Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Auditory Multi-Class Brain-Computer Interface Paradigm: Spatial Hearing as an Informative Cue

Most P300-based brain-computer interface (BCI) approaches use the visual modality for stimulation. For use with patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) this might not be the preferable choice because of sight deterioration. Moreover, using a modality different from the visual one minimizes interference with possible visual feedback. Therefore, a multi-class BCI paradigm is proposed that uses spatially distributed, auditory cues. Ten healthy subjects participated in an offline oddball task with the spatial location of the stimuli being a discriminating cue. Experiments were done in free field, with an individual speaker for each location. Different inter-stimulus intervals of 1000 ms, 300 ms and 175 ms were tested. With averaging over multiple repetitions, selection scores went over 90% for most conditions, i.e., in over 90% of the trials the correct location was selected. One subject reached a 100% correct score. Corresponding information transfer rates were high, up to an average score of 17.39 bits/minute for the 175 ms condition (best subject 25.20 bits/minute). When presenting the stimuli through a single speaker, thus effectively canceling the spatial properties of the cue, selection scores went down below 70% for most subjects. We conclude that the proposed spatial auditory paradigm is successful for healthy subjects and shows promising results that may lead to a fast BCI that solely relies on the auditory sense.
A neural detector for seismic reflectivity sequences

A commonly used routine in seismic signal processing is deconvolution, which comprises two operations: reflectivity detection and magnitude estimation. Existing statistical detectors are computationally expensive. In the paper, a Hopfield neural network is constructed to perform the reflectivity detection operation. The basic idea is to represent the reflectivity detection problem by an equivalent optimization problem and then construct a Hopfield neural network to solve this optimization problem. The neural detector is applied to a synthetic seismic trace and 30 real seismic traces. The processing results show that the accuracy of the neural detector is about the same as that of the existing detectors, but the speed of the neural detector is much faster.
Pierce and Inhale " Design in Capsule Based Dry Powder Inhalers : Effect of capsule 2 piercing position and motion on aerodynamic performance of drug 3

Didascalie delle figure? 1 “Pierce and Inhale" Design in Capsule Based Dry Powder Inhalers: Effect of capsule 2 piercing position and motion on aerodynamic performance of drug 3 Francesco Martinelli, Anna Giulia Balducci, Alessandra Rossi, Fabio Sonvico, Paolo 4 Colombo, Francesca Buttini 5 6 1 : Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Viale delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, 7 Italy 8 2 : Interdepartmental Center, Biopharmanet-TEC, University of Parma, Viale delle Scienze 9 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy 10 11 12
DSM vs. NSM: CPU performance tradeoffs in block-oriented query processing

Comparisons between the merits of row-wise storage (NSM) and columnar storage (DSM) are typically made with respect to the persistent storage layer of database systems. In this paper, however, we focus on the CPU efficiency tradeoffs of tuple representations inside the query execution engine, while tuples flow through a processing pipeline. We analyze the performance in the context of query engines using so-called "block-oriented" processing -- a recently popularized technique that can strongly improve the CPU efficiency. With this high efficiency, the performance trade-offs between NSM and DSM can have a decisive impact on the query execution performance, as we demonstrate using both microbenchmarks and TPC-H query 1. This means that NSM-based database systems can sometimes benefit from converting tuples into DSM on-the-fly, and vice versa.
A precise DNA bend angle is essential for the function of the phage φ29 transcriptional regulator

Bacteriophage φ29 protein p4 is essential for the regulation of the switch from early to late phage transcription. The protein binds to two regions of the phage genome located between the regulated promoters. Each region contains two inverted repeats separated by 1 bp. We used circular permutation assays to study the topology of the DNA upon binding of the protein and found that p4 induced the same extent of bending independent of the topology of the binding region. In addition, the results revealed that the p4-induced bending is not dependent on the affinity to the binding site but is intrinsic to p4 binding. Independent binding sites were identified through the characterization of the minimal sequence required for p4 binding. The protein has different affinity for each of its binding sites, with those overlapping the A2c and A2b promoter cores (sites 1 and 3), having the highest affinity. The functionality of the p4 binding sites and the contribution of p4-mediated promoter restructuring in transcription regulation is discussed.
Anterior Cervical Epidural Abscess Treated by Endoscopy-Assisted Minimally Invasive Microsurgery via Posterior Approach

