging from the rapidly developing study of changing spring phenology in migratory birds. These well‐studied organisms have been instrumental for understanding climate‐change effects, but research is developing rapidly and there is a need to attack the big issues rather than risking affirmative science. Although we agree poorly on the support for most claims, agreement regarding the knowledge basis enables consensus regarding broad patterns and likely causes. Empirical data needed for disentangling mechanisms are still scarce, and consequences at a population level and on community composition remain unclear. With increasing knowledge, the overall support (‘consensus view’) for a claim increased and between‐researcher variability in support (‘expert opinions') decreased, indicating the importance of assessing and communicating the knowledge basis. A proper integration across biological disciplines seems essential for the field's transition from affirming patterns to understanding mechanisms and making robust predictions regarding future consequences of shifting phenologies.