Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
“Distracters” Do Not Always Distract: Visual Working Memory for Angry Faces is Enhanced by Incidental Emotional Words

We are often required to filter out distraction in order to focus on a primary task during which working memory (WM) is engaged. Previous research has shown that negative versus neutral distracters presented during a visual WM maintenance period significantly impair memory for neutral information. However, the contents of WM are often also emotional in nature. The question we address here is how incidental information might impact upon visual WM when both this and the memory items contain emotional information. We presented emotional versus neutral words during the maintenance interval of an emotional visual WM faces task. Participants encoded two angry or happy faces into WM, and several seconds into a 9 s maintenance period a negative, positive, or neutral word was flashed on the screen three times. A single neutral test face was presented for retrieval with a face identity that was either present or absent in the preceding study array. WM for angry face identities was significantly better when an emotional (negative or positive) versus neutral (or no) word was presented. In contrast, WM for happy face identities was not significantly affected by word valence. These findings suggest that the presence of emotion within an intervening stimulus boosts the emotional value of threat-related information maintained in visual WM and thus improves performance. In addition, we show that incidental events that are emotional in nature do not always distract from an ongoing WM task.
High-density nuclear matter with nonlocal confining solitons

An infinite system of nonlocal, individually confining solitons is considered as a model of high-density nuclear matter. The soliton-lattice problem is discussed in the Wigner-Seitz approximation. The cell size is varied to study the density dependence of physical quantities of interest. A transition to a system where quarks can migrate between solitons is found. We argue that this signals quark deconfinement. The model is applied to the calculation of selected in-medium properties. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Design of Oscillatory Neural Network for Locomotion Control of Humanoid Robots

Standing and walking are very important activities for daily living, so that their absence or any abnormality in their performance causes difficulties in doing regular task independently. Analysis of human motion has traditionally been accomplished by subjectively through visual observations. By combining advanced measurement technology and biomechanical modeling, the human gait is today objectively quantified in what is known as Gait analysis. Gait analysis research and development is an ongoing activity. New models and methods continue to evolve. Recently, humanoid robotics becomes widely developing world-wide technology and currently represents one of the main tools not only to investigate and study human gaits but also to acquire knowledge on how to assist paraplegic walking of patient (Acosta-M arquez and Bradley, 2000). Towards a better control of humanoid locomotion, much work can be found in the literature that has been focused on the dynamics of the robot using the Zero Moment Point (ZMP) approach (Vukobratovic and Borovac, 2004). More recently, biologically inspired control strategies such as Central Pattern Generators (CPG) have been proposed to generate autonomously adaptable rhythmic movement (Grillner, 1975, 1985; Taga, 1995; Taga et. al, 1991). Despite the extensive research focus in this area, suitable autonomous control system that can adapt and interact safely with the surrounding environment while delivering high robustness are yet to be discovered. In this chapter, we deal with the design of oscillatory neural network for bipedal motion pattern generator and locomotion controller. The learning part of the system will be built based on the combination of simplified models of the system with an extensive and efficient use of sensory feedback (sensor fusion) as the main engine to stabilize and adapt the system against parameters changes. All motions including reflexes will be generated by a neural network (NN) that represents the lower layer of the system. Indeed, we believe that the NN would be the most appropriate code when dealing, to a certain limit, with the system behavior, which can be described by a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) (Zaier and Nagashima, 2002, 2004). The neural network will be augmented by neural controllers with sensory connections to maintain the stability of the system. Hence, the proposed learning method is expected to be much faster than the conventional ones. To validate the theoretical results, we used the humanoid robot “HOAP-3” of Fujitsu. The structure of the chapter is as follows: the first section will present an introduction on the conventional CPG based locomotion control as well as the Van der Pol Based Oscillator;
Use of the entropy of a random process in audio matching tasks

We propose a method to extract a new audio feature which can be used in different audio matching tasks. We use entropy of a random process to estimate the level of information content per chroma of the signal, and we use it as a robust audio feature for different kinds of audio degradations. We have called it entropy-per-chroma. We compare in our experiments entropy-per-chroma against the popular chroma-based feature, since both features look alike in how they are computed and how they show the harmonic and melodic content of an audio-signal. To test the robustness of this new feature, we used audio-fingerprinting approach. Additionally, we tested it on a simple audio-to-audio matching system, using audio of two versions of a same rendition.
An Integrated Framework for Feature Extraction, Object Recognition and Stereo Vision with GPU support

