Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
L2-stability and the related design concept for SISO linear system associated with fuzzy logic controller

A hybrid (fuzzy and nonfuzzy) design concept has been proposed for the linear single-input single-output (SISO) system associated with fuzzy logic controllers. In the present design techniques, the concept of L2-stability and its graphical interpretation, i.e. the circle criterion, are used. Thus the use of the classical Nyquist locus and the gain-phase chart are brought into the picture. The drawbacks of the L2-stability/circle criterion are indicated and overcome. In the present design technique, which is graphical in nature, the designer is given a feel for the system. Examples are provided to illustrate the application of hybrid controller's structure for the synthesis of the linear SISO system associated with the fuzzy logic controller.
Role of maternal age in assessment of risk of abortion after prenatal diagnosis during first trimester.

1 Opie LH. Drugs and the heart. Lancet 1984;i:496-501. 2 Ter Wee PM, Rosman JB, van der Geest S. Acute renal failure due to diltiazem. Lancet 1984;ii: 1337-8. 3 Poulain D, Florent F, Coquelin JPH, Guimbail P. Long-term safety and efficacy ofdiltiazem. Acta Therapeutca 1985;11:23348. 4 Schroeder JS, Beier-Scott L, Ginsburg R, Bristow MR, McAuley BJ. Efficacy of diltiazem for medically refractory stable angina: long-term follow-up. Clin Cardiol 1985;8:480-5.
Sprechen und Horen. Zum dialektischen Grundverhältnis in Humboldts Sprachphilosophie

L'A. etudie les relations entre la linguistique de W. Humboldt et la dialectique speculative de Hegel. Il souligne non seulement les analogies entre la " Science de la logique " et les reconstructions humboldtiennes de la langue, mais aussi les sens differents que les deux auteurs donnent a la dialectique
Hybrid Maximum Likelihood Decoding for Linear Block Codes

In this paper we propose a hybrid maximum likelihood decoding (MLD) for linear block codes. For the reliable data transmission over noisy channels, convolutional and block codes are widely used in most digital communication systems. Much more efficient algorithms have been found for using channel measurement information in the decoding of convolutional codes than in the decoding of block codes. Word correlation method can be utilized to use channel measurement information in the decoding of block codes. However as the number of code words becomes larger, the decoding complexity increases dramatically to the power of the number of information bits. The hybrid maximum likelihood decoding can solve the problem of the hardware complexity as well as the computational time. Simulation result for Reed Muller code is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
Natural Osmolyte Trimethylamine N-Oxide Corrects Assembly Defects of Mutant Branched-chain α-Ketoacid Decarboxylase in Maple Syrup Urine Disease*

Maple syrup urine disease is caused by deficiency in the mitochondrial branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKD) complex. The clinical phenotype includes often fatal ketoacidosis, neurological derangement, and mental retardation. The type IA mutations Y393N-α, Y368C-α, and F364C-α, which occur in the E1α subunit of the decarboxylase (E1) component of the BCKD complex, impede the conversion of an αβ heterodimeric intermediate to a native α2β2 heterotetramer in the E1 assembly pathway. In the present study, we show that a natural osmolyte trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) at the optimal 1m concentration restores E1 activity, up to 50% of the wild type, in the mutant E1 carrying the above missense mutations. TMAO promotes the conversion of otherwise trapped mutant heterodimers to active heterotetramers. This slow step does not involve dissociation/reassociation of the mutant heterodimers, which are preformed in the presence of chaperonins GroEL/GroES and Mg-ATP. The TMAO-stimulated mutant E1 activity is remarkably stable upon removal of the osmolyte, when cofactor thiamine pyrophosphate and the transacylase component of the BCKD complex are present. The above in vitro results offer the use of chemical chaperones such as TMAO as an approach to mitigate assembly defects caused by maple syrup urine disease mutations.
Space vectors sets of voltage multilevel inverter part 1. Classic two-levels, NPC and dci circuit topologies

