Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The automatic detection of chronic pain-related expression : requirements , challenges and a multimodal dataset

Pain-related emotions are a major barrier to effective self rehabilitation in chronic pain. Automated coaching systems capable of detecting these emotions are a potential solution. This paper lays the foundation for the development of such systems by making three contributions. First, through literature reviews, an overview of how chronic pain is expressed and the motivation for detecting it in physical rehabilitation is provided. Second, a fully labelled multimodal dataset containing high resolution multiple-view face videos, head mounted and room audio signals, full body 3-D motion capture and electromyographic signals from back muscles is supplied. Natural unconstrained pain related facial expressions and body movement behaviours were elicited from people with chronic pain carrying out physical exercises. Both instructed and noninstructed exercises where considered to reflect different rehabilitation scenarios. Two sets of labels were assigned: level of pain from facial expressions annotated by eight raters and the occurrence of six pain-related body behaviours segmented by four experts. Third, through exploratory experiments grounded in the data, the factors and challenges in the automated recognition of such expressions and behaviour are described, the paper concludes by discussing potential avenues in the context of these findings also highlighting differences for the two exercise scenarios addressed.
Global analysis of threat status reveals higher extinction risk in tropical than in temperate bird sister species

Abstract Given increasing pressures upon biodiversity, identification of species’ traits related to elevated extinction risk is useful for more efficient allocation of limited resources for nature conservation. Despite its need, such a global analysis was lacking in the case of birds. Therefore, we performed this exercise for avian sister species using information about their global extinction risk from IUCN Red List. We focused on 113 pairs of sister species, each containing a threatened and an unthreatened species to factor out the effects of common evolutionary history on the revealed relationship. We collected data on five traits with expected relationships to species’ extinction risk based on previous studies performed at regional or national levels: breeding habitat (recognizing forest, grassland, wetland and oceanic species), latitudinal range position (temperate and tropics species), migration strategy (migratory and resident species), diet (carnivorous, insectivorous, herbivorous and omnivorous species) and body mass. We related the extinction risk using IUCN threat level categories to species’ traits using generalised linear mixed effects models expecting lower risk for forest, temperate, omnivorous and smaller-bodied species. Our expectation was confirmed only in the case of latitudinal range position, as we revealed higher threat level for tropical than for temperate species. This relationship was robust to different methods of threat level expression and cannot be explained by a simple association of high bird species richness with the tropical zone. Instead, it seems that tropical species are more threatened because of their intrinsic characteristics such as slow life histories, adaptations to stable environments and small geographic ranges. These characteristics are obviously disadvantageous in conditions of current human-induced environmental perturbations. Moreover, given the absence of habitat effects, our study indicates that such perturbations act across different tropical environments. Therefore, disproportionally higher conservation effort in the tropics compared to the temperate zone is urgently needed.
User Contact Behavior Analysis: A Social Relationship Perspective

Mobile opportunistic networks (MONs) have been attracting increasing amounts of attention in recent years. Characterizing user contact behavior provides a baseline to evaluate the performance of these networks. However, because the contact distribution of nodes in MONs is conventionally modeled from a large-scale perspective, i.e., by aggregating all node pairs, the contact features of nodes with multiple social relationships are not reflected. Thus, it is not clear whether friends and strangers have similar or different contact behaviors. In this study, we aggregated the contact information of users from the real world, and discovered that two phenomena exist: (1) Most friends or strangers make contact at public hotspots, rather than private hotspots; (2) The distribution of intra-contact time (ICT) exhibits different decay factors—the ICT distribution of strangers is predominantly faster than that of friends.
Palaeoart of the Ice Age

The many hundreds of books and thousands of academic papers on the topic of Pleistocene (Ice Age) art are limited in their approach because they deal only with the early art of southwestern Europe. This is the first book that attempts a comprehensive synthesis of the known Pleistocene palaeoart of six continents, a phenomenon that is in fact more numerous and older in other continents. The book contemplates the origins of art in a balanced manner, based on reality rather than fantasies about cultural primacy. Its key findings challenge most previous perceptions in this field and literally re-write the discipline. Despite the eclectic format and its high academic standards, the book addresses the non-specialist and the specialist reader. It presents a panorama of the rich history of palaeoart, stretching back more than twenty times as long in time as the cave art of France and Spain. This abundance of evidence is harnessed in presenting a new hypothesis of how early humans began to form and express constructs of reality and thus created the ideational world they existed in. It explains how art-producing behaviour began and the origins of how humans relate to the world consciously.
Absorbed Dose Estimation of 177Lu-DOTATOC in Adenocarcinoma Breast Cancer Bearing Mice

