Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motion control for micro-robots playing soccer games

The problem of two teams of micro-robots playing a soccer game constitutes an excellent testbed where various aspects of machine intelligence such as visual perception, path-planning, behavior coordination as well as learning need to be integrated. The paper describes the set of algorithms that govern the behavior, of a team of three microrobots playing a soccer game under MIROSOT regulations. These algorithms are structured in three levels: strategy, path-planning and motor control. At the strategy level the motions of individual team players are coordinated against those of the opponent. This is achieved based on the novel mathematical concept of 'controllable zone'. The arrangement of the players is optimized in such a way as to maximize the probability of possessing and shooting the ball. This concept leads to a formal mathematical framework to represent behavior-coordinated strategies for shooting, capturing and passing the ball. At the path-planning level a pseudo-optimal path is generated in real time to minimize the time required by the player to perform the desired behavior and the probability to bump into an obstacle. Finally, the motor control level computes the necessary motor commands to keep the robot on the right track. Experimental results of the system are shown.
Impact of electric vehicles on the reconfiguration requirements of a distribution network: The Santiago city case

This document presents a quantitative study of the incorporation of electric vehicles (EVs) in the distribution system of the city of Santiago. Specifically, the paper focuses on the reconfiguration requirements of the electric power grid. A model that estimate the increase in the electric load based on the transportation behavior of a city, assuming that the electric vehicle will be used by individuals according to their needs and the characteristics of the city transportation system is developed. Results indicate the power that future EVs will require can be determined according to their level of penetration and geographical distribution in a city. Finally, an scenario analysis is developed for assessing the peak load of electric vehicular and assess the need for reconfiguring or strengthening the distribution network.
Acquired Resistance to the ALK Inhibitor Crizotinib in the Absence of an ALK Mutation

Approximately 5% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have tumors with translocations involving the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. ALK-translocated NSCLCs are sensitive to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and crizotinib—the first Food and Drug Administration-approved ALK inhibitor—has demonstrated an impressive rate of antitumor responses.1 Despite crizotinib’s impressive initial response rate ( 60%), most patients eventually progress and the reported median progression-free survival does not exceed 10 months. Initial efforts have been made to identify mechanisms responsible for acquired resistance to crizotinib and other ALK TKIs. To date, only three patient-derived samples with ALK-translocated NSCLC and acquired resistance to crizotinib have been reported.2– 4 In two cases, acquired ALK mutations were identified (Table 1). In addition, a patient with RANBP2-ALK inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor resistant to crizotinib had an ALK mutation in one-third of progressing tumors2 (Table 1). However, it is unknown whether emergence of acquired mutations is the main mechanism of resistance to ALK inhibitors in NSCLC.
The stability analysis of the position control system with disturbance observer for induction machine drive

The design of the position-tracking control system for induction machine drive is presented. The system consists of direct-axis current PI (proportional-plus-integral) regulator, quadrature-axis current PI regulator, a position loop feedback PD (proportional-plus-derivative) controller and a disturbance observer (DOB). The stability conditions of the position control system with DOB for induction machine drive are given in frequency domain and time domain respectively. The position-tracking performance has been examined by experiments under the external disturbance. The performance of the system with DOB plus PD has been compared with PD. The results show that DOB plus PD has a better ability to deal with the external disturbance. Through experiments, speed measurement delay-dependent stability of the system has been studied. The conclusion is that the DOB plus PD can also handle large inertia load variations.
Nonparametric receiver operating characteristic‐based evaluation for survival outcomes

For censored survival outcomes, it can be of great interest to evaluate the predictive power of individual markers or their functions. Compared with alternative evaluation approaches, approaches based on the time‐dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC) rely on much weaker assumptions, can be more robust, and hence are preferred. In this article, we examine evaluation of markers' predictive power using the time‐dependent ROC curve and a concordance measure that can be viewed as a weighted area under the time‐dependent area under the ROC curve profile. This study significantly advances from existing time‐dependent ROC studies by developing nonparametric estimators of the summary indexes and, more importantly, rigorously establishing their asymptotic properties. It reinforces the statistical foundation of the time‐dependent ROC‐based evaluation approaches for censored survival outcomes. Numerical studies, including simulations and application to an HIV clinical trial, demonstrate the satisfactory finite‐sample performance of the proposed approaches. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Internet banking acceptance of Malay and Chinese ethnic groups in Malaysia: based on the theory of planned behaviour

