Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recursive Identification for Nonlinear ARX Systems Based on Stochastic Approximation Algorithm

The nonparametric identification for nonlinear autoregressive systems with exogenous inputs (NARX) described by <i>yk</i>+1=<i>f</i>(<i>yk</i>,.,<i>yk</i>+1-<i>n</i><sub>0</sub>,<i>uk</i>,.,<i>uk</i>+1-<i>n</i><sub>0</sub>)+ε<i>k</i>+1 is considered. First, a condition on <i>f</i>(·) is introduced to guarantee ergodicity and stationarity of {<i>yk</i>} . Then the kernel function based stochastic approximation algorithm with expanding truncations (SAAWET) is proposed to recursively estimate the value of <i>f</i>(φ*) at any given φ* Δ/= [<i>y</i><sup>(1)</sup>,. ,<i>y</i><sup>(</sup><i>n</i><sub>0</sub>),<i>u</i><sup>(1)</sup>,. ,<i>u</i><sup>(</sup><i>n</i><sub>0</sub>)]<sup>τ</sup> ∈ <b>R</b><sup>2</sup><i>n</i><sub>0</sub>. It is shown that the estimate converges to the true value with probability one. In establishing the strong consistency of the estimate, the properties of the Markov chain associated with the NARX system play an important role. Numerical examples are given, which show that the simulation results are consistent with the theoretical analysis. The intention of the paper is not only to present a concrete solution to the problem under consideration but also to profile a new analysis method for nonlinear systems. The proposed method consisting in combining the Markov chain properties with stochastic approximation algorithms may be of future potential, although a restrictive condition has to be imposed on <i>f</i>(·), that is, the growth rate of <i>f</i>(<i>x</i>) should not be faster than linear with coefficient less than 1 as ||<i>x</i>|| tends to infinity.
Role of opioid delta1 receptors, mitochondrial K(ATP) channels, and protein kinase C during cardiocyte apoptosis.

Opioids attenuate cardiac injury after ischemia and reperfusion. We wanted to determine whether the protection of opioids is mediated by blocking cardiocyte apoptosis, and if so, to describe the role of opioid delta1 receptors and protein kinase C (PKC) in this effect. Chick embryonic cardiomyocytes were subjected to 12 h of simulated ischemia and then 12 h of re-oxygenation, which resulted in 54+/-3% (n=6) of cell apoptosis (n=6) as measured by flow cytometry. This result was consistent with DNA laddering and TUNEL assay. Preconditioning, elicited with three cycles of 1 min of simulated ischemia separated by 5 min of reoxygenation before prolonged simulated ischemia, reduced apoptosis (36+/-4%, n=6*). Pretreatment with BNTX (0.1 micromol/l), a selective opioid delta1 receptor blocker, abolished the effects of preconditioning (57+/-5%, n=6). The selective opioid delta receptor agonist BW373U86 (20 pmol/l) also attenuated apoptosis (39+/-3%, n=6* v control). These effects were abolished by 5-hydroxydecanoate (100 microm), a selective mitochondrial K(ATP) channel blocker (50+/-5%, n=6) and by Go-6976 (0.1 micromol/l), a specific PKC inhibitor. Both preconditioning and BW373U86 activated the PKC delta isoform of particulate fraction before simulated ischemia without effect on total and cytosolic fractions. Stimulation of opioid delta1 receptors activates mitochondrial K(ATP) channels and the PKC delta isoform in cultured ventricular myocytes. This is one important signal transduction pathway through which ischemic preconditioning blocks apoptosis and preserves cardiac function.
Influence of hyperglycemia on glucose uptake and hepatic glucose production in non-dialyzed uremic patients.

