Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust adaptive attitude synchronization of rigid body networks with unknown inertias

In this paper we consider the attitude synchronization task for rigid body networks. The configurations of such systems evolve on SO(3), which is a nonlinear manifold and needs a special treatment for fulfilling this task. We propose two robust adaptive algorithms to handle the effects of unmodeled dynamics and unknown inertia matrices of agents. Our first approach is based on σ-modification method which “trap” the trajectories of the system in to a small neighborhood around the origin. In the second algorithm, the effects of external disturbances are removed using a discontinuous function. We use Lyapunov methods to prove the main results of this paper. Simulation results show the effectiveness of our proposed methods.
Cardiovascular coupling analysis with high-resolution joint symbolic dynamics in patients suffering from acute schizophrenia

Besides the well-known cardiac risk factors for schizophrenia, increasing concerns have been raised regarding the cardiac side-effects of antipsychotic medications. A bivariate analysis of autonomic regulation, based on cardiovascular coupling, can provide additional information about heart rate (HR) and blood pressure regulatory patterns within the complex interactions of the cardiovascular system. We introduce a new high-resolution coupling analysis method (HRJSD) based on joint symbolic dynamics (JSD), which is characterized by three symbols, a threshold (individual dynamic variability, physiological) for time series transformation and eight coupling pattern families. This is based on a redundancy reduction strategy used to quantify and characterize cardiovascular couplings. In this study, short-term (30 min) HR and systolic blood pressure (SP) time series of 42 unmedicated (UNMED) and 42 medicated patients (MED) suffering from acute schizophrenia were analysed to establish the suitability of the new method for quantifying the effects of antipsychotics on cardiovascular couplings. We were able to demonstrate that HRJSD, applying the threshold based on spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) estimation, revealed eight significant pattern families that were able to quantify the anti-cholinergic effects of antipsychotics and the related changes of cardiovascular regulation (coupling) in MED in comparison to UNMED. This was in contrast to the simple JSD, BRS (sequence method) and only partly to standard linear HR variability indices. HRJSD provides strong evidence that autonomic regulation in MED seems to be, to some extent, predominated by invariable HR responses in combination with alternating SP values in contrast to UNMED, indicating an impairment of the baroreflex control feedback loop in MED. Surrogate data analysis was applied to test for the significance and nonlinearity of cardiovascular couplings in the original data due to medical treatment with antipsychotic drugs in MED. In conclusion, the application of HRJSD revealed detailed information about short-term nonlinear cardiovascular couplings and cardiovascular physiological regulatory mechanisms (patterns) of autonomic function due to the anti-cholinergic effects of antipsychotics in patients with acute schizophrenia.
A Refined Prediction Model for Core and Lower Extremity Sprains and Strains Among Collegiate Football Players.

CONTEXT Researchers have identified high exposure to game conditions, low back dysfunction, and poor endurance of the core musculature as strong predictors for the occurrence of sprains and strains among collegiate football players. OBJECTIVE To refine a previously developed injury-prediction model through analysis of 3 consecutive seasons of data. DESIGN Cohort study. SETTING National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision football program. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS For 3 consecutive years, all 152 team members (age = 19.7 ± 1.5 years, height = 1.84 ± 0.08 m, mass = 101.08 ± 19.28 kg) presented for a mandatory physical examination on the day before initiation of preseason practice sessions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Associations between preseason measurements and the subsequent occurrence of a core or lower extremity sprain or strain were established for 256 player-seasons of data. We used receiver operating characteristic analysis to identify optimal cut points for dichotomous categorizations of cases as high risk or low risk. Both logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were used to identify a multivariable injury-prediction model with optimal discriminatory power. RESULTS Exceptionally good discrimination between injured and uninjured cases was found for a 3-factor prediction model that included equal to or greater than 1 game as a starter, Oswestry Disability Index score equal to or greater than 4, and poor wall-sit-hold performance. The existence of at least 2 of the 3 risk factors demonstrated 56% sensitivity, 80% specificity, an odds ratio of 5.28 (90% confidence interval = 3.31, 8.44), and a hazard ratio of 2.97 (90% confidence interval = 2.14, 4.12). CONCLUSIONS High exposure to game conditions was the dominant injury risk factor for collegiate football players, but a surprisingly mild degree of low back dysfunction and poor core-muscle endurance appeared to be important modifiable risk factors that should be identified and addressed before participation.
Introduction: the European Parliament at a crossroads

ABSTRACT This introductory article discusses the rationale and the aim of this special issue on the European Parliament. Examining the ongoing multidimensional crisis the EU is facing, it emphasizes how the current content has reduced the EU output legitimacy. It also argues that the Parliament has been affected by the recent developments. On the one hand, it has been further empowered with the Lisbon Treaty and the Spitzenkandidaten procedure. On the other hand, the management of the crisis has been essentially intergovernmental and the EP has been sidelined. A second section critically discusses the literature on the EP and highlights the need to further develop our understanding of this institution, which cannot yet be called a ‘normal parliament’. It then presents the articles composing this special issue.
Response to higher doses of interferon alfa‐2b in patients with chronic hepatitis C: A randomized multicenter trial

