Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual Selection and the Human Frontal Eye Fields: Effects of Frontal Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Partial Report Analyzed by Bundesen's Theory of Visual Attention

While the frontal eye fields (FEF) are traditionally associated with eye movements, recent work indicates possible roles in controlling selective visual processing. We applied 10 Hz bursts of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over left or right human FEF while subjects performed a partial-report task that allowed quantitative estimates of top-down control and other parameters affecting visual performance. Participants selectively reported digits in a relevant color (targets) but not those in an irrelevant color (nontargets) from a brief masked display. A target could appear alone or together with an accompanying item (nontarget or target) in the same or opposite hemifield. Targets were normally identified better when presented with a nontarget than with another target, indicating prioritization of task-relevant targets and thus top-down control. We found this usual pattern of results without TMS, and also with TMS over left FEF. However, during right FEF TMS, the detrimental impact of accompanying distractors increased. Formal analysis in terms of Bundesen's (1990) theory of visual attention confirmed that right FEF TMS diminished the top-down control parameter for both hemifields, indicating an FEF role in top-down selection even for targets defined by the nonspatial property of color. Direct comparison with our previous findings for parietal TMS (Hung et al., 2005) confirmed the distinct role of FEF in top-down control, plus right-hemisphere predominance for this in humans.
Quantitative Approaches for Agricultural and Rural Policy Evaluation

The present study construct a new technique that can evaluate diverse rural policies, which have been applied to the rural development programs at the village level. The method incorporates spatial econometrics models with a decomposition method that has little been utilized before. We applies the technique to evaluate the rural development programs that have been carried out by the Korea Forest Service and. Korea Rural Development Agency. The technique proved to be quite useful in that the technique efficiently separate the direct effect caused by the government policy from the effect explained by the endowment effect such as regional or area characteristics, and residual effect that cannot be identified by the models. The present study concludes with suggesting more quantitative methods need to be developed to evaluate diverse government policy programs, which enables us to discern correct policy effects.
A critical analysis of receiver diversity with multiple antennas with spatially coloured noise

Receive diversity with multiple antennas is a very well-known technique to improve receiver performance in fading environments. The concept is particularly simple in OFDM systems, where the channel effect on each subcarrier amounts to a complex multiplication of the transmitted symbol. It is also well known that, provided the antenna noise covariance matrix is known by the receiver, interference rejection combining (IRC) is the optimal linear combining solution. However, estimation of this matrix is usually unfeasible, in which case suboptimum combining techniques such as antenna selection, equal gain combining (EGC) and maximum ratio combining (MRC) are employed. MRC is commonly employed, because it is the optimum technique for uncorrelated noise. However, we will see in this contribution that when interference is taken into account, sub-optimum MRC or EGC may be a better choice.
Primordial Quadrupole-induced Polarization from Filamentary Structures and Galaxy Clusters

We present the first computation of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization power spectrum from galaxy clusters and filaments using hydrodynamic simulations of large-scale structure. We give the E- and B-mode power spectra of the CMB quadrupole-induced polarization between ℓ ~ 560 and 20,000. We find that the contribution from warm ionized gas in filamentary structures dominates the polarized signal from galaxy clusters by more than 1 order of magnitude on large scales (below ℓ ~ 1000) and by a factor of about 2 on small scales (ℓ ≳ 10,000). We study the dependence of the power spectra with σ8. Assuming the power spectra vary as σ, we find n = 3.2-4.0 for filaments and n = 3.5-4.6 for clusters.
On reconfigurable fabrics and generic side-channel countermeasures

The use of field programmable devices in security-critical applications is growing in popularity; in part, this can be attributed to their potential for balancing metrics such as efficiency and algorithm agility. However, in common with non-programmable alternatives, physical attack techniques such as fault and power analysis are a threat. We investigate a family of next-generation field programmable devices, specifically those based on the concept of time multiplexing, within this context: our results support the premise that extra, inherent flexibility in such devices can offer a range of possibilities for low-overhead, generic countermeasures against physical attack.
Design and implementation of a 12-axis accelerometer suite

We report on a 12-axis accelerometer suite which utilizes 12-axis linear acceleration measurements from four 3-axis accelerometers. This system is capable of deriving linear acceleration, angular acceleration and angular velocity via simple matrix operations. It also releases the requirement of accelerometer installation at the center of mass as well as eliminates the necessity of gyro implementation as in the traditional inertia measurement unit (IMU). An optimal configuration of the system is proposed based on the analysis of rigid body dynamics and matrix theory. We also report the results of experimental evaluation. We believe the analysis presented in this paper would benefit the practical design of IMUs in the future.
Complementation analysis and deletion mapping of Escherichia coli mutants defective in chemotaxis

