Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Auto-tuning of FOPI and FO[PI] controllers with iso-damping property

A systematical design method for robust integer order proportional-integral-derivative(IOPID) controller with an iso-damping property was suggested in [3]. In this paper, two auto-tuning methods of Fractional Order Proportional Integral(FOPI) and Fractional Order [Proportional Integral] (FO[PI]) controllers with iso-damping property for a class of unknown, stable and minimum phase plants are designed and summarized. The FOPI and FO[PI] controllers designed by the two methods ensure that the phase Bode plot is flat, i.e., the phase derivative w.r. t. the frequency is zero at a given frequency called the “tangential frequency”, so that the closed-loop system is robust to gain variations and the unit step responses exhibit iso-damping property. During the process of the FOPI and FO[PI] controllers design and simulation, no plant models are assumed. Several relay feedback tests are used to identify the plant gain and phase at the tangential frequency in an iterative way. Simulation results are presented to validate the proposed auto-tuning methods for robust FOPI and FO[PI] controllers with iso-damping property.
Advanced 1.3 µm vertical cavity lasers based on AlInGaAs/InP-AlGaAs/GaAs fused structures

We report on recent status of vertical cavity lasers emitting in the 1.3 μm waveband comprising AlInGaAs/InP active regions wafer fused to Al(Ga)As/GaAs distributed Bragg reflectors. This technique produces vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) emitting in 4 channels of the 1310 nm coarse wavelength division multiplexing band that enabled a new generation of transceivers operating at 40 Gbps over 2 km of standard single mode fiber with a power consumption as low as 1 W and vertical external cavity surface emitting lasers (VECSELs) with record output power of 8.5 W.
Proteolytic activity of intact yeast cells during sporulation.

The ability of intact cells of three strains of Saccharomyces to degrade haemoglobin at pH 3.7 increased during sporulation in acetate medium. The highest proteolytic activity was found approximately 17 hours after transfer to sporulation medium, at which time a large percentage of the cell population was in the tetranucleate stage just before the appearance of spore walls. Three non-sporogenic strains showed no change in proteolytic activity. On the basis of permeability relationship and the absence of activity in sporulation medium from which the sporulating cells were separated, the writers suggest a peripheral location of the enzyme, apparently the first such report for a yeast proteinase.
Relation Between Vitamin D Insufficiency, Bone Density, and Bone Metabolism in Healthy Postmenopausal Women

Although only few postmenopausal women exhibit biochemical signs of hypovitaminosis D, vitamin D insufficiency has been shown to have adverse effects on bone metabolism and could be an important risk factor for osteoporosis and fracture. We determined serum levels of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), bone turnover markers, dietary calcium intake, and bone mineral density (BMD; measured by dual X‐ray absorptiometry) in 161 consecutive ambulatory women, healthy except for osteoporosis, referred to a bone metabolic unit. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency [25(OH)D ≤ 15 ng/ml] was 39.1%. 25(OH)D was lower in the osteoporotic subjects (15.7 ± 5.3 ng/ml vs. 21.8 ± 9.7 ng/ml; p < 0.001). After controlling for all other variables, lumbar spine (LS) BMD was found to be significantly associated with 25(OH)D, body mass index (BMI), and years after menopause (YSM) (R2 = 0.253; p < 0.001). For femoral neck (FN), significant independent predictors of BMD were YSM, BMI, iPTH, and 25(OH)D (R2 = 0.368; p < 0.001). The probability of meeting osteoporosis densitometric criteria was higher in the vitamin D insufficiency group (odds ratio [OR], 4.17, 1.83‐9.48) after adjusting by YSM, BMI, iPTH, and dietary calcium intake. Our study shows that vitamin D insufficiency in an otherwise healthy postmenopausal population is a common risk factor for osteoporosis associated with increased bone remodeling and low bone mass.
Mapping of the gene encoding human beta-defensin-2 (DEFB2) to chromosome region 8p22-p23.1.

