Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attention Modulates Visual-Tactile Interaction in Spatial Pattern Matching

Factors influencing crossmodal interactions are manifold and operate in a stimulus-driven, bottom-up fashion, as well as via top-down control. Here, we evaluate the interplay of stimulus congruence and attention in a visual-tactile task. To this end, we used a matching paradigm requiring the identification of spatial patterns that were concurrently presented visually on a computer screen and haptically to the fingertips by means of a Braille stimulator. Stimulation in our paradigm was always bimodal with only the allocation of attention being manipulated between conditions. In separate blocks of the experiment, participants were instructed to (a) focus on a single modality to detect a specific target pattern, (b) pay attention to both modalities to detect a specific target pattern, or (c) to explicitly evaluate if the patterns in both modalities were congruent or not. For visual as well as tactile targets, congruent stimulus pairs led to quicker and more accurate detection compared to incongruent stimulation. This congruence facilitation effect was more prominent under divided attention. Incongruent stimulation led to behavioral decrements under divided attention as compared to selectively attending a single sensory channel. Additionally, when participants were asked to evaluate congruence explicitly, congruent stimulation was associated with better performance than incongruent stimulation. Our results extend previous findings from audiovisual studies, showing that stimulus congruence also resulted in behavioral improvements in visuotactile pattern matching. The interplay of stimulus processing and attentional control seems to be organized in a highly flexible fashion, with the integration of signals depending on both bottom-up and top-down factors, rather than occurring in an ‘all-or-nothing’ manner.
An integrated probabilistic model for scan-matching, moving object detection and motion estimation

This paper presents a novel framework for integrating fundamental tasks in robotic navigation through a statistical inference procedure. A probabilistic model that jointly reasons about scan-matching, moving object detection and their motion estimation is developed. Scan-matching and moving object detection are two important problems for full autonomy of robotic systems in complex dynamic environments. Popular techniques for solving these problems usually address each task in turn disregarding important dependencies. The model developed here jointly reasons about these tasks by performing inference in a probabilistic graphical model. It allows different but related problems to be expressed in a single framework. The experiments demonstrate that jointly reasoning results in better estimates for both tasks compared to solving the tasks individually.
Contribution of the passive ultrasonic irrigation ?PUI? and LASER Nd: YAP in the reduction of endodontic bacterial flora.

The effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite 2.5%, used to remove of the infected pulp endodontic flora was tested in vitro with three irrigation methods. Root canals of freshly extracted teeth infected were treated as follows: the first group was irrigated with a conventional manual syringe, the 2nd group received a passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) and the 3rd group was treated with Nd: YAP. A bacteriological sample was taken on each tooth before and after treatment using sterile paper points, these points were immediately placed in sterile petri dishes containing agar cooked (GSC) blood and incubated anaerobically at 37°C for 48 h. The bacteriological study was performed according to standard molecular biology. Analysis of the results was carried out with the software epi-info3.3. 2.le rate is retained signifiance p<0.005. The results showed the superior efficacy of PUI and laser eradication endodontic flora compared to conventional irrigation.
Outage performance of cooperative small-cell systems under Rician fading channels

We consider a general class of Rician fading multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels, modeled by a random, non-centered channel matrix with a variance profile, i.e., the independent elements of the matrix are allowed to have each a different mean and variance. This channel model is motivated by the recent interest in cooperative small-cell systems where several densely deployed base stations (BSs) cooperatively serve multiple user terminals (UTs). We study the fluctuations of the mutual information of this channel under the form of a central limit theorem (CLT) and provide an explicit expression of the asymptotic variance. The result can be used to compute an approximation of the outage probability of such channels. Although the derived expressions are only tight in the large system limit, we show by simulations that they provide very accurate approximations for realistic system dimensions.
Energy efficiency of collaborative communication with imperfect phase synchronization and Rayleigh fading in wireless sensor networks

In this paper it is presented that significant power gain can be accomplished using collaborative communication, despite of imperfect phase synchronization over the Rayleigh fading channel. This paper presents an energy consumption model for the considered collaborative communication system with imperfect phase synchronization and channel fading. With this model, it is easy to find that, as the number of collaborative sensor nodes increases, notable power can be saved from the data transmission at the expense of increased circuit power. Hence, an energy saving model is defined to study the trade-off between the data transmission power gain and required circuit power. The presented numerical results use parameters taking values from the off-the-shelf products. It is shown that significant energy can be saved using collaborative communication as compared to SISO (Single input single output) communication when the transmission distance is greater than the break-even distance.
VISUAL OBJECT RECOGNITION IN THE CONTEXT OF MOBILE VISION SERVICES

