Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Analysis of the Fractional Order Buck Converter in DCM Operation by using Fractional Calculus and the Circuit-Averaging Technique

By using fractional calculus and the circuit-averaging technique, the modeling and analysis of a Buck converter with fractional order inductor and fractional order capacitor in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) operations is investigated in this study. The equivalent averaged circuit model of the fractional order Buck converter in DCM operations is established. DC analysis is conducted by using the derived DC equivalent circuit model. The transfer functions from the input voltage to the output voltage, the duty cycle to the output voltage, the input impedance, and the output impedance of the fractional order Buck converter in DCM operations are derived from the corresponding AC-equivalent circuit model. Results show that the DC equilibrium point, voltage ratio, and all derived transfer functions of the fractional order Buck converter in DCM operations are affected by the inductor order and/or capacitor order. The fractional order inductor and fractional order capacitor are designed, and PSIM simulations are performed to confirm the correctness of the derivations and theoretical analysis.
Lexical Neighborhoods and Release from Proactive Interference: A First Report 1

The effect of lexical competition on recall performance was studied using the release from proactive interference paradigm. Word triads were equated in terms of local neighborhood density but varied on global neighborhood density, neighborhood frequency, and word frequency to create sets of lexically “easy” and “hard” words. Proactive interference was built up across four trials of either “easy” or “hard” words and “released” on the fifth trial with words from the opposite lexical category. The results failed to support the prediction that greater release from proactive interference would be observed when switching from “hard” to “easy” words, although some evidence for a reversal of the release effect was found when switching from “easy” to “hard” words. Extensions to the current design and future studies using this experimental paradigm are discussed.
Semantic and Associative Priming in Picture Naming

We report four picture-naming experiments in which the pictures were preceded by visually presented word primes. The primes could either be semantically related to the picture (e.g., “boat” - TRAIN: co-ordinate pairs) or associatively related (e.g., “nest” - BIRD: associated pairs). Performance under these conditions was always compared to performance under unrelated conditions (e.g., “flower” - CAT). In order to distinguish clearly the first two kinds of prime, we chose our materials so that (a) the words in the co-ordinate pairs were not verbally associated, and (b) the associate pairs were not co-ordinates. Results show that the two related conditions behaved in different ways depending on the stimulus-onset asynchrony (SOA) separating word and picture appearance, but not on how long the primes were presented. When presented with a brief SOA (114 ms, Experiment 1), the co-ordinate primes produced an interference effect, but the associated primes did not differ significantly from the unrelated primes. Conversely, with a longer SOA (234 ms, Experiment 2) the co-ordinate primes produced no effect, whereas a significant facilitation effect was observed for associated primes, independent of the duration of presentation of the primes. This difference is interpreted in the context of current models of speech production as an argument for the existence, at an automatic processing level, of two distinguishable kinds of meaning relatedness.
Perspective Isosurface and Direct Volume Rendering for Virtual Endoscopy Applications

Virtual endoscopy has proven to be a very powerful tool in endoscopic surgery. However, most virtual endoscopy systems are restricted to rendering isosurfaces or require segmentation in order to visualize additional objects behind occluding tissue. This paper presents a system for real-time perspective direct volume and isosurface rendering, which allows to simultaneously visualize both the interesting tissue and everything that is behind. Large volume data can be viewed seamlessly from inside or outside the volume without any pre-computation or segmentation. Our system uses a novel ray-casting pipeline for GPUs that has been optimized for the requirements of virtual endoscopy and also allows easy incorporation of auxiliary geometry, e.g., for displaying parts of the endoscopic device, pointers, or grid lines for orientation purposes. We present three main applications of this system and the underlying ray-casting algorithm. Although our ray-casting approach is of general applicability, we have specifically applied it to virtual colonoscopy, virtual angioscopy, and virtual pituitary surgery.
Adaptive integral backstepping sliding mode control for opto-electronic tracking system based on modified LuGre friction model

ABSTRACT In order to improve the control accuracy and stability of opto-electronic tracking system fixed on reef or airport under friction and external disturbance conditions, adaptive integral backstepping sliding mode control approach with friction compensation is developed to achieve accurate and stable tracking for fast moving target. The nonlinear observer and slide mode controller based on modified LuGre model with friction compensation can effectively reduce the influence of nonlinear friction and disturbance of this servo system. The stability of the closed-loop system is guaranteed by Lyapunov theory. The steady-state error of the system is eliminated by integral action. The adaptive integral backstepping sliding mode controller and its performance are validated by a nonlinear modified LuGre dynamic model of the opto-electronic tracking system in simulation and practical experiments. The experiment results demonstrate that the proposed controller can effectively realise the accuracy and stability control of opto-electronic tracking system.
University of Groningen Prevalence and factors associated with supportive care needs among newly diagnosed Mexican breast cancer patients

