Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Event Triggered Tracking for Nonlinear Systems

In this technical note, we study an event-based control algorithm for trajectory tracking in nonlinear systems. The desired trajectory is modelled as the solution of a reference system with an exogenous input and it is assumed that the desired trajectory and the exogenous input to the reference system are uniformly bounded. Given a continuous-time control law that guarantees global uniform asymptotic tracking of the desired trajectory, our algorithm provides an event-based controller that not only guarantees uniform ultimate boundedness of the tracking error, but also ensures non-accumulation of inter-execution times. In the case that the derivative of the exogenous input to the reference system is also uniformly bounded, an arbitrarily small ultimate bound can be designed. If the exogenous input to the reference system is piecewise continuous and not differentiable everywhere then the achievable ultimate bound is constrained and the result is local, though with a known region of attraction. The main ideas in the technical note are illustrated through simulations of trajectory tracking by a nonlinear system.
Lack of type 11 cells and emphysema in human lungs

: Ten surgically removed human lungs or lobes were stud· ied, to assess the relationship between the abundance of type 11 alveolar epithelial cells and the degree of emphysema. Type 11 cell abundance (total number as well as percentage of the total parenchyma! cell population) was determined in sections of randomly selected tissue samples of these lungs or lobes by using a type n cell specific antibody specific anti-lavage serum (SALS-Hu), which recognizes surfactant associated proteins. In these tissue samples we also determined the degree of emphysema with the aid of a number of morphometric parameters, destructive index (DI), mean linear intercept (Lm In mm), and the number of normal alveolar attachments on (pre)termlnal bronchloles (normal AA·mm·•). We subsequently calculated the Speannan rank correlation coefficients (r ) between the abundance of type 11 cells and parameters for emphysema. We found a significant negative correlation between the percentage of type 11 cells and DI at tissue sample level (r =·0.55; p:0.02). We also calculated correlation coefficients between the a~undance of type li cells and the degree of small airways disease In (pre)termlnal and respiratory bronchloles (SADscore), lung function, age and smoking habits. The results suggest a role for type II cells In the pathogenesls of emphysema. Eur Respir J
Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the recovery of potency after radical prostatectomy: effect of unilateral vs bilateral nerve sparing

To analyse the impact of a ≈50% reduction of cavernous nervous tissue on the qualitative and quantitative recovery of sexual function after unilateral (UNS) and bilateral (BNS) nerve‐sparing robotic radical prostatectomy (RALP), by evaluating these differences in two groups treated with cautery and a cautery‐free technique (CFT).
Customer Referral Reward–Brand–Fit: A Schema Congruity Perspective

Customer referral programs (CRPs) are widely applied as an effective means to stimulate word-of-mouth. While previous research mainly focuses on CRPs’ impact of acquiring new customers, this study introduces referral programs as a strategic brand management tool. In doing so, this article emphasizes what has been largely neglected by scholars: A “recommenders-perspective. ” Guided by two competing theoretical perspectives, this article proposes that the perceived congruity between a reward and the recommended brand is an essential driver of referral program performance outcomes. The results show that rewards that conform to the image of the recommended brand yield more favorable reward attractiveness perceptions. Furthermore, the authors show that reward attractiveness perceptions inevitably affect the brand customers are asked to recommend in exchange for receiving this reward. The research reported here extends the literature on judgmental evaluations resulting from schema-based processing and provides novel insights into the design of CRPs.
Bacteriophage and microsphere transport in saturated porous media: Forced‐gradient experiment at Borden, Ontario

A two‐well forced‐gradient experiment involving virus and microsphere transport was carried out in a sandy aquifer in Borden, Ontario, Canada. Virus traveled at least a few meters in the experiment, but virus concentrations at observation points 1 and 2.54 m away from the injection well were a small fraction of those injected. A simplified planar radial advection‐dispersion equation with constant dispersivity, coupled with equilibrium and reversible first‐order mass transfer, was found to be adequate to simulate the attachment and transport process. During the experiment a short‐duration injection of high‐pH water was also made, which caused detachment of previously attached viruses. For simulating this detachment and associated transport, the same transport and mass‐ transfer equations were used; but all rate parameters were varied as groundwater pH changed from 7.4 to 8.4 and then back to 7.4. The physicochemical parameters obtained from fitting breakthrough curves at one sampling well were used to predict those at another well downstream. However, laboratory‐determined parameters overpredicted colloid removal. The predicted pattern and timing of biocolloid breakthrough was in agreement with observations, though the data showed a more‐disperse breakthrough than expected from modeling. Though clearly not an equilibrium process, retardation involving a dynamic steady state between attachment and detachment was nevertheless a major determinant of transport versus retention of virus in this field experiment.
Size Effect in Brazilian Split-Cylinder Tests: Measurements and Fracture Analysis

