Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distributed Dynamic Self-Triggered Impulsive Control for Consensus Networks: The Case of Impulse Gain With Normal Distribution

This paper investigates a distributed static and dynamic self-triggered impulsive control for nonlinear multiagent systems (MASs) where the impulsive gains follow a normal distribution, respectively. By integrating the distributed self-triggered control scheme with the impulsive control approach, a novel distributed impulsive controller is developed. The goal of the consensus of MASs can be realized using the proposed methods and several consensus criteria are obtained. Our schemes have some distinct superiorities, including the impulsive gains obeying a normal distribution, avoiding the continuous communication, and reducing the sampling frequency. Hence, compared with the existing literature, the conservativeness coming from the limitation of impulse gain and the sampling frequency is degraded, and it effectively extends the generality of the method in the practical application. Finally, the effectiveness of the theoretical results is demonstrated by two simulations.
Socioeconomic determinants of community knowledge and practice in relation to malaria in high- and low-transmission areas of central India

Abstract This study was undertaken with an aim of exploring community knowledge and treatment practices related to malaria and their determinants in high- and low-transmission areas of central India. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out between August 2015 and January 2016 in two high- and two low-malaria-endemic districts of central India. A total of 1470 respondents were interviewed using a pre-tested structured interview schedule. Respondents residing in high-transmission areas with higher literacy levels, and of higher socioeconomic status, were found to practise more modern preventive measures than those living in low-transmission areas with low literacy levels and who were economically poor. Level of literacy, socioeconomic status and area (district) of residence were found to be the main factors affecting people’s knowledge of malaria aetiology and clinical features, and prevention and treatment practices, in this community in central India.
Hierarchical Name-Based Mechanism for Push-Data Broadcast Control in Information-Centric Multihop Wireless Networks

By design, Named Data Networking (NDN) supports pull-based traffic, where content is retrieved only upon consumer request. However, some of the use cases (i.e., emergency situations) in the Internet of Things (IoT) requires push-based traffic, where a producer broadcasts the data based on the emergency situation without any consumer request. Therefore, it is necessary to modify the existing NDN forwarding engine when designing for an IoT scenario. Although solutions are provided to enable push-based traffic in IoT, the main solutions in the current literature lack data broadcast control design. Moreover, the existing solutions use an additional interest messages exchange, which creates extra overheads in the network, thereby resulting in higher delay and lower throughput. In this paper, therefore, we propose a name-based push-data broadcast control scheme for IoT systems, and consider two scenarios, i.e., smart buildings and vehicular networks. The proposed scheme consists of a robust content namespace design, device namespace design, and minor amendments to the data packet format and unsolicited data policy of the forwarding engine as well. The evaluation is carried out for both scenarios. Simulation experiments show that the proposed scheme outperforms the recent proposed schemes in terms of total number of data packets processed in the network, total energy consumption, and average delay in the network by varying the number of data packets per 2 s and varying vehicle speed.
Acoustic crypsis in southern right whale mother–calf pairs: infrequent, low-output calls to avoid predation?

ABSTRACT Southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) invest substantial amounts of energy in their calves, while facing the risk of having them predated upon by eavesdropping killer whales (Orcinus orca). We tested the hypothesis that southern right whale mother–calf pairs employ acoustic crypsis to reduce acoustic detectability by such predators. Specifically, we deployed multi-sensor DTAGs on nine lactating whales for a total of 62.9 h in a Western Australian breeding ground, and used a SoundTrap to estimate the concomitant acoustic background noise. Vocalisations were recorded at low rates of <10 calls h−1 (1 call per dive) and at low received levels between 123±8 and 134±10 dB re. 1 µPa RMS depending on call type. We conclude that such acoustic crypsis in southern right whales and other baleen whales decreases the risk of alerting potential predators and hence jeopardizing a substantial energetic investment by the mother. Highlighted Article: Low-output infrequent calls in baleen whale mother–calf pairs may mediate contact between mother and calf, while decreasing the risk of detection by potential predators.
Invasion by activated macrophages requires delivery of nascent membrane‐type‐1 matrix metalloproteinase through late endosomes/lysosomes to the cell surface

