Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On-line identification of synchronous generator using Self Recurrent Wavelet Neural Networks via Adaptive Learning Rates

In this paper, the Self-Recurrent Wavelet Neural Network (SRWNN) is used as a model predictor for identify a synchronous generator. Further, a hybrid algorithm combining Chaotic Global Search (CGS) algorithm with Back-Propagation (BP) algorithm, referred to as CGS-BP algorithm, is proposed to train the weights of SRWNN-Identifier (SRWNNI). And also, the gradient-descent method using Adaptive Learning Rates (ALRs) is applied to train all weights of the SRWNNI, in on-line mode. The ALRs are derived from discrete lyapunov stability theorem. Finally, the proposed SRWNNI are evaluated on a single machine infinite bus power system under different operating conditions and disturbances to demonstrate their effectiveness and robustness. Also, the SRWNNI is compared with Wavelet Neural Network Identifier (WNNI) and Multi-Layer Perceptron Identifier (MLPI).
Flocking algorithm for multiple nonholonomic cars

In this paper, a flocking control algorithm for multiple nonholonomic cars is proposed. First, it is shown that the nonholonomic car is linearized by using a virtual vehicle. Second, we define a metric and topological neighborhood set in order to decide which cars to be next to the other car. Control objectives consist of three rules in boids model as separation, alignment, and cohesion, which is a well-known framework of emerging flock, advocated by Reynolds in 1986. Using the neighborhood set, we show the formation of flocking corresponds to the model. These cars are supposed to be on a straight highway, which enables us to set an assumption that each car heads to the same direction and reaches the same velocity eventually. The input for a car consists of the artificial potential method and LaSalle's invariance principle is utilized to prove the convergence of the entire vehicle system. Finally, the effectiveness of the presented method is examined through simulation.
Microfluidic Pumping Utilizing a PDMS Membrane With an Integrated Nonuniform Open-Porous Foam

In this contribution, we present a concept for simultaneous filtration and pumping solely realized with a single polymer-based foam membrane. An open-porous foam with a gradient in pore size, which essentially resembles a nozzle-diffuser structure, is integrated into the center of a flexible poly(dimethylsiloxane) membrane, which is placed into a small fluid cavity with symmetric inlet and outlet geometry. The actuation of the membrane is achieved with an electromagnetic coil from the outside and a small magnetic ring, which has also been integrated into the membrane. The sinusoidal excitation of the membrane leads to a vibrational movement of the membrane in the fluid cavity, and due to the asymmetry in pore size of the integrated foam and the associated asymmetry in hydrodynamic resistance a unidirectional fluid flow evolves in the system. Thus, the proposed device can be used for simultaneous pumping and filtration with the additional advantage of reduced sensitivity to fouling due to the intrinsic vibration of the membrane.
A very high precision 500-nA CMOS floating-gate analog voltage reference

A floating gate with stored charge technique has been used to implement a precision voltage reference achieving a temperature coefficient (TC) <1 ppm//spl deg/C in CMOS technology. A Fowler-Nordheim tunnel device used as a switch and a poly-poly capacitor form the basis in this reference. Differential dual floating gate architecture helps in achieving extremely low temperature coefficients, and improving power supply rejection. The reference is factory programmed to any value without any trim circuits to within 200 /spl mu/V of its specified value. The floating-gate analog voltage reference (FGAREF) shows a long-term drift of less than 10 ppm//spl radic/1000 h. This circuit is ideal for portable and handheld applications with a total current of only 500 nA. This is done by biasing the buffer amplifier in the subthreshold region of operation. It is fabricated using a 25-V 1.5-/spl mu/m E/sup 2/PROM CMOS technology.
Confined 3D microenvironment regulates early differentiation in human pluripotent stem cells

The therapeutic potential of human pluripotent stem (hPS) cells is threatened, among various problems, by the difficulty to homogenously direct cell differentiation into specific lineages. The transition from hPSC into committed differentiated cells is accompanied by secretome activity, remodeling of extracellular matrix and self‐organization into germ layers. In this work, we aimed to investigate how different three‐dimensional microenvironments regulate the early differentiation of the three germ layers in human embryonic stem (hES) cells derived embryoid bodies. In particular, a permeable, biocompatible, hydrogel microwell array was specifically designed for recreating a confined niche in which EB secreted molecules accumulate in accordance with hydrogel diffusional cut‐off. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching technique was performed to accurately evaluate hydrogel permeability, mesh size and diffusional cutoff for soluble molecules. Three different culture conditions of EB culture were analyzed: suspension, confinement in microwells of width/depth ratio 1:1 and 1:2. Results show that EBs cultured in microwells are viable and have comparable average size after 8 days culture. Whole genome microarrays show that significative differential gene expression was observed between suspension and confined EBs culture. In particular, EBs culture in microwells promotes the expression of genes involved in pattern specification processes, brain development, ectoderm and endoderm differentiation. On the contrary, suspension EBs express instead genes involved in mesoderm specification and heart development. These results suggest that local accumulation of EBs secreted molecules drives differentiation patterns, as confirmed by immunofluorescence of germ layer markers, in hydrogel confined EB culture from both hES cells and human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells. Our findings highlight an additional potential role of biomaterial in controlling hPSC differentiation through secreted factor niche specification. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 3119–3132. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Common Management Information Services and Protocol over TCP/IP (CMOT)

