Different Levels Of Control Research Articles

Security notions for stateful signature schemes

In some digital signature schemes, the signer needs to maintain a dynamic state while signing messages. These are called stateful signature schemes. Although stateful signature schemes are commonly used as cryptographic primitives, they do not fit the standard definition of a signature scheme in cryptography. In this work, formal and general definitions for stateful signature schemes are given. In the definitions of security notions, various scenarios are considered where the adversaries have different levels of control over the signing oracle in terms of messages and states. After that, generic constructions of stateful signature schemes with different security levels are provided. In addition, some black-box constructions of stateful signature schemes that can be instantiated by primitives under any assumptions are given. Note that the constructions in this work are proven to be secure in standard models.

Analysis of association of socs5 gene polymorphism with allergic bronchial asthma and the level of its control

The objective: to analyze the frequency of genotypes and alleles of the rs6737848 polymorphism of the socs5 gene in patients with allergic bronchial asthma (BA) and to assess the association of this polymorphism with different levels of control over this disease.Subjects and methods. 179 people of the Caucasian race were the subjects of the study, and they all had the confirmed diagnosis of allergic asthma. The diagnosis, severity, and level of disease control were assessed in accordance with the GINA recommendations. The comparison group included apparently healthy individuals (n = 217).Results. The study of rs6737848 of the socs5 gene revealed statistically significant differences in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles in the group of patients with allergic asthma versus the group of healthy individuals. Among patients with allergic asthma, the frequency of the CC genotype and C allele was the highest. Carriers of the CG genotype and G allele prevailed among healthy individuals versus allergic asthma patients. Analysis of frequency distribution of genotypes and alleles of the rs6737848 polymorphism of the socs5 gene showed statistically significant predominance of the CC genotype and C allele in the sample of patients with allergic asthma that was fully or partially controlled.Conclusion. In women, the CC genotype and allele C of the socs5 gene can be considered as a genetic risk factor for the development of allergic asthma and a prognostic marker of controlled and partially controlled course of the disease. The CG genotype and G allele of the socs5 gene have a conditionally protective effect on the development of allergic asthma.

A copula-based multivariate hidden Markov model for modelling momentum in football

We investigate the potential occurrence of change points—commonly referred to as “momentum shifts”—in the dynamics of football matches. For that purpose, we model minute-by-minute in-game statistics of Bundesliga matches using hidden Markov models (HMMs). To allow for within-state dependence of the variables, we formulate multivariate state-dependent distributions using copulas. For the Bundesliga data considered, we find that the fitted HMMs comprise states which can be interpreted as a team showing different levels of control over a match. Our modelling framework enables inference related to causes of momentum shifts and team tactics, which is of much interest to managers, bookmakers, and sports fans.

Artificial neural networks in microgrids: A review

In this work it is shown that artificial neural networks have certain characteristics that make them advantageous in the development of controllers in the different levels of control that microgrids must include to be economic, efficient and able to satisfy the energy power quality and quantity requirements. An objective of this paper is to bring attention to the promising applicability of artificial neural networks applied to the control of microgrid distributed generation sources, as well as in scheduling, power sharing, supervisory control and optimization.

INFORMACIONI DOMETI I DELOKRUG PRIMENE METODE UDELA

The equity investments in other entities may result in different level of control over their activities and different consequential relationships between the investors and investees. For the purposes of valuation of the investments in associates and joint ventures, which are followed by significant influence or joint control of the investor, it is necessary to use the equity method. Its application is connected with the number of specific issues that result in a completely different accounting treatment of some business transactions in relation to the acquisition method and consolidation of subsidiaries. The aim of this paper is to analyze the key features and area of application of the equity method, which will be accompanied by the reference to some of its most obvious advantages and disadvantages

Power sharing strategy for multi‐source electrical auxiliary power unit with bi‐directional interaction capability

This study presents a hierarchical control strategy for an auxiliary power unit (APU) for aircraft to coordinate multiple power sources and control developed power electronic interfaces. The study benefits from the presence of a hybrid energy system in paralleled structure to the main generator as the complementary system. The employed structure enhances power quality and improves the voltage profile of the high-voltage DC bus. Furthermore, the developed bi-directional topology provides the possibility of interaction with the grid. Considering the APU features in an aircraft, a hierarchical control strategy with different levels of control, timescale, dynamic response, and significance are developed. The developed controller consists of a power management algorithm in the higher level, and local voltage and current controllers in the lower one. The algorithm aims to maximise the PV sub-system utilisation, overcome voltage fluctuations, increase power density, reduce operation costs, and increase system availability while allowing further development to larger systems. Simulation and experimental results confirm the robustness of the algorithm. The result shows that the proposed power sharing strategy optimises the system utilisation while achieving a high-quality voltage profile under severe fluctuations. Moreover, the stress on the battery pack is reduced to improve the life cycle and reduce operation costs.

