Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
State-Dependent Scaling Characterization for Interconnected Nonlinear Systems–Part II: Small Gain Theorems for iISS and ISS Properties ¶§

: This paper is devoted to the problem of stability analysis for interconnected integral input-to-state stable(iISS) systems and input-to-state stable(ISS) systems. In the ﬁrst part of this two-part paper, the state-dependent scaling problem has been proposed as a general mathematical formulation whose solutions explicitly provide Lyapunov functions proving stability properties of feedback and cascade connection of dissipative nonlinear systems. A main purpose of this second part is to demonstrate that the gen-eralization is surely beyond formal applicability, and it eﬀectively deals with systems having diverse and strong nonlinearities which are not covered by classical and existing advanced stability criteria. In particular, this paper derives small-gain-type theorems for interconnected systems involving iISS systems smoothly from the state-dependent scaling formulation as special cases. This paper also provides explicit solutions to the state-dependent scaling problems. The new framework enables us not only to characterize stability of interconnected iISS and ISS systems in a uniﬁed manner, but also to extend the ISS small-gain theorem to iISS supply rates seamlessly. The results are considered as some theoretical evidences that the state-dependence of the scaling is crucial to eﬀective treatment of essential nonlinearities.
Cultural Characteristics for the Enhanced Mycelial Growth of Ramaria botrytis

Abstract The culture conditions for the enhanced mycelial growth of Ramaria botrytis was investigated. The optimal temperature and pH for the mycelial growth were 24°C and 5.0, respectively. It was shown that starch was best of several carbon sources in Czapek-Dox medium as a minimal medium for the enhanced mycelial growth. Organic nitrogen sources were better than inorganic ones for mycelial growth. The appropriate vitamin and mineral salt were biotin and FeCl3, respectively. When this strain was cultured with FeCl3 for 30 days, 19.23 g/l of dry mycelium of R. botrytis was obtained.
The Open-access Journal for the Basic Principles of Diffusion Theory, Experiment and Application Astrocytes and Diffusive Spread of Substances in Brain Extracellular Space

Brain function is based on communication between individual cells, neurons and glia. From a traditional point of view, neurons play a central role in the fast transfer of information in the central nervous system while astrocytes, major type of glia, serve as housekeeping elements maintaining homeostasis of the extracellular microenvironment. This view has dramatically changed in recent years as many findings ascribe new roles to astrocytes. It is becoming evident that astrocytes communicate with neurons via chemical signals released to the extracellular space (ECS). Astrocytes also have communication systems of their own, such as calcium waves that use gap junctions in combination with purinergic signaling through the ECS. Here we discuss yet another important role for astrocytes: that they regulate diffusion of signaling molecules and therapeutic agents in the extracellular microenvironment by contributing to the structural properties of ECS. There is a wealth of morphological data showing that each astrocyte is an exclusive occupant of a small volume of brain tissue, and that many fine astrocytic processes ensheathe neuronal processes and bodies. The functional significance of these unique morphological features is largely unknown with the exception of astrocytic coverage of synaptic formations. At the synapses, astrocytic processes play an active role by restricting neurotransmitter diffusion to the synaptic cleft and its immediate vicinity. Recent work suggests that astrocytic processes work in a similar fashion throughout the ECS and thus control the diffusive spread of substances over both short and long distances.
Modelling the implied volatility surface : an empirical study for FTSE options

The volatility surface implied by option prices presents a structure that changes over time. The aim of this study is to present a framework to model the implied volatility of the FTSE options in real time, and to present a prototype application that implements this framework. We adapt the parametric models presented in Dumas et al (1998) to estimate the surfaces across moneyness instead of across strikes. We discuss how this framework can be used in applications of option pricing and risk management.
Delay modelling for a single-hop wireless mesh network under light aggregate traffic

