Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Particle Filter for Fault Diagnosis and Robust Navigation of Underwater Robot

A particle filter (PF)-based robust navigation with fault diagnosis (FD) is designed for an underwater robot, where 10 failure modes of sensors and thrusters are considered. The nominal underwater robot and its anomaly are described by a switching-mode hidden Markov model. By extensively running a PF on the model, the FD and robust navigation are achieved. Closed-loop full-scale experimental results show that the proposed method is robust, can diagnose faults effectively, and can provide good state estimation even in cases where multiple faults occur. Comparing with other methods, the proposed method can diagnose all faults within a single structure, it can diagnose simultaneous faults, and it is easily implemented.
Why Pitch Sensitivity Matters: Event-Related Potential Evidence of Metric and Syntactic Violation Detection Among Spanish Late Learners of German

Event-related potential (ERP) data in monolingual German speakers have shown that sentential metric expectancy violations elicit a biphasic ERP pattern consisting of an anterior negativity and a posterior positivity (P600). This pattern is comparable to that elicited by syntactic violations. However, proficient French late learners of German do not detect violations of metric expectancy in German. They also show qualitatively and quantitatively different ERP responses to metric and syntactic violations. We followed up the questions whether (1) latter evidence results from a potential pitch cue insensitivity in speech segmentation in French speakers, or (2) if the result is founded in rhythmic language differences. Therefore, we tested Spanish late learners of German, as Spanish, contrary to French, uses pitch as a segmentation cue even though the basic segmentation unit is the same in French and Spanish (i.e., the syllable). We report ERP responses showing that Spanish L2 learners are sensitive to syntactic as well as metric violations in German sentences independent of attention to task in a P600 response. Overall, the behavioral performance resembles that of German native speakers. The current data suggest that Spanish L2 learners are able to extract metric units (trochee) in their L2 (German) even though their basic segmentation unit in Spanish is the syllable. In addition Spanish in contrast to French L2 learners of German are sensitive to syntactic violations indicating a tight link between syntactic and metric competence. This finding emphasizes the relevant role of metric cues not only in L2 prosodic but also in syntactic processing.
Virtual execution platforms for mixed-time-criticality systems: the CompSOC architecture and design flow

Systems on chip (SOC) contain multiple concurrent applications with different time criticality (firm, soft, non real-time). As a result, they are often developed by different teams or companies, with different models of computation (MOC) such as dataflow, Kahn process networks (KPN), or time-triggered (TT). SOC functionality and (real-time) performance is verified after all applications have been integrated. In this paper we propose the CompSOC platform and design flows that offers a virtual execution platform per application, to allow independent design, verification, and execution. We introduce the composability and predictability concepts, why they help, and how they are implemented in the different resources of the CompSOC architecture. We define a design flow that allows real-time cyclo-static dataflow (CSDF) applications to be automatically mapped, verified, and executed. Mapping and analysis of KPN and TT applications is not automated but they do run composably in their allocated virtual platforms. Although most of the techniques used here have been published in isolation, this paper is the first comprehensive overview of the CompSOC approach. Moreover, three new case studies illustrate all claimed benefits: 1) An example firm-real-time CSDF H.263 decoder is automatically mapped and verified. 2) Applications with different models of computation (CSDF and TT) run composably. 3) Adaptive soft-real-time applications execute composably and can hence be verified independently by simulation.
CRP-Cyclic AMP Regulates the Expression of Type 3 Fimbriae via Cyclic di-GMP in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae is the predominant pathogen isolated from liver abscesses of diabetic patients in Asian countries. However, the effects of elevated blood glucose levels on the virulence of this pathogen remain largely unknown. Type 3 fimbriae, encoded by the mrkABCDF genes, are important virulence factors in K. pneumoniae pathogenesis. In this study, the effects of exogenous glucose and the intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling pathway on type 3 fimbriae expression regulation were investigated. The production of MrkA, the major subunit of type 3 fimbriae, was increased in glucose-rich medium, whereas cAMP supplementation reversed the effect. MrkA production was markedly increased by cyaA or crp deletion, but slightly decreased by cpdA deletion. In addition, the mRNA levels of mrkABCDF genes and the activity of PmrkA were increased in Δcrp strain, as well as the mRNA levels of mrkHIJ genes that encode cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP)-related regulatory proteins that influence type 3 fimbriae expression. Moreover, the activities of PmrkHI and PmrkJ were decreased in ΔlacZΔcrp strain. These results indicate that CRP-cAMP down-regulates mrkABCDF and mrkHIJ at the transcriptional level. Further deletion of mrkH or mrkI in Δcrp strain diminished the production of MrkA, indicating that MrkH and MrkI are required for the CRP regulation of type 3 fimbriae expression. Furthermore, the high activity of PmrkHI in the ΔlacZΔcrp strain was diminished in ΔlacZΔcrpΔmrkHI, but increased in the ΔlacZΔcrpΔmrkJ strain. Deletion of crp increased the intracellular c-di-GMP concentration and reduced the phosphodiesterase activity. Moreover, we found that the mRNA levels of multiple genes related to c-di-GMP metabolism were altered in Δcrp strain. These indicate that CRP regulates type 3 fimbriae expression indirectly via the c-di-GMP signaling pathway. In conclusion, we found evidence of a coordinated regulation of type 3 fimbriae expression by the CRP-cAMP and c-di-GMP signaling pathways in K. pneumoniae.
Integrating CEMDAP and MATSIM to Increase the Transferability of Transport Demand Models

