bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved multiobjective switching gain‐scheduled controller synthesis exploiting inexact scheduling parameters
Authors: Yavari Reza , Sadeghzadeh Arash , Shamaghdari Saeed 
Published: October 2020

SummaryIn this article, the design problem of switching gain‐scheduled output‐feedback (SGSOF) controller with mixed performance exploiting inexact scheduling parameters for continuous‐time linear parameter‐varying (LPV) systems is tackled. The absolute and proportional uncertainties on the scheduling parameters are considered. All the system matrices of the LPV plant are supposed to have polynomial dependency of arbitrary degree on the scheduling parameters. By exploiting hysteresis switching law and utilizing two independent families of parameter‐dependent Lyapunov matrices and a family of slack variables, introducing additional degrees of freedom, performance improvement is achieved. A design approach, involving a two‐step algorithm, is proposed in terms of solutions to a set of parameter‐dependent linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) including parameter searches for two scalar values. The merit of the proposed method lies in its less conservativeness in comparison with the available approaches in the literature. Numerical studies are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented method.
Distributed Kalman filtering for uncertain dynamic systems with state constraints
Authors: Lv Xiaoxu , Duan Peihu , Duan Zhisheng 
Published: October 2020

SummaryThis article addresses the distributed state estimation problem for uncertain time‐varying dynamic systems with state constraints over a sensor network. By using a null space method, the distributed state estimation problem for uncertain dynamic systems with state constraints can be cast into a new unconstrained distributed state estimation problem for reduced uncertain dynamic systems. A constrained distributed Kalman filter is proposed, and it is shown that the full state estimates can be recovered at any time and satisfy the constraints. An optimized upper bound of the estimation error covariance of each sensor is obtained, and the corresponding gains are designed. The application conditions of the proposed algorithm are mild, and they can be off‐line checked. Furthermore, the computational requirements in this article are also reduced compared with the existing results. Finally, the performance of the proposed filter algorithm is demonstrated through numerical simulations.
Electrochemical Preparation of Covalently Bonded PEDOT ‐ Graphene Oxide Composite Electrochromic Materials Using Thiophene‐2‐methylanine as Bridging Group
Authors: Xiong Shanxin , Zhang Jiaojiao , Wu Bohua , Chu Jia , Wang Xiaoqin , Zhang Runlan , Gong Ming , Qu Mengnan , Li Zhen , Chen Zhenming 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA novel Poly (3, 4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐Graphene oxide (PEDOT‐GO) composite electrochromic material containing interfacial covalent bonds was successfully synthesized by electrochemical polymerization using thiophene‐2‐methylanine as bridging group. The molecular structure and morphology of PEDOT‐GO were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrochemical behavior and electrochromic properties of PEDOT‐GO were characterized by CV (cyclic voltammetry) and UV‐vis (ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy). It can be found that the electrochemical activity of PEDOT‐GO is higher than that of PEDOT. Electrochromic devices using PEDOT‐GO as the active layer show significant optical contrast enhancement function owing to excellent electron conduct feature of GO. While the ion blocking effects becomes more and more obvious with the increase of GO amount. As comparison with PEDOT, the contrasts of PEDOT‐GO‐3 %, PEDOT‐GO‐5 % and PEDOT‐GO‐7 % increase by 30 %, 64 % and 57 %, respectively.
Do university entrepreneurship programs promote entrepreneurship?
Authors: Eesley Charles E. , Lee Yong Suk 
Published: October 2020

