Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Convex Programming Approach to the H2-Control of Discrete-Time Markovian Jump Linear Systems

In this paper we consider the H-control problem for the class of discrete-time 2 linear systems with parameters subject to markovian jumps using a convex programming approach. We generalize the definition of the H norm from the deter2 ministic case to the markovian jump case and set a link between this norm and the observability and controllability gramians. Conditions for existence and derivation of a mean square stabilizing controller for a markovian jump linear system using convex analysis are established. The main contribution of the paper is to provide a convex programming formulation to the H-control problem, so that several 2 important cases, to our knowledge not analysed in previous work, can be addressed. Regarding the transition matrix = p for the Markov chain, two [ ] ij situations are considered: the case in which it is exactly known, and the case in which it is not exactly known but belongs to an appropriated convex set. Regarding the state variable and the jump variable, the cases in which t.
Mild Cognitive Impairment is Associated With Characteristic Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has emerged as an identifiable condition and in many cases is a transitional state preceding diagnosable Alzheimer disease (AD). Neurobiological and neuroimaging characteristics of amnestic-type MCI have been investigated, but few comprehensive neuropsychiatric studies have been reported. The aim of this preliminary study was to define the neuropsychiatric features of the amnestic-type MCI and compare them with those of mild AD and normal controls. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) was used to assess the neuropsychiatric symptoms in three age and education comparable groups, i.e., 28 MCI, 124 mild AD, and 50 normal subjects. Individual subscores of the 10 NPI symptoms and total NPI scores were compared between the MCI patients and the other 2 groups. The results of this preliminary investigation showed that MCI patients frequently manifested neuropsychiatric symptoms. The most common symptoms in the MCI group were dysphoria (39%), apathy (39%), irritability (29%), and anxiety (25%). There were significant differences in apathy, dysphoria, irritability, anxiety, agitation, and aberrant motor behavior between the MCI and control groups; in contrast, only delusions were significantly less common in MCI compared with mild AD. There was a significant difference between the MCI and control groups on total NPI scores (p = 0.001), but not between the MCI and mild AD groups (p = 0.304). Amnestic MCI is associated with significant neuropsychiatric symptoms, especially mood disturbances and apathy. Psychotic symptoms are significantly more common in the early stage of AD than in MCI. These results are derived from a limited clinical sample and require confirmation in longitudinal community-based investigations.
Obstacle Polygon as an Assessment of Fundamental Movement Skills in 6-Year-Old Children/Poligon prepreka u funkciji procjene biotičkih motoričkih znanja šestogodišnjaka

Abstract The study was conducted in order to determine the appropriateness of assessment of the level of fundamental movement skill development of six-year-old children by using an obstacle polygon. In accordance with the aim of the study, a sample of 78 six-year-old pupils (39 boys and 39 girls) was used. Through high inter-item correlation and high Cronbach's alpha coefficient, the results clearly indicate excellent reliability of the measuring instrument. Furthermore, normality of the distribution clearly points to the good discriminative power of the polygon. The t-test showed no differences between boys and girls in both the applied polygon and morphological features. The results of the multiple regression analysis with two predictors showed no impact of the used morphological features on the performance of fundamental movement skill assessment manifested through the obstacle polygon. The obtained results clearly point to a very high applicability of the polygon in the physical education curriculum as an instrument for assessment and verification of fundamental movement skills among six-year-old children. Key words: metric characteristics; motor learning; physical education curriculum; regression analysis. --- Sažetak Istraživanje je provedeno s ciljem utvrđivanja prikladnosti i mogucnosti procjene stupnja razvijenosti biotickih motorickih znanja sestogodisnjaka koristeci se poligonom prepreka. U skladu s navedenim koristit ce se uzorak od 78 ucenika (39 djecaka, 39 djevojcica) u dobi od 6 godina. Kroz visoke iner-item korelacije i visoki Chronbach alpha koeficijent, rezultati jasno ukazuju na zadovoljavajucu pouzdanost mjernog instrumenta. Nadalje, rezultati KS testa jasno ukazuju na dobru strukturu odnosno osjetljivost poligona. T-testom je utvrđeno nepostojanje razlika između djecaka i djevojcica kako u primijenjenom poligonu tako i u morfoloskim karakteristikama. Nadalje, rezultati visestruke regresijske analize sa dva prediktora pokazali su da ne postoji utjecaj morfoloskih karakteristika na izvedbu poligona za procjenu biotickih motorickih znanja. Dobiveni rezultati nedvosmisleno ukazuju na prakticnost i primjenjivost poligona u nastavnom procesu tjelesne i zdravstvene kulture kao sredstva za procjenu i provjeru biotickih motorickih znanja. Kljucne rijeci: morfoloske karakteristike; motoricko ucenje; regresijska analiza; tjelesna i zdravstvena kultura.
Incorrect nucleotide insertion at the active site of a G:A mismatch catalyzed by DNA polymerase β

