Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of hard target modeling in CASP12 reveals an emerging role of alignment‐based contact prediction methods

We present our assessment of CASP12 modeling efforts for targets with no obvious templates of high sequence/structure similarity in the PDB, that is for evaluation units of the free modeling (FM) and free modeling/template‐based modeling (FM/TBM) categories. Models were clustered and ranked using the Global Distance Test‐Total Score and 5 additional metrics developed in previous CASP rounds, producing short lists of models that were subject to visual inspection in comparison to the target structures. The whole procedure was implemented as a web app that facilitates model selection and visual inspection, and could become useful to facilitate and standardize future assessments. We describe cases of (1) targets with remarkably good predictions, (2) targets whose models captured some global shape and topology features, and (3) targets for which models fail to capture even coarse features. We note that despite this CASP being among the most challenging ones, a measurable improvement of the top predictions is apparent, that we attribute to the emergence of accurate contact prediction methods and the increased number of available sequences. We also briefly discuss current limitations in tertiary structure prediction exemplified by CASP12 targets. Overall, the Baker, Zhang, and Lee manual groups and servers were identified as the top global performing groups.
Emotional responses of vibrotactile-thermal stimuli: Effects of constant-temperature thermal stimuli

Haptic feedback has been finding increasing uses in affective interaction design. In this paper, we describe the emotional characteristics of multimodal tactile stimuli that combine vibrotactile and thermal stimuli. While varying three vibrotactile parameters of frequency, amplitude, and duration and one thermal parameter of constant temperature, we experimentally evaluated the valence and arousal of 1) thermal stimuli and 2) multimodal vibrotactile-thermal stimuli with 20 participants. Results indicated that the thermal and vibrotactile parameters have clear and somewhat independent effects on emotional responses. The findings of this study can contribute to expanding the design space of affective user interaction involving touch.
control design for synchronisation of identical linear multi-agent systems

ABSTRACT In this paper, we study the state synchronisation problem of multi-agent systems subject to external additive perturbations. We consider high-order linear time-invariant multi-agent systems whose communication topology is encoded by an undirected and connected graph. We propose an control design technique based on a decentralised output feedback controller. We give sufficient conditions to ensure state synchronisation with bounded gain using a Lyapunov-based approach. These conditions are characterised in terms of matrix inequalities. Since these matrix inequality conditions are non-convex and cannot be solved straightforwardly, we propose a relaxation technique and an effective numerical procedure to design a suitable controller with guaranteed performance on the multi-agent distributed closed loop.
Robust vector quantization for low bit rate speech coding

Speech coding systems for mobile communication have to cope with noisy channels. In particular, vector quantization as central data reduction scheme is highly sensitive to transmission errors due to the low redundancy in the encoded data. Here we present three methods for the design of a vector quantizer with enhanced robustness against transmission errors. First the optimization of the index assignment of a LBG vector quantizer via simulated annealing is investigated. Second a neighborhood conserving vector quantizer is designed by using a topology conserving feature map. Third we discuss a method in which the error characteristic of the channel is used in the optimization of a vector quantizer as well as in the quantization of a data vector. Simulation experiments and results for a binary symmetric channel with bit error probabilities up to 10% are presented for vector quantization of speech signals and predic-tor parameters.
Fuzzy static output feedback robust controller design for discrete-time fuzzy singularly perturbed systems

This paper investigates a static output feedback (SOF) robust control problem for discrete-time fuzzy singularly perturbed systems (FSPSs). Based on a matrix spectral norm approach, a new "-dependent SOF controller is designed via linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which guarantees that the resulting closed-loop system is asymptotically stable. In contrast to the existing results, the proposed method can deal with the systems with unmeasurable state variables and conventional non-linear systems. But the upper bound of " is smaller than existing results. A simulation example illustrates the reduced conservatism of our results.
Improving mental health knowledge of the Charedi Orthodox Jewish Community in North London: A partnership project

Introduction: This article describes a successful community-based partnership project between statutory and third-sector services targeting the strictly Orthodox Jewish community (OJC). Methods: The City and Hackney Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Access Service (East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT)) collaborated with Bikur Cholim, a local third-sector organisation based in the heart of a north London Charedi OJC, to develop a brief culturally tailored psychoeducational group intervention focusing on mental health promotion and prevention. In total, 34 carers in the Charedi OJC were provided with general information on mental health, the availability of support services and self-care. Results: Overall improvements in well-being, increased intentions to access services, particularly talking therapies, and qualitative feedback indicated that the group was very well received. Conclusion: The project endorses the value of culturally relevant psychoeducation, enabling suggestions for culturally appropriate service development.
Miniature Fabry-Perot optical fiber pressure sensor

