Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expressing Emotions Through Color, Sound, and Vibration with an Appearance-Constrained Social Robot

Many researchers are now dedicating their efforts to studying interactive modalities such as facial expressions, natural language, and gestures. This phenomenon makes communication between robots and individuals become more natural. However, many robots currently in use are appearance constrained and not able to perform facial expressions and gestures. In addition, although humanoid-oriented techniques are promising, they are time and cost consuming, which leads to many technical difficulties in most research studies. To increase interactive efficiency and decrease costs, we alternatively focus on three interaction modalities and their combinations, namely color, sound, and vibration. We conduct a structured study to evaluate the effects of the three modalities on a human's emotional perception towards our simple-shaped robot “Maru. ” Our findings offer insights into human-robot affective interactions, which can be particularly useful for appearance-constrained social robots. The contribution of this work is not so much the explicit parameter settings but rather deepening the understanding of how to express emotions through the simple modalities of color, sound, and vibration while providing a set of recommended expressions that HRI researchers and practitioners could readily employ.
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Persistence in a Cell Model Mimicking Alveolar Macrophages

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) respiratory infections have been gradually increasing. Here, THP-1 cells were used as a model to evaluate intracellular persistence of three NTM species (reference and clinical strains) in human alveolar macrophages. The contribution of phagosome acidification, nitric oxide (NO) production and cell dead on NTM intracellular fate was assessed. In addition, strains were characterized regarding their repertoire of virulence factors by whole-genome sequencing. NTM experienced different intracellular fates: M. smegmatis and M. fortuitum ATCC 6841 were cleared within 24h. In contrast, M. avium strains (reference/clinical) and M. fortuitum clinical strain were able to replicate. Despite this fact, unexpectedly high percentages of acidified phagosomes were found harbouring rab7, but not CD63. All NTM were able to survive in vitro at acidic pHs, with the exception of M. smegmatis. Our data further suggested a minor role for NO in intracellular persistence and that apoptosis mediated by caspase 8 and 3/7, but not necrosis, is triggered during NTM infection. Insights regarding the bacteria genomic backbone corroborated the virulence potential of M. avium and M. fortuitum. In conclusion, the phenotypic traits detected contrast with those described for M. tuberculosis, pointing out that NTM adopt distinct strategies to manipulate the host immune defense and persist intracellularly.
The history of barbiturates a century after their clinical introduction

The present work offers an analysis of the historical development of the discovery and use of barbiturates in the field of psychiatry and neurology, a century after their clinical introduction. Beginning with the synthesis of malonylurea by von Baeyer in 1864, and up to the decline of barbiturate therapy in the 1960s, it describes the discovery of the sedative properties of barbital, by von Mering and Fischer (1903), the subsequent synthesis of phenobarbital by this same group (1911), and the gradual clinical incorporation of different barbiturates (butobarbital, amobarbital, secobarbital, pentobarbital, thiopental, etc). We describe the role played in therapy by barbiturates throughout their history: their traditional use as sedative and hypnotic agents, their use with schizophrenic patients in so-called “sleep cures” (Klaesi, Cloetta), the discovery of the antiepileptic properties of phenobarbital (Hauptmann) and their use in the treatment of epilepsy, and the introduction of thiobarbiturates in intravenous anesthesia (Lundy, Waters). We also analyze, from the historical perspective, the problems of safety (phenomena of dependence and death by overdose) which, accompanied by the introduction of a range of psychoactive drugs in the 1950s, brought an end to barbiturate use, except in specific applications, such as the induction of anesthesia and the treatment of certain types of epileptic crisis.
The endocrine disruptor mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate promotes adipocyte differentiation and induces obesity in mice

The environmental obesogen hypothesis proposes that exposure to endocrine disruptors during developmental 'window' contributes to adipogenesis and the development of obesity. MEHP [mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate], a metabolite of the widespread plasticizer DEHP [di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate], has been found in exposed organisms and identified as a selective PPARγ (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ) modulator. However, implication of MEHP on adipose tissue development has been poorly investigated. In the present study, we show the dose-dependent effects of MEHP on adipocyte differentiation and GPDH (glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) activity in the murine 3T3-L1 cell model. MEHP induced the expression of PPARγ as well as its target genes required for adipogenesis in vitro. Moreover, MEHP perturbed key regulators of adipogenesis and lipogenic pathway in vivo. In utero exposure to a low dose of MEHP significantly increased b.w. (body weight) and fat pad weight in male offspring at PND (postnatal day) 60. In addition, serum cholesterol, TAG (triacylglycerol) and glucose levels were also significantly elevated. These results suggest that perinatal exposure to MEHP may be expected to increase the incidence of obesity in a sex-dependent manner and can act as a potential chemical stressor for obesity and obesity-related disorders.
Towards a Visual Privacy Advisor: Understanding and Predicting Privacy Risks in Images

