Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
$\mathcal {CIRFE}$: A Distributed Random Fields Estimator

The paper presents a communication efficient distributed algorithm, <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX"> $\mathcal {CIRFE}$</tex-math></inline-formula> of the <italic>consensus</italic>+<italic>innovations</italic> type, to estimate a high-dimensional parameter in a multi-agent network, in which each agent is interested in reconstructing only a few components of the parameter. This problem arises, for example, when monitoring the high-dimensional distributed state of a large-scale infrastructure with a network of limited capability sensors and where each sensor is tasked with estimating some local components of the state. At each observation sampling epoch, each agent updates its local estimate of the parameter components in its interest set by simultaneously processing the latest locally sensed information (<italic>innovations</italic>) and the parameter estimates from agents (<italic>consensus </italic>) in its communication neighborhood given by a time-varying possibly sparse graph. Under minimal conditions, on the interagent communication network and the sensing models, almost sure convergence of the estimate sequence at each agent to the components of the true parameter in its interest set is established. Furthermore, the paper establishes the performance of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathcal {CIRFE}$</tex-math> </inline-formula> in terms of asymptotic covariance of the estimate sequences and specifically characterizes the dependencies of the component wise asymptotic covariance in terms of the number of agents tasked with estimating it. Finally, simulation experiments demonstrate the efficacy of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathcal {CIRFE}$</tex-math></inline-formula>.
Prediction of Transverse Cracking and Stiffness Reduction in Cross-Ply Laminated Composites

A modified shear lag analysis, taking into account the concept of in terlaminar shear layer, is employed to predict the onset of a transverse crack and multiple transverse cracking. In this analysis, the boundary conditions are satisfied for any trans verse crack spacing. The crack multiplication is simulated by adjusting the crack spacing. Based on this analysis the laminate stiffness reduction due to the multiple transverse crack ing is also evaluated in cross-ply laminated composites. The energy concept is utilized to assess the effect of 90° layer thickness and the constraining effect of 0° layer on the trans verse cracking behavior of cross-ply laminated composites. Predictions of the onset of a transverse crack and stiffness reduction due to transverse cracks are compared with those of previous analyses and existing experimental data. The present analysis is simple, yet its results show reasonable agreement with experimental results.
Effect of cooling on the glucoregulation of anaesthetized and non-anaesthetized newborn dogs.

UNLABELLED When newborn dogs 2-14 days of age, anaesthetized with Nembutal, were cooled to 30 degrees C body core temperature, their rate of CO2 production (QCO2) decreased as predicted by van't Hoff's law, but the rates of hepatic glucose production and overall glucose utilization were decreased to a lesser degree, indicating an increase in the percentage contribution of plasma glucose to the overall energy turnover. In different litters of pups cooled to 32 degrees C, QCO2 and the rate of glucose production and utilization were decreased as predicted by van't Hoff's law. The metabolic clearance rate of glucose was decreased by cooling in all pups. These changes were wholly or partially reversible upon rewarming. Because of the approximate parallelity in the changes in the rates of production and utilization of glucose, no consistent change in blood glucose was observed during cooling. When non-anaesthetized pups less than 6 days old were exposed to cold until their core temperature was decreased to 32 degrees C QCO2 increased transiently during cooling. A small and transient elevation in plasma glucose concentration was observed due to a small increase in hepatic glucose production. Older pups fell into two categories: those which were able to maintain their body temperature by increasing their metabolic rate did not react with any change in their rates of glucose production and utilization. On the other hand pups which, during cooling, failed to raise their metabolic rate became hyperglycaemic because of an increased rate of glucose production and a decrease in glucose clearance. IN CONCLUSION in anaesthetized pups QCO2 and the rates of hepatic glucose production and utilization follow approximately van't Hoff's law, indicating the absence of significant regulatory responses. Non-anaesthetized pups, if they are able to maintain their body temperature during cooling by an increase of their metabolic rate, show no significant changes in glucose production and utilization. Hyperglycaemia developed only in those pups which failed to increase their metabolic rate and consequently became severely hypothermic. In no case did hypothermia lead to hypoglycaemia.
Atherogenic index of plasma and 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease in adult Africans living with HIV infection: A cross-sectional study from Yaoundé, Cameroon

