Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geodetic and hull numbers of strong products of graphs

A set S of vertices of a connected graph G is convex, if for any pair of vertices u, v ∈ S, every shortest u− v path is contained in S. The convex hull [S] of a set of vertices S is defined as the smallest convex set in G containing S. The set S is geodetic, if every vertex of G lies on some shortest path joining two vertices in S, and it is said to be a hull set if its convex hull is V (G). The geodetic and the hull numbers of G are the minimum among all cardinalities of geodetic and hull sets, respectively. In this work, we determine some bounds and exact values of the geodetic and the hull numbers of strong products of graphs.
Cosmology with wide-field SZ cluster surveys: selection and systematic effects

The cosmological potential of large-scale structure observations for cosmology have been extensively discussed in the litterature. In particular, it has recently been shown how Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) cluster surveys can be used to constrain dark energy parameters. In this paper, we study whether selection and systematics effects will limit future wide-field SZ surveys from achieving their cosmological potential. For this purpose, we use a sky simulation and an SZ-cluster detection software presented in Pires et al. (2006, A&A, 455, 741), using the future Olimpo survey as a concrete example. We show that the SZ-cluster selection function and contamination of SZ-cluster catalogues are more complex than is usually assumed. In particular, the simulated field-to-field detected cluster counts variance can be a factor 3 larger than the expected Poisson fluctuations. We also study the impact of missing redshift information and of the uncertainty of the scaling relations for low mass clusters. We quantify, through hypothesis tests, how near-future SZ experiments can be used to discriminate between different structure formation models. Using a maximum likelihood approach, we then study the impact of these systematics on the joint measurement of cosmological models and of cluster scaling relations.
NQDI-1, an inhibitor of ASK1 attenuates acute perinatal hypoxic-ischemic cerebral injury by modulating cell death

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a ubiquitously expressed protein kinase, which regulates cell fate in numerous injury conditions. Therefore, ASK1 may be a promising novel therapeutic target for injury. However, the expression and distribution of ASK1 in the perinatal brain following hypoxia-ischemia (HI) remains to be elucidated. In the present study, western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to determine the expression and distribution of ASK1 and any associated downstream targets in the perinatal rat brain following HI. NQDI-1, a specific inhibitor of ASK1 was intracerebroventricularly injected following neonatal rats brain insult for neuroprotection. The results revealed an increased expression of ASK1 and this expression was localized to the neurons and astrocytes, compared with the sham controls. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the ASK1/c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) pathway was involved in the brain damage following HI in neonatal rats. Notably, NQDI-1 significantly inhibited the in vivo expression levels of ASK1, phosphorylated (p-)JNK, p-c-Jun, p53 and caspase 3. Reduced acute hypoxic-ischemic cerebral injury and cell apoptosis was observed following the injection of NQDI-1. Collectively, NQDI-1 attenuated acute perinatal hypoxic-ischemic cerebral injury by inhibiting the expression of ASK1 and cell apoptosis. This may be a promising novel neuroprotective inhibitor for perinatal cerebra injury.
Project resources leveling using software agents

Different approaches to project planning and scheduling have been developed. The Operational Research (OR) approach provides two major planning techniques: CPM and PERT. Artificial Intelligence (AI) initially promoted the automatic planner concept. In order to plan a project, the automatic application of predefined operators is required. However, most domains are not so easily formalized in the form of predefined planning operators. The paper focus is on the agent-based approach to project planning and scheduling, especially in Resource Leveling issues. The authors have developed and implemented the ResourceLeveler system, an agent-based model for leveling project resources. The objective of Resource Leveler is to find a scheduling of resources similar to the optimal theoretical solution which takes into consideration all constraints stemming from the relationships between projects, activity calendars, resource calendars, resource allotment to the activities and resource availability. ResourceLeveler was developed in C# as a plug-in for Microsoft Project.
From small-overlap conditions to automatic semigroups

We study the connection between small-overlap conditions and automaticity of semigroups. We restrict the discussion to conditions that imply embeddability and under which each relation decomposes into at least seven pieces. For these hyperbolic-like conditions we show how to construct an automatic structure. Furthermore, we show that the naive approach of considering just geodesics fails in our case.
Dimensional theoretical properties of affine dynamical systems

Definition 1.1 A set Λ ⊆ X is called T -invariant if T (Λ) = Λ. If there is is a neighbourhood U of Λ such that limn−→∞ d(x,Λ) = 0 ∀x ∈ U , then Λ is called attractive. If in addition there exists x ∈ Λ such that {x, Tx, T 2x, . } = Λ then Λ is called an attractor for T . If there is is an open set V ⊆ X such that Λ = {x|T (x) ∈ V ∀n ≥ 0} then Λ is called a repeller for T . A Borel probability measure μ on X is called T -invariant if μ = μ ◦ T and T -ergodic if in addition T (B) = B ⇒ μ(B) ∈ {0, 1} holds for all Borel sets B in X.
Functional Connections of the Vestibulo-spino-adrenal Axis in the Control of Blood Pressure Via the Vestibulosympathetic Reflex in Conscious Rats

Significant evidence supports the role of the vestibular system in the regulation of blood pressure during postural movements. In the present study, the role of the vestibulo-spino-adrenal (VSA) axis in the modulation of blood pressure via the vestibulosympathetic reflex was clarified by immunohistochemical and enzyme immunoassay methods in conscious rats with sinoaortic denervation. Expression of c-Fos protein in the intermediolateral cell column of the middle thoracic spinal regions and blood epinephrine levels were investigated, following microinjection of glutamate receptor agonists or antagonists into the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) and/or sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced hypotension. Both microinjection of glutamate receptor agonists (NMDA and AMPA) into the MVN or rostral ventrolateral medullary nucleus (RVLM) and SNP-induced hypotension led to increased number of c-Fos positive neurons in the intermediolateral cell column of the middle thoracic spinal regions and increased blood epinephrine levels. Pretreatment with microinjection of glutamate receptor antagonists (MK-801 and CNQX) into the MVN or RVLM prevented the increased number of c-Fos positive neurons resulting from SNP-induced hypotension, and reversed the increased blood epinephrine levels. These results indicate that the VSA axis may be a key component of the pathway used by the vestibulosympathetic reflex to maintain blood pressure during postural movements.
Strategic human resource management in western multinationals in China

In the past two decades, the way enterprises in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) manage their human resources has changed dramatically. Multinational enterprises (MNEs) have entered into the “strategic investor” phase, where now the integration of PRC operations into the MNE network receives growing attention. For these companies HRM is often of high strategic importance. This article seeks to explore how differences in HRM practices in such businesses vary with their ownership forms. The study is based on in‐depth interviews with HRM managers – on the PRC country‐level – in 12 MNEs. The large majority of the participating companies clearly stated that today the HRM function is of high strategic importance for their operations in the PRC and is predominantly controlled by the MNE partner. Although equity ownership stake is an important variable influencing HRM policies and practices, it is shown that it needs to be seen in conjunction with other possibly non‐equity control‐mechanisms.
Barcode Server: A Visualization-Based Genome Analysis System

We have previously developed a computational method for representing a genome as a barcode image, which makes various genomic features visually apparent. We have demonstrated that this visual capability has made some challenging genome analysis problems relatively easy to solve. We have applied this capability to a number of challenging problems, including (a) identification of horizontally transferred genes, (b) identification of genomic islands with special properties and (c) binning of metagenomic sequences, and achieved highly encouraging results. These application results inspired us to develop this barcode-based genome analysis server for public service, which supports the following capabilities: (a) calculation of the k-mer based barcode image for a provided DNA sequence; (b) detection of sequence fragments in a given genome with distinct barcodes from those of the majority of the genome, (c) clustering of provided DNA sequences into groups having similar barcodes; and (d) homology-based search using Blast against a genome database for any selected genomic regions deemed to have interesting barcodes. The barcode server provides a job management capability, allowing processing of a large number of analysis jobs for barcode-based comparative genome analyses. The barcode server is accessible at http://csbl1.bmb. uga.edu/Barcode.
FSGS: Diagnosis and Diagnostic Work-Up

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is a histologic lesion, rather than a clinical disease. FSGS is common cause of nephrotic syndrome in both adults and children worldwide. In the United States it is the most common primary glomerular disease resulting in end-stage renal disease and recent reports have suggested that its incidence might be on the rise. Currently the incidence is estimated to be 7 per million. The podocyte is the cellular target cell in FSGS and in recent years substantial insight in the pathogenesis and genetics of FSGS have accumulated. Furthermore the discovery of potential novel biomarkers to diagnose FSGS and monitor disease activity has renewed interest in this disease. In this review article we will focus on the clinical presentation and diagnosis of FSGS.
An efficient image homomorphic encryption scheme with small ciphertext expansion

The field of image processing in the encrypted domain has been given increasing attention for the extensive potential applications, for example, providing efficient and secure solutions for privacy-preserving applications in untrusted environment. One obstacle to the widespread use of these techniques is the ciphertext expansion of high orders of magnitude caused by the existing homomorphic encryptions. In this paper, we provide a way to tackle this issue for image processing in the encrypted domain. By using characteristics of image format, we develop an image encryption scheme to limit ciphertext expansion while preserving the homomorphic property. The proposed encryption scheme first encrypts image pixels with an existing probabilistic homomorphic cryptosystem, and then compresses the whole encrypted image in order to save storage space. Our scheme has a much smaller ciphertext expansion factor compared with the element-wise encryption scheme, while preserving the homomorphic property. It is not necessary to require additional interactive protocols when applying secure signal processing tools to the compressed encrypted image. We present a fast algorithm for the encryption and the compression of the proposed image encryption scheme, which speeds up the computation and makes our scheme much more efficient. The analysis on the security, ciphertext expansion ratio, and computational complexity are also conducted. Our experiments demonstrate the validity of the proposed algorithms. The proposed scheme is suitable to be employed as an image encryption method for the applications in secure image processing.
The Status Quo Crisis: Global Financial Governance After the 2008 Meltdown

The 2008 financial crisis was the worst since the Great Depression and many voices argued that it would transform global financial governance. Analysts anticipated a "Bretton Woods moment ", referring to the 1944 conference that established the postwar international financial order. Widespread expectations of change were then reinforced by the creation of the G20 leaders' forum, extensive debates about the dollar's global role, the launching of international financial regulatory reforms, and the establishment of the Financial Stability Board. But half a decade later, how much has really changed? In The Status Quo Crisis, Helleiner surveys the landscape and argues that continuity has marked global financial governance more than dramatic transformation. The G20 leaders forum contributed much less to the management of the crisis than advertised. The US dollar remains unchallenged as the world's dominant international currency. The market-friendly nature of pre-crisis international financial regulation has been not overturned in a significant manner. And the Financial Stability Board has strengthened the governance of international financial standards in only very modest ways. What we are left with are some small-bore incremental changes that, collectively, have not fundamentally restructured the governance of the global financial system. Helleiner argues that this strangely conservative result was generated partly by the structural power and active policy choices of the country at the center of the crisis: the United States. Status quo outcomes also reflected the unexpected weakness of Europe and conservatism of policymakers in large emerging market countries. Only if this distinct configuration of power and politics among and within influential states shifted in the coming years might the 2008 crisis leave a more transformative legacy over the longer term. Cutting against much of the received wisdom on offer today, The Status Quo Crisis will be essential reading for those interested in the politics of global finance and for anyone curious how expectations of change can be thwarted after even in the most dire of crises. Available in OSO: http://www.oxfordscholarship. com/oso/public/content/politicalscience/9780199973637/toc.html
Deadlock Control for Weighted Systems of Simple Sequential Processes with Resources Requirement (WS3PR)

Current deadlock control approaches for WS 3 PR (Weighted Systems of Simple Sequential Processes with Resources Requirement) suffer from incorrect liveness characterization based on the concept of deadly marked siphons (DMS). We discover that nonlive transitions may exist even though there are no DMS. That is, the net model may be weakly live or in livelock states under no DMS. It is live under a new liveness condition: all siphons must be max*-controlled. We extend the liveness analysis for S 3 PR (systems of simple sequential processes with resources) to WS 3 PR (Weighted Systems of Simple Sequential Processes with Resources Requirement). We develop a new liveness condition called max*-controlled siphons to replace that of the absence of empty siphons. We propose further a deadlock control policy for WS 3 PR by adding control nodes and arcs similar to that for S 3 PR.
Fuzzy Direct Torque Control with Torque Ripple Reduction for Induction Motor Drives fed by Matrix converters

This paper proposes a modified fuzzy direct torque control scheme of induction motor fed by matrix converter to reduce the electromagnetic torque ripple which is one of the most important drawbacks of direct torque control. This DTC scheme based fuzzy logic regulation of the virtual DC voltage in the virtual rectifier stage output. The proposed enhanced Matrix Converter Direct Torque Converter was tested by simulation. A comparison between the classical Direct Torque Control using Matrix Converters and the proposed method is carried out. Results which demonstrate the improvement of the novel Direct Torque Control are shown.
Arsenic remediation of drinking water using iron-oxide coated coal bottom ash

