Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fully Distributed Event-Triggered Optimal Coordinated Control for Multiple Euler–Lagrangian Systems

This article studies a fully distributed optimal coordinated control problem with the global cost function for networked Euler–Lagrange (EL) systems subject to unknown model parameters. In particular, the global cost function is the sum of all the local cost functions assigned to each agent and only available to itself. The objective is to minimize the global cost function in a distributed manner while achieving a consensus on its optimal solution. Since the model parameters of the considered EL systems are not available, a new auxiliary system is introduced as a reference model, and its outputs exponentially converge the optimal solution of the global cost function. A fully distributed optimal control algorithm without requiring global information is first proposed. Then, an alternative distributed optimal algorithm via the event-triggered mechanism is proposed to reduce the communication cost. In particular, by combining an edge-based adaptive gain method, the proposed event-triggered optimal algorithm is also fully distributed. Finally, numerical simulation is carried out to validate the theoretical results.
MET deletion is a frequent event in gastric/gastroesophageal junction/esophageal cancer: a cross-sectional analysis of gene status and signal distribution in 1,580 patients

Background MET gene aberrations are found in several human cancers including gastric, ovarian and lung. In a large multinational cohort of patients with gastric/gastroesophageal junction/esophageal (G/GEJ/E) adenocarcinoma we assessed the MET status with respect to amplification and deletion and correlate the results with the phenotypical gene signal distribution pattern. Methods Tissue specimens from 1,580 patients were analyzed using a novel fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay employing a MET/CEN-7 IQFISH Probe Mix. MET amplification and deletions were defined as a MET/CEN-7 ratio ≥2.0 and a MET/CEN-7 ratio <0.8, respectively. Furthermore, the link between the MET gene status and the phenotypical signal distribution was investigated. Results The prevalence of MET amplification and deletions was found to be 7.2% and 8.7%, respectively. Significant differences were observed with regard to geographic regions and sex. The Asian population had the highest percentage of MET amplification (9.4%) and the lowest percentage of deletions (3.2%). MET deletions was found more frequently among males (10.1%) compared to females (5.3%) and in esophagus (17.6%) compared to the stomach (5.7%). More than 50% of the patients who harbored MET gene amplification had a heterogeneous distribution of the FISH signals. Patients with a focal signal distribution were solely to be found among the MET amplified population. MET deletion were mainly observed in the group of patients with a homogenous signal distribution. Conclusions The screening data from this cross-sectional study showed that MET deletion and amplification are frequent events in G/GEJ/E cancer, which are linked to different phenotypical signal distribution patterns. The role of MET deletion in relation to tumor development is not fully understood but it is likely to play a role in the oncogenic transformation of the cells.
Molecular mapping of interstitial lung disease reveals a phenotypically distinct senescent basal epithelial cell population

Compromised regenerative capacity of lung epithelial cells can lead to cellular senescence, which may precipitate fibrosis. While increased markers of senescence have been reported in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the origin and identity of these senescent cells remain unclear, and tools to characterize context-specific cellular senescence in human lung are lacking. We observed that the senescent marker p16 is predominantly localized to bronchiolized epithelial structures in scarred regions of IPF and systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) lung tissue, overlapping with the basal epithelial markers Keratin 5 and Keratin 17. Using in vitro models, we derived transcriptional signatures of senescence programming specific to different types of lung epithelial cells and interrogated these signatures in a single-cell RNA-Seq data set derived from control, IPF, and SSc-ILD lung tissue. We identified a population of basal epithelial cells defined by, and enriched for, markers of cellular senescence and identified candidate markers specific to senescent basal epithelial cells in ILD that can enable future functional studies. Notably, gene expression of these cells significantly overlaps with terminally differentiating cells in stratified epithelia, where it is driven by p53 activation as part of the senescence program.
A predictive nomogram of bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation after drug-eluting stent implantation

