Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Argument-based Constraint Logic-Programming in Satisfiability Modulo CHR

We revise classical results in Argumentation-based Logic Programming, e.g., Defeasible Logic Programming (DeLP), under the umbrella of Satisfiability Modulo CHR. Through this language it is possible to reason on arguments and have an underlying theory solver to implement resolution of conflicts. Strict and defeasible rules, as well as certainty scores associated with such rules (e.g., Possibilistic DeLP), can be cast to SMCHR rules, which act as conflict “disentanglers”. At the same time, we inherit several built-in theory solvers, as unification or linear arithmetic, usable even in combination. SMCHR can be used also to straightforwardly solve Argumentation based on Classical Logic, by selecting a sat solver.
What is transcendence, how did it evolve, and is it beneficial?

ABSTRACT Transcendence is an important subject of investigation within the scientific study of religion and beyond, and as such, presents a Hilbert problem that must be addressed. We lay out three subcomponents of this problem: (1) what is transcendence; (2) what are its evolutionary antecedents; and (3) is it beneficial? We argue that transcendence should primarily be understood as a psychological state of “selflessness” whose evolutionary antecedents suggest four semi-distinct types of transcendence (see Gorelik, G. (2016). The evolution of transcendence. Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2 (4), 287307. ): (1) social transcendence, (2) theory of mind (ToM) transcendence, (3) aesthetic transcendence, and (4) epistemic transcendence. We conclude with some thoughts on the dangers of transcendence.
Biomimetic engineered muscle with capacity for vascular integration and functional maturation in vivo

Significance Engineering of highly functional skeletal muscle tissues can provide accurate models of muscle physiology and disease and aid treatment of various muscle disorders. Previous tissue-engineering efforts have fallen short of recreating structural and contractile properties of native muscle in vitro. Here, we describe the creation of biomimetic skeletal muscle tissues with structural, functional, and myogenic properties characteristic of native muscle and contractile stress values that surpass those of neonatal rat muscle. When implanted and real-time imaged in live animals, engineered muscle grafts undergo robust vascularization and perfusion, exhibit continued myogenesis, and show further improvements in intracellular calcium handling and contractile function. This process is significantly enhanced by myogenic predifferentiation and formation of aligned muscle architecture in vitro. Tissue-engineered skeletal muscle can serve as a physiological model of natural muscle and a potential therapeutic vehicle for rapid repair of severe muscle loss and injury. Here, we describe a platform for engineering and testing highly functional biomimetic muscle tissues with a resident satellite cell niche and capacity for robust myogenesis and self-regeneration in vitro. Using a mouse dorsal window implantation model and transduction with fluorescent intracellular calcium indicator, GCaMP3, we nondestructively monitored, in real time, vascular integration and the functional state of engineered muscle in vivo. During a 2-wk period, implanted engineered muscle exhibited a steady ingrowth of blood-perfused microvasculature along with an increase in amplitude of calcium transients and force of contraction. We also demonstrated superior structural organization, vascularization, and contractile function of fully differentiated vs. undifferentiated engineered muscle implants. The described in vitro and in vivo models of biomimetic engineered muscle represent enabling technology for novel studies of skeletal muscle function and regeneration.
Planar diagrams and Calabi-Yau spaces

Large N geometric transitions and the Dijkgraaf-Vafa conjecture suggest a deep relationship between the sum over planar diagrams and Calabi-Yau threefolds. We explore this correspondence in details, explaining how to construct the Calabi-Yau for a large class of M matrix models, and how the geometry encodes the correlators. We engineer in particular two-matrix theories with potentials W (X, Y ) that reduce to arbitrary functions in the commutative limit. We apply the method to calculate all correlators 〈tr X〉 and 〈tr Y 〉 in models of the form W (X, Y ) = V (X) + U(Y ) − XY and W (X, Y ) = V (X) + Y U(Y ) + XY . The solution of the latter example was not known, but when U is a constant we are able to solve the loop equations, finding a precise match with the geometric approach. We also discuss special geometry in multi-matrix models, and we derive an important property, the entanglement of eigenvalues, governing the expansion around classical vacua for which the matrices do not commute. e-print archive: http://lanl.arXiv. org/abs/hep-th/0309151 620 PLANAR DIAGRAMS AND CALABI-YAU SPACES
Retina neural mechanism based edge detection model and its computational design

In this paper, we present a bio-inspired model for detecting edges based on mathematic analysis of artificial retina response. And then mathematical analysis as well as computational design methods on the proposed retina model are dealt with. The characteristics of our model is that it just concerns four types of cells rather than traditional ones with five types of cells. Experimental results show that the proposed model based on retina neural mechanism for edge detection is efficient.
A robust adaptive control architecture for disturbance rejection and uncertainty suppression with L ∞  transient and steady‐state performance guarantees

