Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fault-tolerant consensus for a group of double-integrator agents communicating over directed topology

This paper studies the fault-tolerant consensus problem for a group of double-integrator agents with actuator faults and strongly connected topology. The proposed fault-tolerant consensus protocol is an active fault-tolerant control strategy which consists of a nominal control and an estimation of fault severity. To solve the fault-tolerant consensus problem, a Lyapuov method is employed based on the algebraic connectivity of strongly connected digraph. The results show that the consensus will be achieved if the nominal control is designed properly and the estimation of actuator fault is within a certain accuracy. Finally, a simulation example is given to demonstrate the validity of the theoretical results.
Cloning and sequencing of the gene encoding thermophilic beta-amylase of Clostridium thermosulfurogenes

A gene coding for thermophilic beta-amylase of Clostridium thermosulfurogenes was cloned into Bacillus subtilis, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The nucleotide sequence suggested that the thermophilic beta-amylase is translated from monocistronic mRNA as a secretory precursor with a signal peptide of 32 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of the mature beta-amylase contained 519 residues with a molecular weight of 57,167. The amino acid sequence of the C. thermosulfurogenes beta-amylase showed 54, 32, and 32% homology with those of the Bacillus polymyxa, soybean, and barley beta-amylases, respectively. Twelve well-conserved regions were found among the amino acid sequences of the four beta-amylases. To elucidate the mechanism rendering the C. thermosulfurogenes beta-amylase thermophilic, its amino acid sequence was compared with that of the B. polymyxa beta-amylase. The C. thermosulfurogenes beta-amyulase contained more Cys residues and fewer hydrophilic amino acid residues than the B. polymyxa beta-amylase did. Several regions were found in the amino acid sequence of the C. thermosulfurogenes beta-amylase, where the hydrophobicity was remarkably high as compared with that of the corresponding regions of the B. polymyxa beta-amylase.
A Phase I Study of 5‐Azacytidine (NSC‐102816)

5-Azacytidine was administered daily to 12 patients in a five-day schedule and to 15 patients in a weekly schedule as part of a phase I trial. The daily dose ranged from 50 mg/m2 to 158 mg/m2 and the weekly dose, from 200 mg/m2 to 633 mg/m2. The maximum total dose was 2000 mg in the daily schedule and 3775 mg in the weekly schedule. The major toxicity was gastrointestinal, with nausea and vomiting occurring in all patients in this study. Myelosuppression was less frequently encountered and appeared to be related to the increase in 5-azacytidine dose. Patients receiving 5-azacytidine in a weekly schedule of administration appeared to tolerate the drug better and to be more willing to continue their therapy.
Systemic risk of Spanish listed banks: a vine copula CoVaR approach

ABSTACT We measured the systemic impact of financial distress in a Spanish listed bank on other listed banks and on the European financial system, using conditional value at risk (CoVaR) as a systemic risk measure. We modelled multivariate dependence between listed banks using a hierarchical tree structure given by a vine copula model and, using bivariate copulas, dependence between listed banks and the European financial system. For the period January 2003 to March 2015, systemic risk dramatically increased around the time of the recent global financial crisis and, to a lesser extent, around the time of the European debt crisis. BBVA played a predominant role as it both transmitted and received systemic risk to and from the remaining listed banks. Santander played a minor role and the smallest banks, Sabadell and Bankinter, did not play any pivotal role, not even between themselves. Finally, the main systemic impact of the Spanish banks on the European financial systems originated in BBVA, Popular and Santander, with the other listed banks playing a minor role in risk transmission. These results have implications for the regulation of capital in financial institutions and for investor risk management decisions.
Fluence correction factor for graphite calorimetry in a clinical high-energy carbon-ion beam

