Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beta-Band Activity during Motor Planning Reflects Response Uncertainty

It has been known for many years that the power of beta-band oscillatory activity in motor-related brain regions decreases during the preparation and execution of voluntary movements. However, it is not clear yet whether the amplitude of this desynchronization is modulated by any parameter of the motor task. Here, we examined whether the degree of uncertainty about the upcoming movement direction modulated beta-band desynchronization during motor preparation. To this end, we recorded whole-head neuromagnetic signals while human subjects performed an instructed-delay reaching task with one, two, or three possible target directions. We found that the reduction of power of beta-band activity (16–28 Hz) during motor preparation was scaled relative to directional uncertainty. Furthermore, we show that the change of beta-band power correlates with the change of latency of response associated with response uncertainty. Finally, we show that the main source of beta-band desynchronization was located in the peri-Rolandic region. The results establish directional uncertainty as an important determinant of beta-band power during motor preparation and indicate that neural activity in the sensorimotor cortex during motor preparation covaries with directional uncertainty.
Inoculating software for SURVIVABILITY An old adage holds true for software : you can build a stronger system by first breaking it

Foretelling these attacks, the President’s Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection (PCCIP) announced in October of 1997 that the increasing dependence of U.S. critical infrastructures on information and communications has made them vulnerable to information warfare attacks. The commission found that while the resources needed to conduct a physical attack against these infrastructures have not dramatically changed, the resources necessary to launch a comparable-scale attack via information warfare are commonplace and consist of a personal computer and an Internet connection. Furthermore, the ubiquity of Internet access and the easy availability of hacker tools on underground Internet sites have significantly reduced both financial and intellectual barriers to launching effective attacks against critical systems. With roughly 95% of Defense Department communications relying on commercial infrastructures, the government finds itself as a major stakeholder in the security of commercial systems and is now proposing to spend $1.46 billion in fiscal year 2000 to directly address the threat of cyberterrorism. The federal sector is not alone, however, in its concerns over information warfare. Wholesale payment systems such as the Federal Reserve’s FedWire and In early 1998, several dozen computer systems in
Novel 3D Spatial Wireless Channel Model

Multi antenna element wireless communications systems have shown significantly large capacity gains compared to traditional single input single output systems [1], [2]. However, recent results [3], [4] indicate that such large gains are due to overly simplified assumptions of the spatial wireless channels. Hence, proper understanding of the limitations of MIMO systems as well as the maximal exploitation of the spatial dimension need better modelling of the channel. In this paper, we introduce a 3D spatial model based on spatial basis function decomposition of multipath wave fields. Recent work related to better understanding of MIMO systems are reported in [3]–[8]. The spatial channel models proposed in [7] and [8] are more general and realistic than the usual independent models, however they are based on uniform linear array antennas and discrete set of scatterers around the transmitter and the receiver arrays limiting their generality. The proposed spatial channel model in this paper is valid for arbitrary 3D antenna arrays and based on decomposition of spatial wavefield using spatial basis functions.
Induction of autoimmunity in good and poor responder mice with mouse thyroglobulin and lipopolysaccharide

The administration of soluble mouse thyroglobulin (MTg) in conjunction with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) led to the termination of natural tolerance to MTg in mice. The extent of autoimmunity correlated with responsiveness to MTg, previously shown by the injection of MTg in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) to be dependent upon the H-2 haplotype. In good responder B10.BR (H-2k) mice given MTg either with LPS or in CFA, high antibody levels to MTg and extensive mononuclear cell infiltration in the thyroid were observed. In contrast, congenic poor responder B10.D2 (H-2d) mice given MTg plus LPS showed low levels of antibody to MTg, compared to those receiving MTg in CFA, and insignificant cellular infiltration of the thyroid. In no instance did autoimmunity develop in either good or poor responder strain given MTg, LPS, or CFA along although LPS was antigenic in both of these congenic strains. Since the genetic difference in responsiveness to MTg is known to be T-cell based, the involvement of T cells in LPS-treated mice was suspected. This was further ascertained by the use of athymic poor responder (BALB/c) mice and thymectomized, irradiated, and bone marrow- reconstituted B10.BR mice. Antibodies to MTg were detected only in heterozygous (nu/+) mice and good responder mice reconstituted with both thymus and bone marrow cells. In addition, significant cellular infiltration in the thyroid occurred only in fully reconstituted good responder mice. Thus, the adjuvant effect of LPS on responsiveness to MTg required T cells. Since unmodified MTg and LPS abrogated selftolerance to MTg, the need for cross-reactive T cells could be excluded. These observations suggest the presence of self-reactive T cells.
Image fusion based on level set segmentation

