Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ingestible, controllable, and degradable origami robot for patching stomach wounds

Developing miniature robots that can carry out versatile clinical procedures inside the body under the remote instructions of medical professionals has been a long time challenge. In this paper, we present origami-based robots that can be ingested into the stomach, locomote to a desired location, patch a wound, remove a foreign body, deliver drugs, and biodegrade. We designed and fabricated composite material sheets for a biocompatible and biodegradable robot that can be encapsulated in ice for delivery through the esophagus, embed a drug layer that is passively released to a wounded area, and be remotely controlled to carry out underwater maneuvers specific to the tasks using magnetic fields. The performances of the robots are demonstrated in a simulated physical environment consisting of an esophagus and stomach with properties similar to the biological organs.
Robust Stability and Stabilization of Fractional-Order Interval Systems with the Fractional Order  $\alpha$: The  $0≪\alpha≪1$ Case

This technical note firstly presents a sufficient and necessary condition for the robust asymptotical stability of fractional-order interval systems with the fractional order α satisfying 0 < α < 1. And then a sufficient condition for the robust asymptotical stabilization of such fractional-order interval systems is derived. All the results are obtained in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, two illustrative examples are given to show that our results are effective for checking the robust stability and designing the robust stabilizing controller for fractional-order interval systems.
Supramolecular nanostructures that mimic VEGF as a strategy for ischemic tissue repair

There is great demand for the development of novel therapies for ischemic cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We report here on the development of a completely synthetic cell-free therapy based on peptide amphiphile nanostructures designed to mimic the activity of VEGF, one of the most potent angiogenic signaling proteins. Following self-assembly of peptide amphiphiles, nanoscale filaments form that display on their surfaces a VEGF-mimetic peptide at high density. The VEGF-mimetic filaments were found to induce phosphorylation of VEGF receptors and promote proangiogenic behavior in endothelial cells, indicated by an enhancement in proliferation, survival, and migration in vitro. In a chicken embryo assay, these nanostructures elicited an angiogenic response in the host vasculature. When evaluated in a mouse hind-limb ischemia model, the nanofibers increased tissue perfusion, functional recovery, limb salvage, and treadmill endurance compared to controls, which included the VEGF-mimetic peptide alone. Immunohistological evidence also demonstrated an increase in the density of microcirculation in the ischemic hind limb, suggesting the mechanism of efficacy of this promising potential therapy is linked to the enhanced microcirculatory angiogenesis that results from treatment with these polyvalent VEGF-mimetic nanofibers.
Quality-aware context provider: A filtering approach to context-aware systems on ubiquitous environment

In ubiquitous environment context awareness approach plays a vital role in adaptability to users requirements. Context-sensitive systems meet specific requirements correctly, only if context information possesses the desired quality of context (QoC). Context data can be unreliable or inaccurate, thus undermining the potential of context-aware services. Some researches adopt a conflict resolution approach through the utilization of few QoC parameters. Other studies define policies based on QoC parameters to resolve conflicts. Both efforts do not exploit application requirements to ensure quality of context. In this research work it is proposed a QoC filtering approach. Our proposal intends to use in a better fashion the context provider, sending only relevant data to the context server. Besides that we present QoC policies, based in terms of application requirements and QoC parameters, which are used in a validation process to filter context data. The experimental simulation indicates a reduction in the amount of data sent and also an improvement on the quality of context on transmitted data.
Sources of Natural Resistance to Plant Viruses: Status and Prospects

SUMMARY Globally, virus diseases are common in agricultural crops and have a major agronomic impact. They are countered through the deployment of genetic resistance against the virus, or through the use of a range of farming practices based upon the propagation of virus-free plant material and the exclusion of the virus vectors from the growing crop. We review here the current status of our knowledge of natural virus resistance genes, and consider the future prospects for the deployment of these genes against virus infection.
Joint beamforming design and base-station assignment in a coordinated multicell system

