Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial Price Discrimination in International Markets: from Models to Data

This paper focuses on the spatial price discrimination in an international context, i.e. the impact of distance on fob prices set by exporting firms. The theoretical part of this paper points out the importance of the trade cost formulation on the pricing policy adopted by the firms. The empirical part shows that French firms adopt a reverse dumping strategy. In other word, firms increases their fob price with the distance. The main models of international trade fail to predict such positive relation at the firm level, even when introducing quality. Moreover, with or without quality, models need an additive part in their transport cost to generate the observed positive relationship between price and distance which questions the use of iceberg costs.
Fast and Non-Toxic In Situ Hybridization without Blocking of Repetitive Sequences

Formamide is the preferred solvent to lower the melting point and annealing temperature of nucleic acid strands in in situ hybridization (ISH). A key benefit of formamide is better preservation of morphology due to a lower incubation temperature. However, in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), against unique DNA targets in tissue sections, an overnight hybridization is required to obtain sufficient signal intensity. Here, we identified alternative solvents and developed a new hybridization buffer that reduces the required hybridization time to one hour (IQFISH method). Remarkably, denaturation and blocking against repetitive DNA sequences to prevent non-specific binding is not required. Furthermore, the new hybridization buffer is less hazardous than formamide containing buffers. The results demonstrate a significant increased hybridization rate at a lowered denaturation and hybridization temperature for both DNA and PNA (peptide nucleic acid) probes. We anticipate that these formamide substituting solvents will become the foundation for changes in the understanding and performance of denaturation and hybridization of nucleic acids. For example, the process time for tissue-based ISH for gene aberration tests in cancer diagnostics can be reduced from days to a few hours. Furthermore, the understanding of the interactions and duplex formation of nucleic acid strands may benefit from the properties of these solvents.
Signal processing for through wall moving target tracking by M-sequence UWB radar

In this paper, through wall moving target tracking by UWB radar is described as a complex process with all required phases of radar signal processing. For particular phases of that process, i.e. for raw radar data preprocessing, background subtraction, detection, trace estimation, localization and tracking itself, the phase significance and its corresponding representative methods are outlined. The complete process is illustrated by the results of processing of real data acquired by M-sequence UWB radar.
PMSM Sensorless Control by Injecting HF Pulsating Carrier Signal Into Estimated Fixed-Frequency Rotating Reference Frame

For permanent-magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) sensorless control, the widely employed high-frequency (HF) pulsating carrier signal injection method is based on tracking the rotor saliency. It may face the problems of long convergence time, potential start-up failure, and limited system stability. Different from the conventional schemes, the proposed strategy is a direct estimation method. In which, a HF pulsating carrier voltage is injected into the estimated fixed-frequency rotating reference frame other than the estimated synchronous reference frame (SRF). With this approach, spatial saliency tracking observer, which is necessary in the conventional sensorless control, is removed to simplify the control structure and improve the system stability. Furthermore, the rotor position information is directly obtained from the response of injected HF pulsating carrier signal, which can avoid potential convergence failure of tracking observer. In addition, the compensation of system delays existing in the proposed sensorless control strategy is deduced to improve the accuracy of rotor position estimation. For magnetic polarity detection, a new method which has the advantages of high signal-to-noise ratio and low vibration is also investigated. Finally, the experimental results on a PMSM indicate that the rotor position with good steady state and dynamic performance can be obtained accurately with the proposed sensorless control strategy.
A five year physiological case study of an Olympic runner.

OBJECTIVE: To study physiological changes caused by long term endurance training in a world class female distance runner, and to compare these changes with alterations in 3000 m running performance. METHODS: The subject underwent regular physiological assessment during the period 1991-1995. Physiological measures made included body composition, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2MAX), running economy, and lactate threshold. In addition, the running speed at VO2MAX was estimated. Test protocols, laboratory equipment, and laboratory techniques used were the same for each test session. RESULTS: The 3000 m race performance improved by 8% from 1991 to 1993 after which it stabilised. In contrast, VO2MAX fell from 1991 (73 ml/kg/min) to 1993 (66 ml/kg/min). Submaximal physiological variables such as lactate threshold (from 15.0 to 18.0 km/h) and running economy (from 53 ml/kg/min to 48 ml/kg/min at 16.0 km/h) improved over the course of the study. Despite no increase in VO2MAX, the reduction in the oxygen cost of submaximal running caused the estimated running speed at VO2MAX to increase from 19.0 km/h in 1991 to 20.4 km/h in 1995. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in 3000 m running performance was not caused by an increase in VO2MAX. Rather, the extensive training programme adopted, together perhaps with physical maturation, resulted in improvements in submaximal fitness factors such as running economy and lactate threshold. These adaptations improved the running speed estimated to be associated with VO2MAX, and resulted in improved 3000 m running performance.
Estimation of Miner Hash Rates and Consensus on Blockchains (draft)