The size effect in the split cylinder (Brazillian) tensile test is studied experimentally and analyzed theoretically. Tests of a very broad size range, 1:26, were conducted on cylindrical discs of constant thickness made from concrete with aggregate of a maximum size of 5 mm. The results confirm the existence of size effect and show that up to a certain critical diameter d, the curve of nominal strength versus diameter approximately agrees with the law proposed by Bazant for the size effect caused by energy release due to fracture growth. For larger sizes, there appears to be a deviation from the size-effect law. These and other study findings are discussed.
Molecular Study of Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates for Metallo-β-Lactamases and Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamases Genes in Intensive Care Unit, Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) has been known as a causative pathogen of hospital acquired infections. The aim of this study is to examine the presence of A. baumannii among clinical isolates from intensive care unit (ICU) in Mansoura University Hospital (MUH), its antibiotic resistance pattern, and prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) and extended-spectrum-β-lactamases (ESBLs) among A. baumannii isolates. A. baumannii was identified by colony morphology, API 20E, and confirmed by detecting the bla OXA-51-like carbapenemase gene by PCR. Phenotypic expression of MBLs resistance was demonstrated by Combined Disk Test (CDT) in 273 isolates (97.5%) and of ESBLs was demonstrated by double disc synergy method (DDST) in 6 isolates (2.1%). MBLs genes were positive in 266 isolates (95%) and ESBLs genes were positive in 8 isolates (2.9%). The most frequent genes of MBLs studied genes were IMP (95.7%) followed by SIM and GIM (47.1% and 42.9%; resp.). For ESBL genes, the most frequent gene was TEM (2.9%). From this study, we conclude that multidrug resistant (MDR) A. baumannii with MBLs activity was the most common isolate. Careful monitoring for the presence of MDR A. baumannii among hospitalized patients is recommended to avoid wide dissemination of antibiotic resistance.
The Too-Much-of-a-Good-Thing Effect in Management

A growing body of empirical evidence in the management literature suggests that antecedent variables widely accepted as leading to desirable consequences actually lead to negative outcomes. These increasingly pervasive and often countertheoretical findings permeate levels of analysis (i.e., from micro to macro) and management subfields (e.g., organizational behavior, strategic management). Although seemingly unrelated, the authors contend that this body of empirical research can be accounted for by a meta-theoretical principle they call the too-much-of-a-good-thing effect (TMGT effect). The authors posit that, due to the TMGT effect, all seemingly monotonic positive relations reach context-specific inflection points after which the relations turn asymptotic and often negative, resulting in an overall pattern of curvilinearity. They illustrate how the TMGT effect provides a meta-theoretical explanation for a host of seemingly puzzling results in key areas of organizational behavior (e.g., leadership, personality), human resource management (e.g., job design, personnel selection), entrepreneurship (e.g., new venture planning, firm growth rate), and strategic management (e.g., diversification, organizational slack). Finally, the authors discuss implications of the TMGT effect for theory development, theory testing, and management practice.
Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences Effects of Lactobacillus Plantarum A7 with Probiotic Potential on Colon Cancer and Normal Cells Proliferation in Comparison with a Commercial Strain

ARTICLEINFO ABSTRACT Article type: Short communication Objective(s): Several beneficial effects have been attributed to the probiotic lactic acid bacteria. It was determined that lactobacilli can exert antiproliferative effects on the various cancer cell lines including colon cancer. Effects of lactic acid bacteria on colon cancer may vary from strain to strain and there is a need to find the new probiotic strains with tumor suppressing properties through in vitro studies. Materials and Methods: Anti-proliferative activities of heat-killed cells and cell-free supernatants of a native strain of Lactobacillus plantarum A7 and a commercial strain of lactobacillus rhamnosus GG were assessed on human colon cancer cell lines (Caco-2 and HT-29) and normal cells (L-929), using MTT assay. Cells were seeded at 2×10 4 cells/mlin 96 well plates and incubated for 24 hr. Then heat-killed cells (OD620: 0.025, 0.0.05, 0.1) and cell-free supernatants of bacteria were added at concentration of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/ml. After 48 hr incubation MTT (5 mg/ml) was added and the absorbance was measured at 540 nm using ELISA plate reader. Results: Results showed that heat-killed cells and cell-free supernatants of both probiotic strains reduced the growth rate of cancer and normal cells. These results suggested that anti-proliferative effect may not be an exclusive characteris ticwhich is dedicated to officially approved probiotics. Conclusion: L. plantarum A7 could be considered as colon cancer biological product, most likely due to its advantages in significant organic acid production. Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum A7 with probiotic potential on colon cancerand normalcells proliferation in comparison with a commercial strain.
VOCABULARY LEARNING STRATEGIES: A CASE OF JORDAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The present article represents the various vocabulary learning strategies employed by Jordanian students at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST). The main purpose of this study was to investigate and find out the frequency of employing vocabulary learning strategies of learners of English as a foreign language in Jordan. For this purpose, a questionnaire containing fifty-nine items was administered to the students of Jordan University of Science and Technology. The results of this study were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results indicated that determination strategies were the most frequently used vocabulary learning strategies among JUST students. On the other hand, metacognitive strategies were found to be the least frequently used vocabulary learning strategies among the students.
Black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) of Turkish Thrace, with a new record for Turkey

