Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Semiglobal saturated practical stabilization for nonholonomic mobile robots with uncertain parameters and angle measurement disturbance

In this paper, the semiglobal stabilization problem is addressed for a class of uncertain nonholonomic mobile robots with input saturation. By solving the linear inequalities, a new switching controller is presented in the presence of parametric uncertainties and angle measurement disturbance. Under the proposed controller, it is rigorously proved that all the states of the closed loop system can be stabilized to the any prescribed small interval around zero. Finally, a numerical example illustrate the effectiveness of the control design method.
Alterations to Melanocortinergic, GABAergic and Cannabinoid Neurotransmission Associated with Olanzapine-Induced Weight Gain

Background/Aim Second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are used to treat schizophrenia but can cause serious metabolic side-effects, such as obesity and diabetes. This study examined the effects of low to high doses of olanzapine on appetite/metabolic regulatory signals in the hypothalamus and brainstem to elucidate the mechanisms underlying olanzapine-induced obesity. Methodology/Results Levels of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65, enzyme for GABA synthesis) mRNA expression, and cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) binding density (using [3H]SR-141716A) were examined in the arcuate nucleus (Arc) and dorsal vagal complex (DVC) of female Sprague Dawley rats following 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg olanzapine or vehicle (3×/day, 14-days). Consistent with its weight gain liability, olanzapine significantly decreased anorexigenic POMC and increased orexigenic NPY mRNA expression in a dose-sensitive manner in the Arc. GAD65 mRNA expression increased and CB1R binding density decreased in the Arc and DVC. Alterations to neurotransmission signals in the brain significantly correlated with body weight and adiposity. The minimum dosage threshold required to induce weight gain in the rat was 0.5 mg/kg olanzapine. Conclusions Olanzapine-induced weight gain is associated with reduced appetite-inhibiting POMC and increased NPY. This study also supports a role for the CB1R and GABA in the mechanisms underlying weight gain side-effects, possibly by altering POMC transmission. Metabolic dysfunction can be modelled in the female rat using low, clinically-comparable olanzapine doses when administered in-line with the half-life of the drug.
Dimming control in visible light communication using RPO-OFDM and concatenated RS-CC

Increasing wireless data traffic is creating pressure on the conventional dwindling radio frequency spectrum. A new and reliable communication medium becomes a necessity. Visible Light Communication (VLC), a subset of optical wireless communication uses the visible light spectrum between 400 and 800 THz as a medium for communication. VLC utilizes the illumination of LED to establish a communication medium. The research focused on achieving a successful VLC communication link at low intensities of light without affecting the speed, accuracy and efficiency of VLC. The achievement of the paper was to devise a method to reduce the LED brightness, reducing energy consumption and most importantly maintain a reliable, efficient and successful VLC communication link at low intensities of LED. The research comprises of a Reverse Polarity Optical-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (RPO-OFDM) modulator, a Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoder block that uses concatenated Reed Solomon – Convolutional Coding, a digital PWM dimming control circuit, an RPO-OFDM demodulator and a FEC decoder. The decoding is performed using the Berlekamp–Massey algorithm and the Viterbi algorithm. Extensive research on various modulation schemes, coding and error correction techniques along with various driver circuit design for dimming control in VLC were thoroughly investigated to conclude the best reliable solution for dimming control in VLC.
HGF, MAPK, and a small physiological electric field interact during corneal epithelial cell migration.

