Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Explicit fragility margins for PWA control laws of discrete-time linear systems

The paper considers a given discrete-time linear dynamic in closed loop with a piecewise affine control law defined over a bounded polyhedral partition of the state space χ. The objective is to describe the largest error affecting the control law coefficients over each region in the above partition, for which the positive invariance of the set χ is guaranteed with respect to the closed loop dynamics. This subset describes in fact a robust invariance margin with respect to a subset of closed-loop parameters and subsequently represents the explicit fragility margin of the given piecewise affine controller. The fragility characterizes the impact of an error in the implementation of a given controller. It is shown that the largest subset of errors in the state feedback gains is represented by a polyhedral set explicitly constructed with operations over convex domains. A series of remarks on the structure of the numerical problems are discussed and an example is provided for illustration.
Identification of a novel platelet antagonist that binds to CLEC-2 and suppresses podoplanin-induced platelet aggregation and cancer metastasis

Podoplanin (PDPN) enhances tumor metastases by eliciting tumor cell-induced platelet aggregation (TCIPA) through activation of platelet C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (CLEC-2). A novel and non-cytotoxic 5-nitrobenzoate compound 2CP was synthesized that specifically inhibited the PDPN/CLEC-2 interaction and TCIPA with no effect on platelet aggregation stimulated by other platelet agonists. 2CP possessed anti-cancer metastatic activity in vivo and augmented the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin in the experimental animal model without causing a bleeding risk. Analysis of the molecular action of 2CP further revealed that Akt1/PDK1 and PKCμ were two alternative CLEC-2 signaling pathways mediating PDPN-induced platelet activation. 2CP directly bound to CLEC-2 and, by competing with the same binding pocket of PDPN in CLEC-2, inhibited PDPN-mediated platelet activation. This study provides evidence that 2CP is the first defined platelet antagonist with CLEC-2 binding activity. The augmentation in the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin by 2CP suggests that a combination of a chemotherapeutic agent and a drug with anti-TCIPA activity such as 2CP may prove clinically effective.
Placing Venous Catheters in the Home: Pilot Data from the Mobile VAD Program

1. Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. http://www.cdc. gov/ drugresistance/threat-report-2013/. Published 2014. Accessed January 9, 2016. 2. Gambarotto K, Ploy MC, Dupron F, Giangiobbe M, Denis F. Occurrence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci in pork and poultry products from a cattle-rearing area of France. J Clin Microbiol 2001;39:2354–2355. 3. Lopez M, Saenz Y, Rojo-Bezares B, et al. Detection of vanA and vanB2-containing enterococci from food samples in Spain, including Enterococcus faecium strains of CC17 and the new singleton ST425. Int J Food Microbiol 2009;133:172–178. 4. Basanisi MG, La Bella G, Nobili G, Franconieri I, La Salandra G. Genotyping of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from milk and dairy products in South Italy. Food Microbiol 2017;62:141–146. 5. de Boer E, Zwartkruis-Nahuis JT, Wit B, et al. Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in meat. Int J Food Microbiol 2009;134:52–56. 6. Vojkovska H, Myskova P, Gelbicova T, Skockova A, Kolackova I, Karpiskova R. Occurrence and characterization of food-borne pathogens isolated from fruit, vegetables and sprouts retailed in the Czech Republic. Food Microbiol 2017;63:147–152. 7. Kwon JH, Lanzas C, Reske KA, et al. An evaluation of food as a potential source for Clostridium difficile acquisition in hospitalized patients. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:1401–1407. 8. Dubberke ER, Reske KA, Seiler S, Hink T, Kwon JH, Burnham CA. Risk factors for acquisition and loss ofClostridium difficile colonization in hospitalized patients. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015;59: 4533–4543. 9. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Performance Standards for Antimicorbial Susceptibility Testing; Twenty-Fifth Informational Supplement. Vol. M100-S25. Wayne, Pennsylvania: Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; 2015. 10. Boye K, Bartels MD, Andersen IS, Moller JA, Westh H. A new multiplex PCR for easy screening of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus SCCmec types I–V. Clin Microbiol Infect 2007;13:725–727.
Pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone combined with oral steroids as the initial treatment of inflammatory myopathies.

Pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) was given to 11 patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis (group A) whom we studied prospectively. The outcome was compared with that of 14 patients who had been treated with oral steroids alone (group B). Group B comprised all cases of polymyositis and dermatomyositis with sufficient information in our past medical records studied retrospectively. Definite diagnoses of polymyositis and dermatomyositis were made in all cases. ' Cases of myositis associated with cancer and inclusion body myositis were excluded. For group A, methylprednisolone sodium succinate (500 mg diluted in 200 ml of 5% dextrose in water) was infused for two hours. A course of treatment consisted of three consecutive daily infusions, and was repeated three to nine times at intervals of a week, except in one patient who had only one course of IVMP. Oral steroids were given as in group B except on the days of IVMP. For group B, treatment with oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg body weight per day) was started, maintained for two months, and then tapered down gradually over two years. When recovery was inadequate, the cases were kept either on the initial dose for up to four months, or the dose was increased up to 100 mg daily, or immunosuppressive agents were added. After two years, steroids were tapered off in some patients, and a small dose was maintained in others. Muscle power was assessed both by neurologists and physiotherapists. The physiotherapists were not informed of how the steroids were given. The handicap was rated according to the disability grade. The patients were followed up for one to five years. Remission was defined as recovery of the strength of the weakest muscle or muscles by one grade or more on the British Medical Research Council (MRC) scale, in association with normalisation of the serum creatine kinase activity (falling to an activity lower than 200 IU/l). Partial remission was defined as recovery in either muscle strength or creatine kinase alone. Recovery of strength was judged in the same way as in the remission group. When neither muscle strength nor creatine kinase satisfied the standard of recovery, the case was included in the no improvement group. When recurrence occurred after remission, the patients were classified as remission and recurrence. Here recurrence was defined as worsening of muscle strength by one grade or more. Groups A and B were not exactly comparable because of the difference in method of sampling, but to estimate characteristics of IVMP treatment, the two groups were compared statistically with Fisher's exact probability or Wilcoxon rank sum tests. The p values <0 05 were regarded as statistically Comparison of cases ofgroups A and B and their outcome
Proteolytic cleavage of Ser52Pro variant transthyretin triggers its amyloid fibrillogenesis

Significance Transthyretin, a normal circulating plasma protein, is inherently amyloidogenic. It forms abnormal, insoluble, extracellular amyloid fibrils in the elderly, sometimes causing structural and functional damage leading to disease, senile amyloidosis. More than 100 different point mutations in the transthyretin gene cause earlier adult-onset, autosomal-dominant, fatal, hereditary amyloidosis. The transthyretin variant Ser52Pro is responsible for the most aggressive known clinical phenotype. Here we identify the crucial pathogenic role of specific proteolytic cleavage at residue 48 in triggering fibril formation by this variant. Genuine amyloid fibril formation in vitro is much more extensive than previously reported for wild-type transthyretin or any other transthyretin variant. Characterization of the fibrillogenic effect of this cleavage powerfully informs drug design and targeting for transthyretin amyloidosis. The Ser52Pro variant of transthyretin (TTR) produces aggressive, highly penetrant, autosomal-dominant systemic amyloidosis in persons heterozygous for the causative mutation. Together with a minor quantity of full-length wild-type and variant TTR, the main component of the ex vivo fibrils was the residue 49-127 fragment of the TTR variant, the portion of the TTR sequence that previously has been reported to be the principal constituent of type A, cardiac amyloid fibrils formed from wild-type TTR and other TTR variants [Bergstrom J, et al. (2005) J Pathol 206(2):224–232]. This specific truncation of Ser52Pro TTR was generated readily in vitro by limited proteolysis. In physiological conditions and under agitation the residue 49-127 proteolytic fragment rapidly and completely self-aggregates into typical amyloid fibrils. The remarkable susceptibility to such cleavage is likely caused by localized destabilization of the β-turn linking strands C and D caused by loss of the wild-type hydrogen-bonding network between the side chains of residues Ser52, Glu54, Ser50, and a water molecule, as revealed by the high-resolution crystallographic structure of Ser52Pro TTR. We thus provide a structural basis for the recently hypothesized, crucial pathogenic role of proteolytic cleavage in TTR amyloid fibrillogenesis. Binding of the natural ligands thyroxine or retinol-binding protein (RBP) by Ser52Pro variant TTR stabilizes the native tetrameric assembly, but neither protected the variant from proteolysis. However, binding of RBP, but not thyroxine, inhibited subsequent fibrillogenesis.
Institutional Quality, Reforms and Integration in the Maghreb