Abstract Background This paper includes 2742 specimens of 18 species of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) collected from 132 lotic sites in Turkish Thrace, the European part of Turkey, in the early summer of 2002 and 2003 and the spring of 2005 and 2006. New information All species are recorded from this region for the first time, and Metacnephia nigra (Rubtsov, 1940) is a new record for Turkey. Distributional and taxonomical remarks are given for each species.
Blood flow velocity measurement in patients with diabetes mellitus

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in adults less than 70 years of age in the western world (Kempen, et al., 2004). It is estimated that 1 in 29 Americans 40 years and older has diabetic retinopathy (4.1 million persons) and 1 in 132 persons has visionthreatening DR (Kempen et al., 2004). Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by microvascular changes. Despite the fact that DR is a common complication of diabetes, many cases are detected only at a late phase where visual acuity is impaired and some irreversible retinal damage has occurred (Aiello, 2003).
Day hospital versus admission for acute psychiatric disorders.

BACKGROUND Inpatient treatment is an expensive way of caring for people with acute psychiatric disorders. It has been proposed that many of those currently treated as inpatients could be cared for in acute psychiatric day hospitals. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of day hospital versus inpatient care for people with acute psychiatric disorders. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Cochrane Library, issue 4, 2000), MEDLINE (January 1966 to December 2000), EMBASE (1980 to December 2000), CINAHL (1982 to December 2000), PsycLIT (1966 to December 2000), and the reference lists of articles. We approached trialists to identify unpublished studies. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials of day hospital versus inpatient care, for people with acute psychiatric disorders. Studies were ineligible if a majority of participants were under 18 or over 65, or had a primary diagnosis of substance abuse or organic brain disorder. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Data were extracted independently by two reviewers and cross-checked. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for dichotomous data. Weighted or standardised means were calculated for continuous data. Day hospital trials tend to present similar outcomes in slightly different formats, making it difficult to synthesise data. Individual patient data were therefore sought so that outcomes could be reanalysed in a common format. MAIN RESULTS Nine trials (involving 1568 people) met the inclusion criteria. Individual patient data were obtained for four trials (involving 594 people). Combined data suggested that, at the most pessimistic estimate, day hospital treatment was feasible for 23% (n=2268, CI 21 to 25) of those currently admitted to inpatient care. Individual patient data from three trials showed no difference in number of days in hospital between day hospital patients and controls (n=465, 3 RCTs, WMD -0.38 days/month CI -1.32 to 0.55). However, compared to controls, people randomised to day hospital care spent significantly more days in day hospital care (n=265, 3 RCTs, WMD 2.34 days/month CI 1.97 to 2.70) and significantly fewer days in inpatient care (n=265, 3 RCTs, WMD -2.75 days/month CI -3.63 to -1.87). There was no significant difference in readmission rates between day hospital patients and controls (n=667, 5 RCTs, RR 0.91 CI 0.72 to 1.15). For patients judged suitable for day hospital care, individual patient data from three trials showed a significant time-treatment interaction, indicating a more rapid improvement in mental state (n=407, Chi-squared 9.66, p=0.002), but not social functioning (n=295, Chi-squared 0.006, p=0.941) amongst patients treated in the day hospital. Four of five trials found that day hospital care was cheaper than inpatient care (with cost reductions ranging from 20.9 to 36.9%). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Caring for people in acute day hospitals can achieve substantial reductions in the numbers of people needing inpatient care, whilst improving patient outcome.
Frequency characteristic of ultrasonic based on soft tissue attenuation model

Aiming at the deficiency of the theoretical analysis of ultrasonic attenuation in soft tissue, based on the propagation mechanism of ultrasonic transmission method in soft tissue, summarized the theoretical calculation formula to analyze the ultrasonic attenuation in soft tissue, after calculation and comparison, the theoretical calculation is close to the experimental value, it can be applied to the analysis of soft tissue conditions. Ultrasonic attenuation characteristic in soft tissue not only related to the soft tissue characteristic parameters and the ultrasonic frequency, but also transmission distance is a great relationship. In this paper, we establish a soft tissue model to simulate the ultrasonic attenuation characteristic in time and frequency domain, and proposed the study on frequency characteristics of the ultrasonic wave based on the continuous wave of Linear frequency modulation(LFM) signal, that can be better used to analyze the frequency characteristics of ultrasonic attenuation in soft tissue.
Emotion-modulated startle in anxiety disorders is blunted by co-morbid depressive episodes

