Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Volcanoes and ENSO over the Past Millennium

Abstract The controversial claim that El Nino events might be partially caused by radiative forcing due to volcanic aerosols is reassessed. Building on the work of Mann et al., estimates of volcanic forcing over the past millennium and a climate model of intermediate complexity are used to draw a diagram of El Nino likelihood as a function of the intensity of volcanic forcing. It is shown that in the context of this model, only eruptions larger than that of Mt. Pinatubo (1991, peak dimming of about 3.7 W m−2) can shift the likelihood and amplitude of an El Nino event above the level of the model’s internal variability. Explosive volcanism cannot be said to trigger El Nino events per se, but it is found to raise their likelihood by 50% on average, also favoring higher amplitudes. This reconciles, on one hand, the demonstration by Adams et al. of a statistical relationship between explosive volcanism and El Nino and, on the other hand, the ability to predict El Nino events of the last 148 yr without knowled.
Solid Adsorbents for Low-Temperature CO2 Capture with Low-Energy Penalties Leading to More Effective Integrated Solutions for Power Generation and Industrial Processes

CO2 capture represents the key technology for CO2 reduction within the framework of CO2 capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). In fact, the implementation of CO2 capture extends far beyond CCUS since it will link the CO2 emission and recycling sectors, and when renewables are used to provide necessary energy input, CO2 capture would enable a profitable zero- or even negative-emitting and integrated energy-chemical solution. To this end, highly efficient CO2 capture technologies are needed, and adsorption using solid adsorbents has the potential to be one of the ideal options. Currently, the greatest challenge in this area is the development of adsorbents with high performance that balances a range of optimization-needed factors, those including costs, efficiency, and engineering feasibility. In this review, recent advances on the development of carbon-based and immobilized organic amines-based CO2 adsorbents are summarized, the selection of these particular categories of materials is because they are among the most developed low temperature (<100 oC) CO2 adsorbents up to date, which showed important potential for practical deployment at pilot-scale in the near future. Preparation protocols, adsorption behaviors as well as pros and cons of each type of the adsorbents are presented, it was concluded that encouraging results have been achieved already, however, the development of more effective adsorbents for CO2 capture remains challenging and further innovations in the design and synthesis of adsorbents are needed.
Linkk Oping Electronic Articles in Linkk Oping Electronic Articles in Computer and Information Science

The URL will also contain links to both the original version and the present revised version, as well as to the author's home page. The publishers will keep this article on-line on the Internet (or its possible replacement network in the future) for a period o f 2 5 y e ars from the date of publication, barring exceptional circumstances as described separately. The on-line availability of the article implies a p ermanent permission for anyone to read the article on-line, to print out single copies of it, and to use it unchanged for any non-commercial research and educational purpose, including making copies for classroom use. This permission can not be r evoked b y s u b s e quent transfers of copyright. All other uses of the article are conditional on the consent of the copyright owner. The publication of the article on the date stated a b ove included also the production of a limited number of copies on paper, which were a r chived i n S w e dish university libraries like all other written works published i n S w e den. The publisher has taken technical and administrative measures to assure that the on-line version of the article will be permanently accessible using the URL stated a b ove, unchanged, and permanently equal to the archived p r i n t e d c opies at least until the expiration of the publication period. For additional information about the Linkk oping University Electronic Press and its procedures for publication and for assurance o f d o cument integrity, please refer to its WWW home page: Abstract This paper shows how t o c o m bine decision theory and logical representations of actions in a manner that seems natural for both. In particular, we assume an axiomatization of the domain in the situation calculus, using what is essentially Reiter's solution to the frame problem, in terms of the completion of the axioms deening the state change. Uncertainty is handled using the independent c hoice logic, which a l l o ws for independent c hoices and a logic program that gives the consequences of the choices. The same framework handles both frame and ramiication axioms. As part of the consequences are a speciication of the utility o f ((nal) states, and how sensors depend on the state. The logic is used to reason …
Object recognition based on radial basis function neural networks: Experiments with RGB-D camera embedded on mobile robots

An object recognition strategy based on artificial radial basis functions neural networks is presented in this paper. The general context of this work is to recognize object from captures made by a mobile robot. Unlike classical approaches which always select the closest object, our method outputs a set of potential candidates if the input information is not enough discriminant. There are three main steps in our approach: objects segmentation, signature extraction and classification. Segmentation is inspired from previous works and is shortly described. Signature extraction based on global geometric and color features is detailed. Classification based on artificial neural networks is also explained and architecture of the network is justified. Finally a real experiment made with a RGB-D camera mounted on a mobile robot is presented and classification results is criticized.
Ensemble classification with modified SIFT descriptor for medical image modality

