Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying Computer-Generated Portraits: The Importance of Training and Incentives

The past two decades have seen remarkable advances in photo-realistic rendering of everything from inanimate objects to landscapes, animals, and humans. We previously showed that despite these tremendous advances, human observers remain fairly good at distinguishing computer-generated from photographic images. Building on these results, we describe a series of follow-up experiments that reveal how to improve observer performance. Of general interest to anyone performing psychophysical studies on Mechanical Turk or similar platforms, we find that observer performance can be significantly improved with the proper incentives.
Ontology Design for Interaction in a Reasonable Enterprise

In this chapter we show a simple example of how different but complementary approaches to enterprise business interaction modeling (e.g., business process management, business objects, e-services, workflow management systems, etc.) can be reengineered and integrated within a same formal context. Our method is based on content ontology design patterns (CODePs), which provide a conceptual tool to build content modularly, and to describe an enterprise and its interactions in the same domain of discourse as its social and informational contexts. The objectives of our method include: (1) encoding the requirements from the communities of practice involved in business interactions; (2) reengineering and integrating existing languages and ontologies for business interaction; (3) creating a formal infrastructure to represent the dependencies between enterprises, social interaction and practices, legal regulations, and the physical world. As a result, entities like organizations, roles, social relationships, material resources, information objects, workflows, events, and so forth, are represented according to a set of modular, interoperable ontologies.
Green supply chain management: theoretical framework and further research directions

Purpose Green or sustainable supply chain management (GSCM/SSCM) has in recent years attracted much attention from academia and practitioners in all part of the world. In recent years, all humanity has experienced severe climate change which is widely attributed to human activity. Harmful emissions have made a major contribution to recent climate change which presents major challenges and threats to the entire human race in form of global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunami and floods. The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual GSCM/SSCM framework contributing to knowledge-based view theory and systems theory (ST) and provide an exhaustive list of further research directions. Design/methodology/approach In this paper the authors have used a systematic literature review to identify building blocks of the conceptual framework, which is the principal contribution of the present paper. Findings In this paper the authors have proposed a conceptual framework for sustainable supply chain network and at the end the authors have outlined further research directions. Research limitations/implications The current paper is an attempt to develop a conceptual framework which is grounded in knowledge-based theory. The study helps to extent the prior works which lacks theory focused approach. Originality/value The present work has immense theoretical value and can be useful to the policy makers or practitioners engaged in GSCM practices.
Development of Assamese Phonetic Engine: Some issues

The phonetic engine is a system that performs speech signal to symbol transformation. This work describes some issues in the development of an Assamese Phonetic Engine (PE). International phonetic alphabet (IPA) is used as the phonetic unit to transcribe the speech database collected in three different modes, namely, reading, lecture and conversation modes. Only reading mode data is used for training and Hidden markov model (HMM) is used to model each phonetic unit without imposing any language or contextual constraint. The trained HMMs are used to derive a sequence of phonetic units from a test speech signal. Accuracy of 47.31%, 45.30% and 36.13% is achieved in reading, lecture and conversation mode, respectively. Confusion among the phonetic units specific to Assamese are discussed. Issues related to different recording modes, language and native speaker dependencies are discussed. The speech data is also collected in Hindi from three different sets of speakers to study speaker, language and native dependancies. Accuracy of 40.5%, 36.10% and 29.61% is achieved in native speaker dependent, native speaker independent and non-native speaker independent cases, respectively.
Post‐acquisition correction of MR inhomogeneities

Signal inhomogeneities in volumetric head MR scans are a major obstacle to segmentation and neuromorphometry. The fuzzy c‐means (FCM) statistical clustering algorithm was extended to estimate and retrospectively correct a multiplicative inhomogeneity field in T1‐weighted head MR scans. The method was tested on a mathematically simulated object and on seven whole head 3D MR scans. Once initial parameters governing operation of the algorithm were chosen for this class of images, results were obtained without intervention for individual MR studies. Post‐acquisition inhomogeneity correction by extended FCM clustering improved overall image uniformity and separability of gray and white matter intensities.
Calibrating photometric redshifts of luminous red galaxies

