Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Delay-dependent robust stability criteria for stochastic neural networks of neutral-type with interval time-varying delay and linear fractional uncertainties†

In this paper, we investigate the problem of robust stability for a class of delayed neural networks of neutral-type with linear fractional uncertainties. The activation functions are assumed to be unbounded, non-monotonic and non-differentiable, and the delay is assumed to be time-varying and belonging to a given interval, which means that the lower and upper bounds of the interval time-varying delay are available. By constructing a general form of the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional, and using the linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach, we derive several delay-dependent stability criteria in terms of LMI. Finally, we give a number of examples to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Hepcidin, a Urinary Antimicrobial Peptide Synthesized in the Liver*

Cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides are abundant in animal and plant tissues involved in host defense. In insects, most are synthesized in the fat body, an organ analogous to the liver of vertebrates. From human urine, we characterized a cysteine-rich peptide with three forms differing by amino-terminal truncation, and we named it hepcidin (Hepc) because of its origin in the liver and its antimicrobial properties. Two predominant forms, Hepc20 and Hepc25, contained 20 and 25 amino acid residues with all 8 cysteines connected by intramolecular disulfide bonds. Reverse translation and search of the data bases found homologous liver cDNAs in species from fish to human and a corresponding human genomic sequence on human chromosome 19. The full cDNA by 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends was 0.4 kilobase pair, in agreement with hepcidin mRNA size on Northern blots. The liver was the predominant site of mRNA expression. The encoded prepropeptide contains 84 amino acids, but only the 20–25-amino acid processed forms were found in urine. Hepcidins exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans,Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus nigerand antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and group B Streptococcus. Hepcidin may be a vertebrate counterpart of cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides produced in the fat body of insects.
Dental Materials Related to Prevention— Fluoride Incorporation Into Dental Materials: Reaction Paper

Rather than a specific commentary to Dr. Rawls' presentation, this reaction paper discusses the general concept of fluoride addition to dental materials. The genesis of the concept is reviewed, but more important is a critique of the rationale for the deliberate addition of fluoride to dental materials. Researchers and practicing dentists should realize that if the principal reason for the addition of fluoride is to prevent dental caries, the ultimate test of that rationale is a controlled clinical trial. Thus, although a number of questions need to be answered when fluoride is introduced into dental materials, the most important is: Does it inhibit dental caries?
Reduced space-time and time costs Ising dislocation codes and arbitrary ancillas

We propose two distinct methods of improving quantum computing protocols based on surface codes. First, we analyze the use of dislocations instead of holes to produce logical qubits, potentially reducing spacetime volume required. Dislocations[8, 9] induce defects which, in many respects, behave like Majorana quasi-particles. We construct circuits to implement these codes and present fault-tolerant measurement methods for these and other defects which may reduce spatial overhead. One advantage of these codes is that Hadamard gates take exactly 0 time to implement. We numerically study the performance of these codes using a minimum weight and a greedy decoder using finite-size scaling. Second, we consider state injection of arbitrary ancillas to produce arbitrary rotations. This avoids the logarithmic (in precision) overhead in online cost required if T gates are used to synthesize arbitrary rotations. While this has been considered before[4], we consider also the parallel performance of this protocol. Arbitrary ancilla injection leads to a probabilistic protocol in which there is a constant chance of success on each round; we use an amortized analysis to show that even in a parallel setting this leads to only a constant factor slowdown as opposed to the logarithmic slowdown that might be expected naively.
Clostridium thermocellum JW20 (ATCC 31549) is a coculture with Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus

A PCR assay based on 16S rRNA sequence differences among four thermophilic anaerobic bacterial strains was used to demonstrate contamination of Clostridium thermocellum JW20 (ATCC 31549) with a Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus strain. Therefore, we suggest that interpretation of experimental results with C. thermocellum JW20 be viewed with caution.
Attitudes and barriers to incident reporting: a collaborative hospital study

