Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ThinkRx cognitive training for adults over age 50: Clinician–caregiver partners in delivery as effective as clinician-only delivery.

Many cognitive training interventions described in the extant literature predominately target only 1 or 2 domains, are very short in duration, and fail to generalize beyond the trained tasks. The aim of the current study was to evaluate differences in cognitive outcomes and self-reported real-life improvements between 2 methods of delivering the ThinkRx cognitive training intervention: professional delivery solely by a clinician versus a partnership model where a caregiver or spouse delivers half of the intervention at home. ThinkRx cognitive training is a clinician-delivered intervention targeting multiple cognitive skills, including working memory, long-term memory, visualization and visual processing, auditory discrimination, logic and reasoning, processing speed, and attention. The sample included records from 292 participants ranging in age from 51 to 95 (M 60.77, SD 9.04) presenting with subjective memory or attention complaints at the time of pretest. Participants completed an average of 79 training hours. The results showed no significant differences between delivery methods on any cognitive skills measured and few remarkable differences in self-reported real-life changes. Both delivery methods resulted in significant pretest to posttest gains across all 6 cognitive skills measured and self-reported changes in 5 key areas: mood, memory, cognitive efficiency, life application skills, and focus/attention. The results of the current study also suggest sharing the delivery of an intense, lengthy, multiconstruct cognitive training program to adults over 50 with nonclinical, subjective memory and attention complaints is associated with cognitive improvements and generalized improvements in real life.
M Dwarfs from Hubble Space Telescope Star Counts. III. The Groth Strip

We analyze the disk M dwarfs found in 31 new fields observed with the Wide Field Camera 2 (WFC2) on the Hubble Space Telescope, together with the sample previously analyzed from 22 WFC2 fields and 162 prerepair Planetary Camera 1 fields. The new observations, which include the 28 high-latitude fields comprising the Large Area Multi-Color Survey (Groth Strip), increase the total sample to 337 stars, and more than double the number of late M dwarfs (MV > 13.5) from 23 to 47. The mass function changes slope at M ~ 0.6 M☉, from a near-Salpeter power-law index of α = -1.21 to α = 0.44. In both regimes, the mass function at the Galactic plane is given by The correction for secondaries in binaries changes the low-mass index from α = 0.44 to α ~ 0.1. If the Salpeter slope continued to the hydrogen-burning limit, we would expect 500 stars in the last four bins (14.5 < MV < 18.5), instead of the 25 actually detected. The explanation of the observed microlensing rate toward the Galactic bulge requires either a substantial population of bulge brown dwarfs or that the disk and bulge mass functions are very different for stars with M ≲ 0.5 M☉.
Accelerating Statistical Texture Analysis with an FPGA-DSP Hybrid Architecture

Nowadays, most image processing systems are implemented using either MMX-optimized software libraries or, when time requirements are limited, expensive high performance DSP-based boards. In this paper we present a texture analysis co-processor concept that permits the efficient hardware implementation of statistical feature extraction, and hardware-software codesign to achieve high-performance low-cost solutions. We propose a hybrid architecture based on FPGA chips, for massive data processing, and digital signal processor (DSP) for floating-point computations. In our preliminary trials with test images, we achieved sufficient performance improvements to handle a wide range of real-time applications.
Spiking Neural P Systems with Astrocyte-Like Control

Spiking neural P systems are computing models inspired from the way the neurons communicate by means of spikes, electrical impulses of identical shapes. In this note we consider a further important ingredient related to brain functioning, the astrocyte cells which fed neurons with nutrients, implicitly controlling their functioning. Specifically, we introduce in our models only one feature of astrocytes, formulated as a control of spikes traffic along axons. A normal form is proved (for systems without forgetting rules) and decidability issues are discussed.
A Saliency-Guided Method for Automatic Photo Refocusing

With the prevalence of smart phones and pocket cameras, photo refocusing has become a basic editing and processing method for its power in interesting object emphasis and photo beautification. However, existing image refocusing methods can hardly be applied on mobile devices due to its high computational cost or the dependence on expensive hardware like light field camera. In this paper, we present a simple but effective method to perform image refocusing automatically and rapidly. The key of our method lies in the utilization of the characteristics of human visual systems. By leveraging current saliency detection methods, we locate the region of interest for a given photo rapidly. Then we calculate its depth map according to the frames captured before shooting. The original image is softly segmented into layers and blurred with different confusion sizes according to the depth map. At last, the blurred layers are softly combined into a refocused photo. Experimental results demonstrate that our method performs outstandingly both in automatic photo refocusing and computational complexity.
The unit of analysis in understanding the politics of participatory practice

