Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
H∞-Based Pinning Synchronization of General Complex Dynamical Networks with Coupling Delays

This paper investigates the synchronization of complex dynamical networks with coupling delays and external disturbances by applying local feedback injections to a small fraction of nodes in the whole network. Based on control theory, some delay-independent and -dependent synchronization criteria with a prescribed disturbances attenuation index are derived for such controlled networks in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which guarantee that by placing a small number of feedback controllers on some nodes, the whole network can be pinned to reach network synchronization. A simulation example is included to validate the theoretical results.
A Method of Ergonomic Workplace Evaluation for Assessing Occupational Risks at Workplaces

The paper discusses new trends in developing and implementing methods of workplace analysis. It presents a sample method of ergonomic workplace evaluation developed at the Poznań University of Technology. The method is a response to the industrial sector’s demand for tools supporting occupational risk assessment. The authors also present opportunities and benefits of applying the method in occupational safety management systems, which have gained increasing popularity in recent years.
GABAergic Inhibitory Control of the Transient and Sustained Components of Orientation Selectivity in a Model Microcolumn in Layer 4 of Cat Visual Cortex

Recently proposed models of orientation tuning in layer 4 of cat primary visual cortex (Somers, Nelson, & Sur, 1995; Douglas, Koch, Mahowald, Martin, & Suarez, 1995) rely on widespread inhibitory intracortical connections to suppress the nonoptimal component of a broadly tuned thalamic input, while local excitatory intracortical connections amplify the optimal component. However, new experimental data (Ferster, Chung, & Wheat, 1996) and theoretical analyses (Ferster, 1987; Krukowski, Priebe, & Miller, 1996) show that the temporally modulated component of thalamic input is well tuned and that the cortical circuitry must simply subtract an unmodulated DC component at nonoptimal orientations to obtain sharp tuning. In addition, within a single hypercolumn in layer 4, inhibitory and excitatory layer 4 neurons have approximately equal-sized axonal fields, making the most of their synapses within their own dendritic field (Kisvarday, Martin, Whitteridge, & Somogyi, 1985; Martin & Whitteridge, 1984). We have constructed a model of a single microcolumn in which GABAB inhibition subtracts the DC and controls the sustained response, while GABAA inhibition controls the response to transient and suprathreshold inputs. The model fits experimental data based on stimulation with drifting sine-wave gratings as well as flashed bars, explains a counterintuitive property of the GABAB K+ conductance, and at suboptimal orientations and submaximal contrasts produces an exponential distribution of firing frequencies.
A static coverage algorithm for locational optimization

We propose multiscale metrics to capture the quality of coverage by a static configuration of agents. This metric is used for the locational optimization of sensor networks. Agent configurations that minimize the multiscale coverage metric are an alternative to the well-known centroidal voronoi tesselations. Other applications include quantization and clustering analysis. We demonstrate the performance of the algorithm on various examples.
HAPLOTYPE STRUCTURE AND ALLELE FREQUENCIES OF CYP2B6 IN A KOREAN POPULATION

Cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) metabolizes a number of therapeutic drugs and its metabolic activity varies markedly in human liver. Although genetic polymorphisms of CYP2B6 have been reported in noncoding and coding regions, little information is available regarding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their haplotypes in noncoding regions in Asians. Fourteen previously reported SNPs were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism or SNaPshot analysis in a Korean population and their haplotypes were inferred from genotype data using an expectation-maximization algorithm. The most common haplotypes were haplotype I, the reference sequence (frequency 0.35), haplotype II (0.19), haplotype III (0.19), and haplotype V (0.12), which together accounted for 85% of all haplotypes. The frequency of haplotype III, which contains -2320C, -1778G, -1186G, -750C, and 15582T, was found to be 2.4-fold higher than that of the *1J allele in Caucasians, and the frequency of haplotype V, which contains -8207C, -1456C, -750C, 516T, and 785G, was 55% of that of the *6B allele in Caucasians. Moreover, haplotype V, the *6B allele, appeared to be completely linked to -8207 within a putative nuclear receptor binding motif, suggesting that lower expressions of the *6B allele may be associated with the presence of noncoding SNPs such as -8207G>C linked to nonsynonymous SNPs. In conclusion, we found 11 previously described polymorphisms and identified four major haplotypes of CYP2B6 in Koreans. The frequencies of the *1J or *6B alleles, which may reduce CYP2B6 enzyme expression, were found to be significantly different between Koreans and Caucasians.
Optimized multi-party certified email protocols