We recently reported the isolation of human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2), a novel epithelia-derived peptide antibiotic belonging to the beta-defensin family. hBD-2 is expressed in skin and epithelia of the airway system, where it is believed to contribute to its antimicrobial defense. By fluorescence in situ hybridization using a hBD-2 genomic DNA probe and subsequent fluorescence R-banding, the hBD-2 gene (HGMW-approved symbol DEFB2) was assigned to human chromosome region 8p22-p23.1. PCR with a set of CEPH YAC clones spanning this chromosomal region revealed CEPH YACs 773G4, 920D12, and 820B4 to contain the hBD-2 gene. Relying on the preexisting physical maps of 8p22-p23.1, the hBD-2 gene was mapped in close proximity to D8S1993 (WI-9956) within the interval flanked by D8S552 and D8S1130 (CHLC.GATA25C10). The fact that all currently described genes encoding defensins map to chromosome 8p21-pter suggests that a gene cluster in this chromosomal region may play a major role in antimicrobial defense.
French nasal vowels: acoustic and articulatory properties

This paper presents data about the articulatory and acoustic properties of French nasal vowels. Data show that many covarying articulations support the phonological contrast between nasal and oral vowels, in addition to the lowering of the velum. The majority of the articulatory adjustments occuring in the oral cavity lead to a lowering of F2. We relate the F2 lowering with the effects of nasal coupling, i.e. the changes in spectral balance due to the loss of energy at higher frequencies.
Relationship Between Bone Mineral Density and Clinical Features in Women With Idiopathic Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and clinical features in women with idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (IBPPV). Study Design: Prospective study. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: Patients with BMD measurements made after a diagnosis of IBPPV were included. The IBPPV (n = 78) and control groups (n = 177) were divided into ordinal age categories of similar size. Group A (n = 20) patients were aged 20 to 39 years, Group B (n = 21) patients were aged 40 to 49 years, Group C (n = 18) patients were aged 50 to 59 years, and Group D (n = 19) patients were aged 60 to 69 years. Interventions: In each age range, the BMD values were compared according to the number of canalith repositioning maneuvers (CRMs) or the presence of recurrence. We divided all patients into 2 groups with the normal and abnormal BMD values and compared both groups based on the number of CRMs or the frequency of recurrence. Main Outcome Measures: The BMD value, the number of CRMs, and the presence of recurrence. Results: In Groups A, B, and C, there was a significant difference in the BMD values between the control, 1-visit, and 2-or-more-visits subgroups. In Group D, the 2-or-more-visits subgroup had a lower BMD value than other subgroups. The difference in the number of CRMs between the normal and abnormal BMD groups was significant. In Groups A and B, there was a significant difference in the BMD values between the control, first-attack, and recurrent-attacks subgroups. In Groups C and D, the recurrent-attacks subgroup had lower BMD values than other subgroups. The difference in the frequency of recurrence between the normal and abnormal BMD groups was significant. Conclusion: Patients with IBPPV had lower BMD values compared with control subjects, and patients with low BMD values showed a significant increase in the number of CRMs required and the recurrence rate.
Inferring Finite-State Models with Temporal Constraints

Finite state machine-based abstractions of software behaviour are popular because they can be used as the basis for a wide range of (semi-) automated verification and validation techniques. These can however rarely be applied in practice, because the specifications are rarely kept up- to-date or even generated in the first place. Several techniques to reverse-engineer these specifications have been proposed, but they are rarely used in practice because their input requirements (i.e. the number of execution traces) are often very high if they are to produce an accurate result. An insufficient set of traces usually results in a state machine that is either too general, or incomplete. Temporal logic formulae can often be used to concisely express constraints on system behaviour that might otherwise require thousands of execution traces to identify. This paper describes an extension of an existing state machine inference technique that accounts for temporal logic formulae, and encourages the addition of new formulae as the inference process converges on a solution. The implementation of this process is openly available, and some preliminary results are provided.
Finite‐horizon near optimal adaptive control of uncertain linear discrete‐time systems