There is little reporting of micro-dynamics in design research, even though it is an acknowledged part of inspiring participation. This paper focuses particularly on the rising research interest in community and social engagement, looking at the scales over which interaction takes place and the relations between these, and arguing for more attention to be given to the way that methods and facilitator interact. It situates this discussion in a wider context of participation, ownership and power, by regarding interventions as both personal and structural.
The meaning of homeland for the Palestinian diaspora : revival and transformation

Lost partially in 1948, and completely in 1967, the idea of homeland continues to live in the Palestinian social practices, through the construction of a diasporic territory, a true symbolic substitute system to the lost homeland. This article aims to analyze the mechanisms of perpetuation of the homeland in the exile, and the role played by the refugee camps in these dynamics. After fifty years of exile, the Palestinian refugees continue to claim their right to return to their country of origin. Traditionally, the refugee communities should choose between the return to the homeland, often difficult, indeed impossible, the settlement in the host country or the resettlement in a third country. The Palestinian refugees however, and owing to juridical and political problems, could not find a durable solution to their situation of exile. The most problematic case seems to be the one of the Palestinians of Lebanon, who, in the current state of the peace negotiations, can neither envisage a durable settlement in Lebanon, nor a return to their homeland. During the fifty years of exile, the relationships between the expatriated Palestinian communities and their homeland evolved significantly. This process witnessed an acceleration since the start of the peace process in the Middle East with the holding of the Madrid Conference in October 1991, following the Gulf war.
Genetic Algorithm Based Coding Aware Routing for Wireless Mesh Networks

Network coding has been confirmed as a potential technology to improve performance of wireless mesh networks (WMNs) and a few network coding aware routings have been proposed. However, these mechanisms detect coding opportunities through local traffic pattern checking, which hardly obtains optimal routes. This paper proposes a Genetic algorithm based Coding Aware Routing (GCAR) for wireless mesh networks, which employs genetic algorithm to optimize routes and coding opportunities. In addition, the key ingredients in GCAR, e.g., chromosome representation, genetic operation of crossover and mutation, fitness function considering coding opportunity and interference, are carefully designed. Through simulations on a randomly generated wireless mesh network, GCAR is shown to find optimal routes within a short time, and achieve more improvements than the previously proposed methods on route setup time, throughput and load balancing.
Effect of Age on Complexity and Causality of the Cardiovascular Control: Comparison between Model-Based and Model-Free Approaches

The proposed approach evaluates complexity of the cardiovascular control and causality among cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms from spontaneous variability of heart period (HP), systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and respiration (RESP). It relies on construction of a multivariate embedding space, optimization of the embedding dimension and a procedure allowing the selection of the components most suitable to form the multivariate embedding space. Moreover, it allows the comparison between linear model-based (MB) and nonlinear model-free (MF) techniques and between MF approaches exploiting local predictability (LP) and conditional entropy (CE). The framework was applied to study age-related modifications of complexity and causality in healthy humans in supine resting (REST) and during standing (STAND). We found that: 1) MF approaches are more efficient than the MB method when nonlinear components are present, while the reverse situation holds in presence of high dimensional embedding spaces; 2) the CE method is the least powerful in detecting age-related trends; 3) the association of HP complexity on age suggests an impairment of cardiac regulation and response to STAND; 4) the relation of SAP complexity on age indicates a gradual increase of sympathetic activity and a reduced responsiveness of vasomotor control to STAND; 5) the association from SAP to HP on age during STAND reveals a progressive inefficiency of baroreflex; 6) the reduced connection from HP to SAP with age might be linked to the progressive exploitation of Frank-Starling mechanism at REST and to the progressive increase of peripheral resistances during STAND; 7) at REST the diminished association from RESP to HP with age suggests a vagal withdrawal and a gradual uncoupling between respiratory activity and heart; 8) the weakened connection from RESP to SAP with age might be related to the progressive increase of left ventricular thickness and vascular stiffness and to the gradual decrease of respiratory sinus arrhythmia.
mRNA Decay Proteins Are Targeted to poly(A)+ RNA and dsRNA-Containing Cytoplasmic Foci That Resemble P-Bodies in Entamoeba histolytica