Motile, but generally nonchemotactic (che) mutants of Escherichia coli were examined for complementation and recombination with specialized lambdafla transducing phages. The complex complementation behavior of these mutants found previously in F-prime tests could largely be accounted for by intragenic complementation and by polarity effects. Mutants of the "cheA" class defined two genes, cheA and cheW, which appeared to be contranscribed. Mutants of the "cheB" class defined four genes, cheX, cheB, cheY, and cheZ, which also constituted a transcriptional unit. Mutants defective in cheA, cheW, cheX, or cheY function swam smoothly, with little or no tumbling, whereas cheB or cheZ mutants exhibited very high tumbling rates. These functions are probably involved in initiating of controlling changes in flagellar rotation in response to chemotactic stimuli.
Head-to-tail polymerization of microtubules in vitro. Electron microscope analysis of seeded assembly

Microtubules are polar structures, and this polarity is reflected in their biased directional growth. Following a convention established previously (G. G. Borisy, 1978, J. Mol. Biol. 124:565--570), we define the plus (+) and minus (-) ends of a microtubule as those equivalent in structural orientation to the distal and proximal ends, respectively, of the A subfiber of flagellar outer doublets. Rates of elongation were obtained for both ends using flagellar axonemes as seeds and porcine brain microtubule protein as subunits. Since the two ends of a flagellar seed are distinguishable morphologically, elongation of each end may be analyzed separately. By plotting rates of elongation at various concentrations of subunit protein, we have determined the association and dissociation rate constants for the plus and minus ends. Under our conditions at 30 degrees C, the association constants were 7.2 X 10(6) M-1 s-1 and 2.25 X 10(6) M-1 s-1 for the plus and minus ends, respectively, and the dissociation constants were 17 s-1 and 7 s-1. From these values and Wegner's equations (1976, J. Mol. Biol. 108:139--150), we identified the plus end of the microtubule as its head and calculated "s," the head-to-tail polymerization parameter. Surprisingly small values (s = 0.07 +/- 0.02) were found. The validity of models of mitosis based upon head-to-tail polymerization (Margolis et al., 1978, Nature (Lond.) 272:450--452) are discussed in light of a small value for s.
You're the Voice: Evaluating User Interfaces for Encouraging Underserved Youths to express themselves through Creative Writing

Minority groups are the fastest growing demographic in the U.S. In addition, the poverty level in the U.S. is the highest it has been in the last 50 years. We argue that the community needs more research addressing this user segment, and we present a novel study about how underserved youths react when presented with different UI designs aimed at promoting creative writing. The act of creative writing per se can become the driver of change among underserved teenagers, and researchers should strive to discover novel UI designs that can effectively increase this target group's productivity, creativity and mental well-being. Using MS Word as baseline, our contribution analyzes the influence of a Zen-like tool (designed by the authors and called Haven), a nostalgic but realistic typewriting tool (Hanx Writer), and a stress-based tool that eliminates writer's block by providing consequences for procrastination (Write or Die). Our results suggest that the Zen characteristics of our tool Haven were capable of conveying a sense of calm and concentration to the users, making them feel better and also write more. The nostalgic Hanx typewriter also fared very well with regard to mental well-being and productivity, as measured by average number of words written. Contrary to our initial expectations, the stress-based UI (Write or Die) had the lowest productivity levels.
Membrane instantons and de Sitter vacua

We investigate membrane instanton effects in type-IIA strings compactified on rigid Calabi-Yau manifolds. These effects contribute to the low-energy effective action of the universal hypermultiplet. In the absence of additional fivebrane instantons, the quaternionic geometry of this hypermultiplet is determined by solutions of the three-dimensional Toda equation. We construct solutions describing membrane instantons, and find perfect agreement with the string theory prediction. In the context of flux compactifications we discuss how membrane instantons contribute to the scalar potential and the stabilization of moduli. Finally, we demonstrate the existence of meta-stable de Sitter vacua.
Experience on the way to totally endoscopic atrial septal defect repair.

