Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emergence of Selectivity to Looming Stimuli in a Spiking Network Model of the Optic Tectum

The neural circuits in the optic tectum of Xenopus tadpoles are selectively responsive to looming visual stimuli that resemble objects approaching the animal at a collision trajectory. This selectivity is required for adaptive collision avoidance behavior in this species, but its underlying mechanisms are not known. In particular, it is still unclear how the balance between the recurrent spontaneous network activity and the newly arriving sensory flow is set in this structure, and to what degree this balance is important for collision detection. Also, despite the clear indication for the presence of strong recurrent excitation and spontaneous activity, the exact topology of recurrent feedback circuits in the tectum remains elusive. In this study we take advantage of recently published detailed cell-level data from tadpole tectum to build an informed computational model of it, and investigate whether dynamic activation in excitatory recurrent retinotopic networks may on its own underlie collision detection. We consider several possible recurrent connectivity configurations and compare their performance for collision detection under different levels of spontaneous neural activity. We show that even in the absence of inhibition, a retinotopic network of quickly inactivating spiking neurons is naturally selective for looming stimuli, but this selectivity is not robust to neuronal noise, and is sensitive to the balance between direct and recurrent inputs. We also describe how homeostatic modulation of intrinsic properties of individual tectal cells can change selectivity thresholds in this network, and qualitatively verify our predictions in a behavioral experiment in freely swimming tadpoles.
Human identification from at-a-distance images by simultaneously exploiting iris and periocular features

Iris recognition from at-a-distance face images has high applications in wide range of applications such as remote surveillance and for civilian identification. This paper presents a completely automated joint iris and periocular recognition approach from the face images acquired at-a-distance. Each of the acquired face images are used to detect and segment periocular images which are then employed for the iris segmentation. We employ complex texture descriptors using Leung-Mallik filters which can acquire multiple periocular features for more accurate recognition. Experimental results presented in this paper achieve 8.1% improvement in recognition accuracy over the best performing approach among SIFT, LBP and HoG presented in the literature. The combination of simultaneously segmented iris and periocular images achieves average rank-one recognition accuracy of 84.5%, i.e., an improvement of 52% than those from only using iris features, on independent test images from 131 subjects. In order to ensure the repeatability of the experiments, the CASIA.v4-distance, i.e., a publicly available database was employed and all the 142 subjects/images were considered in this work.
Energy-Efficient Routing and Rate Allocation for Delay Tolerant Networks

Routing for Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs) are challengeable for the continuously varied network environment. Most of existing DTN routing algorithms mainly focus on metrics such as delay, hop count and bandwidth, etc. Green communication is a new focus with the goal of saving energy by optimizing network performance and ultimately protecting the natural climate. In this paper, we present an Energy-efficient Routing and Rate Allocation (ERRA) scheme based on Q-learning that can optimize the energy efficiency with the constraints of congestion, buffer and delay. ERRA solves the routing and rate allocation together with reinforce leaning, and then make decisions on relay selection and rate schedule. ERRA explores the possible strategies, and then exploits the knowledge obtained to adapt its relay and schedule strategies. ERRA achieves the desired overall objective by considering the stochastic non-cooperative game under on-line multi-commodity routing situations. The simulation results show that ERRA achieves good energy efficiency and delivery ratio within the delay bound.
Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Preschool Version (BRIEF-P): Test Review and Clinical Guidelines for Use

The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool Version (BRIEF-P) is a standardized questionnaire that measures executive functioning in preschoolers. This test review provides an overview of the BRIEF-P, including scale structure, administration, norms, score interpretation, current reliability and validity evidence, and provides general guidelines for clinical use.
It’s not all bad: Women’s construction and lived experience of positive premenstrual change

Although premenstrual change is invariably pathologized and described as PMS or PMDD, there is evidence that many women experience premenstrual changes positively. This suggests that premenstrual change is both a lived experience and social construction, which is not inevitably positioned as debilitating or distressing. However, previous research has provided little insight into how and why women construct premenstrual change as positive. Accordingly, the present study used a critical realist epistemology and a material-discursive-intrapsychic model to explore women’s construction and lived experience of positive premenstrual change. Drawing on focus groups with 47 women, explanations for positive premenstrual experiences included: ‘positive emotional outcomes’, ‘releasing tension’, ‘increased attractiveness’, ‘legitimacy of self-care’ and ‘indication of menstruation’. Findings not only reinforce reports from previous research that many women experience positive premenstrual changes, but also challenge bio-medical conceptualizations of premenstrual change as inherently negative, with accounts of relational negotiation emphasizing the context-dependent nature of premenstrual change.
The Theoretical Background of the City-Identity-Sustainability Network

