Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role Playing Learning for Socially Concomitant Mobile Robot Navigation

In this paper, we present the Role Playing Learning (RPL) scheme for a mobile robot to navigate socially with its human companion in populated environments. Neural networks (NN) are constructed to parameterize a stochastic policy that directly maps sensory data collected by the robot to its velocity outputs, while respecting a set of social norms. An efficient simulative learning environment is built with maps and pedestrians trajectories collected from a number of real-world crowd data sets. In each learning iteration, a robot equipped with the NN policy is created virtually in the learning environment to play itself as a companied pedestrian and navigate towards a goal in a socially concomitant manner. Thus, we call this process Role Playing Learning, which is formulated under a reinforcement learning (RL) framework. The NN policy is optimized end-to-end using Trust Region Policy Optimization (TRPO), with consideration of the imperfectness of robot's sensor measurements. Simulative and experimental results are provided to demonstrate the efficacy and superiority of our method.
Coordination and incentives in a supply chain with manufacturer quality effort

In recent years, how to improve the quality of products draws the attention of supply chain members because of the growing competition, but improving the quality means that manufacturers should invest more, so how to coordinate this two has become the focus of scholars' study. The paper investigates the issue of motivating manufacturers to make the optimal quality effort in the two-stage supply chain with one retailer and one manufacturer when the retailer is the Stackelberg leader. We identify that when the market demand is influenced by quality effort and supply chain members make decisions respectively, the simple revenue sharing contract can't coordinate the supply chain well, while the improved two-way revenue-cost sharing contract can effectively coordinate the supply chain and motivate the manufacturer take the optimal quality effort level to give the two the highest benefit.
Perceptual issues in substituting texture for geometry

An important goal in interactive computer graphics is to allow the user to interact dynamically with three-dimensional objects. The computing resources required to represent, transmit and display a three dimensional object depends on the number of polygons used to represent it. Many geometric simplification algorithms have been developed to represent the geometry with as few polygons as possible, without substantially changing the appearance of the rendered object. A popular method for achieving geometric simplification is to replace fine scale geometric detail with texture images mapped onto the simplified geometry. However the effectiveness of replacing geometry with texture has not been explored experimentally. In this paper we describe a visual experiment in which we examine the perceived quality of various representations of textured, geometric objects, viewed under direct and oblique illumination. We used a pair of simple large scale objects with different fine-scale geometric detail. For each object we generated many representations, varying the resources allocated to geometry and texture. The experimental results show that while replacing geometry with texture can be very effective, in some cases the addition of texture does not improve perceived quality, and can sometimes reduce the perceived quality.
The footprint of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in online world news: The puzzle of salience

This study measures the presence of the Palestinian–Israeli conflict in online news worldwide. Employing the authors' “Global Salience Meter” – a novel multilingual news-mining technique, based on proprietary software – the relative prominence of news stories involving Israel and Palestine was traced over a six-month period in the course of 2009 in 35 leading news sites in 10 languages. The findings show that both polities are among the most prominent entities in international news coverage online, mentioned more frequently than world powers such as Russia, Germany, France, and Japan. The study also evaluates the extent of documented linkage of the conflict to the US in the different language groups. The study concludes by pointing out two directions for interpreting the surprisingly high prominence of the conflict in world news: journalism studies and its traditions of assigning news value; and cultural and religious studies which may help explain the particular resonance of this conflict, its protagonists, and its venue to the sensibilities of news organizations and perhaps news consumers the world over.
Information Diversity in Structure and Dynamics of Simulated Neuronal Networks

Neuronal networks exhibit a wide diversity of structures, which contributes to the diversity of the dynamics therein. The presented work applies an information theoretic framework to simultaneously analyze structure and dynamics in neuronal networks. Information diversity within the structure and dynamics of a neuronal network is studied using the normalized compression distance. To describe the structure, a scheme for generating distance-dependent networks with identical in-degree distribution but variable strength of dependence on distance is presented. The resulting network structure classes possess differing path length and clustering coefficient distributions. In parallel, comparable realistic neuronal networks are generated with NETMORPH simulator and similar analysis is done on them. To describe the dynamics, network spike trains are simulated using different network structures and their bursting behaviors are analyzed. For the simulation of the network activity the Izhikevich model of spiking neurons is used together with the Tsodyks model of dynamical synapses. We show that the structure of the simulated neuronal networks affects the spontaneous bursting activity when measured with bursting frequency and a set of intraburst measures: the more locally connected networks produce more and longer bursts than the more random networks. The information diversity of the structure of a network is greatest in the most locally connected networks, smallest in random networks, and somewhere in between in the networks between order and disorder. As for the dynamics, the most locally connected networks and some of the in-between networks produce the most complex intraburst spike trains. The same result also holds for sparser of the two considered network densities in the case of full spike trains.
Instituting the 'third sector' as a governable terrain: partnership, procurement and performance in the UK

