Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
System of funnels framework for robust non-linear control

In this thesis, we propose a general hybrid control framework which can be used to implement a large class of desired behaviours for non-linear systems in a robust manner, even if the reference behaviour is mildly discontinuous. Examples for desired behaviours include: global stabilisation of some set in the state space of the system, allowing particular transitions of the state between neighbourhoods of several locally stable sets, and maintaining the state of the system in a subset of the state space. Although applications for our general framework can be found in many other contexts, we focus our attention on motion planning problems for dynamic non-linear systems. We demonstrate how our framework can be used to achieve a globally stable and robust approximate implementation of a given motion plan, which may have discontinuities due to computational limitations. Inspired by previous work, we generalise the notion of a funnel around a nominal trajectory having either a finite or an infinite time duration, using additional generalised notions such as entrance and outlet. A funnel can be seen as a region in the state-time space of the dynamic system to which state-time trajectories initialised from the entrance of the funnel are confined when using a local stabilising control associated with the funnel. This guarantees the arrival of trajectories to a designated outlet region in the case of funnels about nominal trajectories with a finite time duration. We formulate proper funnel interconnection conditions under which a set of funnels can be considered a system of funnels and used in our framework. We then present a hybrid controller for the system of funnels, which switches between the local stabilising controllers such that when initiated from a particular set of initial conditions, the nominal behaviour of the dynamic system’s state with the hybrid controller is according to the desired motion. In situations when the state of the system is not outside the system of funnels due to improper initialisation, disturbances or measurement noise, we assume usage of a bootstrap control to allow recovery of trajectories to the desired motion. The proposed hybrid controller is proved to uniformly globally asymptotically stabilise a set in the hybrid state space, according to the constructed system of funnels. The existing global stabilisation control algorithms ‘Throw-and-Catch’ and ‘LQR-Trees’ are
The Biological and Molecular Action of Ozone and Its Derivatives: State-of-the-Art, Enhanced Scenarios, and Quality Insights

The ultimate objective of this review is to encourage a multi-disciplinary and integrated methodological approach that, starting from the recognition of some current uncertainties, helps to deepen the molecular bases of ozone treatment effects on human and animal well-being and to optimize their performance in terms of reproducibility of results, quality, and safety. In fact, the common therapeutic treatments are normally documented by healthcare professionals’ prescriptions. The same applies to medicinal gases (whose uses are based on their pharmacological effects) that are intended for patients for treatment, diagnostic, or preventive purposes and that have been produced and inspected in accordance with good manufacturing practices and pharmacopoeia monographs. On the contrary, it is the responsibility of healthcare professionals, who thoughtfully choose to use ozone as a medicinal product, to achieve the following objectives: (i) to understand the molecular basis of the mechanism of action; (ii) to adjust the treatment according to the clinical responses obtained in accordance with the principles of precision medicine and personalized therapy; (iii) to ensure all quality standards.
Neutrosophic-CNN-based image and text fusion for multimodal classification

Recent advances in technology and devices have caused a data explosion on the Internet and on our home PCs. This data is predominantly obtained in various modalities (text, image, video, etc.) and is essential for e-commerce websites. The products on these websites have both images and descriptions in text form, making them multimodal in nature. Earlier categorization and information retrieval methods focused mostly on a single modality. This study employs multimodal data for classification using neutrosophic fuzzy sets for uncertainty management for information retrieval tasks. This effort utilizes image and text data and, inspired by past techniques of embedding text over an image, attempts to classify the images using neutrosophic classification algorithms. For classification tasks, Neutrosophic Convolutional Neural Networks (NCNNs) are used to learn feature representations of the produced images. We demonstrate how a pipeline based on NCNN can be utilized to learn representations of the innovative fusion method. Traditional convolutional neural networks are vulnerable to unknown noisy conditions in the test phase, and as a result, their performance for the classification of noisy data declines. Comparing our method against individual sources on two large-scale multi-modal categorization datasets yielded good results. In addition, we have compared our method to two well-known multi-modal fusion methodologies, namely early fusion and late fusion.
LACTOBACILLUS STRAINS FROM APPLE AND FERMENTED MILK AND THEIR PROBIOTIC PROPERTIES

