Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Applying stochastic spike train theory for high-accuracy MEG/EEG

The accuracy of electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) is challenged by overlapping sources from within the brain. This lack of accuracy is a severe limitation to the possibilities and reliability of modern stimulation protocols in basic research and clinical diagnostics. As a solution, we here introduce a theory of stochastic neuronal spike timing probability densities for describing the large-scale spiking activity in neural networks, and a novel spike density component analysis (SCA) method for isolating specific neural sources. Three studies are conducted based on 564 cases of evoked responses to auditory stimuli from 94 human subjects each measured with 60 EEG electrodes and 306 MEG sensors. In the first study we show that the large-scale spike timing (but not non-encephalographic artifacts) in MEG/EEG waveforms can be modeled with Gaussian probability density functions with high accuracy (median 99.7%-99.9% variance explained), while gamma and sine functions fail describing the MEG and EEG waveforms. In the second study we confirm that SCA can isolate a specific evoked response of interest. Our findings indicate that the mismatch negativity (MMN) response is accurately isolated with SCA, while principal component analysis (PCA) fails supressing interference from overlapping brain activity, e.g. from P3a and alpha waves, and independent component analysis (ICA) distorts the evoked response. Finally, we confirm that SCA accurately reveals inter-individual variation in evoked brain responses, by replicating findings relating individual traits with MMN variations. The findings of this paper suggest that the commonly overlapping neural sources in single-subject or patient data can be more accurately separated by applying the introduced theory of large-scale spike timing and method of SCA in comparison to PCA and ICA. Significance statement Electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencelopraphy (MEG) are among the most applied non-invasive brain recording methods in humans. They are the only methods to measure brain function directly and in time resolutions smaller than seconds. However, in modern research and clinical diagnostics the brain responses of interest cannot be isolated, because of interfering signals of other ongoing brain activity. For the first time, we introduce a theory and method for mathematically describing and isolating overlapping brain signals, which are based on prior intracranial in vivo research on brain cells in monkey and human neural networks. Three studies mutually support our theory and suggest that a new level of accuracy in MEG/EEG can achieved by applying the procedures presented in this paper.
Arrays of Plant Microbial Fuel Cells for Implementing Self-Sustainable Wireless Sensor Networks

Plant–Microbial Fuel Cell (P–MFC) is a renewable power source which generates bioelectricity through the plant-microbe interrelationship at the rhizosphere region of a plant. As a step toward sustainable wireless sensing, PMFC can harness the metabolism of microorganism as a catalyst and use organic matter to generate electrical energy. However, these energy sources tend to produce low power outputs (mW), and the P–MFC energy capacity can be affected by perturbations. The P–MFC needs to be analyzed for an accurate integration in harvester circuits and wireless technologies, such as LPWAN, to develop sustainable wireless communication applications. In this study, a P–MFC array is implemented as a promising self-sustainable green energy communication technology for Internet of Things (IoT)-based wireless sensor network (WSN). The serial-parallel configuration of the Dypsis lutescens plant type is characterized and adapted with an energy harvester (EH) circuit which manages the energy from P–MFC. An energy capacity model is proposed to analyze the supercapacitor’s charge response and the recovery effect after each Long-Range (LoRa) transmission of the sensor node. The integration of a power management strategy is used to improve the sustainable operation in each sensor node. Experimental results show an open circuit voltage of 1.75 V, and a short current circuit of 5.6 mA for the serial-parallel configuration of the P–MFC array. The test-scenarios demonstrate sustainable operation of the LoRa-WSNs after one month with a daily generation capacity of 80 J, which is sufficient for the WSN’s node operation.
La formación profesional dual en España como mecanismo de creación de empleo para los jóvenes

Youth unemployment is one of the main problems in the world. In Europe, and especially in Spain, the rates are very high and there has been, for a long time, a situation of total mismatch between the education system and the labor market. In order to solve this issue, it is necessary to bet, according to the fourth goal of sustainable development, for lifelong learning, which the dual vocational training is the main tool in our country. This analysis includes the dual vocational training, its evolution and current situation, the com-parison with other European systems, the apprenticeship or vocational training contract as a mechanism for insertion into the labor market, the training aspects and some issues related to Social Security. Furthermore, some proposals are included.
Profile-Based Output Error Compensation for Approximate Arithmetic Circuits

Truncation is one of the most commonly used approaches for circuit-level approximate computing. This paper proposes a scheme for error compensation of arithmetic circuits in which a so-called padding is utilized to compensate at the output for the truncated bits of the input operands. Compensation relies on adjusting the output results of an arithmetic circuit; the padding takes a value determined by utilizing statistical information based on profiling an arithmetic circuit to reduce the average signed difference between the inexact and exact values and so the mean square error. An extensive analysis and simulation-based evaluation of error metrics are performed on signed truncated adders, multipliers and dividers; an excellent agreement is found. Additional design metrics such as power consumption and circuit complexity are also assessed. Different applications of approximate arithmetic circuits with the proposed output error compensation scheme are presented. Matrix multiplication and image processing (changing detection) are investigated to show the effectiveness of the scheme proposed in this paper.
Dopad chybovosti trénovacích dat na výstup strojového učení pro klasifikaci mračen bodů elektrického vedení

