Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An adaptive iterative learning control for discrete-time nonlinear systems with iteration-varying uncertainties

In this paper, we present a new adaptive iterative learning controller for a class of discrete-time nonlinear systems with iteration-varying uncertainties including initial tracking error, system parameters and external disturbance. The learning objective is to control the nonlinear system to track an iteration-varying desired trajectory after suitable numbers of learning iterations. The main challenge for the iterative learning control design is that all the system parameters are iteration-varying. After separating the system parameters into a pure time-varying component and an iteration-varying component, the system dynamics are divided into an iteration-independent nominal part and an iteration-dependent uncertain part. An adaptive iterative learning controller is then designed to control the nominal dynamics and an iteration-varying boundary layer with dead-zone like auxiliary error is proposed to compensate for the iteration-varying uncertainties. The control parameters and the width of boundary layer are updated from trial to trial in order to guarantee the stability and convergence of the learning system. In addition to ensure the boundedness of control signals for each iteration and each time instant, we also prove that the norm of output error will asymptotically converge to a residual set whose size depends on the width of boundary layer as iteration number goes to infinity.
Euthanasia of rats with carbon dioxide-animal welfare aspects

A method of inducing euthanasia by carbon dioxide (CO2) inhalation in the home cage of an animal is described and tested for distress by behavioural as well as by hormonal measures. The animals were maintained in their home cage while CO2 was induced at a flow of 6 l/min. The behaviour of the animals was measured continuously as were the serum concentrations of glucose, ACTH and corticosterone 30, 75 and 120 s after the CO2 was introduced into the cage. In order to test for distress, two groups of rats were pre-treated with acepromazine (orally) and pentobarbiturate (i.p. injection) respectively, in order to reduce possible distress caused by CO2 euthanasia, and were compared with control groups. There were no signs of distress by behavioural or by hormonal changes. All changes seen could be attributed to experimental effects and, especially as there was no difference between the pre-treated and the control groups of rats, it must be assumed that the described method of euthanasia is in concordance with animal welfare, it leads to rapid death without severe distress or pain, and it seems therefore to be 'humane'.
Synaptic efficacy and reliability of excitatory connections between the principal neurones of the input (layer 4) and output layer (layer 5) of the neocortex

A prerequisite for the understanding of how a cortical column functions is a description of small and defined neuronal circuits consisting of only a few identified neurones. Here we summarise, with particular reference to the barrel cortex, the morphological and physiological properties of two synaptic connections, namely those between pairs of spiny neurones in layer 4 and pairs of pyramidal cells in layer 5. While layer 4 spiny neurones are the cortical input neurones that amplify and relay incoming excitation from the periphery, layer 5 pyramidal cells integrate neuronal activity both within and across cortical columns and subsequently distribute it to both cortical and subcortical brain regions.
The Effect of Orlistat, an Inhibitor of Dietary Fat Absorption, on the Absorption of Vitamins A and E in Healthy Volunteers

An open‐label, placebo‐controlled, randomized, two‐way crossover study was performed in 12 healthy volunteers (between 20 and 44 years of age) to assess the effect of orlistat, a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor that reduces dietary fat absorption and is being developed for weight control in obesity, on the absorption of vitamins A and E. Each participant received a single oral dose of 25,000 IU vitamin A followed 24 hours later by a single oral dose of 400 IU vitamin E on two separate occasions: during oral administration of 120 mg orlistat or placebo three times daily for 9 days. The two treatments were separated by a washout period of at least 2 weeks. Serial blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were collected at specified times over 24 hours after each dose of vitamin A for determination of serum concentrations of retinol, and over a period of 5 days after each dose of vitamin E for determination of serum concentrations of α‐tocopherol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Orlistat significantly reduced the absorption of vitamin E (∼43% according to maximum concentration and ∼60% according to area under the concentration‐time curve), but not that of vitamin A, at the dose levels studied. The results of this study will aid in the implementation of a vitamin supplementation strategy, should vitamin deficiency occur in patients undergoing orlistat therapy.
High‐Frequency Positive Feedback Trading and Market Quality: Evidence from China's Stock Market

This paper managed to measure the positive feedback trading intensity and its asymmetry with highâ€ frequency transaction data of China's individual stocks. The intraday positive feedback trading is found to be heterogeneous, and buyingâ€ winners effect is significantly stronger than sellingâ€ losers effect. In general, the highâ€ frequency asymmetric positive feedback trading's impact on market quality is mixed: The intraday positive feedback trades contribute to a liquid and activeâ€ trading market but at the same time slow down the price discovery process and reduce the price efficiency.
Immunogenic evaluation of chimeric recombinant protein against ETEC, EHEC and Shigella

