Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Forearm functional movement recognition using spare channel surface electromyography

Myoelectric signal analysis provides insight into neural control during muscle contraction and it has been widely used to identify the intention of performing different movements for patients with disabilities. Previous studies have demonstrated that detailed neural control information could be extracted from high-density surface electromyography (EMG) signals. However, this imposes practical constraints for routine applications. In this paper, we present an analysis framework using low-density EMG with example experiments demonstrating the control of forearm functional movement Eight channel surface EMG signals are used with subjects performing 6 different forearm and hand movements. Data analysis consisting of feature selection and pattern classification based on KNN, linear discriminant analysis and support vector machine is then performed. High classification accuracy has been achieved for all the subjects, illustrating the practical value of the method proposed.
Critical Issues in Designing Mixed Methods Policy Research

This article argues that policy-related research needs to question the assumption that policy questions can be addressed through the use of research methods that examine the issues through one lens only. It proposes that mixed methods research designs work well when they exploit the potential to see different things, and recognize the limits and the potential that each method offers. In this regard it suggests paying particular attention to team composition, organization, and team work. Drawing on two exemplar studies of policy-related research, the article identifies key ingredients in their mixed methods research designs; the equality of status given to the different research approaches used; the importance of tailoring research questions in relation to their own epistemological and methodological assumptions; the importance of distinguishing between different forms of explanation in the process of comparing and presenting quantitative and qualitative data.
Optimal impulsive control problems with hysteresis

This paper deals with an optimal control problem for measure-driven differential equations with hysteresis. The hysteresis is modelled as a scalar rate independent variational inequality. First, we propose a concept of solution to the impulsive control system of our measure-driven differential equations with hysteresis. In general, these solutions belong to the class of functions of bounded variation. Then, we present some approximate results for the impulsive control system with hysteresis. Finally, we establish the existence of a solution to the optimal control problem we consider.
Visual Sexual Stimuli—Cue or Reward? A Perspective for Interpreting Brain Imaging Findings on Human Sexual Behaviors

There is an increasing number of neuroimaging studies using visual sexual stimuli (VSS), especially within the emerging field of research on compulsive sexual behaviors (CSB). A central question in this field is whether behaviors such as excessive pornography consumption share common brain mechanisms with widely studied substance and behavioral addictions. Depending on how VSS are conceptualized, different predictions can be formulated within the frameworks of Reinforcement Learning or Incentive Salience Theory, where a crucial distinction is made between conditioned and unconditioned stimuli (related to reward anticipation vs. reward consumption, respectively). Surveying 40 recent human neuroimaging studies we show existing ambiguity about the conceptualization of VSS. Therefore, we feel that it is important to address the question of whether VSS should be considered as conditioned stimuli (cue) or unconditioned stimuli (reward). Here we present our own perspective, which is that in most laboratory settings VSS play a role of reward, as evidenced by: (1) experience of pleasure while watching VSS, possibly accompanied by genital reaction; (2) reward-related brain activity correlated with these pleasurable feelings in response to VSS; (3) a willingness to exert effort to view VSS similarly as for other rewarding stimuli such as money; and (4) conditioning for cues predictive of VSS. We hope that this perspective article will initiate a scientific discussion on this important and overlooked topic and increase attention for appropriate interpretations of results of human neuroimaging studies using VSS.
Multitemporal and/or Polarimetric SAR Characterization of Urban Areas

Polarimetric SAR data sets have shown their potential for detecting built-up areas and discriminating their different types. In this paper a study is performed on the combination of polarimetric SAR data from different sensors at different bands and different times, for detection and discrimination of urban areas. The considered data set includes SAR data from ERS, RADARSAT and SIR-C/X-SAR missions, sensed over the town of Pavia, northern Italy, a location on which we have detailed, good-quality ground truth available.
Personal, Moral, and Structural Commitment to Marriage: Gender and the Effects of Family Life Cycle Stage

Abstract This paper is an analytic test of Johnson's commitment framework. Johnson's conceptualization of commitment is grounded in the assumption that people experience three different types of commitment (personal, moral, and structural), and that these types of commitment have different causes and consequences. Using data from a 1980 national random sample of married respondents, we find that personal, moral, and structural commitments are related to the presence and ages of children in the family and that these relationships differ for men and women.
A Scaling Index Analysis of the WMAP three year data: Signatures of non-Gaussianities and Asymmetries in the CMB

