Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Spatial Augmented Reality system for intuitive display of robotic data

In the emerging field of close human-robot-collaboration the human worker needs to be able to quickly and easily understand data of the robotic system. To achieve this even for untrained personnel, we propose the use of a Spatial Augmented Reality system to project the necessary information directly into the users' workspace. The projection system consists of a fixed as well as a mobile projector mounted directly on the manipulator, allowing for visualizing data anywhere in the surroundings of the robot. By enabling the user to simply see the necessary complex information he can better understand the data and behavior of the robotic assistant and has the opportunity to analyze and potentially optimize the working process. Together with an input device, arbitrary interfaces can be realized with the projection system.
Understanding the Semantic Space: How Word Meanings Dynamically Adapt in the Context of a Sentence

How do people understand the meaning of the word “small” when used to describe a mosquito, a church, or a planet? While humans have a remarkable ability to form meanings by combining existing concepts, modeling this process is challenging. This paper addresses that challenge through CEREBRA (Context-dEpendent meaning REpresentations in the BRAin) neural network model. CEREBRA characterizes how word meanings dynamically adapt in the context of a sentence by decomposing sentence fMRI into words and words into embodied brain-based semantic features. It demonstrates that words in different contexts have different representations and the word meaning changes in a way that is meaningful to human subjects. CEREBRA’s context-based representations can potentially be used to make NLP applications more human-like.
Arginase and Arginine Decarboxylase – Where Do the Putative Gate Keepers of Polyamine Synthesis Reside in Rat Brain?

Polyamines are important regulators of basal cellular functions but also subserve highly specific tasks in the mammalian brain. With this respect, polyamines and the synthesizing and degrading enzymes are clearly differentially distributed in neurons versus glial cells and also in different brain areas. The synthesis of the diamine putrescine may be driven via two different pathways. In the “classical” pathway urea and carbon dioxide are removed from arginine by arginase and ornithine decarboxylase. The alternative pathway, first removing carbon dioxide by arginine decarboxlyase and then urea by agmatinase, may serve the same purpose. Furthermore, the intermediate product of the alternative pathway, agmatine, is an endogenous ligand for imidazoline receptors and may serve as a neurotransmitter. In order to evaluate and compare the expression patterns of the two gate keeper enzymes arginase and arginine decarboxylase, we generated polyclonal, monospecific antibodies against arginase-1 and arginine decarboxylase. Using these tools, we immunocytochemically screened the rat brain and compared the expression patterns of both enzymes in several brain areas on the regional, cellular and subcellular level. In contrast to other enzymes of the polyamine pathway, arginine decarboxylase and arginase are both constitutively and widely expressed in rat brain neurons. In cerebral cortex and hippocampus, principal neurons and putative interneurons were clearly labeled for both enzymes. Labeling, however, was strikingly different in these neurons with respect to the subcellular localization of the enzymes. While with antibodies against arginine decarboxylase the immunosignal was distributed throughout the cytoplasm, arginase-like immunoreactivity was preferentially localized to Golgi stacks. Given the apparent congruence of arginase and arginine decarboxylase distribution with respect to certain cell populations, it seems likely that the synthesis of agmatine rather than putrescine may be the main purpose of the alternative pathway of polyamine synthesis, while the classical pathway supplies putrescine and spermidine/spermine in these neurons.
Silencing of Cholinergic Basal Forebrain Neurons Using Archaerhodopsin Prolongs Slow-Wave Sleep in Mice

