Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Stability/Performance Analysis for Polytopic Systems via Multiple Slack Variable Approach

Abstract This paper investigates robust stability, H 2 performance, and H ∞ performance analysis for polytopic systems, i.e. Linear Time-Invariant Parameter-Dependent (LTIPD) systems in which the parameters lie in the unit simplex. Our results are derived via multiple “slack variable” approach, which has previously been proposed for the non-negativity check of polynomial functions, using Polynomially Parameter-Dependent Lyapunov Functions (PPDLFs). Our derived conditions are only sufficient conditions for our addressed problems; however, they encompass existing methods via single slack variable approach. Numerical examples are included to demonstrate the effectiveness of our methods.
Fusion d'informations pour la compréhension de scènes

Cet article traite du probleme de la comprehension de scenes routieres pour des systemes d'aide a la conduite. Afin de pouvoir reconnaitre le grand nombre d'objets pouvant etre presents dans la scene, plusieurs capteurs et algorithmes de classification doivent etre utilises. L'approche proposee est fondee sur la representation de toutes les informations disponibles au niveau d'une image sur-segmentee. La principale nouveaute de la methode est sa capacite a inclure de nouvelles classes d'objets ainsi que de nouveaux capteurs ou methodes de detection. Plusieurs classes comme le sol, la vegetation et le ciel sont considerees, ainsi que trois capteurs differents. L'approche est validee sur des donnees reelles de scenes routieres en milieu urbain.
Phase congruency based retinal vessel segmentation

Detection of blood vessels in a retinal fundus image is the preliminary step to diagnose several retinal diseases. There exist a number of methods to accomplish this task automatically. However, all of these methods suffer from lengthy processing time. The other major use of retina scanning is biometric authentication, for which a real time vessel detection system is required. In this work we describe a method that acquires binary vessel image from a color retinal fundus image in near real time. This method first generates the phase congruency image of the green channel of a color retinal image, and then thresholding is applied on the phase congruency image to obtain the blood vessels. Our method is able to acquire the blood vessels from a retinal fundus image within 10 seconds on a PC with the values of ‘accuracy’ and ‘area under ROC’: (0.92, 0.94) for the standard testing database called DRIVE. However, a (0.90, 0.91) accuracy and area under ROC can be acquired in less than 2 sec.
Global Government applications of analogues, SAR s and QSAR s to predict aquatic toxicity, chemical or physical properties, environmental fate parameters and health effects of organic chemicals

Faced with the need to predict physical and chemical properties, environmental fate, ecological effects and health effects of organic chemicals in the absence of experimental data, several Government organizations have been applying analogues, Structure Activity Relationships (SARs) and Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships (QSARs) to develop those predictions. To establish some benchmarks for monitoring future increases in applications of analogues, SARs and QSARs by global Government organizations, this paper describes the current applications of analogues, SARs and QSARs by Australian, Canadian, Danish, European, German, Japanese, Netherlands, and United States Government organizations to predict physical and chemical properties, environmental fate, ecological effects and health effects of organic chemicals.
Delphinidin Ameliorates Beta-Amyloid-Induced Neurotoxicity by Inhibiting Calcium Influx and Tau Hyperphosphorylation

Beta-amyloid (Aβ) has been suggested to induce neurotoxicity in Alzheimer’s disease. We evaluated the neuroprotective effects of delphinidin, an anthocyanidin commonly present in pigmented fruits and vegetables, against Aβ-induced toxicity. Aβ (25–35) significantly decreased the viability of PC12 cells, and this was accompanied by an increase in intracellular calcium levels and tau phosphorylation. However, treatment with delphinidin rescued PC12 cells from Aβ by attenuating the elevation of intracellular calcium levels and tau phosphorylation. Taken together, these results suggest that delphinidin protects PC12 cells against Aβ-induced toxicity by attenuating intracellular calcium influx and tau hyperphosphorylation.
Thyroxine metabolism and thyroid function in the pregnant rat.

