Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Convex duality and entropy-based moment closures: Characterizing degenerate densities

A common method for constructing a function from a finite set of moments is to solve a constrained minimization problem. The idea is to find, among all functions with the given moments, that function which minimizes a physically motivated, strictly convex functional. In the kinetic theory of gases, this functional is the kinetic entropy; the given moments are macroscopic densities; and the solution to the constrained minimization problem is used to formally derive a closed system of partial differential equations which describe how the macroscopic densities evolve in time. Moment equations are useful because they simplify the kinetic, phase-space description of a gas, and with entropy-based closures, they retain many of the fundamental properties of kinetic transport. Unfortunately, in many situations, macroscopic densities can take on values for which the constrained minimization problem does not have a solution. In this paper, we give a geometric description of these so-called degenerate densities in a very general setting. Our key tool is the complementary slackness condition that is derived from a dual formulation of a minimization problem with relaxed constraints. We show that the set of degenerate densities is a union of convex cones defined by the complementary slackness conditions and, under reasonable assumptions, that this set is small in both a topological and a measure-theoretic sense. This result is important for further assessment and implementation of entropy-based moment closures. An expanded version of this work can be found in [Hauck et al., SIAM J. Contr. Optim. , Vol. 47, 2008, pp. 1977-2015].
Sliding-Mode State Observers for a Class of Nonlinear Continuous-Time Systems

The design of full-order sliding-mode state observers for a class of nonlinear dynamic systems is presented. Conditions for the stability of the estimation error in the absence of noises are provided that turn out to be less restrictive with respect to those know up to now for sliding-mode estimators. Such conditions are well-suited to being expressed by using LMIs (linear matrix inequality). If the system is affected by bounded disturbances, it is proved the existence of an attractive invariant set for the estimation error. Numerical results are shown to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Inventory trajectory tracking via an on-line demand-rate-estimation/demand-rate-satisfaction strategy for the production rule

Inventory regulation and control to a desired time-varying inventory level is accomplished via an accurate on line observer-based demand rate estimation, followed by a demand rate satisfaction effort incorporated on the production rate decision rule. An extended demand rate observer is shown to efficiently allow for production rate to accurately match highly fluctuating uncertain demand rates, with good inventory replenishment features from temporary production rate saturation conditions caused by unexpectedly high, or low, temporary demand rates. The approach makes it unnecessary for statistically based average forecasting. Simulation and experimental results on a tank system show good agreement with the theoretical framework.
Associative classification and post-processing techniques used for malware detection

Numerous attacks made by the malware have presented serious threats to the security of computer users. Unfortunately, along with the development of the malware writing techniques, the number of file samples that need to be analyzed is constantly increasing on a daily basis. An automatic and robust tool to analyze and classify the file samples is the need of the hour. In this paper, resting on the analysis of Windows API execution sequences called by PE files, we use associative classification and post-processing techniques for malware detection. Promising experimental results demonstrate that the accuracy and efficiency of our malware detection method outperform popular anti-virus scanners such as Norton AntiVirus and Dr. Web, as well as previous data mining based detection systems which employed Naive Bayes, Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Decision Tree techniques. In particular, the post-processing techniques we adopt can greatly reduce the number of generated rules which make it easy for the human analysts to identify the useful ones.
The Nature Of Explanation

Offering a new approach to scientific explanation, this book focuses initially on the explaining act itself. From that act, a "product" emerges: an explanation. To understand what that product is, as well as how it can be evaluated in the sciences, reference must be made to the concept of the explaining act. Following an account of the explaining act, its product, and the evaluation of explanations, the theory is brought to bear on these issues: Why have the standard models of scientific explanation been unsuccessful, and can there be a model of the type sought? What is causal explanation, and must explanation in the sciences be causal? What is a functional explanation? The "illocutionary" theory of explanation developed at the outset is used in discussing these issues, and contrasting philosophical viewpoints are assessed.
Heterotopic ossification after primary cemented and noncemented total hip arthroplasty in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To compare the frequency and severity of heterotopic ossification (HO) in patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis who undergo cemented or noncemented total hip arthroplasty. DESIGN A prospective case study. SETTING A university referral centre. PATIENTS One hundred and sixty one patients underwent 184 total hip arthroplasties. The 184 hips were categorized as follows: cemented total hip arthroplasty--60 osteoarthritis hips, 26 hips affected by rheumatoid arthritis; noncemented total hip arthroplasty--67 osteoarthritic hips, 31 hips affected by rheumatoid arthritis. INTERVENTIONS Total hip arthroplasty. A standard approach was used to implant either a cemented or noncemented prosthesis. Radiographs were obtained of each hip preoperatively, immediately postoperatively and 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Radiographs were graded in blind fashion for HO, according to the criteria of Brooker. Modified Harris hip scores were calculated at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS HO (incidence of Brooker grades 2, 3 and 4) was greater after cemented (22%) than noncemented (9%) total hip arthroplasty in osteoarthritic hips (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two types of prosthesis in hips affected by rheumatoid arthritis. When both types of prosthesis were considered together there was no significant difference in the incidence of HO between osteoarthritic hips (15%) and hips affected by rheumatoid arthritis (12%). With respect to Harris hip score, the presence of grade 4 HO was associated with a significantly (p < 0.05) lower score (50.6) than grade 3 (89.4) and grade 2 (91) HO. CONCLUSIONS Cemented total hip arthroplasty increases the frequency of HO only in osteoarthritic hips. Compared with Brooker's grades 2 and 3 HO, grade 4 HO significantly lowers the Harris hip score after total hip arthroplasty.
To each his own well-being boosting intervention: using preference to guide selection

