Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frequnecy domain active noise control system without a secondary path model

In this paper, we propose a frequency domain active noise control (ANC) system without a secondary path model. The proposed system is based on the frequency domain simultaneous perturbation (FDSP) method we have proposed. In this system, the coefficients of the adaptive filter are updated only by error signals. The conventional ANC system using the filtered-x algorithm becomes unstable due to the error between the secondary path, from secondary source to error sensor, and its model. In contrast, the proposed ANC system has the advantage that it does not use a model. In this paper, we show the principle of the proposed ANC system, and examine its efficiency by means of computer simulations.
Comparison of Molecular Methods for TypingVibrio parahaemolyticus

ABSTRACT An outbreak of Vibrio parahaemolyticus gastroenteritis on Canada’s west coast in 1997 emphasized the need to develop molecular methods for differentiation and typing of these organisms. Isolates were analyzed by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence (ERIC) PCR, detection of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) in rRNA genes (ribotyping), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and RFLP analysis of the genetic locus encoding the polar flagellum (Fla locus RFLP analysis). ERIC PCR and ribotyping were the most informative typing methods, especially when used together, while Fla locus RFLP analysis was the least discriminatory. PFGE exhibited good discrimination but suffered from a high incidence of DNA degradation. ERIC PCR and ribotyping will be useful for the evaluation of genetic and epidemiological relationships among V. parahaemolyticus strains.
Effects of an emotional intelligence program in variables related to the prevention of violence

In recent decades, numerous studies have shown a significant increase in violence during childhood and adolescence. These data suggest the importance of implementing programs to prevent and reduce violent behavior. The study aimed to design a program of emotional intelligence (EI) for adolescents and to assess its effects on variables related to violence prevention. The possible differential effect of the program on both genders was also examined. The sample comprised 148 adolescents aged from 13 to 16 years. The study used an experimental design with repeated pretest–posttest measures and control groups. To measure the variables, four assessment instruments were administered before and after the program, as well as in the follow-up phase (1 year after the conclusion of the intervention). The program consisted of 20 one-hour sessions. The pretest–posttest ANCOVAs showed that the program significantly increased: (1) EI (attention, clarity, emotional repair); (2) assertive cognitive social interaction strategies; (3) internal control of anger; and (4) the cognitive ability to analyze negative feelings. In the follow-up phase, the positive effects of the intervention were generally maintained and, moreover, the use of aggressive strategies as an interpersonal conflict-resolution technique was significantly reduced. Regarding the effect of the program on both genders, the change was very similar, but the boys increased assertive social interaction strategies, attention, and emotional clarity significantly more than the girls. The importance of implementing programs to promote socio-emotional development and prevent violence is discussed.
Optimal dispatch of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to reduce the load fluctuations on distribution networks

Rapid development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles brings new challenges to the security and economy of power systems. As a clean and environmental friendly technology, the electric vehicle presents the future solution of transportation with high potentials. Currently rapid deployment of electric vehicles is taking place in many countries. However, uncoordinated charging of many plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) may cause serious impacts on the security and economy of power system operation. The paper proposes a new dispatch model to reduce the fluctuations of PHEV charging loads, based on the probabilistic analysis of charging behaviors of PHEVs and other demands in power systems. Genetic algorithm method is adopted to solve this optimization problem. The feasibility and efficiency of the developed stochastic dispatch model is demonstrated with a 33-bus distribution network.
Mining molecular fragments: finding relevant substructures of molecules

We present an algorithm to find fragments in a set of molecules that help to discriminate between different classes of for instance, activity in a drug discovery context. Instead of carrying out a brute-force search, our method generates fragments by embedding them in all appropriate molecules in parallel and prunes the search tree based on a local order of the atoms and bonds, which results in substantially faster search by eliminating the need for frequent, computationally expensive reembeddings and by suppressing redundant search. We prove the usefulness of our algorithm by demonstrating the discovery of activity-related groups of chemical compounds in the well-known National Cancer Institute's HIV-screening dataset.
Building maps with Multi-Robot Systems under limited communication

In the last two decades, several methods to exploration with Multi-Robot Systems (MRS) have been proposed, most of them based in the detection and allocation of frontiers. However, communication issues and robots' map Synchronization problem usually are neglected by the authors. In this paper, a distributed scheme that can handle some important communication issues is proposed to synchronize the maps of the robots and other relevant information in a network. We also propose a scheme to represent the information robots have about the application that allows them share information with each other avoiding the exchanging of unnecessary information. Some experiments were also performed to verify the efficacy and efficiency the method and also to compare it with the method proposed by Sheng.
Design and Evaluation of Explainable BDI Agents

