Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive finite‐time tracking control for parameterized nonlinear systems with full state constraints

In this article, the issue of adaptive finite‐time dynamic surface control (DSC) is discussed for a class of parameterized nonlinear systems with full state constraints. Using the property of logarithmic function, a one‐to‐one nonlinear mapping is constructed to transform a constrained system into an unconstrained system with the same structure. The nonlinear filter is constructed to replace the first‐order linear filter in the traditional DSC, and the demand on the filter time constant is reduced. Based on finite‐time stable theory and using modified DSC, the finite‐time controller is designed via DSC. Theoretical analysis shows that all the signals in the closed‐loop system are semiglobal practical finite‐time stable. Furthermore, none of the states are outside the defined open set. In the end, simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control schemes with both linear filters and nonlinear filters.
Antibiotic Resistance in Aerobic Bacterial Isolates From Infected Diabetic Foot Ulcers in North Eastern Tanzania: An Urgent Call to Establish A Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee

Background. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) is among major health problems which impact the socio economic burden globally. We aimed at assessing the susceptibility pattern of antimicrobials in DFU infections among patients admitted in the Surgical Department at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC). Methods. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2018 through March 2019. Pus swabs were collected on the first day of admission by deep wound swabbing after irrigation with normal saline solution. Kirby-Bauer method was done according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results. Sixty diabetic ulcer patients had 62 bacterial isolates. Majority of the isolates were gram negative 49/62(79.03%). The most common isolate was Escherichia coli 15/62(24.19%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 14/62(22.58%), Proteus mirabilis 8/62(12.9%) and Staphylococcus aureus 5/62(8.06%). Klebsiella pneumoniae, Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus, Proteus Vulgaris, and Streptococcus pyogenes each contributed 4/62(6.25%) isolates. Of the 49/62(79.3%) gram negative isolates, 8/49(16.33%) were mono resistant, 30/49(61.22%) were multiresistant, and 11/49(22.45%) were susceptible. Of the multi-resistant isolates, E. coli 12/15(80.00%), and P.aeruginosa 7/14(50.00%) were predominant. A total of 39/62(62.90%) isolates in patients contributed to poorer outcomes including loss of body part. Patients with ulcers infected by P. aeruginosa 11/39 (28.21%) had the highest number of surgical removal of body parts followed by E. coli 8/39(20.51%). Gram negative bacteria were highly susceptible to amikacin 91.18%, meropenem 93.33% and imipenem 95.24%. Isolates susceptibility to ceftriaxone was 32%. Conclusions. Amikacin, meropenem and imipenem can be safely used as broad-spectrum antimicrobials in DFU. The Standard of care remains culture and sensitivity of isolated microorganisms in combating diabetic foot ulcers infections.
Methodology of Urban Safety and Security Assessment Based on the Overall Risk Management Perspective

With the expansion of urbanization, the interaction between different hazards has become increasing evident. In order to promote sustainable development of urban areas, it is particularly important to systematically analyze and evaluate urban safety and security under the coupling effect of multi-hazard risks. In response to the practical needs of urban safety and security assessment practice, this paper constructs an application-oriented urban safety and security quantitative assessment methodology. First, following the comprehensive risk management perspective, the logical relationship between urban safety and security elements is analyzed. It proposes “comprehensive screening, key analysis, and comprehensive evaluation” as a new assessment concept. Second, a system of urban safety and security assessment methods consisting of a weighting method and a function model is constructed. The function model includes two sub-models: a quantitative risk assessment model that considers triggering effects and a quantitative assessment model of emergency capacity that considers the evolution of emergencies. Finally, the method was applied to a coastal urban area in south China. The case study proved that the proposed method system can not only effectively evaluate various disaster risks and emergency capacity but also provide evidence for the formulation and implementation of urban safety and security management measures.
Utilization from Computational Methods and Omics Data for Antiviral Drug Discovery to Control of SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic issue threatening world health and economy became a major problem with its destructive impact. The researchers have seen that conventional methods related to medicine and immunological background do not resolve this disease by gained knowledge of viruses previously studied. Advances in computational biology comprising bioinformatics, simulation, and yielded databases have accelerated and strengthened our facilities to predict some cases related to the biological complex by comparison with the use of artificial intelligence. Various novel drugs by using in silico resources and in vivo imaging techniques associated with high-resolution technologies can cause the confidential development of methods for the detection of antiviral drugs and the production of diagnosis kits. In the future, we will start seeing these novel techniques’ positive reflection and their advantages in cost/time effective profits. This chapter highlights these approaches and addresses updated knowledge currently used for research and development.
Difference in Cadmium,Zinc and Lead Accumulation of Poplar and Willow Species

