Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic Role-based Constraint Solving for Real-Time and Embedded Systems : An Approach to Modeling Guidance

Emerging distributed real-time and embedded (DRE) systems, such as automotive infotainment, industrial automation, and medical imaging, are increasingly complex. Without effective tool support to check the correctness of the models, this complexity makes it infeasible to model different aspects, such as various deployments and configurations of hardware and software components for specific products. One way to ensure model correctness is to define constraints using OCL or other languages. Even with these constraint languages, however, it is still hard to create correct models manually due to the combinatorial nature of the constraints and their interdependence. This paper provides two contributions to work on improving model correctness in domains where either model size or constraint combinatorial complexity limits manual approaches. First, we present our approach of Automatic Role-based Constraint Solving (ARCS) and show how the application of declarative constraint programming techniques can ensure model correctness, as well as automatically suggest (deduce) correct modeling steps. Second, we show how model-driven engineering tools can help guide modelers towards correct solutions based on the defined constraints. The results of applying our declarative constraint programming techniques to a case study of a deployment problem in the automotive domain show that this approach can dramatically reduce complexity and improve productivity when modeling DRE systems.
The stress of parenthood? Increased glucocorticoids in birds with experimentally enlarged broods

Variation in baseline glucocorticoid (cort) levels can be attributed, at least in part, to differences in energetic demands confronting individuals. Elevated baseline cort levels are routinely interpreted as indicating individuals in poor condition, with low relative fitness. However, when greater reproductive effort increases energetic demands, individuals with high cort might paradoxically be those with the highest fitness. Here, we experimentally test the hypothesis that increased reproductive demand causes increases in baseline cort (the Cort-Adaptation hypothesis). We measured maternal baseline cort before and after experimentally enlarging and reducing brood sizes in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). Females with experimentally enlarged broods had greater increases in baseline cort and fledged more offspring than females with reduced broods. Additionally, females with greater increases in baseline cort had higher offspring-provisioning rates than females with lower changes in cort. These findings demonstrate that increased reproductive demand can cause increased baseline cort. As yet, we do not know if these increases in cort cause increased allocation of resources towards reproduction, but the positive relationship between parental behaviour and cort suggests that increased cort does not always interfere with reproductive investment, and might instead facilitate it.
Privacy diffusion on the web: a longitudinal perspective

For the last few years we have been studying the diffusion of private information for users as they visit various Web sites triggering data gathering aggregation by third parties. This paper reports on our longitudinal study consisting of multiple snapshots of our examination of such diffusion over four years. We examine the various technical ways by which third-party aggregators acquire data and the depth of user-related information acquired. We study techniques for protecting privacy diffusion as well as limitations of such techniques. We introduce the concept of secondary privacy damage. Our results show increasing aggregation of user-related data by a steadily decreasing number of entities. A handful of companies are able to track users' movement across almost all of the popular Web sites. Virtually all the protection techniques have significant limitations highlighting the seriousness of the problem and the need for alternate solutions.
Constraining information sharing to improve cooperative information gathering

This paper considers the problem of cooperation between self-interested agents in acquiring better information regarding the nature of the different options and opportunities available to them. By sharing individual findings with others, the agents can potentially achieve a substantial improvement in overall and individual expected benefit. Alas, when it comes to self-interested agents, it is well known that equilibrium considerations often dictate solutions that are far from the fully cooperative ones, hence the agents do not manage to fully exploit the potential benefits encapsulated in such cooperation. In this paper we introduce, analyze and demonstrate the benefit of two methods aiming to improve cooperative information gathering. Common to all two that they constrain and limit the information sharing process. Nevertheless, the decrease in benefit due to the limited sharing is outweighed by the resulting substantial improvement in the equilibrium individual information gathering strategies. The equilibrium analysis that is given in the paper, which, in itself, is an important contribution to the study of cooperation between self-interested agents, enables demonstrating that for a wide range of settings with the use of the two methods all agents end up with an improved individual expected benefit.
Artificial Neural Network Based Economic Generation Scheduling in Nigeria Power Network

