Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modality-Specific Noun–Verb Dissociations in L1 but No Effect in L2: Evidence from Bilingual Aphasia

The spoken and written productions of object and action names in two languages of a multilingual speaker with aphasia were compared. The results showed preserved written naming for action words in L1 (Greek) in light of severe difficulties with spoken action names, whereas for object names the opposite pattern was observed. For L2 (English), severe difficulties retrieving action and object names for spoken and written naming were found. The finding supports the widely accepted view that the cognitive processes used for spoken and written naming are relatively independent components that can be selectively impaired after brain injury. In the case of bilingual speakers, the cognitive processes can involve both languages.
Information-sharing Systems and Inter-organizational Power: Implementation of an Electronic Patient Record System for Regional Cooperation

This paper explores the way in which different types of information and communication technologies are positioned among healthcare provider networks in different regions within Japan. Preliminary research indicated that two different types of communication and information sharing systems storing e-patient records are currently in use in Japan; one is an e-patient record system under the ASP (Application Service Providing) model and the other is a non-ASP type of communication and information-sharing system, which can be described as a kind of ‘enriched’ e-mail system over a secure network. This paper focuses on a number of case studies that revealed that the acceptance of, or resistance to a certain type of e-patient record system is largely due to the interaction of technological design and inter-organizational relationships among healthcare providers.
Feedback Control of Planar Biped Robot With Regulable Step Length and Walking Speed

For a compass-like biped robot, the problem of achieving stable walking on both ideal inclined surfaces and complex environments is studied. For the case of walking on ideal inclined surfaces, a feedback-control law is obtained via feedback-linearization techniques so that the trajectory of the robot converges to a desired passive walking gait. Simulations show that it leads to a larger basin of attraction. For the case of walking in complex environments, a scheme is developed with regulable step length and walking speed. Different reference trajectories are constructed for different steps, and corresponding feedback-control laws are updated at the beginning of each step. Then, it is shown that the errors that measure the difference of the response trajectory and the reference one asymptotically converge to zero. An example of walking over stairs is given to numerically verify and demonstrate our approach.
3D texture classification by using pre-testing stage and reliability table

We introduced a new approach to classify 3D texture images based on output selection from two classification methods. For a set of real-world textured images, we found that, using classification based only on texture information, some images obtained under unknown conditions appeared to have similar surfaces and could not be recognized correctly. Another classification method, based on color information, was therefore performed in parallel to solve such a problem. Some knowledge is required to efficiently select outputs from texture-based classification (TBC) and color-based classification (CBC). Reliability tables (RT), created in the pre-testing stage (PTS) of system training, are proposed to obtain that knowledge. Performance is evaluated by employing over 5600 texture images corresponding to 61 real-world surface samples extracted from the Columbia-Utrecht reflectance and texture (CUReT) database K.J. Dana et al., 1999. Our experiments produce better classification results than those in M. Varma and A. Zisserman (2005), which are the best results available to date.
Case study on the business value impact of personalized recommendations on a large online retailer

While much of the recommender systems literature has focused on the off-line evaluation of prediction performance, a few case studies using online controlled experiments that assess the performance of business indicators are available. In this article, we describe the methods and results of an ongoing investigation conducted on the business value impact of personalized recommendations on three different portals of Nova Pontocom, the second largest Latin American online retailer. An on-line controlled experiment (A/B testing), conducted for one month and covering 600,000 distinct users, statistically points out to a general revenue increase in the order of 8-20%. In addition, other consumer behavior metrics such as the number of page views and the more diverse distribution of sales among the products catalog also support the positive impact of personalized recommendations in terms of business value.
Grouping Effects in Flash-Induced Perceptual Fading

We show that the flash-induced fading effect can be influenced by grouping based on colour and shape similarity. In flash-induced fading, peripherally presented elements perceptually disappear after a flash has been presented around or next to the element(s) (Kanai and Kamitani, 2003 Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 15 664–672). In the present study, two elements (which could either be similar or different in both colour and shape) were presented at an eccentricity of 2.6° from a fixation cross. After 2 s, a short flash (40 ms) was presented around one of the elements. The two elements remained on the screen for 2.5 s after the flash. We found a higher percentage of mutual perceptual disappearance when the two elements were similar in colour or in shape. These results converge with other findings showing that perceptual fading phenomena are influenced by effects of perceptual grouping. This indicates that, besides low-level adaptation, more global processes play a part in perceptual fading as well and should thus be taken into account in giving a full explanation of perceptual fading in general.
Design of narrow-band DBR planar filters in Si-BCB technology for millimeter-wave applications

