Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
L₁-Robust Interval Observer Design for Uncertain Nonlinear Dynamical Systems

This letter presents a novel interval observer design for uncertain locally Lipschitz continuous-time (CT) and discrete-time (DT) systems with noisy nonlinear observations that is input-to-state stable (ISS) and minimizes the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_{1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-gain of the observer error system with respect to the uncertainties. Using mixed-monotone decompositions, the proposed observer is correct and positive by construction without the need for additional constraints/assumptions. This, in turn, allows us to directly leverage techniques for positive systems to design an ISS and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_{1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-robust interval observer via mixed-integer (linear) programs instead of semi-definite programs with linear matrix inequalities. Further, our observer design offers additional degrees of freedom that may serve as a surrogate for coordinate transformations. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed observer on some CT and DT systems.
The Role of Inflammatory Mediators in the Development of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders

Feeding intolerance and the development of ileus is a common complication affecting critically ill, surgical, and trauma patients, resulting in prolonged intensive care unit and hospital stays, increased infectious complications, a higher rate of hospital readmission, and higher medical care costs. Medical treatment for ileus is ineffective and many of the available prokinetic drugs have serious side effects that limit their use. Despite the large number of patients affected and the consequences of ileus, little progress has been made in identifying new drug targets for the treatment of ileus. Inflammatory mediators play a critical role in the development of ileus, but surprisingly little is known about the direct effects of inflammatory mediators on cells of the gastrointestinal tract, and many of the studies are conflicting. Understanding the effects of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines on the development of ileus will facilitate the early identification of patients who will develop ileus and the identification of new drug targets to treat ileus. Thus, herein, we review the published literature concerning the effects of inflammatory mediators on gastrointestinal motility.
Review of Factors Influencing Discomfort Glare Perception from Daylight

ABSTRACT Because well-being is becoming a major challenge in construction alongside energy efficiency, there is an increasing need to be able to quantify discomfort in buildings. In the case of discomfort glare, the kind of glare provoking an irritating or distracting effect, no current indices can properly explain the high variability existing between individuals’ discomfort glare perceptions. This is due to the fact that some of the factors influencing discomfort glare perception are still unknown and the mechanism behind the discomfort glare process is not well understood. Therefore, this article aims to review the factors potentially influencing discomfort glare perception from daylight. Every factor having been studied at least once for its potential influence on discomfort glare perception has been listed, described, and analyzed. Furthermore, this study categorizes the influence of these factors on discomfort glare by introducing an influence indicator based on the number of studies having investigated the factor, the sample size of these studies, and the agreement between them. The suggested categories rate a factor influence as “almost certain,” “more likely,” “somewhat likely,” “inconclusive,” “somewhat unlikely,” “less likely,” or “almost certainly null. ” Tables summarize the main information about the studies and the influencing factors. As expected, factors almost certainly influencing discomfort glare perception are the luminance of the glare source, adaptation level, contrast effect, and size and position of the glare source. In contrast, factors that almost certainly do not influence discomfort glare perception are the gender and optical correction of the observer. All other factors from the list of 30, such as the attractiveness of the view through the window or the culture of the observer, require additional studies to determine whether or not they influence discomfort glare perception.
Characterisation of geotechnical model uncertainty

ABSTRACT The calculated response from a numerical model will deviate from the measured one given the presence of modelling idealizations and real world construction effects. This deviation can be directly captured by a ratio between the measured and the calculated quantity. The ratio is also called a model factor in many design guides. The probabilistic distribution of the model factor is arguably the most common and simplest complete representation of model uncertainty. The characterisation of model uncertainty is identified as one of the critical elements in a geotechnical reliability-based design process in Annex D of ISO 2394:2015 “General Principles on Reliability of Structures”. This Spotlight paper reviews the databases for various geo-structures and determines their associated model statistics. Foundation load test databases are the most prevalent. A recent effort to compile a large generic database (PILE/2739) that contains 2739 field load tests conducted on various piles and installed in different soils and countries, is highlighted. This systematic compilation of load test data is part of a broader research agenda to digitalise foundation design for “precision construction”, which is targeted at characterising “site-specific” model factors and soil parameters based on both site-specific and generic data for further customisation of design to a particular site. The mean and COV of the model factor for a range of geo-structures, geomaterials, and limit states (both ultimate and serviceability) are summarized in a form suitable for adoption in design and codes of practice. Based on this summary, it is proposed that a model factor for a design model can be classified as: (1) moderately conservative (1 ≤ mean < 2), (2) highly conservative (2 ≤ mean < 3), or (3) very highly conservative (mean ≥ 3). The model uncertainty can be as: (1) low dispersion (COV < 0.3), (2) medium dispersion (0.3 ≤ COV < 0.6), (3) high dispersion (0.6 ≤ COV < 0.9), and (4) very high dispersion (COV ≥ 0.9). This summary represents the most extensive and significant update of Table 3.7. 5.1 in the 2006 JCSS Probabilistic Model Code.
Global in Local: A Convolutional Transformer for SAR ATR FSL