We make several contributions that quantify the real-time hash rate and therefore the consensus of a blockchain. We show that by using only the hash value of blocks, we can estimate and measure the hash rate of all miners or individual miners, with quanti able accuracy. We apply our techniques to the Ethereum and Bitcoin blockchains; our solution applies to any proof-of-work-based blockchain that relies on a numeric target for the validation of blocks. We also show that if miners regularly broadcast status reports of their partial proof-of- work, the hash rate estimates are signi cantly more accurate at a cost of slightly higher bandwidth. Whether using only the blockchain, or the additional information in status reports, merchants can use our techniques to quantify in real-time the threat of double-spend attacks.
Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Novel Transcription Factors Associated With Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System in Human Atheroma

Despite the well-known role of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) in atheroma, its global local organization is poorly understood. In this study, we used transcriptomic meta-analysis to reveal the local transcriptional organization and regulation of 37 extended RAAS (extRAAS) genes in atheroma. Expression analysis and hierarchical clustering were done on extRAAS genes in 32 paired early and advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Contrary to receptor-coding transcripts, multiple angiotensin-metabolizing enzymes showed higher expression in advance, in comparison to early lesions. Interestingly, similar results were obtained from GEO data sets containing human (n=839) and mouse (n=18) atherosclerotic samples, but different from normal human (n=11) arterial tissues. The expression and coordination patterns were then used to construct transcriptional maps of extRAAS, displaying favored pathways in atheroma. Three coexpression modules (M1, M2, and M3) with >80% reproducibility across human atheroma data sets were identified. M1 and M3 contained angiotensin-metabolizing enzymes transcripts, whereas M2 contained proatherogenic receptor-coding transcripts. Interestingly, M1 and M2 were negatively correlated. A total of 21 transcription factors with enriched binding sites in the promoters of coordinated genes were extracted, among which IRF5, MAX, and ETV5 showed significant positive correlations with M1, but negative correlations with M2. However, ETS1 and SMAD1 transcripts were positively correlated to receptor-coding genes in M2. Despite sharing some similarities in extRAAS organization with kidney and adipose, atheroma showed specific correlations between extRAAS and transcription factors. In conclusion, our transcriptional map helps in designing more efficient treatments for atherosclerosis. In addition, the identified transcription factors provide a basis for the discovery of atheroma-specific modulators of extRAAS.
The use of antenna radiation pattern in node localisation algorithms for wireless sensor networks

Localisation or position determination is one of the most important applications for wireless sensor networks since the locations of the sensor nodes are critical to both network operations and most application level tasks. Numerous techniques for localisation of sensor nodes have been proposed that make use the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) from sensor nodes due to its simplicity and cost. Most of the research thus far has regarded the RSSI technology as unsuitable for accurate localisation due to the limited accuracy inherent to the current ranging model. These models, however, make the assumption that the antenna radiation pattern is omnidirectional targeted to simplifying the complexity of the algorithms. An increasing number of sensor systems are now deploying directional antennas due to their advantages like energy conservation and better bandwidth utilisation. The study presented by this paper reviews some related works that include the antenna radiation pattern of the sensor node during the localisation process and proposes an efficient approach to increasing localisation accuracy using antenna radiation pattern.
Low Incidence of Point Mutation of c‐Ki‐ras and N‐ras Oncogenes in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

We examined the incidence of point mutation in codons 12, 13 and 61 of c‐Ki‐ras and N‐ras genes in human hepatocellnlar carcinoma (HCC) using the polymerase chain reaction and oligonucleotide hybridization techniques. Among 34 tissue specimens surgically resected from 30 patients and 5 cell lines of human HCC, only two had ras point mutations; in one case, codon 12 of c‐Ki‐ras was altered from GGT, coding glycine, to GTT, coding valine; in the other case, codon 61 of N‐ras was altered from CAA, coding glutamine, to AAA, coding lysine. Thus, point‐mutational activation of ras oncogenes is an uncommon event in human HCC.
On Approximate Dynamic Inversion and Proportional-Integral control

