Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What pops out in positional priming of pop-out: insights from event-related EEG lateralizations

It is well established that, in visual pop-out search, reaction time (RT) performance is influenced by cross-trial repetitions versus changes of target-defining attributes. One instance of this is referred to as “positional priming of pop-out” (pPoP; Maljkovic and Nakayama, 1996). In positional PoP paradigms, the processing of the current target is examined depending on whether it occurs at the previous target or a previous distractor location, relative to a previously empty location (“neutral” baseline), permitting target facilitation and distractor inhibition to be dissociated. The present study combined RT measures with specific sensory- and motor-driven event-related lateralizations to track the time course of four distinct processing levels as a function of the target’s position across consecutive trials. The results showed that, relative to targets at previous target and “neutral” locations, the appearance of a target at a previous distractor location was associated with a delayed build-up of the posterior contralateral negativity wave, indicating that distractor positions are suppressed at early stages of visual processing. By contrast, presentation of a target at a previous target, relative to “neutral” and distractor locations, modulated the elicitation of the subsequent stimulus-locked lateralized readiness potential wave, indicating that post-selective response selection is facilitated if the target occurred at the same position as on the previous trial. Overall, the results of present study provide electrophysiological evidence for the idea that target location priming (RT benefits) does not originate from an enhanced coding of target saliency at repeated (target) locations; instead, they arise (near-) exclusively from processing levels subsequent to focal-attentional target selection.
Indigenous knowledge and utilization of edible mushrooms in parts of Southern Ghana

Indigenous knowledge on edible fungi in Ghana has mostly been limited to rural people. Edible mushrooms are collected from forest reserves, secondary forests and fields under fallow. However, with the current rate of bush burning and deforestation, collection of edible mushrooms from the wild is threatened. A survey was carried out in Southern Ghana to gather information on local knowledge and utilization of edible mushrooms. Mushroom collectors, consumers and traders were interviewed using structured questionnaires in local markets, homes and along roadsides. Thirty different mushrooms with their vernacular names were listed by correspondents. The commonest species collected for consumption are Volvariella volvacea (Bull.: Fr) Singer (Straw/Oil palm mushroom), Termitomyces globulus (Pat.) Heim, T. microcarpus (Berk. & Br.) Heim, T. schimperi (Pat.) Heim, T. robustus (Pat.) Heim and Coprinus disseminatus (Pers.: Fr.) S. F. Gray. Among the local people, names of edible mushrooms are based on the substrates on which they grow, their association with insects, and unrelated taxa are given collective names. Rural people believe mushrooms have medicinal values and can serve as blood tonic, reduce obesity and lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients among others. Mushroom consumption is however, low since mushrooms collected are rather exchanged for money to buy fish or meat which is often less expensive. Women are especially involved in mushroom collection and have extensive knowledge regarding mushrooms as well as deriving incomes from them. Keywords : Rural people, edible mushrooms, vernacular names, medicinal purposes Ghana Journal of Forestry Vol. 19 & 20 2006: pp. 20-34
Large-Scale Native Language Identification with Cross-Corpus Evaluation

We present a large-scale Native Language Identification (NLI) experiment on new data, with a focus on cross-corpus evaluation to identify corpusand genre-independent language transfer features. We test a new corpus and show it is comparable to other NLI corpora and suitable for this task. Cross-corpus evaluation on two large corpora achieves good accuracy and evidences the existence of reliable language transfer features, but lower performance also suggests that NLI models are not completely portable across corpora. Finally, we present a brief case study of features distinguishing Japanese learners’ English writing, demonstrating the presence of cross-corpus and cross-genre language transfer features that are highly applicable to SLA and ESL research.
Kneser–Ney Smoothing With a Correcting Transformation for Small Data Sets

We present a technique which improves the Kneser-Ney smoothing algorithm on small data sets for bigrams, and we develop a numerical algorithm which computes the parameters for the heuristic formula with a correction. We give motivation for the formula with correction on a simple example. Using the same example, we show the possible difficulties one may run into with the numerical algorithm. Applying the algorithm to test data we show how the new formula improves the results on cross-entropy.
Observational evidence of a hemispheric-wide ice--ocean albedo feedback effect on Antarctic sea-ice decay

[1] The effect of ice–ocean albedo feedback (a kind of ice-albedo feedback) on sea-ice decay is demonstrated over the Antarctic sea-ice zone from an analysis of satellite-derived hemispheric sea ice concentration and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ERA-40) atmospheric data for the period 1979–2001. Sea ice concentration in December (time of most active melt) correlates better with the meridional component of the wind-forced ice drift (MID) in November (beginning of the melt season) than the MID in December. This 1 month lagged correlation is observed in most of the Antarctic sea-ice covered ocean. Daily time series of ice concentration show that the ice concentration anomaly increases toward the time of maximum sea-ice melt. These findings can be explained by the following positive feedback effect: once ice concentration decreases (increases) at the beginning of the melt season, solar heating of the upper ocean through the increased (decreased) open water fraction is enhanced (reduced), leading to (suppressing) a further decrease in ice concentration by the oceanic heat. Results obtained from a simple ice–ocean coupled model also support our interpretation of the observational results. This positive feedback mechanism explains in part the large interannual variability of the sea-ice cover in summer.
Collaborative Solving in a Human Computing Game Using a Market, Skills and Challenges

Crowdsourcing with human-computing games is now a well-established approach to help solving difficult computational problems (e.g. Foldit, Phylo). The current strategies used to distribute problems among participants are currently limited to (i) delivering the full problem to every single user and ask them to explore the complete search space (e.g. Foldit), or (ii) decomposing the initial problem into smaller sub-problems and aggregate the solutions returned by gamers (e.g. Phylo). The second approach could be used to explore larger search spaces while harnessing collective intelligence, but popular crowdsourcing systems making use of the Amazon Mechanical Turk deliberately forbid communication between participants to avoid group-think phenomena. In this paper, we design a novel multi-player game-with-a-purpose, and analyze the impact of multiple game mechanisms on the performance of the system. We present a highly collaborative human-computing game that uses a market, skills and a challenge system to help the players collectively solve a graph problem. The results obtained during 12 game sessions of 10 players show that the market helps players to build larger solutions. We also show that a skill system and, to a lesser extent, a challenge system can be used to influence and guide the players towards producing better solutions. Our collaborative game-with-a-purpose is open-source, and aims to serve as a universal platform for further independent studies.
Mobile robot map generation by integrating omnidirectional stereo and laser range finder

This paper describes a map generation method using an omnidirectional stereo and a laser range finder. Omnidirectional stereo has an advantage of 3D range acquisition, while it may suffer from a low reliability and accuracy in range data. Laser range finders have advantage of reliable acquisition of data, while they usually obtain only 2D range information. By integrating these two sensors, a reliable map can be generated. Since the two sensors may detect different parts of an object, a separate probabilistic grid map is first generated by temporal integration of data from each sensor The resultant two maps are then integrated using a logical integration rule. An ego-motion estimation method is also described, which is necessary for integration of sensor data obtained at different positions. Experimental results on autonomous navigation in unknown environments show the feasibility of the method.
Saccade-vergence interactions in humans.

1. We recorded eye movements in four normal human subjects during refixations between targets calling for various combinations of saccades and vergence. We confirmed and extended prior observations of 1) transient changes in horizontal ocular alignment during both pure horizontal saccades (relative divergence followed by relative convergence) and pure vertical saccades (usually divergence for upward and convergence for downward saccades); 2) occasional, high-frequency (20-25 Hz), conjugate oscillations along the axis orthogonal to the main saccade; and 3) the speeding up of horizontal vergence by both horizontal and vertical saccades. 2. To interpret these findings, we developed a hypothesis for the generation of vergence to step changes in target depth, both with and without associated saccades. The essential features of this hypothesis are 1) the transient changes in horizontal ocular alignment during pure horizontal saccades reflect asymmetries in the mechanical properties of the lateral and medial rectus muscles causing adduction to lag abduction; 2) pure vergence movements in response to step changes in target depth are generated by a neural network that uses a desired change in vergence position as its input command and instantaneous vergence motor error (the difference between the desired change and the actual change in vergence) to drive vergence premoter neurons; and 3) the facilitation of horizontal vergence by saccades arises from nonlinear interactions in central premotor circuits. 3. The hypothetical network for generating pure vergence to step changes in target depth is analogous in structure to the local feedback model for the generation of saccades and has the same conceptual appeal. With the assumption of a single nonlinearity describing the relationship between a vergence motor error signal and the output of the neurons that generate promoter vergence velocity commands, this model generates pure vergence movements with peak velocity-amplitude relationships and trajectories that closely match those of experimental data. 4. Several types of models are proposed for the central, nonlinear interaction that occurs when saccades and vergence are combined. Common to all models is the idea that omnidirectional pause neurons (OPN), which are thought to gate activity for saccade burst neurons, also gate activity for saccade-related vergence. In one model we hypothesize the existence of a separate class of saccade-related vergence burst neurons, which generate premotor horizontal vergence commands but only during saccades. In a second model we hypothesize separate right eye and left eye saccadic burst neurons that receive not only conjugate, but also equal but oppositely directed vergence error signals. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
New views on cellular uptake and trafficking of manufactured nanoparticles

