Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sampled-Data Fuzzy Controller for Time-Delay Nonlinear Systems: Fuzzy-Model-Based LMI Approach

This paper presents the stability analysis and performance design for a sampled-data fuzzy control system with time delay, which is formed by a nonlinear plant with time delay and a sampled-data fuzzy controller connected in a closed loop. As the sampled-data fuzzy controller can be implemented by a microcontroller or a digital computer, the implementation time and cost can be reduced. However, the sampling activity and time delay, which are potential causes of system instability, will complicate the system dynamics and make the stability analysis much more difficult than that for a pure continuous-time fuzzy control system. In this paper, a sampled-data fuzzy controller with enhanced nonlinearity compensation ability is proposed. Based on the fuzzy-model-based control approach, linear matrix inequality (LMI)-based stability conditions are derived to guarantee the system stability. By using a descriptor representation, the complexity of the sampled-data fuzzy control system with time delay can be reduced to ease the stability analysis, which effectively leads to a smaller number of LMI-stability conditions. Information of the membership functions of both the fuzzy plant model and fuzzy controller are considered, which allows arbitrary matrices to be introduced, to ease the satisfaction of the stability conditions. An application example will be given to show the merits and design procedure of the proposed approach. Furthermore, LMI-based performance conditions are derived to aid the design of a well-performed sampled-data fuzzy controller
Elektrophysiologie des Kaliumtransports über die Plasmamembran an ausgewählten Zelltypen der Modellbaumart Populus tremula L. x Populus tremuloides Michx.

Die Bedeutung des transmembranen Kaliumtransports fur die Entwicklung der an der Holzbildung beteiligten Zelltypen wurde mit Hilfe der Patch-Clamp-Technik an Protoplasten und mit der Einstichtechnik an intakten Pflanzen von Populus tremula L. x Populus tremuloides Michx. untersucht. Aus Fasern, Suspensionskultur, Knospen und Wurzeln isolierte Protoplasten zeigten auswartsgerichtete Kaliumstrome, die vermutlich von PTORK-Kanalen vermittelt wurden. Suspensionskultur-Protoplasten zeigten daruber hinaus einwartsgerichtete Kaliumstrome und eine Abhangigkeit der Aus- und Einstrome von der Kaliumernahrung. Die Ergebnisse geben Grund zu der Annahme, dass sowohl die Streckung kambialer Zellen als auch Gefasweiten und Faserquerschnitte durch die Kaliumkanal vermittelten Kaliumstrome reguliert werden. Anderungen dieser Kaliumstrome durften demnach die Holzqualitat entscheidend beeinflussen und konnten in Zukunft moglicherweise genutzt werden um gezielt Holz bestimmter Qualitat zu produzieren.
α2‐γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors are the molecular substrates mediating precipitation of narcosis but not of sedation by the combined use of diazepam and alcohol in vivo

Classical benzodiazepines such as diazepam are widely used tranquillisers and hypnotics in various neuropsychiatric diseases including alcohol‐related disorders. One of the major drawbacks of benzodiazepine therapy, however, is an exacerbation of the sedative and hypnotic effects associated with alcohol intake, even at low doses. Even though the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor complex is a common target for the actions of both classes of drugs, the molecular mechanisms underlying the enhanced pharmacological properties of the combined use of benzodiazepines and alcohol remain to be identified. The present experiments aimed at clarifying which of the GABAA receptor subtypes mediate the augmented hypnotic‐like and sedative effects of combined diazepam and alcohol using the righting reflex and motor activity assays, respectively, in histidine‐to‐arginine point mutated mice that possess diazepam‐insensitive α1‐, α2‐, α3‐ or α5‐GABAA receptors. The combination of diazepam (2 or 3 mg/kg) and ethanol (3 g/kg) induced loss of righting reflex with a significantly dose‐dependent increase of the latency to its full recovery in wild‐type, α1(H101R), α3(H126R) and α5(H105R) but not in α2(H101R) mice. A combined treatment with diazepam (1 mg/kg) and ethanol (2.5 g/kg) precipitated motor inhibition similarly in wild‐type and α2(H101R) mice. Responsiveness of the α2(H101R) mice to ethanol alone was similar to that of wild‐type mice. These results demonstrate that induction of loss of righting reflex by combined diazepam and alcohol is closely dependent on the activation of the α2‐GABAA receptors by the benzodiazepine whereas precipitation of sedation involves GABAA receptors other than the α2‐GABAA receptors.
Understanding and improving photo‐control of ion channels in nociceptors with azobenzene photo‐switches

