Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interference and Shaping in Sensorimotor Adaptations with Rewards

When a perturbation is applied in a sensorimotor transformation task, subjects can adapt and maintain performance by either relying on sensory feedback, or, in the absence of such feedback, on information provided by rewards. For example, in a classical rotation task where movement endpoints must be rotated to reach a fixed target, human subjects can successfully adapt their reaching movements solely on the basis of binary rewards, although this proves much more difficult than with visual feedback. Here, we investigate such a reward-driven sensorimotor adaptation process in a minimal computational model of the task. The key assumption of the model is that synaptic plasticity is gated by the reward. We study how the learning dynamics depend on the target size, the movement variability, the rotation angle and the number of targets. We show that when the movement is perturbed for multiple targets, the adaptation process for the different targets can interfere destructively or constructively depending on the similarities between the sensory stimuli (the targets) and the overlap in their neuronal representations. Destructive interferences can result in a drastic slowdown of the adaptation. As a result of interference, the time to adapt varies non-linearly with the number of targets. Our analysis shows that these interferences are weaker if the reward varies smoothly with the subject's performance instead of being binary. We demonstrate how shaping the reward or shaping the task can accelerate the adaptation dramatically by reducing the destructive interferences. We argue that experimentally investigating the dynamics of reward-driven sensorimotor adaptation for more than one sensory stimulus can shed light on the underlying learning rules.
Connecting the Dots: Computer Systems Education using a Functional Hardware Description Language

A functional hardware description language enables students to gain a working understanding of computer systems, and to see how the levels of abstraction fit together. By simulating circuits, digital design becomes a living topic, like programming, and not just a set of inert facts to memorise. Experiences gained from more than 20 years of teaching computer systems via functional programming are discussed.
Power System Outlier Detection Based on Improved EKF Algorithm

The impact of outliers on power system state estimation cannot be ignored. These outliers are usually caused by aging system equipment, sensor failures, line connection errors, and so on. In this paper, we propose the use of the Weighted Expanded Kalman Filter (WEKF) algorithm based on projection statistics (PS). The algorithm first uses the projection statistics algorithm to detect outliers in the time-varying detection matrix, and subsequently introduces a weighting function to reduce the weight of these outliers, thereby effectively minimizing the impact on the state estimation. Simulation experiments on the IEEE 14-bus system, the results of the study show that the PS-based Weighted Extended Kalman Filter (WEKF) algorithm exhibits stronger robustness compared to the traditional EKF algorithm. Through the use of the algorithm, it is possible to have the more stable estimation of the state of the power system.
A Review on Anti-Spoofing : Face Manipulation and Liveness Detection

The latest developments in deep generative networks have greatly improved the quality of generating life-like fake face videos. Face digital manipulation such as DeepFakes, FaceSwap, and Face2Face are critical issues for automated face recognition systems as it detrimentally affects their performance. To tackle this difficulty, face anti-spoofing is utilized which is a task to prevent unauthorized entry by breaching facial recognition systems using a mask, photo, video or another substitute for a legitimate person's face. The review paper examines the problems and solutions explored in the domain of digital face manipulation, as well as the notion of liveliness detection and numerous aspects and cues that can be used to determine the authenticity of a face. The review is organized into sections, discussing face manipulation techniques, liveness detection using eye blinking, and finally a hybrid system is proposed that considers both face manipulation and liveness detection to strengthen existing solutions. It aims to enhance the security and reliability of facial recognition technology in various applications.
Immunomagnetic Separation Combined with Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in Apple Juice

A combination of immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris (A. acidoterrestris) in apple juice. The optimum technological parameters of the IMS system were investigated. The results indicated that the immunocapture reactions could be finished in 60 min and the quantity of IMPs used for IMS was 2.5 mg/mL. Then the combined IMS-PCR procedure was assessed by detecting A. acidoterrestris in apple juice samples. The agarose gel electrophoresis results of 20 different strains showed that the IMS-PCR procedure presented high specificity to the A. acidoterrestris. The sensitivity of the IMS-PCR was 2×101 CFU/mL and the total detection time was 3 to 4 h. Of the 78 naturally contaminated apple juice samples examined, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of IMS-PCR compared with the standardized pour plate method were 90.9%, 97.0% and 96.2%, respectively. The results exhibited that the developed IMS-PCR method will be a valuable tool for detecting A. acidoterrestris and improving food quality in juice samples.
New and Redesigned pRS Plasmid Shuttle Vectors for Genetic Manipulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have constructed a set of 42 plasmid shuttle vectors based on the widely used pRS series for use in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the bacterium Escherichia coli. This set of pRSII plasmids includes new shuttle vectors that can be used with histidine and adenine auxotrophic laboratory yeast strains carrying mutations in the genes HIS2 and ADE1, respectively. Our pRSII plasmids also include updated versions of commonly used pRS plasmids from which common restriction sites that occur within their yeast-selectable biosynthetic marker genes have been removed to increase the availability of unique restriction sites within their polylinker regions. Hence, our pRSII plasmids are a complete set of integrating, centromere and 2μ episomal plasmids with the biosynthetic marker genes ADE2, HIS3, TRP1, LEU2, URA3, HIS2, and ADE1 and a standardized selection of at least 16 unique restriction sites in their polylinkers. Additionally, we have expanded the range of drug selection options that can be used for PCR-mediated homologous replacement using pRS plasmid templates by replacing the G418-resistance kanMX4 cassette of pRS400 with MX4 cassettes encoding resistance to phleomycin, hygromycin B, nourseothricin, and bialaphos. Finally, in the process of generating the new plasmids, we have determined several errors in existing publicly available sequences for several commonly used yeast plasmids. Using our updated sequences, we constructed pRS plasmid backbones with a unique restriction site for inserting new markers to facilitate future expansion of the pRS series.
Finding colluders in card games

