Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust fuzzy-model-based sliding mode controller for uncertain nonlinear input-delay systems

This paper presents a robust sliding mode controller design algorithm for uncertain nonlinear input-delay systems using fuzzy model. For many practical systems, the existence of time delays and uncertainties is common in control practice. Therefore the problem of controlling such systems becomes more complex and sometimes degrades the control performance. Using the Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy model, it is to combine some simple local linear input-delay systems with their linguistic description to represent the original nonlinear input-delay system. Based on the Lyapunov theory and the concept of functional analysis, the conditions of the robust stability of the overall closed-loop system with uncertainties and an input time delay will be derived.
On envelope-tracking for SOA amplification of multicarrier signals

Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers are known to be prone to nonlinear effects in the saturated regime. This is particularly true if the signals to be amplified have a non-constant envelope and a high Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR). The benefits of envelope-tracking is investigated here for linearizing a Coherent-Optical OFDM (CO-OFDM) transmitter employing a SOA as a power booster. The effect of a filtered envelope is studied and its optimum amplification gain is evaluated by considering an accurate physical model of the SOA. Moreover, the joint combining of PAPR reduction (via nonlinear companding) and envelope tracking is proved to be effective, with a power margin close to 5 dB.
Price Level Determinacy and Monetary Policy Under a Balanced-Budget Requirement

This paper analyzes the implications of a balanced-budget fiscal policy rule for price-level determination in a cash-in-advance economy under three alternative monetary policy regimes. It shows that the price level is indeterminate under a nominal interest rate peg and determinate under a money growth rate peg. Under a feedback rule that sets the nominal interest rate as a non-negative and non-decreasing function of the inflation rate, the price level is indeterminate for both low and high values of the inflation elasticity of the feedback rule and determinate for intermediate values. We also study balanced-budget rules that allow for bounded secondary surpluses or deficits. Comparing our results to those emphasized in the fiscal theory of the price level, it becomes clear that a key consideration for price-level determination is whether fiscal policy is specified as an exogenous sequence of primary surpluses/deficits or, alternatively, as an exogenous sequence of secondary surpluses/deficits.
Learning socially normative robot navigation behaviors with Bayesian inverse reinforcement learning

Mobile robots that navigate in populated environments require the capacity to move efficiently, safely and in human-friendly ways. In this paper, we address this task using a learning approach that enables a mobile robot to acquire navigation behaviors from demonstrations of socially normative human behavior. In the past, such approaches have been typically used to learn only simple behaviors under relatively controlled conditions using rigid representations or with methods that scale poorly to large domains. We thus develop a flexible graph-based representation able to capture relevant task structure and extend Bayesian inverse reinforcement learning to use sampled trajectories from this representation. In experiments with a real robot and a large-scale pedestrian simulator, we are able to show that the approach enables a robot to learn complex navigation behaviors of varying degrees of social normativeness using the same set of simple features.
Histopathological Evaluation of Skeletal Muscle with Specific Reference to Mouse Models of Muscular Dystrophy

The muscular dystrophies are a diverse group of degenerative diseases for which many mouse models are available. These models are frequently used to assess potential therapeutic interventions and histological evaluation of multiple muscles is an important part of this assessment. Histological evaluation is especially useful when combined with tests of muscle function. This unit describes a protocol for necropsy, processing, cryosectioning, and histopathological evaluation of murine skeletal muscles, which is applicable to both models of muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular conditions. Key histopathological features of dystrophic muscle are discussed using the mdx mouse (a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy) as an example. Optimal handling during dissection, processing and sectioning is vital to avoid artifacts that can confound or prevent future analyses. Muscles carefully processed using this protocol are suitable for further evaluation using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, special histochemical stains, and immuoblotting. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Goodness Measure for Phrase Learning via Compression with the MDL Principle

This paper reports our ongoing research on unsupervised language learning via compression within the MDL paradigm. It formulates an empirical information-theoretical measure, description length gain, for evaluating the goodness of guessing a sequence of words (or character) as a phrase (or a word), which can be calculated easily following classic information theory. The paper also presents a bestrst learning algorithm based on this measure. Experiments on phrase and lexical learning from POS tag and character sequence, respectively, show promising results.
Intervention versus a conservative approach in the management of TRAP sequence: a systematic review