The photo‐isomerizable local anaesthetic, quaternary ammonium–azobenzene–quaternary ammonium (QAQ), provides rapid, optical control over pain signalling without involving genetic modification. In darkness or in green light, trans‐QAQ blocks voltage‐gated K+ and Na+ channels and silences action potentials in pain‐sensing neurons. Upon photo‐isomerization to cis with near UV light, QAQ blockade is rapidly relieved, restoring neuronal activity. However, the molecular mechanism of cis and trans QAQ blockade is not known. Moreover, the absorption spectrum of QAQ requires UV light for photo‐control, precluding use deep inside neural tissue.
An exploratory investigation of real-world reasoning in paranoia.

OBJECTIVES Paranoid thinking has been linked to greater availability in memory of past threats to the self. However, remembered experiences may not always closely resemble events that trigger paranoia, so novel explanations must be elaborated for the likelihood of threat to be determined. We investigated the ability of paranoid individuals to construct explanations for everyday situations and whether these modulate their emotional impact. METHODS Twenty-one participants experiencing paranoia and 21 healthy controls completed a mental simulation task that yields a measure of the coherence of reasoning in everyday situations. RESULTS When responses featured positive content, clinical participants produced less coherent narratives in response to paranoid themed scenarios than healthy controls. There was no significant difference between the groups when responses featured negative content. CONCLUSIONS The current study suggests that difficulty in scenario construction may exacerbate paranoia by reducing access to non-threatening explanations for everyday events, and this consequently increases distress.
TYPE AND ORDER CONVEXITY OF MARCINKIEWICZ AND LORENTZ SPACES AND APPLICATIONS

We consider order and type properties of Marcinkiewicz and Lorentz function spaces. We show that if $0<p<1$, a $p$-normable quasi-Banach space is natural (i.e. embeds into a $q$-convex quasi-Banach lattice for some $q>0$) if and only if it is finitely representable in the space $L_{p,\infty}. $ We also show in particular that the weak Lorentz space $L_{1,\infty}$ do not have type $1$, while a non-normable Lorentz space $L_{1,p}$ has type $1$. We present also criteria for upper $r$-estimate and $r$-convexity of Marcinkiewicz spaces.
Design and Simulation of Linear Series-fed Low-sidelobe Microstrip Antenna Array

In this paper we introduce a new antenna array with high sidelobe suppression. Antenna consists of six microstrip patches. Antenna is designed and realized in the frequency range about 5.785 GHz which is popular for microwave communication networks. Sidelobe suppression is better than 16 dB in E-plane. Bandwidth of the antenna is wider than 6.5%. Antenna is suitable for integration with other microwave circuits. Agreement between simulation and measured results is good. The array is series-fed so it is very easy to fabricate and quite low cost.
Effects of saline water and temperature on surface properties of HTV silicone rubber

A study of the loss of hydrophobicity of high temperature vulcanized (HTV) silicone rubber (SIR) after immersion in saline solutions as a function of time (0 to 3000 h) at different temperatures is reported. The hydrophobicity is determined by measuring the static contact thetas between the tangent to the droplet of distilled water and the horizontal surface of the HTV SIR. The conductivity of the saline solution was varied from 0.005 to 100 mS/cm and the temperature from 0 to 98 degC. The contact angle which gives a measure of the hydrophobicity of the surface decreased sharply during immersion. The contact angle decreased from the original value of 100plusmn4.6deg to low value of 15deg after 3000 h of immersion at 98 degC in a solution of 0.005 mS/cm. The lower the conductivity, the larger was the decrease in the contact angle. The changes in the weight of the HTV SIR due to the uptake of water and the average surface roughness (ASR) are determined during the immersion. The increase/decrease in the weight and surface roughness of the HTV SIR are correlated with the contact angle and hence with the loss of hydrophobicity. The surface free energies gammasd, gammash and gammas, the interfacial energy of HTV SIR and water gammasl, and the energy of adhesion Wsi of water on HTV SIR are determined as a function of time during the immersion and related to the loss of hydrophobicity.
Substance abuse and psychosis. The strange case of opioids.

