Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of a NonLinear Observer for a Laboratory Antilock Braking System

In this paper a nonlinear observer is presented in order to estimate the angular velocity of both upper and lower wheels of the PC controlled ABS Laboratory setup, from INTECO Ltd. The system simulates the dynamics of a quarter car model. In order to accomplis this, it includes two attached wheels, the angular velocity of the upper wheel simulates the road surface, its movement allows to estimate the vehicle's longitudinal velocity. In the observer design, it is assumed that the angular velocity of the vehicle's wheel is known, since a sensor is installed on the system, as it is in a real vehicle, so the longitudinal velocity can be estimated with this information. The proposed nonlinear observer takes the Pacejka's Magic Formula to calculate the contact force. The magic formular allows the obseerver to estimate the states in both; the linear and nonlinar regions. The stability is proved and validated with simulations, and experimentally, with the Antilock Braking System Laboratory setup.
Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems ( PACIS ) 2010 CRM Strategies for A Small-Sized Online Shopping Mall Based on Association Rules and Sequential Patterns

Data mining has a tremendous contribution to the extraction of knowledge and information which have been hidden in a large volume of data. This study has proposed customer relationship management (CRM) strategies for a small-sized online shopping mall based on association rules and sequential patterns obtained by analyzing the transaction data of the shop. We first defined the VIP customer in terms of recency, frequency and monetary value. Then, we developed a model which classifies customers into VIP or non-VIP, using various techniques such as decision tree, artificial neural network and bagging with each of these as a base classifier. Last, we identified association rules and sequential patterns from the transactions of VIPs, and then these rules and patterns were utilized to propose CRM strategies for the online shopping mall.
Trust and control: A dialectic link

The relationship between trust and control is quite relevant both for the very notion of trust and for modelling and implementing trust-control relations with autonomous systems, but it is not trivial at all. On the one side, it is true that where / when there is control there is no trust, and vice versa. However, this refers to a restricted notion of trust: i.e., "trust in y," which is just a part, a component of the global trust needed for relying on the action of another agent. It is claimed that control is antagonistic of this strict form of trust; but also that it completes and complements it for arriving to a global trust. In other words, putting control and guarantees is trust-building; it produces a sufficient trust, when trust in y's autonomous willingness and competence would not be enough. It is also argued that control requires new forms of trust: trust in the control itself or in the controller, trust in y as for being monitored and controlled; trust in possible authorities, etc. Finally, it is shown that, paradoxically, control could not be antagonistic of strict trust in y, but it can even create and increase it by making y more willing or more effective. In conclusion, depending on the circumstances, control makes y more reliable or less reliable; control can either decrease or increase trust. Two kinds of control are also analyzed, characterized by two different functions: "pushing or influencing control" aimed at preventing violations or mistakes, versus "safety, correction, or adjustment control" aimed at preventing failure or damages after a violation or a mistake. A good theory of trust cannot be complete without a theory of control.
Basic Properties Comparative Study of Matrix-Reactance Frequency Converter Based on Buck-Boost Topology with Venturini Control Strategies

The topology of matrix-reactance frequency converter (MRFC) is based on buck-boost matrix-reactance chopper (MRC) with source switches arranged as in the matrix converter (MC). This kind of approach gives the possibility to obtain a load output voltage greater than the input one (similar as in MRC) and a frequency conversion (similar as in MC). In the previous research, a classical control strategy, attributable to Venturini, is used in the control circuit The modification of the improved Venturini control strategy and its application to the MRFC is proposed in this paper. The feasibility of the presented control strategy has been verified by a theoretical analysis and a computer simulation. Furthermore, on the basis of these investigations, a comparative study of the results showing performance of classical and improved Venturini control strategy is presented.
ReAligner: a program for refining DNA sequence multi-alignments

