Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BCI for Music Making

Brain–computer music interfacing (BCMI) is a growing field with a history of experimental applications derived from the cutting edge of BCI research as adapted to music making and performance. BCMI offers some unique possibilities over traditional music making, including applications for emotional music selection and emotionally driven music creation for individuals as communicative aids (either in cases where users might have physical or mental disabilities that otherwise preclude them from taking part in music making or in music therapy cases where emotional communication between a therapist and a patient by means of traditional music making might otherwise be impossible). This chapter presents an overview of BCMI and its uses in such contexts, including existing techniques as they are adapted to musical control, from P300 and SSVEP (steady-state visually evoked potential) in EEG (electroencephalogram) to asymmetry, hybrid systems, and joint fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) studies correlating affective induction (by means of music) with neurophysiological cues. Some suggestions for further work are also volunteered, including the development of collaborative platforms for music performance by means of BCMI.
Elementi di precognizione estetica: risultati di un esperimento di percezione estetica condotto su Facebook

An experiment of aesthetic perception conducted on Facebook, during which thousands of artwork images were posted on the most popular social network, has showed that the aesthetic preferences expressed by the users increased regularly when certain compositional elements were present inside the artworks. Exploiting the like/share system, on which Facebook is based, it was observed that – in a virtual context of aesthetic appreciation, such as the bidimensional and non-immersive environment of the Net, in which we can browse through desktop or mobile devices – users are induced to react in the same way towards specific visual stimuli: the presence of particular aesthetic markers within the artwork images would be able to induce the onset of aesthetic pleasure in the perceivers, driving the aesthetic preferences towards some artworks rather than others. In fact, the viewers seemed to be influenced by specific aesthetic features, responding in the same way when identical visual stimuli were replicated. The recurrence of the aesthetic preferences by the users towards artwork images endowed with specific visual characteristics, has allowed to identify the sensitive hedonic items, that is the specific compositional elements (or visual features) present inside the artworks, able to activate the aesthetic pleasure in the viewers and to influence their aesthetic preferences. According to the findings of this research, as well as the latest studies in the field of Neuroaesthetics, it is possible to assume that the viewer's aesthetic judgment about an artwork could not be completely subjective, but objectively determined by a specific neural matrix of aesthetic pleasure, that would be "sensitive" and responsive to specific aesthetic markers present inside the artworks. If the hypothesis of a neurobiological basis of aesthetic pleasure were confirmed, it would be possible to "predict" the aesthetic preferences of the viewers faced with an artwork not only displayed on pc, tablet and smartphone screen, or in a Virtual Reality setting, but also in real environment (e.g. museum or art gallery): this assumption has been called Aesthetic Precognition.
REVISITING THE LONG/SOFT–SHORT/HARD CLASSIFICATION OF GAMMA-RAY BURSTS IN THE FERMI ERA

We perform a statistical analysis of the temporal and spectral properties of the latest Fermi gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) to revisit the classification of GRBs. We find that the bimodalities of duration and the energy ratio (Epeak/Fluence) and the anti-correlation between spectral hardness (hardness ratio (HR), peak energy, and spectral index) and duration (T90) support the long/soft–short/hard classification scheme for Fermi GRBs. The HR–T90 anti-correlation strongly depends on the spectral shape of GRBs and energy bands, and the bursts with the curved spectra in the typical BATSE energy bands show a tighter anti-correlation than those with the power-law spectra in the typical BAT energy bands. This might explain why the HR–T90 correlation is not evident for those GRB samples detected by instruments like Swift with a narrower/softer energy bandpass. We also analyze the intrinsic energy correlation for the GRBs with measured redshifts and well-defined peak energies. The current sample suggests Ep, rest = 2455 × (Eiso/1052)0.59 for short GRBs, significantly different from that for long GRBs. However, both the long and short GRBs comply with the same Ep, rest–Liso correlation.
Gene transcription and higher-level effects of multigenerational Zn