This study investigates whether using a selection method based on participant preference increased preference, adherence, or efficacy compared to an unmatched group. Undergraduate students (N = 127) participated in the study over a 4-week period. All participants randomly received, completed, and rated their preference for an initial positive psychology exercise. These data were used to select a second activity: participants in the matched group received a second exercise based on a previously defined matching rule, whereas a comparison group received a second exercise selected randomly from the set of unmatched exercises. Individuals preferred the matched exercise more significantly and although not statistically significant, reported slightly larger boosts in well-being than those who received an unmatched exercise. No significant differences were found between the groups for exercise adherence. Future efforts to construct treatment packages should follow this model of combining individually validated components using empirical data.
Morality: A New Justification of the Moral Rules

This volume is a revised, enlarged, and broadened version of Gert's classic 1970 book, The Moral Rules. Advocating an approach he terms "morality as impartial rationality," Gert here presents a full discussion of his moral theory, adding a wealth of new illuminating detail to his analysis of the concepts--rationality/irrationality, good/evil, and impartiality--by which he defines morality. He constructs a "moral system" that includes rules prohibiting the kinds of actions that cause evil, procedures for determining when violation of the rules is permitted, and ideals which encourage actions that prevent or relieve suffering. To be valid, Gert argues, any such system must be "a public system that applies to all rational persons. " The book concludes with a discussion of medical ethics, demonstrating the link between moral theory and its application to real moral problems.
Effects of Varying Levels of Treatment Integrity on Toddler Aggressive Behavior

Abstract Effects of different levels of treatment integrity for a time-out intervention in relation to the aggressive behavior of an 18-month-old were investigated. The time-out intervention was composed of four steps and treatment integrity was systematically varied at 50%, 25%, 75%, and 100%. The results suggest that the 75% and 100% treatment integrity conditions were most effective for decreasing aggressive behavior. Further, there were only minor differences in aggressive behavior between the 25% and 50% treatment integrity conditions. Discussion focuses on the need for assessing optimal and minimum levels of treatment integrity for producing behavior change and the implications for classroom-based interventions.
Perceptions of mental illness in Ethiopia: a profile of attitudes, beliefs and practices among community members, healthcare workers and traditional healers

This study explores perceptions of mental illness in a sample of Ethiopian community members, healthcare workers and traditional healers. Specifically, the attitudes, beliefs and practices associated with the symptoms, causes and treatment of mental illness were investigated. A total of 115 participants were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to explore their perceptions of depression, anxiety and psychosis. Qualitative analysis of the interview responses indicated a range of beliefs about the recognition and etiology of mental illness. Nine themes were identified in response to the questions how do you identify and what causes mental illness: Psychocultural appropriateness, Religious/spiritual, Social difficulty, Behavioral disturbance, Cognitive-emotional impairment, Disaster and economic deprivation, Adaptive functioning, Substance abuse and Physical/medical. The most frequent response for how to identify depression and anxiety was negative emotions, while the most frequent answer for recognizing psychosis was bizarre or unusual behavior. Both modern and traditional treatments were cited as helpful, depending on the disorder. Implications for clinical assessment and policy planning are discussed.
Assessing diversity: immune reconstitution and T‐cell receptor BV spectratype analysis following stem cell transplantation

