Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An improved FastSLAM method based on niche technique and particle swarm optimization

FastSLAM is a well-known solution based on particle filter to the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) problem for mobile robots. The performance of the conventional FastSLAM degrades over time due to the particle depletion and it needs a large number of particles to be maintained at a high level. This paper presents an improved FastSLAM method in which niche technique and particle swarm optimization are integrated into the conventional FastSLAM. By means of the multi-modal optimization, the diversity and search ability of particles are both enhanced, and the estimation performance of particle filter is improved, so that particles would be concentrated around the true state of the mobile robot, and the precision of SLAM would be enhanced. Simulation experiment results show that the improved method is effective in SLAM, and its performance is robust even in the case of only a few particles.
QRS feature extraction using linear prediction

The use of linear prediction for analyzing digital ECG signals is discussed. There are several significant properties indicating that ECG signals have an important feature in the residual error signal obtained after processing by Durbin's linear prediction algorithm. The prediction order need not be more than two for fast arrhythmia detection. The ECG signal classification puts an emphasis on the residual error signal. For the QRS complex of each ECG, the feature for recognition is obtained from a nonlinear transformation which transforms every residual error signal to a set of three states pulse-code train relative to the original ECG signal. The pulse-code train has the advantage of easy implementation in digital hardware circuits to achieve automated ECG diagnosis. The algorithm performs very well in feature extraction in arrhythmia detection. Using this method, the studies indicate that the PVC (premature ventricular contraction) detection has at least 92% sensitivity for MIT/BIH arrhythmia database. <<ETX>>
A Conserved Domain of the Arabidopsis GNOM Protein Mediates Subunit Interaction and Cyclophilin 5 Binding

The Arabidopsis GNOM protein, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that acts on ADP ribosylation factor (ARF)–type G proteins, is required for coordination of cell polarity along the apical–basal embryo axis. Interallelic complementation of gnom mutants suggested that dimerization is involved in GNOM function. Here, direct interaction between GNOM molecules is demonstrated in vitro and by using a yeast two-hybrid system. Interaction was confined to an N-terminal domain conserved within a subgroup of large ARF GEFs. The same domain mediated in vitro binding to cyclophilin 5 (Cyp5), which was identified as a GNOM interactor in two-hybrid screening. Cyp5 displayed peptidylprolyl cis/trans–isomerase and protein refolding activities that were sensitive to cyclosporin A. Cyp5 protein accumulated in several plant organs and, like GNOM, was partitioned between cytosolic and membrane fractions. Cyp5 protein was also expressed in the developing embryo. Our results suggest that Cyp5 may regulate the ARF GEF function of the GNOM protein during embryogenesis.
A high-order finite volume cell-centered scheme for anisotropic diffusion on two-dimensional unstructured grids

In this paper, we describe a high-order cell-centered finite volume method for solving anisotropic diffusion on two-dimensional unstructured grids. The resulting numerical scheme, named CCLAD (Cell-Centered LAgrangian Diffusion), is characterized by a local stencil and cell-centered unknowns. It is devoted to the resolution of diffusion equation on distorted grids in the context of Lagrangian hydrodynamics wherein a strong coupling occurs between gas dynamics and diffusion. The space discretization relies on the introduction of two half-edge normal fluxes and two half-edge temperatures per cell interface using the partition of each cell into sub-cells. For each cell, the two half-edge normal fluxes attached to a node are expressed in terms of the half-edge temperatures impinging at this node and the cell-centered temperature. This local flux approximation can be derived through the use of either a sub-cell variational formulation or a finite difference approximation, leading to the two variants CCLADS and CCLADNS. The elimination of the half-edge temperatures is performed locally at each node by solving a small linear system which is obtained by enforcing the continuity condition of the normal heat flux across sub-cell interface impinging at the node. The accuracy and the robustness of the present scheme is assessed by means of various numerical test cases.
Adaptation of Likert Scaling for Use with Children

