Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A robust adaptive tracking control method for a rehabilitative walker using random parameters

ABSTRACT The present paper investigates stochastic modelling and a new nonlinear reliable tracking control method for a rehabilitative training walker. The stochastic model is constructed by considering random parameters. A new nonlinear tracking method against actuator fault is proposed based on redundant degree of freedom and a state feedback controller is designed by exploiting an adaptive control technique. It is proved that the mean square of the trajectory tracking error can be made arbitrarily small by choosing appropriate design parameters. As an application, simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method and verify that the walker with random parameters can provide safe sequential motion when one wheel actuator is at fault.
Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of Behçet's disease in the US: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE Behçet's disease (BD) is a rare, multisystem inflammatory disorder of unknown cause. Although well-documented in Eastern populations, epidemiologic data is scarce in North American countries. Here we describe the incidence and prevalence of BD in Olmsted County, Minnesota over 45 years. METHODS We identified an incidence cohort of subjects age >/=18 years who had a clinical diagnosis of and/or fulfilled the International Study Group (ISG) criteria for BD from January 1, 1960 to January 1, 2005. Age- and sex-specific incidence and prevalence were estimated and age- and sex-adjusted to the 2000 US total population. RESULTS The study population was comprised of 13 subjects with BD; 11 fulfilled ISG criteria between 1960 and 2005. Mean +/- SD age was 31 +/- 9 years, and 69% were white. Point prevalence in 2000 was 5.2 per 100,000 population (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.64-9.84). The overall annual age- and sex-adjusted incidence of BD was 0.38 per 100,000 population (95% CI 0.17-0.59), with a higher incidence in women (0.51 per 100,000; 95% CI 0.17-0.84) than in men (0.26 per 100,000; 95% CI 0.004-0.52). Dermatologic lesions included oral ulcers (100%), genital ulcers (62%), erythema nodosum (46%), and papulopustular lesions (54%). Ocular lesions, vascular complications, and central nervous system involvement were present in 8, 3, and 3 subjects, respectively. CONCLUSION Our study shows an overall incidence of 0.38 per 100,000 population, which is comparable with other Western populations. The prevalence of 5.2 per 100,000 population is similar to estimates reported in Western countries, but lower than that in countries along the Silk Road.
Preoccupation with weight and menstrual function in female elite athletes

To determine the self‐reported prevalence of menstrual dysfunction in athletes and controls found to be at risk of developing eating disorders (ED) and the factors characterizing and classifying athletes suffering from menstrual dysfunction, the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and a self‐developed questionnaire were administered to the total population of Norwegian female elite athletes (n=603) and age‐ and home community‐matched controls (n=522). The response rate in both athletes and controls was 86%. Subjects younger than 16 years who had not attained menarche (29 athletes and 14 controls) and subjects taking contraceptive medication (145 athletes and 131 controls) were excluded. Thus, a total of 348 athletes (19.4±4.3 years) and 303 controls (20.6±4.4 years) were analyzed. A high prevalence of athletes (42%) reported menstrual dysfunction; the prevalence of menstrual dysfunction was significantly different between subjects classified as at risk of developing ED (54% and 36%, for athletes and controls, respectively) and subjects found not to be at risk (41% and 23%, respectively). Furthermore, the prevalence of menstrual dysfunction was significantly higher among athletes competing in sports in which leanness and/or a specific weight are considered important (endurance: 62%, aesthetics: 60% and weight‐dependent: 50%) than among athletes competing in sports in which these factors are considered less important (technical: 37%, ballgames: 28% and power sports: 22%). Menarchal age, training volume, body mass index (BMI) and EDI score contributed significantly to explaining menstrual dysfunction in athletes (37%). The authors suggest that athletes reporting menstrual dysfunction could be characterized and classified into 2 main groups: first, the athletes who have a predisposed genetically lean body build (low BMI) and a delayed menarche and undertake hard physical training that does not allow them to achieve the “critical” weight for height found necessary for regular cycles. Secondly, the athletes who have normal BMI, experience menarche at the expected time and who become preoccupied with weight and dieting and/or use of pathogenic weight control methods which then, at least in part, may explain the menstrual dysfunction.
Chlamydiae as etiologic agents in chronic undifferentiated spondylarthritis.

