Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unified Modeling and Control of Walking and Running on the Spring-Loaded Inverted Pendulum

This paper addresses the control of steady state and transition behaviors for the bipedal spring-loaded inverted pendulum (SLIP) model. We present an event-driven control approach that enables the realization of active running, walking, and walk-run transitions in a unified framework. The synthesis of the controlled behaviors is illustrated by the notion of hybrid automaton in which different gaits are generated as the sequential composition of SLIP's primary phases of motion. We also propose a novel analytical approximate solution to the otherwise nonintegrable double-stance dynamics of the SLIP model. The analytical simplicity of the solution is utilized in the design and analysis of dynamic walking gaits suitable for online implementation. The accuracy of the approximate solution and its influence on the stability properties of the controlled system are carefully analyzed. Finally, we present two simulation examples. The first demonstrates the practicality of the proposed control strategy in creating human-like gaits and gait transitions. In the second example, we use the controlled SLIP as a planner for the control of a multibody bipedal robot model, and embed SLIP-like behaviors into a physics-based robot simulation model. The results corroborate both the practical utility and effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Engineering VBR traffic parameters for WAN voice

Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) supports a number of different traffic classes, including constant bit rate (CBR), available bit rate (ABR) and variable bit rate (VBR). Applications wishing to use a particular class must determine the set of traffic parameters which characterize the connection. In this paper, we consider how to engineer the traffic parameters for VBR WAN voice, where multiple voice streams, utilizing compression and silence detection, are multiplexed into a single virtual circuit. We define two criteria which the VBR parameters must satisfy: 1) Achievement of a desired probability of cell marking/loss by a leaky bucket policer, and 2) Maximization of admission probabilities to the network. We compute the parameters for two vastly different systems and admission controllers. In either case, we observe a similar trend in the admission probabilities, and propose a method for choosing specific values of the VBR parameters.
Staggered Price and Wage Setting in Macroeconomics

This paper reviews the role of temporary price and wage rigidities in explaining the dynamic relationship between money, real output, and inflation. It summarizes microeconomic data on price and wage setting behavior, and argues that staggered price and wage setting models provide the most satisfactory match with the data. Research in this area has been very active in the 1990's with a remarkable number of studies using, estimating, or testing models of staggered price and wage setting. A new generation of econometric models incorporating staggered price and wage setting with rational expectations has been built. Researchers have begun to incorporate staggered wage and price setting into real business cycle models. Close links have been discovered between the parameters of people's utility functions and the parameters of price and wage setting equations. There is now a debate about whether standard calibrations of utility functions prevent staggered price models, at least those with frequent price changes, from explaining long persistence of real output. There is much to be discovered from these debates and from the future research they stimulate.
Towards the Competence of Crowdsourcees: Literature-based Considerations on the Problem of Assessing Crowdsourcees' Qualities

Today, crowd sourcing literature and platforms propose many different means of assessing and defining worker quality, reliability and trustworthiness of task solutions. Where examples include: redundant scheduling, gold standard questions, qualification tests, and employer acceptance rate. In this paper, we argue that these approaches are not ineffective, but are shortsighted, as they reveal little about the actual abilities of a worker in general. Therefore, we propose the definition of competencies for crowd sourcees as a more elaborate methodology to today's notion of qualifications and qualification tests. Furthermore, we shed some light on how the competencies of crowd sourcees could be identified and confirmed via online social media platforms.
LETTER Special Section on Software Reliability Engineering 3-Way Software Testing with Budget Constraints ∗

In most software development environments, time, computing and human resources needed to perform the testing of a component is strictly limited. In order to deal with such situations, this paper proposes a method of creating the best possible test suite (covering the maximum number of 3-tuples) within a fixed number of test cases. key words: covering arrays, test case generation, finite fields, linear group
Active-MOSFET-C single-amplifier biquadratic filters for video frequencies

The authors show how continuous-time active-RC filters can be implemented in CMOS by replacing all resistors by MOSFETs operating in the linear region. As an example, a 24 MHz active MOSFET-C single-amplifier biquadratic lowpass filter with a pole-Q of 3 implemented in a 0.6 /spl mu/m CMOS process is discussed. By comparing measurements of a test chip, simulations and calculations, the following conclusion is reached. As long as the specifications for frequency, pole-Q, spurious-free dynamic range and supply voltage lie within certain limits, then active-MOSFET-C single-amplifier biquads (MOSFET-C SABs) are preferable; with respect to chip size and power consumption, compared to multi-amplifier biquads, e.g. integrator-connected biquads. Above these limits, the latter must be used.
Influence of Computer-Assisted Roundhouse Diagrams on High School 9th Grade Students' Understanding the Subjects of "Force and Motion".

