Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Matrix cracking and the mechanical behaviour of SiC─CAS composites

An experimental investigation has been carried out on the mechanical properties of unidirectional (0)12, (0, 90)3S, (±45, 02)S, and (±45)3S composites consisting of CAS glass ceramic reinforced with Nicalon SiC fibres. Measurements have been made of the elastic properties and of the tensile, compression and shear strengths of the composites, and these have been supported by a detailed study of the damage which occurs during monotonic and repeated loading. These damage studies have been carried out by means of edge replication microscopy and acoustic emission monitoring. The elastic properties of the composites are, by and large, close to the values that would be predicted from the constituent properties and lay-up sequences, but their strengths are lower than expected, and it appears that the Nicalon reinforcing fibre has been seriously degraded during manufacture. The fracture energy is much higher than predicted from observations of fibre pull-out, and it is suggested that the energy required to form a close three-dimensional network of matrix cracks could account for the high apparent toughness. The matrix cracking stress can be predicted reasonably closely by the Aveston, Cooper and Kelly model of cracking in brittle matrix composites, but it is shown that subcritical microcracks can form and/or grow at stresses well below the predicted critical values without affecting composite properties.
On enhancing scalability for distributed RDF/S stores

This work presents MIDAS-RDF, a distributed P2P RDF/S repository that is built on top of a distributed multi-dimensional index structure. MIDAS-RDF features fast retrieval of RDF triples satisfying various pattern queries by translating them into multi-dimensional range queries, which can be processed by the underlying index in hops logarithmic to the number of peers. More importantly, MIDAS-RDF utilizes a labeling scheme to handle expensive transitive closure computations efficiently. This allows for distributed RDFS reasoning in a more scalable way compared to existing methods, as also demonstrated by our extensive experimental study. Furthermore, MIDAS-RDF supports a publish-subscribe model that enables remote peers to selectively subscribe to RDF content.
COCONUT: Seamless Scale-out of Network Elements

A key use of software-defined networking is to enable scale-out of network data plane elements. Naively scaling networking elements, however, can cause incorrect behavior. For example, we show that an IDS system which operates correctly as a single network element can erroneously and permanently block hosts when it is replicated. In this paper, we provide a system, COCONUT, for seamless scale-out of network forwarding elements; that is, an SDN application programmer can program to what functionally appears to be a single forwarding element, but which may be replicated behind the scenes. To do this, we identify the key property for seamless scale out, weak causality, and guarantee it through a practical and scalable implementation of vector clocks in the data plane. We prove that COCONUT enables seamless scale out of networking elements, i.e., the user-perceived behavior of any COCONUT element implemented with a distributed set of concurrent replicas is provably indistinguishable from its singleton implementation. Finally, we build a prototype of COCONUT and experimentally demonstrate its correct behavior. We also show that its abstraction enables a more efficient implementation of seamless scale-out compared to a naive baseline.
A Mouse Strain Defective in Both T Cells and NK Cells Has Enhanced Sensitivity to Tumor Induction by Plasmid DNA Expressing Both Activated H-Ras and c-Myc

As part of safety studies to evaluate the risk of residual cellular DNA in vaccines manufactured in tumorigenic cells, we have been developing in vivo assays to detect and quantify the oncogenic activity of DNA. We generated a plasmid expressing both an activated human H-ras gene and murine c-myc gene and showed that 1 µg of this plasmid, pMSV-T24-H-ras/MSV-c-myc, was capable of inducing tumors in newborn NIH Swiss mice. However, to be able to detect the oncogenicity of dominant activated oncogenes in cellular DNA, a more sensitive system was needed. In this paper, we demonstrate that the newborn CD3 epsilon transgenic mouse, which is defective in both T-cell and NK-cell functions, can detect the oncogenic activity of 25 ng of the circular form of pMSV-T24-H-ras/MSV-c-myc. When this plasmid was inoculated as linear DNA, amounts of DNA as low as 800 pg were capable of inducing tumors. Animals were found that had multiple tumors, and these tumors were independent and likely clonal. These results demonstrate that the newborn CD3 epsilon mouse is highly sensitive for the detection of oncogenic activity of DNA. To determine whether it can detect the oncogenic activity of cellular DNA derived from four human tumor-cell lines (HeLa, A549, HT-1080, and CEM), DNA (100 µg) was inoculated into newborn CD3 epsilon mice both in the presence of 1 µg of linear pMSV-T24-H-ras/MSV-c-myc as positive control and in its absence. While tumors were induced in 100% of mice with the positive-control plasmid, no tumors were induced in mice receiving any of the tumor DNAs alone. These results demonstrate that detection of oncogenes in cellular DNA derived from four human tumor-derived cell lines in this mouse system was not possible; the results also show the importance of including a positive-control plasmid to detect inhibitory effects of the cellular DNA.
Differential function of RNCAM isoforms in precise target selection of olfactory sensory neurons

Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) are individually specified to express one odorant receptor (OR) gene among ∼1000 different and project with precision to topographically defined convergence sites, the glomeruli, in the olfactory bulb. Although ORs partially determine the location of convergence sites, the mechanism ensuring that axons with different OR identities do not co-converge is unknown. RNCAM (OCAM, NCAM2) is assumed to regulate a broad zonal segregation of projections by virtue of being a homophilic cell adhesion molecule that is selectively expressed on axons terminating in a defined olfactory bulb region. We have identified NADPH diaphorase activity as being an independent marker for RNCAM-negative axons. Analyses of transgenic mice that ectopically express RNCAM in NADPH diaphorase-positive OSNs show that the postulated function of RNCAM in mediating zone-specific segregation of axons is unlikely. Instead, analyses of one OR-specific OSN subpopulation (P2) reveal that elevated RNCAM levels result in an increased number of P2 axons that incorrectly co-converge with axons of other OR identities. Both Gpi-anchored and transmembrane-bound RNCAM isoforms are localized on axons in the nerve layer, while the transmembrane-bound RNCAM is the predominant isoform on axon terminals within glomeruli. Overexpressing transmembrane-bound RNCAM results in co-convergence events close to the correct target glomeruli. By contrast, overexpression of Gpi-anchored RNCAM results in axons that can bypass the correct target before co-converging on glomeruli located at a distance. The phenotype specific for Gpi-anchored RNCAM is suppressed in mice overexpressing both isoforms, which suggests that two distinct RNCAM isoform-dependent activities influence segregation of OR-defined axon subclasses.
Ornaments or offspring? Female sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) trade off carotenoids between spines and eggs

Hypotheses and models to explain female ornaments often assume that the elaborated traits are condition dependent; nevertheless, few empirical studies have addressed this topic. We studied a population of three‐spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) in which the females have conspicuous, carotenoid‐based red coloration to their pelvic spines. The red coloration seems not to be condition dependent, as coloration is negatively associated with age and body length and not associated with condition. Furthermore, redder females did not have a lower density of leucocytes. We found a negative association between the females’ red carotenoid‐based coloration in the spines and the amount of carotenoids in the female's gonads. Males choosing red‐coloured females will fertilize eggs with small amounts of carotenoids and appear not to gain any benefit from their mates’ phenotypic quality that could result in offspring of improved quality. These results do not support the ‘direct selection hypothesis’ to explain the existence of the female ornaments.
Spectacle Design Preferences among Chinese Primary and Secondary Students and Their Parents: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study

Purpose To identify the specific characteristics making glasses designs, particularly those compatible with adjustable glasses, more or less appealing to Chinese children and their parents. Patients and Methods Primary and secondary school children from urban and rural China with < = −1.00 diopters of bilateral myopia and their parents ranked four conventional-style frames identified by local optical shops as popular versus four child-specific frames compatible with adjustable spectacles. Scores based on the proportion of maximum possible ranking were computed for each style. Selected children and their parents also participated in Focus Groups (FGs) discussing spectacle design preference. Recordings were transcribed and coded by two independents reviewers using NVivo software. Results Among 136 urban primary school children (age range 9–11 years), 290 rural secondary school children (11–17 years) and 16 parents, all adjustable-style frames (scores on 0–100 scale 25.7–62.4) were ranked behind all conventional frames (63.0–87.5). For eight FGs including 12 primary children, 26 secondary children and 16 parents, average kappa values for NVivo coding were 0.81 (students) and 0.70 (parents). All groups agreed that the key changes to make adjustable designs more attractive were altering the round lenses to rectangular or oval shapes and adding curved earpieces for more stable wear. The thick frames of the adjustable designs were considered stylish, and children indicated they would wear them if the lens shape were modified. Conclusions Current adjustable lens designs are unattractive to Chinese children and their parents, though this study identified specific modifications which would make them more appealing.
A Simulation Model of Policies Directed at Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence

Objectives . The authors develop a simulation model to predict the effects on quit rates and cost-effectiveness of different smoking treatment policies. Methods . A decision theoretic model of quit behavior is first developed that incorporates the decision to quit and the choice of treatment. A policy model then examines the effect on quit attempts and quit rates of policies to cover the costs of different combinations of treatments and to require health care providers to conduct brief interventions. The model incorporates substitution between treatments and effects of policies on treatment effectiveness. The cost per quit is also calculated for each policy. Results . The model of quit behavior predicts a 1-year quit rate of 4.5% for the population of smokers. The policy model predicts a 37% increase in quit rates from a policy that combines mandated brief interventions with coverage of all proven tobacco treatments. Smaller effects are predicted from policies that provide more restricted coverage of treatments, especially those limited to behavioral treatment. Payments for brief interventions alone increase quit rates by about 7%. Brief intervention and behavioral therapy policies had lower costs per quit but yield substantially fewer additional quits than policies that cover pharmacotherapy. There is, however, considerable variation around these estimates depending on assumptions about the effects of policy on treatment use, substitution between treatments, and treatment effectiveness. Conclusion . Tobacco treatment policies, especially those with broad and flexible coverage, have the potential to substantially increase smoking quit rates. However, further research is needed on the effect of payment policies on the use and effectiveness of tobacco treatments.
Accelerated Age-Related Cognitive Decline and Neurodegeneration, Caused by Deficient DNA Repair

