Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using RPC Detectors as a Cosmic Rays Monitor in the Naples Area

We have measured the cosmic ray absolute flux and its variations caused by "day-night" and "barometric" effect, for the first time in the Naples area,, by using a telescope of resistive plate chamber (RPC) detectors. Because of the high sensitivity needed for this measure, the RPC behaviour must be very well controlled and all the influences induced by the environmental parameters, must be compensated. For this purpose we introduced, among others features, an alternative method for the stabilization of the RPC working point. We present here all the results for both aspects: the cosmic ray flux measurements, the barometric effect and a description of the RPC stabilization method used.
Ultrasound contrast agents targeted to malignancies: optimizing cellular attachment

Hollow poly (lactic acid) (PLA) microcapsules were modified with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide to create a targeted contrast agent (CA) that enhances ultrasound imaging. The RGD peptide targets cell-surface receptors (integrins /spl alpha//sub v//spl beta//sub 3/ and /spl alpha//sub v//spl beta//sub 5/) which are overexpressed in cancer and angiogenesis. The influence of RGD surface density and RGD spacer length were evaluated for their contribution to CA attachment to human breast cancer cells. The CA performance was dependent on both the RGD surface density and glycine spacer length and therefore should be considered in the design of a site-targeted CA. The optimized RGD peptide modified microcapsules are ideal candidates for targeted diagnostic imaging and for drug delivery.
Forum Resource theory and aphasia reconsidered: Why alternative theories can better guide our research

Background: For many years, investigators have been exploring the reasons why there appear to be limits to human cognitive abilities. For example, it is difficult or even impossible for humans to perform several tasks simultaneously, depending on the nature of the tasks. Resource theory was developed to account for this limit. Resource theory asserts that humans possess a pool of cognitive resources that can be allocated to various cognitive tasks, but that this pool is limited. In more recent years, many aphasiologists have used resource theory to explain the mechanisms underlying the communication performance deficits of aphasia. However, there are many problems with resource theory and alternative theories exist which can better account for the limits on human cognitive abilities and for the deficits of aphasia. Aims: The first goal of this paper is to review the fundamental problems of resource theory and to describe alternative theories that can better account for the limits of human cognitive performance, especially during the simultaneous performance of two tasks. The second and primary goal of this paper is to critically evaluate studies of aphasia that have used resource theory to account for the findings and to describe how alternative theories can better account for these observations. Main Contribution: This paper provides a review and evaluation of alternative theories to resource theory, which has not been included in previous papers on aphasia and resource theory. It is important for aphasiologists to be aware of these alternative theories, so that they can critically evaluate resource theory as applied to aphasia. Conclusions: Resource theory is not a true scientific theory as defined by Popper. Aphasiologists are investing resources in testing this theory, and this distracts them from testing true scientific theories that can better account for the underlying deficits of aphasia.
Examining Life Goals and School Attendance Rates of Afghan Students Receiving Higher Education in Turkey

This research is a descriptive study carried out to examine the relations between life goals and school attendance levels among Afghan students receiving higher education in Turkey. In total there were 198 Afghan students that participated in the study. Among which 159 were male and 39 female. All of these students were studying in 16 Turkish state universities during the academic year of 2014-2015 in the fall semester and were selected using the convenience sampling method. Life goal scales and class attendance scales were applied by the researcher to gather data throughout the research. According to the findings, no significant difference was observed among males and females in terms of life goals. However, a significant difference was found in the career sub-dimension of life goals in favor of female students. Also, no significant difference was observed in life goal levels in terms of student age. Additionally, while no noticeable difference was observed in the career and relationship sub-dimensions of life goals, a difference in body sub-dimension was identified. A difference in class attendance levels was observed in terms of the age variable. A significant difference was found when examining class attendance and life goal factors in terms of the period of stay in Turkey. While no differentiation in life goals was detected in terms of grade levels, a significant variation was identified in class attendance. According to the study results, a moderate positive relation was found between the life goals and class attendance levels in general.
Fractional covers and communication complexity

It is possible to view communication complexity as the solution of an integer programming problem. The authors relax this integer programming problem to a linear programming problem, and try to deduce from it information regarding the original communication complexity question. This approach works well for nondeterministic communication complexity. In this case the authors get a special case of Lovasz's fractional cover measure and use it to completely characterize the amortized nondeterministic communication complexity. In the case of deterministic complexity the situation is more complicated. The authors discuss two attempts, and obtain some results using each of them. <<ETX>>
Internally and externally generated emotions in people with acquired brain injury: preservation of emotional experience after right hemisphere lesions

