Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EEG Based Brain-Machine Interfacing: Navigation of Mobile Robotic Device

During the last decade, rapid development of sophisticated methods for brain signal recordings along with availability of various efficient computational resources and the improving knowledge about brain dysfunctions have turned many researchers’ interest in using large scale neurophysiological recordings for therapeutic and replacement strategies (Mason & Birch, 2003; Millan et al., 2003). Many patients with physiological disorders such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or injuries such as high-level spinal cord injury suffer from disruption of the communication path between the brain and the body. People with severe motor disabilities may lose much of their voluntary muscle control. The disabled people with the above mentioned problems are forced to accept a reduced quality of life, resulting in dependence on caretakers and escalating social costs (Vaughan et al., 2003). Most of the existing assistive technology devices for these patients are not usable because these devices are dependent on motor activities from specific parts of the body. Alternative control paradigms for these individuals are thus desirable (Fatourechi, 2008). The electrophysiological signals generated from the brain can be used to command different devices, provided that the person who will control the device should also be able to control the generation of these signals. Studies showed that with sufficient training, people can control the generation of certain brain signals (Ohno et al., 2006). Having generated these signals, they can be conditioned and processed to perform the specific work for which they are generated. In other words, the interface can be made able to adapt and understand the meaning of these signals and work accordingly. If this type of Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) is successfully implemented, they can be used in developing sophisticated assistive devices (such as, a robotic wheelchair) to carry the people with motor dysfunction (Ferreira et al., 2008). Previous works in development of BMI show that the signal acquisition and processing are getting complicated with the growing availability of more sophisticated recording devices (Cheein & Postigo, 2005; Ferreira et al., 2008; Moon et al., 2005; Mourino, 2003; Rani & Sarkar, 2005). To overcome these complexities rather simple method is required to couple easily recordable neuronal signals with the robotic device (Mahmud et al., 2010; 2009). This chapter illustrates a simple BMI system using EEG signals recorded through conventional EEG 6
The Equatorial Undercurrent and TAO Sampling Bias from a Decade at SEA

AbstractThe NOAA Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) moored array has, for three decades, been a valuable resource for monitoring and forecasting El Nino–Southern Oscillation and understanding physical oceanographic as well as coupled processes in the tropical Pacific influencing global climate. Acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) measurements by TAO moorings provide benchmarks for evaluating numerical simulations of subsurface circulation including the Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC). Meanwhile, the Sea Education Association (SEA) has been collecting data during repeat cruises to the central equatorial Pacific Ocean (160°–126°W) throughout the past decade that provide useful cross validation and quantitative insight into the potential for stationary observing platforms such as TAO to incur sampling biases related to the strength of the EUC. This paper describes some essential sampling characteristics of the SEA dataset, compares SEA and TAO velocity measurements in the vicinity of the EUC, shares new insi.
Effect of Antioxidant on the Shelf Life of Quality Protein Maize Flour

Quality protein maize flour stored in two types of packaging material (LDPE covers and plastic box) along with antioxidant treatment was studied for changes like moisture peroxide value and microbial quality for a period of 6 months. In both the packages absorption of moisture was significantly more in control compared to treated sample. The antioxidant treatment had a role in onset and development of rancidity in treated samples which was evident from the more increase of moisture and peroxide value in control samples . Periodic assessment of microbial quality for bacteria, yeasts and moulds indicates that the flour samples were consistent with FAO specifications for consumption, up to three months in treated polythene covers; 0.50±0.6x10 5 (bacteria) and 0.5±0.6x10 3 (fungi) as well as in the box samples (0.25±0.0x10 5 and 0.5±0.0x10 3 ) indicates that the antioxidant along with good manufacturing practices could extend the shelf life and packaging had very little effect on the growth of the microorganisms. The predominating organisms in both the packages and treatments at the end of six month storage period were Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella aeruginosa.
Fault tolerance study of switched reluctance machines by means of advanced simulation techniques

