Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serotonin Transporter (SERT) Expression Modulates the Composition of the Western-Diet-Induced Microbiota in Aged Female Mice

Background. The serotonin transporter (SERT), highly expressed in the gut and brain, is implicated in metabolic processes. A genetic variant of the upstream regulatory region of the SLC6A4 gene encoding SERT, the so-called short (s) allele, in comparison with the long (l) allele, results in the decreased function of this transporter, altered serotonergic regulation, an increased risk of psychiatric pathology and type-2 diabetes and obesity, especially in older women. Aged female mice with the complete (Sert−/−: KO) or partial (Sert+/−: HET) loss of SERT exhibit more pronounced negative effects following their exposure to a Western diet in comparison to wild-type (Sert+/+: WT) animals. Aims. We hypothesized that these effects might be mediated by an altered gut microbiota, which has been shown to influence serotonin metabolism. We performed V4 16S rRNA sequencing of the gut microbiota in 12-month-old WT, KO and HET female mice that were housed on a control or Western diet for three weeks. Results. The relative abundance of 11 genera was increased, and the abundance of 6 genera was decreased in the Western-diet-housed mice compared to the controls. There were correlations between the abundance of Streptococcus and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 and the expression of the pro-inflammatory marker Toll-like-Receptor 4 (Tlr4) in the dorsal raphe, as well as the expression of the mitochondrial activity marker perixome-proliferator-activated-receptor-cofactor-1b (Ppargc1b) in the prefrontal cortex. Although there was no significant impact of genotype on the microbiota in animals fed with the Control diet, there were significant interactions between diet and genotype. Following FDR correction, the Western diet increased the relative abundance of Intestinimonas and Atopostipes in the KO animals, which was not observed in the other groups. Erysipelatoclostridium abundance was increased by the Western diet in the WT group but not in HET or KO animals. Conclusions. The enhanced effects of a challenge with a Western diet in SERT-deficient mice include the altered representation of several gut genera, such as Intestinimonas, Atopostipes and Erysipelatoclostridium, which are also implicated in serotonergic and lipid metabolism. The manipulation of these genera may prove useful in individuals with the short SERT allele.
Exponential Lag Synchronization of Memristive Neural Networks with Reaction Diffusion Terms via Neural Activation Function Control and Fuzzy Model

This paper is concerned with the problem of exponential lag synchronization of memristive neural networks with reaction diffusion terms via neural activation function control and fuzzy model. An memristor‐based circuit which exhibits the feature of pinched hysteresis is introduced and further, the memristive neural networks with reaction diffusion terms and such system containing fuzzy model are described at length, respectively. By utilizing the Lyapunov functional method and the neural activation function controller depending on the output of the system in the case of packed circuits, some concise conditions are acquired to guarantee the slave systems exponential lag synchronized with the master systems. Finally, several simulated examples are also presented to demonstrate the correctness of the theoretical results.
Analysis and prediction of a mesoscale convective system over East China with an ensemble square root filter radar data assimilation approach

A mesoscale convective system (MCS) over East China on June 5, 2009 was thoroughly analyzed using an Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) ensemble square root filter (EnSRF) system. The analyzed reflectivity structure, location and intensity compared well with observation, and were substantially better than an experiment without radar data assimilation. The cold pool and wind speed in the convective regions were strengthened. With improved initial conditions, the impact of single‐moment (SM), double‐moment (DM) and triple‐moment (TM) microphysics parameterization (MP) schemes on ensemble forecasts of MCSs was evaluated. The use of multi‐moment (MM) MP schemes showed some improvements in neighborhood ensemble probability for reflectivity and precipitation. Quantitative reflectivity and precipitation forecast skills were also improved in MM forecasts, with those of the TM forecast the best.
Role of institutional investors in reviving loss-making firms: evidence from India

PurposeThe present study aims to verify whether there is a positive (negative) role being played by the institutional investors on the loss-making companies' performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors employ panel data regression and two-step system generalised method of moments (SYS-GMM) to test the above objective.FindingsThe empirical results clearly show that no positive relation is found between institutional investors and loss-making companies' performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of the study might have significant implications for firms to improve the firms' operational performance [return on assets (ROA)]. Also, the firm's financial performance [return on equity (ROE)] could be improved by increasing profitability which will reflect in the share prices of the firms whereby the performance can build the investors' confidence over the firm. Market performance (Tobin's Q) could be increased by providing more attractive offers and discounts to customers to capture the business opportunities available in the market.Practical implicationsThe overall findings might have for reaching implications in the manufacturing sector with regard to allowing (disallowing) institutional investors.Social implicationsThe results of the study may help both companies and institutional investors.Originality/valueThis is the maiden attempt to study whether loss-making companies could be positively (negatively) impacted by the arrival of sophisticated institutional investors [foreign institutional investors (FIIs) and domestic institutional investors (DIIs)]. Further, this study is largely different from previous studies in terms of using new variables which are related to firm characteristics and valuation multiples. Further, seeing if the institutional investors tend to enhance the firm performance is curious.
Event-Triggered $H_\infty$ State Estimation of 2-DOF Quarter-Car Suspension Systems With Nonhomogeneous Markov Switching

