Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamical Analysis of a Networked Control System

A new network data transmission strategy was proposed in [Zhang & Chen, 2005], where the resulting nonlinear system was analyzed and the effectiveness of the transmission strategy was demonstrated via simulations. In this paper, we further generalize the results of Zhang and Chen [2005] in the following ways: (1) Construct first-return maps of the nonlinear systems formulated in [Zhang & Chen, 2005] and derive several existence conditions of periodic orbits and study their properties. (2) Formulate the new system as a hybrid system, which will ease the succeeding analysis. (3) Prove that this type of hybrid systems is not structurally stable based on phase transition which can be applied to higher-dimensional cases effortlessly. (4) Simulate a higher-dimensional model with emphasis on their rich dynamics. (5) Study a class of continuous-time hybrid systems as the counterparts of the discrete-time systems discussed above. (6) Propose new controller design methods based on this network data transmission strategy to improve the performance of each individual system and the whole network. We hope that this research and the problems posed here will rouse the interest of researchers in such fields as control, dynamical systems and numerical analysis.
Large intestinal fermentation capacity of fattening pigs on organic farms as measured in vitro using contrasting substrates.

BACKGROUND In accordance with the EU regulations, organic farms require pigs to be fed diets high in fibre, which may impact on the pigs' large intestinal fermentation capacity. The ability of pigs to ferment non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) depends on characteristics of the dietary NSP source and microbes present in the large intestine of pigs. Little information exists on the fibre fermentation capacity of organically raised pigs. The aim of this study was to determine the variation in fibre fermentation capacity of fattening pigs within and between organic farms using an in vitro batch culture method and three contrasting substrates: oligofructose, soy pectin and cellulose. RESULTS Pigs from different organic farms showed varying fermentation capacities as assessed by gas production, kinetics and fermentation end-products formed (P < 0.01). Coefficients of variation between inocula within farms varied by up to 40% for gas production and kinetics, in particular for incubation with cellulose. No relationship between on-farm feeding practice and the pigs' fermentation capacity could be established. CONCLUSION The fermentation capacity of pigs reared under organic conditions varies considerable between farms. Finishing pigs reared under organic farming conditions are fast fermenters of oligofructose and soy pectin. More than four donor animals should be used per inoculum to accurately assess in vitro fermentation capacity. Fermentation results could not be related to dietary management under on-farm conditions.
Some effects of nifedipine in guinea‐pig isolated trachealis

1 In trachealis depolarized by a K+‐rich medium, nifedipine (0.001–1 μmol 1−1) caused concentration‐dependent antagonism of CaCl2‐induced increase in tension, moving the CaCl2 log concentration‐effect curve to the right and depressing the maximal response. 2 In trachealis in normal Krebs solution, similar concentrations of nifedipine had marked antispasmogenic activity against the responses to potassium chloride (KCl) and tetraethylammonium (TEA). However, nifedipine had little, if any, antispasmogenic activity against the responses to acetylcholine or histamine. 3 Nifedipine 1 μmol 1−1 was tested for spasmolytic activity in tissues generating tension in response to the EC50 of acetylcholine, KCl or CaCl2. In producing spasmolysis nifedipine was most effective against CaCl2 and least effective against acetylcholine. 4 Nifedipine (0.01–1 μmol−1) had little or no effect on the tone of trachealis in normal Krebs solution. 5 Intracellular electrophysiological recording showed that nifedipine 1 μmol 1−1 could abolish spontaneous slow wave activity. This was associated with very minor depolarization and little or no loss of mechanical tone. In tissues treated with TEA (8 mmol 1−1) nifedipine abolished spike and slow wave discharge and reduced mechanical activity to the pre‐TEA level. 6 It is concluded that nifedipine prevents KCl‐ or TEA‐induced spasm by inhibition of Ca2+ influx. Spasm evoked by acetylcholine or histamine and the maintenance of spontaneous tone depend largely on mechanisms for increasing the cytoplasmic concentration of free Ca2+ which are resistant to nifedipine.
Patterns of linkage disequilibrium in mitochondrial DNA of 16 ruminant populations

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a widely employed molecular tool in phylogeography, in the inference of human evolutionary history, in dating the domestication of livestock and in forensic science. In humans and other vertebrates the popularity of mtDNA can be partially attributed to an assumption of strict maternal inheritance, such that there is no recombination between mitochondrial lineages. The recent demonstration that linkage disequilibrium (LD) declines as a function of distance between polymorphic sites in hominid mitochondrial genomes has been interpreted as evidence of recombination between mtDNA haplotypes, and hence nonclonal inheritance. However, critics of mtDNA recombination have suggested that this association is an artefact of an inappropriate measure of LD or of sequencing error, and subsequent studies of other populations have failed to replicate the initial finding. Here we report the analysis of 16 ruminant populations and present evidence that LD significantly declines with distance in five of them. A meta‐analysis of the data indicates a nonsignificant trend of LD declining with distance. Most of the earlier criticisms of patterns between LD and distance in hominid mtDNA are not applicable to this data set. Our results suggest that either ruminant mtDNA is not strictly clonal or that compensatory selection has influenced patterns of variation at closely linked sites within the mitochondrial control region. The potential impact of these processes should be considered when using mtDNA as a tool in vertebrate population genetic, phylogenetic and forensic studies.
The TLR4 ASP299GLY polymorphism is a risk factor for active tuberculosis in Caucasian HIV-infected patients.