Local scaling properties of the co-added foreground-cleaned three-year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) data are estimated using weighted scaling in- dices α. The scaling index method (SIM) is - for the first time - adapted and applied to the case of spherical symmetric spatial data. The results are compared with 1000 Monte Carlo simulations based on Gaussian fluctuations with a best fitCDM power spectrum and WMAP-like beam and noise properties. Statistical quantities based on the scaling indices, namely the moments of the distribution and probability-based measures are determined. We find for most of the test statistics significant deviations from the Gaussian hypothesis. Using a very conservative χ 2 statistics, which aver- ages over all scales, we detect non-Gaussianity with a probability of 97.3 % regarding the Kp0-masked full sky, 98.9 % for the Kp0-masked northern and 91.6 % for the Kp0-masked southern hemisphere. When analysing different length scales separately, the detection rates increase to 99.7 % (> 99.9 % north, 97.4 % south) for the mean, 98.4 % (99.9 % north, 71.6 % south) for the standard deviation and 97.9 % (99.4 % north, 80.3 % south) for a χ 2 -combination of mean and standard deviation. We find pronounced asymmetries, which can be interpreted as a global lack of structure in the northern hemisphere, which is consistent with previous findings. Furthermore, we detect a localized anomaly in the southern hemisphere, which gives rise to highly significant signature for non-Gaussianity in the spectrum of scaling indices P(α). We identify this signature as the cold spot, which was also already detected in the first year WMAP data. Our results provide further evidence for both the presence of non- Gaussianities and asymmetries in the WMAP three-year data. More detailed band- and year-wise analyses are needed to elucidate the origin of the detected anomalies. In either case the scaling indices provide powerful nonlinear statistics to analyse CMB maps.
Device-Free Personal Response System Based on Fiducial Markers

Conventional student response systems require electronic devices for collecting personal responses, such as, wireless RF remote keypads, portable hand helds, PDAs, tablets, and cell phones. Although these devices are becoming inexpensive and popular, their management causes additional burdens for teachers and students. We propose a method of collecting student responses by means of printed fiducial markers and tracking technology based on computer vision. Students can submit a response by holding up their marker sheets. Teachers can continuously track and record the responses using personal IDs in real time. Multiple choice question and 2D positioning implementations are presented. We confirmed the tracking capacity of our system through an experiment with 19 participants.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication technology learning part 2: preprofessional students

In this study, the learning styles and preferences of preprofessional students enrolled in an introductory augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) course were investigated. The specific purposes of the present study were to examine preprofessional students' (1) achievement goal orientation, (2) computer technology interest, and (3) learning mode preferences regarding AAC. The results revealed that preprofessional students were statistically assigned to four distinctive clusters with regard to their achievement goal orientation. Their interest in computer technology was relatively low, and they preferred individual and small-group learning opportunities as compared with direct instruction in new technology.
Moving to Secondary School: On the Role of Affective Expectations in a Tracking School System

Transition to secondary school implies basic changes in social, instructional and organisational aspects of school life which afford the pupils' adjustment. As transition takes place at a predictable point in time, children develop expectations about the start at their new school. In order to analyse predictors and consequences of these expectations 870 German children filled in a questionnaire assessing transition expectations, grades in mathematics and language, academic self-concept, and school dislike. Achievement tests were administered, too. Data were collected at the end of grade four at primary school and one year later at secondary school. Regression and communality analyses revealed that emotional school-related variables are more predictive for expectations than measures of achievement. On the other hand, the influence of expectations on the adjustment at secondary school is only of low importance in comparison to school type-effects.
Deepening Learning and Inspiring Rigor

American students are increasingly incorporating study in a foreign country into their college educations, but many participate in short-term programs that limit their engagement with any more than the superficial aspects of the host culture. This article describes a short-term study abroad course for American students to Japan in which the authors drew on an “emic” host country model of group travel in an effort to combine high academic standards, personal growth, and deepened engagement with Japanese culture. The authors first consider the history of study tours in U.S. study abroad and then look at an alternative model provided by Japanese school trips. The authors explain the process by which their American students read, research, and work in groups to plan the itinerary for their study tour. The final section reports on their preliminary evaluations of the program and their plans for future excursions sponsored by the East Asian Studies program.
Immunity to Distinct Sand Fly Salivary Proteins Primes the Anti-Leishmania Immune Response towards Protection or Exacerbation of Disease

