Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive robust motion control of a fast forging hydraulic press considering the nonlinear uncertain accumulator model

This article focuses on the high-performance motion control of an accumulator assistant fast forging hydraulic press. As the accumulator has a significant impact on the motion control performance of the fast forging hydraulic press, the dynamic and static characteristics of the accumulator are studied and a simplified mathematical model is applied in the motion controller design. To hold the nonlinear parameter uncertainty associated with the accumulator model, a nonlinear damping regulator and a nonlinear robust feedback are synthesized based on the simplified mathematical model. The virtual control law “lumped flow” is proposed to act as the equivalent input of the fast forging hydraulic press, which successfully solves the decoupling problem and makes the motion controller design feasible. And the most economical distribution scheme is finally applied to synthesize the actual control law for each fast forging valve. In consideration of the parametric uncertainties and uncertain nonlinearities appearing in the mathematical model of the accumulator assistant fast forging hydraulic press, the discontinuous projection-based adaptive robust control is extended to synthesize the motion controller. Both simulation and experiment results demonstrate that with the proposed motion controller, the transient performance and final tracking accuracy are guaranteed although the system is subjected to various model uncertainties coming from both parametric uncertainties and uncertain nonlinearities. Furthermore, with the proposed nonlinear damping regulator, the influence of the accumulator can be well compensated and the control performance is improved.
Exercising before protein intake allows for greater use of dietary protein-derived amino acids for de novo muscle protein synthesis in both young and elderly men.

BACKGROUND Sarcopenia seems to be attributed to a blunted muscle protein synthetic response to food intake and exercise. This blunted response could be the result of impaired protein digestion and absorption kinetics and lead to lower postprandial plasma amino acid availability. OBJECTIVE The objective was to compare in vivo dietary protein digestion and absorption kinetics and subsequent postprandial muscle protein synthesis rates at rest and after exercise between young and elderly men. DESIGN Young and elderly men consumed a 20-g bolus of intrinsically L-[1-(13)C]phenylalanine-labeled protein at rest or after exercise. Continuous infusions with L-[ring-(2)H(5)]phenylalanine were applied, and blood and muscle samples were collected to assess in vivo protein digestion and absorption kinetics and subsequent postprandial muscle protein synthesis rates. RESULTS Exogenous phenylalanine appearance rates expressed over time did not differ between groups. No differences were observed in plasma phenylalanine availability between the young (51 ± 2%) and elderly (51 ± 1%) men or between the rest (52 ± 1%) and exercise (49 ± 1%) conditions. Muscle protein synthesis rates calculated from the oral tracer were 0.0620 ± 0.0065%/h and 0.0560 ± 0.0039%/h for the rest condition and 0.0719 ± 0.0057%/h and 0.0727 ± 0.0040%/h for the exercise condition in young and elderly men, respectively (age effect: P = 0.62; exercise effect: P < 0.05; interaction of age and exercise: P = 0.52). CONCLUSIONS Dietary protein digestion and absorption kinetics are not impaired after exercise or at an older age. Exercising before protein intake allows for a greater use of dietary protein-derived amino acids for de novo muscle protein synthesis in both young and elderly men. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00557388.
Constraints on the accuracy of messenger RNA movement

SUMMARY Theoretical as well as experimental studies of translational accuracy have most often been concerned with the selection of aminoacyl-tRNA by codon-programmed ribosomes. The selection of the successive codons on the mRNA has received much less attention, probably because it represents both conceptually and experimentally, a much more demanding physical problem. Nevertheless, it would seem that errors in the selection of the codon are potentially much more destructive than errors in selection of aminoacyl-tRNA species. This can be appreciated from the following.
A Trend-Based Segmentation Method and the Support Vector Regression for Financial Time Series Forecasting

