Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultra Compact Inline  $E$ -Plane Waveguide Bandpass Filters Using Cross Coupling

This paper presents novel ultracompact waveguide bandpass filters that exhibit pseudoelliptic responses with the ability to place transmission zeros on both sides of the passband to form sharp rolloffs. The filters contain E-plane extracted pole sections (EPSs) cascaded with cross-coupled filtering blocks. Compactness is achieved by the use of evanescent mode sections and closer arranged resonators modified to shrink in size. The filters containing nonresonating nodes are designed by means of the generalized coupling coefficients' extraction procedure for the cross-coupled filtering blocks and EPSs. We illustrate the performance of the proposed structures through the design examples of third- and fourth-order filters with center frequencies of 9.2 and 10 GHz, respectively. The sizes of the proposed structures suitable for fabricating using the low-cost E-plane waveguide technology are 38% smaller than ones of the E-plane extracted pole filter of the same order.
Awareness of osteoporosis among female employees in Kerman, Iran

Background ― Osteoporosis is a chronic multi-factorial disease characterized as low bone density and microarchitecture disturbance of bone tissue. Osteoporosis is known as a major health problem, but it can be prevented and treated in a great extent. Objective ― The aim of the present study was to determine the rate of Iranian female employees' awareness of osteoporosis. Methods and Results ― In a cross-sectional study, 400 female employees in Kerman were studied. Data were gathered using a researcher-made questionnaire. Mean awareness score of participants was 11.69±3.76 that shows poor awareness. Participants with bachelor or higher degrees showed better awareness (p<0.05). Conclusions ― According to the obtained results, educational programs for increasing awareness of osteoporosis and its prevention are recommended.
A comparative analysis of two conserved motifs in bacterial poly(A) polymerase and CCA-adding enzyme

Showing a high sequence similarity, the evolutionary closely related bacterial poly(A) polymerases (PAP) and CCA-adding enzymes catalyze quite different reactions—PAP adds poly(A) tails to RNA 3′-ends, while CCA-adding enzymes synthesize the sequence CCA at the 3′-terminus of tRNAs. Here, two highly conserved structural elements of the corresponding Escherichia coli enzymes were characterized. The first element is a set of amino acids that was identified in CCA-adding enzymes as a template region determining the enzymes' specificity for CTP and ATP. The same element is also present in PAP, where it confers ATP specificity. The second investigated region corresponds to a flexible loop in CCA-adding enzymes and is involved in the incorporation of the terminal A-residue. Although, PAP seems to carry a similar flexible region, the functional relevance of this element in PAP is not known. The presented results show that the template region has an essential function in both enzymes, while the second element is surprisingly dispensable in PAP. The data support the idea that the bacterial PAP descends from CCA-adding enzymes and still carries some of the structural elements required for CCA-addition as an evolutionary relic and is now fixed in a conformation specific for A-addition.
Virtual Mechanics Simulation and Animation of Rigid Body Systems with AERO

AERO is an animation system using physically based modelling. It allows the creation of virtual environrnents from scenes with simple three-dimensional geometrical objects (sphere, cylinder, box, point, plane). Objects can be linked to each other by a variety of methods (rod, spring, damper, joint). Realistic object movements are achieved by a simulation procedure, where forces can be applied to the objects in addition to gravity, friction, and air resistance. Wire frame animations can be generated in real time, depending on scene complexity and computer system performance. AERO generates scene description sequences, which can be used as input for ray tracing programs to generate photorealistic animations. AERO also enables stereo graphics output, camera control, and the mounting of the camera to an object in the scene.
Measuring capital market efficiency : Correlations structure , crowd behavior and uncertainty