Macrophage migration into injured or infected tissue is a key aspect in the pathophysiology of many diseases where inflammation is a driving factor. Membrane‐type‐1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1‐MMP) cleaves extracellular matrix components to facilitate invasion. Here we show that, unlike the constitutive MT1‐MMP surface recycling seen in cancer cells, unactivated macrophages express low levels of MT1‐MMP. Upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation, MT1‐MMP synthesis dramatically increases 10‐fold at the surface by 15 hours. MT1‐MMP is trafficked from the Golgi complex to the surface via late endosomes/lysosomes in a pathway regulated by the late endosome/lysosome R‐SNAREs VAMP7 and VAMP8. These form two separate complexes with the surface Q‐SNARE complex Stx4/SNAP23 to regulate MT1‐MMP delivery to the plasma membrane. Loss of either one of these SNAREs leads to a reduction in surface MT1‐MMP, gelatinase activity and reduced invasion. Thus, inhibiting MT1‐MMP transport through this pathway could reduce macrophage migration and the resulting inflammation.
Vital Signs: Surveillance for Acute Flaccid Myelitis - United States, 2018.

BACKGROUND Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a serious paralytic illness, was first recognized as a distinct condition in 2014, when cases were reported concurrent with a large U.S. outbreak of severe respiratory illness caused by enterovirus D-68 (EV-D68). Since 2014, nationwide outbreaks of AFM have occurred every 2 years in the United States; the cause for the recent change in the epidemiology of AFM in the United States, including the occurrence of outbreaks and a biennial periodicity since 2014, is under investigation. This report updates clinical, laboratory, and outcome data for cases reported to CDC during 2018. METHODS Clinical data and specimens from persons in the United States who met the clinical criterion for AFM (acute onset of flaccid limb weakness) with onset in 2018 were submitted to CDC for classification of the illnesses as confirmed, probable, or non-AFM cases. Enterovirus/rhinovirus (EV/RV) testing was performed on available specimens from persons meeting the clinical criterion. Descriptive analyses, laboratory results, and indicators of early recognition and reporting are summarized. RESULTS From January through December 2018, among 374 reported cases of AFM, 233 (62%) (from 41 states) were classified as confirmed, 26 (7%) as probable, and 115 (31%) as non-AFM cases. Median ages of patients with confirmed, probable, and non-AFM cases were 5.3, 2.9, and 8.8 years, respectively. Laboratory testing identified multiple EV/RV types, primarily in respiratory and stool specimens, in 44% of confirmed cases. Among confirmed cases, the interval from onset of limb weakness until specimen collection ranged from 2 to 7 days, depending on specimen type. Interval from onset of limb weakness until reporting to CDC during 2018 ranged from 18 to 36 days, with confirmed and probable cases reported earlier than non-AFM cases. CONCLUSION Identification of risk factors leading to outbreaks of AFM remains a public health priority. Prompt recognition of signs and symptoms, early specimen collection, and complete and rapid reporting will expedite public health investigations and research studies to elucidate the recent epidemiology of AFM and subsequently inform treatment and prevention recommendations.
Current Research Provides Insight into the Biological Basis and Diagnostic Potential for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a severe fatigue illness that occurs most commonly following a viral infection, but other physiological triggers are also implicated. It has a profound long-term impact on the life of the affected person. ME/CFS is diagnosed primarily by the exclusion of other fatigue illnesses, but the availability of multiple case definitions for ME/CFS has complicated diagnosis for clinicians. There has been ongoing controversy over the nature of ME/CFS, but a recent detailed report from the Institute of Medicine (Academy of Sciences, USA) concluded that ME/CFS is a medical, not psychiatric illness. Importantly, aspects of the biological basis of the ongoing disease have been revealed over the last 2–3 years that promise new leads towards an effective clinical diagnostic test that may have a general application. Our detailed molecular studies with a preclinical study of ME/CFS patients, along with the complementary research of others, have reported an elevation of inflammatory and immune processes, ongoing neuro-inflammation, and decreases in general metabolism and mitochondrial function for energy production in ME/CFS, which contribute to the ongoing remitting/relapsing etiology of the illness. These biological changes have generated potential molecular biomarkers for use in diagnostic ME/CFS testing.
Ergonomists’ and Engineers’ Views on the Utility of Virtual Human Factors Tools

