Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a two‐joint robotic fish for real‐world exploration

Research on biomimetic robotic fish has been undertaken for more than a decade. Various robotic fish prototypes have been developed around the world. Although considerable research efforts have been devoted to understanding the underlying mechanism of fish swimming and construction of fish‐like swimming machines, robotic fish have largely remained laboratory curiosities. This paper presents a robotic fish that is designed for application in real‐world scenarios. The robotic fish adopts a rigid torpedo‐shaped body for the housing of power, electronics, and payload. A compact parallel four‐bar mechanism is designed for propulsion and maneuvering. Based on the kinematic analysis of the tail mechanism, the motion control algorithm of joints is presented. The swimming performance of the robotic fish is investigated experimentally. The swimming speed of the robotic fish can reach 1.36 m/s. The turning radius is 1.75 m. Powered by the onboard battery, the robotic fish can operate for up to 20 h. Moreover, the advantages of the biomimetic propulsion approach are shown by comparing the power efficiency and turning performance of the robotic fish with that of a screw‐propelled underwater vehicle. The application of the robotic fish in a real‐world probe experiment is also presented. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intra-QT Spectral Coherence as a Possible Noninvasive Marker of Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia

Sudden cardiac death is the main cause of mortality in patients affected by chronic heart failure (CHF) and with history of myocardial infarction. No study yet investigated the intra-QT phase spectral coherence as a possible tool in stratifying the arrhythmic susceptibility in patients at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). We, therefore, assessed possible difference in spectral coherence between the ECG segment extending from the q wave to the T wave peak (QTp) and the one from T wave peak to the T wave end (T e) between patients with and without Holter ECG-documented sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). None of the QT variability indexes as well as most of the coherences and RR power spectral variables significantly differed between the two groups except for the QTp-T e spectral coherence. The latter was significantly lower in patients with sustained VT than in those without (0.508 ± 0.150 versus 0.607 ± 0.150, P < 0.05). Although the responsible mechanism remains conjectural, the QTp-T e spectral coherence holds promise as a noninvasive marker predicting malignant ventricular arrhythmias.
Identification of Opinion Holders

Opinion holder identification aims to extract entities that express opinions in sentences. In this paper, opinion holder identification is divided into two subtasks: author's opinion recognition and opinion holder labeling. Support vector machine (SVM) is adopted to recognize author's opinions, and conditional random field algorithm (CRF) is utilized to label opinion holders. New features are proposed for both methods. Our method achieves an f-score of 0.734 in the NTCIR7 MOAT task on the Traditional Chinese side, which is the best performance among results of machine learning methods proposed by participants, and also it is close to the best performance of this task. In addition, inconsistent annotations of opinion holders are analyzed, along with the best way to utilize the training instances with inconsistent annotations being proposed.
Analytic Programming with fMRI Data: A Quick-Start Guide for Statisticians Using R

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a thriving field that plays an important role in medical imaging analysis, biological and neuroscience research and practice. This manuscript gives a didactic introduction to the statistical analysis of fMRI data using the R project, along with the relevant R code. The goal is to give statisticians who would like to pursue research in this area a quick tutorial for programming with fMRI data. References of relevant packages and papers are provided for those interested in more advanced analysis.
Marcescin, an antibiotic substance from Serratia marcescens.

SUMMARY: Marcescin, a thermostable polypeptide isolated from a strain of Serratia marcescens inhibits the growth of Corynebacterium diphtheriae at 0.01 μg. /ml. and Staphylococcus aureus at 0.1 μg. /ml. It is produced in good yield in 18–36 hr. at 24° in an aerated ammonium citrate glycerol medium. It was very toxic to mice and in sublethal doses failed to protect mice against sensitive organisms. It is very strongly adsorbed by bacteria so it is not possible to say whether it is bacteriostatic or bactericidal in high concentration.
Nanomanipulation and electrical behaviour of a single gold nanowire using in-situ SEM-FIB-nanomanipulators

Gold nanowires were successfully fabricated by a DC electrodeposition technique into Anodic Aluminium Oxide (AAO) templates. The microstructure of 55nm gold nanowires released from AAO templates was observed by SEM and TEM to be polycrystalline, with a bamboo-type structure and grain sizes 20nm to several micrometers. Individual gold nanowires were picked up from bundles of gold nanowires using a super-sharp W tip attached to an in-situ Kleindiek nanomanipulator fitted in a SEM-FIB. The picked-up gold nanowires were then deposited onto a silicon wafer, or connected between two nanomanipulator tips, to fabricate single nanowire nano-circuits for electrical testing. The electrical properties of single manipulated nanowires are compared to that of bundles of gold nanowires for the two circuit types. The lowest resistance is achieved by connecting the gold nanowires between two FIB-milled tungsten tips.
A Middleware Framework for the Adaptive Home