A soil culture experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of Cd,Zn and Pb combined pollution on biomass,heavy metal concentration and total uptake,bioaccumulation coefficien(tBCF),transportation factor(TF)in 14 poplar and willow species.The results showed there were significant differences among the poplar and willow species in biomass of leaf,stem and root,stem height,heavy metal concentration and total uptake,BCF and TF.With an increase in heavy metal concentration in soil culture,heavy metal concentration and total uptake in poplar and willow species increased significantly,and BCF decreased obviously,whereas TF had almost no change.Heavy metal concentration in Populus×euramericana(Dode)cv. 'Nanlin-895'(Nanlin 895),Salix jiangsuensis CL. '61-1'(61-1)and Salix jiangsuensis CL. '795'(795)were very high,the largest Cd and Zn concentration in leaves were detected in 61-1(29.23 mg Cd·kg-1 and 1410 mg Zn·kg-1),but these species showed low metal tolerance and biomass.When biomass and heavy metal concentration were considered together,the heavy metal total uptake of 61-1 and Populus×euramericana(Dode)cv. 'Nanlin-95'(Nanlin 95)was larger in tested species,enrichment ability of heavy metal in them was stronger,and the largest Cd and Zn total uptake in leaves were detected in Nanlin 95(205.62 μg Cd·plant-1 and 5 897.94 μg Zn·plant-1). 61-1 and Nanlin 95 hold promise for phytoextraction.
Territorializing International Travel Emissions: Geography and Magnitude of the Hidden Climate Footprint of Brussels

In the present article we investigate the geography and magnitude of the climate footprint of long-distance travel with Brussels, Belgium, as a destination. The internationally networked position of this city goes hand in hand with a strong dependence on international mobility, which largely materializes in impressive volumes of long-distance travel and associated consumption of important amounts of fossil fuel. Despite a surge in concerns about global warming, the climate footprint of most international travel, notably air travel, is not included in the official national and regional climate inventories, or in other words, it is not territorialized. The official climate footprint of the Brussels-Capital Region attained 3.7 Mton CO 2 eq per year (in 2017). Based on our exploratory calculations, however, the total estimated climate footprint of all Brussels-bound international travel equalled an additional 2.7 Mton CO 2 eq. In terms of geographical distribution, over 70% of international travellers to Brussels come from Europe, while these represent only 15% of the climate footprint of all international travel to Brussels. We conclude that the practice of not allocating emissions caused by international travel to territorial units has kept the magnitude and complexity of this problem largely under the radar and contributes to the lack of societal support for curbing growth of international aviation.
Does the Technological Diversification and R&D Internationalization of eMNCs Promote Enterprise Innovation?: An Empirical Study on China's Publicly Listed Companies

Under the background of digital economy, technological diversification and R&D internationalization are important strategic choices for eMNCs, represented by China, to seek advanced technological resources and create competitive advantages. This paper takes China’s listed MNCs from 2009 to 2019 as the research object and applies a non-equilibrium panel negative binomial fixed effect regression to investigate the impact mechanism of technological diversification of China’s MNCs on enterprise innovation performance and the moderating effect of overseas R&D networks. Results show that the related technological diversification of MNCs has a significant positive impact, and the unrelated technological diversification and their innovation performance are in inverted U-shaped relationship; overseas R&D networks have significant moderating effect while the breadth and depth of the moderating effect are not the same; significant differences exist in the moderating effect of overseas R&D networks due to the heterogeneity of institutional development levels among regions in China.
Market Perceptions of Fair Value Reporting for Tangible Assets

