Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The conditioning of least‐squares problems in variational data assimilation

In variational data assimilation a least‐squares objective function is minimised to obtain the most likely state of a dynamical system. This objective function combines observation and prior (or background) data weighted by their respective error statistics. In numerical weather prediction, data assimilation is used to estimate the current atmospheric state, which then serves as an initial condition for a forecast. New developments in the treatment of observation uncertainties have recently been shown to cause convergence problems for this least‐squares minimisation. This is important for operational numerical weather prediction centres due to the time constraints of producing regular forecasts. The condition number of the Hessian of the objective function can be used as a proxy to investigate the speed of convergence of the least‐squares minimisation. In this paper we develop novel theoretical bounds on the condition number of the Hessian. These new bounds depend on the minimum eigenvalue of the observation error covariance matrix and the ratio of background error variance to observation error variance. Numerical tests in a linear setting show that the location of observation measurements has an important effect on the condition number of the Hessian. We identify that the conditioning of the problem is related to the complex interactions between observation error covariance and background error covariance matrices. Increased understanding of the role of each constituent matrix in the conditioning of the Hessian will prove useful for informing the choice of correlated observation error covariance matrix and observation location, particularly for practical applications.
Deactivation of hepatic stellate cells during liver fibrosis resolution in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the main fibrogenic cell type in the liver, undergo apoptosis after cessation of liver injury, which contributes to resolution of fibrosis. In this study, we investigated whether HSC deactivation constitutes an additional mechanism of liver fibrosis resolution. METHODS HSC activation and deactivation were investigated by single-cell PCR and genetic tracking in transgenic mice that expressed a tamoxifen-inducible CreER under control of the endogenous vimentin promoter (Vimentin-CreER). RESULTS Single-cell quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrated activation of almost the entire HSC population in fibrotic livers, and a gradual decrease of HSC activation during fibrosis resolution, indicating deactivation of HSCs. Vimentin-CreER marked activated HSCs, demonstrated by a 6- to 16-fold induction of a membrane-bound green fluorescent protein (mGFP) Cre-reporter after injection of carbon tetrachloride, in liver and isolated HSCs, and a shift in localization of mGFP-marked HSCs from peri-sinusoidal to fibrotic septa. Tracking of mGFP-positive HSCs revealed the persistence of 40%-45% of mGFP expression in livers and isolated HSCs 30-45 days after carbon tetrachloride was no longer administered, despite normalization of fibrogenesis parameters; these findings confirm reversal of HSC activation. After fibrosis resolution, mGFP expression was observed again in desmin-positive peri-sinusoidal HSCs; no mGFP expression was detected in hepatocytes or cholangiocytes, excluding mesenchymal-epithelial transition. Notably, reverted HSCs remained in a primed state, with higher levels of responsiveness to fibrogenic stimuli. CONCLUSIONS In mice, reversal of HSC activation contributes to termination of fibrogenesis during fibrosis resolution, but results in higher responsiveness of reverted HSCs to recurring fibrogenic stimulation.
Functional observer-based fuzzy controller design for continuous nonlinear systems

ABSTRACT This paper presents a novel method of synthesising controllers for nonlinear systems represented by Takagi--Sugeno fuzzy model using functional observer. The proposed method uses minimum order observer for estimating the control input of each rule as a function of states. Existence conditions of the functional observer-based controller are provided in the form of rank equality conditions. The stability conditions of the observer are obtained using quadratic Lyapunov function, and the conditions are presented in the form of linear matrix inequalities. Observer parameters can be obtained by solving these inequalities. Finally, systematic synthesis procedures for constructing the observer are presented. Examples with simulation output are given to demonstrate this method and to compare its performance with a conventional full-state observer-based controller.
Partial Network Alignment with Anchor Meta Path and Truncated Generic Stable Matching

To enjoy more social network services, users nowadays are usually involved in multiple online social networks simultaneously. The shared users between different networks are called anchor users, while the remaining unshared users are named as non-anchor users. Connections between accounts of anchor users in different networks are defined as anchor links and networks partially aligned by anchor links can be represented as partially aligned networks. In this paper, we want to predict anchor links between partially aligned social networks, which is formally defined as the partial network alignment problem. The partial network alignment problem is very difficult to solve because of the following two challenges: (1) the lack of general features for anchor links, and (2) the "one-to-one$_\le$" (one to at most one) constraint on anchor links. To address these two challenges, a new method PNA (Partial Network Aligner) is proposed in this paper. PNA (1) extracts a set of explicit anchor adjacency features and latent topological features for anchor links based on the anchor meta path concept and tensor decomposition techniques, and (2) utilizes the generic stable matching to identify the non-anchor users to prune the redundant anchor links attached to them. Extensive experiments conducted on two real-world partially aligned social networks demonstrate that PNA can solve the partial network alignment problem very well and outperform all the other comparison methods with significant advantages.
Perpendicular Intersection: Locating Wireless Sensors with Mobile Beacon

