Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distributed Localization and Tracking of Mobile Networks Including Noncooperative Objects

We propose a Bayesian method for distributed sequential localization of mobile networks composed of both cooperative agents and noncooperative objects. Our method provides a consistent combination of cooperative self-localization (CS) and distributed tracking (DT). Multiple mobile agents and objects are localized and tracked using measurements between agents and objects and between agents. For a distributed operation and low complexity, we combine particle-based belief propagation with a consensus or gossip scheme. High localization accuracy is achieved through a probabilistic information transfer between the CS and DT parts of the underlying factor graph. Simulation results demonstrate significant improvements in both agent self-localization and object localization performance compared to separate CS and DT, and very good scaling properties with respect to the numbers of agents and objects.
Design and Implementation of a Con gurable Mixed-Media Filesystem Extended

Traditional UNIX lesystems are not adequate enough for directly supporting database systems, multimedia systems or applications requiring high I/O performance. In this paper we describe the design and implementation of a con gurable mixed-media lesystem. The attribute con gurable means that a lesystem serving a speci c application area can be realized with less e ort out of a library of reusable lesystem classes. The attribute mixed-media stands for the lesystem's ability to integrate di erent media types (RAM, harddisks, WORM optical disks, CDROMs, tape devices, RAIDs etc.) into a virtual storage and making applications unaware of this aggregation. A prototype C++ implementation of the proposed design, called the Vanilla lesystem, is presented and its performance assessed. Raw-write performance is up to 4:5 times higher than in a standard Sun OS lesystem. We will also demonstrate how various storage organization forms, especially hierarchies, arrays, and mirrors of both local and remote storages, can be realized using an expressive syntax.
On the Stability of Euro Area Money Demand and its Implications for Monetary Policy

We revisit the usefulness of long-run money demand equations for the European Central Bank. We first conduct a model evaluation exercise by means of a recent timeovarying cointegration test. A stable relation for euro area M3 is not rejected by data only when accounting for both a speculative motive, represented by international financial markets, and a precautionary motive, proxied by changes in the unemployment rate. Second, relying on this finding, we propose and estimate a novel time-invariant specification for money demand which allows us (i) to build a leading indicator of stock market busts and (ii) to describe the anomalous behavior of M3 in the last decade. Excess liquidity matters for both financial and price stability.
Abrogation by novobiocin of cytotoxicity due to the topoisomerase II inhibitor amsacrine in Chinese hamster cells.

Using cultured V79 Chinese hamster cells, we found that novobiocin (or 2,4-dinitrophenol) can abrogate, almost completely, the cytotoxicity due to the topoisomerase II inhibitor amsacrine (mAMSA). V79 cells were sensitive to mAMSA killing at all stages in the cell cycle but mainly in S phase followed by late G1 phase; however, novo rescued cells of all ages. The properties of two kinds of radiation-sensitive Chinese hamster cells were also examined, i.e., the line of V79 cells that can be rescued by caffeine, designated S-10 (H. Utsumi and M.M. Elkind, Radiat. Res., 96: 348-358, 1983); and Chinese hamster ovary cells (P.A. Jeggo and L.M. Kemp, Mutat. Res., 112: 313-327, 1983) which are also sensitive to other DNA-damaging agents. As is the case for exposure to radiation, after mAMSA treatment caffeine rescued V79/S-10 cells. Although Jeggo's Chinese hamster ovary cells were more responsive to mAMSA, novo still abrogated mAMSA toxicity in the mutant cells as well as in the parental Chinese hamster ovary cells 2,4-Dinitrophenol acted similarly to novo with respect to mAMSA killing, but neither compound reduced the ATP content of V79 cells. We propose that one reason for the rescue from mAMSA killing of at least S-phase cells by novo or 2,4-dinitrophenol is their ability transiently to inhibit replicative DNA synthesis.
Translational aspects of cardiac cell therapy

