Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voltage stabilization in DC microgrids: an approach based on line-independent plug-and-play controllers

We consider the problem of stabilizing voltages in DC microGrids (mGs) given by the interconnection of Distributed Generation Units (DGUs), power lines and loads. We propose a decentralized control architecture where the primary controller of each DGU can be designed in a Plug-and-Play (PnP) fashion, allowing the seamless addition of new DGUs. Differently from several other approaches to primary control, local design is independent of the parameters of power lines. Moreover, differently from the PnP control scheme in [1], the plug-in of a DGU does not require to update controllers of neighboring DGUs. Local control design is cast into a Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) problem that, if unfeasible, allows one to deny plug-in requests that might be dangerous for mG stability. The proof of closed-loop stability of voltages exploits structured Lyapunov functions, the LaSalle invariance theorem and properties of graph Laplacians. Theoretical results are backed up by simulations in PSCAD.
Intrinsic MANOVA for Riemannian Manifolds with an Application to Kendall's Space of Planar Shapes

We propose an intrinsic multifactorial model for data on Riemannian manifolds that typically occur in the statistical analysis of shape. Due to the lack of a linear structure, linear models cannot be defined in general; to date only one-way MANOVA is available. For a general multifactorial model, we assume that variation not explained by the model is concentrated near elements defining the effects. By determining the asymptotic distributions of respective sample covariances under parallel transport, we show that they can be compared by standard MANOVA. Often in applications manifolds are only implicitly given as quotients, where the bottom space parallel transport can be expressed through a differential equation. For Kendall's space of planar shapes, we provide an explicit solution. We illustrate our method by an intrinsic two-way MANOVA for a set of leaf shapes. While biologists can identify genotype effects by sight, we can detect height effects that are otherwise not identifiable.
Combining acoustic and language information for emotion recognition

This paper reports on emotion recognition using both acoustic and language information in spoken utterances. So far, most previous efforts have focused on emotion recognition using acoustic correlates although it is well known that language information also conveys emotions. For capturing emotional information at the language level, we introduce the information-theoretic notion of ’emotional salience’. For acoustic information, linear discriminant classiﬁers and k-nearest neighborhood classiﬁers were used in the emotion classiﬁcation. The combination of acoustic and linguistic information is posed as a data fusion problem to obtain the combined decision. Results using spoken dialog data obtained from a telephone-based human-machine interaction application show that combining acoustic and language information improves negative emotion classiﬁcation by 45.7% (linear discriminant classiﬁer used for acoustic information) and 32.9%, respectively, over using only acoustic and language information.
Stabilization methods in relaxed micromagnetism

The magnetization of a ferromagnetic sample solves a non-convex variational problem, where its relaxation by convexifying the energy density resolves relevant macroscopic information. The numerical analysis of the relaxed model has to deal with a constrained convex but degenerated, nonlocal energy functional in mixed formulation for magnetic potential u and magnetization m . In [C. Carstensen and A. Prohl, Numer. Math. 90 (2001) 65–99], the conforming P1 - (P0)d -element in d=2,3 spatial dimensions is shown to lead to an ill-posed discrete problem in relaxed micromagnetism, and suboptimal convergence. This observation motivated a non-conforming finite element method which leads to a well-posed discrete problem, with solutions converging at optimal rate. In this work, we provide both an a priori and a posteriori error analysis for two stabilized conforming methods which account for inter-element jumps of the piecewise constant magnetization. Both methods converge at optimal rate; the new approach is applied to a macroscopic nonstationary ferromagnetic model [M. Kružik and A. Prohl, Adv. Math. Sci. Appl. 14 (2004) 665–681 – M. Kružik and T. Roubicek, Z. Angew. Math. Phys. 55 (2004) 159–182 ].
An Ethanolic Extract of Lindera obtusiloba Stems, YJP-14, Improves Endothelial Dysfunction, Metabolic Parameters and Physical Performance in Diabetic db/db Mice

