Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and Adaptive Control for Open Channel Water Flow Systems

Abstract: Despite the continuous advances in the control design for water flow systems such as irrigation and sewer systems, the design and deployment of efficient water flow control systems requires a careful and efficient fine‐tuning of their parameters prior and during the actual system operation. In the majority of water flow control applications, the controller design is based on simplified models (e.g., linear models assuming a fixed time‐delay) for the water flow dynamics and as a result the initial controller design calls for a major fine‐tuning at the initial deployment of the control system; moreover, the frequent changes in water management commands/needs as well as the severe exogenous disturbances call for a continuous update of the controller parameters. Conventional controller tuning approaches cannot be used for the efficient tuning of the controller parameters in water flow control systems, mainly due to the highly nonlinear dependence of the time‐delay with respect to the water flow. In this article, we first introduce and analyze both by means of mathematical analysis and simulation experiments, a computationally simple and efficient methodology for the identification of water flow system dynamics as a State‐dependent Delay Difference Equation (sdDDE) model. The main advantage of this methodology is that it can explicitly identify the nonlinear relationship between the water flow system states and the system time‐delay. Then, we show that such an sdDDE identification scheme can be used for the efficient adaptive tuning of a general class of water flow control systems. More precisely, by exploiting the knowledge—obtained using the sdDDE identification scheme—regarding the nonlinear characteristics of the time‐delay, we come up with a convergent adaptive control scheme, which is able to quickly track rapid changes in setpoint commands and efficiently attenuate severe exogenous disturbances. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme out‐performs significantly existing well fine‐tuned linear and nonlinear control schemes.
[Association between cleft lip/palate phenotype and non syndrome microsatellite markers located in 6p, 17q and 19q].

BACKGROUND In the search of the major genes responsible for the genetic etiology of Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and Palate (NSCLP), an association study between this malformation and four molecular markers, F13A1 and EDN1 (6p), D17S579 (17q) and BCL3 (19q), was done. AIM To determine, in a Chilean population, the presence of NSCLP susceptibility regions, as proposed for Caucasian populations in the 6p, 17q and 19q chromosomal regions. MATERIAL AND METHODS A sample of unrelated NSCLP patients, that belonged to Simplex (Sx) and Multiplex (Mx) families, was analyzed. Blood donors were used as a control group (Co). The DNA of the four markers was amplified by means of PCR, their products analyzed by PAGE denaturants and visualized by silver staining. Statistical analysis was performed using chi 2 log ratio. RESULTS Allele frequency distribution of D17S579 was significantly different in all patients with NSCLP and their subgroups, when compared to control subjects. Significant differences in EDN1 frequency were observed between the total groups of NSCLP patients and those pertaining to the Mx subgroup, when compared to controls. Differences in F13A1 distribution were only observed between NSCLP-Mx patients and controls. There was a slight difference in BCL3 distribution, between the total sample of NSCLP patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the hypothesis of the existence of cleft susceptibility regions in 6p and 17q. The small significance of BCL3, suggests that ethnicity can influence the interactions between involved genes.
Dynamic MRI in the evaluation of the spine: state of the art

Introduction: Degenerative disease of the spine is a generic term encompassing a wide range of different disease processes, which leads to spinal instability; traumatic/neoplastic events can accelerate this aging process. Therefore, the dynamic nature of the spine and its mobility across multiple segments is difficult to depict with any single imaging modality. Methods: A review of PubMed databases for articles published about kMRI in patients with cervical and lumbar spinal desease was performed. We focused on the physiopathological changes in the transition from supine to upright position in spine instability. Discussion: Until a few years ago, X-ray was the only imaging modality for the spine in the upright position. Of the imaging techniques currently available, MRI provides the greatest range of information and the most accurate delineation of soft-tissue and osseous structures. Conventional MRI examinations of the spine usually are performed in supine position, in functional rest, but the lumbar spine instability is often shown only by upright standing. This can result in negative findings, even in the presence of symptoms. Regardless, the final result is distorted. To overcome this limitation, Kinetic MRI (kMRI) can image patients in a weight-bearing position and in ﬂexed and extended positions, thus revealing abnormalities that are missed by traditional MRI studies. Conclusion: Despite some limitations, the upright MRI can be a complementary investigation to the traditional methods when there are negative results in conventional MRI in symptomatic patients or when surgical therapy is scheduled. (www.actabiomedica.it)
Effect of applying cold gel pack on the pain associated with deep breathing and coughing after open heart surgery

