Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance of Permeability-Reducing Admixtures in Marine Concrete Structures

The use of permeability-reducing admixtures is a potential preventative of the chloride-induced corrosion of steel reinforcement, which is the main cause of the deterioration of concrete structures exposed to coastal environments. This paper presents an experimental investigation into the effectiveness of two typical commercially available permeability-reducing admixtures: one characterized by crystallization activity and the other by hydrophobic and pore-blocking effects. Concrete specimens were exposed to simulated coastal environments, and chloride concentration profiles at 28-, 365-, and 730-day exposures were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The results suggested that the incorporation of the admixture, characterized by hydrophobic and pore-blocking effects, appeared to considerably enhance the concrete durability with respect to chloride-induced corrosion. The inclusion of the admixture characterized by crystallization activity however, seemed to have almost no detectable effect. This implies the necessity of exercising a degree of caution during specification. Copyright © 2010, American Concrete Institute. All rights reserved.
Mutational analysis supports a core role for Drosophila α-Catenin in adherens junction function

α-catenin associates the cadherin–catenin complex with the actin cytoskeleton. α-catenin binds to β-catenin, which links it to the cadherin cytoplasmic tail, and F-actin, but also to a multitude of actin-associated proteins. These interactions suggest a highly complex cadherin–actin interface. Moreover, mammalian αE-catenin has been implicated in a cadherin-independent cytoplasmic function in Arp2/3-dependent actin regulation, and in cell signaling. The function and regulation of individual molecular interactions of α-catenin, in particular during development, are not well understood. We have generated mutations in Drosophila α-Catenin (α-Cat) to investigate α-Catenin function in this model, and to establish a setup for testing α-Catenin-related constructs in α-Cat-null mutant cells in vivo. Our analysis of α-Cat mutants in embryogenesis, imaginal discs and oogenesis reveals defects consistent with a loss of cadherin function. Compromising components of the Arp2/3 complex or its regulator SCAR ameliorate the α-Cat loss-of-function phenotype in embryos but not in ovaries, suggesting negative regulatory interactions between α-Catenin and the Arp2/3 complex in some tissues. We also show that the α-Cat mutant phenotype can be rescued by the expression of a DE-cadherin::α-Catenin fusion protein, which argues against an essential cytosolic, cadherin-independent role of Drosophila α-Catenin.
The carboxy-terminal 41 amino acids of herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein B are not essential for production of infectious virus particles

Glycoprotein B (gB) is a virally encoded protein that is found in the envelope of herpes simplex virus type 1 and membranes of cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1. It is essential for the production of infectious virus particles. An amber mutation was introduced into the gB gene by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis at the codon for amino acid 863 of the protein. Virus carrying this mutation should synthesize gB molecules lacking the last 41 amino acids of the cytoplasmic domain. Immunoprecipitation of infected cell extracts demonstrated the synthesis of appropriately truncated gB molecules. Characterization of the mutant virus indicated that the loss of the carboxy-terminal 41 amino acids has little effect on gB function.
A New Formulation for Empirical Mode Decomposition Based on Constrained Optimization

The empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is an algorithmic construction that aims at decomposing a signal into several modes called intrinsic mode functions. In this letter, we present a new approach for the EMD based on the direct construction of the mean envelope of the signal. The definition of the mean envelope is achieved through the resolution of a quadratic programming problem with equality and inequality constraints. Some numerical experiments conclude this letter, and comparisons are carried out with the classical EMD.
Understanding Information Need: An fMRI Study

