Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effective Human-Robot Collaboration via Generalized Robot Error Management Using Natural Human Responses

Robot errors during human-robot interaction will be unavoidable. Their impact on the collaboration is dependent on the human’s perception of it and how timely it is detected and recovered from. Prior work in robot error management often uses task or error specific information for reliable management and so is not generalizable to other contexts or error types. To achieve generalized error management, one approach is the use of human response as input. My PhD thesis will focus on enabling effective human-robot interaction through leveraging users’ natural multimodal response to errors to detect, classify, mitigate, and recover from them. This extended abstract details my past, current, and future work towards this goal.
Text-based Interpretable Depression Severity Modeling via Symptom Predictions

Mood disorders in general and depression in particular are common and their impact on individuals and society is high. Roughly 5% of adults worldwide suffer from depression. Commonly, depression diagnosis involves using questionnaires, either clinician-rated or self-reported. Due to the subjectivity in questionnaire methods and high human-related costs involved, there are ongoing efforts to find more objective and easily attainable depression markers. As is the case with recent audio, visual and linguistic applications, state-of-the-art approaches for automated depression severity prediction heavily depend on deep learning and black box modeling without explainability and interpretability considerations. However, for reasons ranging from regulations to understanding the extent and limitations of the model, the clinicians need to understand the decision making process of the model to confidently form their decisions. In this work, we focus on text-based depression severity level prediction on DAIC-WOZ corpus and benefit from PHQ-8 questionnaire items to predict the symptoms as interpretable high level features. We show that using a multi-task regression approach with state-of-the-art text-based features to predict the depression symptoms, it is possible to reach a viable test set Concordance Correlation Coefficient performance comparable to the state-of-the-art systems.
Anisotropic radiation from accretion disc coronae in active galactic nuclei

In the unification scheme of active galactic nuclei (AGN), Seyfert 1s and Seyfert 2s are intrinsically same, but they are viewed at different angles. However, the Fe K\alpha emission line luminosity of Seyfert 1s was found in average to be about twice of that of Seyfert 2s at given X-ray continuum luminosity in the previous work (Ricci et al. 2014). We construct an accretion disc-corona model, in which a fraction of energy dissipated in the disc is extracted to heat the corona above the disc. The radiation transfer equation containing Compton scattering processes is an integro-differential equation, which is solved numerically for the corona with a parallel plane geometry. We find that the specific intensity of X-ray radiation from the corona changes little with the viewing angle \theta when \theta is small (nearly face-on), and it is sensitive to \theta if the viewing angle is large (\theta> 40 degrees). The radiation from the cold disc, mostly in infrared/optical/UV bands, is almost proportional to cos\theta when \theta 40 degrees because of strong absorption in the corona in this case. For seyfert galaxies, the Fe K\alpha line may probably be emitted from the disc irradiated by the X-ray continuum emission. The observed equivalent width (EW) difference between Seyfert 1s and Seyfert 2s can be reproduced by our model calculations, provided Seyfert 1s are observed in nearly face-on direction and the average inclination angle of Seyfert 2s ~65 dgrees.
The midbody and midbody remnant are assembly sites for RNA and active translation

The midbody (MB) is a transient structure at the spindle midzone that is required for cytokinesis, the terminal stage of cell division. Long ignored as a vestigial remnant of cytokinesis, we now know MBs are released post-abscission as extracellular vesicles called MB remnants (MBRs) and can modulate cell proliferation, fate decisions, tissue polarity, neuronal architecture, and tumorigenic behavior. Here, we demonstrate that the MB matrix—the structurally amorphous MB core of unknown composition—is the site of ribonucleoprotein assembly and is enriched in mRNAs that encode proteins involved in cell fate, oncogenesis, and pluripotency, that we are calling the MB granule. Using a quantitative transcriptomic approach, we identified a population of mRNAs enriched in mitotic MBs and confirmed their presence in signaling MBR vesicles released by abscission. The MB granule is unique in that it is translationally active, contains both small and large ribosomal subunits, and has both membrane-less and membrane-bound states. Both MBs and post-abscission MBRs are sites of spatiotemporally regulated translation, which is initiated when nascent daughter cells re-enter G1 and continues after extracellular release. We demonstrate that the MB is the assembly site of an RNP granule. MKLP1 and ARC are necessary for the localization and translation of RNA in the MB dark zone, whereas ESCRT-III was necessary to maintain translation levels in the MB. Our data suggest a model in which the MB functions as a novel RNA-based organelle with a uniquely complex life cycle. We present a model in which the assembly and transfer of RNP complexes are central to post-mitotic MBR function and suggest the MBR serves as a novel mode of RNA-based intercellular communication with a defined biogenesis that is coupled to abscission, and inherently links cell division status with signaling capacity. To our knowledge, this is the first example of an autonomous extracellular vesicle with active translation activity. Highlights The MB, the center region of the intercellular bridge, is the assembly site of a ribonucleoprotein granule, we call the MB granule Distinct oncogenic and pluripotent transcription factor RNAs, including Jun/Fos and KLF4, are packaged in MBs and MBRs The MB granule is coincident with the MB matrix, or dark zone, of the MB The Kif23/MKLP1 kinesin is a core hexanediol-sensitive MB granule component The MB and MBR are site of active translation that begins in early G1 and continues post-mitotically MKLP1 and ARC are necessary for RNA targeting/maintenance and translation at the MB Depletion of ESCRT-III increases the levels of translation during abscission Abscission releases MBRs as MB granule-harboring, translating extracellular vesicles Multiple cell types including cancer, stem, neural stem, all have actively translating MBRs MBRs are proposed as a novel mode of intercellular communication by extracellular vesicle-mediated direct transfer of RNA
Differential Patterns of Synaptic Plasticity in the Nucleus Accumbens Caused by Continuous and Interrupted Morphine Exposure