Background: Coughing and deep breathing after sternotomy causes severe pain. This study was conducted to assess the effect of cold therapy on the pain in patients undergoing open heart surgery. Materials and Methods: In a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with crossover design, 50 eligible and consenting patients were recruited and randomly allocated to gel pack and non-gel pack groups on the first postoperative day. All patients performed four episodes of deep breathing and coughing (DB and C) every 2 h. Pain intesity was measured and compared at rest and after DB and C in both groups. At the end of the study, all patients were asked about their preferences for the cold gel pack application prior to DB and C. The study hypotheses were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA). Results: Data analysis showed significant reduction in pain scores (P < 0.001) after cold gel application. Forty-five (90%) patients were inclined to reapply the gel pack in the future. Conclusion: Cold gel pack can reduce the pain associated with DB and C in cardiac surgery patients.
A different spectrum of DMD gene mutations in local Chinese patients with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy.

BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are X-linked recessive, allelic disorders. This study was conducted to look into the spectrum of DMD gene mutations in Hong Kong Chinese patients with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD), and to study genotype-phenotype correlation. METHODS A retrospective review of 67 patients. RESULTS Twenty-three (34.3%) patients had exon deletions; whereas 5 (7.5%) patients had exon duplications. Twenty-three (34.3%) patients had small mutations, including 17 point mutations and 6 small insertions or deletions. No correlation was found between the type of mutation and the muscle phenotype or mental retardation. Significantly fewer maternal carriers were found in patients with exon deletions, and a positive family history was more common in those with small mutations. DMD phenotype was significantly less common in patients with exon deletions/duplications at the 5' hotspot, whereas all 4 small mutations associated with mental retardation were located in the 3' end of the gene. CONCLUSIONS The percentage of DMD exon deletions in local Chinese patients was significantly lower than the commonly quoted 60%. This indicated an ethnic or regional difference in predisposition to DMD exon deletions.
Inert Gas Diffusion Method for Measurement of Blood Flow Using Saturation Techniques: Comparison with Directly Measured Blood Flow in Isolated Gastrocnemius Muscle of the Cat

The isolated gastrocnemius muscle of the cat was used to study the relation between the desaturation of 133xenon measured by external monitoring, and blood flow measured directly by a dropcounter. The metered blood flow agreed with that calculated from the initial slope of the desaturation curve from tissue equilibrated by prolonged intra-arterial infusion and also by atraumatic gas labelling of a local area of the muscle (approximately 0.15% of the muscle weight). In this sense the concept of uniform distribution of blood flow in skeletal muscle has received substantial support. The identity of the results obtained by local gas labelling and by intra-arterial equilibration of the whole muscle with gas implies that there is, at least initially, diffusion equilibrium between tissue and blood in both. However, the clearance curves could in no instance be fitted by a single exponential function. This indicates that the diffusion equilibrium is not maintained after the initial phase. It is suggested that this is not due to the presence of anatomical arteriovenous shunts or other types of uneven perfusion, but to counter current exchange of inert gas through the walls of vessels, i.e. shunting by diffusion explains the shape of the desaturation curves.
Robust adaptive stabilization for a class of cascade nonlinear systems with iISS inverse dynamics

