Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive fuzzy-neural control of active power filter using nonsingular terminal sliding mode controller

An adaptive fuzzy-neural-network control using nonsingular terminal sliding mode control (AFNNCNTSMC) is proposed for active power filter (APF) to attenuate the effect of unknown disturbances and parameter perturbations. Firstly, the dynamic model for APF is build in which both the system parameter variations and external disturbance are considered. Then a nonsingular terminal sliding mode control based on backstepping (NTSMCB) approach is presented for current tracking control system to solve singularity point problem and realize the fast and finite time convergence. Moreover, AFNNCNTSMC is designed to relax the requirement of the prior knowledge of system parameters to improve the robustness of NTSMCB. Adaptive fuzzy-neural-network (AFNN) framework is designed to mimic the NTSMCB, where the parameters are adjusted online by the adaptive law. Simulation studies in the MATLAB/SimPower Systems Toolbox demonstrate that the proposed control methods exhibit excellent performance in both steady state and transient operation compared to traditional sliding mode control.
Derivation and validation of automated electronic search strategies to identify pertinent risk factors for postoperative acute lung injury.

OBJECTIVE To develop and validate time-efficient automated electronic search strategies for identifying preoperative risk factors for postoperative acute lung injury. PATIENTS AND METHODS This secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study included 249 patients undergoing high-risk surgery between November 1, 2005, and August 31, 2006. Two independent data-extraction strategies were compared. The first strategy used a manual review of medical records and the second a Web-based query-building tool. Web-based searches were derived and refined in a derivation cohort of 83 patients and subsequently validated in an independent cohort of 166 patients. Agreement between the 2 search strategies was assessed with percent agreement and Cohen κ statistics. RESULTS Cohen κ statistics ranged from 0.34 (95% confidence interval, 0.00-0.86) for amiodarone to 0.85 for cirrhosis (95% confidence interval, 0.57-1.00). Agreement between manual and automated electronic data extraction was almost complete for 3 variables (diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis, H(2)-receptor antagonists), substantial for 3 (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, proton pump inhibitors, statins), moderate for gastroesophageal reflux disease, and fair for 2 variables (restrictive lung disease and amiodarone). Automated electronic queries outperformed manual data collection in terms of sensitivities (median, 100% [range, 77%-100%] vs median, 87% [range, 0%-100%]). The specificities were uniformly high (≥ 96%) for both search strategies. CONCLUSION Automated electronic query building is an iterative process that ultimately results in accurate, highly efficient data extraction. These strategies may be useful for both clinicians and researchers when determining the risk of time-sensitive conditions such as postoperative acute lung injury.
Standardization and Security for Smart Grid Communications Based on Cognitive Radio Technologies—A Comprehensive Survey

Today’s electric power grids have been ageing and are ill-suited to meet fast-growing demands for electricity energy generation, delivery, and supply. Global climate change and greenhouse gas emissions on the Earth caused by power industries put a high pressure on the existing power grids. Consequently, smart grid (SG) has emerged to address these challenges. The SG can achieve improved load balancing through accessing instantaneous electricity demand information via two-way communication and power flows, which help power plants match their output to the demand precisely. To this end, SG works based on the exchanges of a large amount of information generated from metering, sensing, and monitoring. Hence, the choice of communication infrastructure for SG is critical to provide secure, reliable, and efficient data delivery between various SG components. Cognitive radio (CR) network has been recognized as a promising technology to address communication requirements, standardization, and security problems of SG. Moreover, possible solutions in CR-based SG communications are also identified. In particular, we identify the major challenges of communication architecture, standardization, and security issues to implement CR-based SG communications. The aim of this paper is to offer a comprehensive review on the state-of-the-art researches on CR-based SG communications, to highlight what have been investigated and what still remain to be addressed, particularly, in standardization and security aspects.
Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein-Induced Triglyceride Accumulation in Human Mesangial Cells Is Mainly Mediated by Lipoprotein Lipase

