Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extension of High-Gain controllable systems for improved accuracy

A PI-controller like extension structure for high-gain controllable nonlinear systems with known relative degree is investigated. The extension ensures accurate asymptotic tracking for plants with proportional steady state characteristic. It can be guaranteed that the control error converges to zero. The introduced structure extends the original plant to an auxiliary system, which is still controllable with high-gain based concepts. Funnel-control, a sophisticated high-gain based time-varying control strategy, is re-examined to illustrate the advantages of the extension. The extension neither affects the controllability of the original plant nor requires a supplementary (adaptive) controller design, but improves the achievable control performance by absolute accuracy
Stereotactic Administration of Edaravone Ameliorates Collagenase‐Induced Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Rat

Edaravone is widely used for treating ischemic stroke, but it is not still confirmed in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) as an ideal medication targeting the brain parenchyma. We aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of stereotactic administration of edaravone (SI) into the brain parenchyma.
Analysis of Pigeon (Columba) Ovary Transcriptomes to Identify Genes Involved in Blue Light Regulation

Monochromatic light is widely applied to promote poultry reproductive performance, yet little is currently known regarding the mechanism by which light wavelengths affect pigeon reproduction. Recently, high-throughput sequencing technologies have been used to provide genomic information for solving this problem. In this study, we employed Illumina Hiseq 2000 to identify differentially expressed genes in ovary tissue from pigeons under blue and white light conditions and de novo transcriptome assembly to construct a comprehensive sequence database containing information on the mechanisms of follicle development. A total of 157,774 unigenes (mean length: 790 bp) were obtained by the Trinity program, and 35.83% of these unigenes were matched to genes in a non-redundant protein database. Gene description, gene ontology, and the clustering of orthologous group terms were performed to annotate the transcriptome assembly. Differentially expressed genes between blue and white light conditions included those related to oocyte maturation, hormone biosynthesis, and circadian rhythm. Furthermore, 17,574 SSRs and 533,887 potential SNPs were identified in this transcriptome assembly. This work is the first transcriptome analysis of the Columba ovary using Illumina technology, and the resulting transcriptome and differentially expressed gene data can facilitate further investigations into the molecular mechanism of the effect of blue light on follicle development and reproduction in pigeons and other bird species.
An exploratory study on the use of online social bookmarking and annotation to facilitate collaborative inquiry learning

This study aims to examine how students’ learning trajectories progress in an online social annotation environment, and how their cognitive processes and levels of interaction correlate with their learning outcomes. Three different types of activities (cognitive, metacognitive and social) were identified in the online environment. The time series of different levels of cognitive and metacognitive activities correlate with one another, indicating that a kind of symbiotic or ecological relationship exists among the cognitive and metacognitive processes. The multiple regression results show that low-cognitive level activities mediate the effect of high-cognitive level activities on student’s performance in the group inquiry learning project. The results of multilevel analysis indicate that the average number of highlighted texts posted per person in a group accounted for over 50% of the variance of the group inquiry learning project scores. Further, the results also indicate that the level of collaboration within a group explains over 70% of the variance of the high-level cognitive and metacognitive activities across different groups. In sum, group collaboration is found to be conducive to fostering high-level cognitive and metacognitive activities.
An Investigation of the Neuroprotective Effects of Tetracycline Derivatives in Experimental Models of Retinal Cell Death

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and putative mechanisms of action of tetracycline and minocycline in inhibiting retinal cell apoptosis after glutamate-induced excitotoxicity and trophic factor deprivation in a retinal cell line (E1A-NR.3) and in primary mixed retinal cell cultures. In addition, a differentiated PC-12 cell line was used to determine whether minocycline was neuroprotective after trophic withdrawal in a pure neuronal cell line devoid of glia. Results from this study demonstrated that minocycline, but not tetracycline, is protective in in vitro models of excitotoxicity-induced retinal cell apoptosis. Moreover, the protective effects provided by minocycline in retinal cells seemed independent of actions on N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and glutamate receptor-mediated Ca2+ influx. Doses of the NMDAR antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine) and minocycline that alone provided no significant neuroprotection resulted in enhanced retinal cell survival when applied concurrently, suggestive of distinct signaling pathways, and minocycline was without effect on glutamate-induced Ca2+ influx, as assessed by calcium imaging. Minocycline was also neuroprotective after trophic factor withdrawal, producing a decrease in apoptosis and caspase-3 activation in both retinal cells and the PC-12 neuronal-like cell line. These results support a role for minocycline as a retinal neuroprotectant and demonstrate that the antiapoptotic actions of minocycline in retinal cells do not arise from the blockage of NMDARs or glutamate receptor-mediated Ca2+ influx but do involve inhibition of caspase-3 activation. In addition, the survival-promoting actions of minocycline may arise via actions on both neuronal and non-neuronal cell targets.
Transcriptional and Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying Enhanced in Vitro Adipocyte Differentiation by the Brominated Flame Retardant BDE-47

