Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple P3s to emotional stimuli and their theoretical significance.

Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded to both predictive (consonant-vowel-consonant) and feedback (picture) stimuli as subjects learned associations between these stimuli. The consonantvowel-consonants (CVCs) were selected for lack of emotional content while the pictures (PICs) varied in emotional value (Learning Group; N=20). A second group of subjects was exposed to the same CVC-PIC stimuli but was required only to count the number of different CVCs and PICs (Counting Group; N=20). A principal components analysis with varimax rotation was performed on ERPs to PICs and revealed multiple late positive components (P3 and P4) and a slow positive wave (SPW). In both groups, the P3 and P4 factors varied with the emotional value of the stimuli. The learning group had a larger SPW than the counting group, and disconfirmed predictions elicited larger P4s than confirmed predictions. For CVC stimuli, only P4 increased as subjects learned CVC-PIC relationships. From the similar scalp and temporal distributions of P3 and P4, as well as their functional similarity, it was concluded that these two factors reflect the same neural process which is activated by the emotional value of stimuli. One possible function of this process is suggested.
An Anti-spam Filtering System Based on the Naive Bayesian Classifier and Distributed Checksum Clearinghouse

In the context of anti-spam filtering, we investigated the performance of the Naive Bayesian classifier and Distributed Checksum Clearinghouse. Based on these two methods, we constructed an anti-spam filtering system, which is capable of identifying spam, maintaining normally to deliver and receive e-mails as well. Meanwhile, we performed a thorough evaluation of the system on the benchmark corpus. The experimental results of evaluation reveal that the proposed approach is reliable and efficient, which contributes to reduce the system load and enhance the comprehensive properties.
Probing Synechocystis-Arsenic Interactions through Extracellular Nanowires

Microbial nanowires (MNWs) can play an important role in the transformation and mobility of toxic metals/metalloids in environment. The potential role of MNWs in cell-arsenic (As) interactions has not been reported in microorganisms and thus we explored this interaction using Synechocystis PCC 6803 as a model system. The effect of half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) [~300 mM As (V) and ~4 mM As (III)] and non-inhibitory [4X lower than IC50, i.e., 75 mM As (V) and 1 mM As (III)] of As was studied on Synechocystis cells in relation to its effect on Chlorophyll (Chl) a, type IV pili (TFP)-As interaction and intracellular/extracellular presence of As. In silico analysis showed that subunit PilA1 of electrically conductive TFP, i.e., microbial nanowires of Synechocystis have putative binding sites for As. In agreement with in silico analysis, transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that As was deposited on Synechocystis nanowires at all tested concentrations. The potential of Synechocystis nanowires to immobilize As can be further enhanced and evaluated on a large scale and thus can be applied for bioremediation studies.
Exploration of Autism Expert Systems

Social and emotional ties are an important anchor in life and hence a lack of these is a major hurdle in achieving one's dreams and goals. Autism is a Social development disorder that is marked by a distinct lack of social and language skills. It is a disorder rather than an organic disease and hence is difficult to diagnose without a high index of suspicion. Prevalence rates for Autism, in various societies ranges from 1 in 10000 to 15 in 10000. Autism is a socially crippling disorder and can be a huge strain on families caring for these children. The Indian scenario with regard to Autism is still in its nascent stage. There is very limited resource and infrastructure available for these special children. Most Autistic children attend special care schools that provide for children with Cerebral Palsy or Downs Syndrome. Hence there arises a need for developing technological aids designed to help diagnosis and increase parent participation for Autistic children. This led to the development of a Knowledge based screener (KBS) and an intelligent trainer system that can detect all categories of the developmental disorders. Social developmental disorders comprise a wide spectrum. Pervasive developmental and similar disorders constitute this spectrum. This knowledge-based system we have developed will help to detect the presence of these disorders and provide home-based intervention. The main goal of our study is to develop technological aids, which will help Autistic individuals to be identified earlier and initiate early intervention for the management of autism
An Efficient Optimization Algorithm for Super High Dimensional Numerical Function Inspired by Cellular Differentiation

Inspired by the cellular differentiation behaviors, a new biomimetic optimization algorithm, cellular differentiation optimization algorithm (CDOA), is proposed. First, a certain number of cells are randomly distributed in the search space in which each cell represents a solution. Then, several cellular differentiation behaviors such as division, growth, migration, adhesion and apoptosis are exhibited for finding the optimal solution according to the activity value of a cell. The proposed algorithm is applied to several benchmark complex functions optimization with 20-1000 dimensions. Experimental results show that the proposed cellular differentiation optimization algorithm can converge to the optimum of complex numerical functions with super high dimensions rapidly in spite of its simple procedure and effortless implementation. Copyright © 2013 IFSA.
Civil resistance in Kosovo