Using panel data this paper examines the effects of institutions on the success of reforms and integration in the Maghreb. Institutional quality measures are developed using fuzzy-set based transformations of civil liberties and political rights. We posit that these transformations are quite appropriate given the nature of freedom indicators. We show that using fuzzy-set transformed measures provides useful insights regarding the quality of institutions in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. Furthermore, our empirical results suggest that institutions play a significant role in the success or failure of economic reforms. This conclusion is in clear contrast to views that propose a sequencing in which civil liberties and political rights should come after economic reforms are already in place and fully operational.
Histopathological comparisons of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa experimental infected porcine burn wounds

Chronic skin wounds are a significant human health concern and are often complicated by infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, particularly methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Translating the knowledge gained from extensive study of virulence mechanisms and pathogenesis of these bacterial species to new treatment modalities has been lacking in part due to a paucity of animal models able to recapitulate human disease. Our groups recently described a novel porcine chronic burn wound model for the study of bacterial infection; however, the histopathology of infection has yet to be described. The objective of this study is to define the histopathology of this model using important human chronic wound bacterial isolates. Porcine full‐thickness burn wounds topically inoculated with P. aeruginosa strain PAO1, MRSA S. aureus strain USA300 or both bacteria were used to define and quantify histopathologic lesions. The development of a systemic, well‐defined rubric for analysis allowed for evaluation of differences between infection groups. These differences, which included epithelial migration and proliferation, stromal necrosis, fluid accumulation and intensity and character of the innate and adaptive inflammatory cell responses, were identified temporally between infection groups. Mono‐species infected wounds developed a hyper‐proliferative wound edge. Coinfected wounds at day 35 had the largest wound sizes, increased amounts of neutrophilic inflammation, immaturity of the wound bed, and retention of necrotic tissue. Infection, regardless of species, inhibited wound contracture at all time points evaluated. Most importantly, this model recapitulated key features of chronic human wounds. Thus, this model will allow researchers to study novel treatment modalities in a biologically relevant animal model while monitoring both host and bacterial responses.
A transfer operator based numerical investigation of coherent structures in three-dimensional Southern ocean circulation

We report on a numerical investigation of three-dimensional circulation in the Southern Ocean over a domain extending from Antarctica to -36 degrees latitude and from the sea surface to a depth of 500 metres. The high latitude Southern Ocean is a region low in measurements but important for climatic and biological applications. Ou r investigation is based upon velocity data simulated by a state-of-the-art 1 /4 degree resolution global ocean model. We construct an approximate transfer operator from the velocity data and identify dominant coherent circulation structures from eigenmodes of the transfer operator.
Formation and reversion of Streptomycete protoplasts: cultural condition and morphological study.