The study of emotional changes after brain injury has contributed enormously to the understanding of the neural basis of emotion. However, little attention has been placed on the methods used to elicit emotional responses in people with brain damage. Of particular interest are subjects with right hemisphere [RH] cortical lesions, who have been described as presenting impairment in emotional processing. In this article, an internal and external mood induction procedure [MIP] was used to trigger positive and negative emotions, in a sample of 10 participants with RH damage, and 15 healthy controls. Emotional experience was registered by using a self-report questionnaire. As observed in previous studies, internal and external MIPs were equally effective in eliciting the target emotion, but the internal procedure generated higher levels of intensity. Remarkably, participants with RH lesions were equally able to experience both positive and negative affect. The results are discussed in relation to the role of the RH in the capacity to experience negative emotions.
Interactive SLAM using Laser and Advanced Sonar

This paper presents a novel approach to mapping for mobile robots that exploits user interaction to semiautonomously create a labelled map of the environment. The robot autonomously follows the user and is provided with a verbal commentary on the current location with phrases such as “Robot, we are in the office”. At the same time, a metric feature map is generated using fusion of laser and advanced sonar measurements in a Kalman filter based SLAM framework, which is later used for localization. When mapping is complete, the robot generates an occupancy grid for use in global task planning. The occupancy grid is created using a novel laser scan registration scheme that relies on storing the path of the robot along with associated local SLAM features during mapping, and later recovering the path by matching the associated local features to the final SLAM map. The occupancy grid is segmented into labelled rooms using an algorithm based on watershed segmentation and integration of the verbal commentary. Experimental results demonstrate our mobile robot creating SLAM and segmented occupancy grid maps of rooms along a 70 metre corridor, and then using these maps to navigate between rooms.
Understanding the Windows EAL4 Evaluation

On29 October 2002, Microsoft and Science Applications International Corporation issued press releases announcing that Windows 2000 with Service Pack 3 had received Evaluation Assurance Level 4 certification under the Common Criteria evaluation process. The Microsoft certification is sure to come up in many purchasing discussions over the next few years, so the question arises: What does this mean in plain English?
Neuro-fuzzy chip to handle complex tasks with analog performance

This paper presents a mixed-signal neuro-fuzzy controller chip which, in terms of power consumption, input-output delay, and precision, performs as a fully analog implementation. However, it has much larger complexity than its purely analog counterparts. This combination of performance and complexity is achieved through the use of a mixed-signal architecture consisting of a programmable analog core of reduced complexity, and a strategy, and the associated mixed-signal circuitry, to cover the whole input space through the dynamic programming of this core. Since errors and delays are proportional to the reduced number of fuzzy rules included in the analog core, they are much smaller than in the case where the whole rule set is implemented by analog circuitry. Also, the area and the power consumption of the new architecture are smaller than those of its purely analog counterparts simply because most rules are implemented through programming. The paper presents a set of building blocks associated to this architecture, and gives results for an exemplary prototype. This prototype, called multiplexing fuzzy controller (MFCON), has been realized in a CMOS 0.7 /spl mu/m standard technology. It has two inputs, implements 64 rules, and features 500 ns of input to output delay with 16-mW of power consumption. Results from the chip in a control application with a dc motor are also provided.
Investor Sentiment, Corporate Investment, and Firm Performance

This paper focuses on the effects of investor sentiment on corporate investment and firm performance, using the panel data of Chinese listed companies from 2005 to 2008. The results reveal that investor sentiment has a statistically robust impact on both corporate investment and firm performance. The investor sentiment coefficient is positive (negative) and significant at the 1 percent level with firm investment (performance). It is more like that investor optimism leads to over investment, and then firm performance should worsen when investment made in investor optimistic states. Moreover, investor pessimism leads to less investment, and managers choose the most valuable projects to invest first, then investment in investor pessimistic states should lead to improved firm performance.
Corticosterone levels predict survival probabilities of Galápagos marine iguanas during El Niño events