Thyroxine (T4) metabolism and thyroid function were assessed in the pregnant rat. During the last few days of pregnancy, the urinary excretion of 131I, determined in rats isotopically equilibrated with 131I-T4 (0.5-2 Mg/100 g body weight/day), and expressed either in absolute terms or as a percentage of the administered dose, was greatly increased. This indicated an increase not only in the amount, but also in the rate of excretion of iodide derived from T4. The increase was associated with a marked fall in the concentration of T4 in serum. Thus, the clearance of T4 from plasma was greatly enhanced. The increased clearance was due not only to an enhanced rate of deiodination, but also to an increased clearance by the gastrointestinal pathway. After delivery the urinary excretion of iodide was no longer increased and the serum T4 concentration returned to normal within a few days. Studies of T4 metabolism in vitro indicated that, although hepatic deiodinating activity was normal in the 20-day pregnant rat,.
Phylogeography and population history of the crab‐eating fox (Cerdocyon thous)

The crab‐eating fox is a medium‐sized Neotropical canid with generalist habits and a broad distribution in South America. We have investigated its genetic diversity, population structure and demographic history across most of its geographic range by analysing 512 base pairs (bp) of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region, 615 bp of the mtDNA cytochrome b gene and 1573 total nucleotides from three different nuclear fragments. MtDNA data revealed a strong phylogeographic partition between northeastern Brazil and other portions of the species’ distribution, with complete separation between southern and northern components of the Atlantic Forest. We estimated that the two groups diverged from each other c. 400 000–600 000 years ago, and have had contrasting population histories. A recent demographic expansion was inferred for the southern group, while northern populations seem to have had a longer history of large population size. Nuclear sequence data did not support this north–south pattern of subdivision, likely due at least in part to secondary male‐mediated historical gene flow, inferred from multilocus coalescent‐based analyses. We have compared the inferred phylogeographic patterns to those observed for other Neotropical vertebrates, and report evidence for a major north–south demographic discontinuity that seems to have marked the history of the Atlantic Forest biota.
Patient care: what drives us to change?

People often think of “exit” and “voice” as the main ways patients can influence healthcare quality1—that is, patients can leave providers they are not happy with or they can voice their opinions in an attempt to change care. A common strategy for eliciting patients' “voices” is to conduct surveys. Clinicians have long been sceptical about such surveys, partly because they communicate regularly with their patients and saw no need for another method of hearing their concerns and partly because satisfaction surveys used to be flawed measures of healthcare quality. Now, however, that is beginning to change as rigorous methods have been applied to developing and evaluating patient surveys. Despite numerous studies of patient satisfaction,2 they have not resulted in the quality improvement that many expected. Previous satisfaction surveys had little impact because they often did not meet minimal standards of conceptual or methodological rigour and were not designed to facilitate quality improvement efforts. Responses to such surveys are subjective and difficult to interpret since …
What is the Impact of Comorbid Depression on Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment?

Background Substance use disorders (SUDs) are among the most common psychiatric diagnoses in adolescents. Some research suggests that comorbid depression in adolescents with SUD is associated with increased likelihood of alcohol dependence, poorer social competence, and greater risk for suicide attempts. However, little is known about how depression influences adolescent substance abuse treatment retention and outcomes. Methods This review aimed to summarize the effects of comorbid depression on treatment retention and outcomes across 13 adolescent SUD treatment studies. Results Results indicated that depression has a mixed relationship with treatment retention and outcomes, exerting a negative, positive, or nonsignificant effect depending on aspects of the study. Conclusions More research needs to be done, particularly addressing the potential mediators and moderators of the relationship between depression and SUD outcomes. Importantly, recognizing that the studies varied widely in hypotheses and research methods, the field needs to develop more standardized methods to allow for a clearer understanding of the role of comorbid depression.
A comparison between select open source and proprietary integrated library systems

