Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decoupling in the design and synthesis of multivariable control systems

Necessary and sufficient conditions for the "decoupling" of anm-input,m-output time-invariant linear system using state variable feedback are determined. Given a system which satisfies these conditions, i.e., which can be decoupled by state variable feedback, the class φ of all feedback matrices which decouple the system is characterized. The characterization of φ is used to determine the number of closed-loop poles which can be specified for the decoupled system and to develop a synthesis technique for the realization of desired closed-loop pole configurations. Transfer matrix consequences of decoupling are examined and practice implications discussed through numerical examples.
“Active Judiciary”: Judicial Dismantling Of Workers’ Collective Action in China

The market-driven economic transformation in China has made the rule of law increasingly important in labor relations. In the past three decades, the state has actively legislated on labor issues, passing three major laws: the Labor Law in 1994, the Trade Union Law in 2002 and the Labor Contract Law in 2008. These have laid down the legal foundation for labor relations, not only by defining workers’ rights, but also by stipulating procedures for labor disputes. Procedural systematization and the promulgation of labor laws have raised workers’ awareness of their legal rights, resulting in an exponential growth in labor disputes. This has brought courts to the forefront of labor dispute resolution. Scholars have focused on the role of the judicial process in settling labor disputes. They have examined how legal procedures have opened up new opportunities for workers to air their grievances and press for redress, and how legal and institutional changes have shaped legal mobilization. Laws have been viewed as “weapons” allowing discontented workers—mainly as individual litigators—to seek justice, or giving trade unions a role in legal aid, while the courts process workers’ individual claims. Nevertheless, the courts do not encounter only individual labor disputes. The past two decades have witnessed a growing number of collective labor
Development and Psychopathology

The developmental psychopathology perspective, which can be understood as both a conceptual approach and a scientific discipline, aims to integrate the historically distinct domains of child development and psychopathology toward the goal of advancing the understanding of children’s adaptation and maladaptation. This chapter provides an overview of the key concepts and methodologies that characterize the discipline, drawing heavily on seminal early work on the topic; these key concepts and methodologies are integrated with a consideration of current trends and concepts in the field. The current state of the field is summarized and outstanding issues that merit further conceptual consideration and research attention are highlighted.
Excessive Access Cannulation Site Bleeding Predicts Long‐Term All‐Cause Mortality in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

Our group has previously reported that excessive vascular access bleeding during dialysis treatment in stable hemodialysis (HD) patients was associated with anemia and may indicate poorer health. The association between excessive blood loss from access cannulation site and clinical outcomes was unknown. We hypothesized that excessive access bleeding may have an impact on all‐cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in this population. We prospectively conducted an observational, longitudinal study of 360 HD patients. Excessive access bleeding was defined as at least an occurrence of blood loss greater than 4 mL per HD session during a study period of one month. During a median follow‐up of 83 months, all‐cause mortality and CV mortality were registered. Outcomes were analyzed by Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. A total of 118 (32.8%) participants died and 54 of these were from CV death. Using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression, access bleeding was found to be an independent predictor of all‐cause mortality (HR 1.67, 95% CI 0.96–2.91, P = 0.070) but not for CV death (HR 1.53, 95% CI 0.88–2.68, P = 0.135). Our study identified that excessive access cannulation site bleeding could be a novel marker for increased risk of death in HD patients.
Expression of Opioid Receptors in Osteoblast-Like MG-63 Cells, and Effects of Different Opioid Agonists on Alkaline Phosphatase and Osteocalcin Secretion by These Cells