This memo defines a network management architecture that uses the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) Common Management Information Services/Common Management Information Protocol (CMIS/CMIP) in a TCP/IP environment. This architecture provides a means by which control and monitoring information can be exchanged between a manager and a remote network element. In particular, this memo defines the means for implementing the Draft International Standard (DIS) version of CMIS/CMIP on top of Internet transport protocols for the purpose of carrying management information defined in the Internet-standard management information base. DIS CMIS/CMIP is suitable for deployment in TCP/IP networks while CMIS/CMIP moves toward becoming an International Standard. Together with the relevant ISO standards and the companion RFCs that describe the initial structure of management information and management information base, these documents provide the basis for a comprehensive architecture and system for managing TCP/IP- based internets, and in particular the Internet.
Physical map location of the new Escherichia coli gene sbm

Methylmalonyl-coenzyme A mutase (MCM) (EC 5.4.99.2) catalyzes the adenosylcobalamin-dependent interconversion of (2R)-methylmalonyl-coenzyme A and succinyl-coenzyme A, as part of the propionate fermentation pathway of Propionibacterium shermanii (4). It is also responsible, in animal liver, for the metabolism of odd-chain fatty acids into succinyl-coenzyme A (9). Although both Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium can synthesize cobalamins under certain conditions, relatively few enzymatic functions have been described for B12 in enteric bacteria (3). Using the
Reengineering Translational Science: The Time Is Right

The new National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences aims to revamp the process of biomedical research translation. Despite dramatic advances in the molecular pathogenesis of disease, translation of basic biomedical research into safe and effective clinical applications remains a slow, expensive, and failure-prone endeavor. To pursue opportunities for disruptive translational innovation, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) intends to establish a new entity, the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). The mission of NCATS is to catalyze the generation of innovative methods and technologies that will enhance the development, testing, and implementation of diagnostics and therapeutics across a wide range of diseases and conditions. The new center’s activities will complement, and not compete with, translational research being carried out at NIH and elsewhere in the public and private sectors.
Readiness to change sun‐protective behaviour

The incidence of malignant melanoma and non‐melanoma skin cancers has increased rapidly in Sweden during the last 20 years. The best‐known way to revert this trend is primary prevention. Matching health messages to readiness to change in the population may enhance the effect of community‐based prevention. The aims of this study were to investigate readiness to change sun‐protective behaviour in two groups (visitors to mobile screening units and beach‐goers) and to test a single‐item algorithm in assessing the stage of change in sun‐protective behaviour. Seven hundred and forty‐two visitors to the mobile screening units and 202 individuals on nearby beaches answered a short questionnaire. The assessment of readiness to change was based on stages of change in sun‐protective behaviour modified from the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change. As expected, the visitors to the screening units were more often in action/maintenance stages than the beach group for most sun‐protective behaviours. In conclusion, the single‐item algorithm method appears to be sensitive to assess readiness to change sun‐protective behaviour, based on the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change. This method can be incorporated into population surveys and may aid in developing successful skin cancer prevention programmes.
Brainprints: Computer-Generated Two-Dimensional Maps of the Human Cerebral Cortex in vivo

We describe an in vivo method for the quantitative analysis of human necrotical anatomy. The technique allows unfolded regions of functional and morphological interest to be measured planimetrically. Two-dimensional cortical maps and surface area determinations derived from magnetic resonance images of monozygotic twins are presented. In addition, reconstructions and measurements of published post-mortem human and rhesus monkey hemispheres are reported. Potential applications for the study of brain organization in relation to cognitive, motor, and perceptual performance in normal and neurological populations are considered.
Common Fisheries Policy and its impact on the fisheries sector in Croatia

