Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new approach to optimal filter design for nonlinear systems

Optimal filters for nonlinear systems are in general difficult to derive/implement. The common approach is to obtain approximate solutions, e.g. based on linearizations along the performed path, as done in Extended Kalman Filters. However, no optimality properties can be guaranteed using these approximations, not even the stability of the estimation error is ensured. In this paper, a new method is presented, able to overcome this problem. The method is based on the direct identification of the filter from a set of data. Under the standard assumptions of the filtering literature, i.e. known system and noise properties, the data can be generated by simulations of system equations. A further feature of the method arises from the fact that, in most practical situations, the system to filter is not known, but it is possible to perform measurements on it. In these situations, a two-step approach is typically adopted: 1) a model of the system is identified from the available measurements; 2) a filter is designed from the identified model. A relevant problem of the two-step design is that, in presence of modeling errors, the two-step filter may display large performance deteriorations. The direct method allows the direct design of the filter from the measurements, avoiding this problem. The method is developed within a Set Membership framework. Optimal filters for nonlinear systems are obtained, where optimality refers to the minimization of the induced norm from the noise to the estimation error.
Le nouveau paradoxe de l’épargne : financiarisation, protection de la retraite et polarisation des revenus à Hong Kong :

Le gouvernement de Hong Kong se targue souvent du fait que le territoire figure systematiquement en tete des classements etablis par la plupart des agences de notation et cercles de reflexion pour ce qui concerne la « liberte des marches ». En revanche, il est moins enclin a reconnaitre que, plus de quinze ans apres la retrocession, Hong Kong est l’une des economies ou les inegalites de revenus sont les plus marquees. Cette inegalite croissante est, entre autres, le resultat de l’augmentation de la pauvrete chez les personnes âgees. Dans cet article, nous tenterons de presenter une analyse de la polarisation des revenus et de la richesse a Hong Kong en nous penchant sur la politique de protection de la retraite et sur la pauvrete chez les personnes âgees. Nous examinerons aussi les effets polarisants du phenomene de financiarisation sur l’economie de Hong Kong.
[Cardiac syncope].

Clinical cases are presented on the general theme of cardiovascular syncope. A case is cited to illustrate the clinical picture of idiopathic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, a frequently disguised and misinterpreted cause of syncope. Chief attention is focused on the concept of fascicular heart block causing syncope. In the light of 3 patients, the various possibilities with respect to etiology, evolution, clinical picture and prognosis of fascicular heart block are outlined. In this context the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic significance of His bundle electrocardiography is discussed. Finally, 2 cases are cited to illustrate the sick sinus syndrome as a major cause of syncope. The diagnostic procedure in patients with suspected lazy sinus node is discussed and the results are presented of 16 personally observed cases with this disorder.
Genetics of SCID

Human SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency) is a prenatal disorder of T lymphocyte development, that depends on the expression of numerous genes. The knowledge of the genetic basis of SCID is essential for diagnosis (e.g., clinical phenotype, lymphocyte profile) and treatment (e.g., use and type of pre-hematopoietic stem cell transplant conditioning). Over the last years novel genetic defects causing SCID have been discovered, and the molecular and immunological mechanisms of SCID have been better characterized. Distinct forms of SCID show both common and peculiar (e.g., absence or presence of nonimmunological features) aspects, and they are currently classified into six groups according to prevalent pathophysiological mechanisms: impaired cytokine-mediated signaling; pre-T cell receptor defects; increased lymphocyte apoptosis; defects in thymus embryogenesis; impaired calcium flux; other mechanisms. This review is the updated, extended and largely modified translation of the article “Cossu F: Le basi genetiche delle SCID“, originally published in Italian language in the journal “Prospettive in Pediatria“ 2009, 156:228-238.
HRad17 Colocalizes with NHP2L1 in the Nucleolus and Redistributes after UV Irradiation*

The rad17 gene ofSchizosaccharomyces pombe plays an important role as a checkpoint protein following DNA damage and during DNA replication. The human homologue of S. pombe rad17,Hrad17, was recently identified, but its function has not yet been established. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we determined that HRad17 can interact with a nucleolar protein, NHP2L1. This interaction was also demonstrated biochemically, in human cells. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that HRad17 and NHP2L1 colocalize to the nucleolus, and immunogold labeling further resolved the location of NHP2L1 to the dense fibrillar component of the nucleolus. Interestingly, the localization of HRad17 in the nucleolus was altered in response to UV irradiation. These results provide some insight into the DNA damage and replication checkpoint mechanisms of HRad17.
Cholesterol-24S-hydroxylase (CYP46A1) Is Specifically Expressed in Neurons of the Neural Retina