We introduce a new measure for capital market efficiency. The measure takes into consideration the correlation structure of the returns (long-term memory), local herding behavior (information dimension) and uncertainty in the process (entropy). The efficiency measure is then taken as a distance from an ideal efficient market situation. Methodology is applied to a portfolio of 41 stock indices. We find that the most efficient markets are the ones of the UK, the USA (S&P500), France, Germany and Japan and the least efficient are the markets of Indonesia, Venezuela, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Peru. The inefficiency is mainly driven by a local herding, i.e. a low information (fractal) dimension.
Cooperative decode-and-forward relaying for secondary spectrum access

We propose a two-phase protocol based on cooperative decode-and-forward relaying for a secondary system to achieve spectrum access along with a primary system. The primary and secondary systems comprise of a transmitter-receiver pair, PT-PR and ST-SR, respectively. In the first transmission phase, PT transmits the primary signal to PR, which is also received by ST and SR, where it is decoded. At ST, the primary signal is regenerated and linearly combined with the secondary signal by assigning fractions alpha and (1 - alpha) of the available power to the primary and secondary signals respectively. This combined signal is then broadcasted by ST in the second transmission phase. We show that as long as ST is located within a critical radius from PT, there exists a threshold value for alpha above which the outage probability of the primary system will be equal to or lower than the case without spectrum sharing. We also determine the outage probability achieved by the secondary system. Theoretical and simulation results confirm the efficiency of the proposed spectrum sharing scheme.
Convergence rate across the Nepal Himalaya and interseismic coupling on the Main Himalayan Thrust: Implications for seismic hazard

We document geodetic strain across the Nepal Himalaya using GPS times series from 30 stations in Nepal and southern Tibet, in addition to previously published campaign GPS points and leveling data and determine the pattern of interseismic coupling on the Main Himalayan Thrust fault (MHT). The noise on the daily GPS positions is modeled as a combination of white and colored noise, in order to infer secular velocities at the stations with consistent uncertainties. We then locate the pole of rotation of the Indian plate in the ITRF 2005 reference frame at longitude = − 1.34° ± 3.31°, latitude = 51.4° ± 0.3° with an angular velocity of Ω = 0.5029 ± 0.0072°/Myr. The pattern of coupling on the MHT is computed on a fault dipping 10° to the north and whose strike roughly follows the arcuate shape of the Himalaya. The model indicates that the MHT is locked from the surface to a distance of approximately 100 km down dip, corresponding to a depth of 15 to 20 km. In map view, the transition zone between the locked portion of the MHT and the portion which is creeping at the long term slip rate seems to be at the most a few tens of kilometers wide and coincides with the belt of midcrustal microseismicity underneath the Himalaya. According to a previous study based on thermokinematic modeling of thermochronological and thermobarometric data, this transition seems to happen in a zone where the temperature reaches 350°C. The convergence between India and South Tibet proceeds at a rate of 17.8 ± 0.5 mm/yr in central and eastern Nepal and 20.5 ± 1 mm/yr in western Nepal. The moment deficit due to locking of the MHT in the interseismic period accrues at a rate of 6.6 ± 0.4 × 10^(19) Nm/yr on the MHT underneath Nepal. For comparison, the moment released by the seismicity over the past 500 years, including 14 M_W ≥ 7 earthquakes with moment magnitudes up to 8.5, amounts to only 0.9 × 10^(19) Nm/yr, indicating a large deficit of seismic slip over that period or very infrequent large slow slip events. No large slow slip event has been observed however over the 20 years covered by geodetic measurements in the Nepal Himalaya. We discuss the magnitude and return period of M > 8 earthquakes required to balance the long term slip budget on the MHT.
Inequalities in dimension theory for posets

The dimension of a poset (X, P), denoted dim(X, P), is the minimum number of linear extensions of P whose intersection is P. It follows from Dilworth's decomposition theorem that dim (X, P) s width (X, P). Hiraguchi showed that dirn(X, P)< |X1/2. In this paper, A denotes an antichain of (X, P) and E the set of maximal elements. We then prove that dim (X, P) < IxA; dim(X, P) < 1 + width (X -E); and dim (X, P) < 1 + 2 width (X A). We also construct examples to show that these inequalities are sharp.
Two-Loop O ( α s G F m 2 t ) Corrections to the Fermionic Decay Rates of the Standard-Model Higgs Boson

