Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bus Timetabling as a Fuzzy Multiobjective Optimization Problem Using Preference-based Genetic Algorithm

Transportation plays a vital role in the development of a country and the car is the most commonly used means. However, in third world countries long waiting time for public buses is a common problem, especially when people need to switch buses. The problem becomes critical when one considers buses joining different villages and cities. Theoretically this problem can be solved by assigning more buses on the route, which is not possible due to economical problem. Another option is to schedule the buses so that customers who want to switch buses at junction cities need not have to wait long. This paper discusses how to model single frequency routes bus timetabling as a fuzzy multiobjective optimization problem and how to solve it using preference-based genetic algorithm by assigning appropriate fuzzy preference to the need of the customers. The idea will be elaborated with an example.
Detection of Tumor in Mammographic Images by RBF Neural Network and Multi Population Genetic Algorithm

In this paper, we propose an approach for detection of anomalies present in medical images. The idea is to combine tow metaphors: Neural Networks (NN) and Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) in a hybrid system. The Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBF NN) and Multi Population Genetic Algorithm (MPGA) are coupled in one system called neural-evolutionary algorithm. After applying the growing region algorithm to extract regions, the RBF NN detects the suspect regions. Some of experimental results on mammographic images show the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Computer Technology and Social Issues

From the Publisher: Interconnected political, economic. Social and human factors are paramount in determining the success of information technology. As global economic competition has become ever more important, the social issues of computing combine to make public policymaking more urgent in computer-related domains. Though often perceived in purely technological terms, when it comes to computing, political issues are pervasive. The book starts by examining charges that computing threatens democratic values. Is computing creating a technological elite? Does it foster dehumanization and a de-skilled workforce? And what of the opposite claim that computing will foster a new era of electronic democracy--a network nation in which participatory team approaches and electronic civic democracy displace hierarchical models of the past? Empirical data and case studies on both sides of these and other related questions are examined from a social science viewpoint. Subsequent chapters deal with computing as a threat to privacy, intellectual property rights in a computer era, computer crime by individuals and organizations, gender and race inequity, technostress and health issues, liability for the effects of computing and numerous related topics. Discussion of the social issues and problems of computing leads into chapters which examine employee resistance to computing, sociotechnical change, information cultures and success factors in computing implementation. Final chapters of the book deal with arguments that information technology investment may not lead to productivity gains. The call for establishment of a national information technology policy to meet the demands of global competition is then taken up. Public goods theory is discussed as a background to reviewing governmental efforts to regulate or promote information technology up through the current proposals of the Clinton Administration. A concluding section on computing and public policy accountability argues for a focus that takes account of the social factors behind successful technological implementation and is not blind hardware-oriented subsidy of all forms of information technology investment. G. David Garson is a professor of political science and public administration at North Carolina State University. He is editor of the Social Science Computer Review, published by Duke University Press, and is author or editor of a dozen books and monographs on research methods, public administration and American politics. Dr. Garson is a graduate of Princeton and Harvard Universities. In addition to his full professorship, he serves as associate dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, supervising three computer laboratories in social sciences and the humanities at the North Carolina State University.
Spectral element modeling of spontaneous earthquake rupture on rate and state faults: Effect of velocity‐strengthening friction at shallow depths

We develop a spectral-element methodology (SEM) for simulating dynamic rupture on rate and state faults and use it to study how the rupture is affected by a shallow fault region of steady-state velocity-strengthening friction. Our comparison of the developed SEM and a spectral boundary-integral method (BIM) for an anti-plane (two-dimensional) test problem shows that the two methods produce virtually identical solutions for the finest resolution we use and that the convergence with grid reduction of the developed SEM methodology is comparable to that of BIM. We also use the test problem to compare numerical resolution required for different state evolution laws and for linear slip-weakening friction. Using our three-dimensional implementation of the methodology, we find that a shallow velocity-strengthening fault region can significantly alter dynamic rupture and ground motion. The velocity-strengthening region suppresses supershear propagation at the free surface occurring in the absence of such region, which could explain the lack of universally observed supershear rupture near the free surface. In addition, the velocity-strengthening region promotes faster fall-off of slip velocity behind the rupture front and decreases final slip throughout the entire fault, causing a smaller average stress drop. The slip decrease is largest in the shallow parts of the fault, resulting in the depth profile of slip qualitatively consistent with observations of shallow co-seismic slip deficit. The shallow velocity-strengthening region also reduces the amplification of strong ground motion due to a low-velocity bulk structure.
Altered Ratio of D1 and D2 Dopamine Receptors in Mouse Striatum Is Associated with Behavioral Sensitization to Cocaine

