Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of language-specific input on spatial cognition: Categories of containment

This study examines whether language-specific input influences children's nonlinguistic spatial cognition as they acquire their first language. Recent research on infant cognition has shown that preverbal infants can make a distinction between tight-fit and loose-fit containment relations. This distinction is systematically made in Korean (kkita‘fit tightly’), but not in English (in). Using a preferential-looking method, this study tested sensitivity to the distinction in English and Korean learners at different ages: English learners were tested at 18, 24, 29 and 36 months, and Korean learners at 29 and 36 months of age. Results showed that while English learners weaken their sensitivity to the distinction by 29 months of age, Korean learners maintain high sensitivity to the distinction throughout the age periods tested. Language surveys of the English learners indicate that weakening of the sensitivity occurs as the children use the relevant spatial terms and increase their vocabulary level.
Garment fold enhancement simulation method based on energy field

This paper is the wrinkle simulation of cloth. This paper is based on the differential domain properties. It has the following steps: Firstly, this paper proposes a mesh decimation method in order to reduce the number of free-points. Secondly, this paper is based on differential domain methods, which include Laplacian coordinates method and gradient domain method. Thirdly, this paper will propose a rotate and scale invariant scheme accordingly. After then formulating a series of error constraint functions according to the stretch, compress and recovery of the cloth, we can get different wrinkle effects by adjusting different weight. Finally, this paper propose wrinkle area optimization, which include the related mesh refinement and the mesh smooth based on the wrinkle area which can be got by analyzing original mesh and deformed mesh.
Augmented reality interaction for semiautomatic volume classification

In the visualization of 3D medical data, the appropriateness of the achieved result is highly dependent on the application. Therefore, an intuitive interaction with the user is of utter importance in order to determine the particular aim of the visualization. In this paper, we present a novel approach for the visualization of 3D medical data with volume rendering combined with AR-based user interaction. The utilization of augmented reality (AR), with the assistance of a set of simple tools, allows the direct manipulation in 3D of the rendered data. The proposed method takes into account regions of interest defined by the user and employs this information to automatically generate an adequate transfer function. Machine learning techniques are utilized for the automatic creation of transfer functions, which are to be used during the classification stage of the rendering pipeline. The validity of the proposed approach for medical applications is illustrated.
Q Fever in Dairy Animals

This review evaluates the threat to human health—with the shedding of C. burnetii in dairy animals with reproductive disorders or those without clinical signs. The review also discusses the diagnosis of Q fever in livestock and the possibility of Coxiella‐free herds, and it reports the available methods for controlling Q fever. C. burnetii shedding seems to occur frequently in milk taken from asymptomatic dairy cows. The number of Coxiella shed in milk is generally low. The phase I vaccine prevented abortion and greatly decreased the shedding of C. burnetii in milk.
How could MDMA (ecstasy) help anxiety disorders? A neurobiological rationale

Abstract Exposure therapy is known to be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. Nevertheless, exposure is not used as much as it should be, and instead patients are often given supportive medications such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines, which may even interfere with the extinction learning that is the aim of treatment. Given that randomized controlled trials are now investigating a few doses of ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) in combination with psychotherapy for treatment-resistant anxiety disorders, we would like to suggest the following three mechanisms for this potentially important new approach: 1) MDMA increases oxytocin levels, which may strengthen the therapeutic alliance; 2) MDMA increases ventromedial prefrontal activity and decreases amygdala activity, which may improve emotional regulation and decrease avoidance and 3) MDMA increases norepinephrine release and circulating cortisol levels, which may facilitate emotional engagement and enhance extinction of learned fear associations. Thus, MDMA has a combination of pharmacological effects that, in a therapeutic setting, could provide a balance of activating emotions while feeling safe and in control, as described in case reports of MDMA-augmented psychotherapy. Further clinical and preclinical studies of the therapeutic value of MDMA are indicated.
Exercise induces expression of leukaemia inhibitory factor in human skeletal muscle

The leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) belongs to the interleukin (IL)‐6 cytokine superfamily and is constitutively expressed in skeletal muscle. We tested the hypothesis that LIF expression in human skeletal muscle is regulated by exercise. Fifteen healthy young male volunteers performed either 3 h of cycle ergometer exercise at ∼60% of (n= 8) or rested (n= 7). Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis prior to exercise, immediately after exercise, and at 1.5, 3, 6 and 24 h post exercise. Control subjects had biopsy samples taken at the same time points as during the exercise trial. Skeletal muscle LIF mRNA increased immediately after the exercise and declined gradually during recovery. However, LIF protein was unchanged at the investigated time points. Moreover, we tested the hypothesis that LIF mRNA and protein expressions are modulated by calcium (Ca2+) in primary human skeletal myocytes. Treatment of myocytes with the Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, for 6 h resulted in an increase in both LIF mRNA and LIF protein levels. This finding suggests that Ca2+ may be involved in the regulation of LIF in endurance‐exercised skeletal muscle. In conclusion, primary human skeletal myocytes have the capability to produce LIF in response to ionomycin stimulation and LIF mRNA levels increase in skeletal muscle following concentric exercise. The finding that the increase in LIF mRNA levels is not followed by a similar increase in skeletal muscle LIF protein suggests that other exercise stimuli or repetitive stimuli are necessary in order to induce a detectable accumulation of LIF protein.
An Architecture Framework for Complex Data Warehouses

Nowadays, many decision support applications need to exploit data that are not only numerical or symbolic, but also multimedia, multistructure, multisource, multimodal, and/or multiversion. We term such data complex data. Managing and analyzing complex data involves a lot of different issues regarding their structure, storage and processing, and metadata are a key element in all these processes. Such problems have been addressed by classical data warehousing (i.e., applied to “simple” data). However, data warehousing approaches need to be adapted for complex data. In this paper, we first propose a precise, though open, definition of complex data. Then we present a general architecture framework for warehousing complex data. This architecture heavily relies on metadata and domain-related knowledge, and rests on the XML language, which helps storing data, metadata and domain-specific knowledge altogether, and facilitates communication between the various warehousing processes.
The use and misuse of conditional symmetric instability

Abstract A commonly employed explanation for single- and multiple-banded clouds and precipitation in the extratropics is slantwise convection due to the release of moist symmetric instability (MSI), of which one type is conditional symmetric instability (CSI). This article presents a review of CSI with the intent of synthesizing the results from previous observational, theoretical, and modeling studies. This review contends that CSI as a diagnostic tool to assess slantwise convection has been, and continues to be, misused and overused. Drawing parallels to an ingredients-based methodology for forecasting deep, moist convection that requires the simultaneous presence of instability, moisture, and lift, some of the misapplications of CSI can be clarified. Many of these pitfalls have been noted by earlier authors, but are, nevertheless, often understated, misinterpreted, or neglected by later researchers and forecasters. Topics include the evaluation of the potential for slantwise convection, the relationshi.
On the Effectiveness of Emergent Task Allocation of Virtual Programmer Teams

Virtual teams of programmers are a popular form of collaboration both in Open Source, and commercial software projects. In OSS (Open Source Software) projects, programmers make their own decision which project to join, and, therefore, the process of task allocation among the project members is emergent. In this paper, we attempt to simulate such a process based on available data from Git Hub. The simulation is used to test a hypothesis regarding the efficiency of emergent task allocation. In general, we find performance of coordinated methods to be better than emergent algorithms, which leads us to conclusion that controlling team membership through invitations and work assignment is a promising direction.
Pacemaking in interstitial cells of Cajal depends upon calcium handling by endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria

1 Pacemaker cells, known as interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), generate electrical rhythmicity in the gastrointestinal tract. Pacemaker currents in ICC result from the activation of a voltage‐independent, non‐selective cation conductance, but the timing mechanism responsible for periodic activation of the pacemaker current is unknown. 2 Previous studies suggest that pacemaking in ICC is dependent upon metabolic activity 1y1yand1 Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. We tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial Ca2+ handling may underlie the dependence of gastrointestinal pacemaking on oxidative metabolism. 3 Pacemaker currents occurred spontaneously in cultured ICC and were associated with mitochondrial Ca2+ transients. 4 Inhibition of the electrochemical gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane blocked Ca2+ uptake and pacemaker currents in cultured ICC and blocked slow wave activity in intact gastrointestinal muscles from mouse, dog and guinea‐pig. 5 Pacemaker currents and rhythmic mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in ICC were also blocked by inhibitors of IP3‐dependent release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum and by inhibitors of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ reuptake. 6 Our data suggest that integrated Ca2+ handling by endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria is a prerequisite of electrical pacemaking in the gastrointestinal tract.
Detection of occult hepatitis C virus among healthy spouses of patients with HCV infection

