Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morality: An Evolutionary Account

Refinements in Darwin's theory of the origin of a moral sense create a framework equipped to organize and integrate contemporary theory and research on morality. Morality originated in deferential, cooperative, and altruistic “social instincts,” or decision-making strategies, that enabled early humans to maximize their gains from social living and resolve their conflicts of interest in adaptive ways. Moral judgments, moral norms, and conscience originated from strategic interactions among members of groups who experienced confluences and conflicts of interest. Moral argumentation buttressed by moral reasoning is equipped to generate universal and impartial moral standards. Moral beliefs and standards are products of automatic and controlled information-processing and decision-making mechanisms. To understand how people make moral decisions, we must understand how early evolved mechanisms in the old brain and recently evolved mechanisms in the new brain are activated and how they interact. Understanding what a sense of morality is for helps us understand what it is.
Primary cilia and Gli3 activity regulate cerebral cortical size

During neural development patterning, neurogenesis, and overall growth are highly regulated and coordinated between different brain regions. Here, we show that primary cilia and the regulation of Gli activity are necessary for the normal expansion of the cerebral cortex. We show that loss of Kif3a, an important functional component of primary cilia, leads to the degeneration of primary cilia, marked overgrowth of the cortex, and altered cell cycle kinetics within cortical progenitors. The G1 phase of the cell cycle is shortened through a mechanism likely involving reduced Gli3 activity and a resulting increase in expression of cyclin D1 and Fgf15. The defects in Gli3 activity alone are sufficient to accelerate cell cycle kinetics and cause the molecular changes seen in brains that lack cilia. Finally, we show that levels of full‐length and repressor Gli3 proteins are tightly regulated during normal development and correlate with changes in expression of two known Shh‐target genes, CyclinD1 and Fgf15, and with the normal lengthening of the cell cycle during corticogenesis. These data suggest that Gli3 activity is regulated through the primary cilium to control cell cycle length in the cortex and thus determine cortical size. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2012
T1 quantification with inversion recovery TrueFISP

A snapshot FLASH sequence can be used to acquire the time course of longitudinal magnetization during its recovery after a single inversion pulse. However, excitation pulses disturb the exponential recovery of longitudinal magnetization and may produce systematic errors in T1 estimations. In this context the possibility of using the TrueFISP sequence to detect the recovery of longitudinal magnetization for quantitative T1 measurements was examined. Experiments were performed on different Gd‐doped water phantoms and on humans. T1 values derived from inversion recovery TrueFISP were in excellent agreement with the single‐point method even for flip angles up to 50°. In terms of T1 accuracy and SNR, the proposed method seems to be superior to the conventional inversion recovery snapshot FLASH technique. Magn Reson Med 45:720–723, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Semi Autonomous Mine Detection System SPIE Defense Security and Sensing

CMMAD is a risk reduction effort for the AMDS program. As part of CMMAD, multiple instances of semi autonomous robotic mine detection systems were created. Each instance consists of a robotic vehicle equipped with sensors required for navigation and marking, countermine sensors and a number of integrated software packages which provide for real time processing of the countermine sensor data as well as integrated control of the robotic vehicle, the sensor actuator and the sensor. These systems were used to investigate critical interest functions (CIF) related to countermine robotic systems. To address the autonomy CIF, the INL developed RIK was extended to allow for interaction with a mine sensor processing code (MSPC). In limited field testing this system performed well in detecting, marking and avoiding both AT and AP mines. Based on the results of the CMMAD investigation we conclude that autonomous robotic mine detection is feasible. In addition, CMMAD contributed critical technical advances with regard to sensing, data processing and sensor manipulation, which will advance the performance of future fieldable systems. As a result, no substantial technical barriers exist which preclude – from an autonomous robotic perspective – the rapid development and deployment of fieldable systems.
Integrated Human Decision Behavior Modeling under an Extended Belief-Desire-Intention Framework

