Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ON THE GENERALIZED RETRACT METHOD FOR DIFFERENTIAL INCLUSIONS WITH CONSTRAINTS

In the paper, we study the problem of existence of solutions to differential inclusions remaining in prescribed closed subsets of a Euclidean space. We find some new homological and homotopical sufficient conditions for existence of such trajectories. Strong deformations and multivalued admissible deformations are used as main tools. Introduction. In the paper we study the problem of existence of trajectories of the first-order differential inclusion (1) ẋ(t) ∈ F (x(t)) remaining in a given closed set K ⊂ Rn for every t ≥ 0. Such trajectory is said to be viable in K while the set V iabF (K) of all initial points of viable trajectories in K is called the viability kernel. So, our problem is equivalent to the question of non-emptiness of the viability kernel of a given set K. The above notions have been studied by many authors in several contexts. We refer the reader to book [3] for rich (but not full) bibliography and examples of applications in such fields as optimal control, Hamilton–Jacobi equations, equilibria, etc. Note that viability corresponds to (semi-)invariance problems in dynamical systems and multivalued dynamical systems. For differential equations having unique solutions, Ważewski ([21], Theorem 2) proved a powerful result which gives rather general conditions on behaviour of trajectories on ∂K implying the existence of a solution remaining 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 34A60; Secondary 54C60, 34H05, 54C65, 47H04.
Sum rate maximization model of non-regenerative multi-stream multi-pair multi-relay network

We consider the general MIMO relay network with K user pairs and R relays. The model to maximize the total signal to total interference plus noise ratio, with individual relay transmit power constraints, is set up. We constrain the precoding matrices to have orthogonal columns to guarantee multiple stream transmission. By alternating iteration method, we decompose the problem into several subproblems. For the precoding subproblem, which is a nonconvex matrix optimization problem, we apply the projected gradient method to its dual problem and prove there is zero duality gap between the primal and the dual problems. Simulation results show our proposed multiple stream model is efficient to achieve high sum rate and outperform the existing model in medium to high SNR scenarios.
High-Efficiency Class-  $\mbox{E}^{-1}$ and Class-F/E Power Amplifiers at Any Duty Ratio

In this paper, the Class-Fn/E power amplifier (PA) and the inverse Class-E (Class-E-1) PA under zero-current switching and zero-current-derivative switching conditions at any duty ratio are analyzed. The maximum switch voltage and current, output power capability, and element values as functions of the duty ratio are obtained for both classes. The main objective of the analysis is to choose the proper duty ratio to maximize the output power capabilities at optimum conditions. The element values are dependent upon the duty ratio and require a careful selection of the duty ratio to reach desired specification. The effect of the duty ratio D = 0.3-0.7 on the performance of the Class-E-1 and Class-F3/E PAs is demonstrated. The duty ratio is used not only as the design specification but also as the adjusting parameter for achieving a certain condition. The measured maximum drain efficiency of 88% and 87% are obtained at 4 MHz at 30-dBm input power for the Class-F3/E and Class-E-1 PAs, respectively. The results show that lower peak switch voltage and current are obtained in the Class-F3/E PA in comparison with Class-E-1 for the same conditions.
Crustal deformation studies in the seismically active area of Patras Gulf (GREECE)

A ten-station GPS network extending in the broader area of Patras Gulf was established in 1994 to study the local and regional ground deformation of the area. The network has been fully occupied in three periods: August 1994, October 1996 and January 2006. A smaller scale GPS network being consisted of seven stations was installed in July 2008 across the Rio-Antirrio strait (eastern part of Patras Gulf) and was remeasured in March 2009.
Serine protease Bm-SP142 was differentially expressed in resistant and susceptible Bombyx mori strains, involving in the defence response to viral infection