We have previously shown that several stressful situations associated with tissue injury determine a decrease in serum osteocalcin concentration. Since reduced osteocalcin production is a marker of decreased osteoblastic activity, this finding could be related to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis secondary to some diseases. Endogenous opioids are involved in stress response. Proenkephalin-derived peptides have been shown to inhibit alkaline phosphatase activity, another marker of bone formation, in the murine cell line ROS-17/2.8. On the other hand, serum osteocalcin has been reported as being low in heroin abusers. We have therefore thought it of interest to study the presence of opioid receptors in the human osteoblast-like cell line MG-63, and to evaluate the effects of different opioid agonists on the secretion of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin by these cells. The presence of opioid receptors was studied by means of RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR studies suggested the presence of specific mRNA for the three types of receptors, and immunohistochemistry clearly showed their occurrence. Osteocalcin synthesis was significantly inhibited by high concentrations of the mu agonists morphine and (D-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly5-ol)-enkephalin although no changes were seen with the delta agonist (D-Ala2,D-leu5)-enkephalin. Morphine-induced osteocalcin inhibition was abolished when osteoblastic cells were incubated simultaneously with naloxone, whereas it was potentiated when cells were preincubated with naloxone. None of the opioid agonists modified the secretion of alkaline phosphatase. In conclusion, human osteoblast-like cells MG-63 express the three types of opioid receptors. Endogenous opioids may be involved in the reduction of osteocalcin observed in stressful situations associated with tissue injury.
Economic analysis of HIV prevention interventions in Andhra Pradesh state of India to inform resource allocation

Objective:To conduct composite economic analysis of HIV prevention interventions to inform efficient utilization of resources in India. Methods:We obtained output and economic cost data for the 2005–2006 fiscal year from a representative sample of 128 public-funded HIV prevention programmes of 14 types in Andhra Pradesh state of India. Using data from various sources, we developed a model to estimate the number of HIV infections averted. We estimated the additional HIV infections that could be averted if each intervention reached optimal coverage and the associated cost. Results:In a year, 9688 HIV infections were averted by public-funded HIV prevention interventions in Andhra Pradesh. Scaling-up interventions to the optimal level would require US$38.8 million annually, 2.8 times the US$13.8 million economic cost in 2005–2006. This could increase the number of HIV infections averted by 2.4-fold, if with higher resources there were many-fold increases in the proportional allocation for programmes for migrant labourers, men who have sex with men and voluntary counselling and testing, and reduction of the high proportion for mass media campaigns to one-third of the 2005–2006 proportion of resource utilization. If the proportions of resource allocation for interventions remained similar to 2005–2006, the higher resources would avert 54% of the additional avertable HIV infections. Conclusion:The recent four-fold increase in public funding for HIV/AIDS control in India should be adequate to scale-up HIV prevention interventions to an optimal level in Andhra Pradesh, but the prevention would be suboptimal if additional investments were not preferentially directed to some particular interventions.
Effects of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol on Cisplatin-Induced Neuropathy in Mice

Abstract Sativex, a cannabinoid extract with a 1 : 1 ratio of tetrahydocannabinol and cannabidiol, has been shown to alleviate neuropathic pain associated with chemotherapy. This research examined whether tetrahydocannabinol or cannabidiol alone could attenuate or prevent cisplatin-induced tactile allodynia. In experiment 1, mice (C57BL/6) received eight administrations of 2.3 mg/kg cisplatin or saline solution IP every other day to induce tactile allodynia. Mice were then administered vehicle, 100 mg/kg gabapentin, 2 mg/kg tetrahydocannabinol, or 2 mg/kg cannabidiol IP and tested 60 min later on an electronic Von Frey. In experiment 2, prevention studies, cannabidiol (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg) or tetrahydocannabinol (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg) was given IP 30 min prior to cisplatin administration (2.3 or 1.0 mg/kg) utilizing a six-dose alternate day protocol. In both studies, tactile responses to the hind paws were quantified in g of force using an electronic Von Frey prior to and after the cisplatin administration protocol. Cisplatin produced a reduction in g of force indicative of neuropathy that was attenuated by gabapentin, tetrahydocannabinol, and cannabidiol but not prevented by either cannabinoid. These data demonstrate that each of the major constituents of Sativex alone can achieve analgesic effects against cisplatin neuropathy.
Constraint solving for high-level WCET analysis