In this study, the absorbed dose of human organs after injection of 177Lu-DOTATOC was studied based on the biodistribution of the complex in adenocarcinoma breast cancer bearing mice. For this purpose, the biodistribution of the radiolabelled complex was studied and compartmental modeling was applied to calculate the absorbed dose with high precision. As expected, 177Lu-DOTATOC illustrated a notable specific uptake in tumor and pancreas, organs with high level of somatostatin receptor on their surface and the effectiveness of the radio-conjugate for targeting of the breast adenocarcinoma tumors was indicated. The elicited results of modeling were the exponential equations, and those are utilized for obtaining the cumulated activity data by taking their integral. The results also exemplified that non-target absorbed-doses such as the liver, spleen and pancreas were approximately 0.008, 0.004, and 0.039, respectively. While these values were so much lower than target (tumor) absorbed-dose, it seems due to this low toxicity, this complex is a good agent for therapy. Keywords—Breast cancer, compartmental modeling, 177Lu, dosimetry.
The Impact of Caregiving on the Association Between Infant Emotional Behavior and Resting State Neural Network Functional Topology

The extent to which neural networks underlying emotional behavior in infancy serve as precursors of later behavioral and emotional problems is unclear. Even less is known about caregiving influences on these early brain-behavior relationships. To study brain-emotional behavior relationships in infants, we examined resting-state functional network metrics and infant emotional behavior in the context of early maternal caregiving. We assessed 46 3-month-old infants and their mothers from a community sample. Infants underwent functional MRI during sleep. Resting-state data were processed using graph theory techniques to examine specific nodal metrics as indicators of network functionality. Infant positive and negative emotional behaviors, and positive, negative and mental-state talk (MST) indices of maternal caregiving were coded independently from filmed interactions. Regression analyses tested associations among nodal metrics and infant emotionality, and the moderating effects of maternal behavior on these relationships. All results were FDR corrected at alpha = 0.05. While relationships between infant emotional behavior or maternal caregiving, and nodal metrics were weak, higher levels of maternal MST strengthened associations between infant positive emotionality and nodal metrics within prefrontal (p < 0.0001), and occipital (p < 0.0001) cortices more generally. Positive and negative aspects of maternal caregiving had little effect. Our findings suggest that maternal MST may play an important role in strengthening links between emotion regulation neural circuitry and early infant positive behavior. They also provide objective neural markers that could inform and monitor caregiving-based interventions designed to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable infants at-risk for behavioral and emotional problems.
Constant-torque thermal cycling and two-way shape memory effect in Ni50.3Ti29.7Hf20 torque tubes

Ni-rich Ni50.3Ti29. 7Hf20 (at%) high-temperature shape memory alloy tubes were thermomechanically cycled under constant torques. Four loading configurations were examined that consisted of a series of ascending stresses (low-to-high stress from 0 to 500 MPa outer fiber shear stress), a series of descending stresses (high-to-low stress from 500 to 0 MPa), and a series of thermal cycles at a constant stress of 500 MPa, all using an upper cycle temperature (UCT) of 300 °C. The last configuration consisted of another series of ascending stress levels using a lesser UCT of 250 °C. It was found that the descending series trial stabilized the material response in fewer cycles than the other loading paths. Similarly, cycling at a constant stress of 500 MPa for approximately 100 cycles reached near stabilization (<0.05% residual strain accumulation). Transformation shear strains were the highest and most stable when cycled from lower-to-higher stresses (ascending series), reaching 5.78% at 400 MPa. Cycling to lesser UCTs of 250 °C (versus 300 °C) resulted in the highest two-way shape memory effect (TWSME), measuring over 3.25%. This was attributed to the effect of retained martensite and any transformation dislocations that served to stabilize the TWSME at the lower UCT. Results of this study suggest that different training paths might be used, depending on actuator performance requirements, whether the principal need is to maximize transformation strain, maximize the two-way shear strain, or stabilize the response in fewer cycles.
Internalization of Intact Intercellular Junctions in the Testis by Clathrin/Actin‐Mediated Endocytic Structures: Tubulobulbar Complexes

