Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy Model and Control for Hybrid Systems Using Averaging Techniques

Hybrid systems are usually consisted of states described partially by continuous variables and partially by discrete variables. In this work, we propose an LMI-based control design for hybrid systems by using fuzzy model-based approach and averaging method. We start with the control-oriented presentation to define the hybrid automata. Then, it is described by a fuzzy model. In light of the concept of pulse-width modulation (PWM) scheme, the crisp fuzzy set is with the value of the duration in an interval. Instead of directly designing the switching sequence for our hybrid systems, the values of the duration are the control signals which need to be designed. Then, the switching sequence for the hybrid systems can be realized by using PWM method
STD and HIV risk factors among U.S. young adults: variations by gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation.

CONTEXT STDs, including HIV, disproportionately affect individuals who have multiple minority identities. Understanding differences in STD risk factors across racial, ethnic and sexual minority groups, as well as genders, is important for tailoring public health interventions. METHODS Data from Waves 3 (2001-2002) and 4 (2007-2008) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were used to develop population-based estimates of STD and HIV risk factors among 11,045 young adults (mean age, 29 at Wave 4), by gender, race and ethnicity, and sexual orientation (heterosexual, mixed-oriented, gay). Regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between risk factors and young adults' characteristics. RESULTS Overall, sexual-minority women in each racial or ethnic group had a higher prevalence of sexual risk behaviors-including a history of multiple partners, forced sex and incarceration-than their heterosexual counterparts. Mixed-oriented women in each racial or ethnic group were more likely than heterosexual white women to have received an STD diagnosis (odds ratios, 1.8-6.4). Black men and sexual-minority men also appeared to be at heightened risk. Gay men in all racial and ethnic groups were significantly more likely than heterosexual white men to report having received an STD diagnosis (2.3-8.3); compared with heterosexual white men, mixed-oriented black men had the highest odds of having received such a diagnosis (15.2). CONCLUSIONS Taking account of multiple minority identities should be an important part of future research and intervention efforts for STD and HIV prevention.
Expression Analysis of CB2-GFP BAC Transgenic Mice

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a retrograde messenger system, consisting of lipid signaling molecules that bind to at least two G-protein-coupled receptors, Cannabinoid receptor 1 and 2 (CB1 and 2). As CB2 is primarily expressed on immune cells such as B cells, T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and microglia, it is of great interest how CB2 contributes to immune cell development and function in health and disease. Here, understanding the mechanisms of CB2 involvement in immune-cell function as well as the trafficking and regulation of CB2 expressing cells are crucial issues. Up to now, CB2 antibodies produce unclear results, especially those targeting the murine protein. Therefore, we have generated BAC transgenic GFP reporter mice (CB2-GFPTg) to trace CB2 expression in vitro and in situ. Those mice express GFP under the CB2 promoter and display GFP expression paralleling CB2 expression on the transcript level in spleen, thymus and brain tissue. Furthermore, by using fluorescence techniques we show that the major sources for GFP-CB2 expression are B cells in spleen and blood and microglia in the brain. This novel CB2-GFP transgenic reporter mouse line represents a powerful resource to study CB2 expression in different cell types. Furthermore, it could be used for analyzing CB2-mediated mobilization and trafficking of immune cells as well as studying the fate of recruited immune cells in models of acute and chronic inflammation.
X-band compact low cost multi-channel radar prototype for short range high resolution 3D-InISAR

In this paper an X-band multi-channel radar prototype (PIRAD) for short range high resolution interferometric 3D inverse SAR imaging (3D-InISAR) is presented. The proposed radar sensor is characterized by compact dimensions, low power consumption, low electromagnetic pollution and low cost. An innovative compact, stationary, large beamwidth interferometric antenna system was designed and developed for this particular task. The LFMCW waveform is generated by a microcontrolled PLL based frequency synthesizer. A three channels Low-IF direct down conversion receiver was developed. Open source universal software radio peripherals are used to sample the beat signals and to interface with a general purpose PC through an Ethernet interface. Preliminary tests in a real scenario have been carried out in order to test the effectiveness of the PIRAD system in ISAR imaging and 3D reconstruction capabilities.
PRIDE: Parameter Refinement after Initial Deployment in Wireless Sensor Networks

The optimal deployment of multiple sensor nodes is an important issue in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Low power, network connectivity and coverage are major performance indicators in the deployment of sensor nodes. However, it is difficult to optimize all of the performance indicators due to trade-off among them. Satisfying user requirements for the deployment of sensor nodes is more important than optimizing the performance in an installation of sensor networks. This paper proposes a novel sensor-node deployment algorithm, which satisfies user requirements such as network lifetime, delay for the sensing data acquisition, and network coverage, using parameters of sensor nodes. Experiments also show that the proposed deployment satisfies the user requirements of sensor networks.
Ethnic Group

A social group characterized by a distinctive social and cultural tradition that is maintained from generation to generation. Members share a common history and origin and a sense of identification with the group. T hey have similar and distinctive features in their lifestyle habits and shared experiences. T hey often have a common genetic heritage which may be reflected in their experience of health and disease. Qeios · Definition, February 2, 2020
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) γ and PPARα Agonists Modulate Mitochondrial Fusion-Fission Dynamics: Relevance to Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-Related Neurodegenerative Disorders?

