Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Different Feature Selection Criteria Based on a Covariance Convergence Perspective for a SLAM Algorithm

This paper introduces several non-arbitrary feature selection techniques for a Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithm. The feature selection criteria are based on the determination of the most significant features from a SLAM convergence perspective. The SLAM algorithm implemented in this work is a sequential EKF (Extended Kalman filter) SLAM. The feature selection criteria are applied on the correction stage of the SLAM algorithm, restricting it to correct the SLAM algorithm with the most significant features. This restriction also causes a decrement in the processing time of the SLAM. Several experiments with a mobile robot are shown in this work. The experiments concern the map reconstruction and a comparison between the different proposed techniques performance. The experiments were carried out at an outdoor environment composed by trees, although the results shown herein are not restricted to a special type of features.
A test of the technology acceptance model: the case of cellular telephone adoption

This paper examines patterns of cellular phone adoption and usage in an urban setting. One hundred and seventy-six cellular telephone users were surveyed about their patterns of usage, demographic and socio-economic characteristics, perceptions about the technology, and their motivations to use cellular services. The results of this study confirm that users' perceptions are significantly associated with their motivation to use cellular phones. Specifically, perceived ease of use was found to have significant effects on users' extrinsic and intrinsic motivations; apprehensiveness about cellular technology had a negative effect on intrinsic motivations. Implications of these findings for practice and research are examined.
Pervasive Versus Productive: The Case of Mobile Phones in Developing Economies

With statistics pointing to nearly 100% adoption of mobile phones in developed countries and nearly 50% adoption worldwide, mobile phones have become a pervasive portion of our information and communications infrastructure. In many developing countries, mobiles are becoming an important platform for delivering information services. Yet in spite of its rapid adoption, does this mean that cell phones increase productivity? This paper is a country-level analysis of whether investments in mobile phones translate into increased productivity. We find that in the near term, mobiles actually decrease productivity. The long-term benefits differ between developed to developing countries. In developing countries, there is a positive long-term benefit to productivity. In developing countries, however, this study does not find any long-term productivity improvements.
Preliminary Note on a New Method of Measuring Directly the Double-Refraction in Strained Glass

In general the methods employed for observing the double-refraction in strained glass depend on the use of crossed Nicols, and are similar in principle to those used for observing the colours of crystalline plates. So far as the difference between the two indices of refraction is concerned, a method described by the author allows of continuous observation of the double-refraction throughout the spectrum.
Fundamental Limits on Throughput Capacity in Information-Centric Networks

Wireless information-centric networks consider storage as one of the network primitives, and propose to cache data within the network in order to improve latency and reduce bandwidth consumption. We study the throughput capacity and latency in an information-centric network when the data cached in each node has a limited lifetime. The results show that with some fixed request and cache expiration rates, the order of the data access time does not change with network growth, and the maximum throughput order is not changing with the network growth in grid networks and is inversely proportional to the number of nodes in one cell in random networks. Comparing these values with the corresponding throughput and latency with no cache capability (throughput inversely proportional to the network size, and latency of order √n and the inverse of the transmission range in grid and random networks, respectively), we can actually quantify the asymptotic advantage of caching. Moreover, we compare these scaling laws for different content discovery mechanisms and illustrate that not much gain is lost when a simple path search is used.
On the association between core-collapse supernovae and H ii regions