Background: Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in vitro can induce foam cell formation in human mesangial cells. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) expressed in the arterial wall plays a key role in atherogenesis by actions of enzymolysis and ‘molecular bridge’, and, thereby, leads to the formation of lipid-loaded foam cells. It is known that LPL is expressed by glomerular mesangial cells. This study was designed to investigate if LPL plays a role in VLDL-induced lipid accumulation in human mesangial cells and its underlying mechanism. Methods: Human wild-type LPL (hLPLwt), catalytically inactive LPL (hLPL194) or control alkaline phosphatase (hAP) were expressed in human mesangial cell line (HMCLs) via adenoviral vectors. Orlistat (tetrahydrolipstatin), a specific inhibitor of the lipoidolytic activity of endogenous LPL, and heparinase, which degrades cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans, were also used to estimate the role of either the enzymolysis or ‘molecular bridge’ actions of LPL in the uptake of VLDL. Anti-low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) antibody and anti-LDL receptor-related protein antibody were used to evaluate the effect of lipoprotein receptors on VLDL-induced lipid accumulation in HMCLs. Cellular lipid deposition was visualized by Oil Red O staining and analyzed quantitatively by standard enzymatic procedures. LPL protein expression and activity were measured by Western blot and a chemical analysis, respectively. Results: VLDL induced triglyceride accumulation in HMCLs in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Compared with Ad-hAP transfected HMCLs, cellular triglyceride content increased 4.55-fold (p < 0.05) in Ad-hLPLwt-transfected HMCLs and 1.52-fold (p < 0.05) in Ad-hLPL194-transfected HMCLs. Triglyceride accumulation in response to VLDL was mostly blocked by orlistat. Pretreatment of the cells with heparinase slightly reduced cellular triglyceride accumulation in the present of high concentrations of VLDL. The blockade of some lipoprotein receptors, such as LDLr, did not significantly reduce cellular triglyceride accumulation. LPL expression was upregulated by VLDL. Conclusions: VLDL-induced triglyceride accumulation in human mesangial cells is mainly mediated by LPL, and the enzymolysis action of LPL could be a major factor in this process. These results suggest that LPL may be an important factor participating in the initiation and progression of VLDL-mediated lipid renal injury.
Local‐scale genetic structure in the peatmoss Sphagnum fuscum