This article examines equity market perceptions of fair value reporting for tangible assets. We identify six events—four designated as increasing, two as decreasing—affecting the likelihood of U.S. adoption of fair value reporting for investment property (i.e., real estate) assets, one of the largest asset classes in the world. Fair value adoption in the United States would facilitate convergence of one of the widest remaining disparities between U.S. reporting and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS): accounting for tangible investment property assets, where the United States (IFRS) requires depreciated historical cost (recognized or disclosed fair values). Using a sample of U.S. investment property firms, we document an average positive market reaction for movement toward fair value reporting. We further find predictable cross-sectional variation, with the market reaction increasing for firms with greater commitment to high-quality reporting, greater investor demand for fair values, higher financial risk, and staler asset values. Overall, the results are consistent with U.S. equity markets perceiving net benefits to movement toward a fair value reporting approach for this asset class.
The role of NGOs in sustainable supply chain management: a social movement perspective

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the academic literature on non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) role in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) to develop a conceptual framework. Design/methodology/approach This paper conducts a systematic literature review through an analysis of 47 papers identified from peer-reviewed academic journals published from 2002 to 2020. Findings Adopting social movement theory and based on thematic findings, this paper proposes four steps and six propositions in the process of NGOs fostering SSCM. These include relative deprivation, political opportunities, resource mobilization and collective action, based on which we developed a conceptual framework regarding the role of NGOs in improving sustainability in supply chains. The proposed conceptual model opens a new avenue of research in NGO literature and several directions for further research. Originality/value This study may be the first to provide a systematic review of NGOs’ role in improving sustainability in supply chains. Moreover, by borrowing the social movement theory from sociology, this paper able to propose a new conceptual framework with a research agenda so as to deepen the understanding of the phenomenon and provide directions for future research.
Nanocapsules lipidiques de paclitaxel et cancer bronchique : premières données d'efficacité et de toxicité chez la souris et méthodes d'aérosolisation à partir de lots précliniques

Les nanocapsules lipidiques (NCL) sont une formulation sans solvant permettant d'encapsuler des principes actifs liposolubles comme le paclitaxel. Leurs proprietes sont : taille inferieure a 150 nanometres (nm), concentration passive dans les tumeurs par effet « Enhanced Permeability and Retention » et inhibition de la glycoproteine-P, impliquee dans un mecanisme de resistance au paclitaxel. Ce travail a d'abord etudie les adaptations a appliquer a la formulation usuelle des NCL de paclitaxel de 50 nm en vue de realiser les premiers lots precliniques. Une methode de conservation par congelation des NCL de paclitaxel dans leur phase aqueuse pendant au moins 6 mois est proposee. La toxicite systemique des lots precliniques de NCL a ete etudiee selon la methode d'Irwin. Les doses maximales tolerees et doses letales 50 du Taxol® et des NCL de paclitaxel sont respectivement de 12 et 19,5 mg/kg et de 96 et 216 mg/kg. Aucune toxicite n'est observee avec des NCL sans paclitaxel. Les NCL de paclitaxel sont plus efficaces que le Taxol® sur un modele tumoral sous-cutane de la lignee humaine H460. Ce schema d'administration n'induit aucune toxicite significative. La nebulisation des NCL pour un usage experimental chez l'animal ou therapeutique chez l'homme est possible respectivement au moyen d'un Microsprayer® ou d'un nebuliseur eFlow®rapid. Les NCL de paclitaxel de 50 nm ont permis d'optimiser l'effet cytotoxique du paclitaxel en s'affranchissant de la toxicite du Taxol®. Il est possible de generer des aerosols de NCL de paclitaxel. Ces donnees permettent de poursuivre les etudes toxicologiques et d'efficacite des NCL administrees par voie systemique et par voie pulmonaire.
Inhibition of the Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase Pathway Restores the Discogenic Phenotype of Inflammatory Intervertebral Disc Cells

