Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Approximation Models with Merit Functions for Design Optimization

In this work, the use of both a second-order response surface method (RSM) and the Kriging method as approximation models for design optimization are investigated and compared. After validating the accuracy of each method with simple one-and two-dimensional analytic functions, they are applied to two Supersonic Business Jet (SBJ) drag minimization design cases in order to obtain a clear comparison of the accuracy and efficiency of these modeling techniques. A three-dimensional Euler flow solver and an automatic mesh generation capability are used in the design of a SBJ using a variety of geometric shape design parameters. The comparison results show that there is little difference in modeling accuracy and efficiency between the two methods. In addition, we find that both methods are practically applicable to realistic design optimization problems. Second-order response surface models have a severe limitation in the fact that the model of the function of interest is not a good representation for functions with multiple local minima. Although the Kriging method has the flexibility to capture multiple extrema, it exhibits limited accuracy in the estimation of global extrema. These inaccuracies depend largely on the selection of the sampling sites and the number of sample points. In the second half of this paper, merit functions are incorporated to each modeling method during the optimization process for the selection of new sample points that lead to an improvement of the current approximation model. The ability of this new procedure to identify global extrema is demonstrated using simple test functions. Nomenclature β constant underlying global portion of Kriging model vector of the unknown coefficients in response surface models b vector of least squares estimators of β C D drag coefficient f constant vector used in Kriging model L sum of the squares of the errors mc merit function k number of design variables n s number of sample points(sites) n t number of test sample points to evaluate mod-eling error r vector of correlation values for Kriging model R(.) correlation function for Kriging model R correlation matrix for Kriging model RM S ub unbiased root mean square error RS response surface x scalar component of x x vector denoting all locations (sites) in the design space x p vector denoting the p th location in the design space X matrix of sample sites for RS model y(. ˆ y(.) estimated model of y(.) vector of correlation parameters for Kriging modeî σ …
Gentamicin therapy in preterms: a comparison of two dosage regimens.

OBJECTIVE To compare the pharmacokinetic profile of gentamicin given as a once daily dose as against the conventional twelve hourly dose in preterm neonates. DESIGN Randomized double blind study. SETTING Tertiary level Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. SUBJECTS Eighteen preterms admitted during the period January 1994 to May 1994. METHODS The babies were randomly assigned to receive either the once daily (plan O, 4 mg/kg Q 24 h) or the conventional (plan C, 2.5 mg/kg Q 12 h) gentamicin dosage regimen. Blood was collected for the first peak level one hour after the first dose of gentamicin. Trough and peak-2 levels were collected before and one hour after the dose due at 48 hours, respectively. Assays were done using fluorescence immunoassay and the pharmacokinetic estimations were calculated using the three measured levels on a simplified one-compartment open model. Serum concentration time curves were plotted using the computerized Bayesian forecasting. Student 't' and Mann-Whitney U tests were applied as required. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Initial peak levels and steady state trough and peak levels in both groups. RESULTS Optimum therapeutic peak level after the first dose was achieved only with the once daily gentamicin regimen (mean level 5.88 vs 3.88 micrograms/ml p = 0.000). Mean trough levels remained over 2 micrograms/ml in the conventional regimen (2.76 vs 1.96 micrograms/ml p = 0.019) group. Mean peak levels at the steady state were not significantly different in either regimen (6.65 vs 5.45 micrograms/ml in conventional p = 0.177). None of the neonates showed nephrotoxicity. CONCLUSION Once daily dose (4 mg/kg) of gentamicin has logistic and monetary benefits in addition to the obvious pharmacokinetic advantage.
Quimo: A deformable material to support freeform modeling in spatial augmented reality environments

This poster discusses a new free-form modeling material called Quimo (Quick Mock-up), designed for use in spatial augmented reality environments. Quimo is a white malleable material that can be sculpted and deformed with bare hands into an approximate model. The material is white in color, retains its shape once sculpted, and allows for later modification. Projecting imagery onto the surface of the low-fidelity mock-up allows for detailed prototype visualizations to be presented.
Mitofusin 2 ablation increases endoplasmic reticulum–mitochondria coupling

