Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An empirical study of embodied music listening, and its applications in mediation technology

This paper contributes to the development of a multimodal, musical tool that extends the natural action range of the human body to communicate expressiveness into the virtual music domain. The core of this musical tool consists of a low cost, highly functional computational model developed upon the Max/MSP platform that (1) captures real-time movement of the human body into a three-dimensional coordinate system on the basis of the orientation output of any type of inertial sensor system that is OSC-compatible, (2) extract low-level movement features that specify the amount of contraction/expansion as a measure of how a subject uses the surrounding space, (3) recognizes these movement features as being expressive gestures, and (4) creates a mapping trajectory between these expressive gestures and the sound synthesis process of adding harmonic related voices on an in origin monophonic voice. The concern for a user-oriented and intuitive mapping strategy was thereby of central importance. This was achieved by conducting an empirical experiment based on theoretical concepts from the embodied music cognition paradigm. Based on empirical evidence, this paper proposes a mapping trajectory that facilitates the interaction between a musician and his instrument, the artistic collaboration between (multimedia) artists and the communication of expressiveness in a social, musical context.
Global Citizenship Education in Social Studies: Experiences of Turkish Teachers and Students in

Withtheimpactofthemedia,�internationalconflictsareincreasinglybecomingapartof� botheverydaylifeandglobalcitizenshipeducation. �Thepurposeofthisresearchwastounderstand� theperceptionsofstudentsandteachersabouttheincidentsofinternationalconflictandwar,�how� teacherspresenttheseissuesinsocialstudiescourse,�andtheproblemsteachersencounterinthis� process. �Thisstudywascarriedoutasaqualitativecasestudyresearch. �Thedatawerecollectedby� participantobservationscarriedoutinSocialStudieslessonsandbysemi-structuredinterviewswith� theparticipatingteachersandstudents. �Thedatawereanalyzedusinginterpretivethematicanalysis. � Thefindingsfromthisstudyrevealedthattheteachersinthisstudyactedinprotective,�emotional,� rationalandtentativemodeswhileteachingtheissuesofinternationalconflictandwar. � Thestudy� alsofoundthattheteachers'�behaviorswhileteachingcontroversialissueshadaninfluenceonthe� students'�knowledge,�skillsandattitudesonthesubject. �Inaddition,�thestudents'�ageandmaturity� level,�gender,�socio-economicandculturallevelhadaninfluenceonlearningabouttheseissues. � Finally,�thefindingsindicatedthattheteacherswhoparticipatedinthisstudydidnothavesufficient� knowledgeandexperienceinteachingcontroversialissuesandinternationalconflictandwar. �
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis recombinant LprN protein of mce4 operon induces Th-1 type response deleterious to protection in mice.

Lipoproteins are known to be effective immunogens and affect both innate and adaptive immunity. The lprN gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been predicted to encode for a putative lipoprotein in silico. Here, we studied its function as an immunogen by in vivo studies in mice. The recombinant LprN protein, expressed and purified in Escherichia coli, triggered a cell-mediated immune response in BALB/c mice. This was observed by significantly higher T-cell proliferation and increased production of TNF-α and IFN-γ cytokines. However, pre-exposure to LprN protein failed to provide protection in mice after challenge with a virulent strain of M. tuberculosis. Histological examination showed an increase in tissue destruction in experimental animals, indicating an immunogenic potential for LprN protein that enhanced the virulence of bacilli.
Predicting Performance on the Mini‐Mental State Examination

Inclusion of a mental status examination in research and clinical screening instruments lengthens the protocol, thereby adding to the difficulty of using instruments addressing all relevant issues under study without taxing participants. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the possibility of substituting a subset of items from the widely used Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) for the entire examination in order to reduce the time needed to screen for cognitive status. Study data came from a health study of 783 community‐dwelling, white females, 65 years of age and over, selected randomly from a 20‐census‐tract area of northeast Baltimore. Results indicate that seven MMSE items can be used to reliably predict total MMSE scores. Because of an age × education interaction in the prediction of total MMSE scores, four age × education‐specific predictive equations were developed. These four equations are most useful for predicting continuous MMSE scores rather than for categorizing individuals according to imparied versus unimparied status. A short form of the MMSE and four age × education‐specific scoring equations are presented and their potential utility discussed.
Performance Evaluation of Some Dynamic ARQ Schemes for Multichannel Communication System

In this paper, we propose two dynamic error control schemes and apply them to the multichannel data communication system. The proposed schemes are based on the basic Stop-and-Wait ARQ and Selective Repeat ARQ protocols, The former and latter are used for the error controls in a round-trip time and among the multiple channels in a slot, respectively. The state of each channel is assumed as Markov chain with two states. The operations of the proposed schemes are described and their performances are evaluated through computer simulation. The numerical results show that the performances of the proposed schemes are improved remarkably comparing with the traditional scheme.
A comparison between an objective quality measure and the mean annoyance values of watermarked videos

