Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performances compared to the sliding mode and gain scheduling control methods of a CSTR chemical reactor

In this work, For many years, the sliding mode control has been deemed as one amongst the most studied control domains. Indeed, the power and simplicity that characterize such a control are the essential coerces which often push us to search for this technique thoroughly. When synthesizing the sliding mode control law, the sliding surface is usually defined as an autonomous and stable nonlinear system. Nevertheless, the dynamics imposed by such a system is slower than that imposed by a nonlinear system. Therefore, the use of this type of systems to synthesize the sliding surface in certain applications has becomes increasingly important. This type of system is also utilized for the gain scheduling control. The very control is combined with the feedback linearizing. Indeed, the synthesized control is mainly based on the reverse trajectory method which allows estimating the domains of attraction around the operating points. In this work, as a matter of fact, we are inclined to the synthesis of control laws of a chemical reactor. In this respective, an approach to the sliding mode control is applied. Another approach to the gain scheduling control is also proposed and is, successful, applied to the considered system. The performances of both control laws are, then, compared in terms of trajectory tracking.
Enhanced release of elastase is not concomitant with increased secretion of granulocyte-activating cytokines in whole blood from patients with sepsis.

BACKGROUND The proteolytic enzyme elastase released by granulocytes (polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMN]) in high concentrations during sepsis causes degradation of essential plasma proteins, endothelial damage, and tissue edema. This may result in organ dysfunction and organ failure during sepsis, since increased elastase plasma levels correlate with the mortality rate of patients with sepsis. In vitro studies demonstrated a regulatory role of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin 1 beta [IL-1 beta], IL-8]) upregulating protease release by PMN. In this light, the interactions between cytokine release by macrophages and altered elastase secretion during sepsis remain to be determined. METHODS An ex vivo model consisting of lipopolysaccharide stimulation of human whole blood as a relevant physiological milieu was used. Heparinized blood was obtained from 20 patients with sepsis syndrome (APACHE II [Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II] score 28.5 +/- 1.2 points [mean +/- SD]) on days 0 through 3, 5, 7, and 10 after sepsis diagnosis and from 20 control patients without infection. Blood was incubated with lipopolysaccharide (1 mg/L) for 8 hours. Plasma levels of elastase, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-8 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or bioassay (TNF-alpha), respectively. RESULTS Elastase plasma levels in whole blood from patients with sepsis were increased up to 188% (P < .01) above normal, while the release of TNF-alpha (-87%), IL-1 beta (-91%), and IL-8 (-51%) was markedly (P < .01) decreased compared with control patients. Neutralization of TNF-alpha or IL-1 beta did not attenuate the increased release of elastase. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate an increased release of elastase by PMN despite a reduced secretion of PMN-activating cytokines. Although priming effects of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-8 on protease secretion in vivo cannot be excluded completely, other mediators or mechanisms may be involved in the upregulation of detrimental protease release during sepsis.
The Influence of Urban-Rural Planning Law in Land Use Planning

The purpose of this study is to discuss the influence of Urban-Rural Planning Law in land use planning for providing suggestions to the new general planning of land use. Based on the comparative analyse between Urban-Rural Planning Law and Urban Planning Law, this paper briefly analyzed the influence of Urban-Rural Planning Law in the current land use planning from the views of the urban-rural planning as a whole, the interaction between Urban-Rural Planning and Land Use Planning and Public participation. Finally, it presented that: the land use planning should strengthen the idea of urban-rural planning as a whole, The system of national plan should be established as soon as possible, and identify the mission and the interaction of the plan according to the law, and conform and fulfill the governments’ right and obligation.
Bird Speech Perception and Vocal Production: A Comparison with Humans

Abstract Research into speech perception by nonhuman animals can be crucially informative in assessing whether specific perceptual phenomena in humans have evolved to decode speech, or reflect more general traits. Birds share with humans not only the capacity to use complex vocalizations for communication but also many characteristics of its underlying developmental and mechanistic processes; thus, birds are a particularly interesting group for comparative study. This review first discusses commonalities between birds and humans in perception of speech sounds. Several psychoacoustic studies have shown striking parallels in seemingly speech-specific perceptual phenomena, such as categorical perception of voice-onset-time variation, categorization of consonants that lack phonetic invariance, and compensation for coarticulation. Such findings are often regarded as evidence for the idea mat the objects of human speech perception are auditory or acoustic events rather than articulations. Next, I highlight recent research on the production side of avian communication that has revealed the existence of vocal tract filtering and articulation in bird species-specific vocalization, which has traditionally been considered a hallmark of human speech production. Together, findings in birds show that many of characteristics of human speech perception are not uniquely human but also that a comparative approach to the question of what are the objects of perception—articulatory or auditory events—requires careful consideration of species-specific vocal production mechanisms.
Protein kinase C stabilizes X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) through phosphorylation at Ser87 to suppress apoptotic cell death

