Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Discrete-time low-gain control of uncertain infinite-dimensional systems

Using a frequency-domain analysis, it is shown that the application of a feedback controller of the form k/(z-1) or kz/(z-1), where k/spl isin/R, to a power-stable infinite-dimensional discrete-time system with square transfer-function matrix G(z) will result in a power-stable closed-loop system which achieves asymptotic tracking of arbitrary constant reference signals, provided that i) all the eigenvalues of G(1) have positive real parts, and ii) the gain parameter k is positive and sufficiently small, Moreover, if G(1) is positive definite, we show how the gain parameter gain X can be tuned adaptively. The resulting adaptive tracking controllers are universal in the sense that they apply to any power-stable system with G(1)>0; in particular, they are not based on system identification or plant parameter estimation algorithms, nor is the injection of probing signals required. Finally, we apply these discrete-time results to obtain adaptive sampled-data low-gain controllers for the class of regular systems, a rather general class of infinite-dimensional continuous-time systems for which convenient representations are known to exist, both in state space and in frequency domain. We emphasize that our results guarantee not only asymptotic tracking at the sampling instants but also in the sampling interval.
The effectiveness of a bicycle safety program for improving safety-related knowledge and behavior in young elementary students.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the "Bike Smart" program, an eHealth software program that teaches bicycle safety behaviors to young children. METHODS Participants were 206 elementary students in grades kindergarten to 3. A random control design was employed to evaluate the program, with students assigned to either the treatment condition (Bike Smart) or the control condition (a video on childhood safety). Outcome measures included computer-based knowledge items (safety rules, helmet placement, hazard discrimination) and a behavioral measure of helmet placement. RESULTS Results demonstrated that regardless of gender, cohort, and grade the participants in the treatment group showed greater gains than control participants in both the computer-presented knowledge items (p > .01) and the observational helmet measure (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that the Bike Smart program can be a low cost, effective component of safety training packages that include both skills-based and experiential training.
Design of 60 GHz Vector Modulator Based Active Phase Shifter

This paper presents a design of 60 GHz active phase shifter for next generation mm-Wave WPAN using 90 nm TSMC CMOS technology. The vector modulator based phase shifter is chosen as a prototype because it provides accurate resolution over 360 degree. The phase shifter is controlled by 5 bit digitally controlled by binary current weighted DAC. The miniaturized Marchand balun and 2 stage poly phase filter are used to generate differential I/Q signal from single signal. The three CS amplifiers are implemented for providing gain to the proposed circuit. The measured phase resolution of the circuit is 11.250 with maximum 30 phase error. The peak gain from the S-parameter measurement is 9 dB while drawing 50 mA from a 1.2 V supply.
Lifestyles of plant viruses

The vast majority of well-characterized eukaryotic viruses are those that cause acute or chronic infections in humans and domestic plants and animals. However, asymptomatic persistent viruses have been described in animals, and are thought to be sources for emerging acute viruses. Although not previously described in these terms, there are also many viruses of plants that maintain a persistent lifestyle. They have been largely ignored because they do not generally cause disease. The persistent viruses in plants belong to the family Partitiviridae or the genus Endornavirus. These groups also have members that infect fungi. Phylogenetic analysis of the partitivirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase genes suggests that these viruses have been transmitted between plants and fungi. Additional families of viruses traditionally thought to be fungal viruses are also found frequently in plants, and may represent a similar scenario of persistent lifestyles, and some acute or chronic viruses of crop plants may maintain a persistent lifestyle in wild plants. Persistent, chronic and acute lifestyles of plant viruses are contrasted from both a functional and evolutionary perspective, and the potential role of these lifestyles in host evolution is discussed.
GPU Strategies for Distance-Based Outlier Detection

The process of discovering interesting patterns in large, possibly huge, data sets is referred to as data mining, and can be performed in several flavours, known as “data mining functions. ” Among these functions, outlier detection discovers observations which deviate substantially from the rest of the data, and has many important practical applications. Outlier detection in very large data sets is however computationally very demanding and currently requires high-performance computing facilities. We propose a family of parallel and distributed algorithms for graphic processing units (GPU) derived from two distance-based outlier detection algorithms: BruteForce and SolvingSet. The algorithms differ in the way they exploit the architecture and memory hierarchy of the GPU and guarantee significant improvements with respect to the CPU versions, both in terms of scalability and exploitation of parallelism. We provide a detailed discussion of their computational properties and measure performances with an extensive experimentation, comparing the several implementations and showing significant speedups.
Attenuation of exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in dogs with recruitment of coronary vasodilator reserve by nifedipine.

