Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Observer synthesis for a class of descriptor LPV systems

A method to synthesize an observer for continuous-time Descriptor Linear Parameter Variant (D-LPV) systems is presented in this paper. The main contribution consists of an observer synthesis developed for descriptor linear time invariant extended to LPV systems. The conditions for the existence of LPV observer are given. Such conditions guarantee the observer convergence and they are proved through a Lyapunov-like analysis based on Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) formulation. The observer is evaluated through numerical simulations.
Filamentary-switching model in RRAM for time, energy and scaling projections

The resistive switching memory (RRAM) is considered promising for ultra-high-density storage below the 10 nm node. To assess RRAM feasibility, the reduction of switching time/energy and bit size should be demonstrated. This work addresses the physical modeling of filamentary switching in bipolar RRAM. The model describes set/reset transitions in terms of field- and temperature-activated growth/dissolution of a conductive filament (CF), accounting for the voltage-controlled set-transition, for overshoot effects and for the time-voltage dilemma in bipolar RRAMs. The reduction of the switching time and energy by control of the CF size is finally discussed.
Characterizing the Grape Transcriptome. Analysis of Expressed Sequence Tags from Multiple Vitis Species and Development of a Compendium of Gene Expression during Berry Development1[w]

We report the analysis and annotation of 146,075 expressed sequence tags from Vitis species. The majority of these sequences were derived from different cultivars of Vitis vinifera, comprising an estimated 25,746 unique contig and singleton sequences that survey transcription in various tissues and developmental stages and during biotic and abiotic stress. Putatively homologous proteins were identified for over 17,752 of the transcripts, with 1,962 transcripts further subdivided into one or more Gene Ontology categories. A simple structured vocabulary, with modules for plant genotype, plant development, and stress, was developed to describe the relationship between individual expressed sequence tags and cDNA libraries; the resulting vocabulary provides query terms to facilitate data mining within the context of a relational database. As a measure of the extent to which characterized metabolic pathways were encompassed by the data set, we searched for homologs of the enzymes leading from glycolysis, through the oxidative/nonoxidative pentose phosphate pathway, and into the general phenylpropanoid pathway. Homologs were identified for 65 of these 77 enzymes, with 86% of enzymatic steps represented by paralogous genes. Differentially expressed transcripts were identified by means of a stringent believability index cutoff of ≥98.4%. Correlation analysis and two-dimensional hierarchical clustering grouped these transcripts according to similarity of expression. In the broadest analysis, 665 differentially expressed transcripts were identified across 29 cDNA libraries, representing a range of developmental and stress conditions. The groupings revealed expected associations between plant developmental stages and tissue types, with the notable exception of abiotic stress treatments. A more focused analysis of flower and berry development identified 87 differentially expressed transcripts and provides the basis for a compendium that relates gene expression and annotation to previously characterized aspects of berry development and physiology. Comparison with published results for select genes, as well as correlation analysis between independent data sets, suggests that the inferred in silico patterns of expression are likely to be an accurate representation of transcript abundance for the conditions surveyed. Thus, the combined data set reveals the in silico expression patterns for hundreds of genes in V. vinifera, the majority of which have not been previously studied within this species.
Microhabitat Use Affects Brain Size and Structure in Intertidal Gobies

The ecological cognition hypothesis poses that the brains and behaviours of individuals are largely shaped by the environments in which they live and the associated challenges they must overcome during their lives. Here we examine the effect of environmental complexity on relative brain size in 4 species of intertidal gobies from differing habitats. Two species were rock pool specialists that lived on spatially complex rocky shores, while the remainder lived on dynamic, but structurally simple, sandy shores. We found that rock pool-dwelling species had relatively larger brains and telencephalons in particular, while sand-dwelling species had a larger optic tectum and hypothalamus. In general, it appears that various fish species trade off neural investment in specific brain lobes depending on the environment in which they live. Our previous research suggests that rock pool species have greater spatial learning abilities, enabling them to navigate their spatially complex environment, which may account for their enlarged telencephalon, while sand-dwelling species likely have a reduced need for spatial learning, due to their spatially simple habitat, and a greater need for visual acuity. The dorsal medulla and cerebellum size was unaffected by the habitat in which the fish lived, but there were differences between species indicative of species-specific trade-offs in neural investment.
Human-computer interaction in ubiquitous computing environments

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore characteristics of human‐computer interaction when the human body and its movements become input for interaction and interface control in pervasive computing settings.Design/methodology/approach – The paper quantifies the performance of human movement based on Fitt's Law and discusses some of the human factors and technical considerations that arise in trying to use human body movements as an input medium.Findings – The paper finds that new interaction technologies utilising human movements may provide more flexible, naturalistic interfaces and support the ubiquitous or pervasive computing paradigm.Practical implications – In pervasive computing environments the challenge is to create intuitive and user‐friendly interfaces. Application domains that may utilize human body movements as input are surveyed here and the paper addresses issues such as culture, privacy, security and ethics raised by movement of a user's body‐based interaction styles.Originality/v.
Optimal rate and power allocation for OFDM in the presence of channel uncertainty