We discuss the construction of a photometric redshift catalogue of luminous red galaxies (LRGs) from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), emphasizing the principal steps necessary for constructing such a catalogue: (i) photometrically selecting the sample, (ii) measuring photometric redshifts and their error distributions, and (iii) estimating the true redshift distribution. We compare two photometric redshift algorithms for these data and find that they give comparable results. Calibrating against the SDSS and SDSS-2dF (Two Degree Field) spectroscopic surveys, we find that the photometric redshift accuracy is sigma similar to 0.03 for redshifts less than 0.55 and worsens at higher redshift (similar to 0.06 for z < 0.7). These errors are caused by photometric scatter, as well as systematic errors in the templates, filter curves and photometric zero-points. We also parametrize the photometric redshift error distribution with a sum of Gaussians and use this model to deconvolve the errors from the measured photometric redshift distribution to estimate the true redshift distribution. We pay special attention to the stability of this deconvolution, regularizing the method with a prior on the smoothness of the true redshift distribution. The methods that we develop are applicable to general photometric redshift surveys.
Cigarette smoke increases amosite asbestos fiber binding to the surface of tracheal epithelial cells

Churg, A. , J.-P. Sun, and K. Zay. Cigarette smoke increases amosite asbestos fiber binding to the surface of tracheal epithelial cells. Am. J. Physiol. 275 (Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 19): L502–L508, 1998. —Binding of asbestos fibers to the cell surface appears to be important in the initiation of intracellular signaling events as well as in initiation of particle uptake by the cell. We have previously shown that cigarette smoke increases the uptake of asbestos fibers by tracheal epithelial cells in explant culture. Whether smoke acts by increasing surface binding of fibers is not known. In this study, we exposed rat tracheal explants to air or cigarette smoke and then to a suspension of amosite asbestos. Explants were harvested after 1 or 24 h of dust exposure and washed by repeated dips in culture medium to remove loosely bound fibers, and the number of fibers adhering to the apical cell surfaces was determined by scanning electron microscopy. Smoke-exposed explants retained significantly more surface fibers than air-exposed explants. After four washes, binding levels were similar at 1 and 24 h. The smoke effect was still present when incubations were carried out at 4°C, but binding was decreased ,25%. Preincubation of the asbestos fibers with iron chloride to increase surface iron increased fiber binding in both airand smoke-exposed explants, whereas preincubation of the fibers with the iron chelator deferoxamine decreased binding after air exposure and completely eliminated the smoke effect. Inclusion of mannitol or catalase in the medium or preincubation of the explants with GSH produced decreases in binding of 10–25% in air-exposed explants and generally greater decreases in smoke-exposed explants. We conclude that 1) amosite binding is a very rapid process that does not require active cellular metabolism, 2) cigarette smoke increases adhesion of fibers to the epithelial surfaces, and 3) iron on the asbestos fiber appears to play an important role in binding, probably through an active oxygen species-mediated process.
Increased sphingomyelin content impairs HDL biogenesis and maturation in human Niemann-Pick disease type B Published, JLR Papers in Press, November 30, 2005.

We previously reported that human Niemann-Pick Disease type B (NPD-B) is associated with low HDL. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiology of this HDL deficiency by examining both HDL samples from NPD-B patients and nascent high density lipoprotein (LpA-I) generated by incubation of lipid-free apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) with NPD-B fibroblasts. Interestingly, both LpA-I and HDL isolated from patient plasma had a significant increase in sphingomyelin (SM) mass (∼50–100%). Analysis of LCAT kinetics parameters (Vmax and Km) revealed that either LpA-I or plasma HDL from NPD-B, as well as reconstituted HDL enriched with SM, exhibited severely decreased LCAT-mediated cholesterol esterification. Importantly, we documented that SM enrichment of NPD-B LpA-I was not attributable to increased cellular mass transfer of SM or unesterified cholesterol to lipid-free apoA-I. Finally, we obtained evidence that the conditioned medium from HUVEC, THP-1, and normal fibroblasts, but not NPD-B fibroblasts, contained active secretory sphingomyelinase (S-SMase) that mediated the hydrolysis of [3H]SM-labeled LpA-I and HDL3. Furthermore, expression of mutant SMase (ΔR608) in CHO cells revealed that ΔR608 was synthesized normally but had defective secretion and activity. Our data suggest that defective S-SMase in NPD leads to SM enrichment of HDL that impairs LCAT-mediated nascent HDL maturation and contributes to HDL deficiency. Thus, S-SMase and LCAT may act in concert and play a crucial role in the biogenesis and maturation of nascent HDL particles.
Emotions and personality traits in argumentation: An empirical evaluation1