Approximate Dynamic Inversion (ADI) has been established as a method to control minimum-phase, nonaffine-in-control systems. Previous results have shown that for single-input nonaffine-in-control systems, every ADI controller admits a linear Proportional-Integral (PI) realization that is largely independent of the nonlinear function that defines the system. This paper extends these previous results in three ways. First, we present an extension of ADI that renders the closed loop error dynamics independent of the reference model dynamics. It is then shown that the equivalence between the ADI and PI controllers only holds for the time response when applied to the exact system. Finally, key robustness properties of the two control approaches are compared using linear system techniques. These results indicate that the PI realization is preferable when accurate knowledge of the nonlinear system dynamics is not available, and that the ADI realization would be preferred if time delays are the major limitations in the system.
Reproducibility of in vivo carotid intima-media thickness measurements: a review.

BACKGROUND The early phase of atherosclerosis can be studied by two-dimensional B-mode ultrasonography. Measurements of the combined thickness of the carotid intima and media arc currently used as intermediate outcome in clinical trials. Comparison of results between studies is difficult because of the different methods of image acquisition and analysis used. We review these methods and the reported reproducibility of intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements. SUMMARY OF REVIEW Articles were collected using the MEDLINE literature search system and the references in the selected articles. Literature concerning human in vivo IMT measurements published in the English language in the period 1991 through 1995 was reviewed. A description of the methods of measuring IMT to determine intraobserver and/or interobserver variability was a prerequisite for inclusion. Twenty-three studies were included. Best reproducibility was found when measuring the mean IMT in the common carotid artery in more than one direction. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that a consensus concerning the assessment of IMT is urgently needed. Variability of IMT measurements is lowest when determining the mean thickness in the common carotid artery in different directions.
Dual-Level Compressed Aggregation: Recovering Fields of Physical Quantities from Incomplete Sensory Data

Although wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are powerful in monitoring physical events, the data collected from a WSN are almost always incomplete if the surveyed physical event spreads over a wide area. The reason for this incompleteness is twofold: i) insufficient network coverage and ii) data aggregation for energy saving. Whereas the existing recovery schemes only tackle the second aspect, we develop Dual-lEvel Compressed Aggregation (DECA) as a novel framework to address both aspects. Specifically, DECA allows a high fidelity recovery of a widespread event, under the situations that the WSN only sparsely covers the event area and that an in-network data aggregation is applied for traffic reduction. Exploiting both the low-rank nature of real-world events and the redundancy in sensory data, DECA combines matrix completion with a fine-tuned compressed sensing technique to conduct a dual-level reconstruction process. We demonstrate that DECA can recover a widespread event with less than 5% of the data, with respect to the dimension of the event, being collected. Performance evaluation based on both synthetic and real data sets confirms the recovery fidelity and energy efficiency of our DECA framework.
Charged filtration membranes and their uses.

Procedimiento para preparar una membrana de filtracion cargada, comprendiendo el procedimiento: poner en contacto una membrana precursora de celulosa con un compuesto cargado reactivo; y hacer reaccionar un grupo hidroxilo de superficie sobre la membrana precursora con un grupo reactivo del compuesto cargado, de manera que el compuesto cargado se encuentre unido covalentemente a la membrana precursora, en el que el compuesto cargado sobresale hacia el interior de la luz del poro de manera que se estrecha la distribucion de tamano de poro de la membrana respecto a la de la membrana precursora, en el que, para la membrana cargada y para un soluto proteina con carga igual, se mejora el cribado de soluto en por lo menos 1, 5 veces comparado con la membrana precursora, y en la que, para una solucion que comprende el soluto proteina y un solvente, la permeabilidad de la membrana es sustancialmente igual para el solvente que en la membrana precursora.
Differential cross-sectional associations of work- and leisure-time sitting, with cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among working adults.

