Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Spectral Geometrical Model for Compton Scatter Tomography Based on the SSS Approximation

—The forward model of single scatter in the Positron Emission Tomography for a detector system possessing an excellent spectral resolution under idealized geometrical assumptions is investigated. This model has the form of integral equations describing a ﬂux of photons emanating from the same anni- hilation event and undergoing a single scattering at a certain angle. The equations for single scatter calculation are derived using the Single Scatter Simulation approximation. We show that the three-dimensional slice-by-slice ﬁltered backprojection algorithm is applicable for scatter data inversion provided some assumptions on the attenuation map are justiﬁed.
A comparative evaluation of effect of upper lip length, age and sex on amount of exposure of maxillary anterior teeth.

AIM The aim was to evaluate the relationship of age, sex and lip length to the amount of exposure of maxillary incisors and canine teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two-hundred subjects were enrolled in the study. All subjects were grouped according to the lip length and age. The exposure of maxillary central incisor and canines was measured with flexible millimeter ruler. Teeth exposure beyond the lower border of the upper lip was considered as positive exposure and the unexposed teeth were considered as negative exposure. RESULT In females of age group 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49 and 50 to 59 years, the mean exposure of central incisor was 2.16, 2.1, 2.18 mm and that of canine was 0.04, -0.36, -0.44 mm. For male of age group 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49 and 50 to 59 years exposed 2.04, 2.04, 1.84, 1.76 mm of central incisor respectively and 0.08, -0.52, -0.4 and -0.4 mm exposure of canine. Female subjects with lip length 10 to 15, 15 to 20, 21 to 25, 25 to 30 and 31 to 35 mm showed 3.7, 3.4, 2.3, 0.9, 0.25 mm exposure of central incisor and 0.35, -0.15, -0.7, -0.8, -0.6 mm exposure of canine, respectively. Male subjects exposed 3.4, 3.3, 2.05, 0.7, 0.15 mm of central incisor and 0.4, 0.3, -0.6, -0.95, -0.7 mm of canine respective to lip length. CONCLUSION The range of exposure of maxillary central incisors was wider than that of canine. The average dimensions for maxillary canines relating to age and sex were closer to the extremes of the range. The canine position relative to the maxillary lip appeared to be a more predictable determinant. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The result of the study can be used as a reference according to the age, sex and the lip length of the patient to correctly place maxillary anterior teeth in prosthesis.
Adaptive multimodal biometric fusion algorithm using particle swarm optimization and belief functions

In this paper, an adaptive multimodal biometric fusion algorithm is proposed. It is based on belief functions and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The fusion is performed at the score level using belief functions such as Dempster Shafer, Yager, Proportional Conflict Redistribution and Dezert-Smarandache hybrid rules. A hybrid PSO is employed to select the best belief function and estimate its parameters. Several experiments have been conducted on BANCA dataset and a comparison between the well established methods has been performed. The preliminary results provide adequate motivation towards future research in the application of optimization techniques in the belief functions.
Surface excavation with model predictive control

This paper describes the application of variable-horizon model predictive control to trajectory generation in surface excavation. A nonlinear dynamic model of a surface mining machine digging in oil sand is developed as a test platform. This model is then stabilised with an inner-loop controller before being linearised to generate a prediction model. The linear model is used to design a predictive controller for trajectory generation. A variable horizon formulation is augmented with extra terms in the cost function to allow more control over digging, whilst still preserving the guarantee of finite-time completion. Simulations show the generation of realistic trajectories, motivating new applications of variable horizon MPC for autonomy that go beyond the realm of vehicle path planning.
Modelo estrutural qualitativo para pré-avaliação do comportamento de estruturas metálicas.

The most important decisions in a design process of a structure, in terms of both aesthetic and economy, are qualitative and intuitive values. It’s important that the professionals involved in the design process, both Architect and Structural Engineer, should have the ability to visualize and understand the structural behavior at any circumstances. In this way, this work presents an experimental research to evaluate the behavior of a Qualitative Structural Model called Maquete Estrutural. This work presents an alternative experimental methodology that consists basically of comparing digital images. Many structural systems, both plane and spatial, built with the Maquete Estrutural, were tested and compared with computer simulations. Only the results of the deformed shape of the structural systems were compared. The experimental results show that the model’s behavior it is really similar of a real structural behavior. After the model’s validation are presented some applications of the Maquete Estrutural for preevaluation of steel structures behavior and representations of different existent structures to demonstrate the versatility of the proposed structural model.
Deening Location Data Dependency, Transaction Mobility and Commitment Deening Location Data Dependency, Transaction Mobility and Commitment