Received Sep 16, 2014 Revised Nov 8, 2014 Accepted Nov 220, 2014 Economic generation scheduling determines the most efficient and economic means of dispatch of generated energy to meet the continuously varying load demand at the most appropriate minimum cost, while meeting all the units equality and inequality constraints in power network. This is currently not applicable in Nigeria power network. The network under study consists of seventeen (17) generating stations (Existing Network, National Integrated Power Projects and the Independent Power Producers). This work investigates economic generation and scheduling in Nigeria 330KV integrated power network at minimum operating cost using the classical kirmayer’s method and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for its optimization in Matlab environment. ANN is trained to adopt its pattern at different load demands and acquires the ability to give load demand as soon as the set target and goal tends to equality. Cost function for each generating unit as well as a model for economic generation scheduling was developed. Keyword:
Modulation of the GABAergic pathway for the treatment of fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability and the most common single-gene cause of autism. It is caused by mutations on the fragile X mental retardation gene (FMR1) and lack of fragile X mental retardation protein, which in turn, leads to decreased inhibition of translation of many synaptic proteins. The metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) hypothesis states that the neurological deficits in individuals with FXS are due mainly to downstream consequences of overstimulation of the mGluR pathway. The main efforts have focused on mGluR5 targeted treatments; however, investigation on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system and its potential as a targeted treatment is less emphasized. The fragile X mouse models (Fmr1-knock out) show decreased GABA subunit receptors, decreased synthesis of GABA, increased catabolism of GABA, and overall decreased GABAergic input in many regions of the brain. Consequences of the reduced GABAergic input in FXS include oversensitivity to sensory stimuli, seizures, and anxiety. Deficits in the GABA receptors in different regions of the brain are associated with behavioral and attentional processing deficits linked to anxiety and autistic behaviors. The understanding of the neurobiology of FXS has led to the development of targeted treatments for the core behavioral features of FXS, which include social deficits, inattention, and anxiety. These symptoms are also observed in individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, therefore the targeted treatments for FXS are leading the way in the treatment of other neurodevelopmental syndromes and autism. The GABAergic system in FXS represents a target for new treatments. Herein, we discuss the animal and human trials of GABAergic treatment in FXS. Arbaclofen and ganaxolone have been used in individuals with FXS. Other potential GABAergic treatments, such as riluzole, gaboxadol, tiagabine, and vigabatrin, will be also discussed. Further studies are needed to determine the safety and efficacy of GABAergic treatments for FXS.
Maternal food restriction in the second half of pregnancy affects vascular function but not blood pressure of rat female offspring

Food restriction during pregnancy in rats induces intrauterine growth retardation with consequences persisting into adulthood. In the present study we have investigated the hypothesis that malnutrition in pregnant rats may lead to altered cardiovascular function in adult female offspring. Perinatal growth retardation was induced by a 50 % reduction of normal dietary intake in rats during the second half of pregnancy. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure values and heart rate were recorded in conscious female offspring (100 d old) using a femoral artery probe. No significant differences in heart rate, or in systolic and diastolic blood pressures were recorded between control offspring and offspring of nutritionally deprived rats. In order to ascertain whether cardiovascular variables in the offspring were influenced by lactation, subgroups of offspring from food-restricted dams were fostered with lactating dams fed on a normal diet. Blood pressure and heart rate were also found to be normal in these offspring. The rise in blood pressure associated with NO inhibition was similar in all groups. Isolated resistance artery function was assessed in vitro in offspring (100–120 d old) of a second group of semi-starved dams. Small mesenteric arteries from these animals showed reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation (to acetylcholine and bradykinin), but enhanced sensitivity to exogenous NO (sodium nitroprusside). We conclude that food restriction during the second half of pregnancy and/or lactation does not induce hypertension in adult offspring, but may effect subtle changes in vascular function.
Effect of geosynthetic reinforcement filled with aggregate on the bearing capacity of sand

ABSTRACT In this paper, numerical computations using FLAC code are carried out to investigate the effect of new construction technique combining substitution and reinforcement on the load-settlement of a strip footing on reinforced sand bed. The purpose is to examine numerically the improvement effect of using full wraparound ends of geosynthetic reinforcement for both cases: filled with the same founfation soil sand and filled with aggregate. A parametric study was carried out to investigate the effect of burial depth, width, tensile stiffness of reinforcement and on the effectiveness of the proposed full wraparound ends of reinforcement filled with aggregate. The results indicate that the proposed technique needs less quantity of reinforcement and aggregate than two planar reinforcements, requires a lower land space for creating a reinforced sand bed system and provides a significant improvement in the bearing capacity and stiffness of the sand bed. Abbreviatons Width of footing: B; b: width of the planar reinforcement; u: depth of the first planar reinforcement layers; h: vertical spacing between planar reinforcement layers; N: number of planar reinforcement layers; b': width of full wraparound ends of geosynthetic reinforcement; h': vertical of the full wraparound ends of geosynthetic reinforcement; u' depth of the full wraparound ends of geosynthetic reinforcement; BCR: bearing capacity ratio; BCRs: bearing capacity ratio at a settlement level s; qu: bearing capacity of footing on reinforced soil; S: settlement of the footing; EA: tensile stiffness of geosynthetic layers; φ: angle of internal friction; ψ: dilation angle; G: shear modulus of soil; K: bulk modulus of soil; γ: unit weight of soils
Admissibility in Quantitative Graph Games

Admissibility has been studied for games of infinite duration with Boolean objectives. We extend here this study to games of infinite duration with quantitative objectives. First, we show that, under the assumption that optimal worst-case and cooperative strategies exist, admissible strategies are guaranteed to exist. Second, we give a characterization of admissible strategies using the notion of adversarial and cooperative values of a history, and we characterize the set of outcomes that are compatible with admissible strategies. Finally, we show how these characterizations can be used to design algorithms to decide relevant verification and synthesis problems.
Quo vadis?