In this paper, the finite‐horizon near optimal adaptive regulation of linear discrete‐time systems with unknown system dynamics is presented in a forward‐in‐time manner by using adaptive dynamic programming and Q‐learning. An adaptive estimator (AE) is introduced to relax the requirement of system dynamics, and it is tuned by using Q‐learning. The time‐varying solution to the Bellman equation in adaptive dynamic programming is handled by utilizing a time‐dependent basis function, while the terminal constraint is incorporated as part of the update law of the AE. The Kalman gain is obtained by using the AE parameters, while the control input is calculated by using AE and the system state vector. Next, to relax the need for state availability, an adaptive observer is proposed so that the linear quadratic regulator design uses the reconstructed states and outputs. For the time‐invariant linear discrete‐time systems, the closed‐loop dynamics becomes non‐autonomous and involved but verified by using standard Lyapunov and geometric sequence theory. Effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified by using simulation results. The proposed linear quadratic regulator design for the uncertain linear system requires an initial admissible control input and yields a forward‐in‐time and online solution without needing value and/or policy iterations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67 and p53 along with their digitalized evaluation in the discriminatory analysis of reactive atypia and dysplastic lesions in gastrointestinal biopsies of the stomach.

The differential diagnosis between reactive atypia and non-invasive neoplasia (or dysplasia) can be challenging in the case of small conventional forceps biopsy specimens of the stomach. Despite the existence of several classifications for neoplastic epithelial lesions of the stomach, there are few auxiliary tools for aiding in this decision besides standard stains. We studied the utility of Ki-67 and p53 immunohistochemistry in this setting and their clinico-pathological correlations, based on a set of 99 cases with cytological or architectural atypia reviewed by three pathologists. We also tested a digitalized method based on the ImageJ software for the evaluation of Ki-67 expression to determine whether this could be of an additional help. CONCLUSIONS Ki-67 and p53 expression correlates well with microscopic and morphological modifications in biopsies and can be a useful tool in confirming or dismissing an impression of dysplasia in routine pathological work-up. Digital processing is cumbersome and of limited value and it could only be of additional help if more automated methods are developed.
Opposite effects of centrally administered neuropeptide Y (NPY) on locomotor activity of spontaneously hypertensive (SH) and normal rats.

Centrally administered neuropeptide Y has been shown to produce sedation manifested by a suppression of locomotor activity and a synchronizing effect on the EEG pattern in normal rats. It has been suggested that this sedative effect of NPY is largely due to a facilitation of the alpha 2-adrenergic transmission line. In the spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rat, the NPY-induced up-regulation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors observed in normal rats is absent, and NPY produces a desynchronization of the EEG. In the present study, we have therefore examined the effects of NPY on locomotor activity of SH rats and of inbred controls of the Wistar-Kyoto (WKy) strain, in both morning and evening sessions. In morning sessions, NPY (0.2-5.0 nmol intracerebroventricularly, i.c.v.) increased locomotor activity of SH rats in a dose-related manner. WKy rats were largely inactive per se, and no effects of NPY could be detected. In evening sessions, when spontaneous activity is high, NPY (I.0 nmol i.c.v.) still increased the activity of the SH rats. In WKy rats, an activity suppression similar to that previously reported for normal Sprague-Dawley rats was seen. The present results indicate that the sedative action of NPY in different rats strains correlates with the ability of the peptide to up-regulate alpha 2-adrenergic receptors.
Expression of Epstein-Barr Virus–Encoded Proteins in Extranodal NK/T-cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type (ENKL): Differences in Biologic and Clinical Behaviors of LMP1-Positive and -Negative ENKL