Opioid exposure and withdrawal both cause adaptations in brain circuits that may contribute to abuse liability. These adaptations vary in magnitude and direction following different patterns of opioid exposure, but few studies have systematically manipulated the pattern of opioid administration while measuring neurobiological impact. In this study, we compared cellular and synaptic adaptations in the nucleus accumbens shell caused by morphine exposure that was either continuous or interrupted by daily bouts of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. At the behavioral level, continuous morphine administration caused psychomotor tolerance, which was reversed when the continuity of morphine action was interrupted by naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. Using ex vivo slice electrophysiology in female and male mice, we investigated how these patterns of morphine administration altered intrinsic excitability and synaptic plasticity of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) expressing the D1 or D2 dopamine receptor. We found that morphine-evoked adaptations at excitatory synapses were predominately conserved between patterns of administration, but there were divergent effects on inhibitory synapses and the subsequent balance between excitatory and inhibitory synaptic input. Overall, our data suggest that continuous morphine administration produces adaptations that dampen the output of D1-MSNs, which are canonically thought to promote reward-related behaviors. Interruption of otherwise continuous morphine exposure does not dampen D1-MSN functional output to the same extent, which may enhance behavioral responses to subsequent opioid exposure. Our findings support the hypothesis that maintaining continuity of opioid administration could be an effective therapeutic strategy to minimize the vulnerability to opioid use disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Withdrawal plays a key role in the cycle of addiction to opioids like morphine. We studied how repeated cycles of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal from otherwise continuous opioid exposure can change brain function of the nucleus accumbens, which is an important brain region for reward and addiction. Different patterns of opioid exposure caused unique changes in communication between neurons in the nucleus accumbens, and the nature of these changes depended on the type of neuron being studied. The specific changes in communication between neurons caused by repeated cycles of withdrawal may increase vulnerability to opioid use disorders. This highlights the importance of reducing or preventing the experience of withdrawal during opioid treatment.
Impacts of Company Size, Company Age, and the Generation of the Leader on Firm Performance

The impact of family business has been recognized globally. However, according to some facts and previous studies, the performance of family businesses may decline as they age and the generations change. The research tried to explore the differences in firm performances based on company size, company age, and the generation of the leaders of the firms to confirm the results from the previous study. The data were compiled from 213 companies that vary in size. There were micro, small, small-medium, big-medium, and big firms. The possible presence of significant differences in firm performance based on company size, age, and generation of the leaders was analyzed using the Analysis of Variances (ANOVA). ANOVA test shows no significant differences in company age, company size, and the generation of the leaders toward their firm performances. The research clarifies the previous studies stating that there are significant differences in those three independent variables toward firm performance. The research also shows no significant difference in different generation of the leaders toward company size. Hence, it means the firm performance of companies cannot be determined only by knowing its size, age, or the generation of the leaders. There must be other factors that can help to identify the firm performance of a company.
Nominal Stock Price Investing

In this paper, we find that high price stocks show significantly higher Sharpe Ratios than low price stocks. Also, price as an investment style seems to be especially beneficial when applied in a multi investment style setting, reducing portfolio standard deviations of returns while potentially adding additional alpha. Conducting several robustness tests, the findings stay valid to a large extent, revealing interesting links to major investment strategies like size and momentum. Presenting and discussing several (unique) characteristics of high-priced stocks from an investor’s perspective, we offer diverse arguments why it makes perfectly sense that high-priced stocks outperform low-priced stocks, at the same time showing less sensitivity to market movements and lower volatility of returns.
The Numerical Sausage