The basal forebrain (BF) plays a crucial role in cortical activation. Our previous study showed that activation of cholinergic BF neurons alone is sufficient to suppress slow-wave sleep (SWS) and promote wakefulness and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. However, the exact role of silencing cholinergic BF neurons in the sleep-wake cycle remains unclear. We inhibitied the cholinergic BF neurons genetically targeted with archaerhodopsin (Arch) with yellow light to clarify the role of cholinergic BF neurons in the sleep-wake cycle. Bilateral inactivation of cholinergic BF neurons genetically targeted with archaerhodopsin prolonged SWS and decreased the probability of awakening from SWS in mice. However, silencing these neurons changed neither the duration of wakefulness or REM sleep, nor the probability of transitions to other sleep-wake episodes from wakefulness or REM sleep. Furthermore, silencing these neurons for 6 h within the inactive or active period increased the duration of SWS at the expense of the duration of wakefulness, as well as increasing the number of prolonged SWS episodes (120-240 s). The lost wakefulness was compensated by a delayed increase of wakefulness, so the total duration of SWS and wakefulness during 24 h was kept stable. Our results indicate that the main effect of these neurons is to terminate SWS, whereas wakefulness or REM sleep may be determined by co-operation of the cholinergic BF neurons with other arousal-sleep control systems.
Real Option Pricing and Bounds in Incomplete Markets

This article prices a real option and constructs narrow bounds around the value of real options embedded in capital budgeting decisions by applying the minimax deviations approach to real options in incomplete markets. While it is straightforward to obtain the unique value of a real option with hyperbolic absolute risk aversion (HARA) utility functions, the parameters of risk aversion are often subject to misspecification and raise concerns for practical uses. Recognizing that investors allow deviation from parameter values related to a benchmark pricing kernel, we derive narrow bounds on a real option price. Comparison with the approaches in the literature clarifies advantages of the minimax bounds: simple, consistent, and efficient.
Antigen-Specific Interferon-Gamma Responses and Innate Cytokine Balance in TB-IRIS

Background Tuberculosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) remains a poorly understood complication in HIV-TB patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). TB-IRIS could be associated with an exaggerated immune response to TB-antigens. We compared the recovery of IFNγ responses to recall and TB-antigens and explored in vitro innate cytokine production in TB-IRIS patients. Methods In a prospective cohort study of HIV-TB co-infected patients treated for TB before ART initiation, we compared 18 patients who developed TB-IRIS with 18 non-IRIS controls matched for age, sex and CD4 count. We analyzed IFNγ ELISpot responses to CMV, influenza, TB and LPS before ART and during TB-IRIS. CMV and LPS stimulated ELISpot supernatants were subsequently evaluated for production of IL-12p70, IL-6, TNFα and IL-10 by Luminex. Results Before ART, all responses were similar between TB-IRIS patients and non-IRIS controls. During TB-IRIS, IFNγ responses to TB and influenza antigens were comparable between TB-IRIS patients and non-IRIS controls, but responses to CMV and LPS remained significantly lower in TB-IRIS patients. Production of innate cytokines was similar between TB-IRIS patients and non-IRIS controls. However, upon LPS stimulation, IL-6/IL-10 and TNFα/IL-10 ratios were increased in TB-IRIS patients compared to non-IRIS controls. Conclusion TB-IRIS patients did not display excessive IFNγ responses to TB-antigens. In contrast, the reconstitution of CMV and LPS responses was delayed in the TB-IRIS group. For LPS, this was linked with a pro-inflammatory shift in the innate cytokine balance. These data are in support of a prominent role of the innate immune system in TB-IRIS.
Polar mesosphere summer echoes : a comparison of simultaneous observations at three wavelengths