In the context of mapping and mobile vision services, the recognition of objects of the urban infrastructure plays an important role. E.g., the recognition of buildings can foster pointers to relevant information spaces, such as, annotation services, it can provide a semantic index for scene understanding, and can enable more efficient navigation by direct reference to landmark buildings. The presented work provides a generic technology for the recognition of urban objects, i.e., buildings, in terms of a reliable mobile vision service. The presented detection system grounds recognition on a Maximum A Posteriori based decision making on weak object hypotheses from local descriptor responses in the mobile imagery. We present an improvement over standard image descriptors by selecting only informative keys for descriptor matching. Selection is applied first to reduce the complexity of the object model and second to accelerate detection by selective attention. We trained a decision tree to rapidly and efficiently estimate an image descriptor’s posterior entropy value, retaining only those keys for thorough analysis and voting with high information content. The experiments were performed on typical, low quality mobile phone imagery on urban tourist sights under varying environment conditions (changes in scale, viewpoint, illumination, varying degrees of partial occlusion). We demonstrate in this challenging outdoor object detection task the superiority in using informative keys to standard descriptors using a publicly available mobile phone image database, reporting increased reliability in object/background separation, accurate object identification, and providing a confidence quality measure that enables a highly stable mobile vision service. We show further results on imagery captured from a mobile mapping van that demonstrate the capability to localize complex objects of interest in un-calibrated imagery within urban environments. * Corresponding author
Modulation for MIMO networks with several users

In a recent work, a capacity-achieving scheme for the common-message two-user MIMO broadcast channel, based on single-stream coding and decoding, was described. This was obtained via a novel joint unitary triangularization which is applied to the corresponding channel matrices. In this work, the triangularization is generalized, to any (finite) number of matrices, allowing multi-user applications. To that end, multiple channel uses are jointly treated, in a manner reminiscent of space-time coding. As opposed to the two-user case, in the general case there does not always exist a perfect (capacity-achieving) solution. However, a nearly optimal scheme (with vanishing loss in the limit of large blocks) always exists. Common-message broadcasting is but one example of communication networks with MIMO links which can be solved using an approach coined “Network Modulation”; the extension beyond two links carries over to these problems.
Transmission Range Assignment for Backbone Connectivity in Clustered Wireless Networks

In this paper, a method is proposed to assign minimum transmission ranges to the backbone nodes of a hierarchically structured multihop network, while seeking an M% probability to have end-to-end connectivity to the network's data sink. The target scenario is data collection in which cluster head (CH) nodes collect packets from cluster members and then forward them over a CH-backbone towards the sink. The proposed method reduces the energy consumption of data transmissions made by CH nodes, and hence improves the efficiency of existing node clustering protocols, which select arbitrarily large ranges for backbone communications.
Resolution of Collective-Distributive Ambiguity Using Model-Based Reasoning

I present a semantic analysis of collective-distributive ambiguity, and resolution of such ambiguity by model-based reasoning. This approach goes beyond Scha and Stallard [17], whose reasoning capability was limited to checking semantic types. My semantic analysis is based on Link [14, 13] and Roberts [15], where distributivity comes uniformly from a quantificational operator, either explicit (e.g. each) or implicit (e.g. the D operator). I view the semantics module of the natural language system as a hypothesis generator and the reasoner in the pragmatics module as a hypothesis filter (cf. Simmons and Davis [18]). The reasoner utilizes a model consisting of domain-dependent constraints and domain-independent axioms for disambiguation. There are two kinds of constraints, type constraints and numerical constraints, and they are associated with predicates in the knowledge base. Whenever additional information is derived from the model, the Contradiction Checker is invoked to detect any contradiction in a hypothesis using simple mathematical knowledge. CDCL (Collective-Distributive Constraint Language) is used to represent hypotheses, constraints, and axioms in a way isomorphic to diagram representations of collective-distributive ambiguity.
Data rapid finding scheme design

At present, each industry has its own database system. Yet, the overall performance of the business systems is falling, with the increase of running time and the rapid growth of the amount of data. Data rapid finding program was designed in this paper, table partition and index partition technology were used in large oracle table, and fast data retrieval was completed.
To Give or Not to Give

In this article, we address a gap in our knowledge of workplace philanthropy. We explore the factors that distinguish givers from nongivers in workplace campaigns using observational data from a population of employees at a large, public university that has sponsored two annual giving campaigns from 2001 to 2008. The analyses correct for common issues—such as nonresponse and self-reporting biases—that frequently arise in empirical studies of philanthropy. This article is intended to supplement previous research that focuses on workplace givers. We conclude that several factors distinguish workplace givers from nongivers, such as age, gender, salary, duration of employment, and rank. This fuller exploration of workplace giving contributes to a broader understanding of philanthropic giving and its many manifestations.
A New Concurrent Checkpoint Mechanism for Real-Time and Interactive Processes

