Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnetars as persistent hard X-ray sources: INTEGRAL discovery of a hard tail in SGR 1900+14

Using 2.5 Ms of data obtained by the INTEGRAL satellite in 2003-2004, we discovered persistent hard X-ray emission from the soft gamma-ray repeater SGR 1900+14. Its 20-100 keV spectrum is well described by a steep power law with photon index r = 3.1 ± 0.5 and flux 1.5 x 10 -11 erg cm -2 s -1 . Contrary to SGR 1806-20, the only other soft gamma-ray repeater for which persistent emission above 20 keV was reported, SGR 1900+14 has been detected in the hard X-ray range while it was in a quiescent state (the last bursts from this source were observed in 2002). By comparing the broad band spectra (1-100 keV) of all the magnetars detected by INTEGRAL (the two SGRs and three anomalous X-ray pulsars) we find evidence for a different spectral behaviour of these two classes of sources.
On the recovery of a function on a circular domain

We consider the problem of estimating a function f (x, y) on the unit disk f {(x, y): x/sup 2/+y/sup 2//spl les/1}, given a discrete and noisy data recorded on a regular square grid. An estimate of f (x, y) based on a class of orthogonal and complete functions over the unit disk is proposed. This class of functions has a distinctive property of being invariant to rotation of axes about the origin of coordinates yielding therefore a rotationally invariant estimate. For-radial functions, the orthogonal set has a particularly simple form being related to the classical Legendre polynomials. We give the statistical accuracy analysis of the proposed estimate of f (x, y) in the sense of the L/sub 2/ metric. It is found that there is an inherent limitation in the precision of the estimate due to the geometric nature of a circular domain. This is explained by relating the accuracy issue to the celebrated problem in the analytic number theory called the lattice points of a circle. In fact, the obtained bounds for the mean integrated squared error are determined by the best known result so far on the problem of lattice points within the circular domain.
Fast Charging Battery Buses for the Electrification of Urban Public Transport : A Feasibility Study Focusing on Charging Infrastructure and Energy Storage Requirements

The electrification of public transport bus networks can be carried out utilizing different technological solutions, like trolley, battery or fuel cell buses. The purpose of this paper is to analyze how and to what extent existing bus networks can be electrified with fast charging battery buses. The so called opportunity chargers use mainly the regular dwell time at the stops to charge their batteries. This results in a strong linkage between the vehicle scheduling and the infrastructure planning. The analysis is based on real-world data of the bus network in Muenster, a mid-sized city in Germany. The outcomes underline the necessity to focus on entire vehicle schedules instead on individual trips. The tradeoff between required battery capacity and charging power is explained in detail. Furthermore, the impact on the electricity grid is discussed based on the load profiles of a selected charging station and a combined load profile of the entire network.
Priority division: A high-speed shared-memory bus arbitration with bounded latency

In state-of-the-art multi-processor systems-on-chip (MPSoC), interconnect of processing elements has a major impact on the system's overall average-case and worst-case performance. Moreover, in real-time applications predictability of inter-chip communication latency is imperative for bounding the response time of the overall system. In shared-memory MPSoCs buses are still the prevalent means of on-chip communication for small to medium size chip-multi-processors (CMPs). Still, bus arbitration schemes employed in current architectures either deliver good average-case performance (i.e. maximize bus utilization) or enable tight bounding of worst-case-execution time. This paper presents a shared bus arbitration approach allowing high bus utilization while guaranteeing a fixed bandwidth per time frame to each master. Thus it provides high-performance to both realtime and any-time applications or even a mixture of both. The paper includes performance results obtained while executing random traffic on a shared bus implemented on a FPGA. The results show that our approach provides bus utilization close to static priority based arbitration, a fairer bandwidth distribution than Round Robin and latency guarantees identical to TDMA. With this it combines the best properties of these schemes.
Phonology and syntax in French children with SLI: A longitudinal study

Maillart and Parisse found out that French children with specific language impairment (SLI) presented strong difficulties in phonology when compared with normally‐developing children matched by MLU (NLD). Some of the youngest children from this study were followed to provide developmental information about their language deficit. Children were tested again in the same way as before (free spontaneous production) and matched by MLU against other NLD children. The previous phonological analysis was extended to include syntax as well as phonology. Percentage of words correct was computed for both phonology and syntax. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed with children's age as covariate. Results showed a significant difference between SLI and NLD children for phonology but not for syntax. There was a trend that showed that the difference between SLI and NLD children tended to increase with age. The same analysis was performed separately for 9 frequent syntactic categories for phonology and for syntax. A significant difference was found for prepositions, nouns, subject pronouns, and verbs in phonology. Effects were found for determiners and prepositions in syntax. As well as confirming the importance of phonological difficulties in SLI, our results call for a developmental theory of phonological and syntactic deficits in SLI, where differences between SLI and NLD grow with age and where there is a timing difference between phonology (earlier) and syntax (later).
Run time information fusion in speech recognition

