Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geometric proto-symbol manipulation towards language-based motion pattern synthesis and recognition

In this paper, we propose an improved mimesis method for interpolation and extrapolation of motion patterns in the proto-symbol space towards an ultimate goal that motion pattern synthesis and recognition of humanoid robots are achieved by means of natural language. The proto-symbol space is a topological space which abstracts motion patterns by utilizing continuous hidden Markov models. An interpolation algorithm for the proto-symbol space was proposed in a previous work, but an extrapolation algorithm was not. Therefore, in this study, we propose and extrapolation method which can further clarify the physical meaning of the dimension of the proto-symbol space that is one of the most essential issues for the realization of translation between motion patterns and language using the proto-symbol space. The extrapolation method also enables the robot to recognize and synthesis various kinds of motion patterns using a fewer number of proto-symbols. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated through simulation experiments.
Singlet Oxygen in Plants—Its Significance and Possible Detection with Double (Fluorescent and Spin) Indicator Reagents

Abstract Direct detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially singlet oxygen, in plants under stress conditions is of special importance, not only to identify primary events of oxidative damage, but also in studies exploring the potential role of ROS as signal molecules. Due to short life-times and diffusion distances of ROS, these tasks require highly reactive and selective indicator reagents, localized at the presumed site of production. In the present study, we compared four double sensors: ROS indicator reagents in which partial fluorescence quenching of a dansyl moiety occurs as a result of nitroxide radical formation from a sterically hindered amine constituent. Our experiments support the idea that shorter donor-acceptor distances within these molecules result in higher reactivity to ROS. The presence of a diethylaminoethyl side chain resulted in better selectivity to singlet oxygen: reagents lacking such substituent had an additional reactivity to superoxide anions, probably as a result of the formation of zwitterionic structures. Fluorescence localization studies of the indicator reagents in tobacco leaves and in Chlamydomonas cells show promising perspectives of their applications to plant stress studies.
Using multiple features and statistical model to calculate text units similarity

In many NLP applications, identifying similar information from a set of related documents is a common problem. In this paper, the similarity between two Chinese text units is determined by multiple features extracted from these units, including word statistical features, part of speech features, semantic features, word density feature and text discourse structure features. In addition, a statistical method based on logistic regression model is proposed to automatically fuse these features and calculate the similarity between text paragraphs. The experiment that compares this method with two popular used methods shows the effectiveness of this approach.
Genome-wide association studies and beyond: what's next in blood pressure genetics?

In spite of recent successes for other complex diseases, essential hypertension has been remarkably reluctant to reveal its underlying susceptibility genes through genome-wide association (GWA) studies. Only after shifting attention to the underlying quantitative traits (ie, systolic [SBP] and diastolic blood pressure [DBP]) and application of “brute force” GWA meta-analyses (n>29 000) of multiple population cohorts in the GlobalBPGen and CHARGE consortia was a tiny tip of the iceberg revealed.1,2 Six loci for SBP and 9 for DBP were discovered, of which 2 overlapped, yielding 13 independent genome-wide significant signals. However, without exception, the most significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) representing these loci only explained a very small part of the total BP variance (≤0.11%; Figure). Heritability is well established for BP and typically ranges between 30% and 60%, as estimated in twin or family studies.3 This means that the majority of the BP heritability is still “missing” and remains at large.4 Expansion of GWA sample size (eg, in the International Consortium on BP-GWAS, a merger of GlobalBPGen and CHARGE) will likely uncover additional BP variants.5 However, they will have even smaller effect sizes, and a substantial increase in explained heritability of all loci combined is not expected. GWA studies in general experience a number of other inherent limitations, including a predominant focus on common variants (minor allele frequency: >5%) and a tendency for signals to map to noncoding sequence. Finding suitable answers to these challenges will to a large extent determine continued progress in chipping away at the missing BP heritability. The article by Tomaszewski et al6 in the present issue of Hypertension provides some intriguing clues as to the best way forward. Figure. A, Percentage of variance explained in SBP by the top SNPs of 6 loci identified in 2 large GWA meta-analysis …
Time course analysis of microarray data for the pathway of reproductive development in female rainbow trout