Purpose Mexican breast cancer patients are generally diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease and often experience delays in cancer treatment delivery. Currently, little is known about these patients’ psychological care needs. This study assessed levels and correlates of supportive care needs of Mexican breast cancer patients around the time of cancer diagnosis. Methods One hundred seventy-three newly diagnosed Mexican breast cancer patients participated in the study. Supportive care needs, anxiety, depression, and patients’ sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were assessed. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with care needs. Results Up to 44% of patients showed unmet care needs. Health system/information needs were the most prevalent (68%), while physical/daily living needs the least (19%). Level of depressive symptoms was most consistently related to care needs. Patients with higher levels of depressive symptoms had higher psychological (β = 0.38), physical/daily living (β = 0.43), patient care/support (β = 0.17), and additional unmet care needs (β = 0.30), than patients with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Conclusions This study suggests that mainly health system/ information needs arise at the time of cancer diagnosis among Mexican breast cancer patients. Patients suffering high levels of depressive symptoms reported the highest levels of unmet needs. Future studies should be conducted to elucidate the care needs throughout the disease trajectory, as such information can inform health care professionals and policy makers and lead to improvements in the organization and provision of health care services for Mexican breast cancer patients.
A spatial multiplexing MIMO scheme with beamforming and space-time block coding for downlink transmission

This paper investigates a spatial multiplexing MIMO scheme with beamforming and space-time block coding (STBC) for downlink transmission. It combines SM-STBC with beamforming under high spatial correlated channel, and has the advantages of the three techniques. The proposed scheme utilizes beamforming weights to build uncorrelated virtual channels based on uplink direction of arrival (DOA) estimation, and we calculate weights with the help of the water-filling power allocation. The Butler fixed beamforming network is deployed to receive parallel data streams due to its ability to form orthogonal beams. We also propose a matching algorithm linking each data stream to corresponding receive beam, and give the order of successive interference cancellation detection. So the system can transmit parallel data streams as well as providing beamforming and diversity gain. Simulation results show the proposed scheme has a better performance than the benchmark systems under the same spectrum efficiency, and it is suitable for the rich scattering environment.
Bridging theory and practice of impact evaluation of quality management in higher education institutions: a SWOT analysis

ABSTRACT The last two decades have witnessed an increasing intensity of quality management in higher education institutions and quality discourses which were followed by debates about and attempts of evaluating the efficacy of quality management in the sector. Accordingly, the article presents a SWOT analysis of impact evaluation of quality management in higher education institutions. The analysis is based on a contemporary SWOT conceptualisation and on reflections of impact evaluation, ranging from theoretical models through case studies to practical experience in a European research project. The analysis reveals that certain weaknesses can be overcome (e.g. budget and process time restrictions) while others cannot (e.g. systematic limitations of methodologies). Similarly, certain threats can be tackled (e.g. proper implementation of methodologies) while others at most can only approximately be solved (e.g. attribution problem). The article concludes that a SWOT analysis may be a tool for bridging the gap between methodological challenges and the implementation of impact measurement in systematic quality management.
Sifting customers from the clickstream : behavior pattern discovery in a virtual shopping environment

SIFTING CUSTOMERS FROM THE CLICKSTREAM: BEHAVIOR PATTERN DISCOVERY IN A VIRTUAL SHOPPING ENVIRONMENT by Peishih Chang While shopping online, customers' needs and goals may change dynamically, based on a variety of factors such as product information and characteristics, time pressure and perceived risk. While these changes create emergent information needs, decisions about what information to present to customers are typically made before customers have visited a web site, using data such as purchase histories and logs of web pages visited. Better understanding of customer cognition and behavior as a function of various factors is needed in order to enable the right information to be presented at the right time. One approach to achieving this understanding is to develop predictions about what information to present based on inferences made from cognitively-grounded models of the customer, calibrated according to an analysis of what behaviors can be observed during the online shopping experience (e.g., clickstream produced by mouse clicks and typing). As a step in achieving this objective, this research tests hypotheses about how differences in product involvement, time pressure, and uncertainty and riskiness of choice may impact a customer's search and decision strategies, time on task, and perceived risk while shopping online. It draws upon the results of prior research, as well as two pilot studies, to motivate the design of a study involving human participants making purchasing decisions in an online shopping environment. The main data sources are the think-aloud protocols and clickstreams of the participants, as well as preand post-experiment questionnaires. This work is expected to improve understanding of how contextual, personal and product-related factors help shape online shopping behavior, and to generate insights into the cognitive processes that inform this behavior. Future work beyond the thesis is likely to involve more formal modeling of human cognition in online shopping environments. SIFTING CUSTOMERS FROM THE CLICKSTREAM: BEHAVIOR PATTERN DISCOVERY IN A VIRTUAL SHOPPING ENVIRONMENT
Identifying and analyzing BIM specialist roles using a competency-based approach

