Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Reinforcement Learning Neural Network Control for Uncertain Nonlinear System With Input Saturation

In this paper, an adaptive neural network (NN) control problem is investigated for discrete-time nonlinear systems with input saturation. Radial-basis-function (RBF) NNs, including critic NNs and action NNs, are employed to approximate the utility functions and system uncertainties, respectively. In the previous works, a gradient descent scheme is applied to update weight vectors, which may lead to local optimal problem. To circumvent this problem, a multigradient recursive (MGR) reinforcement learning scheme is proposed, which utilizes both the current gradient and the past gradients. As a consequence, the MGR scheme not only eliminates the local optimal problem but also guarantees faster convergence rate than the gradient descent scheme. Moreover, the constraint of actuator input saturation is considered. The closed-loop system stability is developed by using the Lyapunov stability theory, and it is proved that all the signals in the closed-loop system are semiglobal uniformly ultimately bounded (SGUUB). Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is further validated via some simulation results.
Bioinformatics analysis of mRNA and miRNA microarray to identify the key miRNA-gene pairs in small-cell lung cancer

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a type of lung cancer with early metastasis, and high recurrence and mortality rates. The molecular mechanism is still unclear and further research is required. The aim of the present study was to examine the pathogenesis and potential molecular markers of SCLC by comparing the differential expression of mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) between SCLC tissue and normal lung tissue. A transcriptome sequencing dataset (GSE6044) and a non-coding RNA sequence dataset (GSE19945) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. In total, 451 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 134 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified using the R limma software package and the GEO2R tool of the GEO, respectively. The Gene Ontology function was significantly enriched for 28 terms, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database had 19 enrichment pathways, mainly related to ‘cell cycle’, ‘DNA replication’ and ‘oocyte meiosis mismatch repair’. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed using Cytoscape software to identify the molecular mechanisms of key signaling pathways and cellular activities in SCLC. The 1,402 miRNA-gene pairs encompassed 602 target genes of the DEMs using miRNAWalk, which is a bioinformatics platform that predicts DEM target genes and miRNA-gene pairs. There were 19 overlapping genes regulated by 32 miRNAs between target genes of the DEMs and DEGs. Bioinformatics analysis may help to better understand the role of DEGs, DEMs and miRNA-gene pairs in cell proliferation and signal transduction. The related hub genes may be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of SCLC, and as potential drug targets.
Effect of feed restriction timing on live performance, breast myopathy occurrence, and muscle fiber degeneration in 2 broiler chicken genetic lines.

During recent years, research on meat quality in poultry has aimed to evaluate the presence and consequences of breast myopathies as well as the factors which can affect their occurrence by modifying the growth rate. A total of 900 broiler chickens were reared until slaughter (48 D) to evaluate the effect of 2 genetic lines (A vs. B) and feeding plans (ad libitum [AL], early restricted [ER], from 13 to 23 D of age, and late restricted [LR], from 27 to 37 D of age; restriction rate: 80%) on performance, meat quality, and breast muscle myopathies. Calsequestrin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expressions, and muscle fiber degeneration (MFD) were recorded at 22, 36, and 48 D. Chickens in the AL treatment had greater final live (P < 0.01) and carcass weights and proportion of pectoralis major muscle (P = 0.04) compared to chickens in the LR treatment, whereas chickens in the ER treatment had intermediate final live (3,454 g) and carcass weights, and proportion of pectoralis major muscle (25.6%). Chickens of line A were heavier than chickens of line B (P < 0.001), and had a greater feed conversion rate. Chickens of line A also had a greater dressing out percentage (P < 0.001), but a lower proportion of pectoralis major muscle (P = 0.04), as well as a greater meat pH (P < 0.001), meat cooking losses (P < 0.01), and shear force of the pectoralis major muscle (P = 0.03). Calsequestrin and VEGF mRNA were significantly lower in ER and LR chickens compared to AL chickens after feed restriction and during refeeding (P < 0.05). MFD scores increased with chicken age (P < 0.001) and differed between genetic lines (P < 0.001). Neither feeding plan nor genetic line affected the occurrence of white striping or wooden breast condition.
Antihypertensive treatment escalation: a three-drug combination and why?