OBJECTIVE The majority of patients with Chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis do not present with the classic triad of arthritis, conjunctivitis/iritis, and urethritis. Moreover, acute chlamydial infections are often asymptomatic. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of synovial Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae infections in patients with chronic undifferentiated spondylarthritis (uSpA). METHODS Study patients met the European Spondylarthropathy Study Group criteria for SpA, without evidence of ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, or preceding dysentery. Symptoms were present for >or=6 months. Each patient underwent a synovial biopsy; tissue and concomitantly obtained peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for C trachomatis and C pneumoniae DNA. Other data collected on the day of the biopsy included standard demographic information and medical history, including any known history of C trachomatis or C pneumoniae. Physical examination (including joint count, evaluation for dactylitis and/or enthesitis, and skin examination) and HLA-B27 typing were performed. Synovial tissue (ST) samples from 167 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) were used as controls. RESULTS Twenty-six patients met the entry criteria and underwent synovial biopsy (25 knee, 1 wrist). Sixteen of them (62%) were positive for C trachomatis and/or C pneumoniae DNA (10 for C trachomatis, 4 for C pneumoniae, and 2 for both). PCR analysis of ST revealed the presence of Chlamydia significantly more frequently in patients with uSpA than in OA controls (P<0.0001). No specific clinical characteristics differentiated Chlamydia-positive from Chlamydia-negative patients. PBMCs from 4 of the 26 uSpA patients (15%) were positive for Chlamydia, and Chlamydia was found in ST from 2 of these 4 patients. No significant correlation between PCR positivity and HLA-B27 positivity was found. CONCLUSION The frequency of Chlamydia-positive ST samples, as determined by PCR, was found to be significantly higher in patients with uSpA than in patients with OA. Our results suggest that in many patients with uSpA, chlamydial infection, which is often occult, may be the cause.
Prevalence of Antiphospholipid Antibodies and Lupus Anticoagulant in Juvenile Patients with Objectively Documented Deep-vein Thrombosis

The prevalence of lupus anticoagulant (LA) and antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) in young patients (<45 years) with deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is not clearly defined yet. We studied 93 consecutive patients (36 males, 57 females; aged 15 to 45) with objectively documented DVT. A control group consisting of 100 nor mal, sex- and age-matched individuals was also investi gated. In all subjects, we evaluated prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), AT III antigen and activity, protein C antigen and activity, free and total protein S antigen and protein S activity, fibrinogen, plas minogen, heparin cofactor II, plasminogen activator in hibitor (PAI), lupus anticoagulant (LA), and APA. For the assessment of LA, we used the PTT-LA kit (Boeh ringer Mannheim, Milan, Italy) as a screening test, with mixing studies with the Staclot-PNP kit and the Staclot- LA kit (Boehringer Mannheim, Milan, Italy) as confirma tory procedures. For the detection of APA, we used a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) (Asserachrom APA, Boehringer Mannheim, Mi lan, Italy). History was elicited in all patients to deter mine if the thrombotic episode was idiopathic or the re sult of a well-identified risk factor. LA was found in 11 (11.8%) patients. APA were positive in 13 (14%) and bor derline in 19 (20.4%) patients. In the control group, no patients were positive for LA or APA, but five exhibited borderline APA levels. LA was significantly more fre quent (p = 0.05) in patients with idiopathic DVT than in patients with secondary DVT; no difference was found for APA (p > 0.5). An inherited coagulation defect was found in seven (7.5%) patients. Our data suggest that the presence of LA or APA is associated with an increased incidence of thrombotic manifestation in young patients. Moreover LA is more frequent in patients with idiopathic DVT. Because the incidence of recurrent thrombotic manifestations in patients with LA or APA is estimated to be ∼50% within 2 years from the first thrombotic episode, the tests should be performed in all patients with juvenile thrombosis.
Outcomes of a Family Peer Education Program for Families of Youth and Adults with Mental Illness