In higher eukaryotes, mRNA degradation and RNA-based gene silencing occur in cytoplasmic foci referred to as processing bodies (P-bodies). In protozoan parasites, the presence of P-bodies and their putative role in mRNA decay have yet to be comprehensively addressed. Identification of P-bodies might provide information on how mRNA degradation machineries evolved in lower eukaryotes. Here, we used immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy assays to investigate the cellular localization of mRNA degradation proteins in the human intestinal parasite Entamoeba histolytica and found evidence of the existence of P-bodies. Two mRNA decay factors, namely the EhXRN2 exoribonuclease and the EhDCP2 decapping enzyme, were localized in cytoplasmic foci in a pattern resembling P-body organization. Given that amoebic foci appear to be smaller and less rounded than those described in higher eukaryotes, we have named them “P-body-like structures”. These foci contain additional mRNA degradation factors, including the EhCAF1 deadenylase and the EhAGO2-2 protein involved in RNA interference. Biochemical analysis revealed that EhCAF1 co-immunoprecipitated with EhXRN2 but not with EhDCP2 or EhAGO2-2, thus linking deadenylation to 5′-to-3′ mRNA decay. The number of EhCAF1-containing foci significantly decreased after inhibition of transcription and translation with actinomycin D and cycloheximide, respectively. Furthermore, results of RNA-FISH assays showed that (i) EhCAF1 colocalized with poly(A)+ RNA and (ii) during silencing of the Ehpc4 gene by RNA interference, EhAGO2-2 colocalized with small interfering RNAs in cytoplasmic foci. Our observation of decapping, deadenylation and RNA interference proteins within P-body-like foci suggests that these structures have been conserved after originating in the early evolution of eukaryotic lineages. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report on the localization of mRNA decay proteins within P-body-like structures in E. histolytica. Our findings should open up opportunities for deciphering the mechanisms of mRNA degradation and RNA-based gene silencing in this deep-branching eukaryote.
Fast autofocus algorithm for automated microscopes

We present a new algorithm to determine, quickly and accu- rately, the best-in-focus image of biological particles. The algorithm is based on a one-dimensional Fourier transform and on the Pearson cor- relation for automated microscopes along the Z axis. We captured a set of several images at different Z distances from a biological sample. The algorithm uses the Fourier transform to obtain and extract the image frequency content of a vector pattern previously specified to be sought in each captured image; comparing these frequency vectors with the fre- quency vector of a reference image (usually the first image that we cap- ture or the most out-of-focus image), we find the best-in-focus image via the Pearson correlation. Numerical experimental results show the algo- rithm has a fast response for finding the best-in-focus image among the captured images, compared with related autofocus techniques pre- sented in the past. The algorithm can be implemented in real-time sys- tems with fast response, accuracy, and robustness; it can be used to get focused images in bright and dark fields; and it offers the prospect of being extended to include fusion techniques to construct multifocus final images. © 2005 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
Adaptation of a cash dispenser to the needs of blind and visually impaired people

An existing cash dispenser was implemented with speech output to give access to blind and visually impaired people. Additionally, the screen graphics and the function access were modified. The hardware was not changed. Blind and visually impaired subjects performed a usability-test, and experts in the field of human-computer-interaction evaluated the dispenser system? s usability heuristically. The results showed that the modifications help blind and visually impaired people to access such machines, but adaptations of the hardware are necessary to maintain usability. The two evaluation methods did not produce consistent results.
Persistent Logical Synchrony

The virtually synchronous execution model provides an appropriate support for developing reliable applications when the crash failure model is being assumed. Using it, group broadcasts only need to be based on asynchronous communication. Synchronization points are set when a view change arises, guaranteeing an efficient execution of such reliable applications. But a crash failure model is not always appropriate for all applications. Indeed, those using persistent or large state, like replicated databases, need a recoverable model. In such cases, the virtual synchrony property needs to be partially extended for adequately supporting more intricate recovery protocols. Persistent logical synchrony is one variation of this kind, that extends the synchronization actions to be taken when a view change arises, allowing a good support for partial recovery when the primary component membership is being assumed.
DEVELOPMENTAL ORIGINS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE Patterns of body size and adiposity among UK children of South Asian, black African–Caribbean and white European origin: Child Heart And health Study in England (CHASE Study)

Background The objective of this study was to examine adiposity patterns in UK South Asian, black African–Caribbean and white European children using a range of adiposity markers. A cross-sectional survey in London, Birmingham and Leicester primary schools was conducted. Weight, height, waist circumference, skinfold thickness values (biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac) were measured. Fat mass was derived from bioimpedance; optimally heightstandardized indices were derived for all adiposity markers. Ethnic origin was based on parental self-report. Multilevel models were used to obtain adjusted means and ethnic differences adjusted for gender, age, month, observer and school (fitted as a random effect). A total of 5887 children aged 9–10 years participated (response rate 68%), including 1345 white Europeans, 1523 South Asians and 1570 black African–Caribbeans.
Design issues and an empirical study in mobility oriented service development

