Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Adaline Neural Networks For Compensation Of Structured Uncertainty In Manipulators

This paper proposes a Neural Network Adaptive Compensator augmented Computed Torque architecture for manipulator control. The scheme has been developed such that parameter estimate errors can be learned. The proposed Neural Network Adaptive Compensator is implemented by Adaline artiflcial neural networks. A specific weight adaptation law is derived based on the Lyapunov method.
A Nash Bargaining Approach to Emergency Demand Response in Colocation Data Centers

Data centers are recognized as promising resources for emergency demand response (EDR) that requires a certain amount of power reduction when system reliability is in danger. In this paper, we study EDR in a colocation data center where multiple tenants deploy their own servers in a shared space managed by a data center operator. While the data center operator desires to reduce the usage of expensive and environmentally unfriendly backup generation during EDR events, the tenants who can control their servers have little incentive to reduce their power consumption. To enable cost-effective and eco-friendly EDR, the data center operator has to properly incentivize the tenants to modulate server power consumption. Furthermore, the social welfare generated during EDR should be properly shared among the data center operator and tenants so that all of them are satisfied. We propose an approach based on the Nash bargaining solution, which is Pareto efficient, fair and social welfare maximizing, to incentivize the tenants' participation and allocate the social welfare among the data center operator and tenants properly. Trace-driven simulations are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed approach.
Effect of an antacid containing magnesium and aluminum on absorption, metabolism, and mechanism of renal elimination of pefloxacin in humans

The effects of an antacid containing magnesium and aluminum hydroxide on the pharmacokinetics of pefloxacin in 10 healthy volunteers were investigated. In a randomized crossover design, each subject received an oral dose of 400 mg of pefloxacin either with or without multiple doses of the antacid. The concentrations of pefloxacin and its metabolites in plasma and urine were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography assays. We found that coadministration of magnesium and aluminum hydroxide caused a decrease of levels of pefloxacin in plasma and urine. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve decreased significantly (P < 0.001), suggesting impaired absorption of pefloxacin from the gastrointestinal tract. The relative bioavailability of pefloxacin after the antacid treatment was 44.4% +/- 23.8%, compared with that after a single administration. The underlying mechanism of this drug interaction is the formation of chelate complexes and probably also physical adsorption to the aluminum hydroxide gel. The metabolism of pefloxacin was not altered by the antacid treatment. Renal clearance was found to depend on urinary pH. Terminal half-life was significantly shorter after the antacid treatment, probably because of an increase in nonrenal clearance. In conclusion, pefloxacin should be given at least 2 h before the antacid to ensure sufficient therapeutic efficacy of the quinolone.
Prediction of hemorrhagic transformation following acute stroke: role of diffusion- and perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND Acute diffusion-weighted (DWI) and perfusion-weighted (PWI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings may correlate with secondary hemorrhagic transformation (HT) risk in patients with stroke. This information could be of value, particularly in individuals being considered for thrombolytic therapy. OBJECTIVE To determine the relationship between DWI and PWI findings and the risk of secondary HT in patients with acute stroke. DESIGN Retrospective case series. SETTING Academic medical center. PATIENTS Twenty-seven patients with acute stroke capable of being evaluated with DWI/PWI 8 hours or less after symptom onset. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Apparent diffusion coefficient values, perfusion delay measurements, and subsequent MRI or computed tomographic scans detected HT. RESULTS The mean +/- SD apparent diffusion coefficient of ischemic regions that experienced HT was significantly lower than the overall mean +/- SD apparent diffusion coefficient of all ischemic areas analyzed (0.510 +/- 0.140 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s vs 623 +/- 0.113 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s; P =. 004). This difference remained significant when comparing the HT-destined ischemic areas with the non-HT-destined areas within the same ischemic lesion (P =.02). Patients receiving recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) experienced HT significantly earlier than patients not receiving rt-PA (P =.002). Moreover, a persistent perfusion deficit in the area of subsequent hemorrhage at 3 to 6 hours after the initial MRI scan was identified in significantly more patients who experienced HT than in those who did not (83% vs 30%; P =.03). CONCLUSION Both DWI and PWI scans detect abnormalities that are associated with HT. These findings support a role for MRI in identifying patients who are at increased risk for secondary HT following acute ischemic stroke.
Sustainability as a Problem of Design: Interactive Science in the Georgia Basin