Recent studies suggest that exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) may play a role in the development of obesity. EDCs such as the flame retardant 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabrominated diphenyl ether (BDE-47) have been shown to enhance adipocyte differentiation in the murine 3T3-L1 model. The mechanisms by which EDCs direct preadipocytes to form adipocytes are poorly understood. Here, we examined transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms underlying the induction of in vitro adipocyte differentiation by BDE-47. Quantitative high content microscopy revealed concentration-dependent enhanced adipocyte differentiation following exposure to BDE-47 or the antidiabetic drug troglitazone (TROG). BDE-47 modestly activated the key adipogenic transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in COS7 cells, transiently transfected with a GAL4 reporter construct. Increased gene expression was observed for Pparγ2, leptin (Lep), and glucose-6-phophatase catalytic subunit (G6pc) in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells after BDE-47 exposure compared to TROG. Methylation-sensitive high resolution melting (MS-HRM) revealed significant demethylation of three CpG sites in the Pparγ2 promoter after exposure to both BDE-47 and TROG in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. This study shows the potential of BDE-47 to induce adipocyte differentiation through various mechanisms that include Pparγ2 gene induction and promoter demethylation accompanied by activation of PPARγ, and possible disruption of glucose homeostasis and IGF1 signaling.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatment Options for Otitis Media

AbstractOtitis media (OM) has numerous presentations in children. Together with conventional medical therapies aimed to prevent and/or treat OM, a rising number of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment options can be offered. Since OM is common in children, parents may ask healthcare professionals about possible CAM therapies. Many physicians feel that their knowledge is limited regarding these therapies, and that they desire some information. Therefore, we conducted a literature review of CAM therapies for OM, taking into account that many of these treatments, their validity and efficacy and have not been scientifically demonstrated.We performed a search in MEDLINE (accessed via PubMed) using the following terms: “CAM” in conjunction with “OM” and “children. Retrieved publications regarding treatment of OM in children which included these terms included randomized controlled trials, prospective/retrospective studies, and case studies.The following CAM options for OM treatment in children were considered: acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal medicine/phytotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, xylitol, ear candling, vitamin D supplement, and systemic and topical probiotics. We reviewed each treatment and described the level of scientific evidence of the relevant publications.The therapeutic approaches commonly associated with CAM are usually conservative, and do not include drugs or surgery. Currently, CAM is not considered by physicians a potential treatment of OM, as there is limited supporting evidence. Further studies are warranted in order to evaluate the potential value of CAM therapies for OM.
On E ciently Implementing SchemaSQL on a SQL

SchemaSQL is a recently proposed extension to SQL for enabling multi-database interoperabil-ity. Several recently identiied applications for SchemaSQL, however, mainly rely on its ability to treat data and schema labels in a uniform manner, and call for an eecient implementation of it on a single RDBMS. We rst develop a logical algebra for SchemaSQL by combining classical relational algebra with four restructuring operators { unfold, fold, split, and unite { originally introduced in the context of the tabular data model by Gyssens et al. GLS96], and suitably adapted to t the needs of SchemaSQL. We give an algorithm for translating SchemaSQL queries/views involving restructuring, into the logical algebra above. We also provide physical algebraic operators which are useful for query optimization. Using the various operators as a vehicle , we give several alternate implementation strategies for SchemaSQL queries/views. All the proposed strategies can be implemented non-intrusively on top of existing relational DBMS, in that they do not require any additions to the existing set of plan operators. We conducted a series of performance experiments based on TPC-D benchmark data, using the IBM DB2 DBMS running on Win-dows/NT. In addition to showing the relative tradeoos between various alternate strategies, our experiments show the feasibility of implementing SchemaSQL on top of traditional Currently on leave from Concordia Univ., Montreal, Canada. Work performed by this author at IIT{Bombay. Permission to copy without fee all or part of this material is granted provided that the copies are not made or distributed for direct commercial advantage, the VLDB copyright notice and the title of the publication and its date appear, and notice is given that copying is by permission of the Very Large Data Base Endowment. To copy otherwise, or to republish, requires a fee and/or special permission from the Endowment. RDBMS in a non-intrusive manner. Furthermore , they also suggest new plan operators which might prootably be added to the existing set available to relational query optimiz-ers, to further boost their performance.
Glucose Excursions Between States of Glycemia With Progression to Type 1 Diabetes in the Diabetes Prevention Trial–Type 1 (DPT-1)

