Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of visual asssist effect to vertical plane hand movement during human-human cooperative task

At present the majority of autonomous robots are mostly used in factories where speed and accuracy are given highest priority. In our research, we are focusing in the area where the robot that cooperate with human to lift or carry a human subject. In this area the robots are required to interact with human and move in such a fashion where it will move with human-like motion so that the human subject that is being move will not feel intimidated. In order to design robot that have smooth human like motion capability during human robot interaction in cooperative task, we need to understand how human-human understand each other, how and what kind of information are exchange between them that enable human-human to be able to accomplish to move object with smooth qualities. Based on this, we need to design a system that is available to be used not only by robotic experts but by general population so that anybody can use this system for their care giving purpose. In this paper we conduct a study of how human-human utilize their sense in moving and stopping an object and we analyzed the smoothness of the motion by analyzing the hand jerk characteristic during the said task.
Association of Canine Osteosarcoma and Monocyte Phenotype and Chemotactic Function

Background Monocytes/macrophages are likely key cells in immune modulation in dogs with osteosarcoma (OSA). Increased peripheral monocyte counts are negatively correlated with shorter disease‐free intervals in dogs with OSA. Understanding the monocyte/macrophage's modulatory role in dogs with OSA can direct further studies in immunotherapy development for OSA. Hypothesis/Objectives That OSA evades the immune response by down‐regulating monocyte chemokine receptor expression and migratory function, and suppresses host immune responses. Animals Eighteen dogs with OSA that have not received definitive treatment and 14 healthy age‐matched controls Methods Clinical study—expression of peripheral blood monocyte cell surface receptors, monocyte mRNA expression and cytokine secretion, monocyte chemotaxis, and survival were compared between clinical dogs with OSA and healthy control dogs. Results Cell surface expression of multiple chemokine receptors is significantly down‐regulated in peripheral blood monocytes of dogs with OSA. The percentage expression of CCR2 (median 58%, range 2–94%) and CXCR2 expression (median 54%, range 2–92%) was higher in control dogs compared to dogs with OSA (CCR2 median 29%, range 3–45%, P = 0.0006; CXCR2 median 23%, range 0.2–52%, P = 0.0007). Prostaglandin E2 (PGE 2) (OSA, median 347.36 pg/mL, range 103.4–1268.5; control, 136.23 pg/mL, range 69.93–542.6, P = .04) and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) (P = .02) levels are increased in OSA monocyte culture supernatants compared to controls. Peripheral blood monocytes of dogs with OSA exhibit decreased chemotactic function when compared to control dogs (OSA, median 1.2 directed to random migration, range 0.8–1.25; control, 1.6, range of 0.9–1.8, P = .018). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Dogs with OSA have decreased monocyte chemokine receptor expression and monocyte chemotaxis, potential mechanisms by which OSA might evade the immune response. Reversal of monocyte dysfunction using immunotherapy could improve survival in dogs with OSA.
Understanding the use of just‐in‐time purchasing in a developing country

Weak supplier bases and weak infrastructures pose significant obstacles to the use of just‐in‐time (JIT) purchasing in developing countries. Explores the use and effectiveness of JIT purchasing practices in one such developing country, Mexico, in an attempt to lay a foundation for understanding the use of JIT purchasing in developing countries in general. Analyses two distinct activities characteristic of JIT purchasing: JIT deliveries from suppliers and supplier involvement in improvement activities. Uses a large sample mail survey and comparative case studies. Indicates that both JIT deliveries and supplier involvement in improvement activities can enhance performance in Mexican operations under certain circumstances. Finds the effectiveness of pursuing JIT deliveries depends on plant and company size. Achieving high levels of supplier involvement appears to depend in part on the extent that Mexican managers have developed a network within the parent company. Provides recommendations for managers and suggestions for areas requiring further research.
Perceiving individuality in harpsichord performance