In this paper, the event-triggered <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\boldsymbol {H}_{\boldsymbol \infty }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> state estimation problem is investigated for a two-degree-of-freedom quarter-car suspension system operated over a switching-channel network environment. First, the channel-switching is governed by a nonhomogeneous Markov chain whose probability transition matrix is time-varying. Then, a Markov jump linear system model is adopted to represent the overall networked system in view of the event-triggered communication scheme, signal quantization and random packet losses on account of the limited network bandwidth. By virtue of the Lyapunov functional and linear matrix inequality method, the event-triggered <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\boldsymbol {H}_{\boldsymbol \infty }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> state estimation problem is transformed into an optimization problem that switching-channel-dependent estimators are designed such that the estimation error system is exponentially stable in the mean square sense and achieves a desired performance level. Finally, a simulation example is used to demonstrate the validity of proposed design method.
Research on the influence of laser-tuning characteristics on all-fiber distributed Bragg reflector self-mixing rangefinder

Abstract. We proposed an all-fiber tunable distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) laser rangefinder, which realized high-accuracy measurement of the absolute distance in the range of 1.88 to 3.33 m based on the self-mixing effect. The theoretical analysis of the all-fiber tunable DBR laser shows that wavelength tuning range and frequency of the laser can influence the measurement range and resolution. In addition, the experimental results indicate that the influence factors of measurement accuracy and sensitivity in absolute distance measurement are modulation response linearity, experimental equipment, and circuit bandwidth, which is in good agreement with theory analysis. Moreover, increasing the linear wavelength tuning range of the tunable DBR laser is an essential method to improve the measurement accuracy and sensitivity of the absolute distance measurement system.
Proofofthe Main Conjectureof Noncommutative Iwasawa Theoryfor Totally Real Number Fieldsin Certain Cases

Fix an odd prime p. Let G be a compact p-adic Lie group containing a closed, normal, pro-p subgroup H which is abelian and such that G/H is isomorphic to the additive group of p-adic integers Zp. First we assume that H is finite and compute the Whitehead group of the Iwasawa algebra, �(G), of G. We also prove some results about certain localisation of �(G) needed in Iwasawa theory. Let F be a totally real number field and let F∞ be an admissible p-adic Lie extension of F with Galois group G. The computation of the Whitehead groups are used to show that the Main Conjecture for the extension F∞/F can be deduced from certain congruences between abelian p-adic zeta functions of Delige and Ribet. We prove these congruences with certain assumptions on G. This gives a proof of the Main Conjecture in many interesting cases such asZp⋊Zp-extensions.
Event-Triggered $H_{\infty}$ Filtering for Discrete-Time T–S Fuzzy Systems via Network Delay Optimization Technique

This paper is concerned with the problem of ${H_{\infty }}$ filter design for discrete-time Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy systems under an event-triggered (ET) communication mechanism. A partition method is adopted to overcome the asynchronous problem of the premise variables caused by introducing ET mechanism. The delay segmentation approach is used to deal with the network delay caused by network transmission, and new sufficient conditions are constructed to optimize the upper bound of network delay by combining each segments of the delay with the piecewise Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional. Moreover, it is shown that, for the considered discrete-time T–S fuzzy systems, using the nonsegmentation method, the results obtained by using the delay segmentation approach can be reduced to the existing results. Finally, an illustrative example is provided to show the advantages of the proposed design method.
What do women want? An exploration of workplace attraction and retention factors for women in construction

Abstract Increasing skill shortages in the construction industry are a concern worldwide. The industry is seeking to find effective ways to encourage more women to pursue careers in construction. This study explores the factors that attract and retain women, comparing them based on age (under 35 years, 35–44 years and 45 plus years) and role levels (managers, professionals and nonmanagers). A total of 655 responses were collected through a nationwide survey of women in construction in Australia. The findings suggest that to attract women, career opportunities must be emphasized; and that career advising, attractive salary/wages and training must be highlighted to attract young female talent. Further, working conditions are important factors considered by managerial and professional women when leaving the industry, particularly younger women. Organizational leaders and decision-makers seeking to recruit more women into construction may improve the effectiveness of their recruitment and retention initiatives by tailoring them to role level and age.
Preconditioners for PDE-constrained optimization problems with box constraints: Towards high resolution inverse ECG images