The safety of our day-to-day life depends crucially on the correct functioning of embedded software systems which control the functioning of more and more technical devices. Many of these software systems are time-critical. Hence, computations performed need not only to be correct, but must also be issued in a timely fashion. Worst case execution time (WCET) analysis is concerned with computing tight upper bounds for the execution time of a system in order to provide formal guarantees for the proper timing behaviour of a system. Central for this is to compute safe and tight bounds for loops and recursion depths. In this paper, we highlight the TuBound approach to this challenge at whose heart is a constraint logic based approach for loop analysis.
Relative Bioavailability of Zinc in Yogurt Using Body Weight Gain, Femur Weight and Bone Zinc Content in Rats as Markers

Objective: some previous works have shown the importance of zinc in nutrition, and even evaluated different zinc sources for food supplementation with this micronutrient. The aim of this work was to evaluate zinc gluconate stabi- lized with glycine (BZ) as a zinc source for food fortification by employing yogurt as the vehicle and zinc sulfate (SZ) as the standard zinc source. Materials and methods: weaned Sprague Dawley rats were separated in 7 groups of 10 rats each, which were fed with diets according to the scheme: Group 1- 2ppm Zn; Groups 2, 3 and 4 - 9, 20 and 34 ppm Zn as SO4Zn.7H2O (SZ) and Groups 5, 6 and 7 - 9, 20 and 34 ppm Zn as zinc gluconate stabilized with glycine (BZ) during 21 days. Zinc sources were provided in a vehicle as yogurt, added in the final diet at 10%. Body weight gain, femur weight and femur zinc content were evaluated at the end of the treatments in order to determine zinc bioavailability, as previously described by others. In this way, body weight gain and femur weight were analyzed by a non linear regression according to equation: Y = Ymax (1-e (-kX) ) and femur zinc content was analyzed by a linear regression, all of them as a function of dietary zinc from each source. Results: relative zinc bioavailability of BZ was 0.95; 0.95 and 1.10 according to body weight gain, femur weight and femur zinc content, respectively. Conclusion: zinc gluconate stabilized with glycine may be considered as a suitable source of zinc for food fortification in a yogurt matrix.
Video Game Addiction in Gambling Disorder: Clinical, Psychopathological, and Personality Correlates

Objective. We studied the prevalences of video game use (VGU) and addiction (VGA) in gambling disorder (GD) patients and compared them with subjects with non-video game use (non-VGU) in relation to their gambling behavior, psychopathology, and personality characteristics. Method. A sample of 193 GD patients (121 non-VGU, 43 VGU, and 29 VGA) consecutively admitted to our pathological gambling unit participated in the study. Assessment. Measures included the video game dependency test (VDT), symptom checklist-90-revised, and the temperament and character inventory-revised, as well as a number of other GD indices. Results. In GD, the observed prevalence of VG (use or addiction) was 37.3% (95% CI :30.7% ÷ 44.3),VGU 22.3% (95% CI :17.0% ÷ 28.7), and VGA 15% (95% CI :10.7% ÷ 20.7). Orthogonal polynomial contrast into logistic regression showed positive linear trends for VG level and GD severity and other measures of general psychopathology. After structural equation modeling, higher VG total scores were associated with younger age, general psychopathology, and specific personality traits, but not with GD severity. Patients' sex and age were involved in the mediational pathways between personality traits and VG impairment. Conclusions. GD patients with VG are younger and present more dysfunctional personality traits, and more general psychopathology. The presence of VG did not affect the severity of GD.
Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Risk Factors in Illinois