Adaptive modulation of subcarriers for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) has been shown to improve system performance significantly. As a prerequisite, accurate channel state information (CSI) must be available at the transmitter. For time varying, noisy channels, however, this is difficult to achieve in practical systems. In this paper, we consider optimal subcarrier assignment under incomplete CSI. Soft estimates and the Cramer-Rao bound are used to analyze the effect of CSI errors. As an important control parameter, the frame length is coming in. We investigate analytically its influence on the performance of adaptive modulation in OFDM systems for the rate and power optimization problems. Simulations demonstrate that the frame length may not be neglected as an important overall system performance parameter.
Variations in diagnostic criteria for carpal tunnel syndrome among Ontario specialists.

BACKGROUND Variations in diagnostic criteria for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) may result in differing reports of disease prevalence, errors in diagnosis, and variable results of treatment. The objective of this study was to determine how consistent specialists are in their ratings of the importance of clinical criteria for the diagnosis of CTS. METHODS Three hundred specialist physicians and surgeons received a questionnaire containing 57 clinical criteria for the diagnosis of CTS. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to rate the importance of each criterion in the diagnosis of CTS. RESULTS The overall consistency both across and within specialties was poor (intraclass correlation coefficient across specialties (ICC) = 0.28; ICC range within specialties 0.27-0.37). CONCLUSIONS Specialists are relatively inconsistent in the importance they assign to clinical criteria for the diagnosis of CTS. This inconsistency may be an important source of variation in the reported prevalence and treatment of CTS.
Analyzing Internal Efficiency Dynamics Of Turkish Banks: Activity Based Multi-Objective Dynamic DEA Model And Its Application

Efficiency measurement is an important analysis for institutions in order to investigate their performance comparatively. On the other hand, evaluating efficiency of institutions carrying out more than one activity using common resources is important management problems. Since both efficiency and priorities may change in time, the problem set is getting more complex. Sub-activities of total system (Decision Making Sub-Units/DMSU) of institutions may act in different ways since they have different priorities or goals. In addition, factors effecting efficiencies of these DMSUs may differ. Each DMSUs' countermeasures can vary in order to reach the efficient frontier. Therefore, total system efficiency results may not represent the DMSUs' efficiencies. In line with these inferences, the aim of this study is to analyze efficiency differences between DMUs and DMSUs in terms of their behaviors, efficiencies and countermeasures in a dynamic manner. A hybrid non-parametric dynamic efficiency evaluation model, "Multi-Activity Window Data Envelopment Analysis (MA-WDEA)", is developed first[1]. Then, internal dynamics of DMUs and DMSUs are analyzed via dynamic returns to scale(RTS) analysis and Tobit regression models. Both analysis are established on efficiency results of the MA-WDEA model. The proposed process is applied to measure the performance of Turkish banking system. The results first show that MA-WDEA is a suitable tool to measure efficiency trends of DMUs/DMSUs. There exist important differences among Turkish banks with respect to their operating and non-operating activities’ efficiencies. The results of the dynamic RTS and regression models also show that behavioral attitudes of DMUs and DMSUs are significantly different. [1] The developed hybrid model is first presented in 3rd International Conference on Governance, Management and Entrepreneurship in Crotia by Kaya and Cinar, (2015).
Bacterial flora on the white coats of medical students.

This study has demonstrated that the white coats of medical students are more likely to be bacteriologically contaminated at points of frequent contact, such as the sleeve and pocket. The organisms identified were principally skin commensals including Staphylococcus aureus. The cleanliness of the coat as perceived by the student was correlated with bacteriological contamination, yet despite this, a significant proportion of students only laundered their coats occassionally. This study supports the view that the students' white coat is a potential source of cross infection on the ward and its design should be modified in order to facilitate hand washing. Hospitals training medical students should consider taking on the burden of providing freshly laundered white coats for the students.
Phase I Trial of Vaccination With Autologous Neuroblastoma Tumor Cells Genetically Modified to Secrete IL-2 and Lymphotactin

