Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DESIGN OF REDUCED ORDER H∞ FILTERS FOR DISCRETE TIME SYSTEMS

Abstract In this contribution the design of reduced order H ∞ filters of order n-κ is investigated for nth order discrete time systems with m measurements of which κ are undisturbed. Assuming a reduced order observer structure for the H ∞ filter, the filter gains achieving H ∞ optimal a priori estimates z(k) and a posteriori estimates z + (k) are derived using the Bounded Real Lemma. A simple example demonstrates the proposed design procedure.
Characteristics of violence against women in Campina Grande , north-eastern Brazil

Background: Violence against women can have serious consequences, where these victims are affected physically, psychologically, and socially. The aim of this study was to shed light on the sociodemographic characteristics and the characteristics of the conflict suffered by the female victims of violence, who were referred to a forensic medicine and dentistry service in an industrialized city in North-eastern Brazil. Methods: This study was performed in Campina Grande, Paraiba State (PB), Brazil, involving the analysis of 1704 reports of physical aggression in 2010; 883 reports involving female victims were selected. Sociodemographic data of the victims, circumstances of events, and characteristics of injuries were investigated. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, and chi-square test (p <0.05). Results: The sample consisted of young women, with mean age of 29.3 years, mostly unmarried, with little education, and mostly not working. The most frequent aggressor was a male known to the victim. The events were mostly a result of non-instrumental aggression, causing multiple injuries. There was statistically significant difference between whether the aggressor was or was not a family member and marital status of the victim (p<.001), and a significant difference between the use of instrument in the conflict and the presence of facial injuries was found (p<.001). Young women accounted for a high proportion of victims of physical violence. A high percentage of facial traumas was observed. Conclusion: Given the consequences of such trauma and its prevalence, it is important that future studies be conducted to highlight the risk factors, and to develop policies to combat violence against women.
Amino Acid Substitutions within the Leucine Zipper Domain of the Murine Coronavirus Spike Protein Cause Defects in Oligomerization and the Ability To Induce Cell-to-Cell Fusion

ABSTRACT The murine coronavirus spike (S) protein contains a leucine zipper domain which is highly conserved among coronaviruses. To assess the role of this leucine zipper domain in S-induced cell-to-cell fusion, the six heptadic leucine and isoleucine residues were replaced with alanine by site-directed mutagenesis. The mutant S proteins were analyzed for cell-to-cell membrane fusion activity as well as for progress through the glycoprotein maturation process, including intracellular glycosylation, oligomerization, and cell surface expression. Single-alanine-substitution mutations had minimal, if any, effects on S-induced cell-to-cell fusion. Significant reduction in fusion activity was observed, however, when two of the four middle heptadic leucine or isoleucine residues were replaced with alanine. Double alanine substitutions that involved either of the two end heptadic leucine residues did not significantly affect fusion. All double-substitution mutant S proteins displayed levels of endoglycosidase H resistance and cell surface expression similar to those of the wild-type S. However, fusion-defective double-alanine-substitution mutants exhibited defects in S oligomerization. These results indicate that the leucine zipper domain plays a role in S-induced cell-to-cell fusion and that the ability of S to induce fusion may be dependent on the oligomeric structure of S.
Rapamycin differentially inhibits S6Ks and 4E-BP1 to mediate cell-type-specific repression of mRNA translation

The mammalian translational initiation machinery is a tightly controlled system that is composed of eukaryotic initiation factors, and which controls the recruitment of ribosomes to mediate cap-dependent translation. Accordingly, the mTORC1 complex functionally controls this cap-dependent translation machinery through the phosphorylation of its downstream substrates 4E-BPs and S6Ks. It is generally accepted that rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of mTORC1, is a potent translational repressor. Here we report the unexpected discovery that rapamycin's ability to regulate cap-dependent translation varies significantly among cell types. We show that this effect is mechanistically caused by rapamycin's differential effect on 4E-BP1 versus S6Ks. While rapamycin potently inhibits S6K activity throughout the duration of treatment, 4E-BP1 recovers in phosphorylation within 6 h despite initial inhibition (1–3 h). This reemerged 4E-BP1 phosphorylation is rapamycin-resistant but still requires mTOR, Raptor, and mTORC1's activity. Therefore, these results explain how cap-dependent translation can be maintained in the presence of rapamycin. In addition, we have also defined the condition by which rapamycin can control cap-dependent translation in various cell types. Finally, we show that mTOR catalytic inhibitors are effective inhibitors of the rapamycin-resistant phenotype.
Curative effect assessed with computed tomography perfusion imaging following intracranial and extracranial bypass for ischemic cerebrovascular disease

