Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temporal disaggregation using multivariate structural

Summary In this paper, we provide a multivariate framework for temporal disaggregation of time series observed at a given frequency into higher frequency time series. The suggested method uses the seemingly unrelated time series equations model and it is estimated by the Kaiman filter. The methodology is flexible enough to allow for almost any kind of temporal disaggregation problems of both raw and seasonally adjusted time series. Comparisons with other temporal disaggregation methods proposed in the literature are presented using a wide OECD data set.
Cognitive radar waveform design with the signal-to-clutter-plus-noise ratio and filtered integrated sidelobe level considerations

Abstract. We deal with the unimodular waveform design for cognitive radar in signal-dependent interference (clutter). In addition to the signal-to-clutter-plus-noise ratio (SCNR), we also consider the filtered integrated sidelobe level (ISL) and optimize these two metrics simultaneously. It is assumed that cognitive radar can obtain environment information based on database and prior return. We relate the SCNR and ISL to the signal power spectrum density (PSD) and compare the optimal PSDs for optimizing SCNR and ISL solely. It is found that these two metrics are coupled in a conflicting way. So, the weighted sum of these two metrics is exploited as objective function to optimize the detection performance and pulse compression simultaneously. In order to solve the resulting problem efficiently, we utilize the gradient method and devise a way to employ fast Fourier transform in calculating the gradient of the objective function to accelerate the gradient method. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method over state-of-the-art method in terms of the output SCNR, filtered ISL, and computational efficiency.
Degeneracy of velocity constraints in rigid body systems

The equations governing the dynamics of rigid body systems with velocity constraints are singular at degenerate configurations in the constraint distribution. In this report, we describe the causes of singularities in the constraint distribution of interconnected rigid body systems with smooth configuration manifolds. A convention of defining primary velocity constraints in terms of orthogonal complements of one-dimensional subspaces is introduced. Using this convention, linear maps are defined and used to describe the space of allowable velocities of a rigid body. Through the definition of these maps, we present a condition for non-degeneracy of velocity constraints in terms of the one dimensional subspaces defining the primary velocity constraints. A method for defining the constraint subspace and distribution in terms of linear maps is presented. Using these maps, the constraint distribution is shown to be singular at configuration where there is an increase in its dimension. ii J. Briggs
Scaling and modified squaring method for the matrix exponential

In recent years, many discrete variable methods using the exponential operator, called exponential integrator, have been presented, and various computational methods of the matrix exponential are also proposed. Especially the combination of the Padé approximant and the scaling and squaring method is most powerful and widely used. However, the squaring process is susceptible to roundoff errors. We propose a modified squaring process for the scaling and squaring methods. From the numerical results, an accuracy improvement about 1/100 is obtained in the best case.
A Review on Secure Voting System Based on Blockchain Technology

: Election is a very important event in a modern democracy, it has been rightly called a 'festival of democracy'. In the today's election scheme, no method of transparency can be ordered to participants of the election. When an individual places his ballot in the box at his voting district, there is no guarantee from the scheme that his vote was counted and counted correctly. Any individual vote can be misplaced, counted incorrectly because of human error or simply because the party which the voter voted for could be disliked by the individual which counted the vote. This transparency is non-existent because no ballot has information on who casted aforementioned vote. Electronic voting or e-voting has been used in varying forms since 1970s with fundamental benefits over paper-based systems such as increased efficiency and reduced errors. With the advent of EVM machines for Electronic voting, stemmed a few more problems, Vote rigging, hacking of the EVM (Electronic voting machine), election manipulation, and polling booth capturing are a major issues and thus a large section of societies around the world do not trust their elections systems and by extension, electoral commission. We can usher in a newer, better world by playing the various ad-vantages Blockchain has to offer and create a trustworthy world working around the social dilemma of trust. Through our project we make an effort to provide a system to deal with the crux of the modern democracy by leveraging the advantages of blockchain such as cryptographic foundations and transparency to successfully pull off an election where the society has no trust issues.
Simultaneous sequential anterolateral thigh free flaps with interposition comitant vein graft for one‐stage lower extremity reconstruction: A case report

