Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Stability and Stabilization of T–S Fuzzy Systems With Time-Varying Delays via Quadratic Fuzzy Lyapunov Matrix

This article proposes improved stability and stabilization criteria for Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy systems with time-varying delays. First, a novel augmented fuzzy Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF) including the quadratic fuzzy Lyapunov matrix is constructed, which can provide much information of T–S fuzzy systems and help to achieve the lager allowable delay upper bounds. Then, improved delay-dependent stability and stabilization criteria are derived for the studied systems. Compared with the traditional methods, since the third-order Bessel–Legendre inequality and the extended reciprocally convex matrix inequality are well employed in the derivative of the constructed LKF to give tighter bounds of the single integral terms, the conservatism of derived criteria is further reduced. In addition, the quadratic fuzzy Lyapunov matrix introduced in LKF, which contains the quadratic membership functions, is also an important reason for obtaining less conservative results. Finally, numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed method is less conservative than some existing ones and the studied system can be well controlled by the designed controller.
An optoelectronic integrated device including a laser and its driving circuit

A monolithic optoelectronic integrated circuit (OEIC) including a laser diode, photomonitor and driving and detecting circuits has been fabricated on a semi-insulating GaAs substrate. The OEIC has a horizontal integrating structure which is suitable for realising high-density multifunctional devices. The fabricating process and the static and dynamic characteristics of the optical and electronic elements are described. The preliminary results of the co-operative operation of the laser and its driving circuit are also presented.
A Comparative Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Assessment of Mid-Rise Office Building Construction Alternatives: Laminated Timber or Reinforced Concrete

The objective of this project was to quantify and compare the environmental impacts associated with alternative designs for a typical North American mid-rise office building. Two scenarios were considered; a traditional cast-in-place, reinforced concrete frame and a laminated timber hybrid design, which utilized engineered wood products (cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam). The boundary of the quantitative analysis was cradle-to-construction site gate and encompassed the structural support system and the building enclosure. Floor plans, elevations, material quantities, and structural loads associated with a five-storey concrete-framed building design were obtained from issued-for-construction drawings. A functionally equivalent, laminated timber hybrid design was conceived, based on Canadian Building Code requirements. Design values for locally produced CLT panels were established from in-house material testing. Primary data collected from a pilot-scale manufacturing facility was used to develop the life cycle inventory for CLT, whereas secondary sources were referenced for other construction materials. The TRACI characterization methodology was employed to translate inventory flows into impact indicators. The results indicated that the laminated timber building design offered a lower environmental impact in 10 of 11 assessment categories. The cradle-to-gate process energy was found to be nearly identical in both design scenarios (3.5 GJ/m2), whereas the cumulative embodied energy (feedstock plus process) of construction materials was estimated to be 8.2 and 4.6 GJ/m2 for the timber and concrete designs, respectively; which indicated an increased availability of readily accessible potential energy stored within the building materials of the timber alternative.
Experimental tests on cross-laminated timber joints and walls

As a product, cross-laminated timber exhibits widely linear-elastic behaviour (except for compressive stress) and a tendency to have brittle failure mechanisms. Therefore, especially at dynamic loadings (e.g. earthquakes), the behaviour of cross-laminated timber structures is highly dependent on the connections used. Based on several single-joint and wall tests performed monotonically as well as cyclically, this paper provides improved insight into the behaviour of different joints that make up cross-laminated timber structures. In addition to information on the failure modes that occurred and specific values determined by way of experimental tests, interpretations of different contributions towards the overall deflection of the tested wall systems are presented. The influence of different connection types and their combinations within one wall system is another topic discussed. Finally, the sensitivity of resulting test properties concerning the post-processing models used is singled out as a central theme.
Design of N2 cooled Bi-2223 HTS current leads for use in 0.4T field for the NHMFL series-connected hybrid magnet

