Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consensus analysis of multi-agent systems under switching topologies by a topology-dependent average dwell time approach

This study addresses the consensus problem for a class of any order multi-agent systems under switching topologies which could include kinds of unconsensusable topologies. The consensus problem, depending on structure properties and the corresponding topology, is researched with fixed structure properties under directed switching topologies. By the properties of Laplacian matrix, the consensus problem for multi-agent systems is converted into the stability problem of the corresponding switched systems with a Laplacian-like matrix. Some sufficient conditions for consensus are presented by using the dwell time approach. Finally, numerical examples and the results of computer simulation are given to verify the theoretical analysis.
Investigation of the fiber Bragg grating inscribed in multimode fiber by femtosecond laser

Multimode fiber Bragg grating (MFBG) is inscribed in graded‐index multimode fiber using infrared femtosecond laser and phase mask. Multiple dips are observed in the transmission spectrum of MFBG. There is not only self‐coupling effect between the forward and backward principal modes, but also the mutual coupling effect between the neighbor modes. The induced refractive index modulation of 6.4 × 10 −4 is achieved for a peak power density of 4.1 × 1013 W/cm2 without any fiber sensitization. Thermal experiment results show that the MFBG belongs to type I grating. The transmission spectrum of MFBG shifts linearly with the strain and pressure at sensitivities of 1.27 ± 0.002 pm/με and −3.3 ± 0.06 pm/MPa, respectively. The MFBGs are expected to be used for multichannel filters, multiwavelength fiber lasers, and multiparameter sensing. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:214–219, 2017
Analysis of Problem Solving Ability in Quadrilateral Topic on Model Eliciting Activities Learning Containing Ethnomathematics

The low ability to solve mathematics problems and the character of local cultural love is due to lack of habituation in problem-solving that is associated with everyday life situation and the learning model used is not in accordance with local cultural values. This study aims to analyze the validity, the practicality, the effectiveness of the learning tools implementation, and the characteristics of the problem-solving ability of learners on the learning of MEA with ethnomathematics. The research method used was mixed method of concurrent embedded model. At the beginning of the study was given an initial problem-solving test in experiment and control classes as well as giving a questionnaire of the love of local culture in the experimental class, then the experimental MEA learning was carried out on the experimental class and the PBL learning in the control class. At the end of the study, final tests on the problem-solving ability was conducted in experimental and control classes as well as giving a local love questionnaire in the experimental class. The results showed that the MEA learning containing ethnomathematics on quadrilateral topics is valid, practical, and effective. The results of the characteristics of the problem-solving abilities analysis of the upper group, students have been able to solve the problem properly according to Polya's steps, the problem-solving ability of students in the middle group is still difficult in the step of calculating, while the students in the lower group have difficulty in planning a solution.
Effect of Thermal Treatments and Ion Substitution on Sintering and Crystallization of Bioactive Glasses: A Review

Bioactive glasses (BGs) are promising materials for bone regeneration due to their ability to bond with living bone tissue. However, thermal stability and mechanical properties of BGs need improvement for better clinical performance. In this paper, we present an overview of the influence of different ions on the sintering and crystallization of BGs. Specifically, this review focuses on the impact of thermal treatments on the crystallization of 45S5 and other significant BG compositions. Potential applications of these thermally treated BGs, such as scaffolds, BG-based composites, and thermally sprayed coatings, are explored. Moreover, the substitution of ions has been investigated as a method to enhance the thermal properties of BGs. Notably, zinc, potassium, and strontium have been studied extensively and have demonstrated promising effects on both the thermal and the mechanical properties of BGs. However, it is important to note that research on ion inclusion in BGs is still in its early stages, and further investigation is necessary to fully comprehend the effects of different ions on sintering and crystallization. Therefore, future studies should focus on optimizing the ion substitution method to improve the thermal, mechanical, and even biological properties of BGs, thereby enhancing their potential for various biomedical applications.
Brk/PTK6 and Involucrin Expression May Predict Breast Cancer Cell Responses to Vitamin D3