Can listeners recognize the individual characteristics of unfamiliar performers playing two different musical pieces on the harpsichord? Six professional harpsichordists, three prize-winners and three non prize-winners, made two recordings of two pieces from the Baroque period (a variation on a Partita by Frescobaldi and a rondo by François Couperin) on an instrument equipped with a MIDI console. Short (8 to 15 s) excerpts from these 24 recordings were subsequently used in a sorting task in which 20 musicians and 20 non-musicians, balanced for gender, listened to these excerpts and grouped together those that they thought had been played by the same performer. Twenty-six participants, including 17 musicians and nine non-musicians, performed significantly better than chance, demonstrating that the excerpts contained sufficient information to enable listeners to recognize the individual characteristics of the performers. The grouping accuracy of musicians was significantly higher than that observed for non-musicians. No significant difference in grouping accuracy was found between prize-winning performers and non-winners or between genders. However, the grouping accuracy was significantly higher for the rondo than for the variation, suggesting that the features of the two pieces differed in a way that affected the listeners’ ability to sort them accurately. Furthermore, only musicians performed above chance level when matching variation excerpts with rondo excerpts, suggesting that accurately assigning recordings of different pieces to their performer may require musical training. Comparisons between the MIDI performance data and the results of the sorting task revealed that tempo and, to a lesser extent, note onset asynchrony were the most important predictors of the perceived distance between performers, and that listeners appeared to rely mostly on a holistic percept of the excerpts rather than on a comparison of note-by-note expressive patterns.
Impact of Brand Image and Advertisement on Consumer Buying Behavior

Brand image and advertisement play a crucial role to boost up any business performance as brand image is an implied tool which can positively change people's buying behaviors and advertisement is behaving as a driving force for any business as it's an effective source to convey your message and stay in customer's mind. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of brand image and advertisement on consumer buying behavior in the general public at Gujranwala city. Questionnaire survey was used to collect the data by using non probability convenient sampling technique. A sample of 200 questionnaires was used in which 175 responses were collected within the period of one month. Findings show that brand image and advertisement have strong positive influence and significant relationship with Consumer buying behavior. People perceive the brand image with positive attitude. Study depicted that teenagers in Gujranwala are more conscious about their social status so they prefer branded products and advertisement affects their Consumer Buying Behavior positively. In the last of article limitations of research, implications and suggestions for further research also included.
Anterior cingulate cortex regulation of sympathetic activity.

Why the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is active in such a wide variety of cognitive and emotional tasks has become an important issue in recent research. In this issue of Brain , Critchley et al . (2003) report changes in heart rate in both cognitive and motor tasks related to the strength of activation in the ACC. They interpret their findings as supporting a view that the anterior cingulate is involved in the regulation of autonomic activity according to the current context of behavior. At the turn of the twentieth century, Broca used the term ‘limbic’ to describe the medial convolution that borders the corpus callosum of each hemisphere. Originally, this term was merely descriptive, implying no function. Later, Broca would ascribe olfactory functions to the limbic lobe, and this suggestion dominated teaching of functional neuroanatomy well into the mid‐twentieth century despite a persuasive proposal by Papez in 1937. Based upon the reciprocal connections of the cingulate cortex with the hypothalamus, Papez proposed that the cingulate cortex was involved in the subjective experience of emotions. In the 1940s and 1950s, evidence accumulated from animal as well as human studies of the ACC, which are well cited by Critchley et al . (2003). These studies demonstrated the involvement of the cingulate cortex in motor and …
Fostering an English Teaching Environment: Factors Influencing English as a Foreign Language Teachers' Adoption of Mobile Learning

The role of mobile technology has significantly increased and been emphasized in English education. However, research investigating EFL teachers' attitudes and behaviors related to mobile technology has been limited in descriptive aspects of the technology, leading to misun- derstandings about EFL teachers' needs. Furthermore, many prior studies have examined various aspects of electronic learning (e-learning) and technological developments of mobile learning (m-learning) in English education from the learners' perspective. Therefore, this study proposed a research model that empirically examines behaviors of EFL teacher's' m-learning acceptance by using Fred Davis's Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the research framework. As external variables, this research model includes instant connectivity, compatibility, interaction, content enrichment, and computer self-efficacy, influencing the perceived usefulness of TAM. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the data of 189 EFL teachers was used to analyze causal relationships between external variables and TAM variables. The results provide evidence that supports the tested hypotheses. The implications of the findings suggest a new direction for future studies on m-learning.
Minimizing Synaptic Depression by Control of Release Probability

Transmission at the end-bulb synapse formed by auditory nerve terminals onto the soma of neurons in the avian nucleus magnocellularis is characterized by high transmitter release probability and strong synaptic depression. Activation of presynaptic GABABreceptors minimizes depression at this synapse and significantly enhances synaptic strength during high-frequency activity. Here we investigate synaptic mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. EPSC amplitudes evoked by 200 Hz trains increased more than twofold when release probability was reduced with Cd2+ or baclofen. This effect was not exhibited by a transmitter depletion model of presynaptic depression, which predicts that EPSC amplitudes reach a common steady-state amplitude during high-frequency trains, despite alterations of initial release probability. However, an additional source of postsynaptic depression was sufficient to explain our findings. Aniracetam, a modulator of AMPA receptors that reduces desensitization, decreased the amount of synaptic depression during trains, indicating that desensitization occurred during trains of stimuli. However, this effect of aniracetam was absent when release probability was lowered with baclofen or Cd2+. No effect of aniracetam on the NMDA component of the EPSC was seen, confirming a postsynaptic site of action of aniracetam. When desensitization was reduced with aniracetam, steady-state EPSC amplitudes during trains were found to converge over a wide range of release probabilities, as predicted by the depletion model. Additional evidence of AMPA receptor desensitization was provided by direct measurement of quantal amplitudes immediately after stimulus trains. Thus, presynaptic modulation by GABAB receptors regulates the extent of AMPA receptor desensitization and controls synaptic strength, thereby modulating the flow of information at an auditory synapse.
Allocation of carbon emission certificates in the power sector: how generators profit from grandfathered rights

