Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
REVERSE-ENGINEERING EXISTING CONTROLLERS FOR MPC DESIGN

Abstract We propose a method for finding the cost function and state estimator to be used in MPC, in order to obtain the same controller as a given low-order controller when constraints are inactive, and hence when the MPC controller is operating within its baseline linear regime. This is a very useful starting point for the development of an MPC controller when a successful existing controller is known, but it is desired to add the constraint-handling capabilities of MPC, and perhaps other functionality such as fault-tolerance.
Breast Milk from Tanzanian Women Has Divergent Effects on Cell-Free and Cell-Associated HIV-1 Infection In Vitro

Transmission of HIV-1 during breastfeeding is a significant source of new pediatric infections in sub-Saharan Africa. Breast milk from HIV-positive mothers contains both cell-free and cell-associated virus; however, the impact of breast milk on HIV-1 infectivity remains poorly understood. In the present study, breast milk was collected from HIV-positive and HIV-negative Tanzanian women attending antenatal clinics in Dar es Salaam. Milk was analyzed for activity in vitro against both cell-free and cell-associated HIV-1. Potent inhibition of cell-free R5 and X4 HIV-1 occurred in the presence of milk from all donors regardless of HIV-1 serostatus. Inhibition of cell-free HIV-1 infection positively correlated with milk levels of sialyl-LewisX from HIV-positive donors. In contrast, milk from 8 of 16 subjects enhanced infection with cell-associated HIV-1 regardless of donor serostatus. Milk from two of these subjects contained high levels of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, MCP-1 and IP-10, and enhanced cell-associated HIV-1 infection at dilutions as high as 1∶500. These findings indicate that breast milk contains innate factors with divergent activity against cell-free and cell-associated HIV-1 in vitro. Enhancement of cell-associated HIV-1 infection by breast milk may be associated with inflammatory conditions in the mother and may contribute to infant infection during breastfeeding.
‘Men on Transit’ and the Rural ‘Farmer Housewives’: Women in Decision-making Roles in Migrant-labour Societies in North-Western Zimbabwe

Studies on migrant-labour systems have focused on the negatives, particularly on women left behind as guardians of men’s interests, but with no real control. My extended research on former migrant-labour societies in north-western Zimbabwe has challenged this ‘doomsday’ narrative. It did not only reveal the feminisation of household and societal decisions, but also how the migration of men has liberated women and allowed them to play crucial roles within the household and society systems. My study thus illuminates differences between rural societies and cautions against the risks of over-generalisation when looking at the relationship between women and migration. It stresses the importance of migration on development, and the empowerment potential on women who take up prominent positions in the household and in society decision-making structures.
Large Scale Crowd Simulation Using A Hybrid Agent Model

We present a hybrid model for large-scale crowd simulation by augmenting continuum dynamics under an agent based perspective. Our model supports both group behaviors and complex behaviors driven by individual decisions of agents. Our simulation system is implemented on the parallel architecture of graphics processing units (GPUs), and scales very well with respect to the size of the virtual environment. In our experiments, tens of thousands of characters can be simulated on a large grid, 4, 096 × 4, 096, at interactive rates.
Adopting a Robust Watermarked Image against Cyber Security Threats Using DCT and Ramer Method

The researcher in the current study has adopted digital watermarking as a technique based on method which operates in the frequency domain, embeds a watermark bits in a selected set of DCT coefficients using high-pass filter. Moreover, zonal sampling method was used to fix the watermark technique into high-pass filter coefficients of a cover image. The findings of this study revealed that the watermark is reliable in terms of arithmetic threats. By using SSPCE (single step parallel contour extraction), the original image can be extracted easily. The researcher has used the mean square error, signal-to-noise ratio criterions and compression ratio (or bit per pixel) for comparing the results.
Make or Buy: a Taxonomy of Intranet Implementation Strategies

Most modern organizations have implemented intranets for communication within the organization itself. Recently drastic changes have occurred on the supply side of the technology on three fronts. First, intranet implementation tools have become very accessible. Second, a new breed of intranet tools known as “intranet-in-a-box” enables the implementation of an intranet without much in-house technical expertise. And third, the rise of the use of the World Wide Web has raised general awareness and knowledge about Internet/intranet technologies. In this speculative paper we ask the fundamental question “how should intranets be implemented? ” As a possible answer we present a framework describing four different intranet implementation strategies based on who implements the intranet (in-house vs. outsourced project) and the technology used (development tools or shrink-wrapped intranet packages). The four strategies are the amateur, the craftsman, the engineer, and the traveling fitter. Each strategy has advantages as well as disadvantages. We conducted an explorative field study of eight Danish organizations that were implementing intranets. Our analysis suggests that the appropriate strategy must be chosen in accordance with the level of internal technical expertise, core competence, and maturity of the technology.
Automatic Localization of Cephalometric Landmarks