Argumentation is a mechanism to support different forms of reasoning such as decision making and persuasion and always cast under the light of critical thinking. In the latest years, several computational approaches to argumentation have been proposed to detect conflicting information, take the best decision with respect to the available knowledge, and update our own beliefs when new information arrives. The common point of all these approaches is that they assume a purely rational behavior of the involved actors, be them humans or artificial agents. However, this is not the case as humans are proved to behave differently, mixing rational and emotional attitudes to guide their actions. Some works have claimed that there exists a strong connection between the argumentation process and the emotions felt by people involved in such process. We advocate a complementary, descriptive and experimental method, based on the collection of emotional data about the way human reasoners handle emotions during debate interactions. Across different debates, people’s argumentation in plain English is correlated with the emotions automatically detected from the participants, their engagement in the debate, and the mental workload required to debate. Results show several correlations among emotions, engagement and mental workload with respect to the argumentation elements. For instance, when two opposite opinions are conflicting, this is reflected in a negative way on the debaters’ emotions. Beside their theoretical value for validating and inspiring computational argumentation theory, these results have applied value for developing artificial agents meant to argue with human users or to assist users in the management of debates.
XMM-Newton and NuSTAR joint observations of Mrk 915: a deep look into the X-ray properties

We report on the X-ray monitoring programme (covering slightly more than 11 d) carried out jointly by XMM–Newton and NuSTAR on the intermediate Seyfert galaxy Mrk 915. The light curves extracted in different energy ranges show a variation in intensity but not a significant change in the spectral shape. The X-ray spectra reveal the presence of a two-phase warm absorber: a fully covering mildly ionized structure [log ξ/(erg cm s^(−1)) ∼ 2.3, N_H ∼ 1.3 × 10^(21) cm^(−2)] and a partial covering (∼90 per cent) lower ionized one [log ξ/(erg cm s^(−1)) ∼ 0.6, N_H ∼ 2 × 10^(22) cm^(−2)]. A reflection component from distant matter is also present. Finally, a high-column density (N_H ∼ 1.5 × 10^(23) cm^(−2)) distribution of neutral matter covering a small fraction of the central region is observed, almost constant, in all observations. The main driver of the variations observed between the data sets is a decrease in the intrinsic emission by a factor of ∼1.5. Slight variations in the partial covering ionized absorber are detected, while the data are consistent with no variation of the total covering absorber. The most likely interpretation of the present data locates this complex absorber closer to the central source than the narrow line region, possibly in the broad line region, in the innermost part of the torus, or in between. The neutral obscurer may either be part of this stratified structure or associated with the walls of the torus, grazed by (and partially intercepting) the line of sight.
Comparative Study on FFE Activities Between Japanese and Korean NPD Project Success

This study shows the impact of fuzzy front end (FFE) phase during innovation process on new product development (NPD) project success in two East Asian countries—Korea and Japan was explored via employing comparative study. Authors decided to consider two East Asian countries’ successful periods as comparison samples for the study of this issue. The 1980s are considered to be “golden age” of Japanese manufacturing firms when they were extremely successful on global market. Korean firms are enjoying competitive advantage in the late 2000s and the beginning of the 2010s. A conceptual model was developed based on previous research. The model was tested using data from 293 Korean manufacturing firms in the late 2000s and from 540 Japanese manufacturing firms in the late 1980s using structural equation modeling (SEM) technique. In both countries, the effect of intensity of planning on efficiency, prior to the development, was high. Moreover, effect of market uncertainties on effectiveness was significant. Therefore, effective initial planning and good analysis of market prior to the development have positive impacts on NPD project success. In the late 80s, in the period of stability of the economy in the world, the Japanese firms were successful concentrating more on FFE activities, such as market and technological research and initial planning. However, in the 2000s when the world economy started to change so fast and the demands for the goods change so fast, the Korean firms became more successful, thanks to flexibility in the system of NPD project strategies where system was not fixed to the initial plans but where the changes within the project execution phase were allowed. Thus Korean and Japanese firms had different strategies in NPD process in the two different periods. Japanese firms were concentrated more on FFE activities and tended to keep initial plans during development process, while the Korean firms were more flexible in project execution phase allowing dramatic changes to the initial plans.
Electronic Service Quality of Iranian internet banking

This study attempted to determine electronic service quality (e-SQ) of Iranian internet banking and its impact on electronic customer satisfaction (e-CS). Using convenience sampling procedure and a web-based questionnaire, 292 completed questionnaires were gathered from internet banking users of four main public banks in Iran. The Confirmatory Factor Analysis performed indicated that six dimensions efficient and reliable services, fulfilment, security/trust, site aesthetics, responsiveness/contact, and ease of use - were applicable to measure the Iranian internet banking e-SQ. Results of descriptive analysis indicated that Iranian internet banking users perceived a high level of e-SQ and the high level of the e-SQ was statistically significant using One-sample t-test analysis. All items for each dimension of e-SQ recorded high descriptive value indicating that users’ perceived high e-SQ in the usage of internet banking. A significant positive relationship exists between e-SQ and e-CS in the Iranian internet banking. The regression analysis performed showed that security/trust, site aesthetics, and ease of use of the internet banking e-SQ have positive effects on e-CS. Managerial and future research recommendations were discussed in relation to improving the internet banking e-SQ and to explore contributing factors to the low usage of internet banking in Iran.
Microarray-Based Identification of a NovelStreptococcus pneumoniae Regulon Controlled by an Autoinduced Peptide

