Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control Barrier Function Based Quadratic Programs for Safety Critical Systems

Safety critical systems involve the tight coupling between potentially conflicting control objectives and safety constraints. As a means of creating a formal framework for controlling systems of this form, and with a view toward automotive applications, this paper develops a methodology that allows safety conditions—expressed as control barrier functions—to be unified with performance objectives—expressed as control Lyapunov functions—in the context of real-time optimization-based controllers. Safety conditions are specified in terms of forward invariance of a set, and are verified via two novel generalizations of barrier functions; in each case, the existence of a barrier function satisfying Lyapunov-like conditions implies forward invariance of the set, and the relationship between these two classes of barrier functions is characterized. In addition, each of these formulations yields a notion of control barrier function (CBF), providing inequality constraints in the control input that, when satisfied, again imply forward invariance of the set. Through these constructions, CBFs can naturally be unified with control Lyapunov functions (CLFs) in the context of a quadratic program (QP); this allows for the achievement of control objectives (represented by CLFs) subject to conditions on the admissible states of the system (represented by CBFs). The mediation of safety and performance through a QP is demonstrated on adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, two automotive control problems that present both safety and performance considerations coupled with actuator bounds.
Helicobacter hepaticus cytolethal distending toxin promotes intestinal carcinogenesis in 129Rag2‐deficient mice

Multiple pathogenic Gram‐negative bacteria produce the cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) with activity of DNase I; CDT can induce DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs), G2/M cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in cultured mammalian cells. However, the link of CDT to in vivo tumorigenesis is not fully understood. In this study, 129/SvEv Rag2−/− mice were gavaged with wild‐type Helicobacter hepatics 3B1(Hh) and its isogenic cdtB mutant HhcdtBm7, followed by infection for 10 and 20 weeks (WPI). HhCDT deficiency did not affect cecal colonization levels of HhcdtBm7, but attenuated severity of cecal pathology in HhcdtBm7‐infected mice. Of importance, preneoplasic dysplasia was progressed to cancer from 10 to 20 WPI in the Hh‐infected mice but not in the HhcdtBm7‐infected mice. In addition, the loss of HhCDT significantly dampened transcriptional upregulation of cecal Tnfα and Il‐6, but elevated Il‐10 mRNA levels when compared to Hh at 10 WPI. Furthermore, the presence of HhCDT increased numbers of lower bowel intestinal γH2AX‐positive epithelial cells (a marker of DSBs) at both 10 and 20 WPI and augmented phospho‐Stat3 foci+ intestinal crypts (activation of Stat3) at 20 WPI. Our findings suggest that CDT promoted Hh carcinogenesis by enhancing DSBs and activation of the Tnfα/Il‐6‐Stat3 signaling pathway.
Age-related differences in time-based prospective memory: The role of time estimation in the clock monitoring strategy

Time-based prospective memory (TBPM) is required when it is necessary to remember to perform an action at a specific future point in time. This type of memory has been found to be particularly sensitive to ageing, probably because it requires a self-initiated response at a specific time. In this study, we sought to examine the involvement of temporal processes in the time monitoring strategy, which has been demonstrated to be a decisive factor in TBPM efficiency. We compared the performance of young and older adults in a TBPM task in which they had to press a response button every minute while categorising words. The design allowed participants to monitor time by checking a clock whenever they decided. Participants also completed a classic time-production task and several executive tasks assessing inhibition, updating and shifting processes. Our results confirm an age-related lack of accuracy in prospective memory performance, which seems to be related to a deficient strategic use of time monitoring. This could in turn be partially explained by age-related temporal deficits, as evidenced in the duration production task. These findings suggest that studies designed to investigate the age effect in TBPM tasks should consider the contribution of temporal mechanisms.
International Journal of Hospitality Management the Other Side of Technology Adoption: Examining the Relationships between E-commerce Expenses and Hotel Performance

