Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EXERCISE AND REACTION TIMES

OBJECTIVES: Physical exercise provides multiple benefits to an individual. It is known that exercising regularly can prevent coronary heart disease, hypertension and obesity and improve flexibility. The effect of exercise on visual reaction time needs to be studied, as the existing data on the benefit of aerobic exercise on psychomotor functions is insufficient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Online Visual reaction time is measured before and after exercise. Subjects were instructed to run on the spot with a springy step in exaggerated motion for 50 to 60 counts at 2 counts per second, maintaining a constant rhythm. RESULTS: We observed that reaction time was significantly lower after performance of exercise. Individuals reported improved mental alertness, feel good factor, better mood and increase circulation. CONCLUSION: Improving reaction times in sports can help the athlete to optimize his performance in making decisions and increasing attention span for example getting off the starting blocks sooner or successfully making contact with the ball. In addition this study shows that use of physical exercise helps improve cognitive function. Exercise proves to be a cheap non pharmacological alternative to improve cognitive performance.
Application of self-organizing maps and LVQ in training continuous density hidden Markov models for phonemes

to low error rates occurs faster and yields (in the average) better models. If the mean vectors of the multivariate Gaussian density functions are placed according to the clusters organized by SOMs, only a couple of iterations of maximum likelihood estimation is required to set suitable values to the other CDHMM parameters. The LVQ was used to get more discrim-inative clustering but it seems that the Baum-Welch algorithm cannot preserve this discriminativity very well. However, in the segmental K-means algorithm the lowest average speech recognition error rate was obtained when the mean vectors of the mixed Gaussians were initially created from the reference vectors by using LVQ. A tutorial on hidden Markov models and selected applications in speech recognition. 77(2):257{ data. The weighting coecient is then the probability of being in the state for which the parameters are estimated computed by the old parameter values. The diierence in the segmental K-means compared to the Baum-Welch is that only data points assigned to the current state in the most probable state sequences are used in the estimation. The most probable state sequence for each training word is eciently computed using the Viterbi algorithm based on dynamic programming 1]. In both of the training algorithms the amount of training data and the number of mixture components aect heavily the amount of required memory and calculations. In preliminary experiments we found that it is prootable to simplify the form of mixture densities by using global and diagonal covariance matrices for all mixture components. This also allows to use considerably more mixture components without increasing the computational load excessively. In 7] we determined the suitable number of mixture components for our system to be about 25. The problem with covariance terms is that their proper estimation requires vast amount of well representative training data 9] and poor estimates seems to be fatal for the recognition ability. 5 EXPERIMENTS Experiments were carried out using the speech recognition system in the Laboratory of Information and Computer Science at Helsinki University of Technology 10]. The system works like a phonetic typewriter transcribing spoken Finnish utterances into phoneme sequences. The tests were performed for three male Finnish speakers. For each speaker, four repetitions of a set of 311 Finnish words were available. The acoustical features used as observations of speech signal are 20-component cepstral vectors computed every 10 ms from a 20 ms window. The cepstral coeecients are …
Turf Wars Helios

Turf wars in organizations commonly occur in environments where competition undermines collaboration. We develop a game theoretic model and experimental test of turf wars. The model explores how team production incentives ex post affect team formation decisions ex ante. In the game, one agent decides whether to share jurisdiction over a project with other agents. Agents with jurisdiction decide whether to exert effort and receive a reward based on their relative performance. Hence, sharing can increase joint production but introduces competition for the reward. We find that collaboration has a non-monotonic relationship with both productivity and rewards. The laboratory experiment confirms the model’s main predictions. We also explore extensions of the basic model, including one where each agent’s productivity is private information. This version: May 2016 JEL Codes: D73, D74, D82
Fast service recovery under shared protection at connection level in WDM grooming networks

In this paper, a novel algorithm optimizing the utilization of backup path resources for survivable WDM mesh grooming networks, based on graph vertex-coloring approach, is proposed. This is the first optimization technique, dedicated to protection-at-connection level (PAC) in WDM grooming networks, such that does not increase the backup path length and thus provides fast service recovery. The concept was evaluated for the U.S. Long-Distance Network and European COST 239 Network. The results show that, with only a little degradation of link capacity utilization efficiency (up to 8%), up to 20% shorter average values of service recovery time can be achieved.
Adaptation of the non-human great ape lower limb in response to locomotor behaviour

