Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comments on "Output feedback stabilization for uncertain systems: constrained Riccati approach"

For original paper, by Cheng, see ibid., vol.43, p.81-4 (1998). In the above paper, the constrained Riccati problem (CRP) has been proposed to deal with mismatched uncertainty by extending the concept of the constrained Lyapunov problem. In this note, we show the solvability condition for the CRP only gives a solution for the class of square systems not for the nonsquare systems.
Trust in Prescription Drug Brand Websites: Website Trust Cues, Attitude Toward the Website, and Behavioral Intentions

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug brand websites, as a form of DTC advertising, are receiving increasing attention due to the growing number and importance as an ad and a consumer information source. This study examined consumer trust in a DTC website as an important factor influencing consumers' attitude toward the website and behavioral intention. Applying the conceptual framework of website trust, the particular focus of investigation was the effect of the website trust cue factor on consumers' perceived DTC website trust and subsequent attitudinal and behavioral responses. Results show a significant relation between the website trust cue factor and consumers' perceived DTC website trust. Perceived DTC website trust, in turn, was found to be significantly associated with consumers' attitude toward the DTC website and behavioral intention.
Stochastic variation in network epidemic models: implications for the design of community level HIV prevention trials

Important sources of variation in the spread of HIV in communities arise from overlapping sexual networks and heterogeneity in biological and behavioral risk factors in populations. These sources of variation are not routinely accounted for in the design of HIV prevention trials. In this paper, we use agent‐based models to account for these sources of variation. We illustrate the approach with an agent‐based model for the spread of HIV infection among men who have sex with men in South Africa. We find that traditional sample size approaches that rely on binomial (or Poisson) models are inadequate and can lead to underpowered studies. We develop sample size and power formulas for community randomized trials that incorporate estimates of variation determined from agent‐based models. We conclude that agent‐based models offer a useful tool in the design of HIV prevention trials. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tissue Optics: Light Scattering Methods and Instruments for Medical Diagnosis

This third edition of the biomedical optics classic Tissue Optics covers the continued intensive growth in tissue optics-in particular, the field of tissue diagnostics and imaging-that has occurred since 2007. As in the first two editions, Part I describes fundamentals and basic research, and Part II presents instrumentation and medical applications. However, for the reader's convenience, this third edition has been reorganized into 14 chapters instead of 9. The chapters covering optical coherence tomography, digital holography and interferometry, controlling optical properties of tissues, nonlinear spectroscopy, and imaging have all been substantially updated. The book is intended for researchers, teachers, and graduate and undergraduate students specializing in the physics of living systems, biomedical optics and biophotonics, laser biophysics, and applications of lasers in biomedicine. It can also be used as a textbook for courses in medical physics, medical engineering, and medical biology.
Microvariation Artifacts Introduced by PCR and Cloning of Closely Related 16S rRNA Gene Sequences

ABSTRACT A defined template mixture of seven closely related 16S-rDNA clones was used in a PCR-cloning experiment to assess and track sources of artifactual sequence variation in 16S rDNA clone libraries. At least 14% of the recovered clones contained aberrations. Artifact sources were polymerase errors, a mutational hot spot, and cloning of heteroduplexes and chimeras. These data may partially explain the high degree of microheterogeneity typical of sequence clusters detected in environmental clone libraries.
Differential Regulation by Cyclic Nucleotides of the CNGA4 and CNGB1b Subunits in Olfactory Cyclic Nucleotide–Gated Channels

Different subunits of olfactory CNG channels enable specific regulation of channel activity by cAMP or cGMP. Unraveling Regulation of Olfactory CNG Channels by Cyclic Nucleotides Heterotetrameric olfactory cyclic nucleotide–gated (CNG) channels undergo complex regulation by cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP, with activation in response to binding to the CNGA2 subunit well established. Nache et al. used a fluorescent cGMP (fcGMP) analog and confocal patch-clamp fluorometry, which allows simultaneous analysis of ligand binding and channel activity, to explore channel regulation in response to ligand binding. Analysis of heterotetrameric channels containing various combinations of the CNGA4, CNGB1b, and CNGA2 subunits, with and without mutations that compromised cyclic nucleotide binding, showed that both the CNGA4 and the CNGA2 subunits, but not the CNGB1b subunit, bound and activated the channel in response to fcGMP. In contrast, all three subunits contributed to channel activation by cAMP. Thus, the presence of the CNGB1b subunit may enable the channel to discriminate between cAMP and cGMP. Olfactory cyclic nucleotide–gated (CNG) ion channels are essential contributors to signal transduction of olfactory sensory neurons. The activity of the channels is controlled by the cyclic nucleotides guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) and adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP). The olfactory CNG channels are composed of two CNGA2 subunits, one CNGA4 and one CNGB1b subunit, each containing a cyclic nucleotide–binding domain. Using patch-clamp fluorometry, we measured ligand binding and channel activation simultaneously and showed that cGMP activated olfactory CNG channels not only by binding to the two CNGA2 subunits but also by binding to the CNGA4 subunit. In a channel in which the CNGA2 subunits were compromised for ligand binding, cGMP binding to CNGA4 was sufficient to partly activate the channel. In contrast, in heterotetrameric channels, the CNGB1b subunit did not bind cGMP, but channels with this subunit showed activation by cAMP. Thus, the modulatory subunits participate actively in translating ligand binding to activation of heterotetrameric olfactory CNG channels and enable the channels to differentiate between cyclic nucleotides.
MEASUREMENT OF THE SPIN–ORBIT MISALIGNMENT OF KOI-13.01 FROM ITS GRAVITY-DARKENED KEPLER TRANSIT LIGHTCURVE