In this study, twenty isolates of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from different apple varieties were obtained. Their probiotic properties together with those of 12 strains, isolated by us earlier from fermented milk, Levilactobacillus brevis (10, 15, 18, 49, 51), Lactiplantibacillus pentosus (40, 57, 63, 85, 88, 92) and Lactobacillus fermentum (44) were studied. Apple Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 52, 53, 74, and 76 were found to be pH 2-resistant during incubation for 30, 60 and 90 min. Overall, exposure to bile salts (0.3%; 0.5%; 1%; and 1.5%) had no effect on the growth of Lactobacillus sp. Antimicrobial activity and antibiotic resistance/susceptibility studies were performed on ten pathogenic microorganisms and nine antibiotics, respectively. Lactiplantibacillus (Lpb.) plantarum 52, 53, and 74 from apple samples had susceptibility to oxytetracycline, tetracycline, and rifampicin, Lpb. plantarum 52, 74 and 76 were susceptible to erythromycin. Almost all strains of lactobacillus showed antimicrobial activity to Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, except Lpb. plantarum 76 and L. brevis 51. Lpb. plantarum 76 had inhibitory activity against Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876 (16.3±0.52), Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13833 (16.4±0.4), Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 21059 (16.3±0.3), Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 (16.3±0.4), Escherichia coli ATCCB322 (16.3±0.5), Proteus mirabilis ATCC 12453 (12.4±0.4), and Shigella flexneri ATCC 12022 (12.3±0.3). Based on the studied probiotic properties, apple Lpb. plantarum 52, Lpb. plantarum 53, Lpb. plantarum 74, Lpb. plantarum 76, identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and 16S rDNA sequencing, were selected as potential candidates for the fermentation of apple juices. Fermented apple juices could be a new source of probiotics for lactose intolerant and vegetarian consumers.
A COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF FORAMEN MAGNUM PARAMETERS FOR AGE DETERMINATION IN A SAMPLE OF EGYPTIANS

Age determination is an essential step in the identification of human bony remains. Foramen magnum is a valuable landmark in the base of the skull and is of significant interest to forensic medicine, anthropology and anatomy. The aim of the study was the evaluating of the accuracy and reliability of foramen magnum parameters in age determination (among different age groups) using three-dimensional computed tomography. The present study is performed on 120 Egyptians from different age groups (from 1 year up to 65 years). The length of the foramen magnum (LFM) and the width of the foramen magnum (WFM) were measured on the 3D CT models. Then, foramen magnum index (FMI) and foramen magnum area (FMA) were calculated. The different age groups (1 – 9, 10 – 19, 20 – 29, 30 -39, 40 – 49,50 – 59 and 60+ years) show the mean LFM was 26.90, 35.75, 34.66, 34.42, 33.88, 33.27 and 32.50 mm respectively. Mean WFM was 20.90, 25.67, 29.47, 28.75, 28.47, 27.53 and 28.0 mm respectively. Mean FMI was 1.29, 1.39, 1.18, 1.20, 1.20, 1.21 and 1.16 mm respectively. Mean FMA was 444.2, 721.7, 804.3, 783.0, 759.3, 720.8 and 718.1 mm respectively. These values reveal that there is a significant difference between the four studied parameters and different age groups. This study elucidated that LFM decrease and WFM increase with aging. Subsequently, FMI tends to decrease with age. There was a weak positive correlation between age and LFM, WFM and FMA and there was a negative correlation between age
User Experience of Augmented Reality Glasses-based Tele-Exercise in Elderly Women

Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify any difference in user experience between tablet- and augmented reality (AR) glasses-based tele-exercise programs in elderly women. Methods Participants in the AR group (n = 14) connected Nreal glasses with smartphones to display a pre-recorded exercise program, while each member of the tablet group (n = 13) participated in the same exercise program using an all-in-one personal computer. The program included sitting or standing on a chair, bare-handed calisthenics, and muscle strengthening using an elastic band. The exercise movements were presented first for the upper and then the lower extremities, and the total exercise time was 40 minutes (5 minutes of warm-up exercises, 30 minutes of main exercises, and 5 minutes of cool-down exercises). To evaluate the user experience, a questionnaire consisting of a 7-point Likert scale was used as a measurement tool. In addition, the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to assess differences between the two groups. Results Of the six user experience scales, attractiveness (p = 0.114), stimulation (p = 0.534), and novelty (p = 0.916) did not differ significantly between the groups. However, efficiency (p = 0.006), perspicuity (p = 0.008), and dependability (p = 0.049) did vary significantly between groups. Conclusions When developing an AR glasses-based exercise program for the elderly, the efficiency, clarity, and stability of the program must be considered to meet the participants’ needs.
Seasonal workers wanted! Germany’s seasonal labour migration regime and the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic publicly exposed the urgent need for seasonal workers in agriculture. In Germany, an entry ban and entry quotas for seasonal workers at the beginning of the pandemic caused major attention. Taking this moment as magnifying glass, the article asks how the German seasonal labour migration regime is constructed (legally) and legitimated (discursively), and in how far the pandemic has caused shifts within this regime. Based on an analysis of the legal framework and the political discourse around seasonal work from 2018 to 2020 in Germany, the seasonal labour migration regime is characterised as just-in-time migration tailored to the needs of agricultural business, where migrants’ work force is not absorbed homogenously by precarious labour sectors, but rather specific groups of migrant workers are integrated differently through mechanisms of differential inclusion. Within this regime, seasonal workers function as outsourced labour, whose reproduction costs remain abroad. On the discursive level, the article shows how seasonal workers are produced as ‘wanted migrants’ by linking seasonal migration to the interests of the ‘homeland’. While the pandemic momentarily caused some shifts on the discoursively level, the article shows that the seasonal labour regime as a whole remains rather stable in time.
Time Series Construction of Summer Surface Temperatures for Alabama, 1883–2014, and Comparisons with Tropospheric Temperature and Climate Model Simulations

AbstractThree time series of average summer [June–August (JJA)] daily maximum temperature (TMax) are developed for three interior regions of Alabama from stations with varying periods of record and unknown inhomogeneities. The time frame is 1883–2014. Inhomogeneities for each station’s time series are determined from pairwise comparisons with no use of station metadata other than location. The time series for the three adjoining regions are constructed separately and are then combined as a whole assuming trends over 132 yr will have little spatial variation either intraregionally or interregionally for these spatial scales. Varying the parameters of the construction methodology creates 333 time series with a central trend value based on the largest group of stations of −0.07°C decade−1 with a best-guess estimate of measurement uncertainty from −0.12° to −0.02°C decade−1. This best-guess result is insignificantly different (0.01°C decade−1) from a similar regional calculation using NOAA’s divisional datase.
The Statistical Distribution of Incurred Losses and Its Evolution Over Time I: Non-Parametric Models

The distribution of the total incurred losses of an accident year (or underwriting year) is considered. Before commencement of the accident year, there is a prior on this quantity. The distribution may eveolve over time according to Bayesian revision which takes account of the accumulation of data with time.The distribution in question can be made subject to various assumptions and restrictions. The different forms of these are explored in a sequence of papers that include the present one.A previoius paper examined the situation in which no restrictions were imposed. The resulting models were refered to as non-parametric.The present paper considers the case in which the posterior-to-data estimates of the subject distribution are restricted to a specific parametric family. These models are referred to as parametric. The subject distribution evolves with the evolution of its parameters under Bayesian revision. The credibility approximations to this revision are worked out in general (Section 4) and for the special case of normally distributed data (Section 5). The results are illustrated by application to a very simply example (Section 6). They are illustrated further by application to a more extensive example involving real data (Section 7). The examples use the same respective data sets as in the previous paper.All models to this point represent the loss experience of each development year in terms of a separate set of parameters applicable to just that year. Section 9 analyses the case in which all of these parameters are expressed as functions of a reduced parameter set. Again, a numerical example is given.
Forward attraction in nonautonomous difference equations