We present a miniature Fabry-Perot pressure sensor which is made of silica glass capillary tubing and two single mode fibers. The sensor has an inside diameter of 125 μm and outside diameter of 240 μm, and its sensitivity can be adjusted by controlling the sensor gauge length. The sensor has been tested for static pressure response, showing a sensitivity of 3.98 pm/kPa, a resolution of 0.1kPa, a linearity of 99.76% and a hysteresis of 0.12%, and capability of operation at temperatures up to 500°C. This sensor is immune to electromagnetic interference and has high-temperature capability, may be used in applications where high temperature and/or small size are important.
Design of space systems using shape memory alloys

Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) are a unique type of material characterized by two properties that ordinary metals do not exhibit: Shape Memory Effect (SME) and pseudoelasticity. SMAs can be actuated mechanically and/or thermally, and these properties have already been exploited in a wide variety of engineering applications. The appearance of SMAs in space applications, however, is more recent. This paper presents the motivations leading to interest for SMAs in space applications, as well as an overview of their use from tested mechanisms to ones still in development. As will be shown, many SMA space applications are single use and thermally activated. Although heating is never a problem, cooling SMA actuators in a reasonable amount of time still has to be achieved. A thermoelectric cooling system that allows for thermal control will be presented. This active cooling can allow better thermal actuation of SMA mechanisms using the two way SME. The last section of the paper describes their suitability for passive vibration isolation during launch, with a simple design using SMA hollow tubes at the interface between the payload and the spacecraft.
A Technical Review of HCCI Combustion in Diesel Engine

The Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion is an alternative to current engine combustion systems and research in HCCI is being carried out to use it as a method to reduce emissions. HCCI has the potential nearly to eliminate engine-out NOx emissions while producing efficiencies as in diesel engine, when a pre mixture of gas-phase fuel and air is burned spontaneously and entirely by an auto ignition process. Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engines promise high thermal efficiency combined with low levels of nitric oxide and particulate matter emissions. The purpose of this study is to summarise the alternative fuel effect for the HCCI engine combustion process.
IR laser-assisted micro/nano-imprinting

We report on the development of a new imprint method capable of transferring patterns down to nano-sized features from a silicon mold assisted by an infrared pulse laser during imprinting. We demonstrate that successful pattern transfer can be achieved easily on photoresist films of SU-8 5 from a silicon mold with a feature size of either 5 µm or 266 nm using a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. It is found that the IR pulse laser energy is absorbed predominantly by the silicon mold, and the pattern transfer is completed through heat transfer to the polymer. We also find that large area imprinting over 4 mm2 and pattern transfer with concave features can be achieved by taking advantage of flexible Si mold fabrication. This method integrates strengths from hot embossing and laser-assisted direct imprinting. The rapid imprint speed and variety of three-dimensional structures available in silicon technology render this technique a strong candidate for many real-world applications.
Comprehensive Monitoring of Electrical Machine Parameters Using an Integrated Fiber Bragg Grating-Based Sensor System

In this paper, a multiparameter, multisensor system for comprehensive electrical machine condition monitoring has been developed and the results of an evaluation reported. The fiber Bragg grating-based system developed allows for the simultaneous monitoring of key parameters including machine vibration, rotor speed, torque, spin direction, temperature distribution along the stator windings and on the rotor surface as well as the stator wave frequency. This all-optical sensing solution has been designed to be compatible with being fitted in the tight confines of an electric motor and uses the optical nature of the measurement and the insulating nature of the sensor material to avoid problems of electrical interference. The system reduces the component count over conventional sensor systems, i.e., all sensing elements are contained within the machine and operated by a single sensing interrogation unit, thereby reducing cost and allowing for a convenient interface for the user. The design of the system is presented, as are results on the testing and evaluation of the device the sensing system has been successfully integrated into and tested on a permanent magnet motor prototype.
Surface Characteristics and Electrochemical Behaviors of TiN and ZrN Coated Orthodontic Mini-screw