Background While anxiety has been associated with exaggerated emotional reactivity, depression has been associated with blunted, or context insensitive, emotional responding. Although anxiety and depressive disorders are frequently co-morbid, surprisingly little is known about emotional reactivity when the two disorders co-occur. Method We utilized the emotion-modulated startle (EMS) paradigm to examine the effects of a concurrent depressive episode on emotional reactivity in young adults with anxiety disorders. Using an archival dataset from a multi-disciplinary project on risk factors in childhood-onset depression, we examined eye-blink startle reactions to late-onset auditory startle probes while participants viewed pictures with affectively pleasant, unpleasant and neutral content. EMS response patterns were analyzed in 33 individuals with a current anxiety (but no depressive) disorder, 24 individuals with a current anxiety disorder and co-morbid depressive episode and 96 healthy controls. Results Control participants and those with a current anxiety disorder (but no depression) displayed normative linearity in startle responses, including potentiation by unpleasant pictures. By contrast, individuals with concurrent anxiety and depression displayed blunted EMS. Conclusions An anxiety disorder concurrent with a depressive episode is associated with reactivity that more closely resembles the pattern of emotional responding that is typical of depression (i.e. context insensitive) rather than the pattern that is typical for anxiety (i.e. exaggerated).
A new tropospheric and stratospheric Chemistry and Transport Model MOCAGE-Climat for multi-year studies: evaluation of the present-day climatology and sensitivity to surface processes

We present the configuration of the Meteo-France Chemistry and Transport Model (CTM) MOCAGE-Climat that will be dedicated to the study of chemistry and climate interactions. MOCAGE-Climat is a state-of-the-art CTM that simulates the global distribution of ozone and its precursors (82 chemical species) both in the troposphere and the stratosphere, up to the mid-mesosphere (~70 km). Surface processes (emissions, dry deposition), convection, and scavenging are explicitly described in the model that has been driven by the ECMWF operational analyses of the period 2000–2005, on T21 and T42 horizontal grids and 60 hybrid vertical levels, with and without a procedure that reduces calculations in the boundary layer, and with on-line or climatological deposition velocities. Model outputs have been compared to available observations, both from satellites (TOMS, HALOE, SMR, SCIAMACHY, MOPITT) and in-situ instrument measurements (ozone sondes, MOZAIC and aircraft campaigns) at climatological timescales. The distribution of long-lived species is in fair agreement with observations in the stratosphere putting aside the shortcomings associated with the large-scale circulation. The variability of the ozone column, both spatially and temporarily, is satisfactory. However, because the Brewer-Dobson circulation is too fast, too much ozone is accumulated in the lower to mid-stratosphere at the end of winter. Ozone in the UTLS region does not show any systematic bias. In the troposphere better agreement with ozone sonde measurements is obtained at mid and high latitudes than in the tropics and differences with observations are the lowest in summer. Simulations using a simplified boundary layer lead to larger ozone differences between the model and the observations up to the mid-troposphere. NO x in the lowest troposphere is in general overestimated, especially in the winter months over the Northern Hemisphere, which may result from a positive bias in OH. Dry deposition fluxes of O 3 and nitrogen species are within the range of values reported by recent inter-comparison model exercises. The use of climatological deposition velocities versus deposition velocities calculated on-line had greatest impact on HNO 3 and NO 2 in the troposphere.
Distinct contributions of small and large conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels to rat Purkinje neuron function

The cerebellum is important for many aspects of behaviour, from posture maintenance and goal‐oriented reaching movements to timing tasks and certain forms of learning. In every case, information flowing through the cerebellum passes through Purkinje neurons, which receive input from the two primary cerebellar afferents and generate continuous streams of action potentials that constitute the sole output from the cerebellar cortex to the deep nuclei. The tonic firing behaviour observed in Purkinje neurons in vivo is maintained in brain slices even when synaptic inputs are blocked, suggesting that Purkinje neuron activity relies to a significant extent on intrinsic conductances. Previous research has suggested that the interplay between Ca2+ currents and Ca2+‐activated K+ channels (KCa channels) is important for Purkinje cell activity, but how many different KCa channel types are present and what each channel type contributes to cell behaviour remains unclear. In order to better understand the ionic mechanisms that control the behaviour of these neurons, we investigated the effects of different Ca2+ channel and KCa channel antagonists on Purkinje neurons in acute slices of rat cerebellum. Our data show that Ca2+ entering through P‐type voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels activates both small‐conductance (SK) and large‐conductance (BK) KCa channels. SK channels play a role in setting the intrinsic firing frequency, while BK channels regulate action potential shape and may contribute to the unique climbing fibre response.