A comparison between an objective quality measure and the perceived mean annoyance values of watermarked videos is presented. A psychophysical experiment has been performed to measure the detection threshold and mean annoyance values of several watermarked videos, using two different marks. The results of this experiment were then compared with an objective quality measure, obtained through a tracing watermarking system. An estimation of the detection threshold of the watermarked videos was found.
Cell Type-Specific Induction and Inhibition of Apoptosis by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 ICP10

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus (HSV) inhibits apoptosis induced by external stimuli in epithelial cells. In contrast, apoptosis is the primary outcome in HSV-infected lymphocytes. Here, we show that HSV type 2 (HSV-2) gene expression appears to be necessary for the induction of apoptosis in Jurkat cells, a T-cell leukemia line. HSV-2 ICP10 gene expression is sufficient to induce apoptosis in Jurkat cells, while its expression protects epithelial HEp-2 cells from apoptosis triggered by cycloheximide and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Thus, the effect of HSV-2 gene expression on the cellular apoptotic pathway appears to depend on the specific cell type.
Improving Quality of Service Through Secured Routing In Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

----------------------------------------------------------------- ABSTRACT ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Due to the high flexibility, mobility and low cost features, wireless ad hoc networks are widely used. A particularly challenging problem is how to feasibly detect and defend the major attacks against routing protocols of such networks that have susceptible links and dynamic topology. Most of the existing secure routing protocols for ad hoc networks either avoid the most challenging internal attacks such as Byzantine behaviors, or have often produced inefficient security mechanisms. In this paper, we propose the mechanism for securing the QoS route and to increase the probability of success in finding QoS feasible paths. Providing both security and QoS routing in MANET is the major challenge for this technology. Hence, we have addressed the QoS metrics, issue of security and its effectiveness. The performance of the proposed security model with QoS using GloMosim is studied and compared with and without QoS. From the results we observe that the overall network performance is improved with QoS.
An Elective Multibiometric Authentication

This work aims to develop an elective multibiometric authentication. The novelty of this work is to develop the principles of distinction and multibiometric authentication, because at the moment there is no such development. Depending on various conditions and factors, including the availability of electronic means and convenience, resistance to attacks and exploits, disease or injury of users can be selected on the basis of biometric authentication of any such biometrics as rhythm password, voice, dynamic signatures and graphics password. The results of the software development based on the new approach are showed. The possible attacks on the developed system are analyzed, and the conclusions and recommendations on defenses from these attacks are submitted.
Prediction of user action in moving-target selection tasks

Selection of moving targets is a common, yet complex task in human–computer interaction (HCI), and more specifically in virtual reality (VR). Action prediction has proven to be the most comprehensive enhancement to address moving-target selection challenges. Current predictive techniques, however, heavily rely on continuous tracking of user actions, without considering the possibility that target-reaching actions may have a dominant pre-programmed component—this theory is known as the pre-programmed control theory.Thus, based on the pre-programmed control theory, this research explores the possibility of predicting moving-target selection prior to action execution. Specifically, three levels of action prediction are investigated: 1) action performance measured as the movement time (MT) required to reach a target, 2) prospective difficulty (PD), i.e., subjective assessments made prior to action execution; and 3) intention, i.e., the target that the user plans to reach.In this dissertation, intention prediction models are developed using decision trees and scoring functions—these models are evaluated in two VR studies. PD models for 1-D, and 2-D moving- target selection tasks are developed based on Fitts' Law, and evaluated in an online experiment. Finally, MT models with the same structural form of the aforementioned PD models are evaluated in a 3-D moving-target selection experiment deployed in VR.
A double‐blinded randomized multicentre study to investigate the effect of changes in stimulation parameters on sacral nerve stimulation for constipation

Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) may be offered to patients with constipation who have failed to improve with conservative treatment. The response to SNS is variable, with a significant loss of efficacy in some patients. An increased frequency of stimulation may improve the efficacy of SNS for faecal incontinence. This study aimed to see if alteration of the pulse width or frequency improved the outcome for those with constipation.
Asymptotic analysis of multicell massive MIMO over Rician fading channels

This work considers the downlink of a multicell massive MIMO system in which L base stations (BSs) of N antennas each communicate with K single-antenna user equipments randomly positioned in the coverage area. Within this setting, we are interested in evaluating the sum rate of the system when MRT and RZF are employed under the assumption that each intracell link forms a MIMO Rician uncorrelated fading channel. The analysis is conducted assuming that N and K grow large with a non-trivial ratio N/K under the assumption that the data transmission in each cell is affected by channel estimation errors, pilot contamination, and an arbitrary large scale attenuation. Numerical results are used to validate the asymptotic analysis in the finite system regime and to evaluate the network performance under different settings. The asymptotic results are also instrumental to get insights into the interplay among system parameters.
Comparative in vivo high‐resolution confocal microscopy of corneal epithelium, sub‐basal nerves and stromal cells in mice with and without dry eye after photorefractive keratectomy

Background: The present study compares, using a new‐generation high‐resolution in vivo confocal microscope, the epithelial morphology, sub‐basal nerves and stroma in two groups of mice: one exposed to normal conditions (NC) and the other to a desiccating environment (DE), following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with mechanical epithelial scraping.
Biomechanics of the human posterior sclera: age- and glaucoma-related changes measured using inflation testing.