A system for automatic detection of cephalometric landmarks is presented. Landmark detection is carried out in two steps: a line detection module searches for significant, well-contrasted lines of the image, such as the jaw line or the nasal spine. The landmark detection module uses the lines located in the first module to determine the search areas and then applies a pattern detection algorithm, based on mathematical morphology techniques. Relations between landmarks and lines are determined by means of a training process. The system has been tested for the detection of 17 landmarks on 20 images: more than 90% of the landmarks are accurately identified.
Are Classic Theories of Celebrity Endorsements Applicable to New Media Used by Arabs? A Qualitative Investigation of Saudi Social Media Users

This study aims to investigate the extent to which classic celebrity endorsement theories are applicable when such endorsements are performed on interactive social media platforms. It utilizes phenomenological semi-structured interviews with 73 participants. The data analysis shows several perceived characteristics of convincing celebrity endorsements on social media from the Saudi users’ viewpoints. Trustworthiness is perceived when an endorsement discloses that it is a paid advertisement or uses indirect ways to endorse the product. When it comes to high-tech products, it is not necessary for the celebrity to be an expert in the field of the product they are endorsing, but when endorsing accessories, these celebrities should be attractive, should test the product before advertising it and should endorse a reasonable number of products. Endorsements are most acceptable from either likeable celebrities or from normal people with a reasonable number of social media followers. The results show that while some elements of classic theories of celebrity endorsements are applicable on social media platforms, others should be modified to align with new media users. A celebrity endorsement model is proposed based on the current findings.
Effects of Dietary Restriction on the Expression of Lipid Metabolism and Growth Hormone Signaling Genes in the Longissimus dorsi Muscle of Korean Cattle Steers

This study determined the effects of dietary restriction on growth and the expression of lipid metabolism and growth hormone signaling genes in the longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) of Korean cattle. Thirty-one Korean cattle steers (average age 10.5 months) were allocated to normal (N; n = 16) or dietary restriction (DR; n = 15) groups. The feeding trial consisted of two stages: for the 8-month growing period, the DR group was fed 80% of the food intake of the normal diet, and for the 6-month growth-finishing period, the DR group was fed a DR total mixed ration with 78.4% of the crude protein and 64% of the net energy for gain of the normal diet. The LM was biopsied 5 months (period 1 [P1] at 15.5 months of age) and 14 months (period 2 [P2] at 24.5 months of age) after the start of feeding. The mRNA levels were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Body weight, daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency were lower in the DR group compared with the normal group at both P1 and P2. At P1, the lipogenic fatty acid synthase (FASN) mRNA levels were lower (p<0.05) in the DR group compared with the normal group. The DR group tended (p = 0.06) to have higher of levels of growth hormone receptor (GHR) mRNA than the normal group. At P2, the DR group tended to have lower (p = 0.06) androgen receptor (AR) mRNA levels than the normal group. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that dietary restriction partially decreases the transcription of lipogenic FASN and growth hormone signaling AR genes, but increases transcription of the GHR gene. These changes in gene transcription might affect body fat accumulation and the growth of the animals.
The Spectrum of coupled random matrices

The study of the spectrum of coupled random matrices has received rather little attention. To the best of our knowledge, coupled random matrices have been studied, to some extent, by Mehta. In this work, we explain how the integrable technology can be brought to bear to gain insight into the nature of the distribution of the spectrum of coupled Hermitean random matrices and the equations the associated probabilities satisfy. In particular, the two-Toda lattice, its algebra of symmetries and its vertex operators will play a prominent role in this interaction. Namely, the method is to introduce time parameters, in an artificial way, and to dress up a certain matrix integral with a vertex integral operator, for which we find Virasoro-like differential equations. These methods lead to very simple nonlinear third-order partial differential equations for the joint statistics of the spectra of two coupled Gaussian random matrices. Comment: 56 pages, published version, abstract added in migration
Teaching the Chief Information Officers: An Assessment of the Interrelations within their Skill Set

Due to the high volatility in the field of information technology (IT) and the rapid technological advancements, all IT professionals constantly have to be able to evaluate trends and put them into context. This is especially true for those who fulfill the role of a company's chief information officer (CIO). But if there is a gap between the required set of skills and those needed, training becomes necessary. In order to plan training programs, one has to know the skill set of current CIOs. We investigate this by conducting workshops with 21 CIOs from a diverse set of companies. The purpose of this paper is to better un- derstand the skill items of CIOs and how they interrelate.
Analysis and design of rate compatible serial concatenated convolutional codes