Abstract The aim of the paper is: 1) to determine the key changes in the evolution process of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the Croatia’s fisheries policy and 2) to describe the structure and dynamics of macroeconomic and budget performance related to Croatian fisheries in the period 2007-2016. Two methods were used: the historical method and the descriptive analysis of macroeconomic performance and budget structure. The CFP was officially introduced in 1983, bringing the management of fisheries in all EU member states under one system. Its aims were: to resolve sea conflicts between member states, to provide stability to the fisheries sector, to prevent a total collapse of fish stocks and to provide higher quality of life to the fishermen. However, the CFP has constantly been criticized for poor enforcement of environmental measures and scientific recommendations, and for the lack of a common language between the EU institutions and local stakeholders. Both the European and Croatian fisheries sector faced many problems, especially during the transition period in the 1990s. Some of them included a serious decrease of catches, outdated technology and fisheries fleet, depletion of demersal species, lack of developmental trends in mariculture, absence of measures of rational exploitation and protection of economically significant species. The negotiation period was an opportunity for the fisheries sector in Croatia to adapt its goals, measures and stakeholders in order to achieve a more sustainable and internationally competitive fisheries sector in the future. The membership facilitates trade in the EU area, along with providing significant funding and technical assistance. The budget support structure and the existing policy framework point out an increase in the implementation of structural measures which should assist in an overall improvement of social, economic and environmental aspects of fisheries.
Acceptance of the Improvement on Mobile Application: A Study on User Engagement of a Highway Concessionary in Malaysia

Challenges in the change of technology in recent years have affected highway concessionary companies in Malaysia. The change of direction in the company have put this research forward in looking at the aspect of user engagement via the usage of mobile application. It is proposed that the features in the current mobile application are to be improved in order to let the users, especially young drivers who are growing in numbers, feel more engaged to the services and management of the highway operations. Having said this, the objectives of this research are to gauge young drivers’ expectation on features in mobile application, and to analyse the acceptance of the prototype with the improved mobile application. Two surveys were conducted to meet these two objectives, both with respondents under the category of young drivers between the ages of 20 to 35. Better insight on what are desired by the respondents is found and presented in this paper, with suggestions on further improvement for future work.
Development and application of a PCR‐based ‘molecular tool box’ for the identification of Phytophthora species damaging forests and natural ecosystems

A PCR-based ‘molecular tool box’, based on a region of the ras-related protein gene Ypt1, was developed for the identification of 15 Phytophthora species that damage forests and trees: P. cactorum, P. cambivora, P. cinnamomi, P. citricola, P. europaea, P. inundata, P. lateralis, P. megasperma, P. nemorosa, P. kernoviae, P. pseudosyringae, P. psychrophila, P. quercina, P. ramorum and P. ilicis. Most primers proved highly specific in blast analyses and in tests with DNA from 72 isolates of 35 species of Phytophthora and nine species representative of Pythium. Exceptions were primers designed for P. cactorum and P. ilicis, which cross-reacted with P. idaei and P. nemorosa, respectively. Amplification with Phytophthora-genus-specific primers before amplification with the various species-specific primers (nested PCR) increased the sensitivity of detection over amplification with species-specific primers only: detection limits ranged between 100 and 10 pg target DNA µL−1 in the latter, compared with 100 fg µL−1 in nested PCR. Using existing methods for rapid extraction and purification of DNA, single-round amplification was appropriate for detection of target Phytophthora species in leaves, but nested PCR was required for soil and water samples. The quarantine pathogens P. ramorum and P. kernoviae were detected in a number of naturally infected leaves collected in England and Wales, whereas P. citricola was commonest in water and soil samples from natural Scottish ecosystems.
Therapeutic intervention scoring system: a method for quantitative comparison of patient care

A Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) is presented to allow quantitative comparison of patient care and research experiences of different intensive care units. 57 items of therapeutic intervention are scored on a one to four basis according to intensity of involvement. The points acquired per patient per 24 hours are summated by an experienced observer. TISS has been used to: 1) determine appropriate utilization of intensive care facilities at the Massachusetts General Hospital; 2) provide information on nurse staffing ratios for various patient care areas; 3) quantitatively validate a clinical classification of critically ill patients into four categories, thereby simplifying and organizing activities relating to patient care; 4) analyze cost of intensive care relative to the extent of care offered. Assumptions inherent in formulating this system are discussed. If other intensivists incorporate this system into their experience, meaningful comparisons between intensive care units can occur.
Trans-arterial embolisation therapies for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND Unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) portends a poor prognosis despite standard systemic treatments which confer minimal survival benefits and significant adverse effects. This study aimed to assess clinical outcomes, complications and prognostic factors of TAE therapies using chemotherapeutic agents or radiation. METHODS A literature search and article acquisition was conducted on PubMed (MEDLINE), OVID (MEDLINE) and EBSCOhost (EMBASE). Original articles published after January 2000 on trans-arterial therapies for unresectable ICC were selected using strict eligibility criteria. Radiological response, overall survival, progression-free survival, safety profile, and prognostic factors for overall survival were assessed. Quality appraisal and data tabulation were performed using pre-determined forms. Results were synthesized by narrative review and quantitative analysis. RESULTS Twenty articles were included (n=929 patients). Thirty three percent of patients presented with extrahepatic metastases. After treatment, the average rate of complete and partial radiological response was 10% and 22.2%, respectively. Overall median survival time was 12.4 months with a median 30-day mortality and 1-year survival rate of 0.6% and 53%, respectively. Acute treatment toxicity (within 30 days) was reported in 34.9% of patients, of which 64.3% were mild to moderate in severity. The most common clinical toxicities were abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue. Multiplicity, localization and vascularity of the tumor may predict worse overall survival. CONCLUSIONS Trans-arterial therapies are safe and effective treatment options which should be considered routinely for unresectable ICC. Consistent and standardized methodology and data collection is required to facilitate a meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials will be valuable in the future.
"New Media in Education" MOOC: Improving Peer Assessments of Students’ Plans and their Innovativeness