We discuss the concept of adaptive middleware for augmented living spaces, with the aim to provide a framework to systematically outfit homes with the flexible intelligence to cooperatively optimize their shared resources. To exemplify this concept, we discuss the EMISS testbed and platform for rapid design, simulation and deployment of wireless sensor networks for the “adaptive home” beyond off-the-shelf control mechanisms for networked home appliances. Based on a combination of web and object technology, the system offers locationindependent, user-friendly access to customized energy-aware home control, as well as the basic ambient intelligence to make a home adapt to user behavior and environmental constraints.
Constraints on New Physics from Long Baseline Neutrino Oscillation Experiments

New physics beyond the Standard Model can lead to extra matter effects on neutrino oscillation if the new interactions distinguish among the three flavors of neutrino. In a previous paper [1], we argued that a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment in which the Fermilab-NUMI beam in its high-energy mode [2] is aimed at the planned Hyper-Kamiokande detector [3] would be capable of constraining the size of those extra effects, provided the vacuum value of sin 2 2θ23 is not too close to one. In this paper, we discuss how such a constraint would translate into limits on the coupling constants and masses of new particles in various models. The models we consider are: models with   
Fabrication of Surface-Modified One-Dimensional Titania Nanostructures in the Presence of Chitosan

One-dimensional TiO2-based nanostructures with modified surface have been produced by alkaline hydrothermal treatment of TiO2 and CoTiO3 powders in the presence of bioactive natural polymer—chitosan—as the organic reagent. Nanostructures are characterized by multilayer morphology. However, characteristic interlayer distances are significantly higher than in those produced without chitosan. Moreover, thin bioorganic layers are observed on the surface of elongated structures produced by processing of TiO2 powder. Quite different surfaces with numerous Co-containing agglomerates of chitosan derivatives are detected when CoTiO3 powder is processed. After vacuum treatment at 600°C and higher, Co-containing elongated nanostructures demonstrate the abnormal high ferromagnetic properties.
On-line Coordination: Event Interaction and State Communication between Cooperative Agents

This paper addresses a novel coordination problem for distributed agents in a discrete-event setting. We introduce and study a predicate coordination problem as the problem of distributed agents interacting and communicating between themselves to satisfy (the invariance of) a global predicate specifying an inter-agent constraint. We then develop an optimal coordination policy by which the agents can coordinate to satisfy the predicate constraint. To implement the optimal policy, we develop two on-line coordination strategies including one that can achieve significant savings in communication bandwidth, as demonstrated by simulations.
Scalable sort-first parallel direct volume rendering with dynamic load balancing

We describe a sort-first algorithm for parallel direct volume rendering on GPUs, with the intent of high scalability in regards to both performance and data set size. We explore three novel techniques for estimating the computation time for rendering each pixel, so that we can guarantee a good load balancing regardless of the level of frame-to frame coherence. A bricking technique is used to subdivide the object space, thus allowing each rendering node to load only the bricks of data that are needed to render their respective portions of the image space. This enables us to render data sets larger than an individual GPU's texture memory. We cull bricks that do not contribute to the final image in order to reduce the data that is loaded and provide a coarse method of empty space leaping. We introduce a novel method of eliminating the overhead of generating vertices for the proxy geometry of each brick, by creating a single template of vertices that are used to render all bricks of the same size. Finally, detailed performance measurements document the various aspects of our algorithm.
Modification in the von Hippel-Lindau Protein Is Involved in the Progression of Experimentally Induced Rat Glomerulonephritis

Background/Aims: We previously demonstrated that angiotensin II (AII) combined with Habu snake venom (HV) induces glomerulonephritis (GN) in rats, with lesions being restricted to the glomeruli 2 days after the administration of both reagents, but the mechanisms inducing GN are unclear. We also indicated a role for hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in attenuating the progression of GN. However, a role of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein in GN and mechanisms by which HV regulates the pathogenesis of GN remains unclear. Methods and Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that VHL is weakly expressed in the renal tubules alone; however, HV caused elevated VHL expression in the injured glomeruli including endothelial cells and partially podocytes. Western blot analysis revealed that VHL expression was increased in HV-treated kidney compared with AII-treated or normal kidney. An in vitro study also showed HV-induced elevation in VHL expression. To investigate whether VHL pre-induction causes GN aggravation, we utilized thrombin, an inducer of VHL. Thrombin alone did not cause renal injuries; however, thrombin pre-treatment accelerated the development of GN even 1 day after treatment. Conclusion: We suggest that VHL pre-induction by thrombin aggravates GN, and that the increase in VHL expression due to HV might be involved in accelerating onset of GN.
Extended statistical element selection: A calibration method for high resolution in analog/RF designs