An activity-based approach to transport demand modeling is considered the most behaviorally sound procedure to assess the effects of transport policies. This paper investigates whether it is possible to transfer an estimated model for activity generation from elsewhere (the estimation context) and use local area (application context) traffic counts to develop a local area activity-based transport demand representation. Here, the estimation context is the Los Angeles, California, area, and the application context is Berlin. Results in this paper suggest that such a transfer approach is feasible, according to a comparison with a Berlin travel survey. Additional studies need to be undertaken to examine the stability of the results obtained in this paper.
Water vapor column abundance retrievals during FIFE

A variation of the modified Langley plot algorithm is reported here and applied to the retrieval of atmospheric water column abundance from a filtered sunphotometer. In this new methodology an absorption data base (LOWTRAN 7) is used to compute a water abundance versus transmittance curve of growth, rather than the square-root dependence previously assumed. Validation of the technique is provided from an uncertainty analysis, and plans to further validate using Fourier transform spectrometers are detailed. The new sunphotometer technique is used to report total column water vapor during the First ISLSCP Field Experiment (FIFE), and comparisons are made with abundances retrieved via FIFE radiosonde observations. The sunphotometer data can best be utilized, however, to in turn validate data from airborne or in-orbit measurements of water vapor. With these flight sensors, horizontal and topographic variability within the scene can be viewed. An example of the airborne data set is given using an image from the airborne visible infrared imaging spectrometer (AVIRIS), as acquired on August 31, 1990.
Optical characterization of dissolved organic matter in tropical rivers of the Guayana Shield, Venezuela

[1] Tropical rivers are an important source of dissolved organic matter (DOM) to coastal oceans. However, temporal and spatial variability of DOM composition and thus its quality in such rivers, on landscape and basin scales, have not been well documented. In this study, we present data on the spatial distribution of DOM quantity and quality based on source, molecular weight, and composition using optical properties including excitation emission matrix fluorescence with parallel factor analysis. We compared such DOM quantity and quality determinations in main river channels and their tributaries for three river systems of the Guayana Shield, Venezuela. Spatial variabilities of DOM parameters were strongly related to differences in the geological settings of the drainage basins and presumably their associated vegetation cover. Linear relationships between quantitative and qualitative DOM parameters were also evident, suggesting that high DOC concentration correlated with chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) characteristics of higher molecular weight associated with terrestrial sources, while low DOC concentrations correlated with CDOM characteristics of lower molecular weight associated primarily with microbial sources. Such relationships seem to imply that DOM concentrations and their sources/characteristics may be coupled in the studied fluvial systems. In addition, shifts in DOM compositions between terrestrial and microbial signals were observed with changes in water discharge and in watersheds disturbed by gold mining activities. The observed linkages between, and the changes among DOM quantity and quality, suggest that the biogeochemistry of DOM in tropical rivers may be quite sensitive to climatic and land use change.
Machine Learning the Premier League

The MCFC Analytics 2011-12 Premier League Season Full Dataset contains a statistical record of all match events that have occurred during the 2011-12 Premier League season. Machine learning is a sub-field of artificial intelligence (AI) concerned with the engineering of computer systems that can learn from data. The goal of this project was to develop an application that would enable non-experts in statistical analysis to apply powerful machine learning algorithms for the analysis of this and other similar datasets. The K-Means clustering algorithm, SVM classification algorithm, and an Interquartile Range outlier detection filters have been included in the application. Methods for evaluating the performance of each of these algorithms have been implemented. The results of the included algorithms can be visualised on interactive 3-d scatter plots. The application stores its datasets in an embedded database, which enables their efficient filtering using SQL. The application is state-based and multithreaded, which facilitates the pleasant and efficient interaction with its user interface. The application’s usability was tested with users, and the received feedback was favourable.
Kitano Looking beyond the details : a rise in system-oriented approaches in genetics and molecular biology

