Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Field-theory treatment of the Heisenberg spin-1 chain.

Calcul des susceptibilites magnetiques statique et dynamique pour le modele. Les resultats sont en bon accord avec l'experience pour [Ni(C 2 H 8 N 2 )NO 2 ClO 4 ]. Cette approche permet en particulier d'eliminer la contradiction entre les bandes interdites d'excitation deduites des mesures d'aimantation a champ eleve et de la diffusion des neutrons
Mode-dependent sampled control of linear systems

The problem of mode-dependent sampled control of linear systems is investigated in this paper. Based on Markov jumping theory, the delays from sensor to controller and sample period were combined and were modeled as humongous Markov jumping process with finite states. Then, based on input-delay approach, a kind of new stochastic Lyapunov-Krasovskii function dependent on sample period was introduced to give the sufficient condition in linear matrix inequality (LMI) from for stochastic stability by the method of free matrices. Then, the method for design of sampled controller for such system is also presented in LMI form. An illustrative example is included to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed techniques.
The influence of Coordination on the Performance of Plant Turnaround Maintenance through Team Alignment in Malaysian Process-Based Industry

The plant turnaround maintenance is a maintenance activity in which the machinery and equipment of the plant are shut down for repairing the worn out parts or installing new machinery. The event is costly and time consuming requiring a competent maintenance management. The large work activities of the event requires the services of large number of people. These people work in congested areas which might cause conflicts among the members and requires team alignment. It helps in attaining high performance of the event and the company. The current study uses survey approach for the data collection from oil & gas refining companies, petrochemical plants, cement plants, palm oil refineries and electric power generating plants. The simple random sampling technique was used for collecting the data. The data collected from 31 out of 96 companies yields an acceptable response rate of 32%. The empirical results of the current study shows that the performance of the plant turnaround maintenance increases with coordination and team alignment in plant turnaround maintenance.
Framework for Demystifying M2M Spectrum Regulation

The evolving M2M landscape not only cuts across diverse verticals but also embraces a range of networks and devices. This diversity leads to varied and dynamic requirements, which make regulatory policy formulation a daunting challenge. In this fast-changing environment, of all the regulatory policy dimensions, the one that confounds the regulator the most is the regulation of Spectrum. The typical dilemmas that regulators face in the domain of spectrum can be boiled down to questions like- Is the unlicensed band sufficient to maintain scalability with QOS for various use cases, Does the demand and other requirements warrant a separate licensed band for M2M etc. As expected, there is no panacea for spectrum access regulation. This can be attributed to the fact that the technical requirements (for example data throughput, reliability, range, and output power etc.) vary dramatically across the spectrum of use cases. To exacerbate the confusion in sizing up the varied and fast-changing technical requirements, a regulator is also expected to align its spectrum access policies to regulations and standards of other verticals. The advent of new Cognitive Radio, DSA, and other technologies, definitely don’t make the task of regulator any simpler. To us, the aforementioned situation implied that long-standing spectrum regulation principles and practices might have to go through an evolution. We do not claim that the basic objective of balancing spectrum demand, supply, and utilization will change. However, we believe that the way the regulator looks at these dimensions needs to change. To uncover this systematic change we researched the evolving practices of access network’s spectrum regulation across the globe, across verticals and across stakeholders. Then we tried to identify a pattern, which we crystallized into a simple framework. Our analysis is primarily based on secondary research. Via our paper, we wanted to share our perspective on the changed way in which regulator should look at Demand, supply, and utilization of Spectrum. In our paper, we propose a framework of factors, when considered, will help regulators look at this new world with an evolved lens. Using some selective samples our study also attempts at illustrating, as to how some of the proposed approaches (e.g. understanding spectrum demand) have been implemented by certain regulators. In certain sections of the paper, we also augment our view with specific data points from certain vertical industries. Finally, our study delves into earmarking and detailing the policy levers (e.g. Spectrum fees, sharing regulations, License Authorization Model) which can help regulator in reaching the aspired policy posture. The policy levers include both traditional and new age levers. Overall this framework attempts to demystify the spectrum policy regulation in the age of M2m/IOT. Additionally, our paper can also serve as a reference to many new players in M2M/IOT, who do not have a clear idea, as to what all ways, can a regulators spectrum policy impact their solution or their vertical.
Finite time control of multi-input nonlinear uncertain systems

