Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stem Control of a Sliding-Stem Pneumatic Control Valve Using a Recurrent Neural Network

This paper presents a neural scheme for controlling an actuator of pneumatic control valve system. Bondgraph method has been used to model the actuator of control valve, in order to compare the response characteristics of valve. The proposed controller is such that the system is always operating in a closed loop, which should lead to better performance characteristics. For comparison, minimum- and full-order observer controllers are also utilized to control the actuator of pneumatic control valve. Simulation results give superior performance of the proposed neural control scheme.
A Scalable Classification Algorithm for Very Large Datasets

Today's organisations are collecting and storing massive amounts of data from their customer transactions and e-commerce/e-business applications. Many classification algorithms are not scalable to work effectively and efficiently with these very large datasets. This study constructs a new scalable classification algorithm (referred to in this manuscript as Iterative Refinement Algorithm, or IRA in short) that builds domain knowledge from very large datasets using an iterative inductive learning mechanism. Unlike existing algorithms that build the complete domain knowledge from a dataset all at once, IRA builds the initial domain knowledge from a subset of the available data and then iteratively improves, sharpens and polishes it using the chucks from the remaining data. Performance testing of IRA on two datasets (one with approximately five million records for a binary classification problem and another with approximately 600 K records for a seven-class classification problem) resulted in more accurate domain knowledge as compared to other prediction methods including logistic regression, discriminant analysis, neural networks, C5, CART and CHAID. Unlike other classification algorithms whose performance and accuracy deteriorate as data size increases, the efficacy of IRA improves as datasets become significantly larger.
Fish, a Mediterranean source of n-3 PUFA: benefits do not justify limiting consumption

Fish is an important source of energy, high-quality proteins, fat, vitamins and minerals. Within lipids, n-3 long-chain PUFA (n-3 LC PUFA), mainly EPA and DHA, play an important role in health promotion and disease prevention. In contrast to the potential health benefits of dietary fish intake, certain chemical pollutants, namely heavy metals and some organic compounds, contained in seafood have emerged as an issue of concern, particularly for frequent fish consumers and sensitive groups of populations. The present review summarises the health benefits and risks of fish consumption. n-3 LC-PUFA are key compounds of cell membranes and play an important role in human health from conception through every stage of human development, maturation and ageing. DHA has a major role in the development of brain and retina during fetal development and the first 2 years of life and positively influences neurodevelopment, mainly visual acuity and cognitive functions. n-3 LC-PUFA are also effective in preventing cardiovascular events (mainly stroke and acute myocardial infarction) especially in persons with high cardiovascular risk. By contrast, there is convincing evidence of adverse neurological/neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants and young children associated with methylmercury exposure during fetal development due to maternal fish consumption during pregnancy. Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls present in contaminated fish may also develop a risk for both infants and adults. However, for major health outcomes among adults, the vast majority of epidemiological studies have proven that the benefits of fish intake exceed the potential risks with the exception of a few selected species in sensitive populations.
Nanoscaffold mediates hydrogen release and the reactivity of ammonia borane.

One of the imposing barriers to realizing the promise of an energy economy based on hydrogen is onboard hydrogen storage for fuel-cell-powered vehicles. New materials that enable the release of dense, plentiful and pure hydrogen at temperatures less than 85 oC are necessary to move the world from an oil-based economy to a hydrogen economy. We report a novel approach in which we deposit a hydrogen-rich material into a nanoporous scaffold. The role of the scaffold is to impose a nano-phase structure on the hydrogen-rich material thus providing an additional handle on the kinetics and thermodynamics of hydrogen release. We demonstrate on the example of ammonia borane infused in the nanoporous silica that the kinetics of hydrogen release is improved while the purity of hydrogen is increased in comparison with the release from bulk ammonia borane. These findings suggest that hydrogen rich materials infused in nanoscaffolds offer the most promising approach to date for onboard hydrogen storage
Minimally obtrusive measurement devices for monitoring of cardiovascular parameters — An overview

Measurements in clinical settings of cardiovascular parameters often require usage of adhesive electrodes. Therefore clinical measurement methods are hardly applicable for long-term ambulatory monitoring scenarios, since typically trained medical staff is needed e.g. to place electrodes correctly, this compromising patient comfort and generally are difficult to handle by a patient himself as often needed. An overview of emerging, alternative technologies to monitor these parameters in ambulatory context are presented.
Differential Splicing of Three Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Transcripts in the Ovary of Seabream (Sparus aurata)1

