Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Effect of Quantization on Performance

We study the effect of quantization on the perfor- mance of a scalar dynamical system. We provide an expression for calculation of the LQR cost of a dynamical system for a general quantizer. Using the high-rate approximation, we evaluate it for two commonly used quantizers: uniform and logarithmic. We also provide a lower bound on performance of the optimal quantizer based on entropy arguments and consider the case when the channel drops data packets stochastically. I. INTRODUCTION bility. It is worthwhile to also consider the question of performance of the system in the presence of quantiza- tion. The chief works in this direction seem to be (23), (15). The performance of scalar statically quantized system with delays was considered in (23). Lemmon and Ling (15) presented an upper bound for the quantization noise for the case when dynamic uniform quantization is done over a channel that drops packets. They defined the performance in terms of signal to quantization ratio and presented some interesting trade-offs between the number of bits, locations of the system poles and the performance. In this paper we study the effect of quantization on the LQR performance of the system. We consider a linear time- invariant scalar system with a control law in place and see how the performance degrades as less and less data is allowed to pass from the process to the controller. We come up with some interesting bounds for specific quantizers and some entropy-based general bounds on any general quantization and encoding scheme. We also consider ex- tensions to dynamic quantizations schemes and packet- dropping channels. The paper is organized as follows. In the next section, we set up the problem and define some notation. We study some specific static quantizers and give a bound on the performance achievable by any scheme. Then we consider dynamic quantizers and the extension to packet-dropping channels. We end with conclusions and outline some scope for future work.
Dynamics and control of an overhead shuttle transport system

This paper discusses the dynamics and control problem of an overhead shuttle transport system (STS), which is one of automated container handling equipment in the terminal at a port. The main purpose of the STS is the automated transport function of containers within the port in minimum time, which also requires high precision and safety. A major difference between the STS and a container crane is the configuration of the cables for holding the spreader. A mathematical model of the STS is developed in this paper, which results in an eight-pole system. Also, an open loop control is investigated in the way that the derived command for the overhead shuttle yields the minimum possible sway of the payload. Simulation results show that the vibration suppression capability of the STS is superior to the conventional overhead container crane, which is partially due to the cable configuration.
Temperature sensor based on curable polymer infiltrated photonic crystal fiber

The realization and characterization of an all-solid photonic bandgap fiber (AS-PBF) with a compact size of about 10 mm by means of fully infiltrating an ultraviolet (UV) curable polymer with a high refractive index of 1.515 into air holes of a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) is demonstrated. It appears to a high wavelength sensitivity of up to −4.034 nm/°C. Compared with conventional fluid filled PBFs, the proposed AS-PBF can be stable to temperature and other environmental effects and maintain a large extinction ratio of more than 30 dB within a broad wavelength. Moreover, the splicing between the AS-PBF and single mode fibers has been solved.
Monetary policy in a credit-in-advance economy

It is well known that, in modern economies, most money has its origin in credit that nonbank economic agents obtain from the banking industry. In this paper, we develop a dynamic general equilibrium model where all money corresponds to credit that the households obtain from commercial banks. Technically, the credit structure of our economy is obtained by using a specific initial condition on the typical household’s optimization problem. This initial condition transforms a cash-in-advance economy into a credit-in-advance economy. We then look at the impact of monetary policy shocks on the behaviour of real and nominal variables in the model. We find that monetary policy has only very small real effects.
Gamma glutamyltransferase and long-term survival: is it just the liver?

BACKGROUND Increased gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) is associated with cardiovascular disease. To date, however, few studies with sufficient sample size and follow-up have investigated the association of GGT with all-cause mortality. METHODS The relation of GGT to the risk of death was examined in a cohort of 283 438 first attendants (inpatients or outpatients) of the Vienna General Hospital with request for GGT analysis as part of a routine screening panel and was monitored for up to 13 years. To evaluate GGT as a predictor, Cox proportional hazards models were calculated, which were adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS In both men and women, GGT above the reference category (GGT > or = 9 U/L in women, > or = 14 U/L in men) was significantly (P <0.001) associated with all-cause, cancer, hepatobiliary, and vascular mortalities. Hazard ratios (HRs) for men and women were similar in all categories. Among patients who presented with GGT above the reference category, those younger than 30 years had higher all-cause mortality rates than did older individuals (HR 1.5-3.3 vs HR 1-1.3 >80 years, respectively). CONCLUSIONS GGT is associated with mortality in both men and women, especially in patients younger than 30 years, and even high-normal GGT is a risk factor for all-cause mortality.
Frequency-domain implementation of the transmitted-reference ultra-wideband receiver

