Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Static output feedback stabilization of discrete time linear time invariant systems based on approximate dynamic programming

This study proposes a method for the static output feedback (SOF) stabilization of discrete time linear time invariant (LTI) systems by using a low number of sensors. The problem is investigated in two parts. First, the optimal sensor placement is formulated as a quadratic mixed integer problem that minimizes the required input energy to steer the output to a desired value. Then, the SOF stabilization, which is one of the most fundamental problems in the control research, is investigated. The SOF gain is calculated as a projected solution of the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation for discrete time LTI system. The proposed method is compared with several examples from the literature.
Understanding the Gut Microbiota

Description: This book discusses the community of microbial species (the microbiota, microbiome), which inhabits the large bowel of humans. Written from the perspective of an academic who has been familiar with the topic for 40 years, it provides a long–term perspective of knowledge about this high profile and fast–moving topic. Building on general ecological principles, the book aims to help the reader to understand how the microbiota is formed, how it works, and what the consequences are to humans. Understanding the Gut Microbiota focuses on conceptual progress made from studies of the human bowel microbiota. Where appropriate, it draws on knowledge obtained from other animal species to provide conceptual enlightenment, but this is essentially a book about humans and their bowel microbes. Particular research approaches are recommended to fill knowledge gaps so that fundamental ecological theory and information about the microbiota can be translated into benefits for human health. The relationship between food for humans and resulting food for bowel bacteria emerges as an important topic for consideration. This concise scholarly treatise of the microbiota of the human bowel will be of great interest and use as a text and reference work for professionals, teachers and students across a wide range of disciplines, including the health sciences, general biology, and food science and technology. The provision of handy explanation of terms means that those with a general interest in science can also read the book with enjoyment. About the Author Gerald W. Tannock, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Proof of Concept for a Grounded Theory Approach to Understanding Interactions Occurring on Bicycle Facilities

Protected bicycle lanes are held up as the end-all of bicycle infrastructure, with unprotected bicycle lanes being widely considered unsafe and inferior. This perspective is supported by existing research showing people’s preference for protected versus unprotected bicycle lanes. Scant research, however, has explored this topic area using an observational research method. If an observational method is used, the research is typically count-based and focused on a predetermined sets of variables identified before the observation period and this hinders the research from advancing findings beyond frequencies and the already known variables. Without a clearer understanding of how people are using and interacting on streets with either type of bicycle lane, it is difficult, if not impossible, to adequately assess whether, and which, facility type best accommodates safe bicycle mobility. This paper introduces a new qualitative-quantitative method for conducting observational research which takes a grounded theory approach to gain new insights into how people behave and interact while using street segments, intersections, and other public places. This method follows a four-step process which involves qualitatively identifying interactions recorded on video, using deductive and inductive logic to document independent variables associated with interactions, and concludes in a quantitative analysis of the qualitatively produced data. As a display of the applications of this method, a case study is presented here which uses the new method to investigate the interactions of bicyclists with other road users on a street segment with an unprotected bicycle lane in Munich, Germany.
A Hybrid Machine Learning Approach for Freeway Traffic Speed Estimation

Accurate and timely estimation of freeway traffic speeds by short segments plays an important role in traffic monitoring systems. In the literature, the ability of machine learning techniques to capture the stochastic characteristics of traffic has been proved. Also, the deployment of intelligent transportation systems (ITSs) has provided enriched traffic data, which enables the adoption of a variety of machine learning methods to estimate freeway traffic speeds. However, the limitation of data quality and coverage remain a big challenge in current traffic monitoring systems. To overcome this problem, this study aims to develop a hybrid machine learning approach, by creating a new training variable based on the second-order traffic flow model, to improve the accuracy of traffic speed estimation. Grounded on a novel integrated framework, the estimation is performed using three machine learning techniques, that is, Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). All three models are trained with the integrated dataset including the traffic flow model estimates and the iPeMS and PeMS data from the Utah Department of Transportation (DOT). Further using the PeMS data as the ground truth for model evaluation, the comparisons between the hybrid approach and pure machine learning models show that the hybrid approach can effectively capture the time-varying pattern of the traffic and help improve the estimation accuracy.
A Potential Role of Adhesion Molecules on Lung Metastasis Enhanced by Local Inflammation