Previous studies of the location of core-collapse supernovae (ccSNe) in their host galaxies have variously claimed an association with Hii regions; no association; or an association only with hydrogen-deficient ccSNe. Here, we examine the immedia te environments of 39 ccSNe whose positions are well known in nearby (≤15 Mpc), low inclination (≤65 ◦ ) hosts using mostly archival, continuum-subtracted Hα ground-based imaging. We find that 11 out of 29 hydrogen-rich ccSNe are spatially associated with Hii regions (38± 11%), versus 7 out of 10 hydrogen-poor ccSNe (70± 26%). Similar results from Anderson et al. led to an interpretation that the progenitors of type Ib/c ccSNe are more massive than those of type II ccSNe. Here, we quantify the luminosities of Hii region either coincident with, or nearby to the ccSNe. Characteristic nebulae are long-lived (∼20 Myr) giant Hii regions rather than short-lived (∼4 Myr) isolated, compact Hii regions. Therefore, the absence of a Hii region from most type II ccSNe merely reflects the longer lifetime of stars with /12 M⊙ than giant Hii regions. Conversely, the association of a Hii region with most type Ib/c ccSNe is due to the shorter lifetime of stars with>12 M⊙ stars than the duty cycle of giant Hii regions. Therefore, we conclude that the observed association between certain ccSNe and Hii provides only weak constraints upon their progenitor masses. Nevertheless, we do favour lower mass progenitors for two type Ib/c ccSNe that lack associated nebular emission, a host cluster or a nearby giant Hii region. Finally, we also reconsider the association between long Gamma Ray Bursts and the peak continuum light from their (mostly) dwarf hosts, and conclude that this is suggestive of very high mass progenitors, in common with previous studies.
Progression of Symptomatic Intracranial Large Artery Atherosclerosis Is Associated With a Proinflammatory State and Impaired Fibrinolysis

Background and Purpose— The molecular pathways involved in the progression of intracranial large artery atherosclerosis (ILA) are largely unknown. Our objective was to prospectively study the relationship between circulating levels of inflammatory markers and fibrinolysis inhibitors, and the risk of progression of symptomatic ILA. Methods— Seventy-five consecutive patients with first-ever symptomatic intracranial atherostenosis were studied. Blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), E-selectin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, matrix metalloproteinases 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, and 13, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and lipoprotein(a) were measured 3 months after the qualifying stroke or transient ischemic attack. Thereafter, patients underwent long-term transcranial Doppler follow-up to detect progression of ILA. Results— During a median follow-up time of 23 months, 25 (33%) patients showed ILA progression. Multivariable adjusted Cox regression models and Kaplan–Meier curves showed that high baseline level of CRP, E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, matrix metalloproteinase 9, PAI-1, and lipoprotein(a) predicted ILA progression independently of vascular risk factors. Of them, only CRP (CRP>5.5 mg/L; HR, 5.4 [2.3 to 12.7]; P=0.0001) and PAI-1 (PAI-1>23.1 ng/mL; HR, 2.4 [1.0 to 5.8]; P=0.05) predicted ILA progression also independently of the other studied molecules. Conclusion— Progression of symptomatic ILA is associated with a proinflammatory state, as reflected by high levels of inflammatory markers, and with defective fibrinolysis, as indicated by raised concentrations of endogenous fibrinolysis inhibitors.
Non-Additive Approach for Gradient-Based Edge Detection

In this paper, we propose a new method to perform the first derivative estimation of a discrete intensity distribution. This approach is based on a non-additive aggregation process and provides an estimate of the gradient as intervals instead of single values. These intervals are used to threshold a gradient-based edge detection and therefore discard spurious detections due to noise.
Lossless and Dissipative Distributed Systems

This paper deals with linear shift-invariant distributed systems. By this we mean systems described by constant coefficient linear partial differential equations. We define dissipativity with respect to a quadratic differential form, i.e., a quadratic functional in the system variables and their partial derivatives. The main result states the equivalence of dissipativity and the existence of a storage function or a dissipation rate. The proof of this result involves the construction of the dissipation rate. We show that this problem can be reduced to Hilbert's 17th problem on the representation of a nonnegative rational function as a sum of squares of rational functions.
Asperger's Syndrome and Aminoaciduria: A Case Example