In this article we argue that governance of the 'dispersed state' is being extended into the quasi-private realm of voluntary and community organisations and their activities. Focusing on public service delivery, we distinguish the formal and operational dimensions of governance, and argue that the goal of partnership carves out a newly governable terrain - the third sector - which is to be organised through the operational governance mechanisms of procurement and performance. The result is the attempted normalisation of VCOs as market-responsive, generic service providers, disembedded from their social and political contexts and denuded of ethical or moral content and purpose. Reprinted by permission of the Policy Press, University of Bristol, School for Advanced Urban Studies
PSEUDOEXFOLIATION OF THE LENS CAPSULE II. DEVELOPMENT OF THE EXFOLIATION SYNDROME

The high frequency of glaucoma amongst patients with pseudoexfoliation of the lens capsule has caused many ophthalmologists to regard pseudoexfoliation as a sign of pre-glaucoma and to consider patients in whom changes of this kind are observed as being particularly liable to develop glaucoma. Gif ford (1957) believes that the complete exfoliation syndrome is developed over a considerable length of time, “a matter of ten to twenty years rather than three to five years”. Aasved (1964) and Klouman (1967) believe that in the majority of cases where glaucoma occurs in eyes with pseudoexfoliation, it develops simultaneously with or shortly after the appearance of pseudoexfoliation and that the risk of glaucoma developing later is small. However the tendency may be in the development of the exfoliation syndrome, there would appear to be many exceptions. Most ophthalmologists know of examples of patients in whom pseudoexfoliation has been observed and watched over a number of years without glaucoma having developed, whilst other patients may have contracted glaucoma after short as well as long periods of observation. Very few follow-up examinations have been conducted on persons with pseudoexfoliation of the lens capsule. The purpose of the present paper is to try to throw more light on the process of development of the exfoliation syndrome. The basis for this work has been provided by our exfoliation material from Namdal Hospital (Acta Ophthal. 46: 1095-1104), these patients having been subjected to continual observation and check-ups with the
A RSS/AOA based indoor positioning system with a single LED lamp

Indoor positioning using visible light has attracted great attentions in the world. The reported indoor positioning schemes based on visible light are limited by installing multiple LED lamps in the environments. In order to overcome this limitation, we propose a novel indoor positioning system using only one LED lamp, in which a smartphone is used to be receiver to estimate the three-dimension (3-D) position by using the received-signal-strength (RSS) and angle-of-arrival (AOA) positioning algorithm. The proposed system is demonstrated by experiment and the results show that ~10.2-cm average positioning error is achieved in a 2 m × 2 m × 2.5 m indoor environment.
24/7: Late Capitalism and the Ends of Sleep, by Jonathan Crary

In our technological age of automation, one might expect the amount of leisure time, including hours spent sleeping, to have increased over the course of the last century. Instead, the logic of consumerism has brought about an overall decrease in sleep. What explains the rise of personal unrest in the midst of material automation? For Crary, “24/7” is at the center of the ongoing deterioration of sleep. It is an economic organizing principle whereby sleeplessness renders the optimal condition of consumer subjects. Crary's account brings together both military- and industry-sponsored research into the scientific pursuit of sleeplessness with philosophical and critical responses to sleep from throughout history. What the ends of sleep finally confront is the antagonism between natural sleep cycles and unabiding economic models and culminating in his critique of “24/7. ”
Home-Processed Red Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) Products: Changes in Antioxidant Properties and Bioaccessibility

In this study, the effects of home-processing on the antioxidant properties and in vitro bioaccessibility of red beetroot bioactives were investigated. For this purpose, fresh red beetroot and six different home-processed red beetroot products—including boiled, oven-dried, pickled, pureed, juice-processed, and jam-processed—were analyzed and compared for their total phenolic (TP) and total flavonoid (TF) contents, total antioxidant capacities (TAC), and individual anthocyanin contents. In addition, bioaccessibility of red beetroot antioxidants was determined using an in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion method. Dried, pureed, and fresh red beetroot samples had the highest TP, TF, and TAC values, which were 347 ± 23 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g, 289 ± 53 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/100 g, 3889 ± 982 mg trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)/100 g, respectively. The in vitro digestion method revealed the highest recovery for TP (16%) and TAC (1.3%) in jam. This study provides comparative data to evaluate the effects of various home-processing techniques on antioxidant potential of red beetroot products.
Effects of age, sex, and anthropometric factors on nerve conduction measures