As information technology (IT) increasingly permeates all aspects of the contemporary society, hotels have spent millions of dollars to deploy electronic commerce (e-commerce) tools and develop appropriate strategies to attract and retain guests. Yet, while the literature reflects the drivers of adopting certain e-commerce tools, it does not provide a conclusive answer regarding the effectiveness of e-commerce expenditures. Specifically, it is unclear whether such expenditures affect performance in terms of revenue and gross operating profit, or whether such effects are consistent over time and across different chain scales. Based on financial data reported by a sample of 275 hotels from 2007 through 2012, this study found that e-commerce expenses significantly and positively impacted rooms revenue for all sample years, except in 2007. When subgroup analyses were performed by chain scale, it was found that e-commerce expenses significantly contributed to the gross operating profit for midscale and upscale hotels but not for the luxury, upper upscale, and the upper midscale categories.
Optical Refractive Index Sensing Based on High-Q Bound States in the Continuum in Free-Space Coupled Photonic Crystal Slabs

High sensitivity (S) and high quality factor (Q) are desirable to achieve low detection limit in label-free optical sensors. In this paper, we theoretically demonstrate that single-layer and coupled bi-layer photonic crystal slabs (PCS) possess simultaneously high S and high Q near the bound states in the continuum (BIC). We theoretically achieved S > 800 nm/RIU and Q > 107 in refractive index sensing in the 1400–1600 nm telecom optical wavelength bands. We experimentally demonstrated an S of 94 nm/RIU and a Q of 1.2 × 104, with a detection limit of 6 × 10−5 refractive index unit. These sensor designs can find applications in biochemical sensing, environmental monitoring, and healthcare.
Studies on the resting behaviour and host choice of Anopheles gambiae and An. arabiensis from Muleba, Tanzania

The relative efficacy of a mechanical (Prokopack) collection method vs. manual aspiration in the collection of resting mosquitoes was evaluated in northern Tanzania before and after an intervention using indoor residual spraying and longlasting insecticide‐treated nets. In smoke‐free houses mosquitoes were collected from the roof and walls, but in smoky houses mosquitoes were found predominantly on the walls. Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) constituted 97.7% of the 312 An. gambiae complex specimens identified before but only 19.3% of the 183 identified after the intervention. A single sampling with the Prokopack collected a third of the available insects. Anopheles gambiae completed its gonotrophic development indoors, whereas Anopheles arabiensis did so outdoors. In both species gonotrophic development took 2 days. Most unfed resting An. arabiensis collected outdoors were virgins, whereas the majority of engorged insects were parous (with well‐contracted sacs). Daily survival was estimated to be 80.0%. Only 9.4% of the engorged An. arabiensis collected outdoors and 47.1% of those collected indoors had fed on humans. Using the Prokopack sampler is more efficient than manual methods for the collection of resting mosquitoes. Malaria transmission may have been affected by a change in vector composition resulting from a change in feeding, rather than reduced survival. Monitoring the proportions of members of the An. gambiae complex may provide signals of an impending breakdown in control.
Spatial-Temporal Dynamics of Cropping Frequency in Hubei Province over 2001–2015

Mapping crop patterns with remote sensing data is of great importance for agricultural production, food security and agricultural sustainability. In this paper, a hierarchical clustering method was proposed to map cropping frequency from time-series Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Enhanced Vegetation Indices (EVI) data and the spatial and temporal patterns of cropping frequency from 2001 to 2015 in Hubei Province of China were analyzed. The results are as follows: (1) The total double crop areas decreased slightly, while total single crop areas decreased significantly during 2001 and 2015; (2) The transfer between double crop and single crop was frequent in Hubei with about 11~15% croplands changed their cropping frequency every 5 years; (3) The crop system has obvious regional differentiation for their change trend at the county level.
Hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection in the era of direct‐acting antiviral agents: No longer a difficult‐to‐treat population

The treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) in human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV)–infected individuals has been historically marked by low sustained virologic response (SVR) rates in comparison to those without HIV infection, resulting in the Food and Drug Administration labeling those coinfected as a “special population with an unmet medical need. ” We systematically reviewed the treatment of chronic HCV infection in those infected with HIV. We propose that with the advent of direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) agents, patients coinfected with HCV and HIV have similar SVR rates as HCV‐monoinfected persons and that DAAs address an unmet medical need in this population. A review was performed using Medical Subject Heading terms within the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases to search for studies dated between January 2004 and July 2017. Keywords used in the study included “hepatitis C,” “HIV,” “coinfection,” and “direct‐acting antiviral. ” SVR rates for those with HCV and HIV coinfection treated with interferon‐based therapies were substantially lower that SVR rates of HCV‐monoinfected individuals. The advent of DAA agents has resulted in similar SVR rates between monoinfected and coinfected individuals, with SVR >93%. These medications have been demonstrated to have improved safety, efficacy, and tolerability in comparison to interferon‐based regimens. Conclusion: The designation of a “special population” for those with coinfection requires reconsideration; DAA therapies have resulted in similarly high rates of SVR for HCV infection in those with and without HIV infection; despite these improvements, however, clinicians must be cognizant of negative predictors of SVR and barriers to treatment that may be more common in the coinfected population. (Hepatology 2018;67:847–857)
Customized Recommendations and Reminder Text Messages for Automated, Computer-Based Treatment During Methadone

The Recovery Line is an automated, computer-based intervention based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) designed to provide real-time assistance by phone for patients in methadone maintenance. Preliminary efficacy findings were promising, however, as with other computer-based systems for substance use disorder, patient system use was less than recommended. Development and evaluation of system functions to increase patient engagement and use is needed. Thus, we conducted two randomized trials to evaluate system functions designed to increase patient use of the Recovery Line among methadone-maintained patients with continued illicit drug use. In Trial 1 (n = 60), patients received customized, system use recommendations or no recommendations on each Recovery Line call. Ratings of system usability were higher for customized recommendations (CR), but number of calls and total call time did not differ by condition. Trial 2 evaluated characteristics of reminder messages (message frame and reminder latency). Participants (N = 67) received gain- and loss-frame reminder messages, and were randomly assigned to immediate, short, or long term message latency. Although message framing had no effect, gender interacted with latency condition such that females did not differ by message latency, while males had significantly greater total contact time in the short latency conditions. Number of calls differed by condition over time such that the shorter latencies led to greater calls initially, but dissipated over time. Overall the study indicates that computer-based self-management systems can be adapted to increase patient engagement and use.
ON THE GROWTH OF TORSION IN THE COHOMOLOGY OF ARITHMETIC GROUPS

Let $G$ be a semisimple Lie group with associated symmetric space $D$, and let $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}\subset G$ be a cocompact arithmetic group. Let $\mathscr{L}$ be a lattice inside a $\mathbb{Z}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$-module arising from a rational finite-dimensional complex representation of $G$. Bergeron and Venkatesh recently gave a precise conjecture about the growth of the order of the torsion subgroup $H_{i}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}_{k};\mathscr{L})_{\operatorname{tors}}$ as $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}_{k}$ ranges over a tower of congruence subgroups of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$. In particular, they conjectured that the ratio $\log |H_{i}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}_{k};\mathscr{L})_{\operatorname{tors}}|/[\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}:\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}_{k}]$ should tend to a nonzero limit if and only if $i=(\dim (D)-1)/2$ and $G$ is a group of deficiency $1$. Furthermore, they gave a precise expression for the limit. In this paper, we investigate computationally the cohomology of several (non-cocompact) arithmetic groups, including $\operatorname{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{Z})$ for $n=3,4,5$ and $\operatorname{GL}_{2}(\mathscr{O})$ for various rings of integers, and observe its growth as a function of level. In all cases where our dataset is sufficiently large, we observe excellent agreement with the same limit as in the predictions of Bergeron–Venkatesh. Our data also prompts us to make two new conjectures on the growth of torsion not covered by the Bergeron–Venkatesh conjecture.
Applications of a Within-Study Comparison Approach for Evaluating Bias in Generalized Causal Inferences From Comparison Groups Studies