In this paper, a new adaptive control architecture for linear and nonlinear uncertain dynamical systems is developed to address the problem of high‐gain adaptive control. Specifically, the proposed framework involves a new and novel controller architecture involving a modification term in the update law that minimizes an error criterion involving the distance between the weighted regressor vector and the weighted system error states. This modification term allows for fast adaptation without hindering system robustness. In particular, we show that the governing tracking closed‐loop system error equation approximates a Hurwitz linear time‐invariant dynamical system with L∞ input–output signals. This key feature of our framework allows for robust stability analysis of the proposed adaptive control law using L1 system theory. We further show that by properly choosing the design parameters in the modification term, we can guarantee a desired bandwidth of the adaptive controller, guaranteed transient closed‐loop performance, and an a priori characterization of the size of the ultimate bound of the closed‐loop system trajectories. Several illustrative numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of weight and type of planting material on fruit quality and its heterogeneity in pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill]

Cultural practices can affect the quality of pineapple fruits and its variation. The objectives of this study were to investigate (a) effects of weight class and type of planting material on fruit quality, heterogeneity in quality and proportion and yield of fruits meeting European export standards, and (b) the improvement in quality, proportion and yield of fruits meeting export standards when flowering was induced at optimum time. Experiments were conducted in Benin with cvs Sugarloaf (a Perola type) and Smooth Cayenne. In cv. Sugarloaf, experimental factors were weight class of planting material (light, mixed, heavy) and time of flowering induction (farmers', optimum) (Experiment 1). In cv. Smooth Cayenne an additional experimental factor was the type of planting material (hapas, ground suckers, a mixture of the two) (Experiment 2). Fruits from heavy planting material had higher infructescence and fruit weights, longer infructescences, shorter crowns, and smaller crown: infructescence length than fruits from light planting material. The type of planting material in Experiment 2 did not significantly affect fruit quality except crown length: fruits from hapas had shorter crowns than those from ground suckers. Crops from heavy planting material had a higher proportion and yield of fruits meeting export standards than those from other weight classes in Experiment 1 only; also the type of planting material in Experiment 2 did not affect these variates. Heterogeneity in fruit quality was usually not reduced by selecting only light or heavy planting material instead of mixing weights; incidentally the coefficient of variation was significantly reduced in fruits from heavy slips only. Heterogeneity was also not reduced by not mixing hapas and ground suckers. Flowering induction at optimum time increased the proportion and yield of fruits meeting export standards in fruits from light and mixed slip weights and in those from the mixture of heavy hapas plus ground suckers.
Growing Kind Minds: Adapted group Compassion Focused Therapy for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities (CFT-ID)

A narrative systematic review of the literature focused on how shame and shame-based processes may play a significant role in the development and maintenance of psychological distress in adults with ID. The review identified 17 relevant studies that had investigated shame in some form. Findings indicated that adults with mild to moderate ID appear to experience both external and internal shame, and that this was associated with elevated levels of psychological distress. However, the scope of the review was limited by the fact that many studies were cross-sectional in nature, and that very little research involved clinical populations. The review concluded by attempting to synthesise the current available research into an explanatory biopsychosocial model of how shame develops in adults with ID, and recommending the development of compassion-focused interventions that might alleviate shame in this population. The empirical study utilised a mixed methods design to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of adapting group CFT for adults with mild ID. Six participants completed session-by-session feasibility and acceptability measures, attended focus groups, and completed pre and post-intervention measures of self-compassion, psychological distress, and social comparison. Focus groups were analysed using thematic analysis, identifying four main themes: (1) motivations for attending; (2) direct group experiences; (3) difficulties in being self-compassionate; and (4) positive emotional changes. Significant increases in overall self-compassion, and significant reductions in self-criticism and unfavourable social comparison, were found. Results indicate that CFT can be feasibly adapted for adults with ID, and is experienced as a helpful intervention. Some issues remain surrounding level of understanding of some conceptual aspects of CFT, and whether this is relevant to outcomes. Implications for future research and clinical practice are further explored.
Catalytic properties of the cellulose-binding endoglucanase F from Fibrobacter succinogenes S85