The increasing number of medical images of various imaging modalities is challenging the accuracy and efficiency of radiologists. In order to retrieve the images from medical databases, radiologists will confine their search to the image modality. In this paper, we present an improved image feature to represent medical images for image modality classification. The proposed image descriptor is an ensemble descriptor that combines the Harris Corner encoded by the SIFT algorithm fused with Local Binary Pattern. Furthermore, we propose an ensemble classifier with surrogate splits to be used in medical image modality classification in order to improve the performance. It is shown that the proposed ensemble classifier with surrogate splits and ensemble descriptor encoded with bag-of-visual-words representation outperforms other conventional approaches applied in medical image modality classification.
Coordination without Communication: Experimental Validation of Focal Point Techniques

Coordination is a central theme of Distributed Artificial Intelligence. Much work in this field can be seen as a search for mechanisms that allow agents with differing knowledge and goals to coordinate their actions for mutual benefit. Additionally, one cornerstone assumption of the field is that communication is expensive relative to local computation. Thus, coordination techniques that minimize communication are of particular importance. This paper considers how automated agents could use a coordination technique common to communicationfree human interactions, namely local points. Given a problem and a set of possible solutions from which the agents need to choose one, focal points are prominent solutions of the problem to which agents are drawn. Theoretical work on this subject includes (Schelling 1963; Kraus & Rosenschein 1992). The purpose of the current research is to consider the practical use of focal point techniques in various domains. We present simulations over randomly generated domains; these simulations strongly suggest that focal points can act as an effective heuristic for coordination in real-world environments.
Biased Brownian motion as a mechanism to facilitate nanometer-scale exploration of the microtubule plus end by a kinesin-8

Significance The cellular distributions of kinesins are defined in part by their intrinsic biophysical properties. The well-characterized kinesin-8s, for example, translocate exceptionally long distances on a microtubule track, concentrating them at plus ends of long, stable microtubules. Kif18B, a little-studied kinesin-8, targets the plus ends of fast-growing, short-lived microtubules by binding the plus-end tracking protein EB1. Whether ultraprocessivity is conserved among kinesin-8s is thus unclear. Here, we show that Kif18B is not ultraprocessive and that the motor switches frequently between diffusive and directed modes of motility. Our work identifies properties of Kif18B that may have optimized the motor to explore the ∼1-μm domain of microtubule plus ends and show that biophysical motor properties cannot be generalized within any one kinesin subfamily. Kinesin-8s are plus-end–directed motors that negatively regulate microtubule (MT) length. Well-characterized members of this subfamily (Kip3, Kif18A) exhibit two important properties: (i) They are “ultraprocessive,” a feature enabled by a second MT-binding site that tethers the motors to a MT track, and (ii) they dissociate infrequently from the plus end. Together, these characteristics combined with their plus-end motility cause Kip3 and Kif18A to enrich preferentially at the plus ends of long MTs, promoting MT catastrophes or pausing. Kif18B, an understudied human kinesin-8, also limits MT growth during mitosis. In contrast to Kif18A and Kip3, localization of Kif18B to plus ends relies on binding to the plus-end tracking protein EB1, making the relationship between its potential plus-end–directed motility and plus-end accumulation unclear. Using single-molecule assays, we show that Kif18B is only modestly processive and that the motor switches frequently between directed and diffusive modes of motility. Diffusion is promoted by the tail domain, which also contains a second MT-binding site that decreases the off rate of the motor from the MT lattice. In cells, Kif18B concentrates at the extreme tip of a subset of MTs, superseding EB1. Our data demonstrate that kinesin-8 motors use diverse design principles to target MT plus ends, which likely target them to the plus ends of distinct MT subpopulations in the mitotic spindle.
GPR55, a G-Protein Coupled Receptor for Lysophosphatidylinositol, Plays a Role in Motor Coordination

The G-protein coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) is activated by lysophosphatidylinositols and some cannabinoids. Recent studies found prominent roles for GPR55 in neuropathic/inflammatory pain, cancer and bone physiology. However, little is known about the role of GPR55 in CNS development and function. To address this question, we performed a detailed characterization of GPR55 knockout mice using molecular, anatomical, electrophysiological, and behavioral assays. Quantitative PCR studies found that GPR55 mRNA was expressed (in order of decreasing abundance) in the striatum, hippocampus, forebrain, cortex, and cerebellum. GPR55 deficiency did not affect the concentrations of endocannabinoids and related lipids or mRNA levels for several components of the endocannabinoid system in the hippocampus. Normal synaptic transmission and short-term as well as long-term synaptic plasticity were found in GPR55 knockout CA1 pyramidal neurons. Deleting GPR55 function did not affect behavioral assays assessing muscle strength, gross motor skills, sensory-motor integration, motor learning, anxiety or depressive behaviors. In addition, GPR55 null mutant mice exhibited normal contextual and auditory-cue conditioned fear learning and memory in a Pavlovian conditioned fear test. In contrast, when presented with tasks requiring more challenging motor responses, GPR55 knockout mice showed impaired movement coordination. Taken together, these results suggest that GPR55 plays a role in motor coordination, but does not strongly regulate CNS development, gross motor movement or several types of learned behavior.
Production of Antihypertensive Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor-Enriched Edible Yeast Using Gugija (Lycium chinesis Mill)