Background Drugs of abuse elevate brain dopamine levels, and, in vivo, chronic drug use is accompanied by a selective decrease in dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) availability in the brain. Such a decrease consequently alters the ratio of D1R∶D2R signaling towards the D1R. Despite a plethora of behavioral studies dedicated to the understanding of the role of dopamine in addiction, a molecular mechanism responsible for the downregulation of the D2R, in vivo, in response to chronic drug use has yet to be identified. Methods and Findings Ethics statement: All animal work was approved by the Gallo Center IACUC committee and was performed in our AAALAC approved facility. In this study, we used wild type (WT) and G protein coupled receptor associated sorting protein-1 (GASP-1) knock out (KO) mice to assess molecular changes that accompany cocaine sensitization. Here, we show that downregulation of D2Rs or upregulation of D1Rs is associated with a sensitized locomotor response to an acute injection of cocaine. Furthermore, we demonstrate that disruption of GASP-1, that targets D2Rs for degradation after endocytosis, prevents cocaine-induced downregulation of D2Rs. As a consequence, mice with a GASP-1 disruption show a reduction in the sensitized locomotor response to cocaine. Conclusions Together, our data suggests that changes in the ratio of the D1R∶D2R could contribute to cocaine-induced behavioral plasticity and demonstrates a role of GASP-1 in regulating both the levels of the D2R and cocaine sensitization.
Product Differentiation, Monopolistic Competition, and Public Policy

This paper generalizes a model of monopolistic competition attributable to Spence (1976). Firms produce symmetrically differentiated products with declining or U-shaped average costs. Free entry drives profits to zero in equilibrium. Spence finds that when firms behave "competitively," in a specific sense, the market equilibrium yields too little product diversity. However, when Spence's "competitive" behavioral assumption is relaxed, we find that the market may produce excessive diversity; this occurs when product differentiation is weak relative to scale economies of production. We also study two second-best regulatory policies and characterize conditions under which they are potentially effective in improving the market outcome.
A heuristic program to solve geometric-analogy problems

The purpose of this paper is to describe a program now in existence which is capable of solving a wide class of the so-called 'geometric-analogy' problems frequently encountered on intelligence tests. Each member of this class of problems consists of a set of labeled line drawings. The task to be performed can be concisely described by the question: 'figure A is to figure B as figure C is to which of the given answer figures? ' For example, given the problem illustrated as Fig. 1, the geometric-analogy program (which we shall subsequently call ANALOGY, for brevity) selected the problem figure labeled 4 as its answer. It seems safe to say that most people would agree with ANALOGY's answer to this problem (which, incidentally, is taken from the 1942 edition of the Psychological Test for College Freshmen of the American Council on Education). Furthermore, if one were required to make explicit the reasoning by which he arrived at his answer, prospects are good that the results would correspond closely to the description of its 'reasoning' produced by ANALOGY.
Reduced negative BOLD responses in the default-mode network and increased self-focus in depression

Abstract Objectives. Functional imaging studies in major depressive disorder (MDD) indicate abnormal resting state neural activity and negative blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) responses (NBRs) in regions of the default-mode network (DMN). Methods. Since activity in DMN regions has been associated with self-relatedness, we investigated neural activity in these regions during self-related emotional judgement and passive picture viewing in 25 patients with MDD and 25 healthy controls in an event-related fMRI design. Results. Behaviourally, MDD subjects showed significantly higher ratings of self-relatedness that also correlated with depression symptoms such as hopelessness. Neuroimaging results in MDD patients showed significantly lower negative BOLD responses (NBRs) in anterior medial cortical regions during judgement of self-relatedness while posterior medial regions showed increased NBRs. Unlike in healthy subjects, the anterior medial cortical NBRs were no longer parametrically modulated by the degree of self-relatedness in MDD patients. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that reduced NBRs in the anterior regions of the default-mode network may signify decoupling from self-relatedness in MDD patients with the consecutive abnormal increase of self-focus.
Effects of Service Recovery on Customer Satisfaction and Relationship Retention in Catering Industry