This text recounts the history of the Kosovo Albanians' struggle for liberation - from peaceful demonstrations to the KLA's taking up of arms. Written by a peace studies expert. It draws on the lessons of Kosovo to provide hopeful suggestions for peace-building in the future. The world woke up to the conflict between Serbs and Kosovo Albanians too late - when Kosovo erupted into full-scale war in the spring of 1999. But many Balkans watchers were surprised war in Kosovo did not happen sooner. Howard Clark argues that war had been avoided previously because of the self-restraint exercised by the Kosovo Albanians with their policy of non-violence. Prior to the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA)'s taking up of arms, Kosovo Albanians had had a log history of civil resistance in the face of Serbian ultra-nationalism. They were committed to a strategy of non-violent resistance even as they were harassed by Serbian police, vilified in racial terms, and excluded from jobs, education and government benefits. Left out of the 1995 Dayton Agreement, Kosovo became a breeding ground for frustration and ethnic strife, ultimately leading to war and the NATO bombings.
Helsinki-II and its aftermath : the making of the CSCE into an international organization

Part 1 Helsinki-II: the challenges. Part 2 The conference on security and co-operation in Europe - participants and phases from Helsinki to Paris - the process phase from Paris to Helsinki-II - between process and organization. Part 3 Multilateral negotiations in the CSCE: the rules of the game - consensus deliberations during the Cold War deliberations in the Post-Cold War era. Part 4 Onto Helsinki-II: the Prague council - guidelines for Helsinki main trends and concepts on the eve of Helsinki-II. Part 5 Helsinki-II - the prelude: the preparatory meeting - towards the agenda Nagorno-Karabakh and new candidacies for membership. Part 6 Opening phase - foreign ministers. Part 7 Main elements of the Helsinki negotiations: the difficulties main themes and protagonists the negotiation process. Part 8 Strengthening of CSCE institutions and structures: the layout the further development of institutions and structures. Part 9 Conflict prevention and crisis management: general aspects and fact finding/rapporteur missions peacekeeping high commissioner on minorities peaceful settlement - conciliation and arbitration. Part 10 Institutions and structures continued: regional arrangement and legal status non-participating states and Japan intergovernmental organizations, NGO's and openness. Part 11 The security forum: security from Helsinki-I to Berlin the Vienna forum negotiating the security mandate in Helsinki. Part 12 The human dimension: second fiddle implementation debate and proposals negotiating the human dimension. Part 13 Basket II questions and Mediterranean: economic cooperation and the Economic Forum environment Mediterranean. Part 14 CSCE Helsinki document 1992 - the challenges of change: an overview an assessment. Part 15 The aftermath of Helsinki: peaceful settlement of disputes towards further developing institutions and structures the Stockholm Council decisions concluding remarks. Appendices: CSCE Helsinki document 1992 the challenges of change.
Coronal Heating through Braiding of Magnetic Field Lines

Cool stars such as our Sun are surrounded by a million degree hot outer atmosphere, the corona. For more than 60 years, the physical nature of the processes heating the corona to temperatures well in excess of those on the stellar surface have remained puzzling. Recent progress in observational techniques and numerical modeling now opens a new window to approach this problem. We present the first coronal emission-line spectra synthesized from three-dimensional numerical models describing the evolution of the dynamics and energetics as well as of the magnetic field in the corona. In these models the corona is heated through motions on the stellar surface that lead to a braiding of magnetic field lines inducing currents that are finally dissipated. These forward models enable us to synthesize observed properties such as (average) emission-line Doppler shifts or emission measures in the outer atmosphere, which until now have not been understood theoretically, even though many suggestions have been made in the past. As our model passes these observational tests, we conclude that the flux braiding mechanism is a prime candidate for being the dominant heating process of the magnetically closed corona of the Sun and solar-like stars.
Changes in Expression of Two Tetrodotoxin-Resistant Sodium Channels and Their Currents in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons after Sciatic Nerve Injury But Not Rhizotomy