Bm-SP142 is a 35 kDa protease in the silkworm, but its exact functions remain unknown. In this study, sequence alignment revealed that the His-Asp-Ser catalytic triad is embedded in the TAAHC-DIAL-GDSGGP sequence motif, establishing Bm-SP142 as a serine protease. Soluble recombinant GST-BmSP142 was expressed and purified, and serine protease activity was confirmed in vitro. RT-qPCR results indicated that Bm-SP142 was mainly expressed in the middle part of the silkworm midgut, and Bm-SP142 transcripts were significantly up-regulated at 24 hours post infection (hpi) in BmBDV-resistant strains (798) inoculated with BmBDV and BmNPV-resistant strains (NB) inoculated with BmNPV, but not in BmBDV-susceptible strains (306). Surprisingly, transcripts were significantly down-regulated at 12 hpi in BmNPV-susceptible strains (HuaBa 35) inoculated with BmNPV, compared with healthy silkworms. Recombinant BmNPV treated with purified Bm-SP142 effectively impaired its ability to infect BmN cells, and Bm-SP142 decreases the efficiency of BmNPV and BmBDV propagation in silkworms. Furthermore, overexpression of Bm-SP142 in BmN cells inhibited viral propagation.
Isolating the Norepinephrine Pathway Comparing Lithium in Bipolar Patients to SSRIs in Depressive Patients.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this investigatory neuroimaging analysis was done to better understand the pharmacodynamics of Lithium by isolating the norepinephrine pathway in the brain. To accomplish this, we compared patients with Bipolar Disorder treated with Lithium to patients diagnosed with Major Depression or Depressive Disorder who are treated with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). METHODOLOGY We used Standardized Low Resolution Brain Electrotomography to calculate the whole brain, voxel-by-voxel, unpaired t-tests Statistical non-Parametric Maps. For our first electrophysiological neuroimaging investigation, we compared 46 patients (average age = 34 ± 16.5) diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder to three patient groups all diagnosed with Major Depression or Depressive Episode. The first is with 48 patients diagnosed with Major Depression or Depressive Episode (average age = 49 ± 12.9), the second to 16 male depressive patients (average age = 45 ± 15.1), and the final comparison to 32 depressive females (average age = 50 ± 11.7). RESULTS The results of sLORETA three-dimensional statistical non-parametric maps illustrated that Lithium influenced an increase in neurotransmission in the right Superior Temporal Gyrus (t=1.403, p=0.00780), Fusiform Gyrus (t=1.26), and Parahippocampal Gyrus (t=1.29). Moreover, an increased in neuronal function was found was also identified at the Cingulate Gyrus (t=1.06, p=0.01200). CONCLUSION We are proposing a translational clinical biological marker for patients diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder to guide physicians during the course of Lithium therapy and have identified neuroanatomical structures influenced by norepinephrine.
Evaluation of string constraint solvers in the context of symbolic execution

Symbolic execution tools query constraint solvers for tasks such as determining the feasibility of program paths. Therefore, the effectiveness of such tools depends on their constraint solvers. Most modern constraint solvers for primitive types are efficient and accurate. However, research on constraint solvers for complex types, such as strings, is less converged. In this paper, we introduce two new solver adequacy criteria, modeling cost and accuracy, to help the user identify an adequate solver. Using these metrics and performance criterion, we evaluate four distinct string constraint solvers in the context of symbolic execution. Our results show that, depending on the needs of the user and composition of the program, one solver might be more appropriate than another. Yet, none of the solvers exhibit the best results for all programs. Hence, if resources permit, the user will benefit the most from executing all solvers in parallel and enabling communication between solvers.
A Zaslavskii firefly approach applied to Loney's solenoid benchmark

