Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying inliers

The problem of outliers is well-known in statistics: an outlier is a value that is far from the general distribution of the other observed values, and can often perturb the results of a statistical analysis. Various procedures exist for identifying outliers, in case they need to receive special treatment, which in some cases can be exclusion from consideration. An inlier, by contrast, is an observation lying within the general distribution of other observed values, generally does not perturb the results but is nevertheless non-conforming and unusual. For single variables, an inlier is practically impossible to identify, but in the multivariate case, thanks to interrelationships between variables, values can be identified that are observed to be more central in a distribution but would be expected, based on the other information in the data matrix, to be more outlying. We propose an approach to identify inliers in a data matrix, based on the singular value decomposition. An application is presented using a table of economic indicators for the 27 member countries of the European Union in 2011, where inlying values are identified for some countries such as Estonia and Luxembourg.
Regulation of Human Hepatic Hydroxysteroid Sulfotransferase Gene Expression by the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α Transcription Factor

Human hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase or (HUMAN)SULT2A1 catalyzes the sulfonation of procarcinogen xenobiotics, hydroxysteroids, and bile acids and plays a dynamic role in hepatic cholesterol homeostasis. The treatment of primary cultured human hepatocytes with a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα)-activating concentration of ciprofibrate (10- 4 M) increased (HUMAN)SULT2A1 mRNA, immunoreactive protein, and enzymatic activity levels by ∼2-fold. By contrast, expression of (RAT)SULT2A3, the rat counterpart to (HUMAN)SULT2A1, was induced by treatment of primary hepatocyte cultures with an activator of the pregnane X receptor, but not PPARα. In HepG2 cells, transient transfection analyses of luciferase reporter constructs containing upstream regions of the (HUMAN)SULT2A1 gene implicated a candidate peroxisome proliferator response element (PPRE) at nucleotides (nt) -5949 to -5929 relative to the transcription start site. Site-directed mutagenesis and electrophoretic mobility shift assay studies confirmed that this distal PPRE (dPPRE), a direct repeat nuclear receptor motif containing one intervening nt, represented a functional PPRE. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis indicated that the (HUMAN)SULT2A1 dPPRE was also a functional element in the context of the human genome. These data support a major role for the PPARα transcription factor in the regulation of hepatic (HUMAN)SULT2A1. Results also indicate that important species differences govern the transactivation of SULT2A gene transcription by nuclear receptors.
Expenditure for science & technology and economic growth: Evidence from China

Based on the statistical data during the period from 1978 to 2006 released by National Bureau of Statistics of China, this paper applies the compensative GM (1, N) model and regression model to simulate the relationship between the expenditure for science & technology and economic growth. In the numerical experiment, the established grey model simulates the China's GDP values during the period from 2000 to 2006. The empirical research results reveal that the established mathematical model based on grey theory for the relationship between the expenditure for science & technology and economic growth has a higher precision than regression model. Research results show that this grey model established in this paper could provide valuable information to policy makers in their efforts to make technological policies.
Evaluating and comparing Singaporean and Taiwanese eighth graders’ conceptions of science assessment

Abstract Background: Researchers have indicated that assessment practices and methods should support learners’ construction of meaningful understanding of knowledge. Understanding students’ conceptions of assessment will enable us to construct more realistic, valid and fair assessments. Learners’ conceptualization of assessment would be imperative to serve as an essential reference to evaluate their learning progress. Purpose: This study evaluated and compared the Singaporean and Taiwanese middle school students’ conceptions of science assessment. Within-country gender comparisons were also explored. Sample: 424 Taiwanese and 333 Singaporean eighth graders were invited for a cross-country comparison. Design and methods: The participants completed a questionnaire named Conceptions of Science Assessment. Results: The findings showed that the summative assessment dominates in the Taiwanese classrooms, while formative and summative assessment are usually perceived in Singaporean classrooms. The Singaporean students had a greater tendency than their Taiwanese counterparts to perceive the purpose of assessment as a way of reproducing knowledge, and the formative assessment as improving learning, problem-solving, and critical judgment. No gender differences were found among either the Singaporean or the Taiwanese students. Conclusions: Educators in both countries should provide learners with more opportunities to experience process-oriented science assessment activities and de-emphasize the usage of examination-oriented practices to achieve the sophistication of conceptions.
Full-duplex MAC protocol based on adaptive contention window for visible light communication