To determine whether the deranged glucose metabolism in uremia, in addition to insulin resistance can be attributed also to reduced glucose-induced glucose uptake, a two-step sequential hyperglycemic clamp (plasma glucose: 120 and 300 mg/dl) was performed in 6 non-dialyzed uremic and 8 healthy subjects. A constant infusion of somatostatin (300 micrograms/h) and soluble insulin (0.2 mU/kg/min) resulted in peripheral serum insulin slightly higher than basal in both uremics (16 +/- 3 and 22 +/- 3 microU/ml; step 1 and 2, respectively) and controls (20 +/- 2 and 22 +/- 1 microU/ml). The glucose-induced glucose uptake (3-3H-glucose) assessed as the difference between step 2 and 1 glucose disposal at the final 30 min of each step was markedly reduced in uremics (3.2 +/- 0.5 mg/kg/min) compared to healthy subjects (5.7 +/- 0.8 mg/kg/min; p less than 0.03). However, the percentage increment in glucose uptake from step 1 to step 2 hyperglycemia was comparable in the two groups (134 +/- 27 and 148 +/- 17%). Modest hyperglycemia (120 mg/dl) and slightly raised insulinemia resulted in comparable suppression of the endogenous (hepatic) glucose production (EGP) in healthy (1.6 +/- 0.2 mg/kg/min) and uremic subjects (1.5 +/- 0.3 mg/kg/min). In controls, pronounced hyperglycemia (300 mg/dl) further reduced EGP (0.6 +/- 0.3 mg/kg/min; p less than 0.01) while EGP in uremics on the contrary tended to rise (2.0 +/- 0.4 mg/kg/min; p = 0.09), thus indicating an abnormal reaction of the liver. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Is unemployment on steroids in advanced economies?

Abstract Conventional macroeconomic theory is based on the idea that demand shocks can only have temporary effects on unemployment, however several European economies display highly persistent unemployment dynamics. The theory of hysteresis points out that, under certain conditions, demand disturbances can have permanent effects. We find strong evidence of unemployment hysteresis in advanced economies since the 1990s. Relying on an identification scheme instigated by an insider/outsider model, we exploit the heterogeneity in impulse responses to demand shocks to investigate what labor institutions soften or amplify these responses. Our results indicate that strengthening labor institutions that promote a faster adjustment of real wages, removing disincentives for firms to hire and for workers to be employed, and improving the matching between labor supply and demand can lessen the effects of adverse demand shocks and lead to a faster reversion of unemployment rates to pre-shock levels.
Lipoprotein(a) as a potent risk indicator for early cardiovascular disease

Aim: Elevated levels of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] are associated with increased cardiovascular risk in adults. It is not known whether Lp(a) elevation can be regarded as an additional risk factor even in children and adolescents. Therefore the purpose of this study was to compare the serum concentrations, distribution and frequency of Lp(a) and lipids of children and adolescents with premature parental and/or grandparental cardiovascular disease (CVD) with controls. Methods: 103 children and adolescents, aged 6–18 y, from families with premature CVD in a parent and/or grandparent, i.e. before the age of 55 y, and 103 controls were estimated for lipids and Lp(a). Results: Mean levels of total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and Lp(a) were significantly higher in the risk than in the control group. Median Lp(a) levels were 20 (10–61.5) mg dl‐1 in the risk subjects, and 15 (6–26.5) mg dl‐1 in the control subjects (p= 0.005). Mean TC and LDL‐C concentrations of the risk group compared with the control group were 211 mg dl‐1 (5.5 mmol l‐1) versus 165 mg dl‐1 (4.3 mmol l‐1) (p > 0.0001), and 140 mg dl‐1 (3.6 mmol l‐1) versus 101 mg dl‐1 (2.6 mmol l‐1) (p > 0.0001), respectively.
Mammary Paget's disease and extra‐mammary Paget's disease: two morphologically similar but biologically different diseases

Background: The cells of origin of mammary Paget's disease (MPD) and extra‐mammary Paget's disease (EMPD) have been a controversial subject. The purpose of this study is to examine the expression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) pathway members in these two diseases.
Developmental expression and differential cellular localization of obscurin and obscurin‐associated kinase in cardiac muscle cells