The criterion standard for the diagnosis of occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is detection of HCV‐RNA in liver cells. However, because of the invasive nature of liver biopsy, other methods have been studied. The present study aimed to identify subjects with occult HCV‐4 infection among healthy sexual partners of patients with chronic HCV‐4 infection by detecting HCV‐RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fifty healthy Egyptian spouses of patients with chronic HCV‐4 infection were included in this study. Real‐time PCR was used to detect HCV‐RNA in PBMCs in all the study subjects. The prevalence of occult HCV‐4 infection was 4%, and a statistically significant higher prevalence was found among patients with a history of sexually transmitted infection. The results of the present study indicate the importance of intra‐spousal transmission of HCV‐4 infection, especially in subjects with a history of sexually transmitted infection. J. Med. Virol. 87:424–427, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Towards a method for evaluating technological expectations: Revealing uncertainty in gene silencing technology discourse

Abstract This paper investigates the dynamics of expectations from a cognitive semantic perspective, specifically the relationship between epistemological asymmetry and uncertainty. Building on the work of several other authors since the 1980s, we propose a new framework based on frame semantics for discovering and organizing information related to expectations. When this framework is applied to two sets of expectations surrounding the applications of RNA interference, a recently discovered molecular genetic phenomenon with increasing notoriety, uncertainty seems to be correlated with what we call conceptual distance, the difference between past/present and future aspects of expectations. In essence, levelling of epistemological asymmetry through frame semantic analysis can decrease or increase uncertainty based on conceptual distance from previously fulfilled expectations.
Performance evaluation of cooperative peer selection methods for P2P Video-on-Demand

Recently, the video delivery service is spreading along with the penetration of broadband access to residential users. Although Content Delivery Network (CDN) system has been deployed for video delivery, it's costly because equipment reinforcement is needed as a number of client increases. To settle this problem, use of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) system has been considered, namely P2P live-streaming and P2P-VoD (Video on Demand). P2P-VoD is more difficult than P2P live-streaming as each peer is watching different part of the video. P2P-VoD could be achieved based on P2P live-streaming or on BitTorrent. However, both include respective issues. This paper focuses on BitTorrent-based VoD and proposes methods to overcome its issues such as server dependency, network efficiency and fairness. In our methods, the tracker selects cooperating peers by being aware of their available pieces or line speeds, and the cooperating peers exchange pieces by adjusting the number of unchoke peers according to the occurrence rate of video request. A simulation study is performed to show the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Neuronal and oscillatory activity during reward processing in the human ventral striatum

Accumulated evidence from animal studies implicates the ventral striatum in the processing of reward information. Recently, deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery has enabled researchers to analyze neurophysiological recordings from humans engaged in reward tasks. We present data recorded from the human ventral striatum during deep brain stimulation surgery as a participant played a video game coupled to the receipt of visual reward images. To our knowledge, we identify the first instances of reward-sensitive single unit activity in the human ventral striatum. Local field potential data suggest that alpha oscillations are sensitive to positive feedback, whereas beta oscillations exhibit significantly higher power during unrewarded trials. We report evidence of alpha–gamma cross-frequency coupling that differentiates between positive and negative feedback.
Shape-based retrieval and analysis of 3d models

The number of 3D geometric models available in online repositories is growing dramatically. Examples include: the Protein Data Bank [1], which stores the 3D atomic coordinates for 29,000 protein molecules; the National Design Repository [9], which stores 3D computer-aided design (CAD) models for tens of thousands of mechanical parts; and the Princeton Shape Database [5], which stores polygonal surface models for 36,000 everyday objects crawled from the Web. Since graphics hardware is getting faster and 3D scanning hardware cheaper, there is every reason to believe that demand for and supply of 3D models will continue to increase into the future, leading to an online environment in which 3D models are as plentiful as images, videos, and audio files today.
Improving the Betweenness Centrality of a Node by Adding Links

Betweenness is a well-known centrality measure that ranks the nodes according to their participation in the shortest paths of a network. In several scenarios, having a high betweenness can have a positive impact on the node itself. Hence, in this article, we consider the problem of determining how much a vertex can increase its centrality by creating a limited amount of new edges incident to it. In particular, we study the problem of maximizing the betweenness score of a given node—Maximum Betweenness Improvement (MBI)—and that of maximizing the ranking of a given node—Maximum Ranking Improvement (MRI). We show that MBI cannot be approximated in polynomial-time within a factor (1−1/2e) and that MRI does not admit any polynomial-time constant factor approximation algorithm, both unless P=NP. We then propose a simple greedy approximation algorithm for MBI with an almost tight approximation ratio and we test its performance on several real-world networks. We experimentally show that our algorithm highly increases both the betweenness score and the ranking of a given node and that it outperforms several competitive baselines. To speed up the computation of our greedy algorithm, we also propose a new dynamic algorithm for updating the betweenness of one node after an edge insertion, which might be of independent interest. Using the dynamic algorithm, we are now able to compute an approximation of MBI on networks with up to 105 edges in most cases in a matter of seconds or a few minutes.
Effects of pre- or post-application of calcium chloride on occluding ability of potassium oxalate for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity.

