Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Buckling of a spherical shell embedded in an elastic medium loaded by a far-field hydrostatic pressure

Elastic buckling of a spherical shell, embedded in an elastic material and loaded by a far-field hydrostatic pressure is analysed using the energy method together with a Rayleigh—Ritz trial function. For simplicity, only axisymmetric deformations are considered and inextensional buckling is assumed. The strains within the structure that are pre-critical are assumed to be small for the linear theory to be applicable. An expression is derived relating the pressure load to the buckling mode number, from which the upper-bound critical load can be determined. It is found that the presence of the surrounding elastic medium increases the critical load of the shell and the corresponding buckling mode number. However, the results also show that the strain of the shell at the point of instability may not be small for typical values of material and geometric constants.
Hormones and Human Partnering

Abstract Research on the associations between hormones and human partnering represents an exciting advance in understanding human behavior, relationships, and sexuality. We review empirical literature on circulating hormones and human partnering (i.e., pair bonding, sexual/romantic relationships, pairing). We begin by reviewing steroids (e.g., androgens, estrogens, cortisol) and peptides (e.g., oxytocin, vasopressin). We then move on to androgen-partnering associations, attending to early stages of relationships, and partnering behaviors. A major focus includes relevant theoretical frameworks, possible directional or causal associations, and related controversies. We next cover associations between pair bonding, partnering behaviors, and both peptide (e.g., oxytocin) and stress hormones (e.g., cortisol). Following is a discussion of some contextual factors that might be important to understanding hormone-partnering associations, such as pregnancy or menopausal status. We conclude by summarizing and highlighting the main findings of partnering-hormone links and their implications; and we close by describing some of the challenges facing the field and some future directions given the field's current trajectory.
Calbindin in Cerebellar Purkinje Cells Is a Critical Determinant of the Precision of Motor Coordination

Long-term depression (LTD) of Purkinje cell–parallel fiber synaptic transmission is a critical determinant of normal cerebellar function. Impairment of LTD through, for example, disruption of the metabotropic glutamate receptor–IP3–calcium signaling cascade in mutant mice results in severe deficits of both synaptic transmission and cerebellar motor control. Here, we demonstrate that selective genetic deletion of the calcium-binding protein calbindin D-28k (calbindin) from cerebellar Purkinje cells results in distinctly different cellular and behavioral alterations. These mutants display marked permanent deficits of motor coordination and sensory processing. This occurs in the absence of alterations in a form of LTD implicated in the control of behavior. Analysis of synaptically evoked calcium transients in spines and dendrites of Purkinje cells demonstrated an alteration of time course and amplitude of fast calcium transients after parallel or climbing fiber stimulation. By contrast, the delayed metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated calcium transients were normal. Our results reveal a unique role of Purkinje cell calbindin in a specific form of motor control and suggest that rapid calcium buffering may directly control behaviorally relevant neuronal signal integration.
Efficient vehicle tracking and classification for an automated traffic surveillance system

As digital cameras and powerful computers have become wide-spread, the number of applications using vision techniques has increased significantly. One such application that has received significant attention from the computer vision community is traffic surveillance. We propose a new traffic surveillance system that works without prior, explicit camera calibration, and has the ability to perform surveillance tasks in real time. Camera intrinsic parameters and its position with respect to the ground plane were derived using geometric primitives common to any traffic scene. We use optical flow and knowledge of camera parameters to detect the pose of a vehicle in the 3D world. This information is used in a model-based vehicle detection and classification technique employed by our traffic surveillance application. The object (vehicle) classification uses two new techniques − color contour based matching and gradient based matching. Our experiments on several real traffic video sequences demonstrate good results for our foreground object detection, tracking, vehicle detection and vehicle speed estimation approaches.
MLL/AF10(OM‐LZ)‐immortalized cells expressed cytokines and induced host cell proliferation in a mouse bone marrow transplantation model

