Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of distributed systems with mCRL2

ion An important notion in process algebra is that of abstraction. Usually the requirements of a system are defined in terms of external behaviour (i.e. the interactions of the system with its environment), while one wishes to check these requirements on an implementation of the system which also contains internal behaviour (i.e. the interactions between the components of the system). So it is desirable to be able to abstract from the internal behaviour of the implementation. For this purpose the following constructs are available: 10 Analysis of Distributed Systems with mCRL2 • Internal action or silent step τ , which is a special multiaction (i.e. the empty one) that denotes that some (unknown) internal behaviour happens. • Hiding operator τI(p), which hides (or renames to τ) all actions with an action name in I in all multiactions in p. Hiding τI(p) disregards the data parameters of the actions in p when determining if an action should be hidden. Assume we have the two simple processes P and Q that are to be run in parallel. Furthermore we wish that P executes an a and Q a b and that the a is followed by b. We could then write the following specification. act a, b, r, s, i; proc P = a · s; Q = r · b; init ∇{a,b,i}(Γ{r|s→i}(P ‖ Q)); The system described by this specification is equivalent to the process a· i·b. That is, first P executes its a action, then P and Q synchronise (producing i as a result) such that Q can execute its b action. As actions r, s and i are only used to synchronise P and Q, we are not really interested to see them in the resulting process. Instead, we can hide the result of this synchronisation as in the following process: init ∇{a,b}(τ{i}(Γ{a|b→i}(P ‖ Q))); This process is equivalent to a · τ · b. Under certain equivalences (see [? , ? ]) such as weak and branching bisimulatiry, this process is also equivalent to a ·b (as the τ is unobservable). 1.2. 2 The mCRL2 data language The mCRL2 data language is a functional language based on higher-order abstract data types [? , ? , ? ]. As mentioned before, mCRL2 also has concrete data types: standard data types and sorts constructed from a number of type formers. Basic data type definition mechanism Basically, mCRL2 contains a simple and straightforward data type definition mechanism. Sorts (types), constructor functions, maps (functions) and their definitions can be declared. Sorts declared in such a way are called userdefined sorts. For instance, the following declares the sort A with constructor functions c and d. Also functions f and g, and constant h, are declared and (partially) defined: Analysis of Distributed Systems with mCRL2 11 sort A; cons c, d : A; map f : A × A → A; g : A → A; h : A; var x : A; eqn f(c, x) = c; f(d, x) = x; g(c) = c; h = d; In the equations variables are used to represent arbitrary data expressions. A sort is called a constructor sort when it has at least one constructor function. For example, A is a constructor sort. Constructor sorts correspond to inductive data types.
Features specific to retinal pigment epithelium cells derived from three-dimensional human embryonic stem cell cultures — a new donor for cell therapy

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transplantation is a particularly promising treatment of retinal degenerative diseases affecting RPE-photoreceptor complex. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) provide an abundant donor source for RPE transplantation. Herein, we studied the time-course characteristics of RPE cells derived from three-dimensional human ESCs cultures (3D-RPE). We showed that 3D-RPE cells possessed morphology, ultrastructure, gene expression profile, and functions of authentic RPE. As differentiation proceeded, 3D-RPE cells could mature gradually with decreasing proliferation but increasing functions. Besides, 3D-RPE cells could form polarized monolayer with functional tight junction and gap junction. When grafted into the subretinal space of Royal College of Surgeons rats, 3D-RPE cells were safe and efficient to rescue retinal degeneration. This study showed that 3D-RPE cells were a new donor for cell therapy of retinal degenerative diseases.
First order properties on nowhere dense structures

Abstract A set A of vertices of a graph G is called d-scattered in G if no two d-neighborhoods of (distinct) vertices of A intersect. In other words, A is d-scattered if no two distinct vertices of A have distance at most 2d. This notion was isolated in the context of finite model theory by Ajtai and Gurevich and recently it played a prominent role in the study of homomorphism preservation theorems for special classes of structures (such as minor closed classes). This in turn led to the notions of wide, almost wide and quasi-wide classes of graphs. It has been proved previously that minor closed classes and classes of graphs with locally forbidden minors are examples of such classes and thus (relativized) homomorphism preservation theorem holds for them. In this paper we show that (more general) classes with bounded expansion and (newly defined) classes with bounded local expansion and even (very general) nowhere dense classes are quasi wide. This not only strictly generalizes the previous results but it also provides new proofs and algorithms for some of the old results. It appears that bounded expansion and nowhere dense classes are perhaps a proper setting for investigation of wide-type classes as in several instances we obtain a structural characterization. This also puts classes of bounded expansion in the new context. Our motivation stems from finite dualities. As a corollary we obtain that any homomorphism closed first order definable property restricted to a bounded expansion class is a restricted duality.
Performance improvement of the wireless body area network (WBAN) under interferences