Quantitative measurement of qualitative variables has traditionally been accomplished by using the research methodology of scaling. The most widely used and reliable scaling procedure, the Likert scale or summated rating scale, was investigated in order to adapt the research methodology for use with children Adaptation of the Likert methodology would enable occupational therapists to begin to measure qualitative variables in children in a quantitative way. Five questions germane to the adaptation of Likert scaling in children were investigated by means of pilot studies using children aged 6 to 10: (1) Will graphic representation help children better understand scale items? (2) What is the optimal response format for scale items used with children? (3) How can one ascertain appropriate language levels of items for children? (4) What directions are necessary in order to administer such a scale to children? and (5) What is the validity of employing modified Likert methodology with children? The results of the pilot studies suggest that items composed of simple sentences can be used with children, providing that such items are reviewed by a speech and language pathologist and pretested with children for comprehension. It was found that graphic representation of items was not necessary and in fact, was confounding. In addition, it was found that a three response format (“No,” “A little,” “A lot”) with the responses inscribed on the blocks worked best. Moreover, the pilot studies revealed that children need to be taught how to participate in responding to a scale procedure and that anxiety was reduced when they were told it was a game and not a test Scale items worked best when posed in an interogative format rather than the traditional Likert statement format. Finally, preliminary results indicate the modified Likert methodology is valid to use with children. Suggested directions to use when administering a modified Likert scale to children are presented.
Structure and expression of the human L-myc gene reveal a complex pattern of alternative mRNA processing

We analyzed in detail the structure of the L-myc gene isolated from human placental DNA and characterized its expression in several small-cell lung cancer cell lines. The gene is composed of three exons and two introns spanning 6.6 kilobases in human DNA. Several distinct mRNA species are produced in all small-cell lung cancer cell lines that express L-myc. These transcripts are generated from a single gene by alternative splicing of introns 1 and 2 and by use of alternative polyadenylation signals. In some mRNAs there is a long open reading frame with a predicted translated protein of 364 residues. Amino acid sequence comparison with c-myc and N-myc demonstrated multiple discrete regions with extensive homology. In contrast, other mRNA transcripts, generated by alternative processing, could encode a truncated protein with a novel carboxy-terminal end.
Evaluating the Readability of Privacy Policies in Mobile Environments

Recent work has suggested that the current "breed" of privacy policy represents a significant challenge in terms of comprehension to the average Internet-user. Due to display limitations, it is easy to represent the conjecture that this comprehension level should drop when these policies are moved into a mobile environment. This paper explores the question of how much does comprehension decrease when privacy policies are viewed on mobile versus desktop environments and does this decrease make them useless in their current format? It reports on a formal subject-based experiment, which seeks to evaluate how readable are privacy policy statements found on the Internet but presented in mobile environments. This experiment uses fifty participants and privacy policies collected from ten of the most popular web sites on the Internet. It evaluates, using a Cloze test, the subject's ability to comprehend the content of these privacy policies.
Dual Language Graduates’ Participation in Bilingual and Biliterate Communities of Practice Across Time and Space

Through a Communities of Practice Network Analysis, this research illustrates the ways in which dual language graduates participate in multiple, varied, and overlapping communities of practice across time. Findings highlight that the dual language school as a shared community of practice represents a critical and formative part of participants’ later bilingual and biliterate practices, creating an enduring foundation for their values and beliefs surrounding bilingualism and biliteracy and opening up increased opportunities to participate in expanded bilingual and bicultural practices. However, the school was not in and of itself enough to produce long-term bilinguals and biliterates. Of equal importance were the out-of-school contexts for participation in language and literacy practices across diverse contexts. As participants in this study traverse the various social fields of their everyday lives, bilingual and biliterate skills are leveraged within socially situated communities of practice. Similarly, we might view the changing circumstances and contexts for biliteracy practices as dynamic spaces within which previous patterns might be altered or transformed.
Factors influencing E-HRM implementation in government organisations: Case studies from Bangladesh

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors influencing the implementation of electronic human resource management (e-HRM) in Bangladesh government organisations. Recent research evidence has shown that e-HRM played a significant role in enhancing the performance of human resource (HR) departments in private sector organisations. While similar practices are expected from government domain, there is no empirical research evidence to support this proposition. Given the significant technological advancements today, e-HRM as a strategic tool has grown to encompass seamless functionality to support organisations in providing tactical capability, reducing cost and continuous service improvement as well as the quality of service delivery. Although several private and public sector organisations have implemented e-HRM, its application within government domain in developing regions is limited. This can be attributed to the bureaucratic nature of public sector organisation, which are often slow to adopt changes. ,The study adopts a qualitative and multiple case study research approach. ,The findings provide insights into the myth surrounding the lack of and slow implementation of e-HRM among public sector organisation in developing economies but also serve as empirical data for further research. ,The low level in the number of public organisations that have implemented e-HRM applications in developing countries may be responsible for the dearth of empirical studies in this area. The dearth of empirical studies and the need to understand the factors that influence the implementation of e-HRM in public sector organisations led the authors to investigate the factors influencing the implementation of e-HRM in public sector organisation. ,Findings from two case organisations exhibit that such an approach contributes towards more healthy and robust decisions for e-HRM implementation and specifies that it is acceptable by the case study organisations. The findings from this research can serve as a source of understanding the particular context in which the study was undertaken. Moreover, it should serve as a catalyst for understanding organisations in similar socio-politico and economic context. ,This research advances and contributes to the body of knowledge as it examines factors influencing the implementation of e-HRM in Bangladesh public sector organisations and proposes a model for e-HRM implementation in government organisations in developing economies. The e-HRM implementation research presented in this paper extends recognised standards for e-HRM implementation, by bringing together influential factors – benefits, barriers and risks, thus, enabling government organisations in developing nations to produce more vigorous proposals for e-HRM implementation.
Neurological Disassociations of Social Perception Processes

