Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Unknown Input Observability: Analytical expression of the observable codistribution in the case of a single unknown input

This paper investigates the unknown input observability problem in the nonlinear case. Specifically, the systems here analyzed are characterized by dynamics that are nonlinear in the state and linear in the inputs and characterized by a single unknown input and multiple known inputs. Additionally, it is assumed that the unknown input is a differentiable function of time (up to a given order). The goal of the paper is not to design new observers but to provide a simple analytic condition in order to check the weak local observability of the state. In other words, the goal is to extend the well known observability rank condition to these systems. Specifically, the paper provides a simple algorithm to directly obtain the entire observable codistribution. As in the standard case of only known inputs, the observable codistribution is obtained by recursively computing the Lie derivatives along the vector fields that characterize the dynamics. However, in correspondence of the unknown input, the corresponding vector field must be suitably rescaled. Additionally, the Lie derivatives must be computed also along a new set of vector fields that are obtained by recursively performing suitable Lie bracketing of the vector fields that define the dynamics. In practice, the entire observable codistribution is obtained by a very simple recursive algorithm. However, the analytic derivations required to prove that this codistribution fully characterizes the weak local observability of the state are complex and, for the sake of brevity, are provided in a separate technical report. The proposed analytic approach is illustrated by checking the weak local observability of several nonlinear systems driven by known and unknown inputs.
Collapse of the Seed following the Mating of Hordeum JubatumxSecale Cereale.

the endosperm as a storage tissue and the large size of the normal caryopsis. Cytogeneticists interested in the cereals were early impressed, accordingly, with the importance of this stage in the life cycle of the plant for the general problem of hybrid incompatibility. It is not surprising to find, therefme, that a larger amount of work has been directed toward discovering the basis of hybrid seed failure in these plants than in any other group of angiosperms. Some of the histological findings on the Gramineae as put forward in their original form, however, are seemingly a t variance with more recent evidence on seed collapse as manifested in certain Dicotyledons. Additional data are desirable, therefore, on the question whether seed failure following hybridization of distantly related forms follows a common basic pattern or differs significantly from group to group. T is readily observable in cereal species hybrids because of the persistence of
Methodological and Clinical Aspects of the Molecular Epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Other Mycobacteria

SUMMARY Molecular typing has revolutionized epidemiological studies of infectious diseases, including those of a mycobacterial etiology. With the advent of fingerprinting techniques, many traditional concepts regarding transmission, infectivity, or pathogenicity of mycobacterial bacilli have been revisited, and their conventional interpretations have been challenged. Since the mid-1990s, when the first typing methods were introduced, a plethora of other modalities have been proposed. So-called molecular epidemiology has become an essential subdiscipline of modern mycobacteriology. It serves as a resource for understanding the key issues in the epidemiology of tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases. Among these issues are disclosing sources of infection, quantifying recent transmission, identifying transmission links, discerning reinfection from relapse, tracking the geographic distribution and clonal expansion of specific strains, and exploring the genetic mechanisms underlying specific phenotypic traits, including virulence, organ tropism, transmissibility, or drug resistance. Since genotyping continues to unravel the biology of mycobacteria, it offers enormous promise in the fight against and prevention of the diseases caused by these pathogens. In this review, molecular typing methods for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria elaborated over the last 2 decades are summarized. The relevance of these methods to the epidemiological investigation, diagnosis, evolution, and control of mycobacterial diseases is discussed.
Prostacyclin, thromboxane, and oxygen free radicals and postoperative liver function in human liver transplantation.