This is a report of clinical manifestation, physical findings, neurophysiological data, magnetic resonance imaging, and results after surgery in a 71-years-old man with cervical abscess. Magnetic resonance imaging after two weeks of empiric antibiotic therapy demonstrated the persistence of an anterior cervical epidural collection and signs of spondylodiscitis at the C5-C6 and C6-C7 levels. Surgery was performed by posterior endoscopy assisted key-hole approach at the C2-C3 level to drain the abscess and to decompress the spinal cord. Postoperative specific medical treatment was then administered. A successful outcome, at 24 months follow-up, was achieved by surgery with complete clinical recovery, resolution of the abscess and healing of the spondylodiscitis. After unsuccessful blind medical therapy the minimally invasive microsurgical technique allowed us to keep the surgical injury of the healthy tissue to a minimum while producing the maximum therapeutic effect.
The continuous culture of anaerobic bacteria.

Surmmary Modifications to an anaerobic continuous culture apparatus to allow pH control, and pH and Eh measurements, are described. Two anaerobic rumen bacteria were grown under different conditions, but as carbohydrate-limited cultures. The effects of growth rate, pH value and Eh value on yields of bacteria, enzyme activities and fermentation products are described. Optimum bacterial yields per mole of substrate fermented and per mole of ATP presumably formed in the fermentation were variable with the particular bacterium and the substrate, and were high for hexose fermentations. Yields of bacteria varied with growth rate, being lowest at low growth rates. Fermentation products also varied with growth rate and the pH value of the culture in some cases, as did the production of enzymes. Maximum growth rates calculated from batch cultures were in agreement with those found in the continuous cultures.
Vitamins A, and C and folate status in Mexican children under 12 years and women 12-49 years: a probabilistic national survey.

OBJECTIVE To describe the epidemiology of Vitamin A and C and folic acid deficiencies and their association with sociodemographic and dietary factors in a national probabilistic sample of Mexican women and children. MATERIAL AND METHODS This is a probabilistic sample from the National Nutrition Survey 1999 (ENN-99) including 1,966 children and 920 women. Vitamins A and C were measured in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography, and folic acid in total blood by a microbiological method. Determinants for such deficiencies were explored by multiple regression models. RESULTS Vitamin A deficiency (retinol < 10 micrograms/dl) was rare in both children and women. But subclinical deficiency (retinol > 10 and < 20 micrograms/dl) was present in 25% of children. The likelihood of subclinical deficiency of vitamin A was less in older children (OR = 0.98, p = 0.01) and in women with higher body mass index (OR = 0.93, p = 0.01). About 30% of children < 2 years of age and 40% of women were vitamin C deficient. The likelihood of vitamin C deficiency was less in children and women as socioeconomic level increased (OR = 0.69, p = 0.03, and OR = 0.80, p = 0.04), and higher in older women (OR = 1.02, p = 0.05). The prevalence of folate deficiency varied in children (2.3 to 11.2), in women it was 5%. Folate deficiency was less in children of higher socioeconomic level (OR = 0.62, p = 0.01), and in those eating more vegetables (OR = 0.22, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of subclinical deficiency of vitamin A in children is indicative of risk of further deterioration under adverse circumstances. Vitamin C deficiency in both children and women implies in addition diminished ability for iron absorption. The English version of this paper is available too at: http://www.insp. mx/salud/index.html.
The TT genotype of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene polymorphism is associated with the extent of coronary atherosclerosis in patients at high risk for coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND There are conflicting results on the relationship of N5,N10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene variation in coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS We analysed this gene variation in 2453 male Caucasians whose coronary anatomy was defined by coronary angiography. In the total sample, the C677T gene polymorphism was not associated with the presence or the extent of coronary artery disease (defined by the degree of vessel disease or by the coronary heart disease score according to Gensini). However, after excluding individuals with low risk profiles, an association between the C677T TT genotype and the Gensini score was found. This observation applies only to individuals (i) with high glucose levels, (ii) with low apolipoprotein Al/apolipoprotein B ratios, (iii) with low apolipoprotein Al/apolipoprotein B ratios and high lipoprotein (a) levels and (iv) with low apolipoprotein Al/apolipoprotein B ratios and high glucose concentrations. In patients with high glucose levels, the paraoxonase 191 A/B gene variation presupposed whether differences in Gensini scores between C677T C allele carriers and TT homozygotes became apparent, since only in paraoxonase 191 AA homoxygotes, but not in paraoxonase 191 B allele carriers, did C677T TT homozygotes have clearly higher Gensini scores than C allele carriers (two-way interaction; P = 0.013). The MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism was not associated with non-fatal myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION The present study extends previous observations by the finding that carriers of the N5,N10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T TT genotype with various coronary high risk profiles had clearly higher coronary heart disease scores than individuals with at least one C677T C allele.
Towards intention-driven Semantic Web Service Architecture