The dental orthodontic mini-screw requires good mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance for implantation in the bone. The purpose of this study was to investigate the electrochemical characteristics of TiN and ZrN coated orthodontic mini-screws, mini-screws were used for experiment. Ion plating was carried out for mini-screw using Ti and Zr coating materials with nitrogen gas. Ion plated surface of each specimen w as o bserved with f ield emission scanning e lectron microscopy ( FE-SEM), e nergy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and electrochemical tester. The surface of TiN and ZrN coated mini-screw were more smooth than that of other kinds of non-coated mini-screw due to dercrease of machined defects. The corrosion current density of the TiN and ZrN coated mini-screw decreased compared to non-coated sample. The corrosion potential of TiN and ZrN coated mini-screw were higher than that of non-coated mini-screw in 0.9% NaCl solution. The pitting corrosion resistance increased in the order of ZrN coated, TiN coated and non-coated wire. Pitting potential of ZrN coated mini-screw was the highest in the other specimens.
Performance analysis of DS-CDMA with slotted ALOHA random access for packet PCNs

In this paper, we present a discrete time Markov chain based analytical framework for the study of Direct-Sequence Code-Division-Multiple-Access (DS-CDMA) with slotted ALOHA random access protocols (DS-CDMA-S-ALOHA) for packet Personal Communications Networks (PCNs). It incorporates both the random access and the random errors associated with DS-CDMA-S-ALOHA protocols into a unified framework. The key feature is that it distinguishes between the two stages in the transmission process, namely the access stage and the reception stage, which characterize the random access and the random errors associated with DS-CDMA-S-ALOHA protocols respectively. Two DS-CDMA-S-ALOHA protocols are presented and analyzed. The performance of the protocols and the effects of the design parameters, namely the packet retransmission probability and the forward error correction code rate of the Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) block codes are evaluated numerically and compared with a bandwidth equivalent conventional multi-channel slotted ALOHA system. The results show that, by proper design, the DS-CDMA-S-ALOHA protocols can double the throughput with respect to that of a bandwidth equivalent conventional multi-channel slotted ALOHA system.
Disentangling population strategies of two cladocerans adapted to different ultraviolet regimes

Abstract Zooplankton have evolved several mechanisms to deal with environmental threats, such as ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and in order to identify strategies inherent to organisms exposed to different UVR environments, we here examine life‐history traits of two lineages of Daphnia pulex. The lineages differed in the UVR dose they had received at their place of origin from extremely high UVR stress at high‐altitude Bolivian lakes to low UVR stress near the sea level in temperate Sweden. Nine life‐history variables of each lineage were analyzed in laboratory experiments in the presence and the absence of sub‐lethal doses of UVR (UV‐A band), and we identified trade‐offs among variables through structural equation modeling (SEM). The UVR treatment was detrimental to almost all life‐history variables of both lineages; however, the Daphnia historically exposed to higher doses of UVR (HighUV) showed a higher overall fecundity than those historically exposed to lower doses of UVR (LowUV). The total offspring and ephippia production, as well as the number of clutches and number of offspring at first reproduction, was directly affected by UVR in both lineages. Main differences between lineages involved indirect effects that affected offspring production as the age at first reproduction. We here show that organisms within the same species have developed different strategies as responses to UVR, although no increased physiological tolerance or plasticity was shown by the HighUV lineage. In addition to known tolerance strategies to UVR, including avoidance, prevention, or repairing of damages, we here propose a population strategy that includes early reproduction and high fertility, which we show compensated for the fitness loss imposed by UVR stress.
Prediction of drug‐induced liver injury using keratinocytes

Drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the most common adverse drug reactions. DILI is often accompanied by skin reactions, including rash and pruritus. However, it is still unknown whether DILI‐associated genes such as S100 calcium‐binding protein A and interleukin (IL)‐1β are involved in drug‐induced skin toxicity. In the present study, most of the tested hepatotoxic drugs such as pioglitazone and diclofenac induced DILI‐associated genes in human and mouse keratinocytes. Keratinocytes of mice at higher risk for DILI exhibited an increased IL‐1β basal expression. They also showed a higher inducibility of IL‐1β when treated by pioglitazone. Mice at higher risk for DILI showed even higher sums of DILI‐associated gene basal expression levels and induction rates in keratinocytes. Our data suggest that DILI‐associated genes might be involved in the onset and progression of drug‐induced skin toxicity. Furthermore, we might be able to identify individuals at higher risk of developing DILI less invasively by examining gene expression patterns in keratinocytes. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New electrode materials for dielectric elastomer actuators