MOOC courses in the fields of new media, entrepreneurship and innovation require pedagogical developers to create a clear and measureable peer assessment process of the innovative plans and projects developed by students. The objectives of our action research are to improve evaluations of students’ plans and their innovativeness in a MOOC based on project-based learning (PBL). We analyzed 789 written peer assessments and grades of 89 PBL plans, which were submitted as part of the requirements in a new MOOC course 'New Media in Education' targeting student teachers. Correlations between final peer project grades and other assessment categories were calculated. A regression analysis model indicates that innovativeness and compatibility of student plans to educational needs are the strongest predictors final peer grades. Based on the research findings, we propose potential improvements in the peer assessment process, including additional guidelines for the assessment of innovativeness and other categories of PBL plans based on new media and digital pedagogy.
Financial Outreach and Working Poverty in Developing Countries: New Evidence from Bank Penetration

Although a growing body of literature emphasizes that the poor may benefit from better access to financial services through more growth and employment opportunities, there is a continuing debate about the mechanism and extent to which such access would reduce inequalities. Considering that labor is the main asset of the poor, this paper investigates the impact of access to financial services, measured by the number of bank branches, on working poverty and inequality in the labor market. The study uses a panel of 63 developing countries over 2004-13 to demonstrate that improving financial access reduces the proportion of poor workers, especially in countries hit by macroeconomic instability. The analysis shows that the negative impact on working poverty is two times less important than the positive impact on workers at the top of the income distribution, suggesting an increase in inequality. But this effect is mitigated, since the study finds evidence that providing greater access to financial services for relatively rich workers can have a strong effect on decreasing working poverty.
An Allosteric Modulator of the α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Possessing Cognition-Enhancing Properties in Vivo

Augmentation of nicotinic α7 receptor function is considered to be a potential therapeutic strategy aimed at ameliorating cognitive and mnemonic dysfunction in relation to debilitating pathological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. In the present report, a novel positive allosteric modulator of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), 1-(5-chloro-2-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-urea (NS1738), is described. NS1738 was unable to displace or affect radioligand binding to the agonist binding site of nicotinic receptors, and it was devoid of effect when applied alone in electrophysiological paradigms. However, when applied in the presence of acetylcholine (ACh), NS1738 produced a marked increase in the current flowing through α7 nAChRs, as determined in both oocyte electrophysiology and patch-clamp recordings from mammalian cells. NS1738 acted by increasing the peak amplitude of ACh-evoked currents at all concentrations; thus, it increased the maximal efficacy of ACh. Oocyte experiments indicated an increase in ACh potency as well. NS1738 had only marginal effects on the desensitization kinetics of α7 nAChRs, as determined from patch-clamp studies of both transfected cells and cultured hippocampal neurons. NS1738 was modestly brain-penetrant, and it was demonstrated to counteract a (–)-scopolamine-induced deficit in acquisition of a water-maze learning task in rats. Moreover, NS1738 improved performance in the rat social recognition test to the same extent as (–)-nicotine, demonstrating that NS1738 is capable of producing cognitive enhancement in vivo. These data support the notion that α7 nAChR allosteric modulation may constitute a novel pharmacological principle for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction.
Recursive or iterative routing? Hybrid!

In our current work with the Chord protocol [SMK01] we had to decide whether to use iterative or recursive routing. Iterative routing provides the initiating node with a lot of information and influence on the routing path. Recursive routing on the other hand is faster and results in less overhead, most notably in stable networks. We present a hybrid routing solution that inherits the advantages of both approaches without increasing the overhead or slowing down the lookup procedure.