This paper presents a framework that adds intentional information to semantically annotated Service-Oriented-Architecture (SOA). This approach explicitly defines two atomic actions, which can be performed over resources in a stateless manner, in this case, instances of concepts and relations of ontology. In this paper a framework for Semantic Web Service discovery and composition is proposed based on the atomic actions, which aims at increasing the general performance of service discovery and composition, as well as to provide an easier way for users to express their service requests.
Ongoing work on traffic lights: Detection and evaluation

Research in traffic light recognition (TLR) has stagnated compared to related computer vision areas, such as pedestrian detection and and traffic sign recognition. We focus on the detection sub-problem, since this is the most challenging problem and solving this is the key to a successful TLR system. This is done by looking at four detectors from different author groups and their reported results. From surveying existing work it is clear that currently evaluation is limited primarily to small local datasets. In order to provide a common basis for future comparison of TLR research an extensive public database is collected based on footage from US roads. The database consists of continuous test and training video sequences, totaling 46,418 frames and 112,971 annotated traffic lights. The sequences are captured by a stereo camera mounted on the roof of a vehicle driving under both night and day conditions with varying light and weather.
Reflections and experiences of further education research in practice

Abstract This article focuses on the limitations and possibilities of teaching as a research-based activity in the current context of further education (FE) practice. The article argues that research can deliver real improvements in the quality of teaching and learning in further education. To enable this improvement to take place, the article suggests that colleges will need a cultural shift in how they perceive research and build research capacity. It is argued that the technical/rational approaches to improving teaching and learning that currently pervade FE policy and practice limit the transformative potential of research. A much more unique and situated approach to research-based practice is required. The article argues that the current ‘audit culture’ of FE, whilst increasing accountability and control, does little to improve teaching and learning on the ground. A more active engagement in research by teachers will lead to improved learning cultures that will enable colleges to reach their stated aims and objectives. In moving towards achieving this two issues are important. First, there is a need to centrally address the deficit view of the FE practitioner, and to recognize the unique place of teachers to improve teaching and learning. Secondly, there is a need to raise the public level of such debate, by including examples of how to improve teaching and learning in FE through research. This article, based on the experiences of F/HE research practitioners working together, provides one such illustrative example of what may be achieved.
The Correlation of Personality Factors with Spiritual Gifts Clusters