Lowand intermediate mass Higgs bosons decay preferably into fermion pairs. The one-loop electroweak corrections to the respective decay rates are dominated by a flavour-independent term of O(GF mt ). We calculate the two-loop gluon correction to this term. It turns out that this correction screens the leading high-mt behaviour of the one-loop result by roughly 10%. We also present the two-loop QCD correction to the contribution induced by a pair of fourth-generation quarks with arbitrary masses. As expected, the inclusion of the QCD correction considerably reduces the renormalization-scheme dependence of the prediction.
Validation and Veriﬁcation Issues in a Timeline-Based Planning System

To foster effective use of AI planning and scheduling systems in the real world it is of great importance to both (a) broaden direct access to the technology for the end-users and (b) signiﬁcantly increase their trust in such technology. Automated Planning and Scheduling (P&S) systems often bring solutions to the users which are neither “obvious” nor immediately acceptable for them. This is because these tools directly reason on causal, temporal and resource constraints; moreover, they employ resolution processes designed to optimize the solution with respect to non trivial evaluation functions. Knowledge-engineering environments aim at simplifying direct access to the technology for people other than the original system designers, while the integration of Validation and Veriﬁcation (V&V) capabilities in such environments may potentially enhance the users’ trust in the technology. Somehow V&V techniques may represent a complementary technology with respect to planning and scheduling, that contribute to develop richer software environments to synthesize a new generation of robust problem-solving applications. The integration of V&V and P&S techniques in a knowledge engineering environment is the topic of this paper. In particular, it analyzes the use of state-of-the-art
Routing documents according to styleShlomo

Most research on automated text categorization has focused on determining the topic of a given text. While topic is generally the main characteristic of an information need, there are other characteristics that are useful for information retrieval. In this paper we consider the problem of text categorization according to style. For example, in searching the web, we may wish to automatically determine if a given page is promotional or informative, was written by a native En-glish speaker or not, and so on. Learning to determine the style of a document is a dual to that of determining its topic, in that those document features which capture the style of a document are precisely those which are independent of its topic. We here deene the features of a document to be the frequencies of each of a set of function words and parts-of-speech triples. We then use machine learning techniques to classify documents. We test our methods on four collections of downloaded newspaper and magazine articles.
RCSD1-ABL1 Translocation Associated with IKZF1 Gene Deletion in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

The RCSD1 gene has recently been identified as a novel gene fusion partner of the ABL1 gene in cases of B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL). The RCSD1 gene is located at 1q23 and ABL1 is located at 9q34, so that the RCSD1-ABL1 fusion typically arises through a rare reciprocal translocation t(1;9)(q23;q34). Only a small number of RCSD1-ABL1 positive cases of B-ALL have been described in the literature, and the full spectrum of clinical, morphological, immunophenotypic, and molecular features associated with this genetic abnormality has not been defined. We describe extensive genetic characterization of a case of B-ALL with RCSD1-ABL1 fusion, by using conventional cytogenetic analysis, Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) studies, and Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA). The use of CMA resulted in detection of an approximately 70 kb deletion at 7p12.2, which caused a disruption of the IKZF1 gene. Deletions and mutations of IKZF1 are recurring abnormalities in B-ALL and are associated with a poor prognosis. Our findings highlight the association of the deletion of IKZF1 gene with the t(1;9)(q24;q34) and illustrate the importance of comprehensive cytogenetic and molecular evaluation for accurate prediction of prognosis in patients with B-cell ALL.
Enhancing Virtual Environment-based Surgical Teamwork Training with Non-verbal Communication