We model the asymmetry of the KOI-13.01 transit lightcurve assuming a gravity-darkened rapidly rotating host star in order to constrain the system's spin–orbit alignment and transit parameters. We find that our model can reproduce the Kepler lightcurve for KOI-13.01 with a sky-projected alignment of λ = 23° ± 4° and with the star's north pole tilted away from the observer by 48° ± 4° (assuming M* = 2.05 M☉). With both these determinations, we calculate that the net misalignment between this planet's orbit normal and its star's rotational pole is 56° ± 4°. Degeneracies in our geometric interpretation also allow a retrograde spin–orbit angle of 124° ± 4°. This is the first spin–orbit measurement to come from gravity darkening and is one of only a few measurements of the full (not just the sky-projected) spin–orbit misalignment of an extrasolar planet. We also measure accurate transit parameters incorporating stellar oblateness and gravity darkening: R* = 1.756 ± 0.014 R☉, Rp = 1.445 ± 0.016 RJup, and i = 85. °9 ± 0. °4. The new lower planetary radius falls within the planetary mass regime for plausible interior models for the transiting body. A simple initial calculation shows that KOI-13.01's circular orbit is apparently inconsistent with the Kozai mechanism having driven its spin–orbit misalignment; planet–planet scattering and stellar spin migration remain viable mechanisms. Future Kepler data will improve the precision of the KOI-13.01 transit lightcurve, allowing more precise determination of transit parameters and the opportunity to use the Photometric Rossiter–McLaughlin effect to resolve the prograde/retrograde orbit determination degeneracy.
Effects of habitat fragmentation and disturbance on howler monkeys: a review

We examined the literature on the effects of habitat fragmentation and disturbance on howler monkeys (genus Alouatta) to (1) identify different threats that may affect howlers in fragmented landscapes; (2) review specific predictions developed in fragmentation theory and (3) identify the empirical evidence supporting these predictions. Although howlers are known for their ability to persist in both conserved and disturbed conditions, we found evidence that they are negatively affected by high levels of habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation. Patch size appears to be the main factor constraining populations in fragmented habitats, probably because patch size is positively related to food availability, and negatively related to anthropogenic pressures, physiological stress and parasite loads. Patch isolation is not a strong predictor of either patch occupancy or population size in howlers, a result that may be related to the ability of howlers to move among forest patches. Thus, we propose that it is probable that habitat loss has larger consistent negative effects on howler populations than habitat fragmentation per se. In general, food availability decreases with patch size, not only due to habitat loss, but also because the density of big trees, plant species richness and howlers' home range size are lower in smaller patches, where howlers' population densities are commonly higher. However, it is unclear which vegetation attributes have the biggest influence on howler populations. Similarly, our knowledge is still limited concerning the effects of postfragmentation threats (e.g. hunting and logging) on howlers living in forest patches, and how several endogenous threats (e.g. genetic diversity, physiological stress, and parasitism) affect the distribution, population structure and persistence of howlers. More long‐term studies with comparable methods are necessary to quantify some of the patterns discussed in this review, and determine through meta‐analyses whether there are significant inter‐specific differences in species' responses to habitat loss and fragmentation. Am. J. Primatol. 72:1–16, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Physiological Basis of Uterine Contractility: A Short Review

In this review we discuss our current understanding of the cellular basis of uterine contractility, highlighting those areas requiring further study. It is clear that the basic processes of excitation‐contraction coupling lie within the myometrial cell, and that these may be modified by agonists. Pacemaker acitivity, however, remains a mystery. The contribution of extracellular calcium entry to contraction is shown to be vital, whilst the role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum remains controversial. Much current experimental focus is on pathways controlling and regulating contraction, and we discuss sensitisation mechanisms and question their role in intact uterine preparations.
Comparison of engineering scenarios for N x 160 Gb/s WDM transmission systems