The raison d'etre of IR is to satisfy human information need. But, do we really understand information need? Despite advances in the past few decades in both the IR and relevant scientific communities, this question is largely unanswered. We do not really understand how an information need emerges and how it is physically manifested. Information need refers to a complex concept: at the very initial state of the phenomenon (i.e. at a visceral level), even the searcher may not be aware of its existence. This renders the measuring of this concept (using traditional behaviour studies) nearly impossible. In this paper, we investigate the connection between an information need and brain activity. Using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), we measured the brain activity of twenty four participants while they performed a Question Answering (Q/A) Task, where the questions were carefully selected and developed from TREC-8 and TREC 2001 Q/A Track. The results of this experiment revealed a distributed network of brain regions commonly associated with activities related to information need and retrieval and differing brain activity in processing scenarios when participants knew the answer to a given question and when they did not and needed to search. We believe our study and conclusions constitute an important step in unravelling the nature of information need and therefore better satisfying it.
Effect of bicycle ergometer test on intraocular pressure in elderly athletes and controls

ABSTRACT To evaluate the effect of intensive physical exercise on intraocular pressure (IOP) in 66‐ to 85‐year‐old subjects IOP was measured before and after a maximal bicycle ergometer test The non‐glaucomatous subjects comprised 85 male and 36 female athletes and 16 male and 22 female controls of corresponding age drawn from a population register IOP was measured using a non‐contact tonometer The results indicated a decrease ( 2 mmHg) in 34% of the subjects, no change in 57% and an increase in 9% The decrease was more pronounced in subjects with higher pre‐test values In all four subjects with a pre‐test value above 22 mmHg a reduction from 4 to 11 mmHg was observed The change in IOP during physical loading was not significantly associated with the intensity and duration of the exercise test Three of the 5 male subjects with diagnosed glaucoma and undergoing hypotensive medication, who were analyzed separately, also showed a reduction in IOP during loading In the pre‐ or post‐test values there were no differences between the athletes and controls, while women tended to have higher IOP values than men It is concluded that physical loading has predominantly a moderating effect, if any, on IOP in elderly men and women
The Relationship between Type D Personality, Affective Symptoms and Hemoglobin Levels in Chronic Heart Failure

Background Anemia is associated with poor prognosis in heart failure (HF) patients. Contributors to the risk of anemia in HF include hemodilution, renal dysfunction and inflammation. Hemoglobin levels may also be negatively affected by alterations in stress regulatory systems. Therefore, psychological distress characterized by such alterations may adversely affect hemoglobin in HF. The association between hemoglobin and Type D personality and affective symptomatology in the context of HF is poorly understood. Aim To examine the relationship between Type D personality and affective symptomatology with hemoglobin levels at inclusion and 12-month follow-up, controlling for relevant clinical factors. Methods Plasma levels of hemoglobin and creatinine were assessed in 264 HF patients at inclusion and at 12-month follow-up. Type D personality and affective symptomatology were assessed at inclusion. Results At inclusion, hemoglobin levels were similar for Type D and non-Type D HF patients (p = .23), and were moderately associated with affective symptomatology (r = –.14, p = .02). Multivariable regression showed that Type D personality (β = –.15; p = .02), was independently associated with future hemoglobin levels, while controlling for renal dysfunction, gender, NYHA class, time since diagnosis, BMI, the use of angiotensin-related medication, and levels of affective symptomatology. Change in renal function was associated with Type D personality (β = .20) and hemoglobin at 12 months (β = –.25). Sobel mediation analysis showed significant partial mediation of the Type D – hemoglobin association by renal function deterioration (p = .01). Anemia prevalence increased over time, especially in Type D patients. Female gender, poorer baseline renal function, deterioration of renal function and a longer HF history predicted the observed increase in anemia prevalence over time, while higher baseline hemoglobin was protective. Conclusion Type D personality, but not affective symptomatology, was associated with reduced future hemoglobin levels, independent of clinical factors. The relation between Type D personality and future hemoglobin levels was mediated by renal function deterioration.
Depression of I waves in corticospinal volleys by sevoflurane, thiopental, and propofol.