Objectives: To assess awareness and use of the current incident reporting system and to identify factors inhibiting reporting of incidents in hospitals. Design, setting and participants: Anonymous survey of 186 doctors and 587 nurses from diverse clinical settings in six South Australian hospitals (response rate = 70.7% and 73.6%, respectively). Main outcome measures: Knowledge and use of the current reporting system; barriers to incident reporting. Results: Most doctors and nurses (98.3%) were aware that their hospital had an incident reporting system. Nurses were more likely than doctors to know how to access a report (88.3% v 43.0%; relative risk (RR) 2.05, 95% CI 1.61 to 2.63), to have ever completed a report (89.2% v 64.4%; RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.61), and to know what to do with the completed report (81.9% v 49.7%; RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.27 to 2.13). Staff were more likely to report incidents which are habitually reported, often witnessed, and usually associated with immediate outcomes such as patient falls and medication errors requiring corrective treatment. Near misses and incidents which occur over time such as pressure ulcers and DVT due to inadequate prophylaxis were least likely to be reported. The most frequently stated barrier to reporting for doctors and nurses was lack of feedback (57.7% and 61.8% agreeing, respectively). Conclusions: Both doctors and nurses believe they should report most incidents, but nurses do so more frequently than doctors. To improve incident reporting, especially among doctors, clarification is needed of which incidents should be reported, the process needs to be simplified, and feedback given to reporters.
Biochemical perspectives on paralysis and other forms of toxicoses caused by ticks

Tick toxicoses, of which paralysis is the most widespread and dominant form, are important elements of pathogenesis induced by ticks. Tick paralysis is the most widespread and dominant form of tick toxicoses. Non-paralytic forms of tick toxicoses do occur and evidence suggests that these forms of toxicoses are not evolutionary related. While functional significance has been suggested for tick toxins, the advantages for tick survival in general are not clear. This review considers the molecular nature of tick toxins, the possibility that tick toxins have originated more than once independently and whether these toxins could have unrecognized benign functions.
Persistent hepatitis B virus infection in subjects without hepatitis B surface antigen: Clinically significant or purely “occult”?

Studies based on serologic assays for hepatitis B virus (HBV) have led to the concept that HBV is eliminated after the resolution of an acute infection, although a chronic carrier state may occur in about 5% of adults and 40% to 80% of neonates. There is ample evidence for the neutralizing activity of antibodies to the viral surface antigen (anti-HBs). As with many other viral infections, however, the development of more sensitive assays for viral antigens, the introduction 20 years ago of HBV DNA detection tests, and an increased awareness of HBV genetic variability have led to a partial revision of these dogmas and have shown that HBV infection exhibits a broad spectrum of serologic patterns associated with HBV DNA persistence. The aim of this review is to further delineate the molecular basis of such “occult” infections, their potential clinical impact, and their interaction with hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Predictors of Breast and Cervical Screening in Vietnamese Women in Harris County, Houston, Texas

The Vietnamese are a quickly growing, important part of the Texas population. Breast cancer is known to have different biologic characteristics in Vietnamese women. In order to develop appropriate intervention and screening strategies, we conducted a study of barriers to cervical and breast screening in Vietnamese women in Harris County, Tex. Our objective was to characterize the demographic factors, beliefs, and barriers to cervical and breast cancer screening in our study population and test the effect of these on Papanicolaou test, breast self-examination (BSE), medical breast examination (MBE), and mammography use. The Health Belief Model Scales for Measuring Beliefs Related to Breast Cancer (Champion VL, Nursing Research 1993;42:139–143) was the framework used to assess attitudes regarding risk of breast cancer and to design a component assessing risk of cervical cancer. The questionnaire addressed susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers, and health about screening for breast and cervical cancer. It was translated into Vietnamese and back-translated into English prior to use. The questionnaire was mailed to Harris County residents. Those returned were entered into a database. The data were analyzed for validity using Chronbach's alpha. Simple descriptive analyses and nominal logistic regression identified predictors of Papanicolaou test, BSE, MBE, and mammography use. Twelve hundred surveys were mailed out to Vietnamese women using the telephone directory and the church directories in Harris County; 209 were returned and entered into the database. Of the respondents, 67% had ever received a Papanicolaou test; of these, 89% had received a Papanicolaou test within the past year; 55% of respondents had performed a BSE, 45% of patients received an MBE, and 45% of respondents had ever received a mammogram (15% of respondents had a mammogram during the previous year). The most significant predictors of Papanicolaou test, BSE, MBE, and mammography use were marital status (being married), high educational level, lack of barriers, a family history of the cancer, older age, and increased perception of seriousness. Compared to other studies of Vietnamese women, the women in Texas are among the highest users of the Papanicolaou test, BSE, MBE, and mammography. Barriers and incentives to breast and cervical screening were similar to those in other studies.
Variability in mechanical exposure within and between individuals performing a highly constrained industrial work task