The design of a pair of 20 kA nitrogen vapor cooled current leads for service in a 0.4 T background field for the NHMFL Series-Connected Hybrid Magnet has been completed. The leads are comprised of a nitrogen vapor cooled resistive section made from pierced copper sheet and a high-temperature superconducting section made with stacked and soldered Sumitomo Type G Bi-2223 tape. A detailed discussion of the HTS section design, including findings from an in-house critical current characterization effort, magnetic field on the tapes, current and temperature margins and protection considerations is presented.
An Extended Methodology for Sizing Solar Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Theory and Development of a Python Framework for Design Assist

There is a growing interest in using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the most diverse application areas from agriculture to remote sensing, that determine the need to project and define mission profiles of the UAVs. In addition, solar photovoltaic energy increases the flight autonomy of this type of aircraft, forming the term Solar UAV. This study proposes an extended methodology for sizing Solar UAVs that take off from a runway. This methodology considers mission parameters such as operating location, altitude, flight speed, flight endurance, and payload to sizing the aircraft parameters, such as wingspan, area of embedded solar cells panels, runway length required for takeoff and landing, battery weight, and the total weight of the aircraft. Using the Python language, we developed a framework to apply the proposed methodology and assist in designing a Solar UAV. With this framework, it was possible to perform a sensitivity analysis of design parameters and constraints. Finally, we performed a simulation of a mission, checking the output parameters.
Tamoxifen suppresses pancreatic β-cell proliferation in mice

Tamoxifen is a mixed agonist/antagonist estrogen analogue that is frequently used to induce conditional gene deletion in mice using Cre-loxP mediated gene recombination. Tamoxifen is routinely employed in extremely high-doses relative to typical human doses to induce efficient gene deletion in mice. Although tamoxifen has been widely assumed to have no influence upon β-cells, the acute developmental and functional consequences of high-dose tamoxifen upon glucose homeostasis and adult β-cells are largely unknown. We tested if tamoxifen influences glucose homeostasis in male mice of various genetic backgrounds. We then carried out detailed histomorphometry studies of mouse pancreata. We also performed gene expression studies with islets of tamoxifen-treated mice and controls. Tamoxifen had modest effects upon glucose homeostasis of mixed genetic background (F1 B6129SF1/J) mice, with fasting hyperglycemia and improved glucose tolerance but without overt effects on fed glucose levels or insulin sensitivity. Tamoxifen inhibited proliferation of β-cells in a dose-dependent manner, with dramatic reductions in β-cell turnover at the highest dose (decreased by 66%). In sharp contrast, tamoxifen did not reduce proliferation of pancreatic acinar cells. β-cell proliferation was unchanged by tamoxifen in 129S2 mice but was reduced in C57Bl6 genetic background mice (decreased by 59%). Gene expression studies revealed suppression of RNA for cyclins D1 and D2 within islets of tamoxifen-treated mice. Tamoxifen has a cytostatic effect on β-cells, independent of changes in glucose homeostasis, in mixed genetic background and also in C57Bl6 mice. Tamoxifen should be used judiciously to inducibly inactivate genes in studies of glucose homeostasis.
Quantification of endophyte Serendipita indica in Brassica napus roots by qPCR

ABSTRACT Context. The fungal endophyte Serendipita indica enhances plant growth and plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Inoculum concentration greatly impacts the endophyte-plant interaction from mutualism to antagonism. Aims and methods. We used both microscopy and qPCR to examine the effect of inoculum concentrations on the extent (%) and density of Brassica napus L. root colonisation by S. indica. B. napus seeds were inoculated with the fungus at five different inoculum concentrations (1-10% w/w basis). Key results. Standard curves were constructed using the mean threshold cycle (Ct) and serially diluted gDNA ranging between 4.14 × 102 and 2.65 × 105 colony forming units (CFU). The result indicated a linear relationship between Ct and the log of input DNA. Variation in inoculum concentration significantly affected the root colonisation density by the fungus shown by qPCR. However, the percent root colonisation (PRC) measure was not affected and remained the same across all the treatments. Conclusions. Our findings show that the qPCR assay developed will determine the colonisation density whereas PRC gives a measure of the incidence of infected roots. Also, we suggest that the optimum quantity of inoculum is a key factor for a successful interaction that impacts the plant-S. indica interaction. Implications. To our knowledge, this is the first study that quantitative qPCR has been used to investigate the correlation between inoculum quantities and the corresponding density of root colonisation in S. indica.
Genomic Profiling Identifies Outcome-Relevant Mechanisms of Innate and Acquired Resistance to Third-Generation Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy in Lung Cancer