In this paper, we consider the problem of modelling the average delay in an IEEE 802.11 DCF wireless mesh network with a single root node under light traffic. We derive expression for mean delay for a co-located wireless mesh network, when packet generation is homogeneous Poisson process with rate λ. We also show how our analysis can be extended for non-homogeneous Poisson packet generation. We model mean delay by decoupling queues into independent M/M/1 queues. Extensive simulations are conducted to verify the analytical results.
Distributed Inexact Damped Newton Method: Data Partitioning and Load-Balancing

In this paper we study inexact dumped Newton method implemented in a distributed environment. We start with an original DiSCO algorithm [Communication-Efficient Distributed Optimization of Self-Concordant Empirical Loss, Yuchen Zhang and Lin Xiao, 2015]. We will show that this algorithm may not scale well and propose an algorithmic modifications which will lead to less communications, better load-balancing and more efficient computation. We perform numerical experiments with an regularized empirical loss minimization instance described by a 273GB dataset.
Turbomachinery Applications with the Time Spectral Method

This paper presents the Time Spectral Method, which is capable of significantly reducing the CPU requirements for time periodic flows. Here the main focus is turbomachinery computations for which the standard formulation must be adapted to take sector periodicity into account if the problem is solved in the Cartesian frame. Odd-even decoupling is avoided by choosing an odd number of time intervals in a period. Results are presented for the NASA Stage 35 compressor test case and these show that engineering accuracy is obtained with 11 time intervals per blade passing. Especially for high RPM applications, like the Stage 35, the Time Spectral Method leads to a reduction of an order of magnitude in CPUtime compared to a standard second order backward difference time integration scheme.
From waste to value – a system dynamics model for strategic decision-making in closed-loop supply chains

Although the field of closed-loop supply chain management has attracted a lot of attention in recent years and the management of reverse logistics processes has become a major field of supply chain management, there is still a lack of research conducting analyses using a comprehensive approach that takes the complexity of problems of reverse logistics processes into account. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to develop a model that allows an original equipment manufacturer in the electronics industry to test different value recovery strategies for business-to-business products in a closed-loop supply chain setting. For this purpose system dynamics is used because this approach enables one to capture the high complexity of reverse logistics processes and is suitable, contrary to traditional optimisation approaches, for analysing the dynamic behaviour of closed-loop supply chains comprehensively. The simulation analysis identifies leverage points for the improvement of decisions concerning reverse logistics. In particular, the simulation runs conducted highlight the high complexity and connectivity inherited with various value recovery processes. The paper contributes to a better understanding of supply chain dynamics, the impact of product backflow, and reverse logistics.
Verbal Venting in the Social Web: Effects of Anonymity and Group Norms on Aggressive Language Use in Online Comments

Scholars often blame the occurrence of aggressive behavior in online discussions on the anonymity of the Internet; however, even on today’s less anonymous platforms, such as social networking sites, users write plenty of aggressive comments, which can elicit a whole wave of negative remarks. Drawing on the social identity and deindividuation effects (SIDE) model, this research conducts a laboratory experiment with a 2 (anonymity vs. no anonymity) × 2 (aggressive norm vs. non-aggressive norm) between-subjects design in order to disentangle the effects of anonymity, social group norms, and their interactions on aggressive language use in online comments. Results reveal that participants used more aggressive expressions in their comments when peer comments on a blog included aggressive wording (i.e., the social group norm was aggressive). Anonymity had no direct effect; however, we found a tendency that users’ conformity to an aggressive social norm of commenting is stronger in an anonymous environment.
Transvision: a hand-held augmented reality system for collaborative design