Developments in the microsurgery have made perforator fasciocutaneous free flaps more popular in lower extremity reconstructions. They have acceptable donor site morbidities when compared to traditional methods. However; there are some possible limitations with these flaps such as anatomical variations and insufficiency to cover large and/or complex defects with a single flap. Anterolateral thigh flap (ALT), which has proven its advantages in the reconstruction of many regions of the body, is one of the versatile perforator fasciocutaneous flap options. We present our experience of using sequential double ALTs for complex lower extremity reconstruction. A 44‐year‐old patient, who had a history of multiple traumas as a result of a traffic accident, had interconnected anterior tibial (6 × 4 cm) and bimalleolar defects (4 × 4 cm, 4 × 5 cm) in his left lower extremity. Double ALT flaps (16 × 9 cm, 17 × 10 cm) were used to reconstruct three individual defects. The posterior tibial artery was the only uninjured artery perfusing the lower extremity, so the already occluded anterior tibial artery was chosen as the recipient to avoid disturbing the posterior tibial vessels. The dominant comitant vein of one of the flaps was leaving the pedicle too early and following an aberrant path with increased diameter. As it was understood that the other comitant vein had poor drainage, it was taken as an interposition vein graft to lengthen the dominant aberrant vein. The two flaps were customized as one by flow‐through anastomoses on the operating table. The anterior tibial artery was washed and debrided distal to proximal until arterial spurting was seen. At the distance of 8 cm superior, the artery was found as feasible and anastomoses were performed. The proximal flap was inset vertically and the distal flap was inset on the horizontal axis to reach the bilateral malleolar defect. No complications were observed in both flaps. The patient was followed‐up for 8 months. Despite the successful reconstruction, the patient is still unable to walk unaided due to multiple traumas and the rehabilitation process continues. We believe that the use of sequential double ALT may be a useful alternative to reconstruct large lower extremity defects with minimal donor site morbidity when a suitable single recipient vessel is available.
Primary Retroperitoneal Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma: A Case Report

Mucinous neoplasms are commonly seen in the ovaries and pancreas. Their occurrence in the retroperitoneum is uncommon. We present a case of a retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in a 54-year-old female who presented with right flank pain. Imaging demonstrated an 8.6 × 7.9 cm mass at the anterior surface of the lower pole of the right kidney, suspicious for renal cell carcinoma. Serum tumor markers carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) and cancer embryonic antigen (CEA) were within normal limits, and cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) was elevated. Surgical resection of the mass was performed. Intraoperatively, the mass was noted to lie in the retroperitoneum, unattached to the kidney. On gross examination, a 10.0 × 7.0 × 7.0 cm unilocular cystic structure with red-brown mucoid material was present. The inner lining was mostly smooth with areas of excrescences, covering less than 5% of the surface area. Microscopic examination showed cystic areas lined by mucinous epithelium with an underlying ovarian-type stroma. Solid areas showed features of a borderline papillary mucinous tumor with invasive carcinoma. A diagnosis of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma was made. Their occurrence in the retroperitoneum is unusual. Although rare, this entity should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal cystic lesions.
Dynamic properties of ionospheric plasma turbulence driven by high-power high-frequency radiowaves

A review is given of the current state-of-the-art of experimental studies and the theoretical understanding of nonlinear phenomena that occur in the ionospheric F-layer irradiated by high-power high-frequency ground-based transmitters. The main focus is on the dynamic features of high-frequency turbulence (plasma waves) and low-frequency turbulence (density irregularities of various scales) that have been studied in experiments at the Sura and HAARP heating facilities operated in temporal and frequency regimes specially designed with consideration of the characteristic properties of nonlinear processes in the perturbed ionosphere using modern radio receivers and optical instruments. Experimental results are compared with theoretical turbulence models for a magnetized collisional plasma in a high-frequency electromagnetic field, allowing the identification of the processes responsible for the observed features of artificial ionospheric turbulence.
Beginner Investors Behavior in Investment Decision Making

Investment decision making is a complex process in investment and inﬂuenced by many factors. One of them are accounting information. Accounting information has a beneﬁcial value to investors in investment decisions. However, rather than consider accounting information, investor psychology be the underlying factors for the investor in making investment decision. This study aims to determine and analyze the psychological factor determining investment decisions by beginner investors on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) in West Sumatera. The aims of this study is to analyze and examine: 1) the effect of risk perception, problem framing and information asymmetry on investment decisions. The results shows that only risk perception had the positive correlation with investment decision in capital market, while problem framing and information asymmetry had no relation to investment decisions.
Prediction for Projection on Time-Varying Surfaces