Background: Past studies have examined factors associated with reductions in bias in comparison group studies (CGSs). The companion work to this article extends the framework to investigate the accuracy of generalized inferences from CGS. Objectives: This article empirically examines levels of bias in CGS-based impact estimates when used for generalization, and reductions in bias resulting from covariate adjustment. It assesses potential for bias reduction against criteria from past studies. Research design: Multisite trials are used to generate impact estimates based on cross-site comparisons that are evaluated against site-specific experimental benchmarks. Strategies for reducing bias are evaluated. Results from two experiments are considered. Subjects: Students in Grades K–3 in 79 schools in Tennessee and students in Grades 4–8 in 82 schools in Alabama. Measures: Grades K–3 Stanford Achievement Test reading and math scores; Grades 4–8 Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) 10 reading scores. Results: Generalizing impacts to sites through estimates based on between-site nonexperimental comparisons leads to bias from differences between sites in average performance, and in impact, and covariation between these quantities. The first of these biases is larger. Covariate adjustments reduce bias but not completely. Criteria for bias reduction from past studies appear to extend to generalized inferences based on CGSs. Conclusion: When generalizing from a CGS, results may be affected by bias from differences between the study and inference sites in both average performance and average impact. The same factors may underlie both forms of bias. Researchers and practitioners can assess the validity of generalized inferences from CGSs by applying criteria for bias reduction from past studies.
Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) Grade as Part of the Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for HCC of the Japan Society of Hepatology: A Comparison with the Liver Damage and Child-Pugh Classifications

Aim/Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of 3 classifications for assessing liver function, the liver damage and Child-Pugh classifications and the newly proposed albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, in order to examine the feasibility of evaluating hepatic function using ALBI grade with the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment algorithm used in Japan. Methods: We analyzed the medical records of 3,495 Japanese HCC patients admitted from 2000 to 2015, which were comprised of 1,580 patients hospitalized in the Ehime Prefecture area and used as a training cohort (Ehime group), and 1,915 others who were used for validation (validation group). ALBI score used for grading (≤-2.60 = grade 1, greater than -2.60 to ≤-1.39 = grade 2, greater than -1.39 = grade 3) as well as clinical features and prognosis (Japan Integrated Staging [JIS], modified JIS, ALBI-TNM [ALBI-T] score) were retrospectively investigated. Results: For prediction of liver damage A, the values for sensitivity and specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of ALBI-1 and Child-Pugh A were similar among the 2 groups. Akaike information criterion results showed that prognosis based on ALBI grade/ALBI-T score was better than that based on liver damage/modified JIS score and Child-Pugh/JIS score (22,291.8/21,989.4, 22,379.6/22,076.0, 22,392.1/22,075.1, respectively). The cutoff values for ALBI score for indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min (ICG-R15) <10, <20, and <30% were -2.623 (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.798), -2.470 (AUC: 0.791), and -2.222 (AUC: 0.843), respectively. The distribution of ICG-R15 (<10%, 10 to <20%, 20 to <30%, and ≥30%) for ALBI grade 1 was similar to that for liver damage A. There were only small differences with regard to therapeutic selection with the Japanese HCC treatment algorithm between liver damage and ALBI grade. Conclusion: ALBI grade is a useful and easy classification system for assessment of hepatic function for therapeutic decision making.
Targeting LAG-3 and PD-1 to Enhance T Cell Activation by Antigen-Presenting Cells