Effects of bronchial asthma control on cardiovascular disorders in early school age children

The course of bronchial asthma (BA) is accompanied by pathological changes in the bronchopulmonary and cardiovascular systems. The severity of heart functional disorders depends on the severity of the BA Course, the level of control and the frequency of application of short-acting β 2 -agonists (SAβ 2 A). The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of BA control on the development of cardiovascular disorders in children of early school age. Methods . Children ( n = 95) aged 7–12 years with BA of varying severity and different levels of control were examined. The analysis of indicators of the clinical and functional state of the vegetal nervous system (VNS) and cardiovascular system tone using standard electrocardiography, echocardiography with calculation of the left ventricular myocardial mass index, сardiointervalography was performed. Results . Changes in VNS with signs of its depletion and decrease in adaptive capacity, cardiac rhythm and conduction disorders, connective tissue dysplasia syndrome, hemodynamic disorders and signs of adaptive heart remodeling have been detected. Conclusion . Lack of control over BA and the use of SAβ 2 A promote cardiovascular disorders.

Insights into the impact of cross-linking processes on physicochemical characteristics and mucoadhesive potential of gellan gum/retrograded starch microparticles as a platform for colonic drug release

Polymer microparticles have been regarded a promising system for drug delivery. In this paper, ionic cross-linking (IC) and dual cross-linking (DC) (ionic/covalent) processes were addressed for the design of innovative microparticles based on gellan gum (GG) and retrograded starch (RS) blends in order to investigate the effect of cross-linking processes on the physicochemical and functional properties of the system. High yield values (>78%) and encapsulation efficiency (around 72%) were achieved. Microparticles were spherical and the particle size ranged from 1016 to 1384 μm. Both cross-linking processes increased the microparticles thermal stability. Starch retrogradation restricted the digestibility by α-amylase pancreatic, so that resistant starch content was above 50%. In general, both IC and DC processes associated to high polymer concentration restricted the microparticles swelling at different pH values (1.2, 7.4 and 6.0) and the increased gellan concentration (2%) improved the mucoadhesiveness. M253ICKT, M255IC-KT and M21053DC-KT microparticles released the lowest amount of drug in acidic media (<17%) and different levels of control of drug release rates were achieved in phosphate buffer, making them potential platforms for colonic drug delivery, attending different therapeutic needs.

Possibilities for predicting preeclampsia development in pregnant women with bronchial asthma

Hypothesis/aims of study. Currently, preeclampsia is one of the most pressing problems of obstetrics due to the complexity of pathogenesis and to the lack of early and reliable diagnostic criteria. The preeclampsia rate in patients with bronchial asthma is proved higher than in asthma free pregnant women. This study aimed to establish the prediction algorithm of preeclampsia development in in pregnant women suffering from bronchial asthma of varying severity and different level of control.&#x0D; Study design, materials and methods. Asthma duration was studied in 110 pregnant women using the SPSS Discriminant Function Analysis method. Basic therapy and level of asthma control were studied together with respiratory tests, obstetrician medical history, and complications of the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. In addition, serum interleukin panel was assessed and placental Doppler measurement was carried out.&#x0D; Results. Clinical and statistical analysis made it possible out of 87 significant risk factors for the development of hypertensive disorders and preeclampsia to form a highly informative set of signs for a linear discriminant model for predicting preeclampsia: 1) asthma exacerbation in the first trimester of pregnancy; 2) asthma duration severity; 3) average dose of inhaled glucocorticosteroid drugs administered to the exact patient during pregnancy; 4) serum levels of tumor necrosis factor, interferon gamma, and interleukins-4, 6, and 8.&#x0D; Conclusion. The inclusion method of step-by-step discriminant analysis allowed establishing a highly informative four-component complex of clinical predictors for preeclampsia development in pregnant women with asthma. The results of the model testing showed its extremely high reliability (up to 100% within study selection as well as within control selection). Thus, the study results can be recommended for clinical use.