With the ever-increasing flow of highthroughput gene expression, protein interaction and genome sequence data, researchers gradually approach a system-level understanding of cells and even multi-cellular organisms. Systems biology is an emerging field that enables us to achieve in-depth understanding at the system level. For this, we need to establish methodologies and techniques that enable us to understand biological systems as systems, which means to understand: (1) the structure of the system, such as gene/ metabolic/signal transduction networks and physical structures, (2) the dynamics of such systems, (3) methods to control systems, and (4) methods to design and modify systems to generate desired properties. However, the meaning of ‘‘system-level understanding’’ is still ambiguous. This paper reviews the current status of the field and outlines future research directions and issues that need to be addressed.
Protective effects of Wu-Ling-Shen (Xylaria nigripes) on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

Wu-Ling-Shen, a lesser study medicinal fungus (Xylaria nigripes), is popular for treating insomnia and trauma in the traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, our aim was to examine the protective effects of X. nigripes extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute hepatotoxicity in mice, and its content of polyphenolic constituents. The X. nigripes aqueous extract (XN-T) at 500 and 1000 mg/kg was given intragastrically to mice for 9 consecutive days, followed by receiving subcutaneously 2 mL/kg of 40% CCl4 in olive oil to induce hepatotoxicity. Blood and liver tissues were collected for biochemical and histological analyses. Analysis of polyphenolic compounds was performed by RP-HPLC. Results showed that XN-T at 500 and 1000 mg/kg significantly prevented the elevation of serum glutamate oxalate transaminase (sGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (sGPT), and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, and caused an increase in the liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) concentrations, as well as serum total antioxidant activity in the CCl4-induced hepatotoxicated mice. It was as good as silymarin (100 mg/kg) in normalization of oxidative stress parameters. Furthermore, liver histological observation also showed an obvious amelioration in the liver conditions in XN-T-treated animals. XN-T was found to contain a higher level of epicatechin, catechin, and p-coumaric acid. These results conclude that XN exerts effective protection against CCl4-induced liver injury in mice, and its mechanism of action could be through the effects of antioxidants on reducing the oxidative stress.
Potentials of Enhanced Context Awareness in Wearable Assistants for Parkinson's Disease Patients with the Freezing of Gait Syndrome

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a common gait deficit in advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is often a cause of falls, interferes with daily activities and significantly impairs quality of life. Gait deficits in PD patients are often resistant to pharmacologic treatment; therefore effective nonpharmacologic assistance is needed.In this paper we show the potential of context aware assistance for PD patients with FOG and present our first results on start and turn FOG assistance using our modular wearable research platform. We developed a real-time FOG detection system which provides external acoustic cues when FOG is detected from on-body motion sensors, until the subject resumes walking. In an evaluation study, ten PD patients tested our device. We recorded over 8h of data. Eight patients experienced FOG during the study, and 237 FOG events have been identified by physiotherapists in a post video analysis. For the first time PD patients with the FOG syndrome were assisted by a context-aware wearable system. We report a high accuracy of freeze detection (73.1% sensitivity, 81.6% specificity, user independent). Based on subjective reports, the majority of patients indicated a benefit from the automatic cueing.We discuss how additional sensor modalities can paint a more complete view of the user’s context and may increase the system’s accuracy, decrease its latency, and eventually allow going from freeze detection to freeze preemption.
Rapid development and persistence of a massive Antarctic sea ice tongue

[1] An extraordinary sea ice tongue developed near 85°E over a period of 30 days in April–May 2002. The ice tongue extended to the north more than 800 km from the surrounding ice edge and covered an area greater than 200,000 km2. Satellite measurements of ice extent and roughness characteristics demonstrate that the tongue persisted as a distinct feature throughout the winter. Remote sensing observations between 1978 and 2004 confirm that ice tongues occur frequently at this location, although the 2002 tongue was particularly pronounced. We show that ocean currents and winds conspire to favor the development of ice tongues at this location. Mean streamlines of the southern part of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current turn sharply to the north near 85°E after passing through the Princess Elisabeth Trough. The edge and northern limit of the ice tongue correspond well with the pattern of mean streamlines. Mean winds in April–May have a dominant southerly component in this location, favoring offshore advection of ice; year-to-year variability in the prominence of the tongue is largely caused by variations in the wind, with northerly (southerly) anomalies inhibiting (promoting) development of a sea ice tongue. Ice drift is strongly northward along the axis of the tongue, suggesting the feature is formed by advection of ice from the south rather than by in situ thermodynamic ice formation. The northward current and sea ice tongue at 85°E are associated with higher biomass at all trophic levels than observed elsewhere in east Antarctica.
The USE IT-adoption-model to Predict and Evaluate Adoption of Information and Communication Technology in Healthcare