Background: Multiple protein kinases have been shown to be involved in the apoptotic neuronal loss of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although some studies support the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in amyloid precursor protein processing as well as in tau phosphorylation, a direct role for PKC in apoptotic neuronal death remains to be clarified. In the present study, we report on the possible role of PKC in cell survival during conditions of stress through phosphorylation of the X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP).
Antiplasmodial Activity of the Ethnobotanical Plant Cassia fistula

In our ongoing investigation of new compounds with activity against malaria parasites, we tested the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of fractions and purified compounds from Cassia fistula L. , a plant traditionally used by native populations of Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Brazil to treat malaria or symptoms associated with this disease. Crude extracts from leaves, bark and fruits were tested for their antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum(D10), where leaf extracts showed the highest activity. The chloroform extract of the leaves was further bioassay-guided fractionated using a combination of centrifugal partition chromatography and flash column chromatography. Three main antiplasmodial principles, phytol (1) (IC50 18.9 ± 0.60 μM), lutein (2) (IC50 12.5 ± 0.35 μM), and di-lineolylgalactopyranosyl-glycerol (DLGG) (IC50 5.8 ± 0.27 μM) (3), were isolated and identified using spectroscopic methods. When the three active principles were tested for their cytotoxicity using a Chinese Hamster Ovarian (CHO) cell line, compound 3 showed very weak toxicity (IC50 75.9 ± 0.28 μM), while the other two compounds were nontoxic, even at the highest concentration tested. The study provides evidence to support the use of Cassia fistula as an antimalarial remedy and describes the antiplasmodial constituents from the leaves.
CYTOKINE EXPRESSION PROFILE OVER TIME IN SEVERELY BURNED PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

ABSTRACT A severe burn leads to hypermetabolism and catabolism resulting in compromised function and structure of essential organs. The massive release of cytokines is implicated in this hypermetabolic response. The aim of the present study was to compare cytokine expression profiles from severely burned children without signs of infections or inhalation injury (n = 19) to the cytokine profiles from normal, noninfected, nonburned children (n = 14). The Bio-Plex suspension array system was used to measure the concentration of 17 cytokines. The expression of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines was maximal during the first week after thermal injury. Significant increases were measured for 15 mediators during the first week after thermal injury: interleukin (IL) 1&bgr;, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 p70, IL-13, IL-17, interferon &ggr;, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, macrophage inflammatory protein 1&bgr;, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (P < 0.05). Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor was significantly increased during the second week after burn (P < 0.05). Within 5 weeks, the serum concentrations of most cytokines decreased, approaching normal levels. When compared with the cytokine levels measured in normal children, a total of 16 cytokines were significantly altered (P < 0.05). After severe burn, a specific cytokine expression profile is observed in patients without complications such as inhalation injury or sepsis. The cytokine concentrations decrease during 5 weeks after burn but remain elevated over nonburned values. Furthermore, the elevation in most serum cytokine levels during the first week after burn may indicate a potential window of opportunity for therapeutic intervention.
Sputum bacteriology conversion and treatment outcome of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

Purpose Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) requires long-term treatment, has a high fatality rate, and constitutes a global threat. Earlier detection of treatment failure is required to predict therapeutic efficacy. Patients and methods We enrolled MDR-TB patients consecutively from January 2011 through December 2012 in Lianyungang, China. Sputum smear microscopy tests and sputum cultures were performed once a month for the first 6 months following initiation of antituberculosis treatment and once every 2 months thereafter until the end of therapy. The sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used with a 95% CI to estimate the role of sputum bacteriology conversion in predicting treatment outcomes. Results Among the 92 MDR-TB patients enrolled in this study, 40.2% had poor treatment outcomes. The median initial sputum bacteriology conversion time was 1 month. Patients having 2-month sputum smear conversions (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 7.19, 95% CI: 2.60–19.84) or culture conversions (adjusted OR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.11–7.45) were more likely to experience good outcomes. The sensitivity and specificity obtained when using two-month sputum smear conversions to predict treatment outcomes were 67.6% (95% CI: 50.2–82.0) and 76.4% (95% CI: 63.0–86.8), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity obtained when using 2-month culture conversions to predict treatment outcomes were 48.6% (95% CI: 32.0–65.6) and 74.5% (95% CI: 61.0–85.3), respectively. The AUC for two-month smear conversions was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.62–0.81), significantly higher than that obtained for 2-month culture conversions (0.62, 95% CI: 0.52–0.72) (χ2 = 4.18, P = 0.041). Conclusion The prognoses of MDR-TB patients displaying persistent sputum positivity were inferior to those for whom sputum bacteriology conversion was observed. Thus, sputum smear conversion results obtained 2 months after treatment initiation may provide a potential means for predicting MDR-TB treatment outcomes.
Induction of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in primary human macrophages by HIV-1