Preterm labour decision-making and experiences of care for women and clinicians (QUIDS Qualitative): A qualitative exploration

BackgroundMinimising the risks of mortality, morbidities, and the costs associated with preterm birth is reliant on accurate prediction, appropriate decision-making and timely intervention. This study aimed to determine for the first time the decisional and informational requirements of women and clinicians during preterm labour diagnosis and intervention. A secondary objective was to explore their experiences. Study designA qualitative, interpretive approach was used in three tertiary referral units in England and Scotland. Women with experience of or risk factors for preterm birth and clinicians with experience of caring for women in preterm labour took part in semi-structured interviews individually face-face or via telephone, or in a small focus-group. Data was analysed using a framework approach. ResultsWomen and clinicians welcomed a more accurate tool for predicting preterm birth. Women wanted to be actively involved in their care, but desired different levels of control over decisions. Communication between women and clinicians influenced women’s overall experiences and shaped clinicians’ practice. Women found accessing care difficult, due to uncertainty about symptoms and gatekeepers to face-face care. The emotional impact of their experiences influenced family plans and subsequent pregnancies. Women’s overall perception of their experience was influenced by their judgement of the care they received. ConclusionsDecision-making is complex and a tool to more accurately predict preterm birth than is currently available was valued. Further research is warranted to evaluate a tool in clinical practice and to improve services for women with symptoms of preterm labour attempting to gain access to face-face care.Trial Registration ISRCTN: 41598423 and CPMS:31277.

Motion Control for Autonomous Navigation in Blue and Narrow Waters Using Switched Controllers

Autonomous ships represent one of the new frontiers of technological innovation in marine engineering, which demand the development of innovative control systems to guarantee efficient and safe navigation of vessels. A convenient control system should be able to command the several actuators installed on board in different conditions—for instance, during oceanic navigation, harbor approach, narrow channels, and crowed areas. Such tasks are accomplished by different switching controllers for high and low speed motion, which have to be orchestrated to ensure an effective maneuvering. An approach to the design of hierarchies of controllers for maneuvering and navigation of ships equipped with a standard propulsion configuration in both blue and narrow water is proposed. Different levels of control, from global to local, are defined and integrated to steer the vessel in such a way to increase the maneuvering capability in various scenarios.

Handedness Matters for Motor Control But Not for Prediction.

Skilled motor behavior relies on the ability to control the body and to predict the sensory consequences of this control. Although there is ample evidence that manual dexterity depends on handedness, it remains unclear whether control and prediction are similarly impacted. To address this issue, right-handed human participants performed two tasks with either the right or the left hand. In the first task, participants had to move a cursor with their hand so as to track a target that followed a quasi-random trajectory. This hand-tracking task allowed testing the ability to control the hand along an imposed trajectory. In the second task, participants had to track with their eyes a target that was self-moved through voluntary hand motion. This eye-tracking task allowed testing the ability to predict the visual consequences of hand movements. As expected, results showed that hand tracking was more accurate with the right hand than with the left hand. In contrast, eye tracking was similar in terms of spatial and temporal gaze attributes whether the target was moved by the right or the left hand. Although these results extend previous evidence for different levels of control by the two hands, they show that the ability to predict the visual consequences of self-generated actions does not depend on handedness. We propose that the greater dexterity exhibited by the dominant hand in many motor tasks stems from advantages in control, not in prediction. Finally, these findings support the notion that prediction and control are distinct processes.

Compact embedded device for lock-in measurements and experiment active control.

We present a multi-purpose toolkit for digital processing, acquisition, and feedback control designed for physics labs. The kit provides in a compact device the functionalities of several instruments: function generator, oscilloscope, lock-in amplifier, proportional-integral-derivative filters, ramp scan generator, and a lock-control. The design combines field-programmable-gate-array processing and microprocessor programing to get precision, ease of use, and versatility. It can be remotely operated through the network with different levels of control: from simple off-the-shelf Web graphical user interface to remote script control or in-device programmed operation. Three example applications are presented in this work on laser spectroscopy and laser locking experiments. The examples include side-fringe locking, peak locking through lock-in demodulation, and complete in-device Pound-Drever-Hall modulation and demodulation at 31.25 MHz and advanced acquisition examples like real-time data streaming for remote storage.