To evaluate response rates to 3, 5, or 10 million units (MU) of interferon alfa‐2b, given thrice weekly, and to determine whether higher doses of interferon increase the likelihood or durability of the response, a multicenter, randomized trial was performed at nine academic medical centers in the United States. Two hundred forty eight patients with chronic hepatitis C were randomized to receive 3, 5, or 10 MU of interferon alfa‐2b thrice weekly for 12 weeks. Based on the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) response at treatment‐week 12, the patients were rerandomized to additional therapy at the same or at increased doses for an additional 12 to 36 weeks; in the case of no response to the highest dose, the patients were discontinued from the study. Serum ALT concentrations and liver histology were measured. The overall complete response rates to 3, 5, or 10 MU were not different at treatment‐week 12 (31% vs. 42% vs. 40%, not significant). The majority of week‐12 responders continued to respond during additional treatment. When the treatment was discontinued, 15.4% to 19.0% of patients maintained their response. Of the nonresponders to 3 MU at week 12, who were continued on 3 MU for an additional 12 weeks, none responded. However, response to additional therapy occurred in 12% of week‐12 nonresponders, whose dose was escalated from 3 or 5 MU to 10 MU. The only baseline features associated with the treatment response were the absence of fibrosis or cirrhosis on the pretreatment liver biopsy and viral genotype. We conclude that the initial response to interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C is not increased by treatment with higher doses of the drug. Patients who do not respond to 3 MU by treatment‐week 12 will not respond with continued therapy at that dose; however, a proportion of patients who do not respond to 12 weeks of treatment with 3 or 5 MU may respond to higher doses. Although the long‐term sustained response rates are marginally increased with interferon doses above 3 MU three times per week, the side effects are difficult to tolerate. The analysis of baseline factors in relation to response identified no single baseline factor associated with a low‐enough response rate to warrant withholding interferon therapy from patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Functional intestinal stem cells after Paneth cell ablation induced by the loss of transcription factor Math1 (Atoh1)

Intestinal epithelium has the capacity to self-renew and generate differentiated cells through the existence of two types of epithelial stem cells: active crypt base columnar cells (CBCs) and quiescent +4 cells. The behaviors of these cells are regulated both by intrinsic programs and by extrinsic signals sent by neighboring cells, which define the niche. It is clear that the β-catenin pathway acts as an essential intrinsic signal for the maintenance and proliferation of CBC, and it was recently proposed that Paneth cells provide a crucial niche by secreting Wingless/Int (Wnt) ligands. Here, we examined the effect of disrupting the intestinal stem cell niche by inducible deletion of the transcription factor Math1 (Atoh1), an essential driver of secretory cell differentiation. We found that complete loss of Paneth cells attributable to Math1 deficiency did not perturb the crypt architecture and allowed the maintenance and proliferation of CBCs. Indeed, Math1-deficient crypt cells tolerated in vivo Paneth cell loss and maintained active β-catenin signaling but could not grow ex vivo without exogenous Wnt, implying that, in vivo, underlying mucosal cells act as potential niche. Upon irradiation, Math1-deficient crypt cells regenerated and CBCs continued cycling. Finally, CBC stem cells deficient in adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) and Math1 were able to promote intestinal tumorigenesis. We conclude that in vivo, Math1-deficient crypts counteract the absence of Paneth cell-derived Wnts and prevent CBC stem cell exhaustion.
Equity Dependence Structures amid Unconventional Monetary Initiatives

This study attempts to capture dependence structures between major equity market indexes, namely MSCI’s China, emerging markets excluding Asia, Europe, frontier markets, Japan, and USA indexes, by employing a Gumbel copula approach. The span of daily data ranges from 2011 to 2016—a period in the aftermath of the U.S. financial crisis when several unconventional monetary initiatives were undertaken by international economies. Following the financial crisis, there was a significant increase in cross-border equity flows across international markets, so dependency structures or association between the latter equity markets hold an important place in portfolio management decisions. The results show different magnitudes of dependence structures between the undertaken markets. The highest magnitude of association is observed for emerging markets excluding Asia–Europe and the lowest for USA–Japan. These findings bear strong implications for market participants and policy makers in the wake of the propagation of shocks via equity markets.
Models for Predicting and Explaining Citation Count of Biomedical Articles

