Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measurement Techniques of the Magneto-Electric Coupling in Multiferroics

The current surge of interest in multiferroic materials demands specialized measurement techniques to support multiferroics research. In this review article we detail well-established measurement techniques of the magneto-electric coupling coefficient in multiferroic materials, together with newly proposed ones. This work is intended to serve as a reference document for anyone willing to develop experimental measurement techniques of multiferroic materials.
Model-Based Cybersecurity Assessment with NESCOR Smart Grid Failure Scenarios

The transformation of traditional power systems to smart grids brings significant benefits, but also exposes the grids to various cyber threats. The recent effort led by US National Electric Sector Cybersecurity Organization Resource (NESCOR) Technical Working Group 1 to compile failure scenarios is an important initiative to document typical cybersecurity threats to smart grids. While these scenarios are an invaluable thought-aid, companies still face challenges in systematically and efficiently applying the failure scenarios to assess security risks for their specific infrastructure. In this work, we develop a model-based process for assessing the security risks from NESCOR failure scenarios. We extend our cybersecurity assessment tool, Cyber-SAGE, to support this process, and use it to analyze 25 failure scenarios. Our results show that CyberSAGE can generate precise and structured security argument graphs to quantitatively reason about the risk of each failure scenario. Further, CyberSAGE can significantly reduce the assessment effort by allowing the reuse of models across different failure scenarios, systems, and attacker profiles to perform "what if? " analysis.
Dynamic performance of grid connected AC/DC Voltage Source Converter under voltage dips transient conditions

The intensive use of Voltage Source Converters (VSCs) in grid-connected applications requires control strategies that should be robust against voltage transients, such as voltage dips. The voltage dips are mainly caused by short-circuit faults; many of them last only a few tens or hundreds of milliseconds and they are unbalanced in most cases. The grid connected VSC from back to back structures is usually employed to control the DC-link voltage and the grid currents, keeping them within their allowed values. The dynamic behavior of grid connected AC/DC VSC under voltage dip transients is investigated in this paper. Three different control strategies are compared, emphasizing the advantages and disadvantages of each solution. Experimental results are presented for all three control strategies, using a 20 kVA AC/DC PWM rectifier prototype.
A qualitative inference method for prediction of geographic process using spatial and temporal relations

Knowledge engineering is the systematic self-disciplined set of activities involved in design and development of knowledge-based systems. Abstraction of the real world into codified information is the objective of knowledge representation (KR). The survey of various works of researchers in the domain of spatio-temporal knowledge representation for reasoning real world actions in geographic applications is presented. Geographic event attributed spatial entity (GEASE) knowledge-base that will aid in reasoning events causing the spatial change in geographic features over the period of time is proposed. GEASE knowledge-base describing a spatial entity by considering the temporal event as an attribute is constructed to infer events that cause geographical changes. As a result, the significance of the proposed knowledgebase is illustrated by evaluating event based queries on synthetic dataset. Finally, we conclude the work with direction to enhance the logical formulation for its implementation on real datasets in future.
Electroconvulsive therapy for treatment of intractable seizures

We treated two children with intractable epilepsy with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for seizure control. One child showed a change in seizure pattern with treatment, which at greater intensity was also effective in stopping nonconvulsive status epilepticus. The other child showed a decrease in spontaneous seizure frequency during short-term treatment. These findings suggest a possible role for ECT in the management of intractable epilepsy in children who are not candidates for epileptic surgery.
Mitochondrial Genetic Polymorphisms Do Not Predict Survival in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal malignancy, and the majority of patients succumb to the disease within 2 years. We evaluated the role of variants of mitochondrial DNA and mitochondrial haplogroups in predicting prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. A total of 24 mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped in 990 patients with pancreatic cancer. After adjusting for covariates and multiple comparisons, no association between any of the mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphisms or haplogroups and survival was observed. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(9):2512–3)
Generalized Stability Theorem for Non-autonomous Differential Equation with Application