Abstract 36 Zn exposure of Daphnia magna during one generation has been shown to modulate gene 37 transcription differently in Zn exposed organisms compared to their non-exposed offspring. 38 Here we studied the transcriptional gene regulation with a cDNA microarray in D. magna 39 exposed to Zn for three generations (F 0 -F 2 ). For the first time molecular effects of 40 multigeneration toxicant exposure in D. magna are described. Out of 73 differentially 41 transcribed genes in the F 1 Zn exposed generation (compared to the F 1 control), only 7 genes were also differentially transcribed in the same direction in the F 0 42 Zn exposed daphnids (up 43 or down, compared to the F 0 control). The majority of the differentially transcribed unigenes in F 1 Zn exposed daphnids (78 %) were not differentially transcribed in the F 0 44 Zn exposed 45 organisms. This indicates that Zn exposure affected other molecular pathways in the second 46 exposed generation, although a reduced reproduction and a reduction in juvenile growth
Significance of chest ultrasound in the early postoperative period following thoracic surgery.

In internal medicine, thoracic and lung ultrasound is used to diagnose pleural masses/fluid collections, for staging lung cancer, for excluding pneumothorax and pulmonary edema, and for diagnosing pulmonary embolisms (1,2). The value of lung ultrasound in emergency and intensive care medicine also has been estimated increasingly over the last years (3,4). Although there are well-known limitations caused by the air-containing lung, this method can successfully visualize solid nodules and lung consolidations that are just below the pleura as long as no pneumothorax is present. Chest ultrasound also has a high accuracy and is superior to the chest X-ray for the diagnosis of pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and lung consolidation (5).
Exploring the Impact of Foreign Direct Investment Accumulation on National Innovation Capability and the Mediating Role of Human Development Level

In this study, we scrutinize the effect of inward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Human Development Level (HDL) on National Innovation Capability (NIC). Data from 123 countries are employed for multivariate statistical analyses. We find that both FDI accumulation and HDL significantly and positively influence NIC, and HDL has a mediating effect between FDI accumulation and NIC. Mediating role of HDL vanishes when we divide the data into four HDL groups which are suggested by UNDP. In very high human developed group FDI accumulation and HDL both have a positive and significant effect on NIC. In high human developed group only HDL has a positive and significant effect on NIC while NIC is insensitive to FDI accumulation. In medium human developed and low human developed groups we see that NIC is insensitive to both FDI accumulation and HDL.
Combining the waves of the IAB Establishment Panel : a do-file for the basic data preparation of a panel data set in Stata

"This FDZ-Methodenreport introduces the do-file BP_panelgen_93YY_v1_en for combining all waves of the IAB Establishment Panel from 1993 to the most recent year to one panel data set in Stata. It explains the initial problem, outlines the structure of the do-file, describes the panel data set and provides operating instructions. The variables in the resulting panel data set are consistently named, coded and labelled to provide a standardized basis for panel anal-yses. The program code is kept simple and transparent so that users can easily adjust it if necessary. However, caution has to be taken as generated panel variables might still differ in content across waves due to changes in the questionnaire, for instance. " (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
The effect of the number of alternatives in a choice experiment with an application to the Macquarie Marshes, AU

A key issue in CE design is the number of alternatives that subjects are asked to choose from: the status quo (SQ) plus one, two, three or more alternatives. This paper compares two choice-experiment designs, namely SQ+1, which is theoretically incentive compatible, and SQ+2, which does not satisfy conditions of incentive compatibility. A split-sample design, where each subject answered either the SQ+1 or SQ+2 question, is implemented. We compare response outcomes in terms of estimates of preference parameters for attributes, choice of the status quo alternative, and estimates of willingness to pay. We also investigate if question complexity and understandability, and subjects’ characteristics affect the choice of the SQ alternative. We consider choice complexity in two dimensions: 1) stated complexity and 2) inferred complexity. As a result, we reject the null hypothesis of equal preference parameter estimates between the SQ+1 and SQ+2 questions in both random parameter and error component models. The empirical estimates suggest that question understandability and subject characteristics affect choosing the SQ. Neither, stated complexity nor inferred complexity affect the choice of the SQ. While the truth is not known, our empirical results, combined with the Carson and Groves (2007) theoretical insights, provides evidence that the lack of an incentive compatible designs can affect people’s choices. These results suggest investigators should consider design procedures that improve subjects’ understanding of the valuation scenario and choice context.
Late Estimation of Sensibility Loss after Sural Nerve Autografting