Two TTX-resistant sodium channels, SNS and NaN, are preferentially expressed in c-type dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and have been shown recently to have distinct electrophysiological signatures, SNS producing a slowly inactivating and NaN producing a persistent sodium current with a relatively hyperpolarized voltage-dependence. An attenuation of SNS and NaN transcripts has been demonstrated in small DRG neurons after transection of the sciatic nerve. However, it is not known whether changes in the currents associated with SNS and NaN or in the expression of SNS and NaN channel protein occur after axotomy of the peripheral projections of DRG neurons or whether similar changes occur after transection of the central (dorsal root) projections of DRG neurons. Peripheral and central projections of L4/5 DRG neurons in adult rats were axotomized by transection of the sciatic nerve and the L4 and L5 dorsal roots, respectively. DRG neurons were examined using immunocytochemical and patch-clamp methods 9–12 d after sciatic nerve or dorsal root lesion. Levels of SNS and NaN protein in the two types of injuries were paralleled by their respective TTX-resistant currents. There was a significant decrease in SNS and NaN signal intensity in small DRG neurons after peripheral, but not central, axotomy compared with control neurons. Likewise, there was a significant reduction in slowly inactivating and persistent TTX-resistant currents in these neurons after peripheral, but not central, axotomy compared with control neurons. These results indicate that peripheral, but not central, axotomy results in a reduction in expression of functional SNS and NaN channels in c-type DRG neurons and suggest a basis for the altered electrical properties that are observed after peripheral nerve injury.
Research on an Steganographic Algorithm Based on Image Edge

We propose a kind of steganographic algorithm based on the edge processing in this paper. Firstly, the cover is marginalized and reconstructed through mathematical morphology and block markers, then embedding the secret message into the cover picture successfully with F5 steganographic algorithm. The experiments demonstrate that the different cover image use this algorithm to hide the secret information which holds predominant advantages, such as the small changes in image quality, strong ability in anti-attack, and the secret information can be extracted completely from the carrier image. The above advantages make a broad application prospect.
An Empirical Research on Consumer Trust in E-commerce

According to the fact that consumer trust is widely perceived as an essential factor to the success of electronic commerce, we develop a model of consumer trust in e-commerce and use empirical research method to test it. After deep analyzing, we find that perceived size, propensity to trust, perceived privacy information protection, and perceived legal environment security are insignificantly related with the level of consumer trust. The possible explanations are given.
Foreign Advertising in China: Becoming Global, Becoming Local

Based on a dissertation written for the University of Iowa in 1997 and several published articles on the subject. Discusses the entire history and practice of advertising in China, dating back to the beginning of the 20th century and the first booms in the 1920s and 1930s. Also discusses modern Chinese advertising in depth.
Deformation Mechanisms of Very Long Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Subject to Compressive Loading

We report atomistic studies of single-wall carbon nanotubes with very large aspect ratiossubject to compressive loading. These long tubes display signiﬁcantly different mechani-cal behavior than tubes with smaller aspect ratios. We distinguish three different classesof mechanical response to compressive loading. While the deformation mechanism ischaracterized by buckling of thin shells in nanotubes with small aspect ratios, it is re-placed by a rod-like buckling mode above a critical aspect ratio, analogous to the Eulertheory in continuum mechanics. For very large aspect ratios, a nanotube is found tobehave like a ﬂexible macromolecule which tends to fold due to vdW interactions betweendifferent parts of the carbon nanotube. This suggests a shell-rod-wire transition of themechanical behavior of carbon nanotubes with increasing aspect ratios. While continuummechanics concepts can be used to describe the ﬁrst two types of deformation, statisticalmethods will be necessary to describe the dynamics of wire-like long tubes. @DOI: 10.1115/1.1751181#Keywords: Carbon Nanotubes, Mechanical Properties, Buckling Folding, Shell, Rod,Macromolecule
An Operational Approach for Implementing Normative Agents in Urban Wastewater Systems

Water quality management policies on a river basin scale are of special importance in order to prevent and/or reduce environmental pollution caused by human sources. Industrial effluents are a priority issue particularly in Urban Wastewater Systems (UWS) that receive mixed household and industrial wastewaters, apart from rainfall water. In this paper, we present an analysis and implementation of normative agents that capture concrete regulations of the Catalan pollution- prevention policies. The implementation of the normative agents is based on Situation Calculus.
Update on Normal Tension Glaucoma

Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is labelled when typical glaucomatous disc changes, visual field defects and open anterior chamber angles are associated with intraocular pressure (IOP) constantly below 21 mmHg. Chronic low vascular perfusion, Raynaud's phenomenon, migraine, nocturnal systemic hypotension and over-treated systemic hypertension are the main causes of normal tension glaucoma. Goldmann applanation tonometry, gonioscopy, slit lamp biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography and visual field analysis are the main tools of investigation for the diagnosis of NTG. Management follows the same principles of treatment for other chronic glaucomas: To reduce IOP by a substantial amount, sufficient to prevent disabling visual loss. Treatment is generally aimed to lower IOP by 30% from pre-existing levels to 12-14 mmHg. Betaxolol, brimonidine, prostaglandin analogues, trabeculectomy (in refractory cases), systemic calcium channel blockers (such as nifedipine) and 24-hour monitoring of blood pressure are considered in the management of NTG. The present review summarises risk factors, causes, pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of NTG.
Research on Extraction for Feature Words from Chinese Product Comments