Existing localization approaches are divided into two groups: range-based and range-free. The range-free schemes often suffer from poor accuracy and low scalability, while the range-based localization approaches heavily depend on extra hardware capabilities or rely on the absolute RSSI (received signal strength indicator) values, far from practical. In this work, we propose a mobile-assisted localization scheme called perpendicular intersection (PI), setting a dedicate tradeoff between range-free and range-based approaches. Instead of directly mapping RSSI values into physical distances, by contrasting RSSI values from the mobile beacon to a sensor node, PI utilizes the geometric relationship of perpendicular intersection to compute node positions. We have implemented the prototype of PI with 100 TelosBmotes. Through comprehensive experiments, we show that PI achieves high accuracy and low overhead, significantly outperforming the existing range-based and the mobile-assisted localization schemes.
Autocrine Human Growth Hormone Promotes Invasive and Cancer Stem Cell-Like Behavior of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by STAT3 Dependent Inhibition of CLAUDIN-1 Expression

Despite progress in diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the clinical outcome is still unsatisfactory. Increased expression of human growth hormone (hGH) in HCC has been reported and is associated with poor survival outcome in HCC patients. Herein, we investigated the mechanism of the oncogenic effects of hGH in HCC cell lines. In vitro functional assays demonstrated that forced expression of hGH in these HCC cell lines promoted cell proliferation, cell survival, anchorage-independent growth, cell migration, and invasion, as previously reported. In addition, forced expression of hGH promoted cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties of HCC cells. The increased invasive and CSC-like properties of HCC cells with forced expression of hGH were mediated by inhibition of the expression of the tight junction component CLAUDIN-1. Consistently, depletion of CLAUDIN-1 expression increased the invasive and CSC-like properties of HCC cell lines. Moreover, forced expression of CLAUDIN-1 abrogated the acquired invasive and CSC-like properties of HCC cell lines with forced expression of hGH. We further demonstrated that forced expression of hGH inhibited CLAUDIN-1 expression in HCC cell lines via signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mediated inhibition of CLAUDIN-1 transcription. Hence, we have elucidated a novel hGH-STAT3-CLAUDIN-1 axis responsible for invasive and CSC-like properties in HCC. Inhibition of hGH should be considered as a therapeutic option to hinder progression and relapse of HCC.
LTRF: Enabling High-Capacity Register Files for GPUs via Hardware/Software Cooperative Register Prefetching

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) employ large register files to accommodate all active threads and accelerate context switching. Unfortunately, register files are a scalability bottleneck for future GPUs due to long access latency, high power consumption, and large silicon area provisioning. Prior work proposes hierarchical register file, to reduce the register file power consumption by caching registers in a smaller register file cache. Unfortunately, this approach does not improve register access latency due to the low hit rate in the register file cache. In this paper, we propose the Latency-Tolerant Register File (LTRF) architecture to achieve low latency in a two-level hierarchical structure while keeping power consumption low. We observe that compile-time interval analysis enables us to divide GPU program execution into intervals with an accurate estimate of a warp's aggregate register working-set within each interval. The key idea of LTRF is to prefetch the estimated register working-set from the main register file to the register file cache under software control, at the beginning of each interval, and overlap the prefetch latency with the execution of other warps. Our experimental results show that LTRF enables high-capacity yet long-latency main GPU register files, paving the way for various optimizations. As an example optimization, we implement the main register file with emerging high-density high-latency memory technologies, enabling 8X larger capacity and improving overall GPU performance by 31% while reducing register file power consumption by 46%.
eview review of long range piezoelectric motors using frequency everaged method

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature regarding precision piezoelectric motors over long ranges based on the principle of repeating a series of small periodic step motions, named “frequency leveraged motors” in this paper. A summary of recent research into frequency leveraged motors is presented. Work is classified into three categories by different frequency driving methods, including ultrasonic motors, quasi-static motors (non-resonant motors), and motors combined resonant and quasistatic operations. Pros and cons of each motor type are discussed in term of their principle, structure, and performance. In addition, future perspectives and improvements of the frequency leveraged motor
Impact of Western and Mediterranean Diets and Vitamin D on Muscle Fibers of Sedentary Rats