The process of human embryonic mammary development gives rise to the structures in which mammary cells share a developmental lineage with skin epithelial cells such as keratinocytes. As some breast carcinomas have previously been shown to express high levels of involucrin, a marker of keratinocyte differentiation, we hypothesised that some breast tumours may de-differentiate to a keratinocyte-derived ‘evolutionary history’. To confirm our hypothesis, we investigated the frequency of involucrin expression along with that of Brk, a tyrosine kinase expressed in up to 86% of breast carcinomas whose normal expression patterns are restricted to differentiating epithelial cells, most notably those in the skin (keratinocytes) and the gastrointestinal tract. We found that involucrin, a keratinocyte differentiation marker, was expressed in a high proportion (78%) of breast carcinoma samples and cell lines. Interestingly, tumour samples found to express high levels of involucrin were also shown to express Brk. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, a known differentiation agent and potential anti-cancer agent, decreased proliferation in the breast cancer cell lines that expressed both involucrin and Brk, whereas the Brk/involucrin negative cell lines tested were less susceptible. In addition, responses to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were not correlated with vitamin D receptor expression. These data contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting that cellular responses to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 are potentially independent of vitamin D receptor status and provide an insight into potential markers, such as Brk and/or involucrin that could predict therapeutic responses to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.
On the Richardson extrapolation in time of finite element method with discrete TBCs for the Cauchy problem for the 1D Schrödinger equation

We consider the Cauchy problem for the 1D generalized Schr\"odinger equation on the whole axis. To solve it, any order finite element in space and the Crank-Nicolson in time method with the discrete transparent boundary conditions (TBCs) has recently been constructed. Now we engage the Richardson extrapolation to improve significantly the accuracy in time step. To study its properties, we give results of numerical experiments and enlarged practical error analysis for three typical examples. The resulting method is able to provide high precision results in the uniform norm for reasonable computational costs that is unreachable by more common 2nd order methods in either space or time step. Comparing our results to the previous ones, we obtain much more accurate results using much less amount of both elements and time steps.
Socio-Economic conditions of Cobblers in Pune City

Abstract Maladies pertaining to the unorganised sector in India have baffled policymakers and bureaucrats for years. Cobblers, compared to earlier generations, have become a rather disregarded part of the economy, partly due to digitisation and the advent of e-commerce, which has made commodities such as footwear cheaper, reducing incentives to repair footwear, especially within urban areas. This article shows that observable structural changes within one particular profession are highly dynamic and, in this case, to some extent significantly damaging for these self-employed workers. The study presents data collected from 75 cobblers operating in different parts of Pune city in India, providing insights into their current working practices and economic well-being. Utilising multinomial logistic regression (MLR) revealed that the incomes of cobblers were primarily influenced by age, ownership of land and property, not by variables such as education and experience, which generally affect the livelihoods of individuals.
Effect of Teleconnection Patterns on Changes in Water Temperature in Polish Lakes

The objective of the paper was the determination of the effect of teleconnection patterns (North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), Arctic Oscillation (AO), East Atlantic pattern (EA), East Atlantic/Western Russia (EAWR), and Scandinavian pattern (SCAND)) on changes in air and water temperature in Polish lakes. Correlations of circulation indices with air and lake water temperature were analysed in the monthly cycle. Deviations of values of such components in different phases of the analysed atmospheric circulations types from mean average from the years 1971 to 2015 were also determined. The research showed a variable effect of the atmospheric circulations types. The strongest effect on water temperature was observed in winter, when AO and NAO circulation showed particularly evident influence. Deviations of water temperature from mean values from the analysed multi-annual period generally oscillated around 1.0 °C, reaching a maximum value of 1.4 °C. The presented research shows the complexity of processes determining changes in lake water temperature, the course of which depends on many factors with both regional (e.g., ice cover on lakes) and local range (conditions of water exchange, human pressure).
Finite Speed of Propagation in Monostable Degenerate Reaction-Diffusion-Convection Equations

