Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimizability and Estimatability for Infinite-Dimensional Linear Systems

An infinite-dimensional linear system described by $\dot{x}(t)=Ax(t)+Bu(t)$ $(t\geq 0)$ is said to be optimizable if for every initial state x(0), an input $u\in L^2$ can be found such that $x\in L^2$. Here, A is the generator of a strongly continuous semigroup on a Hilbert space and B is an admissible control operator for this semigroup. In this paper we investigate optimizability (also known as the finite cost condition) and its dual, estimatability. We explore the connections with stabilizability and detectability. We give a very general theorem about the equivalence of input-output stability and exponential stability of well-posed linear systems: the two are equivalent if the system is optimizable and estimatable. We conclude that a well-posed system is exponentially stable if and only if it is dynamically stabilizable and input-output stable. We illustrate the theory by two examples based on PDEs in two or more space dimensions: the wave equation and a structural acoustics model.
Characteristics of secondary, primary, and compensated hypogonadism in aging men: evidence from the European Male Ageing Study.

CONTEXT The diagnosis of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) in older men with age-related declines in testosterone (T) is currently not well characterized. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to investigate whether different forms of hypogonadism can be distinguished among aging men. DESIGN The study was a cross-sectional survey on 3369 community-dwelling men aged 40-79 yr in eight European centers. METHODS Four groups of subjects were defined: eugonadal (normal T and normal LH), secondary (low T and low/normal LH), primary (low T and elevated LH), and compensated (normal T and elevated LH) hypogonadism. Relationships between the defined gonadal status with potential risk factors and clinical symptoms were investigated by multilevel regression models. RESULTS Among the men, 11.8, 2.0, and 9.5% were classified into the secondary, primary, and compensated hypogonadism categories, respectively. Older men were more likely to have primary [relative risk ratio (RRR) = 3.04; P < 0.001] and compensated (RRR = 2.41; P < 0.001) hypogonadism. Body mass index of 30 kg/m(2) or higher was associated with secondary hypogonadism (RRR = 8.74; P < 0.001). Comorbidity was associated with both secondary and primary hypogonadism. Sexual symptoms were more prevalent in secondary and primary hypogonadism, whereas physical symptoms were more likely in compensated hypogonadism. CONCLUSIONS Symptomatic elderly men considered to have LOH can be differentiated on the basis of endocrine and clinical features and predisposing risk factors. Secondary hypogonadism is associated with obesity and primary hypogonadism predominately with age. Compensated hypogonadism can be considered a distinct clinical state associated with aging. Classification of LOH into different categories by combining LH with T may improve the diagnosis and management of LOH.
Effects of sex, race, and puberty on cortical bone and the functional muscle bone unit in children, adolescents, and young adults.

CONTEXT Sex and race differences in bone development are associated with differences in growth, maturation, and body composition. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to determine the independent effects of sex, race, and puberty on cortical bone development and muscle-bone relations in children and young adults. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS We conducted a cross-sectional study of 665 healthy participants (310 male, 306 black) ages 5-35 yr. OUTCOMES Tibia peripheral quantitative computed tomography measures were made of cortical bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD), periosteal (Peri) and endosteal circumferences, section modulus (Zp), and muscle area. Regression models were adjusted for tibia length, age, race, sex, and Tanner stage. RESULTS All cortical measures were greater in blacks than whites (all P < or = 0.001) in Tanner stages 1-4; however, differences in BMC, Peri, and Zp were negligible in Tanner stage 5 (all interactions, P < 0.01). Cortical BMC, Peri, and Zp were lower in females than males in all Tanner stages (all P < 0.001), and the sex differences in Peri and Zp were greater in Tanner stage 5 (interaction, P < 0.02). Cortical BMD was greater (P < 0.0001) and endosteal circumference was lower (P < 0.01) in Tanner 3-5 females, compared with males. Adjustment for muscle area attenuated but did not eliminate sex and race differences in cortical dimensions. Associations between muscle and bone outcomes did not differ according to sex or race. CONCLUSION Sex and race were associated with maturation-specific differences in cortical BMD and dimensions that were not fully explained by differences in bone length or muscle. No race or sex differences in the functional muscle bone unit were identified.
La vejez, patrimonio inmaterial de la humanidad

La vejez es una realidad que suele ser rechazada por los que aun no han llegado a ella y, a menudo, mal vivida por los propios ancianos. En nuestra epoca, se ha puesto de manifiesto una recuperacion por el interes que el anciano despierta. Interes por su estudio y analisis pero no por su aprovechamiento vital como habia sucedido secularmente a lo largo de la historia. En la actualidad, de revision y de reivindicacion constantes de diversos y multiples patrimonios mundiales, es necesario apostar por el reconocimiento que la vejez debe tener como patrimonio inmaterial de la humanidad.
Challenges of alloimmunization in patients with haemoglobinopathies

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions can be life‐sustaining in chronic inherited anaemias, such as thalassaemia, and the indications for blood transfusions in patients with sickle cell disease continue to expand. Complications of transfusions, such as allosensitization, can create significant medical challenges in the management of patients with haemoglobinopathies. This review summarizes key findings from the medical literature related to alloimmunization in haemoglobinopathies and examines potential measures to mitigate these risks. Areas where future studies are needed are also addressed.
The effects of exercise-induced weight loss on appetite-related peptides and motivation to eat.