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to measure the biomechanical response of the human posterior sclera in vitro and to estimate the effects of age and glaucoma. METHODS Scleral specimens from 22 donors with no history of glaucoma and 11 donors with a history of glaucoma were excised 3 mm posterior to the equator and affixed to an inflation chamber. Optic nerve cross-sections were graded to determine the presence of axon loss. The time-dependent inflation response was measured in a series of pressure-controlled load-unload tests to 30 mm Hg and creep tests to 15 and 30 mm Hg. Circumferential and meridional strains were computed from the digital image correlation displacements, and midposterior stresses were determined from pressure and deformed geometry. RESULTS Among normal specimens, older age was predictive of a stiffer response and a thinner sclera. In the age group 75 to 93, diagnosed glaucoma eyes with axon damage were thicker than normal eyes. Both damaged and undamaged glaucoma eyes had a different strain response in the peripapillary sclera characterized by a stiffer meridional response. Undamaged glaucoma eyes had slower circumferential creep rates in the peripapillary sclera than normal eyes. Glaucoma eyes were not different from normal eyes in stresses and strains in the midposterior sclera. CONCLUSIONS The observed differences in the biomechanical response of normal and glaucoma sclera may represent baseline properties that contribute to axon damage, or may be characteristics that result from glaucomatous disease.
Performance study of LTE experimental testbed using OpenAirInterface

The next generation, 5G wireless access, is going to support a wide range of new applications and use cases, with the capabilities including very high achievable data rate, very low latency, ultra-high reliability and the possibility to handle extreme device densities. To avoid the costly deployment, operation and maintenance of future mobile network, Radio Access Network (RAN) virtualization or Cloud RAN is the answer to the problem. The idea is to move the baseband processing to the data center and run the RAN L1, L2 and L3 protocol layers using the commodity hardware, such as high-performance general purpose processors. An open source software-based LTE implementation, such as OpenAirInterface (OAI), is definitely accelerating the RAN cloudization and also realizing the possibility of low cost LTE network deployment in the future. In this paper, we describe the OAI LTE implementation emphasizing on the user plane data flow. We have successfully emulated over-the-air transmission for 1 UE and 1 eNB LTE network supporting both FDD Band 5 and TDD Band 38. We have also performed a thorough profiling of OAI, in terms of execution time, on the user plane data flow. Our results could be served as the reference for future optimization by open source community.
Temporally Regulated Transcriptional Expression of the Genomes of Lactococcal Bacteriophages c2 and sk1

Transcription maps of the Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis prolate phage c2 and small isometric phage sk1 were constructed. Early and late transcripts were demonstrated in phage c2. Early transcription was localized to within a 7.5-kb EcoRV fragment, and late transcription included the region which encodes the phage structural proteins and a lysin gene. Early, middle, and late transcripts were demonstrated in phage sk1. Transcription was confined to an 11.3-kb region defined by the three EcoRV restriction fragments of 6.2, 4.7, and 0.46 kb during the early part of the sk1 life cycle. Middle gene transcripts extended from the EcoRV site (defining the left-hand limit of early gene expression) through the cos site and included the 4.3-kb PvuII-cos fragment. Late transcription was detected over the remainder of the phage genome. These results indicated that gene expression was temporally regulated at the level of transcription in these two lactococcal phages and that two regions of time-dependent transcription exist in phage c2 and three in phage sk1.
The effect of emotional stimulus intensity on the selection and implementation of distraction and reappraisal as emotion regulation strategies

Emotion regulation is an important coping mechanism for handling emotional situations and stimuli in day-to-day life. More effective emotion regulation is linked to better mental and physical health. The present study investigated the effects that the intensity of emotional stimuli may play in influencing which emotion regulation strategy people choose, and the impact of that choice on how emotional stimuli are attended, experienced, and remembered. Participants were asked to view a series of high and low intensity negatively valenced pictures. Prior to each picture, participants were instructed to view the picture naturally or to use distraction or reappraisal to reduce their emotional response to the picture. In a second phase, participants were asked to choose to use either distraction or reappraisal when viewing a second series of pictures. While participants viewed the pictures, eye-tracking quantified the amount of time that participants spent viewing the high emotion area of each picture while corrugator, skin conductance, and
Using two-level modulation technique QAM-FM for radio link digital updating