WBAN offers promising and innovative applications that enhance the quality of services provided by the healthcare system; it improves patient's quality of life and saves his lives in many situations. WBAN is composed of tiny medical devices on or implanted in the human body and continuously monitors patient's health. The wireless interface and the mobility of the body network enable easier, practical and less cost applications. WBAN provides uninterrupted distantly health monitoring of patient while he is doing his daily activity and it expect to efficiently deliver emergency collected vital signs to the concerned medical entity. However, the high contention level inside the WBAN, the presence of external collocated wireless network and the use of a shared medium, invoke packet collisions and thus affect the communication quality and reliability of the WBAN. Our goal in this article is to analyse the interference's problem of the WBAN based IEEE 802.15. 4 protocol in the presence of Wi-Fi transmitters. We opt also for an adequate simulator and configurable mobility model to investigate different effects of the WBAN density as well as the increase number of Wi-Fi transmitters on the performance of the WBAN. We finally propose a simple, no cost and convenient parameters adjustment method to improve the WBAN's capacity, packet delivery, packet transmission and packet delay.
Face recognition algorithm combined with DCT, PCA and BPNN

This paper provides an integrated algorithm to deal with face recognition. It uses discrete cosine transform and principal component analysis to reduce dimensions and extract face features, and then trains and tests face images through the BP neural network classifier. It also seeks for other method such as the nearest neighbor classifier to have a comparison with BP neural network. Simulation result shows the effectiveness of this algorithm.
Second-Order Statistics of MIMO Rayleigh Interference Channels: Theory, Applications, and Analysis

While first-order channel statistics, such as bit-error rate (BER) and outage probability, play an important role in the design of wireless communication systems, they provide information only on the static behavior of fading channels. On the other hand, second-order statistics, such as level crossing rate (LCR) and average outage duration (AOD), capture the correlation properties of fading channels, hence, are used in system design notably in packet-based transmission systems. In this paper, exact closed-form expressions are derived for the LCR and AOD of the signal at a receiver where maximal-ratio combining (MRC) is deployed over flat Rayleigh fading channels in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and co-channel interferers with unequal transmitting powers and unequal speeds. Moreover, in order to gain insight on the LCR behavior, a simplified approximate expression for the LCR is presented. As an application of LCR in system designs, the packet error rate (PER) is evaluated through finite state Markov chain (FSMC) model. Finally, as another application again by using the FSMC model, the optimum packet length to maximize the throughput of the system with stop-and-wait automatic repeat request (SW-ARQ) protocol is derived. Simulation results validating the presented expressions are provided.
Progress of Speech Recognition using the Corpus of Spontaneous Japanese ( CSJ )

The report gives an overview of the current state of spontaneous speech recognition using the “Corpus of Spontaneous Japanese (CSJ)”. It is shown that the large-scale corpus had strong impact in training acoustic and language models considering morphological and pronunciation variations which are characteristic to spontaneous Japanese. Unsupervised adaptation of these models and the speaking rate is also effective, and we have achieved word accuracy of 78.0%, which is a significant improvement over a couple of years.
Orienting the Reader Ç? A Study of Literary Hypertexts

Introduction Proponents of hypertext in the humanities such as George Landow claim that it will revolutionise education and will "de-centre many of our culture's assumptions about reading, writing, authorship, and creativity" (Landow, 1991, p. 203). They claim that readers inevitably become more engaged with hypertexts because they have a vested interest in the reading process: they can, after all, navigate the text in a way difficult, if not impossible, to effect in a print document. Yet others, such as Sven Birkerts, ponder whether " interacting " with such documents might even be equated to reading, especially to literary reading: " Do we still call it reading? (he asks) Or would we do better to coin a new term, something like 'texting' or 'word-piloting' (Birkerts, 1994, p. 164)? " Birkerts, and others who oppose Landow's notion that the reader is empowered, argue that the hypertext author is a highly manipulative force, and that a fragmented text can only result in a fragmented understanding and a generally impoverished reading experience. The polemic nature of critical response to literary hypertext calls for an examination of the genre which is solidly grounded in the responses of actual readers.
Effect of stimulation rate on cochlear implant recipients' thresholds and maximum acceptable loudness levels.

