MVPA-Light: a classification and regression toolbox for multi-dimensional data

MVPA-Light is a MATLAB toolbox for multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA). It provides native implementations of a range of classifiers and regression models, using modern optimization algorithms. High-level functions allow for the multivariate analysis of multi-dimensional data, including generalization (e.g., time x time) and searchlight analysis. The toolbox performs cross-validation, hyperparameter tuning, and nested preprocessing. It computes various classification and regression metrics and establishes their statistical significance, is modular and easily extendable. Furthermore, it offers interfaces for LIBSVM and LIBLINEAR as well as an integration into the FieldTrip neuroimaging toolbox. After introducing MVPA-Light, example analyses of MEG and fMRI datasets, and benchmarking results on the classifiers and regression models are presented

Reprezentacje ikoniczne i symboliczne w początkowym nauczaniu matematyki

Mathematics is an abstract science, it uses a specific symbolic language, a kind of code that is difficult for children to comprehend. Using operation signs and numbers is not simple and obvious for them. The learning of mathematics by children cannot therefore be based on symbols alone. Action is needed first. However, since there is a large gap between an action and a symbol, it is necessary to support the teaching of mathematics with graphic means. Introducing a graphic element as a kind of methodological aid requires careful preparation, motivation and embedding it in previous physical activities performed by children. Otherwise, such an item, instead of facilitating the understanding of a concept, hinders that understanding and becomes an illusory aid. This paper describes the role and importance of pictorial representation in early mathematics teaching. Based on selected examples of tasks from textbooks, the difficulties of illustrating mathematical concepts are presented, and appropriate methodological solutions in this area are indicated.Matematyka jest nauką abstrakcyjną, posługuje się specyficznym, symbolicznym językiem, rodzajem kodu, który jest trudny dla dzieci. Używanie znaków działań, cyfr nie jest dla nich proste i oczywiste. Uczenie się matematyki przez dzieci nie może więc się opierać jedynie na symbolach. Konieczne jest najpierw działanie. Ponieważ jednak pomiędzy działaniem a symbolem istnieje duża przepaść, to ucząc matematyki należy się posiłkować środkami graficznymi. Wprowadzenie środka graficznego jako swoistego ułatwienia metodycznego wymaga starannego przygotowania, umotywowania oraz osadzenia we wcześniejszych czynnościach fizycznych wykonywanych przez dziecko. W innym wypadku środek taki, zamiast ułatwić zrozumienie jakiegoś pojęcia, utrudnia to rozumienie i staje się ułatwieniem pozornym. W artykule opisano rolę i znaczenie schematów graficznych w początkowym nauczaniu matematyki. Bazując na wybranych przykładach zadań z podręczników, przedstawiono trudności związane z ilustrowaniem pojęć matematycznych oraz wskazano właściwe rozwiązania metodyczne w tym zakresie

Impact of European Integration on the Functioning of the Insurance Market in Poland

The transformation process, that has begun 20 years ago, generated significant changes in the structure and organization of Polish economy. It stimulated development of particular market's segments, especially of the insurance sector. Poland's accession to the European Union required conformity to Its regulations, fulfillment of several conditions connected with the membership in the European Community. The purpose of this article is to present the main consequences of Poland's integration with EU in the field of insurance market. Joining the common market was an important challenge for this sector in our country.Rok 1990 stanowił początek procesu transformacji systemu społeczno - gospodarczego i ustrojowego. Ostatnie 20 lat to okres intensywnych przemian o charakterze strukturalnym i organizacyjnym, w wyniku których ukształtowały się warunki rozwoju poszczególnych segmentów systemu finansowego państwa, zwłaszcza sektora ubezpieczeń. Przystąpienie Polski do Unii Europejskiej wymagało wprowadzenia szeregu zmian, dostosowujących polski porządek prawny do uregulowań wspólnotowych regulujących funkcjonowanie rynku ubezpieczeń. Celem artykułu jest zaprezentowanie szans i zagrożeń, jakie wynikają dla tego segmentu gospodarki z przystąpienia Polski do UE. Niewątpliwie proces integracji stanowił poważne wyzwanie dla polskiego rynku ubezpieczeń

Seasat. Volume 4: Attitude determination

The Seasat project was a feasibility demonstration of the use of orbital remote sensing for global ocean observation. The satellite was launched in June 1978 and was operated successfully until October 1978. A massive electrical failure occurred in the power system, terminating the mission prematurely. The actual implementation of the Seasat Attitude Determination system and the contents of the attitude data files generated by that system are documented. The deviations from plan caused by the anomalous Sun interference with horizon sensors, inflight calibration of Sun sensor head 2 alignment and horizon sensor biomass, estimation of yaw interpolation parameters, Sun and horizon sensor error sources, and yaw interpolation accuracy are included. Examples are given of flight attitude data from all modes of the Orbital Attitude Control System, of the ground processing effects on attitude data, and of cold cloud effects on pitch, and roll data