Previous research in the area of mobile transactions has mainly concentrated in developing schemes for processing conventional transactions, location management, and data broadcast. No one has examined how such mobility issues as location dependent data impact the actual deenition of a transaction in the mobile computing environment. There is a distinct lack of work related to data classiication and developing new transaction models for the mobile environment. The objective of this paper is to ll this void. First we examine the eeect of mobility on transaction processing and commitment, speciically examining the impact of location dependent data. We then develop a transaction model targeted for the mobile platform, propose new commitment protocols for mobile transactions and present a formal treatment of location dependent data. Our work presented opens up a new direction in mobile computing data processing. The ultimate goal of this paper is to spawn new research in the mobile computing arena.
Tracking control with adaption of kites

A novel tracking paradigm for flying geometric trajectories using tethered kites is presented. It is shown how the differential-geometric notion of turning angle can be used as a one-dimensional representation of the kite trajectory, and how this leads to a single-input single-output tracking problem. Based on this principle a Lyapunov-based non-linear adaptive controller is developed that only needs control derivatives of the kite aerodynamic model. The resulting controller is validated using simulations with a point-mass kite model.
Autonomous Specialization in a Multi-Robot System using Evolving Neural Networks

Artificial evolution has been considered as a promising approach for coordinating the controller of an autonomous mobile robot. However, it is not yet established whether artificial evolution is also effective in generating collective behaviour in a multi-robot system (MRS). In this study, two types of evolving artificial neural networks are utilized in an MRS. The first is the evolving continuous time recurrent neural network, which is used in the most conventional method, and the second is the topology and weight evolving artificial neural networks, which is used in the noble method. Several computer simulations are conducted in order to examine how the artificial evolution can be used to coordinate the collective behaviour in an MRS.
Low line memory visually lossless compression for color images using non-uniform quantizers

The paper proposes a novel method to compress color images with imperceptible quality loss. The algorithm explores the difference in error perceptibility of human visual system (HVS) for various areas. It is done by implementing different non-uniform quantizers for flat, detail and random blocks of pixels. These blocks are classified based on principle component analysis (PCA) and prediction error. For hardware implementation purpose, the algorithm is designed to use very low line memory. Simulation results show that the proposed compression is visually lossless in all categories of tested images with high compression ratio.
Computers as Tools or as Social Actors? - The Users' Perspective on Anthropomorphic Agents

Surprising findings showing that many basic rules of social interaction among humans also apply to the interaction of humans with computers26 have encouraged interface researchers to proclaim a new paradigm in human computer interface design: the social interface. Reeves and Nass' findings have especially given a new impetus to research on anthropomorphic agents, suggesting that furnishing an agent with a human-like interface could be an effective way to enhance agent usability. Little research exists however, to verify this claim. This study seeks to illuminate user responses to an anthropomorphic agent if it is used on a daily basis. It examines the influence of traditional usability variables such as control, understanding, trust, and distraction on the acceptance of an anthropomorphic interface. Kaasinen8 as well as Wexelblat and Maes36 emphasize that the acceptance of agents (whether or not they have an anthropomorphic interface) strongly depends on these traditional usability variables. As subject for this study, a commonly used anthropomorphic agent, the Microsoft Office Assistant, was selected. Using a questionnaire that was distributed through email and the World Wide Web as well as on paper, 105 users of the Microsoft Office Suite were asked about their use and acceptance of the Office Assistant. It turned out that the Office Assistant feature was rejected by the majority of the users. As a feature to troubleshoot problems, it was perceived as inefficient. Also, from a "social" perspective, it was rated as not particularly engaging or motivating. Multiple regression analysis revealed that variables influencing the use and the acceptance of the Office Assistant were distraction and trust. Only those users who felt distracted by the assistant and who did not trust in its capability to solve their problems rejected the Office Assistant. It is concluded that to ensure agent usability, its design should emphasize assistance with the user's task over social mimicry. If design efforts to furnish the agent with social traits interfere with the user's principal goal, it is likely that the agent will be rejected.
Caching Techniques and Content Management in Mobile Adhoc Network

2 Abstract: Caching techniques are used in Mobile Adhoc Network's to improve the data access efficiency and also reduce the bandwidth and delay. The management of this cache content is required to efficiently utilize the cache memory so that it improves the cache hit ratio and accordingly the data access efficiency. A number of caching techniques and cache management methods have been proposed. This paper consolidates the various caching techniques and cache management issues in MANETs like cache consistency, cache invalidation and cache replication. The data accessibility efficiency can be greatly enhanced on implementation of these techniques.
On the effective capacity of MTC networks in the finite blocklength regime