Abstract: Family members of consumers with mental illness often play important roles in initiating and supporting treatment. Self-help programs such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family-to-Family Education Program (FTF) have been shown to provide a variety of benefits for family members. Despite recognizing the benefits of FTF, little is known about who may benefit most, and in what ways they might benefit. One group of interest is family members of younger consumers, a group shown to report more negative caregiving experiences and more depression and anxiety than caregivers of older consumers. The current study assesses whether relatives of youth (ages 8–18) differ in their response to FTF as opposed to relatives of adults (19 years and older). Results suggest that all members benefit from FTF. Family members of youth in FTF, however, reported gains more pronounced on their depressive symptoms, and negative perceptions and experiences, relative to family members of adults. The importance of peer support programs is discussed, as well as the specific usefulness of these programs to effectively address concerns of relatives of youth with serious mental health concerns.
Polygonum sachalinense alters the balance between capacities of regeneration and carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate in response to growth CO2 increment but not the nitrogen allocation within the photosynthetic apparatus.

The limiting step of photosynthesis changes depending on CO(2) concentration and, in theory, photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency at a respective CO(2) concentration is maximized if nitrogen is redistributed from non-limiting to limiting processes. It has been shown that some plants increase the capacity of ribulose-1,5-bisphoshate (RuBP) regeneration (evaluated as J(max) ) relative to the RuBP carboxylation capacity (evaluated as V(cmax) ) at elevated CO(2) , which is in accord with the theory. However, there is no study that tests whether this change is accompanied by redistribution of nitrogen in the photosynthetic apparatus. We raised a perennial plant, Polygonum sachalinense, at two nutrient availabilities under two CO(2) concentrations. The J(max) to V(cmax) ratio significantly changed with CO(2) increment but the nitrogen allocation among the photosynthetic apparatus did not respond to growth CO(2) . Enzymes involved in RuBP regeneration might be more activated at elevated CO(2) , leading to the higher J(max) to V(cmax) ratio. Our result suggests that nitrogen partitioning is not responsive to elevated CO(2) even in species that alters the balance between RuBP regeneration and carboxylation. Nitrogen partitioning seems to be conservative against changes in growth CO(2) concentration.
Analysis of the Selective Nature of Sensory Nerve Stimulation Using Different Sinusoidal Frequencies

This study examines the ability to selectively activate different nerve fibers in a finger by using different sinusoidal stimulation frequencies. Specifically, the stimulation of A-β, A-δ, and C-fibers is looked into, and responses from each of three different stimuli (5 Hz, 250 Hz, and 2000 Hz) are compared. Action potential (AP) responses from the different nerve fibers are simulated. Activation thresholds are determined for each fiber type. The resulting firing frequencies are compared with thresholds found in the literature to determine the stimulating signal amplitude at which sensations begin to be perceived for each stimulation frequency. Results indicate that while selective stimulation of C-fibers and A-β fibers appears to be possible with 5 Hz and 2000 Hz, respectively, selective stimulation of A-δ fibers may not be possible due to them requiring a higher stimulating signal amplitude to cause the nerve to reach the physiological threshold than A-β fibers for 250 Hz. Thus, selective stimulation of the three types of nerve fibers may not be possible for all three examined frequencies.
Three versus seven days to return-to-work after mild traumatic brain injury: a randomized parallel-group trial with neuropsychological assessment