Cultural conditions for forming and stabilizing protoplasts of Streptomyces griseus and S. venezuelae were studied by reference to the number of protoplasts formed, leakage from protoplasts and reversion rate. Effective formation and stabilization of the protoplasts was accomplished by using a hypertonic medium containing 10 mM-MgCl2 and 25 mM-CaCl2. Electron microscopy showed that the protoplasts of S. griseus, when prepared in the above medium, formed vesicles on the cytoplasmic membrane or out of the protoplasts, but when prepared in a medium with 3 mM-MgCl2 and 3 mM-CaCL they provided few such vesicles. The reversion of protoplasts to the normal filamentous state was examined by the growth on various synthetic agar media. A high reversion rate was obtained by incubating the protoplasts on a hypertonic agar medium containing 20 or 50 mM-MgCl2, 50 or 20 mM-CaCl2, 0·44 or 0·22 mM-phosphate and 0·01 % Casamino acids. Combinations of appropriate concentrations of MgCl2 and CaCl2 were significantly effective in the reversion as well as in the stability of protoplasts. The concentration of phosphate should be adjusted to 0·44 or 0·22 mM. Casamino acids enhanced both growth and reversion rates. The reversion of protoplasts of Streptomyces griseus was followed by using phase-contrast microscopy. The protoplasts incubated on medium R1 enlarged to about 40 μ and then generated filamentous hyphae from the periphery.
Alfred Adler und der Erste Weltkrieg

Adler ist nach dem Ersten Weltkrieg als scharfer Kritiker am Krieg hervorgetreten und hat seine pazifistische Haltung mit seiner individualpsychologischen Theorie verbunden. Der vorliegende Artikel stellt dies dar, weist aber auch nach, dass Adler seine Position gewandelt hatte und dass Adler eine ambivalente Haltung zum Krieg und zu seiner Funktion als psychiatrischer Militararzt hatte. Es werden zu diesen Fragen neue Forschungsergebnisse prasentiert.
Blue‐Noise Remeshing with Farthest Point Optimization

In this paper, we present a novel method for surface sampling and remeshing with good blue‐noise properties. Our approach is based on the farthest point optimization (FPO), a relaxation technique that generates high quality blue‐noise point sets in 2D. We propose two important generalizations of the original FPO framework: adaptive sampling and sampling on surfaces. A simple and efficient algorithm for accelerating the FPO framework is also proposed. Experimental results show that the generalized FPO generates point sets with excellent blue‐noise properties for adaptive and surface sampling. Furthermore, we demonstrate that our remeshing quality is superior to the current state‐of‐theߚart approaches.
[Effect of multiple freeze-thaw cycles on detection of IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies to selected bacterial antigens].

INTRODUCTION In presented study we investigated the effect of multiple freeze-thaw cycles of human sera on the determination of IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies to selected bacterial antigens. METHODS A panel of 15 serum samples with elevated levels of antibodies to Mycoplasma peumoniae, Yersinia enterocolitica and Salmonella spp. were used (5 positive sera for each pathogen). One set of aliquots designed as the baseline, was taken and stored at 4-8o C for the remainder for the study. The remaining seven sets of aliquots were divided into two parts and repeatedly frozen respectively at two different temperatures: -65 degrees C and -25 degrees C. Once a day the aliquot sets were removed from the freezer and allowed to stand at room temperature for approximately 1 h until completely thawed. For the determination of the level of antibodies the sera after: 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 freeze/cycle were used. The measurement of IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies was done using a home-made ELISA with four different antigens: whole-cell antigen of M. pneumoniae FH strain, LPS and Yop antigens of Y. enterocolitica serotype O:3 and LPS extracted by Westphal method from Salmonella serogroup B +D. The results were presented as the arithmetic mean of the antibody titre in five sera which were treated by the same number of freeze-thaw cycles. RESULTS There was no significant statistic difference between levels of antibodies in unfrozen and frozen sera even after 30 freeze-thaw cycles. Depending of the antigen used in ELISA a slight varations in the level of antibodies were observed but the changes were small and not clinically significant. Examination of the ELISA values does not suggest any consistent nonlinear trend in levels of IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies in sera frozen at -65 degrees C as well at -25 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that the IgA, IgG and IgM antibody activity levels measured for M. pneumoniae, Y enterocolitica and Salmonella antigens are stable even after 30 freeze-thaw cycles.
The evaluation of the quality of Feng Huang Oolong teas and their modulatory effect on intestinal microbiota of high-fat diet-induced obesity mice model