INTRODUCTION Tuberculosis (TB) is a pandemic infectious disease especially frequent in HIV-infected patients. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 has been described to play a main role in the innate immunity against TB. In fact, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TLRs may influence AIDS disease progression. The association between two particular SNPs in human TLR4 (Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile) and active TB has been studied in non-HIV Africans with contradictory results. However, studies focusing on the effect of these TLR4 SNPs in active TB within a Caucasian HIV population are lacking. OBJECTIVES To analyze the association between TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile SNPs and active TB, in Caucasian Mediterranean HIV-infected individuals. METHODS 468 HIV-infected patients were analyzed. TLR4 genotyping was performed by real-time PCR and melting curve technology. RESULTS TB was diagnosed in 59 (12,6%) patients. In a bivariate analysis several variables resulted significantly associated with active TB; intravenous drugs use (OR= 2.2; 95% CI [1.2-3.8]), hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection (OR= 3.4; 95% CI [1.6-7.1]), CD4 count (p<0.001), HIV viral load (p=0.003), latent TB prophylaxis (OR= 0.3; 95% CI [0.1-0.5]), and TLR4 Asp299Gly (OR= 2.0; 95% CI [1.1-4.2]). No statistical association was found for the TLR4 Thr399Ile. After a multivariate analysis, HCV co-infection (OR= 3.8; 95% CI [2.2-6.5]), baseline CD4 count (OR= 0.996; 95% CI [0.994-0.998]), TLR4 Asp299Gly (OR= 2.57; 95% CI [1.18-5.61]) were independently associated with active TB and inversely with latent TB prophylaxis (OR= 0.24; 95% CI [0.01-0.60]). CONCLUSIONS We describe an independent association between TLR4 Asp299Gly SNP and active TB in Caucasian Mediterranean HIV-infected patients.
Vaginal preparation with antiseptic solution before cesarean section for preventing postoperative infections.

BACKGROUND Cesarean delivery is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by obstetricians. Infectious morbidity after cesarean delivery can have a tremendous impact on the postpartum woman's return to normal function and her ability to care for her baby. Despite the widespread use of prophylactic antibiotics, postoperative infectious morbidity still complicates cesarean deliveries. OBJECTIVES To determine if cleansing the vagina with an antiseptic solution before a cesarean delivery decreases the risk of maternal infectious morbidities, including endometritis and wound complications. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (8 August 2012). SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomized and quasi-randomized trials assessing the impact of vaginal cleansing immediately before cesarean delivery with any type of antiseptic solution versus a placebo solution/standard of care on post-cesarean infectious morbidity. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We independently assessed eligibility and quality of the studies. MAIN RESULTS Five trials randomizing 1946 women (1766 analyzed) evaluated the effects of vaginal cleansing (all with povidone-iodine) on post-cesarean infectious morbidity. The risk of bias was generally low, with the quality of most of the studies being high. Vaginal preparation immediately before cesarean delivery significantly reduced the incidence of post-cesarean endometritis from 7.2% in control groups to 3.6% in vaginal cleansing groups (average risk ratio (RR) 0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16 to 0.97, five trials, 1766 women). The risk reduction was particularly strong for women with ruptured membranes (1.4% in the vaginal cleansing group versus 15.4% in the control group; RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.66, two trials, 148 women). No other outcomes realized statistically significant differences between the vaginal cleansing and control groups. No adverse effects were reported with the povidone-iodine vaginal cleansing. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Vaginal preparation with povidone-iodine solution immediately before cesarean delivery reduces the risk of postoperative endometritis. This benefit is particularly realized for women undergoing cesarean delivery with ruptured membranes. As a simple, generally inexpensive intervention, providers should consider implementing preoperative vaginal cleansing with povidone-iodine before performing cesarean deliveries.
Possible Two-Stage Mechanism in Experimental Leukemogenesis

The augmenting influence of urethan on leukemogenesis by x-radiation in mice has been found to operate when the urethan treatment follows the radiation, but not when the sequence is reversed. The result is in keeping with the idea that urethan acts as a promoting factor in leukemogenesis, as defined by the twostage mechanism hypothesis of carcinogenesis. It may also have a practical bearing on leukemia development in man.
Discrimination of Single-Copy IS6110 DNA Fingerprints of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates by High-Resolution Minisatellite-Based Typing

ABSTRACT Seven isoniazid-resistant isolates with mutations in the NADH dehydrogenase (ndh) gene were molecularly typed by IS6110-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. All seven isolates with the R268H mutation had identical 1.4-kb IS6110 fingerprints. High-resolution minisatellite-based typing discriminated five of these isolates; two isolates were identical.
Perceptual priming for upright and inverted faces in infants and adults.