DOPAD CHYBOVOSTI TRÉNOVACÍCH DAT NA VÝSTUP STROJOVÉHO UČENÍ PRO KLASIFIKACI MRAČEN BODŮ ELEKTRICKÉHO VEDENÍ Daniel BERAN1, Nan LI 2, Norbert PFEIFER 2 1 Západočeská univerzita, Fakulta aplikovaných věd, Katedra geomatiky, Univerzitní 22, Plzeň, Česká republika dberan[at]kgm.zcu. cz 2 TU Wien, Department of Geodesy and Geoinformation, Research Division Photogrammetry, Wiedner Hauptstraße 8, Vienna, Austria photo-sek[at]geo.tuwien. ac.at
Leveraging Efficient Planning and Lightweight Agent Definition: A Novel Path Towards Emergent Narrative

Emergent narrative has the ability to unlock the true potential of interactive media, moving beyond pre-scripted, ﬁxed storylines. Existing implementations of emergent narrative achieve their results through complex rule systems and agent representations, which entail high authoring workload that limit the feasible scope of storyworlds. In this paper, we propose an approach that instead aims at leveraging efﬁcient planning to achieve similar results, using Monte Carlo Tree Search and efﬁcient data structures. This allows for abstraction and mod- ularization of agent behavior, and endows agents with a theory of mind by letting them plan for each other. This greatly simpliﬁes agent deﬁnition and removes the need to explicitly encode intentions. We show that competitive, collaborative and sustainable behaviors emerge in our system, without the explicit deﬁnition of such behaviors. Based on these prelimi- nary results, we discuss necessary steps to turn our approach into an applicable emergent narrative system.
Dynamic motion coupling of body movement for input control

Touchless gestures are used for input when touch is unsuitable or unavailable, such as when interacting with displays that are remote, large, public, or when touch is prohibited for hygienic reasons. Traditionally user input is spatially or semantically mapped to system output, however, in the context of touchless gestures these interaction principles suffer from several disadvantages including memorability, fatigue, and ill-defined mappings. This thesis investigates motion correlation as the third interaction principle for touchless gestures, which maps user input to system output based on spatiotemporal matching of reproducible motion. We demonstrate the versatility of motion correlation by using movement as the primary sensing principle, relaxing the restrictions on how a user provides input. Using TraceMatch, a novel computer vision-based system, we show how users can provide effective input through investigation of input performance with different parts of the body, and how users can switch modes of input spontaneously in realistic application scenarios. Secondly, spontaneous spatial coupling shows how motion correlation can bootstrap spatial input, allowing any body movement, or movement of tangible objects, to be appropriated for ad hoc touchless pointing on a per interaction basis. We operationalise the concept in MatchPoint, and demonstrate the unique capabilities through an exploration of the design space with application examples. Finally, we explore how users synchronise with moving targets in the context of motion correlation, revealing how simple harmonic motion leads to better synchronisation. Using the insights gained we explore the robustness of algorithms used for motion correlation, showing how it is possible to successfully detect a user's intent to interact whilst suppressing accidental activations from common spatial and semantic gestures. Finally, we look across our work to distil guidelines for interface design, and further considerations of how motion correlation can be used, both in general and for touchless gestures.
Heavy Metal Pollution of Environment by Mine Tailings and the Potential Reclamation Techniques: A Review

Environmental pollution through heavy metal has alarmingly been increased due to industrial and economic development worldwide. Since the industrial revolution started throughout the world, mining activities are being developed, generating huge amount of metal-rich hazardous wastes like tailings and thereby posing potential threat to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The small tailings particles can easily be spread out of the tailings ponds to the surrounding environment because of erosion driven by rain water and strong wind. Subsequently, heavy metals of tailings particles enter into the food chain in different ways and result in serious health issues in humans and animals. Therefore, ecological restoration of mine wastelands is of paramount concern. Different methods for the remediation of mine sites have been developed so far, most of which are expensive and difficult to implement. Countries having severe heavy metal pollution issues are spending huge money every year for the management purpose of these pollution sources and still scientists are doing research to establish eco-friendly, cost-effective, easily-applicable and sustainable remediation strategies for the metal-rich mine tailing sites. This review describes the way of heavy metal contamination of environment by mine tailings, negative effects of heavy metals, research development regarding remediation methods as well as suggests some ideas for the future research direction. Keywords: Mine tailings, heavy metal contamination, sustainable remediation method, phytoremediation, amendments DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-16-05 Publication date: August 31 st 2020
Spatial, temporal and attitudinal dimensions of conflict between predators and small-livestock farmers in the Central Karoo§