Purpose – As libraries face budget cuts, open source integrated library systems are an attractive alternative to proprietary choices. Even though open source software is free to acquire, administrators must consider factors other than initial purchase price. This study aims to provide direction and context for libraries considering migration to an open source integrated library system. Design/methodology/approach – The comparison is qualitative and uses case studies, license agreements and copyright law, and user manuals and brochures. These comparisons divide into four areas: functions, adoption and technical support, usability, and economics. Findings – Major functions that libraries need in an integrated library system are available for open source software. There are no significant differences in usability between open source and proprietary integrated library systems. Internal IT provides a significant role in open source adoption. The relatively new type of open source software licensing may cause c.
Identification of a OculoMotor System Human based on Volterra Kernels

A new method of constructing nonparametric dynamic model of the human oculomotor system on the basis of experimental data "input-output" is developed, considering nonlinear and inertial properties of the rectus muscles of the eye. A technology for tracking eye movement is based on the videos. It is possible to determine the dynamic characteristics of the oculo-motor system system functions as a transition of the first and second order integral transforms Volterra kernels. Keywords—oculo-motor system, modeling, nonparametric dynamic models, Volterra kernels, multidimensional transient characteristics, eye-tracking technology.
This item is the archived peer-reviewed author-version of: The ethics of complexity : genetics and autism, a literature review

It is commonly believed that the aetiology of autism is at least partly explained through genetics. Given the complexity of autism and the variability of the autistic phenotype, genetic research and counselling in this field are also complex and associated with specific ethical questions. Although the ethics of autism genetics, especially with regard to reproductive choices, has been widely discussed on the public fora, an in depth philosophical or bioethical reflection on all aspects of the theme seems to be missing. With this literature review we wanted to map the basic questions and answers that exist in the bioethical literature on autism genetics, research, counselling and reproduction, and provide suggestions as to how the discussion can proceed. We found 19 papers that fitted the description of ‘bioethics literature focusing on autism genetics’, and analyzed their content to distill arguments and themes. We concluded that because of the complexity of autism, and the uncertainty with regard to its status, more ethical reflection is needed before definite conclusions and recommendations can be drawn. Moreover, there is a dearth of bioethical empirical studies querying the opinions of all parties, including people with autism themselves. Such empirical bioethical studies should be urgently done before bioethical conclusions regarding the aims and desirability of research into autism genes can be done. Also, fundamental philosophical reflection on concepts of disease should accompany research into the etiology of autism.
Determination of Energy-Protein Ratio (EPR) in broilers' diet in southern climate environment.

An experimental study aimed to determine the effective EPR in broiler’s diet, was carried out in southern region of Armenia (air temperature in broiler house varied 25,5C to 36,3C ). The experiments were carried out over 180 day-old Cobb broiler chicks, which were equally divided into control and 4 experimental groups (36 broilers per group). The broilers were fed up to slaughtering (at 42 day of age). Each group was fed on 3 types of diets (with corresponding durations 1-21 days; 22-35 days; 36-42 days). The control group was fed on commercial diets used in any season, experimental groups were fed on diets with high protein and energy content. In the first period the control and experimental groups’ diets contained the same amount of EPR-135; second period 150; 135; 132; 131 and 128, respectively, and in the third period 160; 160; 150; 156 and 160, respectively. During the first period of feeding (diets with the same EPR and 23% protein content) there were no statistically significant differences observed in live weights of broilers (700-710g) and daily food consumption between control and experimental groups (P<0.05). In the second period of broilers fattening (22-35 days) the higher results in live body weight were received in I experimental group (with 135 EPR) than the control group (with 150 EPR), protein content 23 and 21%, respectively. In hot southern condition, the effectiveness of using diets with high protein and energy content is approved by the results obtained for IV, III and especially II experimental groups (with 25% of protein), their live body weight significantly differed (P<0.001) as compared to the control group. The results of II experimental group (with 25% of protein and 132 EPR) is overrating (2300g live weight). Therefore the economical benefits of protein usage is evident. The results in the final feeding period of II experimental groups (ration with 23% protein; 150 EPR) obviously exceeded (by 3.9-15.5%) the other groups. Thus, the definitive variant for hot summer condition should be considered the II, III and IV experimental groups rations with high protein and energy content, but low feed consumption 1.77; 1.84 and 1.91 kg feed per kg live weight gain, respectively.
Polyglutamine Expansion Reduces the Association of TATA-binding Protein with DNA and Induces DNA Binding-independent Neurotoxicity*