Abstract We study the existence and properties of travelling wave solutions of the Fisher-KPP reaction-diffusion-convection equation ut + h(u)ux = [D(u)ux]x + g(u), where the diffusivity D(u) is simply or doubly degenerate. Both the cases when Ḋ(0) and Ḋ(1) are possibly zero real values or infinity, are treated. We discuss the effects, due to the presence of a convective term, concerning the property of finite speed of propagation. Moreover, in the doubly degenerate case we show the appearance of new types of profiles and provide their classification according to sharp relations between the nonlinear terms of the model. An application is also presented, concerning the evolution of a bacterial colony.
Prediction of guidewire-induced aortic deformations during EVAR: a finite element and in vitro study

Introduction and aims: During an Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) procedure a stiff guidewire is inserted from the iliac arteries. This induces significant deformations on the vasculature, thus, affecting the pre-operative planning, and the accuracy of image fusion. The aim of the present work is to predict the guidewire induced deformations using a finite element approach validated through experiments with patient-specific additive manufactured models. The numerical approach herein developed could improve the pre-operative planning and the intra-operative navigation. Material and methods: The physical models used for the experiments in the hybrid operating room, were manufactured from the segmentations of pre-operative Computed Tomography (CT) angiographies. The finite element analyses (FEA) were performed with LS-DYNA Explicit. The material properties used in finite element analyses were obtained by uniaxial tensile tests. The experimental deformed configurations of the aorta were compared to those obtained from FEA. Three models, obtained from Computed Tomography acquisitions, were investigated in the present work: A) without intraluminal thrombus (ILT), B) with ILT, C) with ILT and calcifications. Results and discussion: A good agreement was found between the experimental and the computational studies. The average error between the final in vitro vs. in silico aortic configurations, i.e., when the guidewire is fully inserted, are equal to 1.17, 1.22 and 1.40 mm, respectively, for Models A, B and C. The increasing trend in values of deformations from Model A to Model C was noticed both experimentally and numerically. The presented validated computational approach in combination with a tracking technology of the endovascular devices may be used to obtain the intra-operative configuration of the vessels and devices prior to the procedure, thus limiting the radiation exposure and the contrast agent dose.
Role of Polyphenols from the Aqueous Extract of Aloysia citrodora in the Inhibition of Aflatoxin B1 Synthesis in Aspergillus flavus

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mycotoxin considered a potent carcinogen for humans that contaminates a wide range of crops. Various strategies have been established to reduce or block the synthesis of AFB1 in food and feed. The use of aqueous extracts derived from plants with high antioxidant activity has been a subject of study in recent years due to their efficacy in inhibiting AFB1. In this study, we assessed the effect of Aloysia citrodora aqueous extract on Aspergillus flavus growth and on AFB1 production. A bio-guided fractionation followed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Mass spectrometry analysis of the active fraction were applied to identify the candidate molecules responsible for the dose-effect inhibition of AFB1 synthesis. Our results revealed that polyphenols are the molecules implicated in AFB1 inhibition, achieving almost a total inhibition of the toxin production (99%). We identified luteolin-7-diglucuronide as one of the main constituents in A. citrodora extract, and demonstrated that it is able to inhibit, by itself, AFB1 production by 57%. This is the first study demonstrating the anti-Aflatoxin B1 effect of this molecule, while other polyphenols surely intervene in A. citrodora anti-AFB1 activity.
The use of singularity structure to find special solutions of differential equations : an approach from Nevanlinna theory