ABSTRACT Although most patients with a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) recover within days to weeks, some experience persistent physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms, often described as post-concussion syndrome (PCS). The optimal recovery time including return-to-work (RTW) after mTBI is unclear. In this single-centre parallel-group trial, patients assigned three days (3D-group) or seven days (7D-group) sick leave were compared with a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery including the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) within one week, after three and 12 months post-injury. The influence of the effective time until RTW on post-concussional symptoms and cognitive performance was analysed. The 3D-group rated significantly higher mean scores in some PCSS symptoms, tended to fulfil diagnosis criteria of PCS more often and showed better cognitive performance in several neuropsychological test scores than the 7D-group at all three time-points of follow-up. Overall, patients returned to work 11.35 d post-injury, thus distinctly above both recommended sick leaves. There was a trend for longer sick leave in patients randomized into the 3D-group. Further analyses revealed that the group with an absolute RTW within one week showed lower symptom severity in fatigue at 3 and 12 months, less PCS and faster performance in fine motor speed at 12 months than the group with an absolute RTW after one week. Our data underline the heterogeneity of mTBI and show that acute and sub-acute symptoms are not prognostic factors for neuropsychological outcome at one year. Later, ability to work seems to be prognostic for long-term occurrence of PCS.
Influence of adjunctive lacosamide in patients with seizures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Adjunctive lacosamide treatment might be promising to treat seizures. However, the results remained controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of adjunctive lacosamide versus placebo in patients with seizures. Methods: PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of adjunctive lacosamide versus placebo on seizures were included. Two investigators independently searched articles, extracted data and assessed the quality of included studies. The primary outcomes were 50% responder rate and seizure freedom. Results: Four RCTs involving 1199 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with placebo treatment, adjunctive lacosamide treatment was associated with a significantly increased 50% responder rate (RR = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.51–2.36; P < 0.00001) and seizure freedom (RR = 4.97; 95% CI = 1.78–13.91; P = 0.002), but improved dizziness (RR = 3.97; 95% CI = 2.91–5.42; P < 0.00001), nausea (RR = 2.85; 95% CI = 1.75–4.66; P < 0.0001), vomiting (RR = 4.11; 95% CI = 2.23–7.57; P < 0.00001), diplopia (RR = 6.85; 95% CI = 3.36–13.94; P < 0.00001), treatment-emergent adverse events (RR = 2.29; 95% CI = 1.93–2.71; P < 0.00001) and serious adverse events (RR = 2.52; 95% CI = 1.33–4.78; P = 0.005). Conclusions: Compared to placebo, adjunctive lacosamide resulted in a significantly improved 50% responder rate and seizure freedom, but with increased dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diplopia, treatment-emergent adverse events and serious adverse events.
Expression of N-cadherin and β-catenin in human meningioma in correlation with peritumoral edema

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the expression of β-catenin and N-cadherin in large series of meningioma cases and to investigate their correlation with peritumoral brain edema (PTBE). Materials and methods: Study group consists of 154 patients diagnosed with intracranial meningioma divided into: low-grade (G1) and high-grade (G2 or G3) group. PTBE was graded into four groups (0, I, II, III) using Steinhoff classification. The expression of N-cadherin, β-catenin was analyzed and graded based on the positive ratio of immunoreactivity. The results were analyzed statistically. Results: 104 cases were low-grade and 50 high-grade meningiomas. PTBE was observed in 103(66.8 %) cases: 57 grade I, 44 grade II and 2 grade III. Positive N-cadherin expression was found only in the membrane of the neoplastic cells in 50(48.1%) cases of low-grade, and in 34(68%) of high-grade group. In low-grade meningioma, β-catenin expression was observed within the cytoplasm and nucleus in 54(51.9%) cases. In high-grade meningiomas, β-catenin expression was observed in 33(66%) tumors only within the nucleus. N-cadherin expression was observed in 36 cases with PTBE grade I, 28 with grade II and 2 with grade III. β-catenin expression was observed in 40 cases with PTBE grade I, 24 with grade II and 2 with grade III. The results were statistically significant. Conclusions: Significant N-cadherin expression especially in high-grade meningioma group was found. β-catenin expression was the most evident in the nucleus rather than in cytoplasm. The degree of PTBE correlated with the N-cadherin and β-catenin expression and was the most prominent in high-grade meningioma group.
Computational investigation of mechanistic insights of Aβ42 interactions against extracellular domain of nAChRα7 in Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract Aim: Amyloid beta (Aβ) 1-42, which is a basic constituent of amyloid plaques, binds with extracellular transmembrane receptor nicotine acetylcholine receptor α7 (nAChRα7) in Alzheimer’s disease. Materials and Methods: In the current study, a computational approach was employed to explore the active binding sites of nAChRα7 through Aβ 1–42 interactions and their involvement in the activation of downstream signalling pathways. Sequential and structural analyses were performed on the extracellular part of nAChRα7 to identify its core active binding site. Results: Results showed that a conserved residual pattern and well superimposed structures were observed in all nAChRs proteins. Molecular docking servers were used to predict the common interactive residues in nAChRα7 and Aβ1–42 proteins. The docking profile results showed some common interactive residues such as Glu22, Ala42 and Trp171 may consider as the active key player in the activation of downstream signalling pathways. Moreover, the signal communication and receiving efficacy of best-docked complexes was checked through DynOmic online server. Furthermore, the results from molecular dynamic simulation experiment showed the stability of nAChRα7. The generated root mean square deviations and fluctuations (RMSD/F), solvent accessible surface area (SASA) and radius of gyration (Rg) graphs of nAChRα7 also showed its backbone stability and compactness, respectively. Conclusion: Taken together, our predicted results intimated the structural insight on the molecular interactions of beta amyloid protein involved in the activation of nAChRα7 receptor. In future, a better understanding of nAChRα7 and their interconnected proteins signalling cascade may be consider as target to cure Alzheimer’s disease.
Optimal configuration of assembly supply chains using analytical target cascading