We simulate a transmission system at 160-Gb/s bit rate per wavelength and make comparisons between line engineering in order to increase the system reach. We show interesting features of a hybrid scenario combining both inline distributed Raman amplification and lumped erbium amplification before linear higher order mode dispersion-compensating modules.
Assessment of dronabinol and its stereo-isomers

F. WHO Review History: Dronabinol was included in Schedule I of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances at the time of its adoption as Delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol together with several other isomers of tetrahydrocannabinol. At its 26 meeting, ECDD recommended that dronabinol, which is the (-)-trans isomer of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, be moved to Schedule II, while keeping the other stereoisomer in Schedule I. This proposal was rejected by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and ECDD reviewed the question again at its 27 meeting in 1990, which recommended that all the stereochemical variants of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol be rescheduled to Schedule II. This recommendation was adopted by CND. At the 32 meeting, ECDD pre-reviewed dronabinol and recommended its critical review on the grounds that the rate of abuse of dronabinol was extremely low. Dronabinol was critically reviewed by the 33 ECDD in September 2002. On the basis of the available data the Committee considered that dronabinol should be rescheduled to Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention. However, the procedure was not finished and the Committee's advice was not sent to the CND at that time. For this reason the existing critical review report is updated, including the numerous new scientific publications of the last few years, in order to enable the ECDD to finalize the process of critical review.
A low power and high performance analog front end for passive RFID transponder

This paper presents a novel low power and high performance analog front end circuit for passive RFID transponder. With a novel architecture including three rectifier circuits, among which a new high efficient rectifier circuit is proposed, and other circuits optimized for low power, this analog front end is characterized by high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and low power consumption. The circuit includes all the analog front end modules for a transponder to perform a complete function. Besides, the analog front end circuit is compatible with standard CMOS process.
Two Stage Neural Network model for Recognition of Indian Languages from Speech

India is a multilingual country. Officially about 2 0 languages are recognized by the government and th ere are about 500 languages spoken at different parts of the coun try. For developing the speech systems in Indian co text, it is necessary to capture the language specific knowledg e automatically from speech. Further it may be expl oited for different speech tasks such as language identificat ion, speaker identification, speech recognition and so on. In this paper we focus on identification of 15 Indian langu a es from speech using spectral features. In this w ork, spectral features are represented by Mel frequency cepstral coefficients. The 15 Indian languages considered f or this study are: Assamese (As), Bengali (Ben), Gujarati (Guj), Hindi (Hi), Kannada (Ka), Kashmiri (Kas), Malayalam (Mal), Marathi (Mar), Nepali (Nep), Oriya (Or), Punjabi (P un), Rajasthani (Raj), Tamil (Ta), Telugu (Te) and Urdu (Ur). Here neural network models are explored for capturi ng the language specific information from the spect ral features. Its known that the vocal tract characteristics are different, for producing the sound units in differe nt languages [1]. Directly attempting to develop simple language mode ls using neural networks may not give the optimal p erformance, as most of the Indian languages are originated from the single ancient root language Sanskrit, and hence they are confusing. The degree of confusion is very high in the languages of neighboring geographical regions.
Hydroxylase-dependent regulation of the NF-κB pathway

Abstract Hypoxia is associated with a diverse range of physiological and pathophysiological processes, including development, wound healing, inflammation, vascular disease and cancer. The requirement that eukaryotic cells have for molecular oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor for the electron transport chain means that the maintenance of oxygen delivery is key for bioenergetic homeostasis. Metazoans have evolved an effective way to adapt to hypoxic stress at the molecular level through a transcription factor termed the hypoxia inducible factor. A family of oxygen-sensing hydroxylases utilizes molecular oxygen as a co-substrate for the hydroxylation of hypoxia inducible factor α subunits, thereby reducing its expression and transcriptional activity when oxygen is available. Recent studies have indicated that other hypoxia-responsive transcriptional pathways may also be hydroxylase-dependent. In this review, we will discuss the role of hydroxylases in the regulation of NF-κB, a key regulator of immunity and inflammation. Developing our understanding of the role of hydroxylases in hypoxic inflammation may identify novel therapeutic approaches in chronic inflammatory disease.
Nested and interleaved direct sequence spread spectrum to enhance CDMA security and bit error rate performance

Two new methods, the nested direct sequence spread spectrum and interleaved direct sequence spread spectrum, are introduced in view of the previously investigated spread spectrum methods. In the nested direct sequence method, the security is maintained, and the cross‐correlation between different codes resulting in multi‐user interference that corresponds to BER performance is improved, while in the interleaved direct sequence spread spectrum, the security is improved and BER performance is maintained. Both methods are analysed by mathematical relations as well as computer simulations and are compared with the existing methods. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Common modulation of motor unit pairs during slow wrist movement in man

