Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Necessary and sufficient conditions for Input-Output Finite-Time stability of linear time-varying systems

In the recent paper [3] a sufficient condition for Input-Output Finite-Time stability (IO-FTS) has been provided by the authors. By using an approach based on Reachability Gramian theory, in this paper we show that such condition, which requires the solution of a feasibility problem involving differential linear matrix inequalities (DLMIs), is also necessary for IO-FTS when the class of system inputs belong to ℒ2. A numerical example illustrates the proposed technique.
Spread Transform Dither Modulation using a Perceptual Model

In previous work, we demonstrated how perceptual modeling can be applied to dither modulated quantization index modulation and rational dither modulation, to improve both robustness and fidelity. These algorithms were shown to be significantly more robust to valumetric scaling. However, they, and their predecessors, remain extremely sensitive to re-quantization which commonly occurs due to JPEG compression, numerical rounding and analog-to-digital conversion. It is well known that spread transform dither modulation (STDM) is more robust to re-quantization. In this paper we describe how to incorporate a perceptual model into this framework and present two algorithms based on Watson's perceptual model. Experimental results of robustness to JPEG compression are reported for 1000 images at embedding rates of 1/32 and 1/320. At the high embedding rate, the robustness of the two algorithms is the same as STDM but the perceptual distortion is reduced 23 to about 4, based on Watson's perceptual distance. At the lower embedding rate, we simultaneously observed superior robustness to STDM as well as improved fidelity. If the perceptual distance rather than the document-to-watermark ratio (DWR) is held fixed, then the two adaptive spread transform methods exhibit significant improvements in robustness to JPEG compression
Adolescent Loneliness and the Interaction between the Serotonin Transporter Gene (5-HTTLPR) and Parental Support: A Replication Study

Gene-by-environment interaction (GxEs) studies have gained popularity over the last decade, but the robustness of such observed interactions has been questioned. The current study contributes to this debate by replicating the only study on the interaction between the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) and perceived parental support on adolescents’ peer-related loneliness. A total of 1,111 adolescents (51% boys) with an average age of 13.70 years (SD = 0.93) participated and three annual waves of data were collected. At baseline, adolescent-reported parental support and peer-related loneliness were assessed and genetic information was collected. Assessment of peer-related loneliness was repeated at Waves 2 and 3. Using a cohort-sequential design, a Latent Growth Curve Model was estimated. Overall, a slight increase of loneliness over time was found. However, the development of loneliness over time was found to be different for boys and girls: girls’ levels of loneliness increased over time, whereas boys’ levels of loneliness decreased. Parental support was inversely related to baseline levels of loneliness, but unrelated to change of loneliness over time. We were unable to replicate the main effect of 5-HTTLPR or the 5-HTTLPR x Support interaction effect. In the Discussion, we examine the implications of our non-replication.
Genetic, Hormonal, and Physiological Analysis of Late Maturity α-Amylase in Wheat1[W][OA]

Transitory expression of high pI amylases during grain development occurs as a result of an altered hormonal environment. Late maturity α-amylase (LMA) is a genetic defect that is commonly found in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars and can result in commercially unacceptably high levels of α-amylase in harvest-ripe grain in the absence of rain or preharvest sprouting. This defect represents a serious problem for wheat farmers, and apart from the circumstantial evidence that gibberellins are somehow involved in the expression of LMA, the mechanisms or genes underlying LMA are unknown. In this work, we use a doubled haploid population segregating for constitutive LMA to physiologically analyze the appearance of LMA during grain development and to profile the transcriptomic and hormonal changes associated with this phenomenon. Our results show that LMA is a consequence of a very narrow and transitory peak of expression of genes encoding high-isoelectric point α-amylase during grain development and that the LMA phenotype seems to be a partial or incomplete gibberellin response emerging from a strongly altered hormonal environment.
Targeting the SAVA (Substance Abuse, Violence, and AIDS) Syndemic Among Women and Girls: A Global Review of Epidemiology and Integrated Interventions