Increasing biological findings argue for the importance of cholesterol-24S-hydroxylase (CYP46A1) in cholesterol homeostasis in cerebral structures. Based on the similarity between the brain and the neural retina, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the expression of CYP46A1 in the mammalian retina. RT-PCR analysis of CYP46A1 in bovine samples revealed the highest expression in the neural retina. The retinal pigment epithelium expressed CYP46A1 gene at a low level while the ciliary body showed no expression. Immunohistochemical evaluation of the posterior pole of rat retina showed that the protein is specifically expressed in neurons, whereas cone-rods photoreceptors were negative for CYP46A1 staining. The metabolite produced by CYP46A1, 24S-hydroxycholesterol, was almost exclusively found in neural retina, the concentration therein being more than 10-fold higher than in the retinal pigment epithelium or the ciliary body. The results of the current study are consistent with our primary hypothesis: the neural retina specifically expresses cholesterol-24S-hydroxylase, a metabolizing enzyme responsible for the removal of cholesterol in neurons. Based on the link between cholesterol-24S-hydroxylase, 24S-hydroxycholesterol, and neurologic disorders, CYP46A1 may be a valuable gene candidate for retinal pathologies like age-related macular degeneration or glaucomas, and 24S-hydroxycholesterol may be involved in the onset of the degenerative processes in these diseases.
Speckle noise removal in ultrasound images using sparse code shrinkage

The paper proposes a method for ultrasound image denoising by using a classical signal processing method, i.e. Independent Component Analysis. The main idea is to process ultrasound images by the sparse code shrinkage algorithm based on ICA. We use the FastICA algorithm to estimate the inverse of the unknown mixing matrix and then apply the shrinkage operator for each determined independent component. The sparse code shrinkage method is compared with other speckle noise filtering algorithms and the results obtained show that sparse code shrinkage is a good method for multiplicative noise reduction in both test images and ultrasound images.
Colorectal Cancer Educational Intervention Targeting Latino Patients Attending a Community Health Center

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death for Latino men and women; and Latinos are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, which is most likely due to underutilization of CRC preventive screening. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a brief, clinic-based intervention by a community health advisor (CHA) would increase CRC knowledge compared with traditional educational methodologies (eg, use of print materials). Methods: Latino adults 50 years and older attending a San Diego community health center were recruited while waiting for their primary care provider routine visit and were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 3 CRC educational interventions: community health advisor (CHA) plus CRC educational brochure (CHA intervention group), CRC educational brochure (minimal intervention group), or 5-a-day nutrition brochure (usual care). CRC knowledge was assessed before and after the primary care provider visit for 130 participants. Results: Results demonstrate that the CRC educational brochure (minimal intervention group) was effective at increasing CRC screening knowledge as compared to usual care. Conclusions: Future research is needed to explore innovative health education strategies that improve knowledge and subsequent CRC screening behaviors among low-income, low-literacy, unacculturated Latinos.
Sulfur-containing amino acid requirement of rapidly growing steers.

Eight ruminally cannulated steers (294 kg, ADG = 1.3 kg/d) were used in a N retention study (8 x 8 latin-square design) to evaluate sulfur-containing (S) amino acid (AA) requirements for growth. Treatments were abomasal infusions of seven levels of L-methionine (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 g/d) and one level of DL-methionine (6 g/d). All steers were fed a semipurified diet based on ammoniated corn cobs (DMI = 6.56 kg/d) and were abomasally infused with 400 g/d dextrose and 296.4 g/d of crystalline AA that simulated the non-S-AA pattern of casein. Infusion of 3 g/d supplemental L-methionine maximized N retention in steers. Intestinal flows of absorbable S-AA were determined to be 1.89 g/kg DMI. Breakpoint analysis of retained N as a function of total absorbable S-AA yielded a total S-AA requirement of 14.7 g/d. Nitrogen retention for DL-methionine (36.4 g/d) was not different (P greater than .05) from that for 6 g/d L-methionine (38.8 g/d), but because this value was not in the linear response range, the efficacy of DL-methionine in meeting S-AA needs could not be evaluated. Plasma methionine concentrations increased linearly (P less than .05) in response to L-methionine infusion and were greater (P less than .05) for steers infused with 6 g/d DL-methionine (45.3 microM) than for steers receiving 6 g/d L-methionine (30.5 microM). Plasma cystine increased when up to 9 g/d L-methionine was infused. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Role of Lateral Diffusion Current in Perimeter-Dependent Current of MOS(p) Tunneling Temperature Sensors