A qualitative research study was conducted through explorative workshops to better understand the experiences, perceptions, needs, and expectations of the users and potential users of virtual human factors (VHF) tools. Five VHF tools were presented to ergonomists, engineers, and managers who participated in four whole‐day interactive workshops: HF enabled predetermined motion time systems (PMTS), discrete event simulation (DES), complex and simple digital human models (DHM), and virtual reality (VR). Data were collected by note‐takers, digital audio recording, and written feedback. Identified characteristics shared by the tools were organized into 9 categories that act as a motivational or deterring factor for the use of the tool: time, cost, training, difficulty of use, trustworthiness, graphics, flexibility, usefulness, and report presentation. Other tool specific areas of improvement were also identified by participants to help developers improve these design instruments.
LncRNA SNHG1 overexpression regulates the proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia cells through miR-488-5p/NUP205 axis.

OBJECTIVE To elucidate the function of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG1 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to explore its biological mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS Expression levels of lncRNA SNHG1 and miR-488-5p in AML cell lines pAML and THP-1 were determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Proliferative potential and cell cycle progression of pAML and THP-1 cells were detected after SNHG1 knockdown. Potential binding sites of SNHG1 and miR-488-5p were predicted by bioinformatics. Through RNA Binding Protein Immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and luciferase reporter gene assay, we evaluated the binding condition between SNHG1 and miR-488-5p. MiR-488-5p expression in pAML and THP-1 cells with SNHG1 knockdown was detected by qRT-PCR to further verify their interaction. Subsequently, binding sites of NUP205 and miR-488-5p were predicted. Both mRNA and protein levels of NUP205 in pAML and THP-1 cells were examined. The regulatory effects of overexpressed NUP205 on proliferative potential and cell cycle progression of pAML and THP-1 cells transfected with si-SNHG1 were explored by gain-of-function experiments. RESULTS LncRNA SNHG1 was highly expressed in pAML and THP-1 cells, while miR-488-5p was lowly expressed. SNHG1 knockdown in pAML and THP-1 cells inhibited proliferative ability and arrested cell cycle in G0/G1 phase. Knockdown of SNHG1 markedly upregulated the miR-488-5p expression in pAML and THP-1 cells. Furthermore, RIP and luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed the binding between SNHG1 and miR-488-5p. NUP205 was highly expressed in pAML and THP-1 cells at both mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, luciferase reporter gene assay indicated that NUP205 could bind to miR-488-5p. More importantly, the overexpression of NUP205 in pAML and THP-1 cells reversed the inhibitory effect of SNHG1 knockdown on proliferative ability and cell cycle progression. CONCLUSIONS LncRNA SNHG1 promotes the development of AML through miR-488-5p/NUP205 axis.
Characterization of Gut Microbiota, Bile Acid Metabolism, and Cytokines in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), a type of bile duct cancer, has a high mortality rate. Gut microbiota, bile acid (BA) metabolism, and cytokines have not been characterized in patients with ICC, and better noninvasive diagnostic approaches for ICC are essential to be established. Therefore, in this study we aimed to improve our understanding of changes in gut microbiota, BA metabolism, and cytokines in patients with ICC. We found that the α‐diversities and β‐diversities of ICC were highest and that the abundances of four genera (Lactobacillus, Actinomyces, Peptostreptococcaceae, and Alloscardovia) were increased in patients with ICC compared with those in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or liver cirrhosis and in healthy individuals. The glycoursodeoxycholic acid and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) plasma‐stool ratios were obviously increased in patients with ICC. Furthermore, the genera Lactobacillus and Alloscardovia that were positively correlated with TUDCA plasma‐stool ratios were combined to discriminate ICC from the other three diseases. Vascular invasion (VI) frequently led to a poor prognosis in patients with ICC. Compared with patients with ICC without VI, patients with VI had a greater abundance of the family Ruminococcaceae, increased levels of plasma interleukin (IL)‐4 and six conjugated BAs, and decreased levels of plasma IL‐6 and chenodeoxycholic acid. A positive correlation between plasma taurocholic acid and IL‐4 was observed in patients with ICC. Plasma TUDCA was negatively correlated with the abundance of the genus Pseudoramibacter and the survival time of patients with ICC, but had no effect on tumor size, as determined in two murine tumor models. Conclusion: In this study, we identified some biomarkers, including gut microbiota, BAs and inflammatory cytokines, for the diagnosis of ICC and prediction of VI in patients with ICC.
EFFECTS OF FLUID AND NOREPINEPHRINE RESUSCITATION IN A SHEEP MODEL OF ENDOTOXIN SHOCK AND ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY.

