Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asymptotic Swarm stability of High-Order Multi-Agent Systems: Condition and Application

Asymptotic swarm stability problem of high-order dynamical multiagent systems is investigated in this paper. Consensus is a specific type of asymptotic swarm stability. Necessary and sufficient conditions are respectively presented for asymptotic swarm stability of two types of high-order dynamical multi-agent system models: general LTI systems and certain nonlinear dynamical multi-agent systems. The conditions depend on the graph topology, the agent dynamics, and the interactions of agents. As an engineering application, a decentralized formation controller is described. Numerical examples are also shown to illustrate the theoretical results.
c-kit receptor and ligand expression in postnatal development of the mouse cerebellum suggests a function for c-kit in inhibitory interneurons

The c-kit receptor and its cognate ligand, KL, are encoded at the white spotting locus (W) and the steel locus (Sl) of the mouse, respectively. Sl and W mutations affect the same cellular targets in melanogenesis, gametogenesis and hematopoiesis during embryonic development and in adult life. c-kit is expressed in cellular targets of W and Sl mutations, whereas KL is expressed in the microenvironment of these targets. c-kit and KL, however, are also expressed in tissues and cell types that are not targets of W and Sl mutations, including the brain. The cerebellum contains a small number of neural cell types whose developmental origins, pathways of migration, and synaptic contacts are known. We have investigated the patterns of expression of the c-kit and KL RNA and protein products in postnatal cerebellar development of the mouse. In the adult cerebellum, c-kit RNA and protein expression was evident in basket, stellate, and Golgi neurons. Most strikingly, the c- kit protein is expressed in the basket cell axons that form “basket” and “pinceau” structures entwining the Purkinje cell soma and the initial segment of the Purkinje cell axon. KL RNA expression was found in Purkinje cells, and the KL protein was detected in Purkinje cell bodies and dendrites. Soluble KL protein was also present in c-kit- expressing basket, stellate, and Golgi cells, presumably as a result of internalization of ligand-receptor complexes. During postnatal development, c-kit and KL RNA and protein expression in Golgi and Purkinje neurons, respectively, was evident by day 0 and persisted subsequently. c-kit expression in basket and stellate cells was detected from their time of birth, starting at day 4. These results suggest a role for the c-kit receptor system in postnatal development of the cerebellum.
Mental State Inferences Abilities Contribution to Verbal Irony Comprehension in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Objective. The present study examined mentalizing capacities as well as the relative implication of mentalizing in the comprehension of ironic and sincere assertions among 30 older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 30 healthy control (HC) subjects. Method. Subjects were administered a task evaluating mentalizing by means of short stories. A verbal irony comprehension task, in which participants had to identify ironic or sincere statements within short stories, was also administered; the design of the task allowed uniform implication of mentalizing across the conditions. Results. Findings indicated that participants with MCI have second-order mentalizing difficulties compared to HC subjects. Moreover, MCI participants were impaired compared to the HC group in identifying ironic or sincere stories, both requiring mental inference capacities. Conclusion. This study suggests that, in individuals with MCI, difficulties in the comprehension of ironic and sincere assertions are closely related to second-order mentalizing deficits. These findings support previous data suggesting a strong relationship between irony comprehension and mentalizing.
Contrasting Pathology of the Stress Granule Proteins TIA-1 and G3BP in Tauopathies

Stress induces aggregation of RNA-binding proteins to form inclusions, termed stress granules (SGs). Recent evidence suggests that SG proteins also colocalize with neuropathological structures, but whether this occurs in Alzheimer's disease is unknown. We examined the relationship between SG proteins and neuropathology in brain tissue from P301L Tau transgenic mice, as well as in cases of Alzheimer's disease and FTDP-17. The pattern of SG pathology differs dramatically based on the RNA-binding protein examined. SGs positive for T-cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA-1) or tristetraprolin (TTP) initially do not colocalize with tau pathology, but then merge with tau inclusions as disease severity increases. In contrast, G3BP (ras GAP-binding protein) identifies a novel type of molecular pathology that shows increasing accumulation in neurons with increasing disease severity, but often is not associated with classic markers of tau pathology. TIA-1 and TTP both bind phospho-tau, and TIA-1 overexpression induces formation of inclusions containing phospho-tau. These data suggest that SG formation might stimulate tau pathophysiology. Thus, study of RNA-binding proteins and SG biology highlights novel pathways interacting with the pathophysiology of AD, providing potentially new avenues for identifying diseased neurons and potentially novel mechanisms regulating tau biology.
The Evolution of the Early Career Gender Wage Gap