Recent studies showed that the activation of the retinoid X receptor, which dimerizes with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), leads to an enhanced clearance of Aβ from the brain of transgenic mice model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), because an increased expression of apolipoprotein E and it main transporters. However, the effects observed must involve additional underlying mechanisms that have not been yet explored. Several studies conducted in our laboratory suggest that part of the effects observed for the PPARs agonist might involves mitochondrial function and, particularly, mitochondrial dynamics. In the present study we assessed the effects of oxidative stress challenge on mitochondrial morphology and mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins in hippocampal neurons. Using immunofluorescence, we evaluated the PPARγ co-activator 1α (PGC-1α), dynamin related protein 1 (DRP1), mitochondrial fission protein 1 (FIS1), and mitochondrial length, in order to determine if PPARs agonist pre-treatment is able to protect mitochondrial population from hippocampal neurons through modulation of the mitochondrial fusion-fission events. Our results suggest that both a PPARγ agonist (ciglitazone) and a PPARα agonist (WY 14.643) are able to protect neurons by modulating mitochondrial fusion and fission, leading to a better response of neurons to oxidative stress, suggesting that a PPAR based therapy could acts simultaneously in different cellular components. Additionally, our results suggest that PGC-1α and mitochondrial dynamics should be further studied in future therapy research oriented to ameliorate neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD.
Beyond Bandlimited Sampling: Nonlinearities, Smoothness and Sparsity

Sampling theory has benefited from a surge of research in recent years, due in part to the intense research in wavelet theory and the connections made between the two fields. In this survey we present several extensions of the Shannon theorem, that have been developed primarily in the past two decades, which treat a wide class of input signals as well as nonideal sampling and nonlinear distortions. This framework is based on viewing sampling in a broader sense of projection onto appropriate subspaces, and then choosing the subspaces to yield interesting new possibilities. For example, our results can be used to uniformly sample non-bandlimited signals, and to perfectly compensate for nonlinear effects.
The Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ)

The Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) is designed to measure a range of hearing disabilities across several domains. Particular attention is given to hearing speech in a variety of competing contexts, and to the directional, distance and movement components of spatial hearing. In addition, the abilities both to segregate sounds and to attend to simultaneous speech streams are assessed, reflecting the reality of hearing in the everyday world. Qualities of hearing experience include ease of listening, and the naturalness, clarity and identifiability of different speakers, different musical pieces and instruments, and different everyday sounds. Application of the SSQ to 153 new clinic clients prior to hearing aid fitting showed that the greatest difficulty was experienced with simultaneous speech streams, ease of listening, listening in groups and in noise, and judging distance and movement. SSQ ratings were compared with an independent measure of handicap. After differences in hearing level were controlled for, it was found that identification, attention and effort problems, as well as spatial hearing problems, feature prominently in the disability-handicap relationship, along with certain features of speech hearing. The results implicate aspects of temporal and spatial dynamics of hearing disability in the experience of handicap. The SSQ shows promise as an instrument for evaluating interventions of various kinds, particularly (but not exclusively) those that implicate binaural function. Sumario La Escala de Audición para el Lenguaje, la Audición Espacial y las Cualidades Auditivas (SSQ) está disen˜ada para medir un rango de discapacidades auditivas en varios ámbitos. Se da atención particular a la captación del lenguaje en una variedad de contexto competitivos, y a los componentes direccionales, de distancia y movimiento de la audición espacial. Además, se evalúan las capacidades para segregar sonidos y de distinguir mensajes lingu¨ísticos simultáneos, que reflejan la realidad de la audición en situaciones cotidianas. La experiencia de las cualidades auditivas incluye la facilidad de escuchar, y la naturalidad, claridad y capacidad de identificar a diferentes hablantes, diferentes piezas musicales e instrumentos, y diferentes sonidos de la vida diaria. La aplicación del SSQ a 153 nuevos clientes, antes de la adaptación de su auxiliar auditivo, mostró que la mayor dificultad era experimentada frente a mensajes lingu¨ísticos simultáneos, en la facilidad para escuchar, la audición en grupos en ruido y ante el juicio sobre la distancia y el movimiento. Las mediciones del SSQ fueron comparadas con una medida independiente de desventaja. Luego de controlar las medidas del nivel auditivo, se encontró que la identificación, la atención y los problemas de esfuerzo, al igual que los problemas de audición espacial, fueron los más relevantes en la relación discapacidad-desventaja. La SSQ se muestra promisoria como instrumento para evaluar intervenciones de varios tipos, particularmente (pero no de manera exclusiva) aquellas que involucran la función auditiva binaural.
The systematic assessment of flow in daily experience