I n the 2018 European Society of Cardiology and European Society of Hypertension (ESC/ESH) guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension [1], antihypertensive treatment initiation with combination of two drugs is recommended (step 1) for the majority of hypertensive patients. The exceptions to this general rule are patients with grade 1 hypertension and low overall cardiovascular risk and elderly patients with impaired physical performance or multiple comorbidities (frailty). Another important recommendation of the 2018 ESC/ESH guidelines [1] is that the new blood pressure (BP) target defining treatment goal is between 120 and 130 mmHg for SBP and lower than 80mmHg for DBP, at least for the subgroup of uncomplicated hypertensive patients aged less than 65 years, whereas a less strict systolic BP target is reserved for the elderly. When treatment target is not achieved with a two-drug combination (preferably in a single pill), a threedrug combination (step 2) should be introduced. In the present issue of the Journal of Hypertension, Salam et al. [2] through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing double-drug and triple-drug BP-lowering combinations give further support to the guideline view that triple-drug combinations reduce BP levels in a higher extent compared with double-drug combinations. Indeed, in this analysis [2], triple-drug combinations lowered SBP/DBP by 5.4/3.2 mmHg compared with double-drug combinations. Although the extent of absolute BP change is strictly associated with baseline BP levels – because of the Wilder’s principle [3] – the attained BP difference between double and triple-drug combinations was almost identical for both untreated (with higher baseline BP) and treated (with lower baseline BP) patients. Thus, the study by Salam et al. [2], in line with the 2018 ESC/ ESH guidelines, suggests that a double combination treatment may be implemented for treatment initiation (in
Factors associated with geriatric morbidity and impairment in a megacity of Pakistan

Background The elderly population is increasing globally. In Pakistan, the elderly comprise 6% of the population that is predicted to triple by 2050. Non-communicable diseases are common health problems of the elderly in Pakistan, however, resulting geriatric impairments and disability are unknown. This study was conducted to determine geriatric impairments and identify associated socio-demographic factors and comorbidities among community dwelling elderly in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2013–2014. Community clusters were selected from all sub-districts of Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan. Data was collected from systematically selected households within these clusters from individuals, aged ≥60 years, using standardized questionnaires. Geriatric impairment was assessed through validated questions and tools. We screened for depression, dementia, mobility and functional status. Descriptive statistics were computed for socio-demographic factors. We estimated the prevalence and 95% CI for geriatric impairments and comorbidities. Results A total of 1200 community-dwelling elderly participated in this study. More than half (n = 663, 55.3%) were females. The average age of the participants was 68.7 (SD = 7.8) years. Two-thirds suffered from chronic illness and the most common impairments were psychological and cognitive. Females were 2.45 times more at risk of developing three or more geriatric impairments. Participants with no formal education had the highest proportion (43.8%) of geriatric impairments. Participants living with more children were more likely to have three or more impairments. Conclusion A high burden of non-communicable diseases and associated impairments were identified among elderly in Karachi, Pakistan. High rates of psychological and cognitive impairments require urgent attention for resources and strategic planning in anticipation of a growing geriatric population.
Influence of Acute Exercise on DNA Repair and PARP Activity before and after Irradiation in Lymphocytes from Trained and Untrained Individuals

Several studies indicate that acute exercise induces DNA damage, whereas regular exercise increases DNA repair kinetics. Although the molecular mechanisms are not completely understood, the induction of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) during acute exhaustive exercise due to metabolic processes might be responsible for the observed DNA damage, while an adaptive increase in antioxidant capacity due to regular physical activity seems to play an important protective role. However, the protective effect of physical activity on exogenously induced DNA damage in human immune cells has been poorly investigated. We asked the question whether individuals with a high aerobic capacity would have an enhanced response to radiation-induced DNA damage. Immune cells are highly sensitive to radiation and exercise affects lymphocyte dynamics and immune function. Therefore, we measured endogenous and radiation-induced DNA strand breaks and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from endurance-trained (maximum rate of oxygen consumption measured during incremental exercise V’O2max > 55 mL/min/kg) and untrained (V’O2max < 45 mL/min/kg) young healthy male volunteers before and after exhaustive exercise. Our results indicate that: (i) acute exercise induces DNA strand breaks in lymphocytes only in untrained individuals, (ii) following acute exercise, trained individuals repaired radiation-induced DNA strand breaks faster than untrained individuals, and (iii) trained subjects retained a higher level of radiation-induced PARP1 activity after acute exercise. The results of the present study indicate that increased aerobic fitness can protect immune cells against radiation-induced DNA strand breaks.
Decreased need for sleep as an endophenotype of bipolar disorder: an actigraphy study