Lindera obtusiloba is a medicinal herb traditionally used in Asia for improvement of blood circulation, treatment of inflammation, and prevention of liver damage. A previous study has shown that an ethanolic extract of Lindera obtusiloba stems (LOE) has vasoprotective and antihypertensive effects. The possibility that Lindera obtusiloba improves endothelial function and metabolic parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains to be examined. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the potential of LOE to prevent the development of an endothelial dysfunction, and improve metabolic parameters including hyperglycemia, albuminuria and physical exercise capacity in db/db mice, an experimental model of T2DM. The effect of LOE (100 mg/kg/day by gavage for 8 weeks) on these parameters was compared to that of an oral antidiabetic drug, pioglitazone (30 mg/kg/day by gavage). Reduced blood glucose level, body weight and albumin-creatinine ratio were observed in the group receiving LOE compared to the control db/db group. The LOE treatment improved endothelium-dependent relaxations, abolished endothelium-dependent contractions to acetylcholine in the aorta, and normalized the increased vascular oxidative stress and expression of NADPH oxidase, cyclooxygenases, angiotensin II, angiotensin type 1 receptors and peroxynitrite and the decreased expression of endothelial NO synthase in db/db mice. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was reduced in the LOE group compared to that in the control db/db group. LOE also inhibited the activity of purified ACE, COX-1 and COX-2 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, LOE improved physical exercise capacity. Thus, the present findings indicate that LOE has a beneficial effect on the vascular system in db/db mice by improving endothelium-dependent relaxations and vascular oxidative stress most likely by normalizing the angiotensin system, and also on metabolic parameters, and these effects are associated with an enhanced physical exercise capacity.
Self-Inflicted Eye Injuries in First-Episode and Previously Treated Psychosis

The purpose of the present paper was to describe the circumstances and phenomenology of patients who remove or pierce their eyes or orbits during psychotic illness. In particular, the aim was to determine if patients in their first-episode psychosis (FEP) carry an increased risk of self-inflicted eye injury when compared to patients with previously treated psychosis (PTP). Data were extracted from all of the case reports published in English since 1960 and from two unpublished Australian cases. More than half of the cases of self-inflicted eye injury that resulted in permanent loss of vision occurred during FEP. Serious self-inflicted eye injuries are rare, but the risk appears to be greatest during FEP. Earlier treatment of emerging psychosis and close attention to patients who attempt to injure their eyes may occasionally prevent blindness.
Appointment Scheduling with Discrete Random Durations

We consider the problem of determining optimal appointment schedule for a given sequence of jobs (e.g., medical procedures) on a single processor (e.g., operating room, examination facility), to minimize the expected total underage and overage costs when each job has a random processing duration given by a joint discrete probability distribution. Simple conditions on the cost rates imply that the objective function is submodular and L-convex. Then there exists an optimal appointment schedule which is integer and can be found in polynomial time. Our model can handle a given due date for the total processing (e.g., end of day for an operating room) after which overtime is incurred and, no-shows and emergencies.
TEL2 suppresses metastasis by down-regulating SERPINE1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Metastasis is the major cause of treatment failure in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the molecular mechanisms of NPC metastasis are poorly understood. Here, using our customized gene microarray containing all of the known human transcription factors and the current markers for epithelial-mesenchymal transition, we report that TEL2 was down-regulated in highly metastatic NPC cells and the metastatic tissues in lymph node. Mechanistically, TEL2 inhibits the cell migration and invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo by releasing its direct suppression on the SERPINE1 promoter in NPC. Consistently, an inverse correlation was observed between the protein levels of TEL2 and SERPINE1 using clinical NPC samples. Collectively, we have provided the first evidence that TEL2 plays a key role in NPC metastasis by directly down-regulating SERPINE1, and that this novel axis of TEL2 / SERPINE1 may be valuable to develop new strategies for treating NPC patients with metastasis.
Genetic Stability of Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type I despite Antiviral Pressures by CTLs1

Human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is an inflammatory neurological disease. Patients with HAM/TSP show high proviral load despite increased HTLV-I Tax-specific CTL. It is still unknown whether the CTL efficiently eliminate the virus in vivo and/or whether a naturally occurring variant virus becomes predominant by escaping from the CTL. To address these issues, we sequenced a large number of HTLV-I tax genes from HLA-A*02 HAM/TSP patients and estimated synonymous and nonsynonymous changes of the genes to detect positive selection pressure on the virus. We found the pressures in three of six CTL epitopes in HTLV-I Tax, where amino acid substitutions preferentially occurred. Although some of variant viruses were not recognized by the CTL, no variant viruses accumulated within 3–8 years, indicating genetic stability of HTLV-I tax gene. These results suggest that CTL eliminate the infected cells in vivo and naturally occurring variant viruses do not predominate. As Tax is a regulatory protein which controls viral replication, the amino acid substitutions in Tax may reduce viral fitness for replication. Viral fitness and host immune response may contribute to the viral evolution within the infected individuals. Furthermore, the genetic stability in the epitopes despite the antiviral pressures suggests that the three epitopes can be the candidate targets for HTLV-I vaccine development.
Investigating emotion with music: An fMRI study