Data on exposure variability is an important remedy for designing and interpreting studies of occupational ergonomics. The present study aimed at retrieving the within- and between-subjects variance of several mechanical exposure parameters in a repeated, short-cycle task. Seven experienced operators repeatedly secured joints using two types of hand-held nutrunners. The joints were placed in three different locations on a rack, simulating automotive assembly. Bilateral muscle activity from the upper trapezius and the lower arm extensors, as well as head and upper arm inclination was continuously monitored. Exposure levels and their variance components were assessed in several data subsets using ANOVA. The results were interpreted in terms of statistical precision and power, and discussed as markers of important ergonomic qualities. A substantial exposure variability was found within and between subjects in all joint locations and for both tools. For mixed work across tools and locations, the necessary number of subjects to arrive at a group mean exposure with 95% confidence limits corresponding to ± 10% of the mean ranged between 8 and 158, with posture recordings tending to require smaller populations than muscle activity recordings. Within-subject variance increased 2- to 37-fold, depending on exposure parameter, when work was ‘enlarged’ from securings with a specified location and tool to a mix of all locations and tools. Systematic differences between subjects in variability and responsiveness to ‘work enlargement’ indicated individualized motor control strategies. The results illustrate the importance of exposure variability data to the design of proper measurement strategies. They also suggest that the sizes of exposure variability per se can be interpreted as operational indices of what is thought to be important ergonomic risk indicators, such as the ‘sameness’ of repeated operations and the allowance for flexible working techniques.
Role of capsule and O antigen in resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae to serum bactericidal activity

The ability of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains to resist the bactericidal activity of serum was quantitated. The K. pneumoniae strains tested included mutants lacking the capsular polysaccharide and mutants having a modified lipopolysaccharide structure. The last mutants were obtained as phage-resistant mutants, and their lipopolysaccharide was characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and chemical analysis. Serum-resistant mutants derived from phage-resistant mutants (lipopolysaccharide mutants) were also characterized. Resistance to the bactericidal activity of complement was mediated by the lipopolysaccharide, especially by the O-antigen polysaccharide chains. The capsular polysaccharide seemed not to play any important role in resistance to serum bactericidal activity in this bacterium.
Clear zone in osteoclast function: role of podosomes in regulation of bone-resorbing activity.

The adhesion of osteoclasts to the bone matrix is mandatory for bone resorption. Contact of the osteoclast with bone surface induces, in fact, cell polarization and organization of the resorbing apparatus, the so-called "ruffled border. " Cell-matrix interaction in osteoclasts is a complex phenomenon resulting from formation of the "clear zone," a cytoplasmic area presenting the adhering plasma membrane, or "sealing membrane. " The sealing membrane surrounds the ruffled border and seals the resorbing compartment, namely the extracellular space in which bone resorption takes place. Adhesion at this level occurs via specialized discrete structures, the "podosomes. " Podosomes present most of the protein commonly found in focal adhesions, but with a peculiar organization. They are dynamic elements suitable for regulation, according with the functional demand of the cell. Their assembly increases during bone resorption and is regulated by the cytosolic free calcium concentration and the activity of protein kinase C.
Truncated Hemoglobins: A New Family of Hemoglobins Widely Distributed in Bacteria, Unicellular Eukaryotes, and Plants* 210