It is widely acknowledged that providing explanations is an important capability of intelligent systems. Explanation capabilities are useful, for example, in scenario-based training systems with intelligent virtual agents. Trainees learn more from scenario-based training when they understand why the virtual agents act the way they do. In this paper, we present a model for explainable BDI agents which enables the explanation of BDI agent behavior in terms of underlying beliefs and goals. Different explanation algorithms can be specified in the model, generating different types of explanations. In a user study (n=20), we compare four explanation algorithms by asking trainees which explanations they consider most useful. Based on the results, we discuss which explanation types should be given under what conditions.
A Simple Local n-gram Ensemble for Authorship Verification

The authorship verification task requires deciding whether a given test document was written by the same author as a training set. For my attempt I tested a simple voting ensemble of local (character) n-gram methods, using a grid search to choose parameters. This results in a method that requires little preconfiguration and can be applied to any language with a concept of characters. The method itself is quite fast, however training is slow with the large number of attempted parameter combinations. The approach results in accuracies of around 60% depending on the corpus and application.
Characterization of Photochemically Induced Spinal Cord Injury in the Rat by Light and Electron Microscopy

This study characterized by light and electron microscopy 49 photochemically induced lesions in adult rat spinal cord at 16 time intervals from 2 days to 17 months after lesioning. Vascular thrombosis, resulting from an intravascular photochemical reaction induced by a rose bengal/laser beam interaction, led within a few days to an extensive area of tissue deterioration. This area, termed the "lesion cavity" in contrast to the "secondary cavity" observed later, was at least 6 mm long and, at the epicenter, extended across most of the spinal cord width and from the dorsal surface to a level near the central canal. The area of spared tissue, 43% of the spinal cord cross-section at 2 days, did not change significantly between 2 and 56 days. Large numbers of macrophages populated the degenerating area by 5 days. This necrotic area was surrounded by a thin peripheral rim of largely intact white matter dorsally and laterally except at the epicenter where the white matter degenerated dorsomedially. In these peripheral regions, demyelination and, by 14 days, remyelination by both oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells (SCs) were evident. By 28 days, far more SCs (and meningeal cells) had entered the dorsal spinal cord, typically at the epicenter where meningeal thickening was most striking, and had migrated farther into the lesion cavity. These SCs and the axons they myelinated remained prominent in dorsal regions for many months, particularly at the epicenter; the proportion of SC to oligodendrocyte myelin diminished away from the epicenter. By 8 weeks, the lesion cavity was considerably diminished in size and thereafter it contained scattered macrophages, SC-myelinated axons, and blood vessels, primarily medially owing to flattening into clefts bilaterally. The cavity was partly bordered by astrocytes whose surfaces toward the lesion cavity were highly irregular and coated with basal lamina. Bare axons, consistently seen by electron microscopy at 5 days to 6 months, were typically ensconced among astrocytes starting at 28 days. Also by this time large, smoothly contoured, empty secondary cavities appeared, usually rostral and caudal to the epicenter; they did not increase in size or number with time. From 28 days to 17 months postlesion they occurred in 68% of the lesioned spinal cords. The secondary cavity border was composed of cells thought to be astrocytes but, surprisingly, the luminal surface was smooth and lacked basal lamina, in contrast to the primary lesion cavity border. Thus, two types of cavities formed after photochemical lesioning. This lesioning technique may provide an appropriate milieu to better understand aspects of the vexing problem of post-traumatic syringomyelia in the human.
Diversiteitsinterventies en de binding van werknemers in de publieke sector

Eerder onderzoek heeft laten zien dat diversiteitsinterventies kunnen bijdragen aan de binding (d.w.z. de betrokkenheid en retentie) van werknemers in de publieke sector aan hun organisatie. Er is echter nog weinig bekend over de manier waarop de invloed van deze interventies op binding precies tot stand komt. In dit artikel wordt aangetoond dat een inclusieve organisatiecultuur waarin ruimte is voor verscheidenheid, daarbij een rol speelt. De relatie tussen de interventie voor het creeren van een open cultuur en de binding van medewerkers blijkt te verlopen via een inclusieve organisatiecultuur. Dit onderzoek bevestigt daarmee het belang van het werken aan een inclusieve organisatiecultuur.
Autonomous navigation in a known dynamic environment