UNLABELLED Isoflurane depresses the number and amplitude of I waves of the motor-evoked potential produced by transcranial electrical stimulation of the motor cortex and thus affects components of the corticospinal volley that are believed to arise from Laminae III and V. This study extends these observations to sevoflurane (9 patients) and the two IV anesthetics, thiopental and propofol (10 sets of observations in 10 and 6 patients, respectively). The patients' ages ranged from 10 to 17 yr. Sevoflurane was administered to achieve end-tidal concentrations of 0.5%-3%. Thiopental and propofol were given as boluses of 5 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg, respectively, to patients anesthetized with nitrous oxide, fentanyl, midazolam, and a muscle relaxant. Sevoflurane had a depressant effect on I waves essentially similar to that of isoflurane; thiopental depressed I wave activity by an average of 33% (95% confidence interval: 20%-46%, P < 0.001) and propofol by 39% (95% confidence interval: 20%-40%, P < 0.001). With all three anesthetics, later I waves showed the most amplitude depression. The three anesthetics had qualitatively similar effects on I waves. IMPLICATIONS Sevoflurane, thiopental, and propofol depress components of the corticospinal volley produced by transcranial electrical stimulation of motor cortex in a manner qualitatively similar to isoflurane. The findings indicate that anesthetics with primarily hypnotic actions suppress interneuronal activity in cerebral cortex.
Coliphages as Model Organisms in the Characterization and Management of Water Resources

Two groups of bacteriophages that infect Escherichia coli, somatic and F-specific coliphages, have been used in academia as both fecal and viral indicators for many years. Regulatory authorities in different parts of the world are beginning to consider coliphages as indicators of water quality in a range of settings. However, issues such as their potential replication in natural water environments, the cumbersome detection and enumeration methods, a lack of definition concerning which of the two groups should be included in future regulations, and the lack of a clear correlation between coliphages and human viruses and health risks in different water settings remain controversial. This review attempts to shed some light on these contentious issues. The conclusions are that: 1) supposing that they can replicate in some natural water settings, the contribution of coliphages replicated outside the gut will not affect the numbers contributed by fecal pollution and detected by strains recommended for standardized methods; 2) there are easy, fast, and cost-effective methods that can be used in routine laboratories after a little training; 3) perhaps the best option is to determine both groups in a single step; and 4) the low correlation of coliphages with human viruses and health risks is no worse than the correlation between different human viruses.
A Joint Rate Control Scheme in a Hybrid Stereoscopic Video Codec System for 3DTV Broadcasting

In this paper, a frame-level joint rate control scheme for both intra- and inter-predictive coding is first introduced for a hybrid video codec system that independently encodes the two-view sequences of a stereoscopic video. The proposed rate control scheme jointly works on the left view encoder of MPEG-2 Video and the right view encoder of an H.264/AVC for stereoscopic video input, and is formulated as optimization problems that allow control of the output bit rates of both encoders in the sense that: 1) the sum of the two decoded video qualities is maximized, and 2) the quality difference is maintained around a desired level for a given target bit budget at the same time. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed joint rate scheme, it is compared with an independent rate control scheme. The experimental results show that the joint rate control scheme effectively regulates the output bitstreams of the hybrid encoders based on MPEG-2 Video and H.264/AVC. The joint rate control scheme achieves average 0.71 dB gain in PSNR and 67.07% reduction in the MSE of PSNR difference for I-frame only, average 0.54dB gain and 91.08% reduction for IPPP coding, and average 0.32dB gain and 79.01% reduction for IBBP coding.
The Two Different Isoforms of the RSC Chromatin Remodeling Complex Play Distinct Roles in DNA Damage Responses

