Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Input/output stability of a damped string equation coupled with ordinary differential system

The input/output stability of an interconnected system composed of an ordinary differential equation and a damped string equation is studied. Issued from the literature on time‐delay systems, an exact stability result is firstly derived using pole locations. Then, based on the small‐gain theorem and on the quadratic separation framework, some robust stability criteria are provided. The latter follows from a projection of the infinite dimensional system states onto an orthogonal basis of Legendre polynomials. Numerical examples comparing these results with the ones in the literature are presented along with demonstrations of the effectiveness of the developed robust stability criteria.
Well differentiated grade 3 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors compared with related neoplasms: A morphologic study

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms with a Ki‐67 labeling index greater than 20% were reclassified in 2017 by the World Health Organization into well differentiated (WD) and poorly differentiated grade 3 neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC). The authors describe the cytologic features of grade 3 WD pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms compared with grade 2 neoplasms and NEC.
Exploring Use of the Coordinate Response Measure in a Multitalker Babble Paradigm.

Purpose Three experiments examined the use of competing coordinate response measure (CRM) sentences as a multitalker babble. Method In Experiment I, young adults with normal hearing listened to a CRM target sentence in the presence of 2, 4, or 6 competing CRM sentences with synchronous or asynchronous onsets. In Experiment II, the condition with 6 competing sentences was explored further. Three stimulus conditions (6 talkers saying same sentence, 1 talker producing 6 different sentences, and 6 talkers each saying a different sentence) were evaluated with different methods of presentation. Experiment III examined the performance of older adults with hearing impairment in a subset of conditions from Experiment II. Results In Experiment I, performance declined with increasing numbers of talkers and improved with asynchronous sentence onsets. Experiment II identified conditions under which an increase in the number of talkers led to better performance. In Experiment III, the relative effects of the number of talkers, messages, and onset asynchrony were the same for young and older listeners. Conclusions Multitalker babble composed of CRM sentences has masking properties similar to other types of multitalker babble. However, when the number of different talkers and messages are varied independently, performance is best with more talkers and fewer messages.
Sex-based differences in pain distribution in a cohort of patients with persistent post-traumatic neck pain

Abstract Objectives: To analyze a cohort of 745 consecutive patients referred to a regional specialist clinic for evaluation of post-traumatic neck pain during a five-year period. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study of baseline assessments performed by multi-professional rehabilitation teams according to a standardized checklist. Results: The cohort contained nearly twice as many females as males (64% versus 36%). The type of injury did not differ between sexes. Of the entire cohort, 38% were diagnosed with widespread pain, 50% with regional pain, and 12% with local pain. The pain distribution among the females was 43% widespread, 48% regional, and 9% local, and corresponding figures among males were 29%, 53%, and 18%. Longer time between trauma and assessment did not affect pain distribution among the men, but a tendency towards more widespread pain was observed among the women. Discussion: The importance of "female sex" as risk factor for the development of persistent pain after neck trauma needs to be discussed further. The high frequency of regional and widespread pain among patients with persistent neck pain after trauma calls for both multidisciplinary assessments and treatment strategies. The relationships between different pain distribution patterns, disability, activity, and psychological factors need to be studied further. Implications for rehabilitation Patients suffering from pain and disability after neck trauma constitute a significant proportion of patients with persistent pain. The importance of the risk factor “female sex" should be further discussed in the development of persistent pain after neck trauma. The high frequency of regional and widespread pain among patients with persistent neck pain after trauma calls both for multidisciplinary assessments and treatment strategies. The relationships between different pain distribution patterns, disability, activity, and psychological factors need to be studied further.
Flavanol-rich chocolate acutely improves arterial function and working memory performance counteracting the effects of sleep deprivation in healthy individuals