As an alternative technology to radio-frequency-based communication, visible light communication (VLC) has attracted tremendous interest from both academia and industry. For its medium access control (MAC) protocol, most existing design has focused on the half-duplex mode, which can be inefficient for two-way communications. In this paper, we propose a novel full-duplex MAC protocol for VLC networks. Different from half-duplex operation, full-duplex operation allows concurrent sending and receiving of data frames between the central node and terminal nodes. We show that under certain scenarios, it can achieve almost threefold downlink throughput from the central node to terminal nodes as compared with half-duplex operation. Unfortunately, owing to asymmetric traffic demand on the uplink and downlink, full-duplex transmission cannot always be realized. To increase the probability of full-duplex transmission, we further propose a self-adaptive minimum contention window full-duplex MAC protocol that can significantly increase the probability of duplex operation. Our experimental study shows that the proposed MAC protocol can effectively mitigate channel collisions and achieve significantly higher system throughput.
Signaling Interactions between the Aerotaxis Transducer Aer and Heterologous Chemoreceptors in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Aer, a low-abundance signal transducer in Escherichia coli, mediates robust aerotactic behavior, possibly through interactions with methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCP). We obtained evidence for interactions between Aer and the high-abundance aspartate (Tar) and serine (Tsr) receptors. Aer molecules bearing a cysteine reporter diagnostic for trimer-of-dimer formation yielded cross-linking products upon treatment with a trifunctional maleimide reagent. Aer also formed mixed cross-linking products with a similarly marked Tar reporter. An Aer trimer contact mutation known to abolish trimer formation by MCPs eliminated Aer trimer and mixed trimer formation. Trimer contact alterations known to cause epistatic behavior in MCPs also produced epistatic properties in Aer. Amino acid replacements in the Tar trimer contact region suppressed an epistatic Aer signaling defect, consistent with compensatory conformational changes between directly interacting proteins. In cells lacking MCPs, Aer function required high-level expression, comparable to the aggregate number of receptors in a wild-type cell. Aer proteins with clockwise (CW)-biased signal output cannot function under these conditions but do so in the presence of MCPs, presumably through formation of mixed signaling teams. The Tar signaling domain was sufficient for functional rescue. Moreover, CW-biased lesions did not impair aerotactic signaling in a hybrid Aer-Tar transducer capable of adjusting its steady-state signal output via methylation-dependent sensory adaptation. Thus, MCPs most likely assist mutant Aer proteins to signal productively by forming collaborative signaling teams. Aer evidently evolved to operate collaboratively with high-abundance receptors but can also function without MCP assistance, provided that it can establish a suitable prestimulus swimming pattern.
Wavelet Multi-Scale Transform Based Foreground Segmentation and Shadow Elimination

An algorithm using wavelet multi-scale transform for segmenting foreground moving objects and suppressing shadow is proposed. The optimal selection of threshold is automatically determined which does not require any complex supervised training, manual calibration or hypothesis. The proposed algorithm is efficient enough to segment foreground moving objects with low contrast against the background. The reference image is used to extract foreground no matter the objects enter the field of view before captured or not. The developed method is highly computationally cost-effective since it does not concern with complex computation model, color model or background statistics at a time. By compari- sons, it has been shown that the proposed approach is more robust and efficient to detect foreground and suppress shadow during coping with different indoors or outdoors circumstances.
PBPI: a High Performance Implementation of Bayesian Phylogenetic Inference

This paper describes the implementation and performance of PBPI, a parallel implementation of Bayesian phylogenetic inference method for DNA sequence data. By combining the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method with likelihood-based assessment of phylogenies, Bayesian phylogenetic inferences can incorporate complex statistic models into the process of phylogenetic tree estimation. However, Bayesian analyses are extremely computationally expensive. PBPI uses algorithmic improvements and parallel processing to achieve significant performance improvement over comparable Bayesian phylogenetic inference programs. We evaluated the performance and accuracy of PBPI using a simulated dataset on System X, a terascale supercomputer at Virginia Tech. Our results show that PBPI identifies equivalent tree estimates 1424 times faster on 256 processors than a widely-used, best-available (albeit sequential), Bayesian phylogenetic inference program. PBPI also achieves linear speedup with the number of processors for large problem sizes. Most importantly, the PBPI framework enables Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of large datasets previously impracticable
How Behavior Trees modularize robustness and safety in hybrid systems

Behavior Trees (BTs) have become a popular framework for designing controllers of in-game opponents in the computer gaming industry. In this paper, we formalize and analyze the reasons behind the success of the BTs using standard tools of robot control theory, focusing on how properties such as robustness and safety are addressed in a modular way. In particular, we show how these key properties can be traced back to the ideas of subsumption and sequential compositions of robot behaviors. Thus BTs can be seen as a recent addition to a long research effort towards increasing modularity, robustness and safety of robot control software. To illustrate the use of BTs, we provide a set of solutions to example problems.
Extended Baker map using Scan patterns for image encryption

In this paper, an improvement on free-size image encryption scheme using Baker map combining Scan patterns is proposed. The generalized discrete chaotic Baker map uses sequences of parameters generated by chaotic Gauss map to divide image matrix into boxes. Scrambling method is done by using Scan patterns in each boxes of chaotic Baker map. After scrambling method, chaotic 3-D Chen system is selected to do the pixel transformation. Through the experiments, the security of proposed scheme is tested by introducing keys analysis, entropy analysis, statistical analysis, and processing time so that the scheme achieves high encryption efficiency.
Strong structural controllability of linear systems revisited