The RSC chromatin remodeling complex has been implicated in contributing to DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair in a number of studies. Both survival and levels of H2A phosphorylation in response to damage are reduced in the absence of RSC. Importantly, there is evidence for two isoforms of this complex, defined by the presence of either Rsc1 or Rsc2. Here, we investigated whether the two isoforms of RSC provide distinct contributions to DNA damage responses. First, we established that the two isoforms of RSC differ in the presence of Rsc1 or Rsc2 but otherwise have the same subunit composition. We found that both rsc1 and rsc2 mutant strains have intact DNA damage-induced checkpoint activity and transcriptional induction. In addition, both strains show reduced non-homologous end joining activity and have a similar spectrum of DSB repair junctions, suggesting perhaps that the two complexes provide the same functions. However, the hypersensitivity of a rsc1 strain cannot be complemented with an extra copy of RSC2, and likewise, the hypersensitivity of the rsc2 strain remains unchanged when an additional copy of RSC1 is present, indicating that the two proteins are unable to functionally compensate for one another in DNA damage responses. Rsc1, but not Rsc2, is required for nucleosome sliding flanking a DNA DSB. Interestingly, while swapping the domains from Rsc1 into the Rsc2 protein does not compromise hypersensitivity to DNA damage suggesting they are functionally interchangeable, the BAH domain from Rsc1 confers upon Rsc2 the ability to remodel chromatin at a DNA break. These data demonstrate that, despite the similarity between Rsc1 and Rsc2, the two different isoforms of RSC provide distinct functions in DNA damage responses, and that at least part of the functional specificity is dictated by the BAH domains.
Near-optimal mean–variance controls under two-time-scale formulations and applications

Although the mean–variance control was initially formulated for financial portfolio management problems in which one wants to maximize the expected return and control the risk, our motivations stem from highway vehicle platoon controls that aim to maximize highway utility while ensuring zero accident. This paper develops near-optimal mean–variance controls of switching diffusion systems. To reduce the computational complexity, with motivations from earlier work on singularly perturbed Markovian systems [Sethi and Zhang, Hierarchical Decision Making in Stochastic Manufacturing Systems, Birkhäuser, Boston, MA, 1994; Yin and Zhang, Continuous-Time Markov Chains and Applications: A Singular Pertubation Approach, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1998 and Yin et al., Ann. Appl. Probab. 10 (2000), pp. 549–572], we use a two-time-scale formulation to treat the underlying system, which is represented by the use of a small parameter. As the small parameter goes to 0, we obtain a limit problem. Using the limit problem as a guide, we construct controls for the original problem, and show that the control so constructed is nearly optimal.
The Feasibility and Effectiveness of a Pilot Resident-Organized and -Led Knowledge Base Review

ObjectiveThe Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires a sufficient medical knowledge base as one of the six core competencies in residency training. The authors judged that an annual “short-course” review of medical knowledge would be a useful adjunct to standard seminar and rotation teaching, and that a resident-designed course might more closely meet resident-identified needs and learning styles.MethodsOur residency training program designed a formal summer short-course, called the Knowledge Base Review (KBR), with the hypothesis that the course would improve general knowledge as measured by the Psychiatry Resident-in-Training Examination (PRITE) and with the objective that this program would enrich the residents’ general knowledge base in psychiatry and neurology. The authors designed the KBR as a weekly curriculum composed of nine 2-hour sessions, each equally didactic- and active learning-based. The first hour spotlighted one of the subscales of the PRITE. The second hour used a question and answer test in which four teams of residents competed to answer in game show style. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of the KBR was conducted.ResultsAttendance among the PGY-2, -3, and -4 classes was 82%, 73%, and 94%, respectively. Participating residents completed a survey midway through the KBR. Ninety-five percent responded that the course was meeting their own expectations “all” and “most of the time,” 100% responded that the didactic component was useful, and 94% felt that the game show component was useful. Among 23 residents who took the PRITE in the year prior to and the year after the KBR, there was a 2.6% increase in PRITE global psychiatry scores (p=0.15) in contrast to a 9.0% decline in global neurology scores (p=0.001), which was not addressed in the KBR.ConclusionThe broad participation and acceptability of the course and the performance difference in PRITE scores between the psychiatry topics, the majority of which were reviewed, and neurology, which was not reviewed, suggest the potential for such a resident-organized and -led intervention to impact acquisition of medical knowledge through an enjoyable and effective approach.
Fatal Coxsackievirus A-16 Pneumonitis in Adult