(1) constitute a family ofsmall oxygen-binding heme proteins distributed in eubacteria,cyanobacteria, protozoa, and plants (Table I, SupplementalMaterial) forming a distinct group within the hemoglobin (Hb)superfamily (2). They are nearly ubiquitous in the plant king-dom, occur in many aggressively pathogenic bacteria, and areheld to be of very ancient origin. None have been detected inthe genomes of archaea or metazoa. Characteristically, trHbsoccur at nano- to micromolar intracellular concentration, hint-ing at a possible role as catalytic proteins.Many trHbs display amino acid sequences 20–40 residuesshorter than non-vertebrate hemoglobins to which they arescarcely related by sequence similarity. Crystal structures (1,3) show that trHb tertiary structure is based on a 2-on-2 -hel-ical sandwich, which represents an unprecedented editing ofthe highly conserved globin fold. Moreover, an almost continu-ous hydrophobic tunnel, traversing the protein matrix from themolecular surface to the heme distal site, may provide a pathfor ligand diffusion to the heme.
Analyses and Suppression Method of Frequency Offset and Timing Offset in FH-OFDM System

Recently, FH-OFDM (frequency hopping orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) system has been widely used in communication system. However, FH-OFDM system is sensitive to frequency offset and timing offset, which are inherently unavoidable in wireless mobile communication systems and can seriously degraded system performance. So, research on estimation and compensation of these offsets is of great importance. In this paper, a novel joint method for estimating carrier frequency offset and timing offset is proposed. This algorithm exploits pilots to estimate the offsets, and compared with other methods, the processing can be completed in one symbol time period. Thus, this method can be used in both static and ergodic channel. The estimation can be divided into frequency offset estimation and timing offset estimation. Also, both frequency offset and timing offset estimation are divided into two steps: coarse frequency offset estimation step, fine frequency offset estimation step, fraction timing offset estimation step and integer timing offset estimation step. Through the computer simulations, the suggested algorithm shows very good performance results both in AWGN and multipath environments.
Efecto de la adsorción biológica en la respuesta de resonadores nanomecánicoS

El objetivo principal de este trabajo de investigacion es el desarrollo de un sensor basado en resonadores nanomecanicos. Para ello nos hemos basado en la experiencia previa del grupo de investigacion en sensores nanomecanicos operados en modo estatico y en microscopia de fuerzas atomicas. Este objetivo significa sentar las bases teoricas y experimentales para obtener la maxima sensibilidad y reproducibilidad en las medidas de adsorcion biologica. Por sensor en este trabajo entendemos el conjunto formado por el sistema de lectura optico de la frecuencia de resonancia de una micropalanca y la propia micropalanca que actua como resonador. Una vez disenado y construido el sensor, los esfuerzos deben centrarse en la interpretacion de los resultados. Los resultados obtenidos en el presente trabajo se pueden dividir en dos grupos: por un lado se encuentran las medidas realizadas en un medio liquido, emulando las condiciones fisiologicas que entran en juego en los procesos biologicos; y por otro lado, las medidas ex situ, en aire antes y despues de haber depositado el agente biologico que queremos detectar. Ambos estudios presentan ademas dos frentes de batalla que han sido abordados en la presente tesis doctoral. Por un lado estan las propias medidas experimentales y por otro lado esta el desarrollo de un modelo teorico capaz de interpretar correctamente la senal obtenida.
Fibrosis in heart disease: understanding the role of transforming growth factor‐β1 in cardiomyopathy, valvular disease and arrhythmia