This paper proposes a method for the navigation of an autonomous robot used inside a building. The main problem to be solved in this issue is the need to use both a priori information on the environment and momentary sensor data in an intelligent way, and thus make the robot capable of finding its way around while also avoiding the obstacles, both static and dynamic. In the paper, a hybrid navigation method is proposed, using two techniques that deal with a priori information and sensory data separately. An algorithm for finding the optimal route to the goal using a priori information is suggested. The properties of the complete system are verified by computer simulation.
The evolving story of orexin biology: the hits keep coming

In the span of just 11 years since their discovery, the study of the orexins (hypocretins) has not only provided insight into the biology of sleep/wakefulness, but also demonstrated the importance of the development of new pharmacologic tools and genetic models with which to understand basic physiologic mechanisms and provide potential strategies for the treatment of human pathologies. Highlights from recently published novel approaches and findings are reviewed here.
An open problem in complex analytic geometry arising in harmonic analysis

In this paper, an open problem in the multidimensional complex analysis is pesented that arises in the investigation of the regularity properties of Fourier integral operators and in the regularity theory for hyperbolic partial differential equations. The problem is discussed in a self-contained elementary way and some results towards its resolution are presented. A conjecture concerning the structure of appearing affine fibrations is formulated.
Validity of the SF-36 Health Survey as an outcome measure for trials in people with spinal cord injury

The SF-36 was interviewer-administered to 305 subjects at recruitment. Feasibility, content validity and internal consistency were assessed. We tested a priori hypotheses about discriminative, convergent and divergent validity. Interviewer-assisted administration was feasible. The content validity of several domains (Physical Function, Role Physical, Social Function and Role Emotional) was compromised by the irrelevance of some items and response options. Resultant ceiling and floor effects may limit the SF-36? s ability to detect changes over time. The SF-36 was able to discriminate differences between people with: tetraplegia versus paraplegia (in the Physical Function and Physical Composite scores); injuries that were recent ( 4 years) (in the Vitality, Social Function and Mental Health domain and Mental Composite scores), and who were employed versus unemployed (in the Physical Function, Social Function, Mental Health and Mental Composite scores). It was not able to discriminate between groups dichotomised by age, injury completeness or gender. The convergent and divergent validity of all SF-36 domains was as in other populations, except for correlations involving the Physical Function scale which were poor. Internal consistency was similar to that in other populations (Cronbach? s alpha from 0.75 to 0.92); the SF-36 has sufficient precision for population-based and clinical research in spinal cord injury. The SF-36 is useful for comparing the health status of people with spinal cord injury to that of other populations, but supplementation with a disease-specific health status measure may be necessary for trials of interventions in people with spinal cord injuries.
ITFComp: a compression algorithm for ARM architecture instruction trace files

Testing the performance of a new computational component is costly due to the need of prototyping different setups. Therefore, trace driven hardware simulations are used. Instruction Trace Files (ITFs) are files containing traces of executed instructions in a program's run and are used as an input for hardware simulations. ITFs tend to be large in size, causing a storage challenge. Many trace reduction techniques exist to deal with the ITFs' storage challenge. In this paper we introduce ITFComp, a compression algorithm that combines general purpose compression methods with knowledge about ARM architecture ITFs' structure to reduce their size. ITFComp also works on compressing data memory addresses accessed by instructions within ITFs to further reduce an ITF size. Results show a reduction of 600 times on average when combined with LZMA compression algorithm. This reduction is 4 times better than when using LZMA alone, and 10 times better than when using DEFLATE. ITFComp introduces a negligible overhead in the decompression time (less than 1%).
Implementing Message Passing Communication with a Shared Memory Communication Mechanism

This thesis describes a high-performance implementation of the Message Passing Interface (MPI) library based on a shared memory communication mechanism. Our implementation, called MPI/MBCF, combines two protocols to utilize the shared memory communication mechanism: the write protocol and the eager protocol. In the write protocol, Remote Write is used for communication with no bu ering. In the eager protocol, Memory-Based FIFO is used for bu ering by the library. These two protocols are switched autonomously according to the precedence of send and receive functions. The performance of the MPI/MBCF was evaluated on a cluster of workstations. We measured the round-trip time and the peak bandwidth, and executed the NAS Parallel Benchmarks. The results show that a message passing library achieves high performance by using a shared memory communication mechanism.
Mathport - Web Application to Support Enhancement in Elementary Mathematics Pedagogy

The paper presents a Web application MatPort that is aimed to support enhancement in elementary mathematics pedagogy. In Slovenia, there is a lack of e-Learning courses on elementary school mathematics that would provide teachers and students with verified mathematics problems in Slovene language. The MatPort offers a databank of verified mathematics problems that may be solved on paper or at a computer, or combined into a paper and pencil form of tests. In this paper, we describe the structure and the functionality of the application, providing an insight into the MatPort decision system that supports automatic search of math problems so that students may reach a certain level of knowledge in a thoughtful way. The decision support system is based upon the genetic algorithm. The application has been evaluated by a group of teachers and students, who have been actively involved into the MatPort development.
Capacitance ratio approximation in SC filters via genetic algorithm

Accurate capacitance matching is a critical issue for switched-capacitor (SC) Alter implementations. Using identical unit capacitors in parallel to form larger capacitances and careful layout design can provide an accuracy of 0.1%. However, this technique can be directly applied only if the Alter coefficients are rational numbers. In general, coefficient approximations are required, leading to frequency response errors. In this paper, a new design method, using a genetic algorithm (GA), is proposed to and the optimum capacitance ratio approximations by rational numbers that produce acceptable frequency response errors and minimize the total number of unit capacitors in order to save die area. Design examples in 0.35 mum CMOS are presented and simulated to illustrate the proposed method.
Multilink DC transmission for offshore Wind Power integration

The High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) system gains much more flexibility on a basis of multi terminal operation. Having extra converters brings also new ideas in sharing the active power and one of the solutions is the use of virtual impedance correlated with a droop controller. This paper analysis the Multi Terminal Direct Current (MTDC) operation and focuses on the sharing of active power produced by an offshore Wind Power Plant (WPP). The first objective was to model the system in PSCAD/EMTDC simulation software and then control structure tested under different situations. The second objective was to validate the simulation on a laboratory platform using 15 kW Voltage Source Converters (VSC) and a Real Time Interface (RTI). As a result, the power sharing is validated using such methodology and the influence in the parameters can be evaluated.
Animating synthetic dyadic conversations with variations based on context and agent attributes

Conversations between two people are ubiquitous in many inhabited contexts. The kinds of conversations that occur depend on several factors, including the time, the location of the participating agents, the spatial relationship between the agents, and the type of conversation in which they are engaged. The statistical distribution of dyadic conversations among a population of agents will therefore depend on these factors. In addition, the conversation types, flow, and duration will depend on agent attributes such as interpersonal relationships, emotional state, personal priorities, and socio‐cultural proxemics. We present a framework for distributing conversations among virtual embodied agents in a real‐time simulation. To avoid generating actual language dialogues, we express variations in the conversational flow by using behavior trees implementing a set of conversation archetypes. The flow of these behavior trees depends in part on the agents' attributes and progresses based on parametrically estimated transitional probabilities. With the participating agents' state, a ‘smart event’ model steers the interchange to different possible outcomes as it executes. Example behavior trees are developed for two conversation archetypes: buyer–seller negotiations and simple asking–answering; the model can be readily extended to others. Because the conversation archetype is known to participating agents, they can animate their gestures appropriate to their conversational state. The resulting animated conversations demonstrate reasonable variety and variability within the environmental context. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smad6 Is a Smad1/5-induced Smad Inhibitor

Smad6 is an inhibitory Smad that is induced by bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and interferes with BMP signaling. We have isolated the mouse Smad6 promoter and identified the regions responsible for transcriptional activation by BMPs. The proximal BMP-responsive element (PBE) in the Smad6 promoter is important for the transcriptional activation by BMPs and contains a 28-base pair GC-rich sequence including four overlapping copies of the GCCGnCGC-like motif, which is a binding site for DrosophilaMad and Medea. We generated a luciferase reporter construct (3GC2-Lux) containing three repeats of the GC-rich sequence derived from the PBE. BMPs and BMP receptors induced transcriptional activation of 3GC2-Lux in various cell types, and this activation was enhanced by cotransfection of BMP-responsive Smads, i.e. Smad1 or Smad5. Moreover, direct DNA binding of BMP-responsive Smads and common-partner Smad4 to the GC-rich sequence of PBE was observed. These results indicate that the expression of Smad6 is regulated by the effects of BMP-activated Smad1/5 on the Smad6promoter.
2nd Joint IEEE International Workshop on Visual Surveillance and Performance Evaluation of Tracking and Surveillance (VS-PETS)

In this paper we propose a new representation of videos with spatiotemporal blocks. After a given video is decomposed into the spatiotemporal blocks, a dimensionality reduction technique is applied to obtain a compact vector representation of each block gray level values. The block vectors provide a joint representation of texture and motion patterns in videos. Our results on PETS repository videos show that detection and tracking of moving objects is substantially improved if based on spatiotemporal blocks instead on pixels. Thus, we go away from the standard input of pixel values that are known to be noisy and the main cause of instability of video analysis algorithms.