OBJECTIVE We characterized fluctuations between states of glycemia in progressors to type 1 diabetes and studied whether those fluctuations are related to the early C-peptide response to oral glucose. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) from differing states of glycemia were compared within individuals for glucose and C-peptide. Dysglycemic OGTTs (DYSOGTTs) were compared with normal OGTTs (NLOGTT), while transient diabetic OGTTs (TDOGTTs) were compared with subsequent nondiabetic OGTTs and with OGTTs performed at diagnosis. RESULTS Of 135 progressors with four or more OGTTs, 30 (22%) went from NLOGTTs to DYSOGTTs at least twice. Area under the curve (AUC) glucose values from the second NLOGTT were higher (P < 0.001) than values from the first NLOGTT. Among 98 progressors whose DYSOGTTs and NLOGTTs were synchronized for the time before diagnosis, despite higher glucose levels (P < 0.01 at all time points) in the DYSOGTTs, 30- to 0-min C-peptide difference values changed little. Likewise, 30- to 0-min C-peptide difference values did not differ between TDOGTTs and subsequent (within 3 months) nondiabetic OGTTs in 55 progressors. In contrast, as glucose levels increased overall from the first to last OGTTs before diagnosis (P < 0.001 at every time point, n = 207), 30- to 0-min C-peptide difference values decreased (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Glucose levels fluctuate widely as they gradually increase overall with progression to type 1 diabetes. As glucose levels increase, the early C-peptide response declines. In contrast, glucose fluctuations are not related to the early C-peptide response. This suggests that changes in insulin sensitivity underlie the glucose fluctuations.
Very high resolution optical satellites for DEM generation : a review

The advent of very high resolution (VHR) optical satellites capable of producing stereo images led to a new era in extracting digital elevation model which commenced with the launch of IKONOS. The special specifications of VHR optical satellites besides, the significant economic profit stimulated other countries and companies to have their constellations such as EROS-A1 and EROS-B1 as the cooperation between Israel and ImageSat. QuickBird, WorldView-1 and WorldVew-2 were launched by DigitalGlobe. ALOS and GeoEye-1 were offered by Japan and GeoEye Respectively. In addition to aforementioned satellites, Indian and South Korea initiated their own constellation by launching CartoSat-1 and KOPOSAT-2 respectively.The availability of all so-called satellites make a huge market of stereo images for extracting of digital elevation model and other correspondent applications such as, producing orthorectifcatin images and updating maps. Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive comparison for scientific and commercial clients to choose appropriate satellite images and methods of generating digital elevation model to obtain optimum results. This paper will thus give a review about the specifications of VHR optical satellites. Then it will discuss the automatic elaborating of digital elevation model. Finally an overview of studies and corresponding results is reported.
Gang organization and violence in youth correctional facilities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine characteristics of gang organization in youth correctional facilities as reported by youth and staff as well as to analyze the relationship between institutional violence and level of gang organization. Design/methodology/approach – The data were collected through interviews with staff and youth in correctional facilities. Gang organization level averages are compared across youth and official perspectives, and the variability of responses among youth is also examined. Negative binomial regression models are conducted to determine the association between perceived level of gang organization and officially recorded violent behavior, both prior to and subsequent to the interview. Findings – Perceptions of institutional gang organization vary notably depending on who is reporting. In contrast with prior studies of street gangs, controlling for youth demographics and offense characteristics, the authors find no significant relationship between gang organizatio.
Deep 1.1 mm-wavelength imaging of the GOODS-S field by AzTEC/ASTE ― I. Source catalogue and number counts

We present the first results from a 1.1mm confusion-limited map of the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey-South (GOODS-S) taken with the AzTEC camera on the Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment. We imaged a 270arcmin 2 field to a 1� depth of 0.48 0.73mJy/beam, making this one of the deepest blank-field surveys at mm-wavelengths ever achieved. Although by traditional standards our GOODS-S map is extremely confused due to a sea of faint underlying sources, we demonstrate through simulations that our source identification and number counts analyses are robust, and the techniques discussed in this paper are relevant for other deeply confused surveys. We find a total of 41 dusty starburst galaxies with signal to noise ratios S/N > 3.5 within this uniformly covered region, where only two are expected to be false detections, and an additional seven robust source candidates located in the noisier (1� � 1mJy/beam) outer region of the map. We derive the 1.1mm number counts from this field using two different methods: a fluctuation or “P(d)” analysis and a semi-Bayesian technique, and find that both methods give consistent results. Our data are well-fit by a Schechter function model
The Flemish Paradox: The Hegemony of Pro-Independence Parties in a Region Largely Indifferent Towards Independence

