Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonsupersymmetric Seiberg duality, orientifold QCD, and noncritical strings

We propose an electric-magnetic duality and conjecture an exact conformal window for a class of nonsupersymmetric U(N{sub c}) gauge theories with fermions in the (anti)symmetric representation of the gauge group and N{sub f} additional scalar and fermion flavors. The duality exchanges N{sub c}{yields}N{sub f}-N{sub c}{+-}4 leaving N{sub f} invariant, and has common features with Seiberg duality in N=1 super QCD (SQCD) with SU or SO/Sp gauge group. At large N the duality holds due to planar equivalence with N=1 SQCD. At finite N we embed these gauge theories in a setup with D-branes and orientifolds in a nonsupersymmetric, but tachyon-free, noncritical type 0B string theory and argue in favor of the duality in terms of boundary and crosscap state monodromies as in analogous supersymmetric situations. One can verify explicitly that the resulting duals have matching global anomalies. Finally, we comment on the moduli space of these gauge theories and discuss other potential nonsupersymmetric examples that could exhibit similar dualities.
Pre-planning and the Continuation of Dishonest Behavior: An Experiment

We examine experimentally whether the ability to pre-plan one's action may reduce the possible inter-temporal spillover effect. We implemented two treatments where either the subjects were informed ex-ante that they would have two subsequent opportunities to tell a lie for some monetary gain, or they were informed about the decision making in each stage just before the stage started. We find that when it was not possible to pre-plan, repeated opportunities to tell a lie resulted in subjects telling a lie even for a smaller monetary gain, i.e., getting more vulnerable to a temptation to behave dishonestly for profit. However, when preplanning was feasible, the proportion of subjects telling a lie was relatively high in the first stage, and then it went down in the subsequent opportunity. We argue that the feasibility of preplanning invites a compensatory, instead of consistent, action, and thus induces more dishonest responses in the first stage and fewer in the second. Overall - considering both stages - more subjects told lies when they had had a chance to pre-plan.
Video game training and the reward system

Video games contain elaborate reinforcement and reward schedules that have the potential to maximize motivation. Neuroimaging studies suggest that video games might have an influence on the reward system. However, it is not clear whether reward-related properties represent a precondition, which biases an individual toward playing video games, or if these changes are the result of playing video games. Therefore, we conducted a longitudinal study to explore reward-related functional predictors in relation to video gaming experience as well as functional changes in the brain in response to video game training. Fifty healthy participants were randomly assigned to a video game training (TG) or control group (CG). Before and after training/control period, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was conducted using a non-video game related reward task. At pretest, both groups showed strongest activation in ventral striatum (VS) during reward anticipation. At posttest, the TG showed very similar VS activity compared to pretest. In the CG, the VS activity was significantly attenuated. This longitudinal study revealed that video game training may preserve reward responsiveness in the VS in a retest situation over time. We suggest that video games are able to keep striatal responses to reward flexible, a mechanism which might be of critical value for applications such as therapeutic cognitive training.
Creating adaptive Web sites through usage-based clustering of URLs

We describe an approach to usage based Web personalization taking into account both the offline tasks related to the mining of usage data, and the online process of automatic Web page customization based on the mined knowledge. Specifically, we propose an effective technique for capturing common user profiles based on association rule discovery and usage based clustering. We also propose techniques for combining this knowledge with the current status of an ongoing Web activity to perform real time personalization. Finally, we provide an experimental evaluation of the proposed techniques using real Web usage data.
The benefit of speech enhancement to the hearing impaired

Decreased speech intelligibility in background noise is a common complaint of most hearing impaired in comparison to quiet conditions. Speech enhancement algorithms widely used in hearing aids are often used with some success to improve speech intelligibility for the hearing impaired. It is eminent from the literature that not all hearing impaired benefit from speech enhancement algorithms. From the literature it is not clear whether speech enhancement techniques are useful to either normal hearing or hearing impaired. Our results have shown a trend that with the assistance of speech enhancement techniques and an ear model comprising outer-hair cell functionality, the speech intelligibility of normal hearing becomes worse as the signal-to-noise ratio is lowered. In a similar task, hearing impaired, particularly those who use cochlear implants have shown a significant improvement in speech intelligibility.
An efficient kernel adaptive filtering algorithm using hyperplane projection along affine subspace

We propose a novel kernel adaptive filtering algorithm that selectively updates a few coefficients at each iteration by projecting the current filter onto the zero instantaneous-error hyperplane along a certain time-dependent affine subspace. Coherence is exploited for selecting the coefficients to be updated as well as for measuring the novelty of new data. The proposed algorithm is a natural extension of the normalized kernel least mean squares algorithm operating iterative hyperplane projections in a reproducing kernel Hilbert space. The proposed algorithm enjoys low computational complexity. Numerical examples indicate high potential of the proposed algorithm.
The stellar mass distribution in early-type disc galaxies: surface photometry and bulge–disc decompositions

