Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
South-South Agreements in the Framework of North-South Integration: the Case of Morocco in the Euro-Mediterranean process

The hub and spokes structure that characterises Euro-Mediterranean relations is often attributed to the lack of integration among Arab countries. Successive regional projects implemented in areas like the Maghreb have been supported by empirical evidence on the potential welfare effects of trade and the costs of non-integration. However, the high interest in these aspects contrasts with a limited effort to investigate the root causes of non-integration. The aim of this work is to understand the reasons behind the apparent contradiction between the potential of South-South regionalism and the limited scope of its achievements in the Euro-Mediterranean area. Taking into account the intricate relationship between economic integration and foreign policy affairs, this thesis analyses the interplay between the different frameworks that coexist in this area through a historical review that focuses on the interests of the agents involved. The case of Morocco shows the role of preferential agreements in the continuity of economic relations prior to decolonisation and the role of international institutions in their settlement. In particular, archival research on the Association Agreements following European integration offers an interpretation of Euro-Mediterranean trade that contrasts with institutional analyses of the same phenomenon. The path of the European Union’s neighbouring countries suggests that South-South agreements in this framework were designed to strengthen North-South relations in a context of open regionalism favourable to the interaction between economic blocs. Thus, the critical analysis of South-South agreements implemented since the 1980s in the Euro-Mediterranean area calls into question the causality between economic integration, trade and welfare that conventional theories presuppose. And, consequently, it invites to reconsider the pertinence of assuming the potential welfare effects of integration as straightforward determinants of integration processes.
Study and Analysis of Different TCP Variants

TCP is a Transport Layer Protocol, part of the TCP/IP suite to maintain the flow, congestion, and performance of currently increasing internet traffic. Over this period of time, many TCP variants have been developed by researchers to cater the need of changing network media and dynamic topology for improving overall end to end QoS performance parameters such as throughput, jitter, delay, and packet loss for both wired and wireless networks. In this review paper, some variants are described in categories, such as Loss-Based, Delay-Based and Hybrid using the algorithms and network media. It has been observed that these variants are not developed taking in to consideration of the end applications which has a particular need and expectation from the TCP and hence need to be analyzed for same. This paper highlights on conventional and recent TCP variants and its comparative study which could be useful to many researchers to reduce the lacuna of different variants.
The Space of Triangles, Vanishing Theorems, and Combinatorics

A trolling valve safety device limits actuation of a boat engine throttle from its idle position during use of a trolling valve, and vice versa. The trolling valve safety device preferably includes a rotating control plate having mounts for throttle cables so that throttle actuation requires plate rotation. This rotation can be limited by a cam slider which slides under force of trolling valve cables and provides a cam member that inserts in control slots of the control plate. The cam member is positioned in a locking radial slot when the trolling valve is engaged and thereby limits engine throttling. The cam member is positioned in a releasing arcuate position when the trolling valve is disengaged and thereby permits rotation of the plate and associated engine throttling. A stop pin can also extend from the plate to selectively permit or limit rotation of the plate by alignment or disalignment with a groove in the cam slider.
Racing to Hardware-Validated Simulation

Processor simulators rely on detailed timing models of the processor pipeline to evaluate performance. The diversity in real-world processor designs mandates building flexible simulators that expose parts of the underlying model to the user in the form of configurable parameters. Consequently, the accuracy of modeling a real processor relies on both the accuracy of the pipeline model itself, and the accuracy of adjusting the configuration parameters according to the modeled processor. Unfortunately, processor vendors publicly disclose only a subset of their design decisions, raising the probability of introducing specification inaccuracies when modeling these processors. Inaccurately tuning model parameters deviates the simulated processor from the actual one. In the worst case, using improper parameters may lead to imbalanced pipeline models compromising the simulation output. Therefore, simulation models should be hardware-validated before using them for performance evaluation. As processors increase in complexity and diversity, validating a simulator model against real hardware becomes increasingly more challenging and time-consuming. In this work, we propose a methodology for validating simulation models against real hardware. We create a framework that relies on micro-benchmarks to collect performance statistics on real hardware, and machine learning-based algorithms to fine-tune the unknown parameters based on the accumulated statistics. We overhaul the Sniper simulator to support the ARM AArch64 instruction-set architecture (ISA), and introduce two new timing models for ARM-based in-order and out-of-order cores. Using our proposed simulator validation framework, we tune the in-order and out-of-order models to match the performance of a real-world implementation of the Cortex-A53 and Cortex-A72 cores with an average error of 7% and 15%, respectively, across a set of SPEC CPU2017 benchmarks.
HIV RNA suppression among HIV-infected Ugandan children with measles.