In spatial augmented reality applications, when video projectors display images on timevarying, non-planar surfaces, rather than on flat, rigid surfaces, undesired image distortion may occur. For applications where realism is of the utmost importance, such as surgical simulations, image distortion can significantly detract from the user experience. To combat this, the time-varying surface can be modelled using a mass-spring model, commonly used for simulating deformable objects in computer graphics. The mass-spring model can be formulated into a nonlinear state space equation that describes the dynamics of discrete points making up the surface of the object. Two simulation techniques are used to verify the model and to determine the best approach for real-time simulations. To project images in real-time onto quickly changing surfaces, an extended Kalman filter (EKF) prediction algorithm is developed to predict the position of the deforming surface, at a specified point in time, Ts seconds, in the future. Using the linearized mass-spring system, the EKF is formulated and tested upon two simulation scenarios. The simulation scenarios include a falling cloth with added process noise, and a cloth perturbed by random viscous forces. Using mean squared error, the results show the EKF predictions and simulation outputs converge within a narrow band. For each scenario, the parameters of the EKF are manually tuned to improve the accuracy of the predictions. Experimental data is collected by measuring the movement of cloth-like materials to verify the effectiveness of the prediction algorithm. Specifically, cloth movement data is captured using infra-red markers and motion capture software. The EKF prediction algorithm is run on the experimental data producing near convergent results between the predictions and the measurements. When the physical surface is changing noticeably and quickly, compared to the projector’s drawing rate, additional distortion may occur. An inter-frame prediction algorithm is developed to further predict the position of discrete points at their corresponding projection times. This is most useful when the prediction algorithm produces predictions slower than the drawing rate of the projector (Ts > 1 fps ). When implementing the EKF in real-time, there is a trade-off between speed and accuracy. If the number of discrete points is large, the EKF is required to solve a large system of equations. To combat this, nonlinear optimization techniques are used to find parameters that reduce the number of states while maintaining system dynamics. This results in a sparser, more computationally efficient model with similar physical behaviour to the original system. Applications for time-varying surface prediction include surgical simulations, projection for entertainment and advertising, and other spatial augmented reality applications.
Cytosolic malic enzyme and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase modulate redox balance in NSCLC with acquired drug resistance

Lung cancer cells often show elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). However, the connections between deregulated redox homeostasis in different subtypes of lung cancer and acquired drug resistance in lung cancer have not yet been fully established. Herein, we analyzed different subtypes of lung cancer data reported in the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) database, the Cancer Genome Atlas program (TCGA), and the sequencing data obtained from a gefitinib‐resistant non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line (H1975GR). Using flux balance analysis (FBA) model integrated with multiomics data and gene expression profiles, we identified cytosolic malic enzyme 1 (ME1) and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase as the major contributors to the significantly upregulated NADPH flux in NSCLC tissues as compared with normal lung tissues, and gefitinib‐resistant NSCLC cell line as compared with the parental cell line. Silencing the gene expression of either of these two enzymes in two osimertinib‐resistant NSCLC cell lines (H1975OR and HCC827OR) exhibited strong antiproliferative effects. Our findings not only underscored the pivotal roles of cytosolic ME1 and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase in regulating redox states in NSCLC cells but also provided novel insights into their potential roles in drug‐resistant NSCLC cells with disturbed redox states.
Hyperoside ameliorates cerebral ischaemic–reperfusion injury by opening the TRPV4 channel in vivo through the IP3-PKC signalling pathway

Abstract Context Hyperoside (Hyp), one of the active flavones from Rhododendron (Ericaceae), has beneficial effects against cerebrovascular disease. However, the effect of Hyp on vasodilatation has not been elucidated. Objective To explore the effect of Hyp on vasodilatation in the cerebral basilar artery (CBA) of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats suffering with ischaemic–reperfusion (IR) injury. Materials and methods Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham, model, Hyp, Hyp + channel blocker and channel blocker groups. Hyp (50 mg/kg, IC50 = 18.3 μg/mL) and channel blocker were administered via tail vein injection 30 min before ischaemic, followed by 20 min of ischaemic and 2 h of reperfusion. The vasodilation, hyperpolarization, ELISA assay, haematoxylin–eosin (HE), Nissl staining and channel-associated proteins and qPCR were analysed. Rat CBA smooth muscle cells were isolated to detect the Ca2+ concentration and endothelial cells were isolated to detect apoptosis rate. Results Hyp treatment significantly ameliorated the brain damage induced by IR and evoked endothelium-dependent vasodilation rate (47.93 ± 3.09% vs. 2.99 ± 1.53%) and hyperpolarization (–8.15 ± 1.87 mV vs. −0.55 ± 0.42 mV) by increasing the expression of IP3R, PKC, transient receptor potential vanilloid channel 4 (TRPV4), IKCa and SKCa in the CBA. Moreover, Hyp administration significantly reduced the concentration of Ca2+ (49.08 ± 7.74% vs. 83.52 ± 6.93%) and apoptosis rate (11.27 ± 1.89% vs. 23.44 ± 2.19%) in CBA. Furthermore, these beneficial effects of Hyp were blocked by channel blocker. Discussion and conclusions Although Hyp showed protective effect in ischaemic stroke, more clinical trial certification is needed due to the difference between animals and humans.
Is the future of nitrous oxide as volatile as the gas itself?

