Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using neural networks for dynamic reduction of the features space dimensionality

The paper presents a modification of the Principal Components Analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction. The peculiarity of the method is that linear subspaces are removed dynamically via special criterion, which utilizes variances of data projections onto eigenvectors' estimates, whose coordinates are defined approximately. The latter gives rise to the method's name: pseudo-PCA. Two algorithms based upon this method are proposed for dimensionality reduction. The first algorithm applies idea of the Generalized Hebbian Algorithm, while the second algorithm uses evolutionary approach for neural networks training. The algorithms are tested and studied on classification problems and obtained results show applicability and efficiency of the algorithms for dimensionality reduction even though linear subspaces for removal are defined approximately.
Measurement of Affective States in Adults

A cross-sectional sample of adults, ages 20-79, were administered a adjective rating scale instrument measuring multiple affective states, including items from the Profile of Mood States (POMS) instrument. Confirmatory item factor analysis supported, for the most part, a priori assignments of items to scales based upon prior research, but revealed a few small, additional item factors that were cross-validated in a second sample. Items measuring different aspects of psychological distress, including anxiety and depressive affect, showed appreciable skew and kurtosis, with a substantial proportion of respondents indicating no perceived distress. Items measuring psychological well-being tended to show more normal response distributions. Tests of age-related invariance in item factor structure indicated that the unstandardized factor pattern weights (loadings) were not fully equivalent across two age groups, but showed that the same configuration of items loading on factors was supported. The scales perform well enough to justify continued use in older populations, but further research on the contributions of item distributions to age differences in factor loadings is needed.
An energy and cost efficient WDM/OFDMA PON system architecture

In this paper, we propose an energy and cost efficient WDM/OFDMA PON system architecture, referred to as NEWOPS. Based on a two-tiered semi-tree topology, NEWOPS allows a large number of ONUs to be connected to OLT using only a handful of colorless transceivers. NEWOPS' unique architecture not only facilitates high spectral efficiency and flexible sub-channel bandwidth allocation, but also enables the system to achieve high energy and cost efficiency. We conduct a theoretical study to identify and resolve a new data-rate performance issue due to the colorless and wavelength re-use design of the system. Experimental results show that when only 5-GHz bandwidth is allotted for each wavelength, NEWOPS successfully achieves symmetric 20-Gb/s downstream and upstream OFDM-16QAM transmissions via the same fiber trunk. As a demonstration of our system, we show how NEWOPS achieves energy efficiency that is two to twelve times higher than that of a typical tree-based WDM/OFDM PON when supporting 40 ONUs.
A Methodology To Assess Malware Causality In Network Activities

The current malware analysis methods cannot stand the pace the creation of new malware samples has. When analyzing an unknown malware sample, it is important to determine its capabilities of damaging its victims. In a company, for example, a malware infection from an information stealer sample is much more critical than one from a spambot sample, and have to be dealt with the highest priority. In this paper, we present a methodology and some initial results about learning the typology of a malware sample by presenting it with a number of user trigger actions, and studying if the sample reacts to the events. We present a statistical approach able to determine causality relations between a specific trigger action (e.g., a user visiting a certain website) and a malware sample. The initial results show that our approach can correctly infer the causality relations between malware types and trigger events.
From the Office of a Systematic Review Consultant

As a systematic review consultant for over a decade, I have spent my days meeting with faculty, students, and staff across the university on systematic reviews and other research syntheses. It is interesting, challenging, and rewarding work being able to support, collaborate, and teach review methods. My work has adapted over the years to expand to multiple disciplines, consulting on other types of reviews, and using newly developed software. For this editorial, I will discuss the top five most frequently asked questions with my perspective on solutions and resources.
High-isolation bonding pad with depletion-insulation structure for RF/microwave integrated circuits on bulk silicon CMOS

Bonding pads for RF/microwave integrated circuits on bulk silicon CMOS is designed with a simple depletion-insulation (DI) structure. Experimental results show high isolation and low substrate loss. An inter-pad isolation of more than 40 dB at 10 GHz is obtained for a 90-/spl mu/m separation distance. The isolation is about two orders of magnitude higher than that of the conventional structure. The return loss is also less than 1.5 dB at 10 GHz. The high Q factor of the DI pad is achieved a few times greater that of the conventional type. The low pad capacitance of about 0.013 fF//spl mu/m/sup 2/ is attained. This will increase the resonant frequency of the bond-wire-pad connection. The application of the useful DI structure is extendable to interconnect and planar spiral inductor to reduce the substrate loss and increase the Q factor.
Aid, Pro-Poor Government Spending and Welfare