Conflict between predators and small-livestock farmers is a global phenomenon adversely impacting the preservation of wildlife, the well-being of livestock and human livelihoods. Such conflict is pervasive in the Karoo region of South Africa but its contemporary history and various causes remain poorly understood. In this study, we interviewed 77 small-livestock farmers in the Central Karoo between July 2014 and March 2015 to (1) assess the spatio-temporal distribution and severity of the reported predation problems with the main regional predators of livestock (black-backed jackal, caracal and baboon) and (2) describe the perceived reasons for changes in predator numbers. Farmers reported that serious predation problems have increased since the 1990s for all three predators. Jackal predation appears to have re-emerged, particularly since the 2000s, while baboon predation seems to have escalated rapidly since 2014 for select farmers. Farms with more rugged terrain were more likely to experience serious problems with baboons and caracal but ruggedness did not predict the year of onset of problems. Farmers perceive predator numbers to be increasing and attribute this trend to declining government support for predator management, changes in farming practices and the associated increase in suitable predator habitat, from which they can recolonise commercial farms.
A Flipping UHF RFID Sensor-Tag for Metallic Environment Compliant With ETSI/FCC Bands

A novel dual-band ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor tag, designed to operate on metallic surfaces, is proposed. This particular UHF RFID sensor tag is capable of operating in both the main RFID frequency bands of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). The dual-band operation of the UHF RFID sensor tag is based on a very simple concept; by flipping the UHF RFID sensor tag on a metallic surface, it can operate either in the ETSI or FCC RFID frequency bands. The impedance and radiation characteristics of the UHF RFID sensor tag are presented with an extensive analysis of the effects of the metallic surface on the UHF RFID sensor tag. In addition, an equivalent model of the UHF RFID sensor tag, which includes the effects of the metallic surface on the sensor tag, is proposed. The UHF RFID sensor tag has a small form factor and presents a satisfying read range of around 3 m for both the operating frequency bands in a metallic environment as well as a read range of 1.4 m when operating in free space.
The connection of the family’s socioeconomic status and consumption of cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana in adolescents of the Brcko district of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Introduction/Objective. The objective of this paper was to determine the connection between the socioeconomic status (SES) of the respondents and cigarette smoking and the use of alcohol and marijuana. Is there a connection between the SES respondents and their gender and place of residence? Methods. A total of 4188 primary and secondary school respondents from Brcko District of Bosna and Herzegovina participated in a cross-sectional study based on the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs questionnaire, adapted to this research. The data was collected using the questionnaire prepared for each respondent. Data on gender, marital status, occupation, and professional qualifications of parents were used to determine a family? s SES according to the Hollingshead methodology. Results. Alcohol and marijuana use are in relation to SES respondents (p < 0.001 or p = 0.008): respondents living in low-SES families use alcohol or marijuana at a lower percentage than respondents from middle-SES or high-SES families. Smoking habits are not in relation to SES respondents (p = 0.678). The place of residence is connected to SES respondents (p < 0.001): more respondents from low-SES families live in rural areas, while those from medium-SES and high-SES families predominantly live in urban areas. Conclusion. The SES of the respondents is in relation to their place of residence, alcohol and marijuana use, but it is not related to cigarette smoking.
Assessing the Spaceborne 183.31-GHz Radiometric Channel Geolocation Using High-Altitude Lakes, Ice Shelves, and SAR Imagery

The goal of this work is to perform the geolocation error assessment of the channel imagery at 183.31 GHz of the Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMIS). The frequency around 183.31 GHz still represents the highest channel frequency of current spaceborne microwave and millimeter-wave radiometers. The latter will be extended to frequencies up to 664 GHz, as in the case of EUMETSAT Ice Cloud Imager (ICI). This use of submillimeter observations unfortunately prevents a straightforward geolocation error assessment using landmark-based techniques. We used SSMIS data at 183.31 GHz as a submillimeter proxy to identify the most suitable targets for geolocation error validation in very dry atmospheric conditions, as suggested by radiative transfer modeling. Using a yearly SSMIS data set, three candidates’ landmark targets are selected: 1) high-altitude lakes and high-latitude bays using a coastline reference database and 2) Antarctic ice shelves using coastlines derived from Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery. Data processing is carried out by using spatial cross correlation methods in the spatial frequency domain and performing a numerical sensitivity analysis to contour displacement. Cloud masking, based on a fuzzy-logic approach, is applied to automatically selected clear-air days. The results show that the average geolocation error is about 6.2 km for mountainous lakes and sea bays and 5.4 km for ice shelves, with a standard deviation of about 2.7 and 2.0 km, respectively. The results are in line with SSMIS previous estimates, whereas annual clear-air days are about 10% for mountainous lakes and sea bays and 18% for ice shelves.
Air Pollution Problem in Delhi