There is now evidence that under resting conditions coronary vasodilator reserve exists even in the presence of myocardial ischemia. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that a vasodilator reserve may exist during exercise so that during exercise-induced ischemia a reduction in coronary constrictor tone can be produced that attenuates the decreases in regional myocardial blood flow and function distal to a severe coronary stenosis without changing the determinants of myocardial oxygen demand. Nine dogs were instrumented with an ameroid constrictor on the left circumflex coronary artery and were studied 2 to 3 weeks later. During a control treadmill run, heart rate increased from 119 +/- 20 to 225 +/- 20 beats/min and peak left ventricular pressure increased from 144 +/- 17 to 163 +/- 28 mm Hg. Poststenotic subendocardial blood flow (measured by a microsphere technique) fell from 1.19 +/- 0.36 to 0.51 +/- 0.30 ml/min X g and systolic wall thickening (by sonomicrometry) decreased from 24.3 +/- 5.8% to 6.0 +/- 6.1%. During an identical run after nifedipine (10 micrograms/kg iv), systemic hemodynamics were not significantly altered. However, subendocardial blood flow was increased to 0.85 +/- 0.51 ml/min X g (p less than .05) and systolic wall thickening to 11.4 +/- 7.8% (p less than .01). We conclude that in this study the amelioration of exercise-induced myocardial ischemia was due to the recruitment by nifedipine of coronary vasodilator reserve.
Foreign Exchange Market Efficiency : Empirical Results for the USD/EUR Market

The aim of the paper is to verify whether the USD/EUR exchange rate market is efficient. The fundamental parity condition for testing foreign exchange market efficiency is represented by the uncovered interest-rate parity (UIP). Therefore, the UIP hypothesis verification accounts for the crucial part of the paper. The efficiency of the USD/EUR market is tested by applying the conventional UIP regression approach and orthogonality test of the forward rate forecast error. The results show that it is hard to say definitely that USD/EUR foreign exchange market is inefficient. The slope coefficient in UIP regression occurs to be negative, which implies the failure of uncovered interest-rate parity. However, there are no foundations to reject the UIP hypotheses in the time of financial crisis of 21st century. Moreover, the article presents that the forward forecast error is not orthogonal to both its lagged value and the interest rate differential. Thus, the semi-strong foreign exchange market efficiency hypothesis is rejected for the USD/EUR market.
ENGLISH -KAZAKH PARALLEL CORPUS FOR STATISTICAL MACHINE TRANSLATION

This paper presents problems and solutions in developing English-Kazakh parallel corpus at the School of Mechanics and Mathematics of the al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The research project included constructing a 1,000,000-word English-Kazakh parallel corpus of legal texts, developing an EnglishKazakh translation memory of legal texts from the corpus and building a statistical machine translation system. The project aims at collecting more than ten million words. The paper further elaborates on the procedures followed to construct the corpus and develop the other products of the research project. Methods used for collecting data and the results are discussed, errors during the process of collecting data and how to handle these errors will be described.
Fuzzy extended group consensus of judgmental adjustments on statistical forecasts

This paper investigates forecasting accuracy of fuzzy extended group decisions for adjustment of statistical benchmark results. Delphi is a widely-used method for implementing accurate group consensus decisions. However, the concept of consensus is subject to expert characteristics, and sometimes it is ensured by a facilitator judgment. Fuzzy set approach is adapted for Delphi, named fuzzy-Delphi (FD) by several studies, and the present paper extends the recent literature by an implementation of the FD for adjustments of statistical results. The empirical results indicate the improvement of statistical predictions after the FD based judgmental adjustment.
Two-dimensional approximately harmonic projection for gait recognition

This paper presents a two-dimensional approximately harmonic projection (2DAHP) algorithm for gait recognition. 2DAHP is originated from the approximately harmonic projection (AHP), while 2DAHP offers some advantages over AHP. 1) 2DAHP can preserve the local geometrical structure and cluster structure of image data as AHP. 2) 2DAHP encodes images as matrices or second-order tensors rather than one-dimensional vectors, so 2DAHP can keep the correlation among different coordinates of image data. 3) 2DAHP avoids the singularity problem suffered by AHP. 4) 2DAHP runs faster than AHP. Extensive experiments on gait recognition show the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method.
Consistent Sets Contradict

In the consistent histories formulation of quantum theory, the probabilistic predictions and retrodictions made from observed data depend on the choice of a consistent set. We show that this freedom allows the formalism to retrodict several contradictory propositions which correspond to orthogonal commuting projections and which all have probability one. We also show that the formalism makes contradictory probability one predictions when applied to generalised time-symmetric quantum mechanics. PACS numbers: 03.65. Bz, 98.80. H 1 Email: apak@damtp.cam. ac.uk
Extra-gonadal sites of estrogen biosynthesis and function