The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate prostanoid (prostacyclin and thromboxane) and lipid peroxide levels at the portal and hepatic veins, and their relation to immediate postoperative liver function. Nineteen patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation were prospectively studied. Blood samples were obtained within 5 min and 1 and 2 hr after reperfusion of the new liver, through a catheter placed at the portal vein in the recipient and another at the left hepatic vein in the donor liver. Plasma prostacyclin and thromboxane were analyzed by HPLC and RIA. The formation of lipid peroxides was determined and expressed in terms of thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances. Immediate postoperative liver function was evaluated using the transaminase levels within the first 48 hr and the early postoperative graft function score, as described previously. After reperfusion, only determinations at 5 min were related with liver function. Either prostacyclin (R = -0.61, P = 0.004) levels at the hepatic vein or prostacyclin production (subtraction between hepatic and portal vein levels) (R = -0.47, P = 0.04) correlated significantly with the early postoperative graft function score. Besides, there was a significant relationship between lipid peroxide production as measured by thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances and a worse early postoperative graft function score (R = 0.61, P = .005). These results suggest that prostacyclin released after liver grafting attenuates preservation and reperfusion damage of the liver, supporting the hypothesis that there is an imbalance of prostanoids within the microvasculature in patients with a compromised postoperative liver function. Our results agree with the involvement of some degree of lipid peroxidation products in the damage of hepatocytes during anoxia and reperfusion.
Regulation of αIIbβ3 Function in Human B Lymphocytes*

We studied the function of the platelet integrin αIIbβ3 using a B lymphocyte model in which αIIbβ3 can be induced to interact with fibrinogen using phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). To determine whether a G protein-coupled receptor could also activate αIIbβ3 in lymphocytes, we coexpressed the human formyl peptide receptor (fPR) and αIIbβ3, finding that the fPR agonist formyl Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP)-stimulated lymphocyte adherence to immobilized fibrinogen and binding of soluble fibrinogen to the lymphocyte surface. The response to fMLP, but not PMA, was abrogated by pertussis toxin, indicating that the fPR was coupled to the G-protein Gαi, whereas the protein kinase C inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I inhibited the response to both fMLP and PMA, indicating that signaling from the fPR included protein kinase C. On the other hand, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein, the Syk inhibitor piceatannol, and the RhoA inhibitor C3 exoenzyme had no effect, implying that neither tyrosine phosphorylation nor the GTPase RhoA were involved. Furthermore, whereas micromolar concentrations of cytochalasin D inhibited the PMA-stimulated interaction of αIIbβ3 with fibrinogen, nanomolar concentrations actually induced fibrinogen binding to unstimulated cells. Our studies demonstrate that αIIbβ3 expressed in B lymphocytes can be activated by a physiologic agonist and outline an activating pathway that includes Gαi, protein kinase C, and the actin cytoskeleton.
Is the long-term survival rate improved by preoperative irradiation prior to Whipple's procedure for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head?

OBJECTIVE To determine whether or not both regional control and long-term survival rate were improved by preoperative irradiation prior to curative pancreatectomy for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. DESIGN Retrospective study of recorded medical data from 1985 to 1989. SETTING The Center for Adult Diseases, Osaka, one of the major cancer centers in Japan. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION Fifty-four consecutive patients in whom pancreatic head cancer had been judged to be resectable by preoperative diagnostic techniques. A total of 50 Gy per 10 MeV of x-ray was irradiated preoperatively to the wide field, including the pancreatic head area, in 23 patients (group A) but not in the 31 remaining patients (group B). The background factors before treatment did not differ between these two groups. OUTCOME MEASURES Resectability, postoperative survival, and modes of cancer recurrence. RESULTS At laparotomy, curative pancreatectomy was possible in 17 patients (74%) in group A and 19 (61%) in group B (not significant). In patients undergoing resection, the 1-year survival rate was 75% in group A and 43% in group B (P < .05). However, 3- and 5-year survival rates were almost the same in both groups (28% vs 32% and 22% vs 26%, respectively). With regard to the cause of death after pancreatectomy, group A had a significantly lower incidence of deaths due to regional recurrence within 1.5 postoperative years compared with group B, whereas deaths due to hepatic metastasis were markedly higher after 1 postoperative year in group A compared with group B. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative irradiation prior to pancreatectomy succeeded in reducing the incidence of early deaths due to regional recurrence. However, owing to the next barrier--death due to hepatic metastasis after 1 postoperative year--long-term (3- and 5-year) survival rate was not improved at all.
[Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) antagonized analgesia mediated by mu and kappa opioid receptors].

