Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consciousness as Existence, and the End of Intentionality

It was only in the last century of the past millennium that the Philosophy of Mind began to flourish as a part of philosophy with some autonomy, enough for students to face examination papers in it by itself. Despite an inclination in some places to give it the name of Philosophical Psychology, it is not any science of the mind. This is not to say that the Philosophy of Mind is unempirical, but that it is like the rest of philosophy in being more taken up with good thinking about experienced facts than with establishing, elaborating or using them. Logic, if not formal logic, is the core of all philosophy, and so of the Philosophy of Mind. The discipline's first question is what it is for a thing to be conscious, whatever its capabilities. The discipline's second question is how a thing's being conscious is related to the physical world, including chairs, brains and bodily movements—the mind-brain or mind-body problem.
Wikis: building a learning experience between academe and businesses

This article represents the second article in a series evaluating wikis as an educational tool, having previously researched students’ perspectives of wikis as a learning tool. The aim of this second instalment was to evaluate the experience of not only MBA students but also entrepreneurs and academics of wikis as a learning tool. Throughout the research the participants were encouraged to reflect and discuss their learning experience with one another in order to assess the strengths and weaknesses of wikis as an educational tool. Qualitative oral and written data gained during and after the teaching reflected this experience has been a positive one for students, staff and entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurs have been particularly enthusiastic about the results, citing the educational and managerial benefits to their businesses. Evidence, however, also reveals that on reflection some of the processes and procedures need to be adapted and amended to gain greater initial student buy-in. The recurring criticism that academe and business too often fail to translate their relationships into practical outcomes can be rebutted through the development and application of wikis. Wikis offer different, but complimentary results for the various stakeholders. It is an innovative, low-cost technological tool that integrates entrepreneurial and experiential learning. It allows students and staff to understand and explore in real time issue(s) confronting small and medium enterprises, whilst business can access contemporary knowledge and practice at minimal cost.
Disturbance observer based path tracking control of robot manipulator considering torque saturation

In this paper, a path tracking algorithm is proposed to compensate path deviation due to torque bound. For this, a disturbance observer is applied to each joint of an n degrees of freedom manipulator to obtain a simple equivalent robot dynamics (SERD) being represented as an n independent double integrator system. For an arbitrary trajectory generated for a given path in Cartesian space, whenever the saturation of any actuators is met, the desired acceleration of the nominal trajectory in Cartesian space is modified online by using SERD. Also an integral action with respect to the difference between the nominal and the modified trajectories is utilized in nonsaturated region of actuators to reduce the path error. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms, numerical simulations and real experiments are performed for two degrees of freedom SCARA type direct-drive arm.
MINING FOR TELECONNECTIONS IN GLOBAL CLIMATE DATASETS

Teleconnection is a linkage between two climate events that occur in widely separated regions of the globe on a monthly or longer timescale. In the past, statistical methods have been used to discover teleconnections. However, because of the overwhelming volume and high resolution of datasets acquired by modern data acquisition systems, these methods are not sufficient. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to finding teleconnections in global climate datasets using data mining technologies. We present experiments on real datasets and find some interesting teleconnections, including well-known ones such as ENSO. The experiments indicate that our method is usable and efficient.
A hierarchical spatiotemporal adaptive fusion model using one image pair

ABSTRACT Image fusion techniques that blend multi-sensor characteristics to generate synthetic data with fine resolutions have generated great interest within the remote sensing community. Over the past decade, although many advances have been made in the spatiotemporal fusion models, there still remain several shortcomings in existing methods. In this article, a hierarchical spatiotemporal adaptive fusion model (HSTAFM) is proposed for producing daily synthetic fine-resolution fusions. The suggested model uses only one prior or posterior image pair, especially with the aim being to predict arbitrary temporal changes. The proposed model is implemented in two stages. First, the coarse-resolution image is enhanced through super-resolution based on sparse representation; second, a pre-selection of temporal change is performed. It then adopts a two-level strategy to select similar pixels, and blends multi-sensor features adaptively to generate the final synthetic data. The results of tests using both simulated and actual observed data show that the model can accurately capture both seasonal phenology change and land-cover-type change. Comparisons between HSTAFM and other developed models also demonstrate our proposed model produces consistently lower biases.
Retinoic acid inhibits nitric oxide synthase-2 expression through the retinoic acid receptor-alpha.

