Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
H∞ control for networked systems with random communication delays

This note is concerned with a new controller design problem for networked systems with random communication delays. Two kinds of random delays are simultaneously considered: i) from the controller to the plant, and ii) from the sensor to the controller, via a limited bandwidth communication channel. The random delays are modeled as a linear function of the stochastic variable satisfying Bernoulli random binary distribution. The observer-based controller is designed to exponentially stabilize the networked system in the sense of mean square, and also achieve the prescribed H/sub /spl infin// disturbance attenuation level. The addressed controller design problem is transformed to an auxiliary convex optimization problem, which can be solved by a linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. An illustrative example is provided to show the applicability of the proposed method.
An analytical method based on design structure matrix for modular identification

This paper presents an algorithm of modular identification in product architecture design on the base of information dependency. A design structure matrix (DSM) model is constructed to capture the relationship between members, and it can be transformed for searching better product structure. A coordination cost function is defined to evaluate modular quality. If the cost of every module is same, it is impossible to find out better modules, consequently, an auxiliary estimated function is also proposed. It avoids the limitation of coordination cost function and would be capable of accurately selecting available module. A detail of calculation steps are described and a testing case illustrates the effect of the algorithm. The results also show that the optimal modular partition can be obtained. The method may be applied in product design management for clustering components to prompt quality of product, for ordering design parameters and for building a development team to speed up development process
Paths of axons in the visual system of perciform fish and implications of these paths for rules governing axonal growth

The optic nerve of many perciform fish is ribbon-shaped, and axons from ganglion cells in specific parts of the retina are consistently found in specific places in this ribbon. I utilized this organization to fill selected groups of axons with horseradish peroxidase. I then traced these groups of axons through the nerve and across the tectum to their terminal arbors. The paths of the axons suggest that axons use a number of different mechanisms to guide them to their correct terminal sites. At some points they appear simply to grow along the surface created by earlier axons, but at other points they seem to be using cues more complex than simple mechanical guidance. In addition, I have demonstrated that for every anulus of ganglion cells on the retina there is an anulus of terminal arbors on the tectum. With time the terminals in a given anulus must move caudally to keep the retinotopic map centered on the tectum while the tectum continues growing nonsymmetrically . I have shown both that the anuli of terminals do remain roughly centered on the tectum and that the predicted pattern of terminal movement is visible on the tecta of perciform fish.
KABA - a system for refactoring Java programs

Refactoring is a well known technique to enhance various aspects of an object-oriented program. It has become very popular during recent years, as it allows to overcome deficits present in many programs. Doing refactoring by hand is almost impossible due to the size and complexity of modern software systems. Automated tools provide support for the application of refactorings, but do not give hints, which refactorings to apply and why. The Snelting/Tip analysis is a program analysis, which creates a refactoring proposal for a class hierarchy by analyzing how class members are used inside a program. KABA is an adaption and extension of the Snelting/Tip analysis for Java. It has been implemented and expanded to become a semantic preserving, interactive refactoring system. Case studies of real world programs will show the usefulness of the system and its practical value.
On Tools for Socio-Technical Security Analysis

Many systems are hacked daily and apparently without much effort (e.g., see [1]). This happens because hackers prefer not to break security mechanisms immediately, but rather to target unguarded components first. Such components, e.g., users and human-computer ceremonies [2], are hacked by exploiting cognitive features (e.g., trust) and people’s dismay with ill-designed interfaces. These user-related components are often ignored in traditional security analysis. Thus, it should not surprise that systems proved secure may fail especially when they run in different contexts from those wherein they have been proven secure. We are interested to define a framework where to model and analyse a system’s social and technical components. We describe here a variant of Bella et al.’s model [3]. Therein Alice and Bob are not metaphors for communicating processes, but personae linked a set of interaction layers (see Fig. 1 and its caption) that connect humans and computers and, via the network, them with other computers and users. On top of this model we define an intruder. It controls the network, as in classical Dolev-Yao [4], and also the application, the user interfaces, and the context. When using its full power the intruder can influence the components and the user behaviour, and so security depends on what happens across all layers: the analysis of security results richer, and we talk of sociotechnical security analysis. Studying socio-technical security compels us to revise traditional analysis techniques. Depending on the focus of the analysis, in fact, we may need different methodologies and tools. An analysis focusing more on the technical side (communicating processes, applications and interfaces) and with attackers controlling the networks and/or the interfaces, requires tools to reason about the behaviour of software components. An analysis addressing more the social side (persona and user behaviour) requires to observe and reason about users interacting with the system, so a research methodology proper of social and cognitive sciences. In the sequel, we comment on methodologies and tools that we evaluated and selected in two experiments concerning socio-technical understanding of the security of TLS certificate validation. We have successfully applied formal methods (model checking) when considering layers “network”
Cloning and Characterization of the Bile Salt Hydrolase Genes (bsh) from Bifidobacterium bifidum Strains