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have dominated the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) automatic target recognition (ATR) for years. However, under limited SAR images, the width and depth of the CNN-based models are limited, and the widening of the received field for global features in images is hindered, which finally leads to the low performance of recognition. To address these challenges, we propose a convolutional transformer (ConvT) for SAR ATR few-shot learning (FSL). The proposed method focuses on constructing a hierarchical feature representation and capturing global dependencies of local features in each layer, named global in local. A novel hybrid loss is proposed to interpret few SAR images in the forms of recognition labels and contrastive image pairs, construct abundant anchor-positive and anchor-negative image pairs in one batch, and provide sufficient loss for the optimization of ConvT to overcome few sample effect. An auto augmentation is proposed to enhance and enrich the diversity and amount of few training samples to explore the hidden feature in few SAR images and avoid over-fitting in SAR ATR FSL. Experiments conducted on the moving and stationary target acquisition and recognition (MSTAR) dataset have shown the effectiveness of our proposed ConvT for SAR ATR FSL. Different from the existing SAR ATR FSL methods using additional training datasets, our method achieved pioneering performance without other SAR target images in training.
Liver proteomic analysis reveals acute liver failure induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine in rats involved in neutrophil extracellular trap formation

Objectives Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare life-threatening condition that leads to rapid deterioration of liver function. Although global awareness of ALF consequences is increasing, the precise molecular mechanisms associated with its rapid progression remain unclear. In the present study, we established a rat model of ALF using Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D-galactosamine (D-Gal) and explored the potential molecular mechanism of ALF. Methods Multiplexed isobaric tandem mass tag labelling combined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to thoroughly screen for differentially expressed proteins in liver samples from LPS/D-Gal-induced ALF rat models. Results We identified 175 proteins, whose expression was altered by at least 1.5-fold, between the liver samples of ALF and control groups. Of these, 14 dysregulated proteins mainly participated in the regulation of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. Furthermore, rats with severe ALF showed elevated levels of cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, myeloperoxidase, and fibrinogen gamma chain, consistent with NET formation. These findings suggest that the NET formation pathway may have contributed to the regulation of the clinical features and progression of liver injury in ALF rats. Conclusion To our knowledge, this study is the first to report a global differential protein expression profile of liver samples from rats with LPS/D-Gal-induced ALF. Our TMT-based quantitative proteomic analysis revealed molecular differences involved in NET formation between the ALF and control rat groups, potential therapeutic targets for ALF treatment as well as fundamental information for further detailed experimental research.
A smart city qualitative data analysis model: Participatory crowdsourcing of public safety reports in South Africa

Increased urbanization against the backdrop of limited resources complicates city planning and the management of functions, including public safety. The smart city concept can help, but most previous smart city systems have focused on utilizing automated sensors and analyzing quantitative data. In developing nations, limited resources make using the mobile phone to enable the crowdsourcing of qualitative public safety reports from the public a more viable option. However, there is no best practice for analyzing such citizen reports for a smart city in a developing nation. Given the rise of megacities in developing nations, many of which struggle to provide access to vital resources, this study developed and tested a model for guiding the analysis of unstructured natural language texts instead of traditional sensory data. In the study, citizens engaged with the project and 663 usable reports were received. Following a design science approach, the model was developed through an extensive review of related literature, and assessed and refined by observing the associated model prototype. This study emphasizes that a city‐specific ontology needs to be developed and that natural language processing should be its focus, specifically within the larger context of our smart city qualitative data analysis (SCQDA) model. Together, these aspects enable this study to contribute practically, as we prove that cities in developing nations can improve the lives of their citizens using that which is already at their disposal instead of specialized (and often expensive) sensory networks.
A ±0.5 dB, 6 nW RSSI Circuit With RF Power-to-Digital Conversion Technique for Ultra-Low Power IoT Radio Applications

This paper presents a new technique of radio frequency (RF) signal strength detection with a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) circuit which can be deployed in an internet-of-things (IoT) network. The proposed RSSI circuit is based on a direct conversion of RF to digital code indicating the signal strength. The direct conversion is achieved by the repeated switching of a rectifier’s output voltage using an ultra-low power comparator. A 5-bit programmable feedback circuit is used to correct detection inaccuracies. The RSSI circuit is implemented in a 65-nm CMOS process and consumes 6nW power. It has a linear dynamic range of 26dB and exhibits an error of ± 0.5dB with a wide bandwidth of 750MHz. A detailed analysis of the RSSI circuit is presented and verified with simulation and measurement results. The high detection accuracy with ultra-low power consumption of our RSSI circuit is favourable for IoT applications including localization, beamforming, hardware security and other low-power applications.
A Compact Dual-Band Negative Group Delay Microwave Circuit