Abstract. On 5 July 2005, simultaneous observations of Polar Mesosphere Summer Echoes (PMSE) were made using the EISCAT VHF (224 MHz) and UHF (933 MHz) radars located near Tromso, Norway and the ALWIN VHF radar (53.5 MHz) situated on Andoya, 120 km SW of the EISCAT site. During the short interval from 12:20 UT until 12:26 UT strong echoes at about 84 km altitude were detected with all three radars. The radar volume reflectivities were found to be 4×10−13 m−1, 1.5×10−14 m−1 and 1.5×10−18 m−1 for the ALWIN, EISCAT-VHF and UHF radars, respectively. We have calculated the reflectivity ratios for each pair of radars and have compared them to ratios obtained from the turbulence-theory model proposed by Hill (1978a). We have tested different values of the turbulent energy dissipation rate e and Schmidt number Sc, which are free parameters in the model, to try to fit theoretical reflectivity ratios to the experimental ones. No single combination of the parameters e and Sc could be found to give a good fit. Spectral widths for the EISCAT radars were estimated from the spectra computed from the autocorrelation functions obtained in the experiment. After correction for beam-width broadening, the spectral widths are about 4 m/s for the EISCAT-VHF and 1.5–2 m/s for the UHF radar. However, according to the turbulence theory, the spectral widths in m/s should be the same for both radars. We also tested an incoherent scatter (IS) model developed by Cho et al. (1998), which takes into account the presence of charged aerosols/dust at the summer mesopause. It required very different sizes of particles for the EISCAT-VHF and UHF cases, to be able to fit the experimental spectra with model spectra. This implies that the IS model cannot explain PMSE spectra, at least not for monodisperse distributions of particles.
“Making my own luck”: Serendipity strategies and how to support them in digital information environments

Serendipity occurs when unexpected circumstances and an “aha” moment of insight result in a valuable, unanticipated outcome. Designing digital information environments to support serendipity can not only provide users with new knowledge, but also propel them in directions they might not otherwise have traveled in—surprising and delighting them along the way. As serendipity involves unexpected circumstances it cannot be directly controlled, but it can be potentially influenced. However, to the best of our knowledge, no previous work has focused on providing a rich empirical understanding of how it might be influenced. We interviewed 14 creative professionals to identify their self‐reported strategies aimed at increasing the likelihood of serendipity. These strategies form a framework for examining ways existing digital environments support serendipity and for considering how future environments can create opportunities for it. This is a new way of thinking about how to design for serendipity; by supporting the strategies found to increase its likelihood rather than attempting to support serendipity as a discrete phenomenon, digital environments not only have the potential to help users experience serendipity but also encourage them to adopt the strategies necessary to experience it more often.
Origin of Lyα absorption in nearby starbursts and implications for other galaxies

Context. Despite the privileged position that Lyman-α (Lyα) emission line holds in the exploration of the distant universe and modern observational cosmology, the origin of the observed diversity of Lyα profiles still needs to be thoroughly explained. Observations of nearby star forming galaxies bring their batch of apparent contradictions between Lyα emission and their physical parameters, and call for a detailed understanding of the physical processes at work. One of the most metal-poor galaxies known, IZw 18, is of particular interest in this context. Aims. We fit the Lyα spectrum of IZw 18 to understand the origin of the damped absorption profile and its spatial variations across the NW region, and establish a general picture of the physical parameters governing the Lyα strength and profile both in local and in high-z galaxies. Methods. We used a 3D Lyα radiation transfer code to model Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of IZw 18. Observational constraints of relevant parameters such as dust or Hi column density were derived from previous studies and from the present analysis. Different geometrical configurations of the source and the neutral gas were explored. Results. The integrated Lyα profile of NW region of IZw 18 is reproduced using the observed small amount of dust (E(B −V) ≈ 0.05) and a spherical Hi shell with NHI = 6.5 × 10 21 cm −2 . Such a high column density makes it possible to transform a strong Lyα emission (EWLyα = 60 A) into a damped absorption even with low extinction. When a slab geometry is applied and a given line of sight is chosen, the Lyα profile can be successfully reproduced with no dust at all and NHI = 3 × 10 21 cm −2 . The spatial variations of the profile shape are naturally explained by radiation transfer effects, i.e. by scattering of Lyα photons, when the observed surface brightness profile of the source is taken into account. In the case of outflowing inter stellar medium (ISM), as commonly observed in Lyman break galaxies (LBGs), a high NHI and dust content are required to observe Lyα in absorption. For nearly static neutral gas as observed in IZw 18 and other low-luminosity galaxies, only a small amount of dust is required provided a sufficiently high NHI covers the galaxy. We also show how geometrical and apertures effects affect the Lyα profile.
A Case Study of Perspectives on Building School and Community Partnerships