AbstractResearch summaryWe examine how university entrepreneurship programs affect entrepreneurial activity using a unique entrepreneurship‐focused survey of Stanford alumni. OLS regressions find a positive relationship between program participation and entrepreneurship activities. However, endogeneity hinders causal interpretation. We utilize the fact that the entrepreneurship programs were implemented at the school level. Using the introduction of each school's program as an instrument for program participation, we find that the Business School program has a negative to zero impact on entrepreneurship rates. Participation in the Engineering School program has no impact on entrepreneurship rates. However, the Business School initiative decreases startup failure and increases firm revenue. University entrepreneurship programs may not increase entrepreneurship rates, but help students better identify their potential as entrepreneurs and improve the quality of entrepreneurship.Managerial summaryRecently, many universities have developed programs to promote entrepreneurship. However, relatively little is known about the impacts of such university initiatives. In this article, we examine the two major initiatives that were established in the mid‐1990s—the Stanford Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Business School and the Stanford Technology Ventures Program at the Engineering School. We find that the Business School program had a negative to zero impact on entrepreneurship rates and participation in the Engineering School program had no impact on entrepreneurship rates. However, the Business School initiative decreased startup failure and increased firm revenue. University entrepreneurship programs may not increase entrepreneurship rates, but help students better identify their potential as entrepreneurs and improve the startup performance.
Comparing the effectiveness of capture and replay against automatic input generation for Android graphical user interface testing
Authors: Di Martino Sergio , Fasolino Anna Rita , Starace Luigi Libero Lucio , Tramontana Porfirio 
Published: October 2020

SummaryExploratory testing and fully automated testing tools represent two viable and cheap alternatives to traditional test‐case‐based approaches for graphical user interface (GUI) testing of Android apps. The former can be executed by capture and replay tools that directly translate execution scenarios registered by testers in test cases, without requiring preliminary test‐case design and advanced programming/testing skills. The latter tools are able to test Android GUIs without tester intervention. Even if these two strategies are widely employed, to the best of our knowledge, no empirical investigation has been performed to compare their performance and obtain useful insights for a project manager to establish an effective testing strategy. In this paper, we present two experiments we carried out to compare the effectiveness of exploratory testing approaches using a capture and replay tool (Robotium Recorder) against three freely available automatic testing tools (AndroidRipper, Sapienz, and Google Robo). The first experiment involved 20 computer engineering students who were asked to record testing executions, under strict temporal limits and no access to the source code. Results were slightly better than those of fully automated tools, but not in a conclusive way. In the second experiment, the same students were asked to improve the achieved testing coverage by exploiting the source code and the coverage obtained in the previous tests, without strict temporal constraints. The results of this second experiment showed that students outperformed the automated tools especially for long/complex execution scenarios. The obtained findings provide useful indications for deciding testing strategies that combine manual exploratory testing and automated testing.
Vitamin K protects against 7,12‐dimethylbenz(A)anthracene induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats
Authors: Dosumu Oluwatosin Adebisi , Rotimi Solomon Oladapo , Adeleye Oluwagbemiga Olanrewaju , Akamo Adio Jamiu , Osinuga Kehinde Temitope , Taiwo Odunayo Anthonia , Omotosho Oluwatosin Oyebola , Sani Latifah Oyefoluke 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHumans are daily exposed to 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), a well known polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). This study investigated the role of dietary intake of Vitamin K (VK), a polyphenolic compound, with potential antioxidative properties, against DMBA‐induced hepatotoxicity. Sixty experimental animals (120‐150 g) were divided into six groups (A‐F): Control, DMBA (80 mg/kg bw) only, VK (0.00 g/10 kg) diet only, VK (7.5 g/10 kg) diet only, DMBA + VK (0.0 g/10 kg) diet and DMBA + VK (7.5 g/10 kg) diet. Single oral administration of DMBA (80 mg/kg body weight) to Wistar rats resulted in hepatic damage after 16 weeks. DMBA significantly (P < .05) decreased the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and Vitamin C were significantly decreased with increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in serum and liver. Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were significantly (P < .05) elevated in the serum but reduced in the liver of DMBA‐administered group. Ingestion of 7.5 g/10 kg VK diet prevented the up regulations in inflammatory biomarkers (granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) and interleukin 17A (IL‐17A)) which elicited liver damaged in the DMBA‐treated group. DMBA induced hepatic alterations in DMBA‐treated group but was restored to near normal in VK (7.5 g/10 kg) diet group. These findings suggest the protective potential of increased dietary intake of vitamin K against DMBA‐induced hepatic dysfunction.
Application of improved fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method in eutrophication assessment for tributary bays in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China
Authors: Chen Zhaoming , Shi Mingquan , Zou Jinsong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSince the operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir, its tributaries have been eutrophic and flooded many times, the prompt and accurate eutrophication assessment is the foundation of water environmental management for this area. To address the problems existing in the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, a novel method is proposed to adjust the indicator weight by using the analytic hierarchy process–entropy weight method, improve the fuzzy operation method, and take the weighted average as the basis of comprehensive evaluation. Through this method, the information of each indicator can be comprehensively used, and the subjectivity and blindness of evaluation can be effectively reduced. Then the eutrophication status of Hanfeng Lake is analyzed by it, and compares the results with that of conventional methods. The results show that Hanfeng lake is greatly affected by TN and TP, and it is generally in mesotrophic to mildly eutrophication. Eutrophication degree is as follows: Nanhe River > Donghe River > Regulating dam, so the control measures should be strengthened in Nanhe area. Combined with the water pollution control measures proposed in this paper, it can provide guidance for the monitoring and treatment of eutrophication in the Three Gorges Reservoir area and ensure the safety of the water environment.Practitioner points