For a certain family of ordinary differential equations, Nevanlinna theory is used to find all solutions in a special class. A differential equation is said to possess the (strong) Painlev´e property if all solutions have only poles as movable singularities. The solutions of such equations are particularly well behaved and the Painlev´e property is closely associated with integrability. In this thesis, we extend the idea of using singularity structure to find all special solutions with good singularity structure, even when the general solution is badly behaved. We begin by finding solutions that are meromorphic in the complex plane and more complicated than the coefficients in the equation in a sense made precise by Nevanlinna theory. Such meromorphic solutions are called admissible and include all non-rational meromorphic solutions of an equation with rational coefficients. The use of Nevanlinna theory in the entire complex plane does not allow the solutions to be branched at fixed singularities, which seems more natural from the perspective of the Painlev´e property. Motivated by this, we consider an extension of Nevanlinna theory to a large sector-like region with a deleted disc to allow for such branching and apply this theory to differential equations.
Mixed Meal Tolerance Test Versus Continuous Glucose Monitoring for an Effective Diagnosis of Persistent Post-Bariatric Hypoglycemia

Gastric bypass determines an increase in incretin secretion and glucose excursions throughout the day and may sometimes entail the development of severe post-bariatric hypoglycemia (PBH). However, there is no consensus on the gold standard method for its diagnosis. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of a mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for the diagnosis of PBH, defined as glucose levels <54 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L). We found that hypoglycemia occurred in 60% of patients after the MMTT and in 75% during CGM, and it was predominantly asymptomatic. The MMTT confirmed the diagnosis of PBH in 88.9%of patients in whom surgery had been performed more than three years ago, in comparison to 36.4% in cases with a shorter postsurgical duration. CGM diagnosed nocturnal asymptomatic hypoglycemia in 70% of patients, and daytime postprandial hypoglycemia in 25% of cases. The mean duration of asymptomatic hypoglycemia was more than 30 min a day. Patients with ≥2% of their CGM readings with hypoglycemia exhibited a higher degree of glucose variability than those with <1% of the time in hypoglycemia. Our results show that the MMTT may be a useful dynamic test to confirm the occurrence of hypoglycemia in a large number of patients with persistent and recurrent PBH during long-term follow-up after gastric bypass. CGM, on its part, helps identify hypoglycemia in the real-world setting, especially nocturnal asymptomatic hypoglycemia, bringing to light that PBH is not always postprandial.
Correlation of the High-Resolution Computed Tomography Patterns of Intrathoracic Sarcoidosis with Serum Levels of SAA, CA 15.3, SP-D, and Other Biomarkers of Interstitial Lung Disease

Studies on the serum biomarkers of granulomatous inflammation and pulmonary interstitial disease in intrathoracic sarcoidosis have shown conflicting results. We postulated that differences in the concentrations of serum biomarkers can be explained by the heterogenous patterns of sarcoidosis seen on thoracic HRCT. Serum biomarker levels in 79 consecutive patients, newly diagnosed with intrathoracic sarcoidosis, were compared to our control group of 56 healthy blood donors. An analysis was performed with respect to HRCT characteristics (the presence of lymph node enlargement, perilymphatic or peribronchovascular infiltrates, ground-glass lesions, or fibrosis), CXR, and disease extent. Serum levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, CTO, and CCL18 were statistically significantly increased in all patients compared to controls. Serum levels of CA15.3 were statistically significantly increased in all patients with parenchymal involvement. SAA was increased in patients with ground-glass lesions while SP-D levels were statistically significantly increased in patients with lung fibrosis. Only SP-D and CA15.3 showed a significant correlation to interstitial disease extent. In conclusion, we found that sarcoidosis patients with different HRCT patterns of intrathoracic sarcoidosis have underlying biochemical differences in their serum biomarkers transcending Scadding stages. The stratification of patients based on both radiologic and biochemical characteristics could enable more homogenous patient selection for further prognostic studies.
An efficient lane markings detection and tracking method based on vanishing point constraints

This paper proposes an efficient lane markings detection and tracking method, which utilizes line segments as feature information combined with vanishing point constraints. The method can be highlighted in four items as follows. Firstly, the region of interest (ROI) of road image is determined, and then the edge information is extracted by Canny edge detector. Secondly, edge image is scanned to calculate the orientation of edge-linking pixels and we filter out noise edges which have abnormal orientation. Then, line segments detected by Progressive Probabilistic Hough Transform (PPHT) are applied to analyze the structural information of lanes and the interferential line segments are eliminated under vanishing point constrains. Finally, K-means clustering algorithm is used to classify and fit the closest two lane markings. Specifically, a Kalman filter is utilized for lane markings tracking. The experimental results demonstrate the good accuracy and robustness of our method in various complex environment.
Corporate social responsibility and corporate tax aggressiveness: Evidence of mandatory vs. voluntary regulatory regimes impact