CONTEXT The magnitude of exercise-induced weight loss depends on the extent of compensatory responses. An increase in energy intake is likely to result from changes in the appetite control system toward an orexigenic environment; however, few studies have measured how exercise impacts on both orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of medium-term exercise on fasting/postprandial levels of appetite-related hormones and subjective appetite sensations in overweight/obese individuals. DESIGN AND SETTING We conducted a longitudinal study in a university research center. PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION Twenty-two sedentary overweight/obese individuals (age, 36.9 +/- 8.3 yr; body mass index, 31.3 +/- 3.3 kg/m(2)) took part in a 12-wk supervised exercise programme (five times per week, 75% maximal heart rate) and were requested not to change their food intake during the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We measured changes in body weight and fasting/postprandial plasma levels of glucose, insulin, total ghrelin, acylated ghrelin (AG), peptide YY, and glucagon-like peptide-1 and feelings of appetite. RESULTS Exercise resulted in a significant reduction in body weight and fasting insulin and an increase in AG plasma levels and fasting hunger sensations. A significant reduction in postprandial insulin plasma levels and a tendency toward an increase in the delayed release of glucagon-like peptide-1 (90-180 min) were also observed after exercise, as well as a significant increase (127%) in the suppression of AG postprandially. CONCLUSIONS Exercise-induced weight loss is associated with physiological and biopsychological changes toward an increased drive to eat in the fasting state. However, this seems to be balanced by an improved satiety response to a meal and improved sensitivity of the appetite control system.
Retinal vasculopathy in autosomal dominant dyskeratosis congenita due to TINF2 mutation

A four-year-old boy with autosomal dominant dyskeratosis congenita (DC) and bone marrow failure (BMF) underwent routine ophthalmological assessment prior to matched unrelated haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Visual acuity was reduced in both eyes. Fundus examination showed a vitreous haemorrhage in the right eye and the left eye displayed a large circinate exudate encroaching on the macula. In the left temporal retina, areas of retinal haemorrhage and extensive areas of arterial occlusion and vascular sheathing were seen (top left). Flourescein angiography of the left eye confirmed extensive and profound vascular shut down in the temporal retina and choroid. At the junction of perfused and nonperfused retina there were numerous arteriovenous shunts (top right). Bilateral laser photocoagulation was directed to the areas of retinal nonperfusion. The patient’s father had undergone a sibling-HSCT at the age of 13 years for BMF secondary to phenotypic DC that had been diagnosed 2 years previously. The patient presented at age 3 years with BMF. Telomere length, assessed by flow fluorescence in situ hybridization, showed both the patient and his two-yearold sister to be less than the first percentile for age. Molecular analysis showed both of them to be heterozygous for a TINF2 mutation: c.844C>T (amino acid substitution: p.Arg282Cys). Interestingly, TINF2 was not considered a candidate gene in the boy or his sister as a previous screen by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography analysis on their affected father had not revealed any abnormality. However, reinvestigating this same sample from the father, which had come from a buccal mouthwash (post-HSCT), there was a small proportion (10%) of the mutant allele visible on the sequencing trace, strongly suggesting that he is a mosaic for a TINF2mutation that causes DC and this mutation has been inherited by both children. TINF2, the second most commonly mutated gene in DC encodes TINF2 (also known as TIN2), a member of the telomere-associated shelterin complex, which plays integral roles in the structure and function of telomeres. TINF2 mutations are usually associated with extremely short telemeres, earlier onset of disease and bone marrow failure that usually occurs prior to manifestation of any signs of the classic triad of DC. All reported mutations, most of which arise de novo, are heterozygous. Retinal abnormalities are seen in about 20% of patients with DC. In Revesz syndrome (Mendelian Inheritance in Man #268130), a severe DC variant caused by TINF2 mutations, bilateral exudative retinopathy is a defining feature along with intrauterine growth retardation, intracranial calcification and cerebellar hypoplasia. The patient is 100% donor chimera 9 months after HSCT, continues to be neurologically normal and has developed finger and toe nail dystrophy (bottom left and right) some 7 years earlier than his father did. This phenotypic variability (BMF onset and nail dystrophy) between father and son most likely reflects the father’s TINF2 mosaicism.
Cost-effectiveness of screening for asymptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The value of screening for asymptomatic carotid stenosis has become an important issue with the recently reported beneficial effect of endarterectomy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of using Doppler ultrasound as a screening tool to select subjects for arteriography and subsequent surgery. METHODS A computer model was developed to simulate the cost-effectiveness of screening a cohort of 1000 men during a 20-year period. The primary outcome measure was incremental present-value dollar expenditures for screening and treatment per incremental present-value quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) saved. Estimates of disease prevalence and arteriographic and surgical complication rates were obtained from the literature. Probabilities of stroke and death with surgical and medical treatment were obtained from published clinical trials. Doppler ultrasound sensitivity and specificity were obtained through review of local experience. Estimates of costs were obtained from local Medicare reimbursement data. RESULTS A one-time screening program of a population with a high prevalence (20%) of > or = 60% stenosis cost $35130 per incremental QALY gained. Decreased surgical benefit or increased annual discount rate was detrimental, resulting in lost QALYs. Annual screening cost $457773 per incremental QALY gained. In a low-prevalence (4%) population, one-time screening cost $52588 per QALY gained, while annual screening was detrimental. CONCLUSIONS The cost-effectiveness of a one-time screening program for an asymptomatic population with a high prevalence of carotid stenosis may be cost-effective. Annual screening is detrimental. The most sensitive variables in this simulation model were long-term stroke risk reduction after surgery and annual discount rate for accumulated costs and QALYs.
Stop Bullying Now! Campaign Pilot Evaluation: A Qualitative Assessment of its Usefulness and Cultural Appropriateness for Hispanic Populations