Recently, the concept of strong structural controllability has attracted renewed attention. In this context the existing literature to strong structural controllability has been revisited and some of the previous results have been found to be incorrect. Therefore, in this paper an overview of the previous results on strong structural controllability, counter-examples and a new graph-theoretic characterization of strong structural controllability are given.
Multiband channel restoration scheme for opportunistic spectrum access in cognitive radio

Cognitive Radio (CR) is an approach for efficient spectrum utilization by the secondary user. But as the channel quality degrades due to environmental effects such as fading or the primary users' reaccess of the channel, the secondary user has to vacate the channel. After that secondary user has to start restoration by searching and sensing other channels. Restoration is done with an objective of finding the best channel in shortest possible time to enhance the CR users' throughput. In this paper, we propose a multiband restoration scheme so that the throughput of the CR is increased and the number of channels to be sensed get reduced to a great extent as compared to single channel restoration scheme and the Threshold First (TF) scheme as well. In this scheme, two or more channels are sensed at a time for the implementation of restoration scheme. Simulation results are showing the improvements in throughput as well as the reduction of the number of channels to be sensed with the multiband restoration scheme.
Fastest Guidance with Exerting Acceleration to Carrying Objects Kept Less Than Starting Slipping

Force and torque induced by traveling motion of a mobile robot effect dynamically to the objects being carried on it. If the induced force and torque should be bigger than the static friction force and torque exerting between the carrying objects and the mobile robot, the carrying objects start to slip. Since this slipping motion causes increasing the acceleration of the mobile robot, then the slipping of one object leads to dangerous collapse of all carrying objects. Furthermore it interferes with accurate traveling motions. On the other hand, mobile robots are desired to transfer the carrying objects as fast as it can. On this view point of contradicted requirements, this paper purposes designing a controller to guide the mobile robot along a given course as fast as possible with acceleration restriction to avoid slipping of carrying objects during traveling.
COMPARISON OF THE MET OFFICE GLOBAL SPECTRAL WAVE MODEL WITH ENVISAT SATELLITE AND BUOY OBSERVATIONS

The Met Office routinely runs a global spectral wave model providing analyses and forecasts of sea state on a grid spacing of approximately 60 km. The modelled two-dimensional wave energy spectra are compared with the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) Envisat satellite observations on a daily basis. Comparisons are also made with frequency ocean wave energy spectra observed by a moored buoy near Christmas Island (0.02S 153.87W) and with the wave height observed by the radar altimeter RA2 onboard the same satellite Envisat as the ASAR instrument. Comparison results indicate that Envisat ASAR level 2 energy spectra are systematically higher than the modelled spectra in the long periods (>16 s) or low frequency parts. There is a better agreement in the mid-periods of about 8 16 s for the integrated 1-D spectra. The variation of ASAR wave energy spectra is much larger than that of the modelled spectra. Comparison of the wave model and buoy 1-D wave spectra shows that the model spectra are in much better agreement with the buoy wave spectra than with the ASAR spectra. It also revealed that both the buoy and model spectra have similar variability while the ASAR spectra variations are much larger than them. The integrated model significant wave heights are also in good agreement with the along track RA2 altimeter data.
Comparative study of automatic seed selection methods for medical image segmentation by region growing technique

Seeded Region Growing technique is very attractive for medical image segmentation by involving the high-level knowledge of image components in the seed selection procedure. However, the Seeded Region Growing technique suffers from the problems of automatic seed generation. A seed point is the starting point for region growing and it’s choose is very crucial since the overall success of the segmentation is dependent on the seed input. In this work three automatic seed placement methodologies are reviewed, evaluated and compared on three distinctive medical image databases. The first method is based on region extraction approach, the second one is based on features extraction approach and the last method is based on edge extraction approach. Our results showed that the region extraction approach performs well on the three tested databases. The features extraction approach gives good results with only two databases. Edge extraction approach gives correct results just on one database. Key-Words: medical image, seed selection, region growing segmentation, region of interest, feature extraction, edge extraction.
Efficient feature extraction of vibration signals for diagnosing bearing defects in induction motors

This paper presents a model to extract and select a proper set of features for diagnosing bearing defects in induction motors. An efficient pre-processing of the vibration signals is of paramount importance to provide informative features for the fault classification module. The vibration signals are firstly analyzed by the wavelet packet transform to extract informative frequency domain features. The dimension of the set of extracted features is reduced by resorting to linear discriminant analysis to provide a small-size set of informative features for decision making. The fault classification module contains different classifiers that can learn the features-faults relations and classify multiple bearing defects including ball, inner race and outer race defects of different diameters. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed technique for diagnosing multiple bearing defects in induction motors.
A theoretical model for the deficient order pseudo-affine projection algorithm