The sliding mode control of nonlinear multi-input systems with uncertain control direction has been recently addressed by the authors. The case in which the matrix through which the action of the control is exerted, the so-called High Frequency Gain Matrix (HFGM) is unknown yet constant, has been dealt with exploiting the existence of the so-called finite unmixing spectrum. In the more general case of a time and state dependent HFGM a solution can be found if the time and state dependent eigenvalues belong to the positive complex half plane. In such case two type of integrators are added to the original system: integrators in the output channel required to avoid the so-called reaching condition by an integral sliding mode control and integrators in the output channel which are devoted to reduce the chattering phenomenon and to transform a non-affine system in affine with respect to a new control. In this last case, in order to maintain the original relative degree, the use of differentiators turns out to be crucial. The problem cannot be dealt with by the well known super-twisting algorithm and its more recent modifications. The paper is mainly devoted to provide a novel “super-twisting like” algorithm guaranteeing finite time convergence of the differentiation error despite the severe uncertainty condition presented by the considered problem.
Nitric oxide synthase inhibition attenuates hypoglycemic cerebral hyperemia in piglets.

We tested the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) mediates hypoglycemia-induced cerebral vasodilation in piglets. Piglets (1-2 wk old) were made hypoglycemic with insulin (200 U/kg i.v.) with and without an NO synthase inhibitor, N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 40 mg/kg i.v.). Electroencephalogram (EEG), cerebral O2 consumption (CMRO2), and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were measured before L-NAME and insulin and for 180 min after insulin. Hypoglycemia led to isoelectric EEG earlier after L-NAME (87 +/- 8 min) than without L-NAME pretreatment (132 +/- 13 min). CBF increased in all brain regions during hypoglycemia at the onset of isoelectric EEG and was associated with increased CMRO2.L-NAME prevented the increase in CMRO2 and attenuated vasodilation in forebrain (154 +/- 37 vs. 400 +/- 60%), cerebellum (251 +/- 52 vs. 386 +/- 52%), and cortical gray matter (183 +/- 47 vs. 524 +/- 93%) but had no effect on CBF responses in brain stem, thalamus, caudate, or hippocampus. We conclude that NO or a NO-containing compound mediates cerebral vasodilation induced by profound insulin-hypoglycemia in piglets and that this vasodilation plays an important role in the adaptation of immature brain to hypoglycemia.
Sur une approche qualitative des systemes physiques. Aide en temps reel a la conduite des proceds fermentaires

Ce travail s'attache a presenter les principales caracteristiques de la physique qualitative. Nous proposons ensuite les differents aspects methodologiques developpes a savoir: une modelisation par graphe d'influences causales entre les diverses variables du procede; un raisonnement sur l'etat standard dont la finalite consiste a retablir la chaine des causalites des phenomenes observes a partir de l'observation des tendances d'evolution des variables accessibles. Ces concepts, generalisables a un grand nombre de problemes poses par les systemes physiques, sont ensuite adaptes aux procedes biotechnologiques. La finalite est ici de reconstituer l'etat qualitatif de certaines variables internes au procede (niveau microscopique) grace a une analyse et une interpretation des observations externes (variables macroscopiques). Dix operateurs qualitatifs ont ete definis pour traduire les interactions majeures entre les variables du procede. Ces operateurs sont par la suite exprimes selon le formaliste de kheops, un systeme de programmation et d'interpretation de bases de connaissances en logique propositionnelle etendue developpe au sein de notre laboratoire. Durant cette etude, les travaux ont ete testes sur des procedes fermentaires de nature differentes et ont permis d'elaborer deux systemes experts fonctionnant en ligne sur site reel: au stade du laboratoire (650 regles), les essais se sont deroules au centre de transfert en biotechnologie et microbiologie de l'ups/insat sur la croissance de bacteries. Un test a egalement ete effectue sur des levures afin de prouver une certaine robustesse du systeme expert en fonction des microorganismes utilises; a l'echelle industrielle (550 regles), le systeme expert assure une aide a la conduite d'un procede fermentaire de la societe sanofi-chimie (usine d'aramon) utilisant des champignons filamenteux
Reliability of global assessment of functioning ratings made by clinical psychiatric staff.