We present a round-robin realignment algorithm that improves a potentially crude initial alignment of an assembled collection of DNA sequence fragments, as might, for example, be output by a typical fragment assembly program. The algorithm uses a weighted combination of two scoring schemes to achieve superior multi-alignments, and employs a banded dynamic programming variation to achieve a running time that is linear in the amount of sequence in the data set. We demonstrate that the algorithm improves upon the alignments produced by other assembly programs in a series of empirical experiments on simulated data. Finally, we present a pair of programs embodying the algorithms that are available from the Web site ftp://ftp.cs. arizona.edu/realigner.
Risk factors for revision after shoulder arthroplasty

Background and purpose Previous studies on shoulder arthroplasty have usually described small patient populations, and few articles have addressed the survival of shoulder implants. We describe the results of shoulder replacement in the Norwegian population (of 4.7 million) during a 12-year period. Trends in the use of shoulder arthroplasty during the study period were also investigated. Patients and methods 1,531 hemiprostheses (HPs), 69 total shoulder replacements (Neer type TSR), and 225 reversed total shoulder replacement (reversed TSR) operations were reported to the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register between 1994 and 2005. Kaplan-Meier failure curves were drawn up for particular subgroups of patients, and revision rates were calculated using Cox regression analysis. Results The 5- and 10-year failure rates of hemiprostheses were 6% (95% CI: 5–7) and 8% (95% CI: 6–10), and for reversed total shoulder replacements they were 10% (95% CI: 5–15) and 22% (95% CI: 10–33), respectively. For hemiprostheses, the risk of revision for patients who were 70 years or older was half that of those who were younger (RR = 0.47, CI: 0.28–0.77), while the risk of revision was highest for patients with sequelae after fracture compared to those with acute fractures (RR = 3.3, CI: 1.5–7.2). No differences in prosthesis survival were found between the different hemiprosthesis brands. The main reasons for revision of hemiprostheses were pain and luxation. For reversed total prostheses, the risk of revision was less for women than for men (RR = 0.26, CI: 0.11–0.63), and the main cause of revision was aseptic loosening of the glenoid component. During the study period, the incidence of shoulder arthroplasty increased for all diagnostic groups except inflammatory arthritis, for which a decrease was seen. Interpretation We found good results in terms of 5-year prosthesis failure rate, with the use of hemiarthroplasty for patients with inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, and acute fractures. Reversed total shoulder replacement was associated with a rather poor prognosis.
Contrôle santé intégré de patchs composites collés sur des structures métalliques par ondes de Lamb

Les patchs composites colles constituent un moyen interessant de reparer certaines structures aeronautiques fissurees ou corrodees grâce a leurs nombreux avantages par rapport aux reparations traditionnelles rivetees. Cependant des problemes de certification limitent l'application de cette technologie. Nous presentons ici le developpement d'un systeme de controle sante integre pour detecter des defauts dans les reparations au cours de la vie de la structure. Des disques piezoelectriques minces sont integres entre le patch et la structure metallique mere. Ces disques sont utilises pour exciter et detecter des ondes de Lamb. Des considerations sur le choix du mode de Lamb approprie et sur la generation et la detection de ces ondes guidees par les disques piezoelectriques sont presentees. Les premiers resultats de detection d'un defaut dans la reparation sont aussi exposes.
Early Tissue Response to Modified Implant Surfaces Using Back Scattered Imaging

Purpose:It is now well known that implant surface properties affect osseointegration. Grit-blasting with abrasives and coating by plasma are methods to modify implant surfaces. This study aimed to compare the direction of new bone formation associated with three types of surfaces. Materials and Methods:Titanium (Ti) alloy rods grit-blasted with alumina abrasive (Group 1, G1), with apatitic abrasive (Group 2, G2), and with apatitic abrasive and plasma-sprayed with hydroxyapatite (Group 3, G3) were implanted in surgically created defects in tibias of New Zealand white rabbits for 2 and 4 weeks. After sacrifice, the implants and surrounding bones were obtained and analyzed using back scattered imaging. Results:Differences in patterns of bone formation among the groups were observed: originating from the cortical bone towards the implant surface (Type A), surrounding the implant (Type B) and originating from the medullary cavity (Type C). G1 and G3 showed Types A and B while G2 exhibited Types A, B and C. After 4 weeks, greater amount of new bone was observed in G2 group compared with those in G1 and G3 groups. Conclusions:This study demonstrated that patterns of bone formation are influenced by methods of surface modification.
Mechanical Properties and Water Absorption Behavior of Composites Made from a Biodegradable Matrix and Alkaline-Treated Sisal Fibers