BACKGROUND Remote-access perfusion and robotics have enabled totally endoscopic closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO). We report on a stepwise approach to a totally endoscopic procedure. METHODS Seventeen patients (median age, 39 years; range, 21-55 years) underwent limited-access ASD or PFO closure. As a preparative step, the operation was carried out through minithoracotomy in 11 patients. In parallel, experience with robotic surgery was gained with totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting procedures. After performance of ASD closures in dry-laboratory models using the da Vinci telemanipulation system, 6 patients were operated on in a totally endoscopic fashion. RESULTS With the endoscopic approach, significant learning curves were noted for cardiopulmonary bypass time y(min) = 226 - 41 * ln(x) (P = .03) and aortic cross-clamp time y(min) = 134 - 42 * ln(x) (P = .01) (x = number of procedures). There was no hospital mortality, and no residual shunts were detected at postoperative echocardiography. Median ventilation time was 9 hours (range, 0-18 hours) for the minithoracotomy group and 6 hours (range, 4-19 hours) for the totally endoscopic group. Median intensive care unit stay was 20 hours (range, 18-24 hours) and 18 hours (range, 18- 120 hours), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of robotic totally endoscopic closure of ASD or PFO in a heart surgery program seems to be safe. An intermediate step of performing the operations through minithoracotomy, adapting to remote access perfusion systems, and gaining experience in other robotic cardiac surgical procedures seems worthwhile. Learning curves are apparent, and adequate defect closure does not seem to be compromised by the totally endoscopic approach.
Video Object Segmentation for Content-Aware Video Compression

We present a method for extracting foreground objectsfrom video and its application to content-aware video compression. Our method uses trimaps inferred from backgroundsubtraction to represent the foreground-background relationship. The appearance of foreground and background are modeled withRadial Basis Functions initialized from the background substractionstep. Finally, Graph Cuts are used to compute a binary mask. Our method is fully automatic, fast, and does not make restrictiveassumptions about object motions. In experiments on standarddata sets, the proposed approach achieves comparable resultsto state-of-the-art video object segmentation methods but ourmethod is much faster. We also demonstrate an application of theproposed method to content-aware video compression.
2 With a theoretical background to a great extent based on the thoughts of the Nordic school of service marketing

The insurance market is characterised by an increasingly fierce competition, adding importance to the customer relationship management inherently complicated by the complexity and high level of intangibility of insurance services. This paper proposes a theoretical view of corporate insurance relationships, where the customer-perceived relationship quality and satisfaction with the damage adjustment process together mould the overall perceived service quality. This, in turn, provides the basis for the customer’s decision to stay with or leave its insurance provider after the most critical event in any insurance relationship: the damage adjustment and claims settlement. As an example, a case is presented, where a corporate insurance relationship and its damage adjustment process is analysed according to the theoretical framework. A conceptualisation of the variables affecting the customer-perceived service quality considering the impact of the critical episodes in a business-to-business insurance relationship provides a key to efficient relationship management. Introduction The deregulation of the financial markets and the increasingly competitive business climate have made insurance companies put a stronger focus on customer management. The customer relationship is a key element of successful insurance marketing, and relationship management is an area where profitable competitive advantages can be gained. Marketing of insurance services requires cautiously elaborated efforts, as the provided services are characterised by high levels of complexity and intangibility. A distinguishing particularity of an insurance service is that the customer regularly pays for a service which, if the customer is free of losses, may remain extremely intangible throughout the relationship. Unless suffering a loss, the customer pays for a spreading of risks, expressed in a “feeling of security”. However, the tangible effects of the service is not disguised until at the damage adjustment and claims settlement, which form the actual proof of the promises made, and thus may be seen as the most decisive phase of any insurance relationship. The insurance relationship is the keystone to the development of customer-perceived trust, the level of which primarily is a result of the way the insurance company’s representatives manage the relationship. However, the nature of an insurance relationship is also dependent on other variables, affecting it from before the very initiation of the relationship to the ultimate point where there is the risk of a break-off between the insurance provider and the insurance customer.
CHOCOLATO : A Concrete and Helpful Ontology-Aware Collaborative Learning Authoring Tool

To develop intelligent systems to support collaborative learning (CL) is especially challenging in view of knowledge representation. Current knowledge concerning CL is based on various learning theories, which are always expressed in natural language and are particularly complex given the context of group learning where the synergy among learner’s interactions affect the learning processes and hence the learning outcomes. Without the explicit representation of learning theories it is difficult to support the design of group activities based on well-grounded theoretical knowledge. Our approach calls upon techniques of ontological engineering to make theories “understandable” both by computers and humans. We then propose techniques to reason on these theories to develop an intelligent support system that supports group formation, facilitates the design of CL activities, and minimizes the load of interaction analysis. This system is referred to as CHOCOLATO: A Concrete and Helpful Ontology-aware Collaborative Learning Authoring Tool. In this demonstration we will present one of its sub-systems called MARI – Main Adaptive Representation Interface that represents theories graphically to facilitate the design CL activities with theoretical justifications.
EM-based Signal Detection for Space Time Block Coded MIMO OFDM Systems