This paper presents a new concurrent checkpoint mechanism that allows the checkpointed process to run without stopping while checkpoints are set. The checkpointed process can keep running until a memory access request is captured by tracing TLB misses while dumping memory pages (the most time-consuming step when setting a checkpoint). At that time, the checkpointer in the kernel will copy the memory access target page to the designated memory buffer for constructing a consistent state of the checkpointed process, and then resume the memory access. From the experimental results, in contrast to non-concurrent checkpoint techniques, this mechanism can reduce the downtime time of the checkpointed process by 47.4% - 89.8% to ensure concurrency between setting a checkpoint and execution of the checkpointed process. In addition, compared with a traditional concurrent checkpoint system, this mechanism saves more than 2.2% of the checkpoint time and decreases the downtime of the checkpointed process by more than 10%.
Re-evaluating designs for multi-tenant OLTP workloads on SSD-basedI/O subsystems

Multi-tenancy is a common practice that is employed to maximize server resources and reduce the total cloud operation costs. The focus of this work is on multi-tenancy for OLTP workloads. Several designs for OLTP multi-tenancy have been proposed that vary the trade-offs made between performance and isolation. However, existing studies have not considered the impact of OLTP multi-tenancy designs when using an SSD-based I/O subsystem. In this paper, we compare three designs using both open-source and proprietary DBMSs on SSD-based I/O subsystems. Our study reveals that in contrast to the case of an HDD-based I/O subsystem, VM-based designs have fairly competitive performance compared to the non-virtualized designs (generally within 1.3-2X of the best performing case) on SSD-based I/O subsystems. Whereas previous studies were based on traditional hard disk-based environments, our results indicate that switching to a pure SSD-based I/O subsystem requires rethinking the trade-offs for multi-tenant OLTP workloads.
On the Minimization of Loads/Stores in Local Register Allocation

This paper presents an algorithm to find the optimal register allocatbn of stmlght-line programs. The basic approach is to search for a shortest path in a weighted DAG. The machine model used here is a loadlstore architecture, common in RISC machines. Although the weighted DAG grows exponentially in the worst case with the number of variables in the input program and the number of available registers. we provide rules to restrict the worst case to a very small domain. With the provided pruning rules, the optimal algorithm is used to evaluate hew well heuristic algorithms perform fur large basic blocks. We also present a heuristic alguritlrm which generally outper-forms other algorithms In large basic blocks.
The Economic Transition in Bulgaria 1989-1999 Ilian Mihov

This paper provides analysis of the key economic developments in Bulgaria over the period between 1989 and 1999. The key facts in the case of Bulgaria are: (1) delay of economic reform; (2) considerable decline in output; (3) series of financial crises; (4) introduction of a currency board with a comprehensive package of reforms in July 1997. These facts shape the discussion in the current paper around the following three questions: Why were reforms delayed? What are the mechanics of the financial and economic collapse? What are the challenges faced by policy-makers and how to deal with these challenges under the currency board constraint? ∗ I would like to thank Roumen Avramov, Nikolay Nenovsky, Pieter Stek and participants at the Fifth Dubrovnik Conference on Transition Economies, Dubrovnik, Croatia for helpful discussions. The staff of the Centre for Liberal Strategies, Sofia has been extremely helpful throughout the project. Correspondence: Ilian Mihov, Insead, 77300 Fontainebleau, France. E-mail: mihov@econ.insead. fr, tel: (33-1) 6072-4434, fax: (33-1) 6074-5500.
POLAR ORGANIZATION OF THE PROTOPLAST : TIP GROWTH

Background Morphogenesis on a cellular level includes processes in which cytoskeleton and cell wall expansion are strongly involved. In brown algal zygotes, microtubules (MTs) and actin filaments (AFs) participate in polarity axis fixation, cell division and tip growth. Brown algal vegetative cells lack a cortical MT cytoskeleton, and are characterized by centriole-bearing centrosomes, which function as microtubule organizing centres. Scope Extensive electron microscope and immunofluorescence studies of MT organization in different types of brown algal cells have shown that MTs constitute a major cytoskeletal component, indispensable for cell morphogenesis. Apart from participating in mitosis and cytokinesis, they are also involved in the expression and maintenance of polarity of particular cell types. Disruption of MTs after Nocodazole treatment inhibits cell growth, causing bulging and/or bending of apical cells, thickening of the tip cell wall, and affecting the nuclear positioning. Staining of F-actin using Rhodamine-Phalloidin, revealed a rich network consisting of perinuclear, endoplasmic and cortical AFs. AFs participate in mitosis by the organization of an F-actin spindle and in cytokinesis by an F-actin disc. They are also involved in the maintenance of polarity of apical cells, as well as in lateral branch initiation. The cortical system of AFs was found related to the orientation of cellulose microfibrils (MFs), and therefore to cell wall morphogenesis. This is expressed by the coincidence in the orientation between cortical AFs and the depositing MFs. Treatment with cytochalasin B inhibits mitosis and cytokinesis, as well as tip growth of apical cells, and causes abnormal deposition of MFs. Conclusions Both the cytoskeletal elements studied so far, i.e. MTs and AFs are implicated in brown algal cell morphogenesis, expressed in their relationship with cell wall morphogenesis, polarization, spindle organization and cytokinetic mechanism. The novelty is the role of AFs and their possible co-operation with MTs.
The Database of Interacting Proteins: 2004 update

