Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PROBING FORCE CHAINS AND INTER-PARTICLE CONTACTS IN GRANULAR MATERIALS BY NONLINEAR SHEAR WAVES

Nonlinear acoustic probing of a granular medium by a parametric antenna is reported. Shear waves are used for this purpose for the first time. Nonlinear dilatancy is found, which produces conversion of high-frequency shear waves into low-frequency demodulated longitudinal waves and follows a quadratic or Hertzian power law. A strong anisotropy of nonlinearity for shear waves with different polarizations is observed. This sensitivity of the parametric antenna to the shear pump waves polarization allows to detect the force chains preferential orientation in the uni-axially stressed medium, and to quantify the level of induced anisotropy.
Circulating levels of adiponectin and extent of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography

Adiponectin (APN), an adipose tissue-released adipokine with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties, is encoded by a gene whose polymorphisms are associated with presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Serum APN levels are inversely related with presence and complexity of CAD. Within this context, we sought to compare levels of total APN and its high molecular weight form (HMW APN) according to clinical presentation and extent of CAD in patients undergoing elective cardiac catheterization. From March 2008 to June 2010, clinical data and blood samples for APN and HMW APN measurements were collected from 415 subjects undergoing cardiac catheterization at two tertiary centers. CAD extent was estimated by the number of coronary arteries with significant stenosis (≥70% obstruction in a major coronary artery) and by Duke Jeopardy Score (DJS). Serum APN levels were similar between groups with stable or unstable CAD (APN 9.20±5.88 vs 9.47±6.23 μg/mL, P=0.738, and HMW APN 5.31±3.72 vs 5.91±4.16 μg/mL, P=0.255), even after stratification by the number of arteries involved (single-vessel vs multivessel disease: APN 9.39±5.76 vs 9.26±6.27 μg/mL, P=0.871; HMW APN 5.29±3.79 vs 5.83±4.04 μg/mL, P=0.306) and DJS score (APN, P=0.718; HMW APN, P=0.276). We conclude that APN and HMW APN serum levels are similar across clinical presentations and different extents of CAD, despite being significantly lower in the presence of obstructive CAD.
Investigation on Anti-Inflammatory and Antiulcer Activities of Anchusa azurea Extracts and their Major Constituent Rosmarinic Acid

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activities of different extracts from the aerial parts and the roots of Anchusa azurea Miller var. azurea (Boraginaceae), as well as their major constituent, rosmarinic acid. The extracts were water (AWa, RWa) and methanol (AMe, RMe) extracts prepared from the aerial parts and the roots of A. azurea, respectively. The AMe extract was found to exert anti-inflammatory effects; so it was evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in distilled water (AMeWa) and then further fractionated with n-hexane (AMeHe) and n-butanol (AMeBu). Anti-inflammatory activity was investigated in rats using carrageenan-induced acute inflammation, and antiulcer activity was investigated using indomethacin-induced gastric damage. The methanolic extract from the aerial parts, its n-butanol fraction, and rosmarinic acid, which was isolated from the n-butanol fraction of the AMe extract, showed signifi cant dose-dependent antiinflammatory activity. During the acute phase of inflammation, the anti-inflammatory activity of rosmarinic acid was comparable to that of ibuprofen. No antiulcer activity was observed. The experimental data demonstrate that A. azurea Miller var. azurea and rosmarinic acid display significant anti-inflammatory activity.
Is epineurectomy necessary in the surgical management of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Background: In this study, it was aimed to determine whether median nerve epineurectomy is beneficial in the surgical management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Materials and Methods: The study enrolled 72 patients including 34 patients without epineurectomy (Group A) and 38 patients with epineurectomy (Group B). Surgery was performed in patients with severe electrodiagnostic CTS findings, CTS duration >1 year and flattening along with hypervascularization in median nerve. All patients were assessed by visual analog scale, two-point discrimination test as well as subjective and objective findings at baseline and on the months 1, 3, and 6 after surgery. Results: The mean age was 58.3 years (42–75 years) in 38 patients who underwent an epineurectomy, whereas it was 61.5 years (41–82 years) in 34 patients who did not have an epineurectomy. The groups were similar with regard to age, gender, duration of symptoms, and preoperative physical findings. Mean visual analog scale (VAS) scores were 1.7 in Group A and 1.8 in Group B. Again, these differences were not significant, on physical examination, the average two-point discrimination in the distribution of the median nerve was 4.9 mm (range: 3–11 mm) in Group A and 5.3 mm (range: 3–10 mm) in Group B. In postoperative evaluations, there was a better improvement in visual analog scale scores, two-point discrimination test and subjective symptoms including dysesthesia, pain and nocturnal pain within first 3 months; however, there was no marked difference in objective and subjective findings on the 6th month. No complication or recurrence was observed. Conclusion: We believe that median nerve epineurectomy is unnecessary in the surgical management of primary CTS since it has no influence on the midterm outcomes.
Trends in liver transplantation for hepatitis C in a country with reduced access to direct‐acting antiviral agents