Diarrheal diseases still remain health problem worldwide and out of many bacteria responsible for, Shigella and pathogenic Escherichia cause the most diarrheas in the world. Shigellacause bacterial dysenteries and shigellosis through invasion where the most effective proteins for pathogenesis is Ipac. Critical virulence protein for ETEC infection is CFA/I with two subunits called cfab and cfae. Attachment of EHEC is the main step of infection and the protein Intimin plays the key role in this function. Protection against the vast majority of responsible pathogens of diarrheas requires development of the combination vaccine against Shigella, ETEC and EHEC. In the present study, a multisubunitprotein (CII) containing immunologically significant parts of CfaB, IpaC and Intimin was designed. The chimeric gene (CII) was codon optimized and analyzed with different bioinformatic servers, then synthesized and expressed in E. coli. Mice, Guinea pig and, Caco-2 Cell line were used as challenge models for EHEC, shigella and ETEC respectively. The chimeric protein induced significant immune response and therefore could be a suitable vaccine candidate against these three pathogens.
Shadow Economy, Tax Policies, Institutional Weakness and Financial Stability in Selected Oecd Countries

We investigate the effect of taxation, corruption and financial stability on the shadow economy in 23 OECD countries. For this purpose, we use a panel framework and a difference-in-difference system- GMM model over the period 2001 to 2013. While the taxation effects are assessed through the corporate income tax and the average tax wedge, the banking sector Z-score computed based on four different models represents our proxy for the financial system stability. Our results show that only the average tax wedge by family has a positive influence on the shadow economy dynamics, whereas the effect of corporate income tax proves insignificant. Further, our findings indicate a negative influence of the financial stability on the shadow economy, but the significant effect depends on how the Z-score is calculated. Finally, the corruption perception positively impacts the shadow economy dynamics. All in all, our outcomes support the idea that excessive tax burden, financial instability and institutional weaknesses range amongst the factors influencing the shadow economy.
Development of chitosan/gelatin/keratin composite containing hydrocortisone sodium succinate as a buccal mucoadhesive patch to treat desquamative gingivitis

Abstract The aim of this research was to develop chitosan/gelatin/keratin composite containing hydrocortisone sodium succinate as a buccal mucoadhesive patch to treat desquamative gingivitis, which was fabricated through an environmental friendly process. Mucoadhesive films increase the advantage of higher efficiency and drug localization in the affected region. In this research, mucoadhesive films, for the release of hydrocortisone sodium succinate, were prepared using different ratios of chitosan, gelatin and keratin. In the first step, chitosan and gelatin proportions were optimized after evaluating the mechanical properties, swelling capacity, water uptake, stability, and biodegradation of the films. Then, keratin was added at different percentages to the optimum composite of chitosan and gelatin together with the drug. The results of surface pH showed that none of the samples were harmful to the buccal cavity. FTIR analysis confirmed the influence of keratin on the structure of the composite. The presence of a higher amount of keratin in the composite films resulted in high mechanical, mucoadhesive properties and stability, low water uptake and biodegradation in phosphate buffer saline (pH = 7.4) containing 104 U/ml lysozyme. The release profile of the films ascertained that keratin is a rate controller in the release of the hydrocortisone sodium succinate. Finally, chitosan/gelatin/keratin composite containing hydrocortisone sodium succinate can be employed in dental applications.
Fertility associated antigen in peripubertal beef bulls as an indicator of potential fertility

Fertility Associated Antigen in Peripubertal Beef Bulls as an Indicator of Potential Fertility. (August 2005) Joanna Lynn Gallino, B.S., California State Polytechnic University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. L. R. Sprott Dr. D. W. Forrest Ejaculates from peripubertal Angus (n=106), Brahman (n=156) and Brangus (n=212) bulls were evaluated for the presence of a 31 kDa protein known as fertility associated antigen (FAA) using the ReproTest for Bulls (ReproTech, Tucson, AZ). This study was designed to test the repeatability of FAA detection using the chute-side cassette and to quantify the relationship of age, scrotal circumference, sperm motility, ejaculate volume and sperm concentration with the presence of FAA in ejaculates from peripubertal bulls. A total of 776 ejaculates were collected, and 77% (n=598) were classified as FAA. Three ejaculates were obtained from 133 bulls (Angus, n=33; Brahman, n=100) on d 0, 30 and 60. Brahman bulls were older (p<0.0001) at puberty than Angus bulls. Ejaculate volume was the only trait that differed between bulls that were classified as FAA and FAA at first collection. Mean ejaculate volume was greater (p<0.0001) for FAA than for FAA ejaculates. Serial ejaculates were profiled according to one of four FAA classification patterns (0 = three FAA ejaculates; 1 = three FAA ejaculates; 2 = first ejaculate FAA; and 3 = first ejaculate FAA). A majority of the bulls were FAA on all three ejaculates (57%) or at least on the first
Areal and laminar organization of corticocortical projections in the rat somatosensory cortex

