Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stochastic MPC with applications to process control

This paper presents a model predictive control formulation for Networked Control Systems subject to independent and identically distributed delays and packet dropouts. The design takes into account the presence of a communication network in the control loop, resorting to a buffer at the actuator side to store and consistently apply delayed control sequences when fresh control inputs are not available. The proposed approach uses a statistical description of transmissions to optimise the expected future control performance conditioned upon the current system state, previously calculated control packets and transmission acknowledgements. Experimental studies using a quadruple tank process illustrate the applicability of the method to process control.
Familial parkinsonism, apathy, weight loss, and central hypoventilation

We report a third family with six members with features of the syndrome of familial parkinsonism, depression, weight loss, and central hypoventilation. Patients with this syndrome typically die suddenly, presumably from central respiratory failure. Following multiple respiratory arrests, one affected member was successfully managed with aggressive pulmonary care, tracheostomy, and intermittent home mechanical ventilation, which, combined with carbidopa/levodopa, allowed for a functional lifestyle with improvement in apathy, mobility, and nutritional status.
Approximate Inverse Preconditioners for Krylov Methods on Heterogeneous Parallel Computers

The popularity of GPGPUs in high performance platforms for scientific computing in recent times has renewed interest in approximate inverse preconditioners for Krylov methods. We have recently introduced some new algorithmic variants [6] of popular approximate inverse methods. We now report on the behaviour of these variations in high performance multilevel preconditioning frameworks, and we present the software framework that enables
Emergency Department Overcrowding in Florida, New York, and Texas

Background. This study was done to determine the incidence, causes, and effects of overcrowding in emergency departments (EDs) in Florida, New York, and Texas. Methods. Surveys were mailed to a random sample of EDs in Florida, New York, and Texas. Questions included census, area population, frequency and causes of overcrowding, and impact. Causes of overcrowding were ranked on a 5-point scale. Results. A total of 300 surveys were sent, and 210 (70%) were returned. Overcrowding was reported in 194 EDs (92%): New York (90%), Florida, (92%), and Texas (95%). Causes of ED overcrowding included hospital bed shortage, high medical acuity of patients, increasing patient volume, too few examination spaces, and shortage of RN staff. Overcrowding resulted in death, permanent disability, additional procedures, and increased length of hospitalization. Conclusion. In this survey of EDs, overcrowding was pervasive. Many factors contribute to ED overcrowding. Poor medical outcomes may occur because of overcrowding.
The relative effects of left ventricular hypertrophy, coronary artery disease, and ventricular dysfunction on survival among black adults.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of echocardiographically determined left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) on survival in comparison with number of stenosed vessels and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. DESIGN Cohort study based on a consecutive sample from a hospital registry, with a mean follow-up of 5 years. SETTING An inner-city public hospital in Chicago, Ill. PATIENTS The study included 1089 consecutive black patients who underwent both coronary angiography and M-mode echocardiography as part of a diagnostic evaluation. RESULTS Nonstenosed coronary arteries, single-vessel disease, and multivessel disease were found in 48%, 16%, and 36% of patients, respectively; LVH (left ventricular mass index > 131 g/m2 in men and > 100 g/m2 in women) was detected in 50% of patients. Hypertrophy without coexistent obstructive coronary disease was associated with a lower survival rate than that observed for single-vessel disease and was similar to multivessel disease. When LVH, number of diseases vessels, and left ventricular dysfunction were subjected to multivariate analysis, hypertrophy conferred a relative risk (RR) of 2.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7 to 3.2). By comparison, the presence of a single stenosed vessel did not increase the risk of death. Multivessel disease and ejection fraction less than 45% were associated with an RR of 1.6 (95% CI, 1.1 to 2.2) and 2.0 (95% CI, 1.4 to 2.7), respectively. Calculation of the attributable risk fraction demonstrated that for every 100 deaths in this cohort, LVH independently accounted for 37. The corresponding attributable risk fractions were 1%, 22%, and 9% for single-vessel disease, multivessel disease, and ventricular dysfunction, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Left ventricular hypertrophy was associated with a greater RR and attributable risk than the traditional measures of coronary disease severity. The high prevalence and powerful risk of LVH make an important contribution to the adverse survival rates among black patients with heart disease and may account for much of the black-white differential.
Trends in Breast Cancer by Race and Ethnicity