Understanding the relationship between structure and function is crucial when trying to establish differences between closely related species; such as primates. Muscle architecture from the hindlimbs of great apes was compared, and indicated differences both within and across species. Asymmetry in the musculature of chimpanzees was found to be significant for certain muscle groups; indicating that leg preference for specific tasks may exist within this species. The comparison across the four species studied indicated subtle differences between the orangutan and the other great apes; with longer muscle fascicles, smaller physiological crosssectional area and angles of pennation. This suggests an adaptation to slow and controlled, wider positional movements, as part of a complex arboreal environment. Muscle architectural variables did not consistently scale allometrically, however, using analysis of covariance to normalise for body mass showed significant differences at the species level. In all great apes, the lower limb tendons varied in their mechanical properties; with a hallucal flexor yielding a higher Young’s modulus than tendons associated with muscles of power and balance, suggesting an adaptation to a specific functional role. The plantar aponeurosis was morphologically different across all species studied, with results indicating an adaptation to shear, multi-directional forces in the orangutan foot, possibly reflecting the use of hand assisted bipedalism in an arboreal context, and linear, anteroposterior forces in the gorilla. Overall, this thesis outlines the subtle differences present between closely related species of primates, indicating that morphological adaptations occur in response to external loading during locomotor behaviour.
Identification of low/high retrievable patents using content-based features

Document retrievability is a measurement used in information retrieval for identifying the bias of retrieval systems. In order to measure system bias for a specific document collection, an exhaustive set of queries is processed, measuring the frequency with which each document is retrieved. For better understanding and handling system bias, we need to understand the characteristics of documents that influence retrievability, and ideally be able to identify documents with high and low retrievability in advance. For this purpose, we identify a number of content-based features, which can be used effectively to classify a corpus into documents with low and high retrievability w.r. t a specific retrieval system. Our experiments on patent collections show that these features can achieve more than 80% classification accuracy on different systems, and hint at the need to combine different retrieval systems for optimizing recall.
Isolation, Characterization, and Stability of Discretely-Sized Nanolipoprotein Particles Assembled with Apolipophorin-III

Background Nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs) are discoidal, nanometer-sized particles comprised of self-assembled phospholipid membranes and apolipoproteins. NLPs assembled with human apolipoproteins have been used for myriad biotechnology applications, including membrane protein solubilization, drug delivery, and diagnostic imaging. To expand the repertoire of lipoproteins for these applications, insect apolipophorin-III (apoLp-III) was evaluated for the ability to form discretely-sized, homogeneous, and stable NLPs. Methodology Four NLP populations distinct with regards to particle diameters (ranging in size from 10 nm to >25 nm) and lipid-to-apoLp-III ratios were readily isolated to high purity by size exclusion chromatography. Remodeling of the purified NLP species over time at 4°C was monitored by native gel electrophoresis, size exclusion chromatography, and atomic force microscopy. Purified 20 nm NLPs displayed no remodeling and remained stable for over 1 year. Purified NLPs with 10 nm and 15 nm diameters ultimately remodeled into 20 nm NLPs over a period of months. Intra-particle chemical cross-linking of apoLp-III stabilized NLPs of all sizes. Conclusions ApoLp-III-based NLPs can be readily prepared, purified, characterized, and stabilized, suggesting their utility for biotechnological applications.
On Degree-Based Decentralized Search in Complex Networks

Decentralized search aims to find the target node in a large network by using only local information. The applications of it include peer-to-peer file sharing, web search and anything else that requires locating a specific target in a complex system. In this paper, we examine the degree-based decentralized search method. Specifically, we evaluate the efficiency of the method in different cases with different amounts of available local information. In addition, we propose a simple refinement algorithm for significantly shortening the length of the route that has been found. Some insights useful for the future developments of efficient decentralized search schemes have been achieved.
Chinese Patent Infringement Retrieval Model Based on the Structure Information of Patent's Claims

To increase the accuracy of patent infringement retrieval, Chinese patent infringement retrieval model was proposed based on the structure information of patent's claims. In the model, Chinese patents were reclassified firstly by the forty "Chinese split words" which were extracted from patent database from view of retrieval. Different types of words were selected to construct vector space on the basis of patent classification, and then two-step retrieval algorithm was applied. After explaining the steps of the model, an empirical patent infringement illustration and contrast experiment on optical communication technology in China are conducted and the results show this approach is effective.
An Empirical Investigation of Fluctuations in Manufacturing Sales and Inventory within a Sticky-Price Framework

The empirical study undertaken here employs a structural VAR to estimate the dynamic adjustment of manufacturing sales and inventories to both nominal demand and real supply shocks. The analysis suggests that these impulse responses are generally consistent with those of an equilibrium model of inventory behavior with sticky prices. However, fluctuations in sales and the inventory:sales ratio are found to be mainly driven by real disturbances at both short and long horizons. Moreover, at the business cycle frequency, the relatively minor role of monetary shocks in generating real fluctuations tends to hold consistently throughout the sample period considered.
FOR DECODING OF STRUCTURED LDPC CODES USING THE ONTHE – FLY COMPUTATION PARADIGM