Purpose. To examine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in Illinois and associated risk factors to document emerging problems as a basis for preventive and/or therapeutic interventions. Design. The 2005 Illinois Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data were analyzed for prevalence rates and relative risk (RR) of risk factors for MS. Setting. Illinois. Subjects. Representative sample of 5077 noninstitutionalized Illinoisans aged ≥ 18. Measures. Presence of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, angina, and obesity; adequate fruit/vegetable intake; adequate daily physical activity; routine consumption of calcium-rich foods; smoking; and demographic variables. Analysis. Prevalence, chi-square, RR, and analyses of variance. Results. MS prevalence was 16.2%. The RR for MS was 8 for those having diabetes; 20 for those with hypertension; 14 for those with hypercholesterolemia; 6 for those with angina; and 7 for those with obesity. Fruit/vegetable intake did not significantly influence the RR (RR = 1.01), but RR was greater when calcium-rich foods were not routinely consumed (RR = 1.61) and with inadequate physical activity (RR = 1.85). MS prevalence was highest in those over 65 years; with incomes <$15,000; and among Blacks. Differences among those with one through five indicators of MS were not significant for fruit/vegetable intake, but were for physical activity, age group, income, and education level (p < .001). Conclusion. These findings reveal that MS prevention should be emphasized for lower-income, older Blacks. Increasing physical activity and calcium-rich foods are areas for community-based education.
Comparison of the Toy Play Behavior of Autistic, Retarded, and Normal Children

Autistic, mentally retarded, and normal children were observed individually during 20-min. play periods in which they were allowed complete freedom in the selection and use of toys. The observation period was divided into 60 segments and observers recorded which of a number of defined categories of toy uses occurred during each segment. This technique also provided a measure of the number of distinctly different acts comprising S's toy play repertoire. Both normal and retarded Ss exceeded the autistic Ss, and the normals surpassed the retardates in the proportion of over-all play devoted to combinational uses of toys. The play of the autistic group included higher proportions of both oral and repetitive uses of toys than that of the other groups. The toy play repertoires of the autistic Ss contained fewer distinctly different acts than the repertoires of either the normals or retardates.
The interaction with disabled persons scale: A new australian instrument to measure attitudes towards people with disabilities

Abstract This article reports results of the construct validation of a new Australian measure of attitudes towards people with disabilities. Following a statement of the theoretical background for the instrument and a critique of existing instruments, an outline is given of procedures used in the development and psychometric evaluation of the Interaction with Disabled Persons (IDP) Scale. Results indicate that test-retest and internal reliability coefficients compare favourably with existing overseas instruments and that a stable factor structure has emerged over time across a variety of samples. Support was provided for all hypotheses based on the predicted nomological network of the IDP Scale. The article closes with a discussion of current and potential applications of the instrument.
Articulated Gaussian kernel correlation for human pose estimation

In this paper, we address the problem of human pose estimation through a novel articulated Gaussian kernel correlation function which is applied to human pose tracking from a single depth sensor. We first derive a unified Gaussian kernel correlation that can generalize the previous Sum-of-Gaussians (SoG)-based methods for the similarity measure between a template and the observation. Furthermore, we develop an articulated Gaussian kernel correlation by embedding a tree-structured skeleton model, which enables us to estimate the full-body pose parameters. Also, the new kernel correlation framework can easily penalize undesired body intersection which is more natural than the clamping function in previous methods. Our algorithm is general, simple yet effective and can achieve real-time performance. The experimental results on a public depth dataset are promising and competitive when compared with state-of-the-art algorithms.
Minimising semantic drift with Mutual Exclusion Bootstrapping

Iterative bootstrapping techniques are commonly used to extract lexical semantic resources from raw text. Their major weakness is that, without costly human intervention, the extracted terms (often rapidly) drift from the meaning of the original seed terms. In this paper we propose Mutual Exclusion bootstrapping ( MEB ) in which multiple semantic classes compete for each extracted term. This signiﬁcantly reduces the problem of semantic drift by providing boundaries for the semantic classes. We demonstrate the superiority of MEB to standard bootstrapping in extracting named entities from the Google Web 1T 5-grams. Finally, we demonstrate that MEB is a multi-way cut problem over semantic classes, terms and contexts.
Integrity management of police organizations