Nature-inspired algorithms of the swarm intelligence field perform powerfully and efficiently in solving global optimization problems. Inspired by nature, these metaheuristic algorithms have obtained promising performance over continuous domains of optimization problems. Recently, a new swarm intelligence approach called firefly algorithm (FA) has emerged. The FA is a stochastic paradigm based on the idealized behavior of the flashing characteristics of fireflies. However, to achieve good performance with FA, the tuning of control parameters is essential as its performance is sensitive to the choice of the randomization parameter (α) setting. This paper introduces a FA approach combined with chaotic sequences generated by Zaslavskii map (FACZ) to tune the randomization parameter. Simulations of Loney's solenoid benchmark problem examine the effectiveness of the conventional FA and the proposed FACZ algorithms. Simulation results and comparisons with the FACZ demonstrated that the performance of the FA is promising in the Loney's solenoid case.
Phylogenetic relationships of Hepatozoon (Haemogregarina) boigae, Hepatozoon sp., Haemogregarina clelandi and Haemoproteus chelodina from Australian reptiles to other Apicomplexa based on cladistic analyses of ultrastructural and life-cycle characters

The phylogeny of representative haemozoan species of the phylum Apicomplexa was reconstructed by cladistic analyses of ultrastructural and life-cycle characteristics. The analysis incorporated 4 apicomplexans previously not included in phylogenetic reconstructions: Haemogregarina clelandi from the Brisbane River tortoise (Emydura signata), Hepatozoon sp. from the slaty grey snake (Stegonotus cucullatus), Hepatozoon (Haemogregarina) boigae from the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), and Haemoproteus chelodina from the saw-shelled tortoise (Elseya latisternum). There was no apparent correlation between parasite phylogeny and that of their vertebrate hosts, but there appeared to be some relationship between parasites and their intermediate hosts, suggestive of parasite/vector co-evolution.
A human Polycomb isoform lacking the Pc box does not participate to PRC1 complexes but forms protein assemblies and represses transcription

Polycomb repression controls the expression of hundreds of genes involved in development and is mediated by essentially two classes of chromatin-associated protein complexes. The Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) trimethylates histone H3 at lysine 27, an epigenetic mark that serves as a docking site for the PRC1 protein complex. Drosophila core PRC1 is composed of four subunits: Polycomb (Pc), Posterior sex combs (Psc), Polyhomeotic (Ph) and Sex combs extra (Sce). Each of these proteins has multiple orthologs in vertebrates, thus generating an enormous scope for potential combinatorial diversity. In particular, mammalian genomes encode five Pc family members: CBX2, CBX4, CBX6, CBX7 and CBX8. To complicate matters further, distinct isoforms might arise from single genes. Here, we address the functional role of the two human CBX2 isoforms. Owing to different polyadenylation sites and alternative splicing events, the human CBX2 locus produces two transcripts: a 5-exon transcript that encodes the 532-amino acid CBX2–1 isoform that contains the conserved chromodomain and Pc box and a 4-exon transcript encoding a shorter isoform, CBX2–2, lacking the Pc box but still possessing a chromodomain. Using biochemical approaches and a novel in vivo imaging assay, we show that the short CBX2–2 isoform lacking the Pc box, does not participate in PRC1 protein complexes, but self-associates in vivo and forms complexes of high molecular weight. Furthermore, the CBX2 short isoform is still able to repress transcription, suggesting that Polycomb repression might occur in the absence of PRC1 formation.
Volumetric calibration and registration of RGBD-sensors

We present an integrated approach for the calibration and registration of color and depth (RGBD) sensors into a joint coordinate system without explicitly identifying intrinsic or extrinsic camera parameters. Our method employs a tracked checkerboard to establish a number of correspondences between positions in color and depth camera space and in world space. These correspondences are used to construct a single calibration and registration volume per RGBD sensor which directly maps raw depth sensor values into a joint coordinate system and to their associated color values. Our evaluation demonstrates an accuracy with an average 3D error below 3 mm and an average texture deviation smaller than 0.5 pixels for a space of about 1.5 m × 1.8 m × 1.5 m.
Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Sauce-type Kimchi

This study was carried out to investigate the isolation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from naturally fermented sauce-type kimchi. Sauce-type kimchi was prepared with fresh, chopped ingredients (Korean cabbage, radish, garlic, ginger, green onion, and red pepper). The two isolated bacteria from sauce-type kimchi were identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus and Lactobacillus brevis by 16S rDNA sequencing and tentatively named Pediococcus sp. IJ-K1 and Lactobacillus sp. IJ-K2, respectively. Pediococcus sp. IJ-K1 was isolated from the early and middle fermentation stages of sauce-type kimchi whereas Lactobacillus sp. IJ-K2 was isolated from the late fermentation stage. The resistance of Pediococcus sp. IJ-K1 and Lactobacillus sp. IJ-K2 to artificial gastric and bile acids led to bacterial survival rates that were 100% and 84.21%, respectively.
Organizational (role structuring) and personal (organizational commitment and job involvement) factors: Do they predict interprofessional team effectiveness?