An 18-year-old male, originally diagnosed as suffering from infantile autism but with a developmental history and clinical picture in keeping with Asperger's syndrome, and showing current signs of impairment of higher cerebral functioning, is presented. The subject and several males of his family present behavioural disturbances of an enduring type. An aminoaciduria was discovered in the subject and his father. A possible relationship between the metabolic disturbance and the neurological and behavioural disturbance is raised. Mechanisms for this relationship are discussed, including sporadic hyperlysinaemia.
Exposure to endotoxin or other bacterial components might protect against the development of atopy

Several recent studies have shown that growing up on a farm confers significant protection against the development of atopy. These findings point particularly towards the importance of exposure to stable dust and farm animals. It has furthermore been reported that endotoxin, an intrinsic part of the outer membrane of gram negative bacteria, is abundant in environments where livestock and poultry is kept.
Improved Models for Transcription Factor Binding Site Identification Using Nonindependent Interactions

Identifying transcription factor (TF) binding sites is essential for understanding regulatory networks. The specificity of most TFs is currently modeled using position weight matrices (PWMs) that assume the positions within a binding site contribute independently to binding affinity for any site. Extensive, high-throughput quantitative binding assays let us examine, for the first time, the independence assumption for many TFs. We find that the specificity of most TFs is well fit with the simple PWM model, but in some cases more complex models are required. We introduce a binding energy model (BEM) that can include energy parameters for nonindependent contributions to binding affinity. We show that in most cases where a PWM is not sufficient, a BEM that includes energy parameters for adjacent dinucleotide contributions models the specificity very well. Having more accurate models of specificity greatly improves the interpretation of in vivo TF localization data, such as from chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) experiments.
Polysaccharide-Based Nanocarriers for Improved Drug Delivery

The field of drug delivery has provided a solution to the limited efficacy and high toxicity of many drugs. Nano-sized drug carriers are popular because their size allows for selective accumulation in the diseased area. Polysaccharides are non-toxic and biodegradable natural polymers that can serve as the basis for these nano-sized carriers. Polysialic acid (PSA) is such a polysaccharide with strong hydrophilicity that may reduce uptake by the reticuloendothelial system and prolong drug circulation. In this study, we developed PSA-based nanocarriers, specifically micelles and nanoparticles, for improved drug delivery with improved efficacy and minimized toxicity. PSA-based micelle systems were developed via conjugation with two hydrophobic groups, decylamine (DA) and polycaprolactone (PCL). Nanoparticles were fabricated via ionic complexation of the negatively charged PSA with positively charged N, N, N-trimethyl chitosan (TMC). All three nanocarriers possessed sizes close to 100 nm with low polydispersity (PDI) and high zeta potential values. Literature suggested that these characteristics would allow the nanocarriers to be physiologically stable and would facilitate passive accumulation within diseased areas. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was selected as the primary disease model for evaluation of our nanocarriers. PSA-PCL micelles and PSA-TMC nanoparticles showed low cytotoxicity, as demonstrated by high IC50 values (PSA-PCL: 10.5 ± 1.7 mg/ml; PSA-TMC: 7.65 ± 0.07 mg/ml) to synovial cells, the so-called conductors of joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. The synovial cells were also used to demonstrate effective uptake of fluorescently tagged nanocarriers. Three disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were selected for loading into the nanocarriers. Cyclosporine A (CyA) was encapsulated within the PSA-PCL micelles, while methotrexate (MTX), and dexamethasone (DM) were entrapped within the PSA-TMC nanoparticles. PSA-PCL micelles were loaded with 0.09 ± 0.02 mg CyA per mg of PSAPCL, while PSA-TMC nanoparticles were loaded with 0.10 ± 0.03 mg MTX and 0.10 ± 0.02 mg DM per mg of PSA-TMC. Controlled release of the DMARDs from the nanocarriers was demonstrated. An in vitro model of rheumatoid arthritis was used to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory nature of the MTXand DM-loaded PSA-TMC nanoparticles. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first time that PSA-based nanocarriers were successfully developed and evaluated for improved drug delivery. POLYSACCHARIDE-BASED NANOCARRIERS FOR IMPROVED DRUG DELIVERY
Validity of Fasting Blood Glucose Test in Screening for the Pre-Diabetes State Among Pregnant Females