This paper presents the shared augmented reality system called TransVision. TransVi-sion augments real table-top with the computer graphics objects. Two or more participants hold a palmtop size see-through display and look at the world through the display. They can share the same virtual environment in the real world environment. Since users are not isolated from the real world, natural mutual communications such as body gestures can e(cid:11)ectively be used during collaboration. This paper describes the architecture of the TransVision system and reports some early experiences.
Human thalamic and cortical activities assessed by dimension of activation and spectral edge frequency during sleep wake cycles.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Using spectral edge frequency (SEF95) and dimension of activation (DA), a new tool derived from the dimension of correlation, we assessed the activation of thalamus and cortex in the different vigilance states. PATIENTS Results were gathered from intracerebral recordings performed in 12 drug-resistant epileptic patients during video-stereoelectroencephalographic (SEEG) monitoring. RESULTS In the cortex, we observed a progressive decrease of DA from wake to sleep, with minimal DA values characterizing the deep slow wave sleep (dSWS) stage. During paradoxical sleep (PS), cortical level of activity returned to DA values similar to those obtained during wakefulness. In the thalamus, DA values during wakefulness were higher than the values observed during light SWS (ISWS), deep SWS (dSWS) and PS; there were no significant differences between the 3 sleep stages. Similar variations were observed with SEF95. CONCLUSION DA analysis proved reliable for quantification of cortical activity, in agreement with data issued from classical vigilance states scoring and spectral analysis. At the thalamic level, only 2 levels of activity within a sleep wake cycle were observed, pointing to dissociated levels of activation between the thalamus and the neocortex during ISWS and PS.
Muscarinic Receptor Activation Increases hERG Channel Expression through Phosphorylation of Ubiquitin Ligase Nedd4-2

The human ether-à-go-go–related gene (hERG) encodes the pore-forming subunit of the rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium channel, which is important for cardiac repolarization. Reduction of hERG current due to genetic mutations or drug interferences causes long QT syndrome, leading to cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. To date, there is no effective therapeutic method to restore or enhance hERG channel function. Using cell biology and electrophysiological methods, we found that the muscarinic receptor agonist carbachol increased the expression and function of hERG, but not ether-à-go-go or Kv1.5 channels stably expressed in human embryonic kidney cells. The carbachol-mediated increase in hERG expression was abolished by the selective M3 antagonist 4-DAMP (1,1-dimethyl-4-diphenylacetoxypiperidinium iodide) but not by the M2 antagonist AF-DX 116 (11[[2-[(diethylamino)methyl]-1-piperidinyl]-acetyl]-5,11-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b] [1,4]benzodiazepine-6-one). Treatment of cells with carbachol reduced the hERG-ubiquitin interaction and slowed the rate of hERG degradation. We previously showed that the E3 ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2 mediates degradation of hERG channels. Here, we found that disrupting the Nedd4-2 binding domain in hERG completely eliminated the effect of carbachol on hERG channels. Carbachol treatment enhanced the phosphorylation level, but not the total level, of Nedd4-2. Blockade of the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway abolished the carbachol-induced enhancement of hERG channels. Our data suggest that muscarinic activation increases hERG channel expression by phosphorylating Nedd4-2 via the PKC pathway.
Behavioral/systems/cognitive Functional Connectivity Delineates Distinct Roles of the Inferior Frontal Cortex and Presupplementary Motor Area in Stop Signal Inhibition

The neural basis of motor response inhibition has drawn considerable attention in recent imaging literature. Many studies have used the go/no-go or stop signal task to examine the neural processes underlying motor response inhibition. In particular, showing greater activity during no-go (stop) compared with go trials and during stop success compared with stop error trials, the right inferior prefrontal cortex (IFC) has been suggested by numerous studies as the cortical area mediating response inhibition. Many of these same studies as well as others have also implicated the presupplementary motor area (preSMA) in this process, in accord with a function of the medial prefrontal cortex in goal-directed action. Here we used connectivity analyses to delineate the roles of IFC and preSMA during stop signal inhibition. Specifically, we hypothesized that, as an integral part of the ventral attention system, the IFC responds to a stop signal and expedites the stop process in the preSMA, the primary site of motor response inhibition. This hypothesis predicted that preSMA and primary motor cortex would show functional interconnectivity via the basal ganglia circuitry to mediate response execution or inhibition, whereas the IFC would influence the basal ganglia circuitry via connectivity with preSMA. The results of Granger causality analyses in 57 participants confirmed this hypothesis. Furthermore, psychophysiological interaction showed that, compared with stop errors, stop successes evoked greater effective connectivity between the IFC and preSMA, providing additional support for this hypothesis. These new findings provided evidence critically differentiating the roles of IFC and preSMA during stop signal inhibition and have important implications for our understanding of the component processes of inhibitory control.
Power-Weighted Divergences for Relative Attenuation and Delay Estimation