Our objective is to test the hypothesis that aid can improve the welfare of the poor. Part of this effect is direct, if aid is targeted on the poor, and part is indirected, via the transmission channel of aid-financed public spending on social services - sanitation, education and health. This indirect part is represented in an index of pro-poor public expenditures (PPE). As comparative data on poverty levels are scarce, we use two indicators of the welfare of the poor, namely infant mortality and the Human Development Index (HDI). We use a residual generated regressor to obtain a coefficient on the aid variable that includes the indirect effects through public expenditure allocation induced by aid. Estimation is based on a pooled panel of 39 countries over the period 1980 to 1998. We obtain results in support of our hypothesis that 'pro-poor' public expenditure is associated with increased levels of welfare, and we find evidence that aid is associated with improved values of the welfare indicators because aid finances pro-poor spending. In this way, aid potentially benefits the poor.
Comparison of link dimensioning methods for TCP/IP networks

We investigate a selection of usual approaches to determining the bandwidth demand for IP backbone links with regard to the traffic pattern in the environment of IP platforms of large Internet providers. A comparison of dimensioning methods is based on traffic characterization providing the relevant parameters for the considered methods. TCP transmissions are modeled by distinguishing 3 phases at different source rates as observed by monitoring the TCP throughput when the access speed of the TCP client is the bottleneck on the transmission path. On-off versus 3-state source models are compared for varying traffic correlation in time ranging from self-similarity to Markovian and bufferless modeling. The evaluation of bandwidth requirements assumes statistical multiplexing to be applicable for a large user population.
Kinetic properties of the glycine receptor main‐ and sub‐conductance states of mouse spinal cord neurones in culture.

1. The kinetic properties of the two most frequent conductance states of glycine receptor channels from somata of mouse spinal cord neurones in cell culture were investigated using the outside‐out patch clamp technique. At low concentrations of glycine (0.5, 1 and 2 microM), single‐channel currents were recorded with two predominant amplitudes corresponding to a dominant or main‐conductance state of about 42 pS and a sub‐conductance state of about 27 pS. Both conductance states opened singly and in bursts of several openings. Total current evoked and single‐channel opening frequency increased as glycine concentration was increased from 0.5 to 2 microM. 2. For both conductance states mean open times were increased and open time frequency histograms were shifted to longer times as glycine concentration was increased from 0.5 to 2 microM. For both conductance states, three exponential components were required to fit best open time frequency distribution histograms at all glycine concentrations (0.5, 1 and 2 microM). The time constants of the exponential components for each conductance state were not significantly different across concentration, suggesting that the main‐ and sub‐conductance states of the channel each opened into at least three open states. For the main‐conductance state, the time constants were 1.09 +/‐ 0.09, 4.06 +/‐ 0.26 and 9.79 +/‐ 0.30 ms. For the sub‐conductance state, the time constants were 0.55 +/‐ 0.04, 2.64 +/‐ 0.35 and 8.57 +/‐ 1.08 ms. The increase in long open times with concentration was due primarily to a shift in relative frequency of occurrence of openings from the shortest to the two longest open states. 3. Closed time frequency distributions of closures between main‐conductance state openings, closures between sub‐conductance state openings and closures between both main‐ and sub‐conductance state openings were fitted with multiple exponential components, suggesting that the channel had several closed states. The two shortest time constants (0.16 +/‐ 0.01 and 1.26 +/‐ 0.13 ms) did not vary significantly with concentration (0.5‐2 microM) or method of analysis. The longer time constant varied with concentration. 4. Bursts were defined as groups of openings surrounded by closures greater than a critical closed time. For both conductances states, mean burst durations were increased and burst duration frequency histograms were shifted to longer times as glycine concentration was increased from 0.5 to 2 miroM. Burst duration frequency histograms contained four exponential components for the main‐conductance state and three exponential components for the sub‐conductance state. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Iterative 
 H2 ‐conic controller synthesis

This paper proposes a method to synthesize controllers that minimize an upper bound on the closed‐loop H2 ‐norm while imposing desired controller conic bounds. An initial conic controller is synthesized and iteratively improved. Conic sectors can be used to characterize a variety of input‐output properties, such as gain, phase, and minimum gain. If such plant properties hold robustly to uncertainty present, then closed‐loop stability can be ensured robustly via the Conic Sector Theorem by imposing desired controller conic bounds. Consequently, this paper provides a versatile optimal and robust controller synthesis method. Moreover, it relies only on the solution of convex optimization problems subject to linear matrix inequality constraints, making it readily implementable.
Fabrication and characterization of silicon micro mirror with CNT hinge