This article presents a conceptual framework for reviewing the integrity of police organizations, provides a general basis for developing specific activities and gives an overview of possible strategies and activities. Integrity management has to safeguard the conditions in the organization that enable police officers to find a responsible balance between three fundamental types of conflicting interests: the entangled hands dilemma; the many hands dilemma; and the dirty hands dilemma. We develop seven organizational qualities that encourage a prudent balance. An integrity audit can help in measuring these qualities. By examining the organization from this perspective, it is possible to work on improving the organization’s integrity.
Commitment to Change: Contributions to Trust in the Supervisor and Work Outcomes

There is a lack of empirical evidence on the relationship between commitment to change, trust in organizational authorities, and work outcomes. The purpose of this study is to bring further evidence on the role played by affective and continuance commitment to change on employee’s trust in the supervisor and several work outcomes (turnover intentions, organizational citizenship behaviors, and perceived performance). Participants were 221 employees from several organizations that had undergone major organizational changes. Our results suggest that trust in the supervisor fully mediates the relationship between affective commitment to change and the three work outcomes. Continuance commitment to change was not significantly related to any outcome variables.These key findings bring salience to how employee’s reactions to specific situations (i.e., relevant organizational changes) contribute to the development of social relationships and work outcomes within the organization. The findings are discussed regarding their considerable implications both for managers and researchers.
From the Field: METHAMPHETAMINES IN THE HEARTLAND: A REVIEW AND INITIAL EXPLORATION

ABSTRACT Amphetamine and methamphetamine use, already described as an epidemic in many parts of Asia, has been spreading rapidly in the United States. Although it is a major problem in a number of western cities, for most of the Midwest, East and Southeast, methamphetamine use and production are centered in more rural areas. This study examines the rise of methamphetamine use and production in the United States, paying particular attention to issues in the rural Midwest. Using data from Illinois, it is suggested that methamphetamine production is associated with weak economies and with social problems among juveniles, but not with various measures of crime.
Pulmonary Hypertension and Cardiovascular Sequelae in 54 Dogs

Records for 54 dogs with pulmonary hypertension were retrospectively reviewed. The severity of disease was classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the estimated peak right ventricular/pulmonary artery pressures using spectral Doppler echocardiography. Pressure was estimated using tricuspid/pulmonary valve regurgitant jets. In dogs classified as mildly or moderately affected, the most common underlying problem was chronic valvular disease, but in dogs classified as severely affected, respiratory disease was most common. The cardiac sequelae (cor pulmonale) paralleled the severity of the pulmonary hypertension, with the severe classification particularly impacted. Typical echocardiographic findings in severely affected dogs included an enlarged right ventricle, a flattened interventricular septum, tricuspid regurgitation, and a small left ventricle. A poor therapeutic response and high mortality characterized the severe classification. Mild and moderate cases were easier to manage because half of these dogs had chronic valvular disease. Heartworms did not appear to be a major problem in the dogs, but pulmonary thromboembolism, pul
Expression of the APC tumor suppressor protein in oligodendroglia

Mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene have been linked to familial polyposis, an inherited predisposition to colon cancer, and a high percentage of sporadic colon adenomas. Although this gene is best known for its role in development of bowel neoplasms, in recent studies we have found that APC mRNA levels are greatly enriched in brain compared with peripheral tissues. To help define its role in the nervous system, in this study we have determined its cellular localization immunohistochemically in adult rat brain sections and have detected intense APC immunoreactivity in oligodendrocytes. Since prominent APC immunostaining is detected in cell bodies of mature oligodendrocytes, these antibodies may provide a useful addition to available oligodendrocyte markers. Although the cellular function of APC remains undefined, previous biochemical studies have demonstrated that APC is associated with catenins, cytoplasmic proteins involved in regulating cell‐cell adhesion. We propose that, in addition to its critical role in ensuring normal maturation of colonic epithelial cells, the APC tumor suppressor protein also regulates the adhesive properties of oligodendrocytes. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.