This study is concerned with the downlink beamforming designs in a coordinated multicell system with dynamic base-station (BS) assignment. At each cell, a multiple-antenna BS employs linear beamforming to send multiple data streams to its assigned mobile-stations (MSs). Exploiting multicell coordination, the multiple BSs jointly optimise the beamformers and the BS-MS assignments to enhance the overall system performance. With per-BS power constraints, considered are the coordinated beamforming problems under the following two design criteria: (i) minimising the transmit power margin at the BS with a set of target signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratios (SINR) at the MSs and (ii) jointly maximising the minimum SINR margin at the MSs. As the original problem formulations are shown to be non-convex integer programs, which are combinatorially hard, the authors propose an efficient convex relaxation approach to solve the problems with low complexity. Simulations show that the convex relaxation-based assignment schemes significantly outperform heuristic fixed assignment schemes.
H i observations of interacting galaxy pair NGC 4038/9

We present the results of new radio interferometer Hi line observations for the merging galaxy pair NGC 4038/9 ('The Antennae'), obtained using the Australia Telescope Compact Array. The results improve substantially with respect to those of van der Hulst and show in detail the two merging galactic discs and the two tidal tails produced by their interaction. The small edge-on spiral dwarf galaxy ESO 572-G045 is also seen near the tip of the southern tail, but distinct from it. It shows no signs of tidal interaction. The northern tidal tail of the Antennae shows no HI connection to the discs and has an extension towards the west. The southern tidal tail is continuous, with a prominent HI concentration at its tip, roughly at the location of the tidal dwarf galaxy observed optically by Mirabel, Dottori & Lutz. Clear velocity structure is seen along the tidal tails and in the galactic discs. Radio continuum images at 20 and 13 cm are also presented, showing the discs in detail.
Assessing the Usability of a Tool for Developing Adaptive E-learning Processes: an Empirical Analysis

The correlation between the effort to develop a learning process and early size measures could be used to assess the usability of an employed tool. In particular, when the measures are obtained from the learning process specification and they are relevant effort indicators we can assert that the technical competences of instructional designers are not relevant for the tool usage. We present initial results of applying empirical analysis to confirm a previously usability study performed on the ASCIO-S (Adaptive Self consistent learning Object SET) editor, a visual language based tool for developing adaptive learning processes
Surface-Based Information Mapping Reveals Crossmodal Vision–Action Representations in Human Parietal and Occipitotemporal Cortex

Many lines of evidence point to a tight linkage between the perceptual and motoric representations of actions. Numerous demonstrations show how the visual perception of an action engages compatible activity in the observer's motor system. This is seen for both intransitive actions (e.g., in the case of unconscious postural imitation) and transitive actions (e.g., grasping an object). Although the discovery of “mirror neurons” in macaques has inspired explanations of these processes in human action behaviors, the evidence for areas in the human brain that similarly form a crossmodal visual/motor representation of actions remains incomplete. To address this, in the present study, participants performed and observed hand actions while being scanned with functional MRI. We took a data-driven approach by applying whole-brain information mapping using a multivoxel pattern analysis (MVPA) classifier, performed on reconstructed representations of the cortical surface. The aim was to identify regions in which local voxelwise patterns of activity can distinguish among different actions, across the visual and motor domains. Experiment 1 tested intransitive, meaningless hand movements, whereas experiment 2 tested object-directed actions (all right-handed). Our analyses of both experiments revealed crossmodal action regions in the lateral occipitotemporal cortex (bilaterally) and in the left postcentral gyrus/anterior parietal cortex. Furthermore, in experiment 2 we identified a gradient of bias in the patterns of information in the left hemisphere postcentral/parietal region. The postcentral gyrus carried more information about the effectors used to carry out the action (fingers vs. whole hand), whereas anterior parietal regions carried more information about the goal of the action (lift vs. punch). Taken together, these results provide evidence for common neural coding in these areas of the visual and motor aspects of actions, and demonstrate further how MVPA can contribute to our understanding of the nature of distributed neural representations.
A Secure Routing Scheme for Static Wireless Sensor Networks

Secure routing is a guarantee for wireless sensor networks working normally. The classical security mechanisms, such as encryption and authentication can only prevent the outside attacks and is helpless to inside attacks. In order to defeat the inside attacks and realize secure and efficient routing in static wireless sensor networks, we make three contributions in this paper. The first is to build a trust model to evaluate the behaviors of nodes. The second is to bring forward a new coding method for cells in hexagon model, which can represent the location of the cell in target fields make us take full advantage of the nodepsilas deployment knowledge in the hexagon model. The third is to realize secure and efficient routing in static hexagon based wireless sensor networks by making routing decision on the trust value, the residual energy, the hops and the distance to the destination sink.
A meta-analysis of the effects of geolocator application on birds