Sertoli cells of the mammalian seminiferous epithelium form unique subcellular actin‐related structures at intercellular junctions. The appearance of these so called “tubulobulbar complexes” (TBCs) precedes both sperm release at the apex of the epithelium and the movement of early spermatogenic cells out of the spermatogonial stem cell niche at the base of the epithelium. TBCs are considered to be part of the mechanism of junction endocytosis by Sertoli cells. The structures contain junction proteins and morphologically identifiable junctions, and are associated with markers of endocytosis. Here we review the current state of knowledge about the structure and function of TBCs. As the complexes form, they morphologically resemble and have the molecular signature of clathrin‐coated pits with extremely long necks. As they mature, the actin filament networks around the “necks” of the structures progressively disassemble and the membrane cores expand or swell into distinct “bulbs”. These bulbs acquire extensive membrane contact sites with associated cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum. Eventually the bulbs undergo scission and continue through endosomal compartments of the Sertoli cells. The morphology and composition of TBC indicates to us that the structures likely evolved from the basic clathrin‐mediated endocytosis mechanism common to cells generally, and along the way they incorporated unique features to accommodate the cyclic turnover of massive and “intact” intercellular junctions that occurs during spermatogenesis. Anat Rec, 301:2080–2085, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wireless Networks Interactive Media

Authentication is the process by which the identity of an entity is validated. Authenticating entities present credentials, such as passwords or certificates, as evidence of their identity. The entity is deemed authentic where presented credentials are valid and sufficient. Note that authentication does not determine which entities should be given access, but only verifies that an entity is who they claim to be. However, it is only after an entity is authenticated that their rights to resources can be assessed (through authorization). Hence, failure to correctly authenticate users on the Internet can leave online resources vulnerable to misuse. This article considers the semantics, methods, and mechanisms for authentication on the Internet. The goals and principles of authentication are illustrated through several expository systems. The embodied trust, operation, and limitations of these systems are explored. This article is concluded with a number of axioms for the selection and use of authentication systems on the Internet.
Local martingales and filtration shrinkage

A general theory is developed for the projection of martingale related processes onto smaller filtrations, to which they are not even adapted. Martingales, supermartingales, and semimartingales retain their nature, but the case of local martingales is more delicate, as illustrated by an explicit case study for the inverse Bessel process. This has implications for the concept of No Free Lunch with Vanishing Risk, in Finance.
Susceptibility of Aedes aegypti to Insecticides in South Vietnam

During 1998-1999, studies on the susceptibility of Ae. Aegypti to some insecticides were conducted in three places in Nam Bo and eight places in Central Highlands, south Vietnam. Ae. aegypti was found to be susceptible to malathion and resistant to DDT and three insecticides of the pyrethroid group, i.e. permethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin and deltamethrin, in many places.
Control of a DC-DC Buck Converter through Contraction Techniques

Reliable and robust control of power converters is a key issue in the performance of numerous technological devices. In this paper we show a design technique for the control of a DC-DC buck converter with a switching technique that guarantees both good performance and global stability. We show that making use of the contraction theorem in the Jordan canonical form of the buck converter, it is possible to find a switching surface that guarantees stability but it is incapable of rejecting load perturbations. To overcome this, we expand the system to include the dynamics of the voltage error and we demonstrate that the same design procedure is not only able to stabilize the system to the desired operation point but also to reject load, input voltage, and reference voltage perturbations.
Microbial fuel cells coupled with open pond for wastewater treatment: is it viable?

Sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) is a special type of microbial fuel cells that can be deployed in a natural water body for energy production and contaminant removal. This MS project aims to explore whether it will be viable to apply SMFCs for wastewater treatment. Experimental SMFCs were studied in several configurations and operational modes for organic removal, nitrate reduction, and energy recovery. When treating an artificial secondary effluent for nitrate removal, the SMFC could remove 44% of the nitrate, higher than that without electricity generation. The enhanced removal was attributed to the supply of electrons to nitrate reduction in the aqueous phase through oxidizing the organics in the sediment. The lack of a proper separator between the anode and the cathode led to the failure of the SMFC when treating an artificial raw wastewater. Ion exchange membranes were incorporated into the MFCs that were installed in a lab-scale open water pond (150 L in volume). Such a system achieved 100% COD removal and more than 75% removal of ammonium nitrogen. However, denitrification remained as a challenge because of a lack of anoxic zone. To reduce the cost of the cathode catalysts, a polymer-based carbon cloth was investigated and exhibited better performance than bare carbon cloth. The results of this MS project have demonstrated that SMFCs in the absence of a proper separator cannot be applied for wastewater treatment. A membrane-based MFC
Correlated Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) and Radar Observations of the Initial Stages of Florida Triggered Lightning Discharges