Modeling comprehensive human decision behaviors in a unified and extensible framework is quite challenging. In this research, an integrated Belief-Desire-Intention (BDI) modeling framework is proposed to represent the human decision behavior, whose submodules (Belief, Desire, Decision-Making, and Emotion modules) are based on a Bayesian belief network (BBN), Decision-Field-Theory (DFT), a probabilistic depth first search (PDFS) technique, and a BBN-reinforcement (Q-Learning) hybrid learning algorithm. A key novelty of the proposed model is its ability to represent various human decision behaviors such as decision-making, decision-planning, and learning in a unified framework. To this end, first, we extend DFT (a widely known psychological model for preference evolution) to cope with dynamic environments. The extended DFT (EDFT) updates the subjective evaluation for the alternatives and the attention weights on the attributes via BBN under the dynamic environment. To illustrate and validate the proposed EDFT, a human-in-the-loop experiment is conducted for a virtual stock market. Second, a new approach to represent learning (a dynamic evolution process of underlying modules) in the human decision behavior is proposed under the context of the BDI framework. Our research focuses on how a human adjusts his perception process (involving BBN) dynamically against his performance (depicted via a confidence index) in predicting the environment as part of his decision-planning. To this end, Q-learning is employed and further developed.
Transmission of brain activity in cognitive and motor tasks

The Short-time Directed Transfer Function was used for estimation of dynamical patterns of brain activity propagation. The SDTF is based on the multivariate autoregressive model, where all channels of the process are considered simultaneously. Time-frequency patterns of EEG propagation were found for the task of finger movement and its imagination and for the Continuous Attention Test. The results supported the neurophysiological hypotheses concerning information processing in brain and in particular the theory of active inhibition.
Randomized trial of a slow-release versus a standard formulation of cytarabine for the intrathecal treatment of lymphomatous meningitis.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a slow-release formulation of cytarabine (DepoCyt; Chiron Corp, Emeryville, CA, and Skye Pharma, Inc, San Diego, CA) that maintains cytotoxic concentrations of cytarabine (ara-C) in the CSF of most patients for more than 14 days. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-eight patients with lymphoma and a positive CSF cytology were randomized to receive DepoCyt 50 mg once every 2 weeks or free ara-C 50 mg twice a week for 1 month. Patients whose CSF cytology converted to negative and who did not have neurologic progression received an additional 3 months of consolidation therapy and then 4 months of maintenance therapy. All patients received dexamethasone 4 mg orally bid on days 1 through 5 of each 2-week cycle. RESULTS The response rate was 71% for DepoCyt and 15% for ara-C on an intent-to-treat basis (P =.006). All of the patients on the DepoCyt arm but only 53% of those on the ara-C arm were able to complete the planned 1-month induction therapy regimen. Time to neurologic progression and survival trend in favor of DepoCyt (median, 78.5 v 42 days and 99.5 v 63 days, respectively; P >.05). DepoCyt treatment was associated with an improved mean change in Karnofsky performance score at the end of induction (P =.041). The major adverse events on both arms were headache and arachnoiditis, which were often caused by the underlying disease. CONCLUSION DepoCyt injected once every 2 weeks produced a high response rate and a better quality of life as measured by Karnofsky score relative to that produced by free ara-C injected twice a week.
Audition, learning and experience: expertise through development

