Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emotional Features of Short Blog Texts

Emotion is at the core of understanding ourselves and others, and the automatic expression and detection of emotion could enhance our experience with technologies. In this paper, we explore the use of computational linguistic tools to derive emotional features. Using 50 and 200 word samples of naturallyoccurring blog texts, we find that some emotions are more discernible than others. This extends previous work by using finer-grained emotional categories and alternative linguistic analysis techniques.
Nonverbal Synchrony in Social Interactions of Patients with Schizophrenia Indicates Socio-Communicative Deficits

Background Disordered interpersonal communication can be a serious problem in schizophrenia. Recent advances in computer-based measures allow reliable and objective quantification of nonverbal behavior. Research using these novel measures has shown that objective amounts of body and head movement in patients with schizophrenia during social interactions are closely related to the symptom profiles of these patients. In addition to and above mere amounts of movement, the degree of synchrony, or imitation, between patients and normal interactants may be indicative of core deficits underlying various problems in domains related to interpersonal communication, such as symptoms, social competence, and social functioning. Methods Nonverbal synchrony was assessed objectively using Motion Energy Analysis (MEA) in 378 brief, videotaped role-play scenes involving 27 stabilized outpatients diagnosed with paranoid-type schizophrenia. Results Low nonverbal synchrony was indicative of symptoms, low social competence, impaired social functioning, and low self-evaluation of competence. These relationships remained largely significant when correcting for the amounts of patients‘ movement. When patients showed reduced imitation of their interactants’ movements, negative symptoms were likely to be prominent. Conversely, positive symptoms were more prominent in patients when their interaction partners’ imitation of their movements was reduced. Conclusions Nonverbal synchrony can be an objective and sensitive indicator of the severity of patients’ problems. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of nonverbal synchrony may provide novel insights into specific relationships between symptoms, cognition, and core communicative problems in schizophrenia.
Continuous measurement of soil CO 2 efflux in a larch forest by automated chamber and concentration gradient techniques

Continuous measurement of soil CO2 efflux in a larch forest by automated chamber and concentration gradient techniques N. Liang, T. Hirano, Z. -M. Zheng, J. Tang, and Y. Fujinuma Center for Global Environmental Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0809, Japan East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China The Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA Tottori University of Environmental Studies, Tottori 689-1111, Japan Received: 22 September 2009 – Accepted: 7 December 2009 – Published: 22 February 2010 Correspondence to: N. Liang (liang@nies.go.jp) Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union.
Local blood circulation among knee extensor synergists in relation to alternate muscle activity during low-level sustained contraction.

The relation between local circulation and alternate muscle activity among knee extensor synergists was determined during low-level sustained knee extension at 2.5% of maximal voluntary contraction for 60 min in seven subjects. Blood volume of rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) was assessed by using near-infrared spectroscopy. Surface electromyogram (EMG) was recorded from RF, VL, and vastus medialis (VM). Alternate muscle activity was observed between RF and either VL or VM. Cross-correlation analysis was used to investigate the relation between blood volume and integrated EMG (iEMG) sequences throughout the task. One negative peak in the cross-correlation function was seen between the iEMG and blood volume with time lag of 30-60 s, indicating that muscle activity increases (or decreases) with the decrease (or increase) in local circulation with the corresponding time lag. Two cases in the emergence of alternate muscle activities, i.e., an increase in the EMG of RF accompanied by a decline of EMG in VL (case I) and vice versa (case II) were further analyzed. The time lag between iEMG and blood volume was longer in case I than that in case II. These results were statistically significant in the RF but not in the VL. It is concluded that even during low-level sustained contraction, local circulation is modulated by the alternate muscle activity of knee extensor synergists, and a negative correlation between the muscle activity and blood volume sequences was found in only RF but not in VL.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth (SHEDs) Induce Immune Modulatory Profile in Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells

Background Mesenchymal stem cells have prominent immune modulatory properties, which may have clinical applications; however their major source, bone marrow, is of limited availability. On the other hand, mesenchymal stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) are readily accessible, but their immune regulatory properties have not been completely investigated. This study was designed, therefore, to evaluate the SHEDs influence on DCs differentiation, maturation, ability to activate T cells and to expand CD4+Foxp3+ T cells. Methodology/Principal Findings The experiments were based in cellular co-culture during differentiation and maturation of monocyte derived-DCs (moDCs), with, or not, presence of SHEDs. After co-culture with SHEDs, (moDCs) presented lower expression of BDCA-1 and CD11c, in comparison to DC cultivated without SHEDs. CD40, CD80, CD83 and CD86 levels were also decreased in mature DCs (mDCs) after co-cultivation with SHEDs. To assess the ability of SHEDs-exposed moDCs to modulate T cell responses, the former were separated from SHEDs, and co-cultured with peripheral blood lymphocytes. After 5 days, the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was evaluated and found to be lower than that induced by moDCs cultivated without SHEDs. In addition, an increase in the proportion of CD4+Foxp3+IL-10+ T cells was observed among cells stimulated by mature moDCs that were previously cultivated with SHEDs. Soluble factors released during co-cultures also showed a reduction in the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ), and an increase in the anti-inflammatory molecule IL-10. Conclusion/Significance This study shows that SHEDs induce an immune regulatory phenotype in moDCs cells, evidenced by changes in maturation and differentiation rates, inhibition of lymphocyte stimulation and ability to expand CD4+Foxp3+ T cells. Further characterization and validation of this phenomenon could support the use of SHEDs, directly or indirectly for immune modulation in the clinical practice.
Mechanisms of Insulin Resistance After Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia in Humans: The Role of Lipolysis