This paper proposes a definition of generalized stability (GST) for non-autonomous differential equation (NDE), which is an extension of generalized synchronization for NDE. Then, a constructive theorem for NDE is introduced. Based on the GST for NDE, this article constructs a novel 8-dimensional GST system. Numerical simulations show that the dynamic behaviors of the GST system have significant chaotic attractor characteristics. As an application, we design a chaotic pseudorandom number generator (CPRNG) based on the GST for NDE. Using the FIPS 140-2 test suite and Generalized FIPS140-2 test suite, we test the randomness of three 1,000 key streams consisting of 20,000 bits generated by the CPRNG, the RC4 algorithm and the ZUC algorithm, respectively. The numerical simulations show that 100% key streams have passed the FIPS 140-2 test suite via the CPRNG, while 98.7% key streams have passed the Generalized FIPS 140-2 test suite. Also, the SP800-22 test suite is used to test the randomness of four 100 key streams consisting of 106 bits generated by the CPRNG, the RC4 algorithm, the ZUC algorithm and the KECCAK Hash Function algorithm PRNG, respectively. The results show that the randomness performances of the CPRNGis promising. Besides, the key space of the CPRNG is larger than 2 1195, which is large enough to do against brute-force attacks.
Modeling of web-based collaborative learning management system

The challenges faced by most learning management systems (LMS) can be classified into two main areas: pedagogical and technical issues. A comprehensive exploration of these interrelated challenges provides valuable insights for developing a new and more effective model for LMS. In this paper, a novel conceptual model for a web-based collaborative LMS is introduced, merging two distinct learning theories: behaviorism and social constructivism. Through an analysis of the strengths and limitations of each theory, the study moves on to outline the fundamental principles and technical features of the proposed LMS model, which stems from this integration. In conclusion, the paper explores the implications of creating user-centered LMS solutions, with a specific focus on addressing the varied requirements of learners.
Advance Directives in the Netherlands: An Empirical Contribution to the Exploration of a Cross‐Cultural Perspective on Advance Directives

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE This study focuses on ADs in the Netherlands and introduces a cross-cultural perspective by comparing it with other countries. METHODS A questionnaire was sent to a panel comprising 1621 people representative of the Dutch population. The response was 86%. RESULTS 95% of the respondents didn't have an AD, and 24% of these were not familiar with the idea of drawing up an AD. Most of those familiar with ADs knew about the Advanced Euthanasia Directive (AED, 64%). Both low education and the presence of a religious conviction that plays an important role in one's life increase the chance of not wanting to draw up an AD. Also not having experienced a request for euthanasia from someone else, and the inconceivability of asking for euthanasia yourself, increase the chance of not wanting to draw up an AD. DISCUSSION This study shows that the subjects of palliative care and end-of-life-decision-making were very much dominated by the issue of euthanasia in the Netherlands. The AED was the best known AD; and factors that can be linked to euthanasia play an important role in whether or not people choose to draw up an AD. This differentiates the Netherlands from other countries and, when it comes to ADs, the global differences between countries and cultures are still so large that the highest possible goals, at this moment in time, are observing and possibly learning from other cultural settings.
Non-cyanobacterial diazotrophs mediate dinitrogen fixation in biological soil crusts during early crust formation

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are key components of ecosystem productivity in arid lands and they cover a substantial fraction of the terrestrial surface. In particular, BSC N2-fixation contributes significantly to the nitrogen (N) budget of arid land ecosystems. In mature crusts, N2-fixation is largely attributed to heterocystous cyanobacteria; however, early successional crusts possess few N2-fixing cyanobacteria and this suggests that microorganisms other than cyanobacteria mediate N2-fixation during the critical early stages of BSC development. DNA stable isotope probing with 15N2 revealed that Clostridiaceae and Proteobacteria are the most common microorganisms that assimilate 15N2 in early successional crusts. The Clostridiaceae identified are divergent from previously characterized isolates, though N2-fixation has previously been observed in this family. The Proteobacteria identified share >98.5% small subunit rRNA gene sequence identity with isolates from genera known to possess diazotrophs (for example, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Shigella and Ideonella). The low abundance of these heterotrophic diazotrophs in BSCs may explain why they have not been characterized previously. Diazotrophs have a critical role in BSC formation and characterization of these organisms represents a crucial step towards understanding how anthropogenic change will affect the formation and ecological function of BSCs in arid ecosystems.
B Cell Receptor-Mediated Sustained c-Rel Activation Facilitates Late Transitional B Cell Survival through Control of B Cell Activating Factor Receptor and NF-κB21