Summary. T‐cell receptor (TCR) BV spectratyping provides information concerning immune reconstitution complementary to that derived from monoclonal antibody analysis of surface antigen expression. However, the most appropriate way to analyse and represent these data, the number of subfamilies that should be analysed, and the effects of CD4/8 ratio on observed diversity, remain unclear. A diversity scoring system was developed based on analysis of 11 cord blood (CB) and 12 normal adult BV spectratypes. CB subfamily spectratypes demonstrated minor deviations from a Gaussian pattern consistent with current knowledge about germline TCR rearrangements. Diversity scores were significantly lower in myeloma patients than normal adults (P < 0·001) and fell significantly following stem cell transplantation (P = 0·003). Subsequently increasing diversity was not detected by two previously described complexity scoring systems. The CD4/8 ratio was neither the major determinant of the absolute diversity score nor of the change in score for individual patients, suggesting that analysis of unselected mononuclear cells can provide information largely independent of CD4/8 ratios. There was a relatively low correlation between individual subfamily scores and overall diversity score. The novel and objective diversity scoring system described appears better able to document changes in spectratype patterns than previously described techniques and should aid the standardization of reporting.
Antioxidant effects of selenocysteine on replicative senescence in human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

In most clinical applications, human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are expanded in large scale before their administration. Prolonged culture in vitro results in cellular senescence-associated phenotypes, including accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased cell viabilities. Profiling of stem cell-related genes during in vitro expansion revealed that numerous canonical pathways were significantly changed. To determine the effect of selenocysteine (Sec), a rare amino acid found in several antioxidant enzymes, on the replicative senescence in hMSCs, we treated senescent hMSCs with Sec. Supplementation of Sec in the culture medium in late-passage hMSCs reduced ROS levels and improved the survival of hMSCs. In addition, a subset of key antioxidant genes and Sec-containing selenoproteins showed increased mRNA levels after Sec treatment. Furthermore, ROS metabolism and inflammation pathways were predicted to be downregulated. Taken together, our results suggest that Sec has antioxidant effects on the replicative senescence of hMSCs.
A Novel Single-Stage AC-DC Converter to Supply Sustain Power for Plasma Display Panels

This paper presents a new single-stage ac-dc converter to supply sustain power for the plasma display panel (PDP). A new bridgeless single-stage ac-dc converter is proposed for a high efficiency sustain power supply. The proposed converter integrates the power factor correction (PFC) circuit with the isolated dc-dc converter. It provides the sustain voltage from the ac line without using any full-bridge diode rectifier. Conduction losses are lowered by eliminating the full-bridge diode rectifier. Switching losses are reduced by zero-voltage switching (ZVS) of the power switches and zero-current switching (ZCS) of the power diode. By simplifying the circuit structure and reducing power losses, the cost and power consumption of the PDP is improved. The proposed converter is theoretically analyzed in detail. Experimental results based on a 180 W (200 V/0.9 A) prototype circuit are discussed to verify the performance of the proposed converter for 37-in PDP displays.
Treatment outcomes of sunitinib treatment in advanced renal cell carcinoma patients: a single cancer center experience in Korea.

PURPOSE The retrospective study was performed to assess the efficacy and toxicity profiles of sunitinib in Korean patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Between January 2005 and December 2008, 76 Korean patients with recurrent/metastatic RCC who received sunitinib were retrospectively reviewed. The primary end point was progression-free survival and the secondary end points were overall survival and response rate. We also assessed the toxicities associated with sunitinib treatment. RESULTS Of the 76 patients, 69 (90.1%) were diagnosed with clear cell RCC. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 7.2 and 22.8 months, respectively in overall patients. Sixty-two patients (81.6%) received 50 mg 4 week and 2 week off schedule, and 14 patients (18.4%) received 37.5 mg daily on a daily continuous schedule. The objective response rate and disease control rate were 27.6% and 84.2%, respectively. A dose reduction or reduction in dose due to adverse events occurred in 76% of the patients, whereas 11% of the patients had discontinued treatment. Other common laboratory abnormalities were increased serum creatinine (75.6%), elevated alanine aminotransferase (71.0%), neutropenia (61.8%), anemia (69.7%), and increased aspartate aminotrasferase (53.3%). Grade 3/4 toxicities occurred as follows: thrombocytopenia (38.2%), fatigue (10.5%), stomatitis (10.5%), and hand-foot syndrome (9.2%). CONCLUSION Our results indicate that sunitinib treatment is effective and tolerable for ecurrent/metastatic RCC patients in Korea. Further studies with prognostic or biochemical factors are needed to clarify the different toxicity profiles of this study.
The impact of utilizing a flexible work schedule on the perceived career advancement potential of women

This study examined whether a woman working a flexible schedule would be perceived as having less career advancement potential than a woman on a regular schedule. Participants reviewed a packet of materials simulating the personnel file of a female employee in an accounting firm who was seeking promotion from manager to senior manager. Results indicated that participants perceived the female employee on the flexible schedule as having less job-career dedication and less advancement motivation; there was no difference in perceived capability. Implications of these results for implementation of alternative work arrangements are discussed.
A Taxonomy of Reminiscence and Therapeutic Implications