TATA-binding protein (TBP) is essential for eukaryotic gene transcription. Human TBP contains a polymorphic polyglutamine (polyQ) domain in its N terminus and a DNA-binding domain in its highly conserved C terminus. Expansion of the polyQ domain to >42 glutamines typically results in spinocerebellar ataxia type 17 (SCA17), a neurodegenerative disorder that resembles Huntington disease. Our recent studies have demonstrated that polyQ expansion causes abnormal interaction of TBP with the general transcription factor TFIIB and induces neurodegeneration in transgenic SCA17 mice (Friedman, M. J., Shah, A. G., Fang, Z. H., Ward, E. G., Warren, S. T., Li, S., and Li, X. J. (2007) Nat. Neurosci. 10, 1519–1528). However, it remains unknown how polyQ expansion influences DNA binding by TBP. Here we report that polyQ expansion reduces in vitro binding of TBP to DNA and that mutant TBP fragments lacking an intact C-terminal DNA-binding domain are present in transgenic SCA17 mouse brains. polyQ-expanded TBP with a deletion spanning part of the DNA-binding domain does not bind DNA in vitro but forms nuclear aggregates and inhibits TATA-dependent transcription activity in cultured cells. When this TBP double mutant is expressed in transgenic mice, it forms nuclear inclusions in neurons and causes early death. These findings suggest that the polyQ tract affects the binding of TBP to promoter DNA and that polyQ-expanded TBP can induce neuronal toxicity independent of its interaction with DNA.
Glass in the submarine section of the HSDP2 drill core, Hilo, Hawaii

The Hawaii Scientific Drilling Project recovered ∼3 km of basalt by coring into the flank of Mauna Kea volcano at Hilo, Hawaii. Rocks recovered from deeper than ∼1 km were deposited below sea level and contain considerable fresh glass. We report electron microprobe analyses of 531 glasses from the submarine section of the core, providing a high‐resolution record of petrogenesis over ca. 200 Kyr of shield building of a Hawaiian volcano. Nearly all the submarine glasses are tholeiitic. SiO2 contents span a significant range but are bimodally distributed, leading to the identification of low‐SiO2 and high‐SiO2 magma series that encompass most samples. The two groups are also generally distinguishable using other major and minor elements and certain isotopic and incompatible trace element ratios. On the basis of distributions of high‐ and low‐SiO2 glasses, the submarine section of the core is divided into four zones. In zone 1 (1079–∼1950 mbsl), most samples are degassed high‐SiO2 hyaloclastites and massive lavas, but there are narrow intervals of low‐SiO2 hyaloclastites. Zone 2 (∼1950–2233 mbsl), a zone of degassed pillows and hyaloclastites, displays a continuous decrease in silica content from bottom to top. In zone 3 (2233–2481 mbsl), nearly all samples are undegassed low‐SiO2 pillows. In zone 4 (2481–3098 mbsl), samples are mostly high‐SiO2 undegassed pillows and degassed hyaloclastites. This zone also contains most of the intrusive units in the core, all of which are undegassed and most of which are low‐SiO2. Phase equilibrium data suggest that parental magmas of the low‐SiO2 suite could be produced by partial melting of fertile peridotite at 30–40 kbar. Although the high‐SiO2 parents could have equilibrated with harzburgite at 15–20 kbar, they could have been produced neither simply by higher degrees of melting of the sources of the low‐SiO2 parents nor by mixing of known dacitic melts of pyroxenite/eclogite with the low‐SiO2 parents. Our hypothesis for the relationship between these magma types is that as the low‐SiO2 magmas ascended from their sources, they interacted chemically and thermally with overlying peridotites, resulting in dissolution of orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene and precipitation of olivine, thereby generating high‐SiO2 magmas. There are glasses with CaO, Al2O3, and SiO2 contents slightly elevated relative to most low‐SiO2 samples; we suggest that these differences reflect involvement of pyroxene‐rich lithologies in the petrogenesis of the CaO‐Al2O3‐enriched glasses. There is also a small group of low‐SiO2 glasses distinguished by elevated K2O and CaO contents; the sources of these samples may have been enriched in slab‐derived fluid/melts. Low‐SiO2 glasses from the top of zone 3 (2233–2280 mbsl) are more alkaline, more fractionated, and incompatible‐element‐enriched relative to other glasses from zone 3. This excursion at the top of zone 3, which is abruptly overlain by more silica‐rich tholeiitic magmas, is reminiscent of the end of Mauna Kea shield building higher in the core.
Transition from symptomatic diffuse spasm to cardiospasm.