In this article, the American Cancer Society (ACS) describes trends in incidence, mortality, and survival rates of female breast cancer in the United States by race and ethnicity. It also provides estimates of new cases and deaths and shows trends in screening mammography. The incidence and survival data derive from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program; mortality data are from the National Center for Health Statistics. Approximately 211,300 new cases of invasive breast cancer, 55,700 in situ cases, and 39,800 deaths are expected to occur among women in the United States in 2003. Breast cancer incidence rates have increased among women of all races combined and white women since the early 1980s. The increasing rate in white women predominantly involves small (≤2 cm) and localized‐stage tumors, although a small increase in the incidence of regional‐stage tumors and those larger than five cm occurred since the early 1990s. The incidence rate among African American women stabilized during the 1990s for all breast cancers and for localized tumors. African American women are more likely than white women to be diagnosed with large tumors and distant‐stage disease. Other racial and ethnic groups have lower incidence rates than do either white or African American women. However, the proportion of disease diagnosed at advanced stage and with larger tumor size in all minorities is greater than in white persons. Death rates decreased by 2.5% per year among white women since 1990 and by 1% per year among African American women since 1991. The disparity in mortality rates between white and African American women increased progressively between 1980 and 2000, so that by 2000 the age‐standardized death rate was 32% higher in African Americans. Clinicians should be aware that 63% and 29% of breast cancers are diagnosed at local‐ and regional‐stage disease, for which the five‐year relative survival rates are 97% and 79%, respectively. This information, coupled with decreasing mortality rates and improvements in treatment, may motivate women to have regular mammographic and clinical breast examinations. Continued efforts are needed to increase the availability of high‐quality mammography and treatment to all segments of the population.
Granulocyte transfusion therapy: update on potential clinical applications

The clinical usefulness of granulocyte transfusions for treatment or prevention of life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections remains controversial. Clinical benefit has long been limited by insufficient donor stimulation regimens and suboptimal leukapheresis techniques. Methodologic progress, in particular mobilization of neutrophils in healthy donors by administration of G-CSF, has significantly enhanced leukapheresis yields. A newly published study indicates that unrelated community donors can be effectively and safely used as an alternative to related family donors. Furthermore, several recent studies suggest that it may be possible to store granulocyte concentrates for 24 to 48 hours with adequate preservation of neutrophil function. This review summarizes the current role of granulocyte transfusion therapy in infectious diseases and highlights important recent advances.
Identification and characterization of uvrA, a DNA repair gene of Deinococcus radiodurans

Deinococcus radiodurans is extraordinarily resistant to DNA damage, because of its unusually efficient DNA repair processes. The mtcA+ and mtcB+ genes of D. radiodurans, both implicated in excision repair, have been cloned and sequenced, showing that they are a single gene, highly homologous to the uvrA+ genes of other bacteria. The Escherichia coli uvrA+ gene was expressed in mtcA and mtcB strains, and it produced a high degree of complementation of the repair defect in these strains, suggesting that the UvrA protein of D. radiodurans is necessary but not sufficient to produce extreme DNA damage resistance. Upstream of the uvrA+ gene are two large open reading frames, both of which are directionally divergent from the uvrA+ gene. Evidence is presented that the proximal of these open reading frames may be irrB+.
Prism Adaptation: Control of Intermanual Transfer by Distribution of Practice

Correction of errors in localizing movements produced by laterally displacing vision by means of wedge prisms has been termed "prism adaptation. " Intermanual transfer of prism adaptation from an exposed to an unexposed hand, with subject's head immobilized, has been reported not to occur. However, it was found that a standard learning variable, distribution of practice, controls the occurrence or nonoccurrence of transfer. When practice is massed, there is no transfer of adaptation; when it is spaced, the transfer is extensive. Spacing of practice also influences the amount of aftereffect displayed by the exposed hand.
Characterization of adenosine A2 receptors in bovine retinal membranes.

Two classes of extracellular receptors for adenosine, A1 and A2, have been demonstrated in the mammalian retina. Our laboratory has previously reported the pharmacological characteristics of the mammalian retinal A1 receptors. We now report our characterization of retinal A2 receptors based on data obtained from both adenylate cyclase assays and radioligand binding studies. [3H]-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) in the presence of 10 nM cyclopentyladenosine (CPA, which selectively binds to A1 receptors) or [3H]-CGS 21680 were used to label the A2 binding sites. Using [3H]-NECA (plus CPA), two populations of binding sites, having Kds of 106 nM and 9.4 microM, were determined. [3H]-CGS 21680, a derivative of NECA which has been demonstrated to be highly selective for A2 receptors in brain synaptic membrane preparations was more potent than NECA at the higher affinity population of A2 sites, and saturation analysis revealed the presence of both a high affinity site, Kd of 18 nM, and a lower affinity site having a Kd of 4.3 microM. The high affinity site labeled by [3H]-CGS 21680 corresponds to the A2a receptor. Using either radioligand, guanosine triphosphate-dependent shifts to a single population of binding sites were observed. Despite the differences in affinities revealed by the two radioligands for the high affinity A2 site, both [3H]-CGS 21680 and [3H]-NECA were competitively displaced by increasing concentrations of a variety of adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists, and exhibited an identical rank order of potency that is consistent with that reported for high affinity A2a receptors. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Genomic alterations in distal bile duct carcinoma by comparative genomic hybridization and karyotype analysis