PURPOSE To evaluate whether calcium ion supply using 1-6 mol/L CaCl2 solution could enhance the occluding ability of dentin tubules with 30% potassium oxalate treatment. METHODS Calcium chloride solution (1-6 mol/L) was applied to dentin disks before or after application of 30% potassium oxalate solution. Occluding ability after potassium oxalate treatment was evaluated with scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation and measurement of dentin permeability. In addition, the composition of the precipitate formed when mixing potassium oxalate and calcium chloride was analyzed with a powder x-ray diffractometer (XRD). RESULTS SEM observations revealed that the dentin tubules were occluded homogeneously and completely with the precipitate when calcium chloride solution was applied before or after potassium oxalate treatment. However, the depth of the precipitate in dentin tubules from the dentin surface became shallower when pre-treated with calcium chloride before potassium oxalate. Although dentin permeability was greatly reduced in both groups, no significant difference could be observed between samples with and without calcium chloride application.
Motion blur parameters identification from Radon transform image gradients

Motion blur is one of the most common blurs that degrades the images. Restoration of a motion blur image is highly dependent on the estimation of the parameters of the blurring kernel. The features of motion blur kernel are sharp dependent on the noise. This paper proposes a novel approach to estimate the parameters of motion blur (orientation and extension) from the observed image gradients. The image gradients enhance the periodic patterns of the motion blur kernel in the frequency space. And the proposed normalized Radon transform from the blurred image gradients could estimate the motion blur parameters in noisy image gradients. Compared to previous estimation algorithm, the results are more accurate when it comes to noisy images.
Development of the benthic macrofauna community after tidal restoration at Rammegors

The managed realignment project Rammegors aims at re-establishing estuarine nature in a formerly freshwater wetland. For this purpose, a tidal inlet was constructed in the Krabbekreekdam to generate a reduced tidal influence that should allow the development of salt marsh area, tidal flat area and low energetic shallow sub-tidal. A central question of the Rammegors tidal restoration project is how the flora and fauna will develop in the area. To understand the biotic and abiotic processes related to the tidal restoration in Rammegors, a monitoring programme is being executed by the Centre of Expertise Delta Technology. The monitoring focuses on the main biotic and abiotic developments in the area. This progress report only focuses on the early colonization of macrobenthic invertebrates in Rammegors. Benthic macrofauna and sediment sampling took place in spring and autumn 2017 at twenty stations along 4 transects with varying distances to the outlet. A fast colonization of the benthic macrofauna was observed in Rammegors. Twenty and twenty-eight taxa were observed in the area in spring and autumn 2017 respectively. The communities significantly differed between spring and autumn. In spring densities reached high values, especially for the brackish mud shrimp Manocorophium insidiosum and mosquito larvae Chironomidae. In autumn these brackish species almost disappeared from the area. Their presence in autumn, even in low numbers, as well as the observation of the brackish cockle Cerastoderma glaucum indicate that, after the tidal restoration, parts of Rammegors are still under influence of brackish water. A relation was found between elevation and the benthic macrofauna development. Species richness showed an optimum around +0.4m NAP with lower values at both lower and higher elevations. Total density significantly increased with elevation, with highest total density at the higher elevations and a gradient in ecological richness was observed with higher richness further from the inlet. As the spring community significantly differs from the autumn community, we will continue sampling in both seasons in 2018
A nonlinear optimization methodology for resistor matching in analog integrated circuits

In analog design flow, one of the most important issues is to achieve accurate resistor ratios during the layout phase, which is called resistor matching. In the literature, researchers have proposed several methodologies achieving high matching quality in a rectangular structure. However, under the fixed-outline constraint, layout designers will place normal blocks such as macros and intellectual properties (IPs) first and then place the resistors. But the remaining space for resistors is usually rectilinear rather than rectangular, which is not appropriate for achieving high matching quality. To overcome this problem, we propose a nonlinear optimization methodology for globally improving the matching quality. Our algorithm enhances the matching quality by deforming the rectilinear shape into centro symmetrical shape and simultaneously maintains the relative positions of each block which is important for reserving the designed electrical property in the input layout. Experimental result shows that the proposed algorithm is very promising.