Abstract — We characterize the geometrical and electrical characteristics of the initial stages of nine Florida triggered lightning discharges using a Lightning Mapping Array (LMA), a C-band SMART radar, and measured channel-base currents. We determine initial channel and subsequent branch lengths, average initial channel and branch propagation speeds, and channel-base current at the time of each branch initiation. The channel-base current is found to not change significantly when branching occurs, an unexpected result. The initial stage of Florida triggered lightning typically transitions from vertical to horizontal propagation at altitudes of 3-6 km, near the typical 0° C level of 4-5 km and several kilometers below the expected center of the negative cloud-charge region at 7-8 km. The data presented potentially provide information on thunderstorm electrical and hydrometeor structure and discharge propagation physics. LMA source locations were obtained from VHF sources of positive impulsive currents as small as 10 A, in contrast to expectations found in the literature.
Tourist mobility at coastal mass destinations: implications for sustainability

The aim of this paper is to analyse the spatial behaviour of mass tourism demand in coastal destinations and its implications from the point of view of sustainable tourism development. The paper is based on primary research carried out in one of the main Mediterranean tourist destinations, Benidorm (Spain). This research involved the use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) devices for the tracking of a sample of 257 tourists (from Spain and United Kingdom). Although the research has an experimental basis, these advanced technologies allow new approaches to spatial analysis in order to achieve a better understanding of tourist mobility at coastal destinations. Until now, most studies of intradestination movements have been applied to urban and cultural destinations, where the points of interest and tourist routes are easily identifiable. However, spatial behaviour of mass tourism in coastal destinations has rarely been studied in detail using new tracking technologies. While tourist movements may seem, a priori, predictable, the identification of mobility patterns offers interesting results about the main characteristics of the tourist experience, the relationship with the urban model, the use of public and private spaces, the perception of the destination, and the differences between segments of demand. The conclusions of the study are relevant from the methodological and theoretical point of view, and include some recommendations for planning and destination management in the context of sustainability.
Ocean acidification effects on calcifying macroalgae

Since the Industrial Revolution, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) has been increasing and global ocean surface waters have absorbed 30% of the anthropogenic CO2 released into the atmosphere. An increase in pCO2 in surface ocean waters causes an increase in bicarbonate ions (HCO3 − ) and protons (H + ) and a decrease in carbonate ions (CO3 2− ), thereby decreasing the pH and the saturation state of the seawater with respect to CO3 2− . These changes in ocean chemistry (termed ocean acidification) are expected to have negative impacts on marine calcifying organisms. Because calcifying marine primary producers are important to the carbon cycle and rocky shore habitat structure and stability, investigating how they will respond to future oceanic pCO2 levels is a relevant and important topic of research. Due to a recent strong increase in the number of studies investigating the responses of calcifying marine macroalgae to elevated pCO2, this review aims to present the state of knowledge on the response of calcifying macroalgae to ocean acidification alone and in combination with global and local stressors. We discuss the physiological responses of calcifying macroalgae to elevated pCO2 within the contexts biogeo - graphy, taxonomy, and calcification mechanisms. Generally, coralline algae that deposit high-Mg calcite are most susceptible to high pCO2, and polar species are particularly at risk. However, some dolomite-depositing species may be able to acclimate to high pCO2. Calcifiers generally show sensitivity to overgrowth and outcompetition by noncalcifying algae when grown under elevated CO2 conditions, and this trend could be amplified under conditions of high inorganic nutrients. However, it still remains unknown whether or not calcifiers will be able to adapt to their rapidly changing environments. We discuss the lack of research on this topic, and provide some suggestions for how this knowledge gap can be filled by future research.
Formation Mechanism of 100-nm-Scale Periodic Structures in Silicon Using Magnetic-Field-Assisted Anodization

We demonstrate highly directional etching in silicon 100 nm in diameter with an aspect ratio of 160 with no spiking on the pore walls using magnetic-field-assisted anodization. The relationship between the surface geometry of a silicon electrode and its highly directional etching properties have been investigated. Specifically, we show that the pore shape and pore wall orientation are not determined by the surface pattern but by the etching mechanisms specific to the magnetic-field-assisted anodization. These etching mechanisms enable highly directional and high aspect ratio etching at diameters below 100 nm in scale.