Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Semiparametric transformation models for semicompeting survival data

Semicompeting risk outcome data (e.g., time to disease progression and time to death) are commonly collected in clinical trials. However, analysis of these data is often hampered by a scarcity of available statistical tools. As such, we propose a novel semiparametric transformation model that improves the existing models in the following two ways. First, it estimates regression coefficients and association parameters simultaneously. Second, the measure of surrogacy, for example, the proportion of the treatment effect that is mediated by the surrogate and the ratio of the overall treatment effect on the true endpoint over that on the surrogate endpoint, can be directly obtained. We propose an estimation procedure for inference and show that the proposed estimator is consistent and asymptotically normal. Extensive simulations demonstrate the valid usage of our method. We apply the method to a multiple myeloma trial to study the impact of several biomarkers on patients' semicompeting outcomes—namely, time to progression and time to death.
Three Dimensional Analysis and Resulting Design Recommendations for Unidirectional and Multidirectional End-Notched Flexure Tests

Results are presented from a theoretical investigation of the effects of stacking sequence on the energy release rate in laminated composite end-notched flexure test specimens. Deflections and energy release rates of unidirectional and multidirectional ENF specimens are obtained by classical laminated plate theory, shear deformable plate theory, and three dimensional finite element analyses. It is shown that the distribution of energy release rate varies across the front of an initially straight delamination. The percentage of mode II and mode III energy release rates for the specimen, as well as the local peak values of the mode II, mode III and total energy release rates that occur at the specimen's free edges are shown to correlate with a nondimensional ratio comprised of the specimen's flexural rigidities. The results of the study are used as a basis for a proposed “ENF test design procedure” that may be used for the determination of appropriate specimen stacking sequences and test geometries for studying delamination growth at interfaces between plies at various orientations. The test design procedure minimizes the contributions to the energy release rate from residual thermal stresses, geometric nonlinearities, local mode II concentrations at the specimen's free edges and local mode III effects.
Reattachment of Coronal Tooth Fragment: Regaining Back to Normal

Dental trauma is such a situation wherein the patient is affected both socially and psychologically. During their first dental visit, these patients with trauma are in pain and need emergency treatment. Such patients are quite apprehensive because of impaired functions, esthetics, and phonetics. The prime objective while handling such cases is successful pain management with immediate restoration of function, esthetics, and phonetics. The advances in adhesive dentistry have allowed dentists to use the patient's own fragment to restore the fractured tooth. Reattachment is such an ultraconservative technique which provides safe, fast, and esthetically pleasing results. This paper discusses fragment reattachment technique and presents a clinical case of complicated crown fracture.
Molecular genetic mechanisms of allelic specific regulation of murine Comt expression

Abstract A functional allele of the mouse catechol-O-methyltransferase (Comt) gene is defined by the insertion of a B2 short interspersed repeat element in its 3′-untranslated region (UTR). This allele has been associated with a number of phenotypes, such as pain and anxiety. In comparison with mice carrying the ancestral allele (Comt+), ComtB2i mice show higher Comt mRNA and enzymatic activity levels. Here, we investigated the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying this allelic specific regulation of Comt expression. Insertion of the B2 element introduces an early polyadenylation signal generating a shorter Comt transcript, in addition to the longer ancestral mRNA. Comparative analysis and in silico prediction of Comt mRNA potential targets within the transcript 3′ to the B2 element was performed and allowed choosing microRNA (miRNA) candidates for experimental screening: mmu-miR-3470a, mmu-miR-3470b, and mmu-miR-667. Cell transfection with each miRNA downregulated the expression of the ancestral transcript and COMT enzymatic activity. Our in vivo experiments showed that mmu-miR-667-3p is strongly correlated with decreasing amounts of Comt mRNA in the brain, and lentiviral injections of mmu-miR-3470a, mmu-miR-3470b, and mmu-miR-667 increase hypersensitivity in the mouse formalin model, consistent with reduced COMT activity. In summary, our data demonstrate that the Comt+ transcript contains regulatory miRNA signals in its 3′-untranslated region leading to mRNA degradation; these signals, however, are absent in the shorter transcript, resulting in higher mRNA expression and activity levels.
Influence and role of feedstock Si and Al content in Geopolymer synthesis