Recent research efforts based on joint code-decoder design methodology have shown that it is possible to construct structured LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes without any performance degradation. An interesting new data independence property between the two classes of messages viz. check to bit and bit to check involved in decoding, is observed. This property is a result of the specific structuring of parity check matrix. By exploiting this property, we propose an architecture in which the computation of messages is synchronized such that each class of messages is consumed immediately by the computational unit for another class of messages. The internal memory of the check to bit units is increased in tune with the storage requirement of the check to bit messages. The separate memories for check to bit and bit to check messages are eliminated. This approach has memory savings of 75% and reduces the overall memory accesses by 66% when compared to some of existing work. When compared to recent implementations the savings are mainly in reduction of memory accesses and the speed of the proposed data path. The architecture renders itself to efficient implementation of various LDPC decoding algorithms such as Min-Sum and layered decoding.
PREFETCHING USING OFF-LINE LEARNING

An important technique for alleviating the memory bottleneck is data prefetching. Data prefetching solutions ranging from insertion of prefetch instructions by means of program analysis to strictly hardware prefetch mechanisms have been proposed. The former, however, is less successful for pointer intensive applications. In this paper, we propose a hardware solution that utilizes off-line learning algorithms. In essence, a sample trace of the application is fed into various off-line learning schemes. The results from these schemes are then loaded into a prefetching hardware at the appropriate point in the execution of the application to drive the prefetching. We propose a general architecture and scheme for such a process and report on the results of some of the experiments we performed.
Effects of Diffracted Waves for Perfectly Conducting Wedges in Propagation Path of Wireless Communication

In order to have an effective utilization of the radio wave resources, it is important to estimate propagation path in the urban area. In our previous work, we have examined the diffracted fields by two horizontal edges with an arbitrary angle which are in different and same heights, when a source is located lower than the height of the edges. In this paper, we compare the strength of the direct field, single and double diffracted fields, when the height of the source is varied. The numerical calculations are carried out for two wedges and a building-like double-wedge on perfect conductor. The results show that the higher the source is located, the stronger the diffracted fields become.
Towards Type-Safe JCop: A type system for layer inheritance and first-class layers

This paper describes a type system for JCop, which is an extension of Java with language mechanisms for context-oriented programming. A simple type system as in Java, however, is not sufficient to prevent errors due to the absence of invoked methods because interfaces of objects can change at run time by dynamic layer composition, a characteristic feature of context-oriented programming. Igarashi, Hirschfeld, and Masuhara have studied a type system for dynamic layer composition, but their type system is not directly applicable to JCop due to JCop-specific features such as layer inheritance, first-class layers, and declarative layer composition. We discuss how their type system can be extended to these language features.
Co-ordinate interleaved non-orthogonal amplify and forward relaying protocol

In this paper, we propose and analyze a coordinate interleaved non-orthogonal amplify and forward (CINAF) protocol for the single antenna half-duplex relay channel. Compared to a conventional non-orthogonal amplify and forward (NAF) protocol, the proposed protocol achieves full diversity for all transmitted symbols. The proposed precoding scheme also has the advantage of a low complexity zero forcing successive interference cancellation at the receiver compared to joint maximum likelihood decoding for an existing precoding scheme. In a cooperation frame having N symbol intervals, the conventional NAF protocol transmits N symbols. Out of these N symbols only N over 2 symbols get the full diversity gain provided by the cooperative network. The remaining N over 2 symbols do not have any diversity advantage. In order to achieve full diversity gain, we propose precoded transmission using coordinate interleaving. We prove that the proposed scheme achieves full diversity for all symbols. We also show using simulations that the proposed scheme is better in terms of performance compared to an existing precoding scheme.
Vitamin D sensitivity to the immune responses and autoimmunity: A chemical network model study

Although Vitamin D is believed to be involved in a large number of immune responses our understanding of these processes at cellular level remained at infancy. We develop and solve a coarse grained kinetic network model to quantify the effects of variation of vitamin D on human immunity. The system of equations accounts for known inter-relation between active and inactive vitamin D, antigen presenting cells, effector T cells, regulatory T cells and pathogen. Both time dependent and steady state solutions are obtained. The time dependent solution of the system of equations reveals that the immune response is rather strongly regulated in presence of vitamin D. We found quantitatively that lower than optimum levels of concentration of active vitamin D correspond to weak regulation where, once a pathogen/antigen enters the body, the nature of the immune response would be less regulatory and hence more aggressive, or inflammatory. The steady state solution of our model shows that vitamin D enhances the tolerance level of immune system, thereby increasing resistance to autoimmune diseases. Our model and accompanied numerical analyses reveal another important aspect of immunity: While extremely low levels of vitamin D could lead to increased risk of autoimmune responses, an overdose (toxic) level would give rise to too large a tolerant response, leading to the increased risk of tumors and cancerous cell growth.
On the Yamabe equation with rough potentials