We present deep B- and R-band surface photometry for a sample of 21 early-type disc galaxies with morphological types between S0 and Sab and absolute B-band magnitudes between −17 and −22. Six galaxies were also observed in the I-band. We present radial profiles of surface brightness, colour, ellipticity, position angle and deviations of axisymmetry for all galaxies, as well as isophotal and effective radii and total magnitudes. We have decomposed the images into contributions from a spheroidal bulge with a general Sersic profile and a flat disc with an arbitrary intensity distribution, using an interactive, 2D decomposition technique. We caution against the use of simple 1D decomposition methods and show that they can lead to systematic biases, particularly in the derived bulge parameters. We study in detail the relations between various bulge and disc parameters. In particular, we find that the bulges of our galaxies have surface brightness profiles ranging from exponential to De Vaucouleurs, with the average value of the Sersic shape parameter n being 2.5. In agreement with previous studies, we find that the shape of the bulge intensity distribution depends on luminosity, with the more luminous bulges having more centrally peaked light profiles (i.e. higher n). By comparing the ellipticity of the isophotes in the bulges to those in the outer, disc-dominated regions, we are able to derive the intrinsic axis ratio qb of the bulges. The average axis ratio is 0.55, with a rms spread of 0.12. None of the bulges in our sample is spherical, whereas in some cases, the bulges can be as flat as qb = 0.3-0.4. The bulge flattening seems to be weakly coupled to luminosity, more luminous bulges being on average slightly more flattened than their lower luminosity counterparts. Our finding that most bulges are significantly flattened and have an intensity profile shallower than R 1/4 suggests that 'pseudo-bulges', formed from disc material by secular processes, do not occur in late-type spiral galaxies only, but are a common feature in early-type disc galaxies as well. Most galaxies in our sample have radial colour gradients, becoming bluer towards larger radii. Although this can partly be explained by the radially declining contribution of the red bulges to the observed light, we show that discs must also have intrinsic colour gradients.
Bio-inspired Miniature Suction Cups Actuated by Shape Memory Alloy

Wall climbing robots using negative pressure suction always employ air pumps which have great noise and large volume. Two prototypes of bio-inspired miniature suction cup actuated by shape memory alloy (SMA) are designed based on studying characteristics of biologic suction apparatuses, and the suction cups in this paper can be used as adhesion mechanisms for miniature wall climbing robots without air pumps. The first prototype with a two-way shape memory effect (TWSME) extension TiNi spring imitates the piston structure of the stalked sucker; the second one actuated by a one way SMA actuator with a bias has a basic structure of stiff margin, guiding element, leader and elastic element. Analytical model of the second prototype is founded considering the constitutive model of the SMA actuator, the deflection of the thin elastic plate under compound load and the thermo-dynamic model of the sealed air cavity. Experiments are done to test their suction characteristics, and the analytical model of the second prototype is simulated on Matlab/simulink platform and validated by experiments.
A SURVEY OF z ∼ 6 QUASARS IN THE SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY DEEP STRIPE. I. A FLUX-LIMITED SAMPLE AT zAB < 21

We present the discovery of five quasars at z ∼ 6 selected from 260 deg2 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) southern survey, a deep imaging survey obtained by repeatedly scanning a stripe along the celestial equator. The five quasars with 20 < zAB < 21 are 1–2 magnitudes fainter than the luminous z ∼ 6 quasars discovered in the SDSS main survey. One of them was independently discovered by the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey. These quasars, combined with another z ∼ 6 quasar known in this region, make a complete flux-limited quasar sample at zAB < 21. The sample spans the redshift range 5.85 ⩽ z ⩽ 6.12 and the luminosity range −26.5 ⩽ M1450 ⩽ −25.4 (H0 = 70 km s−1 Mpc−1, Ωm = 0.3, and ΩΛ = 0.7). We use the 1/Va method to determine that the comoving quasar spatial density at 〈z〉 = 6.0 and 〈M1450〉 = −25.8 is (5.0 ± 2.1) × 10−9 Mpc−3 mag−1. We model the bright-end quasar luminosity function (QLF) at z ∼ 6 as a power law Φ(L1450) ∝ Lβ1450. The slope β calculated from a combination of our sample and the luminous SDSS quasar sample is −3.1 ± 0.4, significantly steeper than the slope of the QLF at z ∼ 4. Based on the derived QLF, we find that the quasar/active galactic nucleus (AGN) population cannot provide enough photons to ionize the intergalactic medium (IGM) at z ∼ 6 unless the IGM is very homogeneous and the luminosity (L*1450) at which the QLF power law breaks is very low.
International Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences and Technology the Response of Asparagus Densiflorus L. in Vitro Propagation to Different Potassium and Ammonium Nitrate Levels in Culture Media