In the course of HIV disease, coincident infections by several agents have been associated with transient increases in plasma HIV RNA levels,1 but only a few, such as scrub typhus (Orientia tsutsugamushi),2 have been associated with transient decreases. Low plasma HIV RNA levels during measles virus infection were first noted by Moss et al3 in a crosssectional study of hospitalized Zambian children. When a recent measles outbreak occurred among HIV-infected children participating in a longitudinal observational cohort, we evaluated HIV RNA levels before, during, and after the measles episode. Because measles virus can elicit an immune response without manifesting the classic clinical syndrome,4 we also sought to determine whether such “subclinical” measles infection caused changes in plasma HIV RNA levels in this cohort. Finally, we evaluated HIV RNA levels among children without measles who received live-attenuated measles vaccine.
A multi‐camera vision system for fall detection and alarm generation

Abstract: In‐house video surveillance can represent an excellent support for people with some difficulties (e.g. elderly or disabled people) living alone and with a limited autonomy. New hardware technologies and in particular digital cameras are now affordable and they have recently gained credit as tools for (semi‐)automatically assuring people's safety. In this paper a multi‐camera vision system for detecting and tracking people and recognizing dangerous behaviours and events such as a fall is presented. In such a situation a suitable alarm can be sent, e.g. by means of an SMS. A novel technique of warping people's silhouette is proposed to exchange visual information between partially overlapped cameras whenever a camera handover occurs. Finally, a multi‐client and multi‐threaded transcoding video server delivers live video streams to operators/remote users in order to check the validity of a received alarm. Semantic and event‐based transcoding algorithms are used to optimize the bandwidth usage. A two‐room setup has been created in our laboratory to test the performance of the overall system and some of the results obtained are reported.
A sexually dimorphic group of atypical glomeruli in the mouse olfactory bulb.

Atypical glomeruli (AtG) are clearly distinguishable from typical ones because of their strong cholinergic innervation. AtG are located in defined positions in the caudal half of the main olfactory bulb of rodents. The AtG partially overlap with other specialized olfactory subsystems, such as the modified glomerular complex, which is close to the accessory olfactory bulb. So far, possible sex differences in these specialised olfactory systems have not been investigated. In this work we have identified AtG in the mouse by means of acetylcholinesterase histochemistry and compared the number and size of these glomeruli between the sexes and also between the two strains that demonstrate intraglomerular synaptic differences, i.e. BALB/c and CD-1 mice. First, we divided the AtG into three types according to their position (I, rostral-most; II, around the accessory olfactory bulb; III, caudal-most) or their reactivity to acetylcholinesterase histochemistry (AtG type II being the least reactive glomeruli). ANOVA analyses revealed differences in the maximum diameter of glomeruli among the three types, but not in their sectional areas, indicating that all three types have different shapes. Moreover, both morphoplanimetric parameters were seen to be different between the two strains studied and also between the sexes: male mice and BALB/c animals had the largest glomeruli. The number of AtG was also significantly different between the sexes and strains, although these factors presented a strong interaction. Thus, the males had higher numbers of AtG in the CD-1 strain whereas in the BALB/c mice males demonstrated fewer AtG than females. These differences in number were largely due to AtG type II. The present work is evidence that AtG type II is a sexually dimorphic group of specialized glomeruli located in the main olfactory bulb.
The effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on shoulder range of motion in overhand athletes.