Purpose: Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL) is closely associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). To elucidate its pathogenetic role, we examined the expression profiles of EBV-encoded proteins, especially focusing on latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1). Experimental Design: Immunohistochemistry was carried out using clinical samples from ENKL cases, which were diagnosed between 1996 and 2010 at our institution. We statistically assessed the correlation between LMP1 positivity and the clinicopathologic data and further examined phosphorylation status of NF-κB RelA and Akt in ENKL cell lines. Results: Most of the 30 examined cases showed pleomorphic morphology, natural killer cell immunophenotype, and a localized disease. Immunohistochemistry detected EBERs, but not EBNA2, in all cases. LMP1 and LMP2A were positive in 22 (73.3%) and 12 cases (40.0%), respectively. LMP1-positive cases tended to show a localized disease (P = 0.060, the Fisher exact test). Nuclear localization of phosphorylated RelA and detection of phosphorylated Akt were predominantly observed in LMP1-positive cases (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively, the Fisher exact test). RNA silencing experiments of LMP1 in Hank1 cells suggested a positive correlation between LMP1 expression and phosphorylation of RelA and Akt. With a median follow-up period of 26.7 months (range, 0.2–142.3 months), the 2.5-year overall survival rates for LMP1-positive and -negative cases were estimated at 78.3% and 12.5%, respectively (P = 0.001, log-rank test). Conclusions: LMP1 expression shows correlations with phosphorylation of RelA and Akt and possibly has a favorable impact on clinical outcome in ENKL. Clin Cancer Res; 18(8); 2164–72. ©2012 AACR.
Technology Adaptation: The Case of a Computer-Supported Inter-Organizational Virtual Team

The adaptation process for new technology is not yet well understood. This study analyzes how an inter-organizational virtual team, tasked with creating a highly innovative product over a 10 month period, adapted the use of a collaborative technology and successfully achieved its challenging objectives. The study of such a virtual team is especially useful for extending our understanding of the adaptation process as virtual teams have more malleable structures than typical organizational units and controlled group experiments. Data were obtained from observations of weekly virtual meetings, electronic log files, inter-views
Young and old genetically heterogeneous HET3 mice on a rapamycin diet are glucose intolerant but insulin sensitive

Rapamycin, an inhibitor of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, extends the life span of yeast, worms, flies, and mice. Interventions that promote longevity are often correlated with increased insulin sensitivity, and it therefore is surprising that chronic rapamycin treatment of mice, rats, and humans is associated with insulin resistance (J Am Soc Nephrol., 19, 2008, 1411; Diabetes, 00, 2010, 00; Science, 335, 2012, 1638). We examined the effect of dietary rapamycin treatment on glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in the genetically heterogeneous HET3 mouse strain, a strain in which dietary rapamycin robustly extends mean and maximum life span. We find that rapamycin treatment leads to glucose intolerance in both young and old HET3 mice, but in contrast to the previously reported effect of injected rapamycin in C57BL/6 mice, HET3 mice treated with dietary rapamycin responded normally in an insulin tolerance test. To gauge the overall consequences of rapamycin treatment on average blood glucose levels, we measured HBA1c. Dietary rapamycin increased HBA1c over the first 3 weeks of treatment in young animals, but the effect was lost by 3 months, and no effect was detected in older animals. Our results demonstrate that the extended life span of HET3 mice on a rapamycin diet occurs in the absence of major changes in insulin sensitivity and highlight the importance of strain background and delivery method in testing effects of longevity interventions.
An Intelligent SQL Tutor on the Web

The paper presents SQLT-Web, a Web-enabled intelligent tutoring system for the SQL database language. SQLT-Web is a Web-enabled version of an earlier, standalone ITS. In this paper we describe how the components of the standalone system were reused to develop the Web-enabled system. The system observes students' actions and adapts to their knowledge and learning abilities. We describe the system's architecture in comparison to the architectures of other existing Web-enabled tutors. All tutoring functions are performed on the server side, and we explain how SQLT-Web deals with multiple students. The system has been open to outside users since March 2000. SQLT-Web has been evaluated in the context of genuine teaching activities. We present the results of three evaluation studies with the University of Canterbury students taking database courses, which show that SQLT-Web is an effective system. The students have found the system a valuable asset to their learning.
Of Models and Meanings: Cultural Resilience in Social–Ecological Systems

