Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Actuator Failure Compensation Control Schemes for Uncertain Noncanonical Neural-Network Systems

In this article, direct adaptive actuator failure compensation control is investigated for a class of noncanonical neural-network nonlinear systems whose relative degrees are implicit and parameters are unknown. Both the state tracking and output tracking control problems are considered, and their adaptive solutions are developed which have specific mechanisms to accommodate both actuator failures and parameter uncertainties to ensure the closed-loop system stability and asymptotic state or output tracking. The adaptive actuator failure compensation control schemes are derived for noncanonical nonlinear systems with neural-network approximation, and are also applicable to general parametrizable noncanonical nonlinear systems with both unknown actuator failures and unknown parameters, solving some key technical issues, in particular, dealing with the system zero dynamics under uncertain actuator failures. The effectiveness of the developed adaptive control schemes is confirmed by simulation results from an application example of speed control of dc motors.
An investigation into the impact of deleting one copy of the glutaredoxin-2 gene on diet-induced weight gain and the bioenergetics of muscle mitochondria in female mice fed a high fat diet

ABSTRACT Our group recently documented that male mice containing a deletion for one copy of the glutaredoxin-2 (Grx2) gene were completely protected from developing diet-induced obesity (DIO). Objectives: Here, we conducted a similar investigation but with female littermates. Results: In comparison to our recent publication using male mice, exposure of WT and GRX2+/- female mice to a HFD from 3-to-10 weeks of age did not induce any changes in body mass, circulating blood glucose, food intake, hepatic glycogen levels, or abdominal fat pad mass. Examination of the bioenergetics of muscle mitochondria revealed no changes in the rate of superoxide (O2 ●−)/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or O2 consumption under different states of respiration or alterations in lipid peroxidation adduct levels regardless of mouse strain or diet. Additionally, we measured the bioenergetics of mitochondria isolated from liver tissue and found that partial loss of GRX2 augmented respiration but did not alter ROS production. Discussion: Overall, our findings demonstrate there are sex differences in the protection of female GRX2+/- mice from DIO, fat accretion, intrahepatic lipid accumulation, and the bioenergetics of mitochondria from muscle and liver tissue.
The mode of action of the Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitor Ertiprotafib

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a validated therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. Ertiprotafib is a PTP1B inhibitor that reached the clinical trial stage for the treatment of diabetes. Interestingly, Ertiprotafib reduces the melting temperature of PTP1B in differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) assays, different from most drugs that increase the stability of their target upon binding. No molecular data on how Ertiprotafib functions has been published. Thus, to gain molecular insights into the mode of action of Ertiprotafib, we used biomolecular NMR spectroscopy to characterize the molecular details of the PTP1B:Ertiprotafib interaction. Our results show that Ertiprotafib induces aggregation of PTP1B in a concentration dependent manner. This shows that the insufficient clinical efficacy and adverse effects caused by Ertiprotafib is due to its tendency to cause aggregation of PTP1B.
Impact Resistance Study of Three-Dimensional Orthogonal Carbon Fibers/BMI Resin Woven Composites

Three-dimensional woven composites have been reported to have superior fracture toughness, fatigue life and damage tolerance compared with laminated composites due to through-thickness reinforcement. These properties make them lighter replacements for traditional high-strength metals and laminated composites. This paper will present impact resistance research on three-dimensional orthogonal woven composites consisting of carbon fibers/bismaleimide resin (BMI). A series of impact tests were conducted using the gas gun technique with the impacted target of 150 mm × 150 mm × 8 mm (length × width × thickness) and the cylindrical titanium projectile. The projectile velocity ranged from 180 m/s to 280 m/s, generating different results from rebound to perforation. This paper also presents a multiscale modeling strategy to investigate the damage and failure behavior of three-dimensional woven composites. The microscale and mesoscale are identified to consider the fiber/matrix scale and the tow architecture scale respectively. The macroscale model was effective with homogenized feature. Then a combined meso-macroscale model was developed with the interface definitions for component analysis in the explicit dynamic software LS-DYNA. The presented results showed reliable interface connection and can be used to study localized composites damage at a relatively high efficiency.
Molecular study of 2019 dengue fever outbreaks in Nepal.