Objectives:Multiple pathways link gender-based violence (GBV) to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among women and girls who use or inject drugs. The aim of this article is to synthesize global literature that examines associations among the synergistic epidemics of substance abuse, violence, and HIV/AIDS, known as the SAVA syndemic. It also aims to identify a continuum of multilevel integrated interventions that target key SAVA syndemic mechanisms. Methods:We conducted a selective search strategy, prioritizing use of meta-analytic epidemiological and intervention studies that address different aspects of the SAVA syndemic among women and girls who use drugs worldwide from 2000 to 2015 using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar. Results:Robust evidence from different countries suggests that GBV significantly increases the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among women and girls who use drugs. Multiple structural, biological, and behavioral mechanisms link GBV and HIV among women and girls. Emerging research has identified a continuum of brief and extended multilevel GBV prevention and treatment interventions that may be integrated into a continuum of HIV prevention, testing, and treatment interventions to target key SAVA syndemic mechanisms among women and girls who use drugs. Conclusions:There remain significant methodological and geographical gaps in epidemiological and intervention research on the SAVA syndemic, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This global review underscores the need to advance a continuum of multilevel integrated interventions that target salient mechanisms of the SAVA syndemic, especially for adolescent girls, young women, and transgender women who use drugs.
Rapid Automatized Naming and Immediate Memory Functions in Chinese Mandarin—Speaking Elementary Readers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate rapid automatized naming skills (RAN) and immediate memory processes in 243 Chinese Mandarin—speaking elementary readers (ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 5). For RAN subtests, the mean naming time decreased monotonically with grade level in good and average readers, and a similar trajectory was found in poor readers, even though they were generally slower in rapid naming. Regardless of grouping methods (counting all participants or counting good readers only), RAN Character emerged as a significant predictor of various Chinese reading measures. Different from classical findings in English readers indicating that RAN Number was a better correlate of reading than RAN Object, RAN Object outperformed RAN Number and became a significant predictor of Chinese reading speed and spelling, suggesting that the differences in predictive power of RAN tasks may be language specific. Comparison of memory profiles for good, average, and poor readers revealed that the patterns varied depending on mode of stimulus presentation or response. Poor readers performed poorly on subtests involving a visual component and did relatively better on subtests involving verbal cues only, whereas a reversed pattern was shown in the group of good readers. The findings were interpreted to suggest that good and poor Chinese readers may be essentially different in applying visual strategies and verbal mediation during visual-verbal intra- and intermodal processing, and visual skills appear to be particularly important in reading of Chinese.
Creep Deformation and Thermal Aging of Random Glass-Mat Polypropylene Composite

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. v DEDICATION. vi CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LITERATURE. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS. viii LIST OF FIGURES . xi LIST OF TABLES. xvi NOMENCLATURES . xvii 1.0 Introduction. 1 1.1 Glass-mat Thermoplastics. 1 1.2 Applications and General Properties . 3 1.3 Motivation of Research Work. 5 1.4 Objectives of Research Study . 7 1.5 Scope of Work . 8 1.6 Structure of the Thesis . 9 2.0 Background and Literature Review . 10 2.1 Creep Deformation. 10 2.1.1 Viscoelasticity and Creep in Thermoplastic Composites . 10 2.1.2 Composite Failure Mechanisms. 12 2.1.3 Literature Review on Microscale Creep Deformation. 14 2.1.3.1 Microscale Deformations. 14 2.1.3.2 Acoustic Emission . 22 2.2 Crystallinity and Thermal Aging . 27 2.2.1 Crystallinity in Polypropylene . 27 2.2.2 Thermal Aging of Semi-crystalline Polymers . 28 2.2. 3 Polymer Characterization Techniques . 29 2.2. 4 Wide-Angle X-Ray Scattering. 30 2.2. 5 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy . 32
Relativistic bounce-averaged quasilinear diffusion equation for low-frequency electromagnetic fluctuations