The importance of fibrosis in organ pathology and dysfunction appears to be increasingly relevant to a variety of distinct diseases. In particular, a number of different cardiac pathologies seem to be caused by a common fibrotic process. Within the heart, this fibrosis is thought to be partially mediated by transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), a potent stimulator of collagen‐producing cardiac fibroblasts. Previously, TGF‐β1 had been implicated solely as a modulator of the myocardial remodelling seen after infarction. However, recent studies indicate that dilated, ischaemic and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies are all associated with raised levels of TGF‐β1. In fact, the pathogenic effects of TGF‐β1 have now been suggested to play a major role in valvular disease and arrhythmia, particularly atrial fibrillation. Thus far, medical therapy targeting TGF‐β1 has shown promise in a multitude of heart diseases. These therapies provide great hope, not only for treatment of symptoms but also for prevention of cardiac pathology as well. As is stated in the introduction, most reviews have focused on the effects of cytokines in remodelling after myocardial infarction. This article attempts to underline the significance of TGF‐β1 not only in the post‐ischaemic setting, but also in dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies, valvular diseases and arrhythmias (focusing on atrial fibrillation). It also aims to show that TGF‐β1 is an appropriate target for therapy in a variety of cardiovascular diseases.
Asthma Self-Management is Sub-Optimal in Urban Hispanic and African American/Black Early Adolescents with Uncontrolled Persistent Asthma

Introduction. Youth as young as 11 are given responsibility to manage their asthma. Yet, little is known regarding early adolescents’ asthma self-management behaviors. This study characterizes urban early adolescents’ asthma self-management behaviors and perceived responsibility to manage asthma, exploring demographic differences and examining the relationship between asthma responsibility and disease management. Methods. About 317 Hispanic and African American/Black early adolescents (mean age = 12.71) with persistent, uncontrolled asthma reported prevention and symptom management steps, and responsibility for asthma care. We used Poisson, cumulative logistic, logistic, and linear mixed-effects regression models to assess the relationships among demographic predictors, prevention and management behaviors, and responsibility for asthma care. Results. Fifty percent took 7–9 prevention steps; few saw physicians when asymptomatic or took daily medication. When symptomatic, 92% used medication to treat symptoms and 56% sought medical attention. Controlling for asthma responsibility, fewer older youth reported observing how they feel when asthma is likely to start, observing symptom changes, or asking for help. More boys reported taking medication daily or upon trigger exposure. Controlling for age, gender, and race/ethnicity, those reporting more asthma responsibility were less likely to report taking management steps, seeking preventive care, asking for help, or going to a doctor/hospital for their asthma. Conclusions. Early adolescents’ asthma self-management is suboptimal. With increasing age, they are less observant regarding their asthma and less likely to seek help. Although they perceive themselves to have greater responsibility for managing their asthma, early adolescents do less to care for their asthma, suggesting they are being given responsibility for asthma care prematurely.
Increasing rates of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia--a medical device is a merit in disguise and methicillin resistance is merely a vice.

In their observational study of bacteremia, Steinberg and colleagues [1] carefully documented that the rates of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia increased from 1980-1983 to 19901993. The trend in increasing rates of S. aureus bacteremia was shared by both community-acquired and nosocomial bloodstream infections and was attributed by the authors, at least in part, to the increasing use of vascular access devices for outpatients and inpatients alike. These findings confirm the recent report of an increase in the number of intravascular device-related S. aureus bacteremias seen in consultation by the infectious disease service at a tertiary care hospital [2].
S-TRAP: Optimization and evaluation of timely recovery to any point-in-time (TRAP)

This paper presents S-TRAP, a novel block-level CDP (Continuous Data Protection) recovery mechanism based on TRAP. In accordance with a certain time interval L , S-TRAP breaks down the parity chain of TRAP and generates new sub-chains. Besides, S-TRAP introduces previous block cache which can reduce the negative impact on the primary storage system. Both mathematical analysis and experimental evaluation demonstrate that S-TRAP not only has the advantage of high recovery efficiency and reliability, but also further reduces the parity storage usage. Even more important, S-TRAP reduces the negative impacts on primary storage system performance to a large extent.