The single most important bibliometric criterion for judging the impact of biomedical papers and their authors work is the number of citations received which is commonly referred to as citation count. This metric however is unavailable until several years after publication time. In the present work, we build computer models that accurately predict citation counts of biomedical publications within a deep horizon of ten years using only predictive information available at publication time. Our experiments show that it is indeed feasible to accurately predict future citation counts with a mixture of content-based and bibliometric features using machine learning methods. The models pave the way for practical prediction of the long-term impact of publication, and their statistical analysis provides greater insight into citation behavior.
The fragility of results and bias in empirical research: an exploratory exposition

ABSTRACT The results of empirical work in economics and finance are typically sensitive, inter alia, to model specification, sample period, variable definitions and estimation methods. If the underlying issue attracts bias of some sort, the reporting of the results tends to be selective, intended to confirm prior beliefs, which may be ideologically-driven, or to make the paper more publishable. In this paper the fragility (variability and sensitivity) of empirical results is demonstrated and the process whereby it enables research selection bias is described. For this purpose, several research areas are considered, including the determinants of economic growth, the effect of gender on risk aversion, the determinants of capital structure, the J-curve effect, the effect of corruption on foreign direct investment, and the Kuznets curve.
In vivo and in vitro evidence of the neurotoxic effects of ropivacaine: the role of the Akt signaling pathway.

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests common complications in regional anesthesia, including transient neurological syndrome, are caused by the neurotoxicity of local anesthetics (LAs). Ropivacaine is thought to be one of the safest LAs, however, there have been several studies detailing possible neurotoxic effects. At present, the exact molecular mechanism of ropivacaine-mediated neurotoxicity is unknown. The present study was designed to explore the possible mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicity of ropivacaine. The neurotoxic effects of ropivacaine were assessed in spinal cord by TUNEL staining for apoptosis and in cultured PC12 cells by cell viability assays. Protein kinase B (Akt) activation was evaluated by immunoblotting. Ropivacaine promoted apoptosis and caused cell death in a treatment group compared with a sham-operated group. Furthermore, ropivacaine significantly diminished Akt activation. There were significantly lower Akt levels in cells exposed to ropivacaine compared with controls. The present study demonstrated ropivacaine neurotoxicity in vivo and in vitro, mediated by the Akt signaling pathway. The neurotoxicity of apoptosis with concomitant cell death, mediated by ropivacaine, may offer an explanation for its adverse effects (e.g., transient neurological syndrome).
A transmit preprocessing technique for multiuser MIMO systems using a decomposition approach

We introduce a transmit preprocessing technique for the downlink of multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. It decomposes the multiuser MIMO downlink channel into multiple parallel independent single-user MIMO downlink channels. Some key properties are that each equivalent single-user MIMO channel has the same properties as a conventional single-user MIMO channel, and that increasing the number of transmit antennas of the multiuser system by one increases the number of spatial channels to each user by one. Simulation results are also provided and these results demonstrate the potential of our technique in terms of performance and capacity.
Performance of space-time spreading in DS-CDMA systems over fast-fading channels

In this paper we investigate the multiuser performance of a space-time spreading scheme that uses space-time block codes (STBCs) to enhance the received signal quality by utilizing the spatial and temporal diversities at the receiver side. We study the performance of the transmit diversity scheme introduced in the literature for a DS-CDMA system using orthogonal and nonorthogonal spreading codes over Rayleigh fast-fading channel with two antennas at the transmitter and one in the receiver side. For the single user case, and using orthogonal spreading codes, we develop the performance analysis for the underlying transmit diversity scheme over fast-fading channels. We prove that using such a space-time spreading scheme can achieve a twofold of the diversity order obtained using existing space-time spreading schemes. To examine the effect of signal interference on the receiver performance, we consider the case of nonorthogonal codes where we employ a linear minimum-mean square-error (MMSE) multiuser detector as a suboptimum linear detector. The performance of the multiuser system is examined for a moderate number of users where we show that the diversity order is still maintained and only a SNR loss is incurred due to the residual interference. Finally, we compare the performance of the MMSE multiuser detector to a simple adaptive MMSE combining scheme.
NMR study of the tetrameric KcsA potassium channel in detergent micelles

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of large membrane‐associated proteins are limited by the difficulties in preparation of stable protein–detergent mixed micelles and by line broadening, which is typical of these macroassemblies. We have used the 68‐kDa homotetrameric KcsA, a thermostable N‐terminal deletion mutant of a bacterial potassium channel from Streptomyces lividans, as a model system for applying NMR methods to membrane proteins. Optimization of measurement conditions enabled us to perform the backbone assignment of KcsA in SDS micelles and establish its secondary structure, which was found to closely agree with the KcsA crystal structure. The C‐terminal cytoplasmic domain, absent in the original structure, contains a 14‐residue helix that could participate in tetramerization by forming an intersubunit four‐helix bundle. A quantitative estimate of cross‐ relaxation between detergent and KcsA backbone amide protons, together with relaxation and light scattering data, suggests SDS–KcsA mixed micelles form an oblate spheroid with ∼180 SDS molecules per channel. K+ ions bind to the micelle‐solubilized channel with a KD of 3 ± 0.5 mM, resulting in chemical shift changes in the selectivity filter. Related pH‐induced changes in chemical shift along the “outer” transmembrane helix and the cytoplasmic membrane interface hint at a possible structural explanation for the observed pH‐gating of the potassium channel.
Quantifying Improvement with Amplification