Based on recent models of the ontogeny of memory (Nelson, 1995), we hypothesize that 6-month-old infants should show evidence of repetition priming. Event-related potentials were recorded from 11 scalp sites to novel and primed upright and inverted faces. In Experiment 1 (n = 24), 6-month-old infants viewed faces that were repeated after 6 to 12 images. Overall, repeated faces demonstrated greater negativity than novel faces and upright faces demonstrated greater negativity than inverted faces. In order to ground these results in an adult model, a group of adults (n = 30) was tested in a similar experiment. Here we observed effects of repetition at an early positive component labeled the P150 as well as at the P300, with repeated images being more positive than novel images. These data support the idea that infants at 6 months are capable of revealing electrophysiological evidence of perceptual priming.
Residual Neuromuscular Blockade Affects Postoperative Pulmonary Function

Background:Residual neuromuscular blockade (RNMB) is known to be associated with respiratory complications in the postoperative period after muscle relaxant usage. The authors hypothesized that RNMB causes reductions in pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters in the immediate postoperative period. Methods:An open-label prospective randomized cohort study was conducted comparing reductions in PFT parameters due to RNMB among different neuromuscular blocking agents. One hundred and fifty patients were randomized to receive vecuronium, atracurium, or rocuronium. After reversal of neuromuscular blockade and extubation, train-of-four ratio was measured every 5 min until the train-of-four ratio of 0.9 or greater was attained. PFTs were performed preoperatively and postoperatively when the patients were willing and fit. The train-of-four ratio, measured at PFT, was used to classify patients into “RNMB absent” and “RNMB present. ” RNMB was defined as a train-of-four ratio less than 0.9. Results:Thirty-nine patients had RNMB at the time of performing PFT. There was no statistically significant difference in the postoperative reductions in PFT parameters in patients with RNMB among different neuromuscular blocking agents. Patients were regrouped as RNMB absent and RNMB present, irrespective of neuromuscular blocking agents. Postoperative PFT values for the RNMB-absent and RNMB-present groups were 62% and 49% of baseline forced vital capacity and 47% and 38% of baseline peak expiratory flow of the baseline, respectively. Postoperative forced vital capacity and peak expiratory flow values of RNMB-present patients were lower by 13% and 9% in absolute terms (P < 0.008) and 21% and 19% in relative terms, respectively, compared with RNMB-absent patients. Conclusion:RNMB results in reductions in forced vital capacity and peak expiratory flow in the immediate postoperative period indicating impaired respiratory muscle function.
The association of the palliative performance scale and hazard of death in an ambulatory cancer population.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have reported survival estimates in palliative populations using the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) (where 100=best status, 0=death). However, little research has examined the association of the PPS with hazard of death in ambulatory populations. OBJECTIVE We examined the association between performance status and the instantaneous hazard of death in ambulatory cancer patients, using longitudinal PPS scores. METHODS This retrospective, population-based cohort study included cancer outpatients who had at least one PPS assessment completed between 2007 and 2009. PPS scores were recorded opportunistically by health care providers at clinic or home care visits. We used a Cox proportional hazards model to determine the relative hazard of death based on repeated measures of PPS score, while controlling for other covariates. RESULTS Among 11,342 qualifying cancer patients, there were 54,207 PPS assessments. The distribution of PPS scores at first assessment were 23%, 56%, 20%, and 1% for PPS scores of 100, 90-70, 60-40, and ≤ 30, respectively. A quarter of the cohort died within 6 months of the first assessment. The relative hazard of death increases by a factor of 1.69 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.72-1.67) for each 10-point decrease in PPS score. Thus the hazard of death increases by 8.2 (1.69(4)) times for a person with PPS score of 30 compared with a person with a score of 70. CONCLUSION The PPS was significantly associated with hazard of death in ambulatory cancer patients; the relative hazard of death increased based on lowered PPS scores. Providers should consider broadening its use to include patients throughout their disease trajectory.
Non-transferrin Iron Reduction and Uptake Are Regulated by Transmembrane Ascorbate Cycling in K562 Cells*

