Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Higher Order Spectra Analysis of EEG Signals in Emotional Stress States

This paper proposes an emotional stress recognition system with EEG signals using higher order spectra (HOS). A visual induction based acquisition protocol is designed for recording the EEG signals in five channels (FP1, FP2, T3, T4 and Pz) under two emotional stress states of participants, Calm neutral and Negatively exited. After pre-processing the signals, higher order spectra are employed to extract the features for classifying human emotions. We used Genetic Algorithm for optimum features selection for the classifier. Using the SVM classifier, our study achieved an average accuracy of 82% for the two-abovementioned emotional stress states. We concluded that HOS analysis could be an accurate tool in the assessment of human emotional stress states. We achieved to same results compared to our previous studies.
Why are group‐living badgers (Meles meles) sexually dimorphic?

One of the hypotheses proposed to account for why badgers Meles meles are highly social in the U.K., the resource dispersion hypothesis, is that patchy resources are unpredictably dispersed in the environment and therefore must be shared, but that these patches are rich enough, when available, to support several badgers at any one time. Previous empiricists in our study site at Wytham Woods calculated that single patches could be rich enough to support 30 badgers in a night. The sustained increase in population density in Wytham Woods suggests that food was not limiting and territories were below capacity, and therefore that feeding competition was relatively low. Low feeding competition would predict an absence of dimorphism in trophic apparatus between the sexes. Contrary to this, significant sexual dimorphism was found, after removing effects resulting from body size allometry, in canine cross-section length, width (both P < 0.0001) and skull breadth (P < 0.001). The differences in canine dimensions were still significant when allometry of both body length and skull breadth are accounted for statistically (P < 0.0001). It is therefore suggested that feeding competition may not necessarily be low, which would have implications for understanding the costs of social behaviour. Alternative explanations involving sexual selection and phylogenetic inertia are discussed.
Early Detection of Mycobacteria Using a Novel Hydrogel Culture Method

Background Early laboratory detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is crucial for controlling tuberculosis. We developed a hydrogel mycobacterial culture method that retains the advantages of both solid and liquid methods in terms of speed, cost, and efficiency. Methods Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) suspensions and 200 acid-fast bacilli (AFB)-positive clinical specimens were inoculated in Middlebrook 7H9 liquid media (Becton-Dickinson and Company, USA) and mixed with 75 µL of 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc)-Phe-Phe-OH hydrogel stock solution in an Eppendorf tube just before culture incubation. The mixtures were cultured at 37℃ for as long as 14 days to monitor culture status. Results The number of M. bovis BCG increased with time. For 200 AFB smear-positive specimens, 155 of 158 conventional culture-positive specimens and 4 culture-negative or contaminated specimens yielded positive cultures within 14 days. For 128 specimens positive with the liquid culture method, the time to positive culture using the hydrogel method (mean, 12.6 days; range, 7 to 14 days) was significantly shorter than that for conventional liquid culture (mean, 16.2 days; range, 6 to 31 days; P<0.0001). Conclusions The hydrogel scaffold culture system is useful for timely, economical, and efficient detection of mycobacteria in clinical specimens.
Targeting Hormone-Related Pathways to Improve Grain Yield in Rice: A Chemical Approach

Sink/source relationships, regulating the mobilization of stored carbohydrates from the vegetative tissues to the grains, are of key importance for grain filling and grain yield. We used different inhibitors of plant hormone action to assess their effects on grain yield and on the expression of hormone-associated genes. Among the tested chemicals, 2-indol-3-yl-4-oxo-4-phenylbutanoic acid (PEO-IAA; antagonist of auxin receptor), nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA; abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis inhibitor), and 2-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB; ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor) improved grain yield in a concentration dependent manner. These effects were also dependent on the plant developmental stage. NDGA and AIB treatments induced an increase in photosynthesis in flag leaves concomitant to the increments of starch content in flag leaves and grains. NDGA inhibited the expression of ABA-responsive gene, but did not significantly decrease ABA content. Instead, NDGA significantly decreased jasmonic acid and jasmonic acid-isoleucine. Our results support the notion that the specific inhibition of jasmonic acid and ethylene biosynthesis resulted in grain yield increase in rice.
Learning Robot Low Level Control Primitives : A Case Study