Teamwork in community clinics was examined to propose and test a model that views the different kinds of commitment (job involvement and organizational commitment) and the potential conflict between them, as mediators between personal and organizational factors (mechanistic structuring and organic structuring) and the effectiveness of interprofessional teamwork. Differences among the professional groups became evident with regard to their views of the goals of teamwork and the ways to achieve them. As for mechanistic structuring, although the clinic members saw their mechanistic structuring in a more bureaucratic sense, the combination of mechanistic structuring and organic structuring led to effective teamwork. In terms of commitment, while staff members were committed primarily to their job and not the organization, commitment to the organization produced effective teamwork in the clinics.
Vascular Elasticity of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients Is Associated with Steroids and Hydroxychloroquine Treatment

Abstract: We studied the large and small artery elasticity (AE) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients according to treatment profile. Forty‐one SLE patients (90% female, mean age 48.7 ± 2.4 years) were compared to 96 healthy controls. The large and small AE and the SVR were derived from radial artery waveforms (model CR‐2000, HDI Inc.). Patients were categorized into groups according to treatment: steroid (12), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) (9), steroid+HCQ (16), and no‐steroids‐no‐HCQ (4). The steroid group had reduced large AE and increased SVR as compared to the HCQ group (8.3 mmHg·mL·10 and 18.4 dyne·sec·10−3 versus 13.7 and 14.4, respectively). Mean large AE and the SVR of the HCQ group was similar to that of the controls (11.8 mmHg·mL·10 and 14.5 dyne·sec·10−3, respectively). Mean large AE and SVR of the steroid+HCQ group were better than the steroid group (10.4 mmHg·mL·10 and 16.0 dyne·sec·10−3). Patients that received steroids had higher rates of hypertension (36%) and diabetes (11%) compared to rest of the patients (15% and 0%, respectively). Small AE, blood pressure, CRP, and SLEDAI were similar between the groups. Among SLE patients, steroid treatment was associated with the highest degree of vascular damage, and HCQ was associated with the lowest degree of vascular damage. It is possible that the steroids are responsible in part to the increased large‐vessel manifestations observed in these patients, and that HCQ might have a protective effect on the vessel wall.
ELL-i: An inexpensive platform for fixed things

The Internet of Things (IoT) vision is enticing; each and every "thing" in the world is expected to be eventually connected to the Internet, thereby becoming a part of the ``context'' within which the applications live. In most of the IoT research, the focus has been in enabling movable things to communicate, including phones, tablets, RFID tags, watches, and jewellery, to name but a few. In such an approach, the things are expected to have their own batteries or receive temporary power over short distance electro-magnetic field. This approach has also dominated the more fixed side of the IoT research, including a large fraction on the work on stationary sensors and actuators, focusing also there on battery-based operations and wireless communication. In this paper, we introduce an alternative view to the world of stationary Internet-connected things. We argue that a large majority of the fixed or stationary things would benefit from being permanently powered using wireline connections, and while doing so, it becomes natural to use the same wires also for their communication and contextual needs. Such an approach allows the appliances to become part of the the wider application context. With this in mind, we introduce the ELL-i platform, a new open source initiative for provide a low-cost flexible prototyping and production platform for extensible, Power-over-Ethernet based smart appliances. We describe the first ELL-i prototyping board, a number of application concepts, and discuss its business model.
You can't tailor what you haven't modeled