Sphagnum (peatmoss) dominates huge areas of the Northern Hemisphere and acts as a significant carbon sink on a global scale, yet little is known about the genetic structure of Sphagnum populations. We investigated genetic structure within a population of the common peatmoss Sphagnum fuscum, to assess local patterns of genetic diversity and the spatial extent of clones. One hundred seventeen shoots were sampled from five transects in Fuglmyra, central Norway, and sequenced for three anonymous DNA regions. Five neighbourhood patches were marked along each transect, and from each patch, five stems were sampled for molecular analyses. Seventeen haplotypes could be distinguished and two major groups of haplotypes differed by 12 mutational steps. The two major haplotype groups differed significantly in microhabitat association along the distance to groundwater table and the pH gradients, indicating microhabitat differentiation. The haplotypes within these groups were all genetically similar, differing by one or two mutations. The most common haplotype occurred in four transects separated by 250‐m distance. Most of the molecular variation in the population was found among transects, and within patches. Large dominating clones within each transect resulted in low variation explained by the among‐patch‐within‐transect component of spatial structure. Mutation appears to account for a larger proportion of the population variation than recombination. Within the population, vegetative growth and asexual reproduction from gametophyte fragments dominate as the main reproductive mode.
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor induces neutrophil adhesion to pulmonary vascular endothelium in vivo: role of beta 2 integrins.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) causes upregulation of neutrophil surface CD11b/CD18 expression, and enhances the adhesion of neutrophils to cultured human endothelial cells in vitro. Systemic administration of GM-CSF results in a rapid, transient decrease in circulating phagocyte numbers. Using a nonhuman primate model (Cynomolgus), we provide histologic evidence that this transient leukopenia is associated with the margination of neutrophils in the pulmonary microcirculation. In four animals receiving 2 to 15 micrograms/kg recombinant human GM-CSF (rhGM-CSF), light microscopic sections of lung contained 36 +/- 8, 17 +/- 7, 21 +/- 6, and 15 +/- 8 (mean +/- SD, n = 20) neutrophils within a graticule grid, as compared with two control animals receiving saline injections whose lung sections contained 2.1 +/- 1.6 and 3.1 +/- 2.1 (mean +/- SD, n = 20) neutrophils within the same grid. Scanning electron microscopy shows activated leukocytes adherent to pulmonary vascular endothelium, but no morphologic evidence of endothelial damage, and no migration of cells into the extravascular space. Margination is associated with an increase in surface expression of CD11b/CD18 on circulating phagocytes, which could contribute to the adhesion to capillary endothelial cells, but CD11b/CD18 levels remain elevated even when demargination is complete. In vitro, monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to CD18 and CD11b were able to inhibit neutrophil aggregation and adhesion to endothelium. FMLP-induced neutrophil aggregation was inhibited by 39.8% +/- 11.5% and 44.8% +/- 12.3%, respectively, by MoAbs to CD18 and CD11b (P less than .0005, n = 4 for both); a similar effect was demonstrated on TPA-induced aggregation. MoAb CD18 reduced the adhesion of unstimulated neutrophils to endothelium by 44% (P less than .01, n = 7), and inhibited the amount of GM-CSF-stimulated adhesion by 74% (P less than .001, n = 7), while MoAb to CD11b produced a reduction of unstimulated neutrophil adhesion by 30%, and of GM-CSF-stimulated adhesion by 40% (P less than .01, n = 5, for both). However, when administered in vivo, MoAb CD18 produced only a small, albeit significant, amelioration of GM-CSF-induced margination in vivo, while MoAb CD11b was without effect. These results show that GM-CSF-induced transient leukopenia is associated with enhanced neutrophil adherence to pulmonary vascular endothelium, but suggest that the beta 2 leukocyte integrins CD11/CD18 play only a minor role in this process.
Directional discrete cosine transforms arising from discrete cosine and sine transforms for directional block-wise image representation

Directional block transforms (DBTs), such as discrete Fourier transforms, are basically less efficient for sparse image representation than directional overlapped transforms, such as curvelet and contourlet, but have advantages in practical computation, such as less computational cost, less amount of memory usage to be used, and parallel processing. In order to realize efficient DBTs, this paper proposes directional discrete cosine transforms (DDCTs) by using discrete cosine and sine transforms. The resulting transforms provide richer directional orientations of atoms than conventional DBTs, and thus they are expected to be more efficient for image analysis and processing. In experiments, we evaluate DDCTs with conventional DBTs in image recovery by a convex optimization.
Cardiac 18F-FDG-SPET studies in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus during hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamping.