This paper analyzes the effective capacity (EC) of delay constrained machine type communication (MTC) networks operating in the finite blocklength (FB) regime. First, we derive a closed-form mathematical approximation for the EC in Rayleigh block fading channels. We characterize the optimum error probability to maximize the concave EC function and study the effect of SINR variations for different delay constraints. Our analysis reveals that SINR variations have less impact on EC for strict delay constrained networks. We present an exemplary scenario for massive MTC access to analyze the interference effect proposing three methods to restore the EC for a certain node which are power control, graceful degradation of delay constraint and joint compensation. Joint compensation combines both power control and graceful degradation of delay constraint, where we perform maximization of an objective function whose parameters are determined according to delay and SINR priorities. Our results show that networks with stringent delay constraints favor power controlled compensation and compensation is generally performed at higher costs for shorter packets.
Mixed Integer Quadratic Programming Based Scheduling Methods for Day-Ahead Bidding and Intra-Day Operation of Virtual Power Plant

As distributed energy resources (DERs) proliferate power systems, power grids face new challenges stemming from the variability and uncertainty of DERs. To address these problems, virtual power plants (VPPs) are established to aggregate DERs and manage them as single dispatchable and reliable resources. VPPs can participate in the day-ahead (DA) market and therefore require a bidding method that maximizes profits. It is also important to minimize the variability of VPP output during intra-day (ID) operations. This paper presents mixed integer quadratic programming-based scheduling methods for both DA market bidding and ID operation of VPPs, thus serving as a complete scheme for bidding-operation scheduling. Hourly bids are determined based on VPP revenue in the DA market bidding step, and the schedule of DERs is revised in the ID operation to minimize the impact of forecasting errors and maximize the incentives, thus reducing the variability and uncertainty of VPP output. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods through a comparison of daily revenue.
Zika infection and the development of neurological defects

Starting with the outbreak in Brazil, Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been correlated with severe syndromes such as congenital Zika syndrome and Guillain‐Barré syndrome. Here, we review the status of Zika virus pathogenesis in the central nervous system (CNS). One of the main concerns about ZIKV exposure during pregnancy is abnormal brain development, which results in microcephaly in newborns. Recent advances in in vitro research show that ZIKV can infect and obliterate cells from the CNS, such as progenitors, neurons, and glial cells. Neural progenitor cells seem to be the main target of the virus, with infection leading to less cell migration, neurogenesis impairment, cell death and, consequently, microcephaly in newborns. The downsizing of the brain can be directly associated with defective development of the cortical layer. In addition, in vivo investigations in mice reveal that ZIKV can cross the placenta and migrate to fetuses, but with a significant neurotropism, which results in brain damage for the pups. Another finding shows that hydrocephaly is an additional consequence of ZIKV infection, being detected during embryonic and fetal development in mouse, as well as after birth in humans. In spite of the advances in ZIKV research in the last year, the mechanisms underlying ZIKV infection in the CNS require further investigation particularly as there are currently no treatments or vaccines against ZIKV infection.
Estrogen receptor isoform-specific regulation of endogenous gene expression in human osteoblastic cell lines expressing either ERalpha or ERbeta.

Estrogen (17beta-estradiol, E2) plays pivotal roles in the function and maintenance of the skeleton, including the bone-forming osteoblasts (OBs). The functions of E2 are largely mediated through two distinct estrogen receptor isoforms, ERalpha and ERbeta, both of which are expressed in OBs. The level of each isoform dominates at early or late stages of OB differentiation. To date, only a limited comparison between the transcriptional targets of ERalpha and ERbeta on endogenous gene expression has been reported. We have developed new stable cell lines, which contain doxycycline (Dox)-inducible ERalpha and ERbeta, in the U2OS human osteosarcoma to determine the global transcriptional profile of ERalpha- and ERbeta-regulation of endogenous gene expression. The U2OS-ERalpha and U2OS-ERbeta cell lines were treated with Dox and either vehicle control or E2 for 24 h. Gene expression analysis was performed using a microarray containing approximately 6,800 full-length genes. We detected 63 genes that were regulated solely by ERalpha and 59 genes that were only regulated solely by ERbeta. Of the ERalpha-regulated genes, 81% were upregulated and 19% were inhibited. Similarly 76% of the ERbeta-regulated genes were upregulated whereas 24% were inhibited by E2. Surprisingly, only 17 genes were induced by both ERalpha and ERbeta. Real-time PCR was employed to confirm the expression of a selected number of genes. The regulation of a number of known E2-responsive genes in human OBs, as well as many interesting novel genes, is shown. The distinct patterns of E2-dependent gene regulation in the U2OS cells by ERalpha and ERbeta shown here suggest that during OB differentiation, when either isoform dominates, a unique pattern of gene responses will occur, partially due to the differentiation state and the ER isoform present.
Analytic approximations of eigenvalue moments and mean channel capacity for MIMO channels