Two types of attractors consisting of families of sets that are mapped into each other under the dynamics have been defined for nonautonomous difference equations, one using pullback convergence with information about the system in the past and the other using forward convergence with information about the system in the future. In both cases, the component sets are constructed using a pullback argument within a positively invariant family of sets. The forward attractor so constructed also uses information about the past, which is very restrictive and not essential for determining future behaviour. Here an alternative is investigated, essentially the omega-limit set of the system, which Chepyzhov and Vishik called the uniform attractor. It is shown here that this set is asymptotically positively invariant, thus providing it with an hitherto missing form of invariance, if in somewhat weaker than usual, that one expects an attractor to possess. As a consequence this set provides useful information about the behaviour in current time during the approach to the limit.
Photoluminescence Studies of Europium Doped Di-Strontium Magnesium Silicate Phosphors

This article reports the study of photoluminescence spectra of Di Strontium Magnesium Silicate (Sr2MgSi2O7) doped with various concentration of Europium (Eu3+) prepared using solid-state reaction technique. The doping concentration (s) of Eu3+ were 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 mol% respectively. Excitation spectrum monitored at 620 nm wavelength that exhibited two prominent peaks centered at 256 nm and 277 nm. Peak observed at 277 nm was more intense therefore the emission spectra were monitored at 277. Emission Spectra of all the samples revealed intense peaks centred at 607, 618 and 637 are attributed to 5D0 7F2 of Europium (III) ions accommodated at various lattice sites having different energies. Overall emission was found in the red colour region which was confirmed using a CIE chromaticity diagram with coordinate (0.4805, 0.3763). Critical distance for energy transfer in the concentration, beyond which concentration quenching occurred in PL spectra, was calculated. In this case, the critical distance was found to be 19.87 Å, therefore the mechanism involved in concentration quenching of Sr2MgSi2O7 doped with 2.0 mol % of Europium (III) must be only multipole-multipole exchange whereas the exchange interaction is ineffective.
The Contourlet Transform:Theory and Design

In this paper,we summarize the theory and designing methods of contourlet transform.First,we explain the multidimensional multirate system,which is the key technique to achieve the multidirectional filter by contourlets,and give detail steps how to get directional filter banks from fan filters.Then we further introduce two main designing methods of fan filters based on McClellan transform and polyphase matrix.Finally,we construct a group of parameterized fan filter banks with size 9 by 9.
Combining Variation and Wavelet Transform for Image Zooming

To improve the image resolution,a new algorithm for image zooming combining variation and wavelet transform is proposed.The zoomed image is found by minimizing the variational functional in the wavelet domain which uses the Besov norm to measure the regularity of the image.Because the high-frequency subband of the wavelet transform keeps most details,the image is reconstructed with high quality.The new algorithm has the advantage of high velocity with the use of wavelet transform.Unlike the traditional image zooming by interpolation,the variation model is incorporated in the new zooming algorithm.Both theoretical analysis and experimental results have verified that the algorithm can achieve the same effect as the interpolation by using spline.
Evaluating Pre-Analytical Variables for Saliva Cell-Free DNA Liquid Biopsy

Liquid biopsy utilizing cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has become an emergent field of study for cancer screening and monitoring. While blood-based liquid biopsy has been investigated extensively, there are advantages to using other body fluids. Using saliva is noninvasive, repeatable, and it may be enriched with cfDNA from certain cancer types. However, the lack of standardization in the pre-analytical phase of saliva-based testing is a concern. In this study, we evaluated pre-analytical variables that impact cfDNA stability in saliva specimens. Using saliva from healthy individuals, we tested different collection devices and preservatives and their effects on saliva cfDNA recovery and stability. Novosanis’s UAS preservative helped stabilize cfDNA at room temperature for up to one week. Our study provides useful information for further improvements in saliva collection devices and preservatives.
Multiple out-of-plane plasmonic resonances in thick metallic rod with a cavity