We provide a performance analysis of a new class of serial concatenated convolutional codes (SCCC) where the inner encoder can be punctured beyond the unitary rate. The puncturing of the inner encoder is not limited to inner coded bits, but extended to systematic bits. We derive analytical upper bounds to the error probability of this particular code structure and address suitable design guidelines for the inner code puncturing patterns. We show that the proportion of systematic and parity bits to be deleted strongly depends on the SNR region of interest. Furthermore, we show that puncturing of the inner code systematic bits should be interleaver dependent. Based on these considerations, we derive design guidelines to obtain well-performing rate-compatible SCCCs families. Throughout the paper, the performance of the proposed codes are compared with analytical bounds, and with the performance of PCCC and SCCC proposed in literature
Food Addiction und psychische Komorbidität

Zusammenfassung Food Addiction als Sondervariante impulsiven und belohnungsabhängigen Essverhaltens ist derzeitig Gegenstand wissenschaftlicher Untersuchungen. Die meisten Untersuchungen sind Zusammenhängen zwischen Food Addiction, dem Körpergewicht und essstörungspsychopathologischen Auffälligkeiten gewidmet. Nur ein kleiner Teil beleuchtet Food Addiction im Kontext psychischer Störungen. Wiederholt lassen sich Zusammenhänge zwischen Symptomen einer Food Addiction und depressiven wie auch ängstlichen Symptomen nachweisen. Die Methodik der Untersuchungen indes ist sehr uneinheitlich. Dabei kommt der Auswahl des Patientenkollektivs eine besondere Rolle zu: die meisten Untersuchungen finden an Patienten mit Essstörungen und /oder Adipositas statt. Um die Bedeutung psychischer Auffälligkeiten bei Food Addiction genau zu verstehen, eignen sich nicht-klinische Kollektive wie auch klinisch-psychiatrische Kollektive. Dieser Übersichtsartikel informiert über die aktuelle Literatur und über die Zusammenhänge zwischen Food Addiction und begleitenden psychischen Auffälligkeiten.
Expression of candidate genes associated with obesity in peripheral white blood cells of Mexican children

Introduction Obesity is a chronic, complex, and multifactorial disease, characterized by excess body fat. Diverse studies of the human genome have led to the identification of susceptibility genes that contribute to obesity. However, relatively few studies have addressed specifically the association between the level of expression of these genes and obesity. Material and methods We studied 160 healthy and obese unrelated Mexican children aged 6 to 14 years. We measured the transcriptional expression of 20 genes associated with obesity, in addition to the biochemical parameters, in peripheral white blood cells. The detection of mRNA levels was performed using the OpenArray Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems). Results Obese children exhibited higher values of fasting glucose (p = 0.034), fasting insulin (p = 0.004), low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.006), triglycerides (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), and lower values of high-density lipoprotein (p < 0.001) compared to lean children. Analysis of transcriptional expression data showed a difference for ADRB1 (p = 0.0297), ADIPOR1 (p = 0.0317), GHRL (p = 0.0060) and FTO (p = 0.0348) genes. Conclusions Our results suggest that changes in the expression level of the studied genes are involved in biological processes implicated in the development of childhood obesity. Our study contributes new perspectives for a better understanding of biological processes involved in obesity. The protocol was approved by the National Committee and Ethical Committee Board from the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) (IMSS FIS/IMSS/PRIO/10/011).
Production of xyloglucanolytic enzymes by Trichoderma viride, Paecilomyces farinosus, Wardomyces inflatus, and Pleurotus ostreatus

Different conditions of culture medium, incubation time, concentration and surfactant were tested to determine xyloglucanase activity. Trichoderma viride, Paecilomyces farinosus, Wardomyces inflatus and Pleurotus ostreatus showed increased xyloglucanase activities when the fungi grown on microcrystalline cellulose as the sole carbon source. Endoxyloglucanase activity increased with the growth of the fungi and reached a peak on day 14 of incubation, practically 95% of the activity was associated with the extracellular fraction. Precipitation with ammonium sulfate was the best concentration method for detection of endoxyloglucanase activity of the fungi. Endoxyloglucanase activity of the fungi was increased by 4 fold with the use of the non-ionic surfactant Tween 20. Six and three bands of xyloglucanase activities were observed in T. viride and P. ostreatus, respectively, whereas both P. farinosus and W. inflatus presented only one xyloglucanase activity band. These results indicate the presence of several xyloglucanases in the saprophytic fungi examined.
Ultrahigh-density silicon nanobridges formed between two vertical silicon surfaces