BACKGROUND Psychoses correlated with substance abuse prove to be more common in cases involving cannabinoids, stimulants, hallucinogens, alcohol and polyabuse. Among substance abusers, it has not been ascertained whether opioids have a psychotic effect. OBJECTIVES The aim of this review is to investigate whether, among substances of abuse, a distinction can be drawn between pro-psychotic and anti-psychotic agents on the basis of the relationship between these substances and psychosis. METHODS Studies were identified by searching through multiple literature databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Knowledge. Hand searches through reference lists of relevant reviews were used to complement the computer searches. RESULTS Looking at the relationships linking substances of abuse with psychosis, a distinction can, in fact, be drawn between pro-psychotic and anti-psychotic substances. Even if there are no differences in the addictive processes involved, opiates are the only sedative drugs that possess an anti-psychotic effect. CONCLUSIONS The whole topic of opiate agonism merits is due for reconsideration: it is not only the anticraving action of opiate agonism, but also its effectiveness on the psychopathological level that qualifies it as to be viewed as a powerful tool in treating mental illness.
Electromyographical neuromuscular synapse testing and neurological findings in workers exposed to organophosphorous pesticides.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate electromyographic neuromuscular synapse testing and neurological examination for early detection of organophosphorous pesticides intoxication. Two groups of healthy agricultural workers and one group of healthy spraymen were exposed to various organophosphorous pesticides of different intensities. An additional group of nonexposed agricultural workers was also analyzed for comparative purposes. Before and during exposure, cholinesterase activity was determined. Personal, occupational, medical, and neurological case histories were taken; during the same session electromyographic synapse testing was performed and neurological information was recorded. No significant difference between exposed groups and the control group was found. The electrically evoked muscle potential series in exposed workers remained as constant as those recorded for the control group. The frequency of different types of amplitude changes was the same in exposed groups and in the cont.
Epidemiology and Natural History of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection

Abstract Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a ubiquitous human pathogen that causes cervical and other anogenital cancers as well as genital warts and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Human papillomavirus infection is most common among young, sexually active individuals, and it is so prevalent that approximately 75% to 80% of sexually active individuals will become infected in their lifetime. Currently, options are limited for both prevention of infection of patients with HPV-associated disease: infection can only be prevented with complete abstinence from all forms of sexual activity because condoms do not offer complete protection from HPV and HPV can be transmitted by nonintromissive sexual activities. Treatment of patients with HPV-associated disease such as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and genital warts consists of counseling, treatment if indicated, and monitoring for recurrence. Soon, however, prevention of these HPV-related diseases may be available in the form of a prophylactic HPV vaccine. Phase 3 studies of a quadrivalent vaccine that protects against both high- and low-risk types of HPV demonstrated the vaccine to be 100% effective in preventing HPV type 16– and type 18–associated cervical disease, suggesting that these vaccines, if made widely available, will dramatically reduce the burden of HPV-related disease.
Discrete Elastic Rods for Simulating Soft Robot Limbs