BACKGROUND Dengue cases have been continuously reported in Nepal, including some large outbreaks, since its first introduction in 2004. The disease is now expanding towards newer locations above 1400 m high, especially the country's capital city, Kathmandu. In 2019, >14,000 dengue cases including six deaths were reported. This study was aimed at the detection and molecular characterization of dengue virus (DENV) in dengue patients. METHODS A total of 451 patients were enrolled in this study. Demographic, clinical and laboratory information was collected from dengue patients. Dengue infection was confirmed by antibody/antigen detection assays followed by RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS The DENV patients showed fever, body ache, headache, myalgia, retro-orbital pain and arthralgia. The platelets were decreased, serum liver enzymes were increased and leucopenia was seen. Out of 195 patients, 111 (57.0%) were positive for DENV RNA by consensus PCR. We found DENV-2, 70 (63.1%) as the predominant serotype responsible for the 2019 outbreak, while DENV-3 was detected in two patients. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that DENV-2 was the major serotype causing the 2019 massive outbreak in Nepal. This information will help in disease control programs to understand the molecular epidemiology and its changing trend.
The Interplay between Transcriptional Factors and MicroRNAs as an Important Factor for Th17/Treg Balance in RA Patients

MicroRNAs regulate gene expression of transcriptional factors, which influence Th17/Treg (regulatory T cells) balance, establishing the molecular mechanism of genetic and epigenetic regulation of Treg and Th17 cells is crucial for understanding rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. The study goal was to understand the potential impact of the selected microRNAs expression profiles on Treg/Th17 cells frequency, RA phenotype, the expression profile of selected microRNAs, and their correlation with the expression profiles of selected transcriptional factors: SOCS1, SMAD3, SMAD4, STAT3, STAT5 in RA; we used osteoarthritis (OA) and healthy controls (HCs) as controls. The study was conducted on 14 RA and 11 OA patients, and 15 HCs. Treg/Th17 frequency was established by flow cytometry. Gene expression analysis was estimated by qPCR. We noticed correlations in RA Th17 cells between miR-26 and SMAD3, STAT3, SOCS1; and miR-155 and STAT3—and in RA Treg cells between miR-26 and SOCS1; miR-31, -155 and SMAD3; and miR-155 and SMAD4. In RA Tregs, we found a negative correlation between miR-26, -126 and STAT5a. The expression level of miR-31 in Th17 cells from RA patients with DAS28 ≤ 5.1 is higher and that for miR-24 is greater in Tregs from patients with DAS28 > 5.1. MiR-146a in Tregs is higher in rheumatoid factor (RF) positive RA patients.
Long‐Term Outcomes of Occipital Nerve Stimulation for New Daily Persistent Headache With Migrainous Features

New daily persistent headache (NDPH) is a subset of chronic headache where the pain is continuous from onset. Phenotypically it has chronic migraine or chronic tension type features. NDPH is considered to be highly refractory. Occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) has been used for treatment of refractory chronic migraine but there are no specific reports of its use for NDPH with migrainous features.
Perfectionism, impostor phenomenon, and mental health in medicine: a literature review

Objectives The aims of this review, focused on medical students, residents, and physicians, were a) to determine the levels of perfectionism and prevalence of impostor phenomenon, b) to assess the relationship between perfectionism, impostor phenomenon, and mental health, and c) explore how medical culture may influence these personality characteristics. Methods A narrative literature review was conducted. Search terms were entered into PubMed, PsychINFO, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Google Scholar without date or geographic restrictions. The McMaster Critical Review Forms for Quantitative and Qualitative Studies were used for article appraisal. Final decisions on inclusion and exclusion were reached through discussion. Sixteen articles were included in this review and summarized in a data extraction table. Results Medical students had similar perfectionism scores to other student groups but scored lower in maladaptive perfectionism. The overall prevalence of the impostor phenomenon ranged from 22.5% to 46.6%. More females (41% - 52%) experienced clinical levels of impostor phenomenon compared to males (23.7% - 48%). Most studies did not find an association between the impostor phenomenon and academic year of training. Both personality characteristics were associated with negative mental health effects. Medical culture can train for and/or exacerbate these characteristics, affecting professional identity formation. Both characteristics contribute to distress for learners during commonly-used teaching methods in medical education. Conclusions Comprehensive changes in medical education that consider the relationship between medical culture, professional identity formation, impostor phenomenon, and perfectionism are needed. Longitudinal studies will help identify the implications of these findings for professional identity formation and medical education.
The Bacterial Community Associated with the Amarillo Zamorano Maize (Zea mays) Landrace Silage Process

