Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Stabilization of Uncertain Fuzzy-Time-Delay Systems Using Sliding-Mode-Control Approach

Based on sliding-mode-control theory, we develop a fuzzy controller design method for a class of uncertain time-delay systems that can be represented by Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy models. In terms of linear-matrix inequalities (LMIs), we derive a sufficient condition for the existence of stabilizing sliding-mode controllers. We show that the sliding-surface parameter matrix can be characterized in terms of the solution of the LMI-existence condition. Our LMI condition does not require stabilization of the pair of the state and input matrices. Thus, our method can be applied to a broad class of uncertain systems. We also give an LMI-based algorithm to design a switching feedback-control strategy so that a stable sliding motion is induced in finite time. Finally, we give a numerical-design example to show that our method can be better than the previous results.
Comparison of two training programmes in chronic airway limitation patients: standardized versus individualized protocols.

This study tested the effect of two methods of training, one individualized at the heart rate corresponding to the gas exchange threshold (GET) and the other at the heart rate corresponding to 50% of maximal heart rate reserve, on maximal and submaximal cardiorespiratory response in 24 patients with chronic airway limitation (CAL). The patients were randomly assigned to either the individualized training group (IT; n = 12) or the standardized training group (ST; n = 12). The training programme consisted of 4 weeks of stationary bicycle exercise, 5 days.week-1. Before reconditioning began, the target level based on heart rate was not significantly different between groups (109 +/- 4 versus 110 +/- 3 beats.min-1, in IT and ST, respectively). Post-training, a significant increase in symptom-limited oxygen uptake (V'O2.sl) and maximal O2 pulse was found in IT, whereas ST exhibited no significant change. In each group, GET was statistically increased in much the same way as V'O2,sl, with a higher increase in IT (p < 0.01) than ST (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, IT exhibited a concomitant and gradual decrease in minute ventilation (V'E), carbon dioxide production (V'CO2), and venous lactate concentration ([La]), whereas ST presented no significant change in these parameters (intergroup p < 0.01). Breathing pattern was also altered after IT, at the same metabolic level and at the same ventilation level (intergroup p < 0.05). Cardiac responses were modified in the two groups. At the same metabolic level, a significantly lower cardiac frequency was found both for IT and ST (intragroup p < 0.05 after training). In contrast, the increase in O2 pulse was only significantly higher in It after training. These data show the greater efficiency of an individualized training protocol based on determination of gas exchange threshold as compared to a standardized protocol, in improving exercise performance, when applied to a patient group. Despite an apparently similar target training level, the individualized method clearly optimized the physiological training effects in patients with chronic airway limitation and, more particularly, decreased their ventilatory requirement.
Binding of tryptophanyl-tRNA to the reverse transcriptase of replication-defective avian sarcoma viruses

The ability of reverse transcriptase to bind to [3H]tryptophanyl-tRNA and to function as DNA polymerase was compared for five temperature-sensitive mutants of avian sarcoma virus. Both activities of the reverse transcriptase were found to be heat labile in LA 335 and LA 336 as compared with the wild-type parents. For the other mutant viruses, LA 338, LA 343, and LA 672, grown at the permissive temperature, the reverse transcriptase was nearly as heat stable as for the wild-type parents in terms of tRNA binding and DNA polymerase. LA 338, LA 343, and LA 672 showed characteristic defects in their reverse transcriptase when propagated at the nonpermissive temperature; namely, tryptophanyl-tRNA binding and DNA polymerase activities were coordinately decreased in these virions. The reduced enzymatic activities were not entirely due to an inactive reverse transcriptase present in the virions, however, but rather lower amounts of enzyme protein incorporated into the virions contributed to the effect, according to assays of reverse transcriptase antigen by radioimmune competition.
Dephosphorylation of simian virus 40 large-T antigen and p53 protein by protein phosphatase 2A: inhibition by small-t antigen

Simian virus 40 (SV40) large-T antigen and the cellular protein p53 were phosphorylated in vivo by growing cells in the presence of 32Pi. The large-T/p53 complex was isolated by immunoprecipitation and used as a substrate for protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) consisting of the catalytic subunit (C) and the two regulatory subunits, A and B. Three different purified forms of PP2A, including free C, the AC form, and the ABC form, could readily dephosphorylate both proteins. With both large-T and p53, the C subunit was most active, followed by the AC form, which was more active than the ABC form. The activity of all three forms of PP2A toward these proteins was strongly stimulated by manganese ions and to a lesser extent by magnesium ions. The presence of complexed p53 did not affect the dephosphorylation of large-T antigen by PP2A. The dephosphorylation of individual phosphorylation sites of large-T and p53 were determined by two-dimensional peptide mapping. Individual sites within large-T and p53 were dephosphorylated at different rates by all three forms of PP2A. The phosphates at Ser-120 and Ser-123 of large-T, which affect binding to the origin of SV40 DNA, were removed most rapidly. Three of the six major phosphopeptides of p53 were readily dephosphorylated, while the remaining three were relatively resistant to PP2A. Dephosphorylation of most of the sites in large-T and p53 by the AC form was inhibited by SV40 small-t antigen. The inhibition was most apparent for those sites which were preferentially dephosphorylated. Inhibition was specific for the AC form; no effect was observed on the dephosphorylation of either protein by the free C subunit or the ABC form. The inhibitory effect of small-t on dephosphorylation by PP2A could explain its role in transformation.
Factors Affecting Libyan Citizens In Adoption Of E- Government Services: A Research Framework