The goal of this paper (in two parts) is to show the methodology and describe in comparative manner the space vectors sets for all typical multilevel inverters topologies. Part 1 of this paper is focusing on: classic two- level inverter, neutral-point-clamped (NPC) inverter and diode-clamped inverter (DCI) topologies. The set of complex space vectors for particular multilevel inverter circuits have been presented in this paper. The general equation for the number of unrepeatable vectors has been also presented.
Detection of non-formal and informal learning in Learning Communities supported by social networks in the context of a cooperative MOOC

This paper retrieves information and makes basic analysis about the participation of users involved in Cooperative MOOCs in Learning Communities supported by hypermedia environments like the social networks. In order to perform this study, the interaction of a set of users enrolled in a course within the iMOOC platform has been analyzed, in which MOOC courses are implemented based on concepts like connectivism, collaborative learning, gamification or adaptivity. Specifically, this study deals with obtaining information about the discussions that take place in learning communities created using social networks like Google+ and Twitter in parallel of the activities performed inside the iMOOC platform. Through this information, this paper tries to distinguish the types of learning that occurs in those discussions (non-formal and informal learning), estimating also how users interact with tagged content in social networks, and how that allows students -users- to continue or create conversations that help to expand or strengthen the content they treated during the MOOC course.
Pharmacological treatments for acute respiratory distress syndrome: systematic review.

BACKGROUND Our objective was to systematically review the effect of pharmacological therapies on mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published since a previous review in 2004. METHODS We updated previous searches and searched OVID versions of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL (to January 2013) and proceedings from conferences and bibliographies of included studies. We included RCTs of pharmacologic therapies compared with placebo or no therapy for adult patients with ARDS, using authors' definitions, which reported on mortality (≤ 3 months after randomization). We excluded subgroups of patients with ARDS reported in RCTs enrolling other populations and RCTs of therapies to prevent ARDS, nutritional or fluid interventions, inhaled nitric oxide, therapies coupled to a mechanical ventilation strategy, or oxygen. Two reviewers independently screened citations, selected articles for inclusion, and abstracted clinical and methodological data from included studies with disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. Mortality data were pooled using random-effects models. RESULTS From 13461 citations, 58 trials (6635 patients) of 21 classes of medications met selection criteria; 26 trials (3880 patients) were published after 2003. Meta-analyses showed reduced 28-day mortality with a 48-hour infusion of cis-atracurium in early ARDS (relative risk 0.66, 95% confidence interval 0.50 to 0.87; 431 patients, 138 deaths). There was no effect on mortality with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, late low-dose methylprednisolone, neutrophil elastase inhibitors, intravenous salbutamol, surfactant, or N-acetylcysteine; each meta-analysis included ≥ 1 trial published after 2003. Seven single trials of other treatments published after 2003 showed no effect. Meta-analysis of older trials of prostaglandin E1 also showed no effect. CONCLUSION Effective pharmacotherapy for ARDS remains extremely limited. Cis-atracurium is a promising treatment for early moderate-severe ARDS (using Berlin definition nomenclature) and merits further investigation in a large RCT.
High Performance Computing and Big Data Analytics - Paradigms and Challenges

The advent of technology has led to rise in data being captured, stored and analyzed. The requirement of improving the computational models along with managing the voluminous data is a primary concern. The transition of the High Performance Computing from catering to traditional problems to the newer domains like finance, healthcare etc. necessitates the joint analytical model to include Big Data. The rise of Big Data and subsequently Big Data analytics has changed the entire perspective of data and data handling. Ever growing analytical needs for Big Data can be satisfied with extremely high performance computing models. As a result of enormous research in this field, recent years have seen the emergence diverse paradigms for Big Data analytics. With the spread of Big Data analytics in varied domains, newer concerns regarding the effectiveness of analytical paradigms are also observed. This paper highlights the major analytical models and concerns and challenges in High Performance Data Analytics.
Physical theories of biological co-ordination