This paper reports on the general findings of the Georgia Basin Futures Project, a five year collaborative interdisciplinary participatory integrated assessment project undertaken in the Georgia Basin of Canada from 1999-2004. Key outcomes are discussed with regard to the development and use of participatory scenario-generation models and processes, the involvement of stakeholders and partners in such processes, the development of three urban-scale case studies, the use of such tools and processes in the classroom, the cognitive and behavioural effects of such activities, and the value of such processes for policy analysis. Some comments on the implications of this type of project for interdisciplinary research and project management are also included.
Capacity Utilization under Alternative Regulatory Restraints: An Analysis of Taxi Markets

Both the Averch-Johnson (A-J) model and the Chamberlin model fail to consider the value of excess capacity to consumers. Service industries, whether they are regulated or not, will usually have excess capacity in the Chamberlinian sense because this capacity conserves time for consumers. This paper examines a model of the taxi industry where allowance is made for capacity to affect the value or quality of the service through its effect on waiting time. The central issue is to determine equilibrium output, capacity, and the utilization of capacity when the market is organized as a franchised monopoly, through a medallion system, and when there is free entry, and to exhibit the relationship among these variables and prices, cost of capacity and output, and policies of the regulator. It is found that many of the characteristics of taxi markets that would appear to confirm the monopolistic-competition thesis arise because of the nature of regulation of these markets.
Audit Committee Composition, “Gray Directors,” and Interaction with Internal Auditing

The functioning of corporate audit committees was criticized in recent years by the Treadway Commission, the Public Oversight Board, the Kirk Panel, and the SEC Chairman. In response, the NYSE and NASD sponsored the Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) on Improving the Effectiveness of Corporate Audit Committees. The BRC Report includes recommendations aimed at strengthening director independence and qualifications, and highlights the role of internal auditors in assisting audit committees in the corporate governance process. Moreover, the first three recommendations of the BRC relate to audit committee composition: absence of inside or “gray” directors, and presence of a member with financial expertise. This study examines the association between audit committee composition and the committee's interaction with internal auditing. Our results, based on responses from chief internal auditors of 114 public companies, indicate that committees comprised solely of independent directors and with at least one member havin.
Is intervertebral disc degeneration related to segmental instability? An evaluation with two different grading systems based on clinical imaging

Background Several in vitro studies investigated how degeneration affects spinal motion. However, no consensus has emerged from these studies. Purpose To investigate how degeneration grading systems influence the kinematic output of spinal specimens. Material and Methods Flexibility testing was performed with ten human T12-S1 specimens. Degeneration was graded using two different classifications, one based on X-ray and the other one on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Intersegmental rotation (expressed by range of motion [ROM] and neutral zone [NZ]) was determined in all principal motion directions. Further, shear translation was measured during flexion/extension motion. Results The X-ray grading system yielded systematically lesser degeneration. In flexion/extension, only small differences in ROM and NZ were found between moderately degenerated motion segments, with only NZ for the MRI grading reaching statistical significance. In axial rotation, a significant increase in NZ for moderately degenerated segments was found for both grading systems, whereas the difference in ROM was significant only for the MRI scheme. Generally, the relative increases were more pronounced for the MRI classification compared to the X-ray grading scheme. In lateral bending, only relatively small differences between the degeneration groups were found. When evaluating shear translations, a non-significant increase was found for moderately degenerated segments. Motion segment segments tended to regain stability as degeneration progressed without reaching the level of statistical significance. Conclusion We found a fair agreement between the grading schemes which, nonetheless, yielded similar degeneration-related effects on intersegmental kinematics. However, as the trends were more pronounced using the Pfirrmann classification, this grading scheme appears superior for degeneration assessment.
Determinants of out-of-pocket pharmaceutical expenditure and access to drugs in Catalonia

This article examines the determinants of the demand for pharmaceuticals in Catalonia using the latest available official survey data, having accounted for the individual differences in cost-sharing among consumers, as well as the influence of self-medication. The article builds a model of the (household) determinants of pharmaceutical expenditure and consumption. The econometric application deals with the infrequency of purchases and the nondistinction between out-of-pocket spending and drug cost sharing. Our results suggest that income and the variables accounting for the effect of cost sharing were significantly associated with drug use but not drug expenditure. Furthermore, gender, health status and having health insurance appear to be significant predictors. Access to pharmacies increases both drug use and expenditure; self-medication also increases drug expenditure out-of-pocket. These results are relevant for the entire Spanish case where current reform proposals have recommended the introduction of income-related (rather than age-related) co-payments. The same applies to the need for controlling self-medication which results from individual behaviour of consuming medicines for minor ailments without a prescription and which can be acquired OTC and are priced cheaply.
The role of public involvement in environmental impact assessment in Vietnam: towards a more culturally sensitive approach

