Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mixed H2 /H∞ optimization with discrete smith predictor for fuzzy decentralized control of nonlinear interconnected discrete dynamic systems with large delay

Each subsystem of a nonlinear interconnected discrete dynamic delayed system is approximated by a weighted combination of L pulse transfer function delayed systems (PTFDS). To deal with large time-delay of the controlled system with acceptable performance, a two-degree-of-freedom control is designed. At beginning, the H2 — norm of the difference between the transfer function of a reference model and the closed-loop transfer function of the jth PTFDS of subsystem i is minimized to obtain a suitable frequency response. In addition, the H∞ — norm of the weighted sensitivity function between the output disturbance and its corresponding output of the jth PTFDS is simultaneously minimized to reduce its effect. In summary, the proposed control not only accomplishes the above-mentioned optimizations but also attenuates the effect of time-delay. Furthermore the comparisons between with and without discrete Smith predictor are presented. The main contributions of this paper are three folds. First, the large nominal time-delay is compensated by a discrete Smith predictor. Secondly, the proposed control can achieve the suitable response of the closed-loop system with the attenuation of output disturbance and time-varying delay. Thirdly, an observer is not needed and the discrete controller is more suitable for the implementation.
Whole-Genome Cartography of Estrogen Receptor α Binding Sites

Using a chromatin immunoprecipitation-paired end diTag cloning and sequencing strategy, we mapped estrogen receptor α (ERα) binding sites in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. We identified 1,234 high confidence binding clusters of which 94% are projected to be bona fide ERα binding regions. Only 5% of the mapped estrogen receptor binding sites are located within 5 kb upstream of the transcriptional start sites of adjacent genes, regions containing the proximal promoters, whereas vast majority of the sites are mapped to intronic or distal locations (>5 kb from 5′ and 3′ ends of adjacent transcript), suggesting transcriptional regulatory mechanisms over significant physical distances. Of all the identified sites, 71% harbored putative full estrogen response elements (EREs), 25% bore ERE half sites, and only 4% had no recognizable ERE sequences. Genes in the vicinity of ERα binding sites were enriched for regulation by estradiol in MCF-7 cells, and their expression profiles in patient samples segregate ERα-positive from ERα-negative breast tumors. The expression dynamics of the genes adjacent to ERα binding sites suggest a direct induction of gene expression through binding to ERE-like sequences, whereas transcriptional repression by ERα appears to be through indirect mechanisms. Our analysis also indicates a number of candidate transcription factor binding sites adjacent to occupied EREs at frequencies much greater than by chance, including the previously reported FOXA1 sites, and demonstrate the potential involvement of one such putative adjacent factor, Sp1, in the global regulation of ERα target genes. Unexpectedly, we found that only 22%–24% of the bona fide human ERα binding sites were overlapping conserved regions in whole genome vertebrate alignments, which suggest limited conservation of functional binding sites. Taken together, this genome-scale analysis suggests complex but definable rules governing ERα binding and gene regulation.
Calvin Digital Commons Calvin Digital Commons Minding the interpersonal gap: Mindfulness-based interventions Minding the interpersonal gap: Mindfulness-based interventions in the prevention of ostracism in the prevention of ostracism

Ostracism is a ubiquitous phenomenon, occurring across a broad range of social contexts and detrimentally impacting personal outcomes. Through enhanced present-moment attention and awareness, mindfulness-based interventions may help prevent this harmful behavior. The current research examined the role of state mindfulness in reducing the propensity to commit ostracism. This relationship was investigated in two studies: a ﬁeld- based quasi-experiment (Study 1, n = 51) and a laboratory-based experiment (Study 2, n = 100). Both studies supported the utility of brief mindfulness-based interventions in reducing the propensity to ostracize others. The current studies support the relevance of mindfulness in addressing the substantial problem of ostracism. Among other beneﬁts, fos- tering mindfulness in a variety of contexts may help reduce personal and social costs associated with this type of incivility. This research represents the ﬁrst known attempt to utilize a personal resource (mindfulness) to decrease the degree to which individuals ostracize others.
Beta3 integrins are upregulated after vascular injury and modulate thrombospondin- and thrombin-induced proliferation of cultured smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND Treatment with an antibody that binds beta3 integrins (abciximab; c7E3 Fab) at the time of coronary angioplasty decreases the need for repeat revascularization. Two potential mechanisms have been proposed to explain this effect: (1) inhibition of platelet aggregation or (2) interruption of ligand binding to beta3 integrins on the smooth muscle cell (SMC) surface. We examined the latter hypothesis by determining (1) if beta3 integrin expression is upregulated after vascular injury in the baboon, (2) if 7E3 binds beta3 integrins on cultured SMC, and (3) if beta3 integrin activation plays a role in proliferation of cultured SMC. METHODS AND RESULTS Results demonstrated that immunostaining for beta3 integrins was present in the neointima 1 week after balloon withdrawal injury of baboon brachial arteries and that beta3 integrin expression colocalized with alpha-actin-positive cells. In contrast, staining for beta3 integrins was undetectable in contralateral uninjured brachial arteries. 7E3 bound to cultured human aortic SMC with an affinity (KD=3.3 nmol/L) similar to 7E3 binding to endothelial cells or platelets. Cotreatment with 7E3 partially inhibited thrombospondin-induced or alpha-thrombin-induced proliferation but not PDGF-induced or serum-induced proliferation. CONCLUSIONS In summary, these studies demonstrate that vascular cell beta3 integrin expression is increased after injury, that 7E3 binds to cultured SMC with high affinity, and that beta3 activation is important for thrombospondin-induced or alpha-thrombin-induced proliferation. These results support the hypothesis that beta3 integrins play a role in SMC growth responses after balloon injury.
Predictors of preventable nursing home hospitalizations: the role of mental disorders and dementia.