The pathophysiology of renal failure in septic shock is complex. Although microvascular dysfunction has been proposed as a mechanism, there are controversial findings about the characteristics of microvascular redistribution and the effects of resuscitation. Our hypothesis was that the normalization of systemic hemodynamics with fluids and norepinephrine fails to improve acute kidney injury. To test this hypothesis, we assessed systemic and renal hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism in 24 anesthetized and mechanically ventilated sheep. Renal cortical microcirculation was evaluated by SDF-videomicroscopy. Shock (n=12) was induced by intravenous administration of endotoxin. After 60 minutes of shock, 30 mL/kg of saline solution was infused and norepinephrine was titrated to reach a mean blood pressure of 70 mm Hg for 2 h. These animals were compared with a sham group (n=12). After endotoxin administration, mean blood pressure, cardiac index, and systemic O2 transport and consumption decreased (P<0.05 for all). Resuscitation improved these variables. Endotoxin shock also reduced renal blood flow and O2 transport and consumption (205[157-293] vs. 131 [99-185], 28.4[19.0-38.2] vs. 15.8[13.5-23.2], and 5.4[4.0-8.8] vs. 3.7[3.3-4.5] mL/min/100 g, respectively), cortical perfused capillary density (23.8[23.5-25.9] vs. 17.5[15.1-19.0] mm/mm2), and creatinine clearance (62.4[39.2-99.4] vs. 10.7[4.4-23.5] mL/min). After 2 h of resuscitation, these variables did not improve (174[91-186], 20.5[10.8-22.7], and 3.8[1.9-4.8] mL/min/100 g, 19.9[18.6-22.1] mm/mm2, and 5.9[1.0-11.9] mL/min). In conclusion, endotoxin shock induced severe renal failure associated with decreased renal flow, O2 transport and consumption, and cortical microcirculation. Normalization of systemic hemodynamics with fluids and norepinephrine failed to improve renal perfusion, oxygenation, and function.
Examination of the effects of a new compression garment on skin tissue oxygenation in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVE Compression devices have been shown to reduce venous stasis, increase blood flow and skin tissue oxygenation (StO2), promoting healthy tissue. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of a new compression garment in three different positions in healthy adults. METHODS In this quantitative study, potential participants were screened and recruited using the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q, Canada). Participants attended three separate, one-hour sessions to evaluate StO2 in supine-lying, chair-sitting and long-sitting positions. StO2 was recorded for 20 minutes pre-, during and post- a 20-minute intervention using a compression garment, TributeWrap (Lohmann-Rauscher, Germany). A repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was followed by post-hoc pairwise comparisons. RESULTS A total of 28 healthy volunteers took part (aged 24.6 ±8.4years; 13 males, 15 females). A significant difference was seen between the three positions (p<0.001). Chair-sitting had the lowest StO2 pre-intervention, increasing StO2 significantly (32.25%, p<0.001) during wear of the compression garment (24.8% higher than baseline post-intervention). No significant difference was seen between long sitting and supine-lying (p=1.000). In contrast, long-sitting and supine-lying StO2 was higher pre-intervention compared with chair-sitting and only increased post-intervention (11% and 16.8% respectively, p<0.001) compared with baseline. CONCLUSION The compression garment significantly increased StO2 levels in both seating positions. Further studies are required to determine if increasing StO2 through short intervention sessions with this device has the potential to improve self-management of tissue health in individuals with reduced mobility, oedema or venous insufficiency.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Molecular Epidemiology of Proteus mirabilis Isolates from Three Hospitals in Northern Taiwan.