This paper explores the extent to which Western approaches to public involvement in environmental impact assessment (EIA) have been transferred to Vietnam, constraints on their use, and their appropriateness for the Vietnamese context. The research is based on an analysis of the public involvement content found in 26 EIA reports from development banks and interviews with 26 key informants. The study found that public involvement in Vietnam is generally technocratic, expert-driven and non-transparent, similar to the early days of EIA in the West and emerging economies. Public involvement usually occurs through authorised state channels such as commune leaders, mass organisations and professional organisations. The lack of a participatory culture for EIA, the nascent nature of grassroots democracy in the country, and Vietnamese cultural norms regarding respect for authority provide a challenging context for involving the public in EIA. The paper concludes by offering a number of suggestions for culturally appropriate public involvement at a time when Vietnam has just introduced mandatory public consultation for EIAs.
Cation coupling properties of human concentrative nucleoside transporters hCNT1, hCNT2 and hCNT3

The SLC28 family of concentrative nucleoside transporter (CNT) proteins in mammalian cells contains members of two distinct phylogenic subfamilies. In humans, hCNT1 and hCNT2 belong to one subfamily, and hCNT3 to the other. All three CNTs mediate inwardly-directed Na+/nucleoside cotransport, and are either pyrimidine nucleoside-selective (hCNT1), purine nucleoside-selective (hCNT2), or broadly selective for both pyrimidine and purine nucleosides (hCNT3). While previous studies have characterized cation interactions with both hCNT1 and hCNT3, little is known about the corresponding properties of hCNT2. In the present study, heterologous expression in Xenopus oocytes in combination with radioisotope flux and electrophysiological techniques has allowed us to undertake a side-by-side comparison of hCNT2 with other hCNT family members. Apparent K50 values for Na+ activation were voltage-dependent, and similar in magnitude for all three transporters. Only hCNT3 was also able to couple transport of uridine to uptake of H+. The Na+/nucleoside stoichiometry of hCNT2, as determined from both Hill coefficients and direct charge/flux measurements, was 1:1. This result was the same as for hCNT1, but different from that of hCNT3 (2:1). The charge-to-22Na+ uptake stoichiometry was 1:1 for all three hCNTs. In parallel with their division into two separate CNT subfamilies, hCNT2 shares common cation specificity and coupling characteristics with hCNT1, which differ markedly from those of hCNT3.
Why Do Tourists Persist in Visiting the Same Destination?

Capturing and retaining tourists are the main driving forces behind tourism marketing research. Nevertheless, research on how to retain tourists and why they persist in repeating the same destination is not consensual. Following the early work of Ehrenberg and the recency–frequency–monetary value paradigm, this study applies a Poisson distribution model to estimate the past frequency of revisiting Portugal based on information collected from international repeat visitors surveyed at all airports of Portugal in 2012. Results from estimating the model show mixed effects for recency, country of origin and destination region. Recommendation behaviour could not be identified as an explanatory variable for past visitation frequency.
The Activating NKG2D Ligand MHC Class I-Related Chain A Transfers from Target Cells to NK Cells in a Manner That Allows Functional Consequences1

Recently, it has become apparent that surface proteins commonly transfer between immune cells in contact. Inhibitory receptors and ligands exchange between cells during NK cell surveillance and we report here that NK cells also acquire activating ligands from target cells. Specifically, the stress-inducible activating ligand for NKG2D, MHC class I-related chain A (MICA), transferred to NK cells upon conjugation with MICA-expressing target cells. Acquisition of MICA from target cells was dependent on cell contact and occurred after accumulation of MICA at the immunological synapse. Moreover, transfer of MICA was facilitated by specific molecular recognition via NKG2D and augmented by Src kinase signaling. Importantly, MICA associated with its new host NK cell membrane in an orientation that allowed engagement with NKG2D in trans and indeed could down-regulate NKG2D in subsequent homotypic interactions with other NK cells. MICA captured from target cells could subsequently transfer between NK cells and, more importantly, NK cell degranulation was triggered in such NK cell-NK cell interactions. Thus, NK cells can influence other NK cells with proteins acquired from target cells and our data specifically suggest that NK cells could lyse other NK cells upon recognition of activating ligands acquired from target cells. This mechanism could constitute an important function for immunoregulation of NK cell activity.
On-Chip Positionable Waveguides for Submicrometric Photonic Alignment