In the 21st century, many countries are providing services to their citizens using the internet. One of the main reasons is that these services can be reached by majority of the citizens whether they are living in rural or urban areas. 179 out of 192 United Nations members reported that they have developed strategies to implement e- government systems. In countries such as Libya, where the population is spread over a large geographical area, the need to deploy services via the internet is very evident. However, since the implementation of such deployment would be very expensive, its success is very important to ensure continued investment and improvements. This is particularly important in the context of Libya, where e-government is a newly implemented innovation. Therefore, it is axiomatic to study factors that could facilitate or undermine the adoption of e-government services in Libya. One of the most important factors for the success of e-government is the extent to which citizens adopt these services. The objective of this paper is to explore factors influencing e-government services adoption by citizens in Libya. The paper discusses the development of a conceptual framework. The findings presented in this paper could benefit the Libyan e- government stakeholders in their efforts to implement it.
New Financial Tools for Small Businesses: A Commitment Mechanism to Secure Funding

We suggest new tools for financing small business newcomers that struggle to overcome bank's unwillingness to finance their operations. Prospective clients fear that the supplier may choose willful litigation by breaching the contract in case of potential operating loss in order to postpone his financial expenditures to a later period. We suggest a commitment mechanism whereby the seller undertakes a commitment to pay a bank the amount of the buyer's damages if the seller will not deliver the good. With the mechanism, the bank reports to credit bureaus of the newcomer's failure to pay the buyer's damages to the bank, and this threat makes the newcomer obligation to deliver the good reliable, and thus enables newcomers to overcome the entry barrier created by the risk of willful litigation. We show that the obligation to a bank is a theoretical equivalent to a special binary option, and how the purchase contract and the obligation to a bank as a binary option can be priced. The commitment mechanism may also provide the bank new tools to assess the newcomer's financial risk, and spread the risk of newcomers' bankruptcy by selling the obligations as binary options in an options market or by securitization of the purchase contracts.
User satisfaction with teleconsultations for surgery

We carried out a prospective study of realtime videoconferencing in surgical consultations. Videoconferencing equipment at the Satakunta Central Hospital, Pori, was connected by ISDN at 384 kbit/s to two health centres in the cities of Kankaanpaa and Huittinen (55 and 60 km from Pori, respectively). A document camera was used to transmit images of radiographs and paper documents. Fifty patients who needed a surgical consultation were examined by a doctor in the health centres, and the surgeon interviewed and observed the physical examination by videoconference. The consultation time ranged from 12 to 23 min (mean 15 min). Technically the equipment functioned reliably and the quality of the video-picture was good. According to the consulting surgeon, the decision made in the videoconference was reliable in 48 cases (96%). According to the doctors in the health centres, the consultation was useful in 49 cases (98%) and was considered satisfactory in one. The doctors thought that the teleconsultation was as reliable as an outpatient appointment in 49 cases (98%). The educational benefit of the consultation was excellent or good in 38 cases (76%). The overall satisfaction of patients was very good or good in 45 cases (96%). All patients, except one, avoided travelling to a face-to-face appointment because they received a definite treatment decision during the teleconsultation.
Furin mRNA expression in peripheral blood correlates with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Aim: The mechanisms underlying development of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are related to immune tolerance, but are as yet incompletely understood. Furin has been found to be essential for maintenance of peripheral immune tolerance mediated by regulatory T cells (Treg). Such effect of furin on chronic HBV infection was investigated in this study.
Adenosine Deaminase Acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) Suppresses the Induction of Interferon by Measles Virus