This study evaluates the role and relationship between SiO2 and Al2O3 contents of aluminosilicate material on the properties of Si-rich geopolymer systems using Australian fly ashes and existing published data. The selected fly ashes, with varying amounts of amorphous and total SiO2 and Al2O3 were assessed for their overall reactivity. XRD analyses yielded traces of sodalite in addition to conventional amorphous geopolymer phase for the fly ash mixtures with amorphous SiO2/Al2O3 = 3.31. The other two fly ashes with higher amorphous SiO2/Al2O3 ratio tended to produce sodium aluminosilicate zeolitic phases comprising mainly of Na-P1 zeolite and faujasite. These latter phases originate from Na2O–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O gel assemblages but the pathway appears to be governed by the available reactive SiO2 and Al2O3 in the reaction environment. However, indices based on the amorphous content or more precisely amorphous SiO2/Al2O3 ratio provided a relatively good correlation with the compressive strength of the final product.
Significant Association between Serum Levels of Von Willebrand Factor (vWF) Antigen with Stages of Cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE Von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a mediator that increases endotoxemic medium like in cirrhosis. In this study we evaluated the association of serum VWF antigen (Ag) level with the stage of cirrhosis (according to Child-Pugh classification). MATERIALS AND METHODS We included 82 cirrhotic patients (Female/Male (F/M): 26/56) and 86 healthy subjects (F/M: 44/42) in the study. Ages of the both groups of patients were not different (P= 0.095). We excluded possible other reasons that may cause VWF level increase. Diagnosis of cirrhosis was made on the basis of biopsy in 7 patients and with clinical and laboratory parameters in 75 patients. VWF Ag level was determined by immunoturbidimetric test. The stage of cirrhosis was defined with Child-Pugh classification. Data were analysed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 10.0 software program. RESULTS VWF Ag level was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients compared to control group (220±90 and 87±38, P<0.001, respectively). We observed significant increase of VWF Ag level with the increasing stages of cirrhosis according to Child-Pugh score (VWF Ag level for Child A-B-C 156.4±54/215±45/284.8±93, respectively; P values for Child A-B/A-C/B-C; <0.001/<0.001/0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION Serum VWF Ag level increases in cirrhotic patients and this is more pronounced with higher stages of cirrhosis.
Inhibition of heat-labile cholera and Escherichia coli enterotoxins by brefeldin A

Cholera enterotoxin and the related heat-labile enterotoxins of Escherichia coli enter their target cells through noncoated vesicles, but how the toxins are processed intracellularly and how they get to their targeted enzyme, adenylate cyclase, remain to be defined. Brefeldin A, an inhibitor of the trans-Golgi network, is shown herein to transiently block the morphologic and enzymatic effects of the toxin at a step distal to the initial binding process but prior to activation of adenylate cyclase by the toxin. It is likely, therefore, that these toxins are processed by the Golgi apparatus before trafficking to the membrane adenylate cyclase.
High Laccase Expression by Trametes versicolor in a Simulated Textile Effluent with Different Carbon Sources and PHs

Textile effluents are highly polluting and have variable and complex compositions. They can be extremely complex, with high salt concentrations and alkaline pHs. A fixed-bed bioreactor was used in the present study to simulate a textile effluent treatment, where the white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor, efficiently decolourised the azo dye Reactive Black 5 over 28 days. This occurred under high alkaline conditions, which is unusual, but advantageous, for successful decolourisation processes. Active dye decolourisation was maintained by operation in continuous culture. Colour was eliminated during the course of operation and maximum laccase (Lcc) activity (80.2 U∙L−1) was detected after glycerol addition to the bioreactor. Lcc2 gene expression was evaluated with different carbon sources and pH values based on reverse transcriptase-PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Glycerol was shown to promote the highest lcc2 expression at pH 5.5, followed by sucrose and then glucose. The highest levels of expression occurred between three and four days, which corroborate the maximum Lcc activity observed for sucrose and glycerol on the bioreactor. These results give new insights into the use of T. versicolor in textile dye wastewater treatment with high pHs.
Aerial communications using piano, clarinet, and bells