Freezing of sputum as a way to improve the applicability of sputum studies

Rationale: Sputum examination is a valuable research tool to study airway diseases, but the requirement to process the samples within 2 hours of their collection poses limitations to its wider applicability. A way to bypass this hurdle would be to freeze the sample at the time of collection and to examine it at a later stage. Methods and Subjects: We developed a protocol for freezing of sputum upon collection by adding dimethylsulfoxide to it. We tested the reproducibility of cell counts in frozen samples and in fresh portions from the same sputum specimens. We took sputum from 41 asthmatics (18 males) with different levels of control of their disease: 19 of the samples were spontaneously produced and 22 were induced with hypertonic saline. Results: Significant correlations (p<0.05) were established between the total cell counts, the relative and absolute number of neutrophils, eosinophils and macrophages in the paired fresh and frozen sputum samples. Cell viability in frozen sputum was slightly but consistently lower. Only one frozen sample had viability < 50%. Outcomes in paired samples from induced sputum had better reproducibility than the spontaneous ones. Conclusion: Examination of frozen sputum samples does not change total cell counts and differential cell counts, despite consistently affecting cell viability compared with fresh sputum cellularity. Still cell viability in frozen sputum was above 50% in all but one examined specimens.

Forecasting receiving water response to alternative control levels for combined sewer overflows discharging to Toronto’s Inner Harbour

This article evaluates the role that different levels of control for combined sewer overflows have in addressing the recreational water quality objectives of the Toronto Inner Harbour of the Toronto and Region Remedial Action Plan. Three models are used to establish the predictive methodology: the Infoworks model for the combined sewer service area, the Hydrologic Simulation-F model for the remainder of the watershed, and the MIKE 3 computer code to evaluate Lake Ontario response to control. Each model was calibrated with E. coli densities observed respectively in sewer discharges, instream, and in the Inner Harbour. Two indices are used to evaluate the response of water quality in the Inner Harbour – fraction of the surface area achieving Blue Flag status, and portion of the swimming season (June to August) above recreation objectives. Analyses of control options led to the recommendation that virtual elimination of combined sewer overflows (one overflow per season control strategy) should be pursued, rather than the lower level of control of 90% volumetric control, which is the minimum provincial environmental requirement. Implementation of priority projects for improving water quality along the Toronto waterfront, including the Don River and Central Waterfront project, are integral to delisting Toronto as a Great Lakes Area of Concern.

Stability of hand force production. II. Ascending and descending synergies

We combined the theory of neural control of movement with referent coordinates and the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis to investigate multifinger coordination. We tested hypotheses related to stabilization of performance by covarying control variables, translated into apparent stiffness and referent coordinate, at different levels of an assumed hierarchy of control. Subjects produced an accurate combination of total force and total moment of force with the four fingers under visual feedback on both variables and after feedback was partly or completely removed. The "inverse piano" device was used to estimate control variables. We observed strong synergies in the space of hypothetical control variables that stabilized total force and moment of force, as well as weaker synergies stabilizing individual finger forces; whereas the former were attenuated by alteration of visual feedback, the latter were much less affected. In addition, we investigated the organization of "ascending synergies" stabilizing task-level control variables by covaried adjustments of finger-level control variables. We observed intertrial covariation of individual fingers' referent coordinates that stabilized hand-level referent coordinate, but we observed no such covariation for apparent stiffness. The observations suggest the existence of both descending and ascending synergies in a hierarchical control system. They confirm a trade-off between synergies at different levels of control and corroborate the hypothesis on specialization of different fingers for the control of force and moment. The results provide strong evidence for the importance of central back-coupling loops in ensuring stability of action. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We expand analysis of action in the space of hypothetical control variables to hierarchically organized multieffector systems. We also introduce the novel concept of ascending synergies, which reflect covariation of control variables to individual effectors (fingers) that stabilize task-specific control variables at a hierarchically higher, task-specific level (hand).