The City-Identity-Sustainability (CIS) Research Network aims to investigate the relationship between several conditions and processes that shape social identity—such as the quality of the urban area, residents’satisfaction, community identification, and sense of cohesion—and the relationship between these factors, taken as a whole, and sustainability. The objective of the project was to determine whether the presence of these factors favors sustainability and, likewise, whether the absence of some of the factors impedes sustainability. The CIS Network carried out its research in seven sites in Latin America and Europe, using the same questionnaire in each setting and complementing it with local qualitative research. The results showed a reasonable fit to the structural models of the hypothesized relationships. In light of the results, the research network suggests social and environmental intervention strategies to promote sustainability. This article focuses on the theoretical construction of the models.
Naivete, Projection Bias, and Habit Formation in Gym Attendance

We develop a model capturing habit formation, projection bias, and present bias in an intertemporal-choice setting, and conduct a field experiment to identify its main parameters. We elicit subjects' pre- and post-treatment predictions of post-treatment gym attendance, using a habit-formation intervention based on Charness and Gneezy (2009) as an exogenous shock to treated subjects' gym preferences. Projection-biased subjects, projecting their current habit state onto their future expectations, will, ex-ante, under-estimate any habit-formation effect of our treatment. Naive present-biased subjects in both groups will overestimate their future attendance. Like Charness and Gneezy, we find subjects do form a significant short-run habit, though we find substantial decay caused by the semester break. Subjects appear not to embed this habit formation into their ex-ante predictions. Approximately one-third of subjects formed a habit equivalent to the effect of a $2.60 per-visit subsidy, while their predictions correspond to 90% projection bias over this habit formation. Moreover, subjects greatly over-predict future attendance, which we interpret as evidence of partial naivete with respect to present bias: they appear to expect their future selves to be two-thirds less "present biased" than they currently are.
Identification of Atherosclerotic Lipid Deposits by Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

Objectives—The content and distribution of lipids is an important aspect of plaque vulnerability, but lipids are present within a heterogeneous environment, impeding detection by magnetic resonance imaging. Our goal was to achieve accurate detection of mobile lipids by a single magnetic resonance imaging sequence. Methods and Results—Carotid endarectomy specimens (n=23) were imaged ex vivo at a high magnetic field (11.7 T) within 24 hours after surgery. Three contrast-weighted (T1W, T2W, and diffusion-weighted imaging [DWI]) image sequences were acquired and then coregistered with histological preparations for lipids (Oil red O and polarized light microscopy) and fibrous tissue (trichrome). Contrast-to-noise ratios were measured and compared for the 3 contrast weightings. Contrast-to-noise ratio measurement in regions identified as lipid versus fibrous tissue showed greater differences by DWI (4.5±0.63 versus 0.64±0.08; P<0.05) as compared with T2W (2.83±0.36 versus 1.36±0.37; P<0.05). We validated the presence and distribution of lipids (mainly cholesteryl esters) by both histology and image-guide spectroscopy. The basis for distinguishing mobile lipid and water inside the plaque was illustrated by diffusion-weighted spectroscopy. Conclusions—Biophysical properties of plaque lipids can confer selective identification by DWI, as opposed to standard T1W and T2W imaging sequences. Successful translation of DWI in vivo could identify of features of vulnerable plaque.
A Performance Study of a New Grid Protocol and General Grid Structures for Replicated Data

Recently there has been considerable interest in the study of replica-control protocols which are based on organizing several copies of an object into logical structures, such as rectangular grids. In addition to high availability, another objective in exploiting such structures is to improve the degree of load sharing in a system. In this paper, we extend the scope of grid structures to general grids, which allow holes in various positions of a rectangular structure and are useful to consider because they often produce availabilities that are higher than solid grids, where every position must be occupied by a node. We propose an improvement to the existing grid protocol, prove its optimality, and also compare its performance with the existing protocol in terms of availability. In addition, we also o er new insights into the performance of the grids, from both availability and load sharing points of view. Noting that the write availability of square grids tends to 0 for a large number of nodes N, we conduct an asymptotic analysis, and derive the conditions that must be imposed on the dimensions of the grid for the availability to increase asymptotically with increasing N. Algorithms for designing grids to maximize availability independently, and also in conjunction with a load sharing constraint are given.
Standardized Test Batteries: Advances in Aphasia Testing