This work explores novel mechanisms for aerial acoustic machine-machine communications. It builds on previous work by some of the authors, as well as others. In this paper we describe aerial acoustic communication systems that sound like musical instruments. The sound primitives come from simple models for the sound of the piano, the clarinet, and the bells. The messages are coded by combining these primitives according to musical harmony. Our experiments show that these communication systems are well suited for applications requiring very low bit rates. Examples of the acoustic signals produced are made available from the WWW.
Design and classification of dynamic multi-objective optimization problems

In this work we provide a formal model for the different time-dependent components that can appear in dynamic multi-objective optimization problems, along with a classification of these components. Four main classes are identified, corresponding to the influence of the parameters, objective functions, previous states of the dynamic system and, last, environment changes, which in turn lead to online optimization problems. For illustration purposes, examples are provided for each class identified - by no means standing as the most representative ones or exhaustive in scope.
Are psychiatric comorbidities and associated cognitive functions related to treatment response to methylphenidate in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?

Background Methylphenidate (MPH) has been found to be an effective medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, there are neither consistent nor sufficient findings on whether psychiatric comorbidities and associated cognitive functions of ADHD are related to treatment response to MPH in ADHD children. Objectives This study investigated whether psychiatric comorbidities, IQ, and neurocognitive deficits are related to treatment response to MPH in ADHD children. In some ways, it is preferable to have a drug that the effectiveness of which to a disorder is not affected by its associated cognitive functions and psychiatric comorbidities. On the other hand, it is likely that the baseline symptom severity of ADHD is associated with the effectiveness of MPH treatment on the symptoms post treatment. Methods A total of 149 Chinese boys (aged 6–12 years) with ADHD, combined type, and normal IQ participated in this study. Assessment of ADHD symptom severity was conducted pre and post MPH treatment, while assessment of psychiatric comorbidities, IQ, and neurocognitive deficits was performed in a non-medicated condition. Treatment response was defined as the ADHD symptom severity post MPH treatment. Results Results indicated that MPH treatment was effective, significantly improving the ADHD condition. Yet, comorbid disorders, IQ, and neurocognitive deficits were not related to MPH treatment response on ADHD symptoms. These findings indicated that the effectiveness of MPH was not affected by psychiatric comorbidities and associated cognitive functions of ADHD. Instead, as expected, it was the baseline symptom severity that was mainly related to the treatment response, ie, the milder the baseline condition, the better the treatment response. Conclusion The current findings positively endorse the widespread clinical use of MPH for treating ADHD. It improves the behavioral symptoms of ADHD regardless of varying psychiatric comorbidities, IQ, and neurocognitive deficits.
Ethanol Extract of Perilla frutescens Suppresses Allergen-Specific Th2 Responses and Alleviates Airway Inflammation and Hyperreactivity in Ovalbumin-Sensitized Murine Model of Asthma

This study was to investigate the effects of different fractions of Perilla frutescens (Pf) leaves extracted by water or ethanol on asthma. BALB/c mice sensitized intraperitoneally and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) were divided into six groups. Each group of mice was tube-feeding with 0 (control), 80 μg (PfWL), or 320 μg (PfWH) water extracts or 80 μg (PfEL) or 320 μg (PfEH) ethanol extracts of perilla leaves daily for 3 weeks. A negative control group (PBS) was neither sensitized nor treated with Pf. The effects of perilla leave extracts on allergic immune response were evaluated. The results showed that OVA-specific IL-5 and IL-13 secretions from OVA-stimulated splenocytes were significantly suppressed in the ethanol extract groups PfEL and PfEH. Serum level of anti-OVA IgE tended to be lower in the PfEH group. The inflammatory mediators, such as eotaxin and histamine, and total cells, particularly eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), were also decreased in the PfEL and the PfEH groups. Therefore, the PfEL and the PfEH groups had significantly lower methacholine-induced hyperresponsiveness (AHR). In conclusion, ethanol extracts, rather than water extract, of perilla leaves could significantly suppress Th2 responses and airway inflammation in allergic murine model of asthma.
Time-Resolved Ion and Electron Current Measurements in Pulsed Plasma Sheaths