Clinically, speech processor programs are created using electrical thresholds and maximum acceptable loudness levels (MALs) at several different stimulation rates to determine what rate will provide cochlear implant recipients with the best speech recognition when using fast-rate speech coding strategies. This study was designed to determine the difference in thresholds and MALs (expressed in the clinical unit, Current Level [CL]) for pairs of six rates spanning those available with the Nucleus 24 device (i.e., 250 to 2,400 pps/ch) using monopolar, 25 microsec/phase stimulation. Test-retest measures of threshold and MAL for each rate were obtained from seven adult Nucleus 24 recipients on each of 11 electrodes. The difference in threshold and in MAL between pairs of rates was dependent on the absolute CL. Below approximately 190 CL, thresholds and MALs decreased with increasing rate; above 210 CL, there was little change in threshold or MAL with increasing rate. Based on these findings, an approach to estimating threshold and MAL from one rate to another is suggested, pending further research.
Acoustic-driven Interior Vehicle Adaptation based on Deep Reinforcement Learning to Improve Driver’s Comfort

The safety and comfort of drivers have been improved over the decades through new technologies and driver modeling studies that broadened understanding of predicting driver’s behaviors. Despite remarkable advances in autonomous systems and interactive systems, there is a significantly lack of approaches considering the passengers and the vehicle as components of a dynamical vibro-acoustical system. This paper aims to investigate the interplay between the perceived sounds of a vehicle and the psychoacoustic annoyance metrics. Our goal is to create an intelligent agent that acts to improve the driver’s pleasantness through acoustic-driven learning. To tackle the problem of acting to reduce the annoyance, we present a method based on reinforcement learning that learns from the environment, i.e., the vehicle interior. Our method changes the state inside the vehicle (closing or opening the window and choosing the cruise speed) to avoid annoying sounds in its interior. The results of this work, all performed using the GTA V simulator, showed that the trained agent learned to take actions to avoid creating annoying sounds.
Free‐living, continuous hypo‐hydration, and cardiovascular response to exercise in a heated environment

Chronic dehydration (DEH) and heat stress combined with poor cardiovascular (CV) health may influence physiological responses to exercise. We examined the effects of free‐living induced hypo‐hydration on physiological responses to exercise in a heated environment and whether resting CV health is related to these changes. Participants (N = 16, 20.6 ± 1.2 years) were randomized to 3 days of voluntary fluid restriction (DEH) or intake (hydration [HYD]) followed by an exercise bout. CV health was assessed by flow‐mediated dilation (FMD), pulse wave analysis, and heart rate variability (HRV). HYD was assessed by weight, urine color, and specific gravity (USG). Exercise trials were conducted in a heated environment (30.3 ± 0.8°C, 27.4 ± 7.4% RH) on a cycle ergometer for 30 min. Heart rate (HR), weighted skin (Tsk) and mean body temperature (Tb) and skin blood flow (SBF) were assessed during exercise. Pre‐exercise weight (P < 0.005), urine color, and USG (P < 0.001) were different in between trials. HR was greater in DEH (153 ± 26 bpm) versus HYD (144 ± 23 bpm, P = 0.02) after exercise. No group differences were found, but a time interaction P < 0.001) for all temperature responses and time‐by‐trial interaction for Tre (P < 0.01) and Tsk (P < 0.001) was observed. Greater changes in Tre (P = 0.02) and Tsk (P < 0.01) were associated with increased FMD. Free‐living, continuous DEH alters weight, blood, and urine markers of HYD as well as HR response during exercise. Resting CV health was related to increased change in Tre and Tsk, suggesting CV health plays a role in the mechanism of heat dissipation when DEH even in college‐age men and women.
Decentralized voltage control with linear parameter-varying

The goal of this paper is to present a design of a voltage controller via state-feedback control. An efficient power system model to measure voltage and frequency is introduced. The model including uncertainties is admitted to be time-dependent, with a priori known upper and lower bounds. A method to solve the stabilization problem of the power system model subject to uncertain time-dependent parameters, which is quadratically stabilizable via linear state feedback is also introduced. The local information of each conventional generation unit is determined in a decentralized manner by the controller. The voltage controller utilizes its own local measurement only, and each local area utilizes in its own utility only. The voltage controller is also designed under the assumption that only the outputs are available for measurement. In order to find the quadratic stabilizability of the system via state feedback, one needs to solve a convex optimization problem which is characterized by Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs). Finally, the corresponding feedback gain of the voltage controller is constructed based on the feasible solution of the LMIs optimization problem.
Interaction of Scorpion α-Toxins with Cardiac Sodium Channels

The effects of the scorpion α-toxins Lqh II, Lqh III, and LqhαIT on human cardiac sodium channels (hH1), which were expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, were investigated. The toxins removed fast inactivation with EC 50 values of <2.5 nM (Lqh III), 12 nM (Lqh II), and 33 nM (LqhαIT). Association and dissociation rates of Lqh III were much slower than those of Lqh II and LqhαIT, such that Lqh III would not dissociate from the channel during a cardiac activation potential. The voltage dependence of toxin dissociation from hH1 channels was nearly the same for all toxins tested, but it was different from that found for skeletal muscle sodium channels (μI; Chen et al. 2000). These results indicate that the voltage dependence of toxin binding is a property of the channel protein. Toxin dissociation remained voltage dependent even at high voltages where activation and fast inactivation is saturated, indicating that the voltage dependence originates from other sources. Slow inactivation of hH1 and μI channels was significantly enhanced by Lqh II and Lqh III. The half-maximal voltage of steady-state slow inactivation was shifted to negative values, the voltage dependence was increased, and, in particular for hH1, slow inactivation at high voltages became more complete. This effect exceeded an expected augmentation of slow inactivation owing to the loss of fast inactivation and, therefore, shows that slow sodium channel inactivation may be directly modulated by scorpion α-toxins.
Time and frequency scale modification of speech signals