PURPOSE Third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are effective in acquired resistance (AR) to early-generation EGFR TKIs in EGFR-mutant lung cancer. However, efficacy is marked by interindividual heterogeneity. We present the molecular profiles of pretreatment and post-treatment samples from patients treated with third-generation EGFR TKIs and their impact on treatment outcomes. METHODS Using the databases of two lung cancer networks and two lung cancer centers, we molecularly characterized 124 patients with EGFR p.T790M-positive AR to early-generation EGFR TKIs. In 56 patients, correlative analyses of third-generation EGFR TKI treatment outcomes and molecular characteristics were feasible. In addition, matched post-treatment biopsy samples were collected for 29 patients with progression to third-generation EGFR TKIs. RESULTS Co-occurring genetic aberrations were found in 74.4% of EGFR p.T790-positive samples (n = 124). Mutations in TP53 were the most frequent aberrations detected (44.5%; n = 53) and had no significant impact on third-generation EGFR TKI treatment. Mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) amplifications were found in 5% of samples (n = 6) and reduced efficacy of third-generation EGFR TKIs significantly (eg, median progression-free survival, 1.0 months; 95% CI, 0.37 to 1.72 v 8.2 months; 95% CI, 1.69 to 14.77 months; P ≤ .001). Genetic changes in the 29 samples with AR to third-generation EGFR TKIs were found in EGFR (eg, p.T790M loss, acquisition of p.C797S or p.G724S) or in other genes (eg, MET amplification, KRAS mutations). CONCLUSION Additional genetic aberrations are frequent in EGFR-mutant lung cancer and may mediate innate and AR to third-generation EGFR TKIs. MET amplification was strongly associated with primary treatment failure and was a common mechanism of AR to third-generation EGFR TKIs. Thus, combining EGFR inhibitors with TKIs targeting common mechanisms of resistance may delay AR.
Knowledge Distillation with BERT for Image Tag-Based Privacy Prediction

Text in the form of tags associated with online images is often informative for predicting private or sensitive content from images. When using privacy prediction systems running on social networking sites that decide whether each uploaded image should get posted or be protected, users may be reluctant to share real images that may reveal their identity but may share image tags. In such cases, privacy-aware tags become good indicators of image privacy and can be utilized to generate privacy decisions. In this paper, our aim is to learn tag representations for images to improve tag-based image privacy prediction. To achieve this, we explore self-distillation with BERT, in which we utilize knowledge in the form of soft probability distributions (soft labels) from the teacher model to help with the training of the student model. Our approach effectively learns better tag representations with improved performance on private image identification and outperforms state-of-the-art models for this task. Moreover, we utilize the idea of knowledge distillation to improve tag representations in a semi-supervised learning task. Our semi-supervised approach with only 20% of annotated data achieves similar performance compared with its supervised learning counterpart. Last, we provide a comprehensive analysis to get a better understanding of our approach.
Influence of Spatial Dispersion on Propagation Properties of Waveguides Based on Hyperbolic Metamaterial

In this work, we study the effect of spatial dispersion on propagation properties of planar waveguides with the core layer formed by hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM). In our case, the influence of spatial dispersion was controlled by changing the unit cell’s dimensions. Our analysis revealed a number of new effects arising in the considered waveguides, which cannot be predicted with the help of local approximation, including mode degeneration (existence of additional branch of TE and TM high-β modes), power flow inversion, propagation gap, and plasmonic-like modes characterized with long distance propagation. Additionally, for the first time we reported unusual characteristic points appearing for the high-β TM mode of each order corresponding to a single waveguide width for which power flow tends to zero and mode stopping occurs.
Ultra Small Fluorine Carbon Nanoclusters