Abstract Objective: In the management of twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence, we wished to (i) determine if intervention is better than a conservative approach and (ii) assess if any of the apparent adverse prognostic indicators could guide intervention. Methods: A systematic review was conducted between 1994 and 2014. Data extracted were inspected for heterogeneity. Overall rates and confidence intervals (CIs) for each prognostic factor were calculated. Where there were comparative data, the odds ratio (OR) was calculated. Results: Twenty-six studies were included in the review. When all cases were considered, intervention either by cord occlusion or by ablation conferred a better survival rate compared with conservative management (OR=2.22, 95% CI 1.23–4.01, heterogeneity I2=37%, P=0.008). This difference was greater in the presence of one or more poor prognostic features (OR=8.58, 95% CI 1.47–49.96, heterogeneity I2=0%, P=0.02). Survival was better using ablative techniques compared to cord occlusion (OR=9.84, 95% CI 1.56–62.00, heterogeneity I2=0%, P=0.01). Conclusion: Intervention either by cord occlusion or by ablation confers a better survival rate compared to conservative management. This appears more compelling if there are one or more poor prognostic features. Ablative techniques are superior to cord occlusion. There were insufficient data to determine which poor prognostic features should guide management.
Fisheries oceanography.

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Evaluation of Cramer-Rao Bounds for Phase Estimation of Coded Linearly Modulated Signals

The evaluation of Cramer-Rao Bounds (CRBs) for phase estimation of coded linearly modulated signals are difficult due to the intractable expectations of the likelihood function with respect to coded symbols. In this paper, we propose two methods towards this end. The first one is a semi-analytical method for coded QPSK signals. Based on Gaussian approximation of extrinsic information, the expression of CRB is derived in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the mean of extrinsic information in closed form. For high-order modulations, e.g., 16QAM signal, we propose a numerical method based on multidimensional Gauss-Hermite Quadrature (GHQ). It is shown that, without suffering from the linearization error, the results of numerical method by GHQ outperform the semi-analytical results, and the former are consistent with that of the Monte Carlo simulations for systems with different codes and numbers of decoding iterations.
INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA, STAGES AND PROCESSES OF CHANGE AND ALCOHOL USE AMONG GAY MEN

INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA, STAGES AND PROCESSES OF CHANGE AND ALCOHOL USE AMONG GAY MEN ERIC NICELY California School of Professional Psychology Alameda This dissertation examined the relationship between internalized homophobia, stages and processes of change and alcohol use. Participants were 79 gay males with an average age of 42 years who responded to advertisements. Participants completed the Revised Nungesser Homosexual Attitude Inventory, University of Rhode Island Change Assessment scale, Processes of Change scale, and the Alcohol Use Inventory. Results indicate higher internalized homophobia for alcoholics than non-alcoholics (t = -1.70, p < .05), a correlation between internalized homophobia and alcohol involvement (r = .26, p < .05), and a correlation between internalized homophobia and readiness to change (r = .32, p < .01). Internalized homophobia is higher in the action stage than in the precontemplation, preparation and maintenance stages. Processes of change are different across Alcoholics Anonymous participation
L'état de stress post-traumatique-complexe : un concept novateur à explorer

Maltreatment is a risk factor that may hinder the normal development of children. The principal objective of this thesis is to better understand complex posttraumatic stress disorder, by evaluating it and documenting its relationship with other variables. This thesis includes two empirical articles. The objective of the first article is to develop a measure of complex posttraumatic stress disorder for Frenchspeaking adults. The psychometric properties of the translated version of the Structured Interview for Disorders of Extreme Stress-Self-Report (SIDES-SR) were tested through preliminary analyses with 438 French-speaking adults from the general population and the University of Montreal. Results demonstrate that the instrument has a factor structure of five factors similar to the English version of the instrument. The factors obtained are: 1) pessimistic beliefs about others and future, 2) managing emotions, 3) avoidance of physical and sexual contact, 4) somatization, and 5) risktaking behaviours. The internal consistency of 4 of the 5 factors varies from acceptable to very satisfactory, while their temporal stability and convergent, divergent and concurrent validity are acceptable. The purpose of the second article is to examine the contribution of complex posttraumatic stress disorder found in mothers and parenting practices (monitoring and abusive punishment) on psychological symptoms reported by children victims of sexual abuse. Symptoms of 96 mothers and their rearing practices were assessed using self-report measures, while children’s symptoms were measured with an instrument designed for children. Results demonstrate that, after controlling for sociodemographic variables and characteristics of the child sexual abuse, complex posttraumatic stress disorder is associated with several symptoms in children. The moderating role of maternal monitoring in the relationship between complex posttraumatic stress disorder of mothers and symptoms of depression and opposition of children is also demonstrated. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed concerning the results obtained in this doctoral project.
FEATURE REVIEW