Dielectric elastomer actuators exert strain due to an applied electric field. With advantageous properties such as high efficiency and their light weight, these actuators are attractive for a variety of applications ranging from biomimetic robots, medical prosthetics to conventional pumps and valves. The performance and reliability however, are limited by dielectric breakdown which occurs primarily from localized defects inherently present in the polymer film during actuation. These defects lead to electric arcing, causing a short circuit that shuts down the entire actuator and can lead to actuator failure at fields significantly lower than the intrinsic strength of the material. This limitation is particularly a problem in actuators using large-area films. Our recent studies have shown that the gap between the strength of the intrinsic material and the strength of large-area actuators can be reduced by electrically isolating defects in the dielectric film. As a result, the performance and reliability of dielectric elastomers actuators can be substantially improved.
A Comparison Study of Microwave and Radio Frequency Plasma Polymerized PEDOT Thin Films

PEDOT films were deposited by microwave (MW) and radio frequency (RF) plasma in a medium pressure of 0.02 Torr without precursor. In-situ optical emission spectroscopy (OES) measurement was carried out to determine plasma phase and to adjust discharge parameters. The other spectroscopic methods were used to characterize deposited thin films and to compare the effect of discharge parameters on the process. Conductivity values were found to be around up to 10−5 S/cm for MW plasma, and 10−8 S/cm for RF plasma deposited PEDOT films, without the addition of a doping agent. It was found that both plasma polymerization methods resulted in crosslinked PEDOT structures.
An efficient scheme for QoS information update among edge routers using multicast

It is essential and nontrivial to disseminate QoS information in an efficient manner and to guarantee the information accuracy. We present an efficient scheme for QoS information update among edge routers in a diffserv region. In our scheme, a multicast tree is constructed among the edge routers in a diffserv region to transmit the updates. This scheme is efficient in consuming network resources since the cost for QoS information update of using a tree is much less than using a flooding approach, and routers unrelated to decision-making are relieved from disseminating and storing QoS information. In addition, it is easy to implement our scheme in the Internet, since only edge routers need to deploy it. We investigate quantitatively the cost of our scheme for QoS information update against a flooding approach and study empirically the efficiency of several proposed QoS information update policies.
Network Intrusion Detection Based on Bayesian Networks

Intrusion detection has drawn much attention in the past two decades. Signature analysis and statistical anomaly detection are two typical methods to identify network security breaches. Signature analysis requires access to a large database of known intrusion signatures and a way to match current behavior against the signatures to detect intrusions in progress. The limitation of this approach lies in its dependence on frequent updates of the signature database and its inability to generalize and detect novel intrusions. Anomaly detection methods can detect attacks based on statistical probability, which allows for generalization and helps in detection of novel attacks. However, statistical anomaly detection is not based on an adaptive intelligent model and cannot learn from normal and malicious traffic patterns. We propose an adaptive network intrusion detection using a Bayesian network, trained with a mixed dataset containing real-world and DARPA dataset traffic. Our Intrusion Detection System (IDS) model is designed to detect novel attacks. We use features of network connections to parameterize the system. The DARPA dataset and realworld traffic are used to measure the feasibility and effectiveness of our system. The network connections that are confirmed to be novel intrusions are added to the training dataset to re-train our IDS, thus enhancing our system’s ability to detect future intrusions.
Batch Verification and Finding Invalid Signatures in a Group Signature Scheme

Batch cryptography has been developed into two main branches-batch verification and batch identification. Batch verification is a method to determine whether a set of signatures contains invalid signatures, and batch identification is a method to find bad signatures if a set of signatures contains invalid signatures. Recently, some significant developments appeared in such field, especially by Ferrara et al. [10] and Law et al. [15], respectively. However, no batch identification method for group signature have been suggested. In this paper, by exploiting earlier works on standard signature schemes, we propose methods of batch verification and batch identification of a group signature scheme.
Actively Avoiding Nonsense in Generative Models

A generative model may generate utter nonsense when it is fit to maximize the likelihood of observed data. This happens due to "model error," i.e., when the true data generating distribution does not fit within the class of generative models being learned. To address this, we propose a model of active distribution learning using a binary invalidity oracle that identifies some examples as clearly invalid, together with random positive examples sampled from the true distribution. The goal is to maximize the likelihood of the positive examples subject to the constraint of (almost) never generating examples labeled invalid by the oracle. Guarantees are agnostic compared to a class of probability distributions. We show that, while proper learning often requires exponentially many queries to the invalidity oracle, improper distribution learning can be done using polynomially many queries.