A successful attempt was done through this study to ensure the significant effects of nitrogen concentration in culture media on the growth and development of Asparagus densiflorus L. plants under in vitro culture conditions. Different potassium and ammonium nitrate levels (1/4, 1/2, and 1/1 nitrates strength) were tested in all developmental micropropagation stages in this investigation (475 mg/l+ 412.5 mg/l, 950 mg/l+ 825 mg/l and 1900 mg/l+ 1650 mg/l). The results revealed that the higher nitrate media (1/1 Nt level) has produced higher number of shoots per explant, longest shoots and higher number of leaves per explant (15.02 shoot per explant, 5.83 cm and 23.54 leaves per explant respectively) as compared with the other ammonium nitrate levels at the combination between 1.0 mgl-1 BA and 0.1mg l-1 NAA. The best rooting formation parameters of Asparagus explants as numbers of roots per explants and mean length of roots (3.50 roots per explants and 4.08 cm) were recorded respectively when 1/2 ammonium nitrate level was used at concentration 1.0 mgl-1 IAA. The successful gradually acclimatized plantlets percentage reached to 90%.
Playing with improv(isational) theatre to battle public speaking stress

ABSTRACT Students in secondary education often suffer from public speaking stress, but formal education does not provide any means to support the battle with this anxiety. This study aims at decreasing public speaking stress and increasing public speaking competence via an innovative intervention program that is rooted in the principles of improv(isational) theatre training. Whilst a direct impact of the improv(isational) theatre training could not be detected, a closer analysis of the data shows that the positive effect of the training may be felt over the longer term and that a specific type of student might particularly benefit more from this type of drama education.
Rothamsted Repository Download

Background: Variation in the reaction wood (RW) response has been shown to be a principle component driving differences in lignocellulosic sugar yield from the bioenergy crop willow. The phenotypic cause(s) behind these differences in sugar yield, beyond their common elicitor, however, remain unclear. Here we use X-ray micro-computed tomography ( μ CT) to investigate RW-associated alterations in secondary xylem tissue patterning in three dimensions (3D). Results: Major architectural alterations were successfully quantified in 3D and attributed to RW induction. Whilst the frequency of vessels was reduced in tension wood tissue (TW), the total vessel volume was significantly increased. Interestingly, a delay in programmed-cell-death (PCD) associated with TW was also clearly observed and readily quantified by μ CT. Conclusions: The surprising degree to which the volume of vessels was increased illustrates the substantial xylem tissue remodelling involved in reaction wood formation. The remodelling suggests an important physiological compromise between structural and hydraulic architecture necessary for extensive alteration of biomass and helps to demonstrate the power of improving our perspective of cell and tissue architecture. The precise observation of xylem tissue development and quantification of the extent of delay in PCD provides a valuable and exciting insight into this bioenergy crop trait.
HaVe-2W3G: A vertical handoff solution between WLAN, WiMAX and 3G networks

The demand for the ubiquitous service is increasing due to the rapidly growing demand for increased data rates, mobile Internet and the diversity of wireless communication technologies. Also due to the challenges to interconnect heterogeneous network technologies and to offer ubiquitous services, telecommunications operators look after the best way to provide continuity of service during handover and how to give the mobile client the possibility to get the best connection anywhere and anytime. In this paper we propose an architecture and its implementation which guarantees the continuity of service during a communication in the context of heterogeneous access network technologies. The suggested solution named HaVe-2W3G (Handover Vertical WLAN WiMAX 3G) ensures a Vertical handover between heterogeneous access networks technologies: WLAN, WiMAX and 3G. A performance evaluation of such implementation is shown using a streaming application. *
Drivers with Low Vision: Characteristics and Transportation Issues

