Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Averaging and singular perturbation methods for analysis of dynamical systems with disturbances

Stability and robust stability analysis of general nonlinear systems requires a range of tools; some of these tools conclude about robust stability of the original system via similar property of simpler auxiliary systems. Methods that are based on a time scale separation of state variables, such as the averaging and singular perturbations methods, play an important role in this context. Numerous results using averaging or singular perturbation techniques consider stability properties of the original nonlinear systems based on simpler approximated models. These classical techniques are invaluable in a range of engineering applications, such as power electronics and electro-mechanical systems. The current trends in technology and advances in control engineering lead to system models of increased complexity that necessitate various extensions of these classical results in a range of directions. This thesis contains several novel results that extend classical averaging and singular perturbation theory to new important classes of models, such as switched and hybrid systems. We first consider a parameterized family of discrete-time systems, which may arise when an approximate discrete-time model of a sampled-data system with disturbances is used for controller design. This situation arises often in controller design for nonlinear sampled-data plants when the exact discrete-time model is not possible to obtain analytically. We adapt recently proposed notions of strong and weak averages to parameterized systems with disturbances. We show under appropriate conditions that the solutions of the time varying family of discretetime systems with disturbances converge uniformly on compact time intervals to the solutions of the average family of discrete-time systems. Moreover, we show that input-to-state stability (ISS) of the strong average system implies semiglobal practical ISS (SGP-ISS) of the actual family of systems. Furthermore, the actual family of systems are semi-globally practically derivative ISS (SGP-DISS) if their weak average is ISS. We next consider stability of disturbed switched nonlinear and linear systems, for which the switching signal is rapidly time-varying. We show that the
Fast Decoding of Lifted Interleaved Linearized Reed-Solomon Codes for Multishot Network Coding

Mart{\'\i}nez-Pe{\~n}as and Kschischang (IEEE Trans.\ Inf.\ Theory, 2019) proposed lifted linearized Reed--Solomon codes as suitable codes for error control in multishot network coding. We show how to construct and decode \ac{LILRS} codes. Compared to the construction by Mart{\'\i}nez-Pe{\~n}as--Kschischang, interleaving allows to increase the decoding region significantly and decreases the overhead due to the lifting (i.e., increases the code rate), at the cost of an increased packet size. We propose two decoding schemes for \ac{LILRS} that are both capable of correcting insertions and deletions beyond half the minimum distance of the code by either allowing a list or a small decoding failure probability. We propose a probabilistic unique {\LOlike} decoder for \ac{LILRS} codes and an efficient interpolation-based decoding scheme that can be either used as a list decoder (with exponential worst-case list size) or as a probabilistic unique decoder. We derive upper bounds on the decoding failure probability of the probabilistic-unique decoders which show that the decoding failure probability is very small for most channel realizations up to the maximal decoding radius. The tightness of the bounds is verified by Monte Carlo simulations.
Exact Resource Allocation for Fair Wireless Relay

In relay-enabled cellular networks, the intertwined nature of network agents calls for complex schemes to allocate wireless resources. Resources need to be distributed among mobile users while considering how relay resources are allocated, and constrained by the traffic rate achievable by base stations and over backhaul links. In this letter, we derive an exact resource allocation scheme that achieves max-min fairness across mobile users, found with a linear complexity with respect to the number of mobile users and relays. The results reveal that the proposed scheme remarkably outperforms current solutions.
Prophylactic Administration of Vasopressors Prior to Emergency Intubation in Critically Ill Patients: A Secondary Analysis of Two Multicenter Clinical Trials

OBJECTIVE: Hypotension affects approximately 40% of critically ill patients undergoing emergency intubation and is associated with an increased risk of death. The objective of this study was to examine the association between prophylactic vasopressor administration and the incidence of peri-intubation hypotension and other clinical outcomes. DESIGN: A secondary analysis of two multicenter randomized clinical trials. The clinical effect of prophylactic vasopressor administration was estimated using a one-to-one propensity-matched cohort of patients with and without prophylactic vasopressors. SETTING: Seven emergency departments and 17 ICUs across the United States. PATIENTS: One thousand seven hundred ninety-eight critically ill patients who underwent emergency intubation at the study sites between February 1, 2019, and May 24, 2021. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was peri-intubation hypotension defined as a systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg occurring between induction and 2 minutes after tracheal intubation. A total of 187 patients (10%) received prophylactic vasopressors prior to intubation. Compared with patients who did not receive prophylactic vasopressors, those who did were older, had higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, were more likely to have a diagnosis of sepsis, had lower pre-induction systolic blood pressures, and were more likely to be on continuous vasopressor infusions prior to intubation. In our propensity-matched cohort, prophylactic vasopressor administration was not associated with reduced risk of peri-intubation hypotension (41% vs 32%; p = 0.08) or change in systolic blood pressure from baseline (–12 vs –11 mm Hg; p = 0.66). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of prophylactic vasopressors was not associated with a lower incidence of peri-intubation hypotension in our propensity-matched analysis. To address potential residual confounding, randomized clinical trials should examine the effect of prophylactic vasopressor administration on peri-intubation outcomes.
Public Transport Policies and Urban Growth in Saudi Arabia: Lessons from a General Equilibrium Model