Retinoids are multipotent modulators of cellular functions and suppress cytokine-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) in several cell types. We have explored the mechanisms by which retinoic acid (RA) regulates NO production in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (VSMC), which express NOS2 in response to proinflammatory cytokines. RA inhibited interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-induced NOS2 mRNA expression and NO production. These effects were attenuated by the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonist CD3106, indicating that they were mediated through retinoic acid receptors (RARs). The synthetic retinoid agonists CD336 (which specifically binds RARalpha) and CD367 (which binds all RARs) but not agonists specific for RARbeta, RARgamma, or RXRs reduced IL-1beta-induced NOS2 expression and NO production. When transfecting VSMC with a 1570-bp NOS2 promoter fragment fused to a luciferase reporter gene, the NOS2 promoter activity was inhibited by RA. These results indicate that retinoids modulate NO production in VSMC via RARalpha, which inhibits the transcription of the NOS2 gene.
Comparison of Gleason Scores from Sextant Prostate Biopsies and Radical Prostatectomy Specimens

Objectives: We compared the Gleason scores obtained from sextant prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens in patients with localized prostate cancer. Patients and Methods: Sixty-one patients having a clinical diagnosis of localized prostate cancer underwent needle biopsy under transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and RP. Grading and staging were assigned based on Gleason scores and the TNM system, respectively. Results: Mean patient age was 65.5 ± 13.43 years and mean PSA level was 14.69 ± 3.95. Mean Gleason score for prostate biopsy and RP specimen were 5.85 ± 0.7 and 6.34 ± 1.44, respectively. With respect to clinical stage, there were 20 patients in stage 1 and 41 patients in stage 2 prostate cancer. Comparing the Gleason scores, the biopsy score was lower in 26 (42.26%) and higher than RP specimens in 7 (11.84%) cases, and there was agreement between the biopsy and RP specimens in 28 (45.9%) patients. The difference between the two Gleason scores was ± 1 for 18 patients (29.5%) and ± 2 or more for 17 patients (27.86%). Conclusion: In our study, high Gleason score biopsies with elevated PSA level (>10 ng/ml) were risk factors for extraprostatic extension, and we demonstrated that Gleason scores were significantly correlated with seminal vesicle and lymph node invasion (p < 0.05). The Gleason scores of biopsy and RP specimens agreed with 45.9% of TRUS-guided sextant prostate biopsies, and this ratio was 91.1% in moderately differentiated tumors
Why not say it directly? The social functions of irony

In three experiments, we investigated the social payoffs of speaking ironically. In Experiment 1, participants rated videotaped ironic remarks (criticisms and compliments) as funnier than literal remarks, but no more or less status enhancing. In Experiment 2, participants listened to audiotaped ironic criticisms and compliments. Ironic compliments were rated as more insulting than literal compliments, but ironic criticisms were found to be less insulting than literal criticisms. In Experiment 3, participants read literal or ironic criticisms. Ironic comments were rated as more amusing than literal ones. When irony was directed at the addressee's poor performance, it served to protect the addressee's face by softening the criticism. When irony was directed at the addressee's offensive behavior, it served to protect the speaker's face by showing the speaker as less angry and more in control. In addition, irony damaged the speaker—addressee relationship less than did literal criticism. Taken together, these .
The Midas Touch

The present study examined the effects of two types of touch in a controlled but natural setting, a restaurant. Waitresses briefly touched customers either on the hand or the shoulder as they were returning change. Customers' reactions were assessed by a restaurant survey and a novel behavioral measure, the tip expressed as a percentage of the bill. The tipping rate for the two types of touch did not differ from each other and did not differ according to the customer's gender. Both tipping rates were significantly larger than a control, no-touch condition. There were no touch effects on ratings of the waitress, the restaurant's atmosphere, or the dining experience. It was concluded that touch effects can occur without awareness, and that males will not react more negatively to touch than females when the touch is unobtrusive or free of status and dependency connotations.
Characterization of an Effective CTL Response against HIV and SIV Infections

A vaccine inducing protective immunity in mucosal tissues and secretions may stop or limit HIV infection. Although cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are clearly associated with control of viral replication in HIV and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infections, there are examples of uncontrolled viral replication in the face of strong CD8+ T-cell responses. The number of functions, breadth, avidity, and magnitude of CTL response are likely to be important factors in the effectiveness of anti-HIV T-cell response, but the location and persistence of effector CD8+ T cells are also critical factors. Although the only HIV vaccine clinical trial targeting cellular immunity to prevent HIV infection failed, vaccine strategies using persistent agents against pathogenic mucosal challenge in macaque models are showing unique success. Thus, the key to control the initial focus of viral replication at the portal of entry may rely on the continuous generation of effector CTL responses at mucosal level.
The Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I Region Is Associated with EBV-Positive Hodgkin's Lymphoma: HLA-A and HLA Complex Group 9 Are Putative Candidate Genes