Introduction This study provides descriptive information about drivers with low vision and transportation issues, including their own self-imposed driving restrictions. Methods An electronic survey administered online in late 2013 to early 2014 obtained data from 592 adults with visual impairments. Of those, 17 had a valid driver's license. These 17 provided information about their employment, activity limitations, public transportation use, services received, and transportation self-efficacy. Results Approximately half of the low vision drivers were employed. Most had not received vocational rehabilitation or orientation and mobility (O&M) services. Most drivers limited their night driving and over 70% noted that transportation problems limited their participation in entertainment or leisure activities. Most drivers had access to public transportation, but did not frequently use it. Drivers were generally confident in their ability to perform transportation- related tasks, although overall, drivers using bioptic devices tended to be more confident. Drivers who did not use bioptic devices were least confident in arranging a fair price for daily transportation to work with a driver. Discussion Drivers with low vision who limit their activities and employment due to transportation issues may not be receiving the vocational rehabilitation or O&M services that could help them compensate for these limitations. Further research examining the behaviors and service needs of low vision drivers is indicated, particularly for younger drivers. Study limitations include the small sample size, non-probability sampling method, and electronic data collection. Implications for practitioners Low vision drivers may benefit from evaluation by O&M specialists and vocational rehabilitation providers to determine if additional services are needed. Persons with low vision should be informed about evaluation for bioptic devices, and vocational rehabilitation providers should network with bioptic providers and other professionals to obtain referrals of persons with low vision who are not yet vocational rehabilitation recipients.
Data envelopment analysis and commercial bank performance: a primer with applications to Missouri banks

Piyu Yue, a research associate at the IC2 Institute, University of Texas at Austin, was a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Bankof St. Louis when this article was written. Lynn Dietrich providedresearch assistance. The author would like to thank A. Charnes, Roll Fare and Shawna Grosskopf for theirconstructive comments and useful suggestions. Their DEA computer code led to a significant improvement ofthe paper
Pension Plan Returns and the Firm ’ s Cost of Debt 1

We examine firms with defined benefit pension plans and find a positive and statistically significant relation between assumed rates of return on pension assets and stock return volatility, the probability of default, and particularly the firm‟s cost of debt. In contrast, the actual return on pension assets is only weakly related to the cost of debt. The findings are generally stronger for firms with underfunded pension plans, and indicate that a one percent increase in the assumed rate of return is associated with a 32 basis point higher cost of debt. Evaluated at the mean, our findings suggest that every dollar increase in reported earnings achieved by assuming a higher rate of return on pension assets is associated with an additional $1.87 in the cost of debt, thereby highlighting an important economic consequence of off-balance-sheet activities.
High frequency split-zerovector PWM with harmonic reduction for induction motor drive

A high-frequency split-zero-vector method utilizing lower-harmonics-eliminated pulse-width modulation (PWM) is proposed. The selected sixth multiple lower harmonics are eliminated from the amplitude of the flux vector on the assumption that the rotation speed of the flux is kept constant. This method is easily performed by normal speed microprocessors, without using digital signal processors, and gets good results even in a very low-frequency range. The flux vector and the indexes of torque fluctuation are utilized, and the dependencies on the motor parameter are investigated. The simple dead-zone compensation process is also discussed. <<ETX>>
A comparison of scale estimation schemes for a quadrotor UAV based on optical flow and IMU measurements

For the purpose of autonomous UAV flight control, cameras are ubiquitously exploited as a cheap and effective onboard sensor for obtaining non-metric position or velocity measurements. Since the metric scale cannot be directly recovered from visual input only, several methods have been proposed in the recent literature to overcome this limitation by exploiting independent `metric' information from additional onboard sensors. The flexibility of most approaches is, however, often limited by the need of constantly tracking over time a certain set of features in the environment, thus potentially suffering from possible occlusions or loss of tracking during flight. In this respect, in this paper we address the problem of estimating the scale of the observed linear velocity in the UAV body frame from direct measurement of the instantaneous (and non-metric) optical flow, and the integration of an onboard Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for providing (metric) acceleration readings. To this end, two different estimation techniques are developed and critically compared: a standard Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and a novel nonlinear observer stemming from the adaptive control literature. Results based on simulated and real data recorded during a quadrotor UAV flight demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.
Empowering women through the positive birth movement

Abstract Childbirth has been positioned as a life changing event that has profound long-term psychological effects upon women. This paper adopts a community psychology approach to explore the role that the Positive Birth Movement (PBM) may have in tackling negative birth experiences by supporting women before and after birth. Six women who all regularly attend UK-based PBM meetings and had given birth to at least one child participated in one to one semi-structured interviews designed to explore the support they received before, during and after their birth, as well as their experiences with the PBM. A Foucauldian inspired discourse analysis explores themes relating to the lack of support and information provided by the NHS and the function of the PBM as a transformative community space which offers social support and information. Within these themes a focus on neoliberalism, choice and the woman’s position as an active consumer of health care is critically discussed. It is argued that the PBM has the potential to prepare women for positive birth experiences but more attention needs to be paid to the wider contexts that limit women’s ability to make ‘free’ choice.