ABSTRACT Biochemical characterization of the purified bile salt hydrolase (BSH) from Bifidobacterium bifidum ATCC 11863 revealed some distinct characteristics not observed in other species of Bifidobacterium. The bsh gene was cloned from B. bifidum, and the DNA flanking the bsh gene was sequenced. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of the cloned gene with previously known sequences revealed high homology with BSH enzymes from several microorganisms and penicillin V amidase (PVA) of Bacillus sphaericus. The proposed active sites of PVA were highly conserved, including that of the Cys-1 residue. The importance of the SH group in the N-terminal cysteine was confirmed by substitution of Cys with chemically and structurally similar residues, Ser or Thr, both of which resulted in an inactive enzyme. The transcriptional start point of the bsh gene has been determined by primer extension analysis. Unlike Bifidobacterium longum bsh, B. bifidum bsh was transcribed as a monocistronic unit, which was confirmed by Northern blot analysis. PCR amplification with the type-specific primer set revealed the high level of sequence homology in their bsh genes within the species of B. bifidum.
Abortion-prone mating influences placental antioxidant status and adversely affects placental and foetal development

Abstract Oxidative stress is associated with decreased female fertility and adversely affects prenatal development. Mammalian cells have developed a network of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defence systems to prevent oxidative stress. Little attention has been paid to the antioxidative pathways in placentas of normal and disturbed pregnancies, leaving a gap in our knowledge about the role of antioxidants in the control of foeto-placental development. The challenges in studying early human pregnancy can partly be overcome by designing animal models of abnormal pregnancy. We aimed to determine whether the antioxidant status of placentas from the CBA/J × DBA/2 abortion-prone pregnant mice differed from that of normal pregnant mice. The foetal/placental weight ratio was lower in abortion-prone matings compared with that in non-abortion-prone matings. The increased placental malondialdehyde (MDA) content, the end products of lipid peroxidation, with concomitants alterations in placental antioxidants, namely copper-zinc containing superoxide dismutase (SOD1), manganese containing (SOD2), glutathione peroxidases (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT) activities may be involved in placental and foetal growth restriction. We show that placental oxidative stress is linked with poor prenatal development and pregnancy losses in CBA/J × DBA/2 mice matings. This animal model may be useful in the evaluation of nutritional antioxidant therapies for oxidative stress and associated prenatal developmental disorders.
Crustal structure beneath the Rif Cordillera, North Morocco, from the RIFSIS wide‐angle reflection seismic experiment

The different geodynamic models proposed since the late 1990s to account for the complex evolution of the Gibraltar Arc System lack definite constraints on the crustal structure of the Rif orogen. Here we present the first well‐resolved P‐wave velocity crustal models of the Rif Cordillera and its southern continuation toward the Atlas made using controlled‐source seismic data. Two 300+ km‐long wide‐angle reflection profiles crossed the Rif along NS and EW trends. The profiles recorded simultaneously five land explosions of 1Tn each using ∼850 high frequency seismometers. The crustal structure revealed from 2‐D forward modeling delineates a complex, laterally varying crustal structure below the Rif domains. The most surprising feature, seen on both profiles, is a ∼50 km deep crustal root localized beneath the External Rif. To the east, the crust thins rapidly by 20 km across the Nekkor fault, indicating that the fault is a crustal scale feature. On the NS profile the crust thins more gradually to 40 km thickness beneath Middle Atlas and 42 km beneath the Betics. These new seismic results are in overall agreement with regional trends of Bouguer gravity and are consistent with recent receiver function estimates of crustal thickness. The complex crustal structure of the Rif orogen in the Gibraltar Arc is a consequence of the Miocene collision between the Iberian and African plates. Both the abrupt change in crustal thickness at the Nekkor fault and the unexpectedly deep Rif crustal root can be attributed to interaction of the subducting Alboran slab with the North African passive margin at late Oligocene‐early Miocene times.
Physical activity and obesity prevention

This paper was commissioned by the Foresight programme of the Office of Science and Innovation, Department of Trade and Industry © 2007 Queen’s Printer and Controller of HMSO; published with permission Journal compilation © 2007 The International Association for the Study of Obesity. obesity reviews 8 (Suppl. 1) , 109–114 109 OnlineOpen: This article is available free online at www.blackwell-synergy.com Blackwell Publishing LtdOxford, UKOBRObesity Reviews1467-7881© 2007 Queen’s Printer and Controller of HMSO; published with permission; Journal compilation © 2007 The International Association for the Study of Obesity ? 2007 8 ••109114 Review Article Physical activity and obesity prevention N. Wareham
Comparison of Educational Project Management Tools