This study examines factors that influence the acceptance of Internet banking among Malay and Chinese ethnic group in Malaysia using the theory of planned behavior. Respondents of this study were final year business students and MBAs in four public universities in Malaysia. Data collected from questionnaires were analyzed using multiple regressions. For both ethnic groups, the results show that attitude and subjective norm both have significant effect on the intention to use Internet banking. Interestingly, the effect of perceived behavioral control on the intention to use Internet banking was significant on the Malay ethnic group but not on the Chinese ethnic group. Practical implications were proposed.
The diagnostic value of 11C-methionine PET in hyperparathyroidism with negative 99mTc-MIBI SPECT: a meta-analysis

Background 99mTc-sestamibi (MIBI) parathyroid SPECT is generally regarded as the best preoperative localizing method in patients with hyperparathyroidism (HPT). However, 99mTc-MIBI SPECT is false negative in approximately 25% of adenomas. 11C-methionine positron emission tomography (PET) has been used in HPT with negative 99mTc-MIBI SPECT scan results. Purpose To systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis of published data on the performance of 11C-methionine PET in patients with HPT with negative 99mTc-MIBI SPECT. Material and Methods A comprehensive review of the literature was performed. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of 11C-methionine PET in patients with HPT and a negative 99mTc-MIBI SPECT was calculated on a per-patient basis using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) methodology. Results Nine studies that met all inclusion and exclusion criteria were included into our meta-analysis, comprising a total sample size of 137 patients. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of 11C-methionine PET in patients with HPT with negative or inconclusive 99mTc-MIBI SPECT scans was 86% and 86%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.87. Conclusion By merit of the high overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, 11C-methionine PET can potentially complement the diagnostic workup of patients with HPT and negative or inconclusive 99mTc-MIBI SPECT. 11C-methionine PET appears to be a promising diagnostic modality in complicated cases with HPT.
ESBSC: Energy-Aware Service Brokering Strategy in Clouds

One of the key features of cloud computing is on demand resource provision. Unfortunately, different cloud service providers often have different standards, which makes the job of choosing the suitable resource to be a very difficult one for the common users. Then the technology of service broker came out which is designed to choose the appropriate services among different providers to meet the user's requests. Besides get the final computing results, there are many other conditions often be taken into account, like energy consumption and response time. Maximizing the energy efficiency is not only good for the environment protection but also could benefit the user and provider financially. This paper proposed an energy-aware service brokering strategy, which aimed at finding a suitable trade-off between energy consumption and user satisfaction. The simulation results have shown that the proposed strategy can effectively reduce the level of energy consumption and meanwhile maintain the user satisfaction at a reasonably good level.
Load allocation of power plant using multi echelon economic dispatch

In this paper, the allocation of power plant load which is usually done with a single echelon as in the load flow calculation, is expanded into a multi echelon. A plant load allocation model based on the integration of economic dispatch and multi-echelon problem is proposed. The resulting model is called as Single Objective Multi Echelon Economic Dispatch (SOME ED). This model allows the distribution of electrical power in more detail in the transmission and distribution substations along the existing network. Considering the interconnection system where the distance between the plant and the load center is usually far away, therefore the loss in this model is seen as a function of distance. The advantages of this model is its capability of allocating electrical loads properly, as well as economic dispatch information with the flexibility of electric power system as a result of using multi-echelon. In this model, the flexibility can be viewed from two sides, namely the supply and demand sides, so that the.
Exploring innovation perceptions and practices among micro and small craft breweries: A three-country study

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how micro and small craft brewery operators perceive and operationalise innovation. Moreover, in adopting the theory of innovation, the study addresses two under-researched areas, namely, innovation among micro and small firms and innovation in the context of the emerging craft brewing industry. Design/methodology/approach The perspectives of 163 craft brewery operators located in Italy, Spain, and the UK were gathered through online questionnaires. In total, 24 face-to-face and telephone interviews with operators from the three nations complemented the data collection process. Thus, in total, 187 operators participated. Findings Development of new craft beer styles, new recipes, exploring with various ingredients, improving quality, or involvement in social media and culinary tourism were predominant forms participants perceived innovation. Various differences regarding innovation adoption were noticed, particularly based on participants’ country and on their role at the brewery. Furthermore, associations between the findings and the dimensions of the theory of innovation were confirmed. Originality/value This study is original, in that it represents a first effort in comparing perceptions of craft brewery operators across various countries. This comparison identifies ways in which craft brewery operators could maximise the potential of their firms. For example, the manifested interest in innovating through new craft beer recipes, or blending gastronomy and craft beer underlines alternative forms of adding value to craft brewing production. Importantly, some of these innovating practices differ based on participants’ country; such differences could also be considered by craft brewery operators.
Application of search-based software engineering methodologies for test suite optimization and evolution in mission critical mobile application development