This paper presents a novel trend-based segmentation methodTBSMand the support vector regressionSVRfor financial time series forecasting. The model is named as TBSM-SVR. Over the last decade, SVR has been a popular forecasting model for nonlinear time series problem. The general segmentation method, that is, the piecewise linear representationPLR� , has been applied to locate a set of trading points within a financial time series data. However, owing to the dynamics in stock trading, PLR cannot reflect the trend changes within a specific time period. Therefore, a trend based segmentation method is developed in this research to overcome this issue. The model is tested using various stocks from America stock market with different trend tendencies. The experimental results show that the proposed model can generate more profits than other models. The model is very practical for real-world application, and it can be implemented in a real-time environment.
Use of molecular markers to study the effects of environmental impacts on genetic diversity in brown bullhead (Ameirus nebulosus) populations

Conservation biology needs sound biological information in order to maintain biological diversity in the face of the current rate of loss. An important component of the information needed is the level of genetic diversity within and between populations, especially for those species faced with exposure to environmental stressors. We applied multilocus DNA profile analysis (highly variable number tandem repeats [HVNTR] and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA [RAPD] techniques) and allozyme analysis to test whether individuals from historically degraded sites display levels of genetic diversity different from individuals taken from reference sites. Four Lake Erie tributaries, two impacted and two reference sites, were the sources of brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) samples. Pairwise comparison of the sampled populations demonstrated an association of decreased genetic diversity with exposure of brown bullhead to stressors using both RAPD and HVNTR analysis.
Do female rhesus macaques choose novel males?

Prior research has shown that estrous female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatto) maintain spatial proximity preferentially to lower‐ranking males. In this paper, 657 h of focal individual follows of 48 free‐ranging estrous female rhesus macaques of two social groups during two mating seasons are used to evaluate the hypothesis that this phenomenon is attributable to female mate choice for novel males. This hypothesis is plausible because of the positive correlation between dominance rank and the length of time since a male immigrated into a group or matured in his natal group (i.e., his breeding tenure). However, partial correlation analysis showed that after removing the effect of dominance rank, there was no significant tendency for estrous females to maintain proximity preferentially to males of shorter breeding tenure. In contrast, removing the effect of breeding tenure did not eliminate the result that estrous females maintained proximity preferentially to lower ranking males. Novel (i.e., extra‐group, new immigrant, and newly matured natal) males did not consistently experience more estrous female proximity maintenance than non‐novel males, although sample sizes are too small to conclusively falsify this hypothesis. Within male‐estrous female dyads, responsibility for proximity maintenance did not tend to shift from the female to the male between consecutive mating seasons. Male breeding tenure was not significantly correlated with year‐to‐year change in responsibility for proximity maintenance. Male breeding tenure was not consistently correlated with female sexual refusal. In one of two social groups, in one of two mating seasons, females appeared to choose novel males. These data provide, at most, weak support for the hypothesis that female primates in multi‐male groups exercise mate choice for novel males. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Community‐based study in Taiwan aborigines concerning renal dysfunction in gout patients

Objective: To reveal the factors associated with renal dysfunction among gout patients in Taiwan aborigines. Methods: Social demographic data, alcohol consumption data, anthropometric measurements, blood samples, and 24‐h urine samples were collected from 128 aboriginals (101 men, 27 women) suffering from gout. Results: The men displayed higher mean creatinine clearance (Ccr) values than women. Twenty‐two post‐menopausal women had significantly lower Ccr values compared to the five pre‐menopausal women [probability (p)<0.001]. The males displayed higher 24‐h urinary creatinine value than females (8.60±5.39 versus 5.58±2.14 mmol/L; p<0.05), and showed a significantly higher positive relationship between 24‐h urinary creatinine and uric acid excretion [correlation coefficient (r)=0.7304; p<0.001], whereas the females did not (r=0.1144; p=0.5691). Overall, those who were older members of the Tsou tribe, or had excreted less uric acid from urine in 24 h tended to suffer renal dysfunction. Conclusions: Gout patients displayed diversity in renal function. An exogenous source of creatinine in men was more likely than in women.
Polymeric nanoparticles as dual-imaging probes for cancer management