Problem. Research had been undertaken to investigate the possible correlation between temperaments and spiritual gifts, and psychological types and spiritual gifts, but fewer correlations than anticipated were identified. The purpose of this study was to explore hypothetical predictive models regarding the correlation between 16 personality factors and five spiritual gifts clusters. Method. Two instruments were used to measure personality factors and spiritual gifts clusters: The Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16 PF) and the New Spiritual Gifts Inventory (NSGI). 840 subjects were included in this study--students and their spouses of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Berrien Springs, Michigan, and undergraduate students ofPhilippine union College, Silang, Philippines. Two null hypotheses were formulated and tested statistically by multiple regression analysis. Findings. For the seminarian sample, personality factors H+, M+, and N+ predicted the teacher cluster; personality factors H+, Q3+, B-, G+, and Q1- predicted the shepherd/evangelist cluster; personality factors Q4-, G+, B-, H+, O+, and Q3+ predicted the supporter cluster; personality factors H+, Q4-, and E+ predicted thecounselor cluster; and personality factors H+, G+, O-, E+, and Q3+ predicted the leader cluster. For the Filipino sample, personality factors H+, Q3+, F-, and A+ predicted the teacher cluster; personality factors H+, Q3+, F-, G+, and A+ predicted the shepherd/evangelist cluster; personality factors Q3+ and H+ predicted the supporter cluster; and personality factors Q3+, H+, and O- predicted the leader cluster. Conclusions. This study shows that personality factors may be used to predict probable giftedness. The fact that the best prediction models of the gifts clusters are unique for the two samples implies that one cannot generalize findings cross-culturally.
A Genomic and Expression Compendium of the Expanded PEBP Gene Family from Maize[W][OA]

The phosphatidylethanolamine-binding proteins (PEBPs) represent an ancient protein family found across the biosphere. In animals they are known to act as kinase and serine protease inhibitors controlling cell growth and differentiation. In plants the most extensively studied PEBP genes, the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and TERMINAL FLOWER1 (TFL1) genes, function, respectively, as a promoter and a repressor of the floral transition. Twenty-five maize (Zea mays) genes that encode PEBP-like proteins, likely the entire gene family, were identified and named Zea mays CENTRORADIALIS (ZCN), after the first described plant PEBP gene from Antirrhinum. The maize family is expanded relative to eudicots (typically six to eight genes) and rice (Oryza sativa; 19 genes). Genomic structures, map locations, and syntenous relationships with rice were determined for 24 of the maize ZCN genes. Phylogenetic analysis assigned the maize ZCN proteins to three major subfamilies: TFL1-like (six members), MOTHER OF FT AND TFL1-like (three), and FT-like (15). Expression analysis demonstrated transcription for at least 21 ZCN genes, many with developmentally specific patterns and some having alternatively spliced transcripts. Expression patterns and protein structural analysis identified maize candidates likely having conserved gene function of TFL1. Expression patterns and interaction of the ZCN8 protein with the floral activator DLF1 in the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) two-hybrid assay strongly supports that ZCN8 plays an orthologous FT function in maize. The expression of other ZCN genes in roots, kernels, and flowers implies their involvement in diverse developmental processes.
Biochemical Diversity among the 1-Amino-cyclopropane-1-Carboxylate Synthase Isozymes Encoded by the Arabidopsis Gene Family*

