Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermocapillary effects in driven dewetting and self-assembly of pulsed laser-irradiated metallic films

In this paper the lubrication-type dynamical model is developed of a molten, pulsed-laser-irradiated metallic film. The heat transfer problem that incorporates the absorbed heat from a single beam or interfering beams is solved analytically. Using this temperature field, we derive the three-dimensional long-wave evolution partial differential equation for the film height. To get insights into dynamics of dewetting, we study the twodimensional 2D version of the evolution equation by means of a linear stability analysis and by numerical simulations. The stabilizing and destabilizing effects of various system parameters, such as the peak laser beam intensity, the film optical thickness, the reflectivity, and the Biot and Marangoni numbers, are elucidated. It is observed that the film stability is promoted for such parameter variations that increase the heat production in the film. In the numerical simulations the impacts of different irradiation modes are investigated. In particular, we obtain that in the interference heating mode the spatially periodic irradiation results in a spatially periodic film rupture with the same or nearly equal period. The 2D model qualitatively reproduces the results of the experimental observations of a film stability and spatial ordering of a resolidified nanostructures.
Stability and Sensitivity Analysis of Fuzzy Control Systems. Mechatronics Applications

The development of fuzzy control systems is usually performed by heuristic means, incorporating human skills, the drawback being in the lack of general-purpose development methods. A major problem, which follows from this development, is the analysis of the structural properties of the control system, such as stability, controllability and robustness. Here comes the first goal of the paper, to present a stability analysis method dedicated to fuzzy control systems with mechatronics applications based on the use of Popov's hyperstability theory. The second goal of this paper is to perform the sensitivity analysis of fuzzy control systems with respect to the parametric variations of the controlled plant for a class of servo-systems used in mechatronics applications based on the construction of sensitivity models. The stability and sensitivity analysis methods provide useful information to the development of fuzzy control systems. The case studies concerning fuzzy controlled servo-systems, accompanied by digital simulation results and real-time experimental results, validate the presented methods.
Are Proteinase 3 and Cathepsin C Enzymes Related to Pathogenesis of Periodontitis?

Aim. Cathepsin C is the activator of the polymorphonuclear leukocyte-derived proteinase 3, which contributes to inflammatory processes. The aim of the present study was to investigate gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) proteinase 3 and cathepsin C levels in periodontal diseases. Design. Eighteen patients with chronic periodontitis (CP), 20 patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (G-AgP), 20 patients with gingivitis, and 18 healthy subjects were included in the study. Periodontal parameters including probing depth, clinical attachment level, papilla bleeding index, and plaque index were assessed in all study subjects. GCF proteinase 3 and cathepsin C levels were analyzed by ELISA. Results. GCF proteinase 3 total amount was significantly higher in diseased groups compared to control group, after adjusting age (P < 0.05). No differences were found in GCF cathepsin C levels among the study groups (P > 0.05). Periodontal parameters of sampling sites were positively correlated with GCF proteinase 3 total amounts (P < 0.01) but not with cathepsin C total amounts (P > 0.05). Conclusions. Elevated levels of GCF proteinase 3 in CP, G-AgP, and gingivitis might suggest that proteinase 3 plays a role during inflammatory periodontal events in host response. However, cathepsin C in GCF does not seem to have an effect on the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.
Observability of linear systems under adversarial attacks

We address the problem of state estimation for multi-output continuous-time linear systems, for which an attacker may have control over some of the sensors and inject (potentially unbounded) additive noise into some of the measured outputs. To characterize the resilience of a system against such sensor attacks, we introduce a new notion of observability - termed “observability under attacks” - that addresses the question of whether or not it is possible to uniquely reconstruct the state of the system by observing its inputs and outputs over a period of time, with the understanding that some of the available system's outputs may have been corrupted by the opponent. We provide computationally efficient tests for observability under attacks that amount to testing the (standard) observability for an appropriate finite set of systems. In addition, we propose two state estimation algorithms that permit the state reconstruction in spite of the attacks. One of these algorithms uses observability Gramians and a finite window of measurements to reconstruct the initial state. The second algorithm takes the form of a switched observer that asymptotically converges to the correct state estimate in the absence of additive noise and disturbances, or to a neighborhood of the correct state estimate in the presence of bounded noise and disturbances.
Coercion and Compositionality