This paper investigates the integration of feature extraction, object recognition and 3D reconstruction by st ereo vision into a unified framework. In doing so, stereo vision can be made more robust by applying feature extraction results to the stereo matching process, and object recognition can b e extended through the integration of depth information as another feature of the scene. In this work a hierarchical feature ext raction algorithm using Gabor filters is combined with a multi-path dynamic programming stereo algorithm. Subsequently, fromthis combination a new matching cost measured is proposed. The design is suitable for implementation on the graphics card ( GPU), making it a target for real-time computer vision. This paper focuses on the framework’s application to stereo reconstru ction and experiments show its ability to robustly match regions and preserve object depth boundaries through the use of feature analysis.
Bone marrow-Derived Cells Do Not Incorporate Into the Adult Growing Vasculature

Abstract— Bone marrow-Derived cells have been proposed to form new vessels or at least incorporate into growing vessels in adult organisms under certain physiological and pathological conditions. We investigated whether bone marrow-Derived cells incorporate into vessels using mouse models of hindlimb ischemia (arteriogenesis and angiogenesis) and tumor growth. C57BL/6 wild-type mice were lethally irradiated and transplanted with bone marrow cells from littermates expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP). At least 6 weeks after bone marrow transplantation, the animals underwent unilateral femoral artery occlusions with or without pretreatment with vascular endothelial growth factor or were subcutaneously implanted with methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma (BFS-1) cells. Seven and 21 days after surgery, proximal hindlimb muscles with growing collateral arteries and ischemic gastrocnemius muscles as well as grown tumors and various organs were excised for histological analysis. We failed to colocalize GFP signals with endothelial or smooth muscle cell markers. Occasionally, the use of high-power laser scanning confocal microscopy uncovered false-positive results because of overlap of different fluorescent signals from adjacent cells. Nevertheless, we observed accumulations of GFP-positive cells around growing collateral arteries (3-fold increase versus nonoccluded side, P <0.001) and in ischemic distal hindlimbs. These cells were identified as fibroblasts, pericytes, and primarily leukocytes that stained positive for several growth factors and chemokines. Our findings suggest that in the adult organism, bone marrow-Derived cells do not promote vascular growth by incorporating into vessel walls but may function as supporting cells.
Systematizing coaches’ ‘eye for talent': Player assessments based on expert coaches’ subjective talent criteria in top-level youth soccer

Although talent selection in professional soccer mainly relies on the subjective judgment of scouts and coaches, little is known to date about top-level soccer coaches’ conceptions of talent. Drawing on a constructivist approach, this mixed method study intends to give an in-depth insight into coaches’ subjective talent criteria and to investigate the validity and reliability of their player assessments based on these criteria. Five national youth soccer coaches were examined using semistructured inductive interviews and the repertory grid technique. The results reveal experienced soccer coaches’ subjective talent criteria and indicate the multidimensional nature of their concepts of talent. There is a high correlation (−.57 ≤ rs ≤ −.81) between the coaches’ assessment of their players based on their own talent criteria and their previous evaluation of these players’ overall potential, indicating criterion validity. Repeated evaluations of the players according to a coach’s talent criteria display an adequate test–retest reliability over a period of 10 weeks.
Dynamic horizontal fragmentation, replication and allocation model in DDBSs

Distributed processing is an effective way to improve performance of database systems. Therefore, fragmentation and proper allocation of fragments across various sites of the network is considered as a key research area in distributed database environment. However, the issue of allocating fragments to the most appropriate sites is not an easy task to perform. In this paper, a synchronized horizontal fragmentation, replication and allocation model in the context of relational database is proposed. A heuristic technique to satisfy horizontal fragmentation and allocation using a cost model to minimize the total cost of distribution is developed. Experimental results are consistent with the hypothesis confirming that the proposed model can efficiently solve dynamic fragmentation and allocation problem in a distributed relational database systems.
Improving women's nutrition imperative for rapid reduction of childhood stunting in South Asia: coupling of nutrition specific interventions with nutrition sensitive measures essential