Background. Surgery requiring complementing peripheral nerve injury with a graft of another nerve, usually the sural nerve, has been performed at the Department of Traumatology and Hand Surgery, Silesian Piasts University of Medicine in Wroclaw, since 1981. In the vast majority of cases the use of autografts of the sural nerve involved traumatic injuries of the brachial plexus or nerves of the upper and lower extremity. The area of sensibility loss, which decreases in the course of time thanks to other nerves taking over sensibility functions, is a consequence of sural nerve removal. On the basis of examinations, the authors assessed the degree of sensibility restoration in the sural nerve’s innervation area in the extremity. Objectives. Learning about the mechanisms of peripheral compensation of sensibility through quantitative and qualitative assessment of sensibility restoration in the innervation area of the sural nerve lost as a result of its removal in the reconstruction of brachial plexus and peripheral nerves. Material and Methods. Fifty−two patients were examined in selected age groups operated on at the department because of traumatic injuries to peripheral nerves. Examination of two−point, soft, and vibration sensibility were performed. Additionally, the patients were tested for subjective assessment of sensibility restoration in the area of innervation by the sural nerve. Results. On the basis of the performed quantitative examination and patients’ subjective estimation of sensibility restoration, statistically significant correlations between sensibility restoration in the examined area and the time from surgery to the examination, patient age, or the length of the sural nerve graft were not observed. Much quick− er sensibility restoration was observed in the areas of the 2 nd and 4 th innervation by the sural nerve, i.e. the skin of the heel from the medial side and of the fifth toe. Conclusions. In assessing sensibility restoration after taking sural nerve grafts for the reconstruction of nerves (peripheral and of the brachial plexus), examination of soft sensibility with the help of Semmes−Weinstein fila− ments, two−point sensibility, and vibration sensibility play an essential role. The results of the above examinations showed very good and good results of sensibility restoration in 75% patients, while only 2% had unsatisfactory results (Adv Clin Exp Med 2007, 16, 2, 229–237).
The Brexit Botnet and User-Generated Hyperpartisan News

In this article, we uncover a network of Twitterbots comprising 13,493 accounts that tweeted the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, only to disappear from Twitter shortly after the ballot. We compare active users to this set of political bots with respect to temporal tweeting behavior, the size and speed of retweet cascades, and the composition of their retweet cascades (user-to-bot vs. bot-to-bot) to evidence strategies for bot deployment. Our results move forward the analysis of political bots by showing that Twitterbots can be effective at rapidly generating small- to medium-sized cascades; that the retweeted content comprises user-generated hyperpartisan news, which is not strictly fake news, but whose shelf life is remarkably short; and, finally, that a botnet may be organized in specialized tiers or clusters dedicated to replicating either active users or content generated by other bots.
Towards a climate-proof Netherlands : summary routeplanner

Samenvatting van wetenschappelijke kennis over de effecten van klimaatverandering en de mogelijkheden om daar mee om te gaan. Dit rapport helpt om een strategie op te stellen om bij ruimtelijke ordening rekening te houden met de gevolgen van klimaatverandering. Dit onderzoek is mogelijk gemaakt door bijdragen van de BSIK programma’s Klimaat voor Ruimte, Leven met Water en Habiforum
Intraspecific phylogeography of the Japanese threadfin bream, Nemipterus japonicus (Perciformes: Nemipteridae), from the Persian Gulf and Indo-West Pacific: a preliminary study based on mitochondrial DNA sequence