Biological organization is manifestly different from the order of the nonliving world, and the study of biology is largely a search for the nature of this difference. The perspective and style with which we see this difference has changed in many respects as our knowledge of living systems has grown. Today, following the molecular biological revolution, we commonly find the opinion that there is no real problem left. This attitude was recently expressed by Delbruck (1970) in his Nobel Lecture: “Molecular genetics, our latest wonder, has taught us to spell out the connectivity of the tree of life in such palpable detail that we may say in plain words, ‘This riddle of life has been solved’. ” Many prominent molecular biologists have expressed similar views (Watson, 1965; Crick, 1966; Kendrew, 1967; Stent, 1968).
Coalition of Consumers in a Deregulated Electricity Market: Analyses of Consumption Dynamics of Air Conditioning Users

As the trend in electricity markets is strongly towards deregulation, new players, new rules and new behaviours will continue emerging. One of the new developments on the demand side is the energy purchase made by a coalition of consumers. The main problem of the coalition of consumers is how to access to this deregulated energy markets starting from the knowledge of the behaviour of each individual consumer, part of the coalition, in reaction to the electricity price, i.e. the level of elasticity of its consumption. The authors focus their interest on air conditioning consumption, which is an energy quota particularly important in countries such as Italy. A mathematical model for this problem is formulated and used to evaluate the behaviour of different kind of consumers
Aplicações e implicações do modelo principal-agente à luz de sua formulação linear-normal-exponencial

O modelo principal-agente pode ser mais frequentemente utilizado, como referencial teorico, em estudos nas areas de economia e financas. Exemplos reais em que esse referencial teorico se adequaria sao discutidos. Admite-se que o nivel de complexidade do modelo principal-agente possa criar barreiras a sua utilizacao. Nessa perspectiva, o artigo apresenta, em detalhes, uma formulacao tipica do modelo principal-agente, simples o bastante para tornar viavel a obtencao de uma solucao analitica para o modelo. Com base nesta, mostra-se que o risco moral, em geral, reduz o nivel de esforco do agente e o lucro esperado do principal, o que seria ainda pior se nenhum mecanismo de incentivo fosse implementado. Adicionalmente, mostra-se que quanto maiores forem o erro de mensuracao do esforco, a aversao ao risco e o custo do esforco do agente, menores serao o esforco second best induzido e o lucro esperado do principal.
The Dynamic Pricing Problem from a Newsvendor's Perspective

The dynamic pricing problem concerns the determination of selling prices over time for a product whose demand is random and whose supply is fixed. We approach this problem in a novel way by formulating a dynamic optimization model in which the demand function is isoelastic but the random demand process is quite general. Ultimately, what we find is a strong parallel between the dynamic pricing problem and dynamic inventory models. This parallel leads to a reinterpretation of the dynamic pricing problem as a price-setting newsvendor problem with recourse, which is useful not only because it yields insights into the optimal solution, but also because it leads to additional insights into how pricing recourse affects the actions and profits of a price-setting newsvendor. We make contributions in three areas: First, we develop structural properties that define an optimal pricing strategy over a finite horizon and investigate how that policy impacts a newsvendor's optimal procurement policy and optimal expected profit. Second, we establish a practical and efficient algorithm for computing the optimal prices. Third, we examine how market parameters affect the optimal solution through a series of numerical experiments that utilize the algorithm.
Regulation of Benzoate Degradation inAcinetobacter sp. Strain ADP1 by BenM, a LysR-Type Transcriptional Activator

ABSTRACT In Acinetobacter sp. strain ADP1, benzoate degradation requires the ben genes for converting benzoate to catechol and the cat genes for degrading catechol. Here we describe a novel transcriptional activator, BenM, that regulates the chromosomalben and cat genes. BenM is homologous to CatM, a LysR-type transcriptional activator of the cat genes. Unusual regulatory features of this system include the abilities of both BenM and CatM to recognize the same inducer,cis,cis-muconate, and to regulate some of the same genes, such as catA and catB. Unlike CatM, BenM responded to benzoate. Benzoate together withcis,cis-muconate increased the BenM-dependent expression of the benABCDE operon synergistically. CatM was not required for this synergism, nor did CatM regulate the expression of a chromosomal benA::lacZtranscriptional fusion. BenM-mediated regulation differs significantly from that of the TOL plasmid-encoded conversion of benzoate to catechol in pseudomonads. The benM gene is immediately upstream of, and divergently transcribed from, benA, and a possible DNA binding site for BenM was identified between the two coding regions. Two mutations in the predicted operator/promoter region renderedben gene expression either constitutive or inducible bycis,cis-muconate but not benzoate. Mutants lacking BenM, CatM, or both of these regulators degraded aromatic compounds at different rates, and the levels of intermediary metabolites that accumulated depended on the genetic background. These studies indicated that BenM is necessary for ben gene expression but not for expression of the cat genes, which can be regulated by CatM. In a catM-disrupted strain, BenM was able to induce higher levels of catA expression thancatB expression.
ROLE OF BACTERIA IN INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES

Intestinal obstructions cause proliferation of fecal type flora proximally from the point of obstruction. Pathophysiological processes, caused by fecal flora proliferation, in patients with simple mechanical obstruction result in metabolic disturbances (fat and B12 absorption disturbance), change in the gases volume and composition within the bowel above the obstruction point, and change in fluid and electrolytes flow through the bowel wall. Sepsis and septic shock, as the most serious complications of strangulation obstruction occur as a consequence of a host response to bacterial signal molecules. Endotoxin of Gram-negative bacteria and exotoxins, peptidoglycan, lipoteichoic acid and various exoenzymes of Gram-positive bacteria initiate the release of cytokines from the host cells. The underlying mechanism of sepsis syndrome is widespread vascular endothelial injury with fluid extravasation and microthrombosis promoted by cytokines. Vascular endothelial injury decreases oxygen and substrate utilization by the affected tissues and lead to the multi-organ disfunction syndrome.
Optimizing DC Voltage Droop Settings for AC/DC System Interactions

In this paper, a methodology is presented to optimize the dc voltage droop settings in a multiterminal voltage-source converter high-voltage direct-current system with respect to the ac system stability. Implementing dc voltage droop control enables having multiple converters assisting the system in case of a converter outage. However, the abrupt power setpoint changes create additional stress in the ac system, especially when multiple converters are connected to the same interconnected ac system. This paper presents a methodology to determine optimized converter droop settings in order to not compromise the ac system stability, thereby taking into account the adverse effect the droop control actions have on the interconnected ac system. Developing a disturbance model of the interconnected ac/dc system, the principal directions indicate the gain and directionality of the disturbances; from this, optimal droop settings are derived to minimize the disturbance gain.
Initial Clinical Experience with a New Self-Expanding Nitinol Microstent for the Treatment of Wide-Neck Intracranial Cerebral Aneurysms: The Acandis Acclino Stent.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Acclino is a laser-cut closed-cell microstent composed of nitinol. It was developed for stent-assisted coiling of wide-neck intracranial aneurysms. The key feature of the stent is its deployability via low-profile microcatheters with an inner diameter of 0.0165 inch, which are also suited for coil deployment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility as well as the immediate and mid-term results of this new device. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our database was screened for all Acclino-based stent-assisted intracranial coil embolizations since its introduction to the European market in June 2012. Case files and imaging data were retrospectively analyzed for angiographical and clinical outcome parameters, including immediate and mid-term modified Raymond-Roy aneurysm occlusion classification (RROC) rates and procedural complications. RESULTS Fourteen patients comprising 14 aneurysms (9 unruptured and 5 ruptured) were treated with the Acclino. All except for a dissecting one were wide-neck saccular aneurysms. Immediate complete occlusion (RROC1) was observed in 8/14 cases (57%), a residual neck (RROC2) in 4/14 (29%), and a persistent filling of the dome (RROC 3) in 1/14 cases (7%). An in-stent thrombus formation in one case (7%) was medically resolved without neurological deficit. Follow-up was available in 9/14 cases (64%) after a mean of 137 days (SD ± 50). All followed cases depicted a complete occlusion (RROC1). CONCLUSIONS The Acclino microstent showed a satisfactory safety profile and a promising rate of immediate and mid-term complete aneurysm occlusion for stent-assisted coil embolization in wide-neck intracranial aneurysms, warranting further investigation of the device.
The Empirical Investigation of Relationship between Stock Volatility and Trading Volume in India Ms