OBJECTIVE In the Swedish psychiatric care system, systematic follow-up of clinical work with patients is becoming a part of regular service, and a number of care providers are using the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) to measure outcomes. This study investigated the reliability of the GAF and analyzed certain factors that affect measurement errors when the scale is used by regular psychiatric staff. METHODS Eighty-one raters from various psychiatric outpatient clinics rated eight case vignettes. Interrater reliability was assessed by using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and factors associated with reliability were analyzed by using raters' unique residual values. RESULTS The results showed that staff who are responsible for assessing first-time patients at outpatient psychiatric clinics and making diagnoses are using the GAF with satisfactory reliability (ICC(1,1)=. 81). The factors associated with reliability were raters' subjective attitude toward the GAF and motivation to use the scale and other measurement instruments in psychiatry. CONCLUSIONS GAF ratings made by an individual rater can be used to measure changes and outcomes at the group level. However, the measurement error is too large for assessment of change for an individual patient, in which case it might be necessary to use several raters. If raters are positively inclined to use rating instruments, measurement errors are minimized and reliability is maximized.
IPO Firms' Earnings Quality in Poland Around the Crisis

Purpose – The study examines the properties of discretionary accruals for Polish companies around initial public offerings (IPOs) in the pre and post-crisis years. Design/methodology/approach – The subsamples covered IPO firms going public before the crisis (2002– 2006) and after the height of the crisis (2009–2013). Discretionary accruals as proxies for earnings quality were estimated according to the DeAngelo model and the modified Jones model in the cross-sectional version. Findings – IPO firms have positive, relatively high issue-year abnormal accruals followed by negative abnormal accruals in subsequent years. The results suggest that IPO firms engage in more aggressive incomeincreasing earnings management. Originality/value –The study covers IPOs on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in Poland. The earnings quality of Polish IPOs around this issue has not been examined so far.
Machine learning for energy-water nexus: challenges and opportunities

ABSTRACT Modeling the interactions of water and energy systems is important to the enforcement of infrastructure security and system sustainability. To this end, recent technological advancement has allowed the production of large volumes of data associated with functioning of these sectors. We are beginning to see that statistical and machine learning techniques can help elucidate characteristic patterns across these systems from water availability, transport, and use to energy generation, fuel supply, and customer demand, and in the interdependencies among these systems that can leave these systems vulnerable to cascading impacts from single disruptions. In this paper, we discuss ways in which data and machine learning can be applied to the challenges facing the energy-water nexus along with the potential issues associated with the machine learning techniques themselves. We then survey machine learning techniques that have found application to date in energy-water nexus problems. We conclude by outlining future research directions and opportunities for collaboration among the energy-water nexus and machine learning communities that can lead to mutual synergistic advantage.
Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and mortality in postmenopausal women: the Women's Health Initiative calcium-vitamin D randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Calcium and vitamin D (CaD) supplementation trials including the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial of CaD have shown nonsignificant reductions in total mortality. This report examines intervention effects on total and cause-specific mortality by age and adherence. METHODS The WHI CaD trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that enrolled 36,282 postmenopausal women aged 51-82 years from 40 U.S. clinical centers. Women were assigned to 1,000 mg of elemental calcium carbonate and 400 IU of vitamin D(3) daily or placebo with average follow-up of 7.0 years. RESULTS The hazard ratio (HR) for total mortality was 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-1.01) with 744 deaths in women randomized to CaD versus 807 deaths in the placebo group. HRs were in the direction of reduced risk but nonsignificant for stroke and cancer mortality, but near unity for coronary heart disease and other causes of death. HRs for total mortality were 0.89 in the 29,942 women younger than 70 years (95% CI, 0.79-1.01) and 0.95 in the 6,340 women aged 70 and older (95% CI, 0.80-1.12; p value for age interaction = .10). No statistically significant interactions were observed for any baseline characteristics. Treatment effects did not vary significantly by season. CONCLUSIONS In the WHI CaD trial, supplementation did not have a statistically significant effect on mortality rates but the findings support the possibility that these supplements may reduce mortality rates in postmenopausal women. These data can neither support nor refute recommendations for higher dose vitamin D supplementation to reduce cancer or total mortality.
Comparison of segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry for the assessment of body composition in a community‐dwelling older population

The purpose of the present study was to examine the agreement of segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (SMF‐BIA) for the assessment of whole‐body and appendicular fat mass (FM) and lean soft tissue mass (LSTM) compared with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a community‐dwelling Japanese older population.
A GOAL-ORIENTED NEURAL CONVERSATION MODEL

Building chatbots that can accomplish goals such as booking a flight ticket is an unsolved problem in natural language understanding. Much progress has been made to build conversation models using techniques such as sequence2sequence modeling. One challenge in applying such techniques to building goal-oriented conversation models is that maximum likelihood-based models are not optimized toward accomplishing goals. Recently, many methods have been proposed to address this issue by optimizing a reward that contains task status or outcome. However, adding the reward optimization on the fly usually provides little guidance for language construction and the conversation model soon becomes decoupled from the language model. In this paper, we propose a new setting in goal-oriented dialogue system to tighten the gap between these two aspects by enforcing model level information isolation on individual models between two agents. Language construction now becomes an important part in reward optimization since it is the only way information can be exchanged. We experimented our models using self-play and results showed that our method not only beat the baseline sequence2sequence model in rewards but can also generate human-readable meaningful conversations of comparable quality.
A randomized clinical trial of unfractioned heparin for treatment of sepsis ( the HETRASE study ) : design and rationale [ NCT 00100308 ]