The Japanese threadfin bream, Nemipterus japonicus, the most abundant and crucially economic Nemipterus species is widespread throughout the Indo-West Pacific. The species has been studied widely for various aspects but genetic studies are scanty. This preliminary study contributes to the species phylogeography through the study of the genetic diversity and historical demography of N. japonicus populations from the Persian Gulf and Indo-West Pacific based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence. Grouping of the data into phylogenetic trees indicated that the Japanese threadfin bream consists of two reciprocally monophyletic phylogroups with 2.3% net sequence divergence which may qualify as cryptic species: clade I, consists of two subclades (Ia and Ib) occurs in the Persian Gulf and Western India, and clade II, which is restricted to the South China Sea. Historical and demographic hypotheses were raised to explain the observed phylogeographic pattern and population structure. Among the possible key mechanisms, sea level fluctuations driven by glacial episodes of the second half of the Pleistocene Epoch appear to have played an active role in initiating major phylogeographic separation. Apart from presumptive Pleistocene vicariance, a trend of increasing genetic differences with increasing geographic distance (i.e., isolation-by-distance) and regional differences in breeding season were also proposed as possible alternative scenarios. Since the baseline knowledge on the intraspecific genetic diversity and management and evolutionary significant units is the first step before any action to be taken, the basic findings provided by this research are particularly relevant to conservation efforts, fishery management and stock assessment.
Intravenous Infusion of Ginsenoside Rb1 Ameliorates Compressive Spinal Cord Injury through Upregulation of Bcl-x L and VEGF

Background: Red ginseng root (Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer) has been used clinically by many Asian people for thousands of years without any detrimental effects. One of the major components of red ginseng root is ginsenoside Rb1 (gRb1, C54H92O23, molecular weight 1109.46). Previously, we showed that intravenous infusion of gRb1 attenuated ischemic brain damage in rats through up-regulation of an anti-apoptotic factor, Bcl-xL. In the present study, we have investigated whether intravenous infusion of gRb1attenuates spinal cord injury or not. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats aged 12-14 weeks, weighing 250-300g, were used. Spinal cord injury (SCI) was induced by compressing the thoracic cord (Th12) with a 20 g weight for 20 minutes. Thirty minutes later, a total of 60µl gRb1 solution (12 or 60µg/60µl in saline) or the same volume of vehicle (saline) was infused once into the left femoral vein. Subsequently, continuous intravenous administration of gRb1 was performed for 7 days. The locomotor function was assessed using the Basso-BeattieBresnahan (BBB) score and the open field test at 1, 3 or 7days after SCI. The animals were killed at 7 days after SCI and the SCI lesions were assessed histologically. Results: Post-traumatic intravenous infusion of gRb1 (12µg/day or 60µg/day) ameliorated BBB score, rearing activity and neuronal density in the anterior horn of the damaged spinal cord at 7 days after SCI. Subsequent studies that focused on gRb1-induced expression of gene products responsible for neuronal death or survival revealed that gRb1 upregulated the expression of not only Bcl-x L , but also a potent angiogenic and neurotrophic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at 7 days after SCI. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rb1 (gRb1), with putative anti-apoptotic, angiogenic and neurotrophic actions, is a candidate agent for the treatment of patients with acute SCI.
Research on Knowledge Intelligent Learning Method in Network Operation and Maintenance

Network operator confronts diverse challenges in the procedure of network operation and maintenance with massive applications emerging, in this paper, we design a framework to achieve the objective of Knowledge Intelligent Learning in Network operations. Our framework focuses on augmented reality technology, knowledge mapping technology, man-machine conversation assisted operation and maintenance technology, on-site fault diagnosis, etc. Our work also builds a channel between network operation knowledge and entities, which dramatically promotes the ability of network operators.
Context-Based Handling of Mobile Process Activities