The usability of mobile services is degraded while moving, since users cannot pay enough attention to the services in such dynamic and complicated mobile environments. Mobile and wearable services should be appropriately designed to handle human factor issues, otherwise fine user experiences cannot be offered. In this paper, we discuss design issues in mobile service development from a human factor point of view, and propose a design framework to overcome the challenges. Our approach provides two interaction modes (i.e. simple interaction mode and normal interaction mode) to mobile services, in order to allow a user to keep using the service without frequent interruptions while moving. Also, a service's events are simplified in order to support several modalities so that a user can be notified in the most suitable way according to the situation. To evaluate the feasibility of our approach in field experiments, we developed a pedestrian navigation service as a part of the framework. The results showed that the simple interaction mode successfully decreased a user's cognitive load to the service. Also, future directions for further improvements are discussed based on comments and feedbacks.
Unsupervised clustering of people from ‘skeleton’ data

This paper investigates the possibility of recognising individual persons from their walking gait using three-dimensional `skeleton' data from an inexpensive consumer-level sensor, the Microsoft `Kinect'. In an experimental pilot study it is shown that the K-means algorithm - as a candidate unsupervised clustering algorithm - is able to cluster gait samples from four persons with a nett accuracy of 43.6%.
Comparison of two range-based pose estimators for a mobile robot

Pose estimation, or self-location, is a fundamental requirement for a mobile robot which enables it to navigate along a planned path or to position itself within its environment. This paper compares two 2D pose estimation algorithms: one is feature-based, and the other is iconic. Both techniques match range data to a map to calculate x, y, and (theta) (the pose) of the range sensor within its 2D environment. The metrics for the comparison include accuracy, processing time, number of range data points, robustness to errors in the map, sensitivity to the initial rough pose estimate, and environmental models. The feature-based approach is better with respect to processing time and the initial estimate; the iconic method has the advantage with respect to accuracy, the number of data points, and the environment model. For the test environment used in this paper, both methods are robust to errors in the map. A hybrid approach is proposed which combines the two estimators in a way that exploits the advantages of both.
Effect of Artificial Selection on Runs of Homozygosity in U.S. Holstein Cattle

The intensive selection programs for milk made possible by mass artificial insemination increased the similarity among the genomes of North American (NA) Holsteins tremendously since the 1960s. This migration of elite alleles has caused certain regions of the genome to have runs of homozygosity (ROH) occasionally spanning millions of continuous base pairs at a specific locus. In this study, genome signatures of artificial selection in NA Holsteins born between 1953 and 2008 were identified by comparing changes in ROH between three distinct groups under different selective pressure for milk production. The ROH regions were also used to estimate the inbreeding coefficients. The comparisons of genomic autozygosity between groups selected or unselected since 1964 for milk production revealed significant differences with respect to overall ROH frequency and distribution. These results indicate selection has increased overall autozygosity across the genome, whereas the autozygosity in an unselected line has not changed significantly across most of the chromosomes. In addition, ROH distribution was more variable across the genomes of selected animals in comparison to a more even ROH distribution for unselected animals. Further analysis of genome-wide autozygosity changes and the association between traits and haplotypes identified more than 40 genomic regions under selection on several chromosomes (Chr) including Chr 2, 7, 16 and 20. Many of these selection signatures corresponded to quantitative trait loci for milk, fat, and protein yield previously found in contemporary Holsteins.
Covert channels in the IP time to live field

Covert channels are used for the secret transfer of information. Unlike encryption, which only protects the information from unauthorised observers, covert channels aim to hide the very existence of the communication. The huge amount of data and vast number of different network protocol s in the Internet makes it an ideal high-capacity vehicle for covert communication. Covert channels pose a serious security threat as they can be used for a number of malicious activities. In this paper we present a novel covert channel inside the IP header’s Time To Live (TTL) field. The sender manipulates the TTLs of subsequent packets transmitting covert information to the receiver. Since network elements along the path also modify the TTL, the capacity and stealth of this channel depend on the “natural” TTL variation. We analyse this variation in multiple traffic traces and propose an encoding scheme, which makes the TTL covert channel look similar to “natural” variation. We also discuss methods to eliminate and detect this covert channel
Distributed Coverage Control for a Multi-Robot Team in a Non-Convex Environment

In this paper we study the problem of optimal placement for a team of mobile robots with surveillance tasks in an environment with unknown obstacles. In particular, we introduce a new approach which is based on the combination of the Voronoi partition and the potential field method. This allows obtaining distributed control which overcomes the drawbacks of these two methods, as stand-alone methods. In particular, the proposed approach is able to deal with any kind of environment. Extensive simulations are presented to show the performance of our algorithm.