In this paper, we present positionable photonic waveguide arrays that are developed for optical chip-to-chip alignment. Partly suspended photonic structures, based on the Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/SiO<sub>2</sub> material platform, are equipped with thermal actuators enabling the free end of the structures to be positioned with submicrometer accuracy. A finite-element model is developed to provide insight in the way the design of the system affects the performance. The modeling results show that the expected vertical deflection and rotation are highly dependent on the array design. Measurements of fabricated devices confirm the trends that follow from the model and are used to assess the positioning performance. Moreover, the finite-element analysis gives guidelines for the design parameters of an optimal positionable photonic waveguide array. By following these guidelines, all the requirements for the intended photonic alignment can be fulfilled, which is validated by measurements. The stability over time of the positioning system is experimentally determined and is also sufficient. Measured mode field profiles of partly suspended waveguide beams with 1 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m} \,\, \times 220$ </tex-math></inline-formula> nm (width<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula>thickness) sized waveguide cores show correct waveguiding functionality. Finally, an alignment experiment demonstrates how three adjacent waveguide beams within a positionable waveguide array can be actively aligned with the channels of another photonic chip. [2017-0046]
Investing versus gambling: experimental evidence of multi-domain risk attitudes

Economists have noted the empirical regularity that an individual’s attitude towards risk is not constant across elicitation settings. Such a pattern is conceptually consistent with the argument in psychology that risk is domain specific. To explore this view, we frame a common risk elicitation tool in laboratory experiments as both a gambling game and an investment opportunity. A survey instrument used to measure one’s attitudes towards risks on different domains is found to explain partially within-subject variation in observed behaviour between the two tasks. The evidence presented in this article demonstrates the need to consider more nuanced approaches to modelling risk.
An in vivo experimental model to determine antigenic variations among infectious bursal disease viruses

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is a double-stranded RNA virus causing infectious bursal disease in chickens. IBDV undergoes antigenic drift, so characterizing the antigenicity of IBDV plays an important role for identification and selection of vaccine candidates. In this study, an in vivo experimental model was developed to differentiate a new antigenic variant of IBDV. To this end, a hyper-immune serum to IBDV E/Del-type virus was generated in specific pathogen-free chickens and a standard volume of the hyper-immune serum was serially diluted and injected in specific pathogen-free birds via intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular routes. The chickens were bled at different time points in order to evaluate the dynamics of virus neutralization titres. Based on the results, chickens were injected with different serum dilutions by the subcutaneous route. Twenty-four hours later, chickens were bled and then challenged with 100 median chicken infectious doses of the E/Del virus and a new IBDV variant. Chickens were euthanized at 7 days post infection and the bursa of Fabricius was removed for microscopic evaluation to determine the bursal lesion score. The determined virus neutralization titre along with the bursal lesion score was used to determine the breakthrough titre in the in vivo chicken model. Based on the data obtained, an antigenic subtype of IBDV was identified and determined to be different from E/Del. This model is a sensitive model for determination of IBDV antigenicity of non-tissue culture adapted IBDV.
An external validity test of intended behavior: Comparing revealed preference and intended visitation in response to climate change

Abstract We compare revealed preference and survey response estimates of changes in National Park visitation behavior from climate change. The revealed preference model is estimated from a time-series regression analysis of past visitation as a function of historic weather variability. We find no statistical difference between the revealed preference regression estimates and intended behavior estimates from a visitor survey for the total number of National Park visits. Confidence intervals for the two models overlap, and the mean estimates of the change in visitation are within 12% of each other. The paper concludes with the implications for natural resource planners and managers who must frequently evaluate the effects of alternative policies before the selection of a preferred alternative, and also must plan for accommodating changes in visitor use.
Class III β-Tubulin Expression and Benefit from Adjuvant Cisplatin/Vinorelbine Chemotherapy in Operable Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: Analysis of NCIC JBR.10

Purpose: High class III β-tubulin (bTubIII) expression in advanced non–small cell lung cancer is known to correlate with reduced response rates and inferior survival with anti-microtubule agents. JBR.10 showed a 12% and 15% improvement in 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), respectively, with the addition of cisplatin and vinorelbine following resection of stage IB-II non–small cell lung cancer. We sought to determine the effect of bTubIII on patient outcome and benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in the JBR.10 trial. Experimental Design: We did a semiquantitative immunohistochemical assay for bTubIII on primary tumor tissue available from 265 of the 482 patients in JBR.10. Tumors were classified as bTubIII “low” or “high” using a validated method. We examined the prognostic effect of bTubIII in patients treated with or without chemotherapy and the survival benefit from chemotherapy in low versus high bTubIII subgroups. Results: High bTubIII expression was associated with poorer RFS and OS in patients treated with surgery alone but not in patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. The RFS and OS benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy were greater in high versus low tubulin expressors. However, with Cox regression, the interaction between bTubIII status and chemotherapy treatment in predicting RFS or OS did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Chemotherapy seemed to overcome the negative prognostic effect of high bTubIII expression. Greater benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy was seen in patients with high bTubIII expression. This is contrary to what has been seen in the setting of advanced disease; possible reasons for this difference are being explored.