Obscurin and obscurin‐associated kinase are two products of the obscurin transcriptional unit that encodes a recently identified giant muscle‐specific protein obscurin. In this study, we characterized the developmental expression and cellular localization of obscurin and obscurin‐associated kinase in cardiac muscle cells. We cloned murine obscurin‐associated kinase and found that it is abundantly expressed in the heart as two isotypes encoded by 2.2 and 4.9 kb sequences. The 2.2 kb isotype of the kinase was more prominently expressed than the 4.9 kb isotype. Both obscurin and the kinase‐like domains were progressively upregulated since the early stages of cardiac development. Obscurin‐associated kinase was expressed at higher levels than obscurin at early stages of cardiomyogenesis. Increasing intensity of obscurin expression in the developing heart positively correlated with progressive cell differentiation and was higher in the ventricles compared to the atria. These data were supported by the results of experiments with primary cardiac cell cultures. Obscurin localization changed from a weakly immunopositive diffuse pattern in poorly differentiated cells to an intensely immunolabeled cross‐striated distribution at the level of mid‐A‐bands and Z‐disks during the assembly of the myofibrillar contractile apparatus. In dividing myocytes, unlike the interphase cells, obscurin translocated from disassembling myofibrils into a diffuse granulated pattern segregated separately from α‐actinin‐immunopositive aggregates. Obscurin‐associated kinase was localized mainly to cell nuclei with increasing incorporation into the Z‐disks during differentiation. Our results suggest that these two novel proteins are involved in the progression of cardiac myogenesis during the transition to advanced stages of heart development. J. Cell. Biochem. 103: 1621–1635, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dual-Band Magnetoelectric Dipole Antenna With Dual-Sense Circularly Polarized Character

In this paper, a dual-band dual-sense circularly polarized (CP) magnetoelectric dipole antenna is proposed. The antenna consists of a cavity reflector, two pairs of vertical and horizontal copper plates, and a crossed <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Gamma $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-shaped feeding structure. The shorted vertical plates work as quasi-magnetic dipoles (M-dipoles), while the connected horizontal plates work as electric dipoles (E-dipoles). Two M-dipoles and E-dipoles are designed to possess different heights and lengths, and thus they are able to achieve separate operation bands. To generate dual-sense CP performance, the M-dipoles and E-dipoles are placed in parallel and the adjacent E-dipoles extend along the opposite directions. Benefiting from the intrinsic 90° phase difference between the M-dipole and E-dipole, the left-hand CP is achieved within the lower operation band (2.15–3.4 GHz) and the right-hand CP is achieved within the upper band (4–6.3 GHz). The proposed antenna possesses a unidirectional radiation pattern with high front-to-back ratio (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\ge 22$ </tex-math></inline-formula> dB). Furthermore, high gain (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\ge 8$ </tex-math></inline-formula> dBi) and radiation efficiency (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\ge 90$ </tex-math></inline-formula>%) are also achieved.
An Experimental Investigation of Two Hybrid Frameworks for Stock Index Prediction Using Neural Network and Support Vector Regression

Stock price index (SPI) prediction is essential to investors when they make investment decisions. However, due to the intrinsic complexity and non-stationary of SPI, accurate SPI prediction has been a challenge task for a longtime. Compared to a quantity of single algorithms, hybrid methods always have higher prediction accuracy. Based on the theories of genetic algorithm (GA), grey model (GM), back-propagation neural network (BPNN) and support vector regression (SVR), in this paper, two hybrid models named GA-SVR-GM and GABPNN-GM are proposed for improving the prediction accuracy of Composite Index in Shanghai Stock Exchange (SHSE) and Component Index in Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE). The SVR (or BPNN) is first used to forecast SPI and then with the obtained errors GM is constructed taking into account the different patterns that the SVR (or BPNN) cannot identify, reducing with the final errors. Moreover, in order to obtain the better forecasting results of SVR (or BPNN), the model parameters are optimized by GA. Two prediction cases of SPI are used to test the performance of the proposed hybrid models. Compared with the random walk (RW), SVR, and BPNN, the simulation results show that the GA-SVR-GM and GA-BPNN-GM consistently have the minimum statistical error of the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Thus, it can be concluded that such improving methods are effective.
[A study on resorbable local metronidazol delivery devices]

A local metronidazol (MTZ) delivery using resorbable base material was studied. In vitro MTZ was almost completely released within 24 hrs from the hydroxypropylmethyl cellullouse(HPMC) strips.In vivo,release of the drug strips was also measured in six patients who had deep pockets of more than 5mm.MTZ-containing HPMC strip was inserted in the pocket.The average amount of MTZ in the gingival crevicalar fluid(GCF) 24 hrs after insertion of strip was 40microg/ml. (much higher than the reported MIC of some microorganisms associated with adult periodontitis). In vitro there were significant inhibitory effects of MTZ containing strips on the microorganisms associated with periodontal disease.The prevalence of spirochetes and motil rods,and gingival index(GI) was remarkably reduced in the MTZ administered pockets,It is suggest that this new direct drug delivery system with HPMC used as base material could be used to treat periodontal disease.
Kinematic magnetic resonance imaging of the normal shoulder: assessment of the labrum and capsule.