: Saudi Arabia rapidly urbanized during the late 20 th century, transforming its primordial Bedouin society into a sedentary nation state. This raised numerous major socioeconomic and demographic challenges, including urban growth and regional disparities. This paper assesses these issues using a mixed model of urban economics and economic geography to investigate the impacts of regional transportation policies on urban growth and welfare. With the introduction of urban costs, the numerical simulations derived two main results: (i) public transport policies can be used as a strategic instrument for regional planning; and (ii) contrary to Tabuchi (1998), the dispersion equilibrium is better than the concentration equilibrium from a welfare point of view.
The Principle of Value Equivalence for Policy Gradient Search

Planning algorithms have shown impressive performance in many domains such as chess and Go. In particular, Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) is used, which builds a search tree toward more promising nodes, while maintaining node statistics to estimate the value of each node. However, these statistics are inaccurate for a small number of visits and the memory requirements for the tree can become unsustainable for large action spaces. A solution to this problem is presented by Policy Gradient Search (PGS). This search method is not based on node statistics but rather learns a simulation policy during the search that guides it toward higher-value nodes. No search tree is needed, which reduces memory requirements. Still, this method suffers from several problems, such as high variance in its value estimates, and is limited to tasks where a perfect simulator of the environment is available. These issues prevent the use of the method in real-world tasks e.g. in logistics or medicine. In this thesis, we address these problems by proposing a new algorithm: Value Equivalence for Policy Gradient Search (VE-PGS), which uses a modified search of PGS on a value equivalent (VE) model. VE models are learned models that only focus on those parts of the environment that are relevant to the search. Furthermore, we propose several changes to PGS to address its issues, which are then incorporated into VE-PGS. We test our new method in the two-player board game Hex, while we verify the effectiveness of our changes in an ablation study. Our results show that our method is not only able to plan effectively on a learned VE model but that it is also competitive with state-of-the-art approaches such as MuZero and requires much less memory. These properties make the method suitable for complex tasks with unknown dynamics, where the use of a search tree is infeasible due to high branching factors or memory requirements.
Atom interferometry, spacetime and reality

Einstein's general theory of relativity dominates the science of the very large, including gravity and cosmology. Quantum theory reigns supreme on the scale of atoms and smaller. What is more natural than to try to unify these two theories into a single quantum theory of gravity? Modern theories of gravity, including superstring theory, give quantum properties to space and time. These theories have been inspired by Dirac's principles of beauty and elegance. But Dirac had the advantage of experimental evidence, and modern theories of quantum gravity do not. Moreover, beauty and elegance are subjective – they are a guide to the correct theory, not a guarantee. For any scientific theory, experiment is the final test.
Comparison of High Intensity Laser Stimulation of Acupuncture Points and Therapeutic Ultrasound for Relief of Chronic Lower Back Pain in Horses

Horses diagnosed with chronic lower back pain were randomized into 2 treatment groups: high intensity laser stimulation of acupuncture points (HILSA) or therapeutic ultrasound (TU) applied to the lower back (T-18 to sacroiliac joint). The horses received a total of 8 treatments administered every other day during the study period (16 days). The reduction of pain between baseline (Day 0) and after treatment (Day 16) was evaluated both by TCVM acupoint sensitivity scan and pressure algometer. The acupoint sensitivity scan demonstrated statistically significant improvement for both treatment modalities. The HILSA Group change (8.13 ± 8.476) was very significant (p=0.0028) with a 66% change from baseline while the TU Group change (3.77 ± 4.38) was also significant (p=0.0223) with a 34% change from baseline. Comparison of the magnitude of improvement between groups was not statistically significant (p=0.0659). Algometer measurements experienced some limitations with inconsistent results. It can be concluded from study findings that both treatment modalities are associated with a statistically significant reduction of lower back pain in sport horses and selection of treatment can be based on the advantages and disadvantages of each modality dependent on the patient and situation.
Ipsilateral Fixation and Reconstruction of the Cervical Spine after Resection of a Dumbbell Tumor Via a Unilateral Posterior Approach: A Case Report and Biomechanical Study