The renormalization group equation describing the evolution of the metric of the non linear sigma models poses some nice mathematical problems involving functional analysis, differential geometry and numerical analysis. We describe the techniques which allow a numerical study of the solutions in the case of a two-dimensional target space (deformation of the $O(3)\; \sigma$--model. Our analysis shows that the so-called sausages define an attracting manifold in the U(1) symmetric case, at one-loop level. The paper describes i) the known analytical solutions, ii) the spectral method which realizes the numerical integrator and allows to estimate the spectrum of zero--modes, iii) the solution of variational equations around the solutions, and finally iv) the algorithms which reconstruct the surface as embedded in $R^3$.
ADS/CFT and QCD

The AdS/CFT correspondence between string theory in AdS space and conformal . eld theories in physical spacetime leads to an analytic, semi-classical model for strongly-coupled QCD which has scale invariance and dimensional counting at short distances and color confinement at large distances. Although QCD is not conformally invariant, one can nevertheless use the mathematical representation of the conformal group in five-dimensional anti-de Sitter space to construct a first approximation to the theory. The AdS/CFT correspondence also provides insights into the inherently non-perturbative aspects of QCD, such as the orbital and radial spectra of hadrons and the form of hadronic wavefunctions. In particular, we show that there is an exact correspondence between the fifth-dimensional coordinate of AdS space z and a specific impact variable {zeta} which measures the separation of the quark and gluonic constituents within the hadron in ordinary space-time. This connection allows one to compute the analytic form of the frame-independent light-front wavefunctions, the fundamental entities which encode hadron properties and allow the computation of decay constants, form factors, and other exclusive scattering amplitudes. New relativistic lightfront equations in ordinary space-time are found which reproduce the results obtained using the 5-dimensional theory. The effective light-front equations possess remarkable algebraic structuresmore » and integrability properties. Since they are complete and orthonormal, the AdS/CFT model wavefunctions can also be used as a basis for the diagonalization of the full light-front QCD Hamiltonian, thus systematically improving the AdS/CFT approximation. « less
Evolutionary Algorithm-Based Error Parameterization Methods for Data Assimilation

The methods of parameterizing model errors have a substantial effect on the accuracy of ensemble data assimilation. After a review of the current error-handling methods, a new blending error parameterization method was designed to combine the advantages of multiplicative inflation and additive inflation. Motivated by evolutionary algorithm concepts that have been developed in the control engineering field for years, the authors propose a new data assimilation method coupled with crossover principles of genetic algorithms based on ensemble transform Kalman filters (ETKFs). The numerical experiments were developed based on the classic nonlinear model (i.e., the Lorenz model). Convex crossover, affine crossover, direction-based crossover, and blending crossover data assimilation systems were consequently designed. When focusing on convex crossover and affine crossover data assimilation problems, the error adjustment factors were investigated with respect to four aspects, which were the initial conditions of the Lorenz model, the number of ensembles, observation covariance, and the observation interval. A new data assimilation system, coupled with geneticalgorithms, is proposedto solve the difficultproblemof the error adjustment factor search,which is usually performed using trial-and-error methods. The results show that all of the methods can adaptively obtain the best error factors within the constraints of the fitness function.
Experiences of students and faculty members about using virtual social networks in education: A qualitative content analysis

Introduction: Virtual social networks are increasingly being used by academics and students in health sciences. It is necessary to examine opportunities and challenges of these networks based on the views of faculty and students to describe the existing situation and planning for proper use. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of students and faculty members about opportunities and challenges of using virtual social networks in education. Methods: In this qualitative content analysis study, twenty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 faculty members and 14 students at Jahrom Universities of Medical Sciences. Participants were selected by purposive sampling. To analyze the data, an inductive content analysis method was used. The rigor of qualitative data was checked, using Guba and Lincoln’s criteria. Results: Five main categories were extracted from the data as opportunities for using virtual networks in education including improving communication skills; promoting learning; strengthening and facilitating learning of clinical procedures; creating research questions; and educating patients. Four main categories were also derived as challenges of using virtual networks in education including accuracy and validity of information; security and privacy; proper contextualization and culture-building; and control and monitor on virtual networks. Conclusion: According to the results, unique opportunities and challenges were explored regarding using virtual networks in education. These opportunities and challenges and finding ways to obviate challenges and converting it to the opportunities can lead to effective virtual learning, particularly in students who mainly use this method of education, and consequently increase the quality of learning.
Phase-space patterns of quantum transport on ordered and disordered networks