Presented is a preliminary model of social perception, based on neurological models of word reading. The model distinguishes between two types of social perception processes, perceptual/episodic information, and conceptual/abstracted information. It is hypothesized that perceptual/episodic processes are dominated by the right cerebral hemisphere, whereas conceptual/abstracted processes are dominated by the left cerebral hemisphere. Three experiments are presented that demonstrate the described hemispheric asymmetries in person perception. Experiment 1 utilizes the Mere Exposure Paradigm to demonstrate that the association of positive affect to previously viewed target photos of men and women occurs only in the right hemisphere. Experiment 2 uses photos of ingroup and outgroup members as primes for positively and negatively valenced words within a lexical decision task. Results indicated an ingroup favoritism effect only in the left hemisphere. Experiment 3 utilized an online probe methodology within a soc.
Systemic Administration of CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide and Levamisole as Adjuvants for Gene-Gun-Delivered Antitumor DNA Vaccines

DNA vaccines showed great promise in preclinical models of infectious and malignant diseases, but their potency was insufficient in clinical trials and is needed to be improved. In this study, we tested systemic administration of two conventional adjuvants, synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide carrying immunostimulatory CpG motifs (CpG-ODN) and levamisole (LMS), and evaluated their effect on immune reactions induced by DNA vaccines delivered by a gene gun. DNA vaccination was directed either against the E7 oncoprotein of human papillomavirus type 16 or against the BCR-ABL1 oncoprotein characteristic for chronic myeloid leukemia. High doses of both adjuvants reduced activation of mouse splenic CD8+ T lymphocytes, but the overall antitumor effect was enhanced in both tumor models. High-dose CpG-ODN exhibited a superior adjuvant effect in comparison with any combination of CpG-ODN with LMS. In summary, our results demonstrate the benefit of combined therapy with gene-gun-delivered antitumor DNA vaccines and systemic administration of CpG-ODN or LMS.
Comparison between Observed and Theoretical Red Giant Branch Luminosity Functions of Galactic Globular Clusters

V -band luminosity functions (LF) have been ob- tained for the upper main-sequence (MS), sub-giant branch (SGB) and red giant branch (RGB) of 18 galactic globular clus- ters (GGC) from HST data. A comparison with four sets of theoretical models has been performed. In contrast with what was found in several previous works, a good general agree- ment has been found between the observed and theoretical LF at any metallicity (M/H)< 0:7. Possible discrepancies at higher metallicity, in the upper part of the RGB, need to be confirmed with further observational data and by extending all the models to the most metal rich regime. The SGB shape has been used to set an upper limit to the cluster age, and consequently a lower limit on the cluster distance. A discussion on the still open prob- lem of the mismatch between the observed and theoretical RGB bump location is also presented.
Are Foreign IT Workers Cheaper? U.S. Visa Policies and Compensation of Information Technology Professionals

The use of H-1B and other work visas to hire foreign information technology (IT) professionals in the United States has attracted significant controversy and policy debates. On one hand, hiring high-skill foreign IT professionals on work visas can be advantageous for U.S. firms and the overall economy. On the other hand, high-skill immigration can adversely impact the wages of foreign and American IT professionals. This study uses data on skills and compensation of more than 50,000 IT professionals in the United States over the period 2000--2005 to study patterns in compensation of foreign and American IT professionals to inform these debates. Contrary to the popular belief that foreign workers are a cheap source of labor for U.S. firms, we find that after controlling for their human capital attributes, foreign IT professionals (those without U.S. citizenship and those with H-1B or other work visas) earn a salary premium when compared with IT professionals with U.S. citizenship. The salary premiums for non-U.S. citizens and for those on work visas fluctuate in response to supply shocks created by the annual caps on new H-1B visas. Setting lower and fully utilized annual caps results in higher salary premiums for non-U.S. citizens and those with work visas. We discuss implications of this study for crafting informed visa-and immigration-related policies by the U.S. government, for staffing practices of firms, and for human capital investments by IT professionals.
A New Slot Assignment Method for Slotted CSMA Based on Maximum Clique Extraction