Controlling articulated mobile robots is associated with the manipulation of very complex dynamics, leading to a straightforward lack in the kind of motions these robots can complete, i.e. confined to those computed off-line from the very approximated models of its bodies’ physics. Trajectory generation based on safety mathematical conditions, e.g. avoiding singularities or non-equilibrium states, limites its performance. It has been demonstrated that, by means of optimization process inside the low level control laws, robots may outperform its physical capabilities [1]. Inverse dynamics of very approximated and complex models are not helpful to design natural motions. The system presented in this paper uses a modular control architecture, where joint’s actuators share information between each other. The policies that gather and distribute the signals to the actuators are learned based on the task performance. Here we defend the idea of learning low level control primitives to achieve coordination [2], allowing the system to generate trajectories autonomously by using Policy Gradient Reinforcement learning techniques (PGRL), i.e an optimal control framework is established. In this poster a time-varying dynamics task is used as a test bed : The simulated version of the AIBO! robot completing a basketball-like task by means of PGRL ( see process video); control actions and output signals are presented while comparing changes during learning; additionally, different kind of PGRL algorithms are proved and compared from a control systems’ perspective.
The consequences of finite-time proper orthogonal decomposition for an extensively chaotic flow field

The use of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) to explore the complex fluid flows that are common in engineering applications is increasing and has yielded new physical insights. However, for most engineering systems the dimension of the dynamics is expected to be very large yet the flow field data is available only for a finite time. In this context, it is important to establish the convergence of the POD in order to accurately estimate such quantities as the Karhunen-Lo\`{e}ve dimension. Using direct numerical simulations of Rayleigh-B\'{e}nard convection in a finite cylindrical geometry we explore a regime exhibiting extensive chaos and demonstrate the consequences of performing a POD with a finite amount of data. In particular, we show that the convergence in time of the eigenvalue spectrum, the eigenfunctions, and the dimension are very slow in comparison with the time scale of the convection rolls and that the errors incurred by not using the asymptotic values can be significant. We compute the dimension using two approaches, the method of snapshots and a Fourier method that exploits the azimuthal symmetry. We find that the convergence rate of the Fourier method is vastly improved over the method of snapshots. The dimension is found to be extensive as the system size is increased and for a dimension measurement that captures 90% of the variance in the data the Karhunen-Lo\`{e}ve dimension is about 20 times larger than the Lyapunov dimension.
Light Speed Labeling for RISC architectures

This article introduces a fast algorithm for Connected Component Labeling of binary images called Light Speed Labeling. It is segment-based and a line-relative labeling that was especially thought for RISC computers. An extensive benchmark on both structured and unstructured images substanciates that the algorithm, the way it is designed, is faster and more runtime predictable than Wu's algorithm claimed to be the world fastest in 2007.
Sketching and notation creation with FlexiSketch Team: Evaluating a new means for collaborative requirements elicitation

Whiteboards and paper allow for any kind of notations and are easy to use. Requirements engineers love to use them in creative requirements elicitation and design sessions. However, the resulting diagram sketches cannot be interpreted by software modeling tools. We have developed FlexiSketch as an alternative to whiteboards in previous work. It is a mobile tool for model-based sketching of free-form diagrams that allows the definition and re-use of diagramming notations on the fly. The latest version of the tool, called FlexiSketch Team, supports collaboration with multiple tablets and an electronic whiteboard, such that several users can work simultaneously on the same model sketch. In this paper we present an exploratory study about how novice and experienced engineers sketch and define ad-hoc notations collaboratively in early requirements elicitation sessions when supported by our tool. Results show that participants incrementally build notations by defining language constructs the first time they use them. Participants considered the option to re-use defined constructs to be a big motivational factor for providing type definitions. They found our approach useful for longer sketching sessions and situations where sketches are re-used later on.
Advanced OR and AI Methods in Transportation A REINFORCEMENT LEARNING MODEL FOR SIMULATING ROUTE CHOICE BEHAVIOURS IN TRANSPORT NETWORK

This paper proposes a new algorithm for finding disaggregate user equilibrium on a congested network, in which a driver is assumed to be an agent who learns from driving experiences to get maximal payoffs under the condition of incomplete travel information. Day-to-day route choice behaviours of each driver are formulated as a kind of repeated game with learning, and a simple adoptive procedure that lead to Nash equilibrium is proposed. The model presented here can cover a wide range of network equilibrium concepts from deterministic to stochastic user equilibriums.
A Role for Nature-Based Citizen Science in Promoting Individual and Collective Climate Change Action? A Systematic Review of Learning Outcomes

As a model of communication and engagement, citizen science has the potential to promote individual and collective climate change action. This article systematically reviewed literature that jointly addressed climate change and nature-based citizen science and identified 23 reported learning outcomes. Overall, evidence related to learning outcomes was limited across reviewed studies, but documentation of outcomes that are directly relevant to collective climate action was particularly scarce. Findings suggest more research examining citizen science from a collective climate action perspective is needed. To support future research efforts, results link the 23 revealed learning outcomes to two potential evaluation frameworks.
Anchor-Free Localization in Sparse Sensor Networks by Local Angle Measurement