This paper presents a statistical analysis of the PseudoAffine Projection (PAP) adaptive algorithm when the order of the PAP algorithm is smaller than the order of the autoregressive (AR) input process. Deterministic recursive equations are derived for the mean weight and mean-square error behavior. Monte Carlo simulations show good agreement with the theoretical predictions in steady-state and during transient. These results are of special interest in practical applications where the computational complexity prevents implementation of the sufficient order PAP algorithm for high order AR inputs.
Two-stage Optimization Support Vector Machine for the Construction of Investment Strategy Model

In recent years, methods of artificial intelligence have been widely used in the study of investment related topics, and the methods adopted include genetic algorithm and neural network, etc. However, as different to the methods taken in the past, support vector machine is adopted in this article to perform investment strategy study for domestic stock market; investment strategy can be divided into three strategies such as: buy, sell and hold. First, the data will be processed, then support vector machine will be used to set up investment strategy model, then it will be compared with Logistic Regression for the classification capability of investment strategy. From the empirical results and judging from the classification correctness of four models, it can be seen that the support vector machine after adjustment of input variables and parameters will have classification capability relatively superior to that of the other three models.
Activation of FoxM1 Revitalizes the Replicative Potential of Aged β-Cells in Male Mice and Enhances Insulin Secretion

Type 2 diabetes incidence increases with age, while β-cell replication declines. The transcription factor FoxM1 is required for β-cell replication in various situations, and its expression declines with age. We hypothesized that increased FoxM1 activity in aged β-cells would rejuvenate proliferation. Induction of an activated form of FoxM1 was sufficient to increase β-cell mass and proliferation in 12-month-old male mice after just 2 weeks. Unexpectedly, at 2 months of age, induction of activated FoxM1 in male mice improved glucose homeostasis with unchanged β-cell mass. Cells expressing activated FoxM1 demonstrated enhanced glucose-stimulated Ca2+ influx, which resulted in improved glucose tolerance through enhanced β-cell function. Conversely, our laboratory has previously demonstrated that mice lacking FoxM1 in the pancreas display glucose intolerance or diabetes with only a 60% reduction in β-cell mass, suggesting that the loss of FoxM1 is detrimental to β-cell function. Ex vivo insulin secretion was therefore examined in size-matched islets from young mice lacking FoxM1 in β-cells. Foxm1-deficient islets indeed displayed reduced insulin secretion. Our studies reveal that activated FoxM1 increases β-cell replication while simultaneously enhancing insulin secretion and improving glucose homeostasis, making FoxM1 an attractive therapeutic target for diabetes.
Fast quantum modular exponentiation

We present a detailed analysis of the impact on quantum modular exponentiation of architectural features and possible concurrent gate execution. Various arithmetic algorithms are evaluated for execution time, potential concurrency, and space tradeoffs. We find that to exponentia te an n-bit number, for storage space 100n (twenty times the minimum 5n), we can execute modular exponentiation two hundred to seven hundred times faster than optimized versions of the basic algorithms, depending on architecture, for n = 128. Addition on a neighboronly architecture is limited to O(n) time while non-neighbor architectures can reach O(log n), demonstrating that physical characteristics of a computing device have an important impact on both real-world running time and asymptotic behavior. Our results will help guide experimental implementations of quantum algorithms and devices.
Sub-Graphs of Complete Graph

In the complete graph K2m+3 for m ≥ 2, we study some structures of simple non-isomorphic Hamiltonian sub-graphs of the form H ( 2m+3 , 6m+3) for m ≥ 2 . The various structures of the form H(2m+3, 6m+3) for m ≥ 2 are found and some of them are observed to give some forms of metal atom cluster compound of chemistry . Finally, we establish an algorithm to solve the traveling salesman problem when the weights of edges of the complete graph K 2m+3 for m ≥ 2 are non-repeated in the case of symmetrical problems. The applications of the sub-graphs H (2m+3,6m+3) for m ≥ 2 are shown in the solution of traveling salesman problem . KeywordsComplete graph, Hamiltonian simple sub-graph, Non-isomorphi c graph, cluster compounds, Tsp .
Variational Iteration Decomposition Method for Solving Eighth-Order Boundary Value Problems

We implement a relatively new analytical technique, the variational iteration decomposition method (VIDM), for solving the eighth-order boundary value problems. The proposed method is an elegant combination of variational iteration method and decomposition method. The analytical results of the equations have been obtained in terms of convergent series with easily computable components. Numerical work is given to check the efficiency of the method. Comparisons are made to confirm the reliability and accuracy of the technique. The technique can be used as an alternative for solving nonlinear boundary value problems.