This paper presents new and improved methods for independently modifying the time and pitch scale of acoustic signals, with an emphasis on speech signals. The algorithms developed here use parametric (sinusoidal) modelling techniques introduced by other authors, but new ideas are presented here that achieve improved output quality with decreased computational load. In particular, speech quality is improved by using novel ideas to reduce phase dispersion in the scaled signal.
Full-text and topic based authorrank and enhanced publication ranking

The idea behind AuthorRank is that a content created by more popular authors should rank higher than the content created by less popular authors. This paper brings this idea into scientific publications analysis to test whether the optimized topical AuthorRank can replace or enhance topical PageRank for publication ranking. First, the PageRank with Priors (PRP) algorithm was employed to rank topic-based publications and authors. Second, the first author's reputation was used for generating an AuthorRank score. Additionally, linear combination method of topical AuthorRank and PageRank were compared with several baselines. Finally, as shown in our evaluation results, the performance of topical AuthorRank combined with topic-based PageRank is better than other baselines for publication ranking.
Identification of Novel A2/C2 Inter-Genotype Recombinants of Hepatitis B Virus from a Korean Chronic Patient Co-Infected with Both Genotype A2 and C2

Nearly all cases of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in South Korea have the C2 genotype. Here, we have identified a chronically infected patient who was co-infected with HBV of both the A2 and C2 genotypes by screening 135 Korean chronically infected patients using direct sequencing protocols targeting the 1032-bp polymerase reverse transcriptase (RT) region. Further polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-cloning analysis (22 clones) of the RT showed that this patient had genotype C2 (12 clones), genotype A2 (six clones) and A2/C2 inter-genotype HBV recombinants (four clones). BootScan analysis showed that three of the four recombinants have different types of recombination breakpoints in both the RT and overlapping hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) region. Given the significance of HBsAg as a diagnostic or vaccination target against HBV infection, clinical implications of these identified recombinants should be studied in the future. To our knowledge, this is the first report on A2/C2 inter-genotype HBV recombinants.
Systematic data selection to mine concept-drifting data streams

One major problem of existing methods to mine data streams is that it makes ad hoc choices to combine most recent data with some amount of old data to search the new hypothesis. The assumption is that the additional old data always helps produce a more accurate hypothesis than using the most recent data only. We first criticize this notion and point out that using old data blindly is not better than "gambling"; in other words, it helps increase the accuracy only if we are "lucky. " We discuss and analyze the situations where old data will help and what kind of old data will help. The practical problem on choosing the right example from old data is due to the formidable cost to compare different possibilities and models. This problem will go away if we have an algorithm that is extremely efficient to compare all sensible choices with little extra cost. Based on this observation, we propose a simple, efficient and accurate cross-validation decision tree ensemble method.
ModGrasp: An open-source rapid-prototyping framework for designing low-cost sensorised modular hands

This paper introduces ModGrasp, an open-source virtual and physical rapid-prototyping framework that allows for the design, simulation and control of low-cost sensorised modular hands. By combining the rapid-prototyping approach with the modular concept, different manipulator configurations can be modelled. A real-time one-to-one correspondence between virtual and physical prototypes is established. Different control algorithms can be implemented for the models. By using a low-cost sensing approach, functions for torque sensing at the joint level, sensitive collision detection and joint compliant control are possible. A 3-D visualization environment provides the user with an intuitive visual feedback. As a case study, a three-fingered modular manipulator is presented. Related simulations are carried out to validate efficiency and flexibility of the proposed rapid-prototyping framework.
Making function modeling practically usable

Abstract Function modeling is considered potentially useful in various fields of engineering, including engineering design. However, a close look at practices reveals that practitioners do not use formal function modeling so much, while the concept of “function” frequently appears in many practical methods without a vigorous definition. This paper tries to understand why formal function modeling is not practically utilized in industry by analyzing usage cases of function. By observing product development activities in industry, the paper identifies three problems that prevent formal function modeling from wider applications in practices, namely, practitioners' neglect of function modeling, the lack of practically useful function reasoning, and the complexity of the methods and tools of formal function modeling that make them impractical. Finally, the paper proposes strategies to tackle these problems and illustrates some research efforts in this regard.