ABSTRACT We have identified in the Streptococcus pneumoniaegenome sequence a two-component system (TCS13, Blp [bacteriocin-like peptide]) which is closely related to quorum-sensing systems regulating cell density-dependent phenotypes such as the development of genetic competence or the production of antimicrobial peptides in lactic acid bacteria. In this study we present evidence that TCS13 is a peptide-sensing system that controls a regulon including genes encoding Blps. Downstream of the Blp TCS (BlpH R) we identified open reading frames (blpAB) that have the potential to encode an ABC transporter that is homologous to the ComA/B export system for the competence-stimulating peptide ComC. The putative translation product of blpC, a small gene located downstream ofblpAB, has a leader peptide with a Gly-Gly motif. This leader peptide is typical of precursors processed by this family of transporters. Microarray-based expression profiling showed that a synthetic oligopeptide corresponding to the processed form of BlpC (BlpC*) induces a distinct set of 16 genes. The changes in the expression profile elicited by synthetic BlpC* depend on BlpH since insertional inactivation of its corresponding gene abolishes differential gene induction. Comparison of the promoter regions of theblp genes disclosed a conserved sequence element formed by two imperfect direct repeats upstream of extended −10 promoter elements. We propose that BlpH is the sensor for BlpC* and the conserved sequence element is a recognition sequence for the BlpR response regulator.
Search for new π0 -like particles produced in association with a τ -lepton pair

We report on a search in e^+e^− annihilations for new π^0-like particles produced in association with a τ-lepton pair. These objects, with a similar mass and similar decay modes to π^0 mesons, could provide an explanation for the non-asymptotic behavior of the pion-photon transition form factor observed by the BABAR Collaboration. No significant signal is observed, and limits on the production cross section at the level of 73 fb or 370 fb, depending on the model parameters, are determined at 90% confidence level. These upper limits lie below the cross section values needed to explain the BABAR form factor data.
Augmented reality using 3D shape model for ultrasound-guided percutaneous renal access: A pig model study

Successful percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) highly depends on an accurate needle access into the kidney. This step is challenging and must be performed under intraoperative image guidance. This paper presents a 3D augmented reality method for ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous renal access in PCNL. First, a 3D statistical kidney model is built aforehand from aligned training shapes. Intraoperatively, a patient-specific kidney model is reconstructed from sparse US slices using the statistical model. The US images are then augmented with the reconstructed kidney model and a real-time tracked needle. Under the augmented-US guidance, percutaneous renal puncture can be performed. Experiments results based on pig model have validated the presented ultrasound guidance method.
Effect of design parameters on electromagnetic torque of PM machines with concentrated windings using nonlinear dynamic FEM

This paper focuses on influence of design parameters of permanent magnet machines with concentrated windings on cogging torque, torque ripple and mean torque. An efficient approach is presented to estimate the magnet width and slot opening width for minimizing cogging torque and/or maximizing mean torque. Two-dimension nonlinear finite element analysis including rotor motion is used for the calculation. The torque is calculated using different methods: Maxwell's stress tensor and Virtual work method. Comparison of results between linear and nonlinear magnetic circuit show that the torque is sensitive with magnetic saturation. The maximum torque of the linear case is about 15% higher than for the magnetic saturation case. Linkage flux, internal voltage and mean electromagnetic torque calculation are verified by experiments with error margin smaller than 1%, 2% and 3% respectively.
It Does Exist! A Left-to-Right Spatial–Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC) Effect Among Native Hebrew Speakers

Several studies, starting with Dehaene, Bossini, and Giraux (1993), have reported that, in parity-judgment tasks, the difference in response latencies generated by the right and left hand are negatively correlated with number magnitudes. This SNARC (spatial–numerical association of response codes) effect is in line with the notion that the “mental number line” extends from left to right. The SNARC effect has been found mainly in native speakers of Germanic/Romanic languages; it has been suggested that the SNARC effect may derive from the experience of reading from left to right. To date, there is no evidence that the SNARC (or reverse SNARC) effect exists in parity judgments in native speakers of Hebrew readers. Here we provide the first demonstration of a horizontal, left-to-right SNARC effect in native speakers of Hebrew performing the parity task. Although we found no SNARC effect using the standard parity task, a reliable SNARC effect was found when we succeeded in reducing the MARC (markedness association of response codes) effect. We succeeded in reducing the MARC effect by implementing the parity task in 2 sessions, on 2 different days, each time using a different mapping of the parity-to-response side.