Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Finite-Time Stabilization of High-Order Nonlinear Systems with Dynamic and Parametric Uncertainties

Under the weaker assumption on nonlinear functions, the adaptive finite-time stabilization of more general high-order nonlinear systems with dynamic and parametric uncertainties is solved in this paper. To solve this problem, finite-time input-to-state stability (FTISS) is used to characterize the unmeasured dynamic uncertainty. By skillfully combining Lyapunov function, sign function, backstepping, and finite-time input-to-state stability approaches, an adaptive state feedback controller is designed to guarantee high-order nonlinear systems are globally finite-time stable.
Analyze Of Enviromental Discolsure Within European Union Countries

The research is conducted as an empirical study which explains how environmental disclosure varies across European countries and reflects factors that explain this variation at the European Union level. The paper identifies and analyze five factors that explain the varies of environmental disclosure across European Union Countries: strength of auditing and accounting standards, government mandated disclosure of environmental performance and pollutant release, development, number of companies which had implemented ISO 14001/EMAS, eco-label awards obtained by companies within the country, environmental performance. After the empirical and theoretical analyze we can conclude that the introduction of mandatory environmental disclosure is the most efficient way to increase the quantity and the quality of environmental disclosure at the European Union level. This study is not a research of some particular entities regarding environmental disclosure. The paper discusses environmental disclosure as an average of all the environmental disclosure of all the entities within a European Union country. The paper is of interest to anyone involved in the process of environmental disclosure, either as entity or other user of environmental information’s.
Effect of nonpathogenic Escherichia coli monoassociation on small intestinal brush-border glycoconjugate moieties and cytokine production after colonization in ex-germ-free rats and pigs

We evaluated the contribution of nonpathogenic Escherichia coli O83 after coloniza- tion of germ-free (GF) rat pups and piglets on development of terminal α2,6- and α2,3-sialylated and broad range of terminal α1,2-, core α1,6-, and α1,3-, α1,4-fucosylated glycoconjugates in the suckling period relative to noncolonized GF and conventional (CV) counterparts. The ELISA-lectin approach was used to specify and quantify sialylated and fucosylated glycans in brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV). Levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in sera and splenocyte secretions were demonstrated using ELISA. Rat and pig intestinal responses to E. coli O83 monoassociation were different from those of GF and more similar to the CV animals in the decline of sialylated glycans, which is in agreement with the shorter life span of enterocytes in E. coli O83 monoassociated rats and pigs. No significant effect of E. coli O83 colonization on labeling fucosylated glycans was observed for immature fucosylation at the late suckling period. We demonstrate spontaneous secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-18 and anti-inflammatory IL-10 by GF rat splenocytes, and its suppression of IL-18 in E. coli O83 associated rat pups, and suggest that these cytokines serve as an immunomodulatory pool during the suckling period indicating the balance between T helper (Th) 1 and Th2 phenotypes.
Chemolithotrophic and Autotrophic Growth of Thermothrix thiopara and Some Thiobacilli on Thiosulphate and Polythionates, and a Reassessment of the Growth Yields of Thx. thiopara in Chemostat Culture

SUMMARY: Several thiobacilli and Thermothrix thiopara were grown in chemostat culture with inorganic sulphur compounds as growth-limiting energy substrates for autotrophic growth. Thiobacillus neapolitanus, Thiobacillus thiooxidans and Thiobacillus acidophilus were all able to use thiosulphate, trithionate or tetrathionate as sole energy substrates, as was Thx. thiopara grown at 72 °C. “True growth yields” (Y max) were estimated for the organisms and showed yields of T. neapolitanus to be the same on trithionate and thiosulphate, thereby suggesting that only oxidative, and not substrate-level, phosphorylation is involved in energy conservation in this organism. The yield data suggested that substrate-level phosphorylation could, however, be significant in T. acidophilus. Thiobacillus versutus only grew with thiosulphate, with which it gave yield values similar to those of T. neapolitanus and T. thiooxidans. Thx. thiopara exhibited maximum specific growth rates on thiosulphate, trithionate and tetrathionate of 0·55, 0·23-0·25 and <0·06 h−1 respectively. Its yields on all three were much greater than those of the thiobacilli: the Y max on thiosulphate was in the range 18·0-22·8 g mol−1, but the organisms contained only about 29% carbon and 48% protein. These values do, however, make Thx. thiopara the highest-yielding inorganic-sulphur-oxidizing chemolithoautotroph yet described.
Simulating Soybean Yield Potential under Optimum Management