OBJECTIVES Sedentary behavior is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity and mortality. Recent studies suggest that sitting during work and leisure time may affect markers of cardiometabolic health, differently. However, little is known about associations' between sitting time and cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among adults. The aim of the present study was to examine associations between work- and leisure-time sitting, and key markers of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among working adults. METHODS Working adults (N=2544) aged 18-69 from Health2006, a Danish population-based study, were included in this cross-sectional study. Sitting time during work and leisure time along with sociodemographic and behavioral covariates, including physical activity, were self-reported. Participants underwent a health examination with assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness (step test estimated VO 2Max, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) and muscular fitness (handgrip strength, lower limb extension power). Associations were explored by linear regression. Results Leisure-time sitting time was significantly (P<0.05) and inversely associated with VO 2Max, systolic blood pressure and handgrip strength among adults <50 years. There were no significant associations between sitting time at work and any of the markers of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness. CONCLUSION Work- and leisure-time sitting were differentially associated with cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among working adults. This suggests that the domain in which sitting time is accrued should be considered when further investigating the relationship between sedentary behaviors and various healthy outcomes. In particular, caution should be exercised when labeling occupational sitting a danger per se for health.
A bipedal running robot with one actuator per leg

This paper presents experiments with a new, three-dimensional bipedal running behaviour for our robotic hexapod, RHex. The robot and the bipedal gait are underactuated, using only one actuated degree of freedom per compliant leg. We doubled up RHex's hind legs by attaching a duplicate set of hind legs at 180deg, forming 'S' shaped legs. This reduces the actuator speed requirements during non-contact, while preserving the bipedal dynamics and control challenges. Stable running at average speeds between 0.67 and 1.07 m/s with a success rate of 100% over thirty runs is obtained with only leg angle and body orientation feedback
Towards a Generic UML Model to Support Designing Educational Role Playing Games

Recently, educational games are gaining increasing attention from researchers and practitioners in the learning field. This is because they are fun, motivating and immersive. However, designing educational games can be difficult for people who do not have appropriate background towards game development. This is further complicated by the fact that there are many genres of games (role playing, action, puzzle, etc.) and each genre has its own game elements and functionalities. This makes the game design process confusing, especially for beginners. This paper deploys the powerful graphical representation of Unified Modeling Language class diagram to present a generic model of educational role playing games. This model uses knowledge representation (game elements, functionalities and features) to support designing educational role playing games. Fifty eight game developers participated in evaluating the model and they have revealed its high perceived usefulness while designing educational role playing games. In addition, they reported that they were willing to use this model again in the future in their context.
Implementation Of Internet Traffic Classifier Using Dbscan Algorithm

Traffic modeling and classification find importance in many areas such as bandwidth management, traffic analysis, prediction and engineering, network planning, Quality of Service provisioning and anomalous traffic detection. Much of research work has been done in the area of network traffic classification by application type and several classifiers are suggested. In past network traffic classification using traditional techniques such as well known port number based and payload analysis based techniques are no more effective because various applications uses port hopping and encryption technique to avoid detection. Recently machine learning techniques such as supervised, unsupervised and semi supervised techniques are used to overcome the problems of traditional techniques. In this work we use semi supervised machine learning approach to classify the network traffic using DBSCAN algorithm. This techniques uses only flow statistics to classify the network traffic. This methodology is based on machine learning principle, consists of two components: clustering and classification. The goal of clustering is to partitions the training data set in to two disjoint group flow and traffic class. After making clusters classification is performed in which labeled data are used for assigning class label to the cluster. A NSL-KDD data set is used for testing this approach. Which includes much kinds of attacks and normal data. Experimental result shows that DBSCAN has better effectiveness and efficiency. KeywordsClustering, Classification, Machine learning, DBSCAN, Traffic classification.
Biliary complications in right lateral sector graft live donor liver transplantation

Biliary complications remain the most challenging issue in adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and to the best of our knowledge, no study has focused on the biliary complications in LDLT with right lateral sector graft (RLSG), a graft consisting of segments VI and VII according to Couinaud’s nomenclature for liver segmentation. Between January 1996 and October 2006, 310 LDLTs were performed for adult recipients at our institution. Among them, 20 patients received RLSG. The incidence of biliary complications during follow‐up in these patients with RLSG was retrospectively analyzed. Follow‐up period after transplantation ranged from 1 to 87 months (median 58 months). The 3‐year and 5‐year graft survival rates following the use of RLSGs in LDLT were 90% and 90%, respectively. Biliary complications were encountered in altogether nine patients. Two patients (10%) were complicated with bile leakage requiring surgical intervention. Seven patients (35%) were complicated with bile duct stenosis, which occurred with a median interval of 26 months (range: 6–51 months) after LDLT. Four were treated surgically and the other three were treated by endoscopic approach. Outcomes of the interventions were satisfactory in all cases. The incidence and severity of biliary complications after LDLT using RLSG was within an acceptable range with excellent graft survival. Accordingly, it is concluded that RLSG is a technically feasible option that may effectively expand the donor pool. Further application of RLSG is warranted.