On the basis of analysis results of qualitative characteristics of existing radio relay lines with frequency modulation and criteria of noise stability of communication channels with two-level modulation QAM-FM approaches to designing of the integrated shaper of high-speed data flows and television programs are formulated, power efficiency of the offered method for digital modernization of radio relay lines is estimated. Preliminary study results for a trunk throughput (total speed at level 68 Mbit/c) with use of a two-level modulation QAM-FM in the analogue radio relay line equipment of ldquoKurs-4rdquo type are presented for the broadcasting mode of 6 television programs and 16xE1digital data flows. Directions of the further researches are presented.
The Case for Tiny Tasks in Compute Clusters

We argue for breaking data-parallel jobs in compute clusters into tiny tasks that each complete in hundreds of milliseconds. Tiny tasks avoid the need for complex skew mitigation techniques: by breaking a large job into millions of tiny tasks, work will be evenly spread over available resources by the scheduler. Furthermore, tiny tasks alleviate long wait times seen in today's clusters for interactive jobs: even large batch jobs can be split into small tasks that finish quickly. We demonstrate a 5.2× improvement in response times due to the use of smaller tasks. In current data-parallel computing frameworks, high task launch overheads and scalability limitations prevent users from running short tasks. Recent research has addressed many of these bottlenecks; we discuss remaining challenges and propose a task execution framework that can efficiently support tiny tasks.
Fieldwork and Psychosocial Dynamics of Personhood

Western psychological theory, clinical practice, education, and much of popular culture have idealized the production of selves that are bounded, separate, and autonomous. In much of Western scientific and popular thinking, the "individual" has passed from being a historical construct to a "naturally" existing entity whose inexorable development into adult autonomy can be interrupted only by dysfunctional childhood experiences of which there are many. Western feminist psychodynamic theorists, decrying the masculinization of individuation, often have embraced separative notions of self as liberatory for women. The cultural and historical specificity of these notions of the self, as well as their social, political, and psychodynamic underpinnings, while recognized for some time, now is being theorized in new ways, particularly in response to post-modern critiques. ' Scientists are considering how gender and personhood affect scientific outcomes.2 And cultural theorists are evaluating the impact of the ethnographer's sense of self on social theories, methods, and data.3 In this paper, I argue that the fieldworker's construct of herself is a multi-angled lens through which theories, methods, and data are filtered. Ethnographers' notions of self intersect with those of the people studied in multiple ways, affecting the formulation of knowledges. We need to review much of earlier ethnographic work as refracted through the lens of personhood of both ethnographers and the
Local Journalism: The Decline of Newspapers and the Rise of Digital Media

was reading the book during the unfolding of the refugee crisis, and this proclaimed respect (let alone love) of the Other is in very short supply. Alexa Robinson’s book is an excellent resource for students; I cannot emphasize that enough. Her sheer ability to draw such an expansive portrayal of academic discussions over an entire field and the confidence and clarity of her examples are commendable. I still find myself hoping that textbooks will one day give way to reading groups of core texts, and insightful, critical discussions over them.
An Investigation of the Endocrine-Disruptive Effects of Bisphenol A in Human and Rat Fetal Testes

Few studies have been undertaken to assess the possible effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on the reproductive hormone balance in animals or humans with often contradictory results. We investigated possible direct endocrine disruption by BPA of the fetal testes of 2 rat strains (14.5–17.5 days post-coitum) and humans (8–12 gestational weeks) and under different culture conditions. BPA concentrations of 10-8M and 10-5M for 72h reduced testosterone production by the Sprague-Dawley fetal rat testes, while only 10-5M suppressed it in the Wistar strain. The suppressive effects at 10-5M were seen as early as 24h and 48h in both strains. BPA at 10-7-10-5M for 72h suppressed the levels of fetal rat Leydig cell insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3). BPA exposure at 10-8M, 10-7M, and 10-5M for 72h inhibited testosterone production in fetal human testes. For the lowest doses, the effects observed occurred only when no gonadotrophin was added to the culture media and were associated with a poorly preserved testicular morphology. We concluded that (i) BPA can display anti-androgenic effects both in rat and human fetal testes; (ii) it is essential to ascertain that the divergent effects of endocrine disruptors between species in vitro do not result from the culture conditions used, and/or the rodent strain selected; (iii) the optimization of each in vitro assay for a given species should be a major objective rather than the search of an hypothetical trans-species consensual model-system, as the organization of the testis is intrinsically different between mammalian species; (iv) due to the uncertainty existing on the internal exposure of the human fetal testis to BPA, and the insufficient number of epidemiological studies on the endocrine disruptive effects of BPA, caution should be taken in the extrapolation of our present results to the human reproductive health after fetal exposure to BPA.