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related cirrhosis is a leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) worldwide. Access to effective HCV treatment is inequitable globally. We aimed to analyze whether the introduction of effective HCV treatment caused an impact in LT trends in a middle‐income country.
Managing non‐serious low back pain in the emergency department: Time for a change?

Low back pain is a common condition seen in the ED. However, its management in this setting has received relatively little attention and there have been few efforts to develop strategies to improve emergency care of low back pain. In order to ensure that care is appropriately delivered for low back pain patients in the ED, emergency physicians must understand issues of providing low‐value care and consider potential solutions to the problem. In this paper, we describe the usual emergency care provided for non‐serious low back pain and present possible strategies for restructuring ED practice and approaches for changing physician and patient behaviour. A better understanding of how non‐serious low back pain is currently being managed and discussion on how to provide evidence‐based care according to current guideline recommendations will help emergency physicians improve the value of care for these patients.
RESEARCH Integrative Cardiovascular Physiology and Pathophysiology Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inactivation limits aging-associated heart failure in mice

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inactivation limits aging-associated heart failure in mice. Am J Physiol Heart Physiol 2018. have previously shown that protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inactivation in mice [PTP1B-deﬁcient (PTP1B (cid:2) / (cid:2) ) mice] improves left ventricular (LV) angiogenesis, perfusion, remodeling, and function and limits endothelial dysfunction after myocardial infarction. However, whether PTP1B inactivation slows aging-associated cardiovascular dysfunction remains unknown. Wild-type (WT) and PTP1B (cid:2) / (cid:2) mice were allowed to age until 18 mo. Compared with old WT mice, in which aging increased the LV mRNA expression of PTP1B, old PTP1B (cid:2) / (cid:2) (cid:3) 2.1% in WT mice and 8.2 (cid:3) 2.8% in PTP1B (cid:2) / (cid:2) mice, P (cid:4) 0.05). We conclude that PTP1B inactivation slows aging-associated LV remodeling and dysfunction and reduces endothelial dysfunction in mesenteric arteries. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study shows that protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inactivation in aged mice improves left ventricular systolic and diastolic function associated with reduced adverse cardiac remodeling (hypertrophy, ﬁbrosis, and capillary rarefaction) and limits vascular endothelial dysfunction. This suggests that protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibition could be an interesting treatment approach in age-related cardiovascular dysfunction.
EFFECT OF SELENIUM ON SELECTED MACRONUTRIENTS IN MAIZE PLANTS