Background/Aim: Local and systemic inflammations are associated with negative long-term outcomes; however, their precise mechanism of action remains unclear. We previously demonstrated that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met signaling contributed to the enhancement of liver metastasis associated with peritonitis model. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of local inflammation on the development of lung metastasis. Materials and Methods: NL-17 cells were injected into BALB/c mice via the tail vein to produce a high potential model for lung metastasis. After injection of NL-17 cells, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and live Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and phosphate-buffered saline were administered intratracheally to induce acute lung injury (ALI) and pneumonia, respectively. Results: In both ALI and pneumonia mice, lung metastasis was significantly promoted compared to control mice. Concentrations of Interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and HGF in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly higher in ALI and pneumonia mice than in control mice. Neither administration of recombinant mouse HGF nor c-Met knockdown in NL-17 cells influenced the magnitude of lung metastasis. Yet stimulation with LPS increased the expression of α2 integrin, vascular cell-adhesion protein-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the lung. Invasive activity of NL-17 cells was significantly up-regulated by LPS, but was suppressed by anti-ICAM-1 antibody. While LPS-stimulated NL-17 cells showed significantly promoted lung metastasis, E-selectin expression in the lungs of mice with ALI or pneumonia was significantly enhanced compared with control mice. Conclusion: Up-regulation of adhesion molecules, but not HGF/c-Met signaling, may contribute to the lung metastasis enhanced by local infection/inflammation.
The Cellular Expression and Genetics of Purple Body (Pb) in the Ocular Media of the Guppy Poecilia reticulata

Our study revealed the presence of all major classes of chromatophores (melanophores, xanthophores, erythrophores, violet-blue iridophores, xantho-erythrophores) and crystalline platelets in various combinations in the iris and ocular media (cornea, aqueous humor, vitreous humor, outer lens membrane) of Poecilia reticulata. This novel ocular media study of P. reticulata takes into account the distinct interactions of Purple Body (Pb) based on results of previous Bias and Squire Purple Body (Pb) publications. Taken in conjunction with other researcher’s published results (regarding UV reflected color and pattern, vision, mate choice, individual preferences, and opsin capabilities) this indicates that these ocular chromatophore populations together create a complex ocular filter mechanism. This mechanism in turn provides spectral capabilities into the UV and Near-UV wavelengths in both Pb and non-Pb individuals. The chromatophores in the cornea, aqueous humor, covering membranes of the lens, and the vitreous humor comprise an ocular filter system that could reduce UV damage to the internal structures of the eye. The guppy’s ability to use UVA as a visual component provides a “private signally system” that cannot be detected by some predators. While non-Pb guppies should derive benefit in the near-UV from violet-blue iridophore units, greater benefit will be derived by Pb individuals with more violet iridophores functioning in the lower UV and near-UV wavelengths. To our knowledge little has been published for P. reticulata concerning pigmentation within the guppy eye. Macroscopic and microscopic imagery is presented.
Predictors of Student Failure or Poor Performance on Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences

Objective. To determine factors predictive of student failure or poor performance on advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) at a single pharmacy program. Methods. This retrospective cohort evaluated students entering the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program from 2012-2014 at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Students who received a grade of F for one or more APPEs (failure group) were compared to all other students (non-failure group). A secondary evaluation compared students with a C or F on one or more APPEs (poor performers) to all other students (non-poor performers). Data were collected on didactic and experiential performance, identifiable professionalism issues from introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs), and academic honor code violations. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to determine factors associated with APPE failure and poor performance. Results. A total of 669 students were analyzed. Twenty-eight students (4.2%) failed one or more APPEs and 81 students (12.1%) were identified as poor performers (grade of C or F). For the primary outcome, professional grade point average (GPA) of less than 2.7, practicum failure, IPPE professionalism issue(s), and pharmacotherapy course failure were identified for inclusion in the multivariable analysis. The IPPE professionalism issue(s) (HR 4.8 [95% CI 1.9-12.4]) and pharmacotherapy course failure (HR 4.2 [95% CI, 1.6-11.1]) were associated with APPE failure on multivariable regression. On the secondary analysis, the same variables were identified for multivariable regression, with professional GPA of less than 2.7 (HR 2.7 [95% CI 1.5-5]), IPPE professionalism issue(s) (HR 3.9 [95% CI 2.2-6.9]), and pharmacotherapy course failure (HR 2.0 [95% CI 1.1-3.7]) associated with poor performance. Conclusion. Poor academic performance and/or identified unprofessional behavior while completing IPPEs are associated with APPE failure and poor performance. Interventions should be aimed at identifying at-risk students and addressing risk factors prior to APPEs.
Estro-progestin Contraceptives and Risk of Cervical Cancer: A Debated Issue