vii Chapter One Introduction 1 Statement of the Problem 4 Purpose of the Study 5 Theoretical Framework 5 Research Questions 5 Importance of the Study 6 Methods Used in this Study 8 Delimitations 10 Definitions of Terms 10 Summary 11 Chapter Two Literature Review 13 Importance of School and Community Partnerships 15 Definitions and Characteristics 16 Historical View of Schools in the Community 23 Outcomes and Benefits 26 Types of Partnerships and Examples of Successful Partnerships 30 Full Service Schools and Model Schools 31 University Partnerships 36 Business Partnerships 40 Transformational Leadership and Individual Roles in Partnerships 42 Leadership Roles 44 Teacher Roles 47 Roles of Other Key Participants 49 Framing the Literature 52 Literature Selection 53 Critics in the Literature 53 Gaps in the Literature 55 Summary 56
High OCT4A levels drive tumorigenicity and metastatic potential of medulloblastoma cells

Medulloblastoma is a highly aggressive pediatric brain tumor, in which sporadic expression of the pluripotency factor OCT4 has been recently correlated with poor patient survival. However the contribution of specific OCT4 isoforms to tumor aggressiveness is still poorly understood. Here, we report that medulloblastoma cells stably overexpressing the OCT4A isoform displayed enhanced clonogenic, tumorsphere generation, and invasion capabilities. Moreover, in an orthotopic metastatic model of medulloblastoma, OCT4A overexpressing cells generated more developed, aggressive and infiltrative tumors, with tumor-bearing mice attaining advanced metastatic disease and shorter survival rates. Pro-oncogenic OCT4A effects were expression-level dependent and accompanied by distinct chromosomal aberrations. OCT4A overexpression in medulloblastoma cells also induced a marked differential expression of non-coding RNAs, including poorly characterized long non-coding RNAs and small nucleolar RNAs. Altogether, our findings support the relevance of pluripotency-related factors in the aggravation of medulloblastoma traits classically associated with poor clinical outcome, and underscore the prognostic and therapeutic value of OCT4A in this challenging type of pediatric brain cancer.
The relationship of energy consumption, economic growth and foreign direct investment in Shanghai

This paper investigates the existence and direction of Granger causality between energy consumption ， economic growth and foreign direct investment in China, applying a multivariate VAR model of energy use, economic growth, carbon emissions based on data for Shanghai over the period 1985–2010.The result suggests a unidirectional Granger causality running from GDP to energy use and foreign direct investment, and a unidirectional Granger causality running from energy consumption to FDI. Further analysis reveals that the increase in foreign direct investment has good energy saving effect. So, to achieve the sustainable development of the economy, Shanghai should develop effective policies of guiding the internal and external capital flows, technological innovation, industrial structure optimization to achieve energy saving and sustainable economic growth.
Perceptions of negative political advertising: meaningful or menacing? An empirical study of the 1997 British General Election Campaign

The electorate are increasingly volatile in terms of their voting behaviour, and this presents valuable opportunities for the marketing discipline to offer the world of politics new insights and strategies. This paper suggests that those with little brand loyalty, who ultimately determine the outcome of general elections, perceive and use political advertising, particularly the genre commonly described as ‘negative’, in very different ways to the ‘politically active’. It argues for a more sophisticated approach to segmentation of political audiences based on prior involvement levels. It also offers support for the continued use of some forms of negative advertising with a number of important caveats.
Compact AC Modeling and Performance Analysis of Through-Silicon Vias in 3-D ICs