Background The paucity of data regarding the association between atherogenic index of plasma and risk of cardiovascular disease in HIV-infected populations living in sub-Saharan Africa prompted us to conduct this study which aimed to assess the relationship between atherogenic index of plasma and risk of cardiovascular disease among a Cameroonian HIV-infected population. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 452 HIV-infected adults in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Risk of cardiovascular disease was calculated using the Framingham risk score; atherogenic index of plasma was derived as log (triglycerides/high-density lipoproteins cholesterol). Results Participants’ mean age (80% females) was 44.4 ± 9.8 years. Atherogenic index of plasma values ranged from –0.63 to 1.36 with a median of 0.11 (25th–75th percentiles: –0.08-0.31). Most participants (88.5%) were on antiretroviral treatment. There was a significant correlation between atherogenic index of plasma and fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.116; p = 0.014), atherogenic index of plasma and total cholesterol (r = –0.164; p < 0.001). Atherogenic index of plasma was significantly associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease either in univariable (β = 5.05, 95% CI: 3.31–6.79; p < 0.001, R2 = 0.067) or in multivariable linear regression model after adjusting for socio-demographic, clinical and biological confounders (adjusted β = 3.79, 95% CI: 1.65 – 4.88; p < 0.001, R2 = 0.187). Conclusion Atherogenic index of plasma may be an independent factor impacting the risk of cardiovascular disease among Cameroonian HIV-infected people. More studies are needed to better elucidate the association between atherogenic index of plasma and risk of cardiovascular disease in our setting.
Study of changes in lipid profile and insulin resistance in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 in the era of DAAs

ABSTRACT Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with altered metabolism, including dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. These contribute to disease progression and influences the response to therapy. To investigate the relationships of new direct-acting antiviral drugs, simeprevir/sofosbuvir, with lipid profile and insulin resistance (IR). Eighty chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 patients were included; they were divided into four groups according to the severity of fibrosis as detected by fibroscan. Forty healthy persons volunteered as a control group. Lipid profile changes and IR were analyzed at baseline and after the end of treatment, and any effect of these changes on the response to treatment was studied. Before treatment, the levels of serum triglycerides were significantly higher in patients than in the control, and the levels of fasting insulin showed a progressive increase with advancing stage of fibrosis. At the end of treatment, there were a significant reduction in serum triglycerides, FBS, fasting insulin, and homeostasis model for the assessment of IR (P < 0.001), and a significant elevation of serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-c, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-c, and LDL/HDL ratio (P = 0.001). An end-of-treatment response (week 12) was achieved in (99%) of the treated cases with 99% sustained viral response for 12 weeks post-treatment (week 24). Significant lipid profile changes were detected at the end of treatment. Serum lipid levels and IR are no longer predictors of response to DAAs. Follow-up of the lipid profile is warranted to avoid any possible remote effect of atherosclerotic heart disease.
Fixation of Traumatic Chondral-Only Fragments of the Knee in Pediatric and Adolescent Athletes: A Retrospective Multicenter Report

Background: While traditional biological principles have suggested that fragments consisting of cartilage alone cannot be reaffixed to bone with expectable long-term healing, case reports of successful healing after fixation in younger patients indicate that this concept remains incompletely explored. Purpose: To evaluate the presenting features, techniques, healing rates, and clinical and radiological results in a cohort of pediatric and adolescent athletes who underwent fixation of traumatic chondral-only fragments in the knee. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patient registries at 2 tertiary care children’s hospitals were reviewed to identify patients ≤18 years old who underwent fixation of a “chondral-only” fragment in the knee, defined as the inability to visualize the fragment on injury radiographs or discern bone on the articular portion of a fragment intraoperatively. The mechanism of injury, fragment features, fixation technique, and postoperative clinical course, including timing of sports clearance, healing on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and any complications or reoperations, were assessed. Results: Fifteen patients with a median age at surgery of 12.7 years (interquartile range [IQR], 11.7-14.2 years) and median follow-up of 12.0 months (IQR, 6.0-19.2 months) were analyzed. All patients sustained an acute knee injury before surgery. The injured sites, as assessed on MRI, were the patella (n = 6), trochlea (n = 5), and lateral femoral condyle (n = 4). The median fragment surface area was 492.0 mm2 (IQR, 400.0-787.5 mm2). Fixation with bioabsorbable implants was performed in all patients at a median of 1.6 weeks (IQR, 1.0-2.6 weeks) after the injury. One patient (7%) sustained a fall 8 weeks postoperatively, requiring secondary surgery for excision of a dislodged fragment, and 1 patient (7%) underwent unrelated patellar stabilization surgery 3.4 years postoperatively, at which time the fragment was found to be stable. MRI was performed in 9 of 14 patients with retained fragments (median, 12.0 months postoperatively), with 5 patients (56%) showing restoration of the cartilage contour and the resolution of subchondral edema; 2 patients showed thinning but intact cartilage, 1 had cartilage thickening, and 1 had subchondral edema, fissuring, and cystic changes. The median time to return to sports for all 15 patients was 26.0 weeks (IQR, 22.8-40.9 weeks), including 2 patients who required second surgery and returned to sports at 26.1 and 191.1 weeks. Conclusion: Fixation of traumatic chondral-only fragments using bioabsorbable implants may result in successful short-term healing in the majority of pediatric and adolescent athletes.
Genetic analysis of maternal and paternal lineages in Kabardian horses by uniparental molecular markers