Steroid contraceptive hormones may promote human papilloma virus (HPV) - DNA integration into the host genome, may bind to specific HPV-DNA sequences within transcriptional regulatory regions, and may modulate cell apoptosis. Most epidemiological studies, reported in this narrative review, have shown that oral contraception is associated with a 1.5-3.3-fold higher relative risk of cervical carcer, but only in users for >5 years and especially in HPV-positive women. The relative risk declines with increasing time since last use and is not different from that of never users after >10 years. Ten-year oral contraceptive use from the age of 20 years is associated with an increase in the cumulative incidence of invasive cervical cancer at the age of 50 years of approximately 1 case per 1,000. Oral contraception has a very small negative impact on the absolute risk of cancer of the uterine cervix.
Image-Based Machine Learning Characterizes Root Nodule in Soybean Exposed to Silicon

Silicon promotes nodule formation in legume roots which is crucial for nitrogen fixation. However, it is very time-consuming and laborious to count the number of nodules and to measure nodule size manually, which led nodule characterization not to be study as much as other agronomical characters. Thus, the current study incorporated various techniques including machine learning to determine the number and size of root nodules and identify various root phenotypes from root images that may be associated with nodule formation with and without silicon treatment. Among those techniques, the machine learning for characterizing nodule is the first attempt, which enabled us to find high correlations among root phenotypes including root length, number of forks, and average link angles, and nodule characters such as number of nodules and nodule size with silicon treatments. The methods here could greatly accelerate further investigation such as delineating the optimal concentration of silicon for nodule formation.
Novel Carbon Dioxide Utilization Technologies: A Means to an End

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is an essential feature of climate mitigation. With current techniques falling short in terms of performance, cost, and environmental integrity, novel CO2 utilization has the potential to create a multi-billion dollar commodity market that is capable of sequestering large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. To achieve this, significant development in terms of government funding, policy change, and research is needed. This review highlights the current state of novel CO2 utilization technologies. The paper evaluates their future prospects by drawing parallels with two successfully developed hardware-heavy technologies of the last 50 years, namely the solar and the automobile industries. Both technologies have had radically different commercialization pathways, and offer important insights on facilitating and accelerating the development of novel CO2 utilization technologies to meet critically relevant climate targets.
Comprehensive Identification and Expression Profiling of Circular RNAs During Nodule Development in Phaseolus vulgaris

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation by legume nodules provides an abundant nitrogen source for plants, and understanding this process is key for developing green agriculture. Circular RNA (circRNA), a type of endogenous RNA produced by reverse splicing of mRNA precursors, plays important regulatory roles in plants at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. However, the relationship between circRNAs and legume–rhizobium is unknown. Here, we performed comprehensive identification and expression profiling of circRNAs during nodulation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) compared to uninoculated roots of corresponding ages by constructing circRNA-seq and mRNA-seq libraries. We identified 8,842 high-confident circRNAs, 3,448 of which were specifically produced during symbiosis, with the highest number at the nitrogen-fixing stage. Significantly, more circRNAs were derived from exons than from intergenic regions or introns in all samples. The lengths and GC contents of the circRNAs were similar in roots and nodules. However, circRNAs showed specific spatiotemporal expression patterns during nodule and root development. GO and other functional annotation of parental genes of differentially expressed circRNAs indicated their potential involvement in different biological processes. The expression of major circRNAs during symbiosis is independent of parental genes’ expression to a certain degree, while expression of the remaining minor circRNAs showed positive correlation to parental genes. Functional annotation of the targeted mRNAs in the circRNA–miRNA–mRNA network showed that circRNAs may be involved in transmembrane transport and positive regulation of kinase activity during nodulation and nitrogen fixation as miRNA sponges. Our comprehensive analysis of the expression profile of circRNAs and their potential functions suggests that circRNAs may function as new post-transcriptional regulators in legume–rhizobium symbiosis.
Adipose Tissue Metabolic Function and Dysfunction: Impact of Burn Injury