Significance The privileged interrelationship between mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a key role in a variety of physiological functions, from lipid metabolism to Ca2+ signalling, and its modulation influences apoptotic susceptibility, mitophagy, and cellular bioenergetics. Among the several proteins known to influence ER–mitochondria interactions, mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) has been proposed to form a physical tether. In this study, we demonstrate that Mfn2 instead works as an ER–mitochondria tethering antagonist preventing an excessive, potentially toxic, proximity between the two organelles. Cells in which Mfn2 is ablated or reduced have an increased number of ER–mitochondria close contacts, potentiated Ca2+ transfer between the two organelles, and greater sensitivity to cell-death stimuli that implies mitochondria Ca2+ overload toxicity. The organization and mutual interactions between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria modulate key aspects of cell pathophysiology. Several proteins have been suggested to be involved in keeping ER and mitochondria at a correct distance. Among them, in mammalian cells, mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), located on both the outer mitochondrial membrane and the ER surface, has been proposed to be a physical tether between the two organelles, forming homotypic interactions and heterocomplexes with its homolog Mfn1. Recently, this widely accepted model has been challenged using quantitative EM analysis. Using a multiplicity of morphological, biochemical, functional, and genetic approaches, we demonstrate that Mfn2 ablation increases the structural and functional ER–mitochondria coupling. In particular, we show that in different cell types Mfn2 ablation or silencing increases the close contacts between the two organelles and strengthens the efficacy of inositol trisphosphate (IP3)-induced Ca2+ transfer from the ER to mitochondria, sensitizing cells to a mitochondrial Ca2+ overload-dependent death. We also show that the previously reported discrepancy between electron and fluorescence microscopy data on ER–mitochondria proximity in Mfn2-ablated cells is only apparent. By using a different type of morphological analysis of fluorescent images that takes into account (and corrects for) the gross modifications in mitochondrial shape resulting from Mfn2 ablation, we demonstrate that an increased proximity between the organelles is also observed by confocal microscopy when Mfn2 levels are reduced. Based on these results, we propose a new model for ER–mitochondria juxtaposition in which Mfn2 works as a tethering antagonist preventing an excessive, potentially toxic, proximity between the two organelles.
3D Measurement Method Based on Binocular Vision and Linear Structured Light

To improve efficiency of industry inspection, measuring method of part shape which combines laser linear scanning and binocular vision is researched. In the system, two cameras are located at certain angle, and linear structured light is projected onto the part surface to produce distorted laser light stripe, which is used as measure feature curve. Ordinary planar plate is used as the calibration template in system calibration and images of serial parallel lines bundle are displayed on it which are acquired simultaneously by the camera to produce image series. Calibration parameters are divided into several parts, so as to calibration of them so that interference between different parts can be eliminated significantly. Based on above works, system calibration and reconstruction of 3D coordinate are implemented successfully. Experimental result shows our method’s feasibility and effectiveness, thus good prospect can be expected to it.
Application of a simple binary genetic algorithm to a noiseless testbed benchmark

One of the earliest evolutionary computation algorithms, the genetic algorithm, is applied to the noise-free BBOB 2009 testbed. It is adapted to the continuous domain by increasing the number of bits encoding each variable, until a desired resolution is possible to achieve. Good results and scaling are obtained for separable functions, but poor performance is achieved on the other functions, particularly ill-conditioned functions. Overall running times remain fast throughout.
Proceedings of the FAST 2002 Conference on File and Storage Technologies

Track-aligned extents ( traxtents ) utilize disk-speciﬁc knowledge to match access patterns to the strengths of modern disks. By allocating and accessing related data on disk track boundaries, a system can avoid most rotational latency and track crossing overheads. Avoiding these overheads can increase disk access efﬁciency by up to 50% for mid-sized requests (100–500 KB). This paper describes traxtents, algorithms for detecting track boundaries, and some uses of traxtents in ﬁle systems and video servers. For large-ﬁle workloads, a version of FreeBSD’s FFS implementation that exploits traxtents reduces application run times by up to 20% compared to the original version. A video server using traxtent-based requests can support 56% more concurrent streams at the same startup latency and buffer space. For LFS, 44% lower overall write cost for track-sized segments can be achieved.
In silico search for functionally similar proteins involved in meiosis and recombination in evolutionarily distant organisms

Evolutionarily distant organisms have not only orthologs, but also nonhomologous proteins that build functionally similar subcellular structures. For instance, this is true with protein components of the synaptonemal complex (SC), a universal ultrastructure that ensures the successful pairing and recombination of homologous chromosomes during meiosis. We aimed at developing a method to search databases for genes that code for such nonhomologous but functionally analogous proteins. Advantage was taken of the ultrastructural parameters of SC and the conformation of SC proteins responsible for these. Proteins involved in SC central space are known to be similar in secondary structure. Using published data, we found a highly significant correlation between the width of the SC central space and the length of rod-shaped central domain of mammalian and yeast intermediate proteins forming transversal filaments in the SC central space. Basing on this, we suggested a method for searching genome databases of distant organisms for genes whose virtual proteins meet the above correlation requirement. Our recent finding of the Drosophila melanogaster CG17604 gene coding for synaptonemal complex transversal filament protein received experimental support from another lab. With the same strategy, we showed that the Arabidopsis thaliana and Caenorhabditis elegans genomes contain unique genes coding for such proteins.
Feature Selection via Mathematical Programming

