Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New dedicated measuring devices for intra-palm propagation signals

We investigated the use of intra-palm propagation signals as biometrics. The intra-palm propagation signal is an electromagnetic wave that is propagated in the shallow part of the skin of a palm. However, the use of a support vector machine (SVM), which is a powerful machine learning method, does not enable superior verification performance. In this paper, we focus on problems related to measuring devices. The first problem is the contact stability between the electrodes and a palm, the second problem is the variation of the electrode position on a palm, and the third problem is the size of a palm. We develop new measuring devices by considering these problems and perform experiments to evaluate their effects.
A unified approach to dynamic point location, ray shooting, and shortest paths in planar maps

We describe a new technique for dynamically maintaining the trapezoidal decomposition of a connected planar map $\cal M$ with $n$ vertices and apply it to the development of a unified dynamic data structure that supports point-location, ray-shooting, and shortest-path queries in $\cal M$. The space requirement is $O(n\log n)$. Point-location queries take time $O(\log n)$. Ray-shooting and shortest-path queries take time $O(\log^3 n)$ (plus $O(k)$ time if the $k$ edges of the shortest path are reported in addition to its length). Updates consist of insertions and deletions of vertices and edges, and take $O(\log^3 n)$ time (amortized for vertex updates). This is the first polylog-time dynamic data structure for shortest-path and ray-shooting queries. It is also the first dynamic point-location data structure for connected planar maps that achieves optimal query time.
Achievable Rates for the Gaussian Interference Relay Channel

In this paper, an interference relay channel where two independent sources communicate with two destinations by the help of a relay is studied. The relay is full-duplex and employs decode-forward type strategy. Using Carleial's rate splitting where each source transmits common messages to be decoded at both destinations and private messages for the desired destination, an achievable rate region is obtained. The relay decodes both common and private messages and transmits them cooperatively with the sources to the destinations. For the symmetric Gaussian interference relay channel, the results show that the maximum rate sum is achieved when the relay helps the sources in the transmission of common messages only. Moreover, unlike the regular interference channel, when the relay is present, the sources continue to transmit common information even when the interfering links can support much less rate than the direct links.
A database system for the analysis of biochemical pathways

To provide support for the analysis of biochemical pathways a database system based on a model that represents the characteristics of the domain is needed. This domain has proven to be difficult to model by using conventional data modelling techniques. We are building an ontology for biochemical pathways, which acts as the basis for the generation of a database on the same domain, allowing the definition of complex queries and complex data representation. The ontology is used as a modelling and analysis tool which allows the expression of complex semantics based on a first-order logic representation language. The induction capabilities of the system can help the scientist in formulating and testing research hypotheses that are difficult to express with the standard relational database mechanisms. An ontology representing the shared formalisation of the knowledge in a scientific domain can also be used as data integration tool clarifying the mapping of concepts to the developers of different databases. In this paper we describe the general structure of our system, concentrating on the ontology-based database as the key component of the system.
Visualization of Sliding and Deformation of Orbital Fat During Eye Rotation

Purpose Little is known about the way orbital fat slides and/or deforms during eye movements. We compared two deformation algorithms from a sequence of MRI volumes to visualize this complex behavior. Methods Time-dependent deformation data were derived from motion-MRI volumes using Lucas and Kanade Optical Flow (LK3D) and nonrigid registration (B-splines) deformation algorithms. We compared how these two algorithms performed regarding sliding and deformation in three critical areas: the sclera-fat interface, how the optic nerve moves through the fat, and how the fat is squeezed out under the tendon of a relaxing rectus muscle. The efficacy was validated using identified tissue markers such as the lens and blood vessels in the fat. Results Fat immediately behind the eye followed eye rotation by approximately one-half. This was best visualized using the B-splines technique as it showed less ripping of tissue and less distortion. Orbital fat flowed around the optic nerve during eye rotation. In this case, LK3D provided better visualization as it allowed orbital fat tissue to split. The resolution was insufficient to visualize fat being squeezed out between tendon and sclera. Conclusion B-splines performs better in tracking structures such as the lens, while LK3D allows fat tissue to split as should happen as the optic nerve slides through the fat. Orbital fat follows eye rotation by one-half and flows around the optic nerve during eye rotation. Translational Relevance Visualizing orbital fat deformation and sliding offers the opportunity to accurately locate a region of cicatrization and permit an individualized surgical plan.
Efficient synchronous snapshots