In this paper, a signal detection technique based on EM algorithm is proposed for space time block coded MIMO- OFDM systems. The observed received data is superposition of all the transmitted signals from all users. This superimposed received signals are decomposed into their signal components and then the signal detection is done by using these signal components. Simulation results show that for two users with increasing the number of EM iteration, the bit error rate equal to zero even when the SNR is low. But for three or more users, the bit error rate decreases until the certain number of EM iteration and then it remains almost constant. interference while preserving the space time coded signal (8). In this paper, we propose a signal detection technique based on EM algorithm for space time block coded MIMO-OFDM systems. Symbol detection is done by decomposing the super- imposed received signals. Simulation results and analysis show that the effect of noise decrease with increasing the number of EM iteration as error of symbol estimation approach to zero. Rate of decreasing of noise effect for two users is very high as error of symbol estimation equal to zero for the few number of EM iteration. Comparing two users, three users have more errors of symbol estimation for the same number of EM iteration. The rest of the paper is organized as follows. In section II, we will describe the MIMO-OFDM system model and discuss some assumptions. Section III explains the EM based algorithm for signal detection of STBC MIMO-OFDM systems. EM-based symbol detection algorithm is developed for two and three users in section IV. Section V provides simulation results of the proposed EM algorithm for two and three users . Finally, we draw some conclusions in Section VI.
Results of the photometry of the spotted dM1‐2e star EY Draconis

We have observed EY Draconis with the 60-cm telescope of Konkoly Observatory in Budapest for 64 nights. In the first observing season the star produced a stable light curve for more than 60 stellar rotations, however, the light curves observed in the next season and the spot modelling show clear evidence of the evolution of the spotted stellar surface. The changes of the maximum brightness level suggests the existence of a longer period of about 300 days, which seems to be confirmed by the ROTSE archival data. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A fully integrated 22.6dBm mm-Wave PA in 40nm CMOS

A fully integrated 60GHz CMOS PA with a PSAT of 22.6dBm is presented. To our knowledge, this is the highest reported PSAT at mm-waves in standard CMOS. To achieve a high power level, 32 differential PAs are combined through a network of transmission lines, Wilkinson combiners, and a multi-port argyle transformer. This method of combining minimizes loss while implementing a low impedance load (~12Ω) at the drains of each of the last stage PAs. Electromigration and other reliability issues are discussed.
Compression of Morbidity 1980–2011: A Focused Review of Paradigms and Progress

The Compression of Morbidity hypothesis—positing that the age of onset of chronic illness may be postponed more than the age at death and squeezing most of the morbidity in life into a shorter period with less lifetime disability—was introduced by our group in 1980. This paper is focused upon the evolution of the concept, the controversies and responses, the supportive multidisciplinary science, and the evolving lines of evidence that establish proof of concept. We summarize data from 20-year prospective longitudinal studies of lifestyle progression of disability, national population studies of trends in disability, and randomized controlled trials of risk factor reduction with life-style-based “healthy aging” interventions. From the perspective of this influential and broadly cited paradigm, we review its current history, the development of a theoretical structure for healthy aging, and the challenges to develop coherent health policies directed at reduction in morbidity.
MANAGING RFID PROJECTS IN ORGANIZATIONS

The theme of the paper is to find the tasks faced by organizations in the accomplishment of RFID projects as well as how assessment of RFID value can be made. Explicitly, papers will cover three key segments, that is, Applications, Disputes and Assessment. The first segment ‘Applications’ elucidates the various applications that RFID can be positioned; the second segment ‘Disputes’ is apprehensive with the several disputes that affect the assumption and use of RFID; and the final segment A Journal of Radix International Educational and
Identification of Glyoxalase-I as a Protein Marker in a Mouse Model of Extremes in Trait Anxiety

For >15 generations, CD1 mice have been selectively and bidirectionally bred for either high-anxiety-related behavior (HAB-M) or low-anxiety-related behavior (LAB-M) on the elevated plus-maze. Independent of gender, HAB-M were more anxious than LAB-M animals in a variety of additional tests, including those reflecting risk assessment behaviors and ultrasound vocalization, with unselected CD1 “normal” control (NAB-M) and cross-mated (CM-M) mice displaying intermediate behavioral scores in most cases. Furthermore, in both the forced-swim and tail-suspension tests, LAB-M animals showed lower scores of immobility than did HAB-M and NAB-M animals, indicative of a reduced depression-like behavior. Using proteomic and microarray analyses, glyoxalase-I was identified as a protein marker, which is consistently expressed to a higher extent in LAB-M than in HAB-M mice in several brain areas. The same phenotype-dependent difference was found in red blood cells with NAB-M and CM-M animals showing intermediate expression profiles of glyoxalase-I. Additional studies will examine whether glyoxalase-I has an impact beyond that of a biomarker to predict the genetic predisposition to anxiety- and depression-like behavior.