Purpose – As a value‐added service to deliver important data over the internet with guaranteed receipt for each successful delivery, certified email has been discussed for years and a number of research papers appeared in the literature. This paper aims to present two optimized multi‐party certified email protocols.Design/methodology/approach – Reviews two existing email protocols and provides a modified version to overcome their security flaws and weaknesses. Extends the two‐party protocol to a multi‐party scenario.Findings – Both of the protocols have three major features. A sender could notify multiple recipients of the same information while only those recipients who acknowledged are able to get the information. Both the sender and the recipients can end a protocol run at any time without breach of fairness. The exchange protocols are optimized, each of which has only three steps, and the trusted third party will not be involved unless an exception (e.g. a network failure or a party's misbehavior) occ.
Decentralized adaptive control for interconnected lagrangian systems

In this paper a decentralized adaptive control for interconnected Lagrangian systems is addressed. Linearly parameterized interconnections and implicit cooperation among the subsystems are assumed. Under these conditions, asymptotical tracking in each subsystem to the reference trajectory is achieved. A numerical example of controlling two cooperative robots is included to illustrate the performance of this adaptive control scheme.
A probabilistic method for the detection and genotyping of small indels from population-scale sequence data

MOTIVATION High-throughput sequencing technologies have made population-scale studies of human genetic variation possible. Accurate and comprehensive detection of DNA sequence variants is crucial for the success of these studies. Small insertions and deletions represent the second most frequent class of variation in the human genome after single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Although several alignment tools for the gapped alignment of sequence reads to a reference genome are available, computational methods for discriminating indels from sequencing errors and genotyping indels directly from sequence reads are needed. RESULTS We describe a probabilistic method for the accurate detection and genotyping of short indels from population-scale sequence data. In this approach, aligned sequence reads from a population of individuals are used to automatically account for context-specific sequencing errors associated with indels. We applied this approach to population sequence datasets from the 1000 Genomes exon pilot project generated using the Roche 454 and Illumina sequencing platforms, and were able to detect a significantly greater number of indels than reported previously. Comparison to indels identified in the 1000 Genomes pilot project demonstrated the sensitivity of our method. The consistency in the number of indels and the fraction of indels whose length is a multiple of three across different human populations and two different sequencing platforms indicated that our method has a low false discovery rate. Finally, the method represents a general approach for the detection and genotyping of small-scale DNA sequence variants for population-scale sequencing projects. AVAILABILITY A program implementing this method is available at http://polymorphism.scripps. edu/~vbansal/software/piCALL/
Deep Graphical Feature Learning for Face Sketch Synthesis

The exemplar-based face sketch synthesis method generally contains two steps: neighbor selection and reconstruction weight representation. Pixel intensities are widely used as features by most of the existing exemplar-based methods, which lacks of representation ability and robustness to light variations and clutter backgrounds. We present a novel face sketch synthesis method combining generative exemplar-based method and discriminatively trained deep convolutional neural networks (dCNNs) via a deep graphical feature learning framework. Our method works in both two steps by using deep discriminative representations derived from dCNNs. Instead of using it directly, we boost its representation capability by a deep graphical feature learning framework. Finally, the optimal weights of deep representations and optimal reconstruction weights for face sketch synthesis can be obtained simultaneously. With the optimal reconstruction weights, we can synthesize high quality sketches which is robust against light variations and clutter backgrounds. Extensive experiments on public face sketch databases show that our method outperforms state-of-the-art methods, in terms of both synthesis quality and recognition ability.
A revised appraisal of scientific names used in the 1915 list of lichens of the Maltese Islands by S. Sommier and A. Caruana Gatto

In 1915, Stefano Sommier and Alfredo Caruano Gatto published a list of lichens from the Maltese Islands. This author published an appraisal of the scientific names used in their list in 2002. The present work aims to replace the previous work given the important changes which have occurred in lichen nomenclature.
A State-Space Acyclicity Property for Exponentially Tighter Plan Length Bounds

We investigate compositional bounding of transition system diameters, with application in bounding the lengths of plans. We establish usefully-tight bounds by exploiting acyclicity in state-spaces. We provide mechanised proofs in HOL4 of the validity of our approach. Evaluating our bounds in a range of benchmarks, we demonstrate exponentially tighter upper bounds compared to existing methods. Treating both solvable and unsolvable benchmark problems, we also demonstrate the utility of our bounds in boosting planner performance. We enhance an existing planning procedure to use our bounds, and demonstrate significant coverage improvements, both compared to the base planner, and also in comparisons with state-of-the-art systems.
Contribution of mitochondrial network dynamics to intracellular ROS signaling