ABSTRACT Reports of subjective sleep impairments have been replicated in adults with bipolar disorder (BD), young BD patients, and even children of parents with BD. Furthermore, circadian rhythm alterations are a core feature of BD. Despite the impairment in circadian rhythms and altered sleep included in various heuristic developmental models of BD, thus far, biomarkers have not been sufficiently objectively validated. Thus, here, we assessed the rest-activity circadian rhythmicity and sleep macrostructure using actigraphy in a sample of unaffected child and adolescent offspring of bipolar parents (BO; n = 43; 21 females; 11.0 ± 3.2 years) and controls (n = 42; 17 females; 11.1 ± 3.4 years) comparable in sex (p = .4) and age (p = .7). All participants wore a MotionWatch 8 (Camntech, Cambridge, UK) actigraph on their nondominant wrist for ≥ 14 days and completed sleep diaries. Psychopathology was assessed by the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia and by subjective scales. The main areas of interest were rest-activity circadian rhythmicity, chronotype and sleep macrostructure. Subgroup analyses (child and adolescent subgroups) were conducted to identify physiological differences in sleep between these age groups. The BO and controls did not differ in the presence of current mood (p = .5) and anxiety (p = .6) disorders. The BO had shorter sleep time on free days (p = .007; effect size, Cohen´s d = 0.56), lower sleep efficiency on free days (p = .01; d = 0.47), lower prolongation of time in bed on free days (p = .046; d = 0.41), and lower social jet lag (p = .04; d = 0.5) than the controls. A longer sleep time on school days (p < .001; d = 0.21), lower prolongation of sleep time between school and free days (p = .008; d = 0.74), and larger difference in sleep onset latency between school days and free days (p = .009; d = 0.52) were observed in the adolescent BO than in the controls. The child BO had poorer sleep quality on free days than the controls (p = .02; d = 0.96). In all cases, the results remained significant after controlling for subthreshold mood and anxiety symptoms. The BO had less variable rest-activity rhythm than controls (p = .04; d = 0.32). No other significant differences between the BO and controls were observed in the rest-activity circadian rhythmicity and chronotype. The results showed decreased physiological catch-up sleep on free days in the BO, which may indicate a decreased need for sleep in this population. Thus, the decreased need for sleep observed in the unaffected BO may represent an endophenotype of BD.
Emerging Fusarium Mycotoxins Fusaproliferin, Beauvericin, Enniatins, and Moniliformin in Serbian Maize

Emerging mycotoxins such as moniliformin (MON), enniatins (ENs), beauvericin (BEA), and fusaproliferin (FUS) may contaminate maize and negatively influence the yield and quality of grain. The aim of this study was to determine the content of emerging Fusarium mycotoxins in Serbian maize from the 2016, 2017, and 2018 harvests. A total of 190 samples from commercial maize production operations in Serbia were analyzed for the presence of MON, ENs, BEA, and FUS using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The obtained results were interpreted together with weather data from each year. MON, BEA, and FUS were major contaminants, while other emerging mycotoxins were not detected or were found in fewer samples (<20%). Overall contamination was highest in 2016 when MON and BEA were found in 50–80% of samples. In 2017 and 2018, high levels of MON, FUS, and BEA were detected in regions with high precipitation and warm weather during the silking phase of maize (July and the beginning of August), when the plants are most susceptible to Fusarium infections. Since environmental conditions in Serbia are favorable for the occurrence of mycotoxigenic fungi, monitoring Fusarium toxins is essential for the production of safe food and feed.
No reduction in mortality after centralisation in treatment of patients with ruptured abdominal aneurism.