We report genomic abnormalities identified in 14 human primary common bile duct carcinomas analyzed by cytogenetics or comparative genomic hybridization, or both. Combining the results of the two methods of analysis, 11 chromosomal arms were observed to be gained in whole or in part, and 9 chromosomal arms were lost in whole or in part in at least four tumors each. The most frequently lost chromosomal regions were, in decreasing order: 18q (eight tumors); 6q and 10p (seven tumors each); 8p, 12q, and 17p (six tumors each); and 7q, 12p, and 22q (four tumors each). The most frequently gained regions were 8q and 20q (six tumors each); 12p, 17q, and Xp (five tumors each); and 2q, 6p, 7p, 11q, 13q, and 19q (four tumors each). These results are similar to those we have previously reported in pancreatic cancer and suggest that carcinomas of the common bile duct and pancreas share a number of genetic changes. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 26:185–191, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The risks of pharmacological therapy for insomnia (part 1): update for the clinical nurse specialist.

Recently, I reviewed the case of a 58-year-old man who experienced an adverse drug event in the hospital. The patient received a benzodiazepine sedative hypnotic orally at bedtime. Approximately 2 hours after receiving the dose, he was found out of bed walking in a hall. The patient had discontinued his intravenous infusions, made his bed, and changed his clothing. He was communicating appropriately with the nursing staff; he appeared awake as the staff took him back to his room and was cooperative during the restart of intravenous infusions. At morning assessment, he had no memory of the event, stating BI think I had some wild dreams last night^ but was unable to articulate any details of the dreams. The patient denied a history of sleepwalking and received no other significant medications that could account for this behavior. Could there be a link between the benzodiazepine sedative hypnotic and the adverse event that occurred with this patient? It has yet to be determined how this sleepwalking patient traveled to another unit in another wing of the hospital without injury.
Toward quantifying the usage costs of human immunity: Altered metabolic rates and hormone levels during acute immune activation in men

There is a paucity of data on the energetic demands of human immune functions, despite the fact that both clinical medicine and evolutionary biology would benefit from further clarification of these costs. To better understand the energetic requirements of mounting a mild immune response, as well as some of the major hormonal changes underlying these metabolic changes, we examined changes in resting metabolic rate (RMR) and hormones during and after respiratory tract infection in young adult men. An epidemiologic passive detection design was used to recruit 25 nonfebrile subjects naturally infected with respiratory tract pathogens. Symptomology, percent body fat, RMR, salivary testosterone and cortisol, and other information were collected at a minimum of three time points during and after convalescence. Comparisons of the differences in RMR, testosterone, and cortisol between sampling days within individual cases were made using paired t‐tests. Participants experienced 8% higher RMR during illness, and a subset of these men experienced a mean increase greater than 14%. The participants also experienced 10% lower testosterone levels during illness, and a subset of these participants experienced a mean decrease of 30%, although cortisol levels did not change significantly. These results document elevated RMR following natural pathogen exposure in adult humans, demonstrating that even mild immune reactions can elicit significant increases in energy expenditure. Understanding the costs of immunity and the immunomodulatory actions of hormones are central to understanding the role of immunity in human life history evolution. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asymptotic Behavior of Extended Alamouti Schemes for Large Number of Transmit and Receive Antennas

It is well known that quasi-orthogonal space time block codes (QSTBC) do not achieve full diversity with linear reception due to their loss of perfect orthogonality. In this paper, we show that the diversity order of such scheme with arbitrary nT = 2k transmit antennas converges to nTnR, if the number of receive antennas nR grows large even for simple ZF receiver techniques. More precisely, the full diversity order of nTnR can be exploited asymptotically with such a simple linear equalization scheme. We show that moderate numbers of transmit and receive antennas achieve full diversity order by simple maximum ratio combining techniques in practice. This effect is demonstrated on the extended Alamouti code (also known as Jafarkhani Code), but the method can be applied to a more general class of QSTBCs.
Detection of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in Hodgkin- and Reed-Sternberg-cells by single cell PCR.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can be detected in the majority of lymph nodes involved by Hodgkin's lymphoma using the highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, the rate of EBV-DNA detection by in-situ hybridisation, which allows allocation of EBV to a defined cell population, i.e. the neoplastic H&RS-cells, is lower. In an attempt to combine the advantages of the high sensitivity of the PCR and the possibility of cellular allocation by in-situ hybridisation, we established a single-cell PCR of Hodgkin- and Reed-Sternberg (H&RS)-cells isolated by micromanipulation from biopsy tissues. We amplified EBV sequences from the BamW-region by single-cell PCR. Using this method we were able to detect EBV-DNA in the H&RS-cells from 4 of 6 patients. In EBV positive cases all H&RS-cells of a given patient were positive, proving the high sensitivity and reproducibility of the method. Other cells in the biopsy tissue involved by EBV-positive H&RS-cells were shown to be negative. This indicates that EBV may have a role in the pathogenesis of many but not all cases of Hodgkin's disease.
Powdered Milk Micellar Casein Prevents Oral Colonization by Streptococcus sobrinus and Dental Caries in Rats: A Basis for the Caries–Protective Effect of Dairy Products