At the present time an important tendency in industrial automated systems is to apply equipments that can assure uninterrupted operation even if a fault occurs. Advanced electrical drives are complex systems containing both hardware and software. In order to obtain a reliable electrical drive system all its major components have to be fault tolerant. In this paper two switched reluctance machines are studied in order to compare their fault tolerance capability at different stator winding faults.
Psychological parameters have units : A bug fix for stochastic prospect theory and other decision models

To fit models like prospect theory or expected utility theory to choice data, a stochastic model is needed to turn differences in values into choice probabilities. In these models, the parameter measuring risk aversion is strongly correlated with the parameter measuring the sensitivity to differences in value. We use dimensional analysis from the physical sciences to show that this is because the sensitivity parameter has units which depend on the risk aversion parameter. This means that comparing sensitivities across individuals with different level of risk aversion is meaningless and forbidden. We suggest a simple bug fix for prospect theory and other decision models which corrects this problem. The bug fix completely removes the correlation between sensitivity and risk aversion parameters in model estimations and allows the parameters to be interpreted as they were originally intended.
Good ethics or political and cultural censoring in science

Ole Torrissen1,2*, Kevin Alan Glover3, Tore Haug4, Ole Arve Misund1, Hans Julius Skaug5, and Matthias Kaiser6 Institute of Marine Research, PO Box 1870 Nordnes, N-5817, Bergen, Norway Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, University of Nordland, N-8049, Bodo, Norway Institute of Marine Research, Section for Population Genetics and Ecology, Nordnesgaten 50, N-5817, Bergen, Norway Institute of Marine Research, PO Box 6404, N-9294, Tromso, Norway University of Bergen, Department of Mathematics, Johannes Brunsgate 12, N-5008, Bergen, Norway University of Bergen, The Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities, PO Box 7800, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
Effects of noninstantaneous nonlinear processes on photon-pair generation by spontaneous four-wave mixing

We present a general model, based on a Hamiltonian approach, for the joint quantum state of photon pairs generated through pulsed spontaneous four-wave mixing, including nonlinear phase-modulation and a finite material response time. For the case of a silica fiber, it is found that the pair-production rate depends weakly on the waveguide temperature, due to higher-order Raman scattering events, and more strongly on pump-pair frequency detuning. From the analytical model, a numerical scheme is derived, based on the well-known split-step method. This scheme allows computation of joint states where nontrivial effects are included, such as group-velocity dispersion and Raman scattering. In this work, the numerical model is used to study the impact of the non-instantaneous response on the pre-filtering purity of heralded single photons. We find that for pump pulses shorter than 1 ps, a significant detuning-dependent change in quantum-mechanical purity may be observed in silica.
The e V ects of encoding X uency and retrieval X uency on judgments of learning

This study investigated the heuristic bases of judgments of learning (JOLs). JOLs were elicited either immediately after study or after a shorter or longer delay. In Experiment 1, the eVects of encoding Xuency (inferred from self-paced study time) on both JOLs and recall decreased with JOL delay, whereas those of retrieval Xuency (inferred from the success and latency of pre-JOL retrieval) increased. In this experiment, JOLs (as well as recall) decreased with increasing study time, presumably under the heuristic that items requiring more time to study are less likely to be recalled. In contrast, in Experiment 2, in which study time was experimentally manipulated, JOLs as well as recall actually increased with study time. In both experiments JOLs increased with retrieval Xuency. The results demonstrate that JOLs are based on the Xexible and adaptive utilization of diVerent mnemonic cues according to their relative validity in predicting memory performance.  2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Fire Climbing in the Forest: A Semiqualitative, Semiquantitative Approach to Assessing Ladder Fuel Hazards