Crop models have played important roles in identifying potential constraints for crop growth and yield. A relatively simple soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] model consisting of a daily C, N, and water budget was used to simulate yields for optimum production environments at Fayetteville, AR, and at a farmer’s contest field in Missouri for 2012 to 2013. Data were collected on radiation use efficiency (RUE), N accumulation rate, specific leaf nitrogen (SLN), and the dry matter accumulation coefficient (DMAC) as a measure of whole-crop seed growth rate. In Fayetteville, measured yields ranged from 4977 to 7144 kg ha-1, and simulated yields averaged 34.0% below the measured yields using the default model parameters. Using measured parameters in a modified model, predicted yields were 2.8% above observed. Default parameter simulations for the contest fields were 39.0% below measured yield and were 18.7% below measured yield when using measured parameters. Sensitivity analyses indicated that lower DMAC values increased yields due to slower seedfill rates, allowing additional N accumulation and a slower translocation of N to the growing seeds. Simulating an increased SLN and RUE increased predicted yields in 2012 and 2013 when N accumulation rates were great enough to supply the required N for new biomass. Alternatively, increasing N accumulation rates increased yield up to a plateau when all N requirements were met. These results illustrate the importance and interconnectivity of the crop growth processes relating to C and N metabolism and that current bounds for crop growth characteristics should be reconsidered.
Photonic jets for micro-etching

Photonic jet is a localized sub-wavelength beam generated at the shadow-side surfaces of microscale dielectric cylinders or spheres, when they are illuminated by an electromagnetic wave. We demonstrate the potential of the photonic jets for micro-etching using a nanosecond Near-IR laser (= 1064 nm) that has a typical spatial resolution around 70 μm, limited by its optical focusing head. Combining this laser with micro-scale glass (ns = 1.5) and BaTiO3 spheres (ns = 1.9) to achieve photonic jets, we can etch two substrates: silicon wafers, which have a significant absorption at 1064 nm, and glass plates, which have a lower absorption at this wavelength. The smallest marks achieved on silicon have an average diameter of 1.3 μm which is 50 times smaller than without spheres. Despite the low absorption, micrometric etchings have also been achieved on glass. KeywordsPhotonic jets, micro-etching, microsphere, silicon, power laser.
Resonant scattering due to adatoms in graphene: Top, bridge, and hollow positions

We present a theoretical study of resonance characteristics in graphene from adatoms with $s$ or ${p}_{z}$ character binding in top, bridge, and hollow positions. The adatoms are described by two tight-binding parameters: on-site energy and hybridization strength. We explore a wide range of different magnitudes of these parameters by employing $T$-matrix calculations in the single adatom limit and by tight-binding supercell calculations for dilute adatom coverage. We calculate the density of states and the momentum relaxation rate and extract the resonance level and resonance width. The top position with a large hybridization strength or, equivalently, small on-site energy, induces resonances close to zero energy. The bridge position, compared to top, is more sensitive to variation in the orbital tight-binding parameters. Resonances within the experimentally relevant energy window are found mainly for bridge adatoms with negative on-site energies. The effect of resonances from the top and bridge positions on the density of states and momentum relaxation rate is comparable and both positions give rise to a power-law decay of the resonant state in graphene. The hollow position with $s$ orbital character is affected from destructive interference, which is seen from the very narrow resonance peaks in the density of states and momentum relaxation rate. The resonant state shows no clear tendency to a power-law decay around the impurity and its magnitude decreases strongly with lowering the adatom content in the supercell calculations. This is in contrast to the top and bridge positions. We conclude our study with a comparison to models of pointlike vacancies and strong midgap scatterers. The latter model gives rise to significantly higher momentum relaxation rates than caused by single adatoms.
Understanding strong academic microcultures : an exploratory study

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Ameliorative Effect of Zinc on Chlorpyrifos-Induced Erythrocyte Fragility in Wistar Rats

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the molecular mechanism of chlorpyrifos (CPF) poisoning. The present study was aimed at evaluating the ameliorative effect of zinc, an antioxidant trace element, on lipoperoxidative changes and erythrocyte fragility induced by subchronic CPF exposure in Wistar rats. Twenty adult Wistar rats divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each were used as experimental subjects. Rats in groups I (S/oil group) and II (CPF group) were exposed to soya oil only (2 ml/kg) and CPF only (10.6 mg/kg~ 1/8 th LD 50 ), respectively. Group III (Zn group) were dosed with zinc only (50 mg/kg) while in group IV (Zn+CPF), Zn (50 mg/kg) were co-administered with CPF (10.6 mg/kg). These regimens were administered orally once daily for a period of 8 weeks. At the end of the study, the rats were sacrificed and erythrocytes analysed for erythrocyte osmotic fragility and malonaldehyde (MDA) concentration as an index of lipoperoxidative changes. Erythrocyte fragility was significantly increased ( P < 0.01) in CPF group compared to S/oil, Zn and Zn+CPF groups, respectively. Similarly, the CPF group showed a significant increase (P < 0.01) in MDA concentration compared to S/oil, Zn and Zn+CPF groups, respectively.The present study has shown that repeated exposure of rats to CPF increased erythrocyte fragility partly due to oxidative hemolysis resulting from increased lipoperoxidative changes. (New York Science Journal 2010;3(5):117-122). (ISSN 1554 - 0200).
Open Archive Toulouse Archive Ouverte (OATAO)