A compact dual-band negative group delay circuit (NGDC) is proposed. The proposed NGDC is composed of an open-circuited transmission line and two resistors connected by two transmission lines. The frequency ratio is controlled by the characteristic impedance of the transmission lines. To verify the design concept, a dualband NGDC with the frequency ratio of n = 2 (Circuit A) and a broadband NGDC with n = 1.16 (Circuit B) are designed and fabricated. The measured group delay value of the Circuit A is –1.19 ns at the center frequencies of lower and upper bands. And the measured NGD bandwidth is 34.6% for the lower band and 16.5% for the upper band, in which the return loss and insertion loss are better than 16.9 dB and 18.2 dB, respectively. From the measurement results of Circuit B, a flat fractional NGD bandwidth of 19.8% with GD of (–1.58 ± 0.13) ns is obtained, in which the return loss and insertion loss are better than 23 dB and 32.5 dB, respectively.
The Handbook of Competency Mapping: Understanding, Designing and Implementing Competency Models in Organizations

William Tate Goleman, Daniel (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why it can Matter More Than IQ. New York: Bantam Books. Goleman, Daniel (1998). Working with Emotional Intelligence. New York: Bantam Books. The Lifetime Career Manager James C. Cabrera and Charles F. Alberch, Jr. RANKIN, Neil and EPSTEIN, Paul. The IRS handbook on competencies: law and practice. London, IRS, 2001. ISBN 0406946345 The Hand Book of Competency Mapping, understanding, designing and implementing competency models in organizations Seema Sanghi Response Books. You Can Win Shiv Khera Who Moved My Cheese Spencer Johnson, Kenneth H. Balchard. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleStephen R. Covey In Search of Management Culture, Chaos & Control in Managerial work byTony. J. WatsonThomas Learning. WHIDDETT, Steve & HOLLYFORDE, Sarah. A practical guide to competencies: how to enhance individual and organisational performance. 2"** edition. London, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, 2003. WHIDDETT, Steve and HOLLYFORDE, Sarah. A Practical guide to competencies: how to enhance individual and organizational Performance. 2TM* Ed London, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, 2003. "Towards Corporate Competence converting capability to reality". William Tate, Infinite Books-A Maya Gower Imprint.
Investigation of Microphysical Properties within Regions of Enhanced Dual-Frequency Ratio During the IMPACTS Field Campaign

Multi-frequency airborne radars have become instrumental in evaluating the performance of satellite retrievals and furthering our understanding of ice microphysical properties. The dual-frequency ratio (DFR) is influenced by the size, density, and shape of ice particles, with higher values associated with the presence of larger ice particles that may have implications regarding snowfall at the surface. The Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) field campaign involves the coordination of remote sensing measurements above winter mid-latitude cyclones from an ER-2 aircraft to document the fine-scale precipitation structure spanning four radar (X-, Ku-, Ka-, and W-band) frequencies and in-situ microphysical measurements from a P-3 aircraft that provide additional insight into the particle size distribution (PSD) behavior and habits of the hydrometeors related to the DFR. A novel approach to identify regions of prominently higher Ku- and Ka-band DFR at the P-3 location for five coordinated flights is presented. The solid-phase mass-weighted mean diameter (Dm) was 58% larger, the effective density (ρe) 37% smaller, and the liquid-equivalent normalized intercept parameter (Nw) 74% lower in regions of prominently higher DFR. Microphysical properties within a triple-frequency framework suggest signatures consistent with aggregation and riming as in previous studies. Lastly, a pretrained neural network radar retrieval is used to investigate the vertical structure of microphysical properties associated with the larger DFR signatures and provides the spatial context for inferring certain microphysical processes.
New Estimates for the Rate of Convergence of the Method of Subspace Corrections