Background: Sleep deprivation is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Cocoa flavonoids exert cardiovascular benefits and neuroprotection. Whether chocolate consumption may mitigate detrimental effects of sleep loss on cognitive performance and cardiovascular parameters has never been studied. Aim: We investigated the effects of flavanol-rich chocolate consumption on cognitive skills and cardiovascular parameters after sleep deprivation. Methods: Thirty-two healthy participants underwent two baseline sessions after one night of undisturbed sleep and two experimental sessions after one night of total sleep deprivation. Two hours before each testing session, participants were randomly assigned to consume high or poor flavanol chocolate bars. During the tests were evaluated, the Psychomotor Vigilance Task and a working memory task, office SBP and DBP, flow-mediated dilation and pulse-wave velocity. Results: Sleep deprivation increased SBP/DBP. SBP/DBP and pulse pressure were lower after flavanol-rich treatment respect to flavanol-poor treatment (SBP: 116.9 ± 1.6 vs. 120.8 ± 1.9 mmHg, respectively, P = 0.00005; DBP: 70.5 ± 1.2 vs. 72.3 ± 1.2 mmHg, respectively, P = 0.01; pulse pressure: 46.4 ± 1.3 vs. 48.4 ± 1.5 mmHg, P = 0.004). Sleep deprivation impaired flow-mediated dilation (5.5 ± 0.5 vs. 6.5 ± 0.6%, P = 0.02), flavanol-rich, but not flavanol-poor chocolate counteracted this alteration (flavanol-rich/flavanol-poor chocolate: 7.0 ± 0.6 vs. 5.0 ± 0.4%, P = 0.000001). Flavanol-rich chocolate mitigated the pulse-wave velocity increase (P = 0.001). Flavanol-rich chocolate preserved working memory accuracy in women after sleep deprivation. Flow-mediated dilation correlated with working memory performance accuracy in the sleep condition (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Flavanol-rich chocolate counteracted vascular impairment after sleep deprivation and restored working memory performance. Improvement in cognitive performance could be because of the effects of cocoa flavonoids on blood pressure and peripheral and central blood flow.
Comparison of IgE-Binding Capacity, Cross-Reactivity and Biological Potency of Allergenic Non-Specific Lipid Transfer Proteins from Peach, Cherry and Hazelnut

Background: Whether the observed clinical pattern of non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP)-mediated food allergies is attributable to a primary sensitization by Pru p 3 from peach and subsequent cross-reactivity with Rosaceae- and non-Rosaceae-derived foods expressing homologous allergens is still unclear. Objective: To investigate the allergenic properties of nsLTPs from Rosaceae and non-Rosaceae foods. Methods: In peach-, cherry- or hazelnut-allergic patients, prevalence of sensitization, IgE-binding capacity, cross-reactivity and allergenic potency of Pru p 3 was compared with Pru av 3 (cherry) and Cor a 8 (hazelnut). Results: Frequency of sensitization to corresponding nsLTPs was 88, 85, and 77% in peach-, hazelnut- and cherry-allergic patients, respectively. Concomitant allergic reactions to cherry and hazelnut were reported in 51 and 44% of peach-allergic patients, respectively. In contrast to cherry allergy, hazelnut allergy was not strictly associated to peach allergy. Sensitization to Cor a 8 or Pru av 3 was strongly correlated with IgE reactivity to Pru p 3, even when subjects tolerated peach. Specific IgE was highest for Rosaceae LTPs, and cross-inhibition experiments confirmed a stronger IgE-binding capacity of Pru p 3 than Cor a 8. The biological potency of Pru p 3 and Pru av 3 was similar but stronger for both nsLTPs than that of Cor a 8. Conclusion: Clinical cross-reactivity of food-allergic patients in the Mediterranean area is likely attributed to a primary sensitization to Pru p 3 and serological cross-reactivity with homologous food nsLTPs. In comparison to Cor a 8, Rosaceae nsLTPs showed a stronger IgE-binding capacity and allergenic potency indicating a different epitope pattern.
Dietary Patterns of Men and Women Suggest Targets for Health Promotion: The Framingham Nutrition Studies

Purpose. The goal of the study was to characterize the dietary patterns of adult men and women. Design. The study used a cross-sectional analysis of food consumption behaviors and nutrient intake measured from 1984 through 1988. Setting. The Framingham Offspring/Spouse Study, Framingham, Massachusetts. Subjects. The population-based sample comprised 1831 men and 1828 women between 20 and 70 years of age. Measures. Dietary patterns were defined by cluster analyses, which used the estimates of usual daily food intake from food frequency questionnaires, and the patterns were compared with Food Guide Pyramid recommendations. Nutrient intakes were independently estimated from 24-hour recalls and compared with Year 2000 nutrition recommendations. Results. Cluster analyses identified five groups of men and five groups of women with distinctive dietary patterns. Men differed on intakes of all food groups except vegetables and snacks plus sweetened beverages. Specific dietary behaviors, including low intakes of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and other complex carbohydrates; high intakes of beer and liquor; and high intakes of high-fat animal foods warrant targeted intervention messages for men. Women's patterns differed across all food groups except red meats and fattier poultry and beer. Dietary behaviors of women that deserve attention include low fruit, vegetable, starch, and dairy intakes; chronic dieting; high alcohol intake; and sources of hidden fats. No cluster met the current recommendations for food and nutrient intake. Conclusions. Distinct dietary patterns in Framingham men and women vary in compliance with national nutrition and health policy objectives and provide insights for developing behavioral interventions to improve food and nutrient intake.
High Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Secretion and Loss of High Avidity Cross-Reactive Cytotoxic T-Cells during the Course of Secondary Dengue Virus Infection