Research in psycholinguistics and in the cognitive neuroscience of language has suggested that semantic and syntactic processing are associated with different neurophysiologic correlates, such as the N400 and the P600 in the ERPs. However, only a handful of studies have investigated the neural basis of the syntax–semantics interface, and even fewer experiments have dealt with the cases in which semantic composition can proceed independently of the syntax. Here we looked into one such case—complement coercion—using ERPs. We compared sentences such as, “The journalist wrote the article” with “The journalist began the article. ” The second sentence seems to involve a silent semantic element, which is expressed in the first sentence by the head of the verb phrase (VP) “wrote the article. ” The second type of construction may therefore require the reader to infer or recover from memory a richer event sense of the VP “began the article,” such as began writing the article, and to integrate that into a semantic representation of the sentence. This operation is referred to as “complement coercion. ” Consistently with earlier reading time, eye tracking, and MEG studies, we found traces of such additional computations in the ERPs: Coercion gives rise to a long-lasting negative shift, which differs at least in duration from a standard N400 effect. Issues regarding the nature of the computation involved are discussed in the light of a neurocognitive model of language processing and a formal semantic analysis of coercion.
Game Theoretic Optimal Transmission Strategies in Multipacket Reception Sensor Networks

Decentralized channel state information is exploited for optimal transmission policies for non-cooperative sensors in wireless networks with the multipacket reception capability. The problem is formulated as a non-cooperative game of a finite number of players and actions with a continuous channel state space. We prove the existence of a Nash equilibrium at which every sensor adopts a threshold policy. A stochastic gradient based algorithm that can be used to adaptively estimate the optimal transmission threshold for a sensor is proposed. The theoretical results and the tracking capability of the algorithm are illustrated via numerical examples
Plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and adrenomedullin: new neurohormonal predictors of left ventricular function and prognosis after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND Newly discovered circulating peptides, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (N-BNP) and adrenomedullin (ADM), were examined for prediction of cardiac function and prognosis and compared with previously reported markers in 121 patients with myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS The association between radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and N-BNP at 2 to 4 days (r=-.63, P<.0001) and 3 to 5 months (r=-.58, P<.0001) after infarction was comparable to that for C-terminal BNP and far stronger than for ADM (r=-.26, P<.01), N-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide (N-ANP), C-terminal ANP, cGMP, or plasma catecholamine concentrations. For prediction of death over 24 months of follow-up, an early postinfarction N-BNP level > or = 160 pmol/L had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of 91%, 72%, 39%, and 97%, respectively, and was superior to any other neurohormone measured and to LVEF. Only 1 of 21 deaths occurred in a patient with an N-BNP level below the group median (Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, P<.00001). For prediction of heart failure (left ventricular failure), plasma N-BNP > or = 145 pmol/L had sensitivity (85%) and negative predictive value (91%) comparable to the other cardiac peptides and was superior to ADM, plasma catecholamines, and LVEF. By multivariate analysis, N-BNP but not ADM provided predictive information for death and left ventricular failure independent of patient age, sex, LVEF, levels of other hormones, and previous history of heart failure, myocardial infarction, hypertension, or diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Plasma N-BNP measured 2 to 4 days after myocardial infarction independently predicted left ventricular function and 2-year survival. Stratification of patients into low- and high-risk groups can be facilitated by plasma N-BNP or BNP measurements, and one of these could reasonably be included in the routine clinical workup of patients after myocardial infarction.
Multiplexed microsatellite markers for genetic studies of beech

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is one of the economically most important broadleaved tree species in Europe and has become a model for studying climate change effects on forests. Multiplex PCR of microsatellites is a fast and cost‐effective technique allowing high‐throughput genotyping. Here we present the procedure used to develop two multiplex kits (8‐plexes) for European beech. We paid particular attention to quality control throughout all steps of the multiplex kits development (null allele detection, error rate measurements, linkage disequilibrium). Preliminary assays suggest that the 16 amplified loci are largely devoid of null alleles and allow rapid and cost‐effective genotyping of beech with low error rates. The two kits, which differ in their levels of polymorphism, most likely due to marker origin, were also informative in seven other beech species tested.
Discovering large grain sizes in a transparent orthography: Insights from a connectionist model of Italian word naming

Classic connectionist models of reading have traditionally focused on English, a language with a quasiregular (deep) relationship between orthography and phonology, and very little work has been conducted on more transparent (shallow) orthographies. This paper introduces a parallel distributed processing (PDP) model of reading for Italian. The model was explicitly developed in order to deal with polysyllabic words and stress assignment. One of the core issues regarding such PDP models is whether they can show sensitivity to large grain sizes, as documented by the existence of morphological and neighbourhood effects in nonword reading aloud showed by native Italian speakers (Arduino & Burani, 2004; Burani, Marcolini, de Luca, & Zoccolotti, 2008). The model is successful in simulating these effects, previously accounted for by dual route architectures. The model was also able to simulate stress consistency effects.
An Experimental Test of Student Verbal Reports and Teacher Evaluations as a Source of Validity Evidence for Test Development

The Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing indicate that test instructions, and by extension item objectives, presented to examinees should be sufficiently clear and detailed to help ensure that they respond as developers intend them to respond (Standard 3.20; AERA, APA, & NCME, 1999). The present study investigates the use of verbal reports, one of many sources of evidence for validity arguments, as a way to evaluate the content clarity of 30 items from a large-scale science assessment. Student reports were used to edit items and create a student-modified test form. Evaluations from expert preservice teachers were used to edit the items and create an expert-modified test form. Both experimental forms, along with the original set of 30 items, were then randomly assigned to a sample of 264 examinees. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that examinee performance on the student-modified and expert-modified forms was similar relative to performance on the original test items. Item statistics indicated that student-modified test items were equally difficult and discriminating as expert-modified test items. The implications of using student and teacher evaluations are discussed for informing test development.
L'efficience collective du cluster du logiciel de Saint-Pétersbourg

This article aims to assess the relevance of the concept of « territory » in transition economies based on the case study of the Saint-Petersburg software cluster. The impact of the Soviet heritage on the emergence of territorial dynamics and has been focused on territorial governance. The tight cooperation of private territorial actors with or without a participation of intermediate institutions is obvious and there is no noticeable adverse influence of the Soviet past. A possible explanation could be the absence of a distinct software sector before the collapse of USSR and the recent emergence of a new type of entrepreneurs and territorial dynamics.
Counselling Experience Among Malaysian Adolescent Who Are Involved in Ilicit Sex Behaviors

This qualitative study aims to describe the counselling experience among adolescent who are involved in illicit sex behaviour. Three adolescent girls, who are currently participate in rehabilitation programme at a center, were selected as research participants. Participants were selected based on (i) they are involved in illicit sex behaviour previously, and (ii) they are participating in counselling session. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and journal writing. The data involved three interviews and a series of journal writing, were gathered over a period of six weeks. The results show that emotional experience was the main issue presented by the participants of this study. The three themes related to emotional experience were identified as a sense of calm, able to control their emotion, and ready to face challenges. The implications of these findings are that counselling sessions provide opportunities for adolescents, who are involved in illicit behaviour to experience unconditional acceptance, to have positive feelings, be more open to new experience and to help them to recognize the potential within themselves. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n2s1p316
Ochratoxin A in red pepper flakes commercialised in Turkey

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in red pepper flakes commercialised in Turkey. A total of 75 samples were collected from different supermarkets and traditional bazaars in Istanbul during 2012–2013. OTA analysis was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with fluorescence detection after immunoaffinity column clean-up. The method was linear in the range 0.05–40 μg kg−1 (r2 = 0.9997). Twenty-seven out of 31 (87.1%) packed red pepper flake samples contained OTA at concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 μg kg−1, whereas 100% of the unpacked red pepper flake samples contained OTA, in the range 1.1–31.7 μg kg−1. Overall, only 4 unpacked samples (5.3%) contained OTA, with a mean value of 23.4 μg kg−1, which is higher than the European Union limit. It is suggested that OTA content should be carefully considered in red pepper flake samples especially marketed in unpacked form.
Scientific rationale and requirements for a global seismic network on Mars. Report of a workshop.

Little is known of the internal structure or composition of Mars or the present rates and characteristics of tectonic activity and meteoroid impacts. The scientific tool best suited to address these issues is seismology. While a simple seismic experiment was included on the two Viking landers, one of the instruments did not operate and the experiment was severely limited by the location of the sensor high on the lander, the low sensitivity of the instrument, and the limited data rate allocated to seismic measurements.
Cooperative Membership as a Trust and Trustworthiness Reinforcing Device: Results from a Field Experiment in the Philippines

Abstract We test the hypothesis that cooperative membership is a trust and trustworthiness reinforcing device and that, as such, it affects (in a trust game) both trustors' and trustees' transfers and beliefs. In considering trust games played by sugar farmers in the Philippines, we find that (i) cooperative membership induces higher levels of trust and trustworthiness even in non-members because the players' behaviour is influenced by the information about their counterparts' cooperative membership status; (ii) an in-group bias is at work since, contrary to non-members' expectations, the positive affiliation-trustworthiness link works only among cooperative members.
The reasons for the success and transformations of the 5 Star Movement