Background The use of anticoagulants and antiplatelet therapies is associated with a higher risk of bleeding in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients after percutaneous coronary intervention, especially after stent implantation. However, no accurate bleeding risk prediction tool has been developed for these patients. The aim of this study was thus to establish a bleeding risk prediction model (predictive nomogram) for patients with AF after stent implantation. Methods Construction of the predictive nomogram was based on a retrospective study, which enrolled 943 AF patients who underwent drug-eluting stent implantation between May 2012 and September 2016. A range of factors, including demographics, comorbidities, medication strategies, arterial access, and laboratory tests, were collected as baseline data. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify the key clinical features for construction of the predictive nomogram. The concordance index (C-index) and internal validation were used to evaluate the efficacy of the nomogram. Results Of the 943 AF patients that underwent stent implantation, the occurrence of bleeding events was 8.2% (77 out of 943). Key predictors included the number of antiplatelet drugs, peptic ulcer, cerebral infarction, type 2 diabetes, thrombocytopenia, anemia, prior myocardial infarction, sex (male), use of anticoagulant drugs, liver dysfunction, hypertension, and acute myocardial infarction. These predictors were used to construct the nomogram. The C-index for the prediction of bleeding risk by the nomogram was 0.841 (95% CI: 0.79–0.89), which indicated good discrimination and calibration. The C-index of internal validation was 0.795, which demonstrated good efficacy of the model. Conclusions This study suggests that our novel nomogram can accurately predict bleeding risk in AF patients after stent implantation during hospitalization, thereby helping to avoid complications. The nomogram may also be helpful for the creation of individualized post-discharge medication strategies.
Forgiveness Therapy in a Maximum-Security Correctional Institution: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE Forgiveness Therapy is proposed as a novel approach to rehabilitation for men in a maximum-security correctional institution to alleviate psychological compromises. METHOD In a two-tiered study, volunteer participants within a correctional institution (N=103) were asked to report past experiences of abuse and unjust treatment prior to their first crime, and were measured on anger, anxiety, depression, hope, and forgiveness. Twenty-four of the most clinically compromised participants were selected from this initial assessment, with pairs first matched on certain characteristics, and then randomly assigned to either experimental or control group interventions followed by a cross-over design (N=9 in each group at the study's end). Experimental participants received 24 weeks of Forgiveness Therapy. Control group participants received 24 weeks of an alternative treatment followed by Forgiveness Therapy. Dependent variables included anger, anxiety, depression, forgiveness, hope, self-esteem, and empathy. RESULTS 90% of 103 participants reported moderate to severe abuse in childhood or adolescence. Data showed an inverse relationship between forgiveness and anger, anxiety, and depression. In the Forgiveness Therapy, anger, anxiety, depression, empathy, and forgiveness were statistically significant favoring both experimental groups. These results remained at the six-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Forgiveness Therapy is shown to be effective for correctional rehabilitation in healing clinical psychological compromise and in promoting positive psychological well-being in men within a maximum-security facility.
Modeling on pore variation of coal chars during CO{sub 2} gasification associated with their submicropores and closed pores

When predicting the variation of pore structure during CO{sub 2} gasification of coal chars using the random pore model (RPM), it is impossible to calculate exactly the {psi} parameter from the pore characteristics, which were obtained by means of N{sub 2} adsorption, such as BET surface area (denoted as N{sub 2} pore characteristics), of the char prior to gasification. The values of {psi}, which were calculated from the pore characteristics of chars at various carbon conversions, should be fundamentally constant, unaffected by the conversion of the char. However, this investigation exhibited a drastic decrease of {psi} at the initial stage of the gasification reaction. This phenomenon is the result of a significant increase of N{sub 2} pore characteristics, of which the starting chars are extremely small. This increase might be explained by the widening of submicropores which are undetectable through the N{sub 2} adsorption method or by the reopening of closed pores inaccessible even to helium molecules, followed by the formation of new micropores exceeding the detection limit of N{sub 2}. Consequently, this study introduced the volume of submicropores and closed pores into the equation as correction terms. The value of {psi} at the reaction starting point was close tomore » that at the intermediate stage of reaction, indicating that the accuracy for {psi} estimation was elevated and that the submicropores and closed pores should be taken into account when using RPM. 23 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs. « less
Structure and properties of EuTSb (T = Cu, Pd, Ag, Pt, Au) and YbIrSb

Abstract The equiatomic antimonides EuTSb (T = Cu, Pd, Ag, Pt, Au) and YbIrSb were synthesized from the elements in sealed tantalum tubes in an induction furnace. The samples were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction and the structures were refined on the basis of single crystal X-ray diffractometer data: ZrBeSi type, P63/mmc, a = 450.7(5), c = 853.2(7) pm, wR2 = 0.032, 273 F2 values, 8 variables for EuCuSb, a = 474.9(1), c = 829.4(3) pm, wR2 = 0.028, 166 F2 values, 8 variables for EuAgSb, a = 467.1(2), c = 848.8(3) pm, wR2 = 0.042, 162 F2 valäues, 8 variables for EuAuSb, and TiNiSi type, space group Pnma, a = 762.5(3), b = 469.1(1), c = 792.1(1) pm, wR2 = 0.046, 670 F2 values, 20 variables for EuPdSb, and a = 700.7(1), b = 444.68(8), c = 781.3(1) pm, wR2 = 0.075, 592 F2 values, 20 variables for YbIrSb. The structures are ordered superstructure variants of the aristotype AlB2 with planar T3Sb3 hexagons in EuTSb (T = Cu, Ag, Au) and puckered T3Sb3 hexagons in EuTSb (T = Pd, Pt) and YbIrSb. TiNiSi type EuPtSb was characterized via powder data: a = 759.8(3), b = 465.4(3), c = 791.4(3) pm. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate antiferromagnetic ordering for all compounds. The samples were additionally characterized by 121Sb and 151Eu Mössbauer spectra.
Managing urban solid waste in Ghana: Perspectives and experiences of municipal waste company managers and supervisors in an urban municipality