Chromium carbide layers were deposited using liquid-injection metal-organic chemical vapor deposition inside long (0.3 to 1 m) and narrow (8 to 24 mm in diameter) metallic tubes. The deposition was carried out using a molecular single-source, bis(benzene)chromium (BBC), as representative of the bis(arene)metal family diluted in toluene and injected with N2 as carrier gas. A multicomponent mass transport model for the simulation of the coupled fluid flow, heat transfer and chemistry was built. The kinetic mechanism of the growth of CrCx films was developed with the help of large-scale experiments to study the depletion of the precursors along the inner wall of the tube. The model fits well in the 400–550 C temperature range and in the 1.3 × 102 to 7 × 103 Pa pressure range. The pressure is shown to have a pronounced effect on the deposition rate and thickness uniformity of the resulting coating. Below 525 C the structure, composition and morphology of the films are not affected by changes of total pressure or deposition temperature. The coatings are amorphous and their Cr:C ratio is about 2:1, i.e., intermediate between Cr7C3 and Cr3C2. The model was applied to the design of a long reactor (1 m), with a double injection successively and alternatively undertaken at each end to ensure the best uniformity with sufficient thickness. This innovative concept can be used to optimize industrial deposition processes inside long and narrow tubes and channels.
Memory aid to structure and support daily activities for people with dementia

Objective: Use of technology to structure and support the daily activities of the residents in a small scale group accommodation (SSGA) for dementia is a new innovation in the Netherlands. This paper presents: a) the process of development of this new way of structuring activities by describing the making of digital planning boards, b) the findings of a pilot study looking at the experiences of using this device in people with dementia living in a small-scale group accommodation as well as experiences of informal carers and members of staff and c) the process of organizing day structure using this device from the user's perspectives. Main content of paper: To develop the memory aid a user centered development process was used. After the first development cycle was completed the resulting digital planning boards were placed in the living room of a small scale living group for people with dementia and in private rooms of the residents. The main task of the aid is to support the memory of the residents by structuring the daily activities during the day. This paper provides the experiences of the users including the residents, informal carers and members of staff, issues around implementation and further development. Method & findings: A qualitative method was chosen, data was collected using semi structured individual interviews with the residents (n=6) and focus groups interviews with informal carers (n=5) and members of staff (n=6). The framework analysis by Ritchie & Spencer (1994) was used to analyse the data. The following steps were applied: familiarisation, identifying a thematic framework, indexing, charting and mapping and interpretation. This resulted in the description of the findings based on the following three general themes; the state of affairs regarding the implementation, the needs for further development and the learning experiences acquired during the development. The occurrence of installation errors, inefficient use, limited ease of use and a lack of knowledge regarding the function and use of the memory aid are highlighted as the most important issues that prevented a successful implementation. However, the majority of the residents were happy with the use and function of the memory aid when it worked. The informal carers were not very positive but indicated opportunities for improvement. This was echoed by the staff, although they saw an added value for the current use of the device. The findings highlighted shared views about ways of improving through adaptation of the software programme and additional technological applications such as Internet connectivity, improving its accessibility by using a remote control, adding videos and photos. Conclusions: A number of lessons are learned about the use and transferability of this innovation in general health care setting as well as in people with dementia. The process of user centered design and development will be followed to obtain solutions that can be effectively implemented in their living environment.
Male identities in conflict: The construction of masculinity in the characters of Devi Mahasweta’s “The Hunt”

This article analyzes the construction of masculinity in Devi Mahasweta’s “The Hunt”. Michael Kimmel and R.W. Connell’s work on gender identity are used as a theoretical support to identify the different masculine archetypes present in the text. Also, masculinity is conceived as a discursive structure determined by the socio-historical conditions that interpellate individuals; in this case, capitalism. Finally, it is concluded that each character embodies a particular, and in some cases more than one, male identity in conflict. These male identities are the result of capitalist and cultural globalizing processes that affect the Kuruban society.
DESIGNERS OR MANAGERS? NEW EMERGING FIGURES WITHIN ORGANISATIONS

This paper looks at shared work environments and is divided into five parts. The first introduces the topic, providing some background. The second provides a theoretical framework, looking as Product-Service Systems, socially constructed spaces and ecological systems. The third proposes Participatory Design as a viable method to adopts in the context, offering methodological steps to develop/maintain shared work environments. The fourth questions the role of design in organisations, unfolding opportunities for a shift in the role of design and management. The conclusion reflects on disciplinary territories in organisations to generate insights in users’ practices and to develop appropriate spaces for such practices.
Experimental techniques for aberration retrieval with through-focus intensity images