Maize silage is used in the diet of dairy cows, with suitable results in milk yield. In this study, the composition and diversity of the bacterial communities of the silage process of Amarillo Zamorano (AZ) Mexican maize landrace with relation to the Antilope (A) commercial hybrid are described. From both types of maize, seeds were sown in experimental plots, plants harvested at the reproductive stage, chopped, and packed in laboratory micro-silos. Physicochemical parameters were evaluated, and DNA was extracted from the juice in the micro-silos. The bacterial communities were analyzed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of seven hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. The composition of both bacterial communities was dominated by Lactobacillales and Enterobacteriales, Lactobacillales mainly in A silage and Enterobacteriales in AZ silage; as well, the core bacterial community of both silages comprises 212 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Sugar concentration showed the highest number of significant associations with OTUs of different phyla. The structure of the bacterial communities was different in both silage fermentation processes, showing that AZ silage has a shorter fermentation process than A silage. In addition, NGS demonstrated the effect of the type of maize and local conditions on silage fermentation and contributed to potential strategies to improve the quality of AZ silage.
Antigenic and Substrate Preference Differences between Scorpion and Spider Dermonecrotic Toxins, a Comparative Investigation

The Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpion and brown spider Loxosceles intermedia represent a public health problem in Asia and America, respectively. Although distinct, these organisms contain similar toxins responsible for the principal clinical signs of envenomation. To better understand the properties of these toxins, we designed a study to compare recombinant Heminecrolysin (rHNC) and rLiD1, the major phospholipase D toxins of scorpion and spider venom, respectively. Using a competitive ELISA and a hemolytic inhibition test, we come to spot a cross reaction between scorpion and spider venoms along with an epitopic similarity between rHNC and rLiD1 associated with neutralizing antibodies. Results show that the ability of the rHNC to hydrolyze lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is equivalent to that of rLiD1 to hydrolyze sphingomyelin and vice-versa. rHNC exclusively catalyze transphosphatidylation of LPC producing cyclic phosphatidic acid (cPA). The in-silico analysis of hydrogen bonds between LPC and toxins provides a possible explanation for the higher transphosphatidylase activity of rHNC. Interestingly, for the first time, we reveal that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) can be a substrate for both enzymes using cellular and enzymatic assays. The finding of the usage of LPA as a substrate as well as the formation of cPA as an end product could shed more light on the molecular basis of Hemiscorpius lepturus envenomation as well as on loxoscelism.
A Keyhole Approach Centered by Anterior Squamous Suture to Hypertensive Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to improve the accuracy and efficacy of the keyhole transsylvian approach to remove hypertensive basal ganglia hemorrhage. The authors presented a stable keyhole craniotomy based on anterior squamous suture to expose insular cortex and basal ganglia. METHODS Twenty-nine patients with hypertensive basal ganglia hemorrhage were treated with keyhole surgery and studied in Guangdong sanjiu brain hospital. RESULTS By using a bone suture marked keyhole transsylvian approach, near-complete (90%) hematoma evacuation was achieved in 21 cases (72.4), 70% to 90% in 8 cases (24.1), and less than 70% in 1 case (3.4%). In our cohort, 55.1% (16/29) with good function (GOS score 4-5), 41.3% (12/29) with disability (GOS score 3), and 3.4% (1/29) in a vegetative state (GOS score 2). No patients died within 6 months of operation. CONCLUSIONS Our method can greatly minimize the bone exposure and precisely located the distal Sylvian fissure. A stable keyhole craniotomy based on bone suture can be identically safe and effective in comparison with classic surgery, and it consumes less time and less intra-operative bleeding.
An evaluation of the impact of anthropogenic pressures on woodland regeneration in the New Forest, Hampshire