CCK-8 has been shown to antagonize the analgesia produced by morphine or endogenous opioid peptides. The present study was performed to clarify the interaction between CCK-8 and different opioid ligands. Analgesia produced by intrathecal (I.T.) injection of the specific mu receptor agonist PL017 10 ng or kappa receptor agonist NDAP 500 ng can be antagonized by I.T. injection CCK-8 at a dose as small as 4 ng. In contrast, analgesia produced by I.T. injection of the delta receptor agonist DPDPE (6.5, 13 and 26 micrograms) was not blocked by CCK-8 (4 ng or 40 ng, I.T.). The antagonistic effect of CCK-8 on PL017 and NDAP could be completely reversed by proglumide (3 micrograms, I.T.). I.T. injection of CCK-8 (4 or 40 ng single dose or cumulative dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 microgram at 10 min intervals) produced neither analgesia nor hyperalgesia. In conclusion, CCK-8 preferentially antagonizes opioid analgesia mediated by mu and kappa receptors, and this antagonistic effect is mediated by CCK receptors.
A novel wavelet-based algorithm for discrimination of internal faults from magnetizing inrush currents in power transformers

In this paper, a new algorithm based on processing differential current is proposed for digital differential protection of power transformers by considering different behaviors of the differential currents under fault and inrush current conditions. In this method, a criterion function is defined in terms of difference of amplitude of wavelet coefficients over a specific frequency band. The criterion function is then used for three phases, and internal faults are precisely discriminated from inrush current less than a quarter a cycle after the disturbance; this is one advantage of the method. Another advantage of the proposed method is that the fault detection algorithm does not depend on the selection of thresholds. The merit of this method is demonstrated by simulation of different faults and switching conditions on a power transformer using PSCAD/EMTDC software. Also the proposed algorithm is tested offline using data collected from a prototype laboratory three-phase power transformer. The test results show that the new algorithm is very quick and accurate
Acupuncture-point stimulation for chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting.

BACKGROUND There have been recent advances in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting using 5-HT(3) inhibitors and dexamethasone. However, many still experience these symptoms, and expert panels encourage additional methods to reduce these symptoms. OBJECTIVES The objective was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture-point stimulation on acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycLIT, MANTIS, Science Citation Index, CCTR (Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry), Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field Trials Register, Cochrane Pain, Palliative Care and Supportive Care Specialized Register, Cochrane Cancer Specialized Register, and conference abstracts. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized trials of acupuncture-point stimulation by any method (needles, electrical stimulation, magnets, or acupressure) and assessing chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting, or both. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Data were provided by investigators of the original trials and pooled using a fixed effect model. Relative risks were calculated on dichotomous data. Standardized mean differences were calculated for nausea severity. Weighted mean differences were calculated for number of emetic episodes. MAIN RESULTS Eleven trials (N = 1247) were pooled. Overall, acupuncture-point stimulation of all methods combined reduced the incidence of acute vomiting (RR = 0.82; 95% confidence interval 0.69 to 0.99; P = 0.04), but not acute or delayed nausea severity compared to control. By modality, stimulation with needles reduced proportion of acute vomiting (RR = 0.74; 95% confidence interval 0.58 to 0.94; P = 0.01), but not acute nausea severity. Electroacupuncture reduced the proportion of acute vomiting (RR = 0.76; 95% confidence interval 0.60 to 0.97; P = 0.02), but manual acupuncture did not; delayed symptoms for acupuncture were not reported. Acupressure reduced mean acute nausea severity (SMD = -0.19; 95% confidence interval -0.37 to -0.01; P = 0.04) but not acute vomiting or delayed symptoms. Noninvasive electrostimulation showed no benefit for any outcome. All trials used concomitant pharmacologic antiemetics, and all, except electroacupuncture trials, used state-of-the-art antiemetics. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS This review complements data on post-operative nausea and vomiting suggesting a biologic effect of acupuncture-point stimulation. Electroacupuncture has demonstrated benefit for chemotherapy-induced acute vomiting, but studies combining electroacupuncture with state-of-the-art antiemetics and in patients with refractory symptoms are needed to determine clinical relevance. Self-administered acupressure appears to have a protective effect for acute nausea and can readily be taught to patients though studies did not involve placebo control. Noninvasive electrostimulation appears unlikely to have a clinically relevant impact when patients are given state-of-the-art pharmacologic antiemetic therapy.
Suppression of single unit activity in cochlear nucleus of the cat following sound stimulation.