INTRODUCTION Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurism (rAAA) is a severe condition with all-cause mortality rates reaching 80%. We speculated whether the 2008 centralisation of the treatment of patients with rAAA in Denmark had improved outcome as suggested in other surgical specialties. Accordingly, our aim was to describe temporal changes in mortality for patients undergoing surgery for rAAA in the Capital Region of Denmark between 2009 and 2015. METHODS This was a retrospective population-based cohort study of patients in the intensive care unit diagnosed and treated for rAAA at Rigshospitalet from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2015. Patient characteristics and procedure-related variables were obtained from the medical records. The primary outcome measure was death within 90 days of the primary surgical procedure. RESULTS A total of 339 patients were diagnosed with rAAA, and 275 patients were included in the final study population; 26.9% of the patients died within 90 days of the primary surgical procedure, whereas the 30-day and one-year mortality was 18.5% and 31.6%, respectively. No consistent reduction in mortality was observed throughout the observation period. CONCLUSIONS In this population-based cohort study of patients surgically treated for rAAA, we found no consistent reduction in mortality over time following centralisation of treatment. FUNDING none. TRIAL REGISTRATION not relevant.
Quantitative Delta T1 (dT1) as a Replacement for Adjudicated Central Reader Analysis of Contrast-Enhancing Tumor Burden: A Subanalysis of the American College of Radiology Imaging Network 6677/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0625 Multicenter Brain Tumor Trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Brain tumor clinical trials requiring solid tumor assessment typically rely on the 2D manual delineation of enhancing tumors by ≥2 expert readers, a time-consuming step with poor interreader agreement. As a solution, we developed quantitative dT1 maps for the delineation of enhancing lesions. This retrospective analysis compares dT1 with 2D manual delineation of enhancing tumors acquired at 2 time points during the post therapeutic surveillance period of the American College of Radiology Imaging Network 6677/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0625 (ACRIN 6677/RTOG 0625) clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients enrolled in ACRIN 6677/RTOG 0625, a multicenter, randomized Phase II trial of bevacizumab in recurrent glioblastoma, underwent standard MR imaging before and after treatment initiation. For 123 patients from 23 institutions, both 2D manual delineation of enhancing tumors and dT1 datasets were evaluable at weeks 8 (n = 74) and 16 (n = 57). Using dT1, we assessed the radiologic response and progression at each time point. Percentage agreement with adjudicated 2D manual delineation of enhancing tumor reads and association between progression status and overall survival were determined. RESULTS: For identification of progression, dT1 and adjudicated 2D manual delineation of enhancing tumor reads were in perfect agreement at week 8, with 73.7% agreement at week 16. Both methods showed significant differences in overall survival at each time point. When nonprogressors were further divided into responders versus nonresponders/nonprogressors, the agreement decreased to 70.3% and 52.6%, yet dT1 showed a significant difference in overall survival at week 8 (P = .01), suggesting that dT1 may provide greater sensitivity for stratifying subpopulations. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that dT1 can predict early progression comparable with the standard method but offers the potential for substantial time and cost savings for clinical trials.
Layered deposition of SnS2 grown by atomic layer deposition and its transport properties

In this work, we report on the layered deposition of few-layer tin disulfide (SnS2) using atomic layer deposition (ALD). By varying the ALD cycles it was possible to deposit poly-crystalline SnS2 with small variation in layer numbers. Based on the ALD technique, we developed the process technology growing few-layer crystalline SnS2 film (3–6 layers) and we investigated their electrical properties by fabricating bottom-gated thin film transistors using the ALD SnS2 as the transport channel. SnS2 devices showed typical n-type characteristic with on/off current ratio of ∼8.32 × 106, threshold voltage of ∼2 V, and a subthreshold swing value of 830 mV decade−1 for the 6 layers SnS2. The developed SnS2 ALD technique may aid the realization of two-dimensional SnS2 based flexible and wearable devices.
Estimation of the leaf chlorophyll content using multi-angular spectral reflectance factor.