Background Dengue is one of the most important human diseases transmitted by an arthropod vector and the incidence of dengue virus infection has been increasing – over half the world's population now live in areas at risk of infection. Most infections are asymptomatic, but a subset of patients experience a potentially fatal shock syndrome characterised by plasma leakage. Severe forms of dengue are epidemiologically associated with repeated infection by more than one of the four dengue virus serotypes. Generally attributed to the phenomenon of antibody-dependent enhancement, recent observations indicate that T-cells may also influence disease phenotype. Methods and Findings Virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) showing high level cross reactivity between dengue serotypes could be expanded from blood samples taken during the acute phase of secondary dengue infection. These could not be detected in convalescence when only CTL populations demonstrating significant serotype specificity were identified. Dengue cross-reactive CTL clones derived from these patients were of higher avidity than serotype-specific clones and produced much higher levels of both type 1 and certain type 2 cytokines, many previously implicated in dengue pathogenesis. Conclusion Dengue serotype cross-reactive CTL clones showing high avidity for antigen produce higher levels of inflammatory cytokines than serotype-specific clones. That such cells cannot be expanded from convalescent samples suggests that they may be depleted, perhaps as a consequence of activation-induced cell death. Such high avidity cross-reactive memory CTL may produce inflammatory cytokines during the course of secondary infection, contributing to the pathogenesis of vascular leak. These cells appear to be subsequently deleted leaving a more serotype-specific memory CTL pool. Further studies are needed to relate these cellular observations to disease phenotype in a large group of patients. If confirmed they have significant implications for understanding the role of virus-specific CTL in pathogenesis of dengue disease.
Effects of electrode materials for arc-firing probability and switching time in UV-laser triggered vacuum gap

The switching time and the arc-firing probability of a self-sustaining discharge in UV-laser triggered vacuum gap (ULTVG) were measured. The third harmonic beam of a Nd:YAG pulse laser (wavelength 355 nm, energy 5 mJ/pulse, power density 4/spl times/10/sup 7/ W/cm/sup 2/) was used as a trigger for ULTVG. The UV-laser pulse injected perpendicularly onto the grounded cathode. The electrode materials were oxygen-free copper and aluminum. The electrodes were 85 mm in diameter. The gap length was 1.6, 1.9, 2.2 mm. The experimental chamber was evacuated to about 1.3/spl times/10/sup -4/ Pa by a turbo molecular pump. The range of the firing voltage in copper electrodes was higher than in aluminum. The jitter of the switching time in copper electrodes was smaller than in aluminum. The arc-firing probability decreased as the circuit inductance increased.
Impact of Male-Partner-Focused Interventions on Breastfeeding Initiation, Exclusivity, and Continuation

Informal sources of support, particularly the male partner, have more influence on breastfeeding behaviors than formal support from health care providers. This systematic review examined the impact of male-partner-focused breastfeeding interventions on breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and continuation. Four unique interventions were identified that were tested through randomized controlled studies or quasi-experimental design. These 4 provided breastfeeding education to fathers, with breastfeeding outcomes reported by the mother. Three of the 4 studies compared initiation rates between intervention and control conditions, and 2 showed significantly higher rates of breastfeeding initiation in the intervention group. Although studies were inconsistent in their categorization and reporting of full, partial, or no breastfeeding, significantly higher rates of breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and/or continuation were seen for 2 interventions. Because all 4 interventions found at least 1 breastfeeding outcome to be superior in the treatment group, breastfeeding education should be offered to male partners. Future studies should test if intervention effectiveness can be increased if education is supplemented with other activities. Future studies also should use controlled designs and validated outcome measures.
Transcriptional Activation of Thymidylate Synthase by 17β-Estradiol in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Thymidylate synthase (TS) catalyzes methylation of deoxyuridine phosphate to give deoxythymidine phosphate, and 17β-estradiol (E2) induces TS gene expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Analysis of the TS gene promoter showed that E2-responsiveness required the −229 to −140 promoter region containing a G-rich sequence and CACCC box. Subsequent mutational analysis of this region indicated that only the G-rich motif (−150 to −142) was required for E2 action. Results of gel mobility shift and in vitro DNA footprinting assays showed that both estrogen receptor α (ERα) and Sp1 proteins were required for hormone-induced trans-activation that involved ERα/Sp1 binding to the G-rich site in which only Sp1 protein bound DNA. Both proteins also interacted in Drosophila cells in functional assays, confirming the transcriptional activation of TS-involved ERα/Sp1, and this adds to the increasing number of genes that are activated through this pathway in breast cancer cells.
Wavelength dependent polarization properties of a long-period grating inscribed in a pure-fused-silica photonic crystal fiber

Measurements of polarization properties (polarization dependent loss and differential group delay) of a long-period grating inscribed by means of high-intensity femtosecond 264 nm pulses in an endlessly single mode photonic crystal fibre are reported. Strong modulation in the spectra of polarization dependent loss and differential group delay with periods of 2.6 nm and 1.3 nm, respectively, were found. As such an effect has not been observed in standard optical fibres, it is believed that this is due to the specific mode structure of the holey fibre used for grating fabrication.
The impact of workplace relationships on engagement, well-being, commitment and turnover for nurses in Australia and the USA.

