Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Safe Adaptive Switching Control: Stability and Convergence

A formal theoretical explanation of the model-mismatch instability problem associated with certain adaptive control design schemes is proposed, and a solution is provided. To address the model-mismatch problem, a primary task of adaptive control is formulated as finding an asymptotically optimal, stabilizing controller, given the feasibility of adaptive control problem. A class of data-driven cost functions called cost-detectable is introduced that detect evidence of instability without reference to prior plant models or plant assumptions. The problem of designing adaptive systems that are robustly immune to mismatch instability problems is thus placed in a setting of a standard optimization problem. We call the result safe adaptive control because it robustly achieves adaptive stabilization goals whenever feasible, without prior assumptions on the plant model and, hence, without the risk of model-mismatch instability. The result improves the robustness of previous results in hysteresis switching control, both for discrete and for continuously-parameterized candidate controller sets. Examples are provided.
An increased ratio of interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist to interleukin‐1α in inflammatory skin diseases

Abstract: IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra) is a cytokine that competitively binds the IL‐1 receptor to antagonize IL‐1 activity without any agonist function. Previous experiments indicated that the ratio of IL‐1ra to IL‐1α in the normal stratum corneum (SC) was much higher in the sunexposed face than in the sun‐protected area, upper arms. It was also reported by another laboratory that IL‐1ra is increased in the lesional skin of psoriatic patients. This study was designed to measure the contents of IL‐1α and IL‐1ra in non‐lesional and pathological SC obtained from inflammatory skin diseases including psoriasis and non‐psoriatic dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis. The SC materials were obtained with a noninvasive tape‐stripping method. Their soluble fractions were prepared and assayed for IL‐1α and IL‐1ra by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. As a result we confirmed the previous findings that the ratio of IL‐1ra to IL‐1α in the normal SC was much higher in the face than in the sun‐protected sites, the trunk as well as extremities. Next, we found that IL‐1α contents were significantly reduced in the SC samples obtained from inflammatory skin regardless of whether their IL‐1ra contents increased or unchanged. Moreover, we noted that an increased ratio of IL‐1ra to IL‐1α in the SC was not specific to psoriasis, but was also found in other inflammatory skin diseases including atopic dermatitis. This ratio was found to become lower after successful treatment of these skin lesions with topical glucocorticoids. We conclude from these observations that the increased ratio of IL‐1ra to IL‐1α in the SC is a non‐specific phenomenon that can occur in any inflammatory skin diseases regardless of the inflammatory pattern, probably reflecting a skin regulation process against various kinds of inflammation.
Modeling, Quantitative Analysis, and Design of Switched-Current Pipeline A/D Converters

Switched-current (SI) analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) are desirable for biomedical applications. Until now, SI ADCs are lacking effective and systematic computer-aided analysis and design (CAD) tools, particularly for noise. In this paper, models for different SI multiplying-digital-to-analog-converter (MDAC) designs are analytically derived, with the inclusion of distortion and noise. The models can be further programmed into an equation-based SI analog CAD tool. In this paper, the equation-based models (EBMs) are used to quantitatively analyze SI MDACs. Simulation results show that noise significantly limit the performance of SI MDACs. Optimal performance boundaries are derived for single-ended and fully differential SI MDACs. The boundaries from EBMs are consistent with the published SI circuit measurements. A methodology is formulated to design efficient SI MDACs. The EBM and the design methodology are further verified by designs of two sample SI MDACs in an AMS 0.35-mum CMOS process with SPICE simulation. Results from the EBM match those from real circuit models well, except for the noise of SI MDACs with feedback, in which case, the design margin should be added to the target performance. For low-/medium-resolution (<12 bit) applications, a pipeline ADC with a simple SI MDAC is the most efficient. Nonetheless, single-ended SI ADCs are susceptible to source noise. For high-resolution applications, only fully differential SI pipeline ADCs can be selected.
Peer assisted learning in patient-centred interviewing: the impact on student tutors

Effective methods for teaching patient-centred interviewing skills are resource intensive. Providing students the opportunity to work in small groups with simulated patients is highly valued and has demonstrable long-term benefits. Expanding cohorts of medical students and diminishing faculty resources led to the implementation of a peer assisted learning (PAL) project in patient-centred interviewing skills. The paper reports the evaluation of a PAL project on student tutors. The methodology included direct and indirect measures of student tutors’ skills in facilitation and patient-centred interviewing. The self-report evaluations strongly suggest that participating in a PAL project has substantial benefits for student tutors that included both interviewing and facilitation skills. Objective measures revealed no change in patient-centred interviewing skills after participating in the project. The study concludes that formalizing PAL may tap a valuable resource within the medical school and provide benefits for student tutors. Careful consideration needs to be given to ways in which student tutors are supported before, during and after the project.
Role of Cinacalcet in Management of Mineral Bone Disorder in Chronic Kidney Disease (Control of Calcium, Phosphorus and Parathyroid Hormone)