PURPOSE To investigate the effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and a small applied electric field (EF) on corneal epithelial cell (CEC) migration. METHODS Primary cultures of bovine CECs were exposed to an EF (25-250 mV/mm) in the presence or absence of HGF (100 ng/mL). The rate and directionality of CEC migration were quantified. The expression of HGF receptors (HGFRs), p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the time-course of activation of p42/44 MAPK were investigated by confocal microscopy and Western blot analysis. RESULTS CECs migrated significantly faster in the presence of an EF, HGF, or HGF and an EF combined. The distribution of HGFRs was intracellular and in the presence of an EF was concentrated in the cathode-facing side. This EF-induced asymmetrical accumulation of HGFRs correlated with the direction of CEC migration. The application of HGF or an EF led to the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway and in the presence of an EF, activation of MAPK was greater in the cathode-facing half of the CECs. Inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway by PD98059 (100 micro M) reduced the ability of HGF and an EF to enhance the rate of CEC migration, but did not alter EF-induced cathodal directionality. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that both HGF and an EF augment the rate of CEC migration through activation of p42/44 MAPK. Moreover, EF-induced redistribution of HGFRs and asymmetry of MAPK signaling, although not instrumental in directing CEC migration cathodally, may be important for the signaling and maintenance of migration.
Isotopic and Elemental Determination in Some Romanian Apple Fruit Juices

H, C, O stable isotope ratios and the content of some heavy elements of 31 Romanian single-strength organic apple juices collected from four Transylvanian areas are discussed in this study. The aim of this study was to measure the 2H/1H, 18O/16O, 13C/12C ratios of these juices and their elemental profile and to establish a database of authentic values to be used for adulteration and authenticity testing. Our results have shown mean values of δ 18O = −4.2‰ and δDδ−46.5‰, respectively, for apples from Transylvania and at the same time the mean value of δ 13C = −28.2‰. The content of Cd, Pb, U, Zn, As was below the acceptable limits stipulated in US-EPA standard for drinking water. Cu and Cr limits exceeded for one single juice; Ni content for some apple juices from Maramures, Alba, and Cluj was higher than the acceptable value.
Dtr1p, a Multidrug Resistance Transporter of the Major Facilitator Superfamily, Plays an Essential Role in Spore Wall Maturation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT The de novo formation of multilayered spore walls inside a diploid mother cell is a major landmark of sporulation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Synthesis of the dityrosine-rich outer spore wall takes place toward the end of this process. Bisformyl dityrosine, the major building block of the spore surface, is synthesized in a multistep process in the cytoplasm of the prospores, transported to the maturing wall, and polymerized into a highly cross-linked macromolecule on the spore surface. Here we present evidence that the sporulation-specific protein Dtr1p (encoded by YBR180w) plays an important role in spore wall synthesis by facilitating the translocation of bisformyl dityrosine through the prospore membrane. DTR1 was identified in a genome-wide screen for spore wall mutants. The null mutant accumulates unusually large amounts of bisformyl dityrosine in the cytoplasm and fails to efficiently incorporate this precursor into the spore surface. As a result, many mutant spores have aberrant surface structures. Dtr1p, a member of the poorly characterized DHA12 (drug:H+ antiporter with 12 predicted membrane spans) family, is localized in the prospore membrane throughout spore maturation. Transport by Dtr1p may not be restricted to its natural substrate, bisformyl dityrosine. When expressed in vegetative cells, Dtr1p renders these cells slightly more resistant against unrelated toxic compounds, such as antimalarial drugs and food-grade organic acid preservatives. Dtr1p is the first multidrug resistance protein of the major facilitator superfamily with an assigned physiological role in the yeast cell.
Role of Domain 4 in Sodium Channel Slow Inactivation