AIMS We examined the impact of workplace relationships (perceived organizational support, supervisor-nurse relationships and teamwork) on the engagement, well-being, organizational commitment and turnover intentions of nurses working in Australian and USA hospitals. BACKGROUND In a global context of nurse shortages, knowledge about factors impacting nurse retention is urgently sought. We postulated, using the Social Exchange Theory, that nurses' turnover intentions would be affected by several factors and especially their relationships at work. DESIGN Based on the literature review, data were collected via a self-report survey to test the hypotheses. METHODS A self-report survey was used to gather data in 2010-2012 from 510 randomly chosen nurses from Australian hospitals and 718 nurses from US hospitals. A multi-group structural equation modelling analysis identified significant paths and compared the impact between countries. RESULTS The findings indicate that this model was more effective in predicting the correlations between variables for nurses in Australia compared with the USA. Most paths predicted were confirmed for Australia, except for the impact of teamwork on organizational commitment and turnover, plus the impact of engagement on turnover. In contrast, none of the paths related to supervisor-subordinate relationships was significant for the USA; neither were the paths from teamwork to organizational commitment or turnover. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that well-being is a predictor of turnover intentions, meaning that healthcare managers need to consider nurses' well-being in everyday decision-making, especially in the cost-cutting paradigm that pervades healthcare provision in nearly every country. This is important because nurses are in short supply and this situation will continue to worsen, because many countries have an ageing population.
Prader-Willi Syndrome due to an Unbalanced de novo Translocation t(15;19)(q12;p13.3)

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex, multisystem genetic disorder characterized by endocrine, neurologic, and behavioral abnormalities. We report the first case of an unbalanced de novo reciprocal translocation of chromosomes 15 and 19, 45,XY,-15,der(19)t(15;19)(q12;p13.3), resulting in monosomy for the PWS critical chromosome region. Our patient had several typical features of PWS including infantile hypotonia, a poor suck and feeding difficulties, tantrums, skin picking, compulsions, small hands and feet, and food seeking, but not hypopigmentation, a micropenis, cryptorchidism or obesity as common findings seen in PWS at the time of examination at 6 years of age. He had seizures noted from 1 to 3 years of age and marked cognitive delay. High-resolution SNP microarray analysis identified an atypical PWS type I deletion in chromosome 15 involving the proximal breakpoint BP1. The deletion extended beyond the GABRB3 gene but was proximal to the usual distal breakpoint (BP3) within the 15q11q13 region, and GABRA5, GABRG3, and OCA2 genes were intact. No deletion of band 19p13.3 was detected; therefore, the patient was not at an increased risk of tumors from the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome associated with a deletion of the STK11 gene.
Hot Deformation Behavior and Processing Maps of 7050 Aluminum Alloy

The hot deformation behavior of 7050aluminum alloy was investigated by hot compression tests in the temperature range of 573-773K and the strain rate ranging from 0.001s-1 to 10 s-1.The flow curves showed that the flow stresses increase with the increase of strain rate or the decrease of temperature.In order to determine the optimal processing conditions, hot processing maps were established based on experimental data and Dynamic Materials Model. The processing maps indicate that instability occur at low temperature and high strain rate. The optimum hot working region is the domain in the temperature range of 673-723K and strain rate range of 0.001-0.01 s-1,where typical recrystallization was observed in the optical microstructures.
Health Belief Model Variables as Predictors of Progression in Stage of Mammography Adoption

Purpose. Identify predictors of change in mammography stage for nonadherent women so that appropriate stage-based interventions can be developed. Design. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups in a randomized clinical trial to increase mammography screening. This report focuses on predictors of stages of change of mammography behavior; intervention results are reported elsewhere.1 Setting. Indigent clinic and health maintenance organization. Subjects. Women, 50 or older, with no breast cancer diagnosis and nonadherent with mammography screening. Intervention. The intervention and results are described elsewhere.1 Measures. Previously validated belief scales. Results. Results showed that precontemplators and contemplators differed significantly at baseline and follow-up on all breast cancer beliefs except fear. Changes in barriers, benefits, and self-efficacy scores significantly predicted forward stage movement for women entering the study in precontemplation or contemplation (p = .0009, p = .037, and p = .048, respectively). Conclusions. Changes in beliefs predict stage movement, and beliefs differ significantly among stages, leading the way for interventions tailored to both beliefs and stages of behavior adoption. In practical terms, we may be able to cut down on the “bulkiness” of our interventions and the number of tailoring variables, focusing more intensively on tailoring interventions to the beliefs whose changes have now been shown to predict stage advancement. These predictions are in addition to intervention effect which is reported elsewhere.1