Main aim of this study is to examine the influence of computer- assisted roundhouse diagrams on high school 9th grade students' academic achievements in the subjects of "Force and Motion". The study was carried out in a public high school in Diyarbakir the province in the Southeast of Turkey. In the study, the "pre-test-post-test control group model", which is among experimental models, was applied. The lessons were taught to the control group students by carrying out the activities previously determined in the curriculum; in other respects, besides these activities, the lessons were taught to the experimental group students by forming roundhouse diagrams that included the subject-related concepts. In the present study focusing on the subjects of "Force and Motion", a multiple-choice achievement test consist of 20 questions related to the subjects of "Force and Motion" was applied as pre-test and post-test to the students to determine the changes in their achievements. The study showed that computer- assisted roundhouse diagrams have significant effect on students' academic achievement in the subjects of "Force and Motion" (P<0.05). Besides the multiple-choice test used, another test of 20 fill-in-the-blank and true-false questions was applied as pre-test and post-test in the study. According to the results of this test, the scores of the participants were found high in favour of the experimental group (P<0.05). In addition to these two tests measuring the academic achievements of the participants, a questionnaire for the experimental group students' views about the roundhouse diagrams was conducted. As a result of the analysis of the data obtained via this scale, it was found out that the students enjoyed studying with the roundhouse diagram and that they considered the roundhouse diagram as a beneficial method in learning concepts.
Human AP endonuclease inefficiently removes abasic sites within G4 structures compared to duplex DNA

Excision repair processes are essential to maintain genome stability. A decrease in efficiency and fidelity of these pathways at regions of the genome that can assume non-canonical DNA structures has been proposed as a possible mechanism to explain the increased mutagenesis and consequent diseased state frequently associated with these sites. Here we describe the development of a FRET-based approach to monitor the presence of G quadruplex (G4) DNA, a non-canonical DNA structure formed in runs of guanines, in damage-containing single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. Using this approach, we directly show for the first time that the presence within the G4 structure of an abasic site, the most common lesion spontaneously generated during cellular metabolism, decreases the efficiency of human AP endonuclease activity and that this effect is mostly the result of a decreased enzymatic activity and not of decreased binding of the enzyme to the damaged site. This approach can be generally applied to dissecting the biochemistry of DNA repair at non-canonical DNA structures.
ISERN International Software Engineering

The paper suggests a goal-oriented measurement model life cycle (MMLC) that, starting out from the high-level organisational goals, allows the management to identify what kind of information should be available to achieve the set goals. The suggested MMLC results into an integrated component of the management activities pointed to generate, refine, and achieve the organisational goals, whereby the final measurement models become items of a purpose fitting measurement plan.
Digital VLSI logic technology using Carbon Nanotube FETs: Frequently Asked Questions

Carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNFETs) show promise as extensions to silicon-CMOS. Ideal CNFET circuits can potentially provide 20X energy-delay-product benefits over silicon-CMOS at the 16 nm technology node. However, several challenges must be overcome before such performance benefits can be experimentally realized. In this paper, we present a brief overview of CNFET technology, and address commonly raised concerns through a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs). We also provide a CNFET technology outlook which includes a survey of challenges as well as existing and potential solutions to these challenges.
The Price of Launching a New Product: Empirical Evidence on Factors Affecting the Relative Magnitude of Slotting Allowances

Slotting allowances are a relatively recent trend, particular to the retail food industry. These allowances are lump-sum, up-front transfer payments from manufacturer to retailer when the manufacturer launches a new product. The practice has attracted some scrutiny because of uncertainty about its purposes and consequences. We draw from the extant literature to identify factors that potentially influence the relative magnitude of slotting allowances. Based on analysis of primary survey data from retailers and manufacturers, we observe that charging and paying of slotting allowances are affected by the relative strength of the players. Among retailers, the relative magnitude of slotting fees increases with retailers' informational advantage over the manufacturer about the likely success of the new product, even when retailers recognize that the product is likely to be successful. Additionally, and consistent with the first finding, retailers with lower costs (i.e., potentially more efficient and powerful retailers) received higher slotting allowances. Furthermore, retailers charge higher slotting fees, even when concerns about manufacturers' fulfilling postlaunch advertising commitments are minimal, implying that relatively powerless manufacturers are asked to provide credible commitments regarding postlaunch activitiesand are asked to pay relatively high slotting fees. Among manufacturers, the relative magnitude of slotting fees paid is lower for those who have a strong market share position. We discuss the theoretical, managerial, and public policy implications of our findings.
Code placement and replacement strategies for wideband CDMA OVSF code tree management