Стаття С. В. Курбатова «Елітна освіта в Україні в дзеркалі університетських рейтингів: Quo Vadis? » присвячена розгляду принципів побудови та основним результатам університетських рейтингів в Україні в 2009-2010 роках. Автор наголошує на необхідності активного формування теоретико-методологічного підґрунтя цього процесу, і, зокрема, звертає увагу на Концепцію формування університетських рейтингів в Україні, затверджену Вченою Радою Інституту вищої освіти НАПН України в якості прикладу подібної роботи. Статья С. В. Курбатова «Элитное образование Украины в зеркале университетских рейтингов: Quo Vadis? » посвячена рассмотрению принципов построения и результатам университетских рейтингов в Украине в 2009-2010 годах. Автор отмечает необходимость активного формирования теоретико-методологической основы этого процесса, и, в частности, обращает внимание на Концепцию формирования университетских рейтингов в Украине, утверждённую Ученым Советом Института высшего образования НАПН Украины в 2009 году. The paper by Sergiy Kurbatov “Elite Education in Ukraine in the Mirror of University Rankings: Quo Vadis? ” is devoted to the analyses of the principles of building and the main results of university rankings in Ukraine in 20092010. The author stresses the importance of the creation of theoretical and methodological background of this process and indicated the concept of creation of university rankings in Ukraine, which was approved by research board of Institute of Higher Education NAPS of Ukraine in 2009 as an example of such activities.
Stability analysis and the route to chaos for laser diodes with optical feedback

The sequence of phenomena that lead from a narrow linewidth state to coherence collapse in semiconductor lasers for an increasing level of optical feedback has been identified. Undamping of the relaxation oscillations, which is shown to be accurately predicted by an analytical stability analysis, initializes the route to chaos, but the laser generally enters quasiperiodic and frequency-locked states before ending up in the chaotic state of coherence collapse. The analysis identifies the laser parameters which are relevant for reducing the feedback sensitivity. <<ETX>>
A Condensation-Ordering Mechanism in Nanoparticle-Catalyzed Peptide Aggregation

Nanoparticles introduced in living cells are capable of strongly promoting the aggregation of peptides and proteins. We use here molecular dynamics simulations to characterise in detail the process by which nanoparticle surfaces catalyse the self-assembly of peptides into fibrillar structures. The simulation of a system of hundreds of peptides over the millisecond timescale enables us to show that the mechanism of aggregation involves a first phase in which small structurally disordered oligomers assemble onto the nanoparticle and a second phase in which they evolve into highly ordered as their size increases.
On the Efficiency of Voltage Source and Current Source Inverters for High-Power Drives

The energy performance of various types of voltage-source and current-source converters is examined. For fairness and completeness, efficiency is calculated for three major battleground scenarios. The first is a low dynamic nonregenerative group of applications such as pumps, fans, and compressors. This group represents 85% of high power (2 MW) industrial applications where energy savings are usually a primary consideration justifying investment. The second scenario considers applications requiring good dynamic response and regenerative braking. Finally, the third group considers very high power applications (over 20 MW). The evaluation presented takes into account semiconductor switching and conduction losses, losses in the medium voltage feeding transformer (determined per IEEE Standard C57.18.10-1998), and the losses in ac and dc filters. For purposes of analysis, computer simulations validated against measurements taken on a 1-MW voltage source inverter (VSI) and a 1.4-MW current source inverter (CSI) were used. The results of the first scenario show competitive efficiencies for VSI and CSI drives, whereas voltage source-based solutions are more energy efficient in the second scenario considered. For the last group, the current source load-commutated inverter exhibits the best performance.
Depression and Prehospital Delay in the Context of Myocardial Infarction