In this paper, time-resolved Langmuir-probe measurements of both electron and ion currents in the transient sheath region adjacent to a plasma ion implantation target pulsed to negative high voltages are reported. A fast (i.e., greater than the ion-acoustic speed) initial sheath expansion is observed followed by a slower propagation at the ion-acoustic speed into the bulk plasma. It has been observed that the ion density exhibits perturbation near the ion plasma frequency several microseconds prior to its depletion
An assumed natural strain technique for 2D solid-shell elements

With the combination of the enhanced assumed strain (EAS) and assumed natural strain (ANS) techniques in the removal of shear and volumetric locking, the solid-shell formulation requires a minimum set of enhanced modes, and this results in a competitive approach when compared with other fully EAS solid elements in terms of computational costs. Moreover, the latter reportedly suffers difficulties when dealing with very thin plate and shell structures due to the severe transverse shear locking. The paper presents an alternative solid-shell formulation, in which the ANS technique is applied to the upper and lower surfaces instead of at the mid-surface of the solid-shell element as previously adopted. The numerical results show the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed technique.
Interaction of endothelial cell‐selective adhesion molecule and MAGI‐1 promotes mature cell–cell adhesion via activation of RhoA

Endothelial cell‐selective adhesion molecule (ESAM) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and mediates homophilic adhesion between endothelial cells. ESAM has been shown to bind to membrane‐associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) with inverted domain structure 1 (MAGI‐1), but the interaction between these molecules remains unknown. We investigated the role of ESAM in the subcellular localization of MAGI‐1 and cell adhesion by means of transfection experiments using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Overexpression of ESAM recruited MAGI‐1 to the cell–cell contact area. The intracellular domain of ESAM was necessary for the recruitment of MAGI‐1 to the cell contact area, but did not participate in the initial cell–cell adhesion. Cell dissociation assays revealed that colocalization of ESAM and MAGI‐1 promoted actin polymerization through the postsynaptic density 95/discs large/zonula occludens‐1 (PDZ) domain and resulted in firm cell–cell adhesion, which was inhibited by an actin polymerization inhibitor. When the cells attach to each other, colocalization of ESAM and MAGI‐1 can lead to the actin polymerization at intracellular contacts. Interaction of ESAM with MAGI‐1 activated RhoA, and ESAM‐mediated MAGI‐1 recruitment to the cell membrane and mature cell adhesion were inhibited by a RhoA inhibitor. These findings suggest that ESAM may regulate MAGI‐1 recruitment to the cell contacts, and subsequently promote actin polymerization and mature cell–cell adhesion through a RhoA‐dependent mechanism.
Reflex cough PEF as a predictor of successful extubation in neurological patients*

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the use of reflex cough PEF as a predictor of successful extubation in neurological patients who were candidates for weaning from mechanical ventilation. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 135 patients receiving mechanical ventilation for more than 24 h in the ICU of Cristo Redentor Hospital, in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. Reflex cough PEF, the rapid shallow breathing index, MIP, and MEP were measured, as were ventilatory, hemodynamic, and clinical parameters. Results: The mean age of the patients was 47.8 ± 17 years. The extubation failure rate was 33.3%. A reflex cough PEF of < 80 L/min showed a relative risk of 3.6 (95% CI: 2.0-6.7), and the final Glasgow Coma Scale score showed a relative risk of 0.64 (95% CI: 0.51-0.83). For every 1-point increase in a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8, there was a 36% reduction in the risk of extubation failure. Conclusions: Reflex cough PEF and the Glasgow Coma Scale score are independent predictors of extubation failure in neurological patients admitted to the ICU.
A New Paradigm for Imaging Systems