The aim of this work is to develop and adapt a formalism to determine absorbed dose to water from graphite calorimetry measurements in carbon-ion beams. Fluence correction factors, kfl, needed when using a graphite calorimeter to derive dose to water, were determined in a clinical high-energy carbon-ion beam. Measurements were performed in a 290 MeV/n carbon-ion beam with a field size of 11 × 11 cm2, without modulation. In order to sample the beam, a plane-parallel Roos ionization chamber was chosen for its small collecting volume in comparison with the field size. Experimental information on fluence corrections was obtained from depth-dose measurements in water. This procedure was repeated with graphite plates in front of the water phantom. Fluence corrections were also obtained with Monte Carlo simulations through the implementation of three methods based on (i) the fluence distributions differential in energy, (ii) a ratio of calculated doses in water and graphite at equivalent depths and (iii) simulations of the experimental setup. The kfl term increased in depth from 1.00 at the entrance toward 1.02 at a depth near the Bragg peak, and the average difference between experimental and numerical simulations was about 0.13%. Compared to proton beams, there was no reduction of the kfl due to alpha particles because the secondary particle spectrum is dominated by projectile fragmentation. By developing a practical dose conversion technique, this work contributes to improving the determination of absolute dose to water from graphite calorimetry in carbon-ion beams.
Dynamic interdependence of sovereign credit default swaps in BRICS and MIST countries

ABSTRACT This article examines the interactions of emerging markets sovereign credit default swaps (CDS). Using a generalized vector autoregressive framework and principal component analysis, we find significant spillover effects within the two groups of emerging markets under study. Using the principal component analysis, we show that global financial market factors are important drivers of BRICS and MIST sovereign CDS spreads variability. Focusing on the forecast error variance decomposition, most of the spillover effects are documented among the emerging markets CDS. Brazil and Mexico contribute the largest net directional spillovers to the other emerging markets studied. Highlights: There exist significant CDS spillover effects for MIST and BRICS countries. Mexico dominates the spillover effects within the MIST group while Brazil dominates the spillover effects within the BRICS group. As determined by principal component analysis, global financial market factors are important drivers of BRICS and MIST sovereign CDS spreads variability. There exists a relatively small net directional spillover from global financial market factors to the countries under study; however, the total spillover is time-varying. A large proportion of the forecast error variance in the markets studied comes from spillovers.
Quality and Equity of Primary Care With Patient-Centered Medical Homes: Results From a National Survey

Background:The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model has gained support, but the impact of this model on the quality and equity of care merits further evaluation. Objective:To determine if PCMHs are associated with improved quality and equity in pediatric primary care. Research Design:Using the 2007/2008 National Survey of Children’s Health, a nationally representative survey of parents/guardians of children (age, 0–17 y), we evaluated the association of PCMHs with 10 quality-of-care measures using multivariable regression models, adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic covariates. For quality indicators that were significantly associated with medical homes, we determined if this association differed by race/ethnicity. Results:Compared with children without medical homes, those with medical homes had significantly better adjusted rates for 6 of 10 quality measures (all P⩽0.02), such as obtaining a developmental history [adjusted rates % (SE): 41.7 (1.3) vs. 52.0 (1.1), P<0.001]. Having a medical home was associated with better adjusted rates of receiving a developmental history exam for both white and black children, but the disparity between these groups was not significantly narrowed [difference in risk differences (SE): 0.9 (4.3) for whites vs. blacks; P=0.83]. Conclusions:Our results underscore the benefits of the medical home model for children while highlighting areas for improvement, such as narrowing disparities. Our findings also emphasize the key role of patient experience measures in the evaluation of medical homes.
Comparison of two approaches for multiple-model identification of a pH neutralization process

Local model networks represent a complex nonlinear dynamical system by a weighted sum of locally valid, simpler sub-models denned over small regimes of the operating space. Training such networks requires the determination of the appropriate regimes and the local model parameters. This paper compares a hybrid training algorithm, which combines nonlinear structural optimisation and linear parameter estimation, with a tree construction approach which recursively determines the best structure. Rather than optimising for one-step-ahead prediction, the parallel model prediction error is minimised in each modelling approach, producing good generalisation from the identified local model networks. The modelling performances are evaluated using practical, noisy data from a pilot plant of a pH neutralization process. Results show comparable prediction performance but the construction algorithm requires considerably less computational effort and initial knowledge.
Actin Assembly Plays a Variable, but not Obligatory Role in Receptor‐Mediated Endocytosis