Age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases are a growing challenge for our societies with their aging populations. Accumulation of DNA damage has been proposed to contribute to these impairments, but direct proof that DNA damage results in impaired neuronal plasticity and memory is lacking. Here we take advantage of Ercc1Δ/− mutant mice, which are impaired in DNA nucleotide excision repair, interstrand crosslink repair, and double-strand break repair. We show that these mice exhibit an age-dependent decrease in neuronal plasticity and progressive neuronal pathology, suggestive of neurodegenerative processes. A similar phenotype is observed in mice where the mutation is restricted to excitatory forebrain neurons. Moreover, these neuron-specific mutants develop a learning impairment. Together, these results suggest a causal relationship between unrepaired, accumulating DNA damage, and age-dependent cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. Hence, accumulated DNA damage could therefore be an important factor in the onset and progression of age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
Evidence of constitutional MLH1 epimutation associated to transgenerational inheritance of cancer susceptibility

Constitutional epimutations of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes have been recently reported as a possible cause of Lynch syndrome. However, little is known about their prevalence, the risk of transmission through the germline and the risk for carriers to develop cancers. In this study, we evaluated the contribution of constitutional epimutations of MMR genes in Lynch syndrome. A cohort of 134 unrelated Lynch syndrome‐suspected patients without MMR germline mutation was screened for constitutional epimutations of MLH1 and MSH2 by quantitative bisulfite pyrosequencing. Patients were also screened for the presence of EPCAM deletions, a possible cause of MSH2 methylation. Tumors from patients with constitutional epimutations were extensively analyzed. We identified a constitutional MLH1 epimutation in two proband patients. For one of them, we report for the first time evidence of transmission to two children who also developed early colonic tumors, indicating that constitutional MLH1 epimutations are associated to a real risk of transgenerational inheritance of cancer susceptibility. Moreover, a somatic BRAF mutation was detected in one affected child, indicating that tumors from patients carrying constitutional MLH1 epimutation can mimic MSI‐high sporadic tumors. These findings may have important implications for future diagnostic strategies and genetic counseling. Hum Mutat 33:180–188, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Non‐adherence to post‐transplant care: Prevalence, risk factors and outcomes in adolescent liver transplant recipients

Abstract: This study examined the prevalence, demographic variables and adverse outcomes associated with non‐adherence to post‐transplant care in adolescent liver transplant recipients. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 111 adolescent patients (age 12–21 yr) greater than six months post‐transplantation and defined non‐adherence as not taking the immunosuppressive(s) or not attending any clinic visit in 2005. Fifty subjects (45.0%) were non‐adherent and 61 (55.0%) were adherent. Twenty percent of the subjects did not attend clinic and 10.9% did not complete laboratory tests. Non‐adherence was significantly associated with fewer completed laboratory tests (p < 0.0001), single parent status (p < 0.0186), and older age and greater years post‐transplantation by both univariate and multivariate analyses (p < 0.008, p < 0.0141 and p < 0.0012, p < 0.0174, respectively). Non‐adherence to medication was significantly associated with a rejection episode in 31 patients (p < 0.0069) but not in the subgroup of seven patients who stopped their immunosuppression completely. Non‐adherence to post‐transplant care is a prevalent problem in adolescents particularly of an older age and greater years post‐transplantation. Rejection was a significant consequence of medication non‐adherence except in a subgroup with presumed graft tolerance who discontinued their immunosuppression. These results emphasize the need for strict monitoring of adherence to post‐transplant care to improve long‐term survival and quality of life in adolescent transplant patients.
Quantum expanders and the quantum entropy difference problem

We define quantum expanders in a natural way. We show that under certain conditions classical expander constructions generalize to the quantum setting, and in particular so does the Lubotzky, Philips and Sarnak construction of Ramanujan expanders from Cayley graphs of the group PGL. We show that this definition is exactly what is needed for characterizing the complexity of estimating quantum entropies.
INFINITE ELEMENTARY DIVISOR STRUCTURE-PRESERVING TRANSFORMATIONS FOR POLYNOMIAL MATRICES