ABSTRACT ADAR1, the interferon (IFN)-inducible adenosine deaminase acting on RNA, catalyzes the C-6 deamination of adenosine (A) to produce inosine (I) in RNA substrates with a double-stranded character. Because double-stranded RNA is a known inducer of IFN, we tested the role of ADAR1 in IFN induction following virus infection. HeLa cells made stably deficient in ADAR1 (ADAR1kd) were compared to vector control (CONkd) and protein kinase PKR-deficient (PKRkd) cells for IFN-β induction following infection with either parental (wild-type [WT]) recombinant Moraten vaccine strain measles virus (MV) or isogenic knockout mutants deficient for either V (Vko) or C (Cko) protein expression. We observed potent IFN-β transcript induction in ADAR1kd cells by all three viruses; in contrast, in ADAR1-sufficient CONkd cells, only the Cko mutant virus was an effective inducer and the IFN-β RNA induction was amplified by PKR. The enhanced IFN-β transcript-inducing capacity of the WT and Vko viruses seen in ADAR1-deficient cells correlated with the enhanced activation of PKR, IFN regulatory factor IRF3, and activator of transcription ATF2, reaching levels similar to those seen in Cko virus-infected cells. However, the level of IFN-β protein produced was not proportional to the level of IFN-β RNA but rather correlated inversely with the level of activated PKR. These results suggest that ADAR1 functions as an important suppressor of MV-mediated responses, including the activation of PKR and IRF3 and the induction of IFN-β RNA. Our findings further implicate a balanced interplay between PKR and ADAR1 in modulating IFN-β protein production following virus infection.
Serum estradiol concentration as a predictor of death in critically ill and injured adults.

BACKGROUND Whereas animal models of sepsis demonstrate survival benefits for the pro-estrus state, human observational studies have failed to demonstrate a consistent survival advantage among female patients. Estrogen biosynthesis differs substantially in primate and non-primate animals, and estrogens have diverse immunologic actions. Estrogen concentrations are elevated in response to critical illness and injury (regardless of sex), and elevated concentrations of serum estradiol are associated with a higher mortality rate. Our objective was to determine the predictive ability and test characteristics of the serum estradiol concentration at 48 h in critically ill patients. METHODS A prospective cohort study of surgical and trauma adult intensive care unit patients at two academic tertiary-care centers. Sex hormones (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, prolactin, and dehydroepiandrosterone) and cytokines were assayed at 48 h, and the 28-day all-cause mortality rate was assessed. RESULTS There was no difference in mortality rates between the sexes (survivors being male in 75.2% of cases vs. 76.0% in non-survivors; p = 0.43). The serum estradiol concentration was significantly elevated in non-survivors regardless of sex (median 18.7 pg/mL [interquartile range {IRQ} 9.99-43.6] in survivors and 40.7 pg/mL [IQR 9.99-94.8] in non-survivors; p < 0.001). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve for serum estradiol was 0.64 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55, 0.72). The parameter with the largest ROC curve was the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (0.75; 95% CI 0.68, 0.82). A serum estradiol cut-point of 50 pg/mL was 48% sensitive and 80% specific in predicting death and classified the outcome of 76% of patients correctly. CONCLUSIONS Serum estradiol concentration is a valuable prognostic tool and potential contributor to adverse outcomes of critically ill or injured surgical patients.
Technological Interventions and Student Attitudes: A Case Study of Secondary Students Identified as At-Risk

Rose Hulman Institute of Technology The purpose of this study was to investigate second order finger tip effects, or the affective results of using technology in a classroom setting among a group of senior high school students before and after exposure to an intelligent tutoring system. Participants were students identified as at-risk, with a small subset of these identified as having learning disabilities. The study comprised two stages. Stage one consisted of an analysis ofpreand poststudent surveys pertaining to personal reactions to technology, feelings about interacting with new educational delivery mechanisms, and views about themselves and school. Stage two consisted of in-depth interviews of a representative subset of this group which dealt further with students' perceptions of themselves as learners, their own academic competence and attitudes toward their school experience. After exposure to the intelligent tutoring software, students reported significantly more positive perceptions oftechnology, about school, and about themselves as learners. In addition, students also revealed positive feelings about their perceptions of their school experience and motivation to learn in general, and of technology in particular.
Septum pellucidum hamartomas in neurofibromatosis type 1.

Septum pellucidum hamartomas have not been reported previously in neurofibromatosis type I (NF1). In a retrospective study of 86 cases with NF1 we found three patients with septum pellucidum hamartomas (frequency = 3.4 %). These could be detected on especially fluid attenuated inversion recovery and proton density-weighted images on MRI. With respect to proton spectroscopy in a patient. a low Cho level with a normal NAA peak was found, excluding a neoplasm. MR spectroscopy findings resulted in a very high NAA/Cho ratio (= 2.91). and a low Cho/Cr ratio (= 0.53) compared to a control group of 8 normal age-matched individuals. In this control group. mean NAA/Cho ratio was I . 86. and mean Cho/ Cr ratio was 0.78.
Analytic evaluation of sampled aperture ultrasonic imaging techniques for NDE