This paper reports the fabrication and characterization results of a silicon micro mirror fabricated by integrated of top-down fabrication of CNTs thin film and conventional micromachining. The silicon mirror is suspended by CNT hinge and actuated by using electrostatic force through angular vertical comb system. The performance of the mirror had been characterized. Thanks to the excellent mechanical properties of CNTs, the mirror could be driven by low voltage, i.e. less than 5 V, and response frequency up to 500 Hz
Fast Aerial UAV Detection Using Improved Inter-frame Difference and SVM

In order to detect UAV in real time, the paper choose to use a dynamic detection method based on two consecutive inter-frame differences method to extract the region of interest. The position of the target appeared on the image was obtained by the method of two consecutive inter-frame difference, and the UAV was detected by the trained SVM classifier. UAV could be detected quickly and accurately in complex background and in different position and angle circumstances. Compared to the traditional HOG + SVM sliding window detection method, the experimental results show that the detecting speed with the methods is obviously improved when the recognition accuracy is invariable.
Technological Activities and Antibiofilm Effect of Staphylococcus Equorum Isolated from Fermented Sausage

The present study aimed at evaluating the technological properties and the ability of Staphylococcus equorum to inhibit biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Seventeen S. equorum strains were isolated from fermented sausage and examined for their ability to grow at 10 or 15 ºC in the presence of 10 or 15% NaCl at pH values of 4.5, 5.0 or 5.5. Technological properties including catalases, superoxide dismutase, lipolytic and proteolytic activities of S. equorum strains were determined. All strains grew under the studied conditions and showed variable activities. The strain S. equorum HMA4 showed good characters of all the studied metabolic properties and had ability to grow under all studied conditions. The antagonistic effect of S. equorum HMA4 against S. aureus or E. coli O157:H7 biofilms was studied under the above conditions. There was a significant increasing in the reduction percentage of biofilm formation at pH 5.0 and 5.5 comparing with those obtained at pH 4.5. The antibiofilm effect of S. equorum HMA4 against E. coli O157:H7 was higher than its effect on biofilm of S. aureus. In conclusion, beside its role in the developing flavor and enhancing the color of the fermented foods, S. equorum HMA4 could be used as a protective starter against some foodborne pathogens in fermented foods.
Nanostructural analysis by atomic force microscopy followed by light microscopy on the same archival slide

Integrated information on ultrastructural surface texture and chemistry increasingly plays a role in the biomedical sciences. Light microscopy provides access to biochemical data by the application of dyes. Ultrastructural representation of the surface structure of tissues, cells, or macromolecules can be obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). However, SEM often requires gold or coal coating of biological samples, which makes a combined examination by light microscopy and SEM difficult. Conventional histochemical staining methods are not easily applicable to biological material subsequent to such treatment. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) gives access to surface textures down to ultrastructural dimensions without previous coating of the sample. A combination of AFM with conventional histochemical staining protocols for light microscopy on a single slide is therefore presented. Unstained cores were examined using AFM (tapping mode) and subsequently stained histochemically. The images obtained by AFM were compared with the results of histochemistry. AFM technology did not interfere with any of the histochemical staining protocols. Ultrastructurally analyzed regions could be identified in light microscopy and histochemical properties of ultrastructurally determined regions could be seen. AFM‐generated ultrastructural information with subsequent staining gives way to novel findings in the biomedical sciences. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Attraction Effect Modulates Reward Prediction Errors and Intertemporal Choices

Classical economic theory contends that the utility of a choice option should be independent of other options. This view is challenged by the attraction effect, in which the relative preference between two options is altered by the addition of a third, asymmetrically dominated option. Here, we leveraged the attraction effect in the context of intertemporal choices to test whether both decisions and reward prediction errors (RPE) in the absence of choice violate the independence of irrelevant alternatives principle. We first demonstrate that intertemporal decision making is prone to the attraction effect in humans. In an independent group of participants, we then investigated how this affects the neural and behavioral valuation of outcomes using a novel intertemporal lottery task and fMRI. Participants' behavioral responses (i.e., satisfaction ratings) were modulated systematically by the attraction effect and this modulation was correlated across participants with the respective change of the RPE signal in the nucleus accumbens. Furthermore, we show that, because exponential and hyperbolic discounting models are unable to account for the attraction effect, recently proposed sequential sampling models might be more appropriate to describe intertemporal choices. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that the attraction effect modulates subjective valuation even in the absence of choice. The findings also challenge the prospect of using neuroscientific methods to measure utility in a context-free manner and have important implications for theories of reinforcement learning and delay discounting. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Many theories of value-based decision making assume that people first assess the attractiveness of each option independently of each other and then pick the option with the highest subjective value. The attraction effect, however, shows that adding a new option to a choice set can change the relative value of the existing options, which is a violation of the independence principle. Using an intertemporal choice framework, we tested whether such violations also occur when the brain encodes the difference between expected and received rewards (i.e., the reward prediction error). Our results suggest that neither intertemporal choice nor valuation without choice adhere to the independence principle.
Structure and oscillatory multilayer relaxation of the bismuth (100) surface