This article reports the development of biodegradable photoluminescent polymer (BPLP)-based nanoparticles (NPs) incorporating either magnetic nanoparticles (BPLP-MNPs) or gadopentate dimeglumine (BPLP-Gd NPs), for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The aim of the study is to compare these nanoparticles in terms of their surface properties, fluorescence intensities, MR imaging capabilities, and in vitro characteristics to choose the most promising dual-imaging nanoprobe. Results indicate that BPLP-MNPs and BPLP-Gd NPs had a size of 195 +-43 nm and 161+-55 nm, respectively and showed good stability in DI water and 10% serum for 5 days. BPLP-Gd NPs showed similar fluorescence as the original BPLP materials under UV light, whereas BPLP-MNPs showed comparatively less fluorescence. VSM and MRI confirmed that the NPs retained their magnetic properties following encapsulation within BPLP. Further, in vitro studies using HPV-7 immortalized prostate epithelial cells and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) showed > 70% cell viability up to 100 µg/ml NP concentration. Dose-dependent uptake of both types of NPs by PC3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells was also observed. Thus, our results indicate that BPLP-Gd NPs would be more appropriate for use as a dual-imaging probe as the contrast agent does not mask the fluorescence of the polymer. Future studies would involve in vivo imaging following administration of BPLP-Gd NPs for biomedical applications including cancer detection.
Rofecoxib, a New Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitor, Shows Sustained Efficacy, Comparable With Other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs A 6-Week and a 1-Year Trial in Patients With Osteoarthritis

INTRODUCTION Rofecoxib, a cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor (sometimes known as a specific cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor or Coxib), is used in osteoarthritis (OA). Published information indicates rofecoxib's improved gastrointestinal safety profile over nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rofecoxib in treating OA in 2 studies. METHODS Two randomized, double-blind, parallel-group studies in patients with OA of the knee or hip were conducted using identical entry criteria and end points. A 6-week placebo-controlled trial in 736 patients compared 12.5 and 25 mg of rofecoxib once daily with 800 mg of ibuprofen 3 times daily, and a 1-year study compared 12.5 and 25 mg of rofecoxib once daily with 50 mg of diclofenac 3 times daily in 693 patients. RESULTS Rofecoxib, at 12.5 and 25 mg, demonstrated efficacy clinically comparable with ibuprofen, assessed by 3 primary end points according to predefined comparability criteria. Both rofecoxib doses and ibuprofen provided significantly greater efficacy than placebo on all primary end points at 6 weeks. Both rofecoxib doses and diclofenac showed similar efficacy over 1 year. All treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS Rofecoxib is effective in treating OA with once-daily dosing for 6 weeks and 1 year. Rofecoxib was generally safe and well-tolerated in OA patients for 6 weeks and 1 year. Arch Fam Med. 2000;9:1124-1134
Clinical appearance of Staphylococcus aureus spondylodiscitis and molecular characterization of the isolates

Abstract Infectious spondylodiscitis is diagnosed with increasing frequency. It is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The aim of the present study was to determine clinical differences between S. aureus and non-S. aureus spondylodiscitis and, by using spa typing, to determine whether certain clones of S. aureus predominate. During the y 2002–2006, 70 patients (45 male, 25 female) were diagnosed with spondylodiscitis and treated at the Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana. The age range was 13–95 y (mean age 63.4 y). Cultures were positive in 59 (85%) patients; S. aureus was isolated from blood and/or vertebral disc in 42 (60%) and other bacteria were isolated in 17 (25%). In patients with S. aureus spondylodiscitis, the infection was more likely to be haematogenous. These patients were more likely at risk for epidural abscess. Thirty S. aureus isolates from blood were typed with the spa typing molecular method. All of them were methicillin-susceptible. We identified 20 spa types. Seven spa types (t005, t015, t026, t091, t116, t449 and t474) were identified more than once, while 13 were sporadic. Among the sporadic spa types, 6 were newly identified in this study and introduced as new types into the spa server database. A heterogeneity of S. aureus isolates from spondylodiscitis was detected in this study. Thus no specific clone was identified that might be more likely to cause infection of the spine.
H9N2 Influenza Viruses Possessing H5N1-Like Internal Genomes Continue To Circulate in Poultry in Southeastern China