In murine models, transgenic chemokine-cytokine tumor vaccines overcome many of the limitations of single-agent immunotherapy by producing the sequence of T-cell attraction followed by proliferation of tumor antigen-activated clones. The safety and immunologic effects of this approach in humans were tested in 7 patients with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma. They each received up to 8 subcutaneous injections of a vaccine combining lymphotactin—and interleukin-2 (IL-2)—secreting autologous neuroblastoma cells in a dose-escalating scheme. Adverse events were limited to grade 1 or 2 localized reactions in all patients, pain in 3 patients, and fever in 3 patients. Injection site biopsies revealed increased cellularity caused by infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, eosinophils, and dendritic cells with a decrease in dendritic cells from the first to the second vaccination. Systemically, vaccine was associated with increased tumor recognition as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assays. Two patients had interferon-γ predominant responses and 3 had IL-5 predominant responses. Only 1 patient received all 8 injections, 1 patient stopped the study early, and all other patients progressed before completion of the study. Hence, autologous tumor cell vaccines combining transgenic lymphotactin with IL-2 seem to have little toxicity in humans and can induce an antitumor immune response. In this setting, the immune response was insufficient to overcome active recurrent neuroblastoma.
Imaging in neuroblastoma: An update

Abstract Neuroblastoma is the third common tumor in children. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, response evaluation and in follow-up of a case of Neuroblastoma. The International Neuroblastoma Risk Group task force has recently introduced an imaging-based staging system and laid down guidelines for uniform reporting of imaging studies. This review is an update on imaging in neuroblastoma, with emphasis on these guidelines.
A laser and image based navigation and guidance system for autonomous outdoor-indoor transition flights of MAVs

Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAV) with hovering capabilities are predestined to explore hazardous areas in order to support emergency and rescue forces. Possible areas of application are urban terrain close to buildings or indoor environment. Especially the autonomous access to buildings is highly demanding due to insufficient GNSS reception in urban terrain and narrow passageways into buildings. Nevertheless, in order to allow exploration of buildings, this paper presents a complete flight system that enables a MAV to transit a passageway into a building to explore this building autonomously. For that, neither any prior knowledge about the building's structure, nor any maps are necessary. Thus the navigation filter uses relative motion estimation in order to substitute GNSS information. In order to further increase the independency from position measurements, the flight guidance is designed in way to maneuver the MAV relative to the entrance, using laser rangefinder and image measurements. The successful operation of the presented system is validated in several real flight experiments.
Agri-environmental grass hay: nutritive value and intake in comparison with hay from intensively managed grassland

Chemical composition, digestibility, nutritive value and intake of hay from an agri-environmental management (EH) were compared with those from hay (Lolium perenne) from an intensive management (IH). IH was of low to moderate quality because of unfavourable weather conditions. EH was harvested mid-June of 2000 (EH1) and 2001 (EH2) on the same sward that had not received mineral fertilizer for 10 years. The EH was characterized by a species-rich botanical composition. On average, it had lower contents of protein (32%), NDF (9%) and ash (35%), and a higher concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates (117%) than IH. Digestibility of dry and organic matter, determined with sheep, was not different between IH and EH and averaged 59 and 63%, respectively. Crude fibre and NDF digestibility were lower in EH (58 and 57%, respectively) than in IH (70 and 69%, respectively). Net energy value for lactation did not differ between IH and EH and amounted to 4.78 MJ per kg DM. True protein digested in the small intestine and rumen degraded protein balance were lower in EH (63 and − 60 g per kg DM) than in IH (71 and − 33 g per kg DM). Intake of hay was investigated in Holstein-Friesian heifers and Belgian Blue double-muscled heifers (mean BW 280 ± 22 kg and 269 ± 21 kg, respectively), and in Belgian Blue non-lactating and non-pregnant double-muscled cows (initial BW 642 ± 82 kg), using a cross-over design. Hay was freely available. It was supplemented with 1 kg concentrate daily. Dry matter intake from hay was higher for EH than for IH in heifers (4% and 13%, respectively in Holstein-Friesian and Belgian Blue heifers) and in cows (22%). Hay from an agri-environmental management may be used for low-performing animals, as energy intake only exceeded maintenance requirements by 20 to 35%. Several characteristics of EH were different between years, such as dry matter digestibility, net energy value for lactation and fermentable organic matter content.
Morphological characteristics and intercellular connections of corneal keratocytes.

PURPOSE To investigate the morphological characteristics of keratocytes and the interconnection of keratocytes with adjacent keratocytes using the flat preparation method and scanning electron microscopy with a frontal section of the human corneal stroma. METHODS The thin, corneal collagen lamellae were carefully dissected from the cornea (n=7), which had been stained by the flat preparation method. The remaining tissue was fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde and observed by transmission electron microscopy following the frontal section. RESULTS The flat preparation revealed the corneal fibroblasts between the lamellae of the collagen fibers and showed that the ramifying cellular processes of the keratocytes were in contact with the cytoplasmic processes or cell bodies of neighboring fibroblasts. Two types of discrete subpopulations of keratocytes were identified: a smaller, cellular type of keratocyte with spindle-shaped nucleus with heterochromatin, and a larger, cellular type with a large indented nucleus with relatively scanty cytoplasm. Collagen fibers ran parallel to each other toward the fenestration of the cytoplasmic wall of the keratocyte. CONCLUSIONS These flat preparation method results showed that the keratocytes within the corneal stroma are interconnected with the adjacent keratocytes, which indicates the presence of a functional communicating network through the keratocyte circuits within the stroma. A smaller, cellular type of keratocyte with spindle-shaped nucleus was morphologically differentiated from a larger, cellular type with a large, indented nucleus by flat preparation and transmission electron microscopy.
Molecular mechanism of quinone signaling mediated through S-quinonization of a YodB family repressor QsrR