The management of hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease–mineral bone disorder includes treatment to control levels of calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone, so as to prevent bone and soft‐tissue complications. Recently, pleiotropic effects of active vitamin D have attracted much attention, and its effect on outcome has also gained recognition. However, administration of active vitamin D may cause hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. Now, the use of a novel class of drugs, cinacalcet hydrochloride, has been proposed as a strategy to reduce parathyroid hormone secretion, while decreasing levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, and calcium × phosphorus products. Among subjects with secondary hyperparathyroidism undergoing hemodialysis, combined therapy with cinacalcet and vitamin D sterols improved achievement of the biochemical targets for chronic kidney disease–mineral bone disorder recommended by the guidelines.
Guillain-Barré syndrome with antibody to a ganglioside, N-acetylgalactosaminyl GD1a.

A retrospective case study of 33 Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) patients with the antibody to the ganglioside N-acetylgalactosaminyl GD1a (GalNAc-GD1a) was made to investigate the clinical features of GBS with this antibody. Patients were classified into three groups: (i) 25 with IgG antibody (group G, titre >/= 1 : 40); (ii) 16 with high-titre IgG antibody (group G-high, titre >/=1:320; selected from group G patients), and (iii) eight with IgM antibody but without elevation of IgG (group M, normal range <1:40 for both IgM and IgG). The control group consisted of 72 GBS patients without anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibody. Compared with the control group, the G-high and G group patients were characterized as having had antecedent gastrointestinal infection (87% and 72% versus 31%, both P < 0.001), uncommon cranial nerve involvement (19% and 36% versus 54%, P = 0.02 and 0.2, respectively), distal-dominant weakness (94% and 68% versus 36%, P < 0.001 and P = 0.01, respectively) and no sensory signs (81% and 60% versus 25%, P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). Electrophysiological findings indicative of axonal dysfunction were significantly more common in the G-high and G group patients (63% and 52% versus 14%, both P < 0.001). The pure motor variant that showed neither sensory signs nor abnormalities in sensory conduction studies was also more frequent in these groups (44% and 32% versus 9%, both P < 0.001). IgG anti-GalNAc-GD1a antibody may be a marker of the pure motor and the axonal variants of GBS, and therefore it, as well as anti-GM1 antibody, must be investigated in these forms in order to diagnose and understand the variants. By contrast, mild weakness, frequent facial palsy (75%) and a high incidence of IgM anti-GM2 antibody reactivity (88%) were characteristic of group M, indicating that the GBS in that group resulted from a different immune mechanism from that in the G group.
The Use of ICT for Open Government in U. S. Municipalities

The extent to which U. S. municipal governments have adopted open e-government initiatives is examined through a survey and interviews with chief administrative officers (CAOs) along the three dimensions of open government: transparency, participation, and collaboration. A very high share of CAOs reported satisfaction with implementing open government overall. A majority indicated achievement along each of the open government dimensions. Whereas the CAOs had a significantly positive view of collaboration, their view on challenges was negatively significant for achievement and satisfaction with open government. The interviews indicated that the CAOs do not view open government as a fad and place it high on their respective agendas.
A User Centric Mobile Information Service: MISAR

This study proposes a mobile information service adapted to user's requirements that allows the users who have not yet defined their desired information or whose desired information varies according to the situation to get appropriate information. When the user can specify their desired information to the system explicitly, we develop a "Pull" service. Conversely, when the user cannot verbally specify their desired information to the system, we provide "Push " service and "Don't disturb " option for the user who does not welcome this service. We consider the characteristics of the environment of mobile terminal to focus on "Time", "Place" and user's "Preference": long term and short term preference. We also create rules, algorithms and filtering to this service. Furthermore, the results of experiments verify the idea that different of user desired requires different information services.
The Risk of Exposure to Diagnostic Ultrasound in Postnatal Subjects