ABSTRACT The transmission of H9N2 influenza viruses to humans and the realization that the A/Hong Kong/156/97-like (H5N1) (abbreviated HK/156/97) genome complex may be present in H9N2 viruses in southeastern China necessitated a study of the distribution and characterization of H9N2 viruses in poultry in the Hong Kong SAR in 1999. Serological studies indicated that H9N2 influenza viruses had infected a high proportion of chickens and other land-based birds (pigeon, pheasant, quail, guinea fowl, and chukka) from southeastern China. Two lineages of H9N2 influenza viruses present in the live-poultry markets were represented by A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 (Qa/HK/G1/97)-like and A/Duck/Hong Kong/Y280/97 (Dk/HK/Y280/97)-like viruses. Up to 16% of cages of quail in the poultry markets contained Qa/HK/G1/97-like viruses, while about 5% of cages of other land-based birds were infected with Dk/HK/Y280/97-like viruses. No reassortant between the two H9N2 virus lineages was detected despite their cocirculation in the poultry markets. Reassortant viruses represented by A/Chicken/Hong Kong/G9/97 (H9N2) were the major H9N2 influenza viruses circulating in the Hong Kong markets in 1997 but have not been detected since the chicken slaughter in 1997. The Qa/HK/G1/97-like viruses were frequently isolated from quail, while Dk/HK/Y280/97-like viruses were predominately associated with chickens. The Qa/HK/G1/97-like viruses were evolving relatively rapidly, especially in their PB2, HA, NP, and NA genes, suggesting that they are in the process of adapting to a new host. Experimental studies showed that both H9N2 lineages were primarily spread by the aerosol route and that neither quail nor chickens showed evidence of disease. The high prevalence of quail infected with Qa/HK/G1/97-like virus that contains six gene segments genetically highly related to HK/156/97 (H5N1) virus emphasizes the need for surveillance of mammals including humans.
Trabectedin: an anticancer drug from the sea

Background: Trabectedin (ET-743) is an anticancer agent originally isolated from Ecteinascidia turbinata, a marine organism. Objective: The goal of this review is to describe the chemical characteristics, mechanism of action and the results of clinical trials with this compound. The toxicities are described, as well as the pharmacokinetics. The regulatory affairs and marketing strategies for this compound are also discussed. Methods: Medline and meeting proceedings were searched to accomplish our objectives. Results/conclusions: Trabectedin is a unique alkylating agent. It affects a variety of transcription factors, cell proliferation, and nucleotide excision repair mechanism. In addition, it inhibits the MDR-1 gene, which is responsible for the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents. The main toxicities of this agent are transaminitis and myelosuppression, both reversible and noncumulative. At present, trabectedin is approved in Europe for the treatment of sarcoma. The combination of this compound with other chemotherapeutics has been tested in Phase I studies in sarcomas and is feasible. This drug in combination with doxil has shown to improve outcome in relapsed ovarian cancer, compared with doxil alone. The results of this study may lead to an FDA approval of the combination in the USA, for the treatment of relapsed ovarian cancer.
Sexual Assertiveness in Low-Income African American Women: Unwanted Sex, Survival, and HIV Risk

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of social variables related to sexual relationships in African American women.1 The study used a quantitative descriptive design to gather data from a convenience sample of 524 African American women aged 18 to 49 who dwelled in the southeastern United States. The study utilized the HIV Risk Behavior Questionnaire to determine the participant's level of HIV risk. Results indicated substantial levels of sex in the women due to violence or fear of violence, relationship loss, lost shelter, and high levels of unwanted sex. There was a positive correlation between level of survival sex and high-risk behavior (R = .651, p < .01). Multiple correlations indicated associations between history of forced sex and sex due to fear of violence (R = .604, p < .01). Further correlations indicated a pattern of association between poverty, age, and sex out of fear of relationship loss or shelter loss. The study indicates a need for a broader definition of HIV-related risk in high-risk populations.
The influence of prepregnancy body mass index on labor complications