Approximate second order moments of the squared singular values of the channel matrix of a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system are derived. Correlation at both the receiver and the transmitter antenna arrays is allowed. The approximation converges to the true moments as either the number of transmit or receive antennas increases. Simulations indicate that the derived moments may provide a good approximation of the true moments even for realistic array sizes. As an application, an expression for the mean channel capacity is derived. The expression is simple enough to provide insight while offering promising performance when compared with simulated channel capacities.
More Thoughts on the Quantum Theory of Stable de Sitter Space

I review and update ideas about the quantum theory of de Sitter space. New results include a quantum relation between energy and entropy of states in the causal patch, which is satisfied by small dS black holes. I also discuss the preliminaries of a quantum theory in global coordinates, which is invariant under a q-deformed version of the de Sitter supergroup. In this context I outline an algebraic derivation of the CSB scaling relation between Poincare SUSY breaking and the dS radius. I also review recent work on infra-red divergences in dS/CFT, as well as the phenomenology of CSB. I show that a coincidence been two scales in the phenomenological model is explained by insisting on the existence of galaxies.
Applying the multiclass classification methods for the classification of online social network friends

Online social networks (OSNs) are platforms which facilitate social interactions between their users through message exchange, photo and video sharing, status updates, etc. One of the most popular OSNs is Facebook. Connections between users on Facebook are modeled through concept of friendship. Each connection between users is binary — two users either are or aren't "friends". Information about of the actual intensity or nature of their connection is not available although in real life it can vary significantly. A majority of observed network friends are acquaintances in real-life while close friends are in the minority. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate and evaluate how user interaction statistics can be utilized for effective assessment of the nature of users' real-life relationship. Using an ensemble of popular classification algorithms, we will classify ego-user's network friends into 3 groups: close friends, friends and acquaintances. As our main contribution, we will compare the efficiency of chosen algorithms and suggest the best approach for conducting this type of analysis on similar OSN communication data.
Finite-Time Synchronization of Complex Multilinks Networks with Perturbations and Time-Varying Delay Based on Nonlinear Adaptive Controller

This paper utilizes nonlinear adaptive feedback controller to make the complex multilinks networks with perturbations and time-varying delays achieve the finite-time synchronization. By designing nonlinear controllers, we use suitable Lyapunov functions and sufficient conditions to guarantee the finite-time synchronization between the drive system and the response system in terms of adaptive control. Several novel and useful finite-time synchronization criteria are accurately derived based on linear matrix inequality, Kronecker product, inequality analytical technique, and finite-time stability theory. Finally, numerical examples are given to demonstrate the validity and the effectiveness of our theoretical results.
Two arrays of defense strategies of Brassicaceae plants that eavesdrop on mint volatiles

ABSTRACT Brassica rapa can eavesdrop on volatile compounds emitted from peppermint and consequently boost its defense responses against Plutella xylostella. In the current study, to assess how B. rapa receiver plants cultivated near peppermint plants resist P. xylostella, two biological assays were conducted. The data showed that the receiver plants cultivated with peppermint exhibited lower weight gain of P. xylostella larvae, compared to that exhibited by non-receiver plants. Moreover, a lower rate of oviposition of adult female P. xylostella was observed on B. rapa plants cultivated with peppermint plants compared to the rate on B. rapa plants cultivated with glass-enclosed peppermint plants, although receiver B. rapa plants that had been previously incubated with peppermint for 7 days and non-receiver B. rapa plants exhibited similar rates of oviposition. Taking all these findings together, we conclude that cultivation of B. rapa receiver plants with peppermint results in two arrays of defense strategies.
Multi-Point Relaying based Hybrid Routing Protocol for MANET.

-- This paper describes the design and performance of a routing protocol for mobile ad-hoc networks. Our routing protocol is named “Hybrid Routing” in that it attempts to take advantage of both proactive and reactive approaches. The protocol is based on the concept of multipoint relaying (MPR) to minimize flooding traffic. For most applications over mobile ad-hoc networks, it is expected that a major portion of communication will be done in the two-hop region. Therefore, when a node needs a route to a destination in the two-hop region, it consults with the routing table as the proactive approach to find the route directly. Outside this region, on the other hand, it discovers a route on demand as the reactive approach through the use of MPR flooding. The proposed protocol has been validated using the ns network simulator with wireless and mobility extensions. The simulation results show that our MPR-HR protocol provides higher efficiency in terms of routing overhead compared to AODV, one of the most efficient routing protocols released for mobile ad-hoc networks.