With an increasing number of users sharing information online, privacy implications entailing such actions are a major concern. For explicit content, such as user profile or GPS data, devices (e.g. mobile phones) as well as web services ( e.g. facebook) offer to set privacy settings in order to enforce the users’ privacy preferences. We propose the first approach that extends this concept to image content in the spirit of a Visual Privacy Advisor. First, we categorize personal information in images into 68 image attributes and collect a dataset, which allows us to train models that predict such information directly from images. Second, we run a user study to understand the privacy preferences of different users w.r. t. such attributes. Third, we propose models that predict user specific privacy score from images in order to enforce the users’ privacy preferences. Our model is trained to predict the user specific privacy risk and even outperforms the judgment of the users, who often fail to follow their own privacy preferences on image data.
An Experimental Investigation of the Role of Collaboration in the Evolution of Communication Systems

Imitation alone cannot explain language evolution. Two additional ingredients have been proposed that may help explain the evolution of language systems: learning biases and social collaboration. An experimental method was developed that isolated the roles of collaboration and learning biases in the development of novel communication systems. Participants played a Pictionary-like task to develop ad hoc graphical communication systems in one of two conditions: one in which they interacted with a partner (Interaction condition), and one in which they received the same images from a “pseudo-partner” but did not interact (PseudoInteraction condition). Comparison of the resultant communication systems showed that the Interaction condition yielded higher identification accuracy, greater refinement of graphical signs and more alignment on a set of shared graphical signs (in fact, graphical alignment did not occur at all in the Pseudo-Interaction condition). Thus, collaboration plays a crucial role in the evolution of human communication systems.
Shoulder Dystocia Recognition: Differences in Neonatal Risks for Injury

Shoulder dystocia (SD) is an event whose current diagnostic approach is based on subjective criteria alone. Since the risk for immediate neonatal morbidity is critically linked to recognition and appropriate management of this obstetric emergency, we hypothesized that infants having injuries consistent with SD are frequently delivered without the intrapartum identification of this condition. A retrospective analysis of 26,033 vaginal births from January 1979 to April 1987 identified 162 maternal cases in which SD was diagnosed during delivery (incidence, 0.62%). Within this subset of patients, 24 neonates (15%) were identified as having either brachial plexus or fractured clavicle injuries associated with delivery. An additional 60 neonates were identified as having similar injuries immediately following delivery but without obstetric recognition of SD. Therefore 71% of all the injured infants were the product of deliveries without SD recognition. A comparison was made of maternal and neonatal variables for three groups (SD, uninjured; SD, injured; unrecognized SD, injured). The SD, injured group distinguishes itself from the other two groups by significant differences in the degree to which variables previously associated with SD are present. Conversely, both other groups are similar in all parameters except for accepted SD maneuvers utilized. These results support our hypothesis that SD is underreported in the obstetric literature and that unrecognized SD is associated with an increased risk of neonatal injury. Efforts to define objectively the threshold forces associated with neonatal injury and to develop SD teaching models should improve this clinical dilemma.
Automata and logics for message sequence charts

A message-passing automaton is an abstract model for the implementation of a distributed system whose components communicate via message exchange and thereby define a collection of communication scenarios called message sequence charts. In this thesis, we study several variants of message-passing automata in a unifying framework. We classify their expressiveness in terms of state-space properties, synchronization behavior, and acceptance mode and also compare them to algebraic characterizations of sets of message sequence charts, among them the classes of recognizable and rational languages. We then focus on finite-state devices with global acceptance condition that communicate via a priori unbounded channels. We show them to be exactly as expressive as the existential fragment of monadic second-order logic over message sequence charts and to be strictly weaker than full monadic second-order logic. It turns out that message-passing automata cannot be complemented and that they cannot be determinized in general. Those results rely on a new proof technique, which allows to apply graph acceptors as introduced by Thomas to the framework of message sequence charts.
Many-objective optimization using differential evolution with variable-wise mutation restriction