This paper proposes to use the analytic hierarchy process–entropy weight method combined with the fuzzy operation method to assess the eutrophication status of tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir, in China.

The results indicate that Hanfeng Lake is generally in a light eutrophication state, which is greatly affected by TN and TP, and the Nanhe River is in a relatively high degree of eutrophication, which need to be extra vigilant.

The evaluation results are more conformable to reality than that of the traditional fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, which can provide guidance for comprehensive management of eutrophication.
What Happened to International Labour Standards and Human Rights at Work?
Authors: Tapiola Kari 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe social rules of a universal market economy, created by globalization, are based on the standards adopted by the ILO since 1919. Among them a special role belongs to fundamental principles and rights at work, comprised in an ILO Declaration in 1998. They provide for freedom of association, collective bargaining and the elimination of child and forced labour and discrimination. There is a growing debate on how other standards should be linked to fundamental rights and not seen as less important instruments. Technical cooperation has demonstrated that, in any case, implementing fundamental rights leads to strengthening of law and practice on wages, social security and occupational safety and health. All international labour standards (Conventions, Recommendations and Protocols) are derived from the labour principles of the ILO Constitution, and they are closely connected with one another. While the role of the state remains crucial—especially in times of crisis—much of the implementation of labour standards should be achieved through collective bargaining and other negotiations, while voluntary agreements between the social partners are generally legally binding.
New soliton solutions of anti-self-dual Yang-Mills equations
Authors: Hamanaka Masashi , Huang Shan-Chi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe study exact soliton solutions of anti-self-dual Yang-Mills equations forG= GL(2) in four-dimensional spaces with the Euclidean, Minkowski and Ultrahyperbolic signatures and construct special kinds of one-soliton solutions whose action density TrFμνFμνcan be real-valued. These solitons are shown to be new type of domain walls in four dimension by explicit calculation of the real-valued action density. Our results are successful applications of the Darboux transformation developed by Nimmo, Gilson and Ohta. More surprisingly, integration of these action densities over the four-dimensional spaces are suggested to be not infinity but zero. Furthermore, whether gauge groupG= U(2) can be realized on our solition solutions or not is also discussed on each real space.
Depression as a risk factor for dementia in older people with type 2 diabetes and the mediating effect of inflammation
Authors: Carr Alistair L. , Sluiman Anniek J. , Grecian Sheila M. , Forster Rachel , McLachlan Stela , Strachan Mark W. J. , Price Jackie F. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Aims/hypothesis
We aimed to determine the association of depression with dementia risk in people with type 2 diabetes, and to explore the possible mediating role of inflammation in this relationship.

