Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tree Measurement in Forest by 2D Laser Scanning

Measurement of tree parameters, particularly tree diameter and location, in connection to forest harvesters, is discussed. Diameters are determined from laser scanner measurements using a simple method based on edge points of a feature, in addition to the point with the shortest range to the scanner. The measurement height is equal to 1.3 m from the ground. The data for this research have been collected in a pine forest using a 2D laser scanner mounted on a mobile ATV platform. The error of the tree diameter calculations is 4% in average. The evaluation of the tree localization is based on manually measured reference data of the forest.
A Behavioral Test of Accepting Benefits that Cost Others: Associations with Conduct Problems and Callous-Unemotionality

Background Youth with conduct problems (CP) often make decisions which value self-interest over the interests of others. Self-benefiting behavior despite loss to others is especially common among youth with CP and callous-unemotional traits (CU). Such behavioral tendencies are generally measured using self- or observer-report. We are unaware of attempts to measure this tendency with a behavioral paradigm. Methods/Principal Findings In our AlAn's (altruism-antisocial) game a computer program presents subjects with a series of offers in which they will receive money but a planned actual charity donation will be reduced; subjects decide to accept or reject each offer. We tested (1) whether adolescent patients with CP (n = 20) compared with adolescent controls (n = 19) differed on AlAn's game outcomes, (2) whether youths with CP and CU differed significantly from controls without CP or CU, and (3) whether AlAn's game outcomes correlated significantly with CP and separately, CU severity. Patients with CP and CU compared with controls without these problems took significantly more money for themselves and left significantly less money in the charity donation; AlAn's game outcomes were significantly correlated with CU, but not CP. Conclusions/Significance In the AlAn's game adolescents with conduct problems and CU traits, compared with controls without CP/CU, are disposed to benefit themselves while costing others even in a novel situation, devoid of peer influences, where anonymity is assured, reciprocity or retribution are impossible, intoxication is absent and when the “other” to be harmed is considered beneficent. AlAn's game outcomes are associated with measures of CU. Results suggest that the AlAn's game provides an objective means of capturing information about CU traits. The AlAn's game, which was designed for future use in the MRI environment, may be used in studies attempting to identify the neural correlates of self-benefiting decision-making.
Medical Internet of Things and Big Data in Healthcare

Objectives A number of technologies can reduce overall costs for the prevention or management of chronic illnesses. These include devices that constantly monitor health indicators, devices that auto-administer therapies, or devices that track real-time health data when a patient self-administers a therapy. Because they have increased access to high-speed Internet and smartphones, many patients have started to use mobile applications (apps) to manage various health needs. These devices and mobile apps are now increasingly used and integrated with telemedicine and telehealth via the medical Internet of Things (mIoT). This paper reviews mIoT and big data in healthcare fields. Methods mIoT is a critical piece of the digital transformation of healthcare, as it allows new business models to emerge and enables changes in work processes, productivity improvements, cost containment and enhanced customer experiences. Results Wearables and mobile apps today support fitness, health education, symptom tracking, and collaborative disease management and care coordination. All those platform analytics can raise the relevancy of data interpretations, reducing the amount of time that end users spend piecing together data outputs. Insights gained from big data analysis will drive the digital disruption of the healthcare world, business processes and real-time decision-making. Conclusions A new category of "personalised preventative health coaches" (Digital Health Advisors) will emerge. These workers will possess the skills and the ability to interpret and understand health and well-being data. They will help their clients avoid chronic and diet-related illness, improve cognitive function, achieve improved mental health and achieve improved lifestyles overall. As the global population ages, such roles will become increasingly important.
Semantic Similarity Measure Using Relational and Latent Topic Features

Computing the semantic similarity between words is one of the key challenges in many language-based applications. Previous work tends to use the contextual information of words to disclose the degree of their similarity. In this paper, we consider the relationships between words in local contexts as well as latent topic information of words to propose a new distributed representation of words for semantic similarity measure. The method models meanings of a word as high dimensional Vector Space Models (VSMs) which combine relational features in word local contexts and its latent topic features in the global sense. Our experimental results on popular semantic similarity datasets show signiﬁ-cant improvement of correlation scores with human judgements in comparison with other methods using purely plain texts.
Development and Evaluation of a Genome-Wide 6K SNP Array for Diploid Sweet Cherry and Tetraploid Sour Cherry