Author(s): Starr, A | Abstract: A PERIOD OF SENSORY STIMULATION may alter the perception of subsequent sensory events. After sounds, for example, there may be changes in threshold (19), in the quality of acoustic sensation (20, 29), or tinnitus (20). The neurophysiological mechanisms underlying these alterations in sensation are not well understood. Working with cats, Starr and Livingston (30) described a profound and reversible suppression of summated spontaneous activity in subcortical stations of the auditory pathway as an aftereffect of sustained sound exposure. The period of altered spontaneous activity lengthened as the intensity or duration of the sound was increased. The experiments on single units in cochlear nucleus presented in this report were undertaken to define more precisely the relationship between the physical parameters of the sound stimulus and the period of altered spontaneous activity.
Optimal linear fusion of local estimates

This paper presents optimal mean-square linear combinations of arbitrary number of local estimates. In particular, for two estimates, these combinations represent the Millman and Bar-Shalom-Campo formulas for uncorrelated and correlated estimates, respectively. These new results are applied to the linear filtering problem. The suboptimal two-stage filter for linear dynamic systems is designed: the locally optimal Kalman estimates computed at the first stage are linearly fused at the second stage. It is shown that this filter is effective for multisensor systems containing different types of sensors. An example demonstrating the accuracy of the proposed filter is given
Societal integration and age-standardized suicide rates in 21 developed countries, 1955-1989.

Gender-specific age-standardized suicide rates for 21 developed countries over seven 5-year periods (1955-59.1985-89) form the two dependent variables. Durkheim's theory of societal integration is the framework used to generate the independent variables, although several recent theories are also examined. The results from a MGLS multiple regression analysis of both male and female rates provide overwhelming support for a multidimensional theory of societal integration and suicide, as first suggested by Durkheim.
Hepatitis D virus infection in Slovenian patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection: a national prevalence study and literature review.

INTRODUCTION Of the 350 million individuals chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide, approximately 15 to 20 million have been exposed to hepatitis D virus (HDV). This study determined for the first time the HDV prevalence in Slovenian patients with chronic HBV infection. In addition, a literature search was performed to identify all HDV prevalence studies from European countries. METHODS A total of 1,305 HBsAg-positive serum samples, obtained from the same number of patients, were randomly selected from 2,337 patients referred to the Slovenian national reference laboratory for viral hepatitis between 1998 and 2015. All samples were retrospectively tested for the presence of total anti-HDV antibodies. Anti-HDV-positive patients were additionally tested for the presence of anti-HDV IgM antibodies, HDV antigen, and HDV RNA. RESULTS Total anti-HDV antibodies were detected in three of the 1,305 patients tested (0.23%; 95% CI: 0.08-0.67%), of whom one patient had recovered from the past HDV infection and two patients had an ongoing chronic HDV infection. The literature search identified 36 peer-reviewed HDV prevalence studies published between 1983 and 2016 and originating from 21 European countries. CONCLUSIONS The observed prevalence of HDV infection in Slovenia was among the lowest reported in Europe and worldwide. Due to the observed low prevalence of HDV infection, routine diagnostic testing for HDV should not be considered in differential diagnosis of exacerbation of liver disease in Slovenian patients with chronic HBV infection.
Registration of CAD-models to images by iterative inverse perspective matching