Abstract The implications of direct nutrition interventions on women's nutrition, birth outcome and stunting rates in children in South Asia are indisputable and well documented. In the last decade, a number of studies present evidence of the role of non‐nutritional factors impacting on women's nutrition, birth outcome, caring practices and nutritional status of children. The implications of various dimensions of women's empowerment and gender inequality on child stunting is being increasingly recognised. Evidence reveals the crucial role of early age of marriage and conception, poor secondary education, domestic violence, inadequate decision‐making power, poor control over resources, strenuous agriculture activities, and increasing employment of women and of interventions such as cash transfer scheme and microfinance programme on undernutrition in children. Analysis of the nutrition situation of women and children in South Asia and programme findings emphasise the significance of reaching women during adolescence, pre‐conception and pregnancy stage. Ensuring women enter pregnancy with adequate height and weight and free from being anemic is crucial. Combining nutrition‐specific interventions with measures for empowerment of women is essential. Improvement in dietary intake and health services of women, prevention of early age marriage and conception, completion of secondary education, enhancement in purchasing power of women, reduction of work drudgery and elimination of domestic violence deserve special attention. A range of programme platforms dealing with health, education and empowerment of women could be strategically used for effectively reaching women prior to and during pregnancy to accelerate reduction in stunting rates in children in South Asia.
Issues and Advances in Biometrics

Biometrics is the automated recognition of the persons based on the structure of their body or their behavior. The expansion of the technology resulted in the availability of cheap and high performance biometric sensors, and made the functioning biometric systems a reality. In this chapter we briefly describe the main advances of biometrics research field. In particular, we will discuss the most widely used biometric modalities, fingerprint and face, present the main concepts of the measuring biometric system performance and combining biometric matchers. We will also devote our attention to some research directions further enhancing biometric systems: cancelable biometrics, liveness detection, indexing and individuality. The discussions are illustrated by the examples providing additional insight into this field.
Packet Combining Over Rayleigh Channels using Signal-to-Noise Ratio Information and Detection by the Maximum A-Posteriori Criterion

We present and analyze a packet combining strategy for wireless networks with slow Rayleigh fading. The scheme is based on adding the current signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as an overhead to the packet and packet combining using the maximum a posteriori (MAP) criterion. We consider single and multiple wireless hops, and we perform comparisons against the optimum case, the maximum ratio combiner (MRC). For the single wireless hop, we show that the error probability curve is very close to the optimum. In addition, we study the effect of selection and an alternative based on averaging over the channel statistics that has poorer error performance, but needs less processing and overhead. In multiple wireless hops, some nodes act as relays and the error probability increases. However, combining several branches, each with two hops, allows for diversity order equal to the number of branches. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed strategy by computer simulations. The fusing packet scheme that is presented in this paper is adequate for sensor networks
Correlated Concept based Topic Updation Model for Dynamic Corpora

A rapid growth of documents available on the Internet, digital libraries, medical documents, news wires and other scientific document corpuses has motivated the researchers to propose many text mining techniques that help users to quickly retrieve trace and summarize the information in an effective way. Topic detection is one such technique which discovers precise, meaningful and concise labels for the formulated static document clusters. This technique helps the user to navigate and retrieve the needed information quickly and efficiently. Topic updation is the process of identifying and renewing the discovered labels whenever the document clusters are updated dynamically. This paper focuses on topic updation model based on Testor theory. The proposed work is experimented using 20newsgroup and scientific literature data set. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm exhibit better performance, compared to the existing algorithms for topic detection.
Design method for an ultra low power, low offset, symmetric OTA

A design method for ultra low power, low offset, symmetric OTAs is presented. The method is based on the gm/ID methodology and uses a model of MOS transistor valid in all the regions of operation which assures that the optimal operating point is chosen. The method was used to design a 2.5 μA/V-cascoded OTA with minimum offset and current consumption in a 0.5 μm CMOS technology. Post layout Montecarlo simulations were performed to obtain an estimated offset of the circuit. The standard deviation obtained from the Montecarlo simulation was 3.94 mV while that expected from the design method was 3.86 mV. The total current consumption of the OTA is only 400 nA. Simulation results confirm the reliability of the presented design method.
Autoantibodies against Muscarinic Type 3 Receptor in Sjögren's Syndrome Inhibit Aquaporin 5 Trafficking

Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that mainly targets the salivary and lacrimal glands. It has been controversial whether anti-muscarinic type 3 receptor (α-M3R) autoantibodies in patients with SjS inhibit intracellular trafficking of aquaporin-5 (AQP5), water transport protein, leading to secretory dysfunction. To address this issue, GFP-tagged human AQP5 was overexpressed in human salivary gland cells (HSG-hAQP5) and monitored AQP5 trafficking to the plasma membrane following carbachol (CCh, M3R agonist) stimulation. AQP5 trafficking was indeed mediated by M3R stimulation, shown in partial blockage of trafficking by M3R-antagonist 4-DAMP. HSG-hAQP5 pre-incubated with SjS plasma for 24 hours significantly reduced AQP5 trafficking with CCh, compared with HSG-hAQP5 pre-incubated with healthy control (HC) plasma. This inhibition was confirmed by monoclonal α-M3R antibody and pre-absorbed plasma. Interestingly, HSG-hAQP5 pre-incubated with SjS plasma showed no change in cell volume, compared to the cells incubated with HC plasma showing shrinkage by twenty percent after CCh-stimulation. Our findings clearly indicate that binding of anti-M3R autoantibodies to the receptor, which was verified by immunoprecipitation, suppresses AQP5 trafficking to the membrane and contribute to impaired fluid secretion in SjS. Our current study urges further investigations of clinical associations between SjS symptoms, such as degree of secretory dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and/or bladder irritation, and different profiles (titers, isotypes, and/or specificity) of anti-M3R autoantibodies in individuals with SjS.
Using Enterprise Level Software for a Large Scale Compulsory Course in an Information Systems Undergraduate Program -- An Example from Singapore

This conference contribution describes the design and delivery of a course on enterprise portal implementation at the senior undergraduate level at the School of Information Systems (SIS), Singapore Management University (SMU). In this course (entitled Enterprise Web Solutions), the focus is put on the design, development, deployment and governance of an enterprise portal as a way to understand the full life cycle of a complex enterprise-level solution. The Bachelor of Science (Information Systems Management) degree program offered at SIS has been designed to contextualise the study of information systems and business management and to acquire practical competencies and skills though learning by doing in real world business settings. Thus, exposing students to complex enterprise level software systems has become a very essential component of the SIS education. However, the preparation of courses based on such software requires a non-trivial amount of background work. Using the Enterprise Web Solutions course and Microsoft Share Point 2010 as an example, this contribution analyses the challenges which arise due to the complexity of the infrastructure requirements, it also describes the difficulties involved in preparing the laboratory exercises and elaborating the project requirements. Finally, several suggestions are offered for those who are designing undergraduate level information systems courses involving enterprise level software packages.
Green-Technology Automobiles: Can modern innovations save the environment and consumers' pockets

Cars of the past are notorious for poor fuel efficiency and high carbon emissions. With the presence of hybrid technology, along with a variety of other green innovations, many of these negative side effects can be mitigated. The purpose of this study is to answer the question: how do green technology vehicles compare with similar models that exclude such innovations in relation to efficiency and price? A total of 47 green-tech vehicles were identified and compared against their base model counterparts. Vehicle weight, horsepower, fuel efficiency and other variables were matched within pairs (green-tech vs. base) and between car types (sedans, SUVs and trucks). Regardless of vehicle type and green-tech, weight proved to be an influential factor, showing that as curb weight increased, fuel efficiency decreased. Compared to the base models, green-tech luxury vehicles also exhibited few improvements in fuel efficiency with disproportionately high growth in price. Non-luxury green-tech sedans ranging from 2500lbs to 4000lbs showed the largest improvements in efficiency while also maintaining an average MSRP of $28996±1089, producing a green-tech vehicle that is economically affordable. The impressive results from this category of vehicles suggest that consumer investment in non-luxury green sedans may not only help to save money in fuel consumption, but also save the environment.
Comparative proteomic and transcriptomic approaches to address the active role of GA4 in Japanese apricot flower bud dormancy release

Hormones are closely associated with dormancy in deciduous fruit trees, and gibberellins (GAs) are known to be particularly important. In this study, we observed that GA4 treatment led to earlier bud break in Japanese apricot. To understand better the promoting effect of GA4 on the dormancy release of Japanese apricot flower buds, proteomic and transcriptomic approaches were used to analyse the mechanisms of dormancy release following GA4 treatment, based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and digital gene expression (DGE) profiling, respectively. More than 600 highly reproducible protein spots (P<0.05) were detected and, following GA4 treatment, 38 protein spots showed more than a 2-fold difference in expression, and 32 protein spots were confidently identified according to the databases. Compared with water treatment, many proteins that were associated with energy metabolism and oxidation–reduction showed significant changes after GA4 treatment, which might promote dormancy release. We observed that genes at the mRNA level associated with energy metabolism and oxidation–reduction also played an important role in this process. Analysis of the functions of the identified proteins and genes and the related metabolic pathways would provide a comprehensive proteomic and transcriptomic view of the coordination of dormancy release after GA4 treatment in Japanese apricot flower buds.