OBJECTIVE To examine the normal shoulder, specifically the labrum and the capsule, with kinematic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in asymptomatic volunteers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Fourteen asymptomatic volunteers 22 to 53 years of age were studied with a 1.5-T Signa Advantage imager (GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee). Successive static gradient-echo images were obtained in the transverse plane at the mid-glenoid level as the shoulder was successively positioned from full internal to full external rotation. These images were correlated with standard transverse T1-weighted spin-echo images and gradient-echo volume images obtained in the neutral position. RESULTS The anterior labrum was slightly mobile during rotation in 11 subjects and changed shape from blunted or round to triangular in 8 subjects. A wide variation in morphologic features of the anterior labrum was observed. During rotation, a slight increase in signal intensity was noted in the anterior labrum of five of the subjects. The posterior labrum maintained a relatively stable triangular shape in most cases. Dynamic study allowed assessment of the anterior capsule insertion in all cases. Three subjects had type 1 and 11 had type 2 capsular insertion. No cases of type 3 insertion were identified. CONCLUSIONS Variation in the shape and signal intensity of the anterior labrum observed in normal asymptomatic volunteers during transverse kinematic examination of the shoulder should be taken into account during evaluation of shoulder instability, since this variation may be clinically insignificant. Kinematic MRI allows easy evaluation of the anterior capsule.
Modifications of flow measurement to determine fibrin gel permeability and the preliminary use in research and clinical materials

Our earlier investigations employing a flow measurement have yielded intriguing findings as to what governs the fibrin network porosity. To make the method suitable for use by more groups with various laboratory conditions, sample materials or study purposes, we simplified the essential equipment and thereby minimized the sample volume to 250 μl in comparison with the need for 3000 μl in the previous method. To assess whether the fibrin gel permeability depends on changes in thrombin generation potential and/or fibrinogen clotting property, different concentrations of thrombin with or without frozen–thawed platelets, serving as phospholipids, were used. The platelets and 0.05 IU/ml thrombin were added to plasma samples from patients with previous myocardial infarction. The fibrin gel permeability, expressed as Darcy constant (Ks), was decreased compared with that in controls, supporting findings about high risk of thromboembolism in this disease due to increases of thrombin activity and fibrinogen function. When 0.4 IU/ml thrombin was used in samples provided by 10 healthy individuals treated with acetysalicylic acid, Ks levels were increased during versus before therapy. Since almost no thrombin generation was found in the samples with the higher dose of exogenous thrombin, we considered that modifications in fibrinogen clotting property by acetysalicylic acid rendered the fibrin network more permeable. In summary, as the reproducibility remains satisfactory (coefficient of variation < 10%) despite aforementioned modifications in the equipment and reagents, any interested laboratory ought to be able to repeat the method. Assays of fibrin permeability in such a simple way may help to determine the fibrin clot stability in pathological/pharmacological studies, and probably serve as a tool to estimate thromboembolism risk in clinical materials, such as patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Childhood Obesity Is a High-risk Factor for Hypertriglyceridemia: A Case-control Study in Vietnam

Objectives To investigate the relationship between dyslipidemia and obesity status among Viet-namese adolescents. Methods In this case-control study, 282 adolescents (6–11 years), including 88 obese cases and 194 normal-weight controls, were recruited from a population-based cross-sectional study from two provinces in Vietnam. The anthropometric, blood lipid, and other laboratory test results of the study subjects were analyzed. Results Obese children tended to have more visceral fat (Pearson’s r = 0.795, p < 0.0001) than subcutaneous fat (Pearson’s r = 0.754, p < 0.0001), and this difference was associated with an increase in blood triglyceride level (Pearson’s r = 0.232, p < 0.05) and a strikingly high rate of hypertriglyceridemia (38.6%). We also found that birth weight and parental body mass index were related to the status of obesity among the study subjects. However, only birth weight was significantly higher in the obese group than in the normal weight group. These findings indicate the effect of prenatal nutrition on childhood obesity. Furthermore, high-birth weight children had a surprisingly high rate of obesity. Conclusion Together, our data suggest that obesity increased the risk for hypertriglyceridemia, which was, at least partially, due to prenatal nutrition.
Emerging challenges of an urban creative economy: reflections on the governance of creative clusters in Taipei City