P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) tunneling temperature sensors with two different gate electrodes (area = 2.25×10-4 and 9 × 10-4 cm2) were examined with temperatures of 35 °C, 50 °C, 65 °C, and 80 °C. By investigating the current divided by area and perimeter, we found that the current under the inversion region is not dominated by the generation current but by the Schottky diode hole current at the edge of the device, which is induced by the temperature-dependent lateral electron diffusion current. This result reveals that the perimeter is a more important factor than the area in designing MOS tunneling temperature sensors, which can be properly integrated in CMOS technology.
On the Value of Doing Nothing: Anger and Cardiovascular Disease in Clinical Practice

Type A behavior, anger, and hostility have all been described as psychosocial risk factors or potential risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, in the populations evaluated, the methods used to measure these traits and the endpoints used to determine outcomes have varied widely. The results of these studies have also been quite disparate. The present article reviews data from all the existing quantitative (meta-analytic) and qualitative systematic review articles that cover this topic, using the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) criteria. We conclude that the existing data do not support a meaningful clinical relationship between current measurements of these traits and the development of CVD.
Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: single center experience with 1,000 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND Advances in surgical techniques and retractor-stabilizer devices allowing access to all coronary segments have resulted in increased interest in off-pump coronary artery bypass. The residual motion in the anastomotic site and potential hemodynamic derangements, however, render this operation technically more demanding. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the OPCAB experience in a single Israeli center. METHODS Between 2000 and 2003 in our institution, 1,000 patients underwent off-pump operations. Patients were grouped by the type of procedure, i.e., minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass or mid-sternotomy OPCAB. RESULTS One hundred MIDCAB operations were performed. Of the 900 OPCAB, 767 patients received multiple grafts with an average of 2.6 +/- 0.6 grafts per patient (range 2-4) and the remaining patients underwent single grafting during hybrid or emergency procedures. In the multiple-graft OPCAB group, complete revascularization was achieved in 96%. Multiple arterial conduits were used in 76% of the patients, and total arterial revascularization without aortic manipulation, using T-graft (35%) or in situ configurations, was performed in 61%. The respective rates for early mortality, myocardial infarction and stroke in the MIDCAB were 1%, 0% and 2%, and 2%, 1.3% and 0.9% in the multiple-vessel OPCAB groups. Multivariate analysis identified renal dysfunction (odds ratio 11.5, confidence interval 3.02-43.8; P < 0.0001) and emergency operation (OR 8.74, CL 1.99-38.3; P = 0.004) as predictors of mortality. The proportion of off-pump procedures increased from 9% prior to the study period to 59%. CONCLUSIONS The use of OPCAB does not compromise the ability to achieve complete myocardial revascularization. Our procedure of choice is OPCAB using arterial conduits, preferably the 'no-touch' aorta technique.
Detection of Point Mutations in rpoBGene of Rifampin-Resistant Rickettsia typhi

ABSTRACT The rpoB gene of rifampin-resistant Rickettsia typhi (Rif mutant) and wild-type R. typhi were sequenced and compared. The Rif mutant rpoB had three nucleotide substitutions, which resulted in amino acid changes at residues 151, 201, and 271 and may be the basis for the rifampin resistance.
Should Chronic Total Occlusion Be Treated With Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting?: Chronic Total Occlusion Should Not Routinely Be Treated With Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Should chronic total occlusions (CTOs) of coronary arteries be revascularized by coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery? It would seem that this is not a question that is often asked, yet CTOs are common and are more commonly revascularized by CABG than by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this article, we review the epidemiology of CTOs; discuss issues and viability of the subtended zone, how viability could be assessed, indications for revascularization of CTOs, and the literature on CABG for CTO; and conclude with recommendations for future research. The fundamental positions put forward here are that the literature on CABG for CTOs is not strong enough to justify this common procedure on a routine basis, that decisions on care still need to be made, and that additional research is needed. Response by Zakkar et al on p 1826 CTOs are common findings on coronary arteriograms.1,2 Although there has been extensive literature on the subject of PCI for CTOs, there is less literature on CABG for CTOs.3–5 This is despite data from the early 2000s showing that patients with CTO are treated more often with CABG than with PCI.1 Christofferson et al1 studied 8004 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic catheterization at a single institution between 1990 and 2000. CTOs were defined as 100% coronary occlusion present for at least 3 months. Patients with previous CABG or recent myocardial infarctions (n=1423) were excluded. Of the remaining 6581 patients, 3087 (47%) had significant coronary artery disease (>70% coronary stenosis). Of patients with significant coronary artery disease, a CTO was present in 1612 patients (52%), of whom 375 (12%) had >1 CTO. Among patients with significant coronary artery disease and a CTO, 11% were treated with PCI, 40% with CABG, and 49% with medical therapy. In comparison, …
Membrane lipid composition affects plant heat sensing and modulates Ca2+-dependent heat shock response