Summary Background and Objective: The USE IT-model integrates theories about adoption and diffusion of innovations and is suitable to predict and evaluate the success of an information system from a user’s perspective. The USE IT-model consists of four determinants: relevance, requirements, resources and resistance, which are measured at the macro-level (organizational), and at the micro-level (individual). After applying the USE IT approach in several researches we evaluated and updated the USE IT-model. Methods: We used the USE IT-model in ten case studies in healthcare and compared the results of the studies with the determinants and dimensions of the USE IT-model. Results: The quality of the implementation process is part of the innovation process- dimension and therefore relocated as a dimension of macro-resistance. The improvements and value in the relevance determinant are made more concrete by quality, efficiency, effectiveness, and task support. The dimensions of micro-resistance are reduced, and the dimension negative consequences is added. Also the dimensions of macro- and micro-requirements are made more specific to express the importance of information quality, availability and accessibility. Discussion and Conclusion: The research resulted in the updated USE IT-adoption-model to predict and evaluate the adoption of information systems in healthcare. The structure and determinants of the original USE IT-model with a distinction between the macro- and micro-level remained unchanged.
Use of quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction to estimate the size of the house‐fly Musca domestica genome

House‐flies, Musca domestica, are carriers of more than 100 devastating diseases that have severe consequences for human and animal health. A key bottleneck to progress in controlling the devastating human diseases transmitted by house‐flies is lack of knowledge of the basic molecular biology of this species. However, before sequencing of the house‐fly genome can be seriously considered it is important to know the size of the genome. In this paper, we used quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction to calculate genome size of the house‐fly in side‐by‐side experiments with Drosophila melanogaster (known genome size of 180 Mb). Our results indicate the size of the house‐fly genome is 295 ± 10 Mb and that of D. melanogaster is 184 Mb. Thus, the house‐fly genome is only about 1.6‐fold larger than the genome of D. melanogaster. This indicates that the size of the house‐fly genome makes it an excellent candidate for whole genome sequencing and that quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction is an accurate method for the estimation of the size of insect genomes.
How did the foreland react? Yangtze foreland fold‐and‐thrust belt deformation related to exhumation of the Dabie Shan ultrahigh‐pressure continental crust (eastern China)

During the Triassic collision of the Yangtze and Sino‐Korean cratons, the leading edge of the Yangtze crust subducted to mantle depths and was subsequently exhumed as a penetratively deformed, coherent slab capped by a normal shear zone. This geometry requires a reverse shear zone at the base of the slab, and we suggest that the Yangtze foreland fold‐and‐thrust belt constitutes this zone. Lower Triassic rocks of the eastern foreland record NW–SE compression as the oldest compressional stress field; onset of related deformation is indicated by Middle Triassic clastic sedimentation. Subsequent Jurassic stress fields show a clockwise change of compression directions. Based on nearly coeval onset and termination of deformation, and on a common clockwise change in the principal strain/stress directions, we propose that the foreland deformation was controlled by the extrusion of the ultra high‐pressure slab. Widespread Cretaceous–Cenozoic reactivation occurred under regional extension to transtension, which characteristically shows a large‐scale clockwise change of the principal extension directions during the Lower Cretaceous.
Mutation in the C-Di-AMP Cyclase dacA Affects Fitness and Resistance of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Faster growing and more virulent strains of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are increasingly displacing highly resistant MRSA. Elevated fitness in these MRSA is often accompanied by decreased and heterogeneous levels of methicillin resistance; however, the mechanisms for this phenomenon are not yet fully understood. Whole genome sequencing was used to investigate the genetic basis of this apparent correlation, in an isogenic MRSA strain pair that differed in methicillin resistance levels and fitness, with respect to growth rate. Sequencing revealed only one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the diadenylate cyclase gene dacA in the faster growing but less resistant strain. Diadenylate cyclases were recently discovered to synthesize the new second messenger cyclic diadenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP). Introduction of this mutation into the highly resistant but slower growing strain reduced resistance and increased its growth rate, suggesting a direct connection between the dacA mutation and the phenotypic differences of these strains. Quantification of cellular c-di-AMP revealed that the dacA mutation decreased c-di-AMP levels resulting in reduced autolysis, increased salt tolerance and a reduction in the basal expression of the cell wall stress stimulon. These results indicate that c-di-AMP affects cell envelope-related signalling in S. aureus. The influence of c-di-AMP on growth rate and methicillin resistance in MRSA indicate that altering c-di-AMP levels could be a mechanism by which MRSA strains can increase their fitness levels by reducing their methicillin resistance levels.
Hiccups on the road to privacy-preserving linear programming

Linear programming is one of maths' greatest contributions to industry. There are many places where linear programming could be beneficially applied across more than one company, but there is a roadblock. Companies have secrets. The data needed for joint optimization may need to be kept private either through concerns about leaking competitively sensitive data, or due to privacy legislation. Recent research has tackled the problem of privacy-preserving linear programming. One appealing group of approaches uses a 'disguising' transformation to allow one party to perform the joint optimization without seeing the secret data of the other parties. These approaches are very appealing from the point of view of simplicity, efficiency, and flexibility, but we show here that all of the existing transformations have a critical flaw.