The Stop Bullying Now! (SBN! ) campaign is a media-based national effort launched in 2004. Developed by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, its purpose was to raise awareness about bullying, preventing and reducing bullying behaviors, identifying appropriate interventions for tweens, and fostering linkages among partners' organizations. The campaign targets youths aged 9 through 13 and those who influence them (e.g., family members; educators; law enforcement; and health, safety, and mental health professionals). This pilot study was the first effort to evaluate the national campaign with Hispanics. Focus groups with mothers, one-on-one interviews with fathers, and in-depth interviews with tutors were held. The findings suggested that, despite minor formatting issues, the materials used in the SBN! campaign appeared to be appropriate for use with Hispanic parents. The study also suggested that the campaign may not have been effective in reaching Hispanic parents living in the two towns sampled, as the parents involved had a low level of knowledge of what bullying was, did not know of the SBN! campaign, and had not seen the materials created for the campaign.
Guidelines on the management of anaemia and red cell transfusion in adult critically ill patients

Forward This document aims to summarize the current literature guiding the use of red cell transfusion in critically ill patients and provides recommendations to support clinicians in their day-to-day practice. Critically ill patients differ in their age, diagnosis, co-morbidities, and severity of illness. These factors influence their tolerance of anaemia and alter the risk to benefit ratio of transfusion. The optimal management for an individual may not fall clearly within our recommendations and each decision requires a synthesis of the available evidence and the clinical judgment of the treating physician. This guideline relates to the use of red cells to manage anaemia during critical illness when major haemorrhage is not present. A previous British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) guideline has been published on massive haemorrhage (Stainsby et al, 2006), but this is a rapidly changing field. We recommend readers consult recent guidelines specifically addressing the management of major haemorrhage for evidence-based guidance. A subsequent BCSH guideline will specifically cover the use of plasma components in critically ill patients.
Accurate Eigensystem Computations by Jacobi Methods