Approaches have been studied to utilize the complementary information from different knowledge sources in Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR). These approaches can be classified into two categories, the pre-recognition fusion and the post-recognition fusion. A common problem of those approaches is that complementary information is exploited either before or after recognition. To avoid unrecoverable information loss due to pruning in decoding stage, and to better utilize the complementary information, we propose a during -recognition information fusion scheme. Experimental result based on the proposed run-time fusion is reported. A significant improvement was observed.
A Role for the Fifth G-Track in G-Quadruplex Forming Oncogene Promoter Sequences during Oxidative Stress: Do These “Spare Tires” Have an Evolved Function?

Uncontrolled inflammation or oxidative stress generates electron-deficient species that oxidize the genome increasing its instability in cancer. The G-quadruplex (G4) sequences regulating the c-MYC, KRAS, VEGF, BCL-2, HIF-1α, and RET oncogenes, as examples, are targets for oxidation at loop and 5′-core guanines (G) as showcased in this study by CO3•– oxidation of the VEGF G4. Products observed include 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (OG), spiroiminodihydantoin (Sp), and 5-guanidinohydantoin (Gh). Our previous studies found that OG and Gh, when present in the four G-tracks of the solved structure for VEGF and c-MYC, were not substrates for the base excision repair (BER) DNA glycosylases in biologically relevant KCl solutions. We now hypothesize that a fifth G-track found a few nucleotides distant from the G4 tracks involved in folding can act as a “spare tire,” facilitating extrusion of a damaged G-run into a large loop that then becomes a substrate for BER. Thermodynamic, spectroscopic, and DMS footprinting studies verified the fifth domain replacing a damaged G-track with OG or Gh at a loop or core position in the VEGF G4. These new “spare tire”-containing strands with Gh in loops are now found to be substrates for initiation of BER with the NEIL1, NEIL2, and NEIL3 DNA glycosylases. The results support a hypothesis in which regulatory G4s carry a “spare-tire” fifth G-track for aiding in the repair process when these sequences are damaged by radical oxygen species, a feature observed in a large number of these sequences. Furthermore, formation and repair of oxidized bases in promoter regions may constitute an additional example of epigenetic modification, in this case of guanine bases, to regulate gene expression in which the G4 sequences act as sensors of oxidative stress.
An event sequence based method for audio scene analysis

Audio semantic analysis is an important issue for multimedia applications. In this paper, we propose a neural network based approach to analyze the high-level semantic content of audio event sequences for the action movies. According to the time interval between adjacent basic audio events, we first divide the given event sequence into some scene segments, and then discover the high-level semantic content of the audio context. By using the neural network based approach, the prior knowledge and the machine learning are effectively combined in the semantic inference. Specifically, the model parameters are learned by the statistical learning, and then are modified manually based on the prior knowledge. Moreover, we select some audio streams from the action movies to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. The experiment results demonstrate the approach can work well.
The Redshift Distribution of Near-Infrared-selected Galaxies in the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey as a Test of Galaxy Formation Scenarios

The redshift distribution of near-IR-selected galaxies is often used to attempt to discriminate between the classical view of galaxy formation, in which present-day luminous galaxies were assembled at early times and evolve through the passive aging of their stellar populations, and that of hierarchical structure formation, in which galaxies were assembled more recently via the merging of smaller objects. We carry out such a test here by computing the distribution of photometric redshifts of KAB < 22 galaxies in the Great Observatories Origins Deep Field Survey (GOODS) southern field, and comparing the results with predictions from a semianalytic model based on hierarchical structure formation, and a classical "passive evolution" model. We find that the redshift distributions at z ≲ 1.5 of both the hierarchical and passive models are very similar to the observed one. At z ≳ 1.5 the hierarchical model shows a deficit of galaxies, while the passive model predicts an excess. We investigate the nature of the observed galaxies in the redshift range where the models diverge, and find that the majority have highly disturbed morphologies, suggesting that they may be merger-induced starbursts. While the hierarchical model used here does not produce these objects in great enough numbers, the appearance of this population is clearly in better qualitative agreement with the hierarchical picture than with the classical passive evolution scenario. We conclude that the observations support the general framework of hierarchical formation, but suggest the need for new or modified physics in the models.
Buyer-Initiated versus Seller-Initiated Information Revelation