In this paper we investigate when the male-female wage differential arises: Does it evolve over the early career or does it exist right from entry into first employment onwards? For the analysis we use new administrative longitudinal data and focus on the early careers of skilled workers in Germany. We adopt a simple human capital theory approach. Advantages of the data for this type of analysis are that we observe complete work and wage histories, and that we observe workers' skills. Regarding entry wages we find a gap of approximately 25 percent. For the early career, i.e. up to eight years of work experience, the differential stays almost constant at this high level. We find that differences in the apprenticeship training occupation explain the main part of this gap and seem to lead to a permanent wage disadvantage throughout the early career.
Assembling bloat control strategies in genetic programming for image noise reduction

We address the problem of controlling bloat in genetic programming(GP) for image noise reduction. One of the most basic nonlinear filters for image noise reduction is the stack filter, and GP is suitable for estimating the min-max function used for a stack filter. However, bloat often occurs when the min-max function is estimated with GP. In order to enhance image noise reduction with GP, we extend the size-fair model GP, and propose a novel bloat control method based on tree size and frequent trees for image noise reduction, where the frequent trees are the relatively small subtrees appearing frequently among the population. By using texture images with impulse noise, we demonstrate that the size-fair model can achieve bloat control, and performance improvement can be achieved through bloat control based on tree size and frequent trees. Further, we demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms a typical image noise reduction method.
A level set approach to modeling general service rules in supply chains

The need for service rules, or policies, in supply chains arises if not all the parts processed in the chain are considered identical, but are distinguished by certain attributes. We develop and analyze a methodology to model arbitrary service rules in large supply chains based on a kinetic (traffic flow like) theory and a level set approach. The final result is a system of hyperbolic conservation laws for the densities of parts, grouped by their attributes. The validity of the model is verified against discrete event simulations for several test cases.
Regulation and Monitoring with Corrupt Bureaucrats

Most regulatory government agencies to monitor the degree of compliance. These tasks are usually delegated to bureaucrats who, as self interested agents, may engage in corrupt behaviour. Opportunities for bribe taking are most likely to arise when the government (principle) is imperfectly informed about the degree of compliance, but the bureaucrats (agents) are fully informed. This paper outlines a strategy which may be employed to prevent corrupt behaviour.
Correlative and mechanistic models of species distribution provide congruent forecasts under climate change

Good forecasts of climate change impacts on extinction risks are critical for effective conservation management responses. Species distribution models (SDMs) are central to extinction risk analyses. The reliability of predictions of SDMs has been questioned because models often lack a mechanistic underpinning and rely on assumptions that are untenable under climate change. We show how integrating predictions from fundamentally different modeling strategies produces robust forecasts of climate change impacts on habitat and population parameters. We illustrate the principle by applying mechanistic (Niche Mapper) and correlative (Maxent, Bioclim) SDMs to predict current and future distributions and fertility of an Australian gliding possum. The two approaches make congruent, accurate predictions of current distribution and similar, dire predictions about the impact of a warming scenario, supporting previous correlative‐only predictions for similar species. We argue that convergent lines of independent evidence provide a robust basis for predicting and managing extinctions risks under climate change.
Another look at security definitions

We take a critical look at security models that are often used to give "provable security" guarantees. We pay particular attention to digital signatures, symmetric-key encryption, and leakage resilience. We find that there has been a surprising amount of uncertainty about what the "right" definitions might be. Even when definitions have an appealing logical elegance and nicely reflect certain notions of security, they fail to take into account many types of attacks and do not provide a comprehensive model of adversarial behavior.
Organizational Adoption of Green IS & IT: An Institutional Perspective

This article examines how institutional pressures affect the adoption of green IS&IT across organizations. From the natural-resource-based perspective, it examines green IS&IT practices with strategic foci on pollution prevention, product stewardship, and sustainable development. Each category incorporates the separate roles played by IT (as a problem) and IS (as a solution). The partial least square method was employed to analyze the survey replies from 75 organizations. The results show that mimetic and coercive pressures significantly drive green IS&IT adoption. In particular, outcome-based imitation and imposition-based coercion represent major institutional processes. The results also suggest the complementary relationship between mimetic and coercive pressures. Such interaction significantly motivates the green IS&IT adoption focusing on product stewardship. These findings contribute to existing knowledge on the proenvironmental behaviors of organizations, demonstrate the interaction between institutional forces, and further current understanding of green IS&IT adoption. The study concludes with implications for research and practice.
Duration modeling for hindi text-to-speech synthesis system

This paper reports preliminary results of data-driven modeling of segmental (phoneme) duration for Hindi. Classification and Regression Tree (CART) based datadriven duration modeling for segmental duration prediction is presented. A number of features are considered and their usefulness and relative contribution for segmental duration prediction is assessed. Objective evaluation of the duration model, by root mean squared prediction error (RMSE) and correlation between actual and predicted durations, is performed.
Agricultural Export Subsidies and Domestic Support Reform Under the WTO System: What Does it Mean for Welfare in West Africa?