OBJECTIVES Nursing home (NH) hospitalizations place an enormous economic burden on an already overtaxed American healthcare system. Hospitalizations for "ambulatory care-sensitive" (ACS) conditions are considered preventable, as these are physical health conditions that can potentially be treated safely in a NH. The authors examined risk factors, including mental disorders and dementia, for hospitalization of Medicaid-enrolled NH residents with ACS conditions during fiscal year 2003-2006. METHODS The authors merged Medicaid claims and enrollment data and Online Survey Certification and Reporting information for 72,251 Medicaid-enrolled NH residents in 647 NHs in Florida. The authors identified at least one ACS hospitalization in 8,382 residents for a total of 10,091 hospital admissions (18.5% of all hospitalizations). The authors used Cox proportional hazard regression to assess time to the first ACS hospitalization. RESULTS In a fully adjusted model, younger age, non-white race, dementia, and serious mental disorder were associated with greater risk of ACS hospitalization. In addition, residents with a diagnosed mental disorder and no dementia incurred relatively high expenditures for ACS hospitalizations. Among facility characteristics, participants from for-profit facilities, facilities that were not a member of a chain, had more Medicaid recipients, and fewer than 120 beds had greater risk of ACS hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS Attention to the identified predictors of hospitalization for ACS conditions, which are potentially preventable, could reduce the risk and cost of these hospitalizations among Medicaid-enrolled NH residents. The need to reduce unnecessary hospitalization will become only more urgent as the population ages and healthcare expenses continue to escalate.
Subjective impairment after cardiac surgeries: the relevance of postoperative cognitive decline in daily living.

OBJECTIVES Postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) is a frequent complication after cardiac surgeries. It remains unclear how relevant this decline in psychometric results is for daily life. The aim of the study was to assess cognitive failures, as seen by patients and close relatives, on a quantitative level. METHODS In addition to an extensive neuropsychological test battery, we interviewed 82 patients with a modified version of the self-assessment cognitive failure questionnaire (s-CFQ) and 62 close relatives (mostly spouses) with the CFQ-for-others version (f-CFQ) before and 3 months after aortic valve replacement. The questionnaires evaluate the frequency of failures in daily living related to memory, attention, action and perception. RESULTS POCD occurred in all tests that had been applied to assess declarative memory functions; the mean performance dropped from baseline in these tests (P-values ranging from 0.033 and <0.001). The s-CFQ did not differ between baseline and postoperative assessment [baseline: mean 37.60, standard deviation (SD) 14.38; post: mean 36.22, SD 12.29] (t(0.05, 76) = 1.17; P = 0.246). However, the assessment by others was worse in the f-CFQ after surgery (baseline: mean 8.02, SD 4.51; post: mean 9.58, SD 6.11) (t(0.05, 61) = 2.61; P = 0.012). All changes were observed in questions related to memory and attention failures only. Higher (worse) rates in f-CFQ change scores correlated with neuropsychological change scores, namely in pictorial memory (mistakes) (r = 0.35; P = 0.003) and word fluency (correct answers) (r = -0.29; P = 0.014). Additionally, those patients with worse f-CFQ change scores (>1 SD) from baseline had clearly worse outcomes in word fluency (t(0.05, 60) = 2.53; P = 0.007) and non-verbal learning (t(0.05, 60) = 2.66; P = 0.005). The effects remained significant when controlled for depression/anxiety scores. CONCLUSIONS The result demonstrates that cognitive side-effects could have a perceivable impact on daily living functions. However, slight deficits are more realized by others than by the patients themselves. Correlations between ratings by others and psychometric cognitive measures indicate that assessment by others is more reliable than self-assessment.
Treatment of Obese Children: A New Rationale