Selenium is an essential element for humans, animals and some species of microorganisms. In higher plants, however, the role of selenium is still unclear. Because selenium enrichment may influence the nutrient balance of plants, a study was done to test the effects of selenite-Se (Na 2 SeO 3 ⋅5H 2 O) on selected macronutrients content in maize (Zea mays L. var. saccharata Kcke. cv. Z³ota Kar³owa) seedlings. Plants were grown in Hoagland I nutrient solution (pH 6,2) amended with selenite at 0 (control), 5, 25, 50 and 100 µmol⋅dm -3 for 14 days. The dry weight of the shoots was then analyzed for phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) content. Phosphorus and calcium content increased, while potassium content decreased with increasing selenium treatments. No significant differences were found for magnesium level. Plant growth was affected by excessive selenium concentration. At low concentration (5 µmol⋅dm -3 ), selenium tended to stimulate the plant growth and the root elongation but at higher concentrations (50 and 100 µmol⋅dm -3 ) the dry mass accumulation and root tolerance index severely decreased. The study revealed that disturbances of growth and reduction of plant’s biomass at the presence of high selenium concentrations in the nutrient solution may have resulted from the disturbance of mineral balance of plants, namely accumulation of large amounts of calcium and phosphorus in shoot tissues.
Effects of Various Extents of High-Frequency Hearing Loss on Speech Recognition and Gap Detection at Low Frequencies in Patients with Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This study explored whether the time-compressed speech perception varied with the degree of hearing loss in high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (HF SNHL) individuals. 65 HF SNHL individuals with different cutoff frequencies were recruited and further divided into mildly, moderately, and/or severely affected subgroups in terms of the averaged thresholds of all frequencies exhibiting hearing loss. Time-compressed speech recognition scores under both quiet and noisy conditions and gap detection thresholds within low frequencies that had normal thresholds were obtained from all patients and compared with data from 11 age-matched individuals with normal hearing threshold at all frequencies. Correlations of the time-compressed speech recognition scores with the extents of HF SNHL and with the 1 kHz gap detection thresholds were studied across all participants. We found that the time-compressed speech recognition scores were significantly affected by and correlated with the extents of HF SNHL. The time-compressed speech recognition scores also correlated with the 1 kHz gap detection thresholds except when the compression ratio of speech was 0.8 under quiet condition. Above all, the extents of HF SNHL were significantly correlated with the 1 kHz gap thresholds.
Wire Coating Analysis in MHD Flow and Heat Transfer of a Radiative Third Grade Fluid with Variable Viscosity in a Porous Medium

Wire coating process is a continuous extrusion process for primary insulation of conducting wires with molten polymers for mechanical strength and protection in aggressive environments. In the present study wire coating is performed using radiative melt polymer satisfying third grade fluid model. The novelty of this study is to analyze the effect of porosity, thermal radiation parameter and varying temperature dependent viscosity on the wire coating. Reynolds Model and Vogel’s Model have been considered to account for temperature dependent viscosity. The equations characterizing the flow and heat transfer phenomena are solved numerically by fourth order Runge-Kutta method and the effects of pertinent parameters are shown with the help of graphs. It is interesting to remark that an increase in non-Newtonian parameter increases the velocity in the absence of porous matrix which coincides with the results reported earlier but in the presence of porous matrix the velocity decreases in the entire span of the flow domain. It is also interesting to note that increase in thermal radiation parameter accelerates the process in the presence of porous matrix. Further, the flow instability in the flows of extrusion die is well marked in case of Vogel’s model as pointed out by Nhan-Phan-Thien.
Analytical model for prediction of the damping loss factor of composite materials

Numerous approaches have been undertaken to determine the damping of composites. These approaches can be grouped into micromechanical, macromechanical, and structural approaches. This paper describes a macromechanical approach that has been experimentally validated using various S-2 glass/3501-6 laminates. Our approach is an extension of the elastic-viscoelastic approach, which accounts for the frequency dependence of the loss factor. The experimentally determined material loss factor for the glass/epoxy determined in a previous investigation is used as input to the model. The material complex moduli are then determined and used as input to the model. The loss factor of a quasi-isotropic configuration is analytically determined in the frequency range of the experimental data. The loss factors for these beams are then experimentally determined using a cantilever beam configuration set into vibration with an impulse excitation. The loss factor at various frequencies are determined using the half power band width technique. The analytical values are within 15% of the experimental values in the frequency range of test. In addition, a parametric study is given on the effect of fiber orientation on loss factor. The analytically determined loss factor using the proposed model shows that inconsistencies documented in the literature on the fiber orientation at which a maximum in loss factor occurs can be resolved by incorporating the frequency dependence of the composite loss factor.
Block of Tetrodotoxin-resistant Na+ Channel Pore by Multivalent Cations

Tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) Na+ channels are much less susceptible to external TTX but more susceptible to external Cd2+ block than tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-S) Na+ channels. Both TTX and Cd2+ seem to block the channel near the “DEKA” ring, which is probably part of a multi-ion single-file region adjacent to the external pore mouth and is involved in the selectivity filter of the channel. In this study we demonstrate that other multivalent transitional metal ions such as La3+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, and Mn2+ also block the TTX-R channels in dorsal root ganglion neurons. Just like Cd2+, the blocking effect has little intrinsic voltage dependence, but is profoundly influenced by Na+ flow. The apparent dissociation constants of the blocking ions are always significantly smaller in inward Na+ currents than those in outward Na+ current, signaling exit of the blocker along with the Na+ flow and a high internal energy barrier for “permeation” of these multivalent blocking ions through the pore. Most interestingly, the activation and especially the inactivation kinetics are slowed by the blocking ions. Moreover, the gating changes induced by the same concentration of a blocking ion are evidently different in different directions of Na+ current flow, but can always be correlated with the extent of pore block. Further quantitative analyses indicate that the apparent slowing of channel activation is chiefly ascribable to Na+ flow–dependent unblocking of the bound La3+ from the open Na+ channel, whereas channel inactivation cannot happen with any discernible speed in the La3+-blocked channel. Thus, the selectivity filter of Na+ channel is probably contiguous to a single-file multi-ion region at the external pore mouth, a region itself being nonselective in terms of significant binding of different multivalent cations. This region is “open” to the external solution even if the channel is “closed” (“deactivated”), but undergoes imperative conformational changes during the gating (especially the inactivation) process of the channel.
Multiscale Modeling of Defect Generation and Diffusion in Semiconductor Materials

Multiscale Modeling of Defect Generation and Di usion in Semiconductor Materials Renyu Chen Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Professor Scott T. Dunham Electrical Engineering As semiconductor device technology continues to evolve, great challenges arise in many areas. With the continuous shrinkage of the design window, a better understanding of the detailed physical processes that occur during fabrication is required. This dissertation utilizes the multiscale modeling approach to investigate such processes, focusing on the origin of these processes at the atomic scale and the collective behaviors over the large device scale. In order to gain a fundamental understanding of the di usion processes that occur during device fabrication, we have developed a kinetic lattice Monte Carlo (KLMC) simulator capable of simulating the self-/inter-/impurity di usion processes. The ndings demonstrate the great potential of KLMC in full scale simulation of strain and composition dependent di usion processes in strained silicon and silicon-germanium devices. The silicon photovoltaics industry is undergoing a continuous drive of cost reduction and e ciency improvement. The lack of fundamental understanding of the emitter deposition process poses challenges on process optimization. We have developed continuum models incorporating important physical processes during deposition, such as growth of phosphosilicate glass and transport of phosphorus across the glass layer, and di usion, deactivation and immobilization of phosphorus in silicon. We have simulated the di used emitter pro les that agree well with experiments. The full modeling of the emitter deposition process allows process optimization to enhance e ciency and reduce cost. Metals are detrimental defects in devices as they introduce traps that limit carrier lifetime. Modern devices require gettering processes to remove metals from active device region. We have built a model for the phosphorus di usion gettering behavior of various metal species. Calculation results are in agreement with experimental gettering behavior and provide guidance on optimizing gettering e ciency for better device performance. Lastly, we have extended our approach to wide band gap semiconductor β-Ga2O3, a potential candidate for future electronics devices. We have carried out ab initio calculations on the intrinsic vacancy and transition metal impurity defects in β-Ga2O3 and the results are in good agreement with experimental data. The theoretical analysis, combined with experimental observations, contributes to the fundamental understanding of nano-processes and electrical properties of β-Ga2O3.
Efficacy of Superselective Neck Dissection in Detecting Metastasis in Patients with cN0 Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma at High Risk of Lateral Neck Metastasis