BACKGROUND To investigate the influence of Body Mass Index on the incidence of labor complications in a population of women with a normal pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS From a local database, information on maternal weight and height was extracted concerning 4258 women who had an uncomplicated pregnancy. After calculation and stratification with respect to Body Mass Index, this was retrospectively related to labor interventions and complications. RESULTS High Body Mass Index was related to more oxytocin infusion and early amniotomy, but not to vacuum extraction or cesarean section. Primary inertia and, to a minor degree, cephalopelvic disproportion and secondary inertia were seen more often in women with high Body Mass Index. CONCLUSIONS Overweight (25.0<=BMI<30.0) and obesity (BMI>=30.0) are only weak predictors of labor complications, given a normal pregnancy. However, the heavy use of labor augmentation indicates that obese women should not be recommended to give birth in an ABC-clinic or at home.
GCMa Regulates the Syncytin-mediated Trophoblastic Fusion*

The human placental trophoblast cell can be classified as either a cytotrophoblast or a syncytiotrophoblast. Cytotrophoblasts can function as stem cells for the development of the syncytiotrophoblast layer via cell fusion. An envelope gene of the human endogenous retrovirus family W (HERV-W) calledsyncytin is specifically expressed in the syncytiotrophoblast layer. Syncytin is a fusogenic membrane protein; therefore, it can mediate the fusion of cytotrophoblasts into the syncytiotrophoblast layer, which is essential for pregnancy maintenance. GCMa is a placenta-specific transcription factor and is required for placental development. To study the placenta-specific fusion mediated by syncytin, we tested whether GCMa is involved in this process by regulating syncytin gene expression. In this report, we demonstrate that GCMa was able to regulatesyncytin gene expression via two GCMa-binding sites upstream of the 5′-long terminal repeat of thesyncytin-harboring HERV-W family member in BeWo and JEG3 cells but not in HeLa cells. Furthermore, adenovirus-directed expression of GCMa enhanced syncytin gene expression and syncytin-mediated cell fusion in BeWo and JEG3 cells but not in HeLa cells. Therefore, the integration site of thesyncytin-harboring HERV-W family member in the human genome is close to the functional GCMa-binding sites by which GCMa can specifically transactivate syncytin gene expression in trophoblast cells. Our results may help to explain the mechanism underlying the cell fusion event specific for syncytiotrophoblast formation.
Cholesterol lowering effects of rhubarb stalk fiber in hypercholesterolemic men.

OBJECTIVE The present study was undertaken to examine the lipid lowering effects of rhubarb fiber prepared by blanching and drying fresh rhubarb stalks. The new fiber source contained 74% dietary fiber, on dry weight basis, with 66% insoluble and 8% soluble fiber. DESIGN Ten hypercholesterolemic men were assigned to consume 27 g of ground rhubarb stalk fiber per day for 4 weeks. The dietary intake in terms of total energy, lipid and cholesterol was kept unaltered during the study period. Changes in serum lipid profile were monitored by obtaining blood samples before and after the fiber intervention. RESULTS Rhubarb fiber supplementation resulted in significant lowering of serum total cholesterol (8%) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (9%), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) concentrations remained unchanged. The depressed total and LDL cholesterol levels returned to baseline after the fiber supplementation was withdrawn for 1 month. CONCLUSION The rhubarb stalk fiber is effective in lowering serum cholesterol concentrations, especially LDL cholesterol, in hypercholesterolemic men. These results signify the potential use of underutilized rhubarb crop.
“Firm exports, innovation, … and regions”

This paper uses firm-level data for each of the Spanish NUTS2 regions to estimate the effect of product and process innovations on firm’s export performance. It shows that the firm’s propensity to innovate and its export activity vary substantially across regions. Remarkably, results prove that the effect of innovation on exports is far from regionally uniform. The gap in the propensity to export between innovative and non-innovative firms, conditional to other sources of firm heterogeneity, is shown to be particularly wide in regions with high extensive margin of exports. However, differences in the propensity to innovate do not originate regional disparities in the share of sales abroad by exporting firms. Consequently, stimulate firm’s innovation in the less innovative regions can be an effective tool to increase the share of exporting firms.