By utilizing Computed Tomography (CT) perfusion technology, we analyzed hemodynamic characteristics before and after intracranial and extracranial vascular anastomosis for ischemic cerebrovascular disease and evaluated therapeutic efficacy. Fifty-seven patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease underwent intracranial and extracranial vascular anastomoses. CT perfusion was evaluated before and after anastomosis. The preoperative diagnoses included Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), Reversible Ischemic Neurological Deficit (RIND), and atypical symptoms of cerebral ischemia. Evaluation of middle cerebral artery distribution and cerebral watershed area indicated obvious delay in CT perfusion. Regional cerebral blood flow was slightly reduced or normal, and perfusion in the cerebral watershed area after anastomosis recovered to normal. The area of perfusion delay was obviously reduced after anastomosis. CT perfusion indicated improvement of 84.2%. CT perfusion technology can accurately evaluate the hemodynamic status of unilateral anterior circulation arterial stenosis, and surgical treatment can improve this hemodynamic barrier. The curative effect was objectively and accurately evaluated using CT perfusion technology.
EVOLUTION OF THE GENETIC ARCHITECTURE UNDERLYING FITNESS IN THE PITCHER‐PLANT MOSQUITO, WYEOMYIA SMITHII

We examined the genetic basis for evolutionary divergence among geographic populations of the pitcher‐plant mosquito, Wyeomyia smithii, using protein electrophoresis and line‐cross analysis. Line‐cross experiments were performed under both low density, near‐optimal conditions, and at high, limiting larval densities sufficient to reduce fitness (rc) in parental populations by approximately 50%. We found high levels of electrophoretic divergence between ancestral and derived populations, but low levels of divergence between two ancestral populations and between two derived populations. Assessed under near‐optimal conditions, the genetic divergence of fitness (rc) between ancestral and derived populations, but not between two derived populations or between two ancestral populations, has involved both allelic (dominance) and genic (epistatic) interactions. The role of dominance and epistasis in the divergence of rc among populations affects its component traits in a pattern that is unique to each cross. Patterns of genetic differentiation among populations of W. smithii provide evidence for a topographically complex “adaptive landscape” as envisioned by Wright in his “shifting balance” theory of evolution. Although we cannot definitively rule out the role of deterministic evolution in the divergence of populations on this landscape, ecological inference and genetic data are more consistent with a stochastic than a deterministic process. At high, limiting larval density, hybrid vigor is enhanced and the influence of epistasis disappears. Thus, under stressful conditions, the advantages to fitness due to hybrid heterozygosity can outweigh the deleterious effects of fragmented gene complexes. These results have important implications for the management of inbred populations. Outbreeding depression assessed in experimental crosses under benign lab, zoo, or farm conditions may not accurately reveal the increased advantages of heterozygosity in suboptimal or marginal conditions likely to be found in nature.
Performance of QDPSK signals with postdetection equal gain diversity combining in arbitrarily correlated Nakagami-m fading channels

This letter derives a bit-error probability (BEP) expression for quadrature differential phase-shift keying (QDPSK) signals with post-detection equal gain combining (EGC) in additive white Gaussian noise and slow frequency-nonselective arbitrarily correlated Nakagami-m fading channels. Unlike previous work, the effects of arbitrary values of fading severity parameter m and the arbitrary correlation between the L diversity channels are considered. The derived expression can be easily computed via numerical integration routines, and hence, can be usefully exploited in the performance evaluation of digital mobile radio systems.
ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in Swedish gulls—A case of environmental pollution from humans?

ESBL-producing bacteria are present in wildlife and the environment might serve as a resistance reservoir. Wild gulls have been described as frequent carriers of ESBL-producing E. coli strains with genotypic characteristics similar to strains found in humans. Therefore, potential dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes and bacteria between the human population and wildlife need to be further investigated. Occurrence and characterization of ESBL-producing E. coli in Swedish wild gulls were assessed and compared to isolates from humans, livestock and surface water collected in the same country and similar time-period. Occurrence of ESBL-producing E. coli in Swedish gulls is about three times higher in gulls compared to Swedish community carriers (17% versus 5%) and the genetic characteristics of the ESBL-producing E. coli population in Swedish wild gulls and Swedish human are similar. ESBL-plasmids IncF- and IncI1-type carrying ESBL-genes blaCTX-M-15 or blaCTX-M-14 were most common in isolates from both gulls and humans, but there was limited evidence of clonal transmission. Isolates from Swedish surface water harbored similar genetic characteristics, which highlights surface waters as potential dissemination routes between wildlife and the human population. Even in a low-prevalence country such as Sweden, the occurrence of ESBL producing E. coli in wild gulls and the human population appears to be connected and the occurrence of ESBL-producing E. coli in Swedish gulls is likely a case of environmental pollution.
THE INFLUENCE OF FGFR1 VARIANTS ON NORMAL HUMAN CRANIOFACIAL SHAPE