Depolarization of sodium channels initiates at least three gating pathways: activation, fast inactivation, and slow inactivation. Little is known about the voltage sensors for slow inactivation, a process believed to be separate from fast inactivation. Covalent modification of a cysteine substituted for the third arginine (R1454) in the S4 segment of the fourth domain (R3C) with negatively charged methanethiosulfonate-ethylsulfonate (MTSES) or with positively charged methanethiosulfonate-ethyltrimethylammonium (MTSET) produces a marked slowing of the rate of fast inactivation. However, only MTSES modification produces substantial effects on the kinetics of slow inactivation. Rapid trains of depolarizations (2–20 Hz) cause a reduction of the peak current of mutant channels modified by MTSES, an effect not observed for wild-type or unmodified R3C channels, or for mutant channels modified by MTSET. The data suggest that MTSES modification of R3C enhances entry into a slow-inactivated state, and also that the effects on slow inactivation are independent of alterations of either activation or fast inactivation. This effect of MTSES is observed only for cysteine mutants within the middle of this S4 segment, and the data support a helical secondary structure of S4 in this region. Mutation of R1454 to the negatively charged residues aspartate or glutamate cannot reproduce the effects of MTSES modification, indicating that charge alone cannot account for these results. A long-chained derivative of MTSES has similar effects as MTSES, and can produce these effects on a residue that does not show use-dependent current reduction after modification by MTSES, suggesting that the sulfonate moiety can reach a critical site affecting slow inactivation. The effects of MTSES on R3C are partially counteracted by a point mutation (W408A) that inhibits slow inactivation. Our data suggest that a region near the midpoint of the S4 segment of domain 4 plays an important role in slow inactivation.
Raman cooling of atoms in an optical dipole trap.

We have Raman cooled sodium atoms below the photon recoil temperature in a novel type of blue-detuned optical dipole force trap. In this trap 4.5{times}10{sup 5} atoms have been cooled to an effective three dimensional temperature of 1.0 {mu}K at a final density of 4{times}10{sup 11} cm{sup {minus}3}. No atoms were lost during the cooling process. The phase space density increased by a factor of 320 over the uncooled sample. This is the highest phase space density achieved by an all-optical cooling method. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society. }
Glyphosate-Resistant Goosegrass. Identification of a Mutation in the Target Enzyme 5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-Phosphate Synthase

The spontaneous occurrence of resistance to the herbicide glyphosate in weed species has been an extremely infrequent event, despite over 20 years of extensive use. Recently, a glyphosate-resistant biotype of goosegrass (Eleusine indica) was identified in Malaysia exhibiting an LD50 value approximately 2- to 4-fold greater than the sensitive biotype collected from the same region. A comparison of the inhibition of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) activity by glyphosate in extracts prepared from the resistant (R) and sensitive (S) biotypes revealed an approximately 5-fold higher IC50(glyphosate) for the (R) biotype. Sequence comparisons of the predicted EPSPS mature protein coding regions from both biotypes revealed four single-nucleotide differences, two of which result in amino acid changes. One of these changes, a proline to serine substitution at position 106 in the (R) biotype, corresponds to a substitution previously identified in a glyphosate-insensitive EPSPS enzyme from Salmonella typhimurium. Kinetic data generated for the recombinant enzymes suggests that the second substitution identified in the (R) EPSPS does not contribute significantly to its reduced glyphosate sensitivity. Escherichia coli aroA− (EPSPS deficient) strains expressing the mature EPSPS enzyme from the (R) biotype exhibited an approximately 3-fold increase in glyphosate tolerance relative to strains expressing the mature EPSPS from the (S) biotype. These results provide the first evidence for an altered EPSPS enzyme as an underlying component of evolved glyphosate resistance in any plant species.
Comparison of Patient and Surgeon Expectations of Total Hip Arthroplasty

Objectives Analysis of discrepancies between patient and surgeon expectations before total hip arthroplasty (THA) should enable a better understanding of motives of dissatisfaction about surgery, but this question has been seldom studied. Our objectives were to compare surgeons' and patients' expectations before THA, and to study factors which affected surgeon-patient agreement. Methods 132 adults (mean age 62.8+/−13.7 years, 52% men) on waiting list for THA in three tertiary care centres and their 16 surgeons were interviewed to assess their expectations using the Hospital for Special Surgery Total Hip Replacement Expectations Survey (range 0–100). Patients' and surgeons' answers were compared, for the total score and for the score of each item. Univariate analyses tested the effect of patients' characteristics on surgeons' and patients' expectations separately, and on surgeon-patient differences. Results Surgeon and patient expectations' mean scores were high (respectively 90.9+/−11.1 and 90.0+/−11.6 over 100). Surgeons' and patients' expectations showed no systematic difference, but there was little agreement on Bland and Altman graph and correlation coefficient was low. Patients had higher expectations than surgeons for sports. Patients rated their expectations according to trust in physician and mental quality of life, surgeons considered disability. More disabled patients and patients from a low-income professional category were often “more optimistic” than their surgeons. Conclusion Surgeons and patients often do not agree on what to expect from THA. More disabled patients expect better outcomes than their surgeons.
Suicide mortality in Finnish Lapland by small areas, with reference to temporal trends