AIM The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the contract-relax-contract (CRC) and hold-relax-contract (HRC) proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching programs against a control, on external range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder in apparently healthy athletes. METHODS The subjects were male and female adults between the ages of 25 to 50 years old. Subjects also had been involved in at least one overhand throwing sport (tennis, baseball, quarterback in football, etc.) in the past year. There were 30 participants whom were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (CRC PNF, HRC PNF, control) with 10 subjects per group. Measurement of ROM for external rotation of the shoulder was performed prior to and after 6 weeks of training using a goniometer. The CRC and HRC PNF stretches were performed on subjects twice a week for 6 weeks. The statistical analysis conducted involved a 3x2 analysis of variance with the criteria for statistical significance set at p<0.05. Post hoc testing included paired t-tests and Tukey tests to pinpoint significant differences relative to the interaction between group and time. RESULTS There was an increase in ROM from pretest to post-test for the HRC group (+13.50 degrees) and CRC group (+14.60 degrees), but not in the control group (+0.30 degrees). The improvement in ROM however, was similar between the HRC and CRC groups. CONCLUSIONS The CRC and HRC PNF stretching techniques are effective at increasing external shoulder ROM when consistently performed 2 times a week for 6 weeks.
On optimizing nonlinear adaptive control allocation with actuator dynamics

Abstract In this work we address the optimizing control allocation problem for a nonlinear over-actuated time-varying system where parameters affine in the dynamic actuator and effector model may be assumed unknown. In-stead of finding the optimal control allocation at each time instant, a dynamic approach is considered by constructing update-laws that represent asymptotically optimal allocation search and adaptation. Using Lyapunov analysis for cascaded set-stable systems, uniform global/local asymptotic stability is guaranteed for the optimal set described by the system, the optimal allocation update-law and the adaptive update-law. Simulations of a scaled-model ship, manoeuvred at low-speed, demonstrate the performance of the proposed allocation scheme.
X-ray structures of H5 avian and H9 swine influenza virus hemagglutinins bound to avian and human receptor analogs

The three-dimensional structures of avian H5 and swine H9 influenza hemagglutinins (HAs) from viruses closely related to those that caused outbreaks of human disease in Hong Kong in 1997 and 1999 were determined bound to avian and human cell receptor analogs. Emerging influenza pandemics have been accompanied by the evolution of receptor-binding specificity from the preference of avian viruses for sialic acid receptors in α2,3 linkage to the preference of human viruses for α2,6 linkages. The four new structures show that HA binding sites specific for human receptors appear to be wider than those preferring avian receptors and how avian and human receptors are distinguished by atomic contacts at the glycosidic linkage. α2,3-Linked sialosides bind the avian HA in a trans conformation to form an α2,3 linkage-specific motif, made by the glycosidic oxygen and 4-OH of the penultimate galactose, that is complementary to the hydrogen-bonding capacity of Gln-226, an avian-specific residue. α2,6-Linked sialosides bind in a cis conformation, exposing the glycosidic oxygen to solution and nonpolar atoms of the receptor to Leu-226, a human-specific residue. The new structures are compared with previously reported crystal structures of HA/sialoside complexes of the H3 subtype that caused the 1968 Hong Kong Influenza virus pandemic and analyzed in relation to HA sequences of all 15 subtypes and to receptor affinity data to make clearer how receptor-binding sites of HAs from avian viruses evolve as the virus adapts to humans.
Low-cost Transmitarray Antenna Designs with ±70° Beam Steering Range in V-Band

