Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliable H//sub/spl infin// control systems with uncertainties in all system matrices: an LMI approach

This paper deals with the problem of reliable control for linear systems with uncertainty in all system matrices as well as actuator failures. The goal is to design a constant state feedback controller that provides robust stability and Hinfin, performance for all admissible uncertainties and actuator failures. It is assumed that the parameter uncertainties are norm bounded and the actuator failures occur among a prespecified subset of actuators. A linear matrix inequality approach is developed to solve the addressed problem. An example is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method
Methods of detection in satellite images of illegal dumps by using a method based on tree classifier

The advantages of using a tree-like neural network classifier consisting of a set of simple (binary) classifiers in problems of detection of unauthorized garbage dumps. We consider the use of principal component analysis as a dimension reduction algorithm space to treat the symptoms. The results of experimental studies demonstrating the effectiveness of using this method of detection of unauthorized dumps.
Ancillary services forminimizing the impact of resonances in low voltage grids by power electronics based distributed generators

This paper proposes a solution for the minimization of the impact of resonances due to parallel capacitances in the grid. This solution is a combination of two additional (ancillary) services of power electronics converters, namely Virtual Parallel Capacitance Reduction (VPCR) and Virtual Resistive Harmonic Damping (VRHD). VPCR is an ancillary service that lets a power electronics converter generate a current to compensate currents through capacitances placed in parallel with the grid, for a frequency range that includes the fundamental and a number of harmonics. VRHD is an ancillary service that gives a power electronics converter a resistive behavior for a number of harmonics. This action will bring extra damping to resonances in the grid. Results of laboratory validated computer simulations with a model of a small single-phase inverter for DG, will give insight in the effect of the two ancillary services, VPCR and VRHD that are implemented.
Practical Combinatorial Testing

The Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) promotes the U.S. economy and public welfare by providing technical leadership for the Nation's measurement and standards infrastructure. ITL develops tests, test methods, reference data, proof of concept implementations, and technical analyses to advance the development and productive use of information technology. ITL's responsibilities include the development of technical, physical, administrative, and management standards and guidelines for the cost-effective security and privacy of sensitive unclassified information in Federal computer systems. This Special Publication 800-series reports on ITL's research, guidance, and outreach efforts in computer security, and its collaborative activities with industry, government, and academic organizations. materials may be identified in this document in order to describe an experimental procedure or concept adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor is it intended to imply that the entities, materials, or equipment are necessarily the best available for the purpose. for early support and evangelism of this work, and especially Jim Lawrence who has been an integral part of the team since the beginning. We have benefitted tremendously from interactions with researchers and practitioners including who contributed to the software and methods described in this document.
Postoperative Mediastinitis in Children: Epidemiology, Microbiology and Risk Factors for Gram-Negative Pathogens

Background: Mediastinitis, although an infrequent complication of median sternotomy, represents a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Objective: To determine the incidence and describe the epidemiology and microbiology of mediastinitis in children after cardiac surgery and to identify risk factors for the development of Gram-negative mediastinitis. Study Design: This was a retrospective case-control study nested within the cohort of children, birth to 18 years of age, undergoing median sternotomy between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2003. Results: Forty-three cases of mediastinitis were identified. The incidence of mediastinitis was 1.4%. Median patient age at time of inciting sternotomy was 32 days (interquartile range, 5 days–9 months). Twenty-three (54%) cases occurred in girls. Median time to onset of infection after surgery was 11 days (range, 4–34 days). Overall Gram-positive organisms were present in 29 (67%) cases, and Gram-negative organisms were present in 13 (30%) cases. The organisms most commonly isolated from mediastinal culture were Staphylococcus aureus (46%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (17%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17%). The rate of concurrent bacteremia was 53% (95% confidence interval, 38–69%). In multivariable analysis, delayed sternal closure was an independent risk factor for the development of Gram-negative mediastinitis (odds ratio, 9.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–56.8; P = 0.016). Conclusions: Although Gram-positive organisms were the most common cause of infection, Gram-negative organisms accounted for one-third of all isolates. More than one-half of patients with mediastinitis had concurrent bacteremia. Delayed sternal closure was an independent risk factor for Gram-negative mediastinitis.
Is There a Perihematomal Ischemic Penumbra ? More Questions and an Overlooked Clue