Studies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as well as the non-recombining part of the Y chromosome help to understand the origin and distribution of maternal and paternal lineages. The Kabardian horse from Northern Caucasia which is well-known for strength, stamina and endurance in distance riding has a large gap in its breeding documentation especially in the recent past. A 309 bp fragment of the mitochondrial D-loop (156 Kabardian horses) and six mutations in Y chromosome (49 Kabardian stallions), respectively, were analyzed to get a better insight into breeding history, phylogenetic relationship to related breeds, maternal and paternal diversity and genetic structure. We found a high mitochondrial diversity represented by 64 D-loop haplotypes out of 14 haplogroups. The most frequent haplogroups were G (19.5%), L (12.3%), Q (11.7%), and B (11.0%). Although these four haplogroups are also frequently found in Asian riding horses (e.g. Buryat, Kirghiz, Mongolian, Transbaikalian, Tuvinian) the percentage of the particular haplogroups varies sometimes remarkable. In contrast, the obtained haplogroup pattern from Kabardian horse was more similar to that of breeds reared in the Middle East. No specific haplotype cluster was observed in the phylogenetic tree for Kabardian horses. On Kabardian Y chromosome, two mutations were found leading to three haplotypes with a percentage of 36.7% (haplotype HT1), 38.8% (haplotype HT2) and 24.5% (haplotype HT3), respectively. The high mitochondrial and also remarkable paternal diversity of the Kabardian horse is caused by its long history with a widely spread maternal origin and the introduction of Arabian as well as Thoroughbred influenced stallions for improvement. This high genetic diversity provides a good situation for the ongoing breed development and performance selection as well as avoiding inbreeding.
Comparative evaluation of fracture resistance of root canals obturated with four different obturating systems

Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of root canals obturated with four different obturating systems in endodontically treated teeth. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty single-rooted teeth were selected and decoronated at cementoenamel junction. Instrumentation of teeth (except control group) was done with Mtwo rotary files up to size 25/0.06 using a step-back technique. All teeth were divided into four experimental groups (n = 25) and two control groups (n = 10). In Group I (negative control), teeth were neither instrumented nor obturated, in Group II (positive control), instrumentation was done, but no obturation was performed, in Group III, obturation was done with cold lateral compaction technique, in Group IV, obturation was done with cold free-flow compaction technique, in Group V, obturation was done with warm vertical compaction technique, and in Group VI, obturation was done with injection-molded thermoplasticized technique. All prepared teeth were embedded in an acrylic resin block, and their fracture strength was measured using Universal Testing Machine. Statistical data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's honestly significant difference test. Results: Negative control Group I showed highest fracture resistance and positive control Group II had lowest fracture resistance. Among experimental groups, cold free-flow compaction technique with GuttaFlow2 (Group IV) showed higher fracture resistance as compared to the Group III, Group V, and Group VI. Conclusion: GuttaFlow2 has the potential to strengthen the endodontically treated roots to a level that is similar to that of intact teeth.
Similarities and differences in the default mode network across rest, retrieval, and future imagining