Abstract Previous studies demonstrated the presence of high-affinity GnRH binding sites and compounds with GnRH-like activity in the ovary of seabream, Sparus aurata, providing evidence for the role of GnRH as a paracrine/autocrine regulator of ovarian function in this species. In the present study, the expression of three forms of GnRH (salmon, chicken-II, and seabream) genes in this marine teleost species was demonstrated for the first time. Moreover, there is evidence for differential splicing and intronic expression of cGnRH-II and sbGnRH. Treatment of seabream follicle-enclosed oocytes with salmon GnRH stimulated reinitiation of oocyte meiosis, whereas chicken GnRH-II treatment was without effect. Novel information was also provided about organization of cGnRH-II and seabream GnRH transcripts, confirming that GnRH gene organization is maintained through evolution, despite changes in the size and sequence of exons and introns.
Why Do The Insured Use More Health Care

Why do the insured use more health care? One obvious reason is that health care is cheaper for the insured. But additionally, having insurance can encourage unhealthy behavior via moral hazard. The efiect of health insurance on medical utilization has been extensively studied; however, previous work has mostly ignored the efiect of insurance on behavior and how that in turn afiects medical utilization. This paper investigates these distinct efiects. The increased medical utilization due to reduced prices may help the insured maintain good health, while that due to increased unhealthy behavior does not, so distinguishing these two effects has important policy implications. A two-period dynamic forward-looking model is used to derive the structural causal relationships among the decision to buy insurance, health behaviors (drinking, smoking, and exercise), and medical utilization. The model shows how exogenous changes in insurance prices and past behaviors can identify the direct and indirect efiects of insurance on medical utilization. An empirical analysis also distinguishes between intensive and extensive margins (e.g., changes in the number of drinkers vs. the amount of alcohol consumed) of the insurance efiect. Health insurance is found to encourage less healthy behavior, particularly heavy drinking, but this does not yield an immediate perceptible increase in doctor or hospital visits. The efiects of health insurance are primarily found at the intensive margin, e.g., health insurance may not cause a non-drinker to take up drinking, while it encourages a heavy drinker to drink even more.
THE TRIANGLE OF MICROFINANCE: FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY, OUTREACH AND IMPACT

The initial success of microfinance programs in the 1970s led pioneers to think that many essential problems of the poor might be resolved by access to credit alone -- the ability to acquire assets, to start businesses, to finance emergency needs and to insure against illness and disaster. Part of that vision has certainly been realized. But much remains to be done. Most microfinance institutions (MFIs) are still small and vulnerable to constraints on their resources and to the risks inherent in single-issue portfolios. Most depend upon donors and governments to remain in operation. There is much waste and duplication, and some mature programs have declining loan recovery rates, even as competition for borrowers rises from conventional banks and finance companies. Analyzing the failures of credit programs aimed at small farmers and the successes of other programs showed the need for new understanding of the ways that poor households make spending, borrowing, and saving decisions. This area was previously neglected in policymaking on food security issues. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) supported household surveys in nine Asian and African countries during the 1990s that analyzed formal and informal financial transactions, and it also evaluated the success of innovative approaches at some MFIs. The overall goal was to clarify the conditions under which state investment in microfinance programs might improve life for poor people more than state investment of the same funds in education, health, nutrition, or infrastructure development. The research led to the concept of the critical triangle of microfinance" -- the need for any MFI to manage simultaneously the problems of outreach (reaching the poor both in terms of numbers and depth of poverty), financial sustainability (meeting operating and financial costs over the long term), and impact (having discernible effect upon clients' quality of life). This book elaborates on these objectives and shows that the most successful MFIs expand all sides of that triangle. Tradeoffs are sometimes inevitable, but even so, synergies among the three make the concept valuable.
Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Satureja hortensis and Trachyspermum copticum essential oil

Background and Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Satureja hortensis and Trachyspermum copticum essential oils against different kinds of microorganisms in vitro. Material and Methods The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by micro broth dilution assay and the chemical composition of essential oils was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Results Thymol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene and carvacrol were the main components of S. hortensis oil while thymol, γ-terpinene, and o-cymene were the major components of T. copticum oil. Two essential oils exhibited strong antimicrobial activity but the antimicrobial activity of T. copticum oil was higher than that of S. hortensis oil. Conclusion Thymol as a main component of oils plays an important role in antimicrobial activity.
Supporting Image Search with Tag Clouds: A Preliminary Approach

Algorithms and techniques for searching in collections of data address a challenging task, since they have to bridge the gap between the ways in which users express their interests, through natural language expressions or keywords, and the ways in which data is represented and indexed. When the collections of data include images, the task becomes harder, mainly for two reasons. From one side the user expresses his needs through one medium (text) and he will obtain results via another medium (some images). From the other side, it can be difficult for a user to understand the results retrieved; that is why a particular image is part of the result set. In this case, some techniques for analyzing the query results and giving to the users some insight into the content retrieved are needed. In this paper, we propose to address this problem by coupling the image result set with a tag cloud of words describing it. Some techniques for building the tag cloud are introduced and two application scenarios are discussed.
Three-Dimensional Shape of the Dysplastic Femur: Implications for THR