In card games, two or more players can act as colluders: they exchange information in order to collectively win the game. Electronic games (e-gaming) are supposed to be played under secure e-gaming protocols. Hence some tricks cannot be performed: card exchange, knowledge of opponent cards without their consent, shuffling and dealing the deck for one's own benefit, etc. Therefore, if two or more players collude, all they can do is exchange information. In the real world, other players can usually discover such colluders but, in a virtual world, colluders can use several ways to collude: cellular phones, instant messaging software,. they could even be seating next to each other while playing. In this paper, several methods to detect collusion in virtual card games are described.
Coaching – the latest buzzword or a truly effective management tool?

Coaching enables people to develop new individualised ways of working to increase their performance and the performance of their teams. A great coach will challenge you and enable you to find the resources within yourself to really do the things that you say you want to do and to enjoy doing them. Many people in senior positions find professional support through coaching to be the ideal solution to developing bespoke, flexible, personal training based on their specific individual needs. Selecting a coach is a matter of personal choice. However, it is paramount that you are able to relate to the person and that they will challenge your personal limitations to enable you be the success you desire.
P-32VALIDATION OF A BRIEF SCREENING TOOL FOR ALCOHOL-RELATED NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS (BEARNI)

Alcohol-related neuropsychological impairments mainly affect episodic memory, working memory and visuospatial abilities, as well as executive and motor functioning. These impairments can prevent alcoholic patients early in abstinence from benefiting fully from treatment, and reduce their ability to remain abstinent. A neuropsychological assessment at alcohol treatment entry therefore seems essential …
Using the Number of Pores on Fingerprint Images to Detect Spoofing Attacks

Due to the growing use of biometric technologies in our modern society, spoofing attacks are becoming a serious concern. Many solutions have been proposed to detect the use of fake "fingerprints" on an acquisition device. In this paper, we propose to take advantage of intrinsic features of friction ridge skin: pores. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of using pores to detect spoofing attacks. Results show that the use of pores is a promising approach. Four major observations were made: First, results confirmed that the reproduction of pores on fake "fingerprints" is possible. Second, the distribution of the total number of pores between fake and genuine fingerprints cannot be discriminated. Third, the difference in pore quantities between a query image and a reference image (genuine or fake) can be used as a discriminating factor in a linear discriminant analysis. In our sample, the observed error rates were as follows: 45.5% of false positive (the fake passed the test) and 3.8% of false negative (a genuine print has been rejected). Finally, the performance is improved by using the difference of pore quantity obtained between a distorted query fingerprint and a non-distorted reference fingerprint. By using this approach, the error rates improved to 21.2% of false acceptation rate and 8.3% of false rejection rate.
An ever-dying people: The existential underpinnings of Israelis' perceptions of war and conflict

Un peuple qui n’en finit pas de mourir : les fondements existentiels de la perception israelienne des guerres et conflitLe conflit entre l’Etat d’Israel et ses voisins implique des desaccords sur des questions concretes telles que les colonies, le terrorisme et les frontieres. Dans notre etude, nous soutenons que ces questions sous-jacentes correspondent a de profondes et tangibles preoccupations existentielles qui alimentent le conflit et ralentissent la reconciliation. Nous nous concentrons particulierement sur l’etat d’esprit des Juifs israeliens parce que nous croyons que l’histoire de la persecution contre les Juifs joue un role essentiel dans la facon dont les Israeliens percoivent le conflit contemporain. Nous montrons, sur la base de la theorie de la gestion de la terreur (Terror Management Theory) que les rappels de la mort ou la mort collective (la Shoah) conduisent les Israeliens a soutenir des solutions violentes, exprimer leur opposition au compromis et a la reconciliation, et entrainent un comportement moralement discutable en periode de conflit. Nous concluons que la securite existentielle pour les Israeliens est une condition prealable a la paix.
2 Signature Sort

• Comparison sort: O(n lg n) • Counting sort: O(n + u) = O(n + 2w) (= O(n) for w = lg n) • Radix sort: O(n · w lg n) (= O(n) for w = O(lg n)) • van Emde Boas: O(n lg w). For w = lg n, this is O(n lg lg n). This can be improved to O(n lg w lg n), making it better than the previous methods (Kirkpatrick and Reisch [7]). • Signature sort: O(n) for w = Ω(lg n). Combined with the previous result for small w, this gives sorting in O(n lg lg n) time for all word sizes. See Andersson, Hagerup, Nilsson, and Raman [2].
Improving the dynamic accuracy of industrial robots by trajectory pre-compensation

This paper presents a method to improve the path tracking accuracy of an industrial robot without replacing the standard industrial controller. By calculating off-line an appropriate trajectory pre-compensation, the effects of the nonlinear dynamics are compensated. This is realized by filtering the desired trajectory with the inverse dynamic model of the robot and its velocity controller. This compensation is applied as a velocity feedforward in the standard industrial controller avoiding the need for a torque control interface. The method presented is validated experimentally on a KUKA IR 361 industrial robot. The results show clearly an improved path tracking accuracy on circular trajectories.
Expanding the Discourse on Learner Development: A reply to Anita Wenden

L'A. examine la signification du concept de developpement de l'apprenant utilise en linguistique appliquee. Il examine la representation du changement dans l'enseignement des langues a travers deux approches qui ont fourni les idees de base au concept de developpement de l'apprenant: l'apprentissage auto-dirige de la langue et les strategies de l'apprenant dans l'apprentissage de la langue. Il examine ensuite la representation de l'apprenant et du contexte d'apprenant developpee par Anita Wenden (2002) : il s'agit d'une construction abstraite de l'individu : le concept d'apprenant ne correspond pas a un individu reel mais a une position discursive
Tiki, at the head of a new superfamily of enzymes

Tiki proteins appear to antagonize Wnt signalling pathway by acting as Wnt proteases, thereby affecting Wnt solubility by its amino-terminal cleavage. Tiki1 protease activity was shown to be metal ion-dependent and was inhibited by chelating agents and thus was tentatively proposed to be a metalloprotease. Nevertheless, Tiki proteins exhibit no detectable sequence similarity to previously described metalloproteases, but instead have been reported as being homologues of TraB proteins (Pfam ID: PF01963), a widely distributed family of unknown function and structure. Here, we show that Tiki proteins are members of a new superfamily of domains contained not just in TraB proteins, but also in erythromycin esterase (Pfam ID: PF05139), DUF399 (domain of unknown function 399; Pfam ID: PF04187) and MARTX toxins that contribute to host invasion and pathogenesis by bacteria. We establish the core fold of this enzymatic domain and its catalytic residues.
A report card on computer-assisted diagnosis--the grade: C.

This issue of the Journal contains a comparison of four commercially available computer programs designed to diagnose diseases that internists might encounter1. All the programs performed equally well. When they were presented with information on known diagnoses from real patients who had been referred to a consultant for diagnostic assistance, the correct diagnosis (or diagnoses) appeared on the lists generated by the programs only half to about three quarters of the time, and relevant diagnoses, as judged by a panel of experts, were generated only about a third of the time. What are we to make of these results?
Real-Time Structural Surface Cracks Monitoring Using SRSR-Based Microwave Sensor

A slotted rectangular spiral resonator (SRSR) based array sensor is presented for real time metallic structure surface cracks monitoring on carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) or metallic structures. The SRSR-based unit sensor utilizes a fringing field sensing capacitor (FFSC) and transforms into an array by arranging cascaded sensor elements, enabling the detection cracks. The sensor array comprises 10 uniform rectangular spiral resonators connected to a 50 mm-long transmission line with a $50 \Omega$ characteristic impedance. The sensor operates either as a band-stop or band-pass filter, depending on the presence or absence of cracks in structure. The sensor functions within the frequency range of 5 to 6.5 GHz and has the capability to detect cracks with dimensions as small as 2.5 mm in terms of width, length, or height having any orientation. The sensor arrangement detailed in this study presents a compact and affordable remedy that could function as a technique for real-time detection of cracks in structures like bridges, oil or gas pipelines, and more.
Synthetic peptides from the carboxy-terminal globular domain of the A chain of laminin: their ability to promote cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth, and interact with heparin and the beta 1 integrin subunit