Background This study aimed to evaluate superselective neck dissection (SSND) in patients with cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) at high risk of lateral cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis. Material/Methods This study enrolled 138 patients with PTC who underwent SSND. These patients were at high risk for LN metastasis and the rate of cervical LN metastasis was recorded. Results In all, 146 lateral neck dissections were performed in 138 patients. Intraoperative pathological data revealed LN metastasis from 55 cases, for which Level II and V dissection were performed. Ninety SSNDs were performed in the other 83 patients without metastasis identified in frozen sections. Occult lymph node metastasis (OLNM) rates were 56.8% and 43.5% in the central compartment and lateral neck, respectively. OLNM rates of Level II–VI were 17.8%, 31.5%, 36.3%, 1.4%, and 56.8%, respectively. Level VI metastasis (p<0.001), extra thyroidal extension (p=0.003), and tumor size (p=0.011) were significant factors for lateral neck LN metastasis. Conclusions SSND might be effective for early diagnosis of lateral neck metastases of PTC. Patients with OLNM should receive level II, III, and IV dissection, but level V dissection could be omitted.
Cleaning and disinfection programs against Campylobacter jejuni for broiler chickens: productive performance, microbiological assessment and characterization

ABSTRACT Detailed cleaning and disinfection programs aims to reduce infection pressure from microorganisms from one flock to the next. However, studies evaluating the benefits to poultry performance, the sanitary status of the facilities, and the sanitary quality of the meat are rarely found. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate 2 cleaning and disinfecting programs regarding their influence on productive performance, elimination of Campylobacter, and characterization of Campylobacter jejuni strains when applied to broiler chickens' facilities. Two subsequent flocks with 960 birds each were distributed into 32 pens containing 30 birds each. In the first, the whole flock was inoculated with a known strain of Campylobacter jejuni in order to contaminate the environment. In the second flock, performance and microbiological evaluations were done, characterizing an observational study between 2 cleaning and disinfection programs, regular and proposed. The regular program consisted of sweeping facilities, washing equipment and environment with water and neutral detergent. The proposed cleaning program consisted of dry and wet cleaning, application of 2 detergents (one acid and one basic) and 2 disinfectants (250 g/L glutaraldehyde and 185 g/L formaldehyde at 0.5% and 210 g/L para‐chloro‐meta‐cresol at 4%). Total microorganism count in the environment and Campylobacter spp. identification were done for the microbiological assessment of the environment and carcasses. The positive samples were submitted to molecular identification of Campylobacter spp. and posterior genetic sequencing of the species identified as Campylobacter jejuni. The birds housed in the facilities and submitted to the proposed treatment had better performance when compared to the ones in the regular treatment, most likely because there was a smaller total microorganism count on the floor, walls, feeders and drinkers. The proposed program also resulted in a reduction of Campylobacter spp. on floors, drinkers and birds. Moreover, it was possible to identify 6 different Campylobacter jejuni strains in the facilities. The proposed treatment resulted in a positive influence on the birds' performance and reduction of environment contamination for broiler chickens.
The Balance Attack or Why Forkable Blockchains are Ill-Suited for Consortium

Most blockchain systems are forkable in that they require participants to agree on a chain out of multiple possible branches of blocks. In this paper, we identify a new form of attack, called the Balance attack, against these forkable blockchain systems. The novelty of this attack consists of delaying network communications between multiple subgroups of nodes with balanced mining power. Our theoretical analysis captures the tradeoff between the network delay and the mining power of the attacker needed to double-spend in the GHOST protocol with high probability. We quantify our analysis in the settings of the Ethereum testnet of the R3 consortium where we show that a single machine needs to delay messages for 20 minutes to double spend while a coalition with a third of the mining power would simply need 4 minutes to double spend with 94% of success. We experiment the attack in our private Ethereum chain before arguing for a non-forkable blockchain design to protect against Balance attacks.