In this paper, we propose an evolutionary algorithm for handling many-objective optimization problems called MyO-DEMR (many-objective differential evolution with mutation restriction). The algorithm uses the concept of Pareto dominance coupled with the inverted generational distance metric to select the population of the next generation from the combined multi-set of parents and offspring. Furthermore, we suggest a strategy for the restriction of the difference vector in DE operator in order to improve the convergence property in multi-modal fitness landscape. We compare MyO-DEMR with other state-of-the-art multiobjective evolutionary algorithms on a number of multiobjective optimization problems having up to 20 dimensions. The results reveal that the proposed selection scheme is able to effectively guide the search in high-dimensional objective space. Moreover, MyO-DEMR demonstrates significantly superior performance on multi-modal problems comparing with other DE-based approaches.
The Redistributive Effects of Bank Capital Regulation

We build a general equilibrium model of banks’ optimal capital structure, where bankruptcy is costly and investors have heterogenous endowments and incur a cost for participating in equity markets. We show that banks raise both deposits and equity, and that investors are willing to hold equity only if adequately compensated. We then introduce (binding) capital requirements and show that: (i) it distorts investment away from productive projects toward storage; or (ii) it widens the spread between the returns to equity and to deposits. These results hold also when we extend the model to incorporate various rationales justifying capital regulation.
Rapid Electrophysiological Brain Responses are Influenced by Both Valence and Magnitude of Monetary Rewards

Negative outcomes, as identified from external feedback, cause a short-latency negative deflection in the event-related potential (ERP) waveform over medial frontal electrode sites. This brain response, which has been called an error related negativity (ERN) or medial frontal negativity (MFN), may reflect a coarse evaluation of performance outcomes, such as the valence of a reward within a monetary gambling task. Yet, for feedback to lead to the adaptive control of behavior, other information concerning reward outcomes besides experienced valence may also be important. Here, we used a gambling task in which subjects chose between two options that could vary in both outcome valence (gain or loss) and outcome magnitude (larger or smaller). We measured changes in brain ERP responses associated with the presentation of the outcomes. We found, as shown in prior studies, that valence of the chosen outcome has an early effect upon frontal ERPs, with maximal difference observed at 250 msec. However, our results demonstrated that the early ERP responses to outcome feedback were driven not just by valence but by the combination of valence and magnitude for both chosen and unchosen options. Beginning even earlier, at around 150 msec, responses to high-consequence outcomes resulted in a greater, more centrally distributed, positive potential than those involving low-consequence outcomes, independent of valence. Furthermore, the amplitude of these early effects was significantly modulated by the sequence of outcomes in previous trials. These results indicate that early evaluation of feedback goes beyond simple identification of valenceit involves the consideration of multiple factors, including outcome magnitude, context of unchosen options, and prior history.
Engineering titania nanostructure to tune and improve its photocatalytic activity

Significance This work shows that hole−electron recombination can be controlled by engineering the length of brookite nanorods, and that a variety of organic substrates can be efficiently oxidized as the counterreaction to hydrogen evolution. Both are important steps to developing photocatalysis as a sustainable technology. Electron−hole recombination is a major fundamental limitation in any photocatalytic process. By controlling and reducing it with rod length, we can increase the efficiency of photocatalyzed processes. Also, by utilizing demanding substrates in aqueous media, ethanol, glucose, and glycerol, we make a step toward the photoreforming of more plentiful feedstocks such as, or derived from, biomass. Photocatalytic pathways could prove crucial to the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals required for a carbon-neutral society. Electron−hole recombination is a critical problem that has, so far, limited the efficiency of the most promising photocatalytic materials. Here, we show the efficacy of anisotropy in improving charge separation and thereby boosting the activity of a titania (TiO2) photocatalytic system. Specifically, we show that H2 production in uniform, one-dimensional brookite titania nanorods is highly enhanced by engineering their length. By using complimentary characterization techniques to separately probe excited electrons and holes, we link the high observed reaction rates to the anisotropic structure, which favors efficient carrier utilization. Quantum yield values for hydrogen production from ethanol, glycerol, and glucose as high as 65%, 35%, and 6%, respectively, demonstrate the promise and generality of this approach for improving the photoactivity of semiconducting nanostructures for a wide range of reacting systems.
Association of spinal deformity and vaccine-induced abdominal lesions in harvest-sized Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Spinal deformities in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. , have been described as a disease of multifactorial origin for which vaccines and time of vaccination have been suggested as risk factors. A vaccine efficacy trial where spinal deformity became evident was continued by the observational study reported here. In the preharvest part of the study 17 months post-sea transfer, there was a prevalence of 11.3% spinal deformity, with deformities present only in one vaccine group indicating a strong vaccine involvement. At slaughter, the prevalence of spinal deformities was 11.7%, and deformed fish had only 62% of normal slaughter weight. Visual analogue scales (VAS) were used for continuous recordings of vaccine-induced abdominal lesions and deformity. A logistic regression model associating presence of spinal deformity with markers of abdominal lesions was developed. The odds ratio for spinal deformity was 5.7 (95% CI: 3.4-9.4) for each unit increase in adhesion score (0-6) and 4.9 (2.9-3.4) for each unit increase in melanin on abdominal organs (0-3). Lesions in the dorsal caudal part of the abdomen gave an odds ratio for spinal deformity of 2.2.
Effects of Nattokinase on Blood Pressure: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of nattokinase supplementation on blood pressure in subjects with pre-hypertension or stage 1 hypertension. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 86 participants ranging from 20 to 80 years of age with an initial untreated systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 130 to 159 mmHg received nattokinase (2,000 FU/capsule) or a placebo capsule for 8 weeks. Seventy-three subjects completed the protocol. Compared with the control group, the net changes in SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were −5.55 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI], −10.5 to −0.57 mmHg; p <0.05) and −2.84 mmHg (CI, −5.33 to −0.33 mmHg; p >0.05), respectively, after the 8-week intervention. The corresponding net change in renin activity was −1.17 ng/mL/h for the nattokinase group compared with the control group (p <0.05). In conclusion, nattokinase supplementation resulted in a reduction in SBP and DBP. These findings suggest that increased intake of nattokinase may play an important role in preventing and treating hypertension.
Theoretical and experimental study of multilayer piezo-magnetic structure based surface acoustic wave devices for high sensitivity magnetic sensor