Abstract To meet its Kyoto requirements, the EU will establish an internal market for carbon dioxide allowances from 2005, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). National governments are to allocate most of these allowances for free. The analysis shows that as a result of the free allocation, the net value of both a typical pulverised coal-fired (PC) power station and a more modern gas-fired combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) will increase. The paper also analyses different distortions that can arise from allocation mechanisms that allow for updating of the baseline reference period. We also explore the interaction between the EU ETS with the Large Combustion Plant Directive, which limits SO2 and NOx emissions.
Graph Searching and a Min-Max Theorem for Tree-Width

The tree-width of a graph G is the minimum k such that G may be decomposed into a "tree-structure" of pieces each with at most k + l vertices. We prove that this equals the maximum k such that there is a collection of connected subgraphs, pairwise intersecting or adjacent, such that no set of ≤ k vertices meets all of them. A corollary is an analogue of LaPaugh′s "monotone search" theorem for cops trapping a robber they can see (LaPaugh′s robber was invisible).
The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Mediates Degradation of Estrogen Receptor α through Activation of Proteasomes

ABSTRACT 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and other aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands suppress 17β-estradiol (E)-induced responses in the rodent uterus and mammary tumors and in human breast cancer cells. Treatment of ZR-75, T47D, and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells with TCDD induces proteasome-dependent degradation of endogenous estrogen receptor α (ERα). The proteasome inhibitors MG132, PSI, and PSII inhibit the proteasome-dependent effects induced by TCDD, whereas the protease inhibitors EST, calpain inhibitor II, and chloroquine do not affect this response. ERα levels in the mouse uterus and breast cancer cells were significantly lower after cotreatment with E plus TCDD than after treatment with E or TCDD alone, and our results indicate that AhR-mediated inhibition of E-induced transactivation is mainly due to limiting levels of ERα in cells cotreated with E plus TCDD. TCDD alone or in combination with E increases formation of ubiquitinated forms of ERα, and both coimmunoprecipitation and mammalian two-hybrid assays demonstrate that TCDD induces interaction of the AhR with ERα in the presence or absence of E. In contrast, E does not induce AhR-ERα interactions. Thus, inhibitory AhR-ERα cross talk is linked to a novel pathway for degradation of ERα in which TCDD initially induces formation of a nuclear AhR complex which coordinately recruits ERα and the proteasome complex, resulting in degradation of both receptors.
Control of a Visual Keyboard Using an Electrocorticographic Brain–Computer Interface

Objective. Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) are devices that enable severely disabled people to communicate and interact with their environments using their brain waves. Most studies investigating BCI in humans have used scalp EEG as the source of electrical signals and focused on motor control of prostheses or computer cursors on a screen. The authors hypothesize that the use of brain signals obtained directly from the cortical surface will more effectively control a communication/spelling task compared to scalp EEG. Methods. A total of 6 patients with medically intractable epilepsy were tested for the ability to control a visual keyboard using electrocorticographic (ECOG) signals. ECOG data collected during a P300 visual task paradigm were preprocessed and used to train a linear classifier to subsequently predict the intended target letters. Results. The classifier was able to predict the intended target character at or near 100% accuracy using fewer than 15 stimulation sequences in 5 of the 6 people tested. ECOG data from electrodes outside the language cortex contributed to the classifier and enabled participants to write words on a visual keyboard. Conclusions. This is a novel finding because previous invasive BCI research in humans used signals exclusively from the motor cortex to control a computer cursor or prosthetic device. These results demonstrate that ECOG signals from electrodes both overlying and outside the language cortex can reliably control a visual keyboard to generate language output without voice or limb movements.
FrameFab