Background: The metabolic syndrome is associated with sarcopenia. Decreased serum levels of Vitamin D (VitD) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and their mutual relationship were also reported. We aimed to evaluate whether different dietary profiles, containing or not VitD, may exert different effects on muscle molecular morphology. Methods: Twenty-eight male rats were fed for 10 weeks in order to detect early defects induced by different dietary regimens: regular diet (R); regular diet with vitamin D supplementation (R-DS) and regular diet with vitamin D restriction (R-DR); high-fat butter-based diets (HFB-DS and HFB-DR) with 41% energy from fat; high-fat extra-virgin olive oil-based diets (HFEVO-DS and HFEVO-DR) with 41% energy from fat. IL-1β, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)1, Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), and VitD-receptor (VDR) expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Muscle fiber perimeter was measured by histology and morphometric analysis. Results: The muscle fibers of the HEVO-DS rats were hypertrophic, comparable to those of the R-DS rats. An inverse correlation existed between the dietary fat content and the perimeter of the muscle fibers (p < 0.01). In the HFB-DR rats, the muscle fibers appeared hypotrophic with an increase of IL-1β and a dramatic decrease of IGF-1 expression. Conclusions: High-fat western diet could impair muscle metabolism and lay the ground for subsequent muscle damage. VitD associated with a Mediterranean diet showed trophic action on the muscle fibers.
Estimation of genetic parameters of type traits in Asturiana de los Valles beef cattle breed

Ten type traits and a final score were analysed in 5868 records of the Asturiana de los Valles beef cattle breed. Traits were grouped into two classes: (i) traits scoring skeletal and muscular development and (ii) traits scoring adjustment to the breed standard. Heritabilities were moderate to low, ranging from 0.04 to 0.26. Genetic correlations among traits were, in general, in the same direction as, but higher than, phenotypic correlations. The genetic variability shown, in general, for the analysed traits would justify the inclusion of morphological assessment in the Asturiana de los Valles beef cattle breed sire selection programme. Main characteristics of the current type classification system are criticized. The knowledge of (co)variances among type and economically important productive and reproductive traits is recommended before revision of the classification methodology. Schatzung genetischer Parameter fur Exterieurmerkmale in der Asturiana de los Valles Fleischrinderrasse 5868 registrierte Asturiana de los Valles Tiere wurden bezuglich 10 Exterieurmerkmalen und eines Gesamtwertes auf der Basis einer gewichteten Berucksichtigung dieser Einzelmerkmale untersucht. Die Merkmale wurden in zwei Klassen unterteilt: (i) Merkmale, die Skelett- und Muskelentwicklung betreffen und (ii) rassespezifische Merkmale. Die Heritabilitaten lagen zwischen 0,04 und 0,26. Genetische Korrelationen zwischen den Merkmalen waren allgemein mit den phanotypischen Korrelationen gleichgerichtet, aber mit hoheren Werten. Die aufgezeigte genetische Variabilitat der untersuchten Merkmale wurde deren Eingliederung in die morphologische Bewertung im Rahmen des Asturiana de los Valles Fleischrinder Selektionsprogrammes fur Bullen rechtfertigen. Wichtige Charakteristika der gegenwartigen Exterieurbeurteilung werden kritisiert. Es wird empfohlen erst (Ko-)varianzen zwischen Exterieur und okonomisch wichtigen Produktions- und Reproduktionsmerkmalen zu ermitteln, bevor die Bewertungsmethodik uberarbeitet wird.
Housefly (Musca domestica) and Blow Fly (Protophormia terraenovae) as Vectors of Bacteria Carrying Colistin Resistance Genes

ABSTRACT Flies have the capacity to transfer pathogens between different environments, acting as one of the most important vectors of human diseases worldwide. In this study, we trapped flies on a university campus and tested them for mobile resistance genes against colistin, a last-resort antibiotic in human medicine for treating clinical infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Quantitative PCR assays we developed showed that 34.1% of Musca domestica (86/252) and 51.1% of Protophormia terraenovae (23/45) isolates were positive for the mcr-1 gene, 1.2% of M. domestica (3/252) and 2.2% of P. terraenovae (2.2%, 1/45) isolates were positive for mcr-2, and 5.2% of M. domestica (13/252) and 44.4% of P. terraenovae (20/45) isolates were positive for mcr-3. Overall, 4.8% (9/189) of bacteria isolated from the flies were positive for the mcr-1 gene (Escherichia coli: 8.3%, 4/48; Enterobacter cloacae: 12.5%, 1/8; Providencia alcalifaciens: 11.8%, 2/17; Providencia stuartii: 4.9%, 2/41), while none were positive for mcr-2 and mcr-3. Four mcr-1-positive isolates (two P. stuartii and two P. alcalifaciens) from blow flies trapped near a dumpster had a MIC for colistin above 4 mg/ml. This study reports mcr-1 carriage in Providencia spp. and detection of mcr-2 and mcr-3 after their initial identification in Belgium and China, respectively. This study suggests that flies might contribute significantly to the dissemination of bacteria, carrying these genes into a large variety of ecological niches. Further studies are warranted to explore the roles that flies might play in the spread of colistin resistance genes. IMPORTANCE Antimicrobial resistance is recognized as one of the most serious global threats to human health. An option for treatment of the Gram-negative ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) bacteria with multiple drug resistance was the reintroduction of the older antibiotic colistin. However, a mobile colistin resistance gene (mcr-1) has recently been found to occur widely; very recently, two other colistin resistance genes (mcr-2 and mcr-3) have been identified in Belgium and China, respectively. In this study, we report the presence of colistin resistance genes in flies. This study also reports the carriage of colistin resistance genes in the genus Providencia and detection of mcr-2 and mcr-3 after their initial identification. This study will stimulate more in-depth studies to fully elucidate the transmission mechanisms of the colistin resistance genes and their interaction.
Optimal control of time-inhomogeneous Markov chains with application to dam management