Several mouse models studying the MLL fusion‐induced leukemic transformation showed that a myeloproliferation stage precedes leukemia or occurred as the only phenotype of hematological disorder in mice. We established 6 MLL/AF10(OM‐LZ)‐immortalized cell lines by retrovirally transducing the fusion gene into bone marrow cells from B6 or congenic GFP‐B6 mice. Immunophenotypic and cytological analyses revealed that the immortalized cell lines could be divided into 2 types. Type I had a high percentage of cells expressing monocytic lineage marker CD115 in the medium containing IL3 and could terminally differentiate into granulocytes and monocytes in response to granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) and macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF) treatments, respectively. On the other hand, type II had a low percentage of cells expressing CD115. The type II cell lines could not differentiate into granulocytes by G‐CSF treatment and died rapidly in response to M‐CSF treatment. Transplantation of both types I and II cells induced lethal myeloproliferative disease (MPD)‐like myeloid leukemia in most of the sublethally irradiated B6 mice. Flow cytometric analysis of GFP and lineage markers of the peripheral blood cells from MPD mice revealed that the monocytes and granulocytes were generated not only from the donor cells but also from the host cells. RT‐PCR analysis revealed that the MLL/AF10(OM‐LZ)‐immortalized cells expressed mRNAs encoding colony‐stimulating factors (CSFs) of M‐CSF and GM‐CSF and inflammatory cytokines of IL‐1α, IL‐1β and TNF‐α. Our results showed that the MLL/AF10(OM‐LZ)‐immortalized cells could induce host cell proliferation in the transplanted mice, probably through stimulation by CSFs or cytokines produced by the donor cells.
Photostimulation of Phox2b medullary neurons activates cardiorespiratory function in conscious rats.

RATIONALE Hypoventilation is typically treated with positive pressure ventilation or, in extreme cases, by phrenic nerve stimulation. This preclinical study explores whether direct stimulation of central chemoreceptors could be used as an alternative method to stimulate breathing. OBJECTIVES To determine whether activation of the retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN), which is located in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), stimulates breathing with appropriate selectivity. METHODS A lentivirus was used to induce expression of the photoactivatable cationic channel channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) by RVLM Phox2b-containing neurons, a population that consists of central chemoreceptors (the ccRTN neurons) and blood pressure (BP)-regulating neurons (the C1 cells). The transfected neurons were activated with pulses of laser light. Respiratory effects were measured by plethysmography or diaphragmatic EMG recording and cardiovascular effects by monitoring BP, renal sympathetic nerve discharge, and the baroreflex. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The RVLM contained 600 to 900 ChR2-transfected neurons (63% C1, 37% ccRTN). RVLM photostimulation significantly increased breathing rate (+42%), tidal volume (21%), minute volume (68%), and peak expiratory flow (48%). Photostimulation increased diaphragm EMG amplitude (19%) and frequency (21%). Photostimulation increased BP (4 mmHg) and renal sympathetic nerve discharge (43%) while decreasing heart rate (15 bpm). CONCLUSIONS Photostimulation of ChR2-transfected RVLM Phox2b neurons produces a vigorous stimulation of breathing accompanied by a small sympathetically mediated increase in BP. These results demonstrate that breathing can be relatively selectively activated in resting unanesthetized mammals via optogenetic manipulation of RVLM neurons presumed to be central chemoreceptors. This methodology could perhaps be used in the future to enhance respiration in humans.
An analytical investigation of natural frequency for a symmetric composite box-beam with thermal effects

The main purpose of the following analysis is to develop an analytical method for determining the natural frequency of a symmetric composite box-beam subjected to temperature gradient. A set of coupled partial differential equations of motion is obtained by means of small defection theory and D'Alembert's method. The Smith and Chopra stiffness matrix is used in the governing equations of motion and an appropriate MATLAB® code has been written to solve for the stiffness matrix elements of the box-beam. The resulting governing equations of motion are solved to obtain the natural frequencies of the box-beam in flap and lag directions using Galerkin's method. Finally, an example solution for symmetric composite box-beam of [+45°; ±45°] layup using cantilever boundary conditions is presented. For validation of the current analysis, comparisons are made with previously published results.
An Audit of Indications, Complications, and Justification of Hysterectomies at a Teaching Hospital in India