This paper proposes to apply analytical target cascading (ATC) for configuring assembly supply chains with convergent structures. Individual enterprises in a supply chain are represented as separate elements in an ATC hierarchy. They are able to maintain autonomous and heterogeneous decision systems for optimising their private decision variables and objectives. They collaborate vertically and laterally along the ATC hierarchy through their common decisions to achieve the overall consistency and optimality. ATC offers a competitive balance between computational efficiency and effectiveness while providing an opportunity for parallel computation to further improve the efficiency. This paper also investigates the feasibility for individual enterprises to set local targets while participating in the supply chain configuration (SCC). SCC usually involves discrete decision variables, causing significant difficulties for existing ATC techniques to achieve system consistency. Therefore, a new consistency scheme has to be proposed in this paper, including two techniques: importance weighting factor (IWF) and dynamic constraints (DC). A case study is used to demonstrate the application of the ATC method for solving typical SCC problems. A series of comparative analyses are conducted to identify the strengths of the ATC method and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed consistency scheme.
Deletion of either CD55 or CD97 ameliorates arthritis in mouse models.

OBJECTIVE CD55 (decay-accelerating factor) is best known for its role in the negative regulation of the complement system. Indeed, lack of this molecule leads to disease aggravation in many autoimmune disease models. However, CD55 is abundantly present on fibroblast-like synoviocytes and is also a ligand of the adhesion-class heptahelical receptor CD97, which is expressed by infiltrating macrophages. Treatment with antibodies to CD97 ameliorates the collagen-induced model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in DBA/1 mice, but the net contribution of CD55 is unknown. This study was undertaken to investigate the role of CD55 in experimental RA. METHODS Arthritis was induced in wild-type, CD55(-/-), and CD97(-/-) mice using collagen-induced and K/BxN serum-transfer models. Incidence of arthritis was monitored over time, and disease activity was assessed by clinical and immunohistochemical evaluation. RESULTS In contrast to observations in many inflammatory disease models, lack of CD55 resulted in decreased arthritis in experimental models of RA. Consistent with the previously reported effects of anti-CD97 antibody treatment, CD97(-/-) mice had reduced arthritis activity compared with wild-type controls. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that the lack of CD55 or CD97 in 2 different models of arthritis increases resistance to the disease. These findings provide insight into a role for CD55 interaction with CD97 in the pathogenesis of RA and suggest that therapeutic strategies that disrupt CD55/CD97 may be clinically beneficial.