1-Amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACS, EC 4.4.1.14) is the key enzyme in the ethylene biosynthetic pathway in plants. The completion of the Arabidopsis genome sequence revealed the presence of twelve putative ACS genes, ACS1–12, dispersed among five chromosomes. ACS1–5 have been previously characterized. However, ACS1 is enzymatically inactive whereas ACS3 is a pseudogene. Complementation analysis with the Escherichia coli aminotransferase mutant DL39 shows that ACS10 and 12 encode aminotransferases. The remaining eight genes are authentic ACS genes and together with ACS1 constitute the Arabidopsis ACS gene family. All genes, except ACS3, are transcriptionally active and differentially expressed during Arabidopsis growth and development. IAA induces all ACS genes, except ACS7 and ACS9; CHX enhances the expression of all functional ACS genes. The ACS genes were expressed in E. coli, purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography, and biochemically characterized. The quality of the recombinant proteins was verified by N-terminal amino acid sequence and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The analysis shows that all ACS isozymes function as dimers and have an optimum pH, ranging between 7.3 and 8.2. Their Km values for AdoMet range from 8.3 to 45 μm, whereas their kcat values vary from 0.19 to 4.82 s–1 per monomer. Their Ki values for AVG and sinefungin vary from 0.019 to 0.80 μm and 0.15 to 12 μm, respectively. The results indicate that the Arabidopsis ACS isozymes are biochemically distinct. It is proposed that biochemically diverse ACS isozymes function in unique cellular environments for the biosynthesis of C2H4, permitting the signaling molecule to exert its unique effects in a tissue- or cell-specific fashion.
Genetic Variations of the NR3A Subunit of the NMDA Receptor Modulate Prefrontal Cerebral Activity in Humans

Introduction: Recently, a novel N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit, NR3A, has been discovered in the brain. This subunit decreases NMDA receptor activity by modulating the calcium permeability of the receptor channel and current density in cortical cells. Because the NR3A is expressed in the human prefrontal cortex, we hypothesized that genetic variations of the NR3A subunit modulate prefrontal activation. Methods: Electromagnetic activity during selective attention (auditory oddball task with target processing) was measured in 281 healthy subjects. Genotyping of a missense variation (rs10989591, Val362Met) of the NR3A gene was performed. Results: Individuals carrying Val/Val genotype showed significantly reduced frontal P300 amplitudes compared with Met/Met subjects. Subsequent low-resolution electromagnetic source analysis revealed that this group difference is likely caused by reduced activation in the inferior frontal gyrus. Conclusions: It was shown for the first time that the genetic constitution of the subunit composition of NMDA receptor regulation might be relevant for prefrontal information processing in humans. The results underline the pivotal role of glutamate in frontal lobe function and indicate that the NR3A subunit could be a plausible candidate gene for diseases with prefrontal dysfunctions.
Contribution to the Achievement of a Spellchecker for Arabic

The objective of this work is to perform a spell check tool that analyzes the text entered in search for possible misspellings. This tool will suggest possible corrections for each misspelled word in the text. This work will require the presence of a reference dictionary of words in the arabic language. These objective Were Accomplished with resources, effective methods, and approaches. First experimental results on real data are encouraging and provide evidence of the validity of the design choices. They also help to highlight the difficulty of the task, and suggest possible developments.
Wireless sensor network with 24 GHz local positioning transceiver

This paper reports on an innovative cooperative wireless localization network layout and the design of its network nodes. Each node consists of a 24 GHz FMCW secondary radar for bilateral range measurements between all nodes. Network synchronization and scheduling is based on IEEE 802.15. 4 radio units. A novel concept to distributedly pre-synchronize all network nodes with an error of less than 125 ns was implemented and combined with the 24 GHz local positioning radar. With prototypes of the sensor nodes a ranging precision of about 1 cm is demonstrated experimentally.
An edge-preserving image denoising method with edge detection and probability modelling

Most classical denoising methods based on wavelet transform will make the edge of an image fuzzy, thus cause the decline of overall effect of image denoising inevitable. Due to this problem, we propose an edge-preserving denoising method with edge detection and probability modelling in this paper. This method applies dual-tree complex wavelet transform to an image and detects the edge of the image based on the wavelet coefficients, thus divides the wavelet coefficients into two parts: the edge part and the non-edge part. For each part, the wavelet coefficients are modelled as a generalized Laplacian distribution, but they are shrinked differently. For the edge part, we preserve more signal information and keep the edge of the image obvious; for the non-edge part, we shrink the wavelet coefficients more sharply to flat the image. Our experimental results, by comparing with several advanced image denoising algorithms, demonstrate that our method can yield better PSNR as well as preserve the edge of the image well.