New statistical procedures are introduced to investigate gene activity in support of the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad–liver signaling network that provides the neuroendocrine regulation for reproduction in female, oviparous fishes. The methods include Shrunken Centroid Ordering by Orthogonal Projections (SCOOP) and a robust encoding of B‐splines via Friedman's Generalized Elastic Net (GEN). SCOOP orders genes according to a novel criterion that balances discriminatory and correlative information. It is particularly useful in the present context where genes are only partially annotated, relevant networks are not known a priori, and the sample size is adequate for finding natural clusters. In this application, microarray measurements of gene expression were made in the pituitary, liver, and ovary of female rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) over the course of their 1 year spawning cycle, and new methods were developed to detect systematic changes in potential gene networks. B‐splines were fitted to gently smooth the estimates of expression versus time and provide a common framework for analysis. Unlike other methods, SCOOP selected not only the genes whose curves vary the most over time, but also genes closely correlated with these. This tended to recognize genes that may be part of an active network, but whose expressions undergo more modest fluctuations. To compensate for the high degree of uncertainty in fitting B‐splines to individual genes, GEN methods were used to provide robust fits, and these were summarized through a novel GEN‐transform as variable importance measures (VIMs). Clustering of genes via VIMs produced much more stable results than directly via B‐spline coefficients, and the mean time course pattern of each cluster provided biologists with a reliable summary from which to interpret systematic patterns. Ultimately, the genes selected by SCOOP and clustered though the GEN‐transform strongly suggested supportive pathways involving immunology, muscle contraction, reproduction, protein transport, metabolism, and reduction/oxidation. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 2: 192–208, 2009
Learning engineers to reflect: obstacles and remedies in an engineering community

The article reports results from a research facilitated learning project carried out in an engineering department in an oil and gas company. The objective of the project was to enhance an awareness of and the ability to use, dialogue and reflection-based learning approaches. The results document that the project-based engineering setting induces structural, organisational, and cultural obstacles to learning. Obstacles may come in the forms of a discipline-based organisation, employee turnover, time pressure, insufficient management involvement, lack of commitment, conflicting reifications, and an overstated belief in codification. Remedies for some of these obstacles have been to create spaces in the engineering setting for multi-disciplinary discussions, for reflection and common understanding of procedures and cases, in facilitated learning sessions and case study sessions.
Efficacy of kinesio taping on isokinetic quadriceps torque in knee osteoarthritis: a double blinded randomized controlled study

Abstract Study design: Double blind pre-test post-test control group design. Objectives: To compare the isokinetic quadriceps torque, standardized stair-climbing task (SSCT) and pain during SSCT between subjects diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis pre and post kinesio tape (KT) application with and without tension. Background: Strength of the quadriceps and torque producing capability is frequently found to be compromised in knee osteoarthritis. The efficacy of KT in improving isokinetic quadriceps torque in knee osteoarthritis is unknown, forming the basis for this study. Methods and measures: Forty subjects were randomly allocated to either the experimental (therapeutic KT with tension) or control group (sham KT without tension) with the allocation being concealed. Pre and post test measurements of isokinetic quadriceps torque, SSCT and pain during SSCT were carried out by a blinded assessor. Results: A large effect size with significant improvements in the peak quadriceps torque (concentric and eccentric at angular velocities of 90° per second and 120° per second), SSCT and pain were obtained in the experimental group when compared to the control group. Conclusion: Application of therapeutic KT is effective in improving isokinetic quadriceps torque, SSCT and reducing pain in knee osteoarthritis.
The Adaptation Policy Paradox : the Implementation Deficit of Policies Framed as Climate Change Adaptation

The implementation of adaptation policies suffers from barriers and limits; even though adaptation is now set on the political agendas of developed and developing countries, surprisingly few examples of concrete policy realizations are found in comparative assessments. We investigate how the framings of adaptation as a policy problem can relate to tractability issues in implementation. We distinguish three framings of adaptation: climate change adaptation (CCA), climate variability adaptation (CVA), and vulnerability-centered adaptation (VCA) that imply conflicting interpretations of the collective problem to be solved and the goals to be attained through policy solutions. Through the methodology of comparative case studies, we conduct an empirical analysis of three implementation processes in India and Switzerland, and examine how adaptation framings translate into formal policy design and concrete policy realizations. We find that, regardless of the adaptive capacity of the country where implementation takes place, the CCA framing meets more tractability issues than the VCA framing. Therefore, we discuss the paradox that the innovative and additional CCA types of policies, advocated by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), are more likely to face a deficit in implementation according to our analysis.
A 64-Channel Versatile Neural Recording SoC With Activity-Dependent Data Throughput