This paper discusses a method used to design planar bandpass filters for millimeter-wave applications in U- and W-band frequency ranges. For technical reasons, these filters have to be implemented on silicon-based technology. So as to decrease the insertion losses levels inherent in silicon substrate, we propose a thin-film microstrip-like technology implemented on a benzocyclobutene layer. In addition, a dual-behavior resonator-based filter topology enabled us to fit a hardened specification. In association with this new topology, we employed an automated design procedure that combines both circuit and full-wave simulations. It is based on a statistical sensitivity study performed by design-of-experiment analysis.
Bi-directional transformations ( bx ) – Theory and Applications Across Disciplines

Bidirectional transformations (bx) are mathematics-based formalisms used in applied computer science for maintaining the consistency of two (or more) related data structures [4]. Researchers from many different areas including software engineering (SE), programming languages (PL), databases (DB), and graph transformation (GT) are actively investigating the use of bx to solve a diverse set of problems. Moreover, new fields in applied computer science are discovering bx as a potential solution to current and ongoing challenges. The mathematics of bx are of significant interest to many researchers and developers in computer science. Applications of this mathematics are of great value to practitioners who need to manage large datasets. Problems of interest to researchers in bx include:
Automatic identification of arabic dialects in social media

Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the formal language in most Arabic countries. Arabic Dialects (AD) or daily language differs from MSA especially in social media communication. However, most Arabic social media texts have mixed forms and many variations especially between MSA and AD. This paper aims to bridge the gap between MSA and AD by providing a framework for AD classification using probabilistic models across social media datasets. We present a set of experiments using the character n-gram Markov language model and Naive Bayes classifiers with detailed examination of what models perform best under different conditions in social media context. Experimental results show that Naive Bayes classifier based on character bi-gram model can identify the 18 different Arabic dialects with a considerable overall accuracy of 98%. This work is a first-step towards an ultimate goal of a translation system from Arabic to English and French, within the ASMAT project
Kernel-PCA denoising of artifact-free protein NMR spectra

Multidimensional /sup 1/H NMR spectra of biomolecules dissolved in light water are contaminated by an intense water artifact. Generalized eigenvalue decomposition methods using congruent matrix pencils are used to separate the water artefact from the protein spectra. Due to the statistical separation process, however, noise is introduced into the reconstructed spectra. Hence Kernel-based denoising techniques are discussed to obtain noise- and artifact-free 2D NOESY NMR spectra of proteins.
In Vitro Evidence for Immune-Modulatory Properties of Non-Digestible Oligosaccharides: Direct Effect on Human Monocyte Derived Dendritic Cells

Infant formulas containing non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDO) similar to the composition in breast milk or a combination of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and NDO have been shown to harbor preventive effects towards immune-regulatory disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the immune-modulatory potential of non-digestible short chain galacto- and long chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS) mimicking the natural distribution of oligosaccharides in human breast milk in presence or absence of certain LAB strains in human monocyte derived dendritic cells (MoDC). Immature human MoDC prepared from peripheral blood of healthy non-atopic volunteers were screened in vitro after stimulation with specific scGOS/lcFOS in presence or absence of LAB. IL-10 and IL-12p70 release was analyzed after 24 hours in cell-free supernatants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A luminex-based assay was conducted to assess further cytokine and chemokine release by MoDC. To investigate the resulting T cell response, stimulated MoDC were co-incubated with naïve T cells in allogeneic stimulation assays and intracellular Foxp3 expression, as well as immune-suppressive capacity was determined. Oligosaccharides did not induce relevant amounts of IL-12p70 production, but did promote IL-10 release by MoDC. Furthermore, scGOS/lcFOS mixtures exerted a significant enhancing effect on LAB induced IL-10 secretion by MoDC while no increase in IL-12p70 production was observed. Blocking toll like receptor (TLR)4 abrogated the increase in IL-10 in both the direct stimulation and the LAB stimulation of MoDC, suggesting that scGOS/lcFOS act via TLR4. Finally, scGOS/lcFOS-treated MoDC were shown to upregulate the number of functional suppressive Foxp3 positive T cells following allogeneic stimulation. Our results indicate anti-inflammatory and direct, microbiota independent, immune-modulatory properties of scGOS/lcFOS mixtures on human MoDC suggesting a possible induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs). The tested combinations of LAB and scGOS/lcFOS might represent a useful dietary ingredient for the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis via the induction of Tregs.
Explicit simulations of aerosol physics in a cloud-resolving model: a sensitivity study based on an observed convective cloud