ABSTRACT Retaining the global mobile creative class has been considered a crucial strategy for driving creative economic development in inner cities. However, implementing the global creative city strategy overemphasizes the significance of amenity-based creative economic landscapes over institutional collaborations in contributing to the situated governance dynamics of creative clusters. Drawing on insights from an evolutionary perspective, this paper scrutinizes the extent to which creative city strategies foster the situated development of creative clusters based on a case study of Taipei. The paper argues that developing the urban creative economy requires a context-specific understanding of the urbanization process, and should involve an institutional collaboration to articulate the socio-spatial co-evolution between the diversified dynamics of creative clusters and urban form. This paper advocates reflexive thinking on neoliberal city strategies to develop a conjunctive, diverse and substantial creative policy to support alternative paths of creative city development.
Heliox improves oxygen delivery and utilization during dynamic exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

RATIONALE Normoxic heliox (mixture of 79% He and 21% O(2)) may enhance exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It remains to be determined whether part of these beneficial effects could be ascribed to increased O(2) delivery (O(2)DEL) to locomotor muscles. OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of heliox on peripheral O(2)DEL and utilization during exercise in moderate to severe COPD. METHODS Twelve mildly hypoxic or nonhypoxemic men (FEV(1) = 45.0 +/- 13.0% predicted) underwent constant-work rate tests (70-80% peak) to the limit of tolerance while receiving heliox or room air. Near-infrared spectroscopy determined changes (Delta) in leg muscle deoxygenation (deoxyhemoglobin concentration [HHb], an index of fractional O(2) extraction), and surface electromyography estimated muscle fiber recruitment (n = 5). Q and Sp(O(2)) were monitored by impedance cardiography and pulse oximetry, respectively. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Heliox significantly decreased dynamic hyperinflation and increased exercise tolerance compared with room air (640 +/- 95 s vs. 371 +/- 100 s; P < 0.01). Heliox also accelerated on-exercise dynamics of Q, which were accompanied by faster O(2) uptake kinetics and slower Delta[HHb] responses (P < 0.05). During steady-state exercise, Sp(O(2))-corrected Delta[HHb] values decreased with heliox despite no significant changes in cardiac output. Muscle fiber recruitment and leg effort scores were also diminished (P < 0.05). On a multiple regression analysis, reductions in dynamic hyperinflation, dyspnea, and Delta[HHb] were independently related to improvements in exercise tolerance with heliox (R(2) = 0.91; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Heliox increases lower limb O(2)DEL and utilization during dynamic exercise in patients with moderate to severe COPD. These effects enhance exercise tolerance in this patient population.
Positive Analysis of Potential in China’s Cotton Import

Since 2003, China has been the largest importer of cotton in the world. Generally, China’s cotton import has relatively high market centralization at present with the cotton imported from top three trading partners taking up 74.94% of the total import of cotton. This paper constructed an improved gravity model of trade and analyzed the development potential of China’s cotton import by utilizing the panel data during 1992-2016 of top forty trading partners. Results of the empirical study show that the cotton imported to China from fourteen countries including Switzerland, Nigeria, Bengal, Indonesia, Turkey and Australia is at the stage of excessive import”; the cotton imported to China from eleven countries including Cameroon, Egypt, Togo, Chad, Mali and India is at the stage of “import saturation”, so there is limited space for the import of cotton from those countries; the cotton imported to China from fifteen countries including Cote d'Ivoire, Zambia, Malaysia, Tajikistan and Brazil is at the stage of “insufficient import”. Besides, China shall preferentially import cotton from Turkmenistan, Iran and Malaysia which offer relatively lower export price and increase imports from Brazil and Greece these two major cotton producers and exporters.