The modern discipline of neoclassical economics has the question of rational choice at its core. The conceptual and philosophical framework it has erected over the past century has been directed to answering the question of how people decide what to buy. The substantive answer comes in the form of a theory of value that privileges the actions of a calculating individual who resolves the problem of unlimited wants and scarce resources with reference to the marginal utility of the goods desired. This general model is applied to a vast array of specific economic problems about the determinants of wages, prices, profits, wealth, poverty, etc. There is much disagreement within the discipline but this dispute is premised on a fundamental agreement about the universality of the problem of rational choice which is seen as the defining characteristic of homo sapiens. Neoclassical economics, then, has given us a new theory of human nature: we homo sapiens are not only wise, we are rational calculators because we are all faced with the question of choice. Homo sapiens became homo economicus in this new theory of human nature. This theory of human nature has its remote origins in the work of Adam Smith who argued that the propensity to truck, barter and exchange was part of human nature; its proximate origins are found in the work of Jevons, Walrus and Menger, who launched the marginalist revolution in the 1870s. The marginalists, who rejected the labour theory of value, were concerned with the relatively narrow question of how to develop a new theory of prices; but over the past 150 years the scope and limits of the theory has expanded considerably. This is illustrated by the work of Gary Becker who won a Nobel Prize in Economics ‘for having extended the domain of microeconomic analysis to a wide range of human behaviour and interaction, including nonmarket behaviour’. The extraordinary breadth of Becker’s ‘extension’ can be found in his A Treatise on the Family which covers the analysis of marriage, births, divorce, division of labour in households, prestige, and other non-market behaviour not only ‘to persons from all walks of life’ (p. ix), but to also to non-human forms of biological life as well. Becker’s assumption is that ‘nonhumans as well as humans allocate scarce resources while competing in various situations’ (p. x). His analysis extends beyond homo sapiens to include Neanderthal New Political Economy, Vol. 14, No. 2, June 2009
LEAST SQUARES SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINE MODEL FOR COORDINATE TRANSFORMATION

In coordinate transformation, the main purpose is to provide a mathematical relationship between coordinates related to different geodetic reference frames. This gives the geospatial professionals the opportunity to link different datums together. Review of previous studies indicates that empirical and soft computing models have been proposed in recent times for coordinate transformation. The main aim of this study is to present the applicability and performance of Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LS-SVM) which is an extension of the Support Vector Machine (SVM) for coordinate transformation. For comparison purpose, the SVM and the widely used Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN), Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN), 2D conformal and affine methods were also employed. To assess how well the transformation results fit the observed data, the root mean square of the residual horizontal distances and standard deviation were used. From the results obtained, the LS-SVM and RBFNN had comparable results and were better than the other methods. The overall statistical findings produced by LS-SVM met the accuracy requirement for cadastral surveying applications in Ghana. To this end, the proposed LS-SVM is known to possess promising predictive capabilities and could efficiently be used as a supplementary technique for coordinate transformation.
Assessment of GPM and TRMM Precipitation Products over Singapore

The evaluation of satellite precipitation products (SPPs) at regional and local scales is essential in improving satellite-based algorithms and sensors, as well as in providing valuable guidance when choosing alternative precipitation data for the local community. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) has made significant contributions to the development of various SPPs since its launch in 1997. The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission launched in 2014 and is expected to continue the success of TRMM. During the transition from the TRMM era to the GPM era, it is necessary to assess GPM products and make comparisons with TRMM products in different regions to achieve a global view of the performance of GPM products. To this end, this study aims to assess the capability of the latest Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) and two TRMM Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) products (TMPA 3B42 and TMPA 3B42RT) in estimating precipitation over Singapore that represents a typical tropical region. The evaluation was conducted at daily, monthly, seasonal and annual scales from 1 April 2014 to 31 January 2016. The capability of SPPs in detecting rainy/non-rainy days and different precipitation classes was also evaluated. The findings showed that: (1) all SPPs correlated well with measurements from gauges at the monthly scale, but moderately at the daily scale; (2) SPPs performed better in the northeast monsoon season (1 December–15 March) than in the inter-monsoon 1 (16 March–31 May), southwest monsoon (1 June–30 September) and inter-monsoon 2 (1 October–30 November) seasons; (3) IMERG had better performance in the characterization of spatial precipitation variability and precipitation detection capability compared to the TMPA products; (4) for the daily precipitation estimates, IMERG had the lowest systematic bias, followed by 3B42 and 3B42RT; and (5) most of the SPPs overestimated moderate precipitation events (1–20 mm/day), while underestimating light (0.1–1 mm/day) and heavy (>20 mm/day) precipitation events. Overall, IMERG is superior but with only slight improvement compared to the TMPA products over Singapore. This study is one of the earliest assessments of IMERG and a comparison of it with TMPA products in Singapore. Our findings were compared with existing studies conducted in other regions, and some limitations of the IMERG and TMPA products in this tropical region were identified and discussed. This study provides an added value to the understanding of the global performance of the IMERG product.
Evolutionary value function approximation