Demmel and Veselic showed that, subject to a minor proviso, Jacobi's method computes the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a positive definite matrix more accurately than methods that first tridiagonalize the matrix. We extend their analysis and thereby: \begin{remunerate} \item We remove the minor proviso in their results and thus guarantee the accuracy of Jacobi's method. \item We show how to cheaply check, a posteriori, whether tridiagonalizing a particular matrix has caused a large relative perturbation in the eigenvalues on the matrix. This can be useful when dealing with graded matrices. \item We derive hybrid Jacobi algorithms that have the same accuracy of Jacobi's method but are faster, at least on a serial computer. \item We show that if $G$ is an $m \times n$ matrix and $m >>n$ then Jacobi's method computes the singular values almost as quickly as standard methods, but potentially much more accurately.
A single night of partial sleep deprivation induces insulin resistance in multiple metabolic pathways in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND Subsequent nights with partial sleep restriction result in impaired glucose tolerance, but the effects on insulin sensitivity have not been characterized. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single night of partial sleep restriction on parameters of insulin sensitivity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Nine healthy subjects (five men, four women) were studied once after a night of normal sleep duration (sleep allowed from 2300 to 0730 h), and once after a night of 4 h of sleep (sleep allowed from 0100 to 0500 h). Sleep characteristics were assessed by polysomnography. Insulin sensitivity was measured by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp studies (from 1130 to 1430 h) with infusion of [6,6-(2)H(2)]glucose. RESULTS Sleep duration was shorter in the night with sleep restriction than in the unrestricted night (226 +/- 11 vs. 454 +/- 9 min; P< 0.0001). Sleep restriction did not affect basal levels of glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, insulin, or endogenous glucose production. Sleep restriction resulted in increased endogenous glucose production during the hyperinsulinemic clamp study compared to the unrestricted night (4.4 +/- 0.3 vs. 3.6 +/- 0.2 micromol x kg lean body mass(-1) x min(-1); P = 0.017), indicating hepatic insulin resistance. In addition, sleep restriction decreased the glucose disposal rate during the clamp (32.5 +/- 3.6 vs. 40.7 +/- 5.1 micromol x kg lean body mass(-1) x min(-1); P = 0009), reflecting decreased peripheral insulin sensitivity. Accordingly, sleep restriction decreased the rate of glucose infusion by approximately 25% (P = 0.001). Sleep restriction increased plasma nonesterified fatty acid levels during the clamp study (68 +/- 5 vs. 57 +/- 4 micromol/liter; P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Partial sleep deprivation during only a single night induces insulin resistance in multiple metabolic pathways in healthy subjects. This physiological observation may be of relevance for variations in glucoregulation in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
A Population-Based Case-Referent Study of Myocardial Infarction and Occupational Exposure to Motor Exhaust, Other Combustion Products, Organic Solvents, Lead, and Dynamite

This case-referent study investigated the risk of myocardial infarction from occupational exposure to motor exhaust, other combustion products, organic solvents, lead, and dynamite. We identified first-time, nonfatal myocardial infarctions among men and women 45–70 years of age in Stockholm County from 1992 through 1994. We selected referent subjects from the population to match the demographic characteristics of the cases. A lifetime history of occupations was obtained by questionnaire. The response rate was 81% for the cases and 74% for the referents, with 1,335 cases and 1,658 referents included in the study. An occupational hygienist assessed occupational exposures, coding the intensity and probability of exposure for each subject. We adjusted relative risk estimates for tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, overweight, and physical inactivity at leisure time. The relative risk of myocardial infarction was 2.11 (95% confidence interval = 1.23–3.60) among those who were highly exposed and 1.42 (95% confidence interval = 1.05–1.92) among those who were intermediately exposed to combustion products from organic material. We observed an exposure-response pattern, in terms of both maximum exposure intensity and cumulative dose. Exposure to dynamite and organic solvents was possibly associated with an increased risk. The other exposures were not consistently associated with myocardial infarction.
Stability of Symmetric Ill-Conditioned Systems Arising in Interior Methods for Constrained Optimization

Many interior methods for constrained optimization obtain a search direction as the solution of a symmetric linear system that becomes increasingly ill-conditioned as the solution is approached. In some cases, this ill-conditioning is characterized by a subset of the diagonal elements becoming large in magnitude. It has been shown that in this situation the solution can be computed accurately regardless of the size of the diagonal elements. In this paper we discuss the formulation of several interior methods that use symmetric diagonally ill-conditioned systems. It is shown that diagonal ill-conditioning may be characterized by the property of strict $t$-diagonal dominance, which generalizes the idea of diagonal dominance to matrices whose diagonals are substantially larger in magnitude than the off-diagonals. A perturbation analysis is presented that characterizes the sensitivity of $t$-diagonally dominant systems under a certain class of structured perturbations. Finally, we give a rounding-error analysis of the symmetric indefinite factorization when applied to $t$-diagonally dominant systems. This analysis resolves the (until now) open question of whether the class of perturbations used in the sensitivity analysis is representative of the rounding error made during the numerical solution of the barrier equations.
Rank Modifications of Semidefinite Matrices Associated with a Secant Update Formula

This paper analyzes rank modification of symmetric positive definite matrices H of the form H −M + P , where H −M denotes a step of reducing H to a lower-rank, symmetric and positive semidefinite matrix and (H −M) + P denotes a step of restoring H −M to a symmetric positive definite matrix. These steps and their generalizations for rectangular matrices are fully characterized. The well-known BFGS and DFP updates used in Hessian and inverse Hessian approximations provided the motivation for the generalizations and are special cases with H and P having rank one.