Abstract The raise of consumer awareness in modern competitive catering markets presents that the discontented customers are likely to express the discontentment through word of mouth. Consumers would directly or indirectly express when the quality of the service process does not conform to the expectation. Service recovery therefore cannot be avoided and neglected in catering industry, and it relates to the service performance and the customer retention. It was found in the past research that, when there was a service failure, the perceived justice of customers towards the service recovery policies of an enterprise could enhance the customer satisfaction and promote the reliability towards the catering enterprise so that they would be willing to retain the transactional relationship. For this reason, this study would like to discuss the relations between service recovery and relationship retention and explore the mediating effects of customer satisfaction. The customers of Noble Family in northern Taiwan, as the research samples, are distributed 500 copies of questionnaires. Total 267 valid copies were retrieved, with the retrieval rate 53%. The research findings are concluded as - 1. Service recovery presents significant correlations with customer satisfaction. 2. Customer satisfaction shows remarkable correlations with relationship retention. 3. Service recovery reveals notable correlations with relationship retention. 4. Customer satisfaction appears partial mediating effects on the correlations between service recovery and relationship retention.
Cross Talk between the Akt and p 38 Pathways in Macrophages Downstream of Toll-Like Receptor Signaling

Victoria A. McGuire, Alexander Gray, Claire E. Monk, Susana G. Santos, Keunwook Lee, Anna Aubareda, Jonathan Crowe, Natalia Ronkina, Jessica Schwermann, Ian H. Batty, Nick R. Leslie, Jonathan L. E. Dean, Stephen J. O’Keefe, Mark Boothby, Matthias Gaestel, J. Simon C. Arthur Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology and MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, London, United Kingdom; Department of Immunology, Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, New Jersey, USA; Institute of Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
Driver distraction by advertising: genuine risk or urban myth?

Drivers operate in an increasingly complex visual environment, and yet there has been little recent research on the effects this might have on driving ability and accident rates. This paper is based on research carried out for the Scottish Executive's Central Research Unit on the subject of external-to-vehicle driver distraction. A literature review/meta-analysis was carried out with a view to answering the following questions: is there a serious risk to safe driving caused by features in the external environment, and if there is, what can be done about it? Review of the existing literature suggests that, although the subject is under-researched, there is evidence that in some cases overcomplex visual fields can distract drivers and that it is unlikely that existing guidelines and legislation adequately regulate this. Theoretical explanations for the phenomenon are offered and areas for future research highlighted.
Dynamic and Opposing Adjustment of Movement Cancellation and Generation in an Oculomotor Countermanding Task

Adaptive adjustments of strategies help optimize behavior in a dynamic and uncertain world. Previous studies in the countermanding (or stop-signal) paradigm have detailed how reaction times (RTs) change with trial sequence, demonstrating adaptive control of movement generation. Comparatively little is known about the adaptive control of movement cancellation in the countermanding task, mainly because movement cancellation implies the absence of an outcome and estimates of movement cancellation require hundreds of trials. Here, we exploit a within-trial proxy of movement cancellation based on recordings of neck muscle activity while human subjects attempted to cancel large eye–head gaze shifts. On a subset of successfully cancelled trials where gaze remains stable, small head-only movements to the target are actively braked by a pulse of antagonist neck muscle activity. The timing of such antagonist muscle recruitment relative to the stop signal, termed the “antagonist latency,” tended to decrease or increase after trials with or without a stop-signal, respectively. Over multiple time scales, fluctuations in the antagonist latency tended to be the mirror opposite of those occurring contemporaneously with RTs. These results provide new insights into the adaptive control of movement cancellation at an unprecedented resolution, suggesting it can be as prone to dynamic adjustment as movement generation. Adaptive control in the countermanding task appears to be governed by a dynamic balance between movement cancellation and generation: shifting the balance in favor of movement cancellation slows movement generation, whereas shifting the balance in favor of movement generation slows movement cancellation.
Tagging Practices on Research Oriented Social Bookmarking Sites

This paper examines the tagging practices evident on CiteULike, a research oriented social bookmarking site for journal articles. Tagging practices were examined using standard informetric measures for analysis of bibliographic information and term use. Additionally, tags were compared to author keywords and descriptors assigned to the same article. Cette communication examine les pratiques d’etiquetage par mots-cles qui sont utilises sur CiteULike, un service d’etiquetage social, pour les articles de periodiques. Ces pratiques de marquage ont ete examinees en utilisant les mesures informetriques habituellement utilisees pour l’analyse d’information bibliographique et d’utilisation de mots-cles. En outre, les etiquettes ont ete comparees aux mots-cles utilises par les auteurs et aux descripteurs attribues a ces memes articles.
Economic Distance, Cultural Distance, and Openness in International Trade: Empirical Puzzles

We estimate annual gravity equations for 1960-85 on a large sample, allowing us to identify time trends in the coefficients. Our results include the following: (1) The weight of exporter's supply has increased relative to importers' demand in explaining the long-run strong performancee of global exports; (2)The deterrent effect of economic and cultural distance on international trade increased until the early-to mid-1970s, at which poing it began to decline; (3) The openness variable devised by Sachs and Warner [1985], and show by them to be associated with faster economic growth, in indeed associated with greater imports as well, with increasing intensity over time. Lower tariffs and export taxes are also associated with greater imports, while the effect of free-trade groupings is more complex; and (4) The use of absolute price comparisons in the equation is not particularly fruitful and yields counterintuitive results.
A CMOS wide-bandwidth high-power linear-in-dB variable attenuator using body voltage distribution method