Chlorophyll is one of the primary pigments of plant leaves, and changes in its content can be used to characterize the physiological status of plants. Spectral indices have been devised and validated for estimating leaf chlorophyll content (LCC). However, most of the existing spectral indices do not consider the influence of angular reflection on the accuracy of the LCC estimation. In this study, the spectral reflectance factors of leaves from three plant species were measured from several observations in the principal plane. The relationship between the existing spectral indices and the LCC from different directions suggests that the directional reflection of a leaf surface impacts the accuracy of its LCC estimation. Subsequently, the ratio of reflectance differences, i.e., the modified Datt index (MDatt), was tested to reduce the directional reflection effect when predicting LCC. Our results indicated that the MDatt index not only estimated LCC with high accuracy for all observation directions and plant species, but also consistently predicted the LCC of each species in individual observation directions. Our method opens the possibility for optical detection of LCC using multi-angular spectral reflection, which is convenient for plant science studies focused on the variation in LCC.
Treatment with potassium bromide mitigates ataxia and reduces tremor in lambs with perennial ryegrass toxicosis

ABSTRACT Aims: To assess the use of potassium bromide (KBr) as a therapeutic intervention for perennial ryegrass toxicosis (PRGT) in lambs fed ryegrass seed containing lolitrem B. Methods: Male lambs aged 10–12 months (n = 43) were assigned to receive ryegrass seed containing lolitrem B, at a dose of 0.16 mg/kg/day (Groups 2, 3 and 4), or lucerne chaff and molasses (Groups 1 and 5). Lambs in Groups 2 and 3 were observed for clinical signs and gait changes until defined signs of PGRT were observed, when they were transferred, with lambs in Group 1, to the Testing phase of the trial. Lambs in Group 3 were then treated with a single oral dose of 300 mg/kg bromide. Lambs in Groups 4 and 5 received KBr daily from the start of the trial (540 mg/kg bromide over 3 days then 20 mg/kg daily) and were transferred to the Testing phase after 18 days. Clinical examination and gait assessment, and surface electromyography of the triceps muscle, measuring root-mean-square (RMS) voltages, were carried out on Days 0, 1 and 2 of the Testing phase followed by necropsy, histopathology, measurement of concentrations of bromide in serum and CSF and faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM). Results: In Group 3 lambs, mean composite gait scores decreased between Testing phase Day 0 and Days 1 and 2 (p < 0.001), but increased in lambs in Group 2 between Day 0 and Day 2 (p = 0.015). Scores for lambs in Group 3 on Day 2 were lower than for lambs in Group 2 (p < 0.001). Mean RMS voltages on Day 2 were higher in lambs in Group 2 than Group 3 (p = 0.045). Mean concentrations of bromide in serum were >800 µg/mL in lambs in Groups 3 and 4 on Day 2. Concentrations of FCM were higher in lambs from Group 2 than in Groups 1 or 5, but were similar in Groups 2, 3 and 4. Histopathological findings in the cerebellum of lambs from Groups 2, 3 and 4 were similar, showing pyknosis of neurons within the granular layer of the cerebellum and Purkinje neuron proximal axonal spheroid formation. Conclusions and clinical relevance: A single oral dose of 300 mg/kg bromide in lambs with neurological signs of PRGT resulted in reduced composite gait scores and reduced RMS voltages, indicating a significant improvement in clinical signs of ataxia, movement disorder and muscle tremor associated with the neurotoxic effects of lolitrem B.
Fluid colour sign on chest ultrasonography in a cat with exudate pleural effusion and pleuropneumonia

1Corresponding author email: chunghuilin@ntu.edu. tw A 9-year-old neutered male exotic shorthair cat presented with a chronic cough of 3-month duration. Thoracic radiography revealed alveolar infiltration in the left cranial lung lobe, with an unstructured interstitial opacity in the other lung lobes; the differential diagnoses included pneumonia and neoplasia. On a CT scan obtained 10 days after radiography, a large volume of pleural effusion was identified, which was not apparent on the previous radiographs. Attenuation of the effusion varied between 20 and 40 Hounsfield units and was accompanied by strands of soft tissue attenuation and mild thickening of the costal parietal pleura (Fig. 1A). A first attempt at thoracocentesis through the left caudal thorax resulted in difficul-