Power-weighted estimators have recently been proposed for relative attenuation and delay estimation in blind source separation. Their provenance lies in the observation that speech is approximately windowed-disjoint orthogonal (WDO) in the time-frequency (TF) domain; it has been reported that using WDO, derived from TF representations of speech, improves mixing parameter estimation. We show that power-weighted relative attenuation and delay estimators can be derived from a particular case of a weighted Bregman divergence. We then propose a wider class of estimators, which we tune to give better parameter estimates for speech.
Neuronal Ras activation inhibits adult hippocampal progenitor cell division and impairs spatial short‐term memory

A large number of endogenous and exogenous factors have been identified to upregulate and downregulate proliferation, differentiation and/or survival of newborn cells in the adult hippocampus. For studying neuronal mechanisms mediating the impact of those factors, we used a transgenic synRas mouse model expressing constitutively activated Valin12‐Harvey Ras selectively in differentiated neurons. BrdU injections showed significantly reduced proliferation of new cells within the adult hippocampus of transgenic animals compared with their wild‐type siblings. In contrast, the relative survival of newborn cells was increased in synRas mice, although this effect did not fully compensate for diminished proliferation. Inhibition of progenitor cell proliferation and enhancement of cellular survival were more pronounced in males compared with females. Double labelling and doublecortin immunostaining verified that specifically newborn neurons were decreased in synRas mice. Reduced cell generation was observed already 2 h after BrdU pulse injections, identifying an early precursor cell population as target of the inhibitory transgene effect. Differences in proliferation remained stable after 24 h and were specific for the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus, as subventricular cell generation was not affected supporting a non‐cell autonomous effect on neural hippocampal progenitors. Transgene expression only starts with synaptic differentiation and therefore reduced proliferation must represent an indirect secondary consequence of synRas activity in differentiated neurons. This was associated with impaired spatial short‐term memory capacities as observed in a radial maze paradigm. Our data suggest that constantly high Ras activity in differentiated neurons downregulates hippocampal precursor cell generation in the neuronal lineage, but is modulated by sex‐dependent factors.
A Cell-Free Translocation System Using Extracts of Cultured Insect Cells to Yield Functional Membrane Proteins

Cell-free protein synthesis is a powerful method to explore the structure and function of membrane proteins and to analyze the targeting and translocation of proteins across the ER membrane. Developing a cell-free system based on cultured cells for the synthesis of membrane proteins could provide a highly reproducible alternative to the use of tissues from living animals. We isolated Sf21 microsomes from cultured insect cells by a simplified isolation procedure and evaluated the performance of the translocation system in combination with a cell-free translation system originating from the same source. The isolated microsomes contained the basic translocation machinery for polytopic membrane proteins including SRP-dependent targeting components, translocation channel (translocon)-dependent translocation, and the apparatus for signal peptide cleavage and N-linked glycosylation. A transporter protein synthesized with the cell-free system could be functionally reconstituted into a lipid bilayer. In addition, single and double labeling with non-natural amino acids could be achieved at both the lumen side and the cytosolic side in this system. Moreover, tail-anchored proteins, which are post-translationally integrated by the guided entry of tail-anchored proteins (GET) machinery, were inserted correctly into the microsomes. These results showed that the newly developed cell-free translocation system derived from cultured insect cells is a practical tool for the biogenesis of properly folded polytopic membrane proteins as well as tail-anchored proteins.
Event detection using social sensors