This review evaluates the thermal mechanism for ultrasound‐induced biological effects in postnatal subjects. The focus is the evaluation of damage versus temperature increase. A view of ultrasound‐induced temperature increase is presented, based on thermodynamic Arrhenius analyses. The hyperthermia and other literature revealed data that allowed for an estimate of a temperature increase threshold of tissue damage for very short exposure times. This evaluation yielded an exposure time extension of the 1997 American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine Conclusions Regarding Heat statement (American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Laurel, MD) to 0.1 second for nonfetal tissue, where, at this exposure time, the temperature increase threshold of tissue damage was estimated to be about 18°C. The output display standard was also evaluated for soft tissue and bone cases, and it was concluded that the current thermal indices could be improved to reduce the deviations and scatter of computed maximum temperature rises.
Lymph Nodes of the Perimandibular Area and the Hazard of the Hayes Martin Maneuver in Neck Dissection

Objective To provide an anatomic description of submandibular nodes at risk of being left undissected during neck dissection (ND) and to assess whether the Hayes Martin maneuver is a safe procedure in oncologic surgery of level IB nodes. Study Design Prospective study. Setting Academic medical center. Subjects and Methods We recruited 62 patients who were candidates for level IB ND. Perifacial nodes (PFNs) were identified and their characteristics noted. The Hayes Martin maneuver was simulated, and its oncologic safety was tested. Results The study included 63 NDs. PFNs were identified in 84% of cases: their number ranged from 0 to 5, and their mean greatest diameter was 12.45 mm. Anterior PFNs were found to be in direct contact with the marginal mandibular nerve. In 59% of NDs, the Hayes Martin maneuver would have failed to remove all PFNs. Conclusions The PFNs were identified in 84% of cases and ranged in number from 0 to 5. In some cases, the distinction between retro- and preglandular nodes and PFNs is not useful. The Hayes Martin maneuver may not be oncologically sound for complete treatment of level IB nodes.
Settlement of the classification of Svistella Gorochov and Paratrigonidium Brunner von Wattenwyl using morphology and molecular techniques, with the description of a new species from Yunnan, China (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae: Trigonidiinae).

It is difficult to distinguish the genera Svistella and Paratrigonidium on the basis of morphology. Gorochov postulated that Svistella spp. possess the following identification characters: posterior lateral lobes of epiphallus long and narrow at apex, guide rod elongate, attachment plate of the spermatophore consisting of three sclerites (a narrow middle sclerite bearing no protruding structure, and a pair of lateral ones extending to the sides). These features have not been extensively evaluated. In this study, the COI gene was sequenced and was used as a DNA marker to distinguish two genera. The results showed that each genus formed a monophyly, respectively. One new species, Svistella fuscoterminata sp. nov., was found in Yunnan, China. Although its genitalia were similar to that of Paratrigonidium spp. , the molecular result supported the new species belonging to Svistella. The specimens are deposited in East China Normal University, Biology of History Museum (ECNU) and Shanghai Entomological Museum (SEM).
Performant design of an input shaping prefilter via embedded optimization

Traditional input shaping filters are linear mappings between the reference input and the system input. These filters are often unnecessarily conservative with respect to input and output bounds if multiple references with different amplitudes are applied. This conservatism is due to the off-line computation of the prefilter. This paper presents an on-line input prefilter design approach to overcome this conservatism. The resulting prefilters are called predictive prefilters because the on-line design is based on the model predictive control (MPC) framework. By theoretical considerations, simulation results and experimental results, it is shown that this new prefilter is at least as good as traditional prefilters, and can result in substantial gains in settling time. Tests show that a 30 % decrease in settling time is possible in a classical application.
Propionate absorbed from the colon acts as gluconeogenic substrate in a strict carnivore, the domestic cat (Felis catus).

In six normal-weight and six obese cats, the metabolic effect of propionate absorbed from the colon was assessed. Two colonic infusions were tested in a crossover design with intervals of 4 weeks. The test solution contained 4 mmol sodium propionate per kg ideal body weight in a 0.2% NaCl solution. Normal saline was given as control solution. Solutions were infused into the hindgut over 30 min. Blood samples were obtained prior to and at various time points after starting the infusion. As body condition did not affect evaluated parameters, all data were pooled. Plasma glucose concentrations showed differences neither over time nor during or after infusion with propionate or control. Plasma amino acid concentrations rose over time (p < 0.001), but were similar for both infusions. Plasma propionylcarnitine rose markedly towards the end of the propionate infusion and decreased afterwards (p < 0.001), whereas 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylcarnitine was lower 30 (p = 0.005) and 60 min (p = 0.032) after ending propionate infusions and acetylcarnitine tended to fall at the same time points (p = 0.079; p = 0.080), suggesting inhibition of gluconeogenesis from pyruvate and amino acids, but initiation of propionate-induced gluconeogenesis. In conclusion, propionate absorbed from the colon is hypothesized to act as gluconeogenic substrate, regardless of the cat's body condition.
Potential proton beam therapy for recurrent endometrial cancer in the vagina