This paper presents the design and characterization of linearly polarized low-cost transmitarray antennas with ±70° beamforming range in V-band. The antennas are composed of 13 × 13 planar unit-cells. The unit-cells consist of two layers RO4350B laminate. The unit-cells provide a one bit phase resolution. The desired unit-cell behavior has been validated by simulations and measurements. Eight transmitarrays with different phase distributions have been designed and fabricated to realize different beam steering angles. The experimental characterization of the radiation patterns shows the desired performance in the frequency range from 59 GHz to 63GHz. The designed transmitarray antennas add the beam steering feature to an existing radar frontend.
Reassessing the Thermal Structure of Oceanic Lithosphere With Revised Global Inventories of Basement Depths and Heat Flow Measurements

Half‐space cooling and plate models of varying complexity have been proposed to account for changes in basement depth and heat flow as a function of lithospheric age in the oceanic realm. Here, we revisit this well‐known problem by exploiting a revised and augmented database of 2,028 measurements of depth to oceanic basement, corrected for sedimentary loading and variable crustal thickness, and 3,597 corrected heat flow measurements. Joint inverse modeling of both databases shows that the half‐space cooling model yields a mid‐oceanic axial temperature that is >100°C hotter than permitted by petrologic constraints. It also fails to produce the observed flattening at old ages. Then, we investigate a suite of increasingly complex plate models and conclude that the optimal model requires incorporation of experimentally determined temperature‐ and pressure‐dependent conductivity, expansivity, and specific heat capacity, as well as a low‐conductivity crustal layer. This revised model has a mantle potential temperature of 1300 ± 50°C, which honors independent geochemical constraints and has an initial ridge depth of 2.6 ± 0.3 km with a plate thickness of 135 ± 30 km. It predicts that the maximum depth of intraplate earthquakes is bounded by the 700°C isothermal contour, consistent with laboratory creep experiments on olivine aggregates. Estimates of the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary derived from studies of azimuthal anisotropy coincide with the 1175 ± 50°C isotherm. The model can be used to isolate residual depth and gravity anomalies generated by flexural and sub‐plate convective processes.
Semaphorin signalling during development

Semaphorins are secreted and membrane-associated proteins that regulate many different developmental processes, including neural circuit assembly, bone formation and angiogenesis. Trans and cis interactions between semaphorins and their multimeric receptors trigger intracellular signal transduction networks that regulate cytoskeletal dynamics and influence cell shape, differentiation, motility and survival. Here and in the accompanying poster we provide an overview of the molecular biology of semaphorin signalling within the context of specific cell and developmental processes, highlighting the mechanisms that act to fine-tune, diversify and spatiotemporally control the effects of semaphorins.
Intraocular pressure measurement by radio wave telemetry.

PURPOSE To determine the biocompatibility of a new wireless intraocular pressure (IOP) transducer (WIT) in rabbit eyes and to correlate its measurements with other pressure-measuring devices. METHODS The WIT is a ring-shaped intraocular device that allows wireless IOP measurements through radiofrequency. It was implanted into six eyes of New Zealand White rabbits after extracapsular lens extraction. A sham rabbit eye with no transducer implanted was used as a control. The animals were observed and examined by microscopy at various intervals up to 25 months after surgery. IOP was measured at various intervals by pneumotonometry, tonometry, WIT, and manometry. The data from the various devices were compared and analyzed for reproducibility. Two eyes were enucleated at 5.5 and 20 months after implantation and analyzed by histology. RESULTS The WIT appears to be well tolerated in the rabbit eye, with no evidence of significant inflammation or scar formation by microscopic in vivo examination. Histology did not reveal intraocular inflammation or membrane formation. Repeated IOP measurements with pneumotonometry, tonometry, and the WIT resulted in SDs of 2.70 mm Hg, 3.35 mm Hg, and 0.81 mm Hg, respectively. The concordance between the WIT and direct manometry measurements was high. A downward drift in IOP measured by the WIT was noted in three rabbits, necessitating recalibration. CONCLUSIONS The WIT is well tolerated by the rabbit eye. Its measurements are reproducible and in close concordance with manometry. A downward IOP drift warrants further investigation.
Propofol Restores the Function of “Hyperekplexic” Mutant Glycine Receptors in Xenopus Oocytes and Mice