With the development of information and communications technology, numerous small digital devices equipped for wireless communication have been produced. For controlling network communication easily, most use a CSMA-based protocol in the media access control layer. Although any terminal can get its new transmission opportunity easily and autonomously using a CSMA-based protocol, both packet collision probability and throughput degradation become increasingly high if the network contains hidden terminals. In this paper, we propose a new slot assignment method for a slotted CSMA-based protocol using an algorithm to find the maximum clique for addressing packet collisions with hidden terminals completely.
In silico modeling of the cryptic E2∼ubiquitin–binding site of E6-associated protein (E6AP)/UBE3A reveals the mechanism of polyubiquitin chain assembly

To understand the mechanism for assembly of Lys48-linked polyubiquitin degradation signals, we previously demonstrated that the E6AP/UBE3A ligase harbors two functionally distinct E2∼ubiquitin–binding sites: a high-affinity Site 1 required for E6AP Cys820∼ubiquitin thioester formation and a canonical Site 2 responsible for subsequent chain elongation. Ordered binding to Sites 1 and 2 is here revealed by observation of UbcH7∼ubiquitin–dependent substrate inhibition of chain formation at micromolar concentrations. To understand substrate inhibition, we exploited the PatchDock algorithm to model in silico UbcH7∼ubiquitin bound to Site 1, validated by chain assembly kinetics of selected point mutants. The predicted structure buries an extensive solvent-excluded surface bringing the UbcH7∼ubiquitin thioester bond within 6 Å of the Cys820 nucleophile. Modeling onto the active E6AP trimer suggests that substrate inhibition arises from steric hindrance between Sites 1 and 2 of adjacent subunits. Confirmation that Sites 1 and 2 function in trans was demonstrated by examining the effect of E6APC820A on wild-type activity and single-turnover pulse-chase kinetics. A cyclic proximal indexation model proposes that Sites 1 and 2 function in tandem to assemble thioester-linked polyubiquitin chains from the proximal end attached to Cys820 before stochastic en bloc transfer to the target protein. Non-reducing SDS-PAGE confirms assembly of the predicted Cys820-linked 125I-polyubiquitin thioester intermediate. Other studies suggest that Glu550 serves as a general base to generate the Cys820 thiolate within the low dielectric binding interface and Arg506 functions to orient Glu550 and to stabilize the incipient anionic transition state during thioester exchange.
The Role of High- and Low-Frequency Dynamics in Blocking Formation

Time evolutions of prominent blocking flow configurations over the North Pacific and Europe are compared based upon composites for the 30 strongest events observed during 27 recent winter seasons. Fluctuations associated with synoptic-scale migratory eddies have been filtered out before the compositing. A quasi-stationary wave train across the Atlantic is evident during the blocking amplification over Europe, while no counterpart is found to the west of the amplifying blocking over the North Pacific. Correlation between the tropopause-level potential vorticity (PV) and meridional wind velocity associated with the amplifying blocking is found to be negative over Europe in association with the anticyclonic evolution of the low-PV center, but it is almost zero over the North Pacific. Feedback from the synoptic-scale eddies, as evaluated in the form of 250-mb geopotential height tendency due to the eddy vorticity flux convergence, accounts for more than 75% of the observed amplification for the Pacific blocking and less than 45% for the European blocking. This difference is highlighted in two types of ‘‘contour advection with surgery’’ experiments. In one of them PV contours observed four days before the peak blocking time were advected by composite time series of the low-pass-filtered observational wind, and in the other experiment they were advected by the low-pass-filtered wind from which the transient eddy feedback evaluated as above had been removed at every time step. Hence, the latter data should be dominated by low-frequency dynamics. For the European blocking both experiments can reproduce the anticyclonic evolution of low-PV air within a blocking ridge as observed. For the Pacific blocking, in contrast, the observed intrusion of low-PV air into the higher latitudes cannot be reproduced without the transient feedback. Furthermore, in a barotropic model initialized with the composite 250-mb flow observed three days before the peak time, a simulated blocking development over the North Pacific is more sensitive to the insertion of the observed transient feedback than that over Europe. These results suggest that the incoming wave activity flux associated with a quasi-stationary Rossby wave train is of primary importance in the blocking formation over Europe, whereas the forcing by the synoptic-scale transients is indispensable to that over the North Pacific.