Abstract Present-day Flanders is characterized by the contrast between the impressive electoral successes of the pro-independence Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA), and the very lukewarm attitude of its population towards independence. This success should be seen as one of the consequences of the regionalization of political identities in Belgium and the promotion of a Flemish identity by the Flemish regional government. Rather than a vote for independence, however, support for the N-VA corresponds with a rejection of interregional solidarity and more in general a preference for a more right-wing style of governance based on the principles of self-help and responsibility.
Asymptotic stability of travelling waves for Nicholson's blowflies equation with diffusion

This paper considers the nonlinear stability oftravelling wavefronts of a time-delayed diffusive Nicholson blowflies equation. We prove that, under a weighted L2 norm, ifa solution is sufficiently close to a travelling wave front initially, it converges exponentially to the wavefront as t → ∞. The rate ofconvergence is also estimated.
Fe b 20 05 Cold Neutral Gas in a z = 4 . 2 Damped Lyman-α System : Fuel for Star Formation

We discuss interstellar temperature determinations using the excitation equilibrium of the P levels of Si II and C II. We show how observations of the P3/2 fine structure levels of Si II and C II (which have significantly different excitation energies, corresponding to ∼ 413 and 92 K, respectively) can be used to limit gas kinetic temperatures. We apply this method to the z = 4.224 damped Lyman-α system toward the quasar PSS 1443+27. The lack of significant absorption out of the Si II P3/2 level and the presence of very strong C II P3/2 provides an upper limit to the temperature of the C II-bearing gas in this system. Assuming a solar Si/C ratio, the observations imply a 2σ limit T < 954 K for this absorber; a super-solar Si/C ratio gives stricter limits, T < 524 K. The observations suggest the presence of a cold neutral medium; such cold gas may serve as the fuel for star formation in this young galaxy. Subject headings: ISM: evolution – ISM: atoms – galaxies: evolution – quasars: absorption lines
Affective organizational commitment and turnover intention of academics in Malaysia: Social exchange perspective

—This study aims to test the structural model that explains the relationships between career development opportunities, POS, felt obligation, affective organizational commitment and turnover intention of academics working for one of the foreign offshore campuses of Australian universities in Malaysia. This study is driven theoretically by the social exchange theory and the organizational support theory. The survey method and the structural equation modeling (SEM) data analysis method were used. The proposed structural model was supported by this study.
The rich—love them or hate them? Divergent implicit and explicit attitudes toward the wealthy

Adding to a growing body of work on the psychology of social class, the present research examined implicit and explicit attitudes toward rich people, standing out from much previous work that has focused on negative evaluations of people with low socioeconomic status (SES). Across three studies, we found that participants (who typically identified as middle class) implicitly, but not explicitly, favored the rich over the middle class. Although financial resources represent a continuum objectively, attitudes toward the rich seem to be conceptually distinct from evaluations of low-SES people. Additionally, we demonstrated that implicit prorich attitudes uniquely predict leniency on a rich driver who causes a car accident, while explicit attitudes do not predict such judgments. This work expands and clarifies knowledge of implicit wealth attitudes and suggests that implicit prorich attitudes are an important factor in understanding how social class influences daily life.
Impact of bronchodilator therapy on exercise tolerance in COPD

Exercise tolerance is an important parameter in patients with COPD and a primary goal of treatment is to reduce dyspnea to facilitate physical activities and improve health-related quality of life. This review examines the link between expiratory flow limitation and dyspnea to explain the rationale for the use of bronchodilators and review the characteristics of different types of exercise tests, with specific focus on which tests are likely to show a response to bronchodilators. An earlier literature search of studies published up to 1999 assessed the effects of bronchodilatort therapy on dypsnea and exercise tolerance among patients with COPD. This current review examines the clinical evidence published since 1999. Thirty-one randomized studies of exercise tolerance associated with short- and long-acting β2-agonists and anticholinergics were identified. Evidence for the efficacy of bronchodilators in enhancing exercise capacity is often contradictory and possibly depends on the exercise test and study methodology. However, further studies should confirm the benefit of long-acting bronchodilators in improving spontaneous everyday physical activities.