The standard reinforcement learning algorithms have proven to be effective tools for letting an agent learn from its experiences generated by its interaction with an environment. In this paper an evolutionary approach is proposed to accelerate learning speed in tabular reinforcement learning algorithms. In the proposed approach, in order to accelerate the learning speed of agents, the state-value is not only approximated, but through using the concept of evolutionary algorithms, they are evolved, with extra bonus of giving each agent the opportunity to exchange its knowledge. The proposed evolutionary value function approximation, helps in moving from a single isolated learning stage to cooperative exploration of the search space and accelerating learning speed. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with the standard SARSA algorithm and some of its properties are discussed. The experimental analysis confirms that the proposed approach has higher convergent speed with a negligible increase in computational complexity.
Role of the Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein PML in the Interferon Sensitivity of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus

ABSTRACT Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) induces type I interferon (alpha and beta interferon [IFN-α and IFN-β]) upon infection and yet is sensitive to the addition of type II interferon (gamma interferon [IFN-γ]) to the culture media. This sensitivity is biologically important because it correlates inversely with the ability of certain LCMV strains to persist in mice (D. Moskophidis, M. Battegay, M. A. Bruendler, E. Laine, I. Gresser, and R. M. Zinkernagel, J. Virol. 68:1951-1955, 1994). The cellular oncoprotein PML is induced by both IFN-α/β and IFN-γ, and PML binds the LCMV Z protein and becomes redistributed within cells from nucleus to cytoplasm upon LCMV infection. In the present study, increased PML expression results in diminished LCMV replication, implicating PML in the IFN sensitivity of LCMV. Virus production in PML −/− murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) exceeds virus production in PML +/+ MEF, and this difference is exacerbated by IFN treatment that upregulates PML expression. IFN-γ also diminishes LCMV production in PML −/− cells; therefore, viral IFN sensitivity is not entirely due to PML. Both viral mRNA production and viral protein production decrease as PML expression increases. Here we propose that PML reduces LCMV transcription through its interaction with the Z protein.
STATI, STAT6 and Adenosine 3′,5′-Cyclic Monophosphate (cAMP) Signaling Drive SOCS3 Expression in Inactive Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease associated with long periods of quiescent disease followed by fulminant exacerbation. Imminent relapse in UC is associated with high mucosal expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3); hence, knowledge of the mechanisms driving mucosal SOCS3 expression may provide important clues as to rational therapy. Thus, here we aim to characterize the molecular forces driving SOCS3 expression in the mucosal compartment, focusing on druggable pathways. The colon epithelial cell line Caco-2 was stimulated with interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4 or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to allow correlations between SOCS3 expression with signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), STAT6 and adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) signaling, respectively. The physiological relevance of the findings obtained was assessed by immunohistochemical staining for the activated forms of STAT1, STAT6, protein kinase A (PKA)-Cγ and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in biopsies from inactive UC patients and controls. Stimulation with IFN-γ, IL-4 or PGE2 induced activation of STAT1, STAT6 and cAMP, respectively, in colonic cells, without any signs of concomitant STAT3 activation. Forced activation of all these signaling pathways was sufficient for SOCS3 expression. Biopsies from patients with inactive UC showed significant increase of phosphorylated STAT1 (p-STAT1) (p < 0.0001), p-STAT6 (p = 0.0001), p-PKA-Cγ (p = 0.0003) and p-CREB (p = 0.0025) expression compared with controls. STAT3-independent SOCS3 induction in inactive UC involves multiple proinflammatory signaling pathways and contradicts the usefulness of pathway-specific antiinflammatory drugs for preventing relapse. Our findings suggest that broad-spectrum antiinflammatory drugs are essential to counteract increases in SOCS3 expression and exacerbation of disease. Our results highlight the multifactorial nature of the factors that cause exacerbation in UC.
Finger joint continuous interpretation based on sEMG signals and muscular model

The human hand is very dexterous and can perform various of gestures in activities of daily living. Only dividing the motions of hand into several types and applying pattern recognition method for implementation of manipulation control may result in low dexterity and delicacy. In this paper, a novel finger joint interpretation method based on sEMG signals and muscular model is presented. The motion of finger is flexion and extension without any external resistant force and at a natural movement velocity. sEMG signals are recorded from flexor digitorum superficialis and extensor digitorum of the forearm. The Hill-based muscular model is used to calculate the force of muscles according to sEMG signals. In this paper, we assume that the changing of force corresponds directly to the motions of fingers given the circumstance that the subjects hold nothing in their hand and keep the movement velocity. The curve fitting method and Kalman filter are implemented to calculate the relation between force and basic movements of digits. Five subjects participated in the experiment to evaluate the efficiency of this method.