Modern microtechnology is enabling the channel count of neural recording integrated circuits to scale exponentially. However, the raw data bandwidth of these systems is increasing proportionately, presenting major challenges in terms of power consumption and data transmission (especially for wireless systems). This paper presents a system that exploits the sparse nature of neural signals to address these challenges and provides a reconfigurable low-bandwidth event-driven output. Specifically, we present a novel 64-channel low-noise (2.1 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu$</tex-math></inline-formula>V<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$_{\text{rms}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>), low-power (23 <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu$</tex-math> </inline-formula>W per analogue channel) neural recording system-on-chip (SoC). This features individually configurable channels, 10-bit analogue-to-digital conversion, digital filtering, spike detection, and an event-driven output. Each channel's gain, bandwidth, and sampling rate settings can be independently configured to extract local field potentials at a low data-rate and/or action potentials (APs) at a higher data rate. The sampled data are streamed through an SRAM buffer that supports additional on-chip processing such as digital filtering and spike detection. Real-time spike detection can achieve <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\sim$</tex-math></inline-formula>2 orders of magnitude data reduction, by using a dual polarity simple threshold to enable an event driven output for neural spikes (16-sample window). The SoC additionally features a latency-encoded asynchronous output that is critical if used as part of a closed-loop system. This has been specifically developed to complement a separate on-node spike sorting coprocessor to provide a real-time (low latency) output. The system has been implemented in a commercially available 0.35-<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu$</tex-math></inline-formula>m CMOS technology occupying a silicon area of 19.1 mm<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^2$</tex-math></inline-formula> (0.3 mm <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^2$</tex-math></inline-formula> gross per channel), demonstrating a low-power and efficient architecture that could be further optimized by aggressive technology and supply voltage scaling.
Morbidité, mortalité et réformes du système de santé dans les États en transition de l'ex-U.R.S.S. et de l'Europe de l'Est

Les pays de l'ex-U.R. S.S. et de l'Europe de l'Est ont connu des hausses de la morbidite et de la mortalite tant durant la periode sovietique que durant la transition. Ces tendances negatives dans la production de sante sont dues a la fois a la deterioration des conditions de vie (demographie, consommation et environnement) et aux difficultes des systemes medicaux et institutions afferentes, telles que les entreprises pharmaceutiques et les pharmacies. Les deficiences du systeme de soin sont causees par les dysfonctionnements des systemes economiques de commandement et de transition et par le statut constamment non prioritaire des secteurs de la sante. Des reformes efficaces des institutions de sante permettraient de meilleures performances des systemes medicaux et une amelioration des indicateurs nationaux de sante. Toutefois dans les annees 90, la conception et la mise en œuvre des reformes du systeme de sante ont, dans la plupart des pays, ete defectueuses et eu des effets benefiques modestes. Bien que la situation sanitaire se soit amelioree a l'Est ces dernieres annees, il est peu probable qu'elle converge rapidement vers celle des pays d'Europe occidentale, sauf si les institutions du secteur de la sante obtiennent plus de ressources et accroissent leur efficience et leur efficacite.
Statistical Machine Translation with a Small Amount of Bilingual Training Data

The performance of a statistical machine translation system depends on the size of the available task-specific bilingual training corpus. On the other hand, acquisition of a large high-quality bilingual parallel text for the desired domain and language pair requires a lot of time and effort, and, for some language pairs, is not even possible. Besides, small corpora have certain advantages like low memory and time requirements for the training of a translation system, the possibility of manual corrections and even manual creation. Therefore, investigation of statistical machine translation with small amounts of bilingual training data is receiving more and more attention. This paper gives an overview of the state of the art and presents the most recent results of translation systems trained on sparse bilingual data for two language pairs: Spanish-English, already widely explored with a number of (large) bilingual training corpora available, and Serbian-English a rarely investigated language pair with restricted bilingual resources.
Assessing the PhD: a constructive view of criteria

Research and informed debate reveals that institutional practices in relation to research degree examining vary considerably across the sector. Within a context of accountability and quality assurance/total quality management, the range and specificity of criteria that are used to judge doctoral work is of particular relevance. First, a review of the literature indicates that, although interest in and concern about the process is burgeoning, there is little empirical research published from which practitioners can draw guidance. The second part of the paper reviews that available research, drawing conclusions about issues that seem to pertain at a general level across disciplines and institutions. Lest the variation is an artefact of discipline difference, the third part of the paper focuses on a within discipline study. Criteria expected/predicted by supervisors are compared and contrasted with those anticipated and experienced by candidates and with those implemented and considered important by examiners. The results are disturbing.
Stratified Growth in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms

ABSTRACT In this study, stratified patterns of protein synthesis and growth were demonstrated in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Spatial patterns of protein synthetic activity inside biofilms were characterized by the use of two green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene constructs. One construct carried an isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible gfpmut2 gene encoding a stable GFP. The second construct carried a GFP derivative, gfp-AGA, encoding an unstable GFP under the control of the growth-rate-dependent rrnBp1 promoter. Both GFP reporters indicated that active protein synthesis was restricted to a narrow band in the part of the biofilm adjacent to the source of oxygen. The zone of active GFP expression was approximately 60 μm wide in colony biofilms and 30 μm wide in flow cell biofilms. The region of the biofilm in which cells were capable of elongation was mapped by treating colony biofilms with carbenicillin, which blocks cell division, and then measuring individual cell lengths by transmission electron microscopy. Cell elongation was localized at the air interface of the biofilm. The heterogeneous anabolic patterns measured inside these biofilms were likely a result of oxygen limitation in the biofilm. Oxygen microelectrode measurements showed that oxygen only penetrated approximately 50 μm into the biofilm. P. aeruginosa was incapable of anaerobic growth in the medium used for this investigation. These results show that while mature P. aeruginosa biofilms contain active, growing cells, they can also harbor large numbers of cells that are inactive and not growing.
Ballistic movements of jumping legs implemented as variable components of cricket behaviour

SUMMARY Ballistic accelerations of a limb or the whole body require special joint mechanisms in many animals. Specialized joints can be moved by stereotypic or variable motor control during motor patterns with and without ballistic components. As a model of variable motor control, the specialized femur–tibia (knee) joints of cricket (Acheta domesticus) hindlegs were studied during ballistic kicking, jumping and swimming and in non-ballistic walking. In this joint the tendons of the antagonistic flexor and the extensor muscles attach at different distances from the pivot and the opposed lever arms form an angle of 120 deg. A 10:1 ratio of their effective lever arms at full knee flexion helps to prepare for most ballistic extensions: the tension of the extensor can reach its peak while it is restrained by flexor co-contraction. In kicks, preparatory flexion is rapid and the co-contraction terminates just before knee extensions. Therefore, mainly the stored tension of the extensor muscle accelerates the small mass of the tibia. Jumps are prepared with slower extensor–flexor co-contractions that flex both knees simultaneously and then halt to rotate both legs outward to a near horizontal level. From there, catapult extension of both knees accelerates the body, supported by continued high frequency motor activity to their tibia extensor muscles during the ongoing push-off from the substrate. Premature extension of one knee instantly takes load from the lagging leg that extends and catches up, which finally results in a straight jump. In swimming, synchronous ballistic power strokes of both hindlegs drive the tibiae on a ventral-to-posterior trajectory through the water, well coordinated with the swimming patterns of all legs. In walking, running and climbing the steps of the hindlegs range between 45 deg flexion and 125 deg extension and use non-ballistic, alternating activity of knee flexor and extensor muscles. Steep climbing requires longer bursts from the extensor tibiae muscles when they support the extended hindlegs against gravity forces when the body hangs over. All ballistic movements of cricket knees are elicited by a basic but variable motor pattern: knee flexions by co-contraction of the antagonists prepare catapult extensions with speeds and forces as required in the different behaviours.
A common mineralocorticoid receptor polymorphism (I180V) interacts with life events in relation to perfectionism in eating disorders: a pilot study.

The stress response is regulated by the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). When the balance between GR and MR signalling is disturbed, one's capacity to cope with a stressful event is diminished. In this pilot study, we tested the hypothesis that an interaction between common variants in the MR (rs5522) or GR gene (rs41423247) and stressful life events influences perfectionism levels in a group of patients with an eating disorder (ED; n = 113). Patients carrying the minor G allele of rs5522 had a higher perfectionism score if more stressful life events were experienced [β = 0.95, t(109) = 3.75, p < 0.01]. This effect was not found for patients carrying the AA genotype. These results suggest that rs5522 G allele carriers might be vulnerable to stressful life events. When patients with an ED are carriers and experience multiple life events, this might fuel their insecurity, which in turn may engender higher levels of perfectionism. Further studies are necessary to replicate and expand our findings.