In this paper, the state feedback stabilization problem is investigated for a class of nonlinear systems with iISS inverse dynamics and uncertain control coefficients. By the use of the backstepping control approach, a systematic controller design procedure is developed. The designed control law can guarantee that the system states are globally regulated to the origin and the other signals are bounded in closed-loop systems. Moreover, it is shown that under some additional conditions, a linear controller can be designed by the proposed methodology. The simulation example demonstrates its effectiveness.
Vacuolar ATPase in Phagosome-Lysosome Fusion

Background: The vacuolar H+-ATPase complex is thought to contribute to membrane fusion. Results: v-ATPase complex knock-out experiments in mice revealed that its absence does not affect phagosome-lysosome fusion. Conclusion: Participation of v-ATPase in phagosome-lysosome fusion is unlikely. Significance: Fusion between lysosomes/late endosomes and phagosomes is not controlled by the v-ATPase. The vacuolar H+-ATPase (v-ATPase) complex is instrumental in establishing and maintaining acidification of some cellular compartments, thereby ensuring their functionality. Recently it has been proposed that the transmembrane V0 sector of v-ATPase and its a-subunits promote membrane fusion in the endocytic and exocytic pathways independent of their acidification functions. Here, we tested if such a proton-pumping independent role of v-ATPase also applies to phagosome-lysosome fusion. Surprisingly, endo(lyso)somes in mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking the V0 a3 subunit of the v-ATPase acidified normally, and endosome and lysosome marker proteins were recruited to phagosomes with similar kinetics in the presence or absence of the a3 subunit. Further experiments used macrophages with a knockdown of v-ATPase accessory protein 2 (ATP6AP2) expression, resulting in a strongly reduced level of the V0 sector of the v-ATPase. However, acidification appeared undisturbed, and fusion between latex bead-containing phagosomes and lysosomes, as analyzed by electron microscopy, was even slightly enhanced, as was killing of non-pathogenic bacteria by V0 mutant macrophages. Pharmacologically neutralized lysosome pH did not affect maturation of phagosomes in mouse embryonic cells or macrophages. Finally, locking the two large parts of the v-ATPase complex together by the drug saliphenylhalamide A did not inhibit in vitro and in cellulo fusion of phagosomes with lysosomes. Hence, our data do not suggest a fusion-promoting role of the v-ATPase in the formation of phagolysosomes.
Pulmonary infectious mortality among patients with end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND Infection is the second-leading cause of death among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This is due in part to advanced age, comorbid conditions, and immune dysfunction observed in uremic states. Although one may hypothesize that pulmonary infectious mortality is higher among patients with ESRD compared with the general population (GP), no such data are currently available. METHODS We compared annual pulmonary infectious mortality rates among patients with ESRD to those in the GP. The data were abstracted from the United States Renal Data System and the National Center for Health Statistics, respectively, and were stratified by age, gender, race, and presence or absence of diabetes mellitus (DM). In the GP, primary and multiple cause-of-death analyses were performed to account for potential limitations of the data sources. RESULTS Overall, pulmonary infectious mortality rate was 14-fold to 16-fold higher in dialysis patients and approximately twofold higher in renal transplant recipients compared with the GP. After stratification for age, differences between groups decreased but retained their magnitude. CONCLUSION Patients with ESRD treated with dialysis have higher pulmonary infectious mortality rates compared with the GP, even after stratification for age, race, and DM. Consequently, this patient population must be considered at high risk for the development of lethal pulmonary infections.
The effect of ellagic acid on the thrombin-induced hemorrhagic syndrome in the rat.