The problem of discriminating between two finite point sets in n-dimensional feature space by a separating plane that utilizes as few of the features as possible is formulated as a mathematical program with a parametric objective function and linear constraints. The step function that appears in the objective function can be approximated by a sigmoid or by a concave exponential on the nonnegative real line, or it can be treated exactly by considering the equivalent linear program with equilibrium constraints. Computational tests of these three approaches on publicly available real-world databases have been carried out and compared with an adaptation of the optimal brain damage method for reducing neural network complexity. One feature selection algorithm via concave minimization reduced cross-validation error on a cancer prognosis database by 35.4% while reducing problem features from 32 to 4.
Strategies Affording Prevascularized Cell-Based Constructs for Myocardial Tissue Engineering

The production of a functional cardiac tissue to be transplanted in the injured area of the infarcted myocardium represents a challenge for regenerative medicine. Most cell-based grafts are unviable because of inadequate perfusion; therefore, prevascularization might be a suitable approach for myocardial tissue engineering. To this aim, cells with a differentiation potential towards vascular and cardiac muscle phenotypes have been cocultured in 2D or 3D appropriate scaffolds. In addition to these basic approaches, more sophisticated strategies have been followed employing mixed-cell sheets, microvascular modules, and inosculation from vascular explants. Technologies exerting spatial control of vascular cells, such as topographical surface roughening and ordered patterning, represent other ways to drive scaffold vascularization. Finally, microfluidic devices and bioreactors exerting mechanical stress have also been employed for high-throughput scaling-up production in order to accelerate muscle differentiation and speeding the endothelialization process. Future research should address issues such as how to optimize cells, biomaterials, and biochemical components to improve the vascular integration of the construct within the cardiac wall, satisfying the metabolic and functional needs of the myocardial tissue.
Validity of maximum heart rate prediction equations for children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND There are no studies in the literature to validate equations that predict maximum heart rate (HRmax) in children and adolescents. OBJECTIVE To analyze the validity of the HRmax predictive equations "220 - age" and "208 - (0.7 x age)" in boys aged 10 and 16. METHODS A progressive maximal exertion test was carried out in 69 apparently healthy boys aged 10 to 16. The initial test velocity was 9 km/h, with 1-km/h increments every three minutes. The test was maintained until maximum voluntary exertion was achieved, considering HRmax as the highest heart rate attained during the test. The measured HRmax was compared with the values predicted by the "220 - age" and "208 - (0.7 x age)" equations, using ANOVA for repeated measures. RESULTS The mean values of HRmax (bpm) were: 200.2 ± 8.0 (measured), 207.4 ± 1.5 ("220 - age") and 199.2 ± 1.1 ("208 - (0.7 x age)"). The HRmax predicted by the "220 - age" equation was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the measured HRmax and the HRmax predicted by the ("208 - (0.7 x age)") equation. The correlation between the measured HRmax and age was not statistically significant (r = 0.096; p > 0.05). CONCLUSION The "220 - age" equation overestimated the measured HRmax and was not valid for this population. The "208 - (0.7 x age)" equation was valid for this population, showing results that were quite similar to those of measured HRmax. Future studies with larger sample sizes can verify whether the HRmax does not depend on age for this population, a situation in which the constant 200 bpm value would be more appropriate for HRmax.
Empirical implementation of a quantitative reverse stress test for defaultable fixed-income instruments with macroeconomic factors and principal components

This paper provides a quantitative reverse stress test approach that takes macroeconomic risk factors into account. We use principal component analysis to describe the movements of the term structure of risk-free interest rates, which, in combination with a latent systematic risk factor and an economic indicator, serve as risk factors that drive the obligors’ asset returns. The sensitivities of the asset returns towards these risk factors are estimated empirically and the univariate and multivariate distribution of the risk factors is analyzed. The proposed reverse stress test evaluates the whole risk factor space and finds those scenarios that exactly lead to a presumed loss. In the last step the most plausible of these scenarios is determined and discussed. The results show that the found reverse stress test scenarios are particularly reasonable for the assumed bank portfolio. However, the results also show that reverse stress tests are exposed to considerable model and estimation risk which makes numerous robustness checks necessary.
ExoBuilding: Physiologically Driven Adaptive Architecture