This paper presents a mixed-signal frequency-domain implementation of the autocorrelation receiver used in the detection of ultra-wideband communication signals that are modulated with transmitted-reference signaling. The digital receiver architecture is based on samples provided by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in the frequency domain. Among the advantages of the new receiver are the relaxation of the conversion speed achieved by the inherent parallel architecture of the frequency-domain ADC and the flexibility and simplicity of an all-digital receiver architecture that follows the mixed-signal ADC radio front-end. The paper provides the symbol detection formulas and the corresponding system implementation and makes comparisons with the conventional time-domain implementations. Additionally, a time synchronization technique for the new receiver structure is proposed, which makes the receiver insensitive to any time offset at the pulse level. Furthermore, as a particular case of great practical interest, we consider a single bit for the ADC implementation, and we show with experimental results that the resultant frequency-domain mono-bit digital receiver provides a performance gain that increases with the number of frequency samples, when compared with its time-domain counterpart.
Modelos de corrección de error no lineal entre mercados accionarios latinoamericanos y el mercado accionario de Estados Unidos

The intention of the present work is to evaluate long-run relations in the stock markets of six Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru) and the United States stock market, by means of a model in which a cointegration relation exists between the principals prices stock indexes but allowing that the movements towards the long-run equilibrium only happen in some periods. For the previous thing threshold autoregressive models are considered. The idea is that the movements towards the long-run equilibrium need not occur every period but in a specific regime. We find that the specification is better in nonlinear than linear models and the cointegration relation only appears in four of the six analyzed Latin American countries
A Novel Biclustering Algorithm for Discovering Value-Coherent Overlapping σ-Biclusters

The biclustering method is a very useful tool for analyzing gene expression data when some genes have multiple functions and experimental conditions are diverse in gene expression measurement. It focuses on finding a subset of genes and a subset of experimental conditions that together exhibit coherent behavior. A large number of biclustering algorithms has been developed for analyzing gene expression data. Most of them find exclusive biclusters, which is inappropriate in the biological context. Since biological processes are not independent of each other, many genes participate in multiple different processes. Hence, nonexclusive biclustering algorithms are required for finding highly overlapping biclusters. In this regard, a novel overlapping biclustering algorithm is presented here to find overlapping biclusters of larger volume with mean squared residue lower than a given threshold. The proposed method consists of two phases. First, a set of highly coherent seeds is generated based on two-way k-medoids algorithm, where mutual information is used as a similarity measure instead of using Euclidean distance. The seeds are then iteratively adjusted (enlarged or degenerated) by adding or removing genes and conditions based on a new quantitative index. In effect, the proposed method provides highly overlapping coherent biclusters with mean squared residue lower than a given threshold. Some quantitative indices are introduced for evaluating the quality of generated biclusters. The quality of biclusters found by the proposed approach is discussed and the results are compared to those reported by existing methods. In general, the proposed approach shows an excellent performance at finding patterns in gene expression data.
Population Assessment of Future Trajectories in Coronary Heart Disease Mortality

Background Coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rates have been decreasing in Iceland since the 1980s, largely reflecting improvements in cardiovascular risk factors. The purpose of this study was to predict future CHD mortality in Iceland based on potential risk factor trends. Methods and findings The previously validated IMPACT model was used to predict changes in CHD mortality between 2010 and 2040 among the projected population of Iceland aged 25–74. Calculations were based on combining: i) data on population numbers and projections (Statistics Iceland), ii) population risk factor levels and projections (Refine Reykjavik study), and iii) effectiveness of specific risk factor reductions (published meta-analyses). Projections for three contrasting scenarios were compared: 1) If the historical risk factor trends of past 30 years were to continue, the declining death rates of past decades would level off, reflecting population ageing. 2) If recent trends in risk factors (past 5 years) continue, this would result in a death rate increasing from 49 to 70 per 100,000. This would reflect a recent plateau in previously falling cholesterol levels and recent rapid increases in obesity and diabetes prevalence. 3) Assuming that in 2040 the entire population enjoys optimal risk factor levels observed in low risk cohorts, this would prevent almost all premature CHD deaths before 2040. Conclusions The potential increase in CHD deaths with recent trends in risk factor levels is alarming both for Iceland and probably for comparable Western populations. However, our results show considerable room for reducing CHD mortality. Achieving the best case scenario could eradicate premature CHD deaths by 2040. Public health policy interventions based on these predictions may provide a cost effective means of reducing CHD mortality in the future.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxin binders for optical biosensor technology: problems and possibilities for the future: a review