Cell therapy has been intensely studied for over a decade as a potential treatment for ischaemic heart disease. While initial trials using skeletal myoblasts, bone marrow cells and peripheral blood stem cells showed promise in improving cardiac function, benefits were found to be short‐lived likely related to limited survival and engraftment of the delivered cells. The discovery of putative cardiac ‘progenitor’ cells as well as the creation of induced pluripotent stem cells has led to the delivery of cells potentially capable of electromechanical integration into existing tissue. An alternative strategy involving either direct reprogramming of endogenous cardiac fibroblasts or stimulation of resident cardiomyocytes to regenerate new myocytes can potentially overcome the limitations of exogenous cell delivery. Complimentary approaches utilizing combination cell therapy and bioengineering techniques may be necessary to provide the proper milieu for clinically significant regeneration. Clinical trials employing bone marrow cells, mesenchymal stem cells and cardiac progenitor cells have demonstrated safety of catheter based cell delivery, with suggestion of limited improvement in ventricular function and reduction in infarct size. Ongoing trials are investigating potential benefits to outcome such as morbidity and mortality. These and future trials will clarify the optimal cell types and delivery conditions for therapeutic effect.
Intersection-based piecewise affine approximation of nonlinear systems

This paper presents a new algorithm for piecewise affine (PWA) approximation of nonlinear systems. Such an approximation is very important to enable a reduction in the complexity of models of nonlinear systems while keeping the global validity of the models. The paper builds on previous work on PWA approximation methods, in particular on the work done by Casselman and Rodrigues, known as the Set of Linearization Points (SLP) PWA approximation. The proposed extension method can be used to approximate any continuous function of one variable by a PWA function. The algorithm is based on the points at which the linearization lines intersect with each other. The method assumes that a desired approximation error and one linearization point are given. The algorithm then performs several linearizations. It is shown that the new linearization points are optimal in the sense of decreasing the error between the exact function and the approximation. The main advantages of this methodology compared to previous approaches are the reduction of the number of pieces of the PWA function, the guarantee that the approximation is continuous, elimination of the numerical optimization to find the point of maximum error, and that the derivative of the approximation and the derivative of the exact function are equal at all linearization points.
Stellar wind accretion in GX 301−2: evidence for a high-density stream

The X-ray binary system GX 301−2 consists of a neutron star in an eccentric orbit accreting from the massive early-type star Wray 977. It has previously been shown that the X-ray orbital light curve is consistent with the existence of a gas stream flowing out from Wray 977 in addition to its strong stellar wind. Here, X-ray monitoring observations by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE)/All-Sky Monitor and pointed observations by the RXTE/Proportional Counter Array over the past decade are analysed. We analyse both the flux and column density dependence on orbital phase. The wind and stream dynamics are calculated for various system inclinations, companion rotation rates and wind velocities, as well as parametrized by the stream width and density. These calculations are used as inputs to determine both the expected accretion luminosity and the column density along the line-of-sight to the neutron star. The model luminosity and column density are compared to observed flux and column density versus orbital phase, to constrain the properties of the stellar wind and the gas stream. We find that the change between bright and medium intensity levels is primarily due to decreased mass loss in the stellar wind, but the change between medium and dim intensity levels is primarily due to decreased stream density. The mass-loss rate in the stream exceeds that in the stellar wind by a factor of ∼2.5. The quality of the model fits is better for lower inclinations, favouring a higher mass for Wray 977 in its allowed range of 40‐60 M � .
Dynamic field theory of visuospatial cognition

In dieser Arbeit stelle ich eine Reihe von neurodynamischen Modellen vor, die aufeinander aufbauend verschiedene Aspekte des aktiven Sehens behandeln. Zunachst untersuche ich die neuronale Steuerung zielgerichteter Augenbewegungen sowie die Verarbeitung der visuellen Information zur Erzeugung blickrichtungsinvarianter raumlicher Reprasentationen. Dieselben neuronalen Mechanismen nutze ich zur Entwicklung kognitiver Modelle des menschlichen Arbeitsgedachtnisses fur visuelle Szenen sowie der Verankerung raumlicher Sprache in der visuellen Wahrnehmung. Die Modelle basieren auf der Theorie Dynamischer Neuronaler Felder, welche die zeitliche Entwicklung neuronaler Aktivitatsverteilung auf der Ebene von Neuronenpopulationen durch Differentialgleichungen beschreibt. Ich zeige, wie diese Modelle sowohl neuronale Daten erklaren als auch experimentell beobachtete Charakteristika menschlichen Verhaltens im Bereich des aktiven Sehens nachbilden.
Quantitative Trait Locus Analysis of Stalk Strength in Four Maize Populations