We report simultaneous lateral growth of a high density of highly oriented, metal-catalyzed silicon nanowires on a patterned silicon substrate and bridging of nanowires between two vertical silicon sidewalls, which can be developed into electrodes of an electronic device. After angled deposition of catalytic metal nanoparticles on one of two opposing vertical silicon surfaces, we used a metal-catalyzed chemical vapour deposition process to grow nanowires and eventually form mechanically robust ‘nanobridges’. The growth and bridging of these nanowire arrays can be integrated with existing silicon processes. This method of connecting multiple nanowires between two electrodes offers the high surface-to-volume ratio needed for nanosensor applications.
Efeito do treino de Neurofeedback em idosos sobre a memória operacional : um estudo encefalográfico

The Neurofeedback technique consists of a form of physiological self-regulation through electroencephalography, in which a computational tool captures brain waves and provides a positive reinforcement as the given behavioral goal is achieved. During aging process, individuals experiences cognitive and cortical changes that lead to the decline of some neuropsychological functions such as working memory. Therefore, given the increase in life expectancy, measures that provide cognitive reserve for the maintenance of these functions, lead to an improvement in the quality of life. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate if the training of Neurofeedback promotes changes in working memory of elderly. Participants (μ age 69,05±2,1, 12♀) were randomly assigned in three groups, one underwent Neurofeedback training, another underwent a Sham-Neurofeedback, and a third group performed only working memory assessment. The Neurofeedback consisted of ten sessions in a protocol that improves sensoriomotor rhythm (SMR). Moreover, the Delayed Matched to Sample task (DMTS) was conducted in order to evaluate working memory before and after training. The results indicated that the training through Neurofeedback had a positive effect on working memory from the behavioral point of view, since participants of the group that did the training had a significant difference in the average of correct response between preand post-training, while the placebo and non-training groups did not differ. It was also possible to observe changes in the alpha and theta band as expected in tasks involving attention in the experimental and sham groups, but no difference in the group without training.
Using rich media to facilitate dialogical feedback processes

This paper explores how rich forms of digital media can be used to enhance assessment and feedback design in an online or blended delivery subject. This innovative design facilitates dialogical feedback processes by leveraging digital recordings created by educators and students. The aim of this design is for educators to explicate their evaluative thinking using sustainable methods, and for students to reflect and respond to the educators with regard to their assessments. The results indicate that rich media can effectively be used to engage students in asynchronous feedback discussions regarding assessment tasks, which may lead to improvements in future work.
Ranging energy optimization for robust sensor positioning

We address ranging energy optimization for an unsynchronized localization system, which features robust sensor positioning, in the sense that specific accuracy requirements are fulfilled within a prescribed service area. Optimization problems related to the ranging energy of a sensor and beacons are proposed, after which a practical algorithm based on semidefinite programming is presented. The effectiveness of the algorithm is illustrated by a numerical experiment.
Exploring web search behavior of Arab internet users

An important factor in performance evaluation of web search engines is the search behavior of users working with these special information retrieval applications. To explore this behavior of Arab internet users, the top searches executed on Google from seventeen Arab countries in the year 2010 were collected and analyzed. Less than the half of search queries were in Arabic letters and 78% of them consisted of one simple term. Other characteristics like search term uniqueness, language distribution and search goals are discussed in this paper.
SEM Microscopic Image Segmentation Based on Markov Field Models

The Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) images are usually used to analyze a certain kind of material properties. To get automatic and accurate quantitative research, image processing methods are utilized to analyze surface morphology from the images obtained from SEM. In this paper, we focus on the Activated Carbon Fiber (ACF) SEM material images. K-nearest neighbor smoothing and Lapalacian sharpenning methods are performed for preprocessing. This paper presents a segmentation method based on Markov Field Models algorithm to separate the pores and background for the material image. Iterated Conditional Mode (ICM) priority iteration algorithm is applied to find exact optimal estimators for labeled field and the model parameters. The experimental results show that the segmentation algorithm based on Markov Field Models is appropriate for microscope images.
Averaged Least-Mean-Squares: Bias-Variance Trade-offs and Optimal Sampling Distributions

We consider the least-squares regression problem and provide a detailed asymptotic analysis of the performance of averaged constant-step-size stochastic gradient descent. In the strongly-convex case, we provide an asymptotic expansion up to explicit exponentially decaying terms. Our analysis leads to new insights into stochastic approximation algorithms: (a) it gives a tighter bound on the allowed step-size; (b) the generalization error may be divided into a variance term which is decaying as O(1/n), independently of the step-size , and a bias term that decays as O(1/ 2 n 2 ); (c) when allowing non-uniform sampling of examples over a dataset, the choice of a good sampling density depends on the trade-off between bias and variance: when the variance term dominates, optimal sampling densities do not lead to much gain, while when the bias term dominates, we can choose larger step-sizes that lead to significant improvements.