Estrogens are the key hormones regulating the development and function of reproductive organs in all vertebrates. Recent evidence indicates that estrogens play important roles in the immune system, cancer development, and other critical biological processes related to human well-being. Obviously, the gonads (ovary and testis) are the primary sites of estrogen synthesis, but estrogens synthesized in extra- gonadal sites play an equally important role in controlling biological activities. Understanding non-gonadal sites of estrogen synthesis and function is crucial and will lead to therapeutic interventions targeting estrogen signaling in disease prevention and treatment. Developing a rationale targeting strategy remains challenging because knowledge of extra-gonadal biosynthesis of estrogens, and the mechanism by which estrogen activity is exerted, is very limited. In this review, we will summarize recent discoveries of extra-gonadal sites of estrogen biosynthesis and their local functions and discuss the significance of the most recent novel discovery of intestinal estrogen biosynthesis. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(9): 488-496]
Identification of an NF-κB-Dependent Gene Network in Cells Infected by Mammalian Reovirus

ABSTRACT Reovirus infection activates NF-κB, which leads to programmed cell death in cultured cells and in the murine central nervous system. However, little is known about how NF-κB elicits this cellular response. To identify host genes activated by NF-κB following reovirus infection, we used HeLa cells engineered to express a degradation-resistant mutant of IκBα (mIκBα) under the control of an inducible promoter. Induction of mIκBα inhibited the activation of NF-κB and blocked the expression of NF-κB-responsive genes. RNA extracted from infected and uninfected cells was used in high-density oligonucleotide microarrays to examine the expression of constitutively activated genes and reovirus-stimulated genes in the presence and absence of an intact NF-κB signaling axis. Comparison of the microarray profiles revealed that the expression of 176 genes was significantly altered in the presence of mIκBα. Of these genes, 64 were constitutive and not regulated by reovirus, and 112 were induced in response to reovirus infection. NF-κB-regulated genes could be grouped into four distinct gene clusters that were temporally regulated. Gene ontology analysis identified biological processes that were significantly overrepresented in the reovirus-induced genes under NF-κB control. These processes include the antiviral innate immune response, cell proliferation, response to DNA damage, and taxis. Comparison with previously identified NF-κB-dependent gene networks induced by other stimuli, including respiratory syncytial virus, Epstein-Barr virus, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and heart disease, revealed a number of common components, including CCL5/RANTES, CXCL1/GRO-α, TNFAIP3/A20, and interleukin-6. Together, these results suggest a genetic program for reovirus-induced apoptosis involving NF-κB-directed expression of cellular genes that activate death signaling pathways in infected cells.
Correction: Quantitative Analysis of Respiration-Related Movement for Abdominal Artery in Multiphase Hepatic CT

Objectives Respiration-induced motion in the liver causes potential errors on the measurement of contrast medium in abdominal artery from multiphase hepatic CT scans. In this study, we investigated the use of hepatic CT images to quantitatively estimate the abdominal artery motion due to respiration by optical flow method. Materials and Methods A total of 132 consecutive patients were included in our patient cohort. We apply the optical flow method to compute the motion of the abdominal artery due to respiration. Results The minimum and maximum displacements of the abdominal artery motion were 0.02 and 30.87 mm by manual delineation, 0.03 and 40.75 mm calculated by optical flow method, respectively. Both high consistency and correlation between the present method and the physicians’ manual delineations were acquired with the regression equation of movement, y = 0.81x+0.25, r = 0.95, p<0.001. Conclusion We estimated the motion of abdominal artery due to respiration using the optical flow method in multiphase hepatic CT scans and the motion estimations were validated with the visualization of physicians. The quantitative analysis of respiration-related movement of abdominal artery could be used for motion correction in the measurement of contrast medium passing though abdominal artery in multiphase CT liver scans.
A Research Agenda for Helminth Diseases of Humans: The Problem of Helminthiases

A disproportionate burden of helminthiases in human populations occurs in marginalised, low-income, and resource-constrained regions of the world, with over 1 billion people in developing areas of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Americas infected with one or more helminth species. The morbidity caused by such infections imposes a substantial burden of disease, contributing to a vicious circle of infection, poverty, decreased productivity, and inadequate socioeconomic development. Furthermore, helminth infection accentuates the morbidity of malaria and HIV/AIDS, and impairs vaccine efficacy. Polyparasitism is the norm in these populations, and infections tend to be persistent. Hence, there is a great need to reduce morbidity caused by helminth infections. However, major deficiencies exist in diagnostics and interventions, including vector control, drugs, and vaccines. Overcoming these deficiencies is hampered by major gaps in knowledge of helminth biology and transmission dynamics, platforms from which to help develop such tools. The Disease Reference Group on Helminths Infections (DRG4), established in 2009 by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), was given the mandate to review helminthiases research and identify research priorities and gaps. In this review, we provide an overview of the forces driving the persistence of helminthiases as a public health problem despite the many control initiatives that have been put in place; identify the main obstacles that impede progress towards their control and elimination; and discuss recent advances, opportunities, and challenges for the understanding of the biology, epidemiology, and control of these infections. The helminth infections that will be discussed include: onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminthiases, schistosomiasis, food-borne trematodiases, and taeniasis/cysticercosis.
The Value Of Mobility For Business Process Performance : Evidence From Sweden And The Netherlands