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how depression might influence treatment-seeking behaviors in the context of evolving symptoms of myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: Post-MI patients (n = 433) completed a retrospective self-report measure of depressive symptoms with regard to the 2 weeks preceding the MI and a semistructured interview regarding their treatment-seeking behaviors. Results: Survival analyses found that delay in seeking treatment for acute MI symptoms was observed among participants who (1) attributed their symptoms to noncardiac causes, (2) perceived their symptoms to be relatively mild, (3) experienced gastrointestinal distress, (4) did not experience sweating, and (5) reported being depressed during the 2 weeks before hospitalization. Subsidiary analyses indicated that, among depressive symptoms, sleep disturbance and fatigue predicted delay. Conclusion: Depression warrants further attention as a variable that may influence treatment seeking for MI symptoms. Results highlight the need to adequately screen for and treat depression among persons at risk for MI. CHD = coronary heart disease; MI = myocardial infarction; PRIME-MD = Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders; PHQ-9 = Depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire; GI = gastrointestinal; ADL = activities of daily living; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction; PVD = peripheral vascular disease.
Environmental assessment of bio-based fuels and chemicals using LCA methodology

Based on US EPA and DOE projections, biomass derived fuels and chemicals will supply up to 17% and 10% of total demand for transport fuels and basic chemicals, respectively, during the coming decade. Such large-scale production requires environmental assessment at a systems level using tools such as life cycle assessment (LCA). This dissertation combines chemical engineering process modeling with LCA to assess environmental impacts of novel bio-based products and synthesis routes. Four projects of this dissertation include, (1) a statistical meta-analysis of life cycle GHG emission and energy use results for priority bio-based chemicals; (2) a process design and LCA analysis of a novel catalytic depolymerization process for production of aromatics from the lignin fraction of woody biomass; (3) an industry-sponsored assessment of the net environmental benefits of substitution of renewable chemical building blocks in the formulation of wood flooring coatings; and (4) evaluation of integrated fuel, energy, and chemicals production from a microalgal biorefinery, considering time-dependent fractional growth kinetics of freshwater and marine microalgae. In general, assessment results of bio-based fuels and chemicals were found to be sensitive to process and LCA model parameters, especially the choice of conversion process, coproduct allocation method, and inclusion/exclusion of emissions from land use change. Net GHG emissions results for most sugar-derived chemicals met existing sustainability thresholds, while thermochemical conversions routes typically did not. High-yield conversion of lignin to catechol via catalytic depolymerization is environmentally preferable, when coupled with upstream process modifications such as use of lignin-rich
NEOWISE OBSERVATIONS OF NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

With the NEOWISE portion of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) project, we have carried out a highly uniform survey of the near-Earth object (NEO) population at thermal infrared wavelengths ranging from 3 to 22 μm, allowing us to refine estimates of their numbers, sizes, and albedos. The NEOWISE survey detected NEOs the same way whether they were previously known or not, subject to the availability of ground-based follow-up observations, resulting in the discovery of more than 130 new NEOs. The survey's uniform sensitivity, observing cadence, and image quality have permitted extrapolation of the 428 near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) detected by NEOWISE during the fully cryogenic portion of the WISE mission to the larger population. We find that there are 981 ± 19 NEAs larger than 1 km and 20,500 ± 3000 NEAs larger than 100 m. We show that the Spaceguard goal of detecting 90% of all 1 km NEAs has been met, and that the cumulative size distribution is best represented by a broken power law with a slope of 1.32 ± 0.14 below 1.5 km. This power-law slope produces ∼13, 200 ± 1900 NEAs with D > 140 m. Although previous studies predict another break in the cumulative size distribution below D ∼ 50–100 m, resulting in an increase in the number of NEOs in this size range and smaller, we did not detect enough objects to comment on this increase. The overall number for the NEA population between 100 and 1000 m is lower than previous estimates. The numbers of near-Earth comets and potentially hazardous NEOs will be the subject of future work.
Structural Similarities between Brain and Linguistic Data Provide Evidence of Semantic Relations in the Brain

This paper presents a new method of analysis by which structural similarities between brain data and linguistic data can be assessed at the semantic level. It shows how to measure the strength of these structural similarities and so determine the relatively better fit of the brain data with one semantic model over another. The first model is derived from WordNet, a lexical database of English compiled by language experts. The second is given by the corpus-based statistical technique of latent semantic analysis (LSA), which detects relations between words that are latent or hidden in text. The brain data are drawn from experiments in which statements about the geography of Europe were presented auditorily to participants who were asked to determine their truth or falsity while electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were made. The theoretical framework for the analysis of the brain and semantic data derives from axiomatizations of theories such as the theory of differences in utility preference. Using brain-data samples from individual trials time-locked to the presentation of each word, ordinal relations of similarity differences are computed for the brain data and for the linguistic data. In each case those relations that are invariant with respect to the brain and linguistic data, and are correlated with sufficient statistical strength, amount to structural similarities between the brain and linguistic data. Results show that many more statistically significant structural similarities can be found between the brain data and the WordNet-derived data than the LSA-derived data. The work reported here is placed within the context of other recent studies of semantics and the brain. The main contribution of this paper is the new method it presents for the study of semantics and the brain and the focus it permits on networks of relations detected in brain data and represented by a semantic model.