Three cell‐permeant compounds, cytochalasin D, latrunculin A and jasplakinolide, which perturb intracellular actin dynamics by distinct mechanisms, were used to probe the role of filamentous actin and actin assembly in clathrin‐mediated endocytosis in mammalian cells. These compounds had variable effects on receptor‐mediated endocytosis of transferrin that depended on both the cell line and the experimental protocol employed. Endocytosis in A431 cells assayed in suspension was inhibited by latrunculin A and jasplakinolide, but resistant to cytochalasin D, whereas neither compound inhibited endocytosis in adherent A431 cells. In contrast, endocytosis in adherent CHO cells was more sensitive to disruption of the actin cytoskeleton than endocytosis in CHO cells grown or assayed in suspension. Endocytosis in other cell types, including nonadherent K562 human erythroleukemic cells or adherent Cos‐7 cells was unaffected by disruption of the actin cytoskeleton. While it remains possible that actin filaments can play an accessory role in receptor‐mediated endocytosis, these discordant results indicate that actin assembly does not play an obligatory role in endocytic coated vesicle formation in cultured mammalian cells.
Male bladder outlet obstruction: Time to re‐evaluate the definition and reconsider our diagnostic pathway? ICI‐RS 2015

The diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in the male is dependent on measurements of pressure and flow made during urodynamic studies. The procedure of urodynamics and the indices used to delineate BOO are well standardized largely as a result of the work of the International Continence Society. The clinical utility of the diagnosis of BOO is however, less well defined and there are several shortcomings and gaps in the currently available medical literature. Consequently the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society (ICI‐RS) held a think tank session in 2015 entitled “Male bladder outlet obstruction: Time to re‐evaluate the definition and reconsider our diagnostic pathway? ” This manuscript details the discussions that took place within that think tank setting out the pros and cons of the current definition of BOO and exploring alternative clinical tests (alone or in combination) which may be useful in the future investigation of male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. The think tank panel concluded that pressure‐flow studies remain the diagnostic gold‐standard for BOO although there is still a lack of high quality evidence. Newer, less invasive, investigations have shown promise in terms of diagnostic accuracy for BOO but similar criticisms can be levelled against these tests. Therefore, the think tank suggests further research with regard to these alternative indicators to determine their clinical utility.
Design and implementation of grid connection photovoltaic micro inverter

A 200 W photovoltaic (PV) micro inverter is designed and implemented in this paper. The proposed inverter includes a high step-up DC-DC converter and a SPWM H-bridge inverter. It transfers solar energy into sinusoidal voltage waveform. The operating principles and the steady-state analysis of continuous conduction modes of the high step-up converter are discussed. The DSP controller TMS320LF2407A is used to achieve the system starting check, abnormal state detection, and maximum power point tracking as well as islanding detection. Finally, a prototype circuit with input range from 20 V to 40 V and 220 Vrms/200 W output is implemented.
Integrated Decision-tree Testing Strategies for Skin Corrosion and Irritation with Respect to the Requirements of the EU REACH Legislation

Liverpool John Moores University and FRAME recently conducted a research project, sponsored by Defra, on the status of alternatives to animal testing with regard to the European Union REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) system for the safety testing and risk assessment of chemicals. The project covered all the main toxicity endpoints associated with the REACH system. This report focuses on how to maximise the use of alternative methods (both in vitro and in silico) for skin corrosion and irritation testing within a tiered testing strategy. It considers the latest developments in in vitro testing, with particular reference to the reconstituted skin models which have now been now been successfully validated and independently endorsed as suitable for both skin corrosivity and irritancy testing within the EU.
A vendor-buyer inventory model for defective items with errors in inspection, stochastic lead time and freight cost