We describe laboratory and field results of a novel arsenic removal adsorbent called ‘Arsenic Removal Using Bottom Ash’ (ARUBA). ARUBA is prepared by coating particles of coal bottom ash, a waste material from coal fired power plants, with iron (hydr)oxide. The coating process is simple and conducted at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Material costs for ARUBA are estimated to be low (∼ $0.08 per kg) and arsenic remediation with ARUBA has the potential to be affordable to resource-constrained communities. ARUBA is used for removing arsenic via a dispersal-and-removal process, and we envision that ARUBA would be used in community-scale water treatment centers. We show that ARUBA is able to reduce arsenic concentrations in contaminated Bangladesh groundwater to below the Bangladesh standard of 50 ppb. Using the Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.77) ARUBA's adsorption capacity in treating real groundwater is 2.6 × 10− 6mol/g (0.20 mg/g). Time-to-90% (defined as the time interval for ARUBA to remove 90% of the total amount of arsenic that is removed at equilibrium) is less than 1 hour. Reaction rates (pseudo–second-order kinetic model, R2 ≥ 0.99) increase from 2.4 × 105 to 7.2 × 105 g mol− 1min− 1 as the groundwater arsenic concentration decreases from 560 to 170 ppb. We show that ARUBA's arsenic adsorption density (AAD), defined as the milligrams of arsenic removed at equilibrium per gram of ARUBA added, is linearly dependent on the initial arsenic concentration of the groundwater sample, for initial arsenic concentrations of up to 1600 ppb and an ARUBA dose of 4.0 g/L. This makes it easy to determine the amount of ARUBA required to treat a groundwater source when its arsenic concentration is known and less than 1600 ppb. Storing contaminated groundwater for two to three days before treatment is seen to significantly increase ARUBA's AAD. ARUBA can be separated from treated water by coagulation and clarification, which is expected to be less expensive than filtration of micron-scale particles, further contributing to the affordability of a community-scale water treatment center.
Local stakeholders, role and tourism development

Building sustainable communities, as well as sustainable forms of livelihood, including tourism, has been a key objective among many government agencies and community stakeholders. Against this background, and through the lens of role theory, the present study investigates the potential for sustainable tourism to be developed in a rural community. Data were gathered among business owners and residents of Bridgetown, Western Australia. Four key groups of participants emerged, each emphasizing participants' role as community, and therefore, as tourism stakeholders. Alignment with various perspectives of role theory, including functional, “symbolic interactionist”, structural and cognitive was noticed; similarly, consensus, conformity and role taking were identified as key concepts. Whether currently involved in tourism or not, participants' pro-active role suggesting practical ways to enhance the sustainability of local tourism could be a powerful tool in this and other communities seeking to build their destination image.
Remote monitoring of power frequency electrical signals employing GSM network

Mobile phones are the backbone of modern day communication system and have undergone an immense growth in recent years. The use of mobile phones is no longer limited only to the traditional applications of call and messaging. Current research trends indicate that mobile phones are being used for a variety of innovative applications such as mobile-based sensing and data communication. With this in mind, and with such widespread availability of mobile towers and ready infrastructure, a unique application of the mobile network can be to communicate technical information regarding the condition of an electrical system. Thus, this paper proposes a method, whereby it is possible to transmit power frequency electrical signals over the GSM voice channel. as a means for low cost, yet state of the art, remote condition monitoring system.
The Study of User Interactions Based on Pen Tilt

Pen tilt is an additional input from digital pens, which indicates the posture information of holding a pen. In this study we couple tilt input with user interactions and explore its potential of improving user interactions. We first investigate human ability of users’ controlling pen tilt in pen-based interactions. Based on the understanding of human ability of controlling this input modality we then design three novel interactive techniques employing tilt as control parameter: Tilt Zoom Cursor, Tilt Scroll and Tilt Marking Menu.
Expression of platelet-derived growth factor in the vascular walls of patients with lower extremity arterial occlusive disease

The aim of the present study was to quantitatively analyze the expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A and PDGF-B in the vascular walls of patients with lower extremity arterial occlusive disease (LEAOD). The expression levels of PDGF-A and PDGF-B in the lower extremity arteries of 19 LEAOD patients (case group) and three healthy subjects (control group) was determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Intergroup comparisons revealed that the relative mRNA expression levels were higher in the case group, as compared with the control group, for PDGF-A (34.38±5.80 vs. 21.94±1.05; P<0.05) and PDGF-B (33.95±5.92 vs. 24.15±3.12; P<0.05). In addition, the expression of PDGF-A revealed a positive linear correlation with the expression of PDGF-B (P<0.05). Therefore, the expression levels of PDGF-A and PDGF-B were found to be higher in the vascular walls of LEAOD patients, while the expression of PDGF-A was found to correlate with the expression of PDGF-B. A significant increase in the expression levlels of PDGF-A and PDGF-B were observed in the vascular walls of patients with LEAOD, and the expression of PDGF-A was associated with the expression of PDGF-B.
Chip Health Monitoring Using Machine Learning

In nanoscale technology nodes, process and runtime variations have emerged as the major sources of timing uncertainties which may ultimately result in circuit failure due to timing violation. Therefore, in-field chip health monitoring is essential to track workload-induced variations at runtime in a per-chip basis. There exist a variety of monitoring circuits to track the delay changes of different on-chip components. However, existing techniques either need to stop normal execution of the chip or introduce a significant overhead unless they are carefully placed for very selective locations. Another challenge is to infer the information regarding the health of every critical paths of the chip with limited information obtained by the monitoring system. We address these challenges in this work using a representative path-selection technique based on machine learning. This technique allows us to measure the delay of a small subset of paths and assess the circuit-level impact of workload for a larger pool of reliability-critical paths.