The present study used pleasant and unpleasant music to evoke emotion and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine neural correlates of emotion processing. Unpleasant (permanently dissonant) music contrasted with pleasant (consonant) music showed activations of amygdala, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, and temporal poles. These structures have previously been implicated in the emotional processing of stimuli with (negative) emotional valence; the present data show that a cerebral network comprising these structures can be activated during the perception of auditory (musical) information. Pleasant (contrasted to unpleasant) music showed activations of the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG, inferior Brodmann's area (BA) 44, BA 45, and BA 46), the anterior superior insula, the ventral striatum, Heschl's gyrus, and the Rolandic operculum. IFG activations appear to reflect processes of music–syntactic analysis and working memory operations. Activations of Rolandic opercular areas possibly reflect the activation of mirror‐function mechanisms during the perception of the pleasant tunes. Rolandic operculum, anterior superior insula, and ventral striatum may form a motor‐related circuitry that serves the formation of (premotor) representations for vocal sound production during the perception of pleasant auditory information. In all of the mentioned structures, except the hippocampus, activations increased over time during the presentation of the musical stimuli, indicating that the effects of emotion processing have temporal dynamics; the temporal dynamics of emotion have so far mainly been neglected in the functional imaging literature. Hum Brain Mapp 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Foot and ankle mechanics in individuals with diabetes mellitus and neuropathy

With over 7% (20 million) people in the United States affected by diabetes mellitus (DM), DM has emerged as a significant health problem. The hallmark of DM is multi-system involvement and the lower limbs are frequently involved in the form of foot ulcers. Inability to heal foot ulcers and maintain healing contributes to the high rate of amputation seen in individuals with DM. The development of foot ulcers has been strongly linked with mechanical stress. Changes in muscle characteristics and segmental foot mobility have been postulated to limit forward progression of the leg on the fixed foot during walking. This in turn may result in prolonged and excessive loading on the ball of the foot. However the extent and site of the impairments and their functional consequences are not well understood. The purpose of this work is to examine determinants of dynamic foot function and plantar loading in individuals with DM. Our results revealed that in spite of differences in passive ankle dorsiflexion and stiffness, subjects with DM demonstrated ankle motion, stiffness and plantar pressures, similar to control subjects, while walking at the identical speed, 0.89 m/s (2 mph). In terms of segmental mobility, reductions were particularly dramatic in the calcaneus (20%) compared to the forefoot and first metatarsal. Decreases in frontal plane calcaneal motion were accompanied by reduced midfoot mobility. Sagittal motion of the first metatarsal and forefoot, and frontal motion of the calcaneus, in subjects with DM, was negatively associated with the magnitude of plantar loading under the respective segment. This information is important because it may help elucidate underlying mechanisms and add to our understanding of the disease process and its effects. In addition, these results may help develop more focused intervention strategies.
An evolving freshman engineering design program-the NJIT experience

At New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), USA, there has been a great effort in curriculum redesign. Many institutions of higher learning have responded to curriculum reform encouraged by the initiatives created by the National Science Foundation (NSF) coalitions. In addition, the need for curriculum reform has been expressed by industrial colleagues, entering students, administrators and Faculty. Here, the authors describe how, in response to these inputs, a disciplinary introductory freshman engineering design oriented program was initiated at NJIT in 1992 to introduce entering freshman to "real engineering" up front.
Influence of Herbicide Triasulfuron on Soil Microbial Community in an Unamended Soil and a Soil Amended with Organic Residues

The effect of organic amendments and pesticides on a soil microbial community has garnered considerable interest due to the involvement of microorganisms in numerous soil conservation and maintenance reactions. The aim of this work was to assess the influence on a soil microbial community of the simultaneous application of the herbicide triasulfuron at three doses (2, 10, and 50 mg kg-1), with an organic amendment [sewage sludge (SS) or green compost (GC)]. Dissipation kinetics, soil microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and respiration, and the profile of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) extracted from the soil, were determined in unamended (S) soil and amended (S+SS and S+GC) ones. Triasulfuron dissipation followed the single first-order kinetics model. Half-life (DT50) values were higher in the amended soils than in the unamended one for the 10 and 50 mg kg-1 doses. The dissipation rates were lower in the S+GC soil for the three herbicide doses applied. In general, soil biomass, DHA and respiration values increased in SS- and GC-amended soils compared to the unamended one. DHA values decreased (S and S+SS) or increased (S+GC) with the incubation time of soil with herbicide at the different doses applied. Respiration values increased with the herbicide doses applied and decreased with the incubation time, although maximum values were obtained for soils treated with the highest dose after 70 days of incubation. PLFA analysis indicated different effects of triasulfuron on the soil microbial community structure depending on the organic amendments. While the increasing triasulfuron doses resulted in deeper alterations in the S soil, the time after triasulfuron application was the most important variation in the S+SS and S+GC soils. The overall results indicate that the soil amendment has an effect on herbicide dissipation rate and the soil microbial community. Initially, a high dose of triasulfuron had detrimental effects on the soil microbial community, which is important in the case of the long-term use of this compound.
Blood Flow Remodels Growing Vasculature During Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Therapy and Determines Between Capillary Arterialization and Sprouting Angiogenesis