Objective. Aim of this audit was to analyze indications, complications, and correlation of preoperative diagnosis with final histopathology report of all hysterectomies, performed in a premier teaching hospital. Methods. Present study involved all patients who underwent hysterectomy at a premier university hospital in Southern India, in one year (from 1 January, 2012, to 31 December, 2012). Results. Most common surgical approach was abdominal (74.7%), followed by vaginal (17.8%), and laparoscopic (6.6%) hysterectomy. Most common indication for hysterectomy was symptomatic fibroid uterus (39.9%), followed by uterovaginal prolapse (16.3%). Overall complication rate was 8.5%. Around 84% had the same pathology as suspected preoperatively. Only 6 (5 with preoperative diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding and one with high grade premalignant cervical lesion) had no significant pathology in their hysterectomy specimen. Conclusion. Hysterectomy is used commonly to improve the quality of life; however at times it is a lifesaving procedure. As any surgical procedure is associated with a risk of complications, the indication should be carefully evaluated. With the emergence of many conservative approaches to deal with benign gynecological conditions, it is prudent to discuss available options with the patient before taking a direct decision of surgically removing her uterus.
The influence of clustering coefficient on word-learning: how groups of similar sounding words facilitate acquisition

Clustering coefficient, C, measures the extent to which neighbors of a word are also neighbors of each other, and has been shown to influence speech production, speech perception, and several memory-related processes. In this study we examined how C influences word-learning. Participants were trained over three sessions at 1-week intervals, and tested with a picture-naming task on nonword-nonobject pairs. We found an advantage for novel words with high C (the neighbors of this novel word are likely to be neighbors with each other), but only after the 1-week retention period with no additional exposures to the stimuli. The results are consistent with the spreading-activation network-model of the lexicon proposed by Chan and Vitevitch (2009). The influence of C on various language-related processes suggests that characteristics of the individual word are not the only things that influence processing; rather, lexical processing may also be influenced by the relationships that exist among words in the lexicon.
Knee kinematics: the effects of running on cambers.

The purpose of this study was to determine the three-dimensional kinematics of the knee joint during running on level surfaces and surfaces of different degrees of camber. Fifteen college-age students (eight males, seven females) having no previous history of knee injury were subjects. A triaxial elgon was used to measure the movement of each subject's right and left knees when running on a horizontal or laterally inclined treadmill at 2.4 m.s-1 during each experimental condition (on the horizontal surface and on cambers of +0.087, +0.174, -0.087, and -0.174 radians). There was a significant difference (P less than 0.05) between +0.174 and -0.174 rad camber mean values for all six dependent variables (i.e., support and swing, flexion-extension, internal and external rotation, and valgus-varus range of motion). There was also a significant difference (P less than 0.05) when +0.174 and -0.174 rad camber were compared to 0 rad camber during both the support and swing phases of flexion-extension. Surface camber mean values for +0.087 and -0.087 rad were significantly different (P less than 0.05) during the swing phase for internal and external rotation. This study showed that the kinematics of the knee joint are significantly altered when running on a laterally inclined surface.
Lack of confidence among trainee doctors in the management of diabetes: the Trainees Own Perception of Delivery of Care (TOPDOC) Diabetes Study