By combining the Minimal Residual Method and the Primal-Dual Active Set algorithm, we derive an efficient scheme for solving a class of PDE-constrained optimization problems with inequality constraints. The approach studied in this paper addresses box constrains on the control function, and leads to an iterative scheme in which linear optimality systems must be solved in each iteration. We prove that the spectra of the associate saddle point operators, appearing in each iteration, are well behaved: Almost all the eigenvalues are contained in three bounded intervals, not containing zero. In fact, for severely ill-posed problems, the number of eigenvalues outside these three intervals are of order O(ln(α−1)) as α → 0, where α is the parameter employed in the Tikhonov regularization. Krylov subspace methods are well known to handle such systems of algebraic equations very well, and we thus obtain a fast method for PDE-constrained optimization problems with box constraints. In contrast to previous papers, our investigation is not targeted at analyzing a specific model, but instead covers a rather large class of problems. Our theoretical findings are illuminated by several numerical experiments. An example covered by our theoretical findings, as well as cases not fulfilling all the assumptions needed in the analysis, are presented. Also, in addition to computations only involving synthetic data, we briefly explore whether these new techniques can be applied to real world problems. More specifically, the algorithm is tested on a medical imaging problem with clinical patient data. These tests suggest that the method is fast and reliable.
Effect of uneven wall blowing on hypersonic boundary-layer stability and transition

The understanding of aerothermodynamics in complex multiphysics environments such as atmospheric entry is of vital importance for the design of optimized vehicles. A better insight into the interaction between the thermal protection system ablation and the flow’s stability and transition would significantly increase the available payload and reduce the overall mission costs. In order to improve the modeling of the effect of ablation-induced outgassing, a continuously blowing boundary condition for linear stability theory is developed and tested against existing homogeneous and porous conditions in cold wind-tunnel calorically perfect gas conditions. The new model predicts a substantially higher destabilization of the boundary layer than the classic one. An exhaustive parametric study addresses the effect of the most important parameters influencing the boundary condition characteristics. Porous layer stabilization/destabilization maps for different porous layers and flow conditions are built, serving as a starting point for a stabilizing-porous-coating design methodology. Previous controversial literature findings are clarified in the light of the current work, showing a consistent way of addressing similar future tests. The semiempirical eN method is used to predict the location of transition onset in noisy wind-tunnel conditions, obtaining substantially different predictions with different wall models.The understanding of aerothermodynamics in complex multiphysics environments such as atmospheric entry is of vital importance for the design of optimized vehicles. A better insight into the interaction between the thermal protection system ablation and the flow’s stability and transition would significantly increase the available payload and reduce the overall mission costs. In order to improve the modeling of the effect of ablation-induced outgassing, a continuously blowing boundary condition for linear stability theory is developed and tested against existing homogeneous and porous conditions in cold wind-tunnel calorically perfect gas conditions. The new model predicts a substantially higher destabilization of the boundary layer than the classic one. An exhaustive parametric study addresses the effect of the most important parameters influencing the boundary condition characteristics. Porous layer stabilization/destabilization maps for different porous layers and flow conditions are built, serving as a.
Abrupt Climate Shift in the Mature Rainy Season of the Philippines in the Mid-1990s

A robust climate shift around 1993/1994 from early August to early September, which corresponds to the mature rainy season of the Philippines, was identified in stations located over the western coast of the country. The convection in the mature rainy season during 1994–2008 (E2) was suppressed compared with 1979–1993 (E1). The possible role of the changes in the large-scale conditions and tropical cyclone (TC) activity were analyzed. The results show that the western North Pacific Subtropical High has extended further westward in E2 leading to an enhanced lower-level divergence and less moisture transport over the Philippines. The changes in the large-scale conditions, which featured a mid-tropospheric descent, a decrease in low-level relative humidity, an enhanced vertical zonal wind shear, and a decrease in the perturbation kinetic energy, also inhibited the synoptic-scale disturbances in the vicinity of the Philippines. In particular, fewer TCs developed and made landfall over the Philippines in E2. We also found inconsistent climate shifts in May, June, July, and September between the rainfall data from the stations and the Climate Prediction Center Merged Analysis of Precipitation, which highlights the importance of sub-seasonal analysis in decadal-to-interdecadal climate change studies.
Untangling the History of M31 with Planetary Nebulae