Background— For clinically relevant proangiogenic therapy, it would be essential that the growth of the whole vascular tree is promoted. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is well known to induce angiogenesis, but its capability to promote growth of larger vessels is controversial. We hypothesized that blood flow remodels vascular growth during VEGF gene therapy and may contribute to the growth of large vessels. Methods and Results— Adenoviral (Ad) VEGF or LacZ control gene transfer was performed in rabbit hindlimb semimembranous muscles with or without ligation of the profound femoral artery (PFA). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound and dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI demonstrated dramatic 23- to 27-fold increases in perfusion index and a strong decrease in peripheral resistance 6 days after AdVEGF gene transfer in normal muscles. Enlargement by 20-fold, increased pericyte coverage, and decreased alkaline phosphatase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV activities suggested the transformation of capillaries toward an arterial phenotype. Increase in muscle perfusion was attenuated, and blood vessel growth was more variable, showing more sprouting angiogenesis and formation of blood lacunae after AdVEGF gene transfer in muscles with ligated PFA than in normal muscles. Three-dimensional ultrasound reconstructions and histology showed that the whole vascular tree, including large arteries and veins, was enlarged manifold by AdVEGF. Blood flow was normalized and enlarged collaterals persisted in operated limbs 14 days after AdVEGF treatment. Conclusions— This study shows that (1) blood flow modulates vessel growth during VEGF gene therapy and (2) VEGF overexpression promotes growth of arteries and veins and induces capillary arterialization leading to supraphysiological blood flow in target muscles.
Dark energy, inflation, and extra dimensions

We consider how accelerated expansion, whether due to inflation or dark energy, imposes strong constraints on fundamental theories obtained by compactification from higher dimensions. For theories that obey the null energy condition (NEC), we find that inflationary cosmology is impossible for a wide range of compactifications; and a dark energy phase consistent with observations is only possible if both Newton's gravitational constant and the dark energy equation of state vary with time. If the theory violates the NEC, inflation and dark energy are only possible if the NEC-violating elements are inhomogeneously distributed in the compact dimensions and vary with time in precise synchrony with the matter and energy density in the noncompact dimensions. Although our proofs are derived assuming general relativity applies in both four and higher dimensions and certain forms of metrics, we argue that similar constraints must apply for more general compactifications.
A Parallel Variant of LDSieve for the SVP on Lattices

In this paper, we propose a parallel implementation of LDSieve, a recently published sieving algorithm for the SVP, which achieves the best theoretical complexity to this day, on parallel shared-memory systems. In particular, we propose a scalable parallel variant of LDSieve that is probabilistically lock-free and relaxes the properties of the algorithm to favour parallelism. We use our parallel variant of LDSieve to answer a number of important questions pertaining to the algorithm. In particular, we show that LDSieve scales fairly well on shared-memory systems and uses much less memory than HashSieve on random lattices, for the same or even less execution time.
Adaptive Composite Materials: Bionics Principles, Abnormal Elasticity, Moving Interfaces

Requirements imposed on artificial materials are constantly rising with time. Along with lately requisite properties, including stability of physical and mechanical characteristics, linearity of the equation of state and unambiguity of response to disturbance, there arose a problem of a complex active response to varying outer conditions. In other words, a tendency is observed of increasing number of material functions acquiring the features of intellectual systems. So, obvious prototypes of these materials turn to be biosystems, from the one hand, and computer monitored technical systems able to reproduce intellectual behavior using sensor, processor and executive functions (including effector function and response action), from the other hand, plus feedforward and feedback. Although means of these properties realization can’t be similar in artificial materials and above mentioned natural prototypes, generalizations obtained at the junction of the materials science, bionics and cybernetics allow to formulate the conceptual principles and to consider probable ways of the named interdisciplinary problem solution. Recent reviews and terminological discussions in the field have confirmed actuality of the structural and functional analyses of smart composites, including functional nanomaterials [Bergman & Inan, 2004]. However papers, devoted to such materials (e.g., self-controlled membranes on hydrogel base [Galaev, 1995]) are commonly reduced to creation of sensors and actuators. Less attention have received principles and models of adaptive reactions in composites. The adaptive mode of reinforcing and self-assembling in smart materials [Schwartz, 2007] has been studied below in the form of phenomena caused unusual elastic properties of auxetic and multimodule materials. The development of adaptive composites allows us to hamper the failure process and promotes reliability and service life of products for different technical applications.