Background and Purpose—Cerebral ischemia has been proposed as a contributing mechanism to secondary neuronal injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The search for surrogate parameters that allow treatment stratification for spontaneous ICH continues. We sought to assess the presence and prognostic effect of perihemorrhagic ischemic changes and hypoperfusion in a prospective stroke MRI study. Methods—We performed stroke MRI in 32 patients with hyperacute ICH (mean, 16.9 17.2 mL) within 6 hours after symptom onset (mean, 3.1 1.3 hours). Clinical data at baseline (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) and on day 90 (Barthel Index, modified Rankin Scale) were assessed. Perihemorrhagic perfusionand diffusion-weighted imaging changes were assessed in a 1-cm-wide area around the clot. Results—Despite a mild perihemorrhagic mean transit time prolongation of 0.7 1.1 second, there were no significant perihemorrhagic apparent diffusion coefficient or mean transit time changes indicating irreversible ischemia or hypoperfusion. ICH size, time to imaging, or clinical severity at baseline or outcome were not reflected by changes of relative apparent diffusion coefficient or perfusion-weighted imaging. ICH size correlated with baseline clinical severity (r 0.51, P 0.005). There was a significant association (P 0.0494) and a significant negative correlation (r 0.468, P 0.0103) of perihemorrhagic perfusion change with time from symptom onset not associated with ICH size. Conclusions—Perihemorrhagic hypoperfusion probably is a consequence of reduced metabolic demand (diaschisis) rather than a sign of ischemia. We found no evidence for a perihemorrhagic and potentially salvageable ischemic penumbra in hyperacute ICH. Further studies should address metabolic, toxic, apoptotic, and microvascular aspects. (Stroke. 2003; 34:1674-1680.)
A 550-Year Record of the Disturbance History of White Spruce Forests Near Two Inuit Settlements in Labrador, Canada

Abstract We assessed historical variations in environmental parameters affecting tree growth during the last 550 years in north-central Labrador, Canada, using dendroecological analysis of white spruce forests near two Inuit settlements. Tree surveys of both modern and archaeological wood samples provided data for dendroecological analysis of growth patterns and natural and anthropogenic disturbance regimes and enabled more-refined dendrochronological dating of the occupation of archaeological sites. Previous Quebec-Labrador peninsula dendroecological studies have focused on climatic forcing agents; this study's coupling of annual tree-growth records to local-scale historical and archaeological data facilitates examination of multi-causal disturbance patterns over time. Low-intensity human interactions with forest ecosystems were significant factors influencing local-scale subarctic forest dynamics in coastal Labrador and should be taken into consideration in other studies.
Substrate Localization Creates Specificity in Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II Signaling at Synapses*

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), a major component of the postsynaptic density (PSD) of excitatory synapses, plays a key role in the regulation of synaptic function in the mammalian brain. Although many postsynaptic substrates for CaMKII have been characterized in vitro, relatively little is known about their phosphorylation in vivo. By tagging synaptic proteins with a peptide substrate specific for CaMKII and expressing them in cultured neurons, we have visualized substrate phosphorylation by CaMKII at intact synapses. All substrates tested were strongly phosphorylated by CaMKII in HEK293 cells. However, activity-dependent phosphorylation of substrates at synapses was highly selective in that the glutamate receptor subunits NR2B and GluR1 were poorly phosphorylated whereas PSD-95 and Stargazin, proteins implicated in the scaffolding and trafficking of AMPA receptors, were robustly phosphorylated. Phosphatase activity limited phosphorylation of Stargazin but not NR2B and GluR1. These results suggest that the unique molecular architecture of the PSD results in highly selective substrate discrimination by CaMKII.
Highly Reliable Multilevel and 2-bit/cell Operation of Wrapped Select Gate (WSG) SONOS Memory

In this letter, high-performance and reliable wrapped select gate (WSG) polysilicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory cells with multilevel and 2-bit/cell operation have been successfully demonstrated. The multilevel storage is easily obtained with fast program/erase speed (10 mus/5 ms) and low programming current (3.5 muA) for our WSG SONOS by a source-side injection. Besides the excellent reliability properties of our multilevel WSG-SONOS memory including unconsidered gate and drain disturbance, long charge retention (>150degC) and good endurance (>104) are also presented. This novel WSG-SONOS memory with a multilevel and 2-bit/cell operation can be used in future high-density and high-performance memory application
Maternal metabolic health and oocyte quality: the role of the intrafollicular environment