This paper analyses the potential welfare impacts West Africa tends to encounter from liberalising agricultural export subsidies and domestic support in developed and developing countries according to the reform proposals of the Doha Development Agenda. We base our analysis on the July framework scenario which considers a tiered formula that adopts a Harbinson Approach plus sensitive and special product provisions. The results indicate that while the world prices of the major exportable commodities of the region will fall, those of their imports will rise. Subsequently, consumers of nearly all of the commodities analysed encounter potential welfare losses, while almost all producers of these commodities experience potential welfare gains. Consumers are expected to encounter an aggregate loss of about $591.93 million, while a net producer surplus of about $423.78 million is expected to be generated. However, because the gains by producers are insufficient to compensate consumers’ losses, the fifteen West African nations considered in the analysis are expected to experience a net welfare loss of about $168.16 million. On the contrary, large developing countries such as Brazil, India and China as well as developed nations like the EU and Japan are expected to enjoy net welfare gains. The net losses accrued to the region imply more poverty and heightened food insecurity as all West African countries faced severe hunger situation in 2010. However, even though these findings conform to other research results indicating net food importing countries will become losers from agricultural trade reform, while net food exporters experience welfare gains, concerns of data quality and reliability that are usually associated with macrolevel analysis render these results more indicative than definitive.
Cross-Sectional Study of the Association between a Deepening of the Upper Eyelid Sulcus-Like Appearance and Wide-Open Eyes

Background Deepening of the upper eyelid sulcus (DUES) is a common complication of prostaglandin F2α analog treatment, which causes cosmetic problems. However, identifying this condition using photographs is difficult due to such problems as the camera flash effects, blepharoptosis or wide-open eyes. Purpose We investigated the association between a DUES-like appearance and wide-open eyes regarding the presence of wide-open eyes as a cause for overestimating the incidence of DUES. Subjects and Methods One eye and the forehead in 100 subjects (31 younger subjects, 30 older subjects and 39 patients with blepharoptosis) were evaluated in the present study. Digital photographs of the subjects with natural open and wide-open eyes were taken with a flash. Five signs (a puffy eyelid, the presence/absence of the upper eyelid sulcus (UES), wrinkles on the forehead with natural open eyes and an increase in the number of wrinkles on the forehead and a DUES-like appearance with wide-open eyes) were judged to be negative or positive by three independent observers. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the independent predictor(s) of a DUES-like appearance with wide-open eyes. Results Fourteen subjects (four young, three old and seven subjects with blepharoptosis) were judged to have a DUES-like appearance with wide-open eyes (14%). The only predictive factor was the presence of UES in the patients with natural open eyes (odds ratio = 17.244, 95% confidence interval: 3.447–86.270, P<0.001). Among the 12 UES-positive subjects, six (50%) exhibited a DUES-like appearance with wide-open eyes. Conclusions The presence of wide-open eyes can thus cause a DUES-like appearance. Blepharoptosis itself is not a predictive factor; however, care should be taken not to overestimate the incidence of DUES, especially in patients with UES with natural open eyes, as a DUES-like appearance can be caused by wide-open eyes, even in treatment-naïve patients. Trial Registration UMIN000010500
The Attitude Control Problem

In this paper we discuss an interesting problem encountered in control engineering called the attitude control problem. This problem attracted our interest because of recent work in visual servoing; because of its complexity further study was deemed necessary. Atttiude control is the task of manipulating the orientation of a body to a desired attitude. There are many applications in robotics where one would like to control the orientation of an end-e ector or free ying object. Perhaps the biggest application of attitude control is in aerospace engineering where one would like to control the attitude of a satellite. Other applications even include submersible vehicles. Note that in this paper we are not interested in the stabilization of angular velocity, which is a slightly di erent though related problem. For example in aerospace engineering the Hubble space telescope is an amazing example of the state of the art in attitude control. Designed to x on distant stars, it is capable of locking on a target to within 2 millionths of a degree over a period of 24 hours. This would be equivalent to xating on a strand of hair from a mile away. Such a feat, as in any control problem, is accomplished by precision actuation and measurement and a suitable control law. An extensive reference on spacecraft attitude control can be found in [1]. It is important to have some idea of the actuators a ecting the attitude of an attitude control system. In satellites usually some combination of the following are used: magneto-torquers, jet thrusters or momentum wheels. Jet thrusters expell small amount of mass at a very high velocity by igniting fuel; positioned symmetrically, jet thrusters can be used control attitude without a ecting translation. Momentum wheels are heavy wheels attached to electric motors; turning of the wheel in one direction causes the entire satellite to rotate in the reverse direction so as to conserve angular momentum. Magneto-torquers interact with the earth's graviational eld by applying a current to a coil thereby
Texture fidelity benchmark

Automatic texture quality evaluation is important but still unsolved difficult problem. While several generative mathematical texture models were developed, their reliable qualitative evaluation is for now possible only using impractical and expensive visual psycho-physics which hampers their further progress. We present the texture fidelity benchmark created to help the validation of texture fidelity criteria being developed. The benchmark is a web based service (http://tfa.utia.cas.cz) designed for performance evaluation, mutual comparison, and ranking of various texture fidelity measures. The benchmark supports rapid verification and development of new fidelity criteria approaches and contains seven color, variable texture quality, series together with their grey-scale counterparts.
Computational de novo Peptide and Protein Design: Rigid Templates versus Flexible Templates

Both rigid and flexible backbone design templates have been used in the numerous computational de novo peptide and protein design efforts reported so far. In this review paper, we use the type of templates (i.e., rigid or flexible) as a criterion to classify and review examples of successes in de novo protein design. For both cases of rigid and flexible templates, we briefly outline the different search methods for exploring the sequence space and quote some notable success examples for each search method. In particular, we divide the case of flexible templates into three subcategories, according to their approaches for incorporating backbone flexibility: (i) discrete rotamers on multiple backbones with fixed backbone assumption for each, (ii) discrete rotamers on a continuum backbone through algebraic parametrization, and (iii) continuum backbone template with continuous ranges of backbone angles.
MuseSync: standing on the shoulders of Hollywood

In this extended abstract, we present a novel story-driven approach to soundtrack retrieval for user-generated videos. Cinematic knowledge on cross-modal associations is exploited through folksonomic story text retrieval from collaborative online metadata resources. Subsequently, audiovisual synchronization is applied based on high-level features described by users. The approach is demonstrated in the MuseSync prototype system.
Improving On-Patient Medical Data Visualization in a Markerless Augmented Reality Environment by Volume Clipping

To improve the human perception of an augmented reality scene, its virtual and real entities can be rendered according to the focus+context visualization. This paradigm is specially important in the field of on-patient medical data visualization, as it provides insight to the physicians about the spatial relations between the patient's anatomy (focus region) and his entire body (context region). However, the current existing methods proposed in this field do not give special treatment to the effect of volume clipping, which can open new ways for physicians to explore and understand the entire scene. In this paper we introduce an on-patient focus+context medical data visualization based on volume clipping. It is proposed in a markerless augmented reality environment. From the estimated camera pose, the volumetric medical data can be displayed to a physician inside the patient's anatomy at the location of the real anatomy. To improve the visual quality of the final scene, three methods based on volume clipping are proposed to allow new focus+context visualizations. Moreover, the whole solution supports occlusion handling. From the evaluation of the proposed techniques, the results obtained highlight that these methods improve the visual quality of the final rendering. Furthermore, the application still runs in realtime.
In vivo 3D MRI staining of mouse brain after subcutaneous application of MnCl2

Follow‐up T1‐weighted 3D gradient‐echo MRI (2.35 T) of murine brain in vivo (N = 5) at 120 μm isotropic resolution revealed spatially distinct signal increases 6–48 hr after subcutaneous application of MnCl2 (20 mg/kg). The effects result from a shortening of the water proton T1 relaxation time due to the presence of unchelated paramagnetic Mn2+ ions, which access the brain by systemic circulation and crossing of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). A pronounced Mn2+‐induced signal enhancement was first seen in structures without a BBB, such as the choroid plexus, pituitary gland, and pineal gland. Within 24 hr after administration, Mn2+ contrast highlighted the olfactory bulb, inferior colliculi, cerebellum, and the CA3 subfield of the hippocampus. The affinity of Mn2+ to various brain systems suggests the neuronal uptake of Mn2+ ions from the extracellular space and subsequent axonal transport. Thus, at least part of the Mn2+ contrast reflects a functional brain response of behaving animals, for example, in the olfactory system. In vivo MRI staining of the brain by systemic administration of MnCl2 may contribute to phenotyping mutant mice with morphologic and functional alterations of the central nervous system. Magn Reson Med 48:852–859, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.