Identification of viable myocardium is possible with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and positron emission tomography (PET). More recently, the feasibility of cardiac FDG imaging with single photon emission tomography (SPET) has been reported. In patients with diabetes mellitus, poor image quality is frequently obtained with FDG-PET, due to relative or absolute insulin deficiency and peripheral insulin resistance. To improve image quality of the FDG-PET studies, the hyperinsulinaemic glucose clamp has been proposed. We assessed the image quality of cardiac FDG-SPET studies in 10 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and compared the results with those obtained in 10 patients without NIDDM. All FDG studies were performed during hyperinsulinaemic glucose clamping. Image quality was expressed as myocardial to blood pool activity (M/B) ratios. Residual viability was assessed in dysfunctional myocardium. The M/B ratios were comparable between patients with and without NIDDM (2.67 +/- 0.8 vs 2.50 +/- 0.7, N.S.). Residual viability was detected in 51% of the dysfunctional segments of the patients with NIDDM and in 49% of the segments of the patients without NIDDM. In the small subset of patients (n = 10) undergoing revascularization, 19 of 20 (95%) segments that had improved wall motion were viable on FDG-SPET. In contrast, 27 of 36 (75%) segments that did not improve were necrotic on FDG-SPET. Thus FDG-SPET during hyperinsulinaemic glucose clamping provides adequate image quality in patients with NIDDM compared with patients without NIDDM, and can be used in the detection of viable myocardium.
Evaluation of fenbendazole for treatment of Giardia infection in cats concurrently infected with Cryptosporidium parvum.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether fenbendazole effectively eliminates Giardia organisms from chronically infected cats that have a concurrent Cryptosporidium parvum infection. ANIMALS 16 clinically normal cats. PROCEDURE Eight cats with chronic concurrent Giardia and C parvum infections received fenbendazole (50 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h) for 5 days (treatment-group cats). Feces from each cat were collected and processed 3 days weekly for 23 days after treatment. By use of an immunofluorescent assay for detection of Giardia lamblia cysts and C parvum oocysts, organism numbers were counted and scored. Fecal results from treatment-group cats were compared with those of 8 untreated cats with Giardia infection but no C parvum infection (control-group cats). RESULTS Four of 8 treatment-group cats had consistently negative results for Giardia infection after treatment. These 4 cats had consistently positive results for C parvum oocysts prior to treatment and consistently negative results after treatment. One treatment-group cat had positive results for cysts on all fecal samples, and 3 treatment-group cats had 1 to 3 negative results and then resumed shedding large numbers of cysts; each of these cats had consistently positive results for C parvum oocysts. When compared with control-group cats, treatment-group cats shed less Giardia cysts during week 1 after treatment but not during week 2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Administration of fenbendazole decreases Giardia cyst shedding to less than detectable numbers in some cats. In our study, persistent C parvum infection may have been associated with failure of fenbendazole to eliminate Giardia infection.
INDEPENDENT EVOLUTION OF COMPLEX LIFE HISTORY ADAPTATIONS IN TWO FAMILIES OF FISHES, LIVE-BEARING HALFBEAKS (ZENARCHOPTERIDAE, BELONIFORMES) AND POECILIIDAE (CYPRINODONTIFORMES)

Abstract We have previously documented multiple, independent origins of placentas in the fish family Poeciliidae. Here we summarize similar analyses of fishes in the family Zenarchopteridae. This family includes three live-bearing genera. Earlier studies documented the presence of superfetation, or the ability to carry multiple litters of young in different stages of development in the same ovary, in some species in all three genera. There is also one earlier report of matrotrophy, or extensive postfertilization maternal provisioning, in two of these genera. We present detailed life-history data for approximately half of the species in all three genera and combine them with the best available phylogeny to make inferences about the pattern of life-history evolution within this family. Three species of Hemirhamphodon have superfetation but lack matrotrophy. Most species in Nomorhamphus and Dermogenys either lack superfetation and matrotrophy or have both superfetation and matrotrophy. Our phylogenetic analysis shows that matrotrophy may have evolved independently in each genus. In Dermogenys, matrotrophic species produce fewer, larger offspring than nonmatrotrophic species. In Nomorhamphus; matrotrophic species instead produce more and smaller offspring than lecithotrophic species. However, the matrotrophic species in both genera have significantly smaller masses of reproductive tissue relative to their body sizes. All aspects of these results are duplicated in the fish family Poeciliidae. We discuss the possible adaptive significance of matrotrophy in the light of these new results. The two families together present a remarkable opportunity to study the evolution of a complex trait because they contain multiple, independent origins of the trait that often include close relatives that vary in either the presence or absence of the matrotrophy or in the degree to which matrotrophy is developed. These are the raw materials that are required for either an analysis of the adaptive significance of the trait or for studies of the genetic mechanisms that underlie the evolution of the trait.
Anatomical basis of ulnar approach in carpal tunnel injection.