This paper presents a theoretical comparison of three generic sampled aperture ultrasonic imaging systems for nondestructive evaluation. The imaging systems are categorized according to their source-receiver combination for data acquisition: common-source, back-scatter, and full-array imaging. First, forward modeling is performed for a point source and a point receiver. This is then used to model the received data set for each of the imaging categories. Subsequently, the inversion algorithm for each category is derived, and their performance is evaluated in terms of resolution, noise, and computation. We show that in terms of resolution, back-scatter imaging is the best, followed by full-array and common-source imaging. However, in terms of material noise, full-array imaging is the best, with back-scatter and common-source imaging having the same material noise response. Full-array imaging is the only system with inherent redundancy to reduce electronic noise, but at the expense of significantly more computation. The physical transducer is in the full-array category, allowing mechanical scanning to be traded for dynamic focusing and computational power. <<ETX>>
Tangible user interfaces for configuration practices

In this paper, we present a project in which we explored interactional possibilities for designing a tangible configuration interface as an alternative to conventional input devices in the field of industrial refrigeration maintenance. Based on ethnographic field studies and design workshops, we built three prototypes of configuration interfaces. Each interface was built and used to explore issues that are dealt with by users in their everyday work practice, namely collaborative sense-making of complex system, manipulation of interdependent and fluid digital material, and anticipating future changes through situated learning.
Two novel low-density lipoprotein receptor gene mutations (E397X and 347delGCC) in St. Petersburg familial hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a monogenic disease known to be caused by low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene mutations, results in the development of premature atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease in affected individuals. The spectrum of LDLR gene mutations in Russia is poorly known. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, followed by DNA sequencing, we have screened selected exons of the LDLR gene in 80 unrelated St. Petersburg FH patients for the presence of mutations. Two new LDLR gene mutations, 347delGCC and E397X, were characterized among individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia in St. Petersburg. The carriers of both mutations possessed highly elevated blood serum cholesterol. Cosegregation of E397X mutation and LDLR gene RFLP haplotypes with hyperlipidemia was demonstrated by family study. Both mutations seem to be specific to Slavic patients.
The Reform and Governance of State-owned Economy Based on Classification Method

This paper points out that the reform of state-owned enterprises in China,after the experience of"decentralization","innovation" and "the development" three stages,has made great achievements,but also faces a more complex situation and a lot of problems.In the new period,the main goal of the reform of state-owned enterprises should not be the privatization of state-owned sectors.Also,it is not to establish an incentive system that lead state-owned enterprises(SOEs) to solely pursue their own development and growth.Since there is a large gap between the mature behavior pattern requested by the ideal socialist market economic system and the actual actions of the existing state-owned enterprises,the authors think that,the state-owned economy in China faces the challenge to enhance the sense of mission.From this viewpoint,the problem of "conflicting missions" is stated in this paper.A considerable part of the state-owned economy were plagued by "conflicting missions",that means,the state-owned enterprises pursuit both "profit mission" and "public mission". One of the most important task in the next step reform of state-owned enterprises in China,is to solve the "conflicting missions" problem.To achieve this goal,the authors suggest that,the state-owned enterprises should be divided into three types :general business SOEs,public policy SOEs and specific functional SOEs,each type should have a specific missions portfolio and the matching governance system and reform measures.
Patients' preference of established and emerging treatment options for obstructive sleep apnoea.

BACKGROUND Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing. The standard treatment, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), has limited long-term compliance. Alternative treatment options are required and new methods, including hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) and continuous transcutaneous electrical stimulation (CTES), are currently emerging. We report on patients' preference for different treatments of OSA. METHODS We recorded patients' age, gender, body mass index (BMI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire with 10 questions (FOSQ10), severity of OSA, and current treatment. We showed pictures of existing [CPAP, mandibular advancement device (MAD)] and emerging treatments (HNS and CTES). We then asked (I) whether participants were interested in further information about HNS/CTES; (II) if they would be willing to try HNS/CTES; and (III) if they were to choose only one of the four listed treatments, which one would they prefer to use every night. RESULTS One hundred sixty-two patients completed the survey {81 males, mean age 52 [12] years, BMI 34 [7] kg/m(2), ESS 10.2 (6.0) points, FOSQ10 28.5 (8.1) points}. The majority of the respondents (89.5%) had been diagnosed with OSA. A total of 91.3% of the respondents were interested in more information and were willing to try HNS/CTES. Most respondents preferred the potential use of CTES (56.7%), while 21.7% chose HNS, 17.8% CPAP, and 3.8% the MAD. There were no differences in the characteristics of the patients who preferred CTES compared to those who preferred other treatments, but a regression analysis revealed that a low ESS score was an independent predictor of patients choosing CTES (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS More than 9 out of 10 of the respondents were interested in trying emerging technologies to treat OSA, most preferring CTES. Less sleepy patients were more likely to choose less invasive treatments. These findings will likely impact on future research and development of therapies for sleep-disordered breathing.