The factors influencing the morphology of the human face are of interest to researchers in a variety of different fields. Craniofacial morphology is modified by both genetic and epigenetic events, and factors influencing craniofacial morphology include, but are not limited to, age, sex, mechanical function, soft-tissue matrices, hormones, and genetics. Mutations discovered within FGFR1 offer insight into the importance of this particular gene in controlling craniofacial skeletal development, and the evidence thus far connecting FGFR1 variants to quantitative craniofacial traits in the general population is inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between FGFR1 variants and several measures of cranial and facial shape in a sample of healthy human subjects and to serve as a replication sample for prior genotype-phenotype studies with positive findings for FGFR1. This study comprised 1375 subjects (544 Male, 795 Female, 36 unknown sex) recruited as part of the 3D Facial Norms Project. 3D facial surface images were captured using digital stereophotogrammetry and eight craniofacial measurements were analyzed: maximum cranial width, maximum cranial length, morphological face height, upper face height, nasal protrusion, cephalic index, facial index and upper facial index. Two SNP’s of FGFR1 were genotyped: rs6983315 (intronic variant) and rs13317 (3’ UTR variant). Genotype-phenotype associations were tested with linear regression, using an additive model and a full dominant model, where age and sex were included as covariates in all analyses. Results were considered significant if p ≤ 0.0015. No significant associations were observed between either of the two SNPs and any of the eight craniofacial measurements, and the association results of previous studies could not be replicated.
Plasmodium ovale Stephens 1922

In 1922 J. W. W. Stephens the morphological characters of the asexual forms of a malaria parasite which he had studied in the blood of a patient from East Africa were different from those of any usually accepted species, and he proposed to establish the parasite as a new species with the name Plasmodium ovale. In 1927, in collaboration with D. U. Owen, he confirmed and extended the description from the study of a case infected in Nigeria. In 1930 Warrington Yorke and D. U. Owen studied another case from Nigeria and, by utilising this patient's blood in the practice of malariatherapy, they were able to show that the peculiar morphological features of the asexual stages of the parasite remain constant when it is passed from person to person by direct blood inoculation.
Development of robot finger using ultrasonic motors driven by superimposed signal input

When developing a multi-fingered robot hand driven by ultrasonic motors (USM), complicated wiring may become one of the essential problems. This study introduces a novel driving method for multiple USMs using superimposed signal input to overcome this problem. First, we designed a robot finger driven by built-in USMs. The robot finger has four joints with three-degree-of-freedom, i.e., DIP joint is dependent to PIP joint. Second, we developed USMs which are suitable for the robot finger actuation. Finally, we developed and characterized the robot finger with the superimposed signal input.
Selection of potential predictors of worsening heart failure: rational and design of the SELENE HF study

Background Heart failure is a leading cause of hospitalization and a significant medical burden in our society. Implantable medical devices are nowadays established therapies in heart failure patients that not only provide cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) therapy but are also able to continuously and remotely monitor diagnostic information of various physiologic parameters. The value of combining individual diagnostic variables to predict worsening of heart failure is still largely unclear but could eventually become a valuable tool towards a better heart failure management. Methods SELENE HF (Selection of potential predictors of worsening Heart Failure) is an observational, multicentre study designed to prospectively collect follow-up and home monitoring data trends from a population of individuals with ICDs with or without resynchronization therapy (CRT-D), to document heart failure hospitalizations and deaths and to correlate these events with Home Monitoring data in order to identify the combination with the greatest sensitivity and specificity in predicting heart failure events. The purpose of this study is to describe the design of the study focusing on the Heart Failure Predicting model and statistical approach that will be used to analyse the data. Conclusion The results of the SELENE HF study could help to select and define potential predictors of worsening heart failure in patients with remotely monitored ICD or CRT-D devices. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01836510
Metabolic bone disease in wild collared doves (Streptopelia decaocto)

The records of 666 casualty collared doves examined at a wildlife hospital in south-west England over a period of five years were reviewed. Signs of metabolic bone disease were recorded in 51·2 per cent of the juvenile birds but in only 9·6 per cent of the adults. The incidence of the condition was highest between December and February and decreased almost to zero between June and August. Histological lesions in 11 of the juvenile doves were consistent with vitamin D deficiency, possibly as a result of inadequate exposure to uvb light during the short winter days.
A new and simple experimental approach to characterizing the carrier transport and reliability of strained CMOS devices in the quasi-ballistic regime