We discuss estimates for the rate of convergence of the method of successive subspace corrections in terms of condition number estimate for the method of parallel subspace corrections. We provide upper bounds and in a special case, a lower bound for preconditioners defined via the method of successive subspace corrections. AMS subject classifications: 65F10, 65J05, 65N12, 65N55 The method of subspace corrections is a general iterative method for solving the linear system of equations arising from the variational formulation in a Hilbert space. The mod- ern theory of the subspace correction methods has showed that the multigrid method and the domain decomposition method are systematically equivalent. In this paper, we study the method of subspace corrections. We refer readers to von Neumann(7), Bramble(1), Bramble and Zhang(2), Hackbusch(4), Griebel and Oswald(3), Trottenberg, Oosterlee and Schuller(5), Xu(8,9) and Xu and Zikatanov(10) for the method of subspace correc- tions. One main focus in this paper is to provide an estimate for the rate of convergence of the method of successive subspace corrections (MSSC) in terms of the method of parallel subspace corrections (MPSC). This work can be considered as an extension and application of the convergence theory by Xu and Zikatanov(10). Based on this framework, we obtain a formula for the convergence rate, which can be employed to derive many other estimates related to the method of subspace corrections. We then show how the convergence rate of the MSSC can be estimated in terms of the MPSC. Similar results and other approaches on deriving estimates relating MSSC and MPSC are also found in earlier works(2,3,8,9).
Hydrodynamic Interactions Between Macroalgae and Their Epibionts

Macroalgae provide surfaces where other organisms live. Unlike organisms on rigid substrata, epibionts on host macroalgae sit on flexible surfaces that bend, stretch, and move in turbulent water currents and waves. We used blade-like red algae, Mazzaella splendens, and encrusting bryozoans, Membranipora membranacea, to investigate the biomechanical and hydrodynamic effects of encrusting epibionts on macroalgae, and of flexible hosts on epibiotic bryozoans. Passive flapping by algae in wave-driven ambient flow enhanced renewal of water near hosts and epibionts. Wave exposure and the presence of a surrounding canopy of flexible algae altered the locations along algal blades where bryozoans encountered the highest time-averaged boundary shear velocities. Hydrodynamic forces on flexible algae moving back-and-forth with the water were lower in waves than in unidirectional flow. Bryozoan epibionts increased hydrodynamic forces on host algae by affecting their reconfiguration in moving water. Encrusting bryozoans increased the flexural stiffness of algal blades, but the elastic modulus, extensibility, and strength of blade tissue was unaffected by bryozoan epibionts. Algal blades were more extensible and stronger than bryozoans, so bryozoans fractured or popped off stretched algae. Algae in rapid-flow habitats had few epibionts, and encrusted algae transplanted from a protected to a wave-exposed habitat lost their epibionts.
Links between soilborne pathogens, plant parasitic nematodes, farm management and biophysical constraints in a southern Australian rainfed cropping system

ABSTRACT Context. Rotations in rainfed farming systems of southwest Australia have shifted towards intensified cropping and it is necessary to reassess soilborne pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes within this context. Aims. We tested the hypothesis that these recent changes in rotations and agronomy have altered the efficacy with which rotations reduce the incidence of common root pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes. Methods. We tracked changes in common pathogen DNA in soil and the incidence and severity of crop root damage in 184 paddocks, over 6 years from 2010 to 2015, and related this to farmer practices. Key results. Overall, severe root damage was rare, with 72% of plant samples showing no damage or only a trace and only 1% severely damaged. We found that the reduction of paddocks in pasture and resultant very low weed populations, combined with early sowing, reduced persistence of pathogens and nematode pests. But some aspects of crop management had the opposite effect: high rates of herbicide, increased frequency of cereals and canola at the expense of lupin and increased N fertiliser use. Conclusions. Current agronomic practices and the frequency of non-host crops in rotations appear to be effective in controlling common root pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes. But the aspects of agronomic management that increased populations of pathogens should be applied cautiously. Implications. Studies such as this that link multiple productivity constraints, such as pathogens and nematode pests, weeds and nutrients, to management practices are important to understand the sustainability of current or proposed production methods.
The Thickness and Structure of Dip-Coated Polymer Films in the Liquid and Solid States

Films formed by dip coating brass wires with dilute and semi-dilute solutions of polyvinyl butyral in benzyl alcohol were studied in their liquid and solid states. While dilute and semi-dilute solutions behaved as Maxwell viscoelastic fluids, the thickness of the liquid films followed the Landau-Levich-Derjaguin prediction for Newtonian fluids. At a very slow rate of coating, the film thickness was difficult to evaluate. Therefore, the dynamic contact angle was studied in detail. We discovered that polymer additives preserve the advancing contact angle at its static value while the receding contact angle follows the Cox–Voinov theory. In contrast, the thickness of solid films does not correlate with the Landau-Levich-Derjaguin predictions. Only solutions of high-molecular-weight polymers form smooth solid films. Solutions of low-molecular-weight polymers may form either solid films with an inhomogeneous roughness or solid polymer domains separated by the dry substrate. In technological applications, very dilute polymer solutions of high-molecular-weight polymers can be used to avoid inhomogeneities in solid films. These solutions form smooth solid films, and the film thickness can be controlled by the experimental coating conditions.