K562 erythroleukemia cells import non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) by an incompletely understood process that requires initial iron reduction. The mechanism of NTBI ferrireduction remains unknown but probably involves transplasma membrane electron transport. We here provide evidence for a novel mechanism of NTBI reduction and uptake by K562 cells that utilizes transplasma membrane ascorbate cycling. Incubation of cells with dehydroascorbic acid, but not ascorbate, resulted in (i) accumulation of intracellular ascorbate that was blocked by the glucose transporter inhibitor, cytochalasin B, and (ii) subsequent release of micromolar concentrations of ascorbate into the external medium via a route that was sensitive to the anion channel inhibitor, 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonate. Ascorbate-deficient control cells demonstrated low levels of ferric citrate reduction. However, incubation of the cells with dehydroascorbic acid resulted in a dose-dependent stimulation of both iron reduction and uptake from radiolabeled [55Fe]ferric citrate. This stimulation was abrogated by ascorbate oxidase treatment, suggesting dependence on direct chemical reduction by ascorbate. These results support a novel model of NTBI reduction and uptake by K562 cells in which uptake is preceded by reduction of iron by extracellular ascorbate, the latter of which is subsequently regenerated by transplasma membrane ascorbate cycling.
The twelve-minute run-walk: a test of cardiorespiratory fitness of adolescent boys.

Abstract It was the problem of this investigation to evaluate the distance covered in 12 min. as an indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness, and to compare it with the 600-yd. run-walk in this regard. All of the subjects (153 grade 9 boys) successfully completed a test-retest of the 12-min. run-walk which yielded a correlation coefficient of . 94, indicating that this is a highly reliable measure. Nine of the subjects also performed a maximum oxygen intake test and the 600-yd. run-walk test. Maximum oxygen intake was correlated with the 12-min. run-walk (r = .90) and with the 600-yd. run-walk (r = .62). It was concluded that the distance covered during the 12-min. run-walk was a highly reliable and valid indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness and that it was to be preferred to the 600-yd. run-walk in this regard.
The Combined Effects of Extracts Containing Carotenoids and Vitamins E and C on Growth and Pigmentation of Cultured Human Melanocytes

In the present study, we investigated the effects of tomato extract (TE) containing lycopene and palm fruit extract (PE) rich in carotenoids on the growth and pigmentation of melanocyte cultures of Caucasian origin. The extracts were tested at different concentrations and in combination with vitamins E and C. Melanocytes with basic and increased (tyrosine-induced) pigmentation were treated in short-term and long-term experiments. Prevention of UVA-induced DNA damage was studied by using the comet assay. Melanocytes with stimulated melanin production showed reduced growth. Incubation of the cells with TE/PE (20/4 µg/ml) in combination with 35 µM vitamin E and 100 µM vitamin C (COMB 20/4) reduced this growth inhibition, especially in the long-term cultures. Increased production of melanin pigment was obtained when the cells were treated with 2.5 × and 10 × higher concentrations of the TE/PE and the same concentration of vitamins E and C (COMB 50/10 and 200/40). Reduced DNA damage was found after UVA irradiation in cells preincubated with COMB 50/10. The results indicate that the presence of carotenoids from TE and PE in combination with vitamins E and C may influence growth and pigmentation in melanocyte monocultures. Depending on the concentration of the carotenoid mixtures, their presence may provide some protection against the melanogenic intermediates and/or exogenous DNA damage.
Türkiye A Temperament and Character Profile in Patients with Psoriasis , Vitiligo and

Address for Correspondence/Yaz›flma Adresi: Dr. Özkan Güler, Afyonkarahisar Kocatepe Üniversitesi T›p Fakültesi Psikiyatri Anabilim Dal›, Afyon, Türkiye E-mail: gulerozkan@hotmail.com ABSTRACT Objective: Cloninger has developed a dimensional psychobiological model of personality that accounts for both normal and abnormal variations in two major components of personality: temperament and character. In this study, we aimed to investigate the temperament and character dimensions of dermatologic patients with psoriasis, vitiligo, and neurodermatitis. Method: We recruited patients with psoriasis (n= 36), neurodermatitis (n=26) and vitiligo (n=27) as well as healthy subjects (n=28) from the Dermatology Clinics in the School of Medicine of Afyon Kocatepe University and the general population in Afyonkarahisar. All subjects were required to complete a temperament and character inventory. Results: The four groups were significantly different from each other regarding the scores of novelty seeking (Extravagance P=0.041 and Impulsiveness P=0.021), harm avoidance (Fatigability P=0.019) and Persistence (P=0.040) in the emperament dimensions. We found no significant difference among the character dimensions of the groups. Conclusion: Our psoriatic patients seem to share similar personality traits with the features that are observed in substance related disorders in the literature. Low novelty seeking scores in vitiligo patients may be due to their being more stoical, rigid, and tolerant to monotonous states. The total harm avoidance scores and fatigability was found lower in neurodermatitis patients, so we proposed that they were not pessimistic about the future and fatigue, and shameful/avoiding strange people. (Archives of Neuropsychiatry 2007; 44: 139-44)