Introduction: Infection promotes coagulation via a large number of molecular and cellular mechanisms, and this procoagulant activity has boosted basic and clinical research using anticoagulant molecules as therapeutic tools in sepsis. Heparin, which is a naturally occurring proteoglycan that acts by reducing thrombin generation and fibrin formation, has not been rigorously tested in a randomized clinical trial. Methods: Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, single-center clinical trial. Patients are recruited through the emergency room at Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paul. This is a 650-bed University Hospital in Medellín, Colombia and is a referral center for a region with approximately 3 million habitants. The recruitment process started on July 2005 and will finish on June 2007. Patients aged 18 years or older, males or females, hospitalized with clinically or microbiological confirmed sepsis, have been included. The interventions are unfractioned heparin in low dose continuous infusion (500 units per hour for 7 days) or placebo, additionally to the standard of care for sepsis patients in Colombia. Results: Our primary aims are to estimate the effects of heparin on hospital length of stay and change from baseline Multiple Organ Dysfunction (MOD) score. Secondary objectives are to estimate the effects of heparin on 28-day all-cause mortality, and to estimate the possible effect modification on 28-day allcause mortality, in subgroups defined by source and site of infection, and baseline values of APACHE II score, MOD score and D-dimer. Conclusion: The available literature in animal and human research, and the understanding of the molecular biology regarding inflammation and coagulation, supports a randomized clinical trial for the use of heparin in sepsis. Our study will provide appropriate power to detect differences in valid surrogate outcomes, and it will explore important preliminary data for efficacy regarding the clinical end-point of mortality. Published: 26 May 2006 Trials 2006, 7:19 doi:10.1186/1745-6215-7-19 Received: 23 May 2006 Accepted: 26 May 2006 This article is available from: http://www.trialsjournal. com/content/7/1/19 © 2006 Jaimes et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Comparison of laser and CO2 snow cleaning of astronomical mirror samples

The cleaning of mirrors in large, remote telescopes is essential if these telescopes are to meet their performance goals, including low (2%) thermal emissivity in the infrared. Aluminum- coated mirror samples which were naturally or artificially contaminated with materials representative of those at observatories, were cleaned with a UV laser beam or CO2 snow. Cleaning effectiveness was determined from studies of residual particle densities and size distributions (measured from low-magnification optical imaging). For exposures under two weeks both laser and CO2 cleaning yield comparable results; however, for longer exposures (up to three months) UV laser cleaning is about twice as effective in our tests. At the laser energy densities required for effective cleaning, no surface changes or damage was observed even after cleaning the same spot 200 times. For 8-m class telescopes, the annual consumption cost of sufficiently pure CO2 is comparable to the capital cost of a UV laser. Both methods clean such surfaces in less than one day. Two attractive features of laser cleaning are that the method can be fully automated and run frequently without significant cost of manpower or expendables, and that by focusing the laser beam tighter it can be used to strip old surface coatings prior to recoating.
Correlates of physical activity among community-dwelling individuals aged 65 years or older with anxiety in six low- and middle-income countries

ABSTRACT Background: Given the important health benefits of physical activity (PA) and the higher risk for physical inactivity in people with anxiety, and the high prevalence of anxiety and low PA among the elderly, there is a need for research to investigate what factors influence PA participation among anxious older individuals. We investigated PA correlates among community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65 years with anxiety symptoms in six low- and middle-income countries. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the World Health Organization's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health were analyzed. PA level was assessed by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. 980 participants with anxiety (mean age 73.3 years; 62.4% females) were grouped into those who do and do not (low PA) meet the 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA per week recommendation. Associations between PA and the correlates were examined using multivariable logistic regressions. Results: The prevalence of low PA was 44.9% (95% CI = 39.2–50.7%). Older age, male gender, less consumption of alcohol, mild cognitive impairment, pain, a wide range of somatic co-morbidities, slow gait, weak grip strength, poor self-rated health, and lower levels of social cohesion were identified as significant positive correlates of low PA. Conclusions: Our data illustrate that a number of sociodemographic and health factors are associated with PA levels among older people with symptoms of anxiety. The promotion of social cohesion may increase the efficacy of public health initiatives, while from a clinical perspective, somatic co-morbidities, cognitive impairment, pain, muscle strength, and slow gait need to be considered.