The diffusion of BIM practices and the increasing connotation of BIM contributed to the emergence of several BIM-based specialist roles within the Architectural, Construction, Engineering and Facility Management (AEC-FM) sector. Both the competencies of each specialist role and the potential areas of competency overlap across these roles are not clearly identified in both academic and industry literature. Addressing this gap is important for: creating vocational and tertiary learning opportunities; supporting performance improvement of individuals and potential certification schemes; and defining roles within contract and on projects, and drafting recruitment profiles. The paper aims to identify the competencies for four key BIM specialist roles – selected based on their citation frequency – and analyze their competency overlap. Three knowledge sieves are used to identify the BIM roles and their competencies: academic literature; national BIM guides and specifications from the UK, US, Norway, and Finland; and job advertisements (i.e. 263 job postings). A BIM competency framework for individuals (i.e. [1]) was adopted while dissecting and collating the roles and responsibilities. The roles and responsibilities were dissected using the framework’s competency sets and topics. Social network analysis was used to visualize the competency profile of each roles, the overlap between their competency profiles, and the most prescribed competencies across all roles. The results included: (1) a competency based profile of four BIM specialist roles, namely the BIM Manager, Information Manager, BIM Coordinator, BIM Technician; (2) an identification of the competency overlap between each pair of roles and across all roles; and (3) an identification of the competency sets and topics that are required by most roles.
Proliferation of Hidden Income and Tax Evasion: Perceptions of Malaysian Professionals

This study employs a qualitative approach to investigate the perceptions of professionals regarding tax evasion and avoidance in the informal sectors in Malaysia. We estimate tax evasion due to hidden income in Malaysia approximates MYR 44.97 billion (A$ 13.87 billion), around 5.4 per cent of gross domestic product in 2014. We used a survey to seek insights on hidden income from respondents who are experts in the fields of accounting and taxation, including senior government officers and tax professionals. The findings of the survey reveal that the three main sectors perceived to be engaged in ‘hidden income’ are, in ranking order: (i) petty trade; (ii) logging and timber; and (iii) money lending and pawn-broking. Our interviews with the respondents also reveal additional informal sectors involved in these activities, including human trafficking, bribing of enforcement agencies and illegal logging. This study assists to identify tax compliance gaps among the different sectors of the economy and provides information on sectors that require greater tax auditing. This will, in turn, furnish input to policy makers to develop strategies in encouraging voluntary compliance as well as enhancing the effectiveness of the existing tax and bureaucratic systems.
TCP performance evaluation during handover among Bluetooth network access points

TCP is a reliable transport protocol that performs well in fixed networks where congestion is the primary cause of packet loss. However, TCP's packet recovery schemes lead to non-optimized data flow resuming after handover procedures in wireless LAN environments. The Bluetooth system is a low cost, short range wireless technology that can be used to provide network access; the handover procedure among Bluetooth access points is relatively slow compared to other standards because Bluetooth was born as a cable replacement with no mobility support. In this document TCP performance over the Bluetooth system is analyzed with particular attention to its behavior during the handover procedure that has been developed in our laboratories. TCP measurements, collected on a real-time prototype, show that packet losses during Bluetooth handovers result in TCP stream interruption that can last for more than two seconds even though layer two handover time is about 350 ms.
CD4 cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio increase during rituximab maintenance in granulomatosis with polyangiitis patients

Introduction Rituximab (RTX) is a B cell-depleting agent approved for the treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). RTX reduces antibody producing precursor plasma cells and inhibits B and T cells interaction. Infections related to T cell immunodeficiency are not infrequent during RTX treatment. Our study investigated CD4 cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio in GPA patients during the first two years of long-term RTX treatment. Methods A single centre cohort study of 35 patients who received median total cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide (CYC) of 15 g and were treated with RTX 2 g followed by retreatment with either 2 g once annually or 1 g biannually. Serum levels of total immunoglobulin (Ig) and lymphocytes subsets were recorded at RTX initiation and at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Low CD4 count and inverted CD4/CD8 ratio were defined as CD4 < 0.3 × 109/l and ratio < 1. Results The CD4 cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio decreased slightly following the initial RTX treatment and then increased gradually during maintenance treatment. While the proportion of patients with low CD4 cell count decreased from 43% at baseline to 18% at 24 months, the ratio remained inverted in 40%. Oral daily prednisolone dose at baseline, CYC exposure and the maintenance regimen did not influence the CD4 cell count and ratio. Being older (p = 0.012) and having a higher CRP (p = 0.044) and ESR (p = 0.024) at baseline significantly increased the risk of inverted CD4/CD8 ratio at 24 months. Inverted ratio at baseline associated with lower total Ig levels during the study. Conclusions Overall, the CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio increased during maintenance RTX therapy in GPA with no discernible impact of other immunosuppressive therapy. However the increase in CD4 was not followed by an increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio, especially in older patients. Inverted CD4/CD8 ratio associated with lower Ig levels, suggesting a more profound B cell depleting effect of RTX with a relative increase in CD8+ lymphocytes.
Apprentissage et filtrage syntaxico-sémantique de syntagmes nominaux pertinents pour la recherche documentaire