A relativistic bounce-averaged quasilinear diffusion equation is derived to describe stochastic particle transport associated with low-frequency electromagnetic fluctuations in a nonuniform magnetized plasma. Expressions for the relativistic quasilinear diffusion coefficients are calculated explicitly for magnetically-trapped particle distributions in axisymmetric magnetic geometry in terms of drift-bounce resonant contributions associated with low-frequency fluctuations which conserve the first adiabatic invariant.
Beyond Parity: Fairness Objectives for Collaborative Filtering

We study fairness in collaborative-filtering recommender systems, which are sensitive to discrimination that exists in historical data. Biased data can lead collaborative-filtering methods to make unfair predictions for users from minority groups. We identify the insufficiency of existing fairness metrics and propose four new metrics that address different forms of unfairness. These fairness metrics can be optimized by adding fairness terms to the learning objective. Experiments on synthetic and real data show that our new metrics can better measure fairness than the baseline, and that the fairness objectives effectively help reduce unfairness.
Deep Convolutional Ranking for Multilabel Image Annotation

Multilabel image annotation is one of the most important challenges in computer vision with many real-world applications. While existing work usually use conventional visual features for multilabel annotation, features based on Deep Neural Networks have shown potential to significantly boost performance. In this work, we propose to leverage the advantage of such features and analyze key components that lead to better performances. Specifically, we show that a significant performance gain could be obtained by combining convolutional architectures with approximate top-$k$ ranking objectives, as thye naturally fit the multilabel tagging problem. Our experiments on the NUS-WIDE dataset outperforms the conventional visual features by about 10%, obtaining the best reported performance in the literature.
Evaluation of wheel tracking and field rutting susceptibility of dense bituminous mixes

Rutting in bituminous layers is a major mode of distress, especially in pavements with thick bituminous layers. Different binder and mix rutting specifications are adopted by agencies worldwide to address the issue of rutting in bituminous mixes. The wheel tracking test is also widely used to evaluate the rutting potential of bituminous layers which depends on the aggregate gradation, binder type and also on the method of mix design adopted. The present study was conducted to examine the relationship between laboratory wheel track rutting and field rutting of different mixes prepared with different aggregate gradations, binder types and binder contents selected using different compaction efforts. Fifteen pavement sections with different surface mixes were constructed on a national highway. Loose bituminous mixes collected from the field were compacted to prepare specimens for wheel tracking tests. Two sets of specimens were prepared to have (a) 7% air voids and (b) an air void content similar to that observed in the field 1 day after construction. The rut depths measured using a wheel tracking machine correlated very well with field rut depths measured after 1 year when the laboratory specimens were prepared at the same initial air void content as achieved in the field. As expected, the rut depth measured in the laboratory wheel tracker for specimens prepared with 7% air voids did not correlate well with 1 year rut depths of field mixes which had different initial air void contents. Limiting wheel tracking test rut depths have been identified on the basis of comparison of the field rutting performance of different mixes and the corresponding laboratory rutting performance of the mixes. Limiting criteria have been proposed for two limiting rut depths of 10 and 20 mm and for different traffic levels.
Structural representation of speech for phonetic classification

This paper explores the issues involved in using symbolic metric algorithms for automatic speech recognition (ASR), via a structural representation of speech. This representation is based on a set of phonological distinctive features which is a linguistically well-motivated alternative to the "beads-on-a-string" view of speech that is standard in current ASR systems. We report the promising results of phoneme classification experiments conducted on a standard continuous speech task.
Arguing, reasoning, and the interpersonal (cultural) functions of human consciousness

Abstract Our recent work suggests that (1) the purpose of human conscious thought is participation in social and cultural groups, and (2) logical reasoning depends on conscious thought. These mesh well with the argument theory of reasoning. In broader context, the distinctively human traits are adaptations for culture and inner processes serve interpersonal functions.
A Slope UTD Solution for a Cascade of Multishaped Canonical Objects