A wide bandwidth, highly linear variable attenuator designed in 0. 18µm triple-well CMOS process is presented. This attenuator is based on three cascade π-networks with body voltage distribution scheme to minimize the effects of the input power levels. Measurements show it achieves minimum 1-dB gain compression of 7.5 dBm. The mid-band insertion loss is 1.6 dB and the maximum attenuation is 34.8 dB. This attenuator has a linear-in-dB controllability from 400 MHz to 3.7 GHz with input return loss better than 9 dB. To our knowledge, this is the highest linear CMOS variable attenuator with a wide bandwidth of 3.3 GHz.
A Framework for Vision-based Mobile AR Applications

This paper analyzes the requirements for a general purpose mobile Augmented Reality framework that supports expert as well as non-expert authors to create customized mobile AR applications. A key component is the use of imagebased localization performed on a central server. It further describes an implementation of such a framework as well as an example application created in this framework to demonstrate the practicability of the described design. Author
Crust-Core Interactions and the Magnetic Dipole Orientation in Neutron Stars

We develop an effective model for a neutron star with a magnetosphere. It takes into account the electromagnetic torques acting on the magnetic dipole, the friction forces between the crust and the core, and the gravitational corrections. Anomalous electromagnetic torques, usually neglected in a rigid star model, here play a crucial role for the alignment of the magnetic dipole. The crust-core coupling time implied by the model is consistent with the observational data and other theoretical estimations. This model describes the main features of the behavior of the magnetic dipole during the life of the star and, in particular, gives a natural explanation for the n < 3 value of the braking index in a young neutron star.
Application of Logical Petri Nets in Web Service composition

In the process of Web service composition, there are several cases about working up an atomic Web service; as well as the outputs of Web service have many possibilities because of the different requirements from users. In order to address these uncertainties, Logical Petri Net(LPN) is introduced into the system of Web service composition, these problems can be well solved using the LPN's feature—passing value indeterminacy. And a model of Web service composition is proposed with the technology of ontology and Agent. Based on this model, an approach of Web service composition is presented in this paper.
Antigenicity and Immunogenicity of Novel Chimeric Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Particles with Exposed Hepatitis C Virus Epitopes

ABSTRACT The small envelope protein of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg-S) can self-assemble into highly organized virus like particles (VLPs) and induce an effective immune response. In this study, a restriction enzyme site was engineered into the cDNA of HBsAg-S at a position corresponding to the exposed site within the hydrophilic a determinant region (amino acid [aa] 127–128) to create a novel HBsAg vaccine vector allowing surface orientation of the inserted sequence. We inserted sequences of various lengths from hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 protein containing immunodominant epitopes and demonstrated secretion of the recombinant HBsAg VLPs from transfected mammalian cells. A number of different recombinant proteins were synthesized, and HBsAg VLPs containing inserts up to 36 aa were secreted with an efficiency similar to that of wild-type HBsAg. The HVR1 region exposed on the particles retained an antigenic structure similar to that recognized immunologically during natural infection. VLPs containing epitopes from either HCV-1a or -1b strains were produced that induced strain-specific antibody responses in immunized mice. Injection of a combination of these VLPs induced antibodies against both HVR1 epitopes that resulted in higher titers than were achieved by vaccination with the individual VLPs, suggesting a synergistic effect. This may lead to the development of recombinant particles which are able to induce a broad anti-HCV immune response against the HCV quasispecies or other quasispecies-like infectious agents.
A DSC - Based field oriented control of SPMSM to mitigate practical difficulties with low resolution sxIncremental encoder

Practical considerations for implementing Field Oriented Control (FOC) of Surface mounted Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (SPMSM) with a low resolution incremental encoder are discussed. The performance of FOC heavily depends on the accuracy of rotor position measurement. To minimize the development cost, high resolution incremental encoders or absolute encoders are avoided. The error in rotor position measurement is reflected as ripples in dq-axis stator current components. Absolute rotor position at startup is not known resulting in wrong interpretation of rotor d-axis and q-axis orientation. This paper describes the implementation of FOC using STMicroelectronics make Digital Signal Controller (DSC), STM32F407 with 168MHz core speed. Initial rotor alignment and accurate rotor position measurement along with step by step debugging process is discussed. Hardware results are presented for the verification of the same.