We consider a time-inhomogeneous Markov chain with a compound Poisson process as an input as an important approximation to get the solution of real problems. Outflows are comprised of both controlled and uncontrolled counting processes. We demonstrate the utility of this model in the specific problem of demand control and flood prevention in a nearly full dam, where the dam is modeled as a continuous-time controllable Markov chain under control resource constraints. This work significantly extends previous results because the inflow of rain is potentially sudden and of large volume, so a compound Poisson process is preferred to simple counting processes. On the other hand the safe release of water is constrained and so is modelled as a simple counting process. A proof of the infinitesimal generator of the Markov chain with these characteristics is given and a numerical example demonstrates the effectiveness of the controls.
Survey on Spatio-Temporal View Invariant Human Pose Recovery

Human Pose Recovery approaches have been studied in the field of Computer Vision for the last 40 years. Several approaches have been reported, and significant improvements have been obtained in both data representation and model design. However, the problem of Human Pose Recovery in uncontrolled environments is far from being solved. In this paper, we define a global taxonomy to group the existing methods and discuss their main advantages and drawbacks, identifying new challenging lines of research.
Testing a self‐determination theory‐based teaching style intervention in the exercise domain

Drawing from self-determination theory (SDT), this study examined the effect of an autonomy supportive, well structured and interpersonally involving teaching style on exercise class participants' psychological need satisfaction, motivational regulations, exercise behaviour, behavioural intention and affect. Female exercise class participants enrolled in a 10-week exercise program were exposed to an SDT-based (i.e. SDTc; n = 25) or typical (i.e. control group; n = 31) teaching style. The control condition reported a significant decrease in autonomy support, amotivation and behavioural intention over time. In addition, they reported a significant increase in competence and introjected regulation. Compared to the control condition, the SDTc reported a significantly greater linear increase in structure and interpersonal involvement, relatedness and competence need satisfaction and positive affect. Attendance rates were significantly higher in the SDTc. SDT-based social-contextual characteristics and psychological needs predicted autonomous regulations; all these variables collectively predicted adaptive outcomes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of Pollen Transport Dynamics on Sire Profiles and Multiple Paternity in Flowering Plants

In many flowering plants individual fruits contain a mixture of half- and full- siblings, reflecting pollination by several fathers. To better understand the mechanisms generating multiple paternity within fruits we present a theoretical framework linking pollen carryover with patterns of pollinator movement. This ‘sire profile’ model predicts that species with more extensive pollen carryover will have a greater number of mates. It also predicts that flowers on large displays, which are often probed consecutively during a single pollinator visitation sequence, will have a lower effective number of mates. We compared these predictions with observed values for bumble bee-pollinated Mimulus ringens, which has restricted carryover, and hummingbird-pollinated Ipomopsis aggregata, which has extensive carryover. The model correctly predicted that the effective number of mates is much higher in the species with more extensive carryover. This work extends our knowledge of plant mating systems by highlighting mechanisms influencing the genetic composition of sibships.
Repair or Violation Detection? Pre-Attentive Processing Strategies of Phonotactic Illegality Demonstrated on the Constraint of g-Deletion in German.

PURPOSE Effects of categorical phonotactic knowledge on pre-attentive speech processing were investigated by presenting illegal speech input that violated a phonotactic constraint in German called "g-deletion. " The present study aimed to extend previous findings of automatic processing of phonotactic violations and to investigate the role of stimulus context in triggering either an automatic phonotactic repair or a detection of the violation. METHOD The mismatch negativity event-related potential component was obtained in 2 identical cross-sectional experiments with speaker variation and 16 healthy adult participants each. Four pseudowords were used as stimuli, 3 of them phonotactically legal and 1 illegal. Stimuli were contrasted pairwise in passive oddball conditions and presented binaurally via headphones. Results were analyzed by means of mixed design analyses of variance. RESULTS Phonotactically illegal stimuli were found to be processed differently compared to legal ones. Results indicate evidence for both automatic repair and detection of the phonotactic violation depending on the linguistic context the illegal stimulus was embedded in. CONCLUSIONS These findings corroborate notions that categorical phonotactic knowledge is activated and applied even in the absence of attention. Thus, our findings contribute to the general understanding of sublexical phonological processing and may be of use for further developing speech recognition models.