Abstract Increased kynurenine pathway metabolism has been implicated in the aetiology of the AIDS dementia complex (ADC). The rate limiting enzyme for this pathway is indoleamine 2,3- dioxygenase (IDO). We tested the efficacy of different strains of HIV-1 (HIV1-BaL, HIV1-JRFL and HIV1-631) to induce IDO in cultured human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). A significant increase in both IDO protein and kynurenine synthesis was observed after 48 h in MDM infected with the brain derived HIV-1 isolates, laboratory adapted (LA) HIV1-JRFL, and primary isolate HIV1-631. In contrast, almost no kynurenine production or IDO protein was evident in MDM infected with the high replicating macrophage tropic LA strain, HIV1-BaL. The induction of IDO and kynurenine synthesis by HIV1-JRFL and HIV1-631 declined to baseline levels by day-8 post-infection. Together, these results indicate that only selected strains of HIV-1 are capable of inducing IDO synthesis and subsequent oxidative tryptophan catabolism in MDM.
Sex Differences in Immunologic Reponse: Studies of Antibody Production by Individual Spleen Cells after Stimulus with Escherichia coli Antigen

Extract: Specific antibody production by spleen cells of male and female mice during a noninvasive enteric infection with Escherichia coli and after parenteral injection of heat-killed E. coli was studied by use of the Jerne-Nordin agar plaque technique. Following experimental enteric colonization with E. coli 0127 significantly greater proportions of spleen cells produced specific anti-0 antibody in immature weanling female mice than in their male littermates. Anti-E, coli 0127 plaque-forming cells were also found in significantly greater numbers in the spleens of immature females than in males following intraperitoneal injection of small numbers of heat-killed E. coli. Although many spleens from male mice produced no cell plaques after a small dose of antigen, responses by the sexes were comparable after injection of large numbers of heat-killed bacteria.Production of plaques by spleen cells from female animals after injection of small amounts of antigen increased significantly with age, but the responses observed in adult male mice were only slightly and insignificantly greater than those of male weanlings. Studies of the sizes of plaques produced by spleen cells of male and female animals showed no statistical differences. Young ovariectomized females responded in the same way as their sham-operated male littermates to small amounts of E. coli antigen. Administration of small doses of estrogen increased plaque formation by spleen cells of weanling males.It appears that an effect of female sex hormones is production of greater numbers of antibody-producing cells; yet in the final phase of antibody production, individual cells from each sex produce on the average the same amounts of antibody.Speculation: The better ability of the immature female to respond immunologically to a small amount of E. coli 0 antigen may be a significant factor in her superior resistance to invasive disease with E. coli. Differences in the immune response of the two sexes appear to occur in the proliferative phase of antibody-producing process or steps leading up to this phase, but not in the final phases of antibody production by the cell. By mechanisms not yet defined, estrogen appears to enhance the proliferation of immunocompetent cells, and secretion of estrogen by the female may explain her superior immunologic responsiveness.
Current understandings about cognition and the neurobiological correlates in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder. Cognitive deficits are one of the core features of schizophrenia. Multiple domains of cognition (executive function, attention/vigilance, working memory, verbal fluency, visuospatial skills, processing speed, and social cognition) are affected in patients with schizophrenia. Deficits in cognition led to impairment in the real world functioning. Identifying the cognitive deficits and early intervention is required for better functional outcome. This review focuses on conceptual understanding of cognition with its neurobiological correlates in schizophrenia and its different clinical implications.
PV Fed high efficiency, high voltage gain DC-DC converter for micro-inverter applications

The PV fed grid connected systems have become highly relevant due to the escalating global power demand and to reduce the greenhouse effect and environmental pollution. It is desirable to use low voltage PV modules as source due to safety aspects (to prevent DC arcing) and for optimal utilization of the PV source (Distributed maximum power point tracking). If a low voltage source is used, however, a high gain, high efficiency power conversion stage is required to feed the dc-ac stage used to interface with the AC grid. Such systems, referred to as micro-inverters or module integrated inverters, have become quite popular in recent times. This paper presents a high voltage gain, high efficiency dc-dc converter suitable for micro-inverter application is proposed in this paper. The proposed converter has reduced reverse recovery and switching losses. A passive clamp circuit is used to recycle energy stored in the leakage inductor and reduce the voltage stress across the main switch. The low voltage rating switch has lower on state resistance, which reduces switch conduction loss. The reduced switching losses help to increase converter efficiency. One coupled inductor and two intermediate capacitors are used to increase the output voltage. All the analytical and simulation results pertaining to the proposed topology are included.
Social Media Use in Medical Education: A Systematic Review