Abstract The variations in the contents of tea catechins and free amino acids in relation to the quality of Fenghuang Oolong teas (FOT) were determined. It demonstrated that in FOT, which were grown at a high altitude, the contents of methylated estered tea catechins were relatively higher. By human flora-associated (HFA) mice model, the effect of FOT on high-fat diet-induced obesity was investigated by high-throughput sequencing. The shifts in relative abundance of the dominant taxa at the phylum, family and genus levels showed their dramatically effects. A large increase in Bacteroidetes with decrease of Firmicutes was observed after the administration of FOT for 8 weeks. Together, these results suggest that FOT are rich in tea catechins, especially O-methylated tea catechin derivatives, which may be affected by the unique growth environment, and FOT may have prebiotic-like activity and can be used as functional food components in manipulating intestinal microbiota.
Enhancing General Contractors Capacities With Collaborative Networks

Thus, there is more emphasis on maintaining coordination between various sections and contractors, which will in turn guarantee the overall performance of a project. This paper will look at advantages of establishing CN to enhance capability and meet requirements of GC in Construction Projects. Concepts related to other knowledge areas such as Collaborative Networks are introduced, too. It is hoped that this will help in further research on developing the concept of CN in construction project management. The paper discusses similarities between GC and CN and possibility of establishing a coordinating part for GC, in the format of a virtual enterprise. The findings imply that most of the GC needs for becoming international and successful could be covered by Collaborative Networks’ specifications. Enhancing General Contractors Capacities With Collaborative Networks
AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Is Required for the Macropinocytic Internalization of Ebolavirus

ABSTRACT Identification of host factors that are needed for Zaire Ebolavirus (EBOV) entry provides insights into the mechanism(s) of filovirus uptake, and these factors may serve as potential antiviral targets. In order to identify novel host genes and pathways involved in EBOV entry, gene array findings in the National Cancer Institute's NCI-60 panel of human tumor cell lines were correlated with permissivity for EBOV glycoprotein (GP)-mediated entry. We found that the gene encoding the γ2 subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) strongly correlated with EBOV transduction in the tumor panel. The AMPK inhibitor compound C inhibited infectious EBOV replication in Vero cells and diminished EBOV GP-dependent, but not Lassa fever virus GPC-dependent, entry into a variety of cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Compound C also prevented EBOV GP-mediated infection of primary human macrophages, a major target of filoviral replication in vivo. Consistent with a role for AMPK in filovirus entry, time-of-addition studies demonstrated that compound C abrogated infection when it was added at early time points but became progressively less effective when added later. Compound C prevented EBOV pseudovirion internalization at 37°C as cell-bound particles remained susceptible to trypsin digestion in the presence of the inhibitor but not in its absence. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking the AMPKα1 and AMPKα2 catalytic subunits were significantly less permissive to EBOV GP-mediated infection than their wild-type counterparts, likely due to decreased macropinocytic uptake. In total, these findings implicate AMPK in macropinocytic events needed for EBOV GP-dependent entry and identify a novel cellular target for new filoviral antivirals.
Septic Shock Caused by Ochrobactrum anthropi in an Otherwise Healthy Host

ABSTRACT Reported is a case of life-threatening septic shock that occurred in an otherwise healthy host after administration of a peripheral venous infusion of a solution contaminated with Ochrobactrum anthropi, an unusual human pathogen. The rapid onset of shock may have been due to a large inoculum caused by nonsterile practices at the time of reconstitution.
Associations and Mutual Properties - An Experimental Assessment

Associations are a widely used construct of object-oriented languages. However, the meaning of associations for conceptual modelling of application domains remains unclear. Ontological considerations in past research suggest that associations are related to the concept of mutual properties. Specifically, previous research has suggested that mutual properties, not associations, should be modelled, and guidelines for doing this in UML have been offered. This paper presents the results of an experimental study, which suggest that this guidance does in fact lead to improved models.