Abstract This study develops a mathematical model for an integrated vendor-buyer inventory with defective items and inspection error. We assume an imperfect production process with a known of defective probability. The buyer conducts a 100% quality check. However, due to an imperfect inspection process, the quality-controller may reject a good item as a defective item (Type I error), or accept a defective item as a non-defective item (Type II error). Different from existing research, we incorporate freight cost (a function of shipping weight and the distance between the vendor and the buyer) and stochastic lead time (a function of production and transportation times). The objective of the study is to minimize the joint total expected cost. This study indicates that Type I error is more significant when it is compared with Type II error. We also illustrate how the joint total expected cost and the lead time are significantly influenced by the distance of the buyer and the vendor. The results of our analysis also show that lead time can be shortened if the vendors speed up their shipment with smaller production lot sizes. Numerical examples and sensitivity analysis are given to illustrate the results.
A Historical Investigation into Item Formats of ACS Exams and Their Relationships to Science Practices

The release of the NRC Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards has important implications for classroom teaching and assessment. Of particular interest is the implementation of science practices in the chemistry classroom, and the definitions established by the NRC makes these objectives much more tangible. However, this still may leave some wondering about how to begin making these changes. Mid-twentieth century chemical educators and pioneers of the first ACS exams advocated for testing science thinking and skills as early as the 1930s, and this necessitates a discussion about how early ACS exams measured these attributes. More recent debates have seen arguments that multiple-choice questions cannot measure high levels of cognitive ability in chemistry, which leaves questions about how ACS exams or instructors who write tests for large scale classrooms might try to measure science practices. The possibility that an analysis of the item formats used on ACS exams fro.
Granulicella arctica sp. nov., Granulicella mallensis sp. nov., Granulicella tundricola sp. nov. and Granulicella sapmiensis sp. nov., novel acidobacteria from tundra soil.

Four aerobic bacteria, designated MP5ACTX2(T), MP5ACTX8(T), MP5ACTX9(T) and S6CTX5A(T), were isolated from tundra soil of north-western Finland (69° 03' N 20° 50' E). Cells of all isolates were Gram-negative, non-motile rods. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that they belonged to the genus Granulicella of subdivision 1 of the phylum Acidobacteriahttp://dx.doi. org/10.1601/nm.7918. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the new isolates and the type strains of Granulicella aggregans, Granulicella paludicola, Granulicella pectinivorans and Granulicella rosea ranged from 94 to 99 %. Analysis of the RNA polymerase beta subunit (rpoB) gene sequence indicated that the isolates represented novel species of the genus Granulicella (<92 % rpoB sequence similarity between the isolates and members of the genus Granulicella). This was also confirmed by low DNA-DNA relatedness (31 %) between strain S6CTX5A(T) and the type strain of G. pectinivorans, which exhibited 99.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and 91.7 % rpoB gene sequence similarity. The isolates grew at pH 3.5-6.5 and at 4-26 °C. Sugars were the preferred growth substrates. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0), C(16 : 1)ω7c and C(16 : 0) and the major isoprenoid quinone was MK-8. The DNA G+C content was 56-60 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis and chemotaxonomic and physiological data, the isolates represent four novel species of the genus Granulicella, for which the names Granulicella arctica MP5ACTX2(T) (= ATCC BAA-1858(T) = DSM 23128(T)), Granulicella mallensis MP5ACTX8(T) (= ATCC BAA-1857(T) = DSM 23137(T)), Granulicella tundricola MP5ACTX9(T) (ATCC BAA-1859(T) = DSM 23138(T)) and Granulicella sapmiensis S6CTX5A(T) (= LMG 26174(T) = DSM 23136(T)) are proposed. An emended description of the genus Granulicella is also presented.
Hierarchical Model Predictive Control Strategy Based on Dynamic Active Power Dispatch for Wind Power Cluster Integration