OBJECTIVE Changes in glucose metabolism occurring during counterregulation are, in part, mediated by increased plasma free fatty acids (FFAs), as a result of hypoglycemia-activated lipolysis. However, it is not known whether FFA plays a role in the development of posthypoglycemic insulin resistance as well. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a series of studies in eight healthy volunteers using acipimox, an inhibitor of lipolysis. Insulin action was measured during a 2-h hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (plasma glucose [PG] 5.1 mmo/l) from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. or after a 3-h morning hyperinsulinemic-glucose clamp (from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.), either euglycemic (study 1) or hypoglycemic (PG 3.2 mmol/l, studies 2–4), during which FFA levels were allowed to increase (study 2), were suppressed by acipimox (study 3), or were replaced by infusing lipids (study 4). [6,6-2H2]-Glucose was infused to measure glucose fluxes. RESULTS Plasma adrenaline, norepinephrine, growth hormone, and cortisol levels were unchanged (P > 0.2). Glucose infusion rates (GIRs) during the euglycemic clamp were reduced by morning hypoglycemia in study 2 versus study 1 (16.8 ± 2.3 vs. 34.1 ± 2.2 μmol/kg/min, respectively, P < 0.001). The effect was largely removed by blockade of lipolysis during hypoglycemia in study 3 (28.9 ± 2.6 μmol/kg/min, P > 0.2 vs. study 1) and largely reproduced by replacement of FFA in study 4 (22.3 ± 2.8 μmol/kg/min, P < 0.03 vs. study 1). Compared with study 2, blockade of lipolysis in study 3 decreased endogenous glucose production (2 ± 0.3 vs. 0.85 ± 0.1 μmol/kg/min, P < 0.05) and increased glucose utilization (16.9 ± 1.85 vs. 28.5 ± 2.7 μmol/kg/min, P < 0.05). In study 4, GIR fell by ∼23% (22.3 ± 2.8 μmol/kg/min, vs. study 3, P = 0.058), indicating a role of acipimox per se on insulin action. CONCLUSION Lipolysis induced by hypoglycemia counterregulation largely mediates posthypoglycemic insulin resistance in healthy subjects, with an estimated overall contribution of ∼39%.
Modeling Immigrant Language Acquisition and Integration: Toward an Integrated Micro-Macro Modeling

This thesis aims to address the following key question: “What affects immigrants to acquire capital and how is it generated? ” This can be addressed by the following: (1) identifying micro-level determinants of immigrant language acquisition and integration; (2) assessing macro-level effects and micro-macro joint effects on immigrant language acquisition; and (3) reassessing the overall empirical findings based on theoretically derived micro-macro interactive mechanisms in the integration process. The research literature concerned with the determinants of immigrant/second language acquisition is reviewed to bring classic theories and models from economics and psychology together and initiate the construction of an economic-psychological modeling frame for immigrant language acquisition. Based on the modeling frame, an empirically testable model of immigrant language acquisition is formulated to identify the determinants of destination language proficiency. Furthermore, conceptually locating language as an antecedent of immigrant integration outcomes in a theoretical modeling framework, a model of immigrant integration is devised with three sub-models: (1) a model of immigrant economic integration; (2) a model of immigrant citizenship acquisition; and (3) a model of immigrant political integration. The models are tested using OLS regression and data from the Multicultural Democracy and Immigrants’ Social Capital in Europe: Participation, Organisational Networks, and Public Policies at the Local Level (LOCALMULTIDEM). Analysis results suggest that the economic model is robust in predicting immigrant language acquisition and integration outcomes. Educational attainment is found to be the most critical and consistent predictor of outcomes across cities and empirical models. Although the psychological model has relatively weak power in explaining the variation in language proficiency, the presumed mediating effect via attitudinal factors is detected in some cases. However, such mediation effect is barely identified in the sub-models of immigrant integration with an exception of political integration. Destination language proficiency is found to be the most consistent mediator that positively influences all of the integration outcomes. In the concluding chapters, further analyses and (re)interpretations are conducted as an overarching summary of the multivariate regression analyses to examine the role of institutions and propose a micro-macro integrative model that could suggest options for institutional design and directions for future research.
EMF Safety and Thermal Aspects in a Pacemaker Equipped With a Wireless Power Transfer System Working at Low Frequency