This paper firstly uses Baidu Baike and co-occurrence proportion of adjacent words after sentence segmentation to identify new words to decreases the effect on recognition of feature because of segmentation errors. We design part of speech sequence patterns to obtain candidate feature word set from Chinese product comments, then utilize a series of effective statistical technique and natural language processing technique to filter candidate feature words. The experiment results show our approaches are promising.
AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction

: Metaverse is the buzzword of modern society. Practitioners and researchers have discussed metaverse platforms extensively, but the potential and meaning of the metaverse remain controversial. In this paper, we investigate and identify challenges that enable the potential of metaverse platforms. If these challenges are overcome, there will be value creation for practitioners, organizations, and society. We used a qualitative approach whereby we interviewed 34 metaverse experts to identify the challenges, potential, and value associated with the metaverse. Our results demonstrate that technical and societal challenges obstruct the ability to handle user-related and organizational challenges. If these challenges can be overcome, we can use the opportunities that our participants identified to create functional, social, and emotional value. Our work theoretically contributes to current knowledge on metaverse platforms by elaborating on handling metaverse platform ecosystems and determining instrumental challenges in their realization. With our qualitative approach, we provide room and directions for future research to develop a better understanding of the role and meaning of value creation in the metaverse. Our findings are useful to practitioners by presenting challenges organizations must overcome to create metaverse platforms or participate in a metaverse ecosystem. Furthermore, we present opportunities for vendors of metaverse platforms and organizations by identifying relevant processes that can be transferred into the metaverse.
Modeling fading channel-estimation errors in pilot-symbol-assisted systems, with application to turbo codes

In this paper, we address the issue of imperfect channel estimation in coded systems on fading channels. Since performance of channel codes is influenced in different ways by different components of channel-estimation errors, we develop a simplified model which separates the estimation errors of a Wiener-filtered received signal into the amplitude error and the phase error. Based on the model, we derive tight bounds on component error variances. Moreover, we prove that the classical Wiener filter results in a biased estimate of the channel amplitude. We also show that the probability of having a phase-estimation error large enough to cause decision errors in the receiver is significant. Using our model, we derive an approximate upper limit on the optimum pilot-symbol spacing and approximate lower limit on bit-error rate performance of coded systems with a given pilot-symbol separation. The proposed model and derivations are confirmed by extensive simulations.
Frequency domain analysis for feedback-assisted iterative learning control

Stability and convergence of the feedback-assisted iterative learning control (FBAILC) was analyzed for the frequency domain, compared with the pure feedback control (FBC), and proposed the equivalent FBC with FBAILC. Furthermore, the iterative learning action of previous bias errors was strengthened to a given controlled plant. Feedback control action had to be reduced so that the overall magnitude was unvarying, therefore, the restrained action for the current disturbance would be weakened. The proposed method was demonstrated by simulation results.
The Ninth Annual MLSP Data Competition

The Ninth Annual Machine Learning for Signal Processing (MLSP) Data Competition Committee has hosted a bird classification challenge at Kaggle.com (http://www.kaggle.com/c/mlsp-2013-birds). For this year's competition, participants were asked to develop classification algorithms to reliably identify the set of bird species in real-world audio data collected in an acoustic monitoring scenario. In this paper, we (the organizers of the competition) briefly describe the application, the data, the rules, and the outcomes of the competition. An MLSP record number of 79 teams entered the contest. We provided training data to the participants. The entries were tested using disjoint test data. The participants had access to the test data, but not the test labels. A separate multi-author long paper to summarize the new methods, which were contributed by multiple teams, will be included in this year's conference proceedings. The two top ranking teams described their approaches in two separate companion papers, all of which will appear in this year's conference proceedings. The first place team, whose entry produced an area under the receiver operating curve (ROC) of 0.956, is Gabor Fodor from Budapest University of Technology and Economics in Budapest, Hungary. The second place team, whose entry produced an area under the ROC of 0.951, consists of Hong Wei Ng and Thi Ngoc Tho Nguyen from Advanced Digital Sciences Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Singapore, Singapore.
POLITICAL BUDGET CYCLES OR VOTERS AS FISCAL CONSERVATIVES? EVIDENCE FROM COLOMBIA

Theoretical models of the political budget cycle suggest that electoral manipulation of government expenditures can take the form of changes in the composition of spending, without impacting the overall budget or the deficit, and that the form and extent of this manipulation depend on the fiscal preferences of voters. In this paper, I use data on government expenditures and election outcomes in Colombia to provide an integrated analysis of voting behavior and the preelectoral dynamics of government spending. I emphasize potential changes in the composition, rather than the size, of the budget. I find that components of the budget that can be identified with targeted spending grow, and that non-targeted spending contracts, in the year preceding an election. Consistently, I find that voters reward the preelection increases in targeted spending, but punish incumbents who run high deficits before the election.