Social media, such as Facebook and twitter, received much attention recently especially due to their real-time nature. For example, when an earthquake occurs, people immediately post information related to the earthquake, which enables detection of earthquake occurrence promptly, simply by observing these posts. As described in this paper, we investigate the real-time interaction of events such as earthquakes in Twitter, Facebook and other social media, and propose an algorithm to monitor tweets and to detect a target event. We devised a filter of data based on features such as the keywords, the number of times they are present, and their context. We consider each user feed as a sensor and the collection of such sensors creates a system, which can be used to promptly warn registered users. The posts triggering the detections also provided very short first-impression narratives from people who experienced the shaking. We will also show that the validity of such a process is not bound to a particular context or language but can be used on a variety of other subjects.
Agreement with non-uniform information delays

We propose a novel agreement framework for multiple (possibly heterogeneous) agents evolving on a directed information graph with non-uniform delays. Our proposed framework can ensure agreement of a certain scalar quantity among the agents, as long as 1) for each agent, we can design a local control s.t. its closed-loop transfer function has unit gain at dc and gain strictly less than unity elsewhere; 2) the information graph has a globally reachable node (i.e. there exists a path from it to every other nodes); and 3) the information delays are finite constants. Rendezvous simulation is performed to verify the theory
Optimization of TESPAR Features using Robust F-Ratio for Speaker Recognition

This paper deals with implementing an efficient optimization technique for designing an automatic speaker recognition (ASR) System, which uses average F-ratio score of TESPAR features, to yield high recognition accuracy even in adverse noisy conditions. A new ranking scheme is also proposed in order to stabilize the rank of features in various noise levels by taking arithmetic mean of the F-Ratio scores obtained from various levels of signal to noise ratio (SNR). The result is presented for a text-dependent ASR system with 20 speaker database. An RBF (radial basis function) neural network is used for recognition purpose
Depletion of Cutaneous Macrophages and Dendritic Cells Promotes Growth of Basal Cell Carcinoma in Mice

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) belongs to the group of non-melanoma skin tumors and is the most common tumor in the western world. BCC arises due to mutations in the tumor suppressor gene Patched1 (Ptch). Analysis of the conditional Ptch knockout mouse model for BCC reveals that macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) of the skin play an important role in BCC growth restraining processes. This is based on the observation that a clodronate-liposome mediated depletion of these cells in the tumor-bearing skin results in significant BCC enlargement. The depletion of these cells does not modulate Ki67 or K10 expression, but is accompanied by a decrease in collagen-producing cells in the tumor stroma. Together, the data suggest that cutaneous macrophages and DC in the tumor microenvironment exert an antitumor effect on BCC.
New age estimates of M31 globular clusters from multicolour photometry

The large majority of extragalactic star cluster studies pe rformed to date essentially use multicolour photometry, combined with theoretical stellar synthesis models, to derive ages, masses, extinction estimates, and metallicities. M31 offers a uniq ue laboratory for studies of globular cluster (GC) systems. In this paper, we obtain new age estimates for 91 M31 globular clusters, based on improved photometric data, updated theoretical stellar synthesis models and sophisticated new fitting methods. In particular, we used ph otometric measurements from the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), which, in combination with optical photometry, can partially break the well-known age-metallicity degeneracy operating at ages in excess of a few Gyr. We show robustly that previous age determinations based on photometric data were affected significantly by this age-metallicity degeneracy. E xcept for one cluster, the ages of our other sample GCs are all older than 1 Gyr. Their age distribution shows populations of young and intermediate-age GCs, peaking at � 3 and 8 Gyr respectively, as well as the “usual” complement of well-known old GCs, i.e., GCs of similar age as the majority of the Galactic GCs. Our results also show that although there is significant scat ter in metallicity at any age, there is a noticeable lack of young metal-poor and old metal-rich GCs, which might be indicative of an underlying age-metallicity relationship among the M31 GC population.