Reprint requests: Dr. Lyon, Rehabilitative Medicine (117), VA Medical Center, 1000 Locust Street, Reno, NV 59502. The altered physiological and psychological states of the aphasic adult are not without observable, qualifiable, and quantifiable characteristics. Often, these characteristics are the "clues" that specify what, where, and how much damage has occurred as well as possible insight into underlying cause of the problem. As clues, they are dormant and depend on a skilled observer to identify, synthesize, and accurately interpret their significance. For the experienced, well-trained clinician whose knowledge of the aphasic adult is vast, a "sixth" sense may seem to prevail in these decisions. Yet careful observation will reveal a pattern to the problem-solving process. Frequently, that process is a systematic approach to the isolation and assessment of component parts of the disorder, based on a theoretical percept of what aphasia is or is not. In the end, the value of the exercise depends on the accuracy of the processes employed (Were the most representative, noncontaminated measures selected? Were they properly weighted in terms of their contribution to the disorder? Were behaviors accurately measured? ) and how well were the resulting data interpreted (Does the performance suggest the presence of aphasia, and, if so, to what degree? Does it conform to a particular pattern or profile? Do the signs support a localized region of cerebral dysfunction? Is there a coexisting deficit, such as dementia, confused language, or apraxia of speech? )
Integration and How We Facilitate it

The paper examines, in a comparative way, the situation of refugees settled in Italy and the Netherlands. It examines how refugees themselves perceive their social condition in the two contrasting `models' of integration in Italy and the Netherlands and how they define integration success and develop strategies to achieve their goals. The narratives of refugees explored in this paper documents that integration, as it is perceived and desired by the refugees themselves, is both about its functional aspects and about social participation in the wider community. These aspects of integration consist of sets of overlapping processes that take place differently in various spheres of the receiving society and have various outcomes. It is argued that policy should recognize this complexity and acknowledge refugees as social actors rather than turning them into policy objects in order to facilitate integration in each of these sub-sectors.
Self in Community: African American Women's Views of Self-Esteem

African American women face multiple challenges to their self-esteem, including racism and sexism. Very little research on self-esteem has taken into account African American women's conceptualizations of self-esteem. This article explores the concept of self-esteem from the perspective of some adult African American women, specifically their views of the components of high self-esteem, and how they manage the construction and maintenance of high self-esteem in their lives. From qualitative interviews with 21 women and follow-up focus groups with 12 of the women, two predominant and interconnected self-esteem needs were found: social support and self-reliance. Social support came from families, friends, churches, and communities; the women learned from these sources to be self-reliant and empowered. Other related themes included pride, respect, positive outlook, and the use of self-talk. The community basis for the self-concept and self-esteem of the women in the study is explored. The women in the study did not view social support and self-reliance as competing needs or tensions. Implications of such a view for communication and psychological research is discussed.
Strategically focused training in Six Sigma way: a case study

Purpose – The purpose of the current study is to examine the utility of Six Sigma interventions as a performance measure and explore its applicability for making the training design and delivery operationally efficient and strategically effective.Design/methodology/approach – This is a single revelatory case study. Data were collected from multiple sources. In depth interviews of Six Sigma champion, black belt and green belt executives were conducted for understanding the Six Sigma interventions in HR function in general and in training functions in particular.Findings – Application of Six Sigma approach was found to be helpful for better alignment of training function in MNC bank with the organizational requirements. Six Sigma changed the role of the function towards proaction. Research limitations/implications – This study has usual limitation of single case study research. Moreover, the impact of Six Sigma and its dependence on organizational structure, organizational culture, leadership role, social e.
RT-replayer: a record-replay architecture for embedded real-time software debugging

Recent embedded real-time software tends to be multithreaded and constrained by stringent timing requirements, thus often leading to serious faults depending on the precise timing of thread executions and event occurrences. A promising approach to debugging such complicated software is to log appropriate events during runtime and replay the same software execution based on them. This would allow one to effectively reproduce and track down the sources of faults. Unfortunately, previous software-based replayers have not paid much attention to the precise timing of software execution, but largely focused on the relative order of software events. Although some hardware-based replayers can provide such precise timing, they generally require a significant cost and are not available in usual development environments. In this paper, we present a software-based replayer, called RT-Replayer. RT-Replayer is based on two simple but effective software techniques, called virtual timestamps and instruction hooking, which enable faithful reproduction of the original software execution at instruction level accuracy.
Association of Equipment Worn and Concussion Injury Rates in National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Practices