Associations among measures of median, ulnar, and sural nerve conduction and age, skin temperature, sex, and anthropometric factors were evaluated in a population of 105 healthy, asymptomatic adults without occupational exposure to highly repetitive or forceful hand exertions. Height was negatively associated with sensory amplitude in all nerves tested (P < 0.001), and positively associated with median and ulnar sensory distal latencies (P < 0.01) and sural latency (P < 0.001). Index finger circumference was negatively associated with median and ulnar sensory amplitudes (P < 0.05). Sex, in isolation from highly correlated anthropometric factors such as height, was not found to be a significant predictor of median or ulnar nerve conduction measures. Equations using age, height, and finger circumference for prediction of normal values are presented. Failure to adjust normal nerve conduction values for these factors decreases the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of the described measures, and may result in misclassification of individuals. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Motivational effects and age differences of gamification in product advertising

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study motivational effects and age differences of gamification in product advertising. Game-elements can easily be embedded within product advertisements, but little is known about the success factors of this technology. We investigated which motivational incentives of game designs influence the purchase intentions of consumers. The theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991) was expected to explain purchase intentions for non-gamified sports products, whereas the modified technology acceptance model (Herzig et al., 2012) was expected to predict purchase intentions of gamified sports products. Design/methodology/approach – Participants were 101 consumers who performed sports on a regular basis. Age and prior experience with digital games were assumed to influence the effectiveness of gamification. Findings – Purchase intentions of conventional products were predicted by attitudes, subjective norm and perceived control, whereas purchase intentions of gamified products were predicted by attitudes and the perceived usefulness. Enjoyment and flow were significant mediators between motivational incentives and purchase intentions. Consumers with prior gaming experience had higher purchase intentions for gamified products. Practical implications – Gamify products for younger target groups with gaming experience; use intrinsic and extrinsic motivational incentives; focus on enjoyment, flow and the perceived usefulness. Social implications – Game-elements in sports advertisements might also be suitable for public health campaigns. They may motivate people be more physically active and lead a healthier lifestyle. Originality/value – This study specifies predictors for purchase intentions of gamified products and emphasizes the importance of flow and enjoyment as mediators. Age differences indicate that young consumers had higher intentions to purchase the gamified product, judged it as more useful and perceived more flow and enjoyment than the older age group.
ProEva: Runtime Proactive Performance Evaluation Based on Continuous-Time Markov Chains

Software systems, especially service-based software systems, need to guarantee runtime performance. If their performance is degraded, some reconfiguration countermeasures should be taken. However, there is usually some latency before the countermeasures take effect. It is thus important not only to monitor the current system status passively but also to predict its future performance proactively. Continuous-time Markov chains (CTMCs) are suitable models to analyze time-bounded performance metrics (e.g., how likely a performance degradation may occur within some future period). One challenge to harness CTMCs is the measurement of model parameters (i.e., transition rates) in CTMCs at runtime. As these parameters may be updated by the system or environment frequently, it is difficult for the model builder to provide precise parameter values. In this paper, we present a framework called ProEva, which extends the conventional technique of time-bounded CTMC model checking by admitting imprecise, interval-valued estimates for transition rates. The core method of ProEva computes asymptotic expressions and bounds for the imprecise model checking output. We also present an evaluation of accuracy and computational overhead for ProEva.
Sex-related Differences in Spatial Ability: What Every Geography Educator Should Know

Abstract This paper focuses on how geography teachers might contribute to two national goals: attracting more women into scientific and technical fields, and helping domestic students of both sexes acquire the spatial abilities and knowledge required to make them first in the world in science and mathematics achievement. Study in the general sciences and in engineering often demands a high degree of spatial competence. This paper explores the nature of the relationship between sex and spatial competence, generally emphasizing some of the scientific components of geography. It seeks first to identify key spatial abilities needed to excel in various science, technical, and some social science and humanities disciplines. It further seeks to answer the question of whether males possess superior spatial ability, as has been reported in a number of disciplinary literatures, or whether male dominance in spatial ability generally has been overestimated. Finally, it suggests areas where there is potential for geog.
Systemic Immediate Hypersensitive Reactions after Treatment with Sweet Bee Venom: A Case Report