Of all the Proteus spp. , Proteus mirabilis is the most common species identified in clinical specimens and is a leading agent of complicated urinary tract infection. This study was undertaken to understand the antimicrobial susceptibility, prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes, and molecular typing of P. mirabilis isolates collected from three hospitals in northern Taiwan. The results showed that the collected isolates of P. mirabilis were susceptible to most antibiotics except cefazolin and tigecycline. Many resistance genes were detected in the collected isolates, of which TEM genes were the most common. Resistance to third- or fourth-generation cephalosporins was related to the presence of at least one of the tested extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) or AmpC genes. The presence of the VEB-1 gene seemed to be a good predictor for both cefepime and ceftazidime resistance, which was further supported by quantitative polymerase chain reaction results. Of the four imipenem-resistant P. mirabilis isolates, three isolates could hydrolyze imipenem by mass spectrometry analysis. Molecular typing by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed that the pulsotyping of the selected P. mirabilis isolates was heterogeneous. By analyzing the relationship of antimicrobial resistance and the presence of resistance genes, revision of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute cefepime and ceftazidime MIC breakpoints for Enterobacteriaceae to predict ESBL producers might possibly be needed.
Topical hydrogels with escin β‐sitosterol phytosome and escin: Formulation development and in vivo assessment of antihyperalgesic activity

The physicochemical properties, stability, in vivo antihyperalgesic activity, and skin irritation potential of the carbomer hydrogels with the new chemical entity escin β‐sitosterol (ES) phytosome were characterized and compared with those containing escin. Physicochemical characterization of the hydrogels (performed 48 hr after preparation) included organoleptic examination, pH measurement, light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry analysis and rheological tests. The obtained results showed that increasing concentration of the active substances within 1–5% affected the appearance (color and transparency) of the hydrogels, their pH, consistency, and rheological behavior. Unlike acidic escin, which was dissolved in the liquid phase of the pseudoplastic hydrogels E1–E5 and reduced their maximal apparent viscosity (ηmax), minimal apparent viscosity (ηmin), and hysteresis area (H) in comparison to the plain carbomer hydrogel, amphiphilic ES‐enhanced ηmax, ηmin, and thixotropy of the hydrogels ES1–ES5, which is favorable for prolonged retention at skin surface. Evaluation of in‐use stability of the hydrogels showed that organoleptic characteristics, flow behavior, and pH values could be preserved for 3 months under ambient conditions. The rat ear test results suggested that the hydrogels are safe to be used on human skin. Both escin and ES‐loaded hydrogels exerted significant, concentration‐dependent antihyperalgesic effect in inflammatory pain model in rats. ES‐loaded hydrogels were significantly more effective than those loaded with escin. This is a first report on the antihyperalgesic effect of topically applied escin as well as ES in a model of inflammatory pain.
High Impact: The Role of Promiscuous Binding Sites in Polypharmacology

The literature focuses on drug promiscuity, which is a drug’s ability to bind to several targets, because it plays an essential role in polypharmacology. However, little work has been completed regarding binding site promiscuity, even though its properties are now recognized among the key factors that impact drug promiscuity. Here, we quantified and characterized the promiscuity of druggable binding sites from protein-ligand complexes in the high quality Mother Of All Databases while using statistical methods. Most of the sites (80%) exhibited promiscuity, irrespective of the protein class. Nearly half were highly promiscuous and able to interact with various types of ligands. The corresponding pockets were rather large and hydrophobic, with high sulfur atom and aliphatic residue frequencies, but few side chain atoms. Consequently, their interacting ligands can be large, rigid, and weakly hydrophilic. The selective sites that interacted with one ligand type presented less favorable pocket properties for establishing ligand contacts. Thus, their ligands were highly adaptable, small, and hydrophilic. In the dataset, the promiscuity of the site rather than the drug mainly explains the multiple interactions between the drug and target, as most ligand types are dedicated to one site. This underlines the essential contribution of binding site promiscuity to drug promiscuity between different protein classes.