The case of multiple diffraction from a cascade of two dimensional multi-shaped canonical objects such as wedges, knife-edges and cylinders, is investigated. A heuristic slope uniform theory of diffraction (UTD) solution is presented that can give accurate and uniform field predictions at any area point and for any kind of environment. The solution is then compared against measurements taken in an anechoic chamber and a very good agreement is observed. Furthermore, an algorithm for implementing the proposed UTD solution to rural area field predictions is also presented, based on a novel algorithm for optimum fit of canonical shapes to the terrain irregularities. Comparisons between the model and measurements taken in real terrain profile show a very good agreement and uniform field predictions. The importance of the choice of the used canonical object to terrain modeling is also discussed since different diffraction patterns are observed for different combination of the canonical objects
Combination chemotherapy and IL-15 administration induce permanent tumor regression in a mouse lung tumor model: NK and T cell-mediated effects antagonized by B cells.

Previous studies have demonstrated that IL-15 administration after cyclophosphamide (CY) injection of C57BL/6J mice bearing the i.m. 76-9 rhabdomyosarcoma resulted in a significant prolongation of life. In the present study, we investigated the immune response against the 76-9 experimental lung metastases after CY + IL-15 therapy. Administration of CY + IL-15, but not IL-15 alone, induced prolongation of life and cures in 32% of mice bearing established experimental pulmonary metastases of 76-9 tumor. The CY + IL-15 therapy resulted in increased levels of NK1.1+/LGL-1+ cells, and CD8+/CD44+ T cells in PBL. In vitro cytotoxic assay of PBL indicated the induction of lymphokine-activated killer cell activity, but no evident tumor-specific class I-restricted lytic activity. Survival studies showed that the presence of NK and T lymphocytes is necessary for successful CY + IL-15 therapy. Experiments using knockout mice implied that either alphabeta or gammadelta T cells were required for an antitumor effect induced by CY + IL-15 therapy. However, mice lacking in both alphabeta and gammadelta T cells failed to respond to combination therapy. Cured B6 and alphabeta or gammadelta T cell-deficient mice were immune to rechallenge with 76-9, but not B16LM tumor. B cell-deficient mice showed a significant improvement in the survival rate both after CY and combination CY + IL-15 therapy compared with normal B6 mice. Overall, the data suggest that the interaction of NK cells with tumor-specific alphabeta or gammadelta T lymphocytes is necessary for successful therapy, while B cells appear to suppress the antitumor effects of CY + IL-15 therapy.
High-Resolution Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary History of HIV-1 Subtypes in Albania

Background HIV-1 epidemic in Western Europe is largely due to subtype B. Little is known about the HIV-1 in Eastern Europe, but a few studies have shown that non-B subtypes are quite common. In Albania, where a recent study estimated a ten-fold increase of AIDS incidence during the last six years, subtype A and B account for 90% of the know infections. Methodology/Principal Findings We investigated the demographic history of HIV-1 subtype A and B in Albania by using a statistical framework based on coalescent theory and phylogeography. High-resolution phylogenetic and molecular clock analysis showed a limited introduction to the Balkan country of subtype A during the late 1980s followed by an epidemic outburst in the early 1990s. In contrast, subtype B was apparently introduced multiple times between the mid-1970s and mid-1980s. Both subtypes are growing exponentially, although the HIV-1A epidemic displays a faster growth rate, and a significantly higher basic reproductive number R0. HIV-1A gene flow occurs primarily from the capital Tirane, in the center of the country, to the periphery, while HIV-1B flow is characterized by a balanced exchange between center and periphery. Finally, we calculated that the actual number of infections in Albania is at least two orders of magnitude higher than previously thought. Conclusions/Significance Our analysis demonstrates the power of recently developed computational tools to investigate molecular epidemiology of pathogens, and emphasize the complex factors involved in the establishment of HIV-1 epidemics. We suggest that a significant correlation exists between HIV-1 exponential spread and the socio-political changes occurred during the Balkan wars. The fast growth of a relatively new non-B epidemic in the Balkans may have significant consequences for the evolution of HIV-1 epidemiology in neighboring countries in Eastern and Western Europe.
Willmore energy for joining of carbon nanostructures