Objectives: A previous study showed that bee venom (BV) could cause anaphylaxis or other hypersensitivity reactions. Although hypersensitivity reactions due to sweet bee venom (SBV) have been reported, SBV has been reported to be associated with significantly reduced sensitization compared to BV. Although no systemic immediate hypersensitive response accompanied by abnormal vital signs has been reported with respect to SBV, we report a systemic immediate hypersensitive response that we experienced while trying to use SBV clinically. Methods: The patient had undergone BV treatment several times at other Oriental medicine clinics and had experienced no adverse reactions. She came to acupuncture & moxibustion department at Semyung university hospital of Oriental medicine (Je-cheon, Korea) complaining of facial hypoesthesia and was treated using SBV injections, her first SBV treatment. SBV, 0.05 cc, was injected at each of 8 acupoints, for a total of 0.40 cc: Jichang (ST4), Daeyeong (ST5), Hyeopgeo (ST6), Hagwan (ST7), Yepung (TE17), Imun (TE21), Cheonghoe (GB2), and Gwallyeo (SI18). Results: The patient showed systemic immediate hypersensitive reactions. The main symptoms were abdominal pain, nausea and perspiration, but common symptoms associated with hypersensitivity, such as edema, were mild. Abdominal pain was the most long-lasting symptom and was accompanied by nausea. Her body temperature decreased due to sweating. Her diastolic blood pressure could not be measured on three occasions. She remained alert, though the symptoms persisted. The following treatments were conducted in sequence; intramuscular epinephrine, 1 mg/mL, injection, intramuscular dexamethasone, 5 mg/mL, injection, intramuscular buscopan, 20 mg/mL, injection, oxygen (O2) inhalation therapy, 1 L/minutes, via a nasal prong, and intravascular injection of normal saline, 1 L. After 12 hours of treatment, the symptoms had completely disappeared. Conclusion: This case shows that the use of SBV does not completely eliminate the possibility of hypersensitivity and that patients who received BV treatment before may also be sensitized to SBV. Thus, a skin test should be given prior to using SBV.
The effects of α-pinene versus toluene-derived secondary organic aerosol exposure on the expression of markers associated with vascular disease

Abstract To investigate the toxicological effects of biogenic- versus anthropogenic-source secondary organic aerosol (SOA) on the cardiovascular system, the Secondary Particulate Health Effects Research program irradiation chamber was used to expose atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E null (Apo E−/−) mice to SOA from the oxidation of either α-pinene or toluene for 7 days. SOA atmospheres were produced to yield 250–300 μg/m3 of particulate matter and ratios of 10:1:1 α-pinene:nitrogen oxide (NOx):ammonia (NH3); 10:1:1:1 α-pinene:NOx:NH3:sulfur dioxide (SO2) or 10:1:1 toluene:NOx:NH3; and 10:1:1:1 toluene:NOx:NH3:SO2. Resulting effects on the cardiovascular system were assessed by measurement of vascular lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS)), as well as quantification of heme-oxygenase (HO)-1, endothelin (ET)-1, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 mRNA expression for comparison to previous program exposure results. Consistent with similar previous studies, vascular TBARS were not increased significantly with any acute SOA exposure. However, vascular HO-1, MMP-9, and ET-1 observed in Apo E−/− mice exposed to α-pinene + NOx + NH3 + SO2 increased statistically, while α-pinene + NOx + NH3 exposure to either toluene + NOx + NH3 or toluene +NOx + NH3 + SO2 resulted in a decreased expression of these vascular factors. Such findings suggest that the specific chemistry created by the presence or absence of acidic components may be important in SOA-mediated toxicity in the cardiovascular system and/or progression of cardiovascular disease.
Mucin Granule Intraluminal Organization in Living Mucous/Goblet Cells

Recent studies suggest that the mucin granule lumen consists of a matrix meshwork embedded in a fluid phase. Secretory products can both diffuse, although very slowly, through the meshwork pores and interact noncovalently with the matrix. Using a green fluorescent protein-mucin fusion protein (SHGFP-MUC5AC/CK) as a FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching) probe, we have assessed in living mucous cells the relative importance of different protein post-translational modifications on the intragranular organization. Long term inhibition of mucin-type O-glycosylation, sialylation, or sulfation altered SHGFP-MUC5AC/CK characteristic diffusion time (t½), whereas all but sulfation diminished its mobile fraction. Reduction of protein disulfide bonds with tris(hydroxypropyl)phosphine resulted in virtually complete immobilization of the SHGFP-MUC5AC/CK intragranular pool. However, when activity of the vacuolar H+-ATPase was also inhibited, disulfide reduction decreased SHGFP-MUC5AC/CK t½ while diminishing its intraluminal concentration. Similar FRAP profiles were observed in granules that remained in the cells after the addition of a mucin secretagogue. Taken together these results suggest that: (a) the relative content of O-glycans and intragranular anionic groups is crucial for protein diffusion through the intragranular meshwork; (b) protein-protein, rather than carbohydrate-mediated, interactions are responsible for binding of SHGFP-MUC5AC/CK to the immobile fraction, although the degree of matrix O-glycosylation and sialylation affects such interactions; (c) intragranular organization does not depend on covalent multimerization of mucins or the presence of native disulfide bonds in the intragranular mucin/proteins, but rather on specific protein-mediated interactions that are important during the early stages of mucin matrix condensation; (d) alterations of the intragranular matrix precede granule discharge, which can be partial and, accordingly, does not necessarily involve the disappearance of the granule.