Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Free Will and Neuroscience: Decision Times and the Point of No Return

Although I have written many articles and chapters on neuroscientific arguments for the nonexistence of free will, I have not run out of things to say about these arguments. Part of the explanation is that experiments on the topic continue to be conducted and to shed new light on important issues raised by earlier experiments. This is fortunate for me, given that I accepted Bernard Feltz’s invitation to write a chapter for this volume. Experiments performed by neuroscientist Benjamin Libet in the 1980s pose an alleged challenge to the existence of free will. Some neuroscientists have followed Libet’s lead, sometimes using electroencephalography (eeg), as he did, and sometimes using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), depth electrodes, or subdural grid electrodes. In Effective Intentions (Mele 2009, chs. 3, 4, and 6), I argued that the neuroscientific work discussed there falls well short of justifying the claim that free will is an illusion. My focus was on the data and on whether the data supported certain empirical claims that have been combined with theoretical claims about free will to yield the conclusion that free will does not exist. There are some interesting new data now. In this chapter, I explore the bearing of some studies published after 2009 on the question whether we have convincing neuroscientific evidence for the nonexistence of free will. Section 1 provides some scientific and terminological background. Section 2 tackles a question about the time at which decisions are made in Libet-style experiments in connection with an examination of a familiar neuroscientific argument for the nonexistence of free will. Section 3 addresses a related neuroscientific argument that features a claim about the point of no return for actions studied in experiments of this kind. Section 4 takes up a skeptical argument that might be thought to have a basis in some recent neuroscientific work. Section 5 wraps things up.
LDPC Code Design for Two-Layer Spatial Modulation

In Spatial Modulation (SM), the information bits are split into two streams: one is mapped to a conventional complex signal modulation, and the other is used to select the active transmit antenna. Transmission SM schemes can be implemented with a single RF chain, allowing for a low-complexity transmitterwith relatively large spectral efficient. In this paper, we are concerned with coded SM schemes. In the literature, the usual approach considers a single encoder that jointly encodes both bit streams. In this work, we propose a coded SM system in which each of the information streams is encoded by a possibly different low-density parity-check (LDPC) code. The two LDPC codes are designed after selecting the code rates according to the mutual information associated with the two corresponding subchannels, for a fixed, reference signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A two-layer, iterative message-passing decoder is developed, where the two component decoders exchange soft information. Through Monte Carlo simulations, we show that the bit error rate of the proposed scheme is low when the SNR is greater or equal to the reference SNR, demonstrating the strength of the proposed two-layer approach.
MasterPATH : l'analyse de réseau des données expérimentales de la génomique fonctionnelle

In this work we developed a new exploratory network analysis method, that works on an integrated network (the network consists of protein-protein, transcriptional, miRNA-mRNA, metabolic interactions) and aims at uncovering potential members of molecular pathways important for a given phenotype using hit list dataset from “omics” experiments. The method extracts subnetwork built from the shortest paths of 4 different types (with only protein-protein interactions, with at least one transcription interaction, with at least one miRNA-mRNA interaction, with at least one metabolic interaction) between hit genes and so called “final implementers” – biological components that are involved in molecular events responsible for final phenotypical realization (if known) or between hit genes (if “final implementers” are not known). The method calculates centrality score for each node and each path in the subnetwork as a number of the shortest paths found in the previous step that pass through the node and the path. Then, the statistical significance of each centrality score is assessed by comparing it with centrality scores in subnetworks built from the shortest paths for randomly sampled hit lists. It is hypothesized that the nodes and the paths with statistically significant centrality score can be considered as putative members of molecular pathways leading to the studied phenotype. In case experimental scores and p-values are available for a large number of nodes in the network, the method can also calculate paths’ experiment-based scores (as an average of the experimental scores of the nodes in the path) and experiment-based p-values (by aggregating p-values of the nodes in the path using Fisher’s combined probability test and permutation approach). The method is illustrated by analyzing the results of miRNA loss-of-function screening and transcriptomic profiling of terminal muscle differentiation and of ‘druggable’ loss-of-function screening of the DNA repair process. The Java source code is available on GitHub page https://github.com/daggoo/masterPATH
A Comprehensive Review of State-of-the-Art Parameter Estimation Techniques for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors in Wide Speed Range

Permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive has emerged as one of the most preferred motor drives for industrial applications owing to its distinguished advantages, such as high torque density, high efficiency, and wide speed range operation. However, accurately updated knowledge about the PMSM parameters is crucial to designing a high-performance trajectory tracking controller. This article presents a state-of-the-art comprehensive review and up-to-date progress of the offline and online parameter estimation techniques of the PMSM drives. First, the problems associated with parameter estimation of the PMSM are systematically summarized to identify the parameters having fast and accurate convergence. Second, the offline parameter estimation techniques are categorized based on the frequency and time responses. Third, the recent advances and developments of the online parameter estimation techniques for PMSMs are assessed. Finally, there is a discussion of extensive industrial applications and future research trends for the parameter estimation techniques.
Stability of Power Grids: State-of-the-art and Future Trends

The state of the art of transient stability and steady-state (small signal) stability in power grids are reviewed. Transient stability concepts are illustrated with simple examples; in particular, we consider two machine learning-based methods for computing region of attraction: ROA produced by Neural Network Lyapunov Function; estimation of the ROA of IEEE 39-bus system using Gaussian process and Converse Lyapunov function. We discuss steady state stability in power systems, and using Prony’s modal analysis for evaluating small signal stability for the 7 Bus Test system and real French power system.
Typed concurrent functional programming with channels, actors and sessions

The age of writing single-threaded applications is over. To develop scalable applications, developers must make use of concurrency and parallelism. Nonetheless, introducing concurrency and parallelism is di cult: naïvely implemented, concurrent code is prone to issues such as race conditions and deadlocks. Moving to the distributed setting introduces yet more issues, in particular the possibility of failure. To cope with many of the problems of concurrent programming, language designers have proposed a class of programming languages known as communication-centric programming languages, which provide lightweight processes which do not share memory, but instead communicate using explicit message passing. The focus of this thesis is on typed communicationcentric functional programming languages, using type systems to provide static guarantees about the runtime behaviour of concurrent programs. We investigate two strands of work: the relationship between typed channeland actor-based languages, and the integration of asynchrony, exception handling, and session types in a functional programming language. In the rst strand, we investigate two particular subclasses of communication-centric languages: channel-based languages such as Go, and languages based on the actor model, such as Erlang. We distil the essence of the languages into two concurrent λ-calculi: λch for simplytyped channels, and λact for simply-typed actors, and provide typeand semantics-preserving translations between them. In doing so, we clear up confusion between the two models, give theoretical foundations for recent implementations of type-parameterised actors, and also provide a theoretical grounding for frameworks which emulate actors in channel-based languages. Furthermore, by extending the core calculi, we note that actor synchronisation drastically simpli es the translation from channels into actors, and show that Erlang’s selective receive mechanism can be implemented without specialised constructs. In the second strand, we integrate session types, asynchrony, and exception handling in a functional programming language. Session types are a behavioural type system for communication channel endpoints, allowing conformance to protocols to be checked statically. We provide the rst integration of exception handling and asynchronous session types in a core functional language, Exceptional GV, and prove that it satis es preservation, global progress, and that it is con uent and terminating. We demonstrate the practical applicability of the approach by extending the Links tierless web programming language with exception handling, in turn providing the rst implementation of exception handling in the presence of session types in a functional language. As a result, we show the rst application of session types to web programming, providing examples including a two-factor authentication work ow and a chat application.
Performance of LTE downlink communication system in presence of electronic warfare spot jamming

Wireless communication is one of the principally active zones of tools development and has become necessary part of everyday life. Simulation of wireless communication systems accurately is very important for predicting its performance under different scenarios. Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is named by next generation wireless communications. It is a standard for high-speed wireless communication for mobile phones and data terminals. In this paper, the performance of standard single-input-single-output (SISO) LTE Frequency Domain Duplex (FDD) downlink (DL) signal in additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel is evaluated in two scenarios without jamming and in presence of electronic warfare spot jamming. Firstly, the performance of the standard LTE communication system in absence of jamming is investigated by calculating the probability of Bit Error Rate (BER) and Frame Error Rate (FER) versus Signal Noise Ratio (SNR). Secondly, the performance in presence of electronic warfare spot jamming scheme is investigated by constant Jamming to Signal Ratio (JSR) and different values of the normalized jamming bandwidth. In order to illustrate the impact of jamming on the standard LTE DL wireless communication system, the measurement is evaluated by using the aid of SystemVue software program.
Exploring correlates for paid versus unpaid internships or co-ops for graduating business students

Abstract Using a complete data sample of 579 graduating business seniors, this study successfully created separate items for measuring paid internships/cooperative education (co-ops) and unpaid internships/co-ops. Students reported lower frequencies for self-reported paid and especially unpaid internships/co-ops. Several correlates were found to be differentially related to these types of internships, including securing full-time employment by graduation being more positively related to having paid internships/co-ops, while being self-employed by graduation being more positively related to having unpaid internships/co-ops. Completing a professional development course earlier in one’s college program was found to be positively related to both types of internships/co-ops. Study limitations and future research issues are discussed.
An Improved Location Model for Pedestrian Detection

Pedestrian detection in complex scenes has always been a research difficulty in computer vision. The performance of current methods was seriously degraded when the pedestrian is occluded or the size of pedestrians are too small, etc. In this paper, we propose a novel approach based on location model for the detection of multiple pedestrians, which aims to improve the efficiency of algorithms in complex scenarios. In the model, a fully convolutional neural networks for the classification of pedestrian and non-pedestrian are trained to learn pedestrian features first. Then trained model are used to search for pedestrian regions, and the regions where pedestrian may be present will be activated and marked with boxes. Finally, we fine tune the boxes to overlap them with the ground truth more precisely. Compared with the current methods on two pedestrian datasets, experimental results demonstrate the comparable performance of our approach in term of miss rates.
Modeling and experimental study of power losses in a rolling bearing

Due to the growing demand for very high performance in aeronautical mechanisms and systems, particular attention must be paid on the bearing modeling and design. In this framework, a fundamental role is played by high peripheral speed and very low power losses. Looking toward this direction, this paper presents an improved model of rolling bearings able to describe the system dynamic behavior and the important effect of different kinds of power losses (friction losses, fluid dynamic losses, etc.). The proposed model is characterized by a high numerical efficiency and allows the investigation of the rolling bearing behavior both under transient and steady conditions. A comparison between the experimental and simulated results is also presented in this paper. The analysis of the results is encouraging and shows a good agreement between experiments and model simulations.
Improved Low-Power Cost-Effective DCT Implementation Based on Markov Random Field and Stochastic Logic

Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) is a commonly used building block for image and video compression. In this article, we present a Markov Random Field (MRF)-based design for DCT implementation because MRF logic gates outperform standard non-MRF units by achieving high noise immunity for applications to logic-based computing systems in deep sub-micron condition. Furthermore, it is found that stochastic logic, a low-cost form of number representation, can also efficiently simplify computations. By combining these two techniques, we present an improved DCT hardware circuit. The example eight-point one-dimensional DCT (1D DCT) system is simulated using 65 nm CMOS technology. Simulation results show that the proposed MRF design can achieve 13% higher noise immunity and 47% area saving, compared with the typical stochastic 1D DCT using classical Master-and-Slave architecture. While achieving the same error rate of 0.21, power consumption is reduced by 52%.
A case study in human–robot collaboration in the disassembly of press-fitted components

Human–robot collaborative disassembly is an approach designed to mitigate the effects of uncertainties associated with the condition of end-of-life products returned for remanufacturing. This flexible semi-autonomous approach can also handle unpredictability in the frequency and numbers of such returns as well as variance in the remanufacturing process. This article focusses on disassembly, which is the first and arguably the most critical step in remanufacturing. The article presents a new method for disassembling press-fitted components using human–robot collaboration based on the active compliance provided by a collaborative robot. The article first introduces the concepts of human–robot collaborative disassembly and outlines the method of active compliance control. It then details a case study designed to demonstrate the proposed method. The study involved the disassembly of an automotive water pump by a collaborative industrial robot working with a human operator to take apart components that had been press-fitted together. The results show the feasibility of the proposed method.
Performance Analysis of Belief Propagation Polar Code Decoder

Attributable to their ability accomplishing execution and low encoding and interpreting intricacy, polar codes have gotten noteworthy consideration as of late. Successive cancellation decoding (SCD) and belief propagation decoding (BPD) are two mainstream approaches for disentangling polar codes. SCD, in spite of having less computational intricacy when contrasted and BPD, experiences long inertness because of the serial idea of the SC calculation. BPD, then again, is parallel in nature and is more alluring for low-dormancy applications. Nonetheless, because of the iterative idea of BPD, the required inertness and vitality dispersal increment straightly with the quantity of emphasis. In this paper, we propose a novel plan in light of sub-factor diagram solidifying to lessen the normal number addition the normal number of cycles required by BPD, which specifically converts into bring down inactivity and vitality dissemination. Besides, the equipment design for the proposed plot is created and contrasted and the best in class BPD executions for (1024,512) polar codes.
Reintroduction of the European bison (Bison bonasus) in central-eastern Europe: a case study

ABSTRACT European bison (Bison bonasus), a flagship species for the burgeoning re-wildling movement, faced challenges common to large mammals globally. These include deforestation, land use conversion, poaching, and a lack of genetic diversity. Despite these limitations, organizations such as Rewilding Europe seek to reintroduce the species to its historic range. This study focused on finding suitable reintroduction locations for a population of at least 120 individuals. Through GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making using weighted linear combination and analytical hierarchy process, a model based on known bison habitat preferences, human-centered habitat constraints, and surface geography was used to identify regions large enough to accommodate a new herd. The study area included central-eastern Europe Union countries, specifically Germany, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The model identified several highly suitable regions large enough to support a new herd, with the most optimal located in Poland. Highly suitable areas represented 2.7% of the study region. Relative isolation of suitable regions reinforced the challenges of promoting gene flow between reintroduced European bison herds. This model can be replicated in other conservation planning contexts, including reintroduction of large herbivores considering anthropogenic, ecological, and physical conditions.
Tools for Countering Misinformation on Encrypted Chat Apps

Messaging apps like WhatsApp are a prominent platform for misinformation in the Global South. Facebook’s announcement of plans to integrate its distinct messaging services (Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp) has come with a recognition that misinformation on chat apps could become a global phenomenon. Tattle1 is a civic tech project working to create a globally accessible archive of multimedia messages circulated on chat apps. Such an archive is valuable for fact checking groups, as well as for researchers trying to understand information networks on these platforms. In this talk we will share Tattle’s approach to the challenge of data collection from WhatsApp; and our approach to indexing and querying multilingual and multimedia content.
Instruction Set Completeness Theorem: Concept, Relevance, Proof, and Example for Processor Architecture

The Instruction Set Completeness Theorem is first formally defined and discussed in the seminal work on one-instruction set computing—the book Computer Architecture: A Minimalist Perspective. Yet the original formalism of the Instruction Set Completeness Theorem did not provide a definitive, explicit mathematical proof of completeness, analyze both singular and plural instruction sets that were either complete or incomplete, nor examine the significance of the theorem to computer architecture instruction sets. A mathematical proof of correctness shows the equivalence of the Instruction Set Completeness Theorem to a Turing machine, a hypothetical model of computation, and thereby establishes the mathematical truth of the Instruction Set Completeness Theorem. With a more detailed examination of the Instruction Set Completeness Theorem develops several surprising conclusions for both the instruction set completeness theorem, and the instruction sets for a computer architecture.
Analysis of the controllers of the vessel course control systems in difficult navigation conditions

The article presents a comparison of a few controllers of the vessel's course. The mathematical model of the vessel was set as a transfer function with variable coefficients, which depend on vessel speed. We compared a classic PID controller, a PID controller with self-adjusting coefficients, an adaptive controller with implicit reference model, and an adaptive fuzzy controller. In the result of comparison the adaptive fuzzy controller demonstrated the best quality indicators in comparison with other controllers by set of criteria that allows to recommend this controller for implementation in the vessel's course control systems.
Simulation Model for Drivability Assessment and Optimization of Hybrid Drive Trains

The growing electrification of vehicle drive trains is increasing their complexity significantly. The interactions between the different drive train components should not be noticed negatively by the occupants, which is considered as good drivability and thus contributes to increasing customer acceptance. Today’s development processes of hybrid-and electric driven cars consider energy management in earlier development phases as drivability optimization. In these early development phases, fuel-and energy consumption are optimized on the basis of standardized driving cycles. Drivability aspects and influences of real driving operation are not integrated until the prototype phase. In this way, modifications of drivability-relevant aspects phase are limited, which restricts the potential to find optimal solutions. In this context, the submitted paper presents an approach for assessment and optimization of the drivability of hybrid drive trains in the virtual development process. The created simulation model is exemplarily based on the P2-hybrid drive train of a VW Passat GTE. For the validation of the drive train model and the assessment of drivability, defined maneuvers were carried out on a test track and compared with the results of maneuver simulations. By simulating different driving maneuvers, the resulting acceleration oscillations, which affect the passenger, are calculated and evaluated from the aspect of drivability. The assessment method is derived from a VDI directive dealing with the effects of vibrations on the wellbeing and human health. In order to identify the influencing factors of different maneuvers and parameters of the drive train components, both were varied in the study. It turned out that change of gears and closing of the clutch had the greatest influence on the drivability and thus has the greatest potential for optimizing design and control strategy of hybrid drive trains. In this way, the presented approach enables the assessment and optimization of drivability of hybrid drive trains in the early development phase and thus reduces the gap between virtual development and prototype phase.