Virtual reality simulations for training surgical skills are increasingly used in medical education and have been shown to improve patient outcome. While advances in hardware and simulation techniques have resulted in many commercial applications for training technical skills, most of these simulators are extremely expensive and do not consider non-technical skills like teamwork and communication. This is a major drawback since recent research suggests that a large percentage of mistakes in clinical settings are due to communication problems. In addition, training teamwork can also improve the efficiency of a surgical team and as such reduce costs and workload. We present an inexpensive camera-based system for capturing aspects of non-verbal communication of users participating in virtual environment-based teamwork simulations. This data can be used for the enhancement of virtual-environment-based simulations to increase the realism and effectiveness of team communication.
Effective Modeling of Double Negative Metamaterial Macrostructures

This paper presents a numerical procedure applied to the modeling of double negative metamaterial (MTM) structures. At the unit-cell level, the properties of the MTM are described by the extracted isotropic constitutive parameters, dispersion diagrams, and higher order modes analysis. The information gathered at the unit-cell level is used to characterize and homogenize the MTM macrostructure. By comparison of the simulation results for the effective and detailed macrostructures models, the applicability of this approach is confirmed and the significant savings of numerical costs are pointed out.
Connecting Foundational Ontologies with MPEG-7 Ontologies for Multimodal QA

In the SMARTWEB project [1] we aim at developing a context-aware, mobile, and multimodal interface to the Semantic Web. In order to reach this goal we provide a integrated ontological framework offering coverage for deep semantic content, including ontological representation of multimedia based on the MPEG-7 standard. A discourse ontology covers concepts for multimodal interaction by means of an extension of the W3C standard EMMA. For realizing multimodal/multimedia dialog applications, we link the deep semantic level with the mediaspecific semantic level to operationalize multimedia information in the system. Through the link between multimedia representation and the semantics of specific domains we approach the Semantic Gap.
Modularity in Agent Programming Languages: An Illustration in Extended 2APL

This paper discusses a module-based vision for designing BDI-based multi-agent programming languages. The introduced concept of module is generic and facilitates the implementation of different agent concepts such as roles and agent profiles, or to adopt common programming techniques such as encapsulation and information hiding. This vision is applied to 2APL, which is an existing BDI-based agent programming language. Specific programming constructs are added to 2APL to allow the implementation of modules. The syntax and the operational semantics of these programming constructs are provided. Some informal properties of the programming constructs are discussed and it is briefly explained how these modules can be used to implement roles, agent profiles, or simply for encapsulation of task and information hiding.
Prevalence and trends of aminoglycoside resistance in Shigella worldwide, 1999-2010

Shigellosis causes diarrheal disease in humans in both developed and developing countries, and multi-drug resistance in Shigella is an emerging problem. Understanding changing resistance patterns is important in determining appropriate antibiotic treatments. This meta-analysis systematically evaluated aminoglycoside resistance in Shigella. A systematic review was constructed based on MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Random-effect models or fixed-effect models were used based on P value considering the possibility of heterogeneity between studies for meta-analysis. Data manipulation and statistical analyses were performed using software STATA 11.0. By means of meta-analysis, we found a lower resistance to three kinds of aminoglycosides in the Europe-America areas during the 12 year study period than that of the Asia-Africa areas. Kanamycin resistance was observed to be the most common drug resistance among Shigella isolates with a prevalence of 6.88% (95%CI: 6.36%-7.43%). Comparison of data from Europe-America and Asia-Africa areas revealed that Shigella flexneri resistance was greater than the resistance calculated for Shigella sonnei. Importantly, Shigella sonnei has played a significant role in aminoglycoside-resistance in recent years. Similarly, data showed that resistance to these drugs in children was higher than the corresponding data of adults. In conclusion, aminoglycoside-resistant Shigella is not an unusual phenomenon worldwide. Distribution in Shigella resistance differs sharply based on geographic areas, periods of time and subtypes. The results from the present study highlight the need for continuous surveillance of resistance and control of antibiotic usage.
A Paradoxical Role for Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Sepsis and Trauma