Signaling from the BCR and B cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R or BR3) differentially regulates apoptosis within early transitional (T1) and late transitional (T2; CD21int-T2) B cells during selection processes to generate mature B lymphocytes. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the differential sensitivity of transitional B cells to apoptosis remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that BCR signaling induced more long-term c-Rel activation in T2 and mature than in T1 B cells leading to increased expression of anti-apoptotic genes as well as prosurvival BAFF-R and its downstream substrate p100 (NF-κB2). Sustained c-Rel activation required de novo c-Rel gene transcription and translation via Btk-dependent mechanisms. Like T1 cells, mature B cells from Btk- and c-Rel-deficient mice also failed to activate these genes. These findings suggest that the gain of survival potential within transitional B cells is dependent on the ability to produce a long-term c-Rel response, which plays a critical role in T2 B cell survival and differentiation in vivo by inducing anti-apoptotic genes, BAFF-R and NF-κB2, an essential component for BAFF-R survival signaling. Thus, acquisition of resistance to apoptosis during transitional B cell maturation is achieved by integration of BCR and BAFF-R signals.
Structural Classification of XML Documents Using Multisets

In this paper, we investigate the problem of clustering XML documents based on their structure. We represent the paths in an XML document as a multiset and use the symmetric difference operation on multisets to define certain metrics. These metrics are then used to obtain a measure of similarity between any two documents in a collection. Our technique was successfully applied to real and synthesized XML documents yielding high-quality clusterings.
Neurometric function analysis of population codes

The relative merits of different population coding schemes have mostly been analyzed in the framework of stimulus reconstruction using Fisher Information. Here, we consider the case of stimulus discrimination in a two alternative forced choice paradigm and compute neurometric functions in terms of the minimal discrimination error and the Jensen-Shannon information to study neural population codes. We first explore the relationship between minimum discrimination error, Jensen-Shannon Information and Fisher Information and show that the discrimination framework is more informative about the coding accuracy than Fisher Information as it defines an error for any pair of possible stimuli. In particular, it includes Fisher Information as a special case. Second, we use the framework to study population codes of angular variables. Specifically, we assess the impact of different noise correlations structures on coding accuracy in long versus short decoding time windows. That is, for long time window we use the common Gaussian noise approximation. To address the case of short time windows we analyze the Ising model with identical noise correlation structure. In this way, we provide a new rigorous framework for assessing the functional consequences of noise correlation structures for the representational accuracy of neural population codes that is in particular applicable to short-time population coding.
Joint cost-sharing and multi-relay selection for two-way relay networks using a pricing game

In this paper the joint cost-sharing and multi-relay selection problem in two-way relay networks is modeled as a repeated Bayesian Stackelberg game. In each Stackelberg stage, the two source nodes submit payment offers to the relays targeting the next best relay that maximizes the network power efficiency. Each relay, as a follower, will participate only if its cost will be covered by the payments promised. Assuming asymmetric source utility functions, a source may not always afford its fair share payment and the other source may benefit from covering the shortage in payment. However, because utility functions are private information to each source, Bayesian strategies that maximize the expected utility of players are derived along with a belief update system, which together are shown to constitute a perfect Bayesian equilibrium. Additionally, a means to trade off performance for complexity is realized through a stage game cost factor.
High power water switches: postbreakdown phenomena and dielectric recovery