Oxidative stresses can induce rapid depolarization of inner mitochondrial membrane potential and subsequent impairment of oxidative phosphorylation. Damaged mitochondria produce more reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly the superoxide anion (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which potentiate mitochondria-driven ROS propagation, so-called ROS-induced ROS release (RIRR), via activation of an inter-mitochondrial signaling network. In this context, mitochondrial network dynamics, such as their density, number, and spatial distribution, can affect mitochondria-driven ROS propagation. To investigate this inter-mitochondrial communication, we developed a mathematical model using an agent-based modeling approach, and tested the effect of mitochondrial network dynamics on RIRR for mitochondria under various conditions. Simulation results show that mitochondrial network dynamics are critical determinants of inter-mitochondrial ROS signaling patterns and main messenger ROS molecules. We further elucidated the potential mechanism of these actions, which is conversion of major messenger molecules involved in ROS signaling. Collectively, we propose that mitochondrial network dynamics can determine cellular responses to oxidative stress by switching the molecular species involved in cellular signaling.
Application of an Optimal Tuner Selection Approach for On-Board Self-Tuning Engine Models

An enhanced design methodology for minimizing the error in on-line Kalman filter-based aircraft engine performance estimation applications is presented in this paper. It specifically addresses the underdetermined estimation problem, in which there are more unknown parameters than available sensor measurements. This work builds upon an existing technique for systematically selecting a model tuning parameter vector of appropriate dimension to enable estimation by a Kalman filter, while minimizing the estimation error in the parameters of interest. While the existing technique was optimized for open-loop engine operation at a fixed design point, in this paper an alternative formulation is presented that enables the technique to be optimized for an engine operating under closed-loop control throughout the flight envelope. The theoretical Kalman filter mean squared estimation error at a steady-state closed-loop operating point is derived, and the tuner selection approach applied to minimize this error is discussed. A technique for constructing a globally optimal tuning parameter vector, which enables full-envelope application of the technology, is also presented, along with design steps for adjusting the dynamic response of the Kalman filter state estimates. Results from the application of the technique to linear and nonlinear aircraft engine simulations are presented and compared to the conventional approach of tuner selection. The new methodology is shown to yield a significant improvement in on-line Kalman filter estimation accuracy.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Protective immunity afforded by attenuated, PhoP‐deficient Mycobacterium tuberculosis is associated with sustained generation of CD4+ T‐cell memory

Definition of protective immunity induced by effective vaccines is important for the design of new pathogen control strategies. Inactivation of the PhoP response‐regulator in Mycobacterium tuberculosis results in a highly attenuated strain that demonstrates impressive protective efficacy in pre‐clinical models of tuberculosis. In this report we demonstrate that the protection afforded by the M. tuberculosis phoP mutant strain is associated with the long‐term maintenance of CD4+ T‐cell memory. Immunization of mice with SO2 resulted in enhanced expansion of M. tuberculosis‐specific CD4+ T cells compared with vaccination with the BCG vaccine, with an increased frequency of these cells persisting at extended time‐points after vaccination. Strikingly, vaccination with SO2 resulted in sustained generation of CD4+ T cells displaying a central memory phenotype, a property not shared by BCG. Further, SO2 vaccination markedly improved the generation of polyfunctional cytokine‐secreting CD4+ T cells compared with BCG vaccination. The improved generation of functionally competent memory T cells by SO2 correlated with augmented recall responses in SO2‐vaccinated animals after challenge with virulent M. tuberculosis. This study defines a mechanism for the protective effect of the SO2 vaccine and suggests that deletion of defined virulence networks may provide vaccine strains with potent immuno‐stimulatory properties.
The cell surface receptor is a major determinant restricting the host range of the B-lymphotropic papovavirus

The B-lymphotropic papovavirus (LPV) productively infects only a subset of human B-lymphoma-derived cell lines while transfection of the viral genome yields infectious viral particles in a much wider variety of human hematopoietic cell lines. We have analyzed the contribution of a putative LPV receptor on the cell surface of B-cell lines in restricting the virus host range. In order to establish a quantitative virus binding assay for LPV, infectious virus particles were highly purified by metrizamide equilibrium density centrifugation and used as immunogens to raise seven mouse monoclonal antibodies specific for LPV VP1. Virus particle binding was quantitated in an indirect, nonradioactive assay with an LPV VP1-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Binding of LPV particles to permissive human B-lymphoma cell line BJA-B occurred within minutes. Kinetics and capacity of binding were similar at 4 and 37 degrees C. A BJA-B cell was estimated to bind approximately 600 virus particles at conditions under which 50% of the administered virus was bound. The sialidase and trypsin sensitivities of the cellular virus binding moiety show that sialylated and proteinaceous components are necessary components of the LPV receptor on BJA-B cells. Despite a high binding capacity of BJA-B cells for simian virus 40, LPV binding was not significantly affected by a 20-fold excess of simian virus 40 particles, indicating that these related polyomaviruses do not bind to the same receptor on BJA-B cells. Reduction of LPV binding to sialidase-pretreated BJA-B cells was accompanied by a similar reduction of infection, indicating that virus binding may be a limiting factor in the LPV replicative cycle. The two highly LPV-permissive human B-lymphoma cell lines BJA-B and Namalwa displayed high virus binding whereas low and nonpermissive hematopoietic cell lines showed reduced or undetectable virus binding. We conclude that the inability of LPV particles to productively infect the nonpermissive human hematopoietic cell lines analyzed is probably due to the absence or insufficient expression of a functional cell surface receptor.
Estimation of the dynamic leakage current of a supercapacitor in energy harvesting powered autonomous wireless sensor nodes