Methods
The Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study is a prospective cohort of 1066 men and women with type 2 diabetes aged 60–75 years. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to investigate the association between depression, assessed at baseline, and subsequent risk of dementia over 10 years. Depression was defined using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, while incident dementia was defined using medical records, prescription data and death certificates. The potential mediating effect of systemic inflammation was assessed by adjusting models for a generalised inflammation factor, derived from four inflammatory markers measured at baseline (C-reactive protein, IL-6, TNF-α and fibrinogen), and carrying out an exploratory mediation analysis.

Results
Dementia developed in 105 participants over a median follow-up of 10.6 years. After adjusting for age and sex, depression was associated with over a 2.5-fold increase in risk of dementia (HR 2.59 [95% CI 1.62, 4.15]). Additional adjustment for the generalised inflammation factor and other covariates did not attenuate the size of association between depression and incident dementia and mediation analysis showed that it was not a mediator. Adjusted logistic regression models showed cross-sectional associations of C-reactive protein and IL-6 with depression.

Conclusions/interpretation
Depression is an important risk factor for dementia in people with type 2 diabetes. Some inflammatory markers were associated with depression, but systemic inflammation does not appear to mediate the relationship between depression and dementia.
Clinical and Radiological Characterization of Patients with Immobilizing and Progressive Stress Fractures in Methotrexate Osteopathy
Authors: Rolvien Tim , Jandl Nico Maximilian , Stürznickel Julian , Beil Frank Timo , Kötter Ina , Oheim Ralf , Lohse Ansgar W. , Barvencik Florian , Amling Michael 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMethotrexate (MTX) is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for autoimmune rheumatic diseases. As there is no consensus on its negative effects on bone, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the clinical spectrum of patients with stress fractures due to long-term MTX treatment (i.e., MTX osteopathy). We have retrospectively analyzed data from 34 patients with MTX treatment, severe lower extremity pain and immobilization. MRI scans, bone turnover markers, bone mineral density (DXA) and bone microarchitecture (HR-pQCT) were evaluated. Stress fractures were also imaged with cone beam CT. While the time between clinical onset and diagnosis was prolonged (17.4 ± 8.6 months), the stress fractures had a pathognomonic appearance (i.e., band-/meander-shaped, along the growth plate) and were diagnosed in the distal tibia (53%), the calcaneus (53%), around the knee (62%) and at multiple sites (68%). Skeletal deterioration was expressed by osteoporosis (62%) along with dissociation of low bone formation and increased bone resorption. MTX treatment was discontinued in 27/34 patients, and a combined denosumab–teriparatide treatment initiated. Ten patients re-evaluated at follow-up (2.6 ± 1.5 years) had improved clinically in terms of successful remobilization. Taken together, our findings provide the first in-depth skeletal characterization of patients with pathognomonic stress fractures after long-term MTX treatment.
Comparison of Ozone and PM2.5 Concentrations over Urban, Suburban, and Background Sites in China
Authors: Gao Lan , Yue Xu , Meng Xiaoyan , Du Li , Lei Yadong , Tian Chenguang , Qiu Liang 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSurface ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are dominant air pollutants in China. Concentrations of these pollutants can show significant differences between urban and nonurban areas. However, such contrast has never been explored on the country level. This study investigates the spatiotemporal characteristics of urban-to-suburban and urban-to-background difference for O3 (Δ[O3]) and PM2.5 (Δ[PM2.5]) concentrations in China using monitoring data from 1171 urban, 110 suburban, and 15 background sites built by the China National Environmental Monitoring Center (CNEMC). On the annual mean basis, the urban-to-suburban Δ[O3] is −3.7 ppbv in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, 1.0 ppbv in the Yangtze River Delta, −3.5 ppbv in the Pearl River Delta, and −3.8 ppbv in the Sichuan Basin. On the contrary, the urban-to-suburban