Our surroundings are becoming infused with sensors measuring a variety of data streams about the environment, people and objects. Such data can be used to make the spaces that we inhabit responsive and interactive. Personal data in its different forms are one important data stream that such spaces are designed to respond to. In turn, one stream of personal data currently attracting high levels of interest in the HCI community is physiological data (e.g., heart rate, electrodermal activity), but this has seen little consideration in building architecture or the design of responsive environments. In this context, we developed a prototype mapping a single occupant’s respiration to its size and form, while it also sonifies their heartbeat. The result is a breathing building prototype, formative trials of which suggested that it triggers behavioral and physiological adaptations in inhabitants without giving them instructions and it is perceived as a relaxing experience. In this paper, we present and discuss the results of a controlled study of this prototype, comparing three conditions: the static prototype, regular movement and sonification and a biofeedback condition, where the occupant’s physiological data directly drives the prototype and presents this data back to them. The study confirmed that the biofeedback condition does indeed trigger behavioral changes and changes in participants’ physiology, resulting in lower respiration rates as well as higher respiration amplitudes, respiration to heart rate coherence and lower frequency heart rate variability. Self-reported state of relaxation is more dependent on inhabitant preferences, their knowledge of physiological data and whether they found space to ‘let go’. We conclude with a discussion of ExoBuilding as an immersive but also sharable biofeedback training interface and the wider potential of this approach to making buildings adapt to their inhabitants.
Learning Nash Equilibrium for General-Sum Markov Games from Batch Data

This paper addresses the problem of learning a Nash equilibrium in $\gamma$-discounted multiplayer general-sum Markov Games (MG). A key component of this model is the possibility for the players to either collaborate or team apart to increase their rewards. Building an artificial player for general-sum MGs implies to learn more complex strategies which are impossible to obtain by using techniques developed for two-player zero-sum MGs. In this paper, we introduce a new definition of $\epsilon$-Nash equilibrium in MGs which grasps the strategy's quality for multiplayer games. We prove that minimizing the norm of two Bellman-like residuals implies the convergence to such an $\epsilon$-Nash equilibrium. Then, we show that minimizing an empirical estimate of the $L_p$ norm of these Bellman-like residuals allows learning for general-sum games within the batch setting. Finally, we introduce a neural network architecture named NashNetwork that successfully learns a Nash equilibrium in a generic multiplayer general-sum turn-based MG.
Preserving balance during unsupported standing using synergistic combination of discrete sliding predictive and adaptive controllers

We suggest a decentralized control method which is based on the synergistic combination of a discrete sliding predictive and an adaptive controllers. In this study, the FES control of plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscle groups is used to control balance. For this purpose, first, the inverted pendulum model is used for modeling of the skeletal section of the human body. Second, center of pressure and velocity of center of pressure are defined with the help of this model. Third, because of using the discrete controllers, the inverted pendulum will become discrete. Finally, suitable designs of controllers are used to stabilize the upright posture. Center of pressure and velocity of center of pressure are considered as two inputs for each controller. Studies show that under normal conditions each of the inputs is in their own basin of attraction, so in this study, the purpose of the control is to reach these two variables to their own basin of attraction. Because center of pressure and velocity of center of pressure have been commonly used as two indexes of balance and quality level of balance during standing, respectively. The control approach reaches these two variables to their suitable basin of attraction which results in maintaining both balance and quality level of balance. The results of this study show that the proposed control strategy is an effective method in paraplegic subjects using functional electrical stimulation.
Denitrification in the Hypolimnion of Permanently Ice-Covered Lake Bonney, Antarctica

The distribution of denitrification was investigated in the hypolimnion of the east and west lobes of permanently ice-covered Lake Bonney, Taylor Valley, Antarctica. Anomalously high concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN; nitrate, nitrite, ammonium and nitrous oxide) in the oxygen-depleted hypolimnion of the east lobe of the Lake implied that denitrification is or was active in the west, but not in the east lobe. While previous investigations reported no detectable denitrification in the east lobe, we measured active denitrification in samples from both the east and west lobes. In the west lobe, measured denitrification rates exhibited a maximum at the depth of the chemocline and denitrification was not detectable in either the oxic surface waters or in the deep water where nitrate was absent. In the east lobe, denitrification was detected below the chemocline, at the depths where ammonium, nitrate, nitrite and nitrous oxide are all present at anomalously high levels. Trace metal availability was manipulated in incubation experiments in order to determine whether trace metal toxicity in the east lobe could explain the difference in nitrogen cycling between the 2 lobes. There were no consistent stimulatory effects of metal chelators or nutrient addition on the rate of denitrification in either lobe, so that the mechanisms underlying the unusual N cycle of the east lobe remain unknown. We conclude that all the ingredients necessary to allow denitrification to occur are present in the east lobe. However, even though denitrification could be detected under certain conditions in incubations, denitrification is inhibited under the in situ conditions of the lake.