The use of OVSF codes in WCDMA systems has offered opportunities to provide variable data rates to flexibly support applications with different bandwidth requirements. Two rarely addressed issues in such environments are the code placement problem and code replacement problem. The former may have significant impact on code utilization and thus code blocking probability, while the latter may affect the code reassignment cost if dynamic code assignment is to be conducted. The general objective is to make the OVSF code tree as compact as possible in order to support new calls, either with less blocking or with less reassignment cost. This paper is perhaps the first one which addresses these issues in WCDMA. Three simple strategies, which can be adopted by both code placement and code replacement, are proposed: random, leftmost, and crowded-first. Among them the crowded-first strategy looks most promising, which is shown to be able to reduce, for example, the code blocking probability by 77% and the number of reassignments by 81% as opposed to the random strategy when the system is 80% fully loaded and the max SF=256.
Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema: a distinct underrecognised entity

The syndrome resulting from combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema has not been comprehensively described. The current authors conducted a retrospective study of 61 patients with both emphysema of the upper zones and diffuse parenchymal lung disease with fibrosis of the lower zones of the lungs on chest computed tomography. Patients (all smokers) included 60 males and one female, with a mean age of 65 yrs. Dyspnoea on exertion was present in all patients. Basal crackles were found in 87% and finger clubbing in 43%. Pulmonary function tests were as follows (mean±sd): total lung capacity 88%±17, forced vital capacity (FVC) 88%±18, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 80%±21 (% predicted), FEV1/FVC 69%±13, carbon monoxide diffusion capacity of the lung 37%±16 (% predicted), carbon monoxide transfer coefficient 46%±19. Pulmonary hypertension was present in 47% of patients at diagnosis, and 55% during follow-up. Patients were followed for a mean of 2.1±2.8 yrs from diagnosis. Survival was 87.5% at 2 yrs and 54.6% at 5 yrs, with a median of 6.1 yrs. The presence of pulmonary hypertension at diagnosis was a critical determinant of prognosis. The authors hereby individualise the computer tomography-defined syndrome of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema characterised by subnormal spirometry, severe impairment of gas exchange, high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension, and poor survival.
Markers Monocyte Cytokine Profile and Surface Involves Soluble Factor ( s ) That Alters Human Glioma-Induced Immunosuppression Gene

The immunosuppressive effects were not the result of IL-6 or TGF-␤1 that was detected in GCS. However, it was due to a factor(s) that is resistant to pH extremes, differentially susceptible to temperature, susceptible to trypsin, and has a minimum molecular mass of 40 kDa. Our findings show that glioblastoma-generated factors that are known to suppress T cell responses alter the cytokine profiles of monocytic APC that, in turn, inhibit T cell function. This model indicates that monocytes can serve as an intermediate between tumor-generated immune-suppressive factors and the T cell responses that are suppressed in gliomas. I t has long been recognized that an impaired cellular immune response is a characteristic of many tumors in both animal models and human patients (1, 2). This diminished cellular immunity is not necessarily limited to reactivity against tumor-specific Ags, but can include unresponsiveness to nontumor Ags and T cell mitogens (3, 4). Cytokine dysfunction appears to contribute to tumor-associated immune dysregulation, with decreases of in vitro IL-2 and/or IFN-␥ production and increases in IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and/or IL-10 production. Human tumors in which one or more of these cytokine changes have been reported include Hodgkin's lymphomas (4), cervical (5, 6) and ovarian carcinomas (7), melanomas (8), basal and squamous cell carcinomas (9), renal cell carcinomas (10), non-small cell lung cancer (11), and gliomas (12). Tumor-associated immune dysregulation can also be reflected in T cells at the level of signal transduction, as defects in STAT5 have been reported in a murine breast tumor model (13), and Janus kinase 3 (Jak3) expression is down-regulated by a soluble factor from a human renal cell carcinoma (14). Human gliomas provide an interesting example of tumor-associated immune dysfunction. The in vitro responses of T cells from patients who present with primary gliomas are impaired in their ability to respond in vitro to Ags and T cell mitogens by proliferation and IL-2 production (3, 15, 16). Surgical removal of the primary tumor can result in restoration of systemic in vitro responses to T cell mitogens, which again declines with recurrence of the tumor (17). Glioma patients also frequently fail to elicit delayed skin reactions (15), and patients' T cells express reduced numbers of high affinity IL-2R (18, 19). One of our laboratories recently reported that T cells from glioma patients exhibit defects in tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, reduced levels of phospholipase C␥1 and p56 lck , as …
Organization Cost, Sales, General and Administrative Expenses and Management Cost