The physical processes following the electrical breakdown of water between planar and hemispherical electrodes separated by a sub-millimeter gap have been studied using electrical and optical diagnostics. The expanding plasma column after breakdown generates first shockwaves and at a later stage a vapor bubble which expands for about 200 /spl mu/s and then decays with a time constant of I ms. The bubble decay time determines the dielectric recovery of the switch as has been shown with pulse-probe experiments.
A Fuzzy ANP Approach to Supplier Selection Based on Fuzzy Preference Programming

This paper develops a supplier evaluation approach based on the analytic network process (ANP) and fuzzy synthetic evaluation under a fuzzy environment. Instead of the classical eigenvector prioritization method, employed in the prioritization stage of the ANP, a fuzzy preference programming method is applied, which obtains crisp priorities from inconsistent interval and fuzzy judgments. The resulting fuzzy ANP can enhance the potential of the ANP for dealing with imprecise and uncertain human comparison judgments. Then an integrated FANP and fuzzy synthetic evaluation methodology is proposed for evaluating and selecting the most suitable suppliers. A hypothetical example is presented and the results indicated that the combination of ANP and fuzzy synthetic evaluation provided useful tool to select the optimal supplier.
Physical and functional interaction between DDB and XPA in nucleotide excision repair

Damaged DNA-binding protein (DDB), consisting of DDB1 and DDB2 subunits recognizes a wide spectrum of DNA lesions. DDB is dispensable for in vitro nucleotide excision repair (NER) reaction, but stimulates this reaction especially for cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD). Here we show that DDB directly interacts with XPA, one of core NER factors, mainly through DDB2 subunit and the amino-acid residues between 185 and 226 in XPA are important for the interaction. Interestingly, the point mutation causing the substitution from Arg-207 to Gly, which was previously identified in a XP-A revertant cell-line XP129, diminished the interaction with DDB in vitro and in vivo. In a defined system containing R207G mutant XPA and other core NER factors, DDB failed to stimulate the excision of CPD, although the mutant XPA was competent for the basal NER reaction. Moreover, in vivo experiments revealed that the mutant XPA is recruited to damaged DNA sites with much less efficiency compared with wild-type XPA and fails to support the enhancement of CPD repair by ectopic expression of DDB2 in SV40-transformed human cells. These results suggest that the physical interaction between DDB and XPA plays an important role in the DDB-mediated NER reaction.
A robust and precise method for solving the permutation problem of frequency-domain blind source separation

Blind source separation (BSS) for convolutive mixtures can be solved efficiently in the frequency domain, where independent component analysis (ICA) is performed separately in each frequency bin. However, frequency-domain BSS involves a permutation problem: the permutation ambiguity of ICA in each frequency bin should be aligned so that a separated signal in the time-domain contains frequency components of the same source signal. This paper presents a robust and precise method for solving the permutation problem. It is based on two approaches: direction of arrival (DOA) estimation for sources and the interfrequency correlation of signal envelopes. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches, and integrate them to exploit their respective advantages. Furthermore, by utilizing the harmonics of signals, we make the new method robust even for low frequencies where DOA estimation is inaccurate. We also present a new closed-form formula for estimating DOAs from a separation matrix obtained by ICA. Experimental results show that our method provided an almost perfect solution to the permutation problem for a case where two sources were mixed in a room whose reverberation time was 300 ms.
A Nested Attention Neural Hybrid Model for Grammatical Error Correction

Grammatical error correction (GEC) systems strive to correct both global errors inword order and usage, and local errors inspelling and inflection. Further developing upon recent work on neural machine translation, we propose a new hybrid neural model with nested attention layers for GEC.Experiments show that the new model can effectively correct errors of both types by incorporating word and character-level information, and that the model significantly outperforms previous neural models for GEC as measured on the standard CoNLL-14 benchmark dataset.Further analysis also shows that the superiority of the proposed model can be largely attributed to the use of the nested attention mechanism, which has proven particularly effective incorrecting local errors that involve small edits in orthography.
Evaluation of the Performance of Females as Light Infantry Soldiers