The celF gene from the predominant cellulolytic ruminal bacterium Fibrobacter succinogenes encodes a 118.3-kDa cellulose-binding endoglucanase, endoglucanase F (EGF). This enzyme possesses an N-terminal cellulose-binding domain and a C-terminal catalytic domain. The purified catalytic domain displayed an activity profile typical of an endoglucanase, with high catalytic activity on carboxymethyl cellulose and barley beta-glucan. Immunoblotting of EGF and the formerly characterized endoglucanase 2 (EG2) from F. succinogenes with antibodies prepared against each of the enzymes demonstrated that EGF and EG2 contain cross-reactive epitopes. This data in conjunction with evidence that the proteins are the same size, share a 19-residue internal amino acid sequence, possess similar catalytic properties, and both bind to cellulose allows the conclusion that celF codes for EG2.
Development and Evaluation of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Dengue Capsid

The astonishing speed with which Dengue has spread across the world and the severity of its infection make Dengue a prime threat to human life worldwide. Unfortunately, to date there are no effective vaccines or treatments against Dengue. Since only a few assays permit rapid and sensitive detection of Dengue, we developed a specific antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the abundant structural Dengue-2 capsid protein. We showed that the ELISA allows rapid and sensitive detection of Dengue-2 replication in various cell lines including human and mosquito cells. Using anti-capsid antibodies, we demonstrated that the capsid ELISA is as accurate as other well-characterized Dengue assays such as intracellular FACS staining (IFSA) and fluorescent focus (FFA) assays. The capsid ELISA not only represents a useful tool for in vitro basic research, but it may also represent a valuable diagnostic tool for Dengue infection in patients.
Integración laboral de las personas con discapacidad en los principales países de la UE

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la integracion laboral de las personas con discapacidad en los 5 paises con mayor poblacion de la Union Europea: Alemania, Reino Unido, Francia, Italia y Espana. Nos hemos centrado en la estimacion del gap en la actividad, paro y empleo de las personas con discapacidad, aproximandonos al colectivo con tres definiciones distintas: 1) discapacidad en general, 2) discapacidad en el empleo y 3) necesidad o uso de asistencia laboral especial. Para el trabajo empirico se han explotado los microdatos del modulo ad hoc de 2011 sobre el empleo de las personas con discapacidad (Eurostat). Como principales resultados cabe destacar, en primer lugar que las personas con limitaciones en el trabajo tienen una probabilidad de tener un empleo 32,8 puntos inferior a las personas sin discapacidad, penalizacion que se explica basicamente por su menor tasa de actividad. Ademas el gap en el empleo varia notablemente entre paises, observandose que aquellos que tienen tasas de empleo mas elevadas, muestran a su vez una menor integracion en el empleo de las personas con discapacidad. Por tanto, el crecimiento economico y la creacion de empleo no son condiciones suficientes para garantizar la integracion laboral de las personas con discapacidad.
Mapping CORINE Land Cover from Sentinel-1A SAR and SRTM Digital Elevation Model Data using Random Forests

The European CORINE land cover mapping scheme is a standardized classification system with 44 land cover and land use classes. It is used by the European Environment Agency to report large-scale land cover change with a minimum mapping unit of 5 ha every six years and operationally mapped by its member states. The most commonly applied method to map CORINE land cover change is by visual interpretation of optical/near-infrared satellite imagery. The Sentinel-1A satellite carries a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and was launched in 2014 by the European Space Agency as the first operational Copernicus mission. This study is the first investigation of Sentinel-1A for CORINE land cover mapping. Two of the first Sentinel-1A images acquired during its ramp-up phase in May and December 2014 over Thuringia in Germany are analysed. 27 hybrid level 2/3 CORINE classes are defined. 17 of these were present at the study site and classified based on a stratified random sample of training pixels from the polygon-eroded CORINE 2006 map. Sentinel-1A logarithmic radar backscatter at HH and HV polarisation (May acquisition), VV and VH polarisation (December acquisition), and the HH image texture are used as input bands to the classification. In addition, a Digital Terrain Model (DTM), a Canopy Height Model (CHM) and slope and aspect maps from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) are used as input bands to account for geomorphological features of the landscape. In future, elevation data will be delivered for areas with sufficiently high coherence from the Sentinel-1A Interferometric Wide-Swath Mode itself. When augmented by elevation data from radar interferometry, Sentinel-1A is able to discriminate several CORINE land cover classes, making it useful for monitoring of cloud-covered regions. A bistatic Sentinel-1 Convoy mission would enable single-pass interferometric acquisitions without temporal decorrelation.
Video summarization from spatio-temporal features