To produce bioactive compound enriched yeast using medicinal Gugiga (Lycium chinensis Mill), several edible Saccharomyces species were cultured in Gugija extracts added yeast extract, peptone and dextrose medium (GE - YEPD medium) at 30°C for 24 hr, and their growth were determined. Growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae K-7 and Sacchromyces cerevisiae ACTC 7904 were better than those of the other yeasts. Two yeasts were selected and then determined their some physiological functionalities after cultivated the yeasts in the GE - YEPD medium and compared those grown on YEPD medium. Antihypertensive angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of S. cerevisiae K-7 grown on GE - YEPD medium was about 20% higher than that grown on YEPD medium. Superoxide dismutase-like activity of S. cerevisiae ACTC 7904 was also about 12% more high. However, the other physiological functionalities were almost same or lower. Optimal addition concentration of Gugija extract was 10%, and maximally growth and ACE inhibitory activity of S. cerevisiae K-7 were shown when the strain was cultured in 10% Gugija extracts containing YEPD medium at 30°C for 12 hr.
Arterial dilator function in athletes: present and future perspectives

Although it is well established that exercise training conditions the vasculature (Joyner and Green, 2009), the status of arterial function in long-term trained subjects (i.e., athletes, ATH) has been recently disputed (Green, 2013; Montero et al., 2013). The controversy arose as to whether vasodilator function was enhanced in ATH compared with untrained healthy peers (Green et al., 2013). This contention was justified by the conflicting report of decreased (Green et al., 2011; Phillips et al., 2011) and normal (Franzoni et al., 2005b; Moe et al., 2005; Naylor et al., 2006; Ballard et al., 2008; Rognmo et al., 2008; Nualnim et al., 2011; Phillips et al., 2011; Rowley et al., 2012; Agrotou et al., 2013; Green et al., 2013) but also increased (Jensen-Urstad et al., 1999; Rywik et al., 1999; Rinder et al., 2000; Franzoni et al., 2005b; Kasikcioglu et al., 2005; Rickenlund et al., 2005; Tanriverdi et al., 2005; Galetta et al., 2006; Hagmar et al., 2006; Walther et al., 2008; Florescu et al., 2010; Nualnim et al., 2011; Welsch et al., 2013) flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a common index of conduit artery dilator function, in ATH vs. age-matched controls. Likewise, the evidence on resistance artery dilator function was apparently heterogeneous (Green et al., 2012). Presumably, differences in methodology, study population and the small sample size of previous reports, among others, may have contributed to cloud the status of arterial function in ATH, leading to wide speculation (Green, 2013; Montero et al., 2013). What follows is a brief viewpoint on the state-of-the-art including comprehensive meta-analytic data spanning through macro- and microvascular dilator function in primarily endurance-trained ATH, as well as an insight in to next challenges to the field.
Robustness of Zero Crossing Estimator

Zero crossing (ZC) statistic is the number of zero crossings observed in a time series. The expected value of the ZC specifies the first‐order autocorrelation of the processes. Hence, we can estimate the autocorrelation by using the ZC estimator. The asymptotic consistency and normality of the ZC estimator for scalar Gaussian processes are already discussed in 1980. In this article, first, we derive the joint asymptotic distribution of the ZC estimator for ellipsoidal processes. Next, we show the variance of the ZC estimator does not attain the Cramer–Rao lower bound (CRLB). However, it is shown that the ZC estimator has robustness when the process is contaminated by an outlier. In contrast with this, we observe that the quasi‐maximum likelihood estimator (QMLE) attains the CRLB. However, we can see that QMLE is sensitive for the outlier.
Young Women’s Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Patterns Across Multiple Relationships

We explored patterns of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization at the relationship level within a socioeconomically diverse sample of young women who had experienced IPV. We recruited from a university, a 2-year college, and high-risk community settings. Drawing on life course theory and utilizing the life history calendar, we conducted retrospective interviews with 148 young women aged 18–24 about partner victimization (physical IPV, coercive control, and sexual IPV) within each relationship, beginning with their first (up to four relationships; 388 total). We assessed patterns of IPV across participants’ relationship histories: rates of the three IPV types and co-occurrence, by setting and relationship number; relationship length in association with the number of IPV types; and transitions into and out of abusive relationships. Coercive control was the most common IPV type across Relationships 1–4 (46–58% of relationships), followed by physical IPV (42–54%) and sexual IPV (29–34%); the most common co-occurrence patterns were physical IPV plus coercive control and all three IPV types combined. Relationships lasted 15–24 months on average, and relationship length was positively associated with the number of IPV types. Transitions were heterogeneous, with systematic, positive change in physical IPV from Relationships 1 to 2; setting was not associated with transition patterns. In the future, researchers should explore a relationship-level approach; prevention and intervention efforts should integrate sexual assault and partner violence, begin early, and target all youth. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub. com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684318795880.
Neural Substrate of Body Size: Illusory Feeling of Shrinking of the Waist