The treatment of moderately overweight children should focus on changes in eating styles rather than on dietary restraint. An educational programme has been designed with the aim of normalizing eating behaviours in a child-friendly way and without the prescription of a strict diet, and is illustrated with a case-report of a 12-year-old boy. The programme is based on the principles of cognitive-behavioural therapy. Strong emphasis is put on the therapeutic goal: self-regulation of a healthy life style.
Researching change: a praxeological case study on toddlers' educational contexts

The present study intends to deepen the understanding of processes of praxeological transformation in education and care contexts for children under three. This prime purpose is associated with evidence concerning these contexts in Portugal, namely the strong social need around them, some results from research that show their low level of quality and the almost total lack of studies focusing on the analysis of processes of praxeological reconstruction, aiming at enhancing the quality of these contexts. A case study on action research was developed in two activity rooms located in the city of Porto, considering the pedagogical and methodological perspective of Pedagogy-in-Participation. The study integrated an initial phase of multimethod evaluation of the quality of the activity rooms, followed by a second phase that encompassed a context-based teacher education process centred on the transformation of quality through processes of experimentation and reflection. The third phase involved a multimethod evaluation of effects of the context-based teacher education process which showed its positive impact on the professional learning of early childhood teachers. This impact was associated with a positive evolution of the quality of activity rooms, from low to medium levels, in different pedagogical dimensions. Results also pointed out the positive effects at the level of children's well-being, involvement, quantity and equilibrium of learning experiences. The study stresses the need to focus on praxeological research as a privileged way for the construction of knowledge, reconstruction of practices and the improvement of the quality of contexts for children under three.
Enhancing Crime Control Partnerships Across Government

This article discusses the importance of trust in furthering crime control partnerships among government agencies. Drawing upon fieldwork undertaken on American and Australian waterfronts, evidence is presented showing that trust played an integral role in shaping interagency partnerships at both sites. In abundance, trust was shown to help build social capital and promote harmonious relationships, whereas when lacking, collaborative activity was stunted. This article examines the successes and failures of partnerships in each case study, and concludes by identifying a range of factors that have been shown to promote trust, build social capital, and enable interagency partnerships to flourish.
The Birth of Cultural Autonomy in Estonia: How, Why, and for Whom?

The 1925 law on cultural autonomy of minorities guaranteed Estonia's most significant minorities the right to independently decide how they wanted to arrange their own national-cultural matters. In this article I will focus on why Estonia decided to pass a law that was exceptional in the atmosphere of that time. To find an answer, it is necessary also to analyze how (through what process) the law was shaped and for whom the law was ultimately intended. In summary, it can be said that there were about ten factors, which were different, yet interconnected and similar in their impact, and only together did they provide sufficient impetus to make it possible to approve autonomy.
Confucian Work and Homeschooling

This study conducted a case study of homeschooling in order to provide in-depth information regarding the demographic characteristics of homeschooling parents, the motivations and the process of practicing it and its outcomes in Shanghai. The public and the policy-makers, and education officials have had little substantive information in relation to homeschooling, in particular the homeschooling which emphasizes the Confucian education. This study has revealed that the main characteristics of homeschools in Shanghai can be summarized as: the majority of the parents are dissatisfied with school education; the parents come from a complex educational background. Most of the parents prefer the traditional culture norms and values, such as Confucian work; and all the homeschooling families come from the middle class, who are relatively wealthy.
Olfactory Learning-Induced Long-Lasting Enhancement of Descending and Ascending Synaptic Transmission to the Piriform Cortex

Learning of a particularly difficult olfactory-discrimination (OD) task results in acquisition of rule learning. This remarkable enhancement in learning capability is accompanied by long-term enhancement of synaptic connectivity between piriform cortex (PC) pyramidal neurons. Because successful performance in the OD task requires integration of information about the identity and also about the reward value of odors, it is likely that a higher-order brain area would also be involved in rule learning acquisition and maintenance. The anterior PC (APC) receives a strong ascending input from the olfactory bulb, carrying information regarding olfactory cues in the environment. It also receives substantial descending input from the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), which is thought to play an important role in encoding the predictive value of odor stimuli. Using in vivo recordings of evoked field postsynaptic potentials, we characterized the physiological properties of projections to APC from the OFC and examined whether descending and ascending synaptic inputs to the piriform cortex are modified after OD learning. We show that enhanced learning capability is accompanied by long-term enhancement of synaptic transmission in both the descending and ascending inputs. Long-term synaptic enhancement is not accompanied by modifications in paired-pulse facilitation, indicating that such modifications are likely postsynaptic. Predisposition for long-term potentiation induction was affected by previous learning, and surprisingly also by previous exposure to the odors and training apparatus. These data suggest that enhanced connectivity between the APC and its input sources is required for OD rule learning.
Feature Selection for Intrusion Detection using NSL-KDD