Untranslated regions of diverse plant viral RNAs vary greatly in translation enhancement efficiency

Background: Whole plants or plant cell cultures can serve as low cost bioreactors to produce massive amounts of a specific protein for pharmacological or industrial use. To maximize protein expression, translation of mRNA must be optimized. Many plant viral RNAs harbor extremely efficient translation enhancers. However, few of these different translation elements have been compared side-by-side. Thus, it is unclear which are the most efficient translation enhancers. Here, we compare the effects of untranslated regions (UTRs) containing translation elements from six plant viruses on translation in wheat germ extract and in monocotyledenous and dicotyledenous plant cells.Results: The highest expressing uncapped mRNAs contained viral UTRs harboring Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV)-like cap-independent translation elements (BTEs). The BYDV BTE conferred the most efficient translation of a luciferase reporter in wheat germ extract and oat protoplasts, while uncapped mRNA containing the BTE from Tobacco necrosis virus-D translated most efficiently in tobacco cells. Capped mRNA containing the Tobacco mosaic virus omega sequence was the most efficient mRNA in tobacco cells. UTRs from Satellite tobacco necrosis virus, Tomato bushy stunt virus, and Crucifer-infecting tobamovirus (crTMV) did not stimulate translation efficiently. mRNA with the crTMV 5′ UTR was unstable in tobacco protoplasts.Conclusions: BTEs confer the highest levels of translation of uncapped mRNAs in vitro and in vivo, while the capped omega sequence is most efficient in tobacco cells. These results provide a basis for understanding mechanisms of translation enhancement, and for maximizing protein synthesis in cell-free systems, transgenic plants, or in viral expression vectors

Comparison of vapour pressure deficit patterns during cucumber cultivation in a traditional high PE tunnel greenhouse and a tunnel greenhouse equipped with a heat accumulator

Plant productivity in protected cultivation is highly influenced by air temperature and humidity. The conditions relating to the moisture content of the air in protected plant cultivation are preferably defined by vapour pressure deficit (VPD), which describes the difference between the maximal and actual water vapour pressure (kPa). VPD is widely used as the parameter describing the climate conditions favourable for the development of fungal diseases and for highlighting conditions unfavourable for plant development. In protected cultivation, both the air temperature and the humidity are influenced by heating systems, and one such system is a heat accumulator, which may store the excessive heat produced during the day by converting the solar energy inside the plastic tunnel, and using it when plant heating is required. The tunnel equipped with a heat accumulator maintained an optimal level of humidity for a longer period, and significantly reduced the time of excessive air humidity. The longest time with an optimal VPD was recorded in August in a tunnel with an accumulator – 30.5% of total time vs. 22.3% of time for control tunnel. The highest difference of total time where the VPD was too low (below 0.2 kPa) was recorded in July – 12.4% of time in a tunnel with an accumulator vs. 39.1% of time for control tunnel. The highest difference of total time with an excessive VPD (over 1.4 kPa) was recorded in May – 12.1% of time in a tunnel with an accumulator vs. 17.9% of time for control tunnel. However, a situation beneficial for plant growth occurred every month during the investigated season

Arabidopsis Under Microgravity

The research project will focus on the influence of simulated microgravity on the growth rate using clinorotation during the germination period of Arabidopsis. Arabidopsis is a small, flowering plant that can be found in Eurasia and Africa. It is suitable for laboratory research, because of its short life cycle and small sequenced genome. The experiment includes germinating the seeds and exposing the seedlings to simulated gravity achieved by vertical rotation on a clinostat. Vertical rotation will establish a constantly changing gravity vector, creating an environment similar to microgravity. After a period of rotation, the seedlings will be planted and grown in a growth chamber to complete their life cycle. Growth will be measured and evaluated, comparing the samples exposed to microgravity and 1g gravity. It is expected to see a change in the direction of lateral growth, as well as a vertically increased growth rate of the samples exposed to vertical clinorotation. This experiment is important to the field because it will give us insight into the effects of microgravity on plant growth, which will be valuable when thinking about long term space travel and the availability of nutrition. The more studies conducted on this topic, the more prepared current, and future researchers will be in growing plants in microgravity conditions

The Origin of the Electromagnetic Interaction in Einstein's Unified Field Theory with Sources

Einstein's unified field theory is extended by the addition of matter terms in the form of a symmetric energy tensor and of two conserved currents. From the field equations and from the conservation identities emerges the picture of a gravoelectrodynamics in a dynamically polarizable Riemannian continuum. Through an approximate calculation exploiting this dynamical polarizability it is argued that ordinary electromagnetism may be contained in the theory.Comment: 8 pages. Misprint in eq. 15 correcte