Plasma levels of corticosterone are often used as a measure of “stress” in wild animal populations. However, we lack conclusive evidence that different stress levels reflect different survival probabilities between populations. Galápagos marine iguanas offer an ideal test case because island populations are affected differently by recurring El Niño famine events, and population-level survival can be quantified by counting iguanas locally. We surveyed corticosterone levels in six populations during the 1998 El Niño famine and the 1999 La Niña feast period. Iguanas had higher baseline and handling stress-induced corticosterone concentrations during famine than feast conditions. Corticosterone levels differed between islands and predicted survival through an El Niño period. However, among individuals, baseline corticosterone was only elevated when body condition dropped below a critical threshold. Thus, the population-level corticosterone response was variable but nevertheless predicted overall population health. Our results lend support to the use of corticosterone as a rapid quantitative predictor of survival in wild animal populations.
Gender Differences in Locus of Control

Gender Differences in Locus of Control Aaliya Akhtar* Shailbala Saxena** In the present study, the gender difference in locus of control was examined in a sample of 281 adolescents (152 from favorable home environment and 129 from unfavorable home environment) within the age range of 14-18 years, and constant family type and socioeconomic status. The measures used for collecting data were Socio-Economic Status Scale; self developed Home Environment Scale and Locus of Control Scale. SPSS program was used for analyzing the data. The results of the study revealed that there are significant gender differences in locus of control. Boys were found to be more internal as compared to girls.
Following women's lead: Male involvement in violence prevention programming

In Canada, a new generation of programmes andmovements has sprung up in reaction to acts and threats of violence against women (VAW) and in response to high profile cases of sexual assault. The increase in public concern and discourse (Kristen Rushowy, ‘Ontario sex-education curriculum will include consent, Premier Wynne says’, The Star, 7 January 2015) has seen university residences organising mandatory workshops about sex and consent (Erin Anderssen, ‘Sex on campus: How No Means No became Yes Means Yes’, The Globe and Mail, 14 November 2014), new empowerment programmes for girls, and on-line activism with hashtag movements led by women who want to share their stories about why they’ve #BeenRapedNeverReported. Feminists and the general public are talking about, and re-visioning what works in VAW prevention.
Low-density generator matrix code for correcting errors with a small optical transponder

Space optical communications is studied at National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, where the Small Optical TrAnsponder (SOTA) was developed and embarked on a 50-kg-class satellite. Atmospheric fluctuation is an issue to be solved in ground-to-satellite optical communication links. The SOTA has error-correcting functions using Reed-Solomon code and low-density generator matrix (LDGM) code to prevent the omission of data from signal fading owing to atmospheric fluctuations. In this paper, we present a demonstration that involves sending image data taken by an onboard camera with LDGM code via satellite-to-ground optical communication links. Our demonstration reveals how to correct the omission of data resulting from atmospheric turbulence and tracking errors.
Immunogenicity of Anti-TNF-α Biotherapies: I. Individualized Medicine Based on Immunopharmacological Evidence

Specific inhibition of the cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF), has revolutionized the treatment of patients with several autoimmune diseases, and genetically engineered anti-TNF antibody constructs now constitute a heavy medicinal expenditure in many countries. Unfortunately, up to 30% of patients do not respond and about 50% of those who do loose response with time. Furthermore, safety may be compromised by immunogenicity with the induction of anti-drug-antibodies (ADA). Assessment of drug pharmacokinetics and ADA is increasingly recognized as a requirement for safe and rational use of protein drugs. The use of therapeutic strategies based on anti-TNF drug levels and ADA rather than dose-escalation has also proven to be cost-effective, as this allows individualized patient-tailored strategies rather than the current universal approach to loss of response. The objective of the present article – and the accompanying article – is to discuss the reasons for recommending assessments of circulating drug and ADA levels in patients treated with anti-TNF biopharmaceuticals and to detail some of the methodological issues that obscure cost-effective and safer therapies.
Providing HIV-related services in China for men who have sex with men

Abstract Problem In China, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care provided by community-based organizations and the public sector are not well integrated. Approach A community-based organization and experts from the Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention developed internet-based services for men who have sex with men, in Guangzhou, China. The internet services were linked to clinical services offering HIV testing and care. Local setting The expanding HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men is a public health problem in China. HIV control and prevention measures are implemented primarily through the public system. Only a limited number of community organizations are involved in providing HIV services. Relevant changes The programme integrated community and public sector HIV services including health education, online HIV risk assessment, on-site HIV counselling and testing, partner notification, psychosocial care and support, counting of CD4+ T-lymphocytes and treatment guidance. Lessons learnt The internet can facilitate HIV prevention among a subset of men who have sex with men by enhancing awareness, service uptake, retention in care and adherence to treatment. Collaboration between the public sector and the community group promoted acceptance by the target population. Task sharing by community groups can increase access of this high-risk group to available HIV-related services.
Interference aware massive SDMA with a large uniform rectangular antenna array