Biocomposites were produced using a biodegradable material as matrix, and sisal fibers as reinforcement. The biodegradable material is a commercial product called MaterBi-Y, which is based on a cellulose derivatives and starch system. The characterization of these biocomposites was not done before and it is necessary in order to select a material instead of nonbiodegradable matrices. An alkaline treatment was performed in order to improve the mechanical properties of the fiber. The effect of the treatment on fiber properties and on impact, flexural, and tensile properties of composites were determined. Fiber content enhances the tensile properties of the biodegradable matrix. Water sorption studies were performed. The experimentally observed tensile properties (modulus and tensile strength) of short sisal fiber-reinforced cellulose derivatives/starch composites with different fiber loading are compared with the calculated values obtained from the existing theories of reinforcement.
Block based statistical timing analysis with extended canonical timing model

Block based statistical timing analysis (STA) tools often yield less accurate results when timing variables become correlated due to global source of variations and path reconvergence. To the best of our knowledge, no good solution is available handling both types of correlations simultaneously. In this paper, we present a novel statistical timing algorithm, AMECT (asymptotic MAX/MIN approximation & extended canonical timing model), that produces accurate timing estimation by handling both types of correlations simultaneously. An extended canonical timing model is developed to evaluate and decompose correlations between arbitrary timing variables. And an intelligent pruning method is designed enabling trade-off runtime with accuracy. Tested with ISCAS benchmark suites, AMECT shows both high accuracy and high performance compared with Monte Carlo simulation results: with distribution estimation error < 1.5% while with around 350/spl times/ speed up on a circuit with 5355 gates.
Poliovirus induces indoleamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase and quinolinic acid synthesis in macaque brain

Accumulation of the neurotoxin quinolinic acid within the brain occurs in a broad spectrum of patients with inflammatory neurologic disease and may be of neuropathologic significance. The production of quinolinic acid was postulated to reflect local induction of indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase by cytokines in reactive cells and inflammatory cell infiltrates within the central nervous system. To test this hypothesis, macaques received an intraspinal injection of poliovirus as a model of localized inflammatory neurologic disease. Seventeen days later, spinal cord indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase activity and quinolinic acid concentrations in spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid were both increased in proportion to the degree of inflammatory responses and neurologic damage in the spinal cord, as well as the severity of motor paralysis. The absolute concentrations of quinolinic acid achieved in spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid exceeded levels reported to kill spinal cord neurons in vitro. Smaller increases in indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase activity and quinolinic acid concentrations also occurred in parietal cortex, a poliovirus target area. In frontal cortex, which is not a target for poliovirus, indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase was not affected. A monoclonal antibody to human indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase was used to visualize indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase predominantly in grey matter of poliovirus‐infected spinal cord, in conjunction with local inflammatory lesions. Macrophage/monocytes in vitro synthesized [13C6]quinolinic acid from [13C6]l‐tryptophan, particularly when stimulated by interferon‐γ. Spinal cord slices from poliovirusinoculated macaques in vitro also converted [13C6]l‐tryptophan to [13C6]quinolinic acid. We conclude that local synthesis of quinolinic acid from l‐tryptophan within the central nervous system follows the induction of indoleamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase, particularly within macrophage/microglia. In view of this link between immune stimulation and the synthesis of neurotoxic amounts of quinolinic acid, we propose that attenuation of local inflammation, strategies to reduce the synthesis of neuroactive kynurenine pathway metabolites, or drugs that interfere with the neurotoxicity of quinolinic acid offer new approaches to therapy in inflammatory neurologic disease. — Heyes, M. P.; Saito, K. , Jacobowitz, D. ; Markey, S. P.; Takikawa, O. ; Vickers, J. H. Poliovirus induces indoleamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase and quinolinic acid synthesis in macaque brain. FASEB J. 6: 2977‐2989; 1992.
Traditional versus modern apple cultivars – a comparison of juice composition