Our experience with the auditory world can shape and modify perceptual, cognitive and neural processes with respect to audition. Such experience can occur over multiple timescales, and can vary in its specificity and intensity. In order to understand how auditory perceptual, cognitive and neural processes develop, it is important to explore the different means through which experience can influence audition. This thesis aims to address these issues. Using an expertise framework, we explore how the auditory environment and ontogenetic factors can shape and guide perceptual, cognitive and neural processes through long- and short-term profiles of experience. In early chapters, we use expertly-trained musicians as a model for long-term experience accrued under specific auditory constraints. We find that expertise on a particular instrument (violin versus piano) yields training-specific auditory perceptual advantages in a musical context, as well as improvements to ‘low-level’ auditory acuity (versus non-musicians); yet we find limited generalisation of expertise to cognitive tasks that require some of the skills that musicians hone. In a subsequent chapter, we find that expert violinists (versus non-musicians) show subtle increases in quantitative MR proxies for cortical myelin at left auditory core. In latter chapters, we explore short-term sound learning. We ask whether listeners can learn combinations of auditory cues within an active visuo-spatial task, and whether development can mediate learning of auditory cue combinations or costs due to cue contingency violations. We show that auditory cue combinations can be learned within periods of minutes. However, we find wide variation in cue learning success across all experiments, with no differences in overall cue combination learning between children and adults. These experiments help to further understanding of auditory expertise, learning, development and plasticity, within an experience-based framework.
Night-Time Road Boundary Detection with Infrared Channel Features Classifier

Road boundary detection is very important to Intelligent Vehicle (IV) System. Recently, road boundary detection during night-time driving condition attracts more and more attentions. In this paper, we propose a novel and fast method for night-time road boundary detection on infrared images. Firstly, a set of novel Infrared Channel Features (ICF) are proposed for describing infrared image patterns. Furthermore, we proposed an Infrared Edge classifier to generate a task-driven probability edge map. Finally, road boundary extraction is performed on the edge map by two steps: searching available road boundaries and second order polynomial approximation. Experiment show that the proposed method performs well with effectiveness and efficiency.
A Multi-class SVM Classifier for Automatic Hand Washing Quality Assessment

Hand washing is a critical activity in preventing the spread of infection in health-care environments. Several guidelines recommended a hand washing protocol consisting of six steps that ensure that all areas of the hands are thoroughly cleaned. In this paper, we describe a novel approach that uses a computer vision system to monitor the user’s hands motions in order to ensure that the hand washing guidelines are followed. This work presents two main contributions: a description of a system which delivers robust segmentation of the hands using a combination of colour and motion analysis, and the implementation of a multi-class classification of the hand gestures using a SVM ensemble. The system performance is analysed and compared with human performance, showing an accuracy close to that of human experts.
Efficient spatial scalability algorithm for H.264/SVC encoders

As a scalable extension to the state-of-the-art H.264/AVC video coding standard, Scalable Video Coding (SVC) provides support for multiple display resolutions within a single compressed bit stream (or in hierarchically related bit streams). Similar to H.262 · MPEG-2 Video and MPEG-4 Visual, H.264/scalable video coding (SVC) supports spatial scalable coding, which can be obtained by up-scaling the image sequences with lower resolution. Since the performance of up-scaling technique directly affect the video quality. In order to improve the video quality with an effective up-sampling method, we propose an efficient scalability algorithm (ESA) for H.264/SVC in spatial scalability which uses directional filtering and Linear Minimum Mean Square Estimation (LMMSE). The experimental results confirm that the performance of the proposed method is better than that of the existing H.264/Scalable Video Coding standard.
Macroeconomic Challenges with EU Accession in Southeastern Europe: An Overview

The paper reviews key macroeconomic challenges with EU accession in Southeastern Europe (SEE). Most of the countries in the region are years away from EU accession and need substantial progress to meet the key macroeconomic criteria - the establishment of a functioning market economy and macroeconomic stability. The former calls for further structural reforms. While macroeconomic stability is essential throughout the EU accession process, the importance of specific outcomes increases in the last stage of accession, when countries face decisions to apply for entry into the ERM2 and the Maastricht criteria (Bulgaria and Romania). The main challenges with establishing macroeconomic stability in other countries are related to sustainability of their monetary frameworks, risks from rapid financial deepening, and further fiscal consolidation to support growth and stabilization. Most of the SEE countries have room to lower public spending and increase the share of pro-growth spending.
Analytical Comparison of Cryptographic Techniques for Resource-constrained Wireless Security