It is widely accepted that the one size fits all process does not exist. Software processes need to be tailored according to the respective context of companies and projects. However, tailoring a software process often remains a mystery. What is the actual context? What are the parameters to adjust a process? What are the implications of tailoring criteria? A systematic process tailoring requires the ability to anticipate needed flexibility early in the process design process, and to express this in a process modeling language. In this paper, we discuss the design of process tailoring models, which we consider crucial for the design and, eventually, the application of flexible software processes. We advocate for a constructive metamodel-based approach to improve process tailoring.
Effects of 4:1 carbohydrate/protein solution versus a carbohydrate-alone solution on IL-6, TNF-α, and cortisol during prolonged cycling in hot environmental conditions

Purpose Intense or prolonged exercise and/or heat stress might affect the immune system creating a response similar to trauma or inflammation, resulting in an increase in the susceptibility to viral infections. For example, during prolonged exercise, inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and the stress hormone cortisol are produced and released. Although there have been several studies examining the effects of nutritional supplementation on cytokine release in elite athletes, few studies have investigated the effects of different energy drinks during exercise in adverse environmental conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, and the stress hormone cortisol, during prolonged cycling under hot environmental conditions while ingesting fluid that contains a ratio of 4:1 carbohydrates and protein (4:1 CHO/PRO) versus a carbohydrate-only drink (CHO). Methods Six male cyclists (aged 27 ± 8 years; weight 75.5 ± 3.4 kg; VO2max = 66 ± 2.7 mL/kg/min, mean ± standard error) rode on a stationary ergometer on two separate sessions for 2.5 hours at 75% VO2max in an environmental chamber set at 35°C and 60% relative humidity. During the first session the cyclists were given 4 mL/kg body weight of a 6% carbohydrate solution every 15 minutes. During the second session they were given 4 mL/kg body weight of a 4:1 carbohydrate/protein drink every 15 minutes. Subjects were not aware of which drink they were given in each trial. Blood samples were taken pre-, immediately post-, and 12 hours post-exercise. SPSS (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY) was utilized to analyze data through repeated measures analysis of variance. Results No significant main effect was observed between treatments in either cortisol (P = 0.97), IL-6 (P = 0.64), or TNF-α (P = 0.37) responses. Total cortisol concentrations were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) immediately post-exercise, and from pre- to 12 hours post-exercise with both the 4:1 CHO/PRO and the CHO-alone solutions. TNF-α concentrations were only significantly (P = 0.045) elevated post-exercise with the CHO-alone solution. A significant (P < 0.05) elevation of IL-6 was seen immediately post-exercise and 12 hours post-exercise with both the CHO-alone and 4:1 CHO/PRO solutions. Conclusions Consuming a 4:1 CHO/PRO solution during prolonged cycling under hot environmental conditions has comparable effects on inflammatory cytokines to drinking a CHO-alone solution.
Tuning Optical Conductivity of Large‐Scale CVD Graphene by Strain Engineering

A controllable optical anisotropy in CVD graphene is shown. The transparency in the visible range of pre-strained CVD graphene exhibits a periodic modulation as a function of polarization direction. The strain sensitivity of the optical response of graphene demonstrated here can be effectively utilized towards novel ultra-thin optical devices and strain sensing applications.
Fast nearest neighbor search in high-dimensional space

Similarity search in multimedia databases requires an efficient support of nearest neighbor search on a large set of high dimensional points as a basic operation for query processing. As recent theoretical results show, state of the art approaches to nearest neighbor search are not efficient in higher dimensions. In our new approach, we therefore precompute the result of any nearest neighbor search which corresponds to a computation of the voronoi cell of each data point. In a second step, we store the voronoi cells in an index structure efficient for high dimensional data spaces. As a result, nearest neighbor search corresponds to a simple point query on the index structure. Although our technique is based on a precomputation of the solution space, it is dynamic, i.e. it supports insertions of new data points. An extensive experimental evaluation of our technique demonstrates the high efficiency for uniformly distributed as well as real data. We obtained a significant reduction of the search time compared to nearest neighbor search in the X tree (up to a factor of 4).