A snapshot is an important object in distributed computing whose implementation in asynchronous systems has been studied extensively. It consists of a collection of <i>m</i> >1 components, each storing a value, and supports two atomic operations: an UPDATE of a specified component's value and a SCAN of all components to determine their values at some point in time.In this paper, we investigate implementations of a multiwriter snapshot object in a synchronous shared memory model. In this setting, we show that a snapshot object can be efficiently implemented and prove a tight tradeoff between the complexity of the SCAN and the UPDATE operations. First, we describe a wait-free implementation that performs UPDATE in <i>O</i>(1) time and SCAN in <i>O</i>(<i>m</i>) time, using only slightly more than twice the amount of space needed to simply store the <i>m</i> values. We also describe a variant that performs UPDATE in <i>O</i>(1) time and SCAN in <i>O</i>(<i>n</i>) time.Second, we describe a wait-free implementation that performs UPDATE in <i>O</i>(log <i>m</i>) time and SCAN in <i>O</i>(1) time, and a variant that performs UPDATE in <i>O</i>(log <i>n</i>) time and SCAN in <i>O</i>(1) time.Third, we show how to combine these implementations to realize two implementations that perform UPDATE in Θ(log(<i>m/c</i>)) time and SCAN in Θ(<i>c</i>) time, for 1≤c≤m, or perform UPDATE in Θ(log(<i>n/c</i>)) time and SCAN in Θ(<i>c</i>) time, for 1≤c≤n. This implies that Time[UPDATE] ∈<i>O</i>(log(min<i>m</i>,<i>n</i>/Time[SCAN])). We also prove that Time[UPDATE] ∈ Ω(log(min<i>m</i>,<i>n</i>/Time[SCAN]) ), which matches our upper bound.
Space of Gene/Species Trees Reconciliations and Parsimonious Models

We describe algorithms to study the space of all possible reconciliations between a gene tree and a species tree, that is counting the size of this space, uniformly generate a random reconciliation, and exploring this space in optimal time using combinatorial operators. We also extend these algorithms for optimal and sub-optimal reconciliations according to the three usual combinatorial costs (duplication, loss, and mutation). Applying these algorithms to simulated and real gene family evolutionary scenarios, we observe that the LCA (Last Common Ancestor) based reconciliation is almost always identical to the real one.
A Tool for Natural Language Oriented Business Process Modeling

Process modeling techniques play an important role to capture information about business procedures. This paper suggests two novel methods for business process modeling. The first method allows generating process models from process descriptions created with controlled natural language. This method is based on a parser for natural language and is supported by sentence templates and an autocomplete function. The second method suggests a collaborative setting, which allows discovering process models through user interactions. Both methods have been implemented in a prototype. The aim of this paper is to show new possibilities for process modeling through the combination of the two methods.
Creating a Supportive Dialogic Environment: How a Group of Chinese Students Experience Collaborative Learning in an Intensive Reading English Class