In many selling situations, the firm can choose between a selling format in which the buyer determines which information about the product will be revealed and one in which the seller makes this determination. We model this choice of information revelation format and its interaction with product quality. In a monopoly with exogenous quality, if the firm offers a high quality product it prefers a buyer-initiated format. This choice helps the firm to signal its type perfectly. When product quality is endogenous, we find that high-quality products are again associated with buyer-initiated formats. Moreover, when the cost of a seller-initiated format decreases, firms switch to this format which is consistent with lower-quality products. As a result, product quality declines as the cost of communication declines. In a duopoly, as the cost of a buyer initiated format decreases, both firms offer higher quality products via a buyer initiated format. The incentive to undercut the rival's price is mitigated by the possibility of lower demand. This results in a softening of price competition, an increase in profits, and higher consumer surplus.
A Structural Estimation and Interpretation of the New Keynesian Macro Model

We formulate and solve a Rational Expectations New Keynesian macro model that implies non-linear cross-equation restrictions on the dynamics of inflation, the output gap and the Federal funds rate. Our maximum likelihood estimation procedure fully imposes these restrictions and yields asymptotic and small sample distributions of the structural parameters. We show how the structural parameters shape the responses of the macro variables to the structural shocks. While the point estimates imply that the Fed has been stabilizing inflation fluctuations since 1980, our econometric analysis suggests considerable uncertainty regarding the stance of the Fed against inflation.
Is there a lasting gap in bank efficiency between western and eastern european countries

This paper aims to compare the efficiency of banks from Western European countries and Eastern European countries to assess the performance gap between both categories of banks. We measure cost efficiency on a sample of 640 banks from 11 Western European and 6 Eastern European countries with the stochastic frontier approach. We also test the possible influence of environmental variables and risk preferences on the efficiency gap. We conclude the following: (a) there is a gap in bank efficiency between Eastern and Western European countries, (b) this gap is hardly explained by differences in environment or risk preferences, suggesting that the main source of differences is managerial performance, and (c) the efficiency gap was reduced between 1996 and 2000 for 4 among the 6 Eastern European countries.
Coral-Associated Bacteria as a Promising Antibiofilm Agent against Methicillin-Resistant and -Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms

The current study deals with the evaluation of two coral-associated bacterial (CAB) extracts to inhibit the biofilm synthesis in vitro as well as the virulence production like hemolysin and exopolysaccharide (EPS), and also to assess their ability to modify the adhesion properties, that is cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and -susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Out of nine CAB screened, the ethyl acetate extract of CAB-E2 (Bacillus firmus) and CAB-E4 (Vibrio parahemolyticus) have shown excellent antibiofilm activity against S. aureus. CAB-E2 reduced the production of EPS (57–79%) and hemolysin (43–70%), which ultimately resulted in the significant inhibition of biofilms (80–87%) formed by both MRSA and MSSA. Similarly, CAB-E4 was also found to decrease the production of EPS (43–57%), hemolysin (43–57%) and biofilms (80–85%) of test pathogens. CLSM analysis also proved the antibiofilm efficacy of CAB extracts. Furthermore, the CAB extracts strongly decreased the CSH of S. aureus. Additionally, FT-IR analysis of S. aureus treated with CAB extracts evidenced the reduction in cellular components compared to their respective controls. Thus, the present study reports for the first time, B. firmus—a coral-associated bacterium, as a promising source of antibiofilm agent against the recalcitrant biofilms formed by multidrug resistant S. aureus.
Performance Bounds in  ${\cal H}_{\infty}$ Optimal Control for Stable SISO Plants With Arbitrary Relative Degree

This note deals with performance bounds for the H infin-optimal control of discrete-time LTI plants. The case studied corresponds to stable scalar plants with arbitrary relative degree but no finite non-minimum phase zero. By using Nehari's Theorem and a reformulation of the standard Youla Parameterization a closed-form expression for the characteristic polynomial of the associated eigenvalue problem is obtained. Also, we derive an analytic expression for the optimal H infin cost as a function of the plant relative degree.
An active control mechanism to enhance and parametrically study a multi-fuel, Rijke-type pulse combustor