Quinone molecules are intracellular electron-transport carriers, as well as critical intra- and extracellular signals. However, transcriptional regulation of quinone signaling and its molecular basis are poorly understood. Here, we identify a thiol-stress-sensing regulator YodB family transcriptional regulator as a central component of quinone stress response of Staphylococcus aureus, which we have termed the quinone-sensing and response repressor (QsrR). We also identify and confirm an unprecedented quinone-sensing mechanism based on the S-quinonization of the essential residue Cys-5. Structural characterizations of the QsrR–DNA and QsrR–menadione complexes further reveal that the covalent association of menadione directly leads to the release of QsrR from operator DNA following a 10° rigid-body rotation as well as a 9-Å elongation between the dimeric subunits. The molecular level characterization of this quinone-sensing transcriptional regulator provides critical insights into quinone-mediated gene regulation in human pathogens.
Hydrostatically Coupled Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

Within the emerging field of polymer-based mechatronics, soft materials showing intrinsic electromechanical transduction properties are being largely studied to develop new types of actuators. Among them, so-called dielectric elastomer (DE) actuators are one of the most promising. This paper presents a new class of such devices, which uses an incompressible fluid to mechanically couple an active part to a passive part. The active part is elastic and works according to the DE actuation principle, while the passive part represents the end-effector, in contact with the load. The fluid is distributed between the active and passive parts, remaining entirely internal to the overall actuator; accordingly, the fluid transmits the actuation hydrostatically from the active to the passive part and, then, to the load. This concept leads to a new family of versatile DE actuators, characterized by less stringent design constraints for shape, size, and spatial arrangement of subparts of the device, along with adequate electrical safety. The paper describes these and additional benefits, showing how different uses of the proposed concept can result in actuators with different architectures and capabilities, suitable for diverse needs.
Hydrogen isotope measurement of bird feather keratin, one laboratory's response to evolving methodologies

Hydrogen in organic tissue resides in a complex mixture of molecular contexts. Some hydrogen, called non-exchangeable (Hnon), is strongly bound, and its isotopic ratio is fixed when the tissue is synthesized. Other pools of hydrogen, called exchangeable hydrogen (Hex), constantly exchange with ambient water vapor. The measurement of the δ2Hnon in organic tissues such as hair or feather therefore requires an analytical process that accounts for exchangeable hydrogen. In this study, swan feather and sheep wool keratin were used to test the effects of sample drying and capsule closure on the measurement of δ2Hnon values, and the rate of back-reaction with ambient water vapor. Homogenous feather or wool keratins were also calibrated at room temperature for use as control standards to correct for the effects of exchangeable hydrogen on feathers. Total δ2H values of both feather and wool samples showed large changes throughout the first ∼6 h of drying. Desiccant plus low vacuum seems to be more effective than room temperature vacuum pumping for drying samples. The degree of capsule closure affects exchangeable hydrogen equilibration and drying, with closed capsules responding more slowly. Using one control keratin standard to correct for the δ2Hex value for a batch of samples leads to internally consistent δ2Hnon values for other calibrated keratins run as unknowns. When placed in the context of other recent improvements in the measurement of keratin δ2Hnon values, we make recommendations for sample handing, data calibration and the reporting of results.
Evaluation of Small Bowel Injury in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis by Capsule Endoscopy: Effects of Anti-Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs

Background and Aim: The medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), low-dose corticosteroids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). We evaluated the incidence of small bowel injury in RA patients who were taking anti-RA drugs with or without concomitant NSAIDs by capsule endoscopy. Methods: A total of 28 RA patients who took low-dose corticosteroids and/or DMARDs for more than 1 year were enrolled. Results: The incidence of red spots did not differ between the 2 groups: 14 of 16 patients (87.5%) in the NSAID group and 11 of 12 patients (91.7%) in the non-NSAID group. In contrast, the incidence of mucosal breaks was significantly higher in the NSAID group than in the non-NSAID group: mucosal breaks were detected in 13 of 16 patients (81.3%) and 4 of 12 patients (33.3%) in the NSAID and non-NSAID groups, respectively. In the NSAID group, mucosal breaks developed in users of preferential cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors at a frequency similar to that in users of traditional NSAIDs. Conclusion: Patients taking anti-RA drugs may have an increased frequency of small bowel injury regardless of NSAID use, and NSAID use may be associated with an increased incidence of severe small bowel injury.