Ladder fuels carry fire from the forest floor to the canopy and thereby may turn low-intensity fires into severe canopy fires. Attempts at assessing ladder fuels have been either expensive and spatially limited quantified approaches or unrepeatable and variable expert opinion strategies. We have developed a mixed semiquantitative, semiqualitative approach using a flow chart that systematizes observations and constrains judgments and decisionmaking. The ladder fuel hazard assessment (LaFHA) approach leads to ladder hazard ratings and some quantified observed data; it can be repeated across a very large area at relatively low cost and, because of the systematic and constrained approach, produces results that are mostly consistent and repeatable. Key attributes assessed are clumping of low aerial fuels, height to live crown base, and maximum gaps in vertical fuel ladders. Three field seasons of testing and implementing the LaFHA approach resulted in almost 4,000 observations. For the study area in the northern Sierra Nevada, California, more than a quarter of sites were rated high hazard and about 40% more were moderate risk. Data are presented on heights to live crown base and maximum gaps for each of the rated hazard categories.
Restoration trajectories and food web linkages in San Francisco Bays estuarine marshes: a manipulative translocation experiment

We measured δ 13 C, δ 15 N and δ 34 S signatures of natural and translocated mussels Ischa- dium demissum to identify food web source differences among estuarine marshes displaying various stages of restorative development. We hypothesized that mussels inhabiting younger marshes would be more dependent on allochthonous organic matter sources, while those inhabiting mature marshes would depend on autochthonous sources. Mussels collected from an undisturbed (reference) marsh located within the Napa River estuarine complex in San Francisco Bay were translocated to a series of restoring marsh sites located within the same river system. The isotopic composition of naturally growing mussels was compared with translocated mussels, which were incubated in restoring sites for 5 and 7 mo. Measurements of δ 13 C, δ 15 N, and δ 34 S indicated differences in food web sources sup- porting I. demissum among the 4 marsh sites. A strong cage effect was detected during the initial 5 mo collection interval, indicating that translocated mussels had yet to equilibrate with their new environments. Multiple source mixing model analysis indicated that C3 emergent vascular plants and brackish phytoplankton contributed most of the organic matter consumed by I. demissum over both time periods, but that mussels collected from the downstream sites exhibited higher dependence upon vascular plant detritus. Bay produced phytoplankton contributed very little to I. demissum diets, suggesting that the pelagic waters of San Francisco Bay have less influence on marsh food web dynamics than previously anticipated. The results of this experiment show that food web pathways are strongest at intermediate scales; they can be relatively short and unique to specific marshes along the estuarine gradient, but similarities in mussel diets among marshes in close proximity to one another suggests inter-marsh exchange of organic matter. It is, therefore, likely that food webs in young restoration sites depend upon organic matter subsidies from neighboring marshes, rather than from San Francisco Bay.
The Impact of Foreign Workers on the Labour Market of Cyprus

We examine the impact of the very substantial increase in the employment of foreign workers on production, the growth in output and the wages of domestic workers using time series and cross-sectional data. We find that most recent growth in output can be explained by the increase in foreign workers, which also impacted favourably on the wages of the more educated and skilled domestic workers.
On the use of spatially distributed, time‐lapse microgravity surveys to inform hydrological modeling

In the last decades significant technological advances together with improved modeling capabilities fostered a rapid development of geophysical monitoring techniques in support of hydrological modeling. Geophysical monitoring offers the attractive possibility to acquire spatially distributed information on state variables. These provide complementary information about the functioning of the hydrological system to that provided by standard hydrological measurements, which are either intrinsically local or the result of a complex spatial averaging process. Soil water content is an example of state variable, which is relatively simple to measure pointwise (locally) but with a vanishing constraining effect on catchment‐scale modeling, while streamflow data, the typical hydrological measurement, offer limited possibility to disentangle the controlling processes. The objective of this work is to analyze the advantages offered by coupling traditional hydrological data with unconventional geophysical information in inverse modeling of hydrological systems. In particular, we explored how the use of time‐lapse, spatially distributed microgravity measurements may improve the conceptual model identification of a topographically complex Alpine catchment (the Vermigliana catchment, South‐Eastern Alps, Italy). The inclusion of microgravity data resulted in a better constraint of the inversion procedure and an improved capability to identify limitations of concurring conceptual models to a level that would be impossible relying only on streamflow data. This allowed for a better identification of model parameters and a more reliable description of the controlling hydrological processes, with a significant reduction of uncertainty in water storage dynamics with respect to the case when only streamflow data are used.
Investigation of demographic factors relationship with safety climate