With the widespread growth in applications for resource-limited Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), the need for reliable and efficient security mechanisms for them has increased manifold but its implementation is a non-trivial task. Limitations in processing speed, battery power, bandwidth and memory constrain the applicability of existing cryptography Algorithms for WSNs. In this paper, two potential block ciphers, namely the RC5 and AES-Rijndael, are analyzed and their suitability for resourcelimited wireless network security are compared based on performance criteria such as computational complexity overhead and energy consumption. Using simulation tests and analytical models, we provide important analysis and considerations on practical feasibility of these cryptographic Algorithms in sensor networks to help designers predict security performance under a set of constraints for WSNs.
Creativity, Innovation and Arts Learning: Preparing All Students for Success in a Global Economy.

To succeed in today’s economic climate, the U.S. needs a well-educated, technically proficient workforce in all sectors and for nearly every occupation, including entry-level positions. We need workers who possess a deep, expansive knowledge in a broad range of subject areas as well as advanced reading, writing and computational skills. And we need workers with the ability to think analytically, communicate effectively and work collaboratively.
Inverse dose-rate effect due to pre-mitotic accumulation during continuous low dose-rate irradiation of cervix carcinoma cells.

PURPOSE To investigate the radiation sensitivity of asynchronous and synchronized cancer cervix cells irradiated with low dose rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cells were exposed to 60Co gamma-rays at dose rates ranging from 0.33 to 0.94 Gy/h. Synchronized cells were obtained by collecting detached mitotic cells after a shaking procedure. Cell survival was measured as the ability of cells to form colonies. Cell-cycle distributions were calculated by computer analysis of a DNA histogram recorded by flow cytometry. RESULTS Irradiation of asynchronous cells at either 0.33 or 0.86 Gy/h resulted in exponential dose-survival curves with equal alpha-values, i.e. same radiation sensitivity, when dose-survival data for irradiation periods less than 20h were considered. However, the radiation sensitivity was higher by a factor of two when analysing dose-survival data for irradiation periods exceeding 20h. This increase in radiation sensitivity occurred when 80% of the cells accumulated in a pre-mitotic stage of the cell cycle. Irradiation of synchronized cell populations confirmed that these cells were a factor of two more sensitive to radiation in G2 than in G1. CONCLUSIONS An inverse dose-rate effect, i.e. more efficient inactivation of cells at lower rather than at higher dose rates, was observed for radiation doses exceeding 7 Gy due to pre-mitotic accumulation of cells during low dose-rate irradiation.
Tissue-specific Expression and Dietary Regulation of Chimeric Mitochondrial 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Synthase/Human Growth Hormone Gene in Transgenic Mice (*)

We have studied the role of the mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) synthase gene in regulating ketogenesis. The gene exhibits expression in various tissues and it is regulated in a tissue-specific manner. To investigate the underlying mechanisms of this expression, we linked a 1148-base-pair portion of the mitochondrial HMG-CoA synthase promoter to the human growth hormone (hGH) gene and analyzed the expression of the hGH reporter gene in transgenic mice. mRNA levels for hGH were observed in liver, testis, ovary, stomach, colon, cecum, brown adipose tissue, spleen, adrenal glands, and mammary glands from adult mice, and also in liver and stomach, duodenum, jejunum, brown adipose tissue, and heart of suckling mice. There was no expression either in kidney or in any other nonketogenic tissue. The comparison between these data and those of the endogenous mitochondrial HMG-CoA synthase gene suggests that the 1148 base pairs of the promoter contain the elements necessary for expression in liver and testis, but an enhancer is necessary for full expression in intestine of suckling animals and that a silencer prevents expression in stomach, brown adipose tissue, spleen, adrenal glands, and mammary glands in wild type adult mice. In starvation, transgenic mice showed higher expression in liver than did wild type. Both refeeding and insulin injection reduced the expression. Fat diets, composed in each case of different fatty acids, produced similar expression levels, respectively, to those found in wild type animals, suggesting that long-, medium-, and short-chain fatty acids may exert a positive influence on the transcription rate in this 1148-base-pair portion of the promoter. The ketogenic capacity of liver and the blood ketone body levels were equal in transgenic mice and in nontransgenic mice.
Concurrency and Computation: Practice and Experience a Toolkit for Modelling and Simulating Data Grids: an Extension to Gridsim