Author(s): Novelia, Alyssa | Advisor(s): O'Reilly, Oliver | Abstract: Discrete elastic rods (DER) is a recent formulation of a rod theory by Bergou et al. The material curve of the rod is approximated by a discrete set of lines connected at vertices. The formulation originated in the field of computer graphics and uses concepts from the nascent field of discrete differential geometry to characterize bending energies and torsional strains. Specifically, the discrete curvature vector associated with a vertex is used as a measure of bending strain and the length of the edges are used to account for stretching. Additionally, each edge is associated with a reference frame and a material frame, where the angle difference of the latter frame between adjacent edges is a measure of twist. Space- and time- parallel transport operators are introduced to update these frames in space and time respectively, so the torsion of the rod can be efficiently computed.While DER is an elegant formulation, it is challenging to comprehend. In this dissertation, complete derivations for the expressions for the variations, gradients, and Hessians of kinematic variables induced by changes to the vertices are presented. These gradients are needed to numerically solve the governing equations of motion. The method by which a component of the rotation of the cross section is computed in the discrete elastic rod formulation is exceptional and exploits a phenomenon in differential geometry known as a holonomy. Relevant background from differential geometry and spherical geometry are presented to understand how the reference twist in the rod can be related to a solid angle enclosed by the trace of a unit tangent vector on a sphere and several examples are presented to illuminate the calculation of twist.The second part of the dissertation is devoted to using the DER formulation to examine the dynamics of soft robots. To this end, a planar formulation of DER (PDER) is derived. Our work allows the governing equations of a discrete rod to be expressed in a canonical using Lagrange’s equations. This in turn allows us to use PDER with folded and branched elastic structures which feature in the designs of soft robots. To illustrate our developments, PDER is used to formulate and analyze the equations of motion needed to simulate the locomotion of a caterpillar-inspired soft robot on a rough surface.
A randomised controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of family-based direct observation of anti-tuberculosis treatment in an urban, developed-country setting.

SETTING A randomised, controlled clinical trial of the effectiveness of a family-based programme of directly observed treatment (DOT) for tuberculosis. METHODS TB patients seen in Victoria, Australia, were randomly allocated to DOT observed by a family member (FDOT), or to standard supervised but non-observed therapy (ST). The outcome measure was compliance, measured by blinded testing of isoniazid levels in urine. An intention-to-treat analysis was used. RESULTS Of 173 patients, 87 were allocated to FDOT and 86 to ST. Only 58% in the FDOT group were able to receive FDOT, the major reason being living alone and not having a family member to observe treatment. The rate of non-compliance was 24% (41/173), with no significant difference between FDOT (22/87) and ST (19/86). No clinical or socio-demographic variable predicted compliance. CONCLUSIONS We were unable to demonstrate a benefit of FDOT in an urban, industrialised country setting. FDOT may be more appropriate in developing countries, where extended family support is often available and the burden of TB is much higher. Poor compliance and the difficulty in predicting non-compliance shown in this study highlights the need for DOT for all TB patients.
Oxidative Stress in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Pathogenesis and Antioxidant Therapies

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a common cause of chronic liver disease, a common finding on liver biopsy in those patients with abnormal blood transaminase levels, and a common cause of cryptogenic cirrhosis in the United States. The prevalence of this disorder is expected to rise with the increase in obesity, and the clinical spectrum can range from simple steatosis (fatty liver) to cirrhosis of the liver. Insulin resistance is thought to be pivotal for the development of steatosis, and oxidative stress may be a potential factor that can promote hepatic necroinflammation and fibrosis. Preliminary studies have examined the role of oxidative stress and antioxidants in animal and human studies of this disorder. Efforts to improve the hepatic antioxidant system could be achieved by optimizing the patient's diet, by supplementation with precursors for antioxidants, or by supplementation with essential metals and/or antioxidants. Randomized, controlled trials are required to examine these potential approaches using patients with this disorder.
Proteomic tools to characterize the protein fraction of Equidae milk