The large carboxy-terminal globular domain (G domain; residues 2,110- 3,060) of the A chain of murine-derived laminin has been shown to promote heparin binding, cell adhesion, and neurite outgrowth. This study was conducted to define the potential sequence(s) originating from the G domain of laminin with any of these functional activities. A series of peptides were synthesized from the G domain, termed GD peptides, each approximately 20 amino acids long and containing multiple positively charged amino acids. In direct 3H-heparin binding assays, peptides GD-1 and GD-2 bound high levels of 3H-heparin, while peptides GD-3 and GD-4 bound lower levels of 3H-heparin, and GD-5 bound essentially no 3H-heparin. The binding of 3H-heparin to peptides GD-1 and GD-2 appeared to be of high affinity, since significant binding of 3H-heparin to these two peptides was still observed even when the NaCl concentration was raised to 1.0 M. Four of the peptides, GD-1, GD-2, GD- 3, and GD-4, directly promoted the adhesion and spreading of HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells as well as the outgrowth of neurites from chick spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia neurons. In addition, solutions of these peptides or antibodies generated against these peptides inhibited laminin-mediated HT-1080 cell adhesion. Antibodies against the beta 1 integrin subunit inhibited HT-1080 cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth on surfaces adsorbed with peptides GD-3 and GD-4. Therefore, laminin appears to have multiple, independent sequences in the G domain that serve a similar cell adhesion promoting function for different cell types. Furthermore, these results suggest that the sequences comprising peptides GD-3 and GD-4 use an integrin as a receptor, of which the beta 1 integrin subunit is a component for these various cell types.
Partition-based decision heuristics for image computation using SAT and BDDs

Methods based on Boolean satisfiability (SAT) typically use a conjunctive normal form (CNF) representation of the Boolean formula, and exploit the structure of the given problem through use of various decision heuristics and implication methods. We propose a new decision heuristic based on separator-set induced partitioning of the underlying CNF graph. It targets those variables whose choice generates clause partitions with disjoint variable supports. This can potentially improve performance of SAT applications by decomposing the problem dynamically within the search. In the context of a recently proposed image computation method combining SAT and BDDs, this results in simpler BDD subproblems. We provide algorithms for CNF partitioning - one based on a clause-variable dependency matrix, and another based on standard hypergraph partitioning techniques, and also for the use of partitioning information in decision heuristics for SAT. The effectiveness of the proposed partition-based heuristic is shown with practical results for reachability analysis of benchmark sequential circuits.
Rapid Communication: Neuropeptide Expression and Processing as Revealed by Direct Matrix‐Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry of Single Neurons

Abstract: Neuropeptides were directly detected in single identified neurons and the neurohemal area of peptidergic (neuroendocrine) systems in the Lymnaea brain by using matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS). The samples were placed in matrix solution and ruptured to allow mixing of cell contents with the matrix solution. After formation of matrix crystals, the analytes were analyzed by MALDI‐MS. It was surprising that clean mass spectra were produced, displaying extreme sensitivity of detection. In one of the neuroendocrine systems studied, we could demonstrate for the first time, by comparing the peptide patterns of soma and of neurohemal axon terminals, that processing of the complex prohormone expressed in this system occurs entirely in the soma. In the other system studied, novel peptides could be detected in addition to peptides previously identified by conventional molecular biological and peptide chemical methods. Thus, complex peptide processing and expression patterns could be predicted that were not detected in earlier studies using conventional methods. As the first MALDI‐ MS study of direct peptide fingerprinting in the single neuron these experients demonstrate that MALDI‐MS forms a new and valuable approach to the study of the synthesis and expression of bioactive peptides, with potential application to single‐cell studies in vertebrates, including humans.
Higher hdl levels are a preventive factor for metabolic syndrome in obese Turkish children.

AIM The definition of childhood metabolic syndrome has not been described clearly. Childhood obesity is increasing gradually, and the incidence of childhood metabolic syndrome is also rising. We aimed to show metabolic syndrome components and preventive factors for metabolic syndrome in obese children Methods: In the present study, 187 obese children and adolescents 5-18 years old were investigated retrospectively. Demographic data, anthropometric measurements, body mass index, blood pressure values, insulin levels, oral glucose tolerance test results, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels were obtained from hospital records. A body mass index > 95th percentile was considered obese. Insulin resistance was calculated according to the oral glucose tolerance test with 1.75 g/kg glucose maximum 75 g glucose. The insulin sensitivity index and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA IR) were calculated and compared. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the modified WHO criteria adapted for metabolic syndrome in children. RESULTS Abnormal glucose homeostasis was detected in 53% of subjects. Dyslipidaemia was present in 45.7% and hypertension in 16.6% of the patients. Metabolic syndrome was identified in 24.6% of obese children and adolescents. High HOMA-IR values and fasting glucose levels, elevated triglycerides and lower HDL levels were an indication of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION Obesity and insulin resistance are significant factors for the development of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents. In obese children higher HDL levels are preventive factor for metabolic syndrome. Preventing obesity and insulin resistance may decrease the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.