We propose a nanostructure composed of a thick metallic rod with a cavity, in which multiple out-of-plane plasmonic resonances can be excited. When the cavity is laterally shifted to form an asymmetric nanostructure, the coupling between the plasmonic resonances excited in an individual element of the rod produces high-order hybridized out-of-plane modes with narrow linewidth. A further analysis reveals that the hybridized modes have Fano-like spectral line-shapes, which can be accurately described by a coupled oscillator model.
Weakened western Pacific teleconnection pattern caused a decrease in spring persistent rainfall in north of 26°N over Southeast China

The spring persistent rainfall (SPR) is a unique synoptic and climatic phenomenon before the onset of the Asian summer monsoon over Southeast China (SEC). The warming climate has caused notable interdecadal changes of various climate systems, such as the Asian summer monsoon. However, it is still unclear whether there is a regime shift within the SPR band. To fill this knowledge gap, the boreal spring (March–May) rainfall data across SEC from the Climate Research Unit TS 4.05 are used herein to reveal its spatio‐temporal variations for 1951–2019 with the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. The EOF1 pattern exhibits a spatial monotonic variability of the SPR over SEC, which is jointly impacted by the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation and the Arctic Oscillation. The EOF2 pattern, a south–north dipole pattern, highlights a marked decrease (increase) of the SPR approximately to north (south) of the 26°N. We find that the decrease in the northern SPR band is closely modulated by western Pacific teleconnection pattern (WPP). Recent weakening WPP is coincident with a decline of the East Asian subtropical jet over this area, causing anomalous descending motions and thus accounts for persistent decline of the SPR over north of 26°N.
Two new syntopic species of glassfrogs (Amphibia, Centrolenidae, Centrolene) from the southwestern Andes of Ecuador

We describe two new species of glassfrogs of the genus Centrolene living in syntopy at La Enramada, province of Azuay, southwestern Ecuador. They were found in a small creek in montane evergreen forests at 2,900 m elevation. The first new species is distinguished from all other members of the genus Centrolene by having the following combination of characters: dentigerous process of vomer absent; sloping snout in lateral view; thick, white labial stripe and a faint white line between the lip and anterior ¼ of body; humeral spine in adult males; parietal peritoneum covered by iridophores, visceral peritonea translucent (except pericardium); ulnar and tarsal ornamentation; dorsal skin shagreen with dispersed warts; uniform green dorsum with light yellowish green warts; and green bones. The new species is remarkable by being sister to a species from the opposite Andean versant, C. condor. The second new species is distinguished from all other Centrolene by having the following combination of characters: dentigerous process of vomer absent; round snout in lateral view; thin, yellowish labial stripe with a row of white tubercles between the lip and arm insertion, and a yellowish line between arm insertion and groin; uniform green dorsum; humeral spine in adult males; parietal peritoneum covered by iridophores, visceral peritonea translucent (except pericardium); dorsal skin shagreen with dispersed spicules; ulnar and tarsal ornamentation; and green bones. The second new species is sister to C. sabini and an undescribed species of Centrolene from southeastern Ecuador. Based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, we present a new phylogeny for Centrolene and comment on the phylogenetic relationships inside the genus.
Gold placer characteristics in marine sediments of Bayah, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract Placer gold deposits in marine sediments in Indonesian waters, especially in Bayah southwest of Java Island, Banten Province, have many characteristics. In Bayah coastal waters, gold mostly accumulates in very fine sands and is associated with magnetic minerals. Elsewhere, coarser sand and gravel sediments tend to have higher Au contents. Gold exploitation in marine sediments has begun with a trial carried out in the coastal water of Bayah using local fishing boats. The successful trial has required pumping of large volumes of bottom sediments onto the deck of a cargo ship with 13.103 tonne capacity that are then stockpiled and processed. Laboratory studies reveal that secondary gold is mostly silt-sized flakes (0.002–0.05 mm).