This paper reviews the literature on the adaptive benefits of reminiscence therapy and concludes that the inconsistent findings are primarily due to failure to specify the different types of reminiscence involved in prior studies. The development of a new taxonomy and the coding procedure are described. The taxonomy classifies six types of reminiscence: integrative, instrumental, transmissive, narrative, escapist, and obsessive. The definition, functions, and illustrative examples of each type of reminiscence are provided. Finally, the paper presents new ways of reminiscence therapy based on this new taxonomy.
Effect of ethical ideologies on ethical judgment of future accountants: Malaysian evidence

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of ethical ideologies on ethical judgments of future Malaysian accountants in general situations and based on the legality of the situations. The examination covers the relationships of both the specific ethical dimension (i.e. idealism and relativism) and the specific categories of ideology (i.e. absolutist and subjectivist) on ethical judgments. Design/methodology/approach - – Using a questionnaire survey that comprises Ethical Position Questionnaire and ethical dilemma vignettes, 396 usable responses were received. In achieving the objectives, multivariate analysis of variance, correlations and univariate analysis of variance were performed. Findings - – The study discovered a significant impact of ethical ideology on judgments regardless of the legality of the cases. In addition, the study found a significant positive and negative impact of idealism and relativism, respectively, on ethical judgment. Moreover, the study reported that absolutists are stricter whilst situationists are more lenient in making ethical judgments compared to other ideologies. Originality/value - – The present study investigated the effect of ethical ideologies on ethical judgment, in general, as well as the effect on ethical judgment based on the legality of the ethical dilemma. This study also considered the effect of the two dimensions of ethical ideology – idealism and relativism – on ethical judgment and captured the four categories of ideology based on the taxonomy of ethical ideologies.
Specific capture and detection of Staphylococcus aureus with high-affinity modified aptamers to cell surface components

Slow off‐rate modified aptamer (SOMAmer) reagents were generated to several Staphylococcus aureus cell surface‐associated proteins via SELEX with multiple modified DNA libraries using purified recombinant or native proteins. High‐affinity binding agents with sub‐nanomolar Kd's were obtained for staphylococcal protein A (SpA), clumping factors (ClfA, ClfB), fibronectin‐binding proteins (FnbA, FnbB) and iron‐regulated surface determinants (Isd). Further screening revealed several SOMAmers that specifically bound to Staph. aureus cells from all strains that were tested, but not to other staphylococci or other bacteria. SpA and ClfA SOMAmers proved useful for the selective capture and enrichment of Staph. aureus cells, as shown by culture and PCR, leading to improved limits of detection and efficient removal of PCR inhibitors. Detection of Staph. aureus cells was enhanced by several orders of magnitude when the bacterial cell surface was coated with SOMAmers followed by qPCR of the SOMAmers. Furthermore, fluorescence‐labelled SpA SOMAmers demonstrated their utility as direct detection agents in flow cytometry.
Quantum bound on the specific entropy in strongly coupled scalar field theory

We discuss the (g{sub 0}{phi}{sup p}){sub d} self-interacting scalar field theory, in the strong-coupling regime. We assume the presence of macroscopic boundaries confining the field in a hypercube of side L. We also consider that the system is in thermal equilibrium at temperature {beta}{sup -1}. For spatially bounded free fields, the Bekenstein bound states that the specific entropy satisfies the inequality (S/E)<2{pi}R, where R stands for the radius of the smallest sphere that circumscribes the system. Employing the strong-coupling perturbative expansion, we obtain the renormalized mean energy E and entropy S for the system up to the order (g{sub 0}){sup -(2/p)}, presenting an analytical proof that the specific entropy also satisfies in some situations a quantum bound. Defining {epsilon}{sub d}{sup (r)} as the renormalized zero-point energy for the free theory per unit length, the dimensionless quantity {xi}=({beta}/L) and h{sub 1}(d) and h{sub 2}(d) as positive analytic functions of d, for the case of high temperature, we get that the specific entropy satisfies (S/E)<2{pi}R(h{sub 1}(d)/h{sub 2}(d)){xi}. When considering the low-temperature behavior of the specific entropy, we have (S/E)<2{pi}R(h{sub 1}(d)/{epsilon}{sub d}{sup (r)}){xi}{sup 1-d}. Therefore the sign of the renormalized zero-point energy can invalidate this quantum bound. If the renormalized zero-point energy ismore » a positive quantity, at intermediate temperatures and in the low-temperature limit, there is a quantum bound. « less