High-throughput genome scans are important tools for genetic studies and breeding applications. Here, a 6K SNP array for use with the Illumina Infinium® system was developed for diploid sweet cherry (Prunus avium) and allotetraploid sour cherry (P. cerasus). This effort was led by RosBREED, a community initiative to enable marker-assisted breeding for rosaceous crops. Next-generation sequencing in diverse breeding germplasm provided 25 billion basepairs (Gb) of cherry DNA sequence from which were identified genome-wide SNPs for sweet cherry and for the two sour cherry subgenomes derived from sweet cherry (avium subgenome) and P. fruticosa (fruticosa subgenome). Anchoring to the peach genome sequence, recently released by the International Peach Genome Initiative, predicted relative physical locations of the 1.9 million putative SNPs detected, preliminarily filtered to 368,943 SNPs. Further filtering was guided by results of a 144-SNP subset examined with the Illumina GoldenGate® assay on 160 accessions. A 6K Infinium® II array was designed with SNPs evenly spaced genetically across the sweet and sour cherry genomes. SNPs were developed for each sour cherry subgenome by using minor allele frequency in the sour cherry detection panel to enrich for subgenome-specific SNPs followed by targeting to either subgenome according to alleles observed in sweet cherry. The array was evaluated using panels of sweet (n = 269) and sour (n = 330) cherry breeding germplasm. Approximately one third of array SNPs were informative for each crop. A total of 1825 polymorphic SNPs were verified in sweet cherry, 13% of these originally developed for sour cherry. Allele dosage was resolved for 2058 polymorphic SNPs in sour cherry, one third of these being originally developed for sweet cherry. This publicly available genomics resource represents a significant advance in cherry genome-scanning capability that will accelerate marker-locus-trait association discovery, genome structure investigation, and genetic diversity assessment in this diploid-tetraploid crop group.
Topographic Evolution and Climate Aridification during Continental Collision: Insights from Computer Simulations

How do the feedbacks between tectonics, sediment transport and climate work to shape the topographic evolution of the Earth? This question has been widely addressed via numerical models constrained with thermochronological and geomorphological data at scales ranging from local to orogenic. Here we present a novel numerical model that aims at reproducing the interaction between these processes at the continental scale. For this purpose, we combine in a single computer program: 1) a thin-sheet viscous model of continental deformation; 2) a stream-power surface-transport approach; 3) flexural isostasy allowing for the formation of large sedimentary foreland basins; and 4) an orographic precipitation model that reproduces basic climatic effects such as continentality and rain shadow. We quantify the feedbacks between these processes in a synthetic scenario inspired by the India-Asia collision and the growth of the Tibetan Plateau. We identify a feedback between erosion and crustal thickening leading locally to a <50% increase in deformation rates in places where orographic precipitation is concentrated. This climatically-enhanced deformation takes place preferentially at the upwind flank of the growing plateau, specially at the corners of the indenter (syntaxes). We hypothesize that this may provide clues for better understanding the mechanisms underlying the intriguing tectonic aneurisms documented in the Himalayas. At the continental scale, however, the overall distribution of topographic basins and ranges seems insensitive to climatic factors, despite these do have important, sometimes counterintuitive effects on the amount of sediments trapped within the continent. The dry climatic conditions that naturally develop in the interior of the continent, for example, trigger large intra-continental sediment trapping at basins similar to the Tarim Basin because they determine its endorheic/exorheic drainage. These complex climatic-drainage-tectonic interactions make the development of steady-state topography at the continental scale unlikely.
IVyF abreviado —IVyFabre—: análisis psicométrico y de estructura factorial en Argentina

El estudio de las virtudes y fortalezas del carácter es uno de los temas más importantes dentro de la psicología positiva. Peterson y Seligman (2004) determinaron que 24 fortalezas del carácter estaban vinculadas a 6 virtudes y llamaron via a esa clasificación. Nuestro trabajo está incluido en la investigación sobre esa clasificación. Se desarrolló un instrumento de medición de 24 ítems de autopuntuación global directa para evaluar las 24 fortalezas del carácter de la clasificación de Peterson y Seligman (2004). Este instrumento es la versión corta del IVyF. Se analizaron las características psicométricas de este instrumento llamado IVyF abreviado (IVyFabre; Strength of Character Inventory Brief Form, sci-bf, en inglés) con muestras que incluyeron mujeres y hombres. Los resultados mostraron que el IVyFabre tiene tanto adecuada confiabilidad de tipo test-retest y validez con un criterio externo (observadores), como las esperadas asociaciones con los rasgos de personalidad del Big Five, satisfacción con la vida y deseabilidad social. Análisis factoriales exploratorios y confirmatorios, realizados con muestras diferentes, respaldan que la estructura factorial de las fortalezas en población argentina está compuesta por tres factores que representan las características vinculadas a lo social (factor interpersonal), lo individual (factor empuje/inteligencia) y la armonía de lo individual con lo social (factor restricción). Este resultado es consistente con estudios previos realizados por investigadores locales de Argentina, Estados Unidos y China.Palabras clave: psicología positiva, virtud, fortalezas del carácter, construcción de test, estructura factorial.
Chinese Learners and Online Discussions: New Opportunities for Multicultural Classrooms