Stalk lodging in maize (Zea mays L.) causes yield losses estimated to range from 5 to 20% annually worldwide. Selection for rind penetrometer resistance (RPR) has proven useful in enhancing germplasm for stalk strength, and therefore improving stalk lodging resistance. We conducted quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis for RPR in four F 2.3 populations. The populations were constructed by means of combinations of MoSCSSS-High (selection for high RPR), MoSCSSS-Low (selection for low RPR), MoSQB-Low (selection for low stalk crushing strength), inbred line Mo47, and inbred line B73. Individuals in each population were genotyped for simple sequence repeat (SSR) or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers, and data were collected for RPR over multiple locations and replications. Means combined over environments were used as trait data for composite interval mapping by QTL Cartographer. Eight, 10, eight, and nine single-effect QTL and four, two, zero, and five epistatic interactions were detected for RPR in the four populations. Multilocus models, including the single-effect QTL and epistatic interactions, accounted for 33.4, 44.7, 48.4, and 58.7% of the total phenotypic variation. These data dearly indicate the complex nature of stalk strength. One chromosomal region contained a QTL from all four populations, while two QTL were in common among three of the four populations and five QTL were in common between two populations. Candidate genes that overlap QTL confidence intervals include those involved in lignin synthesis, the phenylpropanoid pathway, and the timing of vegetative phase change.
Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Yaoundé-Cameroon: Association with Opportunistic Infections, Depression, ART Regimen and Side Effects

Following global efforts to increase antiretroviral therapy (ART) access in Sub-Saharan Africa, ART coverage among HIV-infected Cameroonians increased from 0% in 2003 to 22% in 2014. However, the success of current HIV treatment programs depends not only on access to ART, but also on retention in care and good treatment adherence. This is necessary to achieve viral suppression, prevent virologic failure, and reduce viral transmission and HIV/AIDS-related deaths. Previous studies in Cameroon showed poor adherence, treatment interruption, and loss to follow-up among HIV+ subjects on ART, but the factors that influence ART adherence are not well known. In the current cross-sectional study, patient/self-reported questionnaires and pharmacy medication refill data were used to quantify ART adherence and determine the factors associated with increased risk of non-adherence among HIV-infected Cameroonians. We demonstrated that drug side-effects, low CD4 cell counts and higher viral loads are associated with increased risk of non-adherence, and compared to females, males were more likely to forego ART because of side effects (p<0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that subjects with opportunistic infections (on antibiotics) had 2.42-times higher odds of having been non-adherent (p<0.001). Multivariable analysis controlling for ART regimen, age, gender, and education showed that subjects with opportunistic infections had 3.1-times higher odds of having been non-adherent (p<0.0003), with significantly longer periods of non-adherence, compared to subjects without opportunistic infections (p = 0.02). We further showed that compared to younger subjects (≤40 years), older subjects (>40 years) were less likely to be non-adherent (p<0.01) and had shorter non-adherent periods (p<0.0001). The presence of depression symptoms correlated with non-adherence to ART during antibiotic treatment (r = 0.53, p = 0.04), and was associated with lower CD4 cell counts (p = 0.04) and longer non-adherent periods (p = 0.04). Change in ART regimen was significantly associated with increased likelihood of non-adherence and increased duration of the non-adherence period. Addressing these underlying risk factors could improve ART adherence, retention in care and treatment outcomes for HIV/AIDS patients in Cameroon.
A SURVEY OF z ∼ 6 QUASARS IN THE SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY DEEP STRIPE. II. DISCOVERY OF SIX QUASARS AT zAB>21