EDITORIAL COMMENT This paper provides further evidence that these two conditions may be related disorders. The transition from diffuse spasm to cardiospasm is recorded in one patient. In previous communications (Kramer, Fleshler, and 1963; Kramer, Fleshler, McNally, and Harris, to be published) we suggested that symptomatic diffuse spasm and cardiospasm are related disorders. This conclusion was based upon the find- ing that the oesophagus of patients with symptomatic diffuse spasm responds in a hypersensitive fashion to Mecholyl, a phenomenon which has been accepted as being characteristic of cardiospasm The purpose of this report is to present further evidence supporting this suggestion by describing the changes in symptoms and oesophageal motility that occurred in a patient during eight years of
Prevalence of alcohol use disorders before and after bariatric surgery.

CONTEXT Anecdotal reports suggest bariatric surgery may increase the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD), but prospective data are lacking. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of preoperative and postoperative AUD, and independent predictors of postoperative AUD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A prospective cohort study (Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2) of adults who underwent bariatric surgery at 10 US hospitals. Of 2458 participants, 1945 (78.8% female; 87.0% white; median age, 47 years; median body mass index, 45.8) completed preoperative and postoperative (at 1 year and/or 2 years) assessments between 2006 and 2011. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Past year AUD symptoms determined with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (indication of alcohol-related harm, alcohol dependence symptoms, or score ≥8). RESULTS The prevalence of AUD symptoms did not significantly differ from 1 year before to 1 year after bariatric surgery (7.6% vs 7.3%; P = .98), but was significantly higher in the second postoperative year (9.6%; P = .01). The following preoperative variables were independently related to an increased odds of AUD after bariatric surgery: male sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.14 [95% CI, 1.51-3.01]; P < .001), younger age (age per 10 years younger with preoperative AUD: AOR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.03-1.68], P = .03; age per 10 years younger without preoperative AUD: AOR, 1.95 [95% CI, 1.65-2.30], P < .001), smoking (AOR, 2.58 [95% CI, 1.19-5.58]; P = .02), regular alcohol consumption (≥ 2 drinks/week: AOR, 6.37 [95% CI, 4.17-9.72]; P < .001), AUD (eg, at age 45, AOR, 11.14 [95% CI, 7.71-16.10]; P < .001), recreational drug use (AOR, 2.38 [95% CI, 1.37-4.14]; P = .01), lower sense of belonging (12-item Interpersonal Support Evaluation List score per 1 point lower: AOR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.04-1.15]; P = .01), and undergoing a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure (AOR, 2.07 [95% CI, 1.40-3.08]; P < .001; reference category: laparoscopic adjustable gastric band procedure). CONCLUSION In this cohort, the prevalence of AUD was greater in the second postoperative year than the year prior to surgery or in the first postoperative year and was associated with male sex and younger age, numerous preoperative variables (smoking, regular alcohol consumption, AUD, recreational drug use, and lower interpersonal support) and undergoing a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure.
Shots Classification for Basketball Video Based on NERFC-Means Clustering

shots classification is the fundamental for sports video annotation. This paper uses non-supervised method to cluster the shots into defined classes (in-play, close-up and free-throw) based on the low-level features of the image (the main color and the histogram). Specifically, we apply the None Euclidean Relational Fuzzy C-means (NERFCM) to cluster the shots after comparing the four Fuzzy C-means and extracting the low-level features of the frames. Experiments prove its efficiency and sensitivity.