The main purpose of this work is to propose new notions of equivalence between polynomial matrices that preserve both the finite and infinite elementary divisor structures. The approach we use is twofold: (a) the ‘homogeneous polynomial matrix approach’, where in place of the polynomial matrices we study their homogeneous polynomial matrix forms and use 2-D equivalence transformations in order to preserve their elementary divisor structure, and (b) the ‘polynomial matrix approach’, where some conditions between the 1-D polynomial matrices and their transforming matrices are proposed.
A Hybrid Neural Network System for Pattern Classification Tasks with Missing Features

A hybrid neural network comprising Fuzzy ARTMAP and Fuzzy C-Means Clustering is proposed for pattern classification with incomplete training and test data. Two benchmark problems and a real medical pattern classification task are employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the hybrid network. The results are analyzed and compared with those from other methods.
Ryanodine receptor calcium release channels.

The ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are a family of Ca2+ release channels found on intracellular Ca2+ storage/release organelles. The RyR channels are ubiquitously expressed in many types of cells and participate in a variety of important Ca2+ signaling phenomena (neurotransmission, secretion, etc.). In striated muscle, the RyR channels represent the primary pathway for Ca2+ release during the excitation-contraction coupling process. In general, the signals that activate the RyR channels are known (e.g., sarcolemmal Ca2+ influx or depolarization), but the specific mechanisms involved are still being debated. The signals that modulate and/or turn off the RyR channels remain ambiguous and the mechanisms involved unclear. Over the last decade, studies of RyR-mediated Ca2+ release have taken many forms and have steadily advanced our knowledge. This robust field, however, is not without controversial ideas and contradictory results. Controversies surrounding the complex Ca2+ regulation of single RyR channels receive particular attention here. In addition, a large body of information is synthesized into a focused perspective of single RyR channel function. The present status of the single RyR channel field and its likely future directions are also discussed.
Revisiting the antagonistic pleiotropy theory of aging: TOR-driven program and quasi-program

A half century ago, antagonistic pleiotropy (AP) theory had solved a mystery of aging, by postulating genes beneficial early in life at the cost of aging. Recently it was argued however that there are very few clear-cut examples of antagonistically pleiotropic (AP) genes other than p53. In contrast, here I discuss that p53 is not a clear-cut example of AP genes but is rather an aging-suppressor (gerosuppressor). In contrast, clear-cut examples of AP genes are genes that encode the TOR (target of rapamycin) pathway. TOR itself is the ultimate example of AP gene because its deletion is lethal in embryogenesis. Early in life the TOR pathway drives developmental program, which persists later in life as an aimless quasi-program of aging and age-related diseases.
Amplitude and phase dynamics of noisy oscillators

A description in terms of phase and amplitude variables is given for nonlinear oscillators subject to white Gaussian noise described by Itô stochastic differential equations. The stochastic differential equations derived for the amplitude and the phase are rigorous, and their validity is not limited to the weak noise limit. It is shown that if Floquet vectors are used, then in the neighborhood of a limit cycle the phase variable coincides with the asymptotic phase defined through isochrons. Two techniques for the analysis of the phase and amplitude equations are discussed, that is, asymptotic expansion method and a phase reduction procedure based on projection operators technique. Formulas for the expected angular frequency, expected oscillation amplitude, and amplitude variance are derived using Itô calculus. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genome-wide array-CGH analysis reveals YRF1 gene copy number variation that modulates genetic stability in distillery yeasts

Industrial yeasts, economically important microorganisms, are widely used in diverse biotechnological processes including brewing, winemaking and distilling. In contrast to a well-established genome of brewer's and wine yeast strains, the comprehensive evaluation of genomic features of distillery strains is lacking. In the present study, twenty two distillery yeast strains were subjected to electrophoretic karyotyping and array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH). The strains analyzed were assigned to the Saccharomyces sensu stricto complex and grouped into four species categories: S. bayanus, S. paradoxus, S. cerevisiae and S. kudriavzevii. The genomic diversity was mainly revealed within subtelomeric regions and the losses and/or gains of fragments of chromosomes I, III, VI and IX were the most frequently observed. Statistically significant differences in the gene copy number were documented in six functional gene categories: 1) telomere maintenance via recombination, DNA helicase activity or DNA binding, 2) maltose metabolism process, glucose transmembrane transporter activity; 3) asparagine catabolism, cellular response to nitrogen starvation, localized in cell wall-bounded periplasmic space, 4) siderophore transport, 5) response to copper ion, cadmium ion binding and 6) L-iditol 2- dehydrogenase activity. The losses of YRF1 genes (Y' element ATP-dependent helicase) were accompanied by decreased level of Y' sequences and an increase in DNA double and single strand breaks, and oxidative DNA damage in the S. paradoxus group compared to the S. bayanus group. We postulate that naturally occurring diversity in the YRF1 gene copy number may promote genetic stability in the S. bayanus group of distillery yeast strains.