Large-scale wind power cluster with distributed wind farms has generated the active power dispatch and control problems in the power system. In this paper, a novel hierarchical model predictive control (HMPC) strategy based on dynamic active power dispatch is proposed to improve wind power schedule and increase wind power accommodation. The strategy consists of four layers with refined time scales, including intra-day dispatch, real-time dispatch, cluster optimization, and wind farm modulation layer. A dynamic grouping strategy is specifically developed to allocate the schedule for wind farms in cluster optimization layer. In order to maximize wind power output, downward spinning reserve and transmission pathway utilization are developed in wind farm modulation layer. Meanwhile, a stratification analysis approach for ultra-short-term wind power forecasting error is presented as feedback correction to increase forecasting accuracy. The proposed strategy is evaluated by a case study in the IEEE Network with wind power cluster integration. Results show that wind power accommodation has been enhanced by use of the proposed HMPC strategy, compared with the conventional dispatch and allocation methods.
Precraniate origin of cranial motoneurons.

The craniate head is innervated by cranial sensory and motor neurons. Cranial sensory neurons stem from the neurogenic placodes and neural crest and are seen as evolutionary innovations crucial in fulfilling the feeding and respiratory needs of the craniate "new head. " In contrast, cranial motoneurons that are located in the hindbrain and motorize the head have an unclear phylogenetic status. Here we show that these motoneurons are in fact homologous to the motoneurons of the sessile postmetamorphic form of ascidians. The motoneurons of adult Ciona intestinalis, located in the cerebral ganglion and innervating muscles associated with the huge "branchial basket," express the transcription factors CiPhox2 and CiTbx20, whose vertebrate orthologues collectively define cranial motoneurons of the branchiovisceral class. Moreover, Ciona's postmetamorphic motoneurons arise from a hindbrain set aside during larval life and defined as such by its position (caudal to the prosensephalic sensory vesicle) and coexpression of CiPhox2 and CiHox1, whose orthologues collectively mark the vertebrate hindbrain. These data unveil that the postmetamorphic ascidian brain, assumed to be a derived feature, in fact corresponds to the vertebrate hindbrain and push back the evolutionary origin of cranial nerves to before the origin of craniates.
Algebra of constructions II: an algebraic approach to Martin-Löf type theory and the calculus of constructions

We present an algebraic approach to the syntax and semantics of Martin-Löf type theory and the calculus of constructions developed by T. Coquand and G. Huet. In our approach, models of this theory and this calculus are treated as three-sorted partial algebras, called ITSΠ-structures, described by essentially algebraic theories. We give a proof that derived statements of Martin-Löf type theory hold in appropriate ITSΠ-structures. In this proof, a formal translation from the language of terms and types into the language of terms of an appropriate essentially algebraic theory of ITSΠ-structures is used. A straightforward set-theoretic construction of ITSΠ-structures that are models of Martin-Löf type theory is demonstrated. We present a construction of a recursive ITSΠ-structure (i.e. its partial and total operations are recursive functions over some alphabet) that is a model of the calculus of constructions and demonstrates the decidability of this calculus.
Reconstructing Indigenous Ethnicities: The Arapium and Jaraqui Peoples of the Lower Amazon, Brazil

In Latin America, indigenous identity claims among people not previously recognized as such by the state have become a key topic of anthropological and sociological research. Scholars have analyzed the motivations and political implications of this trend and the impacts of indigenous population's growth on national demographic indicators. However, little is known about how people claiming indigenous status constructs the meaning of their indigenous ethnicity. Drawing from sixty-four indepth interviews, focus-group analyses, and participant observation, this article explores the double process of identity construction: the reconstruction of the Arapium indigenous identity and the creation of the Jaraqui indigenous identity in Brazil's Lower Amazon. The findings reveal six themes that contribute to the embodiment of a definition of indigenous identity and the establishment of a discursive basis to claim recognition: sense of rootedness, historical memory, historical transformation, consciousness, social exclusion, and identity politics.