The present study examines patterns of connectivity between the primary somatosensory cortex of the rat (SI) and surrounding cortical areas also implicated in the processing of somatosensory information. The impetus for the study was the recent reports of major differences in the organization of cortex lateral and caudal to the SI in two other rodent species; the mouse (Carvell and Simons, '86: Somatosens. Res. 3:213–237; '87: J. Comp. Neurol. 265:409–427) and the grey squirrel (Krubitzer et al., '86: J. Comp. Neurol 250: 403–430). Corticocortical connections between the somatosensory areas of the rat parietal cortex were examined by using the combined retrograde and anterograde transport of horseradish peroxidase as well as the retrograde transport of fluorescent tracers. Tracer injections were made into different locations within SI and dysgranular cortex as well as into more lateral regions of parietal cortex, The tangential patterns of distribution both of callosal connections and of cytochrome oxidase activity together provided points of reference in determining the relation between injection sites and the resultant patterns of label.
Impact of Brand Dynamics on Insurance Premiums in Turkey

This paper examines influences of brand dynamics on insurance premium productions in Turkey using a dynamic GMM panel estimation technique sampling 31 insurance firms over 2005-2015. The results reveals that brands trust appears as a chief driving force behind premium production where its unit increase augments premium outputs by 5.32 million Turkish Liras (TL). Moreover, the brand value of firms also appears a statistically significant determinant of premium sales, but its size impact remains limited comparing to brand trust, i.e. a million TL increase in brand value generates only 0.02 million TL increase in sales. On the other hand, the study also documents a strong momentum driven from past years premium production with trade-off magnitude of 1 to 0.85. This might imply a higher loyalty-stickiness of customers in Turkey, as well as a self-feeding "bandwagon effect. "
The Price and Income Elasticities of Natural Gas Demand: International Evidence

Natural gas contributes a growing share of the world's energy mix. In this paper we use national-level data for a sample of 44 countries to estimate the price and income elasticities of natural gas demand. We present both single-equation results and results instrumenting natural gas prices with proved natural gas reserves. Our instrument includes both domestic reserves and distance-weighted reserves in other countries. We obtain estimates of the average long-run price elasticity of natural gas demand of around −1.25 and of the average long-run income elasticity of natural gas demand of +1 and higher. We also present separate estimates for final natural gas demand by industry and households.
Cwp84, a Surface-associated Cysteine Protease, Plays a Role in the Maturation of the Surface Layer of Clostridium difficile*

Clostridium difficile is a major and growing problem as a hospital-associated infection that can cause severe, recurrent diarrhea. The mechanism by which the bacterium colonizes the gut during infection is poorly understood but undoubtedly involves protein components within the surface layer (S-layer), which play a role in adhesion. In C. difficile, the S-layer is composed of two principal components, the high and low molecular weight S-layer proteins, which are formed from the post-translational cleavage of a single precursor, SlpA. In the present study, we demonstrate that a recently characterized cysteine protease, Cwp84 plays a role in maturation of SlpA. Using a gene knock-out approach, we show that inactivation of the Cwp84 gene in C. difficile 630ΔErm results in a bacterial phenotype in which only immature, single chain SlpA comprises the S-layer. The Cwp84 knock-out mutants (CDΔCwp84) displayed significantly different colony morphology compared with the wild-type strain and grew more slowly in liquid medium. SlpA extracted from CDΔCwp84 was readily cleaved into its mature subunits by trypsin treatment. Addition of trypsin to the growth medium also cleaved SlpA on CDΔCwp84 and increased the growth rate of the bacterium in a dose-dependent manner. Using the hamster model for C. difficile infection, CDΔCwp84 was found to be competent at causing disease with a similar pathology to the wild-type strain. The data show that whereas Cwp84 plays a role in the cleavage of SlpA, it is not an essential virulence factor and that bacteria expressing immature SlpA are able to cause disease.
Parametric array as a source of audible signal

This paper discusses the parametric transmission of sound through an amplitude-modulated ultrasonic wave, using automatic demodulation in a non-linear environment. Methods for the processing of the transmitted signal are presented; these techniques employ modified amplitude modulation to suppress the environmental effects, which otherwise distort the signal. A special emphasis is placed on the mathematical instruments describing the parametric sound beam transmission in a non-linear medium. Within our research, we fabricated a parametric speaker consisting of 50 ultrasonic acoustic transducers with the resonant frequency of 40 kHz. The functionality of the acoustic source was verified via measurement of the spatial radiation characteristics and through determination of the total harmonic distortion (THD). In order to control the parametric speaker, a digital element comprising a sampler, a transducer of the input transmitted signal, and a microcontroller to preprocess this signal and to facilitate the amplitude modulation of the ultrasonic carrier wave is designed. The applied algorithms were analyzed to establish their computational intensity; such an analysis enabled us to select a microprocessor basis suitable for the implementation of the signal processing algorithms.
The Impact of Carotid Artery Stenting on Cerebral Perfusion, Functional Connectivity, and Cognition in Severe Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Patients