Immune checkpoint inhibition has been shown to successfully reactivate endogenous T cell responses directed against tumor-associated antigens, resulting in significantly prolonged overall survival in patients with various tumor entities. For malignancies with low endogenous immune responses, this approach has not shown a clear clinical benefit so far. Therapeutic vaccination, particularly dendritic cell (DC) vaccination, is a strategy to induce T cell responses. Interaction of DCs and T cells is dependent on receptor–ligand interactions of various immune checkpoints. In this study, we analyzed the influence of blocking antibodies targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), HVEM, CD244, TIM-3, and lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3) on the proliferation and cytokine secretion of T cells after stimulation with autologous TLR-matured DCs. In this context, we found that LAG-3 blockade resulted in superior T cell activation compared to inhibition of other pathways, including PD-1/PD-L1. This result was consistent across different methods to measure T cell stimulation (proliferation, IFN-γ secretion), various stimulatory antigens (viral and bacterial peptide pool, specific viral antigen, specific tumor antigen), and seen for both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Only under conditions with a weak antigenic stimulus, particularly when combining antigen presentation by peripheral blood mononuclear cells with low concentrations of peptides, we observed the highest T cell stimulation with dual blockade of LAG-3 and PD-1 blockade. We conclude that priming of novel immune responses can be strongly enhanced by blockade of LAG-3 or dual blockade of LAG-3 and PD-1, depending on the strength of the antigenic stimulus.
Stress-Induced Synaptic Dysfunction and Neurotransmitter Release in Alzheimer's Disease: Can Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators be Potential Therapeutic Targets?

The communication between neurons at synaptic junctions is an intriguing process that monitors the transmission of various electro-chemical signals in the central nervous system. Albeit any aberration in the mechanisms associated with transmission of these signals leads to loss of synaptic contacts in both the neocortex and hippocampus thereby causing insidious cognitive decline and memory dysfunction. Compelling evidence suggests that soluble amyloid-β (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau serve as toxins in the dysfunction of synaptic plasticity and aberrant neurotransmitter (NT) release at synapses consequently causing a cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Further, an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission systems induced by impaired redox signaling and altered mitochondrial integrity is also amenable for such abnormalities. Defective NT release at the synaptic junction causes several detrimental effects associated with altered activity of synaptic proteins, transcription factors, Ca2+ homeostasis, and other molecules critical for neuronal plasticity. These detrimental effects further disrupt the normal homeostasis of neuronal cells and thereby causing synaptic loss. Moreover, the precise mechanistic role played by impaired NTs and neuromodulators (NMs) and altered redox signaling in synaptic dysfunction remains mysterious, and their possible interlink still needs to be investigated. Therefore, this review elucidates the intricate role played by both defective NTs/NMs and altered redox signaling in synaptopathy. Further, the involvement of numerous pharmacological approaches to compensate neurotransmission imbalance has also been discussed, which may be considered as a potential therapeutic approach in synaptopathy associated with AD.
Morphology of the intralobular duct of the submandibular gland in rats in case of experimental diabetes mellitus

The objective of study is to study the peculiarities of morphological changes in different subdivisions of the intralobular duct of the submandibular gland (SMG) in rats in case of experimental diabetes mellitus (DM). The study included sexually mature male Wistar rats. Experimental DM was induced by streptozotocin. Electron microscopic study of subdivisions of the intralobular duct of the SMG was carried out on the 14th, 28th, 42nd, 56th, and 70th days of the experiment. In early stages of experimental DM the intercalated ducts are characterized by a relatively unchanged structure, and in late stages vacuolization of the cytoplasm of their epithelial cells is observed. Since the 14th day vacuolization of mitochondria is observed in epithelial cells of the granular ducts being the most pronounced on the 28th day and not apparent over the subsequent periods. The degree of filling with granules reduces till 56th day, however, it increases sligthly on the last day of the experiment. On the 28th–70th days vacuolization of the cytoplasm is observed in epithelial cells of the striated ducts. In addition, on the 14th day the mitochondrial matrix of these cells condenses; over the next periods it becomes enlightened and mitochondrial cristae are clearly visualized and disorganized. Conclusion: In the intralobular duct of the SMG in experimental DM dystrophic changes of different intensity occur in the granular and striated ducts on the 14th day and in the intercalated ducts only since the 42nd day of the experiment.