Abstract Objectives. To determine the regional patterns and the temporal trends of suicides in Finnish Lapland. Study Design. Population-based ecological mortality study. Methods. Data on suicides and population aged 15 years and over during the period 1961–2005 were tabulated by sex, age and commune (local government districts). Age-adjusted mortality was calculated by 5-year periods and smoothed by loess regression. Results. Male suicide mortality in Lapland was 51 per 100,000 person-years, an excess of 17% (95% CI 12–23%) compared with the national mortality. The excess was highest in men aged 15–24 years (excess 54%; 95% CI 39–70%), and it increased over time. In females, suicide mortality was 13/100,000, a deficit of 10% (95% CI 1–19%) versus all Finland. Male suicides were most common in north-central Lapland and in the cities Kemi and Kemijärvi. In females, the pattern was similar in kind but the numbers were small. The epidemic wave of suicides which culminated in 1990 in all Finland showed differing trends by small areas in Lapland. Conclusions. Male suicides are excessively common in Lapland compared with the national level, and they concentrate on a geographically contiguous area in the central north and in 2 towns. The findings encourage local studies to investigate the underlying causal factors and interventions to reduce suicides.
Identification of Thalidomide-Specific Transcriptomics and Proteomics Signatures during Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic development can be partially recapitulated in vitro by differentiating human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Thalidomide is a developmental toxicant in vivo and acts in a species-dependent manner. Besides its therapeutic value, thalidomide also serves as a prototypical model to study teratogenecity. Although many in vivo and in vitro platforms have demonstrated its toxicity, only a few test systems accurately reflect human physiology. We used global gene expression and proteomics profiling (two dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) coupled with Tandem Mass spectrometry) to demonstrate hESC differentiation and thalidomide embryotoxicity/teratogenecity with clinically relevant dose(s). Proteome analysis showed loss of POU5F1 regulatory proteins PKM2 and RBM14 and an over expression of proteins involved in neuronal development (such as PAK2, PAFAH1B2 and PAFAH1B3) after 14 days of differentiation. The genomic and proteomic expression pattern demonstrated differential expression of limb, heart and embryonic development related transcription factors and biological processes. Moreover, this study uncovered novel possible mechanisms, such as the inhibition of RANBP1, that participate in the nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of proteins and inhibition of glutathione transferases (GSTA1, GSTA2), that protect the cell from secondary oxidative stress. As a proof of principle, we demonstrated that a combination of transcriptomics and proteomics, along with consistent differentiation of hESCs, enabled the detection of canonical and novel teratogenic intracellular mechanisms of thalidomide.
Protein docking using spherical polar Fourier correlations