SUMMARY Data Grids are an emerging technology for managing large amounts of distributed data. This technology is highly-anticipated by scientific communities, such as in the area of astronomy and high energy physics, because their experiments generate massive amounts of data which need to be shared and analysed. Since it is not feasible to test different usages on real testbeds, it is easier to use simulations as a means of studying complex scenarios. This paper presents our work on incorporating Data Grids features as an extension to GridSim, a Computational Grid simulator. The extension provides essential building blocks for simulating various Data Grids scenarios. Moreover, it is designed to be easily extended. This approach makes it easy to try various strategies and to add functionalities to suit the needs of other communities. This paper also gives a detailed description of the design and usage examples demonstrating the versatility of this tool.
Cultural and climatic changes shape the evolutionary history of the Uralic languages

Quantitative phylogenetic methods have been used to study the evolutionary relationships and divergence times of biological species, and recently, these have also been applied to linguistic data to elucidate the evolutionary history of language families. In biology, the factors driving macroevolutionary processes are assumed to be either mainly biotic (the Red Queen model) or mainly abiotic (the Court Jester model) or a combination of both. The applicability of these models is assumed to depend on the temporal and spatial scale observed as biotic factors act on species divergence faster and in smaller spatial scale than the abiotic factors. Here, we used the Uralic language family to investigate whether both ‘biotic’ interactions (i.e. cultural interactions) and abiotic changes (i.e. climatic fluctuations) are also connected to language diversification. We estimated the times of divergence using Bayesian phylogenetics with a relaxed‐clock method and related our results to climatic, historical and archaeological information. Our timing results paralleled the previous linguistic studies but suggested a later divergence of Finno‐Ugric, Finnic and Saami languages. Some of the divergences co‐occurred with climatic fluctuation and some with cultural interaction and migrations of populations. Thus, we suggest that both ‘biotic’ and abiotic factors contribute either directly or indirectly to the diversification of languages and that both models can be applied when studying language evolution.
A miniaturized antenna based on CRLH structure

In this paper, a miniaturized omni-directional antenna based on Composite Right and Left Handed (CRLH) structure is proposed. The resonance frequency, the total gain are observed at 5 GHz, 1.15 dB respectively. This design exhibits a bandwidth of 400MHz and has a simple mushroom structure with a small size of 5mm * 5mm * 6.7mm ( λ<sub>0</sub>/12* λ<sub>0</sub>/12* λ<sub>0</sub>/ 9). The proposed antenna can be used to the IEEE 802.11a standard for WLAN and WiFi.
Design of a Multi–Unit Double Auction E–Market

We envision a future economy where e–markets will play an essential role as exchange hubs for commodities and services. Future e–markets should be designed to be robust to manipulation, flexible, and sufficiently efficient in facilitating exchanges. One of the most important aspects of designing an e–market is market mechanism design. A market mechanism defines the organization, information exchange process, trading procedure, and clearance rules of a market. If we view an e–market as a multi–agent system, the market mechanism also defines the structure and rules of the environment in which agents (buyers and sellers) play the market game. We design an e–market mechanism that is strategy–proof with respect to reservation price, weakly budget–balanced, and individually rational. Our mechanism also makes sellers unlikely to underreport the supply volume to drive up the market price. In addition, by bounding our market’s efficiency loss, we provide fairly unrestrictive sufficient conditions for the efficiency of our mechanism to converge in a strong sense when (1) the number of agents who successfully trade is large, or (2) the number of agents, trading and not, is large. We implement our design using the RETSINA infrastructure, a multi–agent system development toolkit. This enables us to validate our analytically derived bounds by numerically testing our e–market.