The demand for high quality mobile applications is constantly rising, especially in mission critical settings. Thus, new software engineering methodologies are needed in order to ensure the desired quality of an application. The research presented proposes a quality assurance methodology for mobile applications through test automation by optimizing test suites. The desired goal is to find a minimal test suite while maintaining efficiency and reducing execution cost. Furthermore to avoid invalidating an optimized test suite as the system under test evolves, the approach further proposes to extract patterns from the applied changes to an application. The evaluation plan comprises a combination of an empirical and an industrial case study based on open source projects and an industrial project in the healthcare domain. It is expected that the presented approach supports the testing process on mobile application platforms.
Influence of early plate tectonics on the thermal evolution and magnetic field of Mars

Recent magnetic studies of Mars suggest that (1) it possessed a periodically reversing magnetic field for the first ∼500 Myr of its existence and (2) plate tectonics may have been operating during this time. On Earth the geodynamo is thought to occur because of convection in the outer core. This paper estimates the amount of heat the Martian core can conduct in the absence of convection. It uses parameterized, variable-viscosity thermal evolution models to show that the core heat flux increases if the planet's surface heat flux is increased above the value required to eliminate instantaneous radiogenic heat production. Conversely, a sudden reduction in surface heat flux causes the mantle to heat up and the core heat flux to become negative. Thus, if plate tectonics, or some other process causing high surface heat flux, was occurring on early Mars, it is likely to have caused convection in the core and hence generated a magnetic field. Conversely, a reduction in surface heat flux would probably have caused the core to stop convecting and shut off the magnetic field. There is thus an important link between surface processes and core magnetism, which may also be relevant to planets such as Earth and Venus.
Hedge Fund Styles and Macroeconomic Uncertainty

We examine the dynamic trading strategies implemented by hedge fund managers using a Kalman filter. We investigate the risk drivers of dynamic trades, examining which macroeconomic variables strongly lead the time variation in fund trades. We show that hedge funds control the intensity of their exposures according to economic uncertainty and that differences between up- and down-market regimes can be observed. Commonly, Hedge funds tend to dislike high-dividend paying stocks. Besides, all hedge fund styles are shown to display pro-cyclical exposures towards directional equity factors as well as credit and liquidity risks. Small growth stocks, however, are revealed to be crisis investments whose allocation increases with unemployment, inflation or volatility. As volatility increases, the value of growth options embedded into growth stocks indeed increases. Growth stocks are shown to hedge market reversals and volatility. The outperformance of growth companies in recessions might also relate to their cost flexibility.
Optimistic Bias and Perceptions of Bioterrorism in Michigan Corporate Spokespersons, Fall 2001

The notion that individuals believe that they are more likely than others to experience positive events and avoid negative ones is a well-documented phenomenon in the combined literatures of social psychology and health communication. The current study focuses on Michigan corporate spokespersons' perceptions of their company's risk and potential for optimistic bias. Beginning on September 10, 2001, and continuing through October 2001, telephone surveys were conducted by a professional survey research firm to assess spokespersons' awareness of and preparedness for a bioterrorism attack at their corporation, as well as to ascertain perceived self-risk relative to that of other, similar corporations. The results offer evidence of a robust optimistic bias, and provide an unusually timely snapshot of levels of corporate awareness of bioterrorism during a critical period of time in which the U.S. experienced its first anthrax attack.
Prognostic factors for survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after percutaneous microwave ablation.