Purpose The authors conducted a systematic review of the published literature on social media use in medical education to answer two questions: (1) How have interventions using social media tools affected outcomes of satisfaction, knowledge, attitudes, and skills for physicians and physicians-in-training? and (2) What challenges and opportunities specific to social media have educators encountered in implementing these interventions? Method The authors searched the MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC, Embase, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases (from the start of each through September 12, 2011) using keywords related to social media and medical education. Two authors independently reviewed the search results to select peer-reviewed, English-language articles discussing social media use in educational interventions at any level of physician training. They assessed study quality using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument. Results Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria. Interventions using social media tools were associated with improved knowledge (e.g., exam scores), attitudes (e.g., empathy), and skills (e.g., reflective writing). The most commonly reported opportunities related to incorporating social media tools were promoting learner engagement (71% of studies), feedback (57%), and collaboration and professional development (both 36%). The most commonly cited challenges were technical issues (43%), variable learner participation (43%), and privacy/security concerns (29%). Studies were generally of low to moderate quality; there was only one randomized controlled trial. Conclusions Social media use in medical education is an emerging field of scholarship that merits further investigation. Educators face challenges in adapting new technologies, but they also have opportunities for innovation.
Hyperdense Middle Cerebral Artery Sign on Admission CT Scan – Prognostic Significance for Ischaemic Stroke Patients Treated with Intravenous Thrombolysis in the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke International Stroke Thrombolysis Register

Background: Hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS) on CT scan before stroke thrombolysis is associated with increased risk for haemorrhage and unfavourable outcome in several small studies. Methods: We examined baseline characteristics, intracranial haemorrhage and outcomes of intravenous thrombolysis in patients with and without HMCAS using the internet-based Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-International Stroke Thrombolysis Register. Symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (SICH) was defined as a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score decrease of ≥4 points plus type 2 parenchymal haemorrhage on imaging [Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke Monitoring Study (SITS-MOST) definition], or any haemorrhage on follow-up imaging combined with a decrease of at least 1 point on the NIHSS [randomized controlled trial (RCT) definition]. Three-month outcomes were mortality and independence (modified Rankin scale score = 0–2). Results: 1,905 of 10,023 (19.0%) patients had HMCAS. Patients with HMCAS (vs. no HMCAS) were younger (median age 68 vs. 70 years, p < 0.001), had severer stroke (baseline NIHSS score 17 vs. 11, p < 0.05), higher mortality [23% (95% CI 20.0–25.1) vs. 13% (95% CI 12.1–13.7)] and lower independence [31% (95% CI 28.5–33.0) vs. 56% (95% CI 54.8–57.2)]. SICH rates per the SITS-MOST were 1.3% (95% CI 0.8–1.9) versus 1.8% (95% CI 1.5–2.1) and per the RCT definition 10.3% (95% CI 9.0–11.8) versus 6.8% (95% CI 6.2–7.3). In multivariable analysis, HMCAS was not an independent predictor of SICH but of mortality and independence per the SITS-MOST. Conclusions: HMCAS patients had severer stroke and a worse 3-month outcome. The risk for SICH per the SITS-MOST definition was similar compared to non-HMCAS patients, although increased per the RCT definition. There is not sufficient evidence to exclude these patients from intravenous thrombolysis. Combined treatment approaches might be considered in the perspective of the severe outcome and evaluated in RCTs.
Maternal warmth and directiveness jointly moderate the etiology of childhood conduct problems.

BACKGROUND Prior studies exploring gene-environment interactions (GxE) in the development of youth conduct problems (CP) have focused almost exclusively on single-risk experiences, despite research indicating that the presence of other risk factors and or the absence of protective factors can accentuate the influence of a given risk factor on CP. The goal of the current study was to fill this gap in the literature, evaluating whether risky and protective aspects of parenting might combine to jointly moderate the etiology of CP. METHODS The sample consisted of 500 child twin pairs from the Michigan State University Twin Registry (MSUTR). Child CP was assessed using multiple informant reports. Maternal warmth and directiveness were assessed via videotaped dyadic interactions between mothers and each of their twins. RESULTS Biometric GxE analyses revealed that directiveness and warmth did appear to jointly moderate the etiology of CP. In particular, shared environmental influences were accentuated by colder, less directive or 'less engaged' mothering, whereas genetic influences were strongest when the child was experiencing warmer, more directive or 'more authoritative' mothering. CONCLUSIONS Such findings serve to highlight the synergistic effects of risky and protective experiences on child outcomes. They also provide additional empirical support for the bioecological form of GxE, which postulates that, in some cases, genetic influences may be most strongly expressed in the presence of low-risk environments.