A new algorithm for registering a 3D model to a single or a sequence of 2D images without a-priori knowledge of correspondences is presented. The algorithm is composed of two iterated steps: the first step determines correspondences between image features and model data, while the second one computes the 3D rigid body transformation that minimizes the displacement of the matched points. As camera images do not yield full 3D information, the key idea proposed is to exploit the inverse perspective, i.e. the projection ray determined by the focal point of the camera and an image feature point. The inverse perspective yields the constraints for both correspondence search and pose estimation in 3D space rather than in the image plane. This not only simplifies the motion parameter estimation but also reduces matching ambiguities due to occlusions. In addition, a robust M-estimation technique reduces the impact of false correspondences. Experimental results show that complex, 3D CAD-models can be registered efficiently and accurately to images, even if image features are incomplete, fragmented and noisy.
Hours of work and the risk of developing impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes mellitus in Japanese male office workers

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between duration of overtime and the development of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS A cohort of 1266 Japanese male office workers aged 35–59 years and free of IFG (fasting plasma glucose concentration 6.1–6.9 mmol/l), type 2 DM (fasting plasma glucose concentration of 7.0 mmol/l or more or taking hypoglycaemic medication), history of diabetes, or medication for hypertension were re-examined over 5 successive years after their initial examinations in 1994. RESULTS 138 men developed IFG or type 2 DM during the 5736 person-years of follow up. After controlling for potential predictors of diabetes, the relative risks of IFG or type 2 DM, compared with those who worked <8.0 hours a day, were 0.82 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.54 to 1.26), 0.69 (95% CI 0.38 to 1.26), 0.63 (95% CI: 0.37 to 1.09), and 0.50 (95% CI: 0.25 to 0.98) for those who worked 8.0–8.9, 9.0–9.9, 10.0–10.9, and of 11.0 hours or more a day, respectively (p for trend=0.020). 87 and 54 men developed IFG and type 2 DM during the 5817 and 5937 person-years of follow up, respectively. The multivariate adjusted relative risks of IFG tended to decrease with an increase in hours of overtime work a day, but did not reach significance (p for trend=0.202). On the other hand, the multivariate adjusted relative risks of type 2 DM significantly decreased with an increase in hours of overtime work a day (p for trend=0.014). CONCLUSION Longer overtime is a negative risk factor for the development of IFG or type 2 DM in Japanese male office workers.
PREVALENCE OF OBESITY AND OVERWEIGHT AMONG ADOLESCENTS OF BIRJAND, EAST OF IRAN

Obesity and overweight in children and adolescents are one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century, such that increased more twofold fold from 20 years ago (1). The numbers have doubled Childhood Obesity as the global principal health problem is steadily involving many lowand middleincome countries, particularly within urban areas (2-5). Obesity is a principal risk-factor for chronic diseases. Obesity in adolescents is associated with increasing the metabolic syndrome risk, hypertension, and diabetes I and II. Obesity has a decisive role in the development of metabolic syndrome. Moreover, obesity in childhood and adolescence appears to track into adulthood and it is associated with cardiovascular complications, diabetes, hypertension, 1. Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Center, Professor of Pediatric, Birjand University of Medical Sciences (BUMS), Birjand, Iran. 2. Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Center, Associate Professor of Pediatric, Birjand University of Medical Sciences (BUMS), Birjand, Iran. 3. Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Center, professor of Cardiology, Birjand University of Medical Sciences (BUMS), Birjand, Iran. 4. Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Research Center, Assistant Professor of Community Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences (BUMS), Birjand, Iran.