Human hereditary hyperekplexia (“startle disease”) is a neurological disorder characterized by exaggerated, convulsive movements in response to unexpected stimuli. Molecular genetic studies have shown that this disease is often caused by amino acid substitutions at arginine 271 to glutamine or leucine of the α1 subunit of the inhibitory glycine receptor (GlyR). When exogenously expressed in Xenopus oocytes, agonist responses of mutant α1(R271Q) and α1(R271L) GlyRs show higher EC50 values and lower maximal inducible responses (relative efficacies) compared with oocytes expressing wild-type α1 GlyR subunits. Here, we report that the maximal glycine-induced currents (Imax) of mutant α1(R271Q) and α1(R271L) GlyRs were dramatically potentiated in the presence of the anesthetic propofol (PRO), whereas the Imax of wild-type α1 receptors was not affected. Quantitative analysis of the agonist responses of the isofunctionally substituted α1(R271K) mutant GlyR revealed that saturating concentrations of PRO decreased the EC50 values of both glycine and the partial agonist β-alanine by >10-fold, with relative efficacies increasing by 4- and 16-fold, respectively. Transgenic (tg) mice carrying the α1(R271Q) mutation (tg271Q-300) have both spontaneous and induced tremor episodes that closely resemble the movements of startled hyperekplexic patients. After treatment with subanesthetic doses of PRO, the tg271Q-300 mutant mice showed temporary reflexive and locomotor improvements that made them indistinguishable from wild-type mice. Together, these results demonstrate that the functional and behavioral effects of hyperekplexia mutations can be effectively reversed by drugs that potentiate GlyR responses.
Approximation-Based Adaptive Tracking Control of Pure-Feedback Nonlinear Systems With Multiple Unknown Time-Varying Delays

This paper presents adaptive neural tracking control for a class of non-affine pure-feedback systems with multiple unknown state time-varying delays. To overcome the design difficulty from non-affine structure of pure-feedback system, mean value theorem is exploited to deduce affine appearance of state variables as virtual controls , and of the actual control . The separation technique is introduced to decompose unknown functions of all time-varying delayed states into a series of continuous functions of each delayed state. The novel Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals are employed to compensate for the unknown functions of current delayed state, which is effectively free from any restriction on unknown time-delay functions and overcomes the circular construction of controller caused by the neural approximation of a function of and . Novel continuous functions are introduced to overcome the design difficulty deduced from the use of one adaptive parameter. To achieve uniformly ultimate boundedness of all the signals in the closed-loop system and tracking performance, control gains are effectively modified as a dynamic form with a class of even function, which makes stability analysis be carried out at the present of multiple time-varying delays. Simulation studies are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Design and Practice on iVCE for Memory System

As one of the components in iVCE software platform, iVCE/M devotes to the performance improvement of the I/O-intensive and memory-intensive applications with efficient aggregation of distributed memory resources. To facilitate the deployment of iVCE/M, the data locating algorithm with balanced time and space cost, as well as the transparent interface for the legacy applications without code modification, are both significant in the implementation of iVCE/M. We propose the logarithmic search tree based client-side metadata structure to accelerate the data locating using moderate memory consumption, the implicit I/O redirection mechanism, and the implementation of iVCE/M based disk cache system. The experiments with cross domain emulation prove that the scheme is applicable to exploit the distributed memory resources for applications with small granularity I/O accesses.
Energy Flow: A Multimodal 'Ready' Indication For Electric Vehicles

The lack of sound and vibration while starting the drive system of an electric vehicle (EV) is one of the major differences compared to a conventional car with a combustion engine. Most EVs provide a visual feedback about the energy level to the driver. With Energy Flow (see Figure 1), we test if there will be a benefit in terms of attractiveness through adding audible or haptic feedback. First results show a positive effect by addressing several senses -- but disprove the hypothesis "the more the merrier".