According to Coase theory, there exists a cost of allocating resources by administrative power, that is, organization cost. Based on the comparison of organization cost with transaction cost, Coase revealed why firms exist and also illustrated the change of firms’ scale. However, Coase and his followers failed to detail the organization cost and its effects on firms. This study initiates from the introduction of organization cost and the importance to study it. Considering that the organization cost is hard to measure, further discussion about organization cost utilizes the concepts of accounting. Through the analysis of SG&A expenses, this paper recognizes the importance of SG&A expenses control and the difficulties to achieve such control. In order to counter the disadvantages of SG&A expenses, management cost is put forward, and the paper explores the literature on management cost.
Epidemiology and phospholipase activity of oral Candida SPP. Among patients with central nervous system diseases before and after dental cleaning procedure

ABSTRACT Patients suffering of diseases that affect central nervous system may be considered more susceptible to the infectious diseases of mouth. Sixty-nine patients suffering of cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome and metal retardation were submitted to saliva examination for the presence of Candida spp. before and after a procedure of dental cleaning. The isolates were submitted to assay for verifying phospholipase production. 55.10% of the patients provided isolation of Candida spp. The frequency of isolation obtained before dental procedure was: C. albicans (83.33%), C. krusei (8.33%) and C. kefyr, C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata (2.78% each). The frequency after the procedure was: C. albicans (68.57%), C. parapsilosis (11.43%), C. krusei and C. kefyr (8.57% each) and Candida glabrata (2.86%). We verified significantly difference (p < 0.01) between populations obtained at the two examinations. Phospholipase production was verified only among C. albicans strains and the proportion of producers was higher when testing isolates obtained after dental cleaning procedure. Studies focused on Candida spp. isolation are useful for better comprehension of the role of these yeasts on the oral flora from patients with cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome and metal retardation.
Increasing the Efficiency of Data Mining Algorithms with Breadth-First Marker Propagation

This paper describes how to increase the efficiency of inductive data mining algorithms by replacing the central matching operation with a marker propagation technique. Breadth-first marker propagation is most beneficial when the data are linked to hierarchical background knowledge (e.g., tree-structured attributes), or when the attributes describing the data have many values. We support our claims analytically with complexity arguments and empirically on several large data sets. We also point out other efficiency gains, including reduced memory management overhead, which facilitate mining massive tape archives.
Cooperative Caching for Multimedia Streaming in Overlay Networks

Traditional data caching, such as web caching, only focuses on how to boost the hit rate of requested objects in caches, and therefore, how to reduce the initial delay for object retrieval. However, for multimedia objects, not only reducing the delay of object retrieval, but also provisioning reasonably stable network bandwidth to clients, while the fetching of the cached objects goes on, is important as well. In this paper, we propose our cooperative caching scheme for a multimedia delivery scenario, supporting a large number of peers over peerto-peer overlay networks. In order to facilitate multimedia streaming and downloading service from servers, our caching scheme (1) determines the appropriate availability of cached stream segments in a cache community, (2) determines the appropriate peer for cache replacement, and (3) performs bandwidth-aware and availability-aware cache replacement. By doing so, it achieves (1) small delay of stream retrieval, (2) stable bandwidth provisioning during retrieval session, and (3) load balancing of clients’ requests among peers.
qvm: A Command Line Tool for the Provisioning of Virtual Machines

The purpose of this paper is to create and demonstrate a command line utility that uses freely available cloud images—typically intended for deployment within public and private cloud environments—to rapidly provision virtual machines on a local server, taking advantage of the ZFS file system. This utility, qvm, aims to provide syntactical consistency for both potential contributors and users alike—it is written in Python and uses YAML for all user configuration; exactly like cloud-init, the post-deployment configuration system featured in the cloud images used by qvm to allow its rapid provisioning. qvm itself does not use the libvirt API to create virtual machines, instead parsing pre-defined templates containing options for the commonly used virt-install tool, installed alongside virt-manager, the de facto graphical libvirt client. The utility is capable of importing cloud images into zvols and creating clones for each virtual machine using the pyzfs Python wrapper for the libzfs_core C library, as well as a custom recreation of pyzfs based on the zfs command line utility. qvm aims to introduce some basic IaC constructs to the provisioning of local virtual machines using the aforementioned common tools, requiring no prior experience beyond the usage of these tools. Its use of cloud-init allows for portability into existing cloud infrastructure, with no requirements on common Linux distributions, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Debian, or SUSE, and their derivatives, beyond their base installation with virtualisation server packages and the prerequisite Python libraries required by qvm.