The constant pressure to achieve increased efficiency and profitability improvements drives companies to look at new technologies for ways to develop sustainable advantages. At the same time, the breathtakingly rapid technological development of these technologies leads, not surprisingly, to different misconceptions about the impact of IT on businesses. This dissertation aims at clarifying some of these misconceptions by exploring one such technological breakthrough, namely wireless information systems, as used to support mobile workforces. The dissertation analyses three companies devoted to the implementation of wireless information systems, that were confronted with a number of challenges, and investigates how these challenges were met by means of different capability development activities.Evidence from the cases shows that what really matters is not the technology in itself, but how organizations use it. This study suggests that the firms that give the best performance are not necessarily those that implement different breeds of technology, but rather those that are able to learn from the challenges they are confronted with – doing so moreover on repeated occasions by means of interlinked organizational innovation processes. Thus, a piece of advice offered in this dissertation is that it is not always so important to possess all the right capabilities from the beginning, but that one needs to possess the right capabilities to develop new capabilities.
THE INS AND OUTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN POLISH VOIVODESHIPS

This paper measures and compares the job-finding a nd separation transition rates of Polish voivodeships from 2005:Q 1 to 2014:Q2. It uses readily accessible data of Local Data Bank in Polan d: registered unemployment person by duration of unemployment and registered unemployment rate. The method of measurement stems from influential paper by Shimer on "Reassesing the Ins and Outs of Unemployment". The main sources of variability between the rates are i nvestigated in terms of functional principal components.
Dynamic resource reservation MAC mechanism for distributed wireless networks

Based on the distributed wireless networks, this paper proposes a new MAC mechanism protocol — Distributed Dynamic Frame Reservation Multiple Access (DDFRMA) which supports voice and data transmitting together. The Markov model is built to analyze the relationships between nodes and the voice packets dropping probability. Simulation results show that the protocol can support voice transmitting of distributed networks, improves the voice capacity of access mechanism, compared with the CSMA/CA mechanism.
Bipolar DNA Translocation Contributes to Highly Processive DNA Unwinding by RecBCD Enzyme*

We recently demonstrated that the RecBCD enzyme is a bipolar DNA helicase that employs two single-stranded DNA motors of opposite polarity to drive translocation and unwinding of duplex DNA. We hypothesized that this organization may explain the exceptionally high rate and processivity of DNA unwinding catalyzed by the RecBCD enzyme. Using a stopped-flow dye displacement assay for unwinding activity, we test this idea by analyzing mutant RecBCD enzymes in which either of the two helicase motors is inactivated by mutagenesis. Like the wild-type RecBCD enzyme, the two mutant proteins maintain the ability to bind tightly to blunt duplex DNA ends in the absence of ATP. However, the rate of forward translocation for the RecB motor-defective enzyme is only ∼30% of the wild-type rate, whereas for the RecD motor-defective enzyme, it is ∼50%. More significantly, the processivity of translocation is substantially reduced by ∼25- and 6-fold for each mutant enzyme, respectively. Despite retaining the capacity to bind blunt dsDNA, the RecB-mutant enzyme has lost the ability to unwind DNA unless the substrate contains a short 5′-terminated single-stranded DNA overhang. The consequences of this observation for the architecture of the single-stranded DNA motors in the initiation complex are discussed.
An experimental study of social attraction and spacing between the sexes in sheep

SUMMARY Most ungulates are gregarious species and outside the mating season are typically observed in single-sex groups. However little is known about the mechanisms underlying social segregation between sexes. We investigated the effect of conspecific attraction on individual spacing between unrestrained merino sheep Ovis aries and confined conspecifics. We considered differences between males and females and whether attractiveness of the confined conspecifics depends on their sex. A series of binary choice experiments was conducted in a large outdoor arena, located in pastures. One or two stimulus animals were placed in small individual cages (1.5 m×1 m) on opposite sides of the arena. Sheep were tested with one fixed peer of the same or opposite sex vs an empty cage, and with two fixed peers of either the same sex as themselves, or one male and one female. Sheep in a control condition were exposed to two empty cages. In all of the test conditions, confined sheep were highly attractive. Males were more attracted by single stimulus peers of the same than the opposite sex, whereas females did not display such a preference. Sheep confronted with two restrained conspecifics tended to remain between the stimuli. This also occurred when the stimuli were of opposite sex, although the males tended to be located nearer the same-sex peer. Our findings can explain the strong aggregative behaviour of merino sheep, but also the social segregation previously observed in a mixed-sex group through higher attraction for same-sex than opposite-sex peers in males.