A wireless power transfer (WPT) system based on magnetic resonant coupling is applied to a pacemaker for recharge its battery. The primary coil is assumed to be on-body, while the secondary coil is in-body. Three different configurations of the secondary coil are hereby investigated placing it inside the titanium case of the pacemaker, on the top surface of the case, or being part of the top surface case. The operational frequency is fixed to be at a relatively low frequency (20 kHz) in order to allow field penetration through the case and to limit the electric and magnetic field safety and thermal increase issues. For each examined configuration, these aspects are investigated by numerical and experimental techniques. The obtained results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed solutions highlighting their advantages and disadvantages.
AT&T: The Tag&Parse Approach to Semantic Parsing of Robot Spatial Commands

The Tag&Parse approach to semantic parsing first assigns semantic tags to each word in a sentence and then parses the tag sequence into a semantic tree. We use statistical approach for tagging, parsing, and reference resolution stages. Each stage produces multiple hypotheses which are re-ranked using spatial validation. We evaluate the Tag&Parse approach on a corpus of Robotic Spatial Commands as part of the SemEval Task6 exercise. Our system accuracy is 87.35% and 60.84% with and without spatial validation.
Variable Structure in DEVS Component-Based Modeling and Simulation

Variable structure refers to the ability of a system to dynamically change its structure according to different situations. It provides component-based modeling and simulation environments with powerful modeling capability and the flexibility to design and analyze complex systems. In this article, the authors discuss variable structure—specifically, the structure change and interface change capability—in DEVS-based modeling and simulation environments. The operations of structure change and interface change are discussed, and their respective operation boundaries are defined. Three examples are given to illustrate the role of variable structure and how it can be used to model and design adaptive complex systems. Principles for the implementation of variable structure are also presented and illustrated in the DEVSJAVA modeling and simulation environment.
The Michigan/MIKE Fiber System Survey of Stellar Radial Velocities in Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies: Acquisition and Reduction of Data

We introduce a stellar velocity survey of dwarf spheroidal galaxies, undertaken using the Michigan/MIKE Fiber System (MMFS) at the Magellan/Clay 6.5 m telescope at Las Campanas Observatory. As of 2006 November we have used MMFS to collect 6415 high-resolution (R = 20,000-25,000) spectra from 5180 stars in four dwarf spheroidal galaxies: Carina, Fornax, Sculptor, and Sextans. Spectra sample the range 5140-5180 Å, which includes the prominent magnesium triplet absorption feature. We measure radial velocity (RV) to a median precision of 2.0 km s-1 for stars as faint as V ~ 20.5. From the spectra we also are able to measure the strength of iron and magnesium absorption features using spectral indices that correlate with effective temperature, surface gravity, and chemical abundance. Measurement of line strength allows us to identify interloping foreground stars independently of velocity and to examine the metallicity distribution among dSph members. Here we present detailed descriptions of MMFS, our target selection and spectroscopic observations, the data reduction procedure, and error analysis. We compare our RV results to previously published measurements for individual stars. In some cases we find evidence for a mild, velocity-dependent offset between the RVs that we measure using the magnesium triplet and previously published RV measurements derived from the infrared calcium triplet. In companion papers we will present the complete data sets and kinematic analyses of these new observations.
Assessing Leader Development: Lessons From a Historical Review of MBA Outcomes

Graduate management education seeks to enhance the likelihood that graduates will be effective leaders, managers, or professionals. This requires programs that are designed to enable students to develop the related competencies, and increasing regulatory pressures require programs to document evidence of success. However, both the design of competency development efforts and the assessment of those efforts remain a challenge for contemporary business schools. Here we examine a 25-year assessment program to illustrate the challenges associated with developing emotional, social, and cognitive competencies among full-time MBA students. We discuss key interventions that yielded positive assessment results and the challenges of maintaining a longitudinal assessment data set. We then examine patterns of competency development across nine cohorts to propose five factors that appeared to affect the variations in competency development over time and cohorts: (a) sequencing effects of emotional versus social competency development; (b) the sawtooth or alternating cohort effect; (c) leadership and organizational climate in the school; (d) events in the world at large, like a global recession; and (e) program structure and design.
High-Directivity MEMS-Tunable Directional Couplers for 10–18-GHz Broadband Applications