Background: There is an increased prevalence of diabetes. Doctors in training, irrespective of specialty, will have patients with diabetes under their care. Aim: To determine levels of confidence of doctors in training in the management of diabetes and establish their training needs in this area of clinical practice Design: A national online survey of trainee doctors in the UK using a pre-validated questionnaire. Methods: A four-point confidence rating scale was used to rate confidence in the management of diabetes and comparators. A six-point scale was used to quantify how often trainees would contribute to the management of patients with diabetes and trainees were asked about their training in managing diabetes. Results: A total of 2149 doctors completed the survey. The percentage ‘fully confident’ in diagnosing diabetes was 27%, diagnosing and managing hypoglycaemia 55%, diagnosing and managing diabetic ketoacidosis 43%, managing intravenous (IV) insulin 27%, prescribing IV fluids for patients with diabetes 39% and altering diabetes therapy prior to surgery/other procedure 18%. In comparison, 66% and 65% were ‘fully confident’ in the management of angina and asthma, respectively (P < 0.05). Forty-one percent would take the initiative to optimize glycaemic control for patients under their care >80% of the time. Respectively, 19% and 35% of respondents reported that their undergraduate and postgraduate training had prepared them adequately to optimize treatment of diabetes. The majority (>70%) wanted further training in managing all aspects of diabetes care. Conclusions: Trainee doctors in the UK lack confidence in the management of diabetes, are unlikely to take the initiative to optimize glycaemic control and report a need for further training.
Wideband reduced modeling of interconnect circuits by adaptive complex-valued sampling method

In this paper, we propose a new wideband model order reduction method for interconnect circuits by using a novel adaptive sampling and error estimation scheme. We try to address the outstanding error control problems in the existing sampling-based reduction framework. In the new method, called WBMOR, we explicitly compute the exact residual errors to guide the sampling process. We show that by sampling along the imaginary axis and performing a new complex-valued reduction, the reduced model will match exactly with the original model at the sample points. We show theoretically that the proposed method can achieve the error bound over a given frequency range. Practically the new algorithm can help designers choose the best order of the reduced model for the given frequency range and error bound via adaptive sampling scheme. As a result, it can perform wideband accurate reductions of interconnect circuits for analog and RF applications. We compare several sampling schemes such as linear, logarithmic, and recently proposed re-sampling methods. Experimental results on a number of RLC circuits show that WBMOR is much more accurate than all the other simple sampling methods and the recently proposed re-sampling scheme with the same reduction orders. Compared with the real-valued sampling methods, the complex-valued sampling method is more accurate for the same computational costs.
Analysis of Bacterial Communities during Clostridium difficile Infection in the Mouse

ABSTRACT Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a major cause of health care-associated disease. CDI initiates with ingestion of C. difficile spores, germination in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and then colonization of the large intestine. The interactions between C. difficile cells and other bacteria and with host mucosa during CDI remain poorly understood. Here, we addressed the hypothesis that, in a mouse model of CDI, C. difficile resides in multicellular communities (biofilms) in association with host mucosa. To do this, we paraffin embedded and then sectioned the GI tracts of infected mice at various days postinfection (p.i.). We then used fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with 16S rRNA probes targeting most bacteria as well as C. difficile specifically. The results revealed that C. difficile is present as a minority member of communities in the outer (loose) mucus layer, in the cecum and colon, starting at day 1 p.i. To generate FISH probes that identify bacteria within mucus-associated communities harboring C. difficile, we characterized bacterial populations in the infected mouse GI tract using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of bacterial DNA prepared from intestinal content. This analysis revealed the presence of genera of several families belonging to Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. These data suggest that formation of multispecies communities associated with the mucus of the cecum and colon is an important early step in GI tract colonization. They raise the possibility that other bacterial species in these communities modulate the ability of C. difficile to successfully colonize and, thereby, cause disease.
Chirality on Amorphous High-Tg Polymeric Nanofilms: Optical Activity Amplification by Thermal Annealing

The chiroptical properties of amorphous chiral polymers functionalized with conjugated trans-azoaromatic chromophore linked to the backbone through a chiral cyclic pyrrolidine moiety of one single configuration at the solid state, as thin films, were investigated. For the first time nanometric thin films of amorphous polymers (not liquid crystals) showed a remarkable chiral amplification upon thermal treatment at a temperature close to their Tg. The side-chain azobenzene chromophores rearrangement driven by the enhanced chain mobility seems to favor the formation of nanodomains of conformationally ordered macromolecular chains with one prevailing helical handedness whose optical activity depends on the configuration of the intrinsic chirality of the monomeric units and which as a result are stable at room temperature for a long time.
PREDICTION OF OUTCOME IN SCHIZOPHRENIA USING THE SUBJECTIVE RESPONSE TO A TEST DOSE OF A NEUROLEPTIC