This paper introduces the first comprehensive and accurate compact resistance-inductance-capacitance-conductance (RLCG ) model for through-silicon vias (TSVs) in 3-D ICs valid from low- to high-frequency regimes, with consideration of the MOS effect in silicon, the alternating-current (ac) conduction in silicon, the skin effect in TSV metal, and the eddy currents in the silicon substrate. The model is verified against electrostatic measurements as well as a commercial full-wave electromagnetic simulation tool and subsequently employed for various performance (delay) analyses. The compact model is also applicable to TSVs made of carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles, once a slight modification (making the effective conductivity complex) is made. Various geometries (as per the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors) and prospective materials (Cu, W, and single-walled/multiwalled CNTs) are evaluated, and a comparative performance analysis is presented. It is shown that CNT-bundle-based TSVs can offer smaller or comparable high-frequency resistance than those of other materials due to the reduced skin effect in CNT bundle structures. On the other hand, the performance (delay) analysis indicates that the performance differences among different TSV materials are rather small. However, it is shown that CNTs provide an improved heat dissipation path due to their much higher thermal conductivity. In addition, the improved mechanical robustness and thermal stability of CNTs also favor their selection as TSV materials in emerging 3-D ICs.
Acquisition of joint attention through natural interaction utilizing motion cues

Joint attention is one of the most important cognitive functions for the emergence of communication not only between humans, but also between humans and robots. In previous work, we have demonstrated how a robot can acquire primary joint attention behavior (gaze following) without external evaluation. However, this method needs the human to tell the robot when to shift its gaze. This paper presents a method that does not need such a constraint by introducing an attention selector based on a measure consisting of saliencies of object features and motion cues. In order to realize natural interaction, a self-organizing map for real-time face pattern separation and contingency learning for gaze following without external evaluation are utilized. The attention selector controls the robot gaze to switch often from the human face to an object and vice versa, and pairs of a face pattern and a gaze motor command are input to the contingency learning. The motion cues are expected to reduce the number of incorrect training data pairs due to the asynchronous interaction that affects the convergence of the contingency learning. The experimental result shows that gaze shift utilizing motion cues enables a robot to synchronize its own motion with human motion and to learn joint attention efficiently in about 20 min.
Triglyceride to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio Predicts Cardiovascular Outcomes in Prevalent Dialysis Patients

AbstractTriglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio, an indicator of atherogenic dyslipidemia, is a predictor of cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in the general population and has been correlated with atherosclerotic events. Whether the TG/HDL-C ratio can predict CV outcomes and survival in dialysis patients is unknown.We performed this prospective, observational cohort study and enrolled 602 dialysis patients (539 hemodialysis and 63 peritoneal dialysis) from a single center in Taiwan followed up for a median of 3.9 years. The outcomes were the occurrence of CV events, CV death, and all-cause mortality during follow-up. The association of baseline TG/HDL-C ratio with outcomes was explored with Cox regression models, which were adjusted for demographic parameters and inflammatory/nutritional markers.Overall, 203 of the patients experienced CV events and 169 patients died, of whom 104 died due to CV events. Two hundred fifty-four patients reached the composite CV outcome. Patients with higher TG/HDL-C levels (quintile 5) had a higher incidence of CV events (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–3.47), CV mortality (adjusted HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.07–3.99), composite CV outcome (adjusted HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.37–3.55), and all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.94, 95% CI 1.1–3.39) compared with the patients in quintile 1. However, in diabetic dialysis patients, the TG/HDL-C ratio did not predict the outcomes.The TG/HDL-C ratio is a reliable and easily accessible predictor to evaluate CV outcomes and survival in prevalent nondiabetic dialysis patients.ClinicalTrials. gov: NCT01457625
Effects of Female Political Participation on Economic Growth: Evidence from Asian Countries

Gender equality is a global crucial topic all the time. Nowadays, it is visible that women still suffer gender discrimination in various fields. It is necessary to study women’s contribution to society development. Using cross-country and panel regressions, I investigate whether gender gaps in political participation affect economic growth during the period 1991-2013 using data up to 30 countries in Asia. I update and specify the results of previous studies on the link between female political participation and economic development and concentrate the analysis on Asian panel. The result shows that in recent years, female political participation fosters economic growth in Asia.