Abstract Recent studies of planetary nebulae and deep color-magnitude diagrams in M 31 have unveiled some unusual star-formation events beyond its spiral arms into its outer regions extending to 100 kpc in projected distance. In this paper I summarize these observations. I shall also highlight some special interpretive surprises suggested by observations of PNe related to their O/H abundances, ages, and the luminosities on PNe well beyond the inner disk.
Unsuitability of the gall‐inducing fly Eutreta xanthochaeta for biological control of Lantana camara in presence of other native hosts in nature

The biological control of weeds requires the successful introduction and establishment of natural enemies into other regions, to reduce population densities of target species. Potential biocontrol agents are sought in the native region of target weed and should be highly specialized. The gall‐inducing fly Eutreta xanthochaeta Aldrich (Diptera: Tephritidae) is native to Mexico and has been brought into other regions of the world – such as Hawaii (USA), South Africa, and Australia – for the biological control of Lantana camara L. (Verbanaceae), although this not always proved to be successful. Here we investigate the trophic interactions of this fly species with two host plants inhabiting in sympatry, L. camara and Lippia myriocephala Schltdl. & Cham. (Verbenaceae), evaluating its preference through infestation rates, the gall distribution in the plant architecture, as well as the indirect impact upon production of inflorescences affecting the reproductive capacity of the plants. We found that the fly was not monophagous in its native range, and under natural conditions it preferred the wild host L. myriocephala in the presence of L. camara. Moreover, we found that gall formation was linked to changes in the host architecture along with the potential for reproduction, leading to increased terminal buds and a reduction in the inflorescences produced on the twigs where galls develop. Lantana camara consists of both horticultural hybrids and wild varieties resulting in unresolved taxonomic ambiguities. Hence, there may be adaptive limitations of this fly to distinct geographic races or climatic conditions in the various regions, which needs further investigation.
Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout Among Child Welfare Social Workers in Southern China: Focusing on Resilience and Social Support

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine factors associated with secondary traumatic stress (STS) and burnout and test the direct effect of resilience and the indirect effect of resilience via social support on STS and burnout among child welfare social workers in Southern China. Results indicated that higher levels of resilience and social support were significantly associated with lower odds of STS and burnout, and there was a significant indirect effect of resilience via social support on STS and burnout. Results imply that it is critical to facilitate positive effects of resilience on decreasing STS and burnout via providing social support. Practice points Resilience has a direct effect on decreasing secondary traumatic stress (STS) and burnout among child welfare social workers in China. The indirect effect of resilience on STS and burnout is via social support. It is critical to facilitate the positive effect of resilience on decreasing STS and burnout via providing adequate social support to child welfare social workers.
rAAV TGF-β and FGF-2 Overexpression via pNaSS-Grafted PCL Films Stimulates the Reparative Activities of Human ACL Fibroblasts

Lesions in the human anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are frequent, unsolved clinical issues due to the limited self-healing ability of the ACL and lack of treatments supporting full, durable ACL repair. Gene therapy guided through the use of biomaterials may steadily activate the processes of repair in sites of ACL injury. The goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that functionalized poly(sodium styrene sulfonate)-grafted poly(ε-caprolactone) (pNaSS-grafted PCL) films can effectively deliver recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors as a means of overexpressing two reparative factors (transforming growth factor beta-TGF-β and basic fibroblast growth factor-FGF-2) in primary human ACL fibroblasts. Effective, durable rAAV reporter red fluorescent protein and candidate TGF-β and FGF-2 gene overexpression was achieved in the cells for at least 21 days, especially when pNaSS-grafted PCL films were used versus control conditions, such as ungrafted films and systems lacking vectors or films (between 1.8- and 5.2-fold differences), showing interactive regulation of growth factor production. The expression of TGF-β and FGF-2 from rAAV via PCL films safely enhanced extracellular matrix depositions of type-I/-III collagen, proteoglycans/decorin, and tenascin-C (between 1.4- and 4.5-fold differences) in the cells over time with increased levels of expression of the specific transcription factors Mohawk and scleraxis (between 1.7- and 3.7-fold differences) and without the activation of the inflammatory mediators IL-1β and TNF-α, most particularly with pNaSS-grafted PCL films relative to the controls. This work shows the value of combining rAAV gene therapy with functionalized PCL films to enhance ACL repair.