Based on a recent ternary complex crystal structure of human DNA polymerase β with a G:A mismatch in the active site, we carried out a theoretical investigation of the catalytic mechanism of incorrect nucleotide incorporation using molecular dynamics simulation, quantum mechanics, combined quantum mechanics, and molecular mechanics methods. A two-stage mechanism is proposed with a nonreactive active-site structural rearrangement prechemistry step occurring before the nucleotidyl transfer reaction. The free energy required for formation of the prechemistry state is found to be the major factor contributing to the decrease in the rate of incorrect nucleotide incorporation compared with correct insertion and therefore to fidelity enhancement. Hence, the transition state and reaction barrier for phosphodiester bond formation after the prechemistry state are similar to that for correct insertion reaction. Key residues that provide electrostatic stabilization of the transition state are identified.
Successful chemotherapy for newly diagnosed aggressive oligodendroglioma

We treated 3 patients with newly diagnosed aggressive oligodendroglioma with chemotherapy prior to radiotherapy and observed responses. All had residual or progressive tumor following initial surgery. We used a combination called PCV‐3 because recurrent anaplastic oligodendroglioma responds predictably to this regimen. Chemotherapy for response induction followed by radiotherapy for consolidation is feasible and effective initial treatment for this tumor.
Numerical Bifurcation Analysis for Multisection Semiconductor Lasers

We investigate the dynamics of a multisection laser implementing a delayed optical feedback experiment where the length of the cavity is comparable to the length of the laser. First, we reduce the traveling-wave model with gain dispersion (a hyperbolic system of PDEs) to a system of ODEs describing the semiflow on a local center manifold. Then we analyze the dynamics of the system of ODEs using numerical continuation methods (AUTO). We explore the plane of the two parameters---feedback phase and feedback strength---to obtain a bifurcation diagram for small and moderate feedback strength. This diagram permits us to understand the roots of a variety of nonlinear phenomena observed numerically and experimentally such as, e.g., self-pulsations, excitability, hysteresis, or chaos, and to locate them in the parameter plane.
Comparison of sonography with venography in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE To compare the findings of venous sonography with contrast venography in the detection of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limbs. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING The Kenyatta National Hospital, a teaching and referral hospital in Nairobi. SUBJECTS Fifty five limbs in 44 patients with clinical suspicion of DVT were evaluated during the seven months study period (October 2002-April 2003). The ethics committee in the institution granted approval for the study and participants gave written informed consent. INTERVENTION Venous sonography in which a three step protocol involving B-mode gray scale compression sonography, colour and colour Doppler sonography was obtained after contrast venography in patients with clinical suspicion of DVT. The ultrasound examination was done within 24 hours of the contrast venogram. RESULTS The overall sensitivity of venous sonography was 88.9%, specificity 91.8% and accuracy 90.9%. Considering only DVT above the calf, the sensitivity improved to 100%. An alternative diagnosis was found by ultrasound in 48.6% of the negative for DVT cases. CONCLUSION The accuracy of venous sonography as done locally is high and comparable to that in developed countries. We recommend that for patients with clinical suspicion of DVT, venous sonography be done as the initial imaging investigation and venography be reserved for those patients with equivocal or inadequate sonography results.
Treating knee osteoarthritis with intra-articular hyaluronans

ABSTRACT Objective: Intra-articular hyaluronan (HA) or hylan is approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain. The authors review here published evidence of efficacy and safety of intra-articular HA for the treatment of knee pain. Since the systemic safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cyclo-oxygenase (COX-2) inhibitors for OA knee treatment are a current concern, the authors also offer recommendations for repositioning HA in the OA treatment paradigm. Methods: Relevant HA literature was identified by searching MEDLINE and EMBASE from their inception to April 2008 using the search words hyaluronan, hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, and hylan G-F 20, with knee and OA. Data from randomized, placebo-controlled trials were reviewed and summarized in this article. While not a systematic review, this article reviews the best available evidence for the use of HA to treat knee OA. Results: For the most part, patients in the reviewed studies were adults over the age of 40 with mild to severe symptomatic OA of the knee. Reviewed studies demonstrated significant improvements in pain and physical function with HA or sodium hyaluronate and hylan G-F 20. HA or hylan products were most effective between 5 and 13 weeks after injection with improvements also observed at 14–26 weeks or sometimes longer, and were well tolerated with a low incidence of adverse events. HA also provides beneficial treatment effects when administered in conjunction with other therapies. Conclusions: Intra-articular HA or hylan has proven to be an effective, safe, and tolerable treatment for symptomatic knee OA. In an effort to limit cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and renal safety concerns with COX-2 selective and nonselective NSAIDs and maximize HA efficacy, the authors proposed using HA earlier in the treatment paradigm for knee OA and also as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy.
Mode of action of Bacillus subtilis for control of avocado post-harvest pathogens

Bacillus subtilis (isolate B246), Bacillus cereus (isolate B247 and B249) and Bacillus licheniformis (isolate B248) were inhibitory to avocado post-harvest pathogens Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Phomopsis perseae, Drechslera setariae, Pestalotiopsis versicolor and Fusarium solani; when tested with the dual culture technique. In vitro growth of Thyronectria pseudotrichia was not suppressed by any of the antagonists, while B. cereus isolate B247 did not inhibit growth of Dothiorella aromatica. B. Cereus isolate B249 actually stimulated development of Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Diffusable metabolites from the four antagonists impeded growth of C. gloeosporioides, D.aromatica, P. perseae, L. theobromae, but not of T. pseudotrichia. B. subtilis (B246) mode of action was determined using an in vitro spore-germination assay. In vitro the antagonist effectively reduced percentage spore germination of C. gloeosporioides, D. aromatica, P. perseae, L. theobromae, F. solani, P. versicolor and D. setariae. In addition, bulb formation and lysis of hyphae were observed, as well as bacterial movement towards germinating spores and subsequent attachment to the spores. The possible mode of action of B. subtilis is discussed.
Genetic and Environmental Influences on Emotion Regulation: A Twin Study of Cognitive Reappraisal and Expressive Suppression