The intraperitoneal administration of thrombin increased the bleeding due to the amputation of the tail in the rat (average blood loss 4.6 ml.). The intravenous administration of ellagic acid in thrombin-injected rats reduced the average blood loss to 0.6 ml. This value was slightly more than the average blood loss noted in animals given only ellagic acid (0.2 ml.). Both these figures were much less than the average blood loss observed in control animals (3.2 ml.).
Osteoarticular tissue infection and development of skeletal pathology in murine brucellosis

SUMMARY Brucellosis, a frequent bacterial zoonosis, can produce debilitating chronic disease with involvement of multiple organs in human patients. Whereas acute brucellosis is well studied using the murine animal model, long-term complications of host-pathogen interaction remain largely elusive. Human brucellosis frequently results in persistent, chronic osteoarticular system involvement, with complications such as arthritis, spondylitis and sacroiliitis. Here, we focused on identifying infectious sites in the mouse that parallel Brucella melitensis foci observed in patients. In vivo imaging showed rapid bacterial dispersal to multiple sites of the murine axial skeleton. In agreement with these findings, immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of bacteria in bones and limbs, and in the lower spine vertebrae of the axial skeleton where they were preferentially located in the bone marrow. Surprisingly, some animals developed arthritis in paws and spine after infection, but without obvious bacteria in these sites. The identification of Brucella in the bones of mice corroborates the findings in humans that these osteoarticular sites are important niches for the persistence of Brucella in the host, but the mechanisms that mediate pathological manifestations in these sites remain unclear. Future studies addressing the immune responses within osteoarticular tissue foci could elucidate important tissue injury mediators and Brucella survival strategies.
PU Staphylococcal septicaemia complicated with purulent pericarditis in an infant : A case report

Purulent pericarditis is a rare complication of sepsis. It is almost exclusively a complication from an underlying condition rather than a primary infection. Staphylococcus aureus is the commonest aetiologic agent. Its diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion especially in the presence of persistent fever and signs of cardiac tamponade in spite of appropriate antibiotic use. A case of purulent pericarditis in an infant is here presented to illustrate the importance of a high index of suspicion and simple investigations in its diagnosis in resource limited practice. In addition, the importance of prompt treatment with drainage of the abscess and use of appropriate antibiotics to achieve a good prognosis is shown.
Effect of summer intermission on skeletal muscle of adolescent soccer players.

BACKGROUND To study the effect of some weeks of rest on three groups of adolescent soccer players, who had undergone systematic training for eleven months. METHODS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Retrospective and comparative investigation; duration 4-8 weeks. SETTING young amateur players from a Spanish football club were examined at the beginning and at the end of the summer rest period. PARTICIPANTS 37 young soccer players aged 14, 15 and 16 years old. They were members of three football teams. INTERVENTIONS during the rest period they were free from any training program. MEASURES biopsies of M. vastus lateralis were taken immediately after training and after the summer holidays. The type, percentage and diameter of the fibers, as well as the enzymes of glycogen metabolism (glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase), glycolysis (phosphofructokinase and lactate dehydrogenase), oxidative metabolism (succinate dehydrogenase and citrate synthase) and creatine kinase and transaminase (aspartate and alanine aminotransferase) were studied. RESULTS Detraining had an adaptation effect, decreasing the cross-sectional area of type I and type II fibers, and decreasing the activities of creatine kinase, citrate synthase, phosphofructokinase, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase. CONCLUSIONS The results can help trainers to plan the length of the rest period between training.
Smoking Cessation among Hong Kong Chinese Smokers Attending Hospital as Outpatients: Impact of Doctors' Advice, Successful Quitting and Intention to Quit

To identify factors affecting current smokers' intention to quit smoking and factors associated with successful quitting among ex-smokers in Hong Kong. A cross-sectional survey of Chinese patients attending medical and surgical Specialist Outpatient Clinics (SOPCs) of public hospitals in Hong Kong, using a structured questionnaire. Results of the 642 respondents, 21% were current smokers, 9% were ex-smokers and 69% were non-smokers. 74% of the smokers reportedly received quitting advice from doctors. Among the current smokers, past quitting attempts, receiving information from sources other than doctors, believing that doctor's advice was useful, believing that all smokers should quit smoking and a positive attitude towards quitting were associated with intention to quit. Among those who had attempted to quit, being older (aged 50 or above), being retired / unemployed and consuming more than 10 cigarettes per day were associated with successful quitting. We found that advice from doctors on quitting smoking did not have any impact on Chinese smokers quitting or future intention to quit and reflect the inadequacy of advice given by Hong Kong doctors. The predictors of intention to quit and successful quitting identified in the study could be used to design future smoking cessation services. Asia Pac J Public Health 2004; 16(2): 115-120.
Risks of leaving the gallbladder in situ after endoscopic sphincterotomy for bile duct stones