In this paper we propose a high resolution digital calibration method for analog/RF circuits that is an extension of the statistical element selection (SES) approach. As compared to SES, the proposed ESES method provides wider calibration range to accommodate multiple variation sources and produces higher calibration yield for the same calibration resolution target. Two types of ESES-based calibration with application in analog/RF designs are demonstrated; current source calibration and phase/delay calibration. As compared to traditional calibration methods, the proposed ESES-based calibration incurs lower circuit overhead while achieving higher calibration resolution. ESES calibration is further applied to a wideband harmonic-rejection receiver design that achieves best-in-class harmonic-rejection performance after calibration.
Discretized-Vapnik-Chervonenkis Dimension for Analyzing Complexity of Real Function Classes

In this paper, we introduce the discretized-Vapnik-Chervonenkis (VC) dimension for studying the complexity of a real function class, and then analyze properties of real function classes and neural networks. We first prove that a countable traversal set is enough to achieve the VC dimension for a real function class, whereas its classical definition states that the traversal set is the output range of the function class. Based on this result, we propose the discretized-VC dimension defined by using a countable traversal set consisting of rational numbers in the range of a real function class. By using the discretized-VC dimension, we show that if a real function class has a finite VC dimension, only a finite traversal set is needed to achieve the VC dimension. We then point out that the real function classes, which have the infinite VC dimension, can be grouped into two categories: TYPE-A and TYPE-B. Subsequently, based on the obtained results, we discuss the relationship between the VC dimension of an indicator-output network and that of the real-output network, when both networks have the same structure except for the output activation functions. Finally, we present the risk bound based on the discretized-VC dimension for a real function class that has infinite VC dimension and is of TYPE-A. We prove that, with such a function class, the empirical risk minimization (ERM) principle for the function class is still consistent with overwhelming probability. This is a development of the existing knowledge that the ERM learning is consistent if and only if the function class has a finite VC dimension.
Postoperative Changes in Aqueous Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 Levels and Bleb Morphology after Trabeculectomy vs. Ex-PRESS Shunt Surgery

Purpose To evaluate the postoperative changes in blebs and levels of aqueous monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) after trabeculectomy vs. Ex-PRESS tube shunt surgery. Methods Rabbits were subjected to trabeculectomy or Ex-PRESS tube shunt surgery and observed for up to 3 months. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using a rebound tonometer. The MCP-1 level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Bleb morphology was evaluated using photos and anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results There were no differences in bleb appearance or IOP at any time between the groups. Bleb wall density in the anterior-segment OCT image was significantly lower 1 week after surgery in the Ex-PRESS group than the trabeculectomy group. The MCP-1 level in control eyes was 304.1 ± 45.2 pg/mL. In the trabeculectomy group, the mean aqueous MCP-1 level was 1444.9, 1914.3, 1899.8, 516.4, 398.3, 427.3, 609.5, 1612.7, 386.2, and 167.9 pg/mL at 3, 6, and 12 h, and 1, 2, 5, 7, 14, 30, and 90 days after surgery, respectively. In the Ex-PRESS group, the corresponding values were 1744.0, 1372.0, 932.5, 711.7, 396.1, 487.3, 799.5, 1327.9, 293.6, and 184.0 pg/mL. There were no significant differences in the aqueous MCP-1 level between the groups at any time point. Conclusion The postoperative changes were similar in the Ex-PRESS and trabeculectomy groups, except for bleb wall density in the anterior-segment OCT image. The postoperative aqueous MCP-1 level had bimodal peaks in both groups.
A heuristic discussion of probabilistic decoding

This is another in a series of invited tutorial, status and survey papers that are being regularly solicited by the PTGIT Committee on Special Papers. We invited Profess01 Fano to commit to paprr his elegant but, unelaborate explanation of the principles of sequential decoding, a scheme which is currently contending for a position as the most practical implementation to dale of Shannon’s theory of noisy communication channels. -&e&l Pcqwrs Committw.
Modularizing crosscuts in an e-commerce application in Lisp using HALO

Some program concerns cannot be cleanly modularized, and their implementation leads to code that is both hard to understand and maintain. In this paper we consider extending an e-commerce application, written in CLOS, with two of such crosscutting concerns. Though most of the time Common Lisp's macro facilities and CLOS' method combinations can be used to modularize crosscuts, we discuss the use of a more declarative solution when crosscuts depend on the execution history. For this purpose we give an overview of HALO, a novel pointcut language based on logic meta programming and temporal logic, which allows one to reason about program execution and (past) program state.
Face numbers of pseudomanifolds with isolated singularities