In considering possible future empirical research on flow, a central desideratum was expressed in the last pages of Beyond Boredom and Anxiety : “The flow model could be extended to work situations and other ‘non leisure’ settings…it is important to find out piecemeal and experimentally what combination of challenges and skills can be accommodated in a schoolroom, a neighborhood, or at home, so that … [we] can maximize flow involvement in as many people as possible” (Csikszentmihalyi 1975b, p. 203). The present chapter describes such a project. The transition from theory to empirical validation is never easy, especially when the phenomenon is a complex one. When it belongs to the class of “subjective experiences,” the methodological challenge becomes even more baffling. In this context, the problem consists of finding a way to describe variations in the quality of subjective experience as a function of variations in the conditions of flow – that is, as a function of the relationship between the levels of perceived challenges and perceived skills. Flow is a relatively rare experience, difficult to encounter every day, at least in our culture and for the majority of people. It was first described in groups of people who, because of their specialized activities and because of their strong involvement, were able to come in contact with this experience in its highest forms – chess masters, rock climbers, surgeons, and so on (Csikszentmihalyi 1975b).
Qualitative and quantitative assessment of taste and smell changes in patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer or gynecologic malignancies.

PURPOSE Smell and taste changes during chemotherapy are significant complaints of cancer patients. Loss of olfactory/gustatory function can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, and possibly a prolonged morbidity of chemotherapy-induced adverse effects, decreased quality of life, poor compliance, and even decreased therapy response. This prospective study comprehensively investigated, to our knowledge for the first time, smell and taste changes in a cohort of 87 patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer or gynecologic malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS Olfactory function was tested using Sniffin' Sticks (Burghart; Wedel, Germany) and gustatory function was tested using taste strips before, during, and immediately and 3 months after chemotherapy. RESULTS Olfactory and gustatory function significantly decreased during chemotherapy and recovered almost completely 3 months after chemotherapy. Scores of odor thresholds were affected more than those of discrimination or identification. The olfactory function of older patients was affected more than that of younger patients. There was no difference in the olfactory function during chemotherapy with respect to the chemotherapeutic agent or initial diagnosis (breast or ovarian cancer). Regarding taste, scores of salty taste were affected more than scores of sweet, sour, or bitter taste. The gustatory function did not differ significantly during chemotherapy with respect to age or diagnosis but did differ with respect to the chemotherapeutic agent. Taxane-based chemotherapy caused the most severe disorders. CONCLUSION Chemotherapy has a significant but transient effect on olfactory and gustatory function, possibly causing reduced appetite, a low energy intake, and weight loss. Additional spices and flavoring may compensate for this diminished chemosensory function, enhancing patient compliance and quality of life.
Effect of Pioglitazone on Energy Intake and Ghrelin in Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE To measure ghrelin and energy intake in the laboratory after pioglitazone treatment. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This was a parallel, three-arm study with 51 obese diabetic subjects randomized to either 1) pioglitazone plus a portion-controlled diet (Pio+PC), 2) pioglitazone plus American Diabetes Association (ADA) dietary advice (Pio+ADA), or 3) metformin plus ADA advice (Met+ADA). Energy intake and the suppressive response of a meal on ghrelin were measured at weeks 0 and 16. Mixed models tested if changes from week 0 to 16 differed by group. RESULTS The Pio+ADA group had a significantly larger increase (P < 0.05) in energy intake ([adjusted means ± SE] 207 ± 53 kcal) compared with the Pio+PC (50 ± 46 kcal) and Met+ADA (52 ± 49 kcal) groups. Change in restraint and disinhibition (variables associated with eating behavior) mediated weight change. Ghrelin suppression increased in the Pio+ADA group, which gained weight. CONCLUSIONS A portion-controlled diet attenuated the increase in energy intake after pioglitazone. Ghrelin responded to weight change not pioglitazone exposure.
Interaction of asbestos with metaplastic squamous epithelium developing in organ cultures of hamster trachea.