Most of image fusion techniques utilize a key notion called “decision map”. This map determines which information to take at what place and therefore governs the fusion process. We illustrate that calculation of decision maps is identical to a segmentation problem. Modifying a state-of-the-art segmentation procedure based on level sets, we obtain more accurate and smooth decision maps. Verification of the proposed method is carried out on wavelet-based multifocus fusion and concluded with an experiment on microscopic multifocal images.
Two-Way Current-Combining  $W$-Band Power Amplifier in 65-nm CMOS

This paper presents a two-way current-combining-based W-band power amplifier (PA) in 65-nm CMOS technology. An analytical model and design method for W-band power combiners are presented, which indicates current combining is preferred for millimeter-wave frequencies due to a good current handling capability, symmetrical design, and low sensitivity to parasitics. To demonstrate the concept, a two-way current-combining-based PA has been fabricated, where each channel utilizes compact and symmetrical transformer-based inter-stage coupling to realize a preferred fully differential implementation. This PA operates from 101 to 117 GHz with maximum power gain of 14.1 dB, saturated output power (Psat) of 14.8 dBm, and peak power-added efficiency of 9.4%. The core chip area without pads is 0.106 mm2.
An Sna-Bi Based System for Evaluating Virtual Teams: A Software Development Project Case

The dependence of today's collaborative projects on knowledge acquisition and information dissemination emphasizes the importance of minimizing communication breakdowns. However, as organizations are increasingly relying on virtual teams to deliver better and faster results, communication issues come to the forefront of project managers' concerns. This is particularly palpable in software development projects which are increasingly virtual and knowledge-consuming as they require continuous generation and upgrade of shared information and knowledge. In a previous work, we proposed an SNA-BI based system (Covirtsys) that supplements the Analytics modules of the collaborative platform in order to offer a complementary analysis of communication flows through a network perspective. This paper concerns the application of this system on a software development project virtual team and shows how it can bring new insights that could help overcome communication issues among team members.
Accounting for Communication: Estimating Effort, Transparency and Coherence

The position advanced in this paper is that the effective application of psycholinguistic models and techniques to the design of collaborative systems requires a more detailed analysis of the processes of repair. Although the analysis of communication is critical to understanding and supporting cooperative activity, the successful application of psycholinguistic approaches is restricted by some methodological and theoretical problems. It is proposed that progress can be made on these problems by developing a systematic, reliable analysis of repair. In support of this, metrics of collaborative effort, communicative transparency, and communicative coherence are proposed.
Cell segmentation in desmoglein-3 stained specimen microscopic images using GVF and watershed algorithm

This paper presents modification of conventional watershed algorithm for cell segmentation in microscopic images of desmoglein-3 stained specimen. Presented method combines color deconvolution for ihc marker separation and GVF for watershed segmentation. Conventional watershed is highly noise sensitive, which often occurs in microscopy images. Suggested solution considerably reduces over segmentation problem (80-90% cells segmented correctly) and enables further image analysis.
Large p-groups actions with |G| /g^2 > 4/ (p^2-1)^2

Let k be an algebraically closed field of characteristic p>0 and C a connected nonsingular projective curve over k with genus g>1. Let (C,G) be a "big action", i.e. a pair (C,G) where G is a p-subgroup of the k-automorphism group of C such that |G|/g > 2p / p-1. We first study finiteness results on the values taken by the quotient |G|/g^2 when (C,G) runs over the big actions satisfying |G|/g^2 >M, for a given positive real M>0. Then, we exhibit a classification and a parametrization of such big actions when M=4/ (p^2-1)^2.
The potential for behavioral thermoregulation to buffer “cold-blooded” animals against climate warming

Increasing concern about the impacts of global warming on biodiversity has stimulated extensive discussion, but methods to translate broad-scale shifts in climate into direct impacts on living animals remain simplistic. A key missing element from models of climatic change impacts on animals is the buffering influence of behavioral thermoregulation. Here, we show how behavioral and mass/energy balance models can be combined with spatial data on climate, topography, and vegetation to predict impacts of increased air temperature on thermoregulating ectotherms such as reptiles and insects (a large portion of global biodiversity). We show that for most “cold-blooded” terrestrial animals, the primary thermal challenge is not to attain high body temperatures (although this is important in temperate environments) but to stay cool (particularly in tropical and desert areas, where ectotherm biodiversity is greatest). The impact of climate warming on thermoregulating ectotherms will depend critically on how changes in vegetation cover alter the availability of shade as well as the animals' capacities to alter their seasonal timing of activity and reproduction. Warmer environments also may increase maintenance energy costs while simultaneously constraining activity time, putting pressure on mass and energy budgets. Energy- and mass-balance models provide a general method to integrate the complexity of these direct interactions between organisms and climate into spatial predictions of the impact of climate change on biodiversity. This methodology allows quantitative organism- and habitat-specific assessments of climate change impacts.
A Two-level Simultaneous Test Data and Time Reduction Technique for SOC

A two-level test data compression technique is presented to reduce both the test data and the test time for System on a Chip (SOC). The level one compression is achieved by Huffman coding for the entire SOC. The level two compression is achieved by broadcasting test patterns to multiple cores simultaneously. Experiments on the d695 benchmark SOC show that the test data and test time are reduced by 64% and 35%, respectively. This technique requires no change of cores and hence provides a feasible SOC test compaction solution for the SOC integrators.
Improved initial approximation for errors-in-variables system identification

Errors-in-variables system identification can be posed and solved as a Hankel structured low-rank approximation problem. In this paper different estimates based on suboptimal low-rank approximations are proposed. The estimates are shown to have almost the same efficiency and lead to the same minimum when supplied as an initial approximation for local optimization in the structured low-rank approximation problem. In this paper it is shown that increasing Hankel matrix window length improves initial approximation for autonomous systems and does not improve it in general for systems with inputs.
A Versatile Architecture for the Distributed Sensor Integration Problem

Proposes a versatile architecture for a distributed sensor network which consists of a multilevel network with the nodes (processing element/sensor pairs) at each level interconnected as a deBruijn network. The authors show that this multilevel network has reasonable fault tolerance, admits simple and decentralized routing, and offers easy extensibility. They model information from sensors as real valued intervals and derive an interesting property related to information integration in the presence of faults. Using this property, the search for a fault is narrowed down to two potentially faulty sensors or communication links. In a distributed environment, information has to be integrated from "temporally close" signals in the presence of imperfect clocks in a distributed environment. The authors apply the results of past research in this area to state various relationships between the clocks of the processing elements in the network for proper information integration. >
E2RINA: an Energy Efficient and Reliable In-Network Aggregation for Clustered Wireless Sensor Networks

The paper presents E2RINA, an aggregation algorithm for wireless sensor network applications characterized by clustered topologies, such as building automation and manufacturing plants. Thank to an efficient use of the wireless channel, E2RINA offers the robustness of the gossip-based algorithms and, at the same time, the energy performance of the faster cluster head-based algorithms. A mathematical model to predict the performance of the algorithm with respect to the free variables without the need of extensive simulations was also developed. The model was validated and the robustness of E2RINA by running a simulation model of a test case consisting of a cluster of MICA nodes.
Evolving Computation Offers Potential for Estimation of Pest Establishment

This paper introduces an evolving computational and a statistical model for quantitatively estimating the establishment potential of a pest insect and compares their performances. The models were used to predict the establishment potential of Planocuccus citri (Risso), the citrus mealybug. They have the common clustering and probability evaluation modules, but very different regression modules. The evolving computational model uses a dynamic neuro-fuzzy inference system to build the estimation function. The statistical model employs a multiple linear regression model in its final stage. The evolving computational model is preferred because (1) it creates fuzzy rules providing knowledge about how the pest responds to influential environmental variables, and (2) it is able to accept new data during its operation. The model can be incrementally trained and rules can be extracted from the model explaining the relationship between conditions and probability of pest establishment.
An algebraic memory model

Memory in the von Neumann computer is usually viewed as a linear array. We prove that this view does not follow from the consecutive nature of this memory, but from the group structure of the law performed in the address arithmetic unit. By changing that law, we can get a memory with a non commutative access. As an example we describe the metacyclic memory.
Efficient AES implementations for ARM based platforms

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) contest, started by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), saw the Rijndael [13] algorithm as its winner [11]. Although the AES is fully defined in terms of functionality, it requires best exploitation of architectural parameters in order to reach the optimum performance on specific architectures. Our work concentrates on ARM cores [1] widely used in the embedded industry. Most promising implementation choices for the common ARM Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) are identified, and a new implementation for the linear mixing layer is proposed. The performance improvement over current implementations is demonstrated by a case study on the Intel StrongARM SA-1110 Microprocessor [2]. Further improvements based on exploitation of memory hierarchies are also described, and the corresponding performance figures are presented.
Evolved Developmental Niche Provision Report: Moral Socialization, Social Thriving, and Social Maladaptation in Three Countries

Evolutionary systems theory identifies niches as key developmental inheritances for animals. The human evolved developmental niche (EDN) is characterized by positive touch, responsiveness, play, and social togetherness and provides the responsive, relational dynamism that optimizes development. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of the human EDN have demonstrated correlations between degree of EDN consistency in early childhood and positive sociomoral development and avoidance of ill-being and misbehavior. We created a brief report of children’s recent EDN experience and examined its relation to child well-being and sociomoral development. Using samples from three cultures (United States, N=574; Switzerland, N=96; China, N=382), EDN provision in the past week was related to multiple child outcomes even after controlling for parental age, education, income, responsivity, and child gender. Factor analyses indicated three sets of latent factors in each sample: Moral Socialization, Social Maladaptation, and Social Thriving. Structural equation models indicated that EDN provision significantly predicted Social Thriving in all samples beyond control variables. EDN provision may be particularly helpful in predicting optimal social development.
Further Examination of a Curriculum-Based Value-Added Model for Teacher Preparation: Exploring the Role of Teachers’ Behavior on K–12 Student Learning

Abstract Multiple threats to validity and reliability exist when value-added models (VAMs) rely wholly on standardized assessments to measure the relationship between teachers and their K–12 students’ learning gains. Research on a curriculum-based VAM, built on evidence-based practices, continues to establish an explicit link between teacher candidates’ instruction and their K–12 students’ learning gains. Statistical tests of association were used to analyze measures of student learning and university supervisors’ ratings during classroom observations with a department instrument, the Narrative Observation Scale. Results from a sample of 23 teacher candidates revealed that (a) two measures of student learning were related and attributed to candidates’ instruction, and (b) 67.6% of the variance in the percentage of K–12 students meeting their specific learning objectives was accounted for by the teacher candidates’ mastery of specific classroom management behaviors. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed regarding continued efforts to refine a rational, curriculum-based VAM.
Personalizing of Content Dissemination in Online Social Networks

Online social networks have seen a rapid growth in recent years. A key aspect of many of such networks is that they are rich in content and social interactions. Users of social networks connect with each other and forming their own communities. With the evolution of huge communities hosted by such websites, users suffer from managing information overload and it is become hard to extract useful information. Thus, users need a mechanism to filter online social streams they receive as well as enable them to interact with most similar users. In this paper, we address the problem of personalizing dissemination of relevant information in knowledge sharing social network. The proposed framework identifies the most appropriate user(s) to receive specific post by calculating similarity between target user and others. Similarity between users within OSN is calculated based on users’ social activity which is an integration of content published as well as social pattern Application of this framework to a representative subset of a large real-world social network: the user/community network of the blog service stack overflow is illustrated here. Experiments show that the proposed model outperform tradition similarity methods.
Super-resolution through non-linear enhancement filters

We proposed a super-resolution system that combines a total variation (TV) filter, shock filter, and learning-based method. In this paper, we ask “what super-resolution should consist of for the texture component of an image? ” and propose a new solution that utilizes a TV filter for image decomposition, an improved shock filter for structure component enhancement, and a new non-linear pulse-sharpening filter for texture component enhancement. We obtain good results in terms of picture quality and computational time. We consider this system to be a practical solution, especially for the super-resolution of video signal for devices such as HDTV receivers and PCs with 4K display panels.
Send Orders of Reprints at Reprints@benthamscience.net Conserved Sequences and Secondary Rna Structures Confirm That H19 Functions as a Pri-mirna and as an Rna-binding Protein Platform

The imprinted non-coding RNA H19 was discovered nearly thirty years ago yet, to date, its function has not been ascertained. Recently, H19 has been shown to be the primary transcript of the microRNA miR-675. Both H19 and miR-675 are known to be highly expressed in early fetal development and in an array of solid tumors in humans. We examined H19 sequence and secondary RNA structure in the context of therian evolution to begin to understand the relationship between H19, miR-675, development and oncogenesis. Both H19 sequence and, to a somewhat greater extent, secondary RNA structure is conserved, particularly among eutherians. The pattern of secondary RNA structure conservation in which not only is pre-miR-675 highly conserved but also a number of other, smaller hairpins and a stable fold, coupled with the presence several conserved poly-pyrimidine tracts that are putative binding sites for the RNA-binding protein IMP1, suggests that H19 has two functions compatible with a non-coding RNA. The first is as pri-miR-675 and the second is as a stable docking platform for a regulatory RNP composed of the 3' half of the H19 transcript and up to four molecules of IMP1.