The perception of the size and shape of one's body (body image) is a fundamental aspect of how we experience ourselves. We studied the neural correlates underlying perceived changes in the relative size of body parts by using a perceptual illusion in which participants felt that their waist was shrinking. We scanned the brains of the participants using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We found that activity in the cortices lining the left postcentral sulcus and the anterior part of the intraparietal sulcus reflected the illusion of waist shrinking, and that this activity was correlated with the reported degree of shrinking. These results suggest that the perceived changes in the size and shape of body parts are mediated by hierarchically higher-order somatosensory areas in the parietal cortex. Based on this finding we suggest that relative size of body parts is computed by the integration of more elementary somatic signals from different body segments.
Feature interactions and formal specifications in telecommunications

The feature-interaction problem found in complex software systems that support telecommunications is reviewed. The relationship between feature interactions and formal specifications is examined. Several important ways telecommunications has evolved beyond plain old telephone service (POTS) are described. It is shown how many feature interactions can be eliminated by applying known techniques of formal specification. A glossary that explains telecommunications terms not defined in the text and acronyms used throughout the article is included. <<ETX>>
Efficient Subgraph Matching in Large Graph with Partitioning Scheme

Recently, subgraph matching has been implemented in more and more domains, such as social network and semantic web. An approximated solution for subgraph matching named strong simulation has been put forward. Strong Simulation can preserve the topology of data graphs and find a bounded number of matches, but the complexity further holds a cubic-time, so it's yet intractable to deal with large graphs. To solve the problem, this paper focuses on a partition scheme to reduce the search space of subgraph matching algorithm. Firstly, we present a pruning method on data graph based on the connection relationships of nodes and edges in query graph. Secondly, we propose to use a multilevel partitioning algorithm when the subgraphs we get from former step are too large. Thirdly, we propose an algorithm for subgraph matching based on the partitioning scheme, which can preserve the topology of query graph and guarantee the correctness of results. Lastly, we experimentally prove the effectiveness and efficiency of this scheme, both using real-life data and synthetic data. It turns out that our method is quite efficient and the matching results are also satisfactory.
Poster: Towards detecting DMA malware

Malware residing in dedicated isolated hardware containing an auxiliary processor such as present in network, video, and CPU chipsets is an emerging security threat. To attack the host system, this kind of malware uses the direct memory access (DMA) functionality. By utilizing DMA, the host system can be fully compromised bypassing any kind of kernel level protection. Traditional anti-virus software is not capable to detect this kind of malware since the auxiliary systems are completely isolated from the host CPU. In this work we present our novel method that is capable of detecting this kind of malware. To understand the properties of such malware we evaluated a prototype that attacks the host via DMA. Our prototype is executed in the chipset of an x86 architecture. We identified key properties of such malware that are crucial for our detection method. Our detection mechanism is based on monitoring the side effects of rogue DMA usage performed by the malware. We believe that our detection mechanism is general and the first step in the detection of malware in dedicated isolated hardware.
Estimation of frequency, phase and amplitude of voltage using the continuous genetic algorithm

Frequency and phasor are the most important parameters in power system monitoring, control, and protection. They can reflect the whole power system situation. In electrical power system it is of utmost importance to keep the frequency as close to its nominal value as possible. In order to control the power system frequency it needs to be measured quickly and accurately.
Penalized weighted least-squares image reconstruction for positron emission tomography

This paper presents an image reconstruction method for positron-emission tomography (PET) based on a penalized, weighted least-squares (PWLS) objective. For PET measurements that are precorrected for accidental coincidences, we argue statistically that a least-squares objective function is as appropriate, if not more so, than the popular Poisson likelihood objective. We propose a simple data-based method for determining the weights that accounts for attenuation and detector efficiency. A nonnegative successive over-relaxation (+SOR) algorithm converges rapidly to the global minimum of the PWLS objective. Quantitative simulation results demonstrate that the bias/variance tradeoff of the PWLS+SOR method is comparable to the maximum-likelihood expectation-maximization (ML-EM) method (but with fewer iterations), and is improved relative to the conventional filtered backprojection (FBP) method. Qualitative results suggest that the streak artifacts common to the FBP method are nearly eliminated by the PWLS+SOR method, and indicate that the proposed method for weighting the measurements is a significant factor in the improvement over FBP.