Process technology constitutes a crucial component of information systems. In this context, high flexibility is required as business functions must be quickly adaptable to cope with dynamic business changes. As recent developments allow for the use of mobile devices in knowledge-intensive areas, it is often demanded to enhance process-aware information systems with mobile activity support. In general, the technical integration of this activity type with existing process management technology is challenging. For example, protocols governing the communication between mobile devices and process management systems must be adapted. If a mobile context shall be additionally considered, the integration gets even more complex. However, the use of a mobile context offers advantages. For example, the mobile activity execution time may be decreased if mobile activities are only assigned to those users whose location is beneficial. This chapter proposes an approach to enable the robust handling of single process activities on mobile devices based on a mobile process model.
ASSESSMENT OF THE INHIBITION ABILITY OF MANNOSE ON SOYBEAN SEED GERMINATION, SHOOT ELONGATION AND ROOTING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MANNOSE SELECTION SYSTEM IN SOYBEAN TRANSFORMATION

The inhibition ability of mannose on seed germination, shoot elongation and rooting of four soybean cultivars, MTD176, HL202, Williams 82, Bert was assessed by culture of seeds on the medium containing different concentrations of mannose: 0 (control), 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 g/l mannose. The results showed that germination rate started decreasing at 35 g /l mannose, while shoot elongation and rooting started to stop growth at 25 g/l mannose. At 55 g/l mannose, seed germination was entirely inhibited. Among the four test varieties, Bert was most sensitive to mannose. Based on these results, a selection system using mannose as the selective agent was tested for soybean transformation using Agrobacterium-mediated method. The cotyledons obtained from co-inoculation of cotyledonary nodes were subjected in three cycles with increasing mannose stepwise from 30, 35 and 40 g/l. The results showed that after 3 rd selection, the non-transformed shoots stunted and died, while the transformed shoots could grow and elongate. GUS assay confirmed the expression of the gene transformed. The establishment of mannose selection system based on the use of the selectable marker gene, phosphomannose isomerase (pmi ), would offer a novel approach in developing transgenic soybean cultivars, which are more environmental friendly, overcoming the constraints caused by using selectable marker gene encoding antibiotic or herbicide resistance.
Performance Evaluation of Spatial Multiplexing MIMO Systems with Various Detection Schemes

Spatial Multiplexing (SM) over multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) channels significantly improves the data rates over wireless channels. The challenge is to design low complexity and high performance algorithms that capable of accurately detecting the transmitted signals. In this paper, the general model of MIMO communication system was introduced in addition to several MIMO Spatial Multiplexing (SM) detection techniques. The Bit Error Rate (BER) performance and computational complexity of Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE), Zero Forcing (ZF), and Maximum Likelihood (ML) detection schemes have been analyzed and compared to each other using Matlab R2009b. Results of simulation illustrates that their performances of MMSE and ZF detectors are close together and need more than 14 dB of Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) to achieve 10 -4 BER. On the other hand ML detector shows better results than MMSE and ZF detectors but the complexity and the delay are large. Been proposed to install the number of transmitter antennas fixed on 2 and change receiving antennas 2, 3, and 4. Results showed that the present proposal came close to the results of the previous model, but less complexity.
Fire blight control strategies in organic fruit growing

In organic fruit growing effective control strategies are needed to prevent blossom infections by the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora. In a research project, funded by the “Bundesprogramm Okologischer Landbau”, 44 different preparations have been tested. In nine field trials conducted since 2004 according to EPPO guideline PP1/166(3) BlossomProtect and MycoSin had the highest efficiencies. BlossomProtect contains blastospores of Aureobasidium pullulans, which, as a fungus, is sensitive to fungicides including sulphur that are used for apple scab control. In some cases, it enhanced fruit russet. Spray strategies, in which BlossomProtect was alternated with sulphur fungicides did not hamper the efficiency of BlossomProtect against fire blight. However, up to 8 applications had to be done during bloom to achieve fire blight and scab control. As MycoSin is known to enhance the efficacy of sulphur against apple scab and there is a proven effect against fire blight, a strategy to alternate BlossomProtect applications with sprays of a mixture of Netzschwefel Stulln and MycoSin was tested in field trials 2008 and 2009. With this strategy the total number of applications during bloom could be reduced to four, with only a slight decline in fire blight control. In addition, the number of applications of BlossomProtect was reduced from four to two in this strategy and thus, the risk of fruit russet declined.