There is lack of an internal fixation following resection of a dumbbell tumor by hemi‐laminectomy and facetectomy that achieves adequate stability with less trauma. Unilateral fixation and reconstruction (unilateral pedicle screw and contralateral lamina screw fixation combined with lateral mass reconstruction, UPS + CLS + LM) may be an ideal technique to address this problem. A biomechanical comparison and a case report were designed to evaluate its spinal stability and clinical effect.
Design for Deconstruction: Benefits, Challenges, and Outlook for Timber–Concrete Composite Floors

Design for deconstruction (DfD) considers the end-of-life scenario of buildings at an early design stage to ensure that these buildings (or parts of the buildings) can be deconstructed without unproportional effort and material loss. After deconstruction, the elements or materials can be used for future purposes such as reusing (preferably), remanufacturing, or recycling. This opinion paper is aimed to advocate for DfD in timber–concrete composite (TCC) floors as it represents an important contribution toward circular economy design and creates a more sustainable built environment. Different end-of-life scenarios for TCC floors according to their original design and connection type were initially explored. Existing deconstructable connection systems that could enable DfD in TCC floors were reviewed. Furthermore, potential challenges relating to the implementation of DfD in TCC floors are briefly highlighted. Finally, a discussion around the outlook and actions that might be needed to address some of the identified challenges is provided. This paper proposes directions for future developments and contributes to the understanding and promotion of DfD in TCC floors with an emphasis on deconstructable connectors that can enable material recovery and reuse as the preferred end-of-life scenario.
Development of the IRIS Collimator for the Portable Radiation Detector and Its Performance Evaluation Using the MCNP Code

When a radiation detector is applied to the measurement of the radioactivity of high-level of radioactive materials or the rapid response to the nuclear accident, several collimators with the different inner radii should be prepared according to the level of dose rate. This makes the in-situ measurement impractical, because of the heavy weight of the collimator. In this study, an IRIS collimator was developed so as to have a function of controlling the inner radius, with the same method used in optical camera, to vary the attenuation ratio of radiation. The shutter was made to have the double tungsten layers with different phase angles to prevent the radiation from penetrating owing to the mechanical tolerance. The performance evaluation through the MCNP code was conducted by calculating the attenuation ratio according to the inner radius of the collimator. The attenuation ratio was marked on the outer scale ring of the collimator. It is expected that when a radiation detector with the IRIS collimator is used for the in-situ measurement, it can change the attenuation ratio of the incident photon to the detector without replacing the collimator.
Vegetable consumption in the food systems of Burkina Faso

Despite the health benefits that vegetables provide, their consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa is below recommended levels. This report is part of the larger SafeVeg project, aiming to pilot and scale innovative approaches within the food systems of Benin, Mali, and Burkina Faso, to improve consumption of safe vegetables. The goal of this report was to obtain insights into the vegetable consumption behaviours of urban consumers in Burkina Faso. For this purpose, a literature review was conducted – the results of which were reviewed and validated by relevant experts in the field of nutrition, health, and food safety in Burkina Faso. This report describes the results for Burkina Faso and identifies potential entry points for enhancing safe vegetable consumption.
RIS-Assisted Full-Duplex Space Shift Keying: System Scheme and Performance Analysis

To unlock the full potential of next-generation networks, we investigate reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) assisted wireless communication systems, in which two full-duplex (FD) users simultaneously communicate via the space shift keying (SSK) technique. According to the channel state information, we investigate two schemes, i.e., intelligent phase-shift and blind phase-shift RIS-FD-SSK schemes. Then, we analyze the average bit error probability (ABEP) of the RIS-FD-SSK scheme employing a maximum likelihood detector. For the intelligent phase-shift scheme, the closed-form ABEP expressions are derived, and the exact approximating ABEP is obtained via the Gaussian-Chebyshev quadrature method. To gain more valuable insights, asymptotic ABEP is also provided in this paper. For the blind phase-shift scheme, we derive exact and upper bound ABEP expressions and asymptotic ABEP expression. Furthermore, the analytical derivation results are verified by Monte Carlo simulations. Results demonstrate that the proposed RIS-FD-SSK system outperforms the conventional half-duplex (HD) scheme in terms of ABEP as the capability of the loop-interference cancellation technique increases. Additionally, as the data rate enhances, the RIS-FD-SSK scheme can achieve better ABEP performance than the RIS-HD-SSK scheme.
Finite Element Interface-Tracking and Interface-Capturing Techniques for Flows With Moving Boundaries and Interfaces