A few medical problems in urban areas are caused by exposure. Usually the state of air pollution in Delhi has improved in various ways in which toxin levels and monitoring measures have been used to minimize them. This paper offers facts focused on the state of air pollution in Delhi and its repercussions for coordinated health and control initiatives. Delhi has exceeded the highest PM10 mark by almost ten times at a rate of 198 μg / m3 by both the urban pollution registry published by the WHO in 2011. Vehicle emissions and current drills have been found in Delhi to be linked to indoor pollution. Concentrated on Delhi air pollution and death, all-common cause of death and grimness has increases with the increase air pollution. In the last 10 years, Delhi had also figured out a way of reducing air pollution in town.
The large loop-8 insert in Saccharomyces cerevisiae kinesin-5 Cin8 is necessary and sufficient to promote noncanonical microtubule interactions

Saccharomyces cerevisiae kinesin-5 Cin8 displays unconventional biochemical behavior including bidirectional motility and ability to bind multiple motor domains per αβ tubulin dimer in the microtubule lattice. Previous research suggested that a large loop-8 insert near the microtubule binding interface of Cin8 was critical for its noncanonical microtubule binding behavior. Here we utilized mutagenesis, thermodynamic, and kinetic assays to further understand the mechanism for how this loop-8 insert promotes super-stoichiometric microtubule binding in Cin8. This loop-8 insert that interrupts the conserved β5a/b hairpin was swapped between Cin8, Eg5 (KIF11, a human kinesin-5) and Kip1 (another S. cerevisiae kinesin-5). Cin8 with the loop-8 insert from Eg5 (Cin8-EL8) binds one motor per tubulin dimer, whereas Eg5 with the loop-8 insert from Cin8 (Eg5-CL8) binds approximately 2-4 motors per tubulin dimer. Eg5-CL8 bound the canonical and noncanonical sites on the microtubule lattice with weakened oligomerization between motors, while Cin8-EL8 showed only canonical site binding. These results demonstrate that the large loop-8 insert in Cin8 is necessary and sufficient to promote noncanonical microtubule binding behavior.
Symptomatology of the leaf blight of periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus L.) G.don caused by Alternaria alternata (fr.) Keisslar

Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus L.), is an important medicinal and ornamental plant growing worldwide. Periwinkle plant is attacked by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler causing leaf blight. The disease starts as small light brown to dark brown lesions at margin and tip off the leaf extended inside. Spots enlarge and coalesce forming large patches on the leaf blade. Under favorable conditions the disease extents to leaf petiole.
Analysis of a New Flux Switching Permanent Magnet Linear Motor

A novel flux switching permanent magnet linear motor (FSPMLM), which has the advantages of high thrust density [the ratio of average thrust to permanent magnet (PM) volume] and low cost for long-stroke application, is proposed and investigated in this article. The topology of the novel FSPMLM with 12 slots is introduced and the basic operating principle is analyzed first. The optimal geometric parameters are selected by using the layered orthogonal optimization method. Then the electromagnetic performance of the motor is investigated by the analytical method based on the equivalent magnetic network model (MNM). Finally, a scheme of setting auxiliary teeth in the primary component is adopted to suppress the unbalance of the three phase flux linkages.
Potentials of Pesticidal Plants in Enhancing Diversity of Pollinators in Cropped Fields

Declines in populations of pollinators in agricultural based landscapes have raised a concern, which could be associated with various factors such as intensive farming systems like monocropping and the use of non-selective synthetic pesticides. Such practices are likely to remove beneficial non-crop plants around or nearby the cropped fields. This may in turn result into losses of pollinators due to loss of the natural habitats for insects therefore, interfering the interaction between beneficial insects and flowering crop plants. Initiatives to restore friendly habitats for pollinators require multidisciplinary approaches. One of these could be the use of pesticidal flowering plants as part of field margin plants with the aim of encouraging the population of pollinators whilst reducing the number of pests. Farmers should be fully engaged in the efforts of creating conducive environments to pollinators and be well equipped with the knowledge of proper habitats management strategies in agricultural fields. Developing appropriate conservation strategies to combat decline of pollinators is of high importance and thus there is a need to evaluate management practices, which potentially favour the populations of pollinators. Therefore, this review aims at unravelling available evidences on habitats manipulation options through provision of flowering plants along the field margins that have shown to increase plant biodiversity surrounding the cropped fields. It also summarizes the options for increasing plant biodiversity, which have improved habitats for the pollinating insects and beneficially boosting pollination services in agro-ecosystems.