Exploratory design of mechanical devices with motion constraints

Mechanical devices are ubiquitous in our daily lives, and the motion they are able to transmit is often a critical part of their function. While digital fabrication devices facilitate their realization, motion-driven mechanism design remains a challenging task. We take drawing machines as a case study in exploratory design. Devices such as the Spirograph can generate intricate patterns from an assembly of simple mechanical elements. Trying to control and customize these patterns, however, is particularly hard, especially when the number of parts increases. We propose a novel constrained exploration method that enables a user to easily explore feasible drawings by directly indicating pattern preferences at different levels of control. The user starts by selecting a target pattern with the help of construction lines and rough sketching, and then fine-tunes it by prescribing geometric features of interest directly on the drawing. The designed pattern can then be directly realized with an easy-to-fabricate drawing machine. The key technical challenge is to facilitate the exploration of the high dimensional configuration space of such fabricable machines. To this end, we propose a novel method that dynamically reparameterizes the local configuration space and allows the user to move continuously between pattern variations, while preserving user-specified feature constraints.We tested our framework on several examples, conducted a user study, and fabricated a sample of the designed examples.

Putative human sperm Interactome: a networks study

BackgroundFor over sixty years, it has been known that mammalian spermatozoa immediately after ejaculation are virtually infertile. They became able to fertilize only after they reside for long time (hours to days) within female genital tract where they complete their functional maturation, the capacitation. This process is finely regulated by the interaction with the female environment and involves, in spermatozoa, a myriad of molecules as messengers and target of signals. Since, to date, a model able to represent the molecular interaction that characterize sperm physiology does not exist, we realized the Human Sperm Interactme Network3.0 (HSIN3.0) and its main component (HSNI3.0_MC), starting from the pathway active in male germ cells.ResultsHSIN3.0 and HSIN3.0_MC are scale free networks, adherent to the Barabasi-Albert model, and are characterised by an ultra-small world topology. We found that they are resistant to random attacks and that are designed to respond quickly and specifically to external inputs. In addition, it has been possible to identify the most connected nodes (the hubs) and the bottlenecks nodes. This result allowed us to explore the control mechanisms active in driving sperm biochemical machinery and to verify the different levels of controls: party vs. date hubs and hubs vs. bottlenecks, thanks the availability of data from KO mice. Finally, we found that several key nodes represent molecules specifically involved in function that are thought to be not present or not active in sperm cells, such as control of cell cycle, proteins synthesis, nuclear trafficking, and immune response, thus potentially open new perspectives on the study of sperm biology.ConclusionsFor the first time we present a network representing putative human sperm interactome. This result gives very intriguing biological information and could contribute to the knowledge of spermatozoa, either in physiological or pathological conditions.

Integrated control system for electron beam processes

The ISO/IEC 62264 standard is widely used for integration of the business systems of a manufacturer with the corresponding manufacturing control systems based on hierarchical equipment models, functional data and manufacturing operations activity models. In order to achieve the integration of control systems, formal object communication models must be developed, together with manufacturing operations activity models, which coordinate the integration between different levels of control. In this article, the development of integrated control system for electron beam welding process is presented as part of a fully integrated control system of an electron beam plant, including also other additional processes: surface modification, electron beam evaporation, selective melting and electron beam diagnostics.

Control Changes the Way We Look at the World.

The feeling of control is a fundamental aspect of human experience and accompanies our voluntary actions all the time. However, how the sense of control interacts with wider perception, cognition, and behavior remains poorly understood. This study focused on how controlling an external object influences the allocation of attention. Experiment 1 examined attention to an object that is under a different level of control from the others. Participants searched for a target among multiple distractors on screen. All the distractors were partially under the participant's control (50% control level), and the search target was either under more or less control than the distractors. The results showed that, against this background of partial control, visual attention was attracted to an object only if it was more controlled than other available objects and not if it was less controlled. Experiment 2 examined attention allocation in contexts of either perfect control or no control over most of the objects. Specifically, the distractors were under either perfect (100%) control or no (0%) control, and the search target had one of six levels of control varying from 0% to 100%. When differences in control between the distractors and the target were small, visual attention was now more strongly drawn to search targets that were less controlled than distractors, rather than more controlled, suggesting attention to objects over which one might be losing control. Experiment 3 studied the events of losing or gaining control as opposed to the states of having or not having control. ERP measures showed that P300 amplitude proportionally encoded the magnitude of both increases and decreases in degree of control. However, losing control had more marked effects on P170 and P300 than gaining an equivalent degree of control, indicating high priority for efficiently detecting failures of control. Overall, our results suggest that controlled objects preferentially attract attention in uncontrolled environments. However, once control has been registered, the brain becomes highly sensitive to subsequent loss of control. Our findings point toward careful perceptual monitoring of degree of one's own agentic control over external objects. We suggest that control has intrinsic cognitive value because perceptual systems are organized to detect it and, once it has been acquired, to maintain it.