Demographic factors as age, education, experience, marital status, dependents, employment and habits have influenced workers‟ safety perceptions. Perceptions portray the psychological construct of safety culture i.e. safety climate, which needs to be clear and positive. Safety climate as pivotal construct (perceptual) of safety culture shared common grounds as beliefs, values and attitudes for safety. This study is an attempt to investigate the relationship between demographic factors and safety climate, benchmark the perceptual trends in Pakistan. A safety climate questionnaire (40 statements with likert scale) survey was conducted on 36 construction projects with excellent response rate (83.33%). Mean safety climate score approach was adopted for current study to compare the categories of demographic factors. Results showed age group (41 to 50 years), married respondents, respondents with more than 7 dependents, all respondents with basic education, respondents employed in joint venture projects respondents having more than 16 years experience and respondents who do not smoke, have clear and positive perceptions. In addition, bridge project type found to be with clear safety implementation approach. Lower categories (of construction companies) striving for safety and higher category have varied approaches. This study provides workers‟ perception for safety in relation with demographic factors (identify worker groups for training) and in accordance with company or project type (drive direction for improvement upon current practices/trends).
Auditory Mechanisms of Echolocation in Bats

Echolocating bats have evolved an active sensing system, which supports 3D perception of objects in the surroundings and permits spatial navigation in complete darkness. Echolocating animals produce high frequency sounds and use the arrival time, intensity, and frequency content of echo returns to determine the distance, direction, and features of objects in the environment. Over 1,000 species of bats echolocate with signals produced in their larynges. They use diverse sonar signal designs, operate in habitats ranging from tropical rain forest to desert, and forage for different foods, including insects, fruit, nectar, small vertebrates, and even blood. Specializations of the mammalian auditory system, coupled with high frequency hearing, enable spatial imaging by echolocation in bats. Specifically, populations of neurons in the bat central nervous system respond selectively to the direction and delay of sonar echoes. In addition, premotor neurons in the bat brain are implicated in the production of sonar calls, along with movement of the head and ears. Audio-motor circuits, within and across brain regions, lay the neural foundation for acoustic orientation by echolocation in bats.
Multimodal Scanning of Cultural Heritage Assets for their multi-layered digitization and preventive conservation via spatiotemporal 4 D Reconstruction and 3 D Printing Scan 4 Reco

Deliverable No. D2.2 Workpackage No. WP2 Workpackage Title Domain Analysis, Requirements Engineering & Specifications Definition Task No. T2.3 Task Title System Requirements and Architecture Specification Lead beneficiary CRS4 Dissemination level PU public Nature of Deliverable Report Delivery date 30 June 2016 Status F (F: final; D: draft; RD: revised draft) File Name: [Scan4Reco] D2.2 System Architecture definition_final_PU. docx Project start date, duration 01 October 2015, 36 Months
Support Vector Machines: Kernels

The key reason for introducing this formulation is that, in contrast with the primal formulation, the data points xn appear in D(α) only through the inner products xmxn. We now explore why this fact is so important. We saw in an earlier note that whether the classes in a binary classification problem are linearly separable depends on the representation of the data space X. For instance, consider a problem in which X = R and the separating boundary is the parabola x2 = x1. Then, the classification rule is
EVIDENCE FOR A CONSTANT INITIAL MASS FUNCTION IN EARLY-TYPE GALAXIES BASED ON THEIR X-RAY BINARY POPULATIONS,