We present the discovery of six new quasars at z ∼ 6 selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) southern survey, a deep imaging survey obtained by repeatedly scanning a stripe along the celestial equator. The six quasars are about 2 mag fainter than the luminous z ∼ 6 quasars found in the SDSS main survey and 1 mag fainter than the quasars reported in Paper I. Four of them comprise a complete flux-limited sample at 21 < zAB < 21.8 over an effective area of 195 deg2. The other two quasars are fainter than zAB = 22 and are not part of the complete sample. The quasar luminosity function at z ∼ 6 is well described as a single power law Φ(L1450) ∝ Lβ1450 over the luminosity range −28 < M1450 < −25. The best-fitting slope β varies from −2.6 to −3.1, depending on the quasar samples used, with a statistical error of 0.3–0.4. About 40% of the quasars discovered in the SDSS southern survey have very narrow Lyα emission lines, which may indicate small black hole masses and high Eddington luminosity ratios, and therefore short black hole growth timescales for these faint quasars at early epochs.
Even Faster SVD Decomposition Yet Without Agonizing Pain

We study k-SVD that is to obtain the first k singular vectors of a matrix $A$ approximately. Recently, a few breakthroughs have been discovered on k-SVD: Musco and Musco [1] provided the first gap-free theorem for the block Krylov method, Shamir [2] discovered the first variance-reduction stochastic method, and Bhojanapalli et al. [3] provided the fastest $O(\mathsf{nnz}(A) + \mathsf{poly}(1/\varepsilon))$-type of algorithm using alternating minimization. In this paper, put forward a new framework for SVD and improve the above breakthroughs. We obtain faster gap-free convergence rate outperforming [1], we obtain the first accelerated AND stochastic method outperforming [2]. In the $O(\mathsf{nnz}(A) + \mathsf{poly}(1/\varepsilon))$ running-time regime, we outperform [3] in certain parameter regimes without even using alternating minimization.
Pengaruh Motivasi Kerja, Pengembangan Karir Dan Lingkungan Kerja Terhadap Organizational Citizenship Behavior (Ocb) Dengan Kepuasan Kerja Sebagai Variabel Intervening Pada Perusahaan Terminal Lpg

Abstrak: The study examines the effect of work motivation, career development, work environment on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) with job satisfaction as intervening variable. The research approach is a quantitative approach through the method of data collection using questionnaires. The sample was totally 158 respondents. Research using analysis of Structural Equation Model (SEM) that run through AMOS 18.00 software in seeing the influence of exogenous variables on endogenous variables. The results showed that work motivation in a positive and significant effect on job satisfaction, career development is not a positive and significant effect on job satisfaction, work environment in a positive and significant effect on job satisfaction, work motivation is not positive and significant effect on organizational citizenship behavior, career development is a positive and significant effect on organizational citizenship behavior, work environment is not positive and significant effect on organizational citizenship behavior, job satisfaction is positively and significantly influence the organizational citizenship behavior and work environment through job satisfaction has positive influence on organizational citizenship behavior. Other findings are organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) can be increased due to the work environment, but on the condition that the employees are satisfied first. Keywords: Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB), Job Satisfaction, Work Motivation, Career Development, Work Environment.
Bioactive and Antibacterial Glass Powders Doped with Copper by Ion-Exchange in Aqueous Solutions