1 The activity of 36 pairs of single motor units were recorded with intramuscular wire electrodes from m. extensor carpi radialis while subjects performed slow wrist extension and flexion movements. Periods of steady position holding were interposed between movements. 2 The discharge trains from pairs of motor units were analysed statistically in the time and frequency domains. During extension movements, when the muscle recorded from was the agonist, coherence between motor units was significant below 12 Hz, with a peak at 6–12 Hz in 30 of 36 pairs (83 %). The magnitude of coherence decreased during position holding compared to movements in 26 pairs, while the difference in average firing rate was small. 3 During movements, but not during position holding, coherence estimates between single motor units and acceleration showed a significant peak at 6–12 Hz in 56 out of 62 motor units, suggesting that a modulation of motor unit discharge contributed to angular acceleration at these frequencies. Common motor unit modulation was present at 3 Hz as well, although the coupling between motor unit activity was weaker than at 6–12 Hz. 4 It is concluded that a 6–12 Hz common modulation of agonist motor units is a distinguishing feature of slow voluntary wrist movements, extending the previously established notion of an 8–10 Hz rhythmic organization of slow finger movements to more proximal limb segments. It is suggested that the 6–12 Hz input is specific for movements and is normally absent or much weaker during steady maintenance of position or force.
Correlative Study of Human Papillomavirus DNA, Histopathology, and Morphometry in Cervical Condyloma and Intraepithelial Neoplasia

SummaryThis study includes 28 intraepithelial squamous lesions of the cervix associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA sequences detected by the Southern blot technique. Objective analyses of the histologic features by mor-phometric parameters and mitotic index have demonstrated that lesions of HPV types 6 and 11 can be distinguished from types 16, 18, and 33 by stepwise discriminant functions. The latter lesions have higher mitotic and cellularity indexes and greater nuclear atypia than the former, supporting a greater degree of epithelial proliferation and abnormality seen in association with HPV types 16/18/33.
Myosin regulatory light chain as a critical substrate of cell death: a hypothesis.

As known, gamma-interferon-induced cell death in HeLa cells can be mediated via the recently identified protein kinase, death associated protein (DAP) kinase which is localized to the microfilament system of the cytoskeleton. However, the downstream or upstream effectors of DAP kinase remain uncertain. In the present work, we hypothesize that the most probable substrate for DAP kinase is regulatory light chain of myosin II, by phosphorylating which the kinase can transduct death signals.
Hwabyung and Depressive Symptoms among Korean Immigrants

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A Literature Review on Predictive Monitoring of Business Processes

The goal of predictive monitoring is to help the business achieve their goals, help them take the right business path, predict outcomes, estimate delivery time, and make business processes risk aware. In this thesis, we have carefully collected and reviewed in detail all literature which falls in this process mining category. The objective of the thesis is to design a Predictive Monitoring Framework and classify the different predictive monitoring techniques. The framework acts as a guide for researchers and businesses. Researchers who are investigating in this field and businesses who want to apply these techniques in their respective field.
Arginine and Conjugated Linoleic Acid Reduce Fat Mass in Rats

Arginine and Conjugated Linoleic Acid Reduce Fat Mass in Rats. (May 2008) Jennifer Lynn Nall, B.S., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Stephen B. Smith This experiment tested the hypothesis that the combination of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) plus arginine will decrease fat accumulation and increase muscle mass. Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial design with six rats per treatment group (control: 2.55% alanine in drinking water + 1.5% canola oil; arginine: 1.25% arginine-HCl in drinking water + 1.5% canola oil; conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; mixed isomers): 2.55% alanine in drinking water + 1.5% CLA; arginine + CLA: 1.25% arginine-HCl in drinking water + 1.5% CLA). Rats fed arginine plus CLA had a higher daily intake of food (P = 0.02). Rats fed arginine plus CLA had a higher average daily gain than rats fed only arginine or CLA. Arginine and CLA increased final body weights (P = 0.04,0.009). Abdominal fat mass (P = 0.08) and abdominal fat:lean body mass ratio (P = 0.03) were decreased by CLA but were unaffected by arginine. Epididymal fat pad weight was unaffected by arginine or CLA (P > 0.55). CLA tended (P < 0.07) to decrease the plasma oleic/stearic acid ratio. Conversion of C-labeled glucose and palmitic acid to total lipids and CO2 in epididymal adipose tissue in vitro was unaffected by CLA. Arginine decreased (P =