An active control mechanism has been developed to study the effect of an actively controlled acoustic field on the characteristic parameters of a practical combustion system. This mechanism has been used to attenuate and enhance the combustion instabilities in a multi-fuel, Rijke-tube combustor. The main parameters for this control are discussed in both theory and application on the combustion process. Performance characterization as a function of important reactor and control system parameters for the control schemes developed, using either external loudspeakers or inline fuel modulation, are presented. The effect of the control mechanisms on the combustion process is studied by investigation of the changes in flame structure and heat transfer to the reactor walls. The results show that the burner position inside the Rijke-tube combustor is an important parameter for development and implementation of an effective control mechanism. Implementation of the control mechanism on a two-phase combustion system showed that the heat transfer to the wall of the combustor increased as much as 26% for oscillating conditions with a sound-pressure level of 150 dB „re: 20 mPa. over the non-oscillating value, along with an increase of temperature and mixing. The results from the implementation of the control mechanism on gaseous and liquid fuel showed a changed flame structure. The effects of controllable pressure modes on the flame structure are significant. In general the flame height decreased with oscillation and increased sound-pressure level indicating a more compact and efficient combustion process. © 1997 Institute of Noise Control Engineering. †S0736-2501„97.00404-9‡
Scaling MOSFETs to 10 nm: Coulomb Effects, Source Starvation, and Virtual Source

In our attempts to scale FETs to the 10 nm length, alternatives to conventional Si CMOS are sought on the grounds that: (1) Si seems to have reached its technological and performance limits and (2) the use of alternative high-mobility channel materials will provide the missing performance. With the help of numerical simulations here we establish the reasons why indeed Si seems to have hit an intrinsic performance barrier and whether or not high mobility semiconductors can indeed grant us our wishes. The role of long-and short-range electron-electron interactions are revisited together with a recent analysis of the historical performance trends. The density-of-states (DOS) bottleneck and source starvation issues are also reviewed to see what advantage alternative substrates may bring us. Finally, the well-known ‘virtual source model’ is analyzed to assess whether it can be used as a quantitative tool to guide us to the 10 nm gate length.
Scalar fields properties for flat galactic rotation curves

The whole class of minimally coupled and massive scalar fields which may be responsible for flattening of galactic rotation curves is found. An interesting relation with a class of scalar-tensor theories able to isotropise anisotropic models of Universe is shown. The resulting metric is found and its stability and scalar field properties are tested with respect to the presence of a second scalar field or a small perturbation of the rotation velocity at galactic outer radii.
Does a Strengthened Economy Weaken Your Health? Evidence from Australian Microdata

A number of recent studies using aggregate data have found a counter- cyclical relationship between business cycles and health; using mortality rates as health measure and where the unemployment rate typically is chosen as the business cycle proxy. This thesis adds to this literature in several respects. Firstly, by conducting the analysis on Australian microdata over the 2001-2011 period I test whether the counter-cyclical variation in health is visible using a more fined-tuned health measure; the SF-6D health state classification system. Secondly, several regional level business cycle proxies are applied in addition to the use of unemployment rates. Thirdly, I test whether the business cycle effects differ across different population subgroups, principally based on socioeconomic affiliation. Lastly, I investigate whether the effect of the business cycle on health goes through the channel of changes in lifestyle decisions affected by the business cycle. The main result of this study suggests indeed that health declines as the economy strengthens. Notably, the analysis on population subgroups suggests that it is only the health of low-income and low-educated groups that is affected by the business cycle. No evidence is found suggesting that the counter-cyclical variation in health is driven by cyclically varying lifestyle decisions.
Somatostatin Analogs in the Medical Management of Occult Bleeding of the Lower Digestive Tract

The management of occult bleeding from the lower digestive tract can be very challenging. In cases of identified angiodysplasia, the first line management options can be limited by a number of clinical or anatomical factors and an alternative approach might be required, including the use of medications. Somatostatin analogs have been considered as an effective and well-tolerated alternative management option in a number of cases where the endoscopic therapeutic approach is not practical or is unsuccessful, in patients with coagulopathies or who need concomitant anticoagulation or antiplatelet treatment. Despite the lack of double-blinded randomized placebo-control trials and despite the limitations of the available evidence in the literature, including small sample size, variable dosing, and administration routes, there is a consistent agreement in the literature that somatostatin analogs are a safe, well-tolerated, and effective therapeutic option for managing refractory or occult bleeding from the lower digestive tract, with particular reference to patients with angiodysplasia, where endoscopic or surgical management is either not feasible or unsuccessful and other pharmacological options are not preferred.
A Novel Approach for Segmenting the Lateral Ventricle from CT Brain Image via Active Contour without Edge

The lateral ventricle is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. Some brain diseases are caused by changing of the ventricle shape or volume. The ventricle shape and volume are used to diagnose patients who have brain diseases. This paper proposes an algorithm of digital image processing for segmentation of a ventricle from CT brain images. The process starts with normalizing the CT brain images and extracts the region of interest using profile of gray level. In segmentation step, we apply active contour without edge to segment the lateral ventricle. Finally, the ventricle is evaluated with the relatively ground truth from a neurologist. Our experimental results from the proposed algorithm reveal a low error of 2.54 % and a standard deviation of 1.27. Keywords—lateral ventricle; image segmentation;