Increased population growth and rapid urbanization have resulted in the generation of large quantities of solid waste across major urban cities in Ghana, outstripping local authorities’ ability to manage and dispose of waste in a sanitary manner. This study explored the perspectives and experiences of municipal waste company managers and supervisors in the Ho municipality of Ghana on solid waste management practices. A qualitative inquiry was conducted by adopting a phenomenological approach, using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions for data collection. A total of 35 participants, made up of 12 managers and 23 supervisors took part in the study. Transcribed data were imported into NVivo 11.0 software for coding. Content analysis was applied to analyze all transcribed data using processes of induction and deduction. The results showed that organizational capacity, resources, and expertise; community factors such as socio-cultural beliefs and a low sense of responsibility towards solid waste management among urban residents; contextual factors such as regulations, and weak enforcement all influence and shape the level of efficiency and effectiveness of solid waste management practices in the study setting. The findings suggest that policy frameworks and procedures implemented to curb poor urban waste management practices should be systematic and thorough in order to tackle the issue of solid waste in the study setting and Ghana in general. The nature of the identified issues and challenges requires multidimensional and multilevel interventions to provide sustainable solutions for managing urban waste in Ghana.
Cortisol promotes the cognitive regulation of high intensive emotions independent of timing

Failures to cognitively downregulate negative emotions are a crucial risk factor for mental disorders. Previous studies provide evidence for a stress‐induced improvement of cognitive emotion regulation possibly mediated via glucocorticoid actions. Cortisol can initialize immediate non‐genomic as well as delayed genomic effects on cognitive control functioning, but its distinct effects on emotion regulation processes remain to be shown. Here, we sought to characterize time‐dependent effects of oral cortisol administration on cognitive emotion regulation outcomes. We expected cortisol to improve emotion regulation success. Possible interactions with the delay between cortisol treatment and emotion regulation, strategy use and intensity of the emotional stimuli were examined. Eighty‐five healthy men received either 10 mg hydrocortisone or a placebo in a double‐blind, randomized design 30 or 90 min prior to an emotion regulation paradigm, in which they were asked to downregulate their emotional responses towards low and high intensive negative pictures via reappraisal or distraction. Affective ratings and pupil dilation served as outcome measures. Reduced arousal, enhanced valence ratings as well as increases in pupil dilations indexing the cognitive regulatory effort indicated successful downregulation of negative emotions evoked by high intensive but not low intensive negative pictures. Cortisol significantly reduced arousal ratings when downregulating high intensive negative emotions via distraction and (at a trend level) via reappraisal, independent of timing, demonstrating a beneficial effect of cortisol on subjective regulatory outcomes. Taken together, this study provides initial evidence suggesting that cortisol promotes the cognitive control of high intensive negative emotions both, 30 and 90 min after treatment.
Injury patterns and circumstances associated with electric scooter collisions: a scoping review

Background Electric scooters are personal mobility devices that have risen in popularity worldwide since 2017. Emerging reports suggest that both riders and other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, have been injured in electric scooter-associated incidents. We undertook a scoping review of the current literature to evaluate the injury patterns and circumstances of electric scooter-associated injuries. Methods A scoping review of literature published from 2010 to 2020 was undertaken following accepted guidelines. Relevant articles were identified in Medline, Embase, SafetyLit and Transport Research International Documentation using terms related to electric scooters, injuries and incident circumstances. Supplemental searches were conducted to identify relevant grey literature (non-peer-reviewed reports). Results Twenty-eight peer-reviewed studies and nine grey literature records were included in the review. The current literature surrounding electric scooter-associated injuries mainly comprises retrospective case series reporting clinical variables. Factors relating to injury circumstances are inconsistently reported. Findings suggest that the head, upper extremities and lower extremities are particularly vulnerable in electric scooter falls or collisions, while injuries to the chest and abdomen are less common. Injury severity was inconsistently reported, but most reported injuries were minor. Low rates of helmet use among electric scooter users were noted in several studies. Conclusion Electric scooters leave riders vulnerable to traumatic injuries of varying severity. Future work should prospectively collect standardised data that include information on the context of the injury event and key clinical variables. Research on interventions to prevent electric scooter injuries is also needed to address this growing area of concern.
Alcohol Sales during Covid-19 Social Restrictions: Initial Evidence from Alcoholic Beverage Control States