Frame shapes, which are made of struts, have been widely used in many fields, such as art, sculpture, architecture, and geometric modeling, etc. An interest in robotic fabrication of frame shapes via spatial thermoplastic extrusion has been increasingly growing in recent years. In this paper, we present a novel algorithm to generate a feasible fabrication sequence for general frame shapes. To solve this non-trivial combinatorial problem, we develop a divide-and-conquer strategy that first decomposes the input frame shape into stable layers via a constrained sparse optimization model. Then we search a feasible sequence for each layer via a local optimization method together with a backtracking strategy. The generated sequence guarantees that the already-printed part is in a stable equilibrium state at all stages of fabrication, and that the 3D printing extrusion head does not collide with the printed part during the fabrication. Our algorithm has been validated by a built prototype robotic fabrication system made by a 6-axis KUKA robotic arm with a customized extrusion head. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility and applicability of our algorithm.
The Effects of Contextual and Descriptive Information on User Perceptions of a Music Information Retrieval Interface Used for Known-item and Exploratory Search Tasks

This paper reports on a study in which 40 participants completed a known-item music search task and an exploratory search task using an e-commerce style interface that accessed the Amazon.com music catalog. Depth of description and the level of contextual information were manipulated in a 2x2 factorial design in which high depth of description included a review of the release, cover art, and release date in addition to basic metadata. Perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, flow (enjoyment) and flow (engagement) were collected following each task. The high context condition added hyperlinks to artist, genre, and record label, where the low context condition did not. Findings suggest that high depth of description has both positive and negative effects on users' perceptions of the interface, although context does not appear to have significant effects. The task completed also appears to affect sensitivity to depth of description and level of context manipulations. 1 Introduction Since the CD made its consumer debut in the 1980s music recording, playback, and storage have transitioned from an analog environment to a digital one. More recently, physical media has begun to give way to audio files that are distributed via the World Wide Web and peer-to-peer file sharing networks and played on a myriad of devices including PCs, portable MP3 players, cellular phones, and PDAs. These new technologies have made huge amounts of music available to consumers, whose music collections have grown as a result of easier access and reduced storage needs. As the amount of music information available through computer interfaces grows, so does the risk of music information overload and the need to organize, catalogue, and retrieve music information. Music Information Retrieval (MIR) has emerged to respond to these challenges by creating tools and interfaces in the forms of stores and digital libraries that facilitate common music information tasks like locating metadata for a work, keeping up with new music, acquiring music, and conducting research. MIR is an international and interdisciplinary field comprised of researchers in MIR researchers, are various and include representations of music and indexing strategies, user behaviors and perceptions of music, and MIR system development for 2 libraries, music stores, and peer-to-peer clients Despite the variety of topics studied by MIR researchers, the literature is disproportionately focused on the development of algorithms and interfaces based on unsupported assumptions about music information seeking behaviors and information needs. Though novel interfaces and new methods …
Leading by Words in Privileged Groups

Koukoumelis et al. (2010, 2012) have shown that one-way communication enhances contributions to public goods. We investigate the effectiveness of one-way communication, when the benefits from the public good are asymmetric and the sender of a message is the main beneficiary of cooperation. Our results show that, in the absence of communication opportunities, contribution behavior may be inversely related to other group members' marginal benefits from the public good. The effectiveness of one-way communication, however, remains unaffected even though compliance with a sender's suggestion to cooperate generates unfavorable payoff inequalities for message receivers. The results also indicate that one-way messages have to relate to the experimental game to enhance cooperation. Merely "giving someone a voice" is not sufficient.
The Structure of HasB Reveals a New Class of TonB Protein Fold

TonB is a key protein in active transport of essential nutrients like vitamin B12 and metal sources through the outer membrane transporters of Gram-negative bacteria. This inner membrane protein spans the periplasm, contacts the outer membrane receptor by its periplasmic domain and transduces energy from the cytoplasmic membrane pmf to the receptor allowing nutrient internalization. Whereas generally a single TonB protein allows the acquisition of several nutrients through their cognate receptor, in some species one particular TonB is dedicated to a specific system. Despite a considerable amount of data available, the molecular mechanism of TonB-dependent active transport is still poorly understood. In this work, we present a structural study of a TonB-like protein, HasB dedicated to the HasR receptor. HasR acquires heme either free or via an extracellular heme transporter, the hemophore HasA. Heme is used as an iron source by bacteria. We have solved the structure of the HasB periplasmic domain of Serratia marcescens and describe its interaction with a critical region of HasR. Some important differences are observed between HasB and TonB structures. The HasB fold reveals a new structural class of TonB-like proteins. Furthermore, we have identified the structural features that explain the functional specificity of HasB. These results give a new insight into the molecular mechanism of nutrient active transport through the bacterial outer membrane and present the first detailed structural study of a specific TonB-like protein and its interaction with the receptor.