There is controversy concerning the subsequent clinical course of patients whose gallbladder is left in situ following successful endoscopic removal of stones from their common bile ducts. A total of 191 patients (median age 76 years) were reviewed between 12 and 100 months (mean 38 months) after endoscopic sphincterotomy. Ten patients (5·2 per cent) had symptoms requiring cholecystectomy which was uneventful, nine in the first year. Cholangitis at presentation or failure to fill the gallbladder by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography were not helpful in identifying these patients. Forty‐nine (25·6 per cent) patients died during the review period from non‐biliary pathology (usually cardiovascular). Elective cholecystectomy is not required in elderly patients with symptomatic bile duct stones if the common bile duct can be cleared of stones after endoscopic sphincterotomy.
Changes in Expression of Neuropeptides and Their Receptors in the Hypothalamus and Gastrointestinal Tract of Calorie Restricted Hens

The list of orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides, those are known to alter feed intake, is continuously growing. However, most of them are studied in mammalian species. We aimed to investigate plasma level and mRNA expression of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), gene expression of its receptor (PAC1), furthermore the gene expression of galanin (GAL), neuromedin U (NMU), and its two receptors (NMUR1 and NMUR2) in the hypothalamus, proventriculus, and jejunum of hens exposed to 40% calorie restriction. Feed restriction resulted in a 88% increase in mRNA and a 27% increase in peptide level of PACAP in proventriculus measured with qPCR and RIA, respectively. Increases were found in the gene expression of PAC1 (49%) and NMUR1 (63%) in the hypothalamus. Higher expressions of peptide encoding genes (76% for PACAP, 41% for NMU, 301% for NMUR1 and 308% for GAL, P < 0.05) were recorded in the jejunum of hens exposed to restricted nutrition. The results indicate that PACAP level responds to calorie restriction in the proventriculus and jejunum, but not in the hypothalamus and plasma.
Solving TSP Using Various Meta-Heuristic Algorithms

Real world problems like Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) belong to NP-hard optimization problems which are difficult to solve using classical mathematical methods. Therefore, many alternate solutions have been developed to find the optimal solution in shortest possible time. Nature-inspired algorithms are one of the proposed solutions which are successful in finding the solutions that are very near to the optimal. In this paper, Classical TSP (CTSP) along with its variant Random TSP (RTSP) are solved using various meta-heuristic algorithms and their performance is compared on the basis of tour length. Results show that the Nature-inspired algorithms outperform both Traditional and Evolutionary algorithms and obtain optimal solutions.
Thought disorder, working memory and attention: interrelationships and the effects of neuroleptic medications

Impairments in attention and vigilance, working memory and organization of speech (thought disorder) have been reliably observed in patients with schizophrenia. The response in these cognitive parameters to neuroleptic medications can be used to sharpen their characterization in neuropsychological terms. In particular, a review of the literature suggests that while working memory is relatively insensitive to neuroleptics, attention and thought disorder may improve with neuroleptic administration. On the basis of the response to typical and atypical neuroleptics, attention as deployed in the Continuous Performance Test may reflect response readiness rather than actual vigilance. Thought disorder, which is often assumed to be the result of impaired discourse planning due to a reduced capacity for working memory, does not covary with working memory, and the two parameters show different responses to neuroleptic medications. Rather, cognitive studies suggest that thought disorder may arise from abnormalities within the semantic system itself.