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as carbohydrate intolerance of varying degrees of severity with onset or first recognition during pregnancy (Metzer & Coustan, 1998). Glucose tolerance deteriorates in human pregnancy, but about 97% to 98% of all pregnant women retain a normal glucose tolerance and only 2% to 3% develops GDM (Kuhl, 1991). However, failure to diagnose and treat GDM will result in increased morbidity in some pregnancies, while an aggressive approach to diagnosis and treatment may result in unnecessary intervention in others (Kjos & Buchanan, 1999). The prevalence of GDM ranges from 1% to 14% of all pregnancies, depending on the population studied and the diagnostic tests and criteria employed (World Health Organization [WHO], 1985). In a recent study by Al-Rowaily and Abolfotouh in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of GDM was 12.5% and 3.8% by the WHO and American Diabetes Association criteria respectively (Al-Rowaily & Abolfotouh, 2010). The appropriateness of these different diagnostic criteria has been debated (Gabir et al., 2000); nevertheless women meeting the definition for GDM by either set of criteria are at greater risk of complications than women without the diagnosis. The 75-g glucose load has been the international standard for the diagnosis of diabetes in nonpregnant adults for several decades. This oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) identifies pregnant women who are at risk of pre-eclampsia and whose babies are at risk of macrosomia and perinatal mortality (Schmidt et al., 2001). Although the American Diabetes Association (ADA) still recommends a 3-h 100-g OGTT for the diagnosis of GDM, it has recently included in its recommendations the use of a 2-h 75-g OGTT (American Diabetes Association [ADA], 2000; Metzger & Coustan, 1998). A recent WHO panel, although in general maintaining previous diagnostic recommendations, now characterizes GDM as the joint category of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (fasting glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/L or 2-h glucose ≥ 7.8mmol/L (WHO, 1999). At present, screening for gestational diabetes appears to be hampered by the lack of a clear definition, agreed diagnostic criteria and evidence to show that intervention and treatment for this condition leads to improved outcomes for the mother and fetus. Although fasting plasma glucose and Glucose Challenge Test (GCT) have the highest reported sensitivities
Urinary infection in patients of public health care of Campo Mourão-PR, Brazil: bacterial prevalence and sensitivity profile

Introduction: Cases of bacterial resistance in urinary tract infections (UTIs) have increased significantly, mainly due to indiscriminate use of antimicrobials. Objective: Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of microorganisms isolated in urine cultures of patients of Consorcio Intermunicipal de Saude da Comunidade dos Municipios da Regiao de Campo Mourao (CISCOMCAM) clinical laboratory. Method: We performed a retrospective study of data from urine culture and sensitivity done between January 2012 and December 2013. Results: The most prevalent bacteria were Escherichia coli; women were the most affected gender and people 16-45 years, the most affected age group. The sensitivity profile showed that the antimicrobial combination trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole was not associated with the highest rate of bacterial resistance (59.7%) and the combination of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid showed the lowest resistance rate (15.3%). For most antimicrobials, including ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, the rates of bacterial resistance have increased from 2012 to 2013 with statistical significance (p < 0.05) in some cases. Discussion: The prevalence of Gram-negative bacilli in urinary infections is due to the fact that intestinal flora is rich in enterobacteria, and women are most affected by anatomical factors. The development of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials probably arises from their indiscriminate use. Conclusion: The rate of microbial resistance has risen, showing the need for a more effective control of antimicrobial use.
Assessing agreement level between forced alignment models with data from endangered language documentation corpora