The role of convection in introducing aerosols and promoting the formation of new particles to the upper tro- posphere has been examined using a cloud-resolving model coupled with an interactive explicit aerosol module. A base- line simulation suggests good agreement in the upper tropo- sphere between modeled and observed results including con- centrations of aerosols in different size ranges, mole fractions of key chemical species, and concentrations of ice particles. In addition, a set of 34 sensitivity simulations has been car- ried out to investigate the sensitivity of modeled results to the treatment of various aerosol physical and chemical processes in the model. The size distribution of aerosols is proved to be an important factor in determining the aerosols' fate within the convective cloud. Nucleation mode aerosols (here de- fined by 0 d 5.84 nm) are quickly transferred to the larger modes as they grow through coagulation of aerosols and con- densation of H2SO4. Accumulation mode aerosols (here de- fined by d 31.0 nm) are almost completely removed by nu- cleation (activation of cloud droplets) and impact scaveng- ing. However, a substantial part (up to 10% of the boundary layer concentration) of the Aitken mode aerosol population (here defined by 5.84 nm d 31.0 nm) reaches the top of the cloud and the free troposphere. These particles may con- tinually survive in the upper troposphere, or over time form ice crystals, both that could impact on the atmospheric ra- diative budget. The sensitivity simulations performed indi- cate that critical processes in the model causing a substantial change in the upper tropospheric number concentration of Aitken mode aerosols are coagulation of aerosols, condensa- tion of H2SO4, nucleation scavenging, nucleation of aerosols and the transfer of aerosol mass and number between dif- ferent aerosol bins. In particular, for aerosols in the Aitken mode to grow to CCN size, coagulation of aerosols appears to be more important than condensation of H2SO4. Less im- portant processes are dry deposition, impact scavenging and the initial vertical distribution and concentration of aerosols. It is interesting to note that in order to sustain a vigorous storm cloud, the supply of CCN must be continuous over a considerably long time period of the simulation. Hence, the treatment of the growth of particles is in general much more important than the initial aerosol concentration itself.
Charles A. Dice Center for Research in Financial Economics Hedge fund contagion and liquidity

Using hedge fund indices representing eight different styles, we find strong evidence of contagion within the hedge fund sector: controlling for a number of risk factors, the average probability that a hedge fund style index has extreme poor performance (lower 10% tail) increases from 2% to 21% as the number of other hedge fund style indices with extreme poor performance increases from zero to seven. We investigate how changes in funding and asset liquidity intensify this contagion, and find that the likelihood of contagion is high when prime brokerage firms have poor performance (which would be expected to affect hedge fund funding liquidity adversely) and when stock market liquidity (a proxy for asset liquidity) is low. Finally, we examine whether extreme poor performance in the stock, bond, and currency markets is more likely when contagion in the hedge fund sector is high. We find no evidence that contagion in the hedge fund sector is associated with extreme poor performance in the stock and bond markets, but find significant evidence that performance in the currency market is worse when hedge fund contagion is high, consistent with the effects of an unwinding of carry trades. ∗ Boyson is at Northeastern University, Stahel is at George Mason University, and Stulz is at The Ohio State University, NBER, and ECGI. Corresponding author is Boyson: n.boyson@neu.edu, (617) 373-4775. We wish to thank Stephen Brown, William Greene, David Hsieh, Andrew Karolyi, Marno Verbeek and participants at seminars and conferences at Maastricht University, the FDIC, RSM Erasmus University, and Wharton for useful discussions. We are also grateful to Rose Liao and Jérôme Taillard for research assistance. We also wish to thank Lisa Martin at Hedge Fund Research for assistance regarding her firm’s products. All remaining errors are our own.
MOSL: Composing a Visual Language for a Metamodeling Framework

As an increasing number of industrial software development projects adopt model-driven development technologies, there is an emerging need for analysis, transformation, and integration of models. In this paper, we propose MOSL, an integrated specification language composed of MOF 2.0, OCL 2.0, Fujaba SDM, and Triple Graph Grammars as a suitable metamodeling and specification language. This language is the basis of the MOFLON metamodeling framework, which is developed at our department
Dynamic Behavior of Current Controllers for Selective Harmonic Compensation in Three-Phase Active Power Filters

Current regulators are a critical part of active power filters (APFs). The design of current regulators capable of compensating high-frequency harmonics created by nonlinear loads is a challenging task. Selective harmonic current compensation using harmonic regulators is a viable method to achieve this goal. However, their design and tuning is not an easy task. The performance-and even the stability-of harmonic current regulators strongly depends on implementation issues, with the tuning of the controller gains being critical. Furthermore, the presence of multiple current regulators working in parallel can create unwanted couplings with the fundamental current regulator, which can result in a deterioration of APF current control, i.e., oscillations and settling times larger than expected. This paper addresses the design and tuning of selective harmonic compensators, with a focus on their stability analysis and transient behavior.
Rotational feeding in caecilians: putting a spin on the evolution of cranial design