The Database of Interacting Proteins (http://dip.doe-mbi.ucla.edu) aims to integrate the diverse body of experimental evidence on protein-protein interactions into a single, easily accessible online database. Because the reliability of experimental evidence varies widely, methods of quality assessment have been developed and utilized to identify the most reliable subset of the interactions. This CORE set can be used as a reference when evaluating the reliability of high-throughput protein-protein interaction data sets, for development of prediction methods, as well as in the studies of the properties of protein interaction networks.
Charge qubit entanglement via conditional single-electron transfer in an array of quantum dots

We propose a novel scheme to generate entanglement among quantum-dot-based charge qubits via sequential electron transfer in an auxiliary quantum dot structure whose transport properties are conditioned by qubit states. The transfer protocol requires the utilization of resonant optical pulses combined with an appropriate voltage gate pattern. As an example illustrating the application of this scheme, we examine the nine-qubit Shor code state preparation together with the error syndrome measurement.
Communicating Uncertain Experimental Evidence

Four experiments examined when laypeople attribute unexpected experimental outcomes to error, in foresight and in hindsight, along with their judgments of whether the data should be published. Participants read vignettes describing hypothetical experiments, along with the result of the initial observation, considered as either a possibility (foresight) or a reality (hindsight). Experiment 1 found that the initial observation seemed more likely to be replicated when viewed in hindsight than in foresight. The remaining experiments contrasted responses to an initial observation from 1 of the 4 studies that was either expected or unexpected (based on the predictions of participants in Experiment 1). Experiments 2A–C and Experiment 3 found that unexpected results were more likely to be attributed to methodolog-ical problems than were expected ones— but to the same degree in foresight and in hindsight. Participants in Experiment 4 had more confidence in an explanation for an unexpected outcome when it was mentioned before that outcome was revealed than when it was suggested only after the surprise was known. In all the experiments, most participants recommended collecting more data before publishing the results, especially when they attributed the results to multiple causes. The results suggest that considering the causes of unexpected experimental results in foresight may improve the evaluation and communication of those results in hindsight. Every experiment has the potential for unexpected results— otherwise it would not be worth conducting. 1 When surprises arise, scientists need to account for them, either by suggesting new theories or by raising questions about the soundness of its design— and the auxiliary assumptions needed to interpret its results (Laka-tos, Worrall, & Currie, 1980). In psychology, such assumptions might include whether research participants understood the instructions and stimuli as intended, whether the experimental setup conveyed unintended clues or incentives, and whether mistakes were made during data entry or statistical analysis. The need to make such inferences acknowledges that every study requires an assessment of construct validity, as researchers simultaneously evaluate their substantive theories and their meth-odological assumptions (Shadish, Cook, & Campbell, 2002). The weaker the empirical or theoretical support for those assumptions, the more the interpretation of unexpected results must rely on scientific judgment (Fischhoff, Welch, & Frederick, 1999). Surprising results should weaken researchers' confidence in their ability to identify whether problems lie in their theory, their methods, or both. Unless researchers realize that unexpected results raise questions about both theory and method, they risk allowing …
Convergence of Smart Grid ICT Architectures for the Last Mile

The evolution of the electrical grid into a smart grid, allowing user production, storage, and exchange of energy; remote control of appliances; and, in general, optimizations over how the energy is managed and consumed, is an evolution into a complex information and communication technology (ICT) system. With the goal of promoting an integrated and interoperable smart grid, a number of organizations all over the world started uncoordinated standardization activities, which caused the emergence of a large number of incompatible architectures and standards. There are now new standardization activities that have the goal of organizing existing standards and produce best practices to choose the right approach(es) to be employed in specific smart grid designs. This paper follows the lead of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute/European Committee for Standardization/European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (ETSI/CEN/CENELEC) approaches in trying to provide taxonomy of existing solutions; our contribution reviews and relates current ICT state of the art with the objective of forecasting future trends based on the orientation of current efforts and on relationships between them. The resulting taxonomy provides guidelines for further studies of the architectures, and highlights how the standards in the last mile of the smart grid are converging to common solutions to improve ICT infrastructure interoperability.