Reduced oocyte and embryo quality are currently recognized as key factors in the problem of disappointing fertility in high producing dairy cows, but also in women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment. This review aims to highlight the importance of intrafollicular conditions in the subfertility problem, topical in both bovine and human research. Metabolic disturbances, like a negative energy balance (NEB) early postpartum in the bovine or obesity and type II diabetes in women, are associated with ovarian dysfunction. Changes in the growth pattern of the ovarian follicle, due to suboptimal metabolic conditions, can indirectly affect oocyte quality. Furthermore, maternal metabolic disorders (nutritionally induced, linked with NEB or caused by for example obesity) may alter the endocrine and biochemical composition of the follicular fluid, the microenvironment of the growing and maturing female gamete. The maturing oocyte is very sensitive to any perturbation in its direct environment and in vitro maturation models revealed that some of these metabolic changes have the potential to reduce the oocyte’s developmental competence. Also embryo quality is significantly reduced due to maturation in adverse conditions. Well-balanced and timed oocyte metabolism and gene expression are crucial to safeguard an optimal oocyte development. In that perspective metabolic and transcriptomic parameters of the oocyte may serve to predict reproductive success rates. Importantly, there is also growing evidence that adverse conditions for oocyte growth and maturation may jeopardize the metabolism and health of the offspring.
Adhesion requirements for photovoltaic modules of polymeric encapsulation

Adhesion requirements for PV are often discussed but a detailed quantification based on scientific principles is outstanding. A test for the realistic assessment of requirements is presented. The difference between this test and the conventional peel test is that the test is conducted in-situ during ageing experiments in the climatic cabinet at realistic operating temperatures. Weights are attached to the backsheet of tested PV mini-modules to test stability of adhesion as devices being aged. This test is designed to identify the weakest interface of the multilayer encapsulation system and investigate the difference between field tests and failures (not) observed in certification testing. A series of samples was prepared under a wide range of lamination conditions. Different failure modes and ageing characteristics were observed. Some samples suffered quick failure of the adhesive bonds in the encapsulation system while others withstood forces of 20g/cm for 1000 hours. The test allows a clear discrimination between different samples and links closely to operational requirements.
Immune classification of colorectal cancer patients: impressive but how complete?

Introduction: There is now accumulating evidence to suggest that intratumoral adaptive immune responses predict patient prognosis. The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has been correlated with patients' disease-free and overall survival. Recent exciting studies of human colorectal cancers (CRCs) have underlined the significance of including immunological biomarkers as prognostic markers. Areas covered: This review covers recent literature which suggests that the type, density and location of immune cells within the colorectal tumors represent a better predictor of patient survival than the histopathological methods currently used to stage CRC. Expert opinion: Remarkably, the quantity, quality and spatial distribution of immune cells within the tumor has a greater prognostic value than the standard tumor staging based on tumor burden, infiltration of draining and regional lymph nodes by tumor cells, and evidence of metastases. In addition, such an immune classification may also have a predictive value. Thus, by increasing the knowledge of the immune events inside the tumors and by better understanding the immune architecture of these tumors as well as the functional programs of their constituents, there will certainly be a more complete idea of how tumors evade from immunosurveillance. This knowledge will help to identify new targets for the development of therapeutic strategies.
Local overexpression of C-type natriuretic peptide ameliorates vascular adaptation of porcine hemodialysis grafts.

BACKGROUND Outflow obstruction at the outflow tract of arteriovenous grafts contributes significantly to the poor patency rates of dialysis grafts in vivo. We addressed the potential of local periadventitial gene therapy at the outflow tract for improving access patency in a validated porcine model of arteriovenous grafts using an adenoviral vector encoding murine C-type natriuretic peptide (Ad.CNP). METHODS Gene transfer efficiency and optimal virus concentration were determined using Ad.LacZ on porcine jugular veins in vivo (N= 2). Next, in 14 pigs, arteriovenous grafts were implanted bilaterally between the carotid artery and the jugular vein, followed local venous transduction with Ad.CNP (right) and Ad.mock (left). Transduction efficiency of Ad.CNP was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) measurements (N= 2). Fourteen days after gene transfer, arteriovenous grafts were excised for histologic analysis (N= 12). RESULTS Ad.LacZ transduction (1 x 10E10 IU) of porcine veins resulted in evident expression of beta-galactosidase, mainly in the adventitia. At termination, intima/media ratio was decreased by 37% in CNP-treated veins, predominantly due to medial thickening (Ad.CNP 3.1 +/- 0.6 mm(2) vs. Ad.mock 1.70 +/- 0.3 mm(2); P < 0.01) rather than decreased intimal hyperplasia (NS). Adventitial delivery of CNP resulted in increased external elastic lamina (EEL) (Ad.CNP 11.8 +/- 1.4 mm vs. Ad.mock 9.4 +/- 1.0 mm; P= 0.04) and luminal area (Ad.CNP 10.7 +/- 1.4 mm(2) vs. Ad.mock 8.8 +/- 1.7 mm(2); P= 0.05) at the venous anastomosis. CONCLUSION Overexpression of CNP enhances venous medial thickening and increases outward remodeling in the outflow tract of porcine arteriovenous grafts. These findings underscore the potential of local gene-therapeutic interventions in preventing luminal narrowing at the outflow tract of hemodialysis grafts.
Programmed Cell Death 4 (PDCD4) Is an Important Functional Target of the MicroRNA miR-21 in Breast Cancer Cells*