A new yet simple approach, VD,sat method, without complicate temperature measurement setup, has been developed to investigate the carrier transport characteristics for MOSFET devices in the quasi-ballistic regime. It has shown quite good matches with that of Temperature Dependent Method (TDM) developed from the quantum theory [1]. For the first time, the carrier transport properties after HC stress were also examined based on the proposed method. Moreover, VD,sat method has been applied to examine the carrier transport and reliabilities in advanced strain-CMOS devices. In terms of the device performance, the enhancement of the drain current is strongly related to the transport parameter, the injection velocity, Vinj, which serves as a good monitor for the strain design and current enhancement. While, considering the device reliability after the HC stress, ballistic efficiency, Bsat is responsible for the ID degradation as a result of the increase in interface scatterings. Finally, a roadmap of the Vinj from those reported results has been provided which serves as a good reference for designing high performance strain- based CMOS devices.
Are stents necessary after choanal atresia repair?

BACKGROUND The technique for surgical repair of choanal atresia has evolved over the past 150 years from the blind transnasal puncture described by Emmert in 1854, through the transpalatal approach, to the currently favored endoscopic transnasal approach. As instrumentation for working within the tight confines of the pediatric nasal cavity have become more refined, outcomes reported in the literature have been excellent. The main controversy remaining in choanal atresia surgery is the role of postoperative stenting.
An A/ENTH Domain-Containing Protein Functions as an Adaptor for Clathrin-Coated Vesicles on the Growing Cell Plate in Arabidopsis Root Cells1[W][OA]

Cytokinesis is the process of partitioning the cytoplasm of a dividing cell, thereby completing mitosis. Cytokinesis in the plant cell is achieved by the formation of a new cell wall between daughter nuclei using components carried in Golgi-derived vesicles that accumulate at the midplane of the phragmoplast and fuse to form the cell plate. Proteins that play major roles in the development of the cell plate in plant cells are not well defined. Here, we report that an AP180 amino-terminal homology/epsin amino-terminal homology domain-containing protein from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is involved in clathrin-coated vesicle formation from the cell plate. Arabidopsis Epsin-like Clathrin Adaptor1 (AtECA1; At2g01600) and its homologous proteins AtECA2 and AtECA4 localize to the growing cell plate in cells undergoing cytokinesis and also to the plasma membrane and endosomes in nondividing cells. AtECA1 (At2g01600) does not localize to nascent cell plates but localizes at higher levels to expanding cell plates even after the cell plate fuses with the parental plasma membrane. The temporal and spatial localization patterns of AtECA1 overlap most closely with those of the clathrin light chain. In vitro protein interaction assays revealed that AtECA1 binds to the clathrin H chain via its carboxyl-terminal domain. These results suggest that these AP180 amino-terminal homology/epsin amino-terminal homology domain-containing proteins, AtECA1, AtECA2, and AtECA4, may function as adaptors of clathrin-coated vesicles budding from the cell plate.
A large-scale control strategy for drag reduction in turbulent boundary layers

Using direct numerical simulations of turbulent channel flow, we present a new method for skin friction reduction, enabling large-scale flow forcing without requiring instantaneous flow information. As proof-of-principle, x-independent forcing, with a z wavelength of 400 wall units and an amplitude of only 6% of the centerline velocity, produces a significant sustained drag reduction: 20% for imposed counterrotating streamwise vortices and 50% for colliding, z-directed wall jets. The drag reduction results from weakened longitudinal vortices near the wall, due to forcing-induced suppression of an underlying streak instability mechanism. In particular, the forcing significantly weakens the wall-normal vorticity ωy flanking lifted low-speed streaks, thereby arresting the streaks’ sinuous instability which directly generates new streamwise vortices in uncontrolled flows. These results suggest promising new drag reduction techniques, e.g., passive vortex generators or colliding spanwise jets from x-aligned sl.
Septic acute kidney injury in critically ill Indian patients

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an independent variable for poor outcome in critically ill patients. The pathophysiology of septic AKI is distinct from that of non-septic AKI. We studied the clinical profile and outcome of septic AKI since such data is sparse in Indian patients. In this single-center retrospective, observational, cohort study, septic AKI has been found with high incidence (31%) and overall mortality was 52%. Age, number of non-renal organ failure, and APACHE II score were found as significant predictors of outcome in this population.
Openness in innovation and business models: lessons from the newspaper industry

The literature on open innovation portrays open business models as a contemporary and extremely useful tool, which can be used by companies to create and capture value in collaboration with external partners. This paper takes the discussion a step further by examining the effect of opening business models in the newspaper industry. Based on interviews with key informants from the two largest media groups in Denmark, together with archival data from 2002 to 2011, we show how the internet and related technology developments have disrupted the long-standing successful business model of the industry. Our findings suggest that a more nuanced view and balanced understanding of the term ‘openness’ as regards business models is needed, since open business models may have other manifestations and implications for business model viability than have been reported in the literature so far.