The principal components of the protein fraction in pony mare's milk have been successfully identified and partially characterized using proteomic tools. Skimmed pony mare's milk was fractionated by either reversed phase‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) on a C4 column or a bi‐dimensional separation technique coupling RP‐HPLC in the first dimension and sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) in the second dimension (two‐dimensional RP‐HPLC/SDS‐PAGE). The fractions thus obtained were analyzed by Edman N‐terminal microsequencing and mass determination, with or without tryptic digestion, on a matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight spectrometer. Based on the sequence and molecular mass information obtained, identifications were achieved through a protein database search using homology or pattern research algorithms. This methodological approach was shown to be rapid, efficient and reliable in identifying the principal proteins in pony mare's milk. κ‐, αs1‐, αs2‐, and β‐casein, lysozyme C, α‐lactalbumin and β‐lactoglobulin I and II were thus identified. αs1 and β‐caseins displayed polymorphic patterns, probably due to alternative splicing processes leading to casual exon skipping events involving exons 7 and 14 in αs1‐casein and exon 5 in β‐casein. Edman N‐terminal microsequencing over 35 amino acid residues, for pony αs1‐casein, clearly demonstrated the occurrence, in Equidae, of a splicing pattern similar to that reported in rodents, characterized by the constitutive outsplicing of exon 5. Pony mare's milk SDS‐PAGE and RP‐HPLC patterns were compared with those obtained for other milks (cow, goat and human), as were the relative levels of caseins and major whey proteins in these milks. Our results provide further evidence to support the notion that Equidae milk is closer to human breast milk than milk from bovine and caprine with respect to the casein and lysozyme C contents and casein/whey proteins ratio.
Computation Partitioning for Mobile Cloud Computing in a Big Data Environment

The growth of mobile cloud computing (MCC) is challenged by the need to adapt to the resources and environment that are available to mobile clients while addressing the dynamic changes in network bandwidth. Big data can be handled via MCC. In this paper, we propose a model of computation partitioning for stateful data in the dynamic environment that will improve the performance. First, we constructed a model of stateful data streaming and investigated the method of computation partitioning in a dynamic environment. We developed a definition of direction and calculation of the segmentation scheme, including single-frame data flow, task scheduling, and executing efficiency. We also defined the problem for a multiframe data flow calculation segmentation decision that is optimized for dynamic conditions and provided an analysis. Second, we proposed a computation partitioning method for single-frame data flow. We determined the data parameters of the application model, the computation partitioning scheme, and the task and work order data stream model. We followed the scheduling method to provide the optimal calculation for data frame execution time after computation partitioning and the best computation partitioning method. Third, we explored a calculation segmentation method for single-frame data flow based on multiframe data using multiframe data optimization adjustment and prediction of future changes in network bandwidth. We were able to demonstrate that the calculation method for multiframe data in a changing network bandwidth environment is more efficient than the calculation method with the limitation of calculations for single-frame data. Finally, our research verified the effectiveness of single-frame data in the application of the data stream and analyzed the performance of the method to optimize the adjustment of multiframe data. We used a MCC platform prototype system for face recognition to verify the effectiveness of the method.
Emission of Herbivore-induced Volatiles in Absence of a Herbivore - Response of Zea mays to Green Leaf Volatiles and Terpenoids

Abstract Green leaf volatiles (GLV), a series of saturated and monounsaturated six-carbon aldehydes, alcohols, and esters are emitted by plants upon mechanical damage. Evidence is increasing that intact plants respond to GLV by activating their own defense mechanisms, thus suggesting that they function in plant-plant communication. The present paper demonstrates that exposure of maize plants to naturally occurring GLV, including (Z)-3-, (E)-2- and saturated derivatives, induce the emission of volatile blends typically associated with herbivory. Position or configuration of a double bond, but not the functional group of the GLV influenced the strength of the emissions. (Z)-3-Configured compounds elicited stronger responses than (E)-2- and saturated derivatives. The response to (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol increased linearly with the dose between 200 and 1000 nmol per plant. Not only the naturally occurring (E)-2- hexenal, but also (E)-2-pentenal and (E)-2-heptenal induced maize plants, although to a lesser extend. Externally applied terpenoids [(3E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, β-caryophyllene, and (E)- β-farnesene] did not significantly increase the total amount of inducible volatiles in maize. Of three tested maize cultivars Delprim and Pactol responded much stronger than Attribut. Recovery experiments in the presence and absence of maize plants demonstrated that large proportions of externally applied GLV were assimilated by the plants, whereas (3E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene was recovered in much higher amounts. The results furthermore suggested that plants converted a part of the assimilated leaf aldehydes and alcohols to the respective acetates. We propose that GLV not only can alert neighboring plants, but may facilitate intra-plant information transfer and can help mediate the systemic defense response in a plant.