The purpose of this study was to investigate how a group of Chinese students made meaning of their collaborative learning experiences as they engaged in creating a supportive dialogical environment in an Intensive English Reading class. The class utilized dialogue as inquiry along with activities that facilitated communication to approach the learning process. These activities included: pre-class writing, in-class presentations, after-class reflections, and small group online discussions. Students and teacher engaged one another in questioning and responding that implemented a process of reflective dialogue about texts and knowledge of language. Thirty sophomore English major students participated in this study, ten of whom were randomly selected for final participation. Data sources consisted of transcriptions from phenomenological interviews, student weekly and final written reflections, and researcher‘s field notes. Analysis of these data yielded four themes: relationship, confidence, engagement, and change. That the four themes overlap suggests that they mutually reinforce one another to make students‘ learning experiences collaborative. Results indicate that creating a socially, affectively, and pedagogically-supported dialogical environment promotes students‘ communication with others that involves a great deal of creative and reflective doing and thinking. The results have implications for foreign language teachers, educators, and researchers interested in performing action research in their practice.
Simulation of airflow and aerodynamic forces acting on a rotating turbine ventilator

Problem statement: Rotating turbine ventilators were generally found in most countries. They were simple in structure, light in weight and cheap to install. It was quite surprising that, the aerodynamics of this common device had not been numerically examined and the design process of most of these ventilators had developed progressively through trial and error methods. Approach: This study was concerned with performing simulation of airflow using CFD technique code name FLUENT so as to visualize the flow behavior around and within a rotating turbine ventilator in addition to determining the aerodynamic forces acting on this device during its operation. To achieve that, the realizable k-e and RSM turbulence models were used by taking advantage of moving mesh method to simulate the rotation of turbine ventilator and the consequent results were obtained through the sequential process which ensured accuracy of the computations. Results: The results confirmed that, the realizable k-e model can exhibit a reasonable performance, however not as competence as the RSM model, but of much less computation time. Conclusion/Recommendations: Results from this study, besides ensuring the reliability of utilizing the CFD method in design process of future turbine ventilators, would lead us to a conspicuous progress on increasing the efficiency at reduced cost of wind driven ventilators and similar devices.
Vestibular activation by bone conducted sound

Objective: To examine the properties and potential clinical uses of myogenic potentials to bone conducted sound. Methods: Myogenic potentials were recorded from normal volunteers, using bone conducted tone bursts of 7 ms duration and 250–2000 Hz frequencies delivered over the mastoid processes by a B 71 clinical bone vibrator. Biphasic positive–negative (p1n1) responses were recorded from both sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles using averaged unrectified EMG. The best location for stimulus delivery, optimum stimulus frequency, stimulus thresholds, and the effect of aging on evoked response amplitudes and thresholds were systematically examined. Subjects with specific lesions were studied. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) to air conducted 0.1 ms clicks, 7 ms/250–2000 Hz tones, and forehead taps were measured for comparison. Results: Bone conducted sound evoked short latency p1n1 responses in both SCM muscles. Ipsilateral responses occurred earlier and were usually larger. Mean (SD) p1 and n1 latencies were 13.6 (1.8) and 22.3 (1.2) ms ipsilaterally and 14.9 (2.1) and 23.7 (2.7) ms contralaterally. Stimuli of 250 Hz delivered over the mastoid process, posterosuperior to the external acoustic meatus, yielded the largest amplitude responses. Like VEMP in response to air conducted clicks and tones, p1n1 responses were absent ipsilaterally in subjects with selective vestibular neurectomy and preserved in those with severe sensorineural hearing loss. However, p1n1 responses were preserved in conductive hearing loss, whereas VEMP to air conducted sound were abolished or attenuated. Bone conducted response thresholds were 97.5 (3.9) dB SPL/30.5 dB HL, significantly lower than thresholds to air conducted clicks (131.7 (4.9) dB SPL/86.7 dB HL) and tones (114.0 (5.3) dB SPL/106 dB HL). Conclusions: Bone conducted sound evokes p1n1 responses (bone conducted VEMP) which are a useful measure of vestibular function, especially in the presence of conductive hearing loss. For a given perceptual intensity, bone conducted sound activates the vestibular apparatus more effectively than air conducted sound.
The relation between exercise and glaucoma in a South Korean population-based sample