Background: The epidemiology of football-related concussions has been extensively examined. However, although football players experience more at-risk exposure time during practices than competitions, there is a dearth of literature examining the nature of the activities or equipment worn during practice. In particular, varying levels of equipment worn during practices may place players at varying levels of risk for concussion. Purpose: To describe the epidemiology of NCAA men’s football concussions that occurred during practices from the 2004-2005 to 2008-2009 academic years by amount of equipment worn. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Men’s collegiate football data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System (NCAA ISS) during the 5-year study period were analyzed. Injury rates and injury rate ratios (RRs) were reported with 95% confidence intervals. Results: During the study period, 795 concussions were reported during practices, resulting in an injury rate of 0.39 per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs) (95% CI, 0.36-0.42). Among NCAA divisions, Division III had the highest concussion rate (0.54/1000 AEs), followed by Division I (0.34/1000 AEs) and Division II (0.24/1000 AEs) (all P values for RRs comparing divisions <.001). Most concussions in practice occurred when players were fully padded (69.9%), followed by wearing shells (23.5%) and helmets only (1.9%). The practice concussion rate was higher in fully padded practices (0.66/1000 AEs) compared with practices when shells were worn (0.33/1000 AEs; RR = 1.99 [95% CI, 1.69-2.35]; P < .001) and practices when only helmets were worn (0.03/1000 AEs; RR = 22.39 [95% CI, 13.41-37.39]; P < .001). The practice concussion rate of the preseason (0.76/1000 AEs) was higher than that of the regular season (0.18/1000 AEs; RR = 4.14 [95% CI, 3.55-4.83]; P < .001) and that of postseason (0.25/1000 AEs; RR = 3.02 [95% CI, 1.95-4.67]; P < .001). The types of practice with the highest concussion rate were scrimmages (1.55/1000 AEs). Although only 3 concussions were sustained during scrimmage practices in which players wore shells, the concussion rate (2.84/1000 AEs) was higher than all other reported rates. Conclusion: Practice concussion rates are highest during fully padded practices, preseason practices, and scrimmages, suggesting that the nature, focus, and intensity of football practices affect concussion risk. In addition, coaching staff should continue to closely monitor player safety during scrimmages. Meanwhile, future surveillance should examine whether removing scrimmages, particularly those that are not fully padded, will meaningfully reduce the incidence and rate of concussions.
Perception of Learner Proficiency: Its Impact on the Interaction Between an ESL Learner and Her Higher and Lower Proficiency Partners

In this article, we explore one aspect of language awareness that has rarely been explored—awareness (i.e. perception) of the language proficiency of the ‘other learner’ in pair work settings. We examine how Mai, a Japanese ESL learner, perceives her peer's L2 proficiency during pair problem solving, and how her perception of learner proficiency affects the nature of peer assistance. Mai engaged in a three-stage task involving pair writing, pair noticing and individual writing with two learners whose L2 proficiency level is either higher or lower than her own. She also provided stimulated recall and was interviewed after all the tasks were completed. The findings suggest that measured proficiency difference does not necessarily affect the nature of peer assistance. Rather, how each learner perceives each other's proficiency difference, and how they interact with their peer based on the perceived proficiency level may be more significant.
Effect of Some Chemical Treatments on Keeping Quality and Vase Life of Chrysanthemum Cut Flowers

2 Abstract: The experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different concentrations of salicylic acid (SA), malic acid ( MA), citric acid (CA) and sucrose (Suc) on keeping quality and vase life of Chrysanthemum cut flowers. In this study three levels of malic acid (0, 100 and 150 mg l ) and salicylic acid (0, 1.5 and 3 mM) and - two levels of sucrose (0 and 3% w/v) and of citric acid (0 and 150 mg l ) were applied in a factorial 1 arrangement, carried out in a complete randomized design on 144 Chrysanthemum cut flowers in horticulture laboratory of agriculture faculty of Islamic Azad University, Karaj branch. The recorded traits included Vase life, total chlorophyll content (SPAD reading), anthocyanin leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, ACC- Oxidase activity and water absorption. The results showed that malic acid and salicylic acid treatments increased cut flower water absorption, fresh weight and vase life, while descreased the MDA content, ACC- oxidase activity and membrane premeability together with total delay of senescence and peroxidation of lipids. Maximum flower vase life was recorded in 150 mg l MA +1.5 mM SA + 3% Suc treatments. A direct 1
A Meta-Analysis on the Correlation Between the Implicit Association Test and Explicit Self-Report Measures

Theoretically, low correlations between implicit and explicit measures can be due to (a) motivational biases in explicit self reports, (b) lack of introspective access to implicitly assessed representations, (c) factors influencing the retrieval of information from memory, (d) method-related characteristics of the two measures, or (e) complete independence of the underlying constructs. The present study addressed these questions from a meta-analytic perspective, investigating the correlation between the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and explicit self-report measures. Based on a sample of 126 studies, the mean effect size was . 24, with approximately half of the variability across correlations attributable to moderator variables. Correlations systematically increased as a function of (a) increasing spontaneity of self-reports and (b) increasing conceptual correspondence between measures. These results suggest that implicit and explicit measures are generally related but that higher order inferences and lack of conceptual correspondence can reduce the influence of automatic associations on explicit self-reports.