This paper reports on two novel concepts of area-efficient ultra-wideband microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) reconfigurable coupled line directional couplers, whose coupling is tuned by mechanically changing the geometry of 3-D micromachined coupled transmission lines, utilizing integrated MEMS electrostatic actuators. Concept 1 is based on symmetrically changing the geometry of the ground coupling of each signal line, while Concept 2 is simultaneously varying both the ground coupling and the coupling between the two signal lines. This enables uniform and well predictable performance over a very large frequency range, in particular a constant coupling ratio while maintaining an excellent impedance match, along with high isolation and a very high directivity. For an implemented micromachined prototype 3-6-dB coupler based on Concept 1, the measured isolation is better than 16 dB, and the return loss and directivity are better than 10 dB over the entire bandwidth from 10 to 18 GHz. Concept 2 presents an even more significant improvement. For an implemented 10-20-dB prototype based on Concept 2, the measured isolation is better than 40 dB and the return loss is better than 15 dB over the entire bandwidth from 10 to 18 GHz for both states. The directivities for both states are better than 22 and 40 dB, respectively, over the whole frequency range. The measured data fits the simulation very well, except for higher through-port losses of the prototype devices. All devices have been implemented in a silicon-on-insulator RF MEMS fabrication process. Measured actuation voltages of the different actuators are lower than 35 V. Reliability tests were conducted up to 500 million cycles without device degradation.
Fear of Crime and Behavioral Adaptations: Testing the Effects of Fear of Violence on Unstructured Socializing with Peers

ABSTRACT This study examines whether fear of violent crime experienced by adolescents influences their involvement in unstructured socializing with peers. To test this relationship, we examine data on youth in Chicago collected as part of the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN). The results show that the fear of violent crime in neighborhoods and at schools reduces participation in unstructured socializing with peers. However, this result was only observed for adolescents living in neighborhoods with low levels of concentrated disadvantage. This study provides insight into the consequences of fear of crime for individual behavior. Fear of crime can result in withdrawal from social situations, including avoidance of situations that increase the risk for delinquency and victimization.
Error Correction of Transient Errors in a Sum-Bit Duplicated Adder by Error Detection

In this paper it is shown how the method of error correction of transient errors in a combinational circuit by use of error detection codes can be implemented for a sum-bit duplicated adder, thereby the outputs of the adder circuit are stored in fault-tolerant memory elements which are supposed to be fault-tolerant master-slave flip-flops. The combinational sum- bit duplicated adder circuit is monitored by an online detection circuit based on both a parity code and a duplication code. The error detection signal indicating an error in the combinational adder circuit blocks the slave clock signal in the second half of the clock cycle. The previous correct state values of all the slave latches are preserved for the duration of the transient error. As soon as the transient error disappears, the system can continue to work from a correct state, and no complicated restart of the system is necessary.
Characterization of non-deterministic quantum query and quantum communication complexity

It is known that the classical and quantum query complexities of a total Boolean function f are polynomially related to the degree of its representing polynomial, but the optimal exponents in these relations are unknown. We show that the non-deterministic quantum query complexity of f is linearly related to the degree of a "non-deterministic" polynomial for f. We also prove a quantum-classical gap of 1 vs. N for non-deterministic query complexity for a total f. In the case of quantum communication complexity there is a (partly undetermined) relation between the complexity of f and the logarithm of the rank of its communication matrix. We show that the non-deterministic quantum communication complexity of f is linearly related to the logarithm of the rank of a non-deterministic version of the communication matrix and that it can be exponentially smaller than its classical counterpart.
Joint source-channel coding for lattice watermarking

Coset-based codes are often proposed as an alternative to the theoretical probabilistic random binning in network coding. In this paper nested lattice codes recently proposed for multiterminal binning are used to devise a structured high dimensional Costa scheme for data hiding. The resulting embedding scheme overcomes both the famous Scalar Costa Scheme (SCS) and regular Quantization Index Modulation (QIM). Performances are studied within the context of a Modulo Lattice Additive Noise (MLAN) channel. We first show that the gap to the full AWGN capacity can be partially bridged up using some finite-dimension lattices with good packing properties. Next we use a binning interpretation to argue that information embedding can also be understood as a source-channel coding problem and that nested lattices provide means of constructing efficient low complexity, good source-channel codes. The resulting paradigm connects information embedding to the two rich area of source and channel coding and gives insights -through an example- into the construction of fine/coarse lattices. For illustrations purposes, Monte-Carlo integration-based capacity and simulation-based bit-error rate (BER) curves are provided.
Communications network utility as a function of node entropy

Communications networks are valuable in proportion to the trustworthy information they carry. Network security policies are designed to classify nodes as trustworthy or not with some probability of error when the true status of each node is unknown. By making an analogy with the binary symmetric channel model, properties of networks with optimal security policies are derived. Additive and multiplicative utility models with and without aversion to misclassification risk are considered.