In this paper, we argue the local angle based localization is more effective than distance based localization in sparse sensor networks. We propose, design, and evaluate a purely distributed, anchor-free localization protocol in sensor networks using local angle measurement. However, the local angle localization problem poses some unique challenges in sensor networks due to information uncertainties identified in this paper. We design the distributed localization protocol specifically to address these challenges. We also compare our approach with a distance based localization method and a centralized angle based algorithm. We show the distributed protocol performs well with noisy angle measurement too.
The (Modified) In Game: An Experimental Paradigm for Manipulating Interpersonal Rejection

We offer a unique paradigm for manipulating interpersonal rejection that models the complexities of real-life rejection, allows for significant participant immersion in the rejection experience, and requires limited materials. Our approach modifies an existing paradigm, the In Game, to encourage the development of coalitions whereby two individuals are included and one is rejected. The original In Game was developed to reflect real-life situations that involve the exchange of resources or use of power, legitimacy, and obligation. We fuse these elements with new features involving coalition formation to produce a powerful rejection manipulation. Results demonstrate that the modified In Game effectively and reliably produces coalitions that result in one randomly assigned individual being rejected. Moreover, rejection in this paradigm is linked to thwarted psychological need fulfillment and reduced positive affect. Implications of this unique paradigm for studying interpersonal rejection are considered along with suggestions for its successful implementation in other research.
Contact Frequency, Travel Time, and Travel Costs for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objectives. To investigate travel time, and travel cost related to contacts with health care providers for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during a three-month period. Methods. Patient-reported travel time and travel cost were obtained from 2847 patients with RA. Eleven outpatient clinics across Denmark recruited patients to the study. Data collected included frequency, travel time and travel costs for contacts at rheumatology outpatient clinics, other outpatient clinics, general practitioners, privately practicing medical specialists, inpatient hospitals and accident and emergency departments. Results. Over a 3-month period, patients with RA had on average 4.4 (sd 5.7) contacts with health care providers, of which 2.8 (sd 4.0) contacts were with rheumatology outpatient clinics. Private car and public travel were the most frequent modes of travel. The average patient spent 63 minutes and 13 € on travelling per contact, corresponding to a total of 4.6 hours and 56 € during the 3-month period. There was great variation in patient travel time and costs, but no statistically significant associations were found with clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusion. The results show that patients with RA spend private time and costs on travelling when they seek treatment. These findings are particularly important when analyzing social costs associated with RA.
The cataclysmic variable CW 1045+525: A secondary-dominated dwarf nova?

We present spectroscopic and photometric observations of the cataclysmic variable CW 1045+525. Both the optical spectrum and the photometric lightcurve show a strong contribution of a K5V{M0V secondary. We derive an orbital period Porb =0 :271278(1) d by measuring the radial velocities of the absorption lines of the secondary. The period and spectral type of the secondary suggest a distance of 350{700 pc. There is evidence for additional sources of line- and continuum emission, but no direct evidence of an accretion disc. We discuss several scenarios for the nature of CW 1045+525 on the basis of our results, nding a dwarf nova classication to be the most probable, although not completely satisfying, explanation for the observed characteristics.
High-resolution In Situ Hybridization and TUNEL Staining with Free-floating Brain Sections

We applied in situ hybridization and the TUNEL technique to free-floating (vibratomed) sections of embryonic and postnatal mouse CNS. Full-length cDNAs specific for oligodendrocyte- or astrocyte-specific genes were labeled with digoxigenin using the random primer method. With paraformaldehyde-fixed sections, the nonradioactive in situ hybridization method provides detection of individual, very small glial progenitor cells in embryonic development. Small, isolated cells expressing oligodendrocyte specific messages can be detected in the neuroepithelium at embryonic and postnatal stages. The technique can be completed within 3 days and is as sensitive as the radioactive method. Likewise, the TUNEL method using DAB as the chromogen on free-floating sections provides excellent resolution. These DAB-stained sections can be embedded in plastic and thin-sectioned to visualize the ultrastructure of apoptotic cells. Both in situ hybridization and TUNEL methods can be applied to the same section, the tissue embedded in plastic, and semithin sections cut. The high resolution obtained with this combined procedure makes it possible to determine whether brain cells expressing glia-specific messages are undergoing apoptosis.
Opinion Retrieval for Twitter Using Extrinsic Information

Opinion retrieval in social networks is a very useful field for industry because it can provide a facility for monitoring opinions about a product, person or issue in real time. An opinion retrieval system generally retrieves topically relevant and subjective documents based on topical relevance and a degree of subjectivity. Previous studies on opinion retrieval only considered the intrinsic features of original tweet documents and thus suffer from the data sparseness problem. In this paper, we propose a method of utilizing the extrinsic information of the original tweet and solving the data sparseness problem. We have found useful extrinsic features of related tweets, which can properly measure the degree of subjectivity of the original tweet. When we performed an opinion retrieval experiment including proposed extrinsic features within a learning-to-rank framework, the proposed model significantly outperformed both the baseline system and the state-of-the-art opinion retrieval system in terms of Mean Average Precision (MAP) and Precision@K (P@K) metrics.
Automatic HLS based low-cost IP watermarking