Previous studies have established that personality traits related to emotionality are moderately heritable. However, the relative heritability of the strategies people use to regulate emotions is unknown. The present study compared the magnitude of additive genetic, shared environmental, and nonshared environmental influences on 2 commonly used emotion regulation strategies: cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. In 743 twin pairs (1,486 twins), we replicated previous estimates of heritability of neuroticism (a2 = .41). Furthermore, cognitive reappraisal was significantly less heritable and more influenced by nonshared environment (a2 = .20; e2 = .80) than either neuroticism or suppression (a2 = .35; e2 = .65), another emotion regulation strategy. Finally, Cholesky decomposition modeling suggested that while there were common genetic and environmental influences on neuroticism, reappraisal and suppression, there were also significant nonshared environmental influences common between reappraisal and adaptive emotional functioning after controlling for neuroticism and suppression. These findings highlight that different aspects of emotional processing, even the use of different emotion regulation strategies, are differentially heritable. The importance of the nonshared environmental influences specific to reappraisal and adaptive emotional functioning speaks to the potential impact of social context, social partners, and psychosocial interventions on reappraisal habits.
Extended cycle combined oral contraceptives and prophylactic frovatriptan during the hormone-free interval in women with menstrual-related migraines.

BACKGROUND Migraine headaches are a significant problem for American women with many of them suffering from headaches around the time of their menstrual cycle. Women taking oral contraceptives in the standard 21/7 cycle regimen often suffer from headaches around the time of the hormone free intervals (HFIs) as well. Extended oral contraceptive regimens have been shown to decrease the frequency, but not eliminate these headaches. This study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study of participants with menstrual-related migraines (MRMs) who were initiated on extended combined oral contraceptives and given frovatriptan prophylactically during HFIs. METHODS Participants having spontaneous menstrual cycles or taking daily combined oral contraceptives in a 21/7 regimen with MRMs were placed on a contraceptive containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol. Analyses compared headache scores during pre-study baseline cycles to those in a 168-day extended regimen with placebo versus frovatriptan treatments during HFIs. RESULTS Daily headache scores decreased (p=0.034) from 1.29 ± 0.10 during pre-study cycles to 1.10 ± 0.14 during extended combined oral contraceptive use. Frovatriptan blocked the increase in headache score over the placebo during HFIs. However, following the withdrawal of frovatriptan, headache scores increased (p>0.01) despite resuming combined oral contraceptive use. CONCLUSIONS Extended combined oral contraceptive regimen reduces MRM severity. Frovatriptan prevents headaches during HFIs, but is associated with new headache symptoms when withdrawn.
Localized regions of egg cytoplasm that promote expression of endoderm-specific alkaline phosphatase in embryos of the ascidian Halocynthia roretzi

Embryogenesis in ascidians is known to be of the mosaic type, a property that suggests the presence of cytoplasmic factors in the egg which are responsible for specification of the developmental fates of early blastomeres. Endoderm cells are present in the trunk region of tadpole larvae, and these cells specifically express alkaline phosphatase (AP). Endoderm cells originate exclusively from blastomeres of the vegetal hemisphere of early embryos. To obtain direct evidence for cytoplasmic determinants of endoderm specification, we carried out cytoplasmic-transfer experiments by fusing blastomeres and cytoplasmic fragments from various regions. Initially, presumptive-epidermis blastomeres (blastomeres from the animal hemisphere) were fused to cytoplasmic fragments from various regions of blastomeres of 8-cell embryos of Halocynthia roretzi, and development of endoderm cells was monitored by histochemical staining for AP. AP activity was observed only when presumptive-epidermis blastomeres were fused with cytoplasmic fragments from the presumptive-endoderm blastomeres. The results suggest that cytoplasmic factors that promote the initial event of endoderm differentiation (endoderm determinants) are present in endoderm-lineage blastomeres. Next, to examine the presence and localization of endoderm determinants in the egg, cytoplasmic fragments from various regions of unfertilized and fertilized eggs were fused with the presumptive-epidermis blastomeres. The results suggest that endoderm determinants are already present in unfertilized eggs, and that they are segregated by movements of the ooplasm after fertilization. Initially, these determinants move to the vegetal pole of the egg. Then, prior to the first cleavage, their distribution extends in the equatorial direction, namely, to the entire vegetal hemisphere from which future endoderm-lineage blastomeres are formed.
Suicidal Gunshot Wounds to the Head: A Retrospective Review of 406 Cases