Modeling has emerged as a key technology in analysis of social–ecological systems. However, the tendency for modeling to focus on the mechanistic materiality of biophysical systems obscures the diversity of performative social behaviors and normative cultural positions of actors within the modeled system. The fact that changes in the biophysical system can be culturally constructed in different ways means that the perception and pursuit of adaptive pathways can be highly variable. Furthermore, the adoption of biophysically resilient livelihoods can occur under conditions that are subjectively experienced as the radical transformation of cultural systems. The objectives of this work are to: (1) highlight the importance of understanding the place of culture within social–ecological systems, (2) explore the tensions between empirical and normative positions in the analysis of social–ecological resilience, and (3) suggest how empirical modeling of social–ecological systems can synergistically interact with normative aspects of livelihoods and lifeways.
Receive-Noise Analysis of Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers

This paper presents an analysis of thermal (Johnson) noise received from the radiation medium by otherwise noiseless capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) membranes operating in their fundamental resonance mode. Determination of thermal noise received by multiple numbers of transducers or a transducer array requires the assessment of cross-coupling through the radiation medium, as well as the self-radiation impedance of the individual transducer. We show that the total thermal noise received by the cells of a CMUT has insignificant correlation, and is independent of the radiation impedance, but is only determined by the mass of each membrane and the electromechanical transformer ratio. The proof is based on the analytical derivations for a simple transducer with two cells, and extended to transducers with numerous cells using circuit simulators. We used a first-order model, which incorporates the fundamental resonance of the CMUT. Noise power is calculated by integrating over the entire spectrum; hence, the presented figures are an upper bound for the noise. The presented analyses are valid for a transimpedance amplifier in the receive path. We use the analysis results to calculate the minimum detectable pressure of a CMUT. We also provide an analysis based on the experimental data to show that output noise power is limited by and comparable to the theoretical upper limit.
Practical Bench Comparison of BBL CHROMagar Orientation and Standard Two-Plate Media for Urine Cultures

ABSTRACT A total of 1,023 urine samples sent for routine culture were plated onto sheep blood and MacConkey agars and a BBL CHROMagar Orientation (CO; Becton Dickinson, Cockeysville, Md.) plate, and the results were compared. Of these, 250 urine samples (24%) grew >10,000 CFU of one or two putative pathogens/ml and 773 showed no growth (NG), mixed growth of <10,000 CFU/ml, or three or more strains (mixed). The CO and conventional medium results agreed completely for 595 cultures with NG or <10,000 CFU/ml. An additional 178 urine samples yielded clinically insignificant differences. Both medium sets essentially agreed on quantities and identification for 400 single-pathogen cultures and 9 mixed cultures. With the caveat that CO cannot differentiate Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Serratia spp. , enteric pathogens were identified only by morphology and color on CO. Direct visual differentiation of group B streptococci from lactobacilli is not possible, but lactobacillus cells always exhibited easily recognizable morphology on Gram stain. Of 108 paired organism susceptibility results encompassing 2,268 drug-pathogen combinations, there were 3% errors and only 1% very major errors. Use of CO allowed a >50% reduction in inoculation time and a >20% reduction in work-up time. For our laboratory, with 50% “no growth” and ca. 25% significant results (50% Escherichia coli), CO allowed time and workup cost savings for a majority of cultures. A cost analysis (time and supplies for our laboratory) showed that if CO is used alone, the break-even level for CO pricing is $1.78; if CO and blood agar are both used, the break-even pricing for CO is $1.53.
Pregnancy in β-thalassemia trait carriers: an uneventful journey

Abstract Normochromic normocytic anemia during pregnancy reflects the significant increase in plasma volume, which disproportionately exceeds the increase in the red cell volume. In β-thalassemia (β-thal) trait carriers who become pregnant the plasma volume expansion may cause more pronounced anemia because the anemia of pregnancy is added to the pre-existed hypochromic microcytic anemia. In β-thal women, pregnancy outcome and obstetric complications do not differ from the general population. Anemia in β-thal carriers is generally not severe enough to warrant anxiety. No specific therapy is indicated and pregnant women generally require only supportive care with an anticipated favorable pregnancy outcome.