Purpose To investigate the association between exercise and glaucoma in a South Korean population-based sample. Design Population-based, cross-sectional study. Participants A total of 11,246 subjects, 40 years and older who underwent health care assessment as part of the 2008–2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods Variables regarding the duration (total minutes per week), frequency (days per week), and intensity of exercise (vigorous, moderate exercise and walking) as well as glaucoma prevalence were ascertained for 11,246 survey participants. Demographic, comorbidity, and health-related behavior information was obtained via interview. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between the exercise-related parameters and odds of a glaucoma diagnosis. Main outcome measure(s) Glaucoma defined by International Society for Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology criteria. Results Overall, 336 (2.7%) subjects met diagnostic criteria for glaucomatous disease. After adjustment for potential confounding variables, subjects engaged in vigorous exercise 7 days per week had higher odds of having glaucoma compared with those exercising 3 days per week (Odds Ratio [OR] 3.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–9.54). High intensity of exercise, as categorized by the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), was also associated with greater glaucoma prevalence compared with moderate intensity of exercise (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.03–2.33). There was no association between other exercise parameters including frequency of moderate exercise, walking, muscle strength exercise, flexibility training, or total minutes of exercise per week, and the prevalence of glaucoma. In sub-analyses stratifying by gender, the association between frequency of vigorous exercise 7 days per week and glaucoma diagnosis remained significant in men (OR 6.05, 95% CI 1.67–21.94) but not in women (OR 0.96 95% CI: 0.23–3.97). A U-shaped association between exercise intensity and glaucoma prevalence was noted in men (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.09–2.69 for low intensity versus moderate intensity; OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.25–3.85 for high intensity versus moderate intensity). Conclusion In a South Korean population sample, daily vigorous exercise was associated with higher glaucoma prevalence. In addition, the intensity of exercise was positively associated with glaucoma diagnosis in men but not women.
Evaluation of resource arbitration methods for multi-core real-time systems

Multi-core systems have become prevalent in the last years, because of their favorable properties in terms of energy consumption, computing power and design complexity. First attempts have been made to devise WCET analyses for multi-core processors, which have to deal with the problem that the cores may experience interferences during accesses to shared resources. To limit these interferences, the vast amount of previous work is proposing a strict TDMA (time division multiple access) schedule for arbitrating shared resources. Though this type of arbitration yields a high predictability, this advantage is paid for with a poor resource utilization. In this work, we compare different arbitration methods with respect to their predictability and average case performance. We show how known WCET analysis techniques can be extended to work with the presented arbitration strategies and perform an evaluation of the resulting ACETs and WCETs on an extensive set of realworld benchmarks. Results show that there are cases when TDMA is not the best strategy, especially when predictability and performance are equally important.
Section Ii-exercise Physiology & Sports Medicine Effect of a Single Finnish Sauna Session on White Blood Cell Profile and Cortisol Levels in Athletes and Non-athletes

Authors submitted their contribution of the article to the editorial board. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Finnish sauna bathing on a white blood cell profile, cortisol levels and selected physiological indices in athletes and non-athletes. The study evaluated 9 trained middle-distance runners and 9 male non-athletes. The subjects from both groups participated in 15-minute sauna sessions until their core temperature rose by 1.2°C (mean temperature in the sauna room was 96° ± 2°C; relative humidity was 15 ± 3%) with a 2 minute cool down with water at a temperature of 19-20°C. Body mass was measured before and after the session and blood samples were taken for tests. Rectal temperature was monitored at five-minute intervals during the whole session. Serum total protein, haematological indices and cortisol levels were determined. Sauna bathing caused higher body mass loss and plasma volume in the athletes compared to the group of non-athletes. After the sauna session, an increased number of white blood cells, lymphocyte, neutrophil and basophil counts was reported in the white blood cell profile. Higher increments in leukocyte and monocyte after the sauna bathing session were recorded in the group of athletes compared to untrained subjects. The obtained results indicated that sauna bathing stimulated the immune system to a higher degree in the group of athletes compared to the untrained subjects.
Demonstration of LanthaScreen™ TR-FRET-based nuclear receptor coactivator recruitment assay using PHERAstar, a multi-detection HTS microplate reader

An attempt was made to demonstrate the possibility of performing LanthaScreen™ TR-FRET based nuclear receptor coactivator recruitment assay using PHERAstar, a multi-detection HTS microplate reader. LanthaScreen™ nuclear receptor coactivator recruitment assay (M/s Invitrogen corporation, USA) was performed using PPAR-gamma receptor preparation in the agonist mode. TR-FRET measurements were done on PHERAstar, a multimode microplate reader (BMG LABTECH, Germany). The Lanthascreen PPAR gamma coactivator recruitment assay was successfully performed in the PHERAstar, multimode microplate reader. This was evidenced by an assay robustness score (Z') of 0.71. The current work demonstrates the suitability of using PHERAstar, a multi-detection HTS microplate reader.for performing LanthaScreen™ TR-FRET based nuclear receptor coactivator recruitment assays.
European Lampreys: New Insights on Postglacial Colonization, Gene Flow and Speciation

Ice ages are known to be the most dominant palaeoclimatic feature occurring on Earth, producing severe climatic oscillations and consequently shaping the distribution and the population structure of several species. Lampreys constitute excellent models to study the colonization of freshwater systems, as they commonly appear in pairs of closely related species of anadromous versus freshwater resident adults, thus having the ability to colonize new habitats, through the anadromous species, and establish freshwater resident derivates. We used 10 microsatellite loci to investigate the spatial structure, patterns of gene flow and migration routes of Lampetra populations in Europe. We sampled 11 populations including the migratory L. fluviatilis and four resident species, L. planeri, L. alavariensis, L. auremensis and L. lusitanica, the last three endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. In this southern glacial refugium almost all sampled populations represent a distinct genetic cluster, showing high levels of allopatric differentiation, reflecting long periods of isolation. As result of their more recent common ancestor, populations from northern Europe are less divergent among them, they are represented by fewer genetic clusters, and there is evidence of strong recent gene flow among populations. These previously glaciated areas from northern Europe may have been colonized from lampreys expanding out of the Iberian refugia. The pair L. fluviatilis/L. planeri is apparently at different stages of speciation in different locations, showing evidences of high reproductive isolation in the southern refugium, and low differentiation in the north.
Dynamic Clustering of Contextual Multi-Armed Bandits

With the prevalence of the Web and social media, users increasingly express their preferences online. In learning these preferences, recommender systems need to balance the trade-off between exploitation, by providing users with more of the "same", and exploration, by providing users with something "new" so as to expand the systems' knowledge. Multi-armed bandit (MAB) is a framework to balance this trade-off. Most of the previous work in MAB either models a single bandit for the whole population, or one bandit for each user. We propose an algorithm to divide the population of users into multiple clusters, and to customize the bandits to each cluster. This clustering is dynamic, i.e., users can switch from one cluster to another, as their preferences change. We evaluate the proposed algorithm on two real-life datasets.
The theoretical basis of the biopsychosocial model

This paper addresses the philosophy behind the biopsychosocial (BPS) model, moving it on from Engel’s original description. I start by summarising five aetiological problems that the BPS model must address, with a focus on the core issue of the relationship between mind and body (the mind-body problem). To understand this, I first define consciousness (awareness) in three dimensions: cognitive, experiential, and functional. I go on to consider the nature of the unconscious, and then address the mind-body problem, suggesting that a consideration of the relationship between computer software and hardware is a useful analogy. Both are necessary to describe and understand the workings of a computer, even though without the hardware no software would function. Similarly descriptions and measures of both mind and body are necessary in order to understand human beings, even though the mind is “supervenient”, or completely dependent on the brain. We are fortunate in the study of humans to be able to use information from first, second, and third person perspectives. All are necessary for a complete understanding.