Various studies have indicated that the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region is associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma. We recently showed a specific association of the HLA class I region with EBV-positive Hodgkin's lymphoma cases. One haplotype of two consecutive microsatellite markers (D6S265 and D6S510) was overrepresented in the patient group, whereas another haplotype was underrepresented. Here, we did fine mapping of this region of ∼400 kb as a next step to find the causative single-nucleotide polymorphism(s) (SNP). To select candidate SNPs for screening the total study population, several known SNPs were determined by sequencing two individuals homozygous for either of the above-mentioned associated haplotypes. Seven SNPs displayed different alleles in these two individuals and were therefore analyzed in the total study population, including 238 Hodgkin's lymphoma patients and 365 family-based controls. All seven SNPs showed significant association with the EBV-positive patient group. Two of these SNPs were analyzed in a Scottish Hodgkin's lymphoma population and revealed significant associations as well. The associated SNPs are located nearby two putative candidate genes: HLA-A and HLA complex group 9. HLA-A represents the most interesting target because of its consistent expression in EBV-positive Hodgkin's lymphoma cases and its ability to present EBV-derived peptides to cytotoxic T cells. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(11):2280–4)
Fast algorithms for computing parsimonious estimates of QoS measures

In recent publications concerning quality of service (QoS) measures in communication networks several attempts have been made to improve the techniques of computing or estimating the quality of data transfer. Many of the promising results are based on the knowledge of only very few parameters on the traffic situation, some of which are known a priory, others are measured. The paper deals with such parsimonious estimation techniques of QoS measures under the bufferless fluid flow multiplexing (bffm) framework, and concentrates on the efficient computation of them. The proposed fixed-point recursive algorithms are actively used to put the implicit formulae or ones containing optimization tasks into real-time environment.
Access control systems and reductions of driver's wait time at the entrance of a car park

In parking garages massive arrival of vehicles may cause delays at the entrance when the arrival rate is similar to (or greater than) the service rate. Furthermore, if the number of vehicles leaving the facility is less than the number of arrivals a long queue could be observed. Recent literature shows that real-time parking information management reduces the search time; however in parking garages these systems generate a particular side effect, which is beneficial and has not been studied before. We realized that when the facility is full drivers waiting in queue do not have to wait for other clients to exit; they can enter when any space detector changes its status from “occupied” to “free”. This is not an information management strategy but a facility of the system that reduces wait time up to 24.7% and the number of vehicles in line by 21.0%. This also allows more clients to enter the facility -which is equivalent to increasing static capacity. These results were obtained from 1450 simulations carried out using field data, which represent approximately 2,867,375 drivers' choices in 16 scenarios, in typical operation days.
A participatory design agenda for ubiquitous computing and multimodal interaction: a case study of dental practice

This paper reflects upon our attempts to bring a participatory design approach to design research into interfaces that better support dental practice. The project brought together design researchers, general and specialist dental practitioners, the CEO of a dental software company and, to a limited extent, dental patients. We explored the potential for deployment of speech and gesture technologies in the challenging and authentic context of dental practices. The paper describes the various motivations behind the project, the negotiation of access and the development of the participant relationships as seen from the researchers' perspectives. Conducting participatory design sessions with busy professionals demands preparation, improvisation, and clarity of purpose. The paper describes how we identified what went well and when to shift tactics. The contribution of the paper is in its description of what we learned in bringing participatory design principles to a project that spanned technical research interests, commercial objectives and placing demands upon the time of skilled professionals.
A developmental approach to language acquisition: two case studies

The aim of this article is to revitalize and extend functionalist approaches to language use and language acquisition by utilizing a theory which focuses on general issues of human development. The emphasis here is to show how such developmental considerations enable one to reconstruct a growing child's own efforts to acquire and use a language in increasing accord with cultural demands as to a telos of language development. Two case studies are presented. The first one deals with early phases of language use, in which we analyse subtle ontogenetic changes in the organization and reorganization of personal pronouns referring to the Self. In the second case study, we focus on language modifications during later ontogenesis, analysing the changing functions involving the nominal-pronominal contrast and the contrast between particular tense-aspect markings. It is argued that the ontogenetic changes in both sub-domains are illuminated by exploiting in their analyses Werner & Kaplan's Orthogenetic Principle, in which development is defined in terms of increasing differentiation and hierarchic integration in human functioning. In a final section, we distinguish our Developmental Approach to language acquisition and language use from other functionalist approaches.
The Combined Impact of Virtual Reality Neurorehabilitation and Its Interfaces on Upper Extremity Functional Recovery in Patients With Chronic Stroke