In this paper, we consider the quantum-mechanical phase space patterns on ordered and disordered networks. For ordered networks in which each node is connected to its $2m$ nearest neighbors ($m$ on either side), the phase space quasiprobability of Wigner function shows various patterns. In the long time limit, on even-numbered networks, we find an asymmetric quasiprobability between the node and its opposite node. This asymmetry depends on the network parameters and specific phase space positions. For disordered networks in which each edge is rewired with probability $pg0$, the phase space displays regional localization on the initial node.
Quantum Spin Models and Extended Conformal Algebras

First, an algebraic criterion for integrability is discussed -the so-called `superintegrability'- and some results on the classification of superintegrable quantum spin Hamiltonians based on sl(2) are obtained. Next, the massive phases of the Z_n-chiral Potts quantum spin chain (a model that violates parity) are studied in detail. It is shown that the excitation spectrum of the massive high-temperature phase can be explained in terms of n-1 fundamental quasiparticles. We compute correlation functions from a perturbative and numerical evaluation of the groundstate for the Z_3-chain. In addition to an exponential decay we observe an oscillating contribution. The oscillation length seems to be related to the asymmetry of the dispersion relations. We show that this relation is exact at special values of the parameters for general Z_n using a form factor expansion. Finally, we discuss several aspects of extended conformal algebras (W-algebras). We observe an analogy between boundary conditions for Z_n-spin chains and W-algebras and then turn to statements about the structure of W-algebras. In particular, we briefly summarize results on unifying structures present in the space of all quantum W-algebras.
Inactivation of CD 73 promotes atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Inactivation of CD73 promotes atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice
SOEP-Core – 2020: Sampling, Nonresponse, and Weighting in the IAB-SOEP Migration Studies M7 and M8

This paper provides details on sampling design, fieldwork, nonresponse and population adjustments for the 2020 samples M7 and M8 of the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP). Sample M7 refreshes the SOEP core sample, especially samples M1 and M2, including households with household heads having a Bulgarian, Polish, or Romanian nationality. The sample M8 augments the SOEP core sample, sampling households of foreigners from third countries to evaluate the “Fachkräfteeinwanderungs-gesetz. ” Obtaining nearly 1,000 household interviews and panel consent of households for each sample was complicated by the first wave of the Corona pandemic and the first lockdown. Nevertheless, nonresponse on the household level is driven by a variety of characteristics, such as nationality or regional contexts as well as information contained in the Integrated Employment Biographies.
Associations Between Visions of the Future and Educational Outcomes of Young Adults

Introduction . This study aims to examine the association between young adults’ visions of their own future and their Unified State Examination (USE) scores. The present study is the first to detail this vision and define the meaning-based content of young adults’ visions of the future and self-assessments of their existing achievements in comparison with the expected ones. Methods . The study was conducted in two stages with a 2.5-year interval. In the first stage, the Me in 5 Years inventory was used on a sample of 1538 male and female young adults aged 14–28 years. In the second stage, 150 subjects of those who participated in the first stage of experiment an-swered questions about their USE results, about their own achievements, which they assumed in descriptions at the first stage, and about the reasons for poor performance. Results . To reach high levels of academic performance, modern young adults need to have a vision of their lives, in the context of their knowledge and what they can do on their own. There is a significant correlation between young adults’ self-assessments of their own achievements and the USE scores. Young adults with low elective USE scores indicate that they achieved their plans earlier than planned. Young adults’ confidence that everything they planned for the near future may really happen but later than expected is associated with average USE scores in compulsory subjects. Discussion . The USE represents a kind of systematization of plans for young adults with average USE scores in compulsory subjects. Those who are less successful in passing the USE in elective subjects have no clear life goals and cannot objectively assess their achievability.
Applying a Hybrid Kano/Quality Function Deployment Integration Approach to Wood Desk Designs for Open-Plan Offices

In order to better serve the users of wood desks in open-plan offices, the Kano model is used to analyze the problems encountered by users in the office. Combined with quality function deployment (QFD), this study conducted an analysis of the weighted average of users’ needs and the importance of engineering measures of product technical characteristics. The proposed system uses an integrated Kano–QFD model to identify users’ specific needs and scene experience with a more complete service system. Through the hybrid approach of the Kano model and QFD development and design technology, the wood desks in open-plan offices are optimized to improve the rationality and scientific nature of office furniture and enhance its market competitiveness.