Three animal studies were performed to investigate the influence of the macromolecular structure of milk casein on caries incidence and the possible ecological changes of the oral microbiota by such casein fractions. Towards this end, rats were infected with mixed bacterial suspensions of Streptococcus sobrinus OMZ 176 and Actinomyces viscosus Ny1. Various milk protein fractions were incorporated into carefully balanced powdered cariogenic diets to constitute the sole major protein component. Diets containing micellar casein had a pronounced and highly significant effect on almost all clinical and microbiological parameters examined. Both the formation of advanced dentinal fissure (B) and smooth surface (E) caries lesions was inhibited by diets containing micellar casein; this caries–inhibiting effect appeared to be due mainly to modifications within the plaque microbiota. The proportion of S. sobrinus in the oral cavity of rats was reduced (73–80%) by micellar casein–containing preparations, whereas the A. viscosus population was increased. Both these microbiological parameters were always negatively correlated. This appears to be the first example of a food component other than dietary sugars, selectively modifying the composition of the dental plaque microbiota of rats in such a way as to reduce its pathogenic potential. It also demonstrates the importance of establishing a molecular basis for the role of food components, which prove to be beneficial to oral health.
Extended analysis of idealized class-E operation with finite DC-feed inductance and preservation of zero volt switching at variable load

This work comprises an extended and comprehensive evaluation of idealized class-E operation with finite DC-feed inductance. It exhibits an analysis of varying switching duty cycle as well as varying switch voltage slope at switch-on time. As a result of this special cases for idealized class-E operation able to maintain efficient zero-volt switching while the load resistance changes is revealed which can be utilized for specific RF outphasing systems. Furthermore and as to the best knowledge of the authors we present the highest possible value that has ever been calculated for the power capability of idealized class-E operation namely 0.1092.
Building Complex Systems on Top of Web 2.0 - Integration of Web 2.0 Services using Enterprise Service Bus

Servisně-orientovane architektury jsou dominantnim architektonickým stylem soucasných podnikových systemů, zatimco Web 2.0 je dominantnim paradigmatem v soucasnem webovem prostředi. Přestože ideove i technologicke zaklady těchto dvou přistupů jsou velmi odlisne, oba shodně pohliži na služby jako na zakladni stavebni kameny komplexnich aplikaci, ktere jsou vytvařeny integraci jednotlivých služeb. Prostředi "Web 2.0 Platform", ktere je v clanku prezentovano, spojuje oba přistupy tim, že využiva podnikove technologie pro integraci Web 2.0 služeb. Výhody tohoto přistupu jsou ilustrovany na přikladu výukoveho prostředi, založeneho na Web 2.0 službach, podporujicich výukove vzory identifikovane v metodice Inkluzivni Univerzalni Přistupnosti.
18F-FDG PET/CT outperforms contrast enhanced CT in the diagnosis of peritoneal metastases from ovarian tumors

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of F-Flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography in comparison to contrast enhanced computed tomography alone in the detection of peritoneal metastases after initial treatment of malignant ovarian tumors. Patients and Methods: The study prospectively recruited 111 patients with clinical suspicion of ovarian tumor recurrence. Each patient underwent FFDG PET/CT and Ce-CT scans in the same day. Study-based analyses for a total of 136 scans were evaluated. Studies were read independently by one experienced nuclear medicine physician and one experienced radiologist. A four-point score (score 0= definitely benign, score 1 = probably benign, score 2= probably malignant and score 3= definitely malignant) used to assess the presence or absence of peritoneal metastases. The final diagnosis of peritoneal disease status was made on the basis of subsequent follow-up by F-FDG PET/CT, conventional imaging (CT/MRI) or histopathology whenever possible. Results: Of the 136 studies evaluated, 75 (55%) studies had peritoneal disease and 61 (45%) studies were free based on final diagnosis.F-FDG PET/CT & Ce-CT had sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 96% vs 69%, 100% vs 85%, and 98% vs 76%; respectively. F-FDG PET/CT was significantly more sensitive, specific and accurate compared to Ce-CT with P-values of <0.0001, 0.004 and <0.0001; respectively. Conclusions: F-FDG PET/CT is superior to Ce-CT in the diagnosis of peritoneal metastases in patients with malignant ovarian tumors.