We employed a nonparametric measure, the randomization test, to evaluate, statistically, a variety of speech understanding measures used to quantify the efficacy of different intervention strategies in five clinical patients. The flexibility of the approach was demonstrated by comparing monaural with binaural amplification, a conventional aid with an assistive listening device, and a cochlear implant alone versus a cochlear implant supplemented by visual cues. The randomization test allows statistical analysis of differences in performance at the level of the individual subject. This approach may be useful in addressing accountability when recommending a specific intervention strategy for a particular hearing impaired individual.
Annington versus Deutsche Annington : Private Equity and Housing in the Anglo-Saxon and Rhenish Contexts

Under the Rhenish model of capitalism the interests of other stakeholders than shareholders are essential to the interests of the firm. However, Rhenish institutions in Germany have been changing. In the housing sector, many organizations that promoted the provision of affordable housing are currently managed by private equity firms promoting shareholders’ interests. This paper presents a dual case study on two housing providers: Annington in the UK, and Deutsche Annington in Germany which were owned by the same private equity investor, Terra Firma. The paper – based on this analysis of a single approach to the management of two comparable firms in the Rhenish and Anglo-Saxon contexts – considers the question of whether the Rhenish model is being swept away by the shareholders revolution. The paper concludes that this is not the case and that certain differences between these cases reflect the continuing differences between the Anglo-Saxon and Rhenish models of capitalism.
Factors influencing continuance of mobile virtual community: Empirical evidence from China and Korea

This study attempts to understand factors affecting mobile virtual community continuous usage. Based on Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), continuous usage of mobile service and sense of virtual community, a continuous usage model that reflects the characteristics of a mobile virtual community is developed. The model is tested in China and Korea, using responses from 248 administered valid questionnaires. The results reveal that sense of mobile virtual community, perceived cost, perceived ease of use, and social influence significantly affect the continuous usage intention of a mobile virtual community. We also find that the continuance of mobile virtual community in China is different from that in Korea. Our finding extends the research on IT adoption and provides practitioners with additional insights relevant to the field of study.
Therapeutic Jurisprudence and Procedural Justice in Mental Health Practice: responding to vulnerability without coercion

In crafting a radical reinterpretation of the principles of non-discrimination and equality before the law, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities challenges the routine use of compulsory mental health treatment. This chapter points to the lack of empirical evidence supporting the use of compulsory treatment, while outlining the experience by people with mental health problems who have experience of compulsory treatment. The chapter seeks a way forward by exploring the insights offered by procedural justice and therapeutic jurisprudence scholarship. It highlights the connections between procedural justice, recovery-oriented practice and the human rights model in the CRPD. The chapter argues that therapeutic jurisprudence and procedural justice research provides fresh evidence about the formulation and impact of the law that could inform the creation of mental health laws and practices that are free of statutory mandated compulsory treatment.
Heightened inflammatory response and cytokine expression in vivo to cagA+ Helicobacter pylori strains.

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori strains that possess the cytotoxin-associated gene (cagA) are highly associated with peptic ulcer disease, but the role of cagA in pathogenesis is unknown. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN To test the hypothesis that cagA+ stains elicit a greater proinflammatory cytokine response in the gastric mucosa than cagA- strains, gastric biopsies were obtained from 52 patients and studied by histology, culture, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Of 52 patients, 32 (62%) were infected with H. pylori based upon both serology and histology or culture, 16 (31%) were negative by serology, histology, and culture, and four (7%) were positive by serology only. Of 15 H. pylori-infected patients with peptic ulceration, 14 (92%) were infected with cagA+ strains compared with 8 (50%) of 16 patients with gastritis alone, and those infected with cagA+ strains had significantly higher grades of inflammation in the gastric mucosa. Antral inflammation score was significantly associated with IL-8 production. Antral biopsies from infected patients, compared with uninfected patients, significantly more often demonstrated IL-1 beta, IL-2, and IL-8 expression, and those infected with cagA+ compared with cagA- strains significantly more often expressed IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta and showed elevated antral IL-8 protein levels. Similarly, patients with ulcer disease significantly more often expressed antral IL-1 alpha and IL-8 than those without ulceration. CONCLUSION These results indicate that infection with cagA+ H. pylori strains is associated with higher grades of gastric inflammation, correlating with enhanced mucosal levels of IL-8, and increased risk of peptic ulceration.