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed in order to provide theoretical knowledge about fluorine-carbon alloy nanoclusters in this study. While fluorine atoms do not show a stable nanocluster formalism, carbon atom addition initiates the formation of FxCy nanoclusters by a strong F-C bonding mechanism. Single fluorine systems were the most favorable nanoclusters in FxCy alloys. FC2, FC3, FC4 nanoclusters were found to be minimum energy structures for three, four and five atoms respectively. The cohesive energy values of nanoclusters increase with the increasing number of carbon atoms in nanoclusters. Shape dependent magnetic moment was found in particular nanoclusters. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy gap (HLG) values of each stable cluster were also presented which provide information about chemical reactivity. The findings of this study can be a basis for fluorine-carbon alloy applications in nanotechnology.
Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour in Cardiovascular Disease Patients during the COVID-19 Lockdown

The COVID-19 lockdown has been associated with physical inactivity. We prospectively evaluated changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time (ST) among 1565 cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients using validated questionnaires at 5 weeks after lockdown initiation (i.e., baseline, April 2020) and at every 4 subsequent weeks, until July 2020. Multivariate mixed model analyses were performed to identify whether age, sex, CVD-subtype, lockdown adherence and mental health factors impacted changes in physical (in)activity. Patients were 67 (interquartile range: 60–73) years and primarily diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Time spent in MVPA was 143 min/day (95% confidence interval (CI) 137; 148) at baseline. Female sex, heart-failure, fear of COVID-19 infection and limited possibilities for physical activity were independently associated with lower levels of MVPA across time. After adjusting for confounders, overall MVPA did not change. ST was 567 (95% CI 555; 578) min/day at baseline. Lack of social contact, limited possibilities for physical activity and younger age were independently associated with higher levels of ST. After adjusting for confounders, ST progressively increased following 8 (Δ+19.7 (95% CI 0.4; 39.0)) and 12 weeks (Δ+25.2 (95% CI 5.4; 47.1) min/day) of lockdown. Despite a phased relaxation of the lockdown, CVD patients progressively increased ST and reported no change in MVPA. This highlights the need to target physical inactivity during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Factors That Influence Risk Perceptions and Successful COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Campaigns With American Indians

COVID-19 vaccinations are the primary tool to end the pandemic. However, vaccine hesitancy continues to be a barrier to herd-immunity in the United States. American Indians (AI) often have higher levels of distrust in western medicine and lower levels of satisfaction with health care when compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Yet AIs have high COVID-19 vaccination rates. We discuss factors that influence AI risk perceptions of COVID-19 vaccinations including the impact of COVID-19 on AI Elders, community, and culture. We conclude with future research needs on vaccination communication and how culturally congruent communication campaigns may have contributed to high COVID-19 vaccination rates.
Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation Training in Patients with Heart Failure Based on Traditional Chinese Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Methods PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and three Chinese databases, namely, China National Knowledge Network, Wanfang, and China Biomedical Network, were searched from the time of their inceptions through August, 2021. We retrieved the studies on the application of TCE-based cardiac rehabilitation in patients with HF. Based on the standard evaluation methods of Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook 5.1. 0, two authors independently assessed the risk of bias and evaluated the methodological quality of the studies included. The RevMan 5.3 software was used for further meta-analysis. Additionally, the GRADEpro GDT web version was used to assess the quality of the evidence in these studies. Results Nine randomized controlled trials involving 721 patients were included in this analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that the TCE (experimental group) effectively improved the patient's motor function and endurance compared to walking or other activities (control group) (mean difference, MD = 68.23, 95% CI [54.55, 81.91]; P < 0.00001). From each subgroup analysis, the exercising ability of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group. The quality of life's score in the experimental group was lower than that of the control group (MD = −9.51, 95%CI [−17.84, −1.18]; P=0.03). The plasma B-type natriuretic peptide content in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (MD = −59.77, 95%CI [−82.85, −36.7]; P < 0.00001). The number of hospitalizations (MD = −0.83, 95%CI [−0.98, −0.68]; P < 0.00001) and hospital costs in the experimental group (MD = −1.6, 95%CI [−1.89, −1.31]; P < 0.00001) were lower than those in the control group. However, no significant differences were observed in the left ventricular ejection fraction and maximal oxygen consumption between the two groups (MD = 1.38, 95%CI [−3.08, 5.84] and P=0.54; MD = −0.04, 95%CI [−1.62, 1.54] and P=0.96, respectively). From the current analysis, TCE can be considered a relatively safe exercise method. According to the GRADE evaluation results on the evidence level, the studies included were of moderate quality, low quality, or very low quality. Conclusions Our systematic review showed that TCE had potential benefits in improving patients' cardiac function, motor function, and quality of life. Therefore, TCE might be an effective adjuvant therapy in patients with HF. However, given the inclusion of the low-quality elucidations, further rigorous studies are urgently needed to confirm these results.
Influence of Nitrogen and Zinc on Growth and Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)

An experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2020 at Fodder Production Farm of Livestock Research Station (Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University), Lam Farm, Guntur. A.P, to find out the effect of basal application of Nitrogen and Zinc on growth and yield of Baby corn (Zea mays L.). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 9 treatments and each treatment replicated thrice. Treatments consisted of combination of three levels of Nitrogen (80,100 and 120kg/ha) and three levels of Zinc (10, 20 and 30 kg/ha). It was observed that application of 100 kg Nitrogen /ha + 30 kg Zinc/ha, was found the best treatment for obtaining growth and yield attributes such as Plant height (178.46 cm), Plant dry weight (105.58 g), No. of leaves per plant (12.00), Leaf area index (3.07), No. of cobs per plant (4.19), Length of cob (20.72 cm), Length of the corn (9.06 cm), Girth of the cob (7.34 cm), Corn girth (3.42), Cob yield (16026.53 kg/ha) and Corn yield (2597.47 kg/ha in Krishna zone of Andhra Pradesh, India.
Idiopathic Megacolon—Short Review

Introduction: Idiopathic megacolon (IM) is a rare condition with a more or less known etiology, which involves management challenges, especially therapeutic, and both gastroenterology and surgery services. With insufficiently drawn out protocols, but with occasionally formidable complications, the condition management can be difficult for any general surgery team, either as a failure of drug therapy (in the context of a known case, initially managed by a gastroenterologist) or as a surgical emergency (in which the diagnostic surprise leads additional difficulties to the tactical decision), when the speed imposed by the severity of the case can lead to inadequate strategies, with possibly critical consequences. Method: With such a motivation, and having available experience limited by the small number of cases (described by all medical teams concerned with this pathology), the revision of the literature with the update of management landmarks from the surgical perspective of the pathology appears as justified by this article. Results: If the diagnosis of megacolon is made relatively easily by imaging the colorectal dilation (which is associated with initial and/or consecutive clinical aspects), the establishing of the diagnosis of idiopathic megacolon is based in practice almost exclusively on a principle of exclusion, and after evaluating the absence of some known causes that can lead to the occurrence of these anatomic and clinical changes, mimetically, clinically, and paraclinically, with IM (intramural aganglionosis, distal obstructions, intoxications, etc.). If the etiopathogenic theories, based on an increase in the performance of the arsenal of investigations of the disease, have registered a continuous improvement and an increase of objectivity, unfortunately, the curative surgical treatment options still revolve around the same resection techniques. Moreover, the possibility of developing a form of etiopathogenic treatment seems as remote as ever.