Automatic forced alignment between transcriptions has achieved high levels of agreement for languages with large corpora, but the technique holds great promise for work on all languages. Here, we apply two forced alignment programs to data from an endangered Mixtecan language of Mexico. Both yielded a majority of boundaries within 20 ms of hand-labeled ones. Phonemes with fairly steady-state elements (e.g. nasals, fricatives) were more accurately labeled than others. Forced alignment thus may increase efficiency of labeling texts from smaller languages, at least in cases where the phoneme inventories are similar to those of the languages of the training.
Ferritins, iron uptake and storage from the bacterioferritin viewpoint

Ferritins constitute a broad superfamily of iron storage proteins, widespread in all domains of life, in aerobic or anaerobic organisms. Ferritins isolated from bacteria may be haem‐free or contain a haem. In the latter case they are called bacterioferritins. The primary function of ferritins inside cells is to store iron in the ferric form. A secondary function may be detoxification of iron or protection against O2 and its radical products. Indeed, for bacterioferritins this is likely to be their primary function. Ferritins and bacteroferritins have essentially the same architecture, assembling in a 24mer cluster to form a hollow, roughly spherical construction. In this review, special emphasis is given to the structure of the ferroxidase centres with native iron‐containing sites, since oxidation of ferrous iron by molecular oxygen takes place in these sites. Although present in other ferritins, a specific entry route for iron, coupled with the ferroxidase reaction, has been proposed and described in some structural studies. Electrostatic calculations on a few selected proteins indicate further ion channels assumed to be an entry route in the later mineralization processes of core formation.
The LIMSI 1998 Hub-4E Transcription System

A power supply detecting input receiver circuit ( 300 ) can include a multiplexing capability that can select one of at least two power supplies during a non-critical timing period. Such selection of a power supply can reduce both the standby and the active current of input receiver circuit ( 300 ). In one arrangement, an input receiver circuit ( 300 ) can include a comparator ( 310 ), a latch ( 316 ), and a select circuit ( 304 ). A latch ( 316 ) can be enabled to indicate a selection of a supply upon a circuit power-up, as but one example. A method is disclosed that includes comparing at least two supply voltages, setting a latch to indicate a selected supply, and providing the selected supply to an input receiver. The receiver output signal may be voltage-translated to a suitable internal supply level.
Understanding the Geometry of Infeasible Perturbations of a Conic Linear System

We discuss some properties of the distance to infeasibility of a conic linear system Ax = b, \; x \in C, $ where C is a closed convex cone. Some interesting connections between the distance to infeasibility and the solution of certain optimization problems are established. Such connections provide insight into the estimation of the distance to infeasibility and the explicit computation of infeasible perturbations of a given system. We also investigate the properties of the distance to infeasibility assuming that the perturbations are restricted to have a particular structure. Finally, we extend most of our results to more general conic systems Ax - b \in C_Y,\; x \in C_X, $ where CX and CY are closed, convex cones.
The Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Matrix Protein Is Required for Maturation of Viral Filaments

ABSTRACT An experimental system was developed to generate infectious human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) lacking matrix (M) protein expression (M-null virus) from cDNA. The role of the M protein in virus assembly was then examined by infecting HEp-2 and Vero cells with the M-null virus and assessing the impact on infectious virus production and viral protein trafficking. In the absence of M, the production of infectious progeny was strongly impaired. Immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy analysis using antibodies against the nucleoprotein (N), attachment protein (G), and fusion protein (F) failed to detect the characteristic virus-induced cell surface filaments, which are believed to represent infectious virions. In addition, a large proportion of the N protein was detected in viral replication factories termed inclusion bodies (IBs). High-resolution analysis of the surface of M-null virus-infected cells by field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of large areas with densely packed, uniformly short filaments. Although unusually short, these filaments were otherwise similar to those induced by an M-containing control virus, including the presence of the viral G and F proteins. The abundance of the short, stunted filaments in the absence of M indicates that M is not required for the initial stages of filament formation but plays an important role in the maturation or elongation of these structures. In addition, the absence of mature viral filaments and the simultaneous increase in the level of the N protein within IBs suggest that the M protein is involved in the transport of viral ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes from cytoplasmic IBs to sites of budding.