Δ[PM2.5] is 15.8, −0.3, 3.5 and 2.4 µg m−3 in those areas, respectively. The urban-to-suburban contrast is more significant in winter for both Δ[O3] and Δ[PM2.5]. In eastern China, urban-to-background differences are also moderate during summer, with −5.1 to 6.8 ppbv for Δ[O3] and −0.1 to 22.5 µg m−3 for Δ[PM2.5]. However, such contrasts are much larger in winter, with −22.2 to 5.5 ppbv for Δ[O3] and 3.1 to 82.3 µg m−3 for Δ[PM2.5]. Since the urban region accounts for only 2% of the whole country’s area, the urban-dominant air quality data from the CNEMC network may overestimate winter [PM2.5] but underestimate winter [O3] over the vast domain of China. The study suggests that the CNEMC monitoring data should be used with caution for evaluating chemical models and assessing ecosystem health, which require more data outside urban areas.
Impact of North Atlantic SST and Tibetan Plateau forcing on seasonal transition of springtime South Asian monsoon circulation
Authors: Yu Wei , Liu Yimin , Yang Xiu-Qun , Wu Guoxiong , He Bian , Li Jinxiao , Bao Qing 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe South Asian circulation and precipitation in spring shows a clear seasonal transition and interannual variation. We investigate how the North Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) and Tibetan Plateau (TP) forcing affect this seasonal transition over South Asia on interannual timescale. Our results suggest that North Atlantic SST can affect the seasonal transition of South Asian monsoon via TP forcing in spring. The positive tripole pattern of North Atlantic SST anomaly during winter–spring can trigger a steady downstream Rossby wave train with cyclonic circulation over the southwestern TP. This forms a spring dipole mode of surface sensible heating and 10 m winds over the plateau, with a westerly (easterly) flow and positive (negative) surface sensible heating over its southern (northern) regions. A distinct land–air coupling configuration in May is then generated on the southwestern TP via such a positive TP dipole mode, which consists of anomalous positive precipitation, negative surface sensible heating and a baroclinic circulation structure with cyclonic circulation in the mid- to upper troposphere and a shallow anticyclonic circulation in the lower layer. The anticyclonic circulation is opposite to the summertime monsoon circulation. It weakens the cross-equatorial flow and water vapor transport to the South Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, resulting in in-situ precipitation reduction. Consequently, the seasonal transition in circulation over South Asia from winter to summer is delayed.
Effects of in vitro metabolism of a broccoli leachate, glucosinolates and S-methylcysteine sulphoxide on the human faecal microbiome
Authors: Kellingray Lee , Le Gall Gwénaëlle , Doleman Joanne F. , Narbad Arjan , Mithen Richard F. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Brassica are an important food source worldwide and are characterised by the presence of compounds called glucosinolates. Studies indicate that the glucosinolate derived bioactive metabolite sulphoraphane can elicit chemoprotective benefits on human cells. Glucosinolates can be metabolised in vivo by members of the human gut microbiome, although the prevalence of this activity is unclear. Brassica and Allium plants also contain S-methylcysteine sulphoxide (SMCSO), that may provide additional health benefits but its metabolism by gut bacteria is not fully understood.

Methods
We examined the effects of a broccoli leachate (BL) on the composition and function of human faecal microbiomes of five different participants under in vitro conditions. Bacterial isolates from these communities were then tested for their ability to metabolise glucosinolates and SMCSO.

Results
Microbial communities cultured in vitro in BL media were observed to have enhanced growth of lactic acid bacteria, such as lactobacilli, with a corresponding increase in the levels of lactate and short-chain fatty acids. Members of Escherichia isolated from these faecal communities were found to bioconvert glucosinolates and SMCSO to their reduced analogues.

Conclusion
This study uses a broccoli leachate to investigate the bacterial-mediated bioconversion of glucosinolates and SMCSO, which may lead to further products with additional health benefits to the host. We believe that this is the first study that shows the reduction of the dietary compound S-methylcysteine sulphoxide by bacteria isolated from human faeces.