These days, network traffic is increasing due to the increasing use of smart devices and the Internet. Amount of the intrusion detection studies focused on feature selection or reduction because some of the features are irrelevant and redundant which results lengthy detection process and degrades the performance of an intrusion detection system (IDS). The purpose of this study is to identify important selected input features in building IDS that is computationally efficient and effective. For this we evaluate the performance of standard feature selection methods; CFS(Correlation-based Feature Selection), IG(Information Gain) and GR(Gain Ratio). In this paper, we propose a new feature selection method using feature average of total and each classes. We apply one of the efficient classifier decision tree algorithm for evaluating feature reduction method. We compare between proposed method and other methods. Key-Words: Data Mining, Preprocessing, Feature selection, Feature Reduction, Intrusion detection system, NSL-KDD
New three-input XOR and XNOR gates based on Generalized Threshold Gates using RTDs

In this paper by utilizing a new concept for designing logic gates based on MOBILE, we have presented new three-input XOR and XNOR gates which were based on Generalized Threshold Gate (GTG) topology. The proposed gates use fewer elements count in comparison with other implementations which utilize MOBILE as a main part. The correct operation of XOR and XNOR gates were confirmed by using HSPICE simulator.
Combination value investing and momentum investing to stock selection using data envelopment analysis

This paper examines the applicability of data envelopment analysis (DEA) as a basis of selection criteria for equity portfolios. In Iran, it is the first DEA application for constructing a combined equity investment strategy that aims to integrate the benefits of both value investing and momentum investing. Efficiency score are calculated by DEA models and then highest score should be in the optimal portfolio. The performance of portfolio is evaluated on the basis of the average return and several riskadjusted performance metrics throughout the 2001-2010 sample periods.The result shows the capability of the DEA approach to add value to equity portfolio selection. The outperformance is slightly more significant when the stock price momentum is included in the DEA variables. DEA is particularly useful as a multi-criteria methodology in cases in which the number of stock in the sample is large.
What brings a higher-order entity into focus of attention? Sentential pronouns in English and Norwegian.

This paper investigates the use of sentential pronouns in English and Norwegian. We argue that resolution of sentential pronouns is sensitive to the distinction between forms whose referents must be in focus and forms whose referents must only be activated, but not necessarily in focus. An investigation of the distribution and interpretation of sentential pronouns also reveals that the relative salience of a higher order discourse entity is influenced by syntactic structure as well as extralinguistic factors.
A hypermorphic epithelial β-catenin mutation facilitates intestinal tumorigenesis in mice in response to compounding WNT-pathway mutations

ABSTRACT Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway occurs in the vast majority of colorectal cancers. However, the outcome of the disease varies markedly from individual to individual, even within the same tumor stage. This heterogeneity is governed to a great extent by the genetic make-up of individual tumors and the combination of oncogenic mutations. In order to express throughout the intestinal epithelium a degradation-resistant β-catenin (Ctnnb1), which lacks the first 131 amino acids, we inserted an epitope-tagged ΔN(1-131)-β-catenin-encoding cDNA as a knock-in transgene into the endogenous gpA33 gene locus in mice. The resulting gpA33ΔN-Bcat mice showed an increase in the constitutive Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation that shifts the cell fate towards the Paneth cell lineage in pre-malignant intestinal epithelium. Furthermore, 19% of all heterozygous and 37% of all homozygous gpA33ΔN-Bcat mice spontaneously developed aberrant crypt foci and adenomatous polyps, at frequencies and latencies akin to those observed in sporadic colon cancer in humans. Consistent with this, the Wnt target genes, MMP7 and Tenascin-C, which are most highly expressed in benign human adenomas and early tumor stages, were upregulated in pre-malignant tissue of gpA33ΔN-Bcat mice, but those Wnt target genes associated with excessive proliferation (i.e. Cdnn1, myc) were not. We also detected diminished expression of membrane-associated α-catenin and increased intestinal permeability in gpA33ΔN-Bcat mice in challenge conditions, providing a potential explanation for the observed mild chronic intestinal inflammation and increased susceptibility to azoxymethane and mutant Apc-dependent tumorigenesis. Collectively, our data indicate that epithelial expression of ΔN(1-131)-β-catenin in the intestine creates an inflammatory microenvironment and co-operates with other mutations in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to facilitate and promote tumorigenesis. Summary: The gpA33ΔN-Bcat mice provide a model that better mimics some aspects of sporadic colon cancer induction in humans in terms of tumor multiplicity and latency and site-specific (i.e. colon) tumor occurrence that coincides with upregulation of markers for human colorectal cancer progression.