Nanoparticles (NPs) are of similar size to typical cellular components and proteins, and can efficiently intrude living cells. A detailed understanding of the involved processes at the molecular level is important for developing NPs designed for selective uptake by specific cells, for example, for targeted drug delivery. In addition, this knowledge can greatly assist in the engineering of NPs that should not penetrate cells so as to avoid adverse health effects. In recent years, a wide variety of experiments have been performed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying cellular NP uptake. Here, we review some select recent studies, which are often based on fluorescence microscopy and sophisticated strategies for specific labelling of key cellular components. We address the role of the protein corona forming around NPs in biological environments, and describe recent work revealing active endocytosis mechanisms and pathways involved in their cellular uptake. Passive uptake is also discussed. The current state of knowledge is summarized, and we point to issues that still need to be addressed to further advance our understanding of cellular NP uptake.
Employing Relation between Reading and Writing Skills on Age Based Categorization of Short Estonian Texts

In this paper, we present results of our study on age-based categorization of short texts as 85 words per author. We introduce a novel set of features that will reliably work with short texts, and is easy to extract from the text itself without any outside databases. These features were formerly known as variables in readability formulas. We tested datasets presented two age groups children and teens up to age 15 and adults 20 years and older. Besides readability features, we also tested widely used n-gram features. Models trained on readability features performed better or as well as models trained on n-gram features. Model generated by Support Vector Machine with readability features yield to f-score 0.953.
The effects of fire on the thermal stability of permafrost in lowland and upland black spruce forests of interior Alaska in a changing climate

Fire is an important factor controlling the composition and thickness of the organic layer in the black spruce forest ecosystems of interior Alaska. Fire that burns the organic layer can trigger dramatic changes in the underlying permafrost, leading to accelerated ground thawing within a relatively short time. In this study, we addressed the following questions. (1) Which factors determine post-fire ground temperature dynamics in lowland and upland black spruce forests? (2) What levels of burn severity will cause irreversible permafrost degradation in these ecosystems? We evaluated these questions in a transient modeling–sensitivity analysis framework to assess the sensitivity of permafrost to climate, burn severity, soil organic layer thickness, and soil moisture content in lowland (with thick organic layers, ∼80 cm) and upland (with thin organic layers, ∼30 cm) black spruce ecosystems. The results indicate that climate warming accompanied by fire disturbance could significantly accelerate permafrost degradation. In upland black spruce forest, permafrost could completely degrade in an 18 m soil column within 120 years of a severe fire in an unchanging climate. In contrast, in a lowland black spruce forest, permafrost is more resilient to disturbance and can persist under a combination of moderate burn severity and climate warming.
The δ15N of nitrate in the southern ocean: Consumption of nitrate in surface waters

We report nitrogen isotope data for nitrate from transects of hydrocast and surface samples collected in the eastern Indian and Pacific sectors of the Southern Ocean, focusing here on the data from the upper water column to study the effect of nitrate consumption by phytoplankton. The δ15N of nitrate increases by 1–2‰ from deep water into the Antarctic summertime surface layer, due to kinetic isotopic fractionation during nitrate uptake. Estimation of the nitrate uptake isotope effect from Antarctic depth profiles yields values in the range of 5–6‰ in east Indian sector and 4–5‰ in the east Pacific sector. Surface transect data from the Pacific sector also yield values of 4–5‰. The major uncertainty in the profile‐based estimation of the isotope effect involves the δ15N of nitrate from the temperature minimum layer below the summertime Antarctic surface layer, which deviates significantly from the predictions of simple models of isotope fractionation. For the Subantarctic surface, it is possible to distinguish between nitrate supplied laterally from the surface Antarctic and nitrate supplied vertically from the Subantarctic thermocline because of the distinctive relationships between the δ15N and concentration of nitrate in these two potential sources. Our Subantarctic samples, collected during the summer and fall, indicate that nitrate is supplied to the Subantarctic surface largely by northward transport of Antarctic surface water. Isotopic data from the Pacific sector of the Subantarctic suggest an isotope effect of 4.5‰, indistinguishable from the Antarctic estimates in this sector.
Advantages of Electrostatic Spring Hardening in Biomimetic Hair Flow Sensors