The default mode network (DMN) has been identified reliably during rest, as well as during the performance of tasks such as episodic retrieval and future imagining. It remains unclear why this network is engaged across these seemingly distinct conditions, though many hypotheses have been proposed to account for these effects. Prior to generating hypotheses explaining common DMN involvement, the degree of commonality in the DMN across these conditions, within individuals, must be statistically determined to test whether or not the DMN is truly a unitary network, equally engaged across rest, retrieval and future imagining. To provide such a test, we used comparable paradigms (self‐directed, uninterrupted thought of equal duration) across the three conditions (rest, retrieval, and future imagining) in a within‐participant design. We found lower than expected pattern similarity in DMN functional connectivity across the three conditions. Similarity in connectivity accounted for only 40–50% of the total variance. Partial Least Squares (PLS) analyses revealed the medial temporal regions of the DMN were preferentially coupled with one another during episodic retrieval and future imagining, whereas the non‐medial temporal regions of the DMN (e.g., medial prefrontal cortex, lateral temporal cortex, and temporal pole) were preferentially coupled during rest. These results suggest that DMN connectivity may be more flexible than previously considered. Our findings are in line with emerging evidence that the DMN is not a static network engaged commonly across distinct cognitive processes, but is instead a dynamic system, topographically changing in relation to ongoing cognitive demands. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1155–1171, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cooperative Jamming for Physical Layer Security Enhancement in Internet of Things

Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming an emerging paradigm to achieve ubiquitous connectivity, via massive deployment of physical objects, such as sensors, controllers, and actuators. However, concerns on the IoT security are raised due to the wireless broadcasting nature and the energy constraint of the physical objects. In this paper, we study secure downlink transmission from a controller to an actuator, with the help of a cooperative jammer to fight against multiple passive and noncolluding eavesdroppers. In addition to artificial noise aided secrecy beamforming for secure transmission, cooperative jamming (CJ) is explored to further enhance physical layer security. In particular, we provide a secrecy enhancing transmit design to minimize the secrecy outage probability (SOP), subject to a minimum requirement on the secrecy rate. Based on a strict mathematical analysis, we further characterize the impacts of the main channel quality and the minimum secrecy rate on transmit designs. Numerical results confirm that our design can enhance both security (in terms of SOP) and power efficiency as compared with the approach without CJ.
Multiple sclerosis lesion formation and early evolution revisited: A weekly high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging study

Background: Several magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies investigated the evolution of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to blood-brain barrier breakdown and lesion formation. Only a few assessed the early natural history of MS lesions using short-interval longitudinal MRI. Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize MS lesion occurrence and early evolution on high-resolution MRI acquired at weekly intervals. Methods: Active lesions were characterized on 3D fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) and gadolinium-enhanced 3D T1-weighted MRI performed weekly (seven weeks) on five untreated patients with relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS). Results: Active lesions (n=212) were detected in all patients. All showed contrast-enhancement on at least one time-point. Most new lesions (83.5%) were visible on FLAIR and post-contrast T1-weighted images at first detection; 11.2% showed activity on FLAIR images, one or more weeks before the appearance of contrast-enhancement; 12.5% enhanced before being apparent on FLAIR. Conclusion: Blood brain barrier disruption is a constant step in the natural history of active MS lesions, but does not always constitute the initial event. These findings are consistent with the existence of a subpopulation of lesions with an ‘inside-out’ genesis, where neurodegenerative processes might precede microglial activation, and a subsequent adaptive immune response.
A Re-evaluation of factors controlling print rub on matt and silk coated papers

Print rub, or ink scuff, remains one of the greatest challenges for the successful development of matt and silk matt offset coated papers. Using a recently proposed method for evaluating print rub, involving a non-slip pressure and friction-induced stress contact between a printed and unprinted sheet, this work seeks to test a newly-formulated hypothesis that the ability to improve print rub resistance is a function of coating surface capillarity (absorption) and adsorption properties, in combination with the roughness and compressibility/conformability of the basepaper-coating composite on the fibre-floc scale. A series of coated papers have been tested, ranging from woodfree single to multicoated grades, including the evaluation of compressibility and stretchability under pressure and shear both individually (prerubbing), to simulate external reel-up, calendering and converting processes, and in combination with the aged and conditioned printed surface. The findings are used to illustrate the corner points of the hypothesis, from which is deduced that the most resistant surface to print-rub is a combination of high capillarity and high surface area of the pigmented coating, aiding absorption and adsorption, together with a uniformly compressible basepaper-coating composite structure, such that contact shear forces are minimised. Under conditions of compromise, such as a coating surface exhibiting low capillarity, an incompressible/non conforming sheet can help reduce print rub due to minimised contact area. The evidence tends to suggest that a too rigid coating-basepaper combination, such as developed by many modern paper machines together with multi-coating, is exacerbating performance difficulties in this paper sector.