MicroRNAs are emerging as important regulators of cancer-related processes. The miR-21 microRNA is overexpressed in a wide variety of cancers and has been causally linked to cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. Inhibition of mir-21 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells causes reduced cell growth. Using array expression analysis of MCF-7 cells depleted of miR-21, we have identified mRNA targets of mir-21 and have shown a link between miR-21 and the p53 tumor suppressor protein. We furthermore found that the tumor suppressor protein Programmed Cell Death 4 (PDCD4) is regulated by miR-21 and demonstrated that PDCD4 is a functionally important target for miR-21 in breast cancer cells.
Impact of dynamic EV wireless charging on the grid

Wireless electric vehicle charging will pose an additional strain on existing grid infrastructure. Additionally, dynamic or "on the move" charging schemes may result in increased demand variability due to fragmented charging duration caused by charging lane layouts and traffic. A simulation environment has been set up in order to; assess the impact of dynamic wireless charging on the grid, evaluate energy storage requirements for demand smoothing and finally to explore the possibility of integrating solar energy into the dynamic wireless charging infrastructure.
Heterogeneity of optimal balance between exploration and exploitation:the moderating roles of firm technological capability and industry alliance network position

ABSTRACT Although existing ambidexterity literature suggests that firms need to find the optimal balance between exploration and exploitation for superior performance, few studies have empirically examined the heterogeneity of this balance according to firm-specific conditions. Building upon the capability and social network literature, we contend that firms’ technological capability and network position within industry alliances determine the optimal balance between exploration and exploitation. Analysing 7-year panel data in the worldwide semiconductor industry from 1994 to 2000, we find support for the following hypotheses: 1) the proportion of exploration has an inverted U-shaped relationship with innovation performance; 2) as firm technological capability increases, the optimal point between exploration and exploitation moves towards the exploration side; 3) as network centrality within industry alliances increases, the optimal point moves towards the exploitation side. The results offer theoretical insights into the ambidexterity literature as well as managerial implications for firms making resource allocation decisions.
Legitimacy and the Privatization of Environmental Governance: How Non–State Market–Driven (NSMD) Governance Systems Gain Rule–Making Authority

In recent years, transnational and domestic nongovernmental organizations have created non–state market–driven (NSMD) governance systems whose purpose is to develop and implement environmentally and socially responsible management practices. Eschewing traditional state authority, these systems and their supporters have turned to the market’s supply chain to create incentives and force companies to comply. This paper develops an analytical framework designed to understand better the emergence of NSMD governance systems and the conditions under which they may gain authority to create policy. Its theoretical roots draw on pragmatic, moral, and cognitive legitimacy granting distinctions made within organizational sociology, while its empirical focus is on the case of sustainable forestry certification, arguably the most advanced case of NSMD governance globally. The paper argues that such a framework is needed to assess whether these new private governance systems might ultimately challenge existing state–centered authority and public policy–making processes, and in so doing reshape power relations within domestic and global environmental governance.
Mycoplasma bovis and bacterial pathogens in the bovine respiratory tract.

Bovine respiratory disease caused by Mycoplasma bovis is a major health problem of cattle worldwide. It inflicts considerable financial losses on beef herds and is the most common cause of mortality in dairy cattle. Bacteriological examination of 35 nasal cavity samples from calves younger than three months of age identified Mycoplasma bovis in eight (22.9%) samples. These cattle were followed until 17 months of age, and repeated examination of nasal cavity samples before necropsy identified Mycoplasma bovis in four (11.4%) samples. At necropsy and lung samples for bacteriological and histological examination were collected. To identify microor - ganisms from the Mollicutes class isolated from the nasal cavities of cattle we used the PCR method. Furthermore, Mycoplasma bovis was identified on the grounds of biochemical characteristics and by the disk growth inhibition test. The organism was found in 5.7% of calves younger than three months of age in combination with Pasteurella spp. Mycoplasma bovis in combination with Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica was isolated from 5.7% and 2.9% of cattle at 17 months. However, Pasteurella multocida was common in cattle at 17 months and Mannheimia haemolytica was isolated from both age groups of cattle. Histopathological examination of lung samples revealed broncho-interstitial pneumonia in 14.3% of samples. Mycoplasma bovis was isolated from 60.0% of broncho-insterstitial pneumonia cases. The organism was isolated more frequently from the group of calves rather than from the cattle group (P < 0.05). The most common bacterial agents were Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica.