Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels are poorly related to the occurrence of ischemia or ventricular arrhythmias during symptom-limited exercise in low-risk patients

Introduction The usefulness of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) as a marker of ischemia is controversial. BNP levels have predicted arrhythmias in various settings, but it is unknown whether they are related to exercise-induced ischemic ventricular arrhythmias. Material and methods We analyzed in 63 patients (64 ±14 years, 65% male, 62% with known coronary disease) undergoing exercise stress single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) the association between plasma BNP values (before and 15 min after exercise) and the occurrence of ischemia or ventricular arrhythmias during the test. Results Exercise test (8.1 ±2.7 min, 7.4 ±8.1 metabolic equivalents, 82 ±12% of maximal predicted heart rate) induced reversible perfusion defects in 23 (36%) patients. Eight (13%) patients presented significant arrhythmias (≥ 7 ventricular premature complexes/min, couplets, or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia during exercise or in the first minute of recovery). Median baseline BNP levels were 17.5 (12.4–66.4) pg/ml in patients developing scintigraphic ischemia and 45.6 (13.2–107.4) pg/ml in those without ischemia (p = 0.137). The BNP levels increased after exercise (34.4 (15.3–65.4)% increment over baseline, p < 0.001), but the magnitude of this increase was not related to SPECT positivity (35.7 (18.8–65.4)% vs. 27.9 (5.6–64.0)% in patients with and without ischemia, respectively, p = 0.304). No significant association was found between BNP values (at baseline or their change during the test) and ventricular arrhythmias. Conclusions Plasma BNP values – at baseline or after exercise – were not associated with myocardial ischemia or with ventricular arrhythmia during exercise SPECT. These results highlight the limited usefulness of this biomarker to assess acute ischemia.
# 2007-025 Measuring the Effectiveness of R & D tax credits in the Netherlands

This paper examines the impact of the Dutch R&D fiscal incentive program, known as WBSO, on R&D capital formation. Taking a factor-demand approach we measure the elasticity of firm R&D capital accumulation to its user cost. An econometric model is estimated using a rich unbalanced panel covering the period 1996-2004 with firm-specific R&D user costs varying with tax incentives. Using the estimated user cost elasticity, we examine the impact of the R&D incentive program. We find evidence that the program of R&D incentives in the Netherlands has been effective in reducing the user cost of R&D and in stimulating firms’ investment in R&D.
Proportional and Proportional-Integral Controllers for a Nonlinear Hydraulic Network

Abstract We consider the problem of regulating to a reference value pressures across components in a nonlinear hydraulic network of a reduced-size yet meaningful district heating system with two end-users. Exploiting the analogy between electrical and hydraulic networks, we derive a nonlinear model for the system. Then we design and analyze a proportional and a proportional-integral controller which guarantee semi-global practical and, respectively, asymptotic regulation of the pressures.
A novel dynamic model for Multiterminal HVDC systems based on self-commutated full- and half-bridge Multilevel Voltage Sourced Converters

This paper discusses a novel model for stability studies of a Multiterminal High Voltage Direct Current system (MT HVDC) as part of an overlay grid in a hybrid AC system. The dynamic model is set up for Multilevel Voltage Sourced Converter (VSC) technology. The new model provides the opportunity to analyse the impact of full- and half-bridge modules during AC and DC faults. In the present paper a radial DC system with four converter stations was built up and simulated in PSS®NETOMAC. In principle the model can be expanded to a multiterminal HVDC system with a higher number of converter stations. Generally the structure of the DC grid does not subject to any restrictions. For steady state control of a MT HVDC system the Voltage Margin Method (VMM) was implemented. The main focus of the presented model is placed on dynamic stability studies in case of DC faults and their effects on the AC grid. But due to the possibility of VSC converters to provide general system services, e.g. to supply reactive power, the effects and advantages of VSC converters during AC faults can also be analysed. In principle Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) technology offers the possibility of clearing DC faults on the DC side. Depending on the type of modules (full- or half-bridge modules) used in a Multilevel VSC converter the fault clearing strategy and therefore the effects to the AC grid differ enormously. It is essential for the transient stability of a highly stressed AC grid to ensure a very low fault clearance time to keep the system stable. The proposed control design was designed as a two partition macro in PSS®NETOMAC and can be used for planning a Multiterminal DC system in any AC grid. It was applied to a small test grid in order to prove its performance. For more realistic results the model was implemented and applied in a dynamic model of the Continental Europe high voltage power transmission grid.
Liquidity, Investor-Level Tax Rates, and Expected Rates of Return

Prior research predicts a positive relation between expected rates of return and investor-level tax rates. We provide new theory that predicts that lower liquidity amplifies and higher liquidity attenuates this positive relation. We empirically test our prediction using the cuts to individual investors’ maximum statutory tax rates on dividend income and capital gain income enacted by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (JGTRRA03).
Concurrent energy efficiency optimization of multi-axis positioning tasks

Positioning tasks of multi-axis servo drive mechanisms typically lead to high energy demands, especially if lossy operating points are applied and/or recuperated break energy, e. g. during deceleration phases, is not effectively reused. A trajectory optimization approach based on the particle swarm algorithm is presented for the adaption of multi-axis positioning tasks during system run-time. Established path planning methods (including the possibility of minimum time motion) are applied, that are adapted by only two parameters per axis and positioning task. In this manner, idle-times that often exist between the motion cycles and/or energy exchange via coupled inverter DC-links are utilized to reduce energy demands and improve system efficiency. In contrast to existing offline trajectory optimization procedures, the method is able to adapt changing motion tasks during system run-time within only few movement cycles. Experimental results prove that, depending on the use case and the chosen optimization constraints, energy losses are effectively reduced, brake chopper dissipation often is even completely avoidable and, hence, total energy demands are distinctly reduced. The approach is applicable to different multi-axis configurations and enables to considerable energy savings without additional hardware invest.
An enhanced 3-D animation tool for performance tuning of parallel programs based on dynamic models

An enhanced 3-D animation tool “Kanoko” for parallel program performance tuning has been developed. Its animation is based on modeling of dynamic systems, which are familiar to us, and utilizes our ability to distinguish slight differences of dynamic balance and changes of states. The animation uses mapping of physical structures to a dynamic system model, simulation of the system, and visualization/sonification of the simulation result. Kanoko makes the simulation and visualization/sonification of the proposed animation process easier. This paper describes the functions of Kanoko and provides snapshots of some animation. New functions of Kanoko can display loci of movement and also show statistical data as 3-D Chernoffs faces.
Systematic generation of very hard cases for graph 3-colorability

We present a simple generation procedure which turns out to be an effective source of very hard cases for graph 3-colorability. The graphs distributed according to this generation procedure are much denser in very hard cases than previously reported for the same problem size. The coloring cost for these instances is also orders of magnitude bigger. This ability is issued from the fact that the procedure favors-inside the class of graphs with given connectivity and free of 4-cliques-the generation of graphs with relatively few paths of length three (that we call 3-paths). There is a critical value of the ratio between the number of 3-paths and the number of edges, independent of the number of nodes, which separates the graphs having the same connectivity in two regions: one contains almost all graphs free of 4-cliques while the other contains almost no such graphs. The generated very hard cases are near this phase transition, and have a regular structure, witnessed by the low variance in node degrees, as opposite to the random graphs. This regularity in the graph structure seems to confuse the coloring algorithm by inducing an uniform search space, with no clue for the search.
September 2002 Edition Reflective Learning and the Doctor of Project Management Program

The guiding principle of professionalism has been that professionals perform a service beyond merely doing a particular job. Rather, they reflect on the environment that influenced their past performance and seek ways to not only understand what they do and how they do it, but how they can improve their performance. While the medical profession gained much from research into the science of medicine, public health and the environment for well over a century, medical practitioners also developed a rich source of learning from studying their medical practices. Other professions have more recently emulated this reflective research approach to provide deep insights into their work practices. The development of professional doctorates has provided a strong impetus for participants to productively engage in reflective learning. This paper presents experiences from the development of the Doctor of Project Management (DPM) program at RMIT University. The program specifically targets coursework and research elements of the program at senior project managers’ reflection on their project management experience. This has unearthed a hidden opportunity for research by mature-age practitioners that appears to generate in them an important intrinsic motivation to not only participate in profound learning about project management but to do so in a way that provides high level recognition through the award of a doctoral qualification.
Validation Led Development of Object-Oriented Software Using a Model Verifier

Object-oriented methodologies focus on the design of object classes as the building blocks of systems. The class interface provides a way to encapsulate focus to a single object/class at a time. However, general system-wide issues are important and need attention in the design endeavour also. The paper reports on our efforts to use a model verifier to enact interactions of multiple objects and classes to perform a system-wide analysis.
Logic-DRAM co-design to efficiently repair stacked DRAM with unused spares

Three dimensional (3D) integration is promising to provide dramatic performance and energy efficiency improvement to 3D logic-DRAM integrated computing system, but also poses significant challenge to the yield and reliability. By leveraging logic-DRAM co-design, this paper exploits the cost efficient approach to repair 3D integration induced defective cells in stacked DRAM with unused spares. In particular, we propose to make the DRAM array open its redundancy to off-chip access by small architecture modification, and further design the defective address comparison and redundant address remapping with very efficient architecture on logic die to achieve the equivalent memory repair. Simulation results have demonstrated that the proposed repair technique for DRAM after die stacking is able to significantly alleviate the yield loss, with very low area and power consumption overhead and negligible timing penalty.
Deciding model of Population Size in time-constrained task scheduling

Genetic algorithms (GAs) have been well applied in solving scheduling problems and their performance advantages have also been recognized. However, practitioners are often troubled by parameters setting when they are tuning GAs. Population Size (PS) has been shown to greatly affect the efficiency of GAs. Although some population sizing models exist in the literature, reasonable population sizing for task scheduling is rarely observed. In this paper, based on the PS deciding model in [8], we present a model to predict the optimal PS for the GA applied in time-constrained task scheduling, where the efficiency of GAs is more necessitated than in solving other kinds of problems. In the experimental evaluation, our deciding model can well predict the success ratio of the GA, given different population sizes.
Objective prediction of speech intelligibility at high ambient noise levels using the speech transmission index

In many cases the intelligibility of speech in noise may be assumed independent of the absolute sound level; the speech-to-noise ratio (SNR) primarily determines intelligibility. However, at high sound levels, speech intelligibility is found to decrease. Subjective Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) measurements were performed at various speech and noise levels, and with various noise spectra. Decreases in intelligibility between noise levels of 75 and 105 dB(A) were found that correspond to 1 to 3 dB difference in SNR, depending on the noise spectrum. This decrease is not predicted by the standardized Speech Transmission Index (STI), which may be calculated from speech and noise spectra. By introducing level-dependent auditory masking in the STI-calculations, a decrease in intelligibility is predicted that corresponds well to the SRT results.
Analysis of the Weighted Fuzzy C-means in the problem of source location

This paper proposes the use of the clustering method called Weighted Fuzzy C-means to solve the problem of mixing matrix estimation in underdetermined source separation based on sparse component analysis. The performed comparative analysis shows that the approach has a significant application potential, especially if the distributions of the columns of the mixing matrix has a non-uniform character.
Reconstructing Randomized Social Networks

In social networks, nodes correspond to entities and edges to links between them. In most of the cases, nodes are also associated with a set of features. Noise, missing values or efforts to preserve privacy in the network may transform the original network G and its feature vectors F . This transformation can be modeled as a randomization method. Here, we address the problem of reconstructing the original network and set of features given their randomized counterparts G′ and F ′ and knowledge of the randomization model. We identify the cases in which the original network G and feature vectors F can be reconstructed in polynomial time. Finally, we illustrate the efficacy of our methods using both generated and real datasets.
Comparison of the Hybrid Credit Scoring Models Based on Various Classifiers

Credit scoring is an important topic for businesses and socio-economic establishments collecting huge amounts of data, with the intention of making the wrong decision obsolete. In this paper, the authors propose four approaches that combine four well-known classifiers, such as K-Nearest Neighbor KNN, Support Vector Machine SVM, Back-Propagation Network BPN and Extreme Learning Machine ELM. These classifiers are used to find a suitable hybrid classifier combination featuring selection that retains sufficient information for classification purposes. In this regard, different credit scoring combinations are constructed by selecting features with four approaches and classifiers than would otherwise be chosen. Two credit data sets from the University of California, Irvine UCI, are chosen to evaluate the accuracy of the various hybrid features selection models. In this paper, the procedures that are part of the proposed approaches are described and then evaluated for their performances.
Lexical statistics and lexical processing: semantic density, information complexity, sex, and irregularity in Dutch

A series of studies (Pinker 1991, 1997; Kim et al. 1991; Pinker 1999; Pinker and Ullman 2002) have argued that differences between irregular and regular verbs are restricted to form. However, there are also studies which suggest that a strict separation of form and meaning may be counterproductive for theories of the mental lexicon. Bybee and Slobin (1982) observed that under time pressure, irregular past tense forms such as sat were produced upon presentation of seat, instead of the correct regular past tense form seated. Apparently, high-frequency irregular past tense forms served as attractors for the past-tense of semantically related regulars. Furthermore, Ramscar (2002) reported that when subjects were asked to say the past tense for pseudowords, the semantic context co-determined whether a regular or an irregular past tense was produced. This result also suggests that regularity interacts with semantics. Baayen and Moscoso del Prado Martin (2005) addressed the question of the extent to which regular and irregular verbs might differ with respect to distributional semantic variables. They found that when regulars and irregulars are matched for frequency, irregular verbs tend to have more meanings than regular verbs. Regular and irregular verbs also tended to have different aspectual properties, as witnessed by the non-uniform distribution of auxiliary verbs in Dutch. Regulars favored hebben, ’have’, while irregulars favor zijn, ’be’, the auxiliary marking telicity (Randall, van Hout, Weissenborn, and Baayen 2003; Lieber and Baayen 1997). In English, the two kinds of verbs were non-uniformly distributed over Levin (1993)’s argument structure alternation classes. In addition, irregulars clustered more tightly in contextual space than regular verbs, and they had greater resonance strength according
Robust adaptive beamforming based on the Kalman filter