This study evaluates the three-dimensional anatomy of the femur with congential dysplasia of the hip (CDH) in comparison with healthy controls. Computed tomographic scans were obtained from 207 women (154 with dysplasia; 54 healthy controls) with an average age of 51.6 years (range, 18–82 years). Most of the dysplastic joints were classified as Crowe I (43%), or Crowe II or III (48%), with 9% Crowe IV. Individualized three-dimensional computer models of the femur were generated by reconstruction of the CT scans. Dimensional and morphometric parameters were derived by computer analysis of each of the femoral reconstructions. The dysplastic femurs had shorter necks and smaller, straighter canals than the controls. The shape of the canal became more abnormal with increasing subluxation. Detailed analysis showed that the primary deformity of the dysplastic femur is rotational, with an increase in anteversion of 5° to 16°, depending on the degree of subluxation of the hip. The rotational deformity of the dysplastic femur arises within the diaphysis between the lesser trochanter and the isthmus and is not attributable to a torsional deformity of the metaphysis. This study shows that there is a significant difference in the geometry of the normal femurs and those with CDH, even in mild cases. In CDH cases, we recommend the use of modular or specially-designed components to accommodate the shape of the dysplastic canal.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Antibody-Induced Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Plays a Prominent Role in Inhibiting Tumorigenesis, Even of Tumor Cells Insensitive to EGFR Signaling Inhibition

Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is recognized as a prominent cytotoxic mechanism for therapeutic mAbs in vitro. However, the contribution of ADCC to in vivo efficacy, particularly for treatment of solid tumors, is still poorly understood. For zalutumumab, a therapeutic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-specific mAb currently in clinical development, previous studies have indicated signaling inhibition and ADCC induction as important therapeutic mechanisms of action. To investigate the in vivo role of ADCC, a panel of EGFR-specific mAbs lacking specific functionalities was generated. By comparing zalutumumab with mAb 018, an EGFR-specific mAb that induced ADCC with similar potency, but did not inhibit signaling, we observed that ADCC alone was insufficient for efficacy against established A431 xenografts. Interestingly, however, both zalutumumab and mAb 018 prevented tumor formation upon early treatment in this model. Zalutumumab and mAb 018 also completely prevented outgrowth of lung metastases, in A431 and MDA-MB-231-luc-D3H2LN experimental metastasis models, already when given at nonsaturating doses. Finally, tumor growth of mutant KRAS-expressing A431 tumor cells, which were resistant to EGFR signaling inhibition, was completely prevented by early treatment with zalutumumab and mAb 018, whereas ADCC-crippled N297Q-mutated variants of both mAbs did not show any inhibitory effects. In conclusion, ADCC induction by EGFR-specific mAbs represents an important mechanism of action in preventing tumor outgrowth or metastasis in vivo, even of cancers insensitive to EGFR signaling inhibition.
Feature selection of nonperforming loans in Chinese commercial banks

In recent years, huge amounts of nonperforming loans (NPLs) of commercial banks have become one of the biggest obstacles constraining reform and development in Chinese commercial banks. Finding a way to control the banks' NPLs is a core issue that it continues to be explored and researched in the finance. In this paper, PCA and relief algorithm in data mining methods were adopted to extract and analyze NPLs characteristics in commercial banks through contrasting the performing and nonperforming loans records, based on the predecessors' literatures. In this paper, a bank's loans data with 96 features and 10415 samples is collected. At last, we construct nonperforming loans of commercial banks classification model. Our research is very important for capturing warning signal timely, detection of NPLs and sound operation of commercial banks.
On the comparison of synchronous versus asynchronous circuits under the scope of conducted power-supply noise

Nowadays, the major part of electronic devices make use of synchronous circuits controlled by a global clock signal. However, the noise sensitivity as well as the electromagnetic emission of this type of circuit is very high. In this context, asynchronous circuits represent a very interesting solution, since they are naturally more robust than the synchronous counterparts. The proposed work aims at comparing the robustness of synchronous and asynchronous circuits generated according to the Desynchronization Approach presented in when they are exposed to power supply disturbances (PSD). To provide the necessary results to compare the two different design paradigms, we performed a set of experiments according to the IEC 61.000-4-17 and the IEC 61.000-4-29 Normatives. The obtained results demonstrate that the asynchronous circuit is significantly more robust than the synchronous one.
Predictive value of repeated measurements of CD4 lymphocyte counts on progression to AIDS