—Project management tools are mandatory to properly manage software projects. The teaching of the usage of these tools is carried out in higher education computer courses and, usually generic tools are adopted, such as MS-Project. However, their lack of educational features has motivated the development of several educational project management tools. This study aims at the analysis of such existing tools, carrying out a systematic comparison. Therefore, we selected the most relevant educational project management tools based on the results of a Systematic Literature Review. These results were updated, including newly available tools and excluding proprietary and no longer available ones. The selected tools are presented, highlighting their educational features, supported functionalities and content coverage considering the whole project management process. A systematic comparison is conducted, discussing each evaluation criteria, resulting in a guideline for choosing the proper educational project management tool according to the educational goal. The presented results may be useful for instructors of Project Management courses as well as for researchers, to guide further research based on the identified gaps in this area.
Financial Literacy, Riester Pensions, and Other Private Old Age Provision in Germany

Financial knowledge is not wide spread in Germany. In that respect we confi rm results found for other countries, like the United States and the Netherlands. Women, those with low education and low income, as well as households in east Germany are at risk of having low fi nancial literacy. In 2001 a state subsidized private pension scheme (Riester pensions) was introduced in Germany. The central question is, Are Riester pensions successful at encouraging individuals with low fi nancial literacy to save privately for old age? Our results indicate that financial literacy is positively related to privately saving for retirement independent of state subsidies. Levels of private coverage are particularly low among individuals in the lowest income quartile, who would profi t most from the state subsidies. At the same time they show the lowest levels of financial literacy.
Demand for Modularization among Malaysian Manufacturers

This paper present the effect of using modularity process and product on demand perspective based on customer perception. Modularity has influence the firm performance and create a demand of customer. Customer can have their own choice because modularity process creates a variety to fulfill customer needs. Modularity allowed the components to recombined and coupling in the maximum number of ways which are the way to deliver customers a great variety. From this way, the module provider is free to perform design innovations and improvements as long as they comply with the standard interface. Therefore, modularization must happen at the product at technological level and at the same time need to be supported by modular organizational structure in order to be successful strategy. Modularity effect the demand perspective based on dynamic market, entrepreneurial strategic intent, production, heterogeneity of inputs, customer ability and willingness, differentiation, and customer services and satisfaction.
Foreign Exchange Exposure and Cost of Equity for US Companies: Local Versus Global CAPM

For U.S. firms with extreme foreign exchange (FX) exposure levels, we ask whether the single-factor global CAPM yields significantly different cost of equity estimates from the local CAPM. For a sample of U.S. firms from 2000-2007, we find a clear and statistically significant relation between the differences of the two models’ cost of equity estimates and the firms’ FX exposure estimates. However, the economic significance is questionable, even for firms with extreme FX exposure levels.
Cardiovascular risk and body-fat abnormalities in HIV-infected adults.

Metabolic complications such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and altered fat distribution (loss of subcutaneous fat and relatively increased central fat) are common in adults infected with the human immunodeficiency virus who are receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy and may increase their risk of cardiovascular disease. This review discusses progress in understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms and treatment strategies for addressing cardiovascular risk in this population.
The Case Western Reserve University Hybrid Gait Orthosis

Abstract Six individuals with paraplegia and injury levels from C-1 through T-12 participated in a study to evaluate the functional capabilities of a hybrid gait orthotic system. Subjects learned to use a custom-built reciprocal gait orthosis without stimulation and with electrical stimulation activating between 4 and 16 muscles. Outcomes were scored with standard physical therapy measures including the Tinetti test, a timed get up and go, Borg rating of perceived exertion, and the Functional Index Measure (FIM). Subjects have successfully accomplished sit to stand, stand to sit, and walking maneuvers measured for time, speed, and distance. Metabolic consumption was measured for walking in the light work region of 5.1 to 6.5 metabolic equivalents (METs) 1 MET= 3.5 ml of 02/kg/min with hybrid gait orthosis. Perceived exertion as measured with the Borg scale indicated that use of the bracing system with functional electrical stimulation was “easier” than without stimulation. Subjects using a hybrid system were able to walk up to 350 m at average speeds of 0.25 m/s. Walking speeds for 30- and 50-meter distances reached 0.45 m/s. Additionally, walking distances with stimulation were 2 times greater than those of non-stimulated reciprocal gait. FIM scores indicated that system users would become slightly more independent in mobility. Results were used to determine the most useful brace modifications for the next generation of Case Western Reserve University hybrid gait orthoses to allow an expanded function that will include stair climbing and side stepping.
Open innovation networks in Indian pharmaceutical sector