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogenous population of immature myeloid cells whose numbers dramatically increase in chronic and acute inflammatory diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disease, trauma, burns and sepsis. Studied originally in cancer, these cells are potently immunosuppressive, particularly in their ability to suppress antigen-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell activation through multiple mechanisms, including depletion of extracellular arginine, nitrosylation of regulatory proteins, and secretion of interleukin 10, prostaglandins and other immunosuppressive mediators. However, additional properties of these cells, including increased reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokine production, as well as their universal expansion in nearly all inflammatory conditions, suggest that MDSCs may be more of a normal component of the inflammatory response (“emergency myelopoiesis”) than simply a pathological response to a growing tumor. Recent evocative data even suggest that the expansion of MDSCs in acute inflammatory processes, such as burns and sepsis, plays a beneficial role in the host by increasing immune surveillance and innate immune responses. Although clinical efforts are currently underway to suppress MDSC numbers and function in cancer to improve antineoplastic responses, such approaches may not be desirable or beneficial in other clinical conditions in which immune surveillance and antimicrobial activities are required.
Three-Dimensional Algebraic Models of the tRNA Code and 12 Graphs for Representing the Amino Acids

Three-dimensional algebraic models, also called Genetic Hotels, are developed to represent the Standard Genetic Code, the Standard tRNA Code (S-tRNA-C), and the Human tRNA code (H-tRNA-C). New algebraic concepts are introduced to be able to describe these models, to wit, the generalization of the 2n-Klein Group and the concept of a subgroup coset with a tail. We found that the H-tRNA-C displayed broken symmetries in regard to the S-tRNA-C, which is highly symmetric. We also show that there are only 12 ways to represent each of the corresponding phenotypic graphs of amino acids. The averages of statistical centrality measures of the 12 graphs for each of the three codes are carried out and they are statistically compared. The phenotypic graphs of the S-tRNA-C display a common triangular prism of amino acids in 10 out of the 12 graphs, whilst the corresponding graphs for the H-tRNA-C display only two triangular prisms. The graphs exhibit disjoint clusters of amino acids when their polar requirement values are used. We contend that the S-tRNA-C is in a frozen-like state, whereas the H-tRNA-C may be in an evolving state.
Interaction Effects between Organochlorine Pesticides and Isoflavones In Vitro and In Vivo

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have caused increasing global concern due to their high toxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation, and significant adverse effects on human health. This study was to explore the interaction effects between OCPs and isoflavones. Six kinds of OCPs and 2 kinds of isoflavones-genistein and daidzein were included to study their effect on MCF-7 cells in vitro. Eighty-one female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to 9 groups according to factorial design to study the interaction effect between isoflavones and γ-HCH. Compared to organochlorine pesticides alone group, proliferation rate of MCF-7 cells was lower in 100 μmol/L genistein + organochlorine pesticides and 100 μmol/L daidzein + organochlorine pesticides group (p < 0.05). In vivo study showed that there are interaction effects on kidney weight and liver weight when treated with isoflavones and γ-HCH. The changes in uterine morphology and positive expression of ERα showed inhibition effects between isoflavones and γ-HCH. In conclusion, the data suggests that there are interactions between isoflavones and OCPs in vitro and in vivo.
A novel linear PID controller for an upper limb exoskeleton

An upper limb exoskeleton is a wearable robotic system that is physically linked to the arm of the human operators and its seven actuated degrees of freedom (DOF) match the seven DOF of the human arm. The stability of such a system is critical given the proximity of its human operator. A new PID controller is developed which guarantee asymptotic stability for this class of robotic manipulators. A simulation was used to assess the system performance given the theoretical results of the controller's parameters with a unique exoskeleton system (EXO-UL7). The simulation also verify the semi-global asymptotic stability of the system. The proposed methodology eliminates the need of the system's dynamics model for the purpose of designing the controller. It provides an analytical tool for the controller design that is traditionally preformed experimentally (parameter tuning).