Time division duplex (TDD) systems where the channel state information (CSI) for downlink transmission is obtained at the base station (BS) are widely considered for large scale antenna systems. Given this situation, information about the inter cell interference (ICI) experienced at the receiver is unknown to the transmitter. We show that under the assumption of a [8,16] rectangular antenna array operating in the regime where the number of antennas Nt and served mobile stations (MSs) Nk is Nt ≈ Nk the system performance in terms of spectral efficiency is degrading compared to Nt ≫ Nk To compensate this effect, we propose a wideband low rate feedback containing information about the interference and provide the proof of concept by system-level simulations. The achieved gains in median sum spectral efficiency (SE) are 150 %. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the per antenna power constraint (PAPC) included in current systems can be changed into a pool power constraint with much lower requirements on power amplifiers compared to today. The gain of 20 to 30 % in sum SE and the impact on the power distribution at the antennas is also shown and obtained by system-level simulations in this work.
University of

Trajectory (path) planning is a well known and thoroughly studied ﬁeld of automated planning. It is usually used in computer games, robotics or autonomous agent simulations. Grids are often used for regular discretization of continuous space. Many methods exist for trajectory (path) planning on grids, we address the well known A* algorithm and the state-of-the-art Theta* algorithm. Theta* algorithm, as opposed to A*, provides ‘any-angle‘ paths that look more realistic. In this paper, we provide an extension of both these algorithms to enable support for speed limit constraints. We experimentally evaluate and thoroughly discuss how the extensions affect the planning process showing reasonability and jus-tiﬁcation of our approach.
Economies of violence: an autobiographical account

This paper uses autobiographical stories to explore various aspects of institutional violence. The stories are taken from a range of institutional settings including schools, academia and commercial enterprises. Each story is used in a dynamic interplay with extant theories and explanations of violence in a mutually explorative and informing manner. Each tale intersects with a different set of issues relating to organisations and violence. The stories and the analysis cohere around the central notion that there exist economies of violence in which violence is exchanged, transacted and within which it circulates. Such economies are constituted and legitimated by discourses, the economy shifts and alters as the surrounding discourses change.
Contributions of T-type calcium channel isoforms to neuronal firing

Low voltage-activated (LVA) T-type calcium channels play critical roles in the excitability of many cell types and are a focus of research aimed both at understanding the physiological basis of calcium channel-dependent signaling and the underlying pathophysiology associated with hyperexcitability disorders such as epilepsy. These channels play a critical role towards neuronal firing in both conducting calcium ions during action potentials and also in switching neurons between distinct modes of firing. In this review the properties of the CaV3.1, CaV3.2 and CaV3.3 T-type channel isoforms is discussed in relation to their individual contributions to action potentials during burst and tonic firing states as well their roles in switching between firing states.
Self-Determined Citizens? New Forms of Civic Activism and Citizenship in Armenia

This article examines the recent emergence and growth of grassroots social movements in Armenia which are locally known as ‘civic initiatives’. It considers what their emergence tells us about the development of civil society and the changing understandings and practices of citizenship in Armenia in the post-Soviet period. It analyses why civic initiatives explicitly reject and distance themselves from formal, professionalised NGOs and what new models of civic activism and citizenship they have introduced. It argues that civic initiatives embrace a more political understanding of civil society than that which was introduced by Western donors in the 1990s.
Torpedo: Improving the State-of-the-Art RDF Dataset Slicing

Over the last years, the amount of data published as Linked Data on the Web has grown enormously. In spite of the high availability of Linked Data, organizations still encounter an accessibility challenge while consuming it. This is mostly due to the large size of some of the datasets published as Linked Data. The core observation behind this work is that a subset of these datasets suffices to address the needs of most organizations. In this paper, we introduce Torpedo, an approach for efficiently selecting and extracting relevant subsets from RDF datasets. In particular, Torpedo adds optimization techniques to reduce seek operations costs as well as the support of multi-join graph patterns and SPARQL FILTERs that enable to perform a more granular data selection. We compare the performance of our approach with existing solutions on nine different queries against four datasets. Our results show that our approach is highly scalable and is up to 26% faster than the current state-of-the-art RDF dataset slicing approach.