We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of the surface structure of single crystal Bi(100) via scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), low-energy electron diffraction intensity versus energy (LEED-IV) analysis and density functional theory (DFT). We find that the surface is unreconstructed and shows an unusually large oscillatory multilayer relaxation down to the sixth layer. This unexpected behavior will be explained by a novel mechanism related to the deeply penetrating electronic surface states. STM reveals wide (100) terraces, which are separated by two-layer high steps in which the shorter of the two interlayer spacings is terminating this surface, consistent with the LEED structural analysis and DFT.
Design, modeling, and fabrication of mm3 three-dimensional integrated antennas

This paper describes the design, modeling, and fabrication methods of a new method to build three-dimensional integrated antenna arrays. The goal is to create a mm-scale sensor for implantation in the human body. Since the orientation of the sensor is not known in advance the antenna must work equally well in all directions. The best way to do this is to build antennas on each side of a cubic structure. The antenna is intended for near field power harvesting. By utilizing the edge antenna the power transfer efficiency can be increased by 18.9 dB at even the worst orientations for the sensors. Another application would be to create an omnidirectional antenna for high frequency mobile devices.
Episodic CAMN: Contextual Attention-Based Memory Networks with Iterative Feedback for Scene Labeling

Scene labeling can be seen as a sequence-sequence prediction task (pixels-labels), and it is quite important to leverage relevant context to enhance the performance of pixel classification. In this paper, we introduce an episodic attention-based memory network to achieve the goal. We present a unified framework that mainly consists of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), specifically, Fully Convolutional Network (FCN) and an attention-based memory module with feedback connections to perform context selection and refinement. The full model produces context-aware representation for each target patch by aggregating the activated context and its original local representation produced by the convolution layers. We evaluate our model on PASCAL Context, SIFT Flow and PASCAL VOC 2011 datasets and achieve competitive results to other state-of-the-art methods in scene labeling.
Induction of Suspension Feeding in Spionid Polychaetes by High Particulate Fluxes

The feeding behavior of three species of spionid polychaetes varied with water velocity. At moderate flows the worms ceased deposit feeding, formed their feeding tentacles into helices, and lifted them into the water column to capture material in suspension. This behavior was apparently a response to increased flux of suspended matter at high flows rather than to flow velocity alone. Organisms capable of switching their feeding behavior may be common in dynamically variable benthic environments.
Imaging and tracing of intracellular metabolites utilizing genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors

Intracellular metabolites play a crucial role in characterizing and regulating corresponding cellular activities. Tracking intracellular metabolites in real time by traditional means was difficult until the powerful toolkit of genetically encoded biosensors was developed. Over the past few decades, iterative improvements of these biosensors have been made, resulting in the effective monitoring of metabolites. In this review, we introduce and discuss the recent advances in the use of genetically encoded biosensors for tracking some key metabolites, such as ATP, cAMP, cGMP, NADH, reactive oxygen species, sugar, carbon monoxide, and nitric oxide. A brief phylogeny of fluorescent proteins and several typical construction modes for genetically encoded biosensors are also described. We also discuss the development of novel RNA‐based sensors, which are genetically encoded biosensors active at the transcriptional level.
Wave-Variable-Based Passivity Control of Four-Channel Nonlinear Bilateral Teleoperation System Under Time Delays

An innovative wave-based time-domain passivity approach applied to a four-channel nonlinear teleoperation system is proposed. The primary objective of this approach is to enhance system transparency while maintaining stability in the presence of random time delays. The system stability for different scenarios of human and environment condition is analyzed. The method is validated through experimental work based on a 3-DOF bilateral teleoperation system. The experimental results show that the proposed control algorithm can robustly guarantee the system stability, and simultaneously provide better performance than methods developed in previous work.