A few countries permit women to serve in combat roles, but their long term performance in these positions has not been reported. The incidences of overuse injuries and attrition of 85 male and 235 female recruits in a light infantry brigade was followed in a three-year prospective study. Females were shorter (162 cm, CI 161–163 cm) than males (174 cm, CI 173–176), had more body fat (18.9 kg, CI 18.2–19.6 kg) than males (12.6 kg, 11.3–13.8 kg), had lower V˙O2max (36.8 mL·min−1 ·kg−1, CI 35.8–37.78 mL·min−1 ·kg−1) than males (50.48 mL·min−1 ·kg−1, CI 48.4 to 52.48 mL·min−1 ·kg−1), had more stress fractures (21.0%, 95% CI 16.2–26.5%) than males (2.3%, CI 0.3–8.2%), and had more anterior knee pain (41.2%, CI 34.9–47.7%) than males (24.7%, CI 16.0–35.2%). Three-year attrition was 28% CI 22–34% for females and 37% CI 26–48% for males. The females in this study successfully served as light infantry soldiers. Their lower fitness and high incidence of overuse injuries might impede service as regular infantry soldiers.
An Adaptation Level Theory of Tinnitus Audibility

Models of tinnitus suggest roles for auditory, attention, and emotional networks in tinnitus perception. A model of tinnitus audibility based on Helson’s (1964) adaptation level theory (ALT) is hypothesized to explain the relationship between tinnitus audibility, personality, memory, and attention. This theory attempts to describe how tinnitus audibility or detectability might change with experience and context. The basis of ALT and potential role of auditory scene analysis in tinnitus perception are discussed. The proposed psychoacoustic model lends itself to incorporation into existing neurophysiological models of tinnitus perception. It is hoped that the ALT hypothesis will allow for greater empirical investigation of factors influencing tinnitus perception, such as attention and tinnitus sound therapies.
Sigma point policy iteration

In reinforcement learning, least-squares temporal difference methods (e.g., LSTD and LSPI) are effective, data-efficient techniques for policy evaluation and control with linear value function approximation. These algorithms rely on policy-dependent expectations of the transition and reward functions, which require all experience to be remembered and iterated over for each new policy evaluated. We propose to summarize experience with a compact policy-independent Gaussian model. We show how this policy-independent model can be transformed into a policy-dependent form and used to perform policy evaluation. Because closed-form transformations are rarely available, we introduce an efficient sigma point approximation. We show that the resulting Sigma-Point Policy Iteration algorithm (SPPI) is mathematically equivalent to LSPI for tabular representations and empirically demonstrate comparable performance for approximate representations. However, the experience does not need to be saved or replayed, meaning that for even moderate amounts of experience, SPPI is an order of magnitude faster than LSPI.
Interaction of amino acids with gold and silver clusters.

Binding of gold and silver clusters with amino acids (glycine and cysteine) was studied using density functional theory (DFT). Geometries of neutral, anionic, and cationic amino acids with Au3 and Ag3 clusters were optimized using the DFT-B3LYP approach. The mixed basis set used here was denoted by 6-31+G** (union or logical sum)LANL2DZ. This work demonstrated that the interaction of amino acids with gold and silver clusters is governed by two major bonding factors: (a) the anchoring N-Au(Ag), O-Au(Ag), and S-Au(Ag) bonds and (b) the nonconventional N-H.Au(Ag) and O-H.Au(Ag) hydrogen bonds. Among the three forms of amino acids, anionic ones exhibited the most tendency to interact with the Au and Ag clusters. Natural bond orbital analysis was performed to calculate charge transfer, natural population analysis, and Wiberg bond indices of the complexes. Atoms-in-molecules theory was also applied to determine the nature of interactions. It was shown that these bonds are partially electrostatic and partially covalent.