We provide an overview of the interface-tracking and interface-capturing techniques we have developed in recent years for computation of flow problems with moving boundaries and interfaces, including two-fluid interfaces. The interface-tracking techniques are based on the Deforming-Spatial-Domain/Stabilized Space-Time formulation, where the mesh moves to track the interface. The interface-capturing techniques, which were developed for two-fluid flows, are based on the stabilized formulation, over non-moving meshes, of both the flow equations and the advection equation governing the time-evolution of an interface function marking the location of the interface. For interface-capturing techniques, to increase the accuracy in representing the interface, the Enhanced-Discretization Interface-Capturing Technique (EDICT) can be used to to accomplish that goal. We also provide and overview of some of the additional ideas developed to increase the scope and accuracy of these two classes of techniques.
A comparison of the relative effect of the Earth's quasi‐DC and AC electric field on gradient drift waves in large‐scale plasma structures in the polar regions

Radio signals traversing polar cap plasma patches and other large‐scale plasma structures in polar regions are prone to scintillation. This implies that irregularities in electron concentration often form within such structures. The current standard theory of the formation of such irregularities is that the primary gradient drift instability drives a cascade from larger to smaller wavelengths that manifest as variations in electron concentration. The electric field can be described as the sum of a quasi‐DC and an AC component. While the effect of the quasi‐DC component has been extensively investigated in theory and by modeling, the contribution of the AC component has been largely neglected. This paper investigates the relative contributions of both components, using data from the Dynamics Explorer 2 satellite. It concludes that the contribution of the AC electric field to irregularity growth cannot be neglected. This has consequences for our understanding of large‐scale plasma structures in polar regions (and any associated radio scintillation) as the AC electric field component varies in all directions. Hence, its effect is not limited to the trailing edge of such structures, as it is for the quasi‐DC component. This raises the need for new experimental and modeling investigations of these phenomena.
The Eight Unanswered and Answered Questions about the Use of Vasopressors in Septic Shock

Septic shock is mainly characterized—in addition to hypovolemia—by vasoplegia as a consequence of a release of inflammatory mediators. Systemic vasodilatation due to depressed vascular tone results in arterial hypotension, which induces or worsens organ hypoperfusion. Accordingly, vasopressor therapy is mandatory to correct hypotension and to reverse organ perfusion due to hypotension. Currently, two vasopressors are recommended to be used, norepinephrine and vasopressin. Norepinephrine, an α1-agonist agent, is the first-line vasopressor. Vasopressin is suggested to be added to norepinephrine in cases of inadequate mean arterial pressure instead of escalating the doses of norepinephrine. However, some questions about the bedside use of these vasopressors remain. Some of these questions have been well answered, some of them not clearly addressed, and some others not yet answered. Regarding norepinephrine, we firstly reviewed the arguments in favor of the choice of norepinephrine as a first-line vasopressor. Secondly, we detailed the arguments found in the recent literature in favor of an early introduction of norepinephrine. Thirdly, we reviewed the literature referring to the issue of titrating the doses of norepinephrine using an individualized resuscitation target, and finally, we addressed the issue of escalation of doses in case of refractory shock, a remaining unanswered question. For vasopressin, we reviewed the rationale for adding vasopressin to norepinephrine. Then, we discussed the optimal time for vasopressin administration. Subsequently, we addressed the issue of the optimal vasopressin dose, and finally we discussed the best strategy to wean these two vasopressors when combined.
An Inferential Statistical Analysis of the Key Factors Influencing the Adoption of New Technology by MEEC (MICE) Organizers in Thailand

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the adoption of new technology within the Meetings, Exhibitions and Conventions sector in Thailand. Theoretical framework: An adapted version of the diffusion of innovation theory combined with variables from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is used to define the key variables upon which data is gathered. Design/methodology/approach: The study reviews the MEEC/MICE sector in Thailand and its importance, the existing level of the adoption of new technology and the government plan to encourage further adoption. An online survey of 302 MEEC/MICE Organizers is analysed using stepwise Multiple Linear regression to estimate the attitude of the organizers toward new technology and which factors have the greatest influence on their intention to adopt new technology further. Findings: The results indicate that 85% of the study participants are currently adopting MEEC/MICE technological innovation in one way or another, and 99.6% are of the opinion that they will adopt it in the future. The study also indicates that the business environment, of which government policy is a major factor, can have an influence on both the attitude and the adoption intention of technology, but that their own attitude to technology is the factor with most weight and that the respondent’s attitude to new technology is mostly influenced by their employees’ capability. Research, Practical & Social implications: The Thai government is attempting to change the Thai economy from a manufacturing economy to a high value advanced economy. The further adoption of new technology in this important sector is a vital part of this attempt. Originality/value: The study is the first study in Thailand to use inferential statistical analsyis to estimate the most important factors determining MEEC/MICE operators’ adoption of new technology.