Background: Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a spinal disease caused by trauma and/or repetitive mechanical overloading of the spine which triggers inflammatory response pathways. Long-term disc inflammation may lead to development of spinal pseudoarthrosis. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in inflammation-induced IVD cells. Methods: Inflammatory human nucleus pulposus cells (NPC) were stimulated using tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and the ERK pathway was blocked using a selective molecule-based inhibitor U0126. Gene expression of catabolic and anabolic events, pro-inflammatory, and NPC markers were investigated. The enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)2/9 were determined by gelatin zymography. The cytoxicity of U0126 concentrations on NPC was quantified using resazurin assay, and the specificity of U0126 on ERK1/2 signaling was determined.Results: The pro-inflammatory cytokines like MMP3/13 and interleukin 6 in nucleus pulposus (NP) inflammatory conditions were down-regulated by U0126 and a trend towards an increase of the NP-specific collagen type 2, aggrecan and keratin 19 was observed suggesting a recovery of the NP phenotype. U0126 does not seem to have effect on prostaglandin production, aggrecanases and some anabolic genes. We confirmed that U0126 selectively blocks the ERK phosphorylation and U0126 affects the cells metabolic activity only for high concentrations. Conclusions: Inhibition of ERK signaling down-regulates important metalloproteinase, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and up-regulates NP markers in order to restore the discogenic phenotype of inflammatory NPC.
The effects of oxygen and medicines on T cells in hypoxic co-culture

Objectives: Many patients with massive hemorrhage, respiratory failure due to trauma admit the emergency department, and further that the experience can fall into shock, inducing to sepsis, multiple organ failure due to hyperinflammation or immunosuppression. In the these patients, the low oxygen flow with immunosuppression is believed to play a significant role. Hence, oxygen supply and medicines is essential in severe trauma patients. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of oxygen and variable medicines in hypoxic condition. Methods: T cells and macrophages were plated into trans-well plate for co-culture for 30 minutes in hypoxia. After that, the cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) followed by variable medicines by normoxia or oxygen supply for 2 hrs and cells were inculated overnight under normoxic conditions. The T cell viability was measured by MTT, and the expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) were measured by western blots using the T cells with co-culture with inflammatory maccrophages. Also, the concentration of MIF was analyzed by ELISA. Results: The T cells viability was decreased in hypoxia with LPS stimulation, however, pentoxifylline (PTX) effectively restored cell viability regardless of oxygen state (p < 0.05). Besides, PTX in oxygen supply status restored the decreases in IL-2 expression of T cells and the increases MIF in the LPS stimulation with hypoxia (p < 0.05). Conclusions: PTX has more effectively restored the T cells immunosuppression in hypoxia during oxygen supply, and has an immunomodulation effect by controlling hyperinflammation.
RUNWAY INCURSIONS IN NORWAY 2009-2019: A CASE STUDY OF EXTENDED INVESTIGATION REPORTS

Abstract: The aim of the present study is to examine case studies from extended investigations of runway incursions in Norway from 2009-2019. Runway incursions involves an incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle or person on the runway and represents a relatively frequent threat to safety in the aviation industry. A content analysis and classification of the extended investigation reports (N=7) revealed 42 explanatory factors that could be condensed into four categories related to perception, procedural errors, memory and decision-making. When mapped onto the theoretical framework of situational awareness about 70% of the explanatory factors were related to misperception of information, improper comprehension of information or incorrect projection of future actions, respectively. The present study suggests that situational awareness can serve as a useful theoretical framework to identify deficits in human factors associated with runway incursion incidents. The results from this study contributes to inform investigation into aviation hazards and training of air traffic controllers.
Internal audit and financial performance of Yemeni commercial banks: Empirical evidence