A number of recent studies have proposed that the stellar initial mass function (IMF) of early type galaxies varies systematically as a function of galaxy mass, with higher mass galaxies having bottom-heavy IMFs. These bottom-heavy IMFs have more low-mass stars relative to the number of high mass stars, and therefore naturally result in proportionally fewer neutron stars (NSs) and black holes (BHs). In this paper, we specifically predict the variation in the number of BHs and NSs based on the power-law IMF variation required to reproduce the observed mass-to-light ratio trends with galaxy mass. We then test whether such variations are observed by studying the field low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) populations of nearby early-type galaxies. In these binaries, an NS or BH accretes matter from a low-mass donor star. Their number is therefore expected to scale with the number of BHs and NSs present in a galaxy. We find that the number of LMXBs per K-band light is similar among the galaxies in our sample. These data therefore demonstrate the uniformity of the slope of the IMF from massive stars down to those now dominating the K-band light and are consistent with an invariant IMF. Our results are inconsistent with an IMF which varies from a Kroupa/Chabrier like IMF for low-mass galaxies to a steep power-law IMF (with slope x = 2.8) for high mass galaxies. We discuss how these observations constrain the possible forms of the IMF variations and how future Chandra observations can enable sharper tests of the IMF.
Search in Used Durables Markets

This study examines how different information sources are used by consumers prior to their purchase of used durable goods, specifically used cars. We examine how online and offline search are related. Categories of online sources are dealer websites and resale websites, and of offline sources are print media and dealer visits. Prior research on new car purchases finds that online sources substitute for traditional, offline sources such as dealer visits. We examine whether this theory extends to used-car purchases and distinguish between dealer websites and resale websites (a distinction relevant to used-goods markets) by collecting data from a sample of used-car buyers. Because search in different sources can be interrelated, and due to data censoring, we build and estimate a simultaneous equations Tobit model. In contrast to existing research, we find that online search on dealer websites is complementary to and not a substitute for dealer visits. This complementary effect highlights the importance of dealers’ web presence
An Approach to Using Agricultural Waste Fibres in Biocomposites Application: Thermogravimetric Analysis and Activation Energy Study

Thermal stability behaviour of coconut coir, banana pseudo stem, pineapple leaf, and sugarcane bagasse fibres was investigated under nitrogen atmosphere. The parameters of degradation kinetics were determined by thermogravimetric analysis at heating rates of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40 C/min using the Kissinger, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa and Friedman model-free methods. Thermal degradation of these fibres showed both two and three mass loss steps attributed from the moisture evaporation and to the decomposition of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin as well as other organic materials. The results also showed that activation energy was an increasing function of conversion (α), and an apparent activation energy of 75 to 200 kJ/mol was found for most of the fibres throughout the polymer processing temperature range. These findings are significant for developing a fundamental approach to understand the thermal decomposition behaviour of agricultural waste fibres in the course of biocomposite and bio-ethanol production.
Field models in low-frequency bioelectromagnetics

In the paper, a review of the state of the art on numerical models of the electromagnetic field in biological entities is proposed. In particular, the field produced by cells and the one in which cells and biological tissues are exposed to, is considered; low frequency problems are investigated. Issues and drawbacks of field models in bioelectromagnetics with respect to field models for industrial applications are discussed. Streszczenie. W artykule dokonano przeglądu stanu wiedzy na temat numerycznych modeli pola elektromagnetycznego w biologicznych komórkach. W szczególności, rozważane jest pole wytwarzane przez komórki i to, na które narażone są komórki i tkanki biologiczne; badane są problemy niskiej częstotliwości. W artykule omówiono problemy i wady spotykane w adaptacji modeli polowych w bioelektromagnetyzmie w odniesieniu do modeli polowych w zastosowaniach przemysłowych. (Modele polowe w niskoczęstotliwościowych problemach bioelektromagnetyzmu).