Understanding how plants sense and respond to heat stress is central to improve crop tolerance and productivity. Recent findings in Physcomitrella patensdemonstrated that the controlled passage of calcium ions across the plasma membrane regulates the heat shock response (HSR). To investigate the effect of membrane lipid composition on the plant HSR, we acclimated P. patens to a slightly elevated yet physiological growth temperature and analysed the signature of calcium influx under a mild heat shock. Compared to tissues grown at 22°C, tissues grown at 32°C had significantly higher overall membrane lipid saturation level and, when submitted to a short heat shock at 35°C, displayed a noticeably reduced calcium influx and a consequent reduced heat shock gene expression. These results show that temperature differences, rather than the absolute temperature, determine the extent of the plant HSR and indicate that membrane lipid composition regulates the calcium-dependent heat-signaling pathway.
Software platform for optimal setting control of complex industrial processes

Nowadays, research and development for optimal setting control (OSC) of complex industrial processes is becoming a hot topic. However, there is no configurable software for OSC design. In this paper, a novel software platform is proposed. The major superiority is that it not only integrates intelligent and data-driven mainstream algorithms within a unified framework, but also provides a powerful controller design tool and employs a Petri net engine to schedule control units in a parallel computation environment. The overall framework and key technologies are introduced in detail. The platform is verified and validated through a case of application to the design and development of OSC system of grinding process in a hardware-in-the-loop simulation environment.
Antifungal Activity of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells and the Impact of Chronic HIV Infection

Due to the effectiveness of combined antiretroviral therapy, people living with HIV can control viral replication and live longer lifespans than ever. However, HIV-positive individuals still face challenges to their health and well-being, including dysregulation of the immune system resulting from years of chronic immune activation, as well as opportunistic infections from pathogenic fungi. This review focuses on one of the key players in HIV immunology, the plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC), which links the innate and adaptive immune response and is notable for being the body’s most potent producer of type-I interferons (IFNs). During chronic HIV infection, the pDC compartment is greatly dysregulated, experiencing a substantial depletion in number and compromise in function. This immune dysregulation may leave patients further susceptible to opportunistic infections. This is especially important when considering a new role for pDCs currently emerging in the literature: in addition to their role in antiviral immunity, recent studies suggest that pDCs also play an important role in antifungal immunity. Supporting this new role, pDCs express C-type lectin receptors including dectin-1, dectin-2, dectin-3, and mannose receptor, and toll-like receptors-4 and -9 that are involved in recognition, signaling, and response to a wide variety of fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, and Pneumocystis jirovecii. Accordingly, pDCs have been demonstrated to recognize and respond to certain pathogenic fungi, measured via activation, cytokine production, and fungistatic activity in vitro, while in vivo mouse models indicated a strikingly vital role for pDCs in survival against pulmonary Aspergillus challenge. Here, we discuss the role of the pDC compartment and the dysregulation it undergoes during chronic HIV infection, as well as what is known so far about the role and mechanisms of pDC antifungal activity.
Vance Palmer, Short Fiction and Australian Magazine Culture in the 1920s

Behind the books that serve most critics and biographers as signposts to the development of Vance Palmer’s short fiction, another sequence of events is found in the newspapers and magazines to which he contributed. In addition to the stories for which he is best-known, he published hundreds more in Australian periodicals. This article considers Palmer’s career through his contributions to the Bulletin, the Triad and the Australian Journal. Palmer might be best-known as a representative figure in Australia’s literary culture, but he is also one of the most representative figures of the magazine culture of his time.
Adoção da Internet Móvel para Uso Pessoal

Internet access services based on cellular technology have grown significantly over the years. Regarding total number of users, Brazil does not have global stand-out participation yet. However, recent data reveals significant growth in the adoption of those services in Brazil. This study intends to assess the relative influence of the relevant factors that affect the adoption of mobile Internet from a value perspective, according to the Value-based Adoption Model (VAM). This brand new perspective for evaluating decision processes considers users also as consumers, not just technology users. The findings demonstrate that, as a result of an analysis of the five factors taken up by VAM (usefulness, enjoyment, technicality, perceived fee and perceived value), technicality was the only one that did not behave according to the expectations with respect to the evaluation of mobile Internet adoption intention.
Door to Electrocardiography (ECG) and Needle Times in Patients with Myocardial Infarction

A cute myocardial infarction is one of the most prevalent causes of hospitalization in emergency department. In United States 650,000 patients annually suffer from acute myocardial infarction and in Iran ischemic heart diseases are considered as the second cause of mortality in population of 15-49 years ( 1 ). Taking thrombolytic drugs leads to 40-50% decrease in mortality rate of such patients. Based on the current standards, less than 10 and 30 minutes are estimated for appropriate door to electrocardiography (ECG) and door to needle times, respectively ( 2 ).