This article explains the reasons for the 5 Star Movement’s success at the general election of February 2013, as well as the issues it has to face in order to adapt its organisation and goals to the tasks and challenges ahead, in a political system which has been dominated for the last 20 years by bipolar competition between centre right and centre left. The success of the M5S has not been a chance event, but was built on a movement with an original strategy, developed over many years thanks to mobilisation through the Internet, and in public squares, without apparent plans to enter the electoral arena. Many researchers perceive the movement founded by Grillo as one of the several populist parties that thrive on the protest of European citizens. M5S tries to give voice to protest and indignation towards the political class, but it has a number of features in common with the new social movements that have contested elections. In many ways, it recalls the German Greens party 30 years ago: they were not only the advocates of ecological and pacifist policies but also wanted to change the relationship between citizens, movements and institutions. The M5S is pursuing the same issues, but doing so while carrying much greater responsibilities and more difficulties due to the political inexperience of the majority of the party’s MPs and activists.
A confidence-based approach to hand movements recognition for cleaning tasks using dynamic time warping

According to the WHO report in 2013, the world population aging over 60 years is predicted to increase to 20 million in 2050. Aging comes about many challenges to elders due to their cognitive decline, chronic age-related diseases, as well as limitations in physical activity, vision, and hearing. Recent advances in wearable computing and mobile health technology create new opportunity for ambient assisted living system to help the person perform the activities safely and independently. The activity monitoring of daily living is the core technique of the ambient assisted living system. Several well-known approaches have utilized various sensors for activity recognition such as camera, RFID, infrared detector and inertial sensor. Since the activities are well characterized by the objects, location or hand gesture that are manipulated during their performance on activities of daily living. However, some applications included, e.g. the monitoring of specific tasks and/or movements in a rehabilitation scenario or the classification of dietary intake gestures for an automated nutrition monitoring system, where reliable activity recognition on a more fine-grained level is needed. To fulfill the requirement, we design a hierarchical window approach based on the dynamic time warping algorithm to achieve fine-grained activity recognition, where the template selection and threshold configuration is developed to cope with the ambiguity with similar features. Furthermore, a confidence estimation for the pattern matching is also proposed. The recognition procedure was successfully adapted to the investigated cleaning tasks. The overall performance in precision, recall, and F1-socre is 89.0%, 88.6%, and 88.1% respectively. The results of the experiment demonstrate that the proposed mechanism is reliable and fulfills the requirements of the ambient assisted living.
Object Recognition with 3D Models

Intro: We propose several new ideas of how to use 3D models for viewbased object recognition. In an initial experiment we show that even the simple task of distinguishing between two objects requires large training sets if high accuracy and pose invariance are to be achieved. Using synthetic image data, we propose a method for quantifying the degree of difficulty of detecting objects across views and a novel alignment algorithm for pose-based clustering on the view sphere. Finally, we introduce an active learning algorithm that searches for local minima of a classifier’s output in a low-dimensional space of rendering parameters. Experimental setup: Synthetic training and test images were rendered from five textureless 3D models (see fig. 1) by moving a virtual camera on a sphere around each model. The models were illuminated by ambient light and a point light source. The six free rendering parameters were the camera’s location in azimuth and elevation, its rotation around its optical axis, the location of the point light source in azimuth and elevation, and the intensity ratio between ambient light and the point light. The rendered images were converted to 23×23 grayvalue images. From those we extracted 640 dimensional vectors of histograms of gradients. Our main classifier was an SVM with a Gaussian kernel.
Role of theory of mind and executive function in explaining social intelligence: A structural equation modeling approach

Objectives: Social intelligence is the ability to understand others and the social context effectively and thus to interact with people successfully. Research has suggested that the theory of mind (ToM) and executive function may play important roles in explaining social intelligence. The specific aim of the present study was to test with structural equation modeling (SEM) the hypothesis that performance on ToM tasks is more associated with social intelligence in the elderly than is performance on executive functions. Methods: One hundred and seventy-seven participants (age 56–96) completed ToM, executive function, and other basic cognition tasks, and were rated with social intelligence scales. Results: The SEM results showed that ToM and executive function were strongly correlated (0.54); however, only the path coefficient from ToM to social intelligence, and not from executive function, was significant (0.37). Conclusions: ToM performance, but not executive function, was strongly correlated with social intelligence among elderly individuals. ToM and executive function might play different roles in social behavior during normal aging; however, based on the present results, it is possible that ToM might play an important role in social intelligence.