SUMMARY Twenty four patients meeting R.D.C. criteria for schizophrenia were assessed using the B.P.R.S. before starting neuroleptics. They were then given a standardized test dose of haloperidol. Their subjective response to the test dose was assessed 4 hours later by a blind rater. The B.P.R.S. ratings were repeated after 3 weeks of neuroleptic treatment. A dysphoric response to the test dose was associated with a poor therapeutic outcome. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Yet More “Weeds” in the Garden: Fungal Novelties from Nests of Leaf-Cutting Ants

Background Symbiotic relationships modulate the evolution of living organisms in all levels of biological organization. A notable example of symbiosis is that of attine ants (Attini; Formicidae: Hymenoptera) and their fungal cultivars (Lepiotaceae and Pterulaceae; Agaricales: Basidiomycota). In recent years, this mutualism has emerged as a model system for studying coevolution, speciation, and multitrophic interactions. Ubiquitous in this ant-fungal symbiosis is the “weedy” fungus Escovopsis (Hypocreales: Ascomycota), known only as a mycoparasite of attine fungal gardens. Despite interest in its biology, ecology and molecular phylogeny—noting, especially, the high genetic diversity encountered—which has led to a steady flow of publications over the past decade, only two species of Escovopsis have formally been described. Methods and Results We sampled from fungal gardens and garden waste (middens) of nests of the leaf-cutting ant genus Acromyrmex in a remnant of subtropical Atlantic rainforest in Minas Gerais, Brazil. In culture, distinct morphotypes of Escovopsis sensu lato were recognized. Using both morphological and molecular analyses, three new species of Escovopsis were identified. These are described and illustrated herein—E. lentecrescens, E. microspora, and E. moelleri—together with a re-description of the genus and the type species, E. weberi. The new genus Escovopsioides is erected for a fourth morphotype. We identify, for the first time, a mechanism for horizontal transmission via middens. Conclusions The present study makes a start at assigning names and formal descriptions to these specific fungal parasites of attine nests. Based on the results of this exploratory and geographically-restricted survey, we expect there to be many more species of the genus Escovopsis and its relatives associated with nests of both the lower and higher Attini throughout their neotropical range, as suggested in previous studies.
Anomalous rheological properties of polyethylene molecular composites

The effect of molecular weight on the rheological properties in the molten state has been studied for binary blends of high-density polyethylene obtained by the Zieglar–Natta catalyst and low-density polyethylene produced in an autoclave process. The blends composed of high-density polyethylene with a high molecular weight and low-density polyethylene show a higher drawdown force than the individual pure components, whereas the blends of high-density polyethylene with a low molecular weight and low-density polyethylene do not exhibit anomalous behavior. The pronounced drawdown force for the former blend system is attributed to the viscous enhancement in the linear viscoelastic region as well as the nonlinear strain-hardening behavior in the elongational viscosity. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:1284–1291, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
Automatic cardiac arrhythmia detection and classification using vectorcardiograms and complex networks

This paper intends to bring new insights in the methods for extracting features for cardiac arrhythmia detection and classification systems. We explore the possibility for utilizing vectorcardiograms (VCG) along with electrocardiograms (ECG) to get relevant informations from the heartbeats on the MIT-BIH database. For this purpose, we apply complex networks to extract features from the VCG. We follow the ANSI/AAMI EC57:1998 standard, for classifying the beats into 5 classes (N, V, S, F and Q), and de Chazal's scheme for dataset division into training and test set, with 22 folds validation setup for each set. We used the Support Vector Machinhe (SVM) classifier and the best result we chose had a global accuracy of 84.1%, while still obtaining relatively high Sensitivities and Positive Predictive Value and low False Positive Rates, when compared to other papers that follows the same evaluation methodology that we do.