Background and purpose Asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis can lead to not only stroke but also cognition impairment. Although it has been proven that carotid artery stenting (CAS) can reduce the risk of future strokes, the effect of CAS on cognition is conflicting. In recent years, pulsed arterial spin labeling (pASL) MRI and resting-state functional MRI (R-fMRI) have been employed in cognitive impairment studies. For the present study, cognition is evaluated in severe asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis patients undergoing CAS, and the mechanisms underlying the cognitive change are explored by pASL MRI and R-fMRI. Materials and methods We prospectively enrolled 24 asymptomatic, severe (≥70%), unilateral internal carotid artery stenosis patients, who were expecting the intervention of CAS. Cognition assessment (including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Beijing Version, the Minimum Mental State Examination, the Digit Symbol Test, the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, and the Verbal Memory Test) and an integrated MRI program (pASL MRI, and R-fMRI) were administered 7 days before and 3 months after CAS. Results 16 subjects completed the follow-up study. After stenting, significant improvement in the scores of the MMSE, the Verbal Memory test, and the delayed recall was found. No significant difference was found in the scores of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Beijing Version, the Digit Symbol Test, and the immediate recall. After CAS treatment, asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis patients showed increased perfusion in the left frontal gyrus, increased amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) in the right precentral gyrus, and increased connectivity to the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) in the right supra frontal gyrus. However, no significant correlations were found between these imaging changes and cognition assessments. Conclusion Successful CAS can partly improve cognition in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis patients. The cognition improvement may be partly attributed to the increased perfusion in the left frontal gyrus, increased ALFF in the right precentral gyrus, and increased connectivity to the PCC in the right supra frontal gyrus.
Detection of steering direction using EEG recordings based on sample entropy and time-frequency analysis

Monitoring driver's intentions beforehand is an ambitious aim, which will bring a huge impact on the society by preventing traffic accidents. Hence, in this preliminary study we recorded high resolution electroencephalography (EEG) from 5 subjects while driving a car under real conditions along with an accelerometer which detects the onset of steering. Two sensor-level analyses, sample entropy and time-frequency analysis, have been implemented to observe the dynamics before the onset of steering. Thus, in order to classify the steering direction we applied a machine learning algorithm consisting of: dimensionality reduction and classification using principal-component-analysis (PCA) and support-vector-machine (SVM), respectively. The results showed an increase of the sample entropy and the estimated power values in the theta and alpha frequency bands, 100 ms before the onset of steering. The detection of steering direction depicted that sample entropy gives a higher classification accuracy (73.5% ±6.8) as compared to that of using the estimated power for theta and alpha frequency bands (62.6% ±5.6).
Brain mapping with functional MR imaging: comparison of gradient-echo--based exogenous and endogenous contrast techniques.

PURPOSE To compare directly the two most widely used methods of functional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging--dynamic contrast material-enhanced MR imaging and blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS Five healthy volunteers underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced and BOLD MR imaging with a conventional 1.5-T MR unit during visual stimulation and a dark control state. BOLD studies were performed with a gradient-echo sequence, and dynamic MR imaging was performed with an echo-shifted gradient-echo sequence after intravenous administration of a bolus of gadopentetate dimeglumine. RESULTS A significantly greater percentage signal change was found with dynamic MR imaging than with the BOLD technique. The extent of area activated was also significantly greater. CONCLUSION With standard clinical imagers and these gradient-echo-based techniques, greater percentage activation and area of activation can be achieved with dynamic MR imaging than with BOLD MR imaging.
Analysis Of International Student Enrollments At A Florida Public University

This study sought to determine if international student admissions at a public university had been affected by the events on September 11, 2001. To accomplish this, an analysis was conducted comparing international and domestic students’ application rates, number of acceptances and enrollments for the fall semesters from 1998 through 2004 on data obtained from University of South Florida. The USF population data were also compared to enrollments in the U.S. for the respective years. Analyses on application frequencies and student enrollments comparing colleges of major and regions of origin were also performed. Generally, although statistical significance was found in many comparisons, the results of the chi square analyses found that no real effects were present, particularly when comparing USF international and domestic student populations. The chi square analyses comparing USF enrollments to the U.S. population from 1998 to 2003 also found no real effect. The analyses of the proportions of international graduate and domestic student enrollments and applications before and after September 11, 2001, also found no relationship. However, the analyses on world regions found that proportions of students from the Mideast declined from before to after Fall 2001 but other regions increased. Additionally, for graduate students, the proportion of Chinese students declined after 2001. Descriptive statistics indicated that international students majoring in engineering declined after 2001.