Proton beam radiotherapy mainly has been used in the gynecological field in patients with cervical cancer. The efficacy of proton beam therapy in patients with recurrent endometrial cancer has not yet been determined. A 77‐year‐old endometrial cancer patient presented with recurrence in the vagina without distant metastasis following hysterectomy. A hard mass measuring 6 cm originated from the apex of the vagina, surrounded the vaginal cavity, and infiltrated the proximal and distal vagina. The patient received proton beam radiotherapy using a less invasive particle treatment system while minimizing the dose to the surrounding normal tissues. The dose to the planning target volume was 74 Gy (relative biological effectiveness) with 37 fractions. The patient was treated with 150–210‐MeV proton beams for 53 days. Proton beam therapy led to the disappearance of tumors without any complications except for grade 1 cystitis although evidence of further complications is not available past our 6‐month follow‐up period. Proton beam therapy may become a useful treatment modality for recurrent endometrial cancer as well as cervical uterine cancer.
Leadership in context: An examination of contextual dimensions and leadership behaviour in Kuwaiti private sector

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the contextual dimensions that form leadership behaviour amongst Kuwait’s private sector leaders. Design/methodology/approach Using a constructionist approach within which 40 leaders from Kuwaiti private sector organisations were interviewed, in the banking, investment, real estate and services sectors, this paper focuses on two main areas of study: to critically examine the literature and identify the most contextual dimensions found to have significant influence on leadership behaviour and to verify first-hand how the identified dimensions are affecting leaders’ behaviour in the specified context. Findings The research finds that although the content of leadership may not change significantly, the context of leadership is important and is able to alter the quality and behaviour of leaders. Originality/value Empirically based knowledge about leadership in context is limited, as few studies to date have examined the importance of the contextual dimensions in explaining leadership behaviour.
Reduced Intraneuronal Lipofuscin Content in Dementia with Lewy Bodies Compared with Alzheimer’s Disease and Controls

Lipofuscin has been of interest in dementia of Alzheimer’s type (DAT), because of the hypothesis that dementia is a kind of premature ageing. The results of studies on intraneuronal lipofuscin content in DAT are inconsistent. At present no data on intraneuronal lipofuscin in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are available. The amount of lipofuscin in the neurons of the inferior olivary nucleus of 10 brains of DLB patients, 10 of age-matched DAT patients, and 10 of age-matched controls has been measured microfluorometrically. The intraneuronal lipofuscin content in the DLB patients was significantly lower than in the DAT patients and controls. This finding may indicate a general alteration of neuronal cell metabolism in DLB, e.g. a defect of mitochondrial DNA, not confined to neurons developing Lewy bodies.
A Rationale for Acceleration Feedback in Force Control of Series Elastic Actuators

Series elastic actuators (SEAs) have become fundamental components in robots that physically interact with unstructured environments and humans. Force control of SEAs is indeed an active area of research. This paper proposes a theoretical foundation for acceleration feedback (AF) in SEA force control. Even if AF already appeared in early works on SEAs, its advantages have not been properly highlighted in the literature. In particular, this paper formally motivates improved performance robustness and transparency exactly as if using a softer and lighter actuator. Taking advantage of AF, we propose a generic control architecture characterized by impressive performance robustness in spite of even high environment uncertainties. A comparison with state-of-the-art force control solutions such as disturbance observers and adaptive controllers is reported using a comprehensive set of simulations and experiments. As a result, AF methods exhibit the higher performance robustness and accuracy. Beside this outcome, AF controllers are extremely easy to implement and the rise of low-cost miniaturized accelerometers based on micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) represents an additional motivations for their use.
Postural developments modulate children's visual access to social information

The ability to process social information is a critical component of children’s early language and cognitive development. However, as children reach their first birthday, they begin to locomote themselves, dramatically affecting their visual access to this information. How do these postural and locomotor changes affect children’s access to the social information relevant for word-learning? Here, we explore this question by using head-mounted cameras to record 36 infants’ (8-16 months of age) egocentric visual perspective and use computer vision algorithms to estimate the proportion of faces and hands in infants’ environments. We find that infants’ posture and orientation to their caregiver modulates their access to social information, confirming previous work that suggests motoric developments play a significant role in the emergence of children’s linguistic and social capacities. We suggest that the combined use of head-mounted cameras and the application of new computer vision techniques is a promising avenue for understanding the statistics of infants’ visual and linguistic experience.