For decades, adipose tissue had been considered as merely a storage depot and cushion to protect organs against trauma and injury. However, in recent years, a number of impactful studies have pinpointed the adipose tissue as an endocrine organ mediating systemic dysfunction in not only metabolic disorders such as obesity, but also in the stages following traumatic events such as severe burns. For instance, thermal injury induces a chronic β-adrenergic response associated with drastic increases in adipose lipolysis, macrophage infiltration and IL-6 mediated browning of white adipose tissue (WAT). The downstream consequences of these physiological changes to adipose, such as hepatomegaly and muscle wasting, are only now coming to light and suggest that WAT is both a culprit in and initiator of metabolic disorders after burn injury. To that effect, the aim of this review is to chronicle and critically analyze the scientific advances made in the study of adipose tissue with regards to its role in orchestrating the hypermetabolic response and detrimental effects of burn injury. The topics covered include the magnitude of the lipolytic response following thermal trauma and how WAT browning and inflammation perpetuate this cycle as well as how WAT physiology impacts insulin resistance and hyperglycemia post-burn. To conclude, we discuss how these findings can be translated from bench to bedside in the form of therapeutic interventions which target physiological changes to WAT to restore systemic homeostasis following a severe burn.
The Blows and Capoeira Movements From the Caricatures of Calixto Cordeiro

This study analyses some elements of the historical and social nature of Capoeira, such as the juridical-political, the clothing, the symbolic and the identity, but, essentially, those of a physical and linguistic nature, from the caricatures produced by Calixto Cordeiro, which illustrated the work of Lima Campos in 1906. In this work, a multi-method process was applied, represented by the presuppositions of Historical Archeology, the interpretation of images indicated by Panofsky, and the documental analysis of various sources. The use of these presuppositions and the confrontation of sources of diverse natures allowed us to interpret the signs, symbols, and meanings from the facts and data described by Cordeiro, about Capoeira presented by different literates. The results of these analyses showed substantial information about the blows/moves of this struggle, as well as its different names, slang and expressive forms, often associated with different groups of practitioners from different Brazilian cities.
GDF8 Promotes the Cell Invasiveness in Human Trophoblasts by Upregulating the Expression of Follistatin-Like 3 Through the ALK5-SMAD2/3 Signaling Pathway

Growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF8) and its antagonist follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) are expressed in the placenta during early pregnancy. These two factors may have a role to play in the regulation of normal placentation. However, whether GDF8 can regulate the expression of FSTL3 in human trophoblasts remains to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of GDF8 on the expression of FSTL3 and the underlying molecular mechanisms using human trophoblasts as a study model. Our results showed that GDF8 significantly upregulates the expression and production of FSTL3, which further promotes cell invasiveness in immortalized extravillous cytotrophoblast cells and primary extravillous cytotrophoblast cells obtained from human first-trimester placentae. Additionally, using an siRNA-mediated knockdown approach, we found that this regulatory effect is most likely mediated by the ALK5-Sma- and Mad-related protein (SMAD)2/3-induced signaling pathway. These findings deepen our understanding of the functional roles of GDF8 and FSTL3 in the regulation of cell invasiveness of trophoblasts.
Anxiety, Depression, and Body Weight in Children and Adolescents With Migraine

Background: There is a lack of studies that explore the possible association between body weight, psychological symptoms, and migraine severity in pediatric populations. The purpose of the study was to explore: (1) the association between body weight and the frequency of migraine attacks, (2) the possible differences in anxiety and depression symptoms according to the frequency of attacks and body weight, and (3) the possible mediating role of anxiety and/or depression in the association between body weight and frequency of migraine attacks in children. Methods: One hundred and eleven children/adolescents with migraine were included (47 boys and 64 girls; mean age 11.7; ±2.4 years). The patients were classified as: (1) high frequency patients, reporting from weekly to daily episodes and (2) low frequency patients, with ≤3 episodes per month. According to their body mass index percentiles, the patients were divided in “Normal weight” (from ≥5 to <85 percentile), “Overweight” (from ≥85 to <95 percentile), and “Obese” (≥95 percentile). Given the low number of obese patients, the overweight and obese groups were considered together in the “Overweight” group. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed by the Self-Administered Psychiatric Scales for Children and Adolescents (SAFA). Results: Fifty-four patients were normal in weight (49.6%), while 56 patients (50.4%) were overweight. The overweight patients showed a higher frequency of migraine attacks (64.7%; p < 0.05). Patients with a high frequency of attacks reported higher scores in all SAFA-Anxiety subscales (SAFA-A Tot: F = 15.107; p = 0.000). Overweight patients showed a significantly higher score in the “Separation anxiety” subscale (F = 7.855; p = 0.006). We found a mediating role between the overweight and high frequency for total anxiety (z = 2.11 ± 0.03; p < 0.05) and social anxiety (z = 2.04 ± 0.03; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that, among the children suffering from migraine, the overweight status is associated with a higher frequency of attacks and separation anxiety symptoms. In particular, our study provides the first evidence of the role of anxiety in linking overweight and the frequency of migraine attacks in children and adolescents.