The supercapacitor is a candidate energy storage component for energy harvesting powered autonomous wireless sensor node aiming to achieve battery replacement-free, “fit and forget” sensor node in low-power IoT applications. The leakage current of the supercapacitor provided by the manufacturer is tested long after post-charge, raising a concern relating to the uncertainty of the dynamic leakage current in the IoT applications where the supercapacitor frequently charges and discharges. This paper investigates the charge redistribution process which causes an equivalent capacitance change of the supercapacitor in a full IoT measurement period, and then proposes an experiment design to measure the dynamic leakage current of a supercapacitor for an IoT application. The results showed that the charge redistribution process is completed long before the end of the sleep period due to the low ratio of the amount of discharge in an active period to the total amount of charge the supercapacitor holds. It also showed that the average dynamic leakage current in an entire measurement period corresponds to the value provided by the manufacturer, indicating that leakage current is not an issue when supercapacitors is used for low-power IoT applications.
NGMV control of state dependent multivariable systems

A nonlinear generalized minimum variance control law is derived for the control of nonlinear multivariable systems. The solution for the control law is obtained using a model for the process that includes three different types of subsystem to provide a variety of means of modeling the system. These may not all be present. The first subsystem involves a nonlinear operator of very general form. The second is a state dependent, state equation model of the plant and finally a linear state-equation model represents the output subsystem, disturbance and reference models. The process is assumed to include common delays in input or output channels of magnitude k. The quadratic like cost index involves state, error and control signal costing terms. The controller obtained is simple to implement, particularly in one form, which might be considered a nonlinear state-dependent version of the Smith predictor.
On the stability of sequential Monte Carlo methods in high dimensions

We investigate the stability of a Sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) method applied to the problem of sampling from a target distribution on Rd for large d. It is well known [Bengtsson, Bickel and Li, In Probability and Statistics: Essays in Honor of David A. Freedman, D. Nolan and T. Speed, eds. (2008) 316–334 IMS; see also Pushing the Limits of Contemporary Statistics (2008) 318–32 9 IMS, Mon. Weather Rev. (2009) 136 (2009) 4629–4640] that using a single importance sampling step, one produces an approximation for the target that deteriorates as the dimension d increases, unless the number of Monte Carlo samples N increases at an exponential rate in d. We show that this degeneracy can be avoided by introducing a sequence of artificial targets, starting from a “simple” density and moving to the one of interest, using an SMC method to sample from the sequence; see, for example, Chopin [Biometrika 89 (2002) 539–551]; see also [J. R. Stat. Soc. Ser. B Stat. Methodol. 68 (2006) 411–436, Phys. Rev. Lett. 78 (1997) 2690–2693, Stat. Comput. 11 (2001) 125–139]. Using this class of SMC methods with a fixed number of samples, one can produce an approximation for which the effective sample size (ESS) converges to a random variable eN as d → ∞ with 1 < eN < N. The convergence is achieved with a computational cost proportional to Nd2. If eN � N, we can raise its value by introducing a number of resampling steps, say m (where m is independent of d). In this case, the ESS converges to a random variable eN,m as d → ∞ and limm→∞ eN,m = N. Also, we show that the Monte Carlo error for estimating a fixed-dimensional marginal expectation is of order √ 1 N uniformly in d. The results imply that, in high dimensions, SMC algorithms can efficiently control the variability of the importance sampling weights and estimate fixed-dimensional marginals at a cost which is less than exponential in d and indicate that resampling leads to a reduction in the Monte Carlo error and increase in the ESS. All of our analysis is made under the assumption that the target density is i.i. d.
Flight control system design for wind gust rejection based on an Unknown Input Observer and a Simple Adaptive Controller

This paper presents a design methodology for the rejection of wind gusts during flight. The proposed application is based on the Simple Adaptive Controller (SAC) methodology, but differs from other SAC applications in the sense that the reference model utilised is an Unknown Input Observer (UIO). As a consequence, the adaptive controller is fed by an estimate of the wind gust and will only act in the event of such a disturbance occurring, retaining nominal performance otherwise. Although stability guarantees of the flight control system proposed follows closely previous work, some differences are found and commented upon in this work. Success of the proposed scheme is demonstrated via simulation using a linear model of the MuPAL-α experimental aircraft of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the results are compared with an implementation of the original SAC formulation.