Currently, the Intellectual Properties (IP) and their reuse are common, however the use of IP is raising design security issues i.e. counterfeiter, reverse engineering. Watermarking is one of the efficient methods to detect an unauthorized IP use and a counterfeiter. In this context, many interesting works have been proposed. However, a few of them combine the watermarking process with the synthesis one. This article presents a new automatic and low cost watermarking solution. The design watermark is implanted in a high-level synthesis process. Some implementation results with Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA assure the proposed solution low overhead compared to existing solution.
Comparative Evaluation of Various Fractal Dimension Estimation Methods

The fractal dimension (FD) is an indicator of the complexity of form, shape or texture of images. Several fractal dimension estimation methods which lead to different results are developed. This paper draws up a survey on FD estimation methods and presents a comparative evaluation between eleven FD estimation techniques belonging to three different approaches namely box-counting, area measurement and fractional Brownian motion.
Identification of a CD4+ T cell-stimulating antigen of pathogenic bacteria by expression cloning

Identifying the immunogenic proteins that elicit pathogen-specific T cell responses is key to rational vaccine design. While several approaches have succeeded in identifying major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I bound peptides that stimulate CD8+ T cells, these approaches have been difficult to extend to peptides presented by MHC class II molecules that stimulate CD4+ T cells. We describe here a novel strategy for identifying CD4+ T cell-stimulating antigen genes. Using Listeria monocytogenes-specific, lacZ-inducible T cells as single- cell probes, we screened a Listeria monocytogenes genomic library as recombinant Escherichia coli that were fed to macrophages. The antigen gene was isolated from the E. coli clone that, when ingested by the macrophages, allowed generation of the appropriate peptide/MHC class II complex and T cell activation. We show that the antigenic peptide is derived from a previously unknown listeria gene product with characteristics of a membrane-bound protein.
High Selectivity Balanced Bandpass Filter with Tunable Bandwidth Using Stub-Loaded Resonator

A new balanced bandpass filter (BPF) with tunable bandwidth using tri-mode stub- loaded resonators is proposed. To tune the differential-mode bandwidth, the two even-mode resonance frequencies and two transmission zeros (TZs) are tuned while the odd-mode resonance frequency keeps unchanged. To realize high selectivity for differential mode, another two TZs are created by the source-load coupling and coupling sections. Furthermore, wideband common-mode (CM) suppression is achieved. The fabricated filter has 3-dB fractional bandwidth ranging from 20.0% to 26.0% centered at 1.71 GHz and wideband suppression (17 dB from 2 to 4.4 GHz) for the differential mode, as well as common-mode suppression better than 20 dB from 0 to 4.5 GHz.
Matrix Models, Large N Limits and Noncommuta- Tive Solitons

Based on plenary lecture given at the XXIV Workshop on Geometric Methods in Physics, Bialowieza, Poland, June 26 – July 2 2005. To be published in Journal of Geometry and Symmetry in Physics . HWM-05-28 , EMPG-05-18 , December 2005 Abstract. A survey of the interrelationships between matrix models an d field theories on the noncommutative torus is presented. The discret ization of noncommutative gauge theory by twisted reduced models is described a long with a rigorous definition of the largeN continuum limit. The regularization of arbitrary noncommutative field theories by means of matrix quantum mechanics and its connection to noncommutative solitons is also discussed.
Steady State Genetic Algorithm for Ground Station Scheduling Problem

Ground station scheduling problem arises in spacecraft operations and aims to allocate ground stations to spacecraft to make possible the communication between operations teams and spacecraft systems. This problem consists in computing an optimal planning of communications between satellites or spacecraft (SC) and operations teams of Ground Station (GS). The information transmitted in these communications is usually basic information such as telemetry, tracking or information tasks to be performed and the time normally required for communication is usually quite smaller than the window of visibility of SCs to GSs. The problem is known for its high complexity and has been shown computationally hard to solve to optimality. Additionally, several optimization objectives can be formulated and sought for the problem, namely, windows fitness, clashes fitness, time requirement fitness, and resource usage fitness. In this paper, we present the resolution of the problem through Steady State Genetic Algorithm (SSGA), in which a few individuals are replaced during genetic evolution. We evaluated the performance of the SSGA through a suite of instances generated with the STK simulation toolkit. The Steady State could find for most instances very high quality solutions although its performance was not equally good for all considered objectives.