Caecilians are a poorly known group of amphibians with a highly derived skull and cranial musculature that has evolved in response to their specialized head-first burrowing lifestyle. They possess a unique jaw-closing system, which is shown to be capable of generating considerable bite forces for its head width (1.09±0.34 and 0.62±0.31 N for Schistometopum thomense and Boulengerula taitanus, respectively). However, comprehensive dietary studies indicate that there is no need for large bite forces, since most caecilians appear to be generalist predators of subterranean macrofauna. Here, we demonstrate, based on in vivo external and X-ray video recordings of animals feeding, that long-axis body rotations are used independent of prey size by these two species of caeciliid caecilians when feeding underground. Further, we show that individuals are capable of generating a substantial spinning force, which is greater than their bite force (1.35±0.26 and 1.02±0.18 N, respectively). These observations shed light on the functional and the evolutionary significance of several unique features of the cranial design in derived caecilians; spinning may allow the individuals to judge prey size and subsequently reduce oversized prey within gape limits.
Trip Planner Over Probabilistic Time-Dependent Road Networks

Recently, the management of transportation systems has become increasingly important in many real applications such as location-based services, supply chain management, traffic control, and so on. These applications usually involve queries over spatial road networks with dynamically changing and complicated traffic conditions. In this paper, we model such a network by a probabilistic time-dependent graph (PT-Graph), whose edges are associated with uncertain delay functions. We propose a useful query in the PT-Graph, namely a trip planner query (TPQ), which retrieves trip plans that traverse a set of query points in PT-Graph, having the minimum traveling time with high confidence. To tackle the efficiency issue, we present the pruning methods time interval pruning and probabilistic pruning to effectively rule out false alarms of trip plans. Furthermore, we design a pre-computation technique based on the cost model and construct an index structure over the pre-computed data to enable the pruning via the index. We integrate our proposed pruning methods into an efficient query procedure to answer TPQs. Through extensive experiments, we demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of our TPQ query answering approach.
Deep ATLAS Radio Observations of the Chandra Deep Field-South/Spitzer Wide-Area Infrared Extragalactic Field

We present the first results from the Australia Telescope Large Area Survey, which consists of deep radio observations of a 3.7 deg2 field surrounding the Chandra Deep Field-South, largely coincident with the infrared Spitzer Wide-Area Infrared Extragalactic (SWIRE) Survey. We also list cross-identifications to infrared and optical photometry data from SWIRE, and ground-based optical spectroscopy. A total of 784 radio components are identified, corresponding to 726 distinct radio sources, nearly all of which are identified with SWIRE sources. Of the radio sources with measured redshifts, most lie in the redshift range 0.5-2 and include both star-forming galaxies and active galactic nuclei. We identify a rare population of infrared-faint radio sources that are bright at radio wavelengths but are not seen in the available optical, infrared, or X-ray data. Such rare classes of sources can only be discovered in wide, deep surveys such as this.
Using inositol as a biocompatible ligand for efficient transgene expression

Transgene transfection techniques using cationic polymers such as polyethylenimines (PEIs) and PEI derivatives as gene vectors have shown efficacy, although they also have shortcomings. PEIs have decent DNA-binding capability and good cell internalization performance, but they cannot deliver gene payloads very efficiently to cell nuclei. In this study, three hyperbranched polyglycerol-polyethylenimine (PG6-PEI) polymers conjugated with myo-inositol (INO) molecules were developed. The three resulting PG6-PEI-INO polymers have an increased number of INO ligands per molecule. PG6-PEI-INO 1 had only 14 carboxymethyl INO (CMINO) units per molecule. PG6-PEI-INO 2 had approximately 130 CMINO units per molecule. PG6-PEI-INO 3 had as high as 415 CMINO units approximately. Mixing PG6-PEI-INO polymers with DNA produced compact nanocomposites. We then performed localization studies using fluorescent microscopy. As the number of conjugated inositol ligands increased in PG6-PEI-INO polymers, there was a corresponding increase in accumulation of the polymers within 293T cell nuclei. Transfection performed with spherical 293T cells yielded 82% of EGFP-positive cells when using PG6-PEI-INO 3 as the vehicle. Studies further revealed that extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP) can inhibit the transgene efficiency of PG6-PEI-INO polymers, as compared with PEI and PG6-PEI that were not conjugated with inositol. Our work unveiled the possibility of using inositol as an effective ligand for transgene expression.
Velvety Massage Interface (VMI): Tactile Massage System Applied Velvet Hand Illusion

Velvet Hand Illusion (VHI) is a tactile illusion that generates sensation of soft and smooth feelings. We propose to apply this illusion to develop the novel interface called Velvety Massage Interface (VMI). This system gives realistic sensation of being massaged on surface of sole of foot like reflexology. We conducted an experiment to verify if the VHI is generated to the sole of foot and if the VHI has an effect on the body in order to make a prototype device. It was observed that the device was able to generate VHI automatically and had some reflexology effect. It suggests the possibility that VHI is applied to tactile displays, which generate smooth feeling of massage.