Abstract Numerous types of carbon nanostructure have been found experimentally, including nanotubes, fullerenes and nanocones. These structures have applications in various nanoscale devices and the joining of these structures may lead to further new configurations with more remarkable properties and applications. The join profile between different carbon nanostructures in a symmetric configuration may be modelled using the calculus of variations. In previous studies, carbon nanostructures were assumed to deform according to perfect elasticity, thus the elastic energy, depending only on the axial curvature, was used to determine the join profile consisting of a finite number of discrete bonds. However, one could argue that the relevant energy should also involve the rotational curvature, especially when its size is comparable to the axial curvature. In this paper, we use the Willmore energy, a natural generalisation of the elastic energy that depends on both the axial and rotational curvatures. Catenoids are absolute minimisers of this energy and pieces of these may be used to join various nanostructures. We focus on the cases of joining a fullerene to a nanotube and joining two fullerenes along a common axis. By comparing our results with the earlier work, we find that both energies give similar joining profiles. Further work on other configurations may reveal which energy provides a better model.
Patient-Specific Biomechanical Model for the Prediction of Lung Motion From 4-D CT Images

This paper presents an approach to predict the deformation of the lungs and surrounding organs during respiration. The framework incorporates a computational model of the respiratory system, which comprises an anatomical model extracted from computed tomography (CT) images at end-expiration (EE), and a biomechanical model of the respiratory physiology, including the material behavior and interactions between organs. A personalization step is performed to automatically estimate patient-specific thoracic pressure, which drives the biomechanical model. The zone-wise pressure values are obtained by using a trust-region optimizer, where the estimated motion is compared to CT images at end-inspiration (EI). A detailed convergence analysis in terms of mesh resolution, time stepping and number of pressure zones on the surface of the thoracic cavity is carried out. The method is then tested on five public datasets. Results show that the model is able to predict the respiratory motion with an average landmark error of 3.40 ±1.0 mm over the entire respiratory cycle. The estimated 3-D lung motion may constitute as an advanced 3-D surrogate for more accurate medical image reconstruction and patient respiratory analysis.
Tuberculosis risk from exposure to solid fuel smoke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Studies, particularly from low-income and middle-income countries, suggest that exposure to smoke from household air pollution (HAP) may be a risk factor for tuberculosis. The primary aim of this study was to quantify the risk of tuberculosis from HAP and explore bias and identify possible causes for heterogeneity in reported effect sizes. Methods A systematic review was conducted from original studies. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model, with results presented as a pooled effect estimate (EE) with 95% CI. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed. Results Twelve studies that considered active tuberculosis and reported adjusted effect sizes were included in the meta-analyses. The overall pooled EE (OR, 95% CI) showed a significant adverse effect (1.43, 1.07 to 1.91) and with significant heterogeneity between studies (I2=70.8%, p<0.001). When considering studies of cases diagnosed microbiologically, the pooled EE approached significance (1.26, 0.95 to 1.68). The pooled EE (OR, 95% CI) was significantly higher among those exposed only to biomass smoke (1.49, 1.08 to 2.05) when compared with the use of kerosene only (0.70, 0.13 to 3.87). Similarly, the pooled EE among women (1.61, 0.73 to 3.57) was greater than when both genders were combined (1.39, 1.01 to 1.92). There was no publication bias (Egger plot, p=0.136). Significant heterogeneity was observed in the diagnostic criteria for tuberculosis (coefficient=0.38, p=0.042). Conclusions Biomass smoke is a significant risk factor for active tuberculosis. Most of the studies were small with limited information on measures of HAP.