Discovered by Joseph Priestley in 1772, the anaesthetic potential of nitrous oxide was introduced to the world in 1845 by Horace Wells. In 2023, nitrous oxide continues to be used in clinical practice, both in peri-operative care and for procedural sedation and analgesia. This is despite controversies surrounding its use due to its adverse effect profile and environmental concerns. Apart from medical practice, it is also used as a recreational drug, a propellant in whipping and shaving creams and inmotorsport. Although there is no strong evidence to prove some of the toxic effects of nitrous oxide, this may partly result from the inability to conduct such studies from an ethical perspective. Broadly, the deleterious effects of nitrous oxide can be divided into human and environmental effects. We advocate that nitrous oxide should not be used routinely in medical and anaesthetic practice, and only be considered on an individual patient basis if there is no alternative agent or technique.
Item Level Psychometrics of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory in Vestibular Migraine and Meniere’s Disease

Objectives: Evaluate the measurement properties of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) using item response theory in patients diagnosed with vestibular migraine (VM) and Meniere’s disease (MD). Design: One hundred twenty-five patients diagnosed with VM and 169 patients diagnosed with MD by a vestibular neurotologist according to the Bárány Society criteria in two tertiary multidisciplinary vestibular clinics and who completed the DHI at their initial visit, were included in the study. The DHI (total score and individual items) was analyzed using the Rasch Rating Scale model for patients in each subgroup, VM and MD, and as a whole group. The following categories were assessed: rating-scale structure, unidimensionality, item and person fit, item difficulty hierarchy, person-item match, and separation index, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change (MDC). Results: Patients were predominantly female (80% of the VM subgroup and 68% of the MD subgroup) with a mean age of 49.9 ± 16.5 years and 54.1 ± 14.2 years, respectively. The mean total DHI score for the VM group was 51.9 ± 22.3 and for the MD group was 48.5 ± 26.6 (p > 0.05). While neither all items nor the separate constructs met all criteria for unidimensionality (i.e., items measuring a single construct), post hoc analysis showed that the all-item analysis supported a single construct. All analyses met the criterion for showing a sound rating scale and acceptable Cronbach’s alpha (≥0.69). The all-item analysis showed the most precision, separating the samples into three to four significant strata. The separate-construct analyses (physical, emotional, and functional) showed the least precision, separated the samples into less than three significant strata. Regarding MDC, the MDC remained consistent across the analyses of the different samples; approximately 18 points for the full analyses and approximately 10 points for the separate construct (physical, emotional, and functional). Conclusions: Our evaluation of the DHI using item response theory shows that the instrument is psychometrically sound and reliable. The all-item instrument fulfills criteria for essential unidimensionality but does seem to measure multiple latent constructs in patients with VM and MD, which has been reported in other balance and mobility instruments. The current subscales did not show acceptable psychometrics, which is in line with multiple recent studies favoring the use of the total score. The study also shows that the DHI is adaptable to episodic recurrent vestibulopathies. The total score shows better precision and separation of subjects in up to four strata compared to the separate construct that separate subjects into less than three strata. The measurement error smallest detectable change was found in our analysis to be 18 points, which means any change in the DHI of less than 18 points is not likely to be clinically significant. The minimal clinically important difference remains indeterminate.
Endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis—From molecules to organisms: Report on the 14th International Calreticulin Workshop, Saint Malo, France

Abstract The Calreticulin Workshop, initiated in 1994 by Marek Michalak in Banff (Alberta, Canada), was first organized to be an informal scientific meeting attended by researchers working on diverse biological questions related to functions associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐resident lectin‐like chaperone and applied to a wide range of biological systems and models. Since then, this workshop has broadened the range of topics to cover all ER‐related functions, has become international and has been held in Canada, Chile, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland, UK, USA, Greece and this year in France. Each conference, which is organized every other year (pending world‐wide pandemic), generally attracts between 50 and 100 participants, including both early career researchers and international scientific leaders to favour discussions and exchanges. Over the years, the International Calreticulin Workshop has become an important gathering of the calreticulin and ER communities as a whole. The 14th International Calreticulin Workshop occurred from May 9–12 in St‐Malo, Brittany, France, and has been highlighted by its rich scientific content and open‐minded discussions held in a benevolent atmosphere. The 15th International Calreticulin Workshop will be organized in 2025 in Brussels, Belgium.
Global well-posedness for the 2D MHD equations without magnetic diffusion in a strip domain

We study the initial boundary value problem of two dimensional MHD equations without magnetic diffusion in a strip domain. It was proved that the MHD equations have a unique global strong solution around the equilibrium state (0,e1) ? > for both the non-slip boundary condition and Navier slip boundary condition on the velocity.
The oblique phrase and the order of the relative construction

Abstract Using data from the World Atlas of Language Structures (WALS), the order of the oblique phrase with respect to the verb in a sentence is shown to be a good predictor of the order of the relative clause with respect to its head noun in a relative construction. It is a significantly better predictor of relative construction order than the more traditional indicator, the relative order of the verb and the direct object in a sentence. The difference between these two predictors is demonstrated quantitatively, and then discussed in the context of theories of syntactic head-position harmony.