Measurement techniques to determine the aberration of an optical system, by obtaining through-focus intensity images that are produced when the object is a point source at infinity, are shown. The analysis of the aberrations is made using the extended version of the Nijboer-Zernike diffraction theory. This theory provides a semi analytical solution of the Debye diffraction integral and thus a direct relation between the intensity distribution of the field at the focal region and the exit pupil of the optical system.
A procedure for combining zero and sign restrictions in aVAR-identification scheme

In this paper we describe a procedure for implementing zero restrictions within the context of a sign restrictions identification scheme for VARs. The procedure introduces an additional step into the algorithm outlined in Fry and Pagan (2011) and Rubio-Ramirez et al (2006) for implementing sign restrictions. This extra step involves rotating a candidate identification matrix using Givens rotation matrices to introduce zero restrictions. We then check whether the elements of the candidate matrix satisfy the sign restrictions as usual. We illustrate how our procedure works by generating artificial data from the theoretical model of An and Schorfheide (2007), which implies certain restrictions on the impact of its structural shocks on the model's endogenous variables. We exploit our knowledge of that pattern to identify structural shocks from the reduced-form errors of a VAR estimated on the simulated data. Imposing zero restrictions, as well as sign restrictions, can be useful – and in some cases essential – for identifying economically-interpretable – `structural' – shocks from the reduced-form innovations to a VAR. This is because it is often the case that an economic theory used to motivate these identifying restrictions implies certain variables do not respond at all to some shocks. For example, in the An and Schorfheide (2007) model we consider, shocks to government spending have no effect on inflation or the nominal interest rate – i.e. the impulse response is zero. Therefore, to obtain accurate, empirical estimates of the government spending shock in this model using a structural VAR estimated on data for its observable variables, it would be necessary to impose a zero restriction on the response of inflation and the nominal interest rate to the shock identified with government spending.
Embedded System Use and Users' Assessment: An Experimental Study of Electronic Negotiation

Focusing on users’ perspective, the current study conceptualizes that system use is embedded within the processes the users follow in order to achieve their goals. Given this conceptualization, users’ assessment of system use will take place in three sequential tiers, i.e., the assessment of achievement, technology+ interaction, and the system. The theoretical propositions were tested by conducting an e+negotiation experiment. The results support the proposed theoretical model and also show that users’ perception of their negotiation partner may influence their assessment of system use.
Molecular Detection of Virulence Associated Genes in Salmonella Serovars Isolated From Raw Pork of Aizawl and Imphal

1 Department of Veterinary Public Health & Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Sciences and animal Husbandry, Central agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram 796014, India 2 Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Sciences and animal Husbandry, Central agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram 796014, India 3 Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, CVSc & AH, R.K. Nagar, West Tripura – 799008, India
Phytoplankton and Zooplankton Community Dynamics and Aspects of Food of Two Fish Species in Two Streams and Two Lakes in Presence and Absence of Anophelese Mosquito Larvae in Mahaoya, Sri Lanka

Aplocheilus dayi and Rasbora daniconius, two naturally occurring fish species were collected (n=50) using cast nets to examine their food aspects in absence of Anopheles mosquito larvae in May 2011 and in their presence in August 2011. Of the total plankton community, only about 28% (14 species) represented zooplanktons while 72% (55 species) were phytoplanktons. Total 14 zooplankton species belonged to; Class Branchiopoda (5 species); Class Lobosa (1 species); Class Maxillopoda (4 species); and Class Monogononta (4 species), and 55 species of phytoplankton population belonged to Class; Chlorophyta (24 species); Class Cyanophyta (11 species); Class Bacillariaphyta (10 species); Class Ochrophyta (4 species); Class Euglenophyta (4 species); Class Heterokontophyta (2 species).
Who ' s to Blame ? The Determinants of German Students ' Achievement in the PISA 2000 Study

Who's to Blame? The Determinants of German Students' Achievement in the PISA 2000 Study The publication of the OECD report on the PISA 2000 study induced a public outcry in Germany. On average, German students participating in this standardized test performed considerably below the OECD average and substantially worse than those of other European countries, like Finland or Ireland. However, the results presented by the report consist mainly of country averages which do not take into account any other covariates of individual student achievement. This paper provides a comprehensive econometric analysis of the association of the individual-level reading test scores of German students with individual and family background information and with characteristics of the school and class of the 15 to 16 year old respondents in Germany to the survey. The results of several quantile regression analyses demonstrate that many popular explanations, like too much regulation of schools or the substantial share of non-citizens among the participating students, are by no means supported by the data. Rather results point towards a considerable impact of schools aiming at a more homogenous body of students in terms of their educational achievement. JEL Classification: I21