In this paper we present a video summarization method based on the study of spatio-temporal activity within the video. The visual activity is estimated by measuring the number of interest points, jointly obtained in the spatial and temporal domains. The proposed approach is composed of five steps. First, image features are collected using the spatio-temporal Hessian matrix. Then, these features are processed to retrieve the candidate video segments for the summary (denoted clips). Further on, two specific steps are designed to first detect the redundant clips, and second to eliminate the clapperboard images. The final step consists in the construction of the final summary which is performed by retaining the clips showing the highest level of activity. The proposed approach was tested on the BBC Rushes Summarization task within the TRECVID 2008 campaign.
SYSTEM DEGRADATION FACTOR FOR NETWORKED CONTROL SYSTEMS

The main differences between networked control systems (NCS) and classical directly wired, (non-NCS) are phenomena such as packet dropouts and packet delays. In general, dynamical properties of NCS and non-NCS are different and understood as degradation of the system. Mainly, the considerations concern on the estimating of the degradation degree of the NCS with linear time-invariant components (plant, actuator, sensor, controller) in respect to non-NCS realization of the same system. It is shown that the problem can be reduced to analysis of the nonstationarity degree of NCS. The degradation degree is calculated in frequency domain using SVD-DFT transformation of system operator defined on finite time horizon. The method enables to make a quantitative comparison of different control strategies, under given probability of packet dropouts, time delays, etc. Theoretical considerations of computational algorithms are complemented with numerical examples.
COLLABORATION PROBLEMS DURING PRACTICUM IN PRESERVICE TEACHER EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN

The study investigated the problems and issues confronted by teacher education institutions (TEIs) in collaborating with cooperating schools (CSs) during practicum. The study utilized concurrent mixed methodology in which 126 teacher educators cum supervisors (TEs) participated from 14 Government of Colleges for Elementary Teachers (GCETs) of Punjab province. Questionnaire and semi-structured interview were used for data collection. The surveys were distributed to 126 participants, while interviews were conducted with 28 TEs. The study revealed that the practicum participants [i.e. supervisor, mentor, student teacher (ST), cooperating school (CS) head] were unclear about their own and others' roles. CSs distrust STs' teaching and undervalue practicum. Female STs' abundance is problem for male supervisors during supervision. Government involvement is strongly recommended for policy and regulation development and as a liaison for collaboration between TEIs and CSs. written communication is recommended for the better communication between the participants of practicum.
Aggregation Kinetics for IgG1-Based Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as a class of therapeutic molecules are finding an increasing demand in the biotechnology industry for the treatment of diseases like cancer and multiple sclerosis. A key challenge associated to successful commercialization of mAbs is that from the various physical and chemical instabilities that are inherent to these molecules. Out of all probable instabilities, aggregation of mAbs has been a major problem that has been associated with a change in the protein structure and is a hurdle in various upstream and downstream processes. It can stimulate immune response causing protein misfolding having deleterious and harmful effects inside a cell. Also, the extra cost incurred to remove aggregated mAbs from the rest of the batch is huge. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) is a major technique for characterizing aggregation in mAbs where change in the aggregates’ size over time is estimated. The current project is an attempt to understand the rate and mechanism of formation of higher order oligomers when subjected to different environmental conditions such as buffer type, temperature, pH, and salt concentration. The results will be useful in avoiding the product exposure to conditions that can induce aggregation during upstream, downstream, and storage process. Extended Lumry-Eyring model (ELE), Lumry-Eyring Native Polymerization model (LENP), and Finke-Watzky model (F-W) have been employed in this work to fit the aggregation experimental data and results are compared to find the best fit model for mAb aggregation to connect the theoretical dots with the reality.
Enhance the XML Documents Security using Web Services

: An increasing amount of semi-structured data, XML has become fundamental to humans and programs. XML changed by the World Wide Web Consortium (w3c) is quickly emerging as a new standard language for semi-structured data representation and transfer on the Internet. XML documents usually hold private information that cannot be shared by all user communities. So securing XML data is becoming increasingly important and several approaches have been created to protect information in websites. Usage control has been considered as the next generation access control model with differentiating properties of decision continuity. It has been proven to be efficient to improve security administration with flexible authorization management. Usage control changes finer-grained control over usage of digital objects than that of traditional access control policies and models. XML schema defines format and contents of xml instance. Access control established on a schema will be transported to all its instances. Also, XML schema supplies a mechanism to build relationships between schemas and elements. We present a usage control model to protect information distributed on the web. As privacy becomes a major refer for consumers and enterprises, many research have been concentrated on the privacy protecting technology in recent years. In this paper, We present a comprehensive approach for usage access control established on the notion purpose. In our model, purpose information connected with a given data element specifies the intended use of the subjects and objects in the usage access control model. A key feature of our model is that it accepts when an access is required, the access purpose is checked against the intended purposes for the data item. We suggest an approach to represent purpose information to support access control established on purpose information. Finally comparisons with related works are analyzed