This review examines the developments in optical biosensor technology, which uses the phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance, for the detection of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins. Optical biosensor technology measures the competitive biomolecular interaction of a specific biological recognition element or binder with a target toxin immobilised onto a sensor chip surface against toxin in a sample. Different binders such as receptors and antibodies previously employed in functional and immunological assays have been assessed. Highlighted are the difficulties in detecting this range of low molecular weight toxins, with analogues differing at four chemical substitution sites, using a single binder. The complications that arise with the toxicity factors of each toxin relative to the parent compound, saxitoxin, for the measurement of total toxicity relative to the mouse bioassay are also considered. For antibodies, the cross-reactivity profile does not always correlate to toxic potency, but rather to the toxin structure to which it was produced. Restrictions and availability of the toxins makes alternative chemical strategies for the synthesis of protein conjugate derivatives for antibody production a difficult task. However, when two antibodies with different cross-reactivity profiles are employed, with a toxin chip surface generic to both antibodies, it was demonstrated that the cross-reactivity profile of each could be combined into a single-assay format. Difficulties with receptors for optical biosensor analysis of low molecular weight compounds are discussed, as are the potential of alternative non-antibody-based binders for future assay development in this area.
Oxygen and blood flow: players in the pathogenesis of glaucoma

Purpose The increase of IOP in POAG is due an increased resistance of aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork (TM). Methods The exact mechanisms leading to the corresponding changes in the TM are not yet known. We know, however, that all risk factors for arteriosclerosis are also risk factors for an increase in IOP. Results The association between IOP increase and these factors is relatively weak but nevertheless significant. Similar to the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis, oxidative stress plays a role in the development of TM damage. Conclusions Even less is known about the pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON). Obviously the risk factors for arteriosclerosis play a role via increasing the IOP. When corrected for IOP, however, these factors only play a minor role. In contrast, factors associated with disturbed autoregulation, in particular a systemic primary vascular dysregulation (PVD), increase the risk for GON. This is best observed in normal tension glaucoma patients. An insufficient autoregulation increases the chance for an unstable ocular perfusion and thereby an unstable oxygen supply. This, in turn, leads to oxidative stress. The concentration of superoxide (O2-) within the axons of the optic nerve head increases. If neighboring astrocytes are activated, either by mechanical or by ischemic stress, in excess produced nitric oxide (NO) molecules diffuse also into the axons and fuse with oxygen. The resulting peroxynitrat (ONOO-) diffuses within the axons towards the retina and the lateral geniculate nucleus and induces apoptosis.
Crossing the Atlantic: Travel and Travel Writing in Modern Times

" . travel as an exploration of 'the other' which becomes an exploration of the self . a confirmation of identity. "--from the Introduction, by Frank Trommler In an age when travel was more difficult but leisure was more available, those who journeyed across the Atlantic from the Old World to America or back created a wonderful literature about the divergent cultures and the fertile interactions among them. In travel diaries, journals, novels, journalistic reports, and guide books, nineteenth- and early twentieth-century writers recorded impressions and ruminations that not only offer opportunities for comparison and contrast but also shed light on the processes of modernization and the future that would emerge on both sides of the Atlantic. This latest offering from the important Walter Prescott Webb Memorial Lectures series explores themes like urbanization, modernization, education, gender, Jewish identity, nationalism and internationalism, political and cultural values, and the experience of travel itself. Volume editors Thomas Adam and Nils Roemer have assembled a collection of varied studies that permit enlightened reflection on the ways in which travelers from the New and Old Worlds have observed, documented, understood, and negotiated their similarities and differences. The freshness and variety of the previously little-heard voices documented in "Crossing the Atlantic" will serve as an important reminder that an attentive interaction with "foreignness" has been and will continue to be one of the best paths to a more enlightened engagement with the familiar.
Objective video quality metric based on data hiding

In this paper, a new no-reference (NR) objective metric based on data hiding is proposed. The metric has the advantage of being fast and not requiring knowledge of the original video contents. The proposed method uses a spread-spectrum embedding algorithm to embed a mark (binary image) into video frames. A t the receiver, the mark is extracted and a measure of its degradation is used to estimate the quality of the video. We used data gathered from psychophysical experiments to help in the design of the video quality assessment system. We evaluated the visibility and annoyance of the impairments caused by the embedding algorithm and estimated the 'best' mark strength for a particular video. The performance of the proposed metric is estimated by measuring its ability to predict the total squared error (TSE) of the host video and the mean observer score (MOS) obtained from naive subjects in a psychophysical experiment. Experimental results show that the proposed metric had a good performance and a good correlation with the MOS.
Is There Enhanced Depletion of Gas-Phase Nitrogen in Moderately Reddened Lines of Sight?

We report on the abundance of interstellar neutral nitrogen (N I) for 30 sight lines, using data from the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). N I column densities are derived by measuring the equivalent widths of several ultraviolet absorption lines and subsequently fitting those to a curve of growth. We find a mean interstellar N/H of 51 ± 4 ppm. This is below the mean found by Meyer et al. of 62 ppm (adjusted for a difference in f-values). Our mean N/H is similar, however, to the (f-value adjusted) mean of 51 ± 3 ppm found by Knauth et al. for a larger sample of sight lines with larger hydrogen column densities comparable to those in this study. We discuss the question of whether or not nitrogen shows increased gas-phase depletion in lines of sight with column densities log N(Htot) ≳ 21, as claimed by Knauth et al. The nitrogen abundance in the line of sight toward HD 152236 is particularly interesting. We derive very small N/H and N/O ratios for this line of sight that may support a previous suggestion that members of the Sco OB1 association formed from an N-deficient region.
Agent-Based Financial Modelling: A Promising Alternative to the Standard Representative-Agent Approach

In this paper we provide a brief introduction to the literature on agent-based financial modelling and, more specifically, artificial stock market modelling. In the selective literature review two broad categories of artificial stock market models are discussed: models based on hard-wired rules and models with learning and systemic adaptation. The paper discusses pros and cons of agent-based financial modelling as opposed to the standard representative-agent approach. We advocate the need for the proper account of market complexity, agent heterogeneity, bounded rationality and adaptive (though not simplistic) expectations in financial modelling. We also argue that intelligent adaptation in highly uncertain environment is key to understanding actual financial market behaviour and we resort to a specific area of artificial intelligence theory, namely reinforcement learning, as one plausible and economically appealing algorithm of adaptation and learning.
Survey on analytic and topological torsion

The article consists of a survey on analytic and topological torsion. Analytic torsion is defined in terms of the spectrum of the analytic Laplace operator on a Riemannian manifold, whereas topological torsion is defined in terms of a triangulation. The celebrated theorem of Cheeger and M\"uller identifies these two notions for closed Riemannian manifolds. We also deal with manifolds with boundary and with isometric actions of finite groups. The basic theme is to extract topological invariants from the spectrum of the analytic Laplace operator on a Riemannian manifold.
k-NN text classification using an FPGA-based sparse matrix vector multiplication accelerator

Text classification is an important enabling technology for a wide range of applications such as Internet search, email filtering, network intrusion detection, and data mining electronic documents in general. The k Nearest Neighbors (k-NN) text classification algorithm is among the most accurate classification approaches, but is also among the most computationally expensive. In this paper, we propose accelerating k-NN using a novel reconfigurable hardware based architecture. More specifically, we accelerate a k-NN application's core with an FPGA-based sparse matrix vector multiplication coprocessor. On average our implementation shows a speed up factor of 15 over a naïve single threaded CPU implementation of k-NN text classification for our datasets, and a speed up factor of 1.5 over a 32-threaded parallelized CPU implementation.
Andrographis paniculata: a review of pharmacological activities and clinical effects.

Kutkins are group of pharmacologically active compounds present in Picrorhiza kurroa Royle (Scrophulariaceae). Picrorhiza kurroa is traditionally known as kutki and has intense bitter taste. In Ayurveda Picrorhiza kurroa is a reputed remedy for the treatment of liver diseases. The chemical composition of the Picrorhiza has been studied and active constituents are group of iridoid glycosides known as picrosides and kutkosides. The mechanism of action of kutkins appears to the same as that of silymarin (active constituent and hepatoprotective constituent of Silybum marianum). Studies have shown that kutkins are more potent than silymarin as far as hepatoprotective activity is concerned.
A unified construction of variational R-matrix methods: I. The Schrödinger equation

Properties of two linear integral operators and , relating function values to normal derivatives on a surface of a closed volume inside which the function satisfies the Schrodinger equation at energy E, are discussed. Variational principles for matrix elements and eigenvalues of these operators are constructed in a systematic way by using an approach of Gerjuoy et al. Some of the variational principles derived were already known in the non-relativistic R-matrix theory of scattering but others seem to be new. Applications of the Rayleigh - Ritz linear trial functions are presented.