In this work, two bioactive glass powders (SBA2 and SBA3) were doped with Cu by means of the ion-exchange technique in aqueous solution. SBA2 glass was subjected to the ion-exchange process by using different Cu salts (copper(II) nitrate, chloride, acetate, and sulphate) and concentrations. Structural (X-ray diffraction-XRD), morphological (Scanning Electron Microscopy-SEM), and compositional (Energy Dispersion Spectrometry-EDS) analyses evidenced the formation of crystalline phases for glasses ion-exchanged in copper(II) nitrate and chloride solutions; while the ion-exchange in copper(II) acetate solutions lead to the incorporation of higher Cu amount than the ion-exchange in copper(II) sulphate solutions. For this reason, the antibacterial test (inhibition halo towards S. aureus) was performed on SBA2 powders ion-exchanged in copper(II) acetate solutions and evidenced a limited antibacterial effect. A second glass composition (SBA3) was developed to allow a greater incorporation of Cu in the glass surface; SBA3 powders were ion-exchanged in copper(II) acetate solutions (0.01 M and 0.05 M). Cu-doped SBA3 powders showed an amorphous structure; morphological analysis evidenced a rougher surface for Cu-doped powders in comparison to the undoped glass. EDS and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the Cu introduction as Cu(II) ions. Bioactivity test in simulated body fluid (SBF) showed that Cu introduction did not alter the bioactive behaviour of the glass. Finally, inhibition halo test towards S. aureus evidenced a good antimicrobial effect for glass powders ion-exchanged in copper(II) acetate solutions 0.05 M.
Assessment of the severity of acute pancreatitis. the usefulness of ROC analysis in comparative studies of clinical and imaging prognostic indices.

Dear Sir: We read the original article regarding assessment of the predictive value of the CT severity index (CTSI) for the severity of acute pancreatitis by Gürleyic et al. with great interest [1]. The purpose of this study was to make a comparative assessment of the accuracy of the CTSI proposed by Baltazar et al. [2], the APACHE II score and serum CRP concentrations in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis. The cutoff values of 3 for the CTSI and 7 for the APACHE II were used in the present study, based on the results of studies which did not have exactly the same discrimination endpoint [2, 3]. The discrimination endpoint in this study is defined as the ability to separate those patients who had mild pancreatitis from those who had severe pancreatitis, according to the classification criteria of the 1992 Atlanta International Symposium [4]. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves could have been used to determine the most appropriate cutoff point for the selected discrimination endpoint which corresponds to the best possible trade-off between sensitivity and specificity which were estimated in the present sample. Moreover, the area under the ROC curve is a reliable measure of overall predictive discrimination and a previously described method for comparison of the areas under the ROC curves, derived from the same cases, could also have been used [5, 6]. The additional information provided by ROC curves in studies of prognostic indices of acute pancreatitis severity derives from the complete illustration of the relationship between s ensitivity and specificity for a certain discrimination endpoint (severe vs. mild pancreatitis in this case). This might have been useful because: a) the clinical impact of the two types of misclassification (failure to correctly identify a case of severe pancreatitis or failure to correctly identify a case of mild pancreatitis) is not the same, and b) it is necessary to realize new prospective comparative studies for assessing the clinical impact of promising imaging techniques, such as MRI or contrast-enhanced US in the near future [7, 8]. Moreover, it should be noted that even though the Atlanta classification system provides a reliable basis for experimental studies for the clinical management of acute pancreatitis, it is not considered to be a perfect system since intermediate forms of the disease do occur [9]. If an imperfect gold standard is used, the estimated accuracy of the tests may suffer (" imperfect gold standard …
Feasibility Analysis of Sustainability-Based Measures to Reduce VOC Emissions in Office Partition Manufacturing

A feasibility analysis is reported of reduction opportunities for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in manufacturing office furniture partitions, aimed at contributing to efforts to improve the sustainability of the process. A pollution prevention methodology is utilized. The purpose is to provide practical options for VOC emissions reductions during the manufacturing of office furniture partitions, but the concepts can be generally applied to the wood furniture industry. Baseline VOC emissions for a typical plant are estimated using a mass balance approach. The feasibility analysis expands on a preliminary screening to identify viable pollution prevention options using realistic criteria and weightings, and is based on technical, environmental and economic considerations. The measures deemed feasible include the implementation of several best management practices, ceasing the painting of non-visible parts, switching to hot melt backwrapping glue, application of solvent recycling and modification of the mechanical clip attachment. Implementation, measurement and control plans are discussed for the measures considered feasible, which can enhance the sustainability of the manufacturing of office furniture partitions. Reducing VOC emissions using the measures identified can, in conjunction with other measures, improve the sustainability of the manufacturing process.