ObjectiveDescription of the relationship between repeated measurements of CD4 lymphocyte count and development of AIDS in asymptomatic HIV-infected patients. DesignRepeated measurements of CD4 lymphocyte counts over an AIDS-free period in asymptomatic HIV-infected patients, and follow-up of the cohort to record subsequent clinical progression to AIDS. MethodsThe cohort was studied in a double-blind randomized clinical trial. CD4 lymphocyte counts were measured on three occasions over 8 months in 851 patients. ResultsEighty subsequent clinical progressions to AIDS were recorded during a median follow-up period of 15.3 months. Each of the three measurements of CD4 lymphocyte count were separately predictive of subsequent progression to AIDS. However, when the three measurements were included simultaneously in a predictive model only the last measurement showed a significant predictive value. Change in individual CD4 count was also related to the risk of developing AIDS, but was no longer significant when the most recent measurement was included in the model. ConclusionThese results indicate the closeness of the relationship between the actual state of the immune system and subsequent progression to AIDS.
Nutritional assessment of patients with acute leukemia during induction chemotherapy: association with hospital outcomes

Abstract Cancer-related malnutrition causes morbidity and reduced survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional and inflammatory status of patients with acute leukemia in association with duration of neutropenic fever (DNF) and length of hospital stay (LHS) during induction chemotherapy. Fifty-five patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (n = 28) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (n = 27) completed the study. There were significant differences between the two groups according to LHS and DNF (p = 0.022 and p = 0.012, respectively): both had a longer period in patients with AML. The patients were statistically different according to body mass index (BMI), pre-albumin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) score (p = 0.049, p = 0.028, p < 0.001, p = 0.030). In patients with ALL, serum albumin and pre-albumin levels were associated with LHS and DNF, respectively. Moreover, PG-SGA score was associated with DNF. In patients with AML, BMI and second pre-albumin level < 10 mg/dL were associated with DNF. Pre-albumin was the common indicator for chemotherapy-related complications in patients with both ALL and AML. Early nutritional assessment can help to find patients with acute leukemia who need nutritional support, and it may contribute to better outcome and less toxicity.
IPO Lockup Arrangements and Trading by Insiders

We document that the average lockup of 365 days in the UK is higher than the US 180 days and many insiders trade within the lockup period. We find that prestigious underwriters and underwriter power (longer lockup) drive their trades. However, they sell in over-performing, large, and low institutional holding IPOs, but buy in underperforming IPOs with lower underpricing and proportion of shares locked. On the lockup expiry dates, there is significant price drop for early buy but not for early sell IPOs. We suggest that this early trading activity is pre-arranged with the underwriters to mitigate information asymmetries.
Degradation of Azo Dyes by Laccase and Ultrasound Treatment

ABSTRACT The goal of this work was to investigate the decomposition of azo dyes by oxidative methods, such as laccase and ultrasound treatments. Each of these methods has strong and feeble sides. The laccase treatment showed high decolorization rates but cannot degrade all investigated dyes (reactive dyes), and high anionic strength led to enzyme deactivation. Ultrasound treatment can decolorize all tested dyes after 3 h at a high energy input, and prolonged sonication leads to nontoxic ionic species, which was demonstrated by ion chromatography and toxicity assays. For the first time, it was shown that a combination of laccase and ultrasound treatments can have synergistic effects, which was shown by higher degradation rates. Bulk light absorption and ion-pairing high-performance liquid chromatography (IP-HPLC) were used for process monitoring, while with reversed-phase HPLC, a lower number of intermediates than expected by IP-HPLC was found. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry indicated that both acid orange dyes lead to a common end product due to laccase treatment. Acid Orange 52 is demethylated by laccase and ultrasound treatment. Further results confirmed that the main effect of ultrasound is based on ˙OH attack on the dye molecules.
Sex Robot Matters: Slavery, the Prostituted, and the Rights of Machines

Why begin an article on sex robots, and the rights of machines, with an introduction to human slavery? Because these themes are more interlinked than one might imagine, but perhaps not for the reasons you would think. In this article, the author asks how a discussion about artificial intelligence (AI) and robots became fused with a discussion of slavery, rights, and objects (animate and inanimate), with these objects taking on the role of persons. These themes are brought together through a discussion of sex robots.
Differential neuronal activity in segments of globus pallidus in Parkinson's disease patients

Microelectrode trajectories through the globus pallidus of 6 Parkinson's disease (PD) patients yielded neurophysiological ‘landmarks' which enabled the identification of neurones located in the external segment (GPe) and internal segments, exterior (GPi,e) and interior (GPi,i) of globus pallidus and the surrounding borders (Bor). Firing rate histograms and inter-spike interval time histograms were constructed for neurones in each region. The neuronal activity in GPi,i was higher than in the other segments, and a high degree of bursting was found in GPe and GPi neurones. This profile of neuronal activity is similar to that observed in monkeys treated with MPTP, suggesting that the observed level of activity of neurones in GPi,i is excessive, and contributes to the bradykinesia and rigidity of PD patients.