We report on a fully adaptable flow sensor with adjustable detection limit, responsivity, range, and bandwidth by addition of electrostatic spring hardening (ESH) to our previously developed microelectromechanical systems hair flow sensors. The sensor's mechanical transfer shows large voltage-controlled electromechanically affected responsivity for frequencies below the sensor's resonance. Using capacitive readout, a bias voltage-controlled sensory threshold is obtained, giving a threefold tunable ac-airflow detection threshold (down to 0.3 mms-1). The mechanism of spring control also extends to dc-flows, as shown for the first time; electrostatic spring hardening allows to increase the dc-flow measurement range by almost a factor 2, up to about 5 ms-1. Furthermore, the application of ESH is demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally for nonresonant parametric amplification (NRPA) by achieving suppression of residual frequency components at the cost of overall gain. In addition, we show that ESH allows to extend selective gain and tunable filtering by NRPA to a larger range of flow frequencies.
Notice of RetractionThe relationship between enterprise resources, competitive advantage and corporate performance: An example of garment manufacturing enterprises

This paper argues that ERP is the source of competitive advantage, corporate performance is the result of competitive advantage, competitive advantage is the superior state than other enterprises in the industry, is the middle variable of the enterprise resources and the performance, therefore, this paper establish a basic model of the relationship between resource, competitive advantage and performance, creatively integrated the three into a model, in this based establishing the refined model, followed by structural equation model, with the target of garment manufacturers in Quangzhou, verified the the relationship between three, draw four important conclusions, and further think that the best stock of corporate resources is not most, but the moderate combination of stock based on a certain enterprise resource is the best.
An intelligent framework for emotion aware e-healthcare support systems

There is a prominent connection between human health and human emotion. This connection has encouraged researchers to produce numerous applications in order to facilitate patients and therapists. In this paper, through a review study we highlight how the development of intelligent emotion aware e-health systems can facilitate patient's satisfaction, emotion wellbeing, and physical health, and improve the quality of service offered by health care related businesses. Moreover, we discuss the challenges and difficulties concerning emotion recognition and modelling systems responsible for representing the patient's affective state in real life health care environments. In our research, we aim to address these challenges by proposing a novel framework for developing emotion aware health care support systems. The suggested methodology enables a holistic and reflective representation of the patient's affective state, and incorporates a number of design choices that are suitable for emotion modelling and recognition in the context of a real life health care environment. This methodology leads to the development of a unique emotion aware health care support system, which utilizes Fuzzy Logic to recognize the patient's affective state based on basic cognitive/affective cues, such as the patient's predictions and evaluations of a treatment. The system based on the calculated emotion recognition results, delivers tailored feedback to influence the patient towards a desired and beneficial affective state. As demonstrated in this paper, the proposed emotion-modelling methodology could be very useful when applied in specific real life contexts to develop novel health care systems that are able to accurately monitor and predict their user's emotions.
Biomass and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Poplar-Wheat Inter-cropping System in Irrigated Agro-ecosystem in India

An attempt has been made to assess the productivity as well as the carbon sequestration potential of this mixture. The grain as well as straw yields were significantly lower in poplar block plantations than in the open (14 to 64% and 13 to 66% grain and straw yield, respectively under one to six year plantation). The annual productivity of poplars was recorded maximum after fourth year and later the annual wood increment decreased (42.4, 39.8 and 35.6 m 3 /ha/yr after 4 th , 5 th and 6 th year, respectively). The enrichment of soil through litter and roots enhanced the organic carbon in the surface layer of soil (0-15 cm) under poplar blocks as compared to open fields with wheat crop only. The carbon storage potential in agroforestry system was recorded very high in comparison to sole crop. The carbon storage in agroforestry system increased with the age of the plantation and the major contribution came from the timber, roots and litter (37.30 mg/ha after six years). However, wheat crop yield decreased under poplar but this may be compensated by the poplar trees in terms of biomass, economic returns and the carbon sequestration potential.
Improving resolution in supervised patch-based target detection

Recently, a supervised graph-based target detection method was proposed based on a new affinity measure between a set of target training patches and a test image. In this paper, we propose a new high-resolution detection score, which enhances the performance of the previous method by utilizing the known locations of the targets in the training images. We show that our new score is more reliable and spatially accurate, not only improving the detection resolution of true targets, but also reducing the number of false alarms. The method is successfully tested on side-scan sonar images of sea-mines, demonstrating an improved true detection rate. Our approach is general and can improve the detection resolution of the target in other patch-based detection algorithms for various signals and applications.