We present a new computational method of docking pairs of proteins by using spherical polar Fourier correlations to accelerate the search for candidate low‐energy conformations. Interaction energies are estimated using a hydrophobic excluded volume model derived from the notion of “overlapping surface skins,” augmented by a rigorous but “soft” model of electrostatic complementarity. This approach has several advantages over former three‐dimensional grid‐based fast Fourier transform (FFT) docking correlation methods even though there is no analogue to the FFT in a spherical polar representation. For example, a complete search over all six rigid‐body degrees of freedom can be performed by rotating and translating only the initial expansion coefficients, many infeasible orientations may be eliminated rapidly using only low‐resolution terms, and the correlations are easily localized around known binding epitopes when this knowledge is available. Typical execution times on a single processor workstation range from 2 hours for a global search (5 × 108 trial orientations) to a few minutes for a local search (over 6 × 107 orientations). The method is illustrated with several domain dimer and enzyme–inhibitor complexes and 20 large antibody–antigen complexes, using both the bound and (when available) unbound subunits. The correct conformation of the complex is frequently identified when docking bound subunits, and a good docking orientation is ranked within the top 20 in 11 out of 18 cases when starting from unbound subunits. Proteins 2000;39:178–194. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modeling and Computer Simulation of the Compressional Behavior of Fiber Assemblies

A model is presented that allows prediction of the properties of a fiber assembly under compression from the physical properties of its component fibers, taking into account both static and kinetic friction. Unlike previous models, this model is not based on the assumed behavior of idealized bending elements. Computer simulations are run for four cases with two different friction conditions in order to compare predictions of this model with experimental results and with van Wyk's theory of the uniaxial compression of an initially random fiber assembly. These simulations are the first to show a reasonable ability to predict the undeter mined constant K in van Wyk's equation. They also show a significandy greater number of fiber-fiber contacts being formed than theories based only on the diameter and arrangement of fibers have predicted. The predicted contacts have a wide range of contact forces, while only a small percentage of them do not slip. Further improvements to the predictive abilities of this model may be obtained by running larger simulations, modifying the boundary conditions, and incorporating a more realistic friction model.
Study of structural degradation of ceramic material of insulators in long term operation

The paper presents ultrasonic method of investigations of long-rod line and post insulators, operated on 110/6 kV power engineering stations. Acoustic measurements were performed directly in place of exploitation for three groups of domestic insulators. They concerned 16 line insulators LP 75/17 from 1970s; 56 post insulators SWZPAK-110 from 1970s and 47 post insulators SWZP4-110/550 from 1980s. Worked out measurement technique enabled assessment of structure degradation degree without troublesome and expensive removal of insulators from operation. Nondestructive measurements were carried out using special apparatus, which was designed and constructed mainly for outdoor testing of operated objects and results were compared with non operated material. There was presented technology of fabrication of ceramic insulators, typical structure of their material and factors influencing operational durability. Experimental method of assessment of insulator material “life time” was described in brief. All insulators were made of electrotechnical porcelain C 120 kind. There were performed detailed microscopic investigation of the material of operated line and post insulators. The results were compared with properties of the new porcelain. There was established correlation between the degree of the material degradation and the parameters of ultrasonic wave propagation and attenuation. Additionally there were used results of acoustic emission investigation of the material samples, which were subjected to slowly increasing compressive stress. On the basis of the study, advancement of ageing degradation of the material and the quality of tested insulators were assessed. It was stated that advancement of aging effects in the material of exploited post insulators and non-operated ones, taken from station reserve, was approximately the same. External operational stresses seriously affected aging of porcelain only in case of the rods of line insulators. Significantly lower quality of post insulators, made in time of economic crisis in 1980s, was established. On the ground of performed study, earlier researches and data from exploitation there was ascertained operational durability as not exceeding 35 years. It concerns insulators made from C 120 kind material, which does not contain significant inhomogeneities or technological defects.
Title and sub-title : Road design factors and their interactions with speed and speed limits

The road environment can affect driver speed choice through influencing both the driver’s perception of their current speed, and the speed that they think is appropriate for the road. These influences and their effects on speed can therefore affect crash rates. This report reviews the influence of various factors within the road environment, including the geometry of the road, the roadside environment, explicit information from road signs and markings, and temporary factors such as lighting conditions and the presence of other road users. The review also covers how these environmental factors interact with other factors related to the driver and the vehicle. The concept of the ‘self explaining road’ is also discussed.