In this paper, we present a novel approach to implement the robust minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) beamformer. This beamformer is based on worst-case performance optimization and has been shown to provide an excellent robustness against arbitrary but norm-bounded mismatches in the desired signal steering vector. However, the existing algorithms to solve this problem do not have direct computationally efficient online implementations. In this paper, we develop a new algorithm for the robust MVDR beamformer, which is based on the constrained Kalman filter and can be implemented online with a low computational cost. Our algorithm is shown to have a similar performance to that of the original second-order cone programming (SOCP)-based implementation of the robust MVDR beamformer. We also present two improved modifications of the proposed algorithm to additionally account for nonstationary environments. These modifications are based on model switching and hypothesis merging techniques that further improve the robustness of the beamformer against rapid (abrupt) environmental changes.
A Spiderweb-Based Massive Access Management Protocol for M2M Wireless Networks

With the development of Internet of Things (IoT), a large amount of machine-to-machine (M2M) devices produce the data from a huge number of M2M communications. A massive access congestion control scheme in M2M communication is important in a wireless M2M network, where a wireless M2M network is constituted by a large number of wireless M2M devices. In this paper, we developed a spiderweb-based massive access management protocol for M2M wireless networks. The wireless M2M network topology considered, in this paper, is a spiderweb-based topology, which belongs to a regular topology. The spiderweb-based topology is split into a number of sub-spiderweb, while each sub-spiderweb can be seen as a small reservoir. The main function of the small reservoir is to temporarily store the massive access if the congestion problem is occurred due to the massive assess has been suddenly happened from the M2M devices. When the congestion problem is alleviated gradually, the temporarily-stored massive assess can be digested from these small reservoirs. The contribution of the proposed scheme is to reduce the packet loss rate and prolong the wireless M2M network lifetime. In addition, a dynamically adjustment of the different sub-spiderweb size is developed based on the amount of different data traffics. Simulation result finally illustrates that the proposed mechanism significantly reduces the packet loss rate and keeps the maximum network lifetime.
Culture matters: professional development and the implementation of culturally responsive pedagogy

v List of Figures . xi List of Tables . xii Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Preparedness of Teachers . 3 Objective of Professional Development . 4 New Jersey Demographics, Policy, and Professional Standards . 5 Demographics . 6 Professional Standards . 6 Policy . 6 Problem Statement. 7 Purpose of the Study . 9 Definition of Terms . 10 Theoretical Framework . 11 Delimitations . 13 Significance of the Study . 14 Policy . 15 Practice. 16 Research . 17 Organization of the Study . 17 Chapter 2: Literature Review . 18 Professional Development and Teacher Preparation . 19
Improving the DAC architecture by using proprioceptive sensors

International Conference on Simulation of Adaptive Behavior , to be held in Zurich, August 17 21, 1998. Improving the DAC Architecture by Using Proprioceptive Sensors Ralf Salomon AI Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland salomon@i . unizh.ch Abstract Previous research has proposed the distributed adaptive control (DAC) architecture as a self-organizing controller for autonomous mobile robots. Despite its successes, practical experience has indicated several options for improvement. This paper proposes a new control architecture for mobile robots that can be seen as an extension of the DAC architecture. The control architecture consists of a controller and a value system. The controller uses the activity patterns of visual sensors to determine the motor commands, whereas the value system receives stimuli from proprioceptive sensors. This design decision is justi ed by the following arguments: (1) both components are signi cantly decoupled by using di erent sensory modalities; (2) the feedback of proprioceptive sensory patterns is omnipresent in biological systems and has been widely neglected in control systems; and (3) proprioceptive sensors operate more reliably and can be used more e ciently than visual sensors, such as pixels in a CCD camera. Practical experiments with the Khepera robot show that by using proprioceptive sensors, the control architecture considerably better adapts to changing environments and that it yields very robust behavior with respect to sensor failures.