Abstract Apples are rich in components that are important for human health, such as polyphenols, organic acids and microelements, but their chemical composition varies with different apple cultivars. We aimed to find out if there is any superiority in traditionally grown apple cultivars in terms of their fruits’ bioactive components content. Juice from two traditionally grown apple cultivars, ‘Mutsu’ and ‘Reinette Simirenko’, was compared to eight popular apple cultivars, ‘Jonagold’, ‘Jonagold Decosta’, ‘Jonica’, ‘Šampion’, ‘Gloster’, ‘Elise’, ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Rubin’, and the results are presented. In the study we determined several major and minor nutrient elements, organic acids, phenolic content as well as the antioxidant activity of apple juice made from different cultivars, both modern and traditionally grown. Antioxidant activity determined as FRAP varied from 1.12 (‘Elise’) to 12.10 (‘Jonagold’) mmol Fe dm-3. The concentration of polyphenols fell between 0.16 (‘Elise’) and 1.30 (‘Jonagold’) mg ml-1 gallic acid equivalent. Malic acid concentration was highest in ‘Reinette Simirenko’ and ‘Mutsu’ (6.58 and 5.84 g dm-3, respectively) and lowest for ‘Jonagold’ (3.73 g dm-3). The microelement concentrations for the apple cultivar juices were as follows: 8-24 mg dm-3 for Na, 567-1022 mg dm-3 for K, 26.9-59.4 mg dm-3 for Mg and 0.105-0.201 mg dm-3 for Zn. Statistical analysis confirmed a highly positive correlation between total polyphenols and antioxidant activity (r = 0.98, p = 0.001). The study revealed that modern apples had the same or higher value of bioactive compounds in comparison to the older varieties. The highest pro-health activity among the investigated apple cultivars was found in the ‘Jonagold’ and ‘Rubin’ cultivars. Other studied cultivars - with the exception of the older ones, ‘Reinette Simirenko’ and ‘Mutsu’ - had much smaller pro-health activity. Therefore, ‘Reinette Simirenko’ and ‘Mutsu’ can be a worthwhile alternative for consumers in the future.
The Host Defense Proteome of Human and Bovine Milk