An increasing trend in use of tracking devices such as geolocators is based on the assumption that the information gathered from such devices provides reliable information about the migratory behavior of free-living birds. This underlying as- sumption is rarely tested, as evidenced by the absence in many studies of controls, in particular treated controls, and so far never with a reasonable statistical power. Published studies have shown reduced survival prospects or delayed breeding in some species, suggesting that there may be reason to doubt that tracking devices provide unbiased information. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of studies applying geolocators to wild birds to determine whether geolocators affected fitness components. Ge- olocators had an overall negative effect on fitness components, in particular survival, and ecological variables. Effect size was larger for aerial foragers than for other species. Moreover the leg band attachment method was more detrimental for birds than the leg-loop backpack harness. A meta-regression model of effect size showed independent negative effects of geolocators on ae- rial foragers, smaller species, species with smaller migration distances and in studies where geolocators were attached with a ring. These results suggest that geolocator studies should be interpreted with caution, but also raise questions whether it is ethically defensible to use geolocators on aerial foragers or small species without carrying out robust pilot studies (Current Zoology 59 (6): 697-706, 2013).
Application of the Dirichlet transformation to the performance evaluation of generalized selection combining over Nakagami-m fading channels

The Dirichlet transformation may be used to simplify certain multiple integrals which occur in the distribution theory of ordered gamma random variables. The evaluation of the average error rate performance of generalized selection combining receivers for digital signals transmitted over Nakagami-m channels involves just such a multiple integral and thus is a perfect application for the transformation. A well-structured procedure for obtaining the average error rate in a simple form suitable for numerical evaluation is presented for the generic problem of selection combining Lc (≤ L) out of L received paths and specific results are presented for a number of examples both numerically and as simple closed form expressions. As a byproduct of the general results, some interesting closed form expressions are presented for certain single and multiple definite integrals which heretofore appear not to have been tabulated.
Migrants and Housing Investments: Theory and Evidence from Nigeria*

The dominance of housing may reflect limitations in the menu of investment choices available to migrants in the country of origin. In many developing countries individuals face relatively few savings opportunities where productive assets (such as land farm assets) are associated with high risks and/or low rates of return. Housing investments offer unique advantages in that they are durable highly visible and associated with low risk and monitoring requirements. However there are some important drawbacks associated with housing investments. In particular where resale and rental markets for housing are not well developed migrants housing assets may be relatively illiquid and irreversible. In the next section I provide some background on general patterns of investment behavior among migrants. Here the evidence on housing investments is discussed for a rich set of migrant sending and receiving countries. In Section III I develop the conceptual framework for understanding migrants housing investment decisions. Section IV provides a description of the data sources. Section V outlines the empirical strategy. In Section VI I discuss the empirical findings. Section VII presents conclusions. (excerpt)
NBTI in SOI p-channel MOS field effect transistors

In this paper we describe NBTI tests and report results for partially depleted (PD) SOI MOSFETs selected from 0.35 and 0.15 /spl mu/m technologies for harsh environment (i.e., space, high temperature, etc.) applications. When studying "pure" NBTI degradation, we find that the results are similar to bulk technologies, and in good agreement with the standard reaction-diffusion (R-D) theory of NBTI. However, when both gate and drain are biased as in a hot carrier injection (HCI) degradation situation, an interesting interaction of HCI and NBTI is observed, which leads to the resolution of the question of worst case HCI stress conditions for p-channel SOI MOSFETs with thin gate oxides.
A global single‐sensor analysis of 2002–2011 tropospheric nitrogen dioxide trends observed from space