The objective of the study is to measure the relationship between trading volume and returns; and change in trading volume and returns of stocks in India. ADF Unit Root Test, PP Unit Root Test and GARCH Model have been applied on the data to determine the relationship between aforesaid variables. For this purpose, weekly data of National Stock Exchange Nifty has been collected and analyzed from time period January 2002 to March 2014. The results indicate a significant positive relationship between trading volume and returns. The study also found positive relationship between change in trading volume and returns. The study is having great importance to making policy regarding investment as trading volume reflects information about market expectations, and relationship between volume and price can have important implications for trading, speculation and hedging activities.
Is There a Detectable Vishniac Effect?

The dominant linear contribution to cosmic microwave background (CMB) fluctuations at small angular scales (≲1') is a second-order contribution known as the Vishniac or Ostriker-Vishniac effect. This effect is caused by the scattering of CMB photons off free electrons after the universe has been reionized, and is dominated by linear perturbations near the RV = 2 Mpc/(hΓ/0.2) scale in the cold dark matter cosmogony. As the reionization of the universe requires that nonlinear objects exist on some scale, however, one can compare the scale responsible for reionization to RV and ask whether a linear treatment is even feasible in different scenarios of reionization. For an Ω0 = 1 cosmology normalized to cluster abundances, only ~65% of the linear integral is valid if reionization is due to quasars in halos of mass ~109 M☉, while ~75% of the integral is valid if reionization was caused by stars in halos of ~106 M☉. In Λ or open cosmologies, both the redshift of reionization and zV are pushed farther back, but still only ~75% to ~85% of the linear integral is valid, independent of the ionization scenario. We point out that all odd higher order moments from Vishniac fluctuations are zero, while even moments are nonzero, regardless of the Gaussianity of the density perturbations. This provides a defining characteristic of the Vishniac effect that differentiates it from other secondary perturbations and may be helpful in separating them.
A Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm for Photovoltaic Systems under Partially Shaded Conditions

En este articulo se propone una modificacion al algoritmo de perturbar y observar tradicional utilizado para el seguimiento del punto de maxima potencia en sistemas fotovol-taicos. El trabajo se encuentra justificado en la necesidad de disponer de algoritmos con los cuales encontrar el maximo global de potencia en paneles solares fotovoltaicos en conexion serie cuando estan expuestos a condiciones de sombras parciales. El algoritmo propuesto realiza el seguimiento del maximo global de potencia y evita la busqueda iterativa previa en maximos locales. El desempeno del algoritmo se evalua por medio de simulaciones en el software PSIM y su funcionamiento se compara con el algoritmo de perturbar y observar tradicional, donde se evidencia la eficacia del algoritmo modificado en el seguimiento del maximo global bajo diferentes condiciones no uniformes de irradiancia y temperatura en el conjunto de paneles.
Incidence of the ponticulus posticus of the first cervical vertebra between ages six to seventeen

Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 353 young caucasoid orthodontic patients from 6 years to 17 years were examined for the presence of ponticulus posticus of the first cervical vertebra. Visualization of the posterior fossa was not obstructed and in each case the squamous occipital and posterior arch of the atlas could be clearly defined. Of the 353 subjects, 56 (15.8%) showed some degree of a ponticulus posticus. Of these, 24 (14.6%) of 164 were males and 32 (16.9%) of 189 were females, with no apparent sex differences in the occurrence of this anomaly. Those showing a ponticulus were divided on the basis of bilateral complete or incomplete and unilateral complete or incomplete. There were numerous variations in the size and location of the ossification centers in the atlanto‐occipital membrane. The youngest female with a ponticulus was six years seven months and the oldest 16 years 11 months, while the youngest male was six years four months and the oldest 16 years five months. Two females with a unilateral partial ponticulus were observed over a one to two year period. During this time a complete unilateral radiopaque ponticulus had developed.