The widespread participation of international and new migrant Chinese students in Western universities has raised fresh issues regarding how these students adapt to new learning cultures where critical thinking and interaction are emphasized and online learning is integral to many courses. This paper reports research in a New Zealand university about the ways in which Chinese students operated in online discussions, and it examines the influence of the computer-mediated communication (CMC) medium and the curriculum on their learning. The study found that a major benefit for Chinese students was their increased participation which arose from the text-based, asynchronous and virtual characteristics of the medium; this mitigated some issues relating to language competence. Chinese students found that reading and writing messages helped them develop their thinking and understanding. The debate, with its controversy and argument was not motivational, but the assessed nature of the activity was highly influential. The research also found that, despite their lack of familiarity with online discussions, the Chinese students adapted and responded successfully to this new learning context.
Confronting Capacity Constraints on Conditional Cash Transfers in Latin America: the cases of El Salvador and Paraguay

This Working Paper offers an institutional overview and comparative analysis of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) experiences of El Salvador (Red Solidaria) and Paraguay (Tekopora). We focus on the potential contradictions and tensions that arise from the double objectives of these programmes? namely, short-run poverty alleviation and breaking the intergenerational transmission of poverty though human capital accumulation. We also examine how both programmes address these tensions and compare their approaches regarding implementation issues and administrative and institutional factors. We argue that political economy issues play an important role in the decisions taken regarding targeting criteria, monitoring of conditionalities, graduation from the programme, and exit rules. These programme features are not necessarily coherent with one another because they pursue different objectives and are justified by differing rationales. These problems might be exacerbated in a scenario? common in many developing countries? characterized by financial and institutional capacity constraints and, sometimes, weak political support for a CCT programme.
Effects of AKAP5 Pro100Leu Genotype on Working Memory for Emotional Stimuli

Recent investigations addressing the role of the synaptic multiadaptor molecule AKAP5 in human emotion and behavior suggest that the AKAP5 Pro100Leu polymorphism (rs2230491) contributes to individual differences in affective control. Carriers of the less common Leu allele show a higher control of anger as indicated by behavioral measures and dACC brain response on emotional distracters when compared to Pro homozygotes. In the current fMRI study we used an emotional working memory task according to the n-back scheme with neutral and negative emotional faces as target stimuli. Pro homozygotes showed a performance advantage at the behavioral level and exhibited enhanced activation of the amygdala and fusiform face area during working memory for emotional faces. On the other hand, Leu carriers exhibited increased activation of the dACC during performance of the 2-back condition. Our results suggest that AKAP5 Pro100Leu effects on emotion processing might be task-dependent with Pro homozygotes showing lower control of emotional interference, but more efficient processing of task-relevant emotional stimuli.
Overcoming statistical helplessness and developing statistical resilience in learners: an illustrative, collaborative, phenomenological study

Many people suffer from statistics anxiety or helplessness in the UK; this is true even in the context of PhD students studying at prestigious universities. There is a risk that anxiety or helplessness results in students avoiding engagement with statistics, and consequent underachievement. Here, we illustrate the application of the construct “statistical resilience” to developing positive engagement in statistics. We used the method of a collaborative phenomenological study. The collaboration is between a researcher and a PhD student acting as a research assistant. The relevant concepts include learned helplessness, self-agency and statistical resilience. As the PhD student gained statistical resilience, he was able to leave behind learned helplessness. This resulted in emancipation from statistical anxiety, an effective contribution to a research project, raised self-esteem and increased ability to engage with formal statistical thinking. The paper ends with recommendations for policy and practice.
Thermal control of electrical motors for high-power humanoid robots

High physical ability of humanoid robots is desired for application to nursing care. Light and powerful actuators are required to realize the high-power performance. In this paper, we propose a method to bring out maximum performance of electric motors aggressively. The technique of motor core temperature estimation and control improves the motor power performance dramatically but safely without motor burnout. We have developed high power motor driver modules for the proposed method and equipped them into our humanoid robot and prototype jumping robot. High-power performance experiments with the robots demonstrate our method.
Insight into a method co-change pattern to identify highly coupled methods: An empirical study