We investigate the face numbers of simplicial complexes with Buchsbaum vertex links, especially pseudomanifolds with isolated singularities. This includes deriving Dehn-Sommerville relations for pseudomanifolds with isolated singularities and establishing lower bound theorems when the singularities are also homologically isolated. We give formulas for the Hilbert function of a generic Artinian reduction of the face ring when the singularities are homologically isolated and for any pure two-dimensional complex. Some examples of spaces where the $f$-vector can be completely characterized are described. Let $\Delta$ and $\Delta'$ be two simplicial complexes that are homeomorphic and have the same $f$-vector. In \cite{MNS} the question is raised of whether or not the Hilbert functions of generic Artinian reductions of their face rings are identical. We prove that this is the case if the spaces have isolated singularities and are PL-homeomorphic.
Region Reaching Control of Robots: Theory and Experiments

In conventional setpoint control problems of robot, the desired position is specified as a point. However, in some applications, the desired target is a region instead of a point. In this paper, we propose a new control concept called region reaching control for robot manipulators. In this new control concept, the desired objective can be specified as a region instead of a point. Several region reaching controllers are proposed in task space. Since the desired region can be specified arbitrarily small, the region control concept is also a generalization of setpoint control problem. Lyapunov-like functions are presented for the convergence analysis. Experiment results based on a SONY SCARA robot are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed region reaching controllers.
Hidden Markov Random Field and Frame Modelling for TCA Image Analysis

Tooth Cementum Annulation (TCA) is an age estimation method carried out on thin cross sections of the root of the human tooth. Age is computed by adding the tooth eruption age to the count of annual incremental lines which are called tooth rings and appear in the cementum band. Algorithms to denoise and segment the digital image of the tooth section are considered a crucial step towards computer-assisted TCA. The approach in this paper relies on modelling the images as hidden Markov random fields, where gray values are assumed to be pixelwise conditionally independent and normally distributed, given a hidden random field of labels. These unknown labels have to be estimated to segment the image. To account for long-range dependence among the observed values and for periodicity in the placement of tooth rings, the Gibbsian label distribution is specified by a potential function that incorporates macro-features of the TCA image (a FRAME model). An estimation of the model parameters is made by an EM algorithm exploiting the mean field approximation of the label distribution. Segmentation is based on the predictive distribution of the labels given the observed gray values.
Spannungsinduzierte Wellenbildung in laserdeponierten Polymer/Metall-Systemen

Multilayer thin films with dimensions at the nanometer scale represent a technologically important class of materials where the interface and size effects play an important role. Interestingly, when polymer/metal multilayers are deposited by pulsed laser deposition (248nm, 30ns pulse duration) one observes stress induced buckling of the metal layers in case of polymers with low young’s modulus. Compressive stress in the metal layers is induced due to the high energy of the deposited ions (100 eV). The beam theory can be used to describe the relation between the wavelength of the buckles and the properties of both film components. This understanding makes it possible to use the wavelength as a measurement for the mechanical properties of the film components. Furthermore, the wavelength can be tuned by changing the layer thicknesses of both components. By increasing the young’s modulus of the polymer it is possible to deposit smooth metal-layers without buckling. In this way also smooth periodic polymer/metal multilayers can be prepared by pulsed laser deposition which offer a lot of potential for scientific studies as well as for applications.
A tutorial on propensity score estimation for multiple treatments using generalized boosted models

The use of propensity scores to control for pretreatment imbalances on observed variables in non‐randomized or observational studies examining the causal effects of treatments or interventions has become widespread over the past decade. For settings with two conditions of interest such as a treatment and a control, inverse probability of treatment weighted estimation with propensity scores estimated via boosted models has been shown in simulation studies to yield causal effect estimates with desirable properties. There are tools (e.g., the twang package in R) and guidance for implementing this method with two treatments. However, there is not such guidance for analyses of three or more treatments. The goals of this paper are twofold: (1) to provide step‐by‐step guidance for researchers who want to implement propensity score weighting for multiple treatments and (2) to propose the use of generalized boosted models (GBM) for estimation of the necessary propensity score weights. We define the causal quantities that may be of interest to studies of multiple treatments and derive weighted estimators of those quantities. We present a detailed plan for using GBM to estimate propensity scores and using those scores to estimate weights and causal effects. We also provide tools for assessing balance and overlap of pretreatment variables among treatment groups in the context of multiple treatments. A case study examining the effects of three treatment programs for adolescent substance abuse demonstrates the methods. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exercise‐induced anaphylaxis in a marathon runner

After completion of a marathon (26.2 mile running race), a 41‐year‐old woman presented to the medical tent complaining of hand swelling. She denied any hand pain or numbness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, but admitted to slight hoarseness. Whilst she denied shortness of breath at that moment, she had noted dyspnea out of proportion to her athletic activity during the first 3 miles of the marathon. Thereafter, she ran without respiratory discomfort.