Background and Purpose— Although there is strong evidence on the beneficial effects of virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation, it is not yet well understood how the different aspects of these systems affect recovery. Consequently, we do not exactly know what features of VR neurorehabilitation systems are decisive in conveying their beneficial effects. Methods— To specifically address this issue, we developed 3 different configurations of the same VR-based rehabilitation system, the Rehabilitation Gaming System, using 3 different interface technologies: vision-based tracking, haptics, and a passive exoskeleton. Forty-four patients with chronic stroke were randomly allocated to one of the configurations and used the system for 35 minutes a day for 5 days a week during 4 weeks. Results— Our results revealed significant within-subject improvements at most of the standard clinical evaluation scales for all groups. Specifically we observe that the beneficial effects of VR-based training are modulated by the use/nonuse of compensatory movement strategies and the specific sensorimotor contingencies presented to the user, that is, visual feedback versus combined visual haptic feedback. Conclusions— Our findings suggest that the beneficial effects of VR-based neurorehabilitation systems such as the Rehabilitation Gaming System for the treatment of chronic stroke depend on the specific interface systems used. These results have strong implications for the design of future VR rehabilitation strategies that aim at maximizing functional outcomes and their retention. Clinical Trial Registration— This trial was not registered because it is a small clinical study that evaluates the feasibility of prototype devices.
A piezoelectric spring-mass system as a low-frequency energy harvester [Correspondence]

We propose a new structure consisting of a piezoelectric spring-mass system as a low-frequency piezoelectric energy harvester. A theoretical model is developed for the system from the theory of piezoelectricity. An analysis is performed to demonstrate the low-frequency nature of the system. Other basic characteristics of the energy harvester, including the output power, voltage, and efficiency, are also calculated and examined.
Quantification of Circadian Rhythms in Single Cells

Bioluminescence techniques allow accurate monitoring of the circadian clock in single cells. We have analyzed bioluminescence data of Per gene expression in mouse SCN neurons and fibroblasts. From these data, we extracted parameters such as damping rate and noise intensity using two simple mathematical models, one describing a damped oscillator driven by noise, and one describing a self-sustained noisy oscillator. Both models describe the data well and enabled us to quantitatively characterize both wild-type cells and several mutants. It has been suggested that the circadian clock is self-sustained at the single cell level, but we conclude that present data are not sufficient to determine whether the circadian clock of single SCN neurons and fibroblasts is a damped or a self-sustained oscillator. We show how to settle this question, however, by testing the models' predictions of different phases and amplitudes in response to a periodic entrainment signal (zeitgeber).
Attractor dynamics in a modular network model of neocortex

Starting from the hypothesis that the mammalian neocortex to a first approximation functions as an associative memory of the attractor network type, we formulate a quantitative computational model of neocortical layers 2/3. The model employs biophysically detailed multi-compartmental model neurons with conductance based synapses and includes pyramidal cells and two types of inhibitory interneurons, i.e., regular spiking non-pyramidal cells and basket cells. The simulated network has a minicolumnar as well as a hypercolumnar modular structure and we propose that minicolumns rather than single cells are the basic computational units in neocortex. The minicolumns are represented in full scale and synaptic input to the different types of model neurons is carefully matched to reproduce experimentally measured values and to allow a quantitative reproduction of single cell recordings. Several key phenomena seen experimentally in vitro and in vivo appear as emergent features of this model. It exhibits a robust and fast attractor dynamics with pattern completion and pattern rivalry and it suggests an explanation for the so-called attentional blink phenomenon. During assembly dynamics, the model faithfully reproduces several features of local UP states, as they have been experimentally observed in vitro, as well as oscillatory behavior similar to that observed in the neocortex.
Interventions for the control of diarrhoeal diseases among young children: promotion of personal and domestic hygiene.

The effects of improving personal and domestic hygiene on diarrhea morbidity are reviewed using data from studies in hospitals, day care centers, and communities. There is evidence that low educational attainment and certain religious customs predispose to diarrhea, presumably because of behavioral factors. The specific hygiene related behavior that has een most studied is handwashing. Hospital studies suggest that enteric infections can spread via contaminated hands and that hands can be decontaminated by washing with soap and water. 3 studies from Bangladesh, US, and Guatemala on the impact of hygiene education programs on diarrhea are reviewed in detail. Reductions in diarrhea incidence rates of between 14-48% were documented in these studies. Little is known of the impact of hygiene education programs on diarrheas of specific etiology or of their impact on diarrhea mortality. Information is lacking on the optimal design of such programs, on costs, and on their dependence on preexisting levels of sanitary facilities. The available evidence suggests that hygiene education programs may be a cost effective intervention for diarrhea morbidity reduction. Research is necessary to fill the current gaps in understanding and to clarfiy the operational aspects of these programs. (author's modified)