Background The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted life around the globe and has the potential to seriously impact alcohol consumption for individuals experiencing social isolation and pandemic-related stress. Evidence from prior epidemics suggests increased alcohol consumption during quarantine and times of high stress are associated with a greater chance of developing an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study examines alcohol sales data to ascertain how individuals are interacting with alcohol during the pandemic. Materials and method Monthly off premises alcohol sales data for select US alcoholic beverage control states were used to construct monthly sales patterns from 2015 to 2020. An independent samples t-test was used to determine if COVID-19 era alcohol sales were higher than those that occurred from 2015 to 2019. Results Alcohol sales from March to August 2020 were significantly higher than sales from the same span of months from 2015 to 2019 (t=–2.47, p<.05). The associated monthly percentage increase in sales ranged from 14 to 44% with the overall trend indicating a move toward pre-pandemic sales totals. Conclusions As COVID-19 continues to disrupt typical ways of being across the globe, the implications of increased sales of alcohol should not be overlooked. Taken together, the evidence on increased use during isolation and later AUD diagnosis coupled with the ABC state sales figures here, point to a potential increase in the development of AUD and an increase in alcohol-related harms.
Failure to engage the temporoparietal junction/posterior superior temporal sulcus predicts impaired naturalistic social cognition in schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is associated with marked impairments in social cognition. However, the neural correlates of these deficits remain unclear. Here we use naturalistic stimuli to examine the role of the right temporoparietal junction/posterior superior temporal sulcus (TPJ-pSTS)-an integrative hub for the cortical networks pertinent to the understanding complex social situations-in social inference, a key component of social cognition, in schizophrenia. 27 schizophrenia participants (SzP) and 21 healthy controls watched a clip of the movie "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" while high resolution multiband fMRI images were collected. We used inter-subject correlation (ISC) to measure the evoked activity, which we then compared to social cognition as measured by The Awareness of Social Inference Test (TASIT). We also compared between groups the TPJ-pSTS BOLD activity 1) relationship with the motion content in the movie, 2) synchronization with other cortical areas involved in the viewing of the movie, and 3) relationship with the frequency of saccades made during the movie. Activation deficits were greatest in middle TPJ (TPJm) and correlated significantly with impaired TASIT performance across groups. Follow-up analyses of the TPJ-pSTS revealed decreased synchronization with other cortical areas, decreased correlation with the motion content of the movie, and decreased correlation with the saccades made during the movie. The functional impairment of the TPJm, a hub area in the middle of the TPJ-pSTS, predicts deficits in social inference in SzP by disrupting the integration of visual motion processing into the TPJ. This disrupted integration then affects the use of the TPJ to guide saccades during the visual scanning of the movie clip. These findings suggest that the TPJ may be a treatment target for improving deficits in a key component of social cognition in SzP.
Properties and Structure of Soy Protein Isolate−Ethylene Glycol Sheets Obtained by Compression Molding

Thermoplastic sheets prepared from soy protein isolate (SPI) with ethylene glycol (EG) as the plasticizer were obtained by compression molding under a pressure of 15 MPa at 150 °C. The effects of the glycol content on the structure and properties of thermoplastic SPI were investigated by using infrared, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and tensile test. The results showed that, with increasing EG content, the tensile strength (σb) and Young's modulus decreased and breaking elongation (eb) increased. The water resistance of the thermoplastic sheet of SPI increased with an increase of the EG content and was much higher than that of thermoplastic starch sheets or a cellulose film. Further investigation were carried on the SPI sheet containing 50% EG, which displayed a maximum water resistance in boiling water, good mechanical properties (σb = 4.23 MPa and eb = 220%) caused by interaction of SPI with EG, and light transmittance of 82% at 800 nm owing to inter.
Generation and Characterization of Psoralen Radical Cations

Abstract— Radical cations of psoralen, 8‐methoxypsoralen(8‐MOP) and 5‐methoxypsoralen have been generated by photosensitized electron transfer in acetonitrile and aqueous buffer/acetonitrile (1:1) and have absorption maxima at 600, 650 and 550 nm, respectively. The radical cations have lifetimes of 5 p.s under these conditions, are unreactive toward oxygen and show behavior typical of ar‐ylalkene radical cations in their reactivity toward nucle‐ophiles and the precursor psoralens. Direct 355 nm excitation of 8‐MOP in aqueous buffer at physiological pH results in monophotonic photoionization to give 8‐MOP*+ with a quantum yield of 0.015. The 8‐MOP*+ reacts with both guanosine and adenosine mononucleotides (k= 2.5 times 109 and 3.4 times 107 M‐1 s1, respectively) via electron transfer to give the purine radical cations, but does not react with pyrimidine mononucleotides. These results suggest that reactions of psoralen radical cations generated by electron transfer or photoionization may be involved in psoralen/UVA therapy.