Background Leishmania parasites are transmitted in the presence of sand fly saliva. Together with the parasite, the sand fly injects biologically active salivary components that favorably change the environment at the feeding site. Exposure to bites or to salivary proteins results in immunity specific to these components. Mice immunized with Phlebotomus papatasi salivary gland homogenate (SGH) or pre-exposed to uninfected bites were protected against Leishmania major infection delivered by needle inoculation with SGH or by infected sand fly bites. Immunization with individual salivary proteins of two sand fly species protected mice from L. major infection. Here, we analyze the immune response to distinct salivary proteins from P. papatasi that produced contrasting outcomes of L. major infection. Methodology/Principal Findings DNA immunization with distinct DTH-inducing salivary proteins from P. papatasi modulates L. major infection. PpSP15-immunized mice (PpSP15-mice) show lasting protection while PpSP44-immunized mice (PpSP44-mice) aggravate the infection, suggesting that immunization with these distinct molecules alters the course of anti-Leishmania immunity. Two weeks post-infection, 31.5% of CD4+ T cells produced IFN-γ in PpSP15-mice compared to 7.1% in PpSP44-mice. Moreover, IL-4-producing cells were 3-fold higher in PpSP44-mice. At an earlier time point of two hours after challenge with SGH and L. major, the expression profile of PpSP15-mice showed over 3-fold higher IFN-γ and IL-12-Rβ2 and 20-fold lower IL-4 expression relative to PpSP44-mice, suggesting that salivary proteins differentially prime anti-Leishmania immunity. This immune response is inducible by sand fly bites where PpSP15-mice showed a 3-fold higher IFN-γ and a 5-fold lower IL-4 expression compared with PpSP44-mice. Conclusions/Significance Immunization with two salivary proteins from P. papatasi, PpSP15 and PpSP44, produced distinct immune profiles that correlated with resistance or susceptibility to Leishmania infection. The demonstration for the first time that immunity to a defined salivary protein (PpSP44) results in disease enhancement stresses the importance of the proper selection of vector-based vaccine candidates.
Hierarchical Grid-based Multi-People Tracking-by-Detection With Global Optimization

We present a hierarchical grid-based, globally optimal tracking-by-detection approach to track an unknown number of targets in complex and dense scenarios, particularly addressing the challenges of complex interaction and mutual occlusion. Frame-by-frame detection is performed by hierarchical likelihood grids, matching shape templates through a fast oriented distance transform. To allow recovery from misdetections, common heuristics such as nonmaxima suppression within observations is eschewed. Within a discretized state-space, the data association problem is formulated as a grid-based network flow model, resulting in a convex problem casted into an integer linear programming form, giving a global optimal solution. In addition, we show how a behavior cue (body orientation) can be integrated into our association affinity model, providing valuable hints for resolving ambiguities between crossing trajectories. Unlike traditional motion-based approaches, we estimate body orientation by a hybrid methodology, which combines the merits of motion-based and 3D appearance-based orientation estimation, thus being capable of dealing also with still-standing or slowly moving targets. The performance of our method is demonstrated through experiments on a large variety of benchmark video sequences, including both indoor and outdoor scenarios.
ERGODICITY OF QUEUEING NETWORKS WITH SEVERAL CUSTOMER

We consider a network of service stations with different classes of customers where interarrival times and service requirments have ph~e-type distributions, and the service discipline is an arbitrary work-conserving policy. We show that the underlying Markov process is ergodic, if and only if the utilization at eaclt. service station is less than one. We also show, that all the moments of the queue lengths under-the stationary distribution, are finite.
Diffeomorphisms and Nonlinear Heat Flows

We show that the gradient flow ${\mathbf u}$ on $L^2$ generated by the energy functional $I[{\mathbf u}] := \int_U \Phi(\det D{\mathbf u}) \, dx$ for vector-valued mappings is in some sense "integrable," meaning that (i) the inverse Jacobian $\beta := (\det D{\mathbf u})^{-1}$ satisfies a scalar nonlinear diffusion equation, and (ii) we can recover ${\mathbf u}$ by solving an ODE determined by $\beta$.
Reflective Teaching as a Path to Religious Meaning-Making and Growth

Abstract This qualitative study examines how respondents evaluate the influence of their teachers upon the formation of their religious discourse in terms of content, process, and structure. This study addresses the educational-value aspect of religious schooling, as distinct from the instructional aspect, as an integral part of the school curriculum. The findings show that the role of teachers in the construction of their students’ religious world is limited. The style of most of the teachers in Religious Education is instrumental; only a small minority utilizes reflective strategies. However, these teachers had a meaningful impact on their students’ religious socialization processes.
Visual disengagement in the infant siblings of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are impaired in visually disengaging attention in both social and non-social contexts. These impairments may, in subtler form, also affect the infant siblings of children with ASD (ASD-sibs). We investigated patterns of visual attention (gazing) in 6-month-old ASD-sibs (n = 17) and the siblings of typically developing children (COMP-sibs: n =17) during the Face-to-Face/Still-Face Protocol (FFSF), in which parents are sequentially responsive, non-responsive, and responsive to their infants. Throughout the protocol, ASD-sibs shifted their gaze to and from their parents' faces less frequently than did COMP-sibs. The mean durations of ASD-sibs' gazes away from their parents' faces were longer than those of COMP-sibs. ASD-sibs and COMP-sibs did not differ in the mean durations of gazes at their parents' faces. In sum, ASD-sibs showed no deficits in visual interest to their parents' faces, but greater interest than COMP-sibs in non-face stimuli.
An Ontology-Based Method for Integrating Heterogeneous Itembanks