We study the existence of non--trivial solutions to the Yamabe equation: $$-\Delta u+ a(x)= \mu u|u|^\frac4{n-2} \hbox{} \mu >0, x\in \Omega \subset {\mathbf R}^n \hbox{with} n\geq 4,$$ $$ u(x)=0 \hbox{on} \partial \Omega$$ under weak regularity assumptions on the potential $a(x)$. More precisely in dimension $n\geq 5$ we assume that: \begin{enumerate} \item $a(x)$ belongs to the Lorentz space $L^{\frac n2, d}(\Omega)$ for some $1\leq d 0$ such that $$\int_\Omega (|\nabla u|^2 + a(x) |u|^2) \hbox{} dx \geq c\int_\Omega |\nabla u|^2 \hbox{} dx \hbox{} \forall u\in H^1_0(\Omega). $$ \end{enumerate} \noindent In dimension $n=4$ the hypothesis $(2)$ above is replaced by $$a(x)\leq 0 \hbox{} a.e. \hbox{} x\in \Omega. $$
Baseline glucocorticoids are drivers of body mass gain in a diving seabird

Abstract Life‐history trade‐offs are influenced by variation in individual state, with individuals in better condition often completing life‐history stages with greater success. Although resource accrual significantly impacts key life‐history decisions such as the timing of reproduction, little is known about the underlying mechanisms driving resource accumulation. Baseline corticosterone (CORT, the primary avian glucocorticoid) mediates daily and seasonal energetics, responds to changes in food availability, and has been linked to foraging behavior, making it a strong potential driver of individual variation in resource accrual and deposition. Working with a captive colony of white‐winged scoters (Melanitta fusca deglandi), we aimed to causally determine whether variation in baseline CORT drives individual body mass gains mediated through fattening rate (plasma triglycerides corrected for body mass). We implanted individuals with each of three treatment pellets to elevate CORT within a baseline range in a randomized order: control, low dose of CORT, high dose of CORT, then blood sampled and recorded body mass over a two‐week period to track changes in baseline CORT, body mass, and fattening rates. The high CORT treatment significantly elevated levels of plasma hormone for a short period of time within the biologically relevant, baseline range for this species, but importantly did not inhibit the function of the HPA (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal) axis. Furthermore, an elevation in baseline CORT resulted in a consistent increase in body mass throughout the trial period compared to controls. This is some of the first empirical evidence demonstrating that elevations of baseline CORT within a biologically relevant range have a causal, direct, and positive influence on changes in body mass.
Allometry of Clutch and Neonate Sizes in Monitor Lizards (Varanidae: Varanus)

Abstract This paper analyzes data from the published literature with the addition of some new information to explore the relationship between varanid body size and reproductive biology. Incubation time for varanid eggs is positively correlated with egg mass, neonate snout–vent length (SVL), and maximum adult snout–vent length (SVLmax). Incubation period of heavier eggs is proportionally less than for smaller eggs at 30 C. SVLmax is positively correlated with egg mass, clutch size, clutch mass, neonate body mass, and neonate SVL. Neonates of larger species have longer SVL but are smaller as a proportion of SVLmax than for smaller species. Clutch sizes are larger and more variable for larger species; however, clutch sizes for larger species relative to SVLmax are smaller than for smaller species. The intraspecific influence of maternal SVL on clutch size is greater than the interspecific influence of SVLmax on clutch size. These results suggest there are greater fitness advantages for smaller species having relatively larger offspring than for larger species, which concurs with results for snakes and other genera of lizards, as well as optimal offspring size theory. Reproductive output also appears to be influenced by maternal abdominal volume. Analysis of phylogenetically corrected data generally concurs with patterns evident in the nonphylogenetically corrected data. Body size has a much greater influence on reproductive output of Varanus than phylogeny.
PILOTING REAL-TIME QRS DETECTION ALGORITHMS IN VARIABLE CONTEXTS

This paper presents a cardiac arrhythmia medical monitoring system that can modify and change the components of its processing chain to carry out the best treatment on electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. The most important feature to detect in the ECG is the QRS complex. However, the experience gathered over several years, shows that the proposed strategies to detect the QRS complex have reached an asymptotic detection performance. We propose to use a mixture of low-level and high-level information, called the current context, to pilot QRS detection algorithms in order to reduce the number of errors. The algorithms are piloted according to a set of piloting rules acquired by statistical analysis. Results of piloting three QRS detectors on five test ECGs corrupted by real clinical noise, show that the pilot enables to reduce the error rate from 14,3% to 10,6%. These results are useful to the development of a real-time monitoring system which can choose the best algorithm to recognize arrhythmias in clinical noisy context. The presented approach is not restricted to the QRS complex detection but can be extended to the processing of other biomedical signals.