Milk is the single source of nutrients for the newborn mammal. The composition of milk of different mammals has been adapted during evolution of the species to fulfill the needs of the offspring. Milk not only provides nutrients, but it also serves as a medium for transfer of host defense components to the offspring. The host defense proteins in the milk of different mammalian species are expected to reveal signatures of evolution. The aim of this study is therefore to study the difference in the host defense proteome of human and bovine milk. We analyzed human and bovine milk using a shot-gun proteomics approach focusing on host defense-related proteins. In total, 268 proteins in human milk and 269 proteins in bovine milk were identified. Of these, 44 from human milk and 51 from bovine milk are related to the host defense system. Of these proteins, 33 were found in both species but with significantly different quantities. High concentrations of proteins involved in the mucosal immune system, immunoglobulin A, CD14, lactoferrin, and lysozyme, were present in human milk. The human newborn is known to be deficient for at least two of these proteins (immunoglobulin A and CD14). On the other hand, antimicrobial proteins (5 cathelicidins and lactoperoxidase) were abundant in bovine milk. The high concentration of lactoperoxidase is probably linked to the high amount of thiocyanate in the plant-based diet of cows. This first detailed analysis of host defense proteins in human and bovine milk is an important step in understanding the function of milk in the development of the immune system of these two mammals.
Pro-Inflammatory Action of MIF in Acute Myocardial Infarction via Activation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Objectives Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory disorders. We determined changes in circulating MIF levels, explored the cellular source of MIF, and studied the role of MIF in mediating inflammatory responses following acute myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and Results We recruited 15 patients with MI, 10 patients with stable angina and 10 healthy volunteers and measured temporal changes of MIF in plasma. Expression of MIF, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the media were measured by ELISA or real-time PCR. Compared to controls, plasma levels of MIF and IL-6 were significantly elevated at admission and 72 h post-MI. In contrast, expression of MIF, MMP-9 and IL-6 by PBMCs from MI patients was unchanged at admission, but significantly increased at 72 h. Addition of MIF activated cultured PBMCs by upregulating expression of inflammatory molecules and also synergistically enhanced stimulatory action of IL-1β which were inhibited by anti-MIF interventions. In a mouse MI model we observed similar changes in circulating MIF as seen in patients, with reciprocal significant increases in plasma MIF and reduction of MIF content in the infarct myocardium at 3 h after MI. MIF content in the infarct myocardium was restored at 72 h post-MI and was associated with robust macrophage infiltration. Further, anti-MIF intervention significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 at 24 h and incidence of cardiac rupture in mice post-MI. Conclusion MI leads to a rapid release of MIF from the myocardium into circulation. Subsequently MIF facilitates PBMC production of pro-inflammatory mediators and myocardial inflammatory infiltration. Attenuation of these events, and post-MI cardiac rupture, by anti-MIF interventions suggests that MIF could be a potential therapeutic target following MI.
Privacy-enabling social networking over untrusted networks

Current social networks require users to place absolute faith in their operators, and the inability of operators to protect users from malicious agents has led to sensitive private information being made public. We propose an architecture for social networking that protects users' social information from both the operator and other network users. This architecture builds a social network out of smart clients and an untrusted central server in a way that removes the need for faith in network operators and gives users control of their privacy.
Learning by biasing

In the quest for machines that are able to learn, reinforcement learning (RL) is found to be an appealing learning methodology. A known problem in this learning method, however is that it takes too long before the robot learns to associate suitable situation-action pairs. Due to this problem, RL has remained applicable only to simple tasks and discrete environment. To accelerate the learning process to a level required by real robot tasks, the traditional learning architecture has to be modified. We propose a modified reinforcement based robot skill acquisition and adaptation architecture. The architecture has two components: a bias and a learning components. The bias component imparts to the learner coarse a priori knowledge about the task. Subsequently, the learner refines the acquired actions through reinforcement learning. We have validated the architecture and the learning algorithm on a simulated TRC mobile robot for a goal reaching task.
Analysis of human mobility patterns from GPS trajectories and contextual information

ABSTRACT Human mobility is important for understanding the evolution of size and structure of urban areas, the spatial distribution of facilities, and the provision of transportation services. Until recently, exploring human mobility in detail was challenging because data collection methods consisted of cumbersome manual travel surveys, space-time diaries, or interviews. The development of location-aware sensors has significantly altered the possibilities for acquiring detailed data on human movements. Although this has spurred many methodological developments in identifying human movement patterns, many of these methods operate solely from the analytical perspective and ignore the environmental context within which the movement takes place. In this paper we attempt to widen this view and present an integrated approach to the analysis of human mobility using a combination of volunteered GPS trajectories and contextual spatial information. We propose a new framework for the identification of dynamic (travel modes) and static (significant places) behaviour using trajectory segmentation, data mining, and spatio-temporal analysis. We are interested in examining if and how travel modes depend on the residential location, age, or gender of the tracked individuals. Further, we explore theorised ‘third places’, which are spaces beyond main locations (home/work) where individuals spend time to socialise. Can these places be identified from GPS traces? We evaluate our framework using a collection of trajectories from 205 volunteers linked to contextual spatial information on the types of places visited and the transport routes they use. The result of this study is a contextually enriched data set that supports new possibilities for modelling human movement behaviour.