In this paper, we present a simple but efficient algorithm for integrating a collection of heterogeneous itembanks, called Heterogeneous Itembanks Integrator (HIBI). This algorithm is motivated by the desire to integrate itembanks provided by publishers to the users of an e-Learning system, which generally use different content structures. The proposed algorithm starts off with one of the itembanks as a reference itembank. All the items on the other itembanks are integrated into the reference itembank to create the so-called meta-itembank. Moreover, by treating the metaitembank thus created as the reference itembank, it can be easily extended by using exactly the same algorithm. We also use the concept of ontology to share itemsets with other systems. The experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm can provide an extremely high quality result in terms of both the relevance of items and the computation time in Chinese itemsets.
Wavelet-based distributed source coding of video

A wavelet-based video coder built on the principles of distributed source coding is described. The encoder employs a syndrome-based encoding strategy for intercoded coefficients while other coefficients are intracoded using an embedded wavelet-based coder designed for the coding of arbitrarily shaped image objects. The decoder uses a reference frame in the domain of a redundant wavelet transform to search for blocks matching the syndrome received from the encoder in order to decode intercoded coefficients. Experimental results indicate that, due to improved intraframe coding, the proposed wavelet-based algorithm significantly outperforms a similar technique constructed with JPEG-like intraframe coding.
Social Interaction Effects in the Framing of Buying Decisions

The reported study is a response to the Kahneman and Tversky (1984; 1988) proposal that systematic examination of alternative framings of decisions offers a useful reflective device that can help decision makers assess the values that should be attached to the primary and secondary consequences of their choices. We investigate the effect of social interaction as a mediator of responses to the theater ticket problems of Tversky and Kahneman (1981). The hypothesis is supported that attending the theater with a friend (social interaction) versus alone reduced the effect of the lost ticket versus the loss of a $10 bill on willingness to spend a second $10 to see the play. A further hypothesis, that social interaction results in a positive main effect on attending the theater after the ticket ($10 bill) loss receives limited support. The results support the views of Payne (1982), Schoemaker (1982), and Bettman, Johnson, and Payne (1991) that context effects influence a decision maker's judgment and, hence, the outcome of the decision process. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Pain and Defense Versus Grace and Justice: The Relational Conflict and Restoration Model

The article presents an integrated theoretical perspective on the origin, maintenance and alteration of relational conflict. It suggests that relational conflict and reconciliation can be understood as two behavioral alternatives that couples respond with during the experience of pain or other negative emotion. The presence of pain elicits a defensive reaction that encourages a perpetuation of the conflict process; or it encourages a demonstration of grace and justice that can permit relationships to be a healing agent. The components of the relational conflict cycle and the relational reconciliation cycle are explained.
Estimating sleep patterns with activity monitoring in children and adolescents: how many nights are necessary for reliable measures?

STUDY OBJECTIVES This study provides estimates of reliability for aggregated values from 1 to 7 recording nights for five commonly used actigraphic measures of sleep patterns, reliability as a function of night type (weeknight or weekend night), and stability of measures over several months. DESIGN AND SETTING Data are from three studies that obtained 7 nights of actigraph data (using Mini Motionlogger actigraphs and associated validated algorithms [ASA]) on children and adolescents living at home on self-selected sleep-wake schedules. PARTICIPANTS Participants were 169 children aged 12-60 months, and 55 adolescents aged 11-16 years. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Up to 28% of weekly recordings may be unacceptable for analysis in young participants because of illness, technical problems, and participant noncompliance; studies aiming to collect 5 nights of actigraph data should record for at least 1 full week. Reliability estimates for values aggregated over any 5 nights were adequate (> or = .70) for sleep start time, wake minutes, and sleep efficiency. Measures of sleep minutes and sleep period were less reliable and may require 7 or more nights for estimates of stable individual differences. Reliability for 1- or 2-night aggregates were poor for all measures. We found significant and high correlations between summer and fall session measures for all five variables when weekend nights were included. CONCLUSIONS Five or more nights of usable recordings are required to obtain reliable actigraph measures of sleep for children and adolescents.