PURPOSE To determine the long-term survival and prognostic factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with percutaneous microwave ablation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. A database of cases of hepatocellular carcinoma in 288 patients (259 men, 29 women; mean age, 54.8 years +/- 11.4 [standard deviation]; age range, 25-82 years) with 477 histologically proved lesions who underwent percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy between May 1994 and October 2002 was retrospectively analyzed. Prognostic factors for survival were evaluated by means of univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS The mean follow-up period after microwave ablation was 31.41 months +/- 20.43 (range, 5-106 months). The 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year cumulative survival rates among all 288 patients were 93%, 82%, 72%, 63%, and 51%, respectively. Ninety-three patients (32%) died. Local recurrence or new tumors occurred in 100 patients (35%). Age (P = .836), sex (P = .073), preablation serum alpha-fetoprotein level (P = .136), and preablation treatment (P = .256) were not related to prognosis, while tumor number (P = .004), tumor size (P < .001), Child-Pugh classification (P = .003), tumor differentiation (P = .026), and local recurrence or presence of new tumors (P = .004) significantly affected survival at univariate analysis. At multivariate analysis, only tumor size (P < .001), number of nodules (P = .005), and Child-Pugh classification (P = .01) each had a significant effect on survival. CONCLUSION With use of microwave ablation, there is a high probability of long-term survival of patients with a single lesion of 4.0 cm or less in maximum diameter and Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis.
Global Attention Profiles - a Working Paper: First Steps Towards a Quantitative Approach to the Study of Media Attention

News media outlets (newspapers, radio and television broadcasts and websites) have finite capacities. Newspapers have practical limits to the number of articles that can be printed each day. Radio and television broadcasters can fit only so many stories into a 30 minute newscast, and news websites must select which stories fit on their homepages. The genesis of this paper was the anecdotal observation that major English-language news media outlets devote more attention to some countries than to others. This is to be expected: in a given week, some countries will experience newsworthy events like wars, natural disasters, scientific discoveries, economic collapses, sports championships, while others will not. But it is equally clear, on an anecdotal basis, that some countries get far more attention on a consistent basis, without regard to the relative frequency or magnitude of newsworthy events. How do newspapers, newscasts and website divide their attention between regions of the world? To which countries do they devote the most attention? Why do some countries get more attention than others? Do factors like a country's population and the size of its economy predict which countries will command the most attention from media channels? This paper begins to answer some of these questions with repeatable, transparent statistical tools. It introduces the Global Attention Profile (GAP) as a portrait of a news media outlet's attention to various nations. GAP software automatically crawls a news media outlet's website and calculates country-by-country story counts over a period of time. This paper reports these story counts and correlates them to a wide range of country data sets provided by the World Bank. GAP research demonstrates that the most accurate predictor of a media outlet's attention is the size of a nation's gross domestic product. This correlation is significantly greater than the correlation between media attention and the size of a nation's population, and appears to be the strongest correlation between media attention and 21 factors examined. Generally speaking, violent conflict seems to have less effect on media attention than the size of a nation's economy does. While most media sources studied demonstrate similar patterns, one media outlet - the BBC News - shows radically different patterns. The BBC's media attention is more closely correlated to the size of a nation's population than to the size of its economy.
Effect of Financial Information on Investment Decision Making By Shareholders of Banks in Nigeria

The objective of this paper is to empirically investigate the effect of financial information on investment decision of shareholders of banks in Nigeria. The data for the study were extracted from published annual reports of five selected banks in Nigeria from 2009 to 2015. Correlation matrix and regression analysis were deployed to establish the relationship between the variables. The results revealed a positive relationship, indicating that dividend per share have significant influence on investment decision of shareholders of banks in Nigeria. The study recommends that both existing and prospective investors can factor financial information relating to dividend paid per share while making investment decision in shares of Nigerian banks; as dividend per share is positively correlated with investment decisions of shareholders.
IT SMEs' External Information Network Diversity and Product Quality Improvement in the Era of Technology Convergence: The Mediating Role of the Production Process Improvement

Good product quality is so essential to enabling firms to succeed that how to make the product quality better through technology development is one of the most important issues that many CEOs think over. With regard to the product quality improvement from firms’ technology development, this study has made an attempt to empirically investigate the effect of the external information network diversity on the product quality improvement of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the information technology (IT) sector, mediated by their production process improvement. This research illuminates the following two points by empirically analyzing the 310 IT SMEs through the ordinary least squares regression analysis. First, IT SMEs’ external information network diversity has a positive influence on their product quality improvement from technology development. Second, IT SMEs’ production process improvement partially mediates the impact of their external information network diversity on the product quality improvement
Pesticin-dependent generation of somotically stable spheroplast-like structures

Homogenous pesticin, a bacteriocin produced by Yersinia pestis, promoted rapid dose-dependent killing of Escherichia coli phi but permitted residual generation of cell mass. Both growing cells and those blocked in net synthesis of nucleic acids or protein were converted by pesticin to osmotically stable spheroplast-like forms. Morphology and viability of cells starved for fermentable carbohydrate were not affected by pesticin. Similar spheroplast-like structures were formed from sensitive cells of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Y. pestis.