We describe a new paradigm for designing hybrid imaging systems. These imaging systems use optics with a special aspheric surface to code the image so that the point-spread function or the modulation transfer function has specified characteristics. Signal processing then decodes the detected image. The coding can be done so that the depth of focus can be extended. This allows the manufacturing tolerance to be reduced, focus-related aberrations to be controlled, and imaging systems to be constructed with only one optical element plus some signal processing.
Synergistic Action of a Microbial-based Biostimulant and a Plant Derived-Protein Hydrolysate Enhances Lettuce Tolerance to Alkalinity and Salinity

In the coming years, farmers will have to deal with growing crops under suboptimal conditions dictated by global climate changes. The application of plant biostimulants such as beneficial microorganisms and plant-derived protein hydrolysates (PHs) may represent an interesting approach for increasing crop tolerance to alkalinity and salinity. The current research aimed at elucidating the agronomical, physiological, and biochemical effects as well as the changes in mineral composition of greenhouse lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) either untreated or treated with a microbial-based biostimulant (Tablet) containing Rhizophagus intraradices and Trichoderma atroviride alone or in combination with a PH. Plants were sprayed with PH at weekly intervals with a solution containing 2.5 ml L-1 of PH. Lettuce plants were grown in sand culture and supplied with three nutrient solutions: standard, saline (25 mM NaCl) or alkaline (10 mM NaHCO3 + 0.5 g l-1 CaCO3; pH 8.1). Salt stress triggered a decrease in fresh yield, biomass production, SPAD index, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf mineral composition and increased leaf proline concentration, without altering antioxidant enzyme activities. The decrease in marketable yield and biomass production under alkali stress was not significant. Irrespective of nutrient solution, the application of Tablet and especially Tablet + PH increased fresh marketable yield, shoot and root dry weight. This was associated with an improvement in SPAD index, Fv/Fm ratio, CAT and GPX activities and a better nutritional status (higher P, K, and Fe and lower Na with NaCl and higher P and Fe with NaHCO3) via an increase of total root length and surface. The combination of microbial biostimulant with foliar application of PH synergistically increased the marketable fresh yield by 15.5 and 46.7% compared to the Tablet-treated and untreated plants, respectively. The improved crop performance of Tablet + PH application was attributed to a better root system architecture (higher total root length and surface), an improved chlorophyll synthesis and an increase in proline accumulation. Combined application of Tablet and PH could represent an effective strategy to minimize alkalinity and salinity stress in a sustainable way.
The Dance of Classes - A Stochastic Model for Software Structure Evolution

In this study, we investigate software structure evolution and growth. We represent software structure by means of a generic macro-topology called Little House, which models the dependencies among classes of object-oriented software systems. We, then, define a stochastic model to predict the way software architectures evolve. The model estimates how the classes of object-oriented programs get connected one to another along the evolution of the systems. To define the model, we analyzed data from 81 versions of six Java based projects. We analyzed each pair of sequential versions, for each project, in order to depict a pattern of software structure evolution based on Little House. To evaluate the model, we performed two experiments: one with the data used to derive the model, and another with data of 35 releases, in total, of four open-source Java project. In both experiments, we found a very low rate of error for the application of the proposed model. The evaluation of the model suggests it is able to predict how a software structure will evolve.
Pandemic Influenza: A Never-Ending Story

A novel pandemic influenza emerged in 2009, something that hasn't been seen since 1977. The following issues will be introduced and discussed in this review: the history of influenza pandemics, the emergence of the novel pandemic influenza of 2009, epidemics in the southern and northern hemispheres after the recognition of index cases in the United States, mortality, viral characteristics, prevention in the household setting, clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment and immunization. Some questions have been answered. However, a number of other questions remain. Scientific research must follow up on these unanswered questions.