Nous proposons un systeme d'extraction de groupes nominaux qui s'appuie sur la syntaxe et la semantique, et qui aide a la mise a jour de thesaurus ou la creation d'index libres. L'originalite du systeme tient a la possibilite de faire varier la forme des groupes nominaux recherches, relativement a un centre d'interet. Ce dernier est concretise par un profil de filtrage. Il est ainsi possible de definir plusieurs points de vue sur un seul document, qui se traduisent par autant d'ensembles differents de groupes nominaux extraits du document. Le systeme doit donc etre calibre pour un champ d'investigation determine (domaine d'activite, type de document) avant d'etre exploite. Il requiert de l'operateur (documentaire, terminographe,. . . ) une participation active pour la mise au point des profils de filtrage. Ces profils sont definis en fournissant au systeme des exemples de groupes nominaux recherches (dits pertinents) et de groupes nominaux non pertinents. Une procedure d'apprentissage construit ensuite une modelisation linguistique des syntagmes consideres pertinents. L'evaluation de la pertinence des syntagmes nominaux repose sur une description syntaxicosemantique de leurs dependances lexico-syntaxiques elementaires. Le filtrage des dependances syntaxiques non pertinentes est effectue en procedant a des elagages syntaxiques dans les arbres des syntagmes a filtrer. Les groupes nominaux sont ainsi depouilles de proprietes linguistiques declarees non pertinentes dans le profil de filtrage. Notre experimentation montre que l'utilisation d'informations semantiques combinees avec des informations de structure syntaxique accroit notablement les performances du filtrage des syntagmes nominaux.
Genetic dissection of Pitx2 in craniofacial development uncovers new functions in branchial arch morphogenesis, late aspects of tooth morphogenesis and cell migration

Pitx2, a paired-related homeobox gene that encodes multiple isoforms, is the gene mutated in the haploinsufficient Rieger Syndrome type 1 that includes dental, ocular and abdominal wall anomalies as cardinal features. Previous analysis of the craniofacial phenotype of Pitx2-null mice revealed that Pitx2 was both a positive regulator of Fgf8 and a repressor of Bmp4-signaling, suggesting that Pitx2 may function as a coordinator of craniofacial signaling pathways. We show that Pitx2 isoforms have interchangeable functions in branchial arches and that Pitx2 target pathways respond to small changes in total Pitx2 dose. Analysis of Pitx2 allelic combinations that encode varying levels of Pitx2 showed that repression of Bmp signaling requires high Pitx2 while maintenance of Fgf8 signaling requires only low Pitx2. Fate-mapping studies with a Pitx2 cre recombinase knock in allele revealed that Pitx2 daughter cells are migratory and move aberrantly in the craniofacial region of Pitx2 mutant embryos. Our data reveal that Pitx2 function depends on total Pitx2 dose and rule out the possibility that the differential sensitivity of target pathways was a consequence of isoform target specificity. Moreover, our results uncover a new function of Pitx2 in regulation of cell motility in craniofacial development.
Loss of OPA1 Perturbates the Mitochondrial Inner Membrane Structure and Integrity, Leading to Cytochrome c Release and Apoptosis*

OPA1 encodes a large GTPase related to dynamins, anchored to the mitochondrial cristae inner membrane, facing the intermembrane space. OPA1haplo-insufficiency is responsible for the most common form of autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA, MIM165500), a neuropathy resulting from degeneration of the retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve atrophy. Here we show that down-regulation of OPA1 in HeLa cells using specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) leads to fragmentation of the mitochondrial network concomitantly to the dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential and to a drastic disorganization of the cristae. These events are followed by cytochromec release and caspase-dependent apoptotic nuclear events. Similarly, in NIH-OVCAR-3 cells, the OPA1 siRNA induces mitochondrial fragmentation and apoptosis, the latter being inhibited by Bcl2 overexpression. These results suggest that OPA1 is a major organizer of the mitochondrial inner membrane from which the maintenance of the cristae integrity depends. As loss of OPA1 commits cells to apoptosis without any other stimulus, we propose that OPA1 is involved in the cytochrome c sequestration and might be a target for mitochondrial apoptotic effectors. Our results also suggest that abnormal apoptosis is a possible pathophysiological process leading to the retinal ganglion cells degeneration in ADOA patients.