A wide range of human activites have an impact on the open woodlands of the new Forest, but many affect the regeneration system in particular. A field survey was carried out to measure the extent and severity of human activitities (including livestock browsing) in the woodlands. This information was compared with regeneration patterns, using canonical correlation analysis, to evaluate the links betweeen the two sets
The Economic Burden of Comorbid Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) imposes a substantial burden on patients and the health care system. The presence of comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been shown to increase the risk of morbidity and mortality in patients with COPD. There is limited information available on the incremental economic burden of comorbid OSA among patients with COPD. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incremental health care resource utilization (HCRU) and direct medical costs associated with having comorbid OSA among individuals with COPD in a nationally representative commercially insured population in the United States. METHODS: We identified individuals with a diagnosis of COPD between January 2008 and December 2014, with and without OSA, from the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus database. The index date was defined as the first claim with a diagnosis of COPD. All baseline characteristics were measured in the 12-month pre-index period, and all outcomes were measured in the 12-month post-index period. The odds of experiencing one or more hospitalizations and emergency room (ER) visits were compared between individuals with and without comorbid OSA using logistic regression models. Twelve-month total, physician office visit, and other outpatient costs were compared between individuals with and without OSA using generalized linear models. To account for a high proportion of zero costs, 2-part models were fit to examine inpatient, ER visit, and pharmacy costs. Average marginal costs were estimated to compare the costs of individuals with and without OSA. All costs represented direct medical costs from the health plan perspective. RESULTS: Following application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, the study sample included 85,940 individuals with COPD alone and 7,942 individuals with COPD and OSA. The odds of experiencing a hospitalization and an ER visit were significantly higher in the COPD-OSA cohort than in the COPD-only cohort (hospitalization OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 13531.38-1.53; ER visit OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.18-1.30). The average difference in total cost between individuals with and without comorbid OSA was $8,144 (95% CI = $7,295-$8,993). The average difference in costs for physician office visits and other outpatient services was $392 (95% CI = $351-$433) and $2,831 (95% CI = $2,463-$3,200), respectively. Among individuals with a non-zero, strictly positive inpatient cost, the average difference in inpatient costs was $2,792 (95% CI = $1,354-$4,230). Similarly, among individuals with strictly positive pharmacy and ER costs, the average difference in costs between individuals with and without comorbid OSA was $1,772 (95% CI = $1,590-$1,953) and $144 (95% CI = $101-$188), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Total medical cost and costs for inpatient, ER, pharmacy, physician office visit, and other outpatient services were higher among COPD patients with comorbid OSA compared to patients without. The economic burden of comorbid OSA among patients with COPD in the commercially insured U.S. population is substantial.
Resveratrol decreases high glucose-induced apoptosis in renal tubular cells via suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the second most common complication of diabetes mellitus after cardiovascular complications. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is known to be associated with DN. Resveratrol (RSV) exhibits anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to investigate the role of RSV in the inhibition of high concentration glucose (HG)-induced apoptosis in renal tubular cells, as well as to examine the protective effects of RSV against diabetes-mediated renal damage via inhibition of ER stress in DN. RSV was orally administered to diabetic db/db mice once a day for 12 consecutive weeks. Compared with untreated db/db mice, treating db/db mice with RSV significantly decreased urine albumin excretion and the urine albumin to creatinine ratio, and attenuated renal histopathological injury. Furthermore, RSV treatment resulted in decreased expression levels of glucose-regulated protein of 78 kDa and C/EBP-homologous protein (two ER stress markers) and caspase12 in murine kidneys. RSV administration also inhibited the apoptosis of NRK-52E cells and activation of the ER stress signal transduction pathway induced by HG treatment in vitro. Collectively, the present results indicated that RSV protected renal tubular cells against HG-induced apoptosis in DN by suppressing ER stress.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Analysis of Resistant Helicobacter pylori Strains Isolated from Children with Gastrointestinal Diseases

Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori is currently a global issue. The aim of this study was to analyze actual antibiotic resistance rates of H. pylori strains isolated from children with primary infections and to compare the incidence of mutations that determine resistance to clarithromycin (CH) and metronidazole (MET) in children with different clinical diagnoses. A total of 91 H. pylori strains were isolated from 108 children with primary infections. Drug susceptibility testing of the strains was performed using E-test method. Classical sequencing of DNA fragments was used to detect point mutations for CH and MET resistance. Resistance to CH was detected in 31% of isolated strains (28/91), while resistance to MET and CH was detected in 35% (32/91) of strains. A2143G was the most frequently detected mutation and was dominant among strains isolated from children with peptic ulcer disease (80%). Mutations in the rdxA gene were found significantly more frequently among MET-resistant strains than MET-sensitive strains (p = 0.03, Chi2 = 4.3909). In children, a higher frequency of H. pylori multiresistant strains was observed compared with the previous study in the same area. Differences were found in the occurrence of point mutations among H. pylori strains resistant to CH isolated from children with different clinical diagnoses.
Burden and management of type 2 diabetes in rural United States

In the United States, rural areas have a higher burden of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) compared to urban areas. However, there is limited information on risk factors and interventions that improve the primary prevention and management of T2DM in rural areas. To synthesize current knowledge on T2DM in rural areas and to guide healthcare providers and policy makers, we reviewed five scientific databases and the grey literature over the last decade (2010–2020). We described classification systems for rurality and the T2DM burden based on rurality and region (West, South, Midwest, and Northeast). We highlighted risk factors for T2DM in rural compared to urban areas, and summarized interventions to screen and manage T2DM based on opportunistic screening, T2DM self‐management, community‐based initiatives, as well as interventions targeting comorbidities and T2DM. Several studies identified the co‐existence of T2DM and depression/psychological symptoms, which could reduce adherence to non‐pharmacologic and pharmacologic management of T2DM. We highlighted the role of technology in education and counselling of patients with geographic and financial barriers to accessing care, which is exacerbated by the SARS‐CoV‐2 coronavirus disease‐19 pandemic. We identified knowledge gaps and next steps in improving T2DM care in rural areas. There is an urgent need for interventions tailored to rural areas given that rural Americans currently experience a disproportionate burden of T2DM and are encumbered by its associated morbidity, mortality, and loss in economic productivity.