[1] A global nine-year archive of monthly tropospheric NO2 data acquired by the SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CartograpHY (SCIAMACHY) instrument was analyzed with respect to trends between August 2002 and August 2011. In the past, similar studies relied on combining data from multiple sensors; however, the length of the SCIAMACHY data set now for the first time allows utilization of a consistent time series from just a single sensor for mapping NO2 trends at comparatively high horizontal resolution (0.25°). This study provides an updated analysis of global patterns in NO2 trends and finds that previously reported decreases in tropospheric NO2 over Europe and the United States as well as strong increases over China and several megacities in Asia have continued in recent years. Positive trends of up to 4.05 (±0.41) × 1015 molecules cm−2 yr−1 and up to 19.7 (±1.9) % yr−1 were found over China, with the regional mean trend being 7.3 (±3.1) % yr−1. The megacity with the most rapid relative increase was found to be Dhaka in Bangladesh. Subsequently focusing on Europe, the study further analyzes trends by country and finds significantly decreasing trends for seven countries ranging from −3.0 (±1.6) % yr−1 to −4.5 (±2.3) % yr−1. A comparison of the satellite data with station data indicates that the trends derived from both sources show substantial differences on the station scale, i.e., when comparing a station trend directly with the equivalent satellite-derived trend at the same location, but provide quite similar large-scale spatial patterns. Finally, the SCIAMACHY-derived NO2 trends are compared with equivalent trends in NO2concentration computed using the Co-operative Programme for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Long-range Transmission of Air Pollutants in Europe (EMEP) model. The results show that the spatial patterns in trends computed from both data sources mostly agree in Central and Western Europe, whereas substantial differences are found in Eastern Europe.
Multigroup multicast with application-layer coding: Beamforming for maximum weighted sum rate

In a multicast scenario, the performance is usually determined, and therefore limited, by the weakest link present in the system. With multiple co-channel multicast groups, the problem is further exacerbated due to interference from other transmissions. In this work we investigate an alternative communication scheme, in which additional coding at the application layer is used, spanning over a number of channel realizations. Aiming at maximization of the weighted sum of rates achieved in each group, we show that the optimal transmission strategy depends only on the current channel realization, which, assuming multiple antennas at the base station, allows for formulation of an interesting transmit beamforming problem. In order to find the solution of the problem, we show that the utility-based power control framework, developed for a network consisting of a number of point-to-point wireless links, can be generalized to the case of multigroup multicast. Building upon this framework, we propose iterative beamforming algorithms which can be applied in scenarios both with and without additional coding at the application layer. Numerical experiments are included in the paper to demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithms.
Age-Related Differences in Subjective Ratings of Hierarchical Information Sri

The present study investigated differences in subjective measures (Ease of Navigation, Sense of Orientation, Satisfaction) when older and younger computer users traversed expandable and nonexpandable online hierarchical information structures. Twenty four older and 24 younger computer users participated in the study. Older users rated their computer and Internet experience significantly lower than younger participants. Two-way ANOVA analyses showed that Age was only significant in the Sense of Orientation, although the age-effect on user satisfaction became significant after Internet experience was factored out, indicating that Internet experience mediates the effect of age on user satisfaction. Neither hierarchy excelled in subjective measures. The results of the study suggest that older adults remain at a disadvantage regardless of the hierarchical design alternatives examined in the study.
Validating Monetary DSGE Models Through Vars

Robust sign restrictions derived from calibrated DSGE models are used to identify structual shocks in the actual data. The dynamic behaviour of selected variables in response to these shocks is employed to measure, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the economic discrepancy between the model and the data. We design an algorithm that allows increasingly demanding diagnostics on the model, room for respecification at each stage of the process and comparison across models. We show that neither a limited participation model, nor a sticky price monopolistic-competitive model, fully accounts for the dynamics of a small set of macro variables. Furthermore simple alterations of the former fail to improve the match with the data, even in qualitative sense.
Characterization of a chemically amplified photoresist for simulation using a modified "poor man's DRM" methodology

As we enter the DUV lithography generation, the developmental phase of the photolithography process is becoming crucial due to the high costs associated with the lithography equipment. Improvements in the modeling of chemically amplified resists are necessary to extract the maximum possible information from the minimum amount of experimentation. The poor man's dissolution rate monitor (drm) method has been used successfully to extract the post exposure bake (PEB) and develop rate parameters for conventional I-line photoresists and some DUV chemically amplified photoresists (CARs). However, the original method suffers from some drawbacks such as locally optimized results due to the highly non-linear nature of the Mack development model and the need for visual inspection to detect convergence of the rate data. This paper used a simulated annealing optimization engine for global optimization and uses the deprotection induced thickness loss phenomenon for the conversion of dose to m. Post-exposure bake and develop rate parameters have been extracted for Shipley's UV-5 DUV photoresist.