This study aims to investigate whether corporate social responsibility activities are associated with more or less tax avoidance by focusing on this interrelationship in mandatory vs. voluntary regulatory regimes. The sample includes 6,668 firm-year observations of Chinese A-share firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges over 2011–2019. The study uses corporate culture and risk management theories to develop the hypotheses. Regression analysis and various robustness tests are employed to test the hypotheses. The data are retrieved from the HEXUN CSR system and CSMAR and WIND databases. Consistent with the predictions of corporate culture theory, which argues that aggressive tax avoidance cannot be synchronously coupled with corporate social responsibility, the paper finds that notwithstanding regulatory regime, when the level of corporate social responsibility increases, the level of tax aggressiveness decreases. Thus, the results show that firms reporting corporate social responsibility tend to be less tax aggressive. Firms that engage in more corporate social responsibility activities are less likely to be tax aggressive, irrespective of regulatory regimes in place. Moreover, pollution indicators have little effect on corporate social responsibility and tax aggressiveness in Chinese institutional settings. The study contributes to the business ethics literature by implying the role of tax avoidance as a part of CSR and not as a separate non-CSR element of companies’ activities. AcknowledgmentThis paper is co-funded by the European Union through the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) within the project “Embracing EU corporate social responsibility: challenges and opportunities of business-society bonds transformation in Ukraine” – 101094100 – EECORE – ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH-UA-IBA/ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCHRSCH https://eecore.snau. edu.ua/
Envelope viscosity solutions of first- and second-order PDEs with u-dependence

ABSTRACT General envelope methods are introduced which may be used to embed equations with u-dependence into equations without solution dependence. Furthermore, these methods present a rigorous way to consider so-called nodal solutions. That is, if w(t,x,z) is the viscosity solution of some pde, the nodal solution of an associated pde is a function u(t,x) so that w(t,x,u(t,x)) = 0. Examples are given to first- and second-order pdes arising in optimal control, differential games, minimal time problems, scalar conservation laws, geometric-type equations, and forward backward stochastic control.
A metric minimal PI cascade with $2^{\mathfrak{c}}$ minimal ideals

We first improve an old result of McMahon and show that a metric minimal flow whose enveloping semigroup contains less than $2^{\mathfrak{c}}$ (where $\mathfrak{c}=2^{\aleph _{0}}$) minimal left ideals is proximal isometric (PI). Then we show the existence of various minimal PI-flows with many minimal left ideals, as follows. For the acting group $G=\text{SL}_{2}(\mathbb{R})^{\mathbb{N}}$, we construct a metric minimal PI $G$-flow with $\mathfrak{c}$ minimal left ideals. We then use this example and results established in Glasner and Weiss. [On the construction of minimal skew-products. Israel J. Math.34 (1979), 321–336] to construct a metric minimal PI cascade $(X,T)$ with $\mathfrak{c}$ minimal left ideals. We go on to construct an example of a minimal PI-flow $(Y,{\mathcal{G}})$ on a compact manifold $Y$ and a suitable path-wise connected group ${\mathcal{G}}$ of a homeomorphism of $Y$, such that the flow $(Y,{\mathcal{G}})$ is PI and has $2^{\mathfrak{c}}$ minimal left ideals. Finally, we use this latter example and a theorem of Dirbák to construct a cascade $(X,T)$ that is PI (of order three) and has $2^{\mathfrak{c}}$ minimal left ideals. Thus this final result shows that, even for cascades, the converse of the implication ‘less than $2^{\mathfrak{c}}$ minimal left ideals implies PI’, fails.