In this paper, we describe an empirical study of a unique method co-change pattern that has the potential to pinpoint design deficiency in a software system. We automatically identify this pattern by inspecting the method co-change history using reasonable constraints on method association rules. We also investigate the effect of code clones on the method co-changes identified according to the pattern, because there is a common intuition that clone fragments from the same clone class often require corresponding changes to ensure they remain consistent with each other. According to our in-depth investigation on hundreds of revisions of seven open-source software systems considering three types of clones (Type 1, Type 2, Type 3), our identified pattern helps us detect methods that are logically coupled with multiple other methods and that exhibit a significantly higher modification frequency than other methods. We call the methods detected by the pattern MMCGs (Methods appearing in Multiple Commit Groups) considering the pattern semantic. MMCGs can be considered as the candidates for restructuring in order to minimize coupling as well as to reduce the change-proneness of a software system. According to our observation, code clones have a significant effect on method co-changes as well as on MMCGs. We believe that clone refactoring can help us minimize evolutionary coupling among methods.
Exact Outage Probability of Cooperative Diversity with Opportunistic Spectrum Access

Opportunistic spectrum access, popularly known as cognitive radio technology is an innovative radio design philosophy which aims to increase spectrum utilization by exploiting unused spectrum in dynamic environments. In this paper, we present an exact outage performance analysis for the rates of a decode-and-forward cooperative network where a source communicates with its destination using the well- known repetition-based relaying scheme or using the single best relay, i.e, selection cooperation. Closed-form expressions are obtained for independent Rayleigh fading channels. Selection cooperation exhibits lower outage probabilities compared to the repetition-based scheme. However, the inability of relays to sense unoccupied spectrum can cause a larger drop in the outage performance of selection cooperation, especially in the high SNR regime. The analytical outage probability expressions have been validated through simulations.
Peach MYB7 activates transcription of the proanthocyanidin pathway gene encoding leucoanthocyanidin reductase, but not anthocyanidin reductase

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are a group of natural phenolic compounds that have a great effect on both flavor and nutritious value of fruit. It has been shown that PA synthesis is regulated by R2R3-MYB transcription factors (TFs) via activation of PA-specific pathway genes encoding leucoanthocyanidin reductase and anthocyanidin reductase. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a MYB gene designated PpMYB7 in peach. The peach PpMYB7 represents a new group of R2R3-MYB genes regulating PA synthesis in plants. It is able to activate transcription of PpLAR1 but not PpANR, and has a broader selection of potential bHLH partners compared with PpMYBPA1. Transcription of PpMYB7 can be activated by the peach basic leucine-zipper 5 TF (PpbZIP5) via response to ABA. Our study suggests a transcriptional network regulating PA synthesis in peach, with the results aiding the understanding of the functional divergence between R2R3-MYB TFs in plants.
Foreshadowing of Performance Accuracy by Event-Related Potentials: Evidence from a Minimal-Conflict Task

Background Recent studies employing stimulus-response compatibility tasks suggest that an increase in the amplitude of the positive deflection of the response-locked event-related potential (ERP) foreshadows errors on forthcoming trials. However, no studies have tested the generalizability of error-foreshadowing positivity to tasks without stimulus-response interference. Methodology/Principal Findings The present study adopted an alternating-response task, in which the participants responded to the pointing direction of an arrowhead (up or down). Although the arrowhead direction alternated for the majority of trials (95%), occasionally this pattern was broken by a repeated stimulus, termed a lure trial. We compared the matched-reaction-time correct-preceding ERP with the error-preceding ERP on lure-preceding trials. There was no evidence that errors are foreshadowed by the increase of a positive electroencephalogram (EEG) deflection. To the contrary, analyses of ERPs time-locked to electromyogram (EMG) onset on the five consecutive lure-preceding trials showed larger positive deflections on correct-preceding than error-preceding trials. The post-response negativity did not differ between correct-preceding and error-preceding trials. Conclusions/Significance These results suggest that in minimal conflict tasks a decreased positivity may foreshadow incorrect performance several trials prior to the error, possibly reflecting the waning of task-related efforts. Therefore, error-foreshadowing brain signals may be task-specific.
Dual Domain Semi-fragile Watermarking for Image Authentication

Compositions comprising mixed acrylates and propionates, or the like, of polyhydroxy compounds of the formula R1(OH)n, wherein R1 is an aliphatic or alicyclic radical having about 1-40 carbon atoms and n is from 2 to 4, may be polymerized to form polymers useful as dielectrics for capacitors. Said capacitors are characterized by low dissipation factors at both high and low temperatures.
How do robotic agents' appearances affect people's interpretations of the agents' attitudes?

An experimental investigation of how the appearance of robotic agents affects interpretations people make of the agents. ' attitudes is described. We conducted a psychological experiment where participants were presented artificial sounds that can make people estimate specific agents' primitive attitudes from three kinds of agents, e.g., a Mindstorms robot, AIBO robot, and normal laptop PC. They were also asked to select the correct attitudes based on the sounds expressed by these three agents. The results showed that the participants had higher interpretation rates when a PC presented the sounds, while they had lower rates when Mindstorms and AIBO robots presented the sounds, even though the artificial sounds expressed by these agents were completely the same.