Coxsackievirus A-16 (CVA-16) is the agent of hand, foot, and mouth disease in children. We report a case of fatal pneumonitis in an adult due to a CVA-16 strain with a low (78.6%) rate of sequence homology with the reference strain. A modified, more virulent, strain of CVA-16 could be emerging.
Targeting Cancer Stem Cells for Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are radioresistant and chemoresistant, which eventually results in tumor recurrence. Targeting CSCs for treatment is the most crucial issue. There are five methods for targeting the CSCs of GBM. One is to develop a new chemotherapeutic agent specific to CSCs. A second is to use a radiosensitizer to enhance the radiotherapy effect on CSCs. A third is to use immune cells to attack the CSCs. In a fourth method, an agent is used to promote CSCs to differentiate into normal cells. Finally, ongoing gene therapy may be helpful. New therapeutic agents for targeting a signal pathway, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and vascular epidermal growth factor (VEGF) or protein kinase inhibitors, have been used for GBM but for CSCs the effects still require further evaluation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) inhibitors have proven to be effective for increasing radiation sensitivity of CSCs in culture. Autologous dendritic cells (DCs) are one of the promising immunotherapeutic agents in clinical trials and may provide another innovative method for eradication of CSCs. Bone-morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is an agent used to induce CSCs to differentiate into normal glial cells. Research on gene therapy by viral vector is also being carried out in clinical trials. Targeting CSCs by eliminating the GBM tumor may provide an innovative way to reduce tumor recurrence by providing a synergistic effect with conventional treatment. The combination of conventional surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy with stem cell-orientated therapy may provide a new promising treatment for reducing GBM recurrence and improving the survival rate.
Association of angiotensin type 2 receptor gene polymorphisms with ureteropelvic junction obstruction in Brazilian patients

The angiotensin type 2 (AT2) receptor takes part in the process of ureteric bud during kidney development. Therefore, the gene encoding AT2 receptor, the AGTR2 gene located in the X chromosome, is a potential candidate for genetic association with Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT). This study aimed to investigate whether AGTR2 gene polymorphisms are associated with CAKUT in general or even with common phenotypes of CAKUT in a Brazilian sample of paediatric patients.
Development of a modified head and neck quality assurance phantom for use in stereotactic radiosurgery trials

An anthropomorphic head phantom, constructed from a water‐equivalent plastic shell with only a spherical target, was modified to include a nonspherical target (pituitary) and an adjacent organ at risk (OAR) (optic chiasm), within 2 mm, simulating the anatomy encountered when treating acromegaly. The target and OAR spatial proximity provided a more realistic treatment planning and dose delivery exercise. A separate dosimetry insert contained two TLD for absolute dosimetry and radiochromic film, in the sagittal and coronal planes, for relative dosimetry. The prescription was 25 Gy to 90% of the GTV, with ≤10% of the OAR volume receiving ≥8Gy for the phantom trial. The modified phantom was used to test the rigor of the treatment planning process and phantom reproducibility using a Gamma Knife, CyberKnife, and linear accelerator (linac)‐based radiosurgery system. Delivery reproducibility was tested by repeating each irradiation three times. TLD results from three irradiations on a CyberKnife and Gamma Knife agreed with the calculated target dose to within ± 4% with a maximum coefficient of variation of ±2.1%. Gamma analysis in the coronal and sagittal film planes showed an average passing rate of 99.4% and 99.5% using ±5%/3mm criteria, respectively. Results from the linac irradiation were within ±6.2% for TLD with a coefficient of variation of ±0.1%. Distance to agreement was calculated to be 1.2 mm and 1.3 mm along the inferior and superior edges of the target in the sagittal film plane, and 1.2 mm for both superior and inferior edges in the coronal film plane. A modified, anatomically realistic SRS phantom was developed that provided a realistic clinical planning and delivery challenge that can be used to credential institutions wanting to participate in NCI‐funded clinical trials. PACS number: 87.55 ‐v