The normal mucociliary epithelium of the respiratory tract in chronic cigarette smokers often is replaced focally by a metaplastic squamous epithelium. Because asbestos workers who smoke have a substantially greater risk of bronchogenic carcinoma than nonsmokers, we hypothesized that interaction of asbestos with squamous epithelium might be a contributing factor. To address this question, an in vitro model was developed to study the interaction of asbestos with both mucociliary and squamous epithelium. Explants of tracheas from hamsters were cultured in either a chemically defined minimal essential medium, which maintains a differentiated epithelium, or a nutritionally complex medium, which encourages the development of squamous metaplasia. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to measure quantitatively the development of a squamous epithelial surface on the explants. The interaction of chrysotile and crocidolite asbestos with cells of the mucociliary and squamous epithelium was studied using both SEM and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Long fibers of asbestos were cleared, whereas shorter fibers were phagocytized by cells of the mucociliary epithelium. In contrast, asbestos was phagocytized by superficial squamous cells regardless of fiber length, and fibers penetrated between intercellular junctions in the metaplastic epithelium. The relevance of these interactions to the induction of bronchogenic carcinoma is discussed. ImagesFIGURE 1. 1aFIGURE 1. 1bFIGURE 2.FIGURE 3.FIGURE 5. 5aFIGURE 5. 5bFIGURE 6.
Stochastic Comparisons for Non-Markov Processes

A technique is developed for comparing a non-Markov process to a Markov process on a general state space with many possible stochastic orderings. Two such comparisons with a common Markov process yield a comparison between two non-Markov processes. The technique, which is based on stochastic monotonicity of the Markov process, yields stochastic comparisons of the limiting distributions and the marginal distributions at single time points, but not the joint distributions. These stochastic comparisons are obtained under the condition that the one-step transition probabilities in discrete time or infinitesimal transition rates in continuous time are appropriately ordered, uniformly in the extra information needed to add to the state to make the non-Markov process Markov. The technique is illustrated by establishing an inequality in traffic theory concerning the blocking in multi-server service facilities when each customer requires service from several facilities simultaneously.
A Life-Span Perspective on Life Satisfaction

The German population is ageing due to decreasing birth rates and increasing life expectancy. To sustain the German pension system, legal retirement age is increased step by step to 67 years. This raises questions about how to enable and motivate older individuals to work that long. Hence, it is important to understand whether they represent a homogeneous group that can be addressed through specific measures and instruments. Life-span theory points to systematic changes as well as increased heterogeneity with age. For example, work motivation does not generally decline with age but becomes increasingly task-specific, depending on changing life goals and individual adaptation processes in adult development. In this empirical study we analyse age heterogeneity with regard to current life satisfaction and life satisfaction domains (measured as satisfaction with work, income, family and health) that represent personal utilities individuals strive for. For our analysis we use data collected as part of a representative German longitudinal data study (SOEP1). We find increasing heterogeneity in current life satisfaction, satisfaction with work, family life, and health with age. Thus, common mean level analyses on age effects yield only limited informative value. The heterogeneity of older adults should be taken into account when motivating and developing older workers.
A Compendium on the Contrasting Features of Data Mining Algorithms for the Diagnosis of Diabetes

Data mining technology offers a user-oriented technique to hidden and novel patterns in the data. Because of rising diseases in the world, we are unable to evaluate all types of diseases and how to consume correct medicine for various diseases. Techniques of data mining are quite useful in finding the medicinal decision for the suitable diseases. Diabetes monitoring system is beneficial to diabetes patients. The diabetes system is useful not just for diabetes patients but also for those suspecting they are diabetic. The primary goal of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of decision tree algorithms namely ID3 and CART method focusing on diagnosis of diabetes.
Population genomic variation reveals roles of history, adaptation and ploidy in switchgrass

Geographic patterns of genetic variation are shaped by multiple evolutionary processes, including genetic drift, migration and natural selection. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has strong genetic and adaptive differentiation despite life history characteristics that promote high levels of gene flow and can homogenize intraspecific differences, such as wind‐pollination and self‐incompatibility. To better understand how historical and contemporary factors shape variation in switchgrass, we use genotyping‐by‐sequencing to characterize switchgrass from across its range at 98 042 SNPs. Population structuring reflects biogeographic and ploidy differences within and between switchgrass ecotypes and indicates that biogeographic history, ploidy incompatibilities and differential adaptation each have important roles in shaping ecotypic differentiation in switchgrass. At one extreme, we determine that two Panicum taxa are not separate species but are actually conspecific, ecologically divergent types of switchgrass adapted to the extreme conditions of coastal sand dune habitats. Conversely, we identify natural hybrids among lowland and upland ecotypes and visualize their genome‐wide patterns of admixture. Furthermore, we determine that genetic differentiation between primarily tetraploid and octoploid lineages is not caused solely by ploidy differences. Rather, genetic diversity in primarily octoploid lineages is consistent with a history of admixture. This suggests that polyploidy in switchgrass is promoted by admixture of diverged lineages, which may be important for maintaining genetic differentiation between switchgrass ecotypes where they are sympatric. These results provide new insights into the mechanisms shaping variation in widespread species and provide a foundation for dissecting the genetic basis of adaptation in switchgrass.