This study addresses the experimental and theoretical investigations of piezomagnetic acoustic waves propagating along the surface of a piezoelectric substrate on which a magnetostrictive thin film is deposited. The main objective of this work is to design high sensitivity surface acoustic wave resonator for the development of a magnetic sensor.
A piezoresistive normal and shear force sensor using liquid metal alloy as gauge material

We present a novel normal and shear force sensor by using liquid metal alloy (Ga-In-Sn) as piezoresistive gauge material encapsulated in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate. By using liquid metal alloy as gauge material, it can detect large forces without breaking the sensor wires. Since the liquid-metal piezoresistors deform with the elastomeric substrate, shear and normal forces can be detected with resistance changes of the piezoresistors. Each force sensor comprises a pair of symmetric piezoresistors, which is screen-printed on the cavity of PDMS substrate with tilt angle around 30° to be sensitive to both normal and shear forces. Normal force will compress both piezoresistors as common mode while shear force will shorten one piezoresistor but elongate the other as differential mode. The testing results demonstrate the sensitivity of the force sensor in both normal and shear directions. The hysteresis of the force sensor was also measured.
Glaciers, Permafrost and Lake Levels at the Tsengel Khairkhan Massif, Mongolian Altai, During the Late Pleistocene and Holocene

Understanding paleo—and recent environmental changes and the dynamics of individual drivers of water availability is essential for water resources management in the Mongolian Altai. Here, we follow a holistic approach to uncover changes in glaciers, permafrost, lake levels and climate at the Tsengel Khairkhan massif. Our general approach to describe glacier and lake level changes is to combine traditional geomorphological field mapping with bathymetric measurements, satellite imagery interpretation, and GIS analyses. We also analysed climate data from two nearby stations, and measured permafrost temperature conditions at five boreholes located at different elevations. We identified four glacial moraine systems (M4-M1) and attribute them to the period from the penultimate glaciation (MIS 4/5) until the Little Ice Age (MIS 1). During the Local Last Glacial Maximum (LLGM; MIS 2), a glacier reached down into the western Kharganat Valley and blocked it, resulting in the formation of the endorheic Khar Lake basin. Subsequently, the lake was fed mainly by precipitation and permafrost meltwater. In recent years, glaciers have been in strong recession, yet Khar Lake levels have remained relatively stable, which is in contrast to mainly decreasing lake levels in other regions throughout Mongolia. While temperatures in the Altai are increasing (leading to increasing evaporation), precipitation in higher elevations has increased, which—in addition to increased glacier and permafrost melting—would counteract the increasing aridity effects. A systematic and holistic monitoring of glaciers, permafrost, lake levels and climate in the Mongolian Altai is necessary, and results from (sub-)disciplines need to be correlated.