BACKGROUND Local steroid injection may be an effective conservative treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome; however, the use of a blind injection technique can increase the chance of median nerve or ulnar artery injury due to median nerve swelling or the close proximity of the median nerve and ulnar artery around the distal wrist crease. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to investigate the relative location of the median nerve and ulnar artery to the palmaris longus (PL) tendon around the wrist in carpal tunnel syndrome. STUDY DESIGN An observational study. SETTING A university outpatient interventional pain management practice in the Republic of Korea. METHODS Thirty hands of 15 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and 30 hands of 15 healthy subjects were studied. Ultrasonography was performed to determine the relative relationship of the ulnar artery and median nerve to the PL tendon around the wrist. RESULTS There were statistically significant differences both in the distance from the medial margin of the PL to the medial end of the median nerve and the distance from the medial end of the median nerve to the lateral end of the ulnar artery at all levels of scanning between the 2 groups. LIMITATIONS Limitations include the inclusion of a small number of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. CONCLUSION It is important to recognize the risk of blind local steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome, which is most likely a result of swelling and/or flattening of the median nerve around the distal wrist crease. A real time, ultrasound-guided local steroid injection is preferred as a safe and accurate technique in carpal tunnel syndrome treatment.
Comparison of the Use of Supine Bending and Traction Radiographs in the Selection of the Fusion Area in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Study Design A study was done to evaluate the use of voluntary supine side bending radiographs and Risser table traction radiographs in adolescent patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis. Objectives To compare the usefulness of supine side bending and traction radiographs in assessing curve flexibility and determining fusion levels in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Summary of Background Data Supine side bending radiographs have been used in the preoperative evaluation of idiopathic scoliosis to determine curve flexibility and fusion area. Traction films have been used to determine the flexibility of large curves and neuromuscular curves where active side bending is not possible. No study to date has compared the use of these films in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing surgery. Methods Seventy‐five patients with more than a 2‐year follow‐up period after surgery were included in this study. Preoperative radiographs included a standing posteroanterior and lateral film and both supine maximal voluntary side bending films and a traction film done on a Risser table. A preoperative review of these radiographs was done to determine curve flexibility and fusion levels. At follow‐up evaluation, the patients were examined for any evidence of decompensation or “adding‐on” of levels. Results For curves less than 60°, side bending radiographs showed greater curve correction than traction radiographs, whereas the opposite was true for curves greater then 60°. For King I and II curves, side bending radiographs were superior for determination of lumbar curve flexibility and for distinguishing these two types of curves. On traction radiographs, the stable vertebra was 1.4 vertebral levels higher than on the standing film. When the fusion level was moved proximally because of the traction radiograph, decompensation or “adding‐on” commonly occurred. Conclusions Supine bending radiographs are superior to traction radiographs for assessing curve flexibility except for curves more than 60°. The selection of the distal extent of fusion based on the traction radiograph gave a large number of poor results. The selection of fusion levels in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is best determined by a combination of standing posteroanterior and lateral radiographs and the supine maximum voluntary bend films.
Analysis of Operating Modes and Output VoltageRipple of Boost DC–DC Convertersand Its Design Considerations

The Energy Transfer Mode (ETM) in a Boost dc-dc converter is classified into two types, i.e., the Complete Inductor Supply Mode (CISM) and the Incomplete Inductor Supply Mode (IISM). The critical inductance and boundary condition of CISM and IISM are derived in the paper. Based on the classification, three operating modes are defined, and they are CISM, IISM in Continuous Conduction Mode (IISM-CCM) and IISM in Discontinuous Conduction Mode (IISM-DCM). Output voltage ripple (OVR) in three modes is analyzed, respectively. As for a Boost converter with certain load, output capacitance and switching frequency, the OVR in CISM is the lowest and independent of the inductance and OVR in IISM is higher and increases with the decrease of the inductance. It is concluded that the minimal inductance to guarantee the Maximum OVR (MOVR) to be the lowest is actually the critical inductance of CISM and IISM under the condition of the lowest input voltage and minimum load resistance. In addition, the lowest MOVR is independent of the inductance. The design method to find the minimal inductance is proposed in the paper. Experiment results are in positive to the analysis showing the feasibility of the proposed methods.