A retrospective review of 406 suicidal gunshot wounds to the head, investigated at the Medico-Legal Laboratory of Pretoria, between 1997 and 2000 was performed. Fifty-seven percent of fatal suicidal firearm injury to the head occurred in the 21- to 40-year age range in both male and female victims. Eighty-two percent of all these victims of suicidal firearm fatalities to the head were male. Of the 406 cases, 63% were white, 31% were black, and 6% were of mixed ethnic and/or Asian decent. There was a slight increase in incidence around spring and autumn. Handguns were used in the majority of cases with shoulder weapons being used in 18 of the 406 cases. Ninety-two percent of the suicidal gunshot wounds to the head occurred indoors. A positive blood alcohol concentration was seen in 40% of cases. Of those examined, 81% were contact gunshot wounds. The trajectory was upward in 51% of cases and horizontal in 24% of cases. The right temple was the most common entrance gunshot wound site. Findings are in keeping with previously published literature.
Binding and neutralization of endotoxin by Limulus antilipopolysaccharide factor

In order to examine the ability of Limulus antilipopolysaccharide factor (LALF) to bind lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we purified LALF to homogeneity from Limulus amoebocyte lysate and coupled it covalently to agarose beads. LALF-coupled beads captured more tritiated LPS from rough and smooth strains of gram-negative bacteria than did control human serum albumin-coupled beads. Unlabeled homologous and heterologous LPS competed for the binding of 3H-LPS to LALF-coupled beads. LALF bound LPS in a dose-dependent manner as assessed by the precipitation of LPS-LALF complexes with 50% saturated ammonium sulfate. We also studied the ability of LALF to neutralize LPS. LPS preincubated with LALF was less mitogenic for murine splenocytes, was less pyrogenic in the rabbit fever assay, was less lethal in mice which had been sensitized to LPS with actinomycin D, and induced less fever, neutropenia, and pulmonary hypertension when infused into sheep. Our findings extend prior studies which suggested that LALF binds to and neutralizes LPS from multiple strains of gram-negative bacteria.
Voice onset time production in speakers with Alzheimer's disease

In the present study, voice onset time (VOT) measurements were compared between a group of individuals with moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and a group of healthy age‐ and gender‐matched peers. Participants read a list of consonant‐vowel‐consonant (CVC) words, which included the six stop consonants. The VOT measurements were made from oscillographic displays obtained from the Brown Laboratory Interactive Speech System (BLISS) implemented on an IBM‐compatible computer. VOT measures for the participants' six stop consonant productions were subjected to statistical analysis. The results indicated that VOT values in speakers with Alzheimer's disease were not statistically different from those for the normal control speakers.
Free Radical Scavenging Activity, Tyrosinase Inhibition Activity and Fatty Acids Composition of Oils from Pupae of Native Thai Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.)

Oils were extracted from five native Thai silkworm varieties, Keaw Sakon, Nangnoi Srisaket, Sam Rong, Nang Luang and None Ruesee. The yields of the oils by the Soxhlet and maceration methods were in the ranges 24–29 and 5–7%, respectively. Oils extracted from None Ruesee by the Soxhlet method, and oils extracted from Nang Leung, Sam Rong and None Ruesee by the maceration method showed free radical scavenging activity. Oil extracted from None Ruesee by the maceration method gave the highest free radical scavenging activity. Moreover, oil extracted by the Soxhlet method from None Ruesee gave the highest tyrosinase inhibition activity, but was lower than that of standards of vitamin C and kojic acid. The silkworm pupae oil obtained from Soxhlet extraction had unsaturated fatty acid content in the range 72–79% and alpha-linolenic acid content in the range 32–44%, whereas that obtained from the maceration extraction had unsaturated fatty acid content in the range 75–80% and alpha-linolenic acid content in the range 40–46%. The study indicated that oil from native Thai silkworm pupae could be used as an alternative in the food and cosmetic industries.