The Indian pharmaceutical sector grew spectacularly in a process patent regime, which enabled to entrench itself in the global market with generics and cost effective manufacturing processes. The legislative environment in India for the pharmaceutical sector underwent changes in 2005 leading to product patent protection. The sector was ready to embark on a smooth journey to path breaking innovation, equipped with enhanced process capabilities as well as expertise gained in modular aspects of drug innovation. Is innovation taking place in a manner as would have been expected? The aim of this paper is to understand how the changes in patent regime have influenced the scientific innovation networks, through the lens of national innovation system and open innovation. This study examines an important and unexplored facet of open innovation and the findings may have important implications for organizations to further their innovation agenda.
Effect of piroxicam on gait in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether the use of a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) in patients with painful osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee would result in alterations in specific biomechanical parameters of gait. METHODS Eighteen patients with symptomatic knee OA and varus knee deformity underwent initial clinical evaluation for pain and activities of daily living, and assessment of parameters of gait utilizing a well-described computerized system. All patients were then treated with piroxicam at 20 mg once daily, and clinical and gait analyses were repeated after 4 weeks. RESULTS Fifteen of the 18 patients studied had a significant increase in the knee adduction moment after treatment. In the group as a whole there was a significant increase in knee adduction moment (mean percent body weight times height [%BWTH] 4.11 pretreatment versus 4.57 after 4 weeks of treatment; P < 0.01) and maximum quadriceps moment (mean %BWTH 2.13 pretreatment, 2.62 posttreatment; P < 0.01), as well as changes in other gait parameters that might be expected to be altered as a result of relief of pain. Sixteen of 18 patients experienced symptomatic relief, with a significant reduction in pain in the group as a whole after 4 weeks (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION NSAID treatment in patients with knee OA results in a reduction in symptomatic pain and an increase in loading of the knee. Whether the increased loading is due to the analgesic effects of the treatment is unknown, but if so, the development of agents capable of relieving pain while reducing loads at the knee may be desirable.
Mechanism of developmental regulation of alpha pi, the chicken embryonic alpha-globin gene

The chicken alpha pi-globin gene is expressed during development only in the primitive erythrocyte lineage and not in the definitive lineage. We show that stage-specific expression is maintained when plasmids containing the alpha pi promoter are transfected into primitive and definitive lineage primary erythroid cells and that the information contained in the promoter is sufficient to confer this specificity. Detailed analysis of binding sites in the promoter for trans-acting factors, together with studies of the effects of mutagenesis on expression, reveals that the factors critical to stage-specific expression are all present in both primitive and definitive lineages, but at various concentrations. We identify three proteins, an NF1 family member, a Y-box factor, and an Sp1-like factor, which interact to stimulate or inhibit transcription. We propose that the concentration-dependent action of these factors, together with the general erythroid factor GATA-1, is responsible for the stage-specific expression of the alpha pi-globin gene.
Interleukin-6 and soluble interleukin-6 receptor: direct stimulation of gp130 and hematopoiesis.

T HE INTERLEUKIN-6 (IL-6) family of cytokines acts via receptor complexes that contain at least one subunit of the signal transducing protein gp130. [1][1] The family comprises IL-6, IL-11, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and oncostatin M
Critically Examining Intensive Care

Abstract The economic recession of the last decade brought intensive care systems under the light of cost-effectiveness analysis, making use of several instruments available in medical practice, and others adapted from for-profit enterprises. The present concept of intensive care, particularly its functional and organizational interactions with traditional specialties, is at the brink of an important revaluation. Studies of the cost-effectiveness of therapeutic actions may be grossly biased if they do not consider the complete process of care (before, during, and after treatment), analyzing even its smallest elements.
Fusarium verticillioides strains isolated from corn feed: characterization by fumonisin production and RAPD fingerprinting

In this study a total of 16 Fusarium verticillioides strains isolated from corn feed samples were characterized by fumonisin (FB) production and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). All the strains produced FB1 and FB2 with levels ranging from 2.41 to 3996.36 µg/g, and from 1.18 to 1209.91 µg/g, respectively. From the 16 F. verticillioides strains, four were identified as low (3.59 to 1289.84 µg/g), eight as intermediate (>1289.84 to 3772.44 µg/g) and four strains as high (>3772.44 µg/g) fumonisin producers. From the total of 105 loci amplified, 60 (57.14%) were polymorphic. RAPD analysis showed very similar patterns among low, moderate and high fumonisin-producing strains. Although RAPD markers were capable of discriminating the different F. verticillioides strains, there was no clear association between these makers and fumonisin production.