This study seeks to verify the contribution of internal audit (IA), especially its role in improving financial performance in Yemeni commercial banks, with a specific focus on three factors, namely: the independence and objectives of IA, the quality of IA and the size of IA. This study reviews some existing literature on the contribution and role of IA in improving financial performance. It relies on available data from questionnaires. 90 questionnaires were distributed to nine commercial banks in Yemen (23 branches) working under the supervision of the Central Bank of Yemen; 81 questionnaires (90%) were regained and used in the process of analysis. To analyze the data, three analysis approaches were used, including description, correlation, and regression. The results showed that the IA has a significant impact on the overall performance of Yemeni commercial banks. Furthermore, the results showed that the auditors’ efficiencies, as well as their financial and accounting experiences, have a significant and positive impact on financial performance. It was revealed that the independence and objectivity of internal auditors are highly insignificant for financial performance. However, the size of IA and the frequency of the auditors’ meetings have a negative and significant effect on financial performance. This study provides some recommendations for improving the effectiveness of IA, which in turn will contribute to improving financial performance.
When a Discovery Is a Rediscovery: Do We Know the History of Our Own Subject?

It is an old Soviet joke that “The future is certain; it is only the pastthatisunpredictable,”buthistoryingeneralisoftenreinter-preted, and often in the interest of those in power. This process is made easier by the inevitable existence of some sloppy schol-arly work that will help unscrupulous “influencers” to spread uncertainty and allow radical misinterpretations. Science is of course supposed to be a rational evidence-based activity and should therefore not have such problems with its own history. However, sloppy referencing, not picked up by sloppy reviewing, does occur. When checking earlier work carefully, it turns out that not all generally accepted narratives concerning when and by whom discoveries were made are correct.
Correction to Quantitative sampling using an Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer: 1. Techniques of d

[1] In the paper ‘‘Quantitative sampling using an Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer: 1. Techniques of data interpretation and error analysis’’ by J. D. Allan et al. (Journal of Geophysical Research, 108(D3), 4090, doi:10.1029/2002JD002358, 2003), the authors of the Jimenez et al. [2003] reference are incorrect. The correct reference is as follows: Jimenez, J. L. , J. T. Jayne, Q. Shi, C. E. Kolb, D. R. Worsnop, I. Yourshaw, J. H. Seinfeld, R. C. Flagan, X. Zhang, K. A. Smith, J. W. Morris, and P. Davidovits, Ambient aerosol sampling using the Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer, J. Geophys. Res., 10.1029/ 2001JD001213, in press, 2003. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 108, NO. D9, 4283, doi:10.1029/2003JD001607, 2003
Blindness and Deafness – an Extreme Phenotype in Friedreich Ataxia

IntroductionFriedreich ataxia is the most frequent hereditary ataxia worldwide. Subclinical visual and auditory involvement has been recognized in these patients, with co-occurrence of severe blindness and deafness being rare.Case ReportWe describe a patient, homozygous for a 873 GAA expansion in the FXN gene, whose first symptoms appeared by the age of 8. With 22 years-old he developed sensorineural deafness, and with 26 visual impairment. Deafness had a progressive course over eleven years, until a stage of extreme severity which hindered communication. Visual acuity had a catas­trophic deterioration, with blindness three years after visual impairment was first noticed. Audiograms documented progressive sensorineural deafness, most striking for low frequencies. Visual evoked poten­tials disclosed bilaterally increased P100 latency. He passed away at the age of 41 years old, at a stage of extreme disability, blind and deaf, in addition to the com­ple­te phenotype of a patient with Friedreich ataxia of more than 30 years durationDiscussion﻿Severe vision loss and extreme deafness has been described in very few patients with Friedreich ataxia. Long duration, severe disease and large expanded alleles may account for such an extreme phenotype; nonetheless, the role of factors as modifying genes warrants further investigation in this subset of patients.