Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improved softened truss model for reinforced concrete members under combined loading including torsion

Abstract Reinforced concrete (RC) members are often subjected to combinations of axial, shear, and bending loads. Torsion develops in addition to compression, bending, and shearing forces in the case of curved bridges, beams, and columns of bridges with outriggers. This study focuses on developing an improved model for predicting the behavior of RC members under combined actions. A softened truss model (STM) for combined actions (CA-STM) is used as a base and improved in this study. The RC element made of concrete and steel is modeled as a membrane element. Membrane element is a basic unit of negligible dimensions subjected only to in-plane stresses. The cross section of the member is modeled as an assembly of four cracked shear panels. The model includes various assumptions for modeling the geometry to satisfy the equilibrium and compatibility conditions. The model gives a complete solution satisfying the Navier’s principles of mechanics. The developed improved model is capable of predicting the load-deformation response, torque-twist response, strains, and curvatures of RC members from cracking up to the peak loads. The predictions of the developed model are validated with test data of different RC members subjected to various combinations of torsion, flexure, and shear. The major load combinations included in the validations are pure torsion (T), torsion combined with shear (T + V), and torsion combined with shear and bending (T + V+M). Comparison of results shows that the CA-STM model predicted the behavior of RC members reasonably well.
Using and interpreting mental health measures in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project.

INTRODUCTION National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) included five unique mental health measures in Waves 1 and 2 that researchers can use to measure the overall emotional health of participants: depressive symptoms, happiness-unhappiness, anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, and felt loneliness. For each, we detail the rationale for its development and explain how to score, analyze, and interpret results. METHOD NSHAP developed its measures by modifying traditional short-form scales to improve response efficiency and reduce respondent burden. Scoring protocols and interpretations were developed for each measure. U.S. population estimates for older adults born between 1920 and 1947 were generated using age-eligible samples from Waves 1 and 2. RESULTS NSHAP's protocols yielded U.S. prevalence rates similar to other nationally representative studies of older adults and comparable between waves. Higher estimates of anxiety symptoms and perceived stress in Wave 2 compared with Wave 1 were explained by age, administration mode, and time period. Analytic strategies for longitudinal analyses are provided. In Wave 2, mental health generally was worse at older ages, with women having more symptoms at younger ages than men. Women had fewer anxiety symptoms at the oldest ages. DISCUSSION NSHAP's mental health measures were successfully integrated into the project's survey and showed acceptable external reliability as well as moderately stable individual characteristics across the 5 years between Waves 1 and 2. Depressive symptoms and unhappiness may form a mental health cluster in the elderly, distinct from anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, and felt loneliness. Gender differences in age-specific patterns of mental health were evident using the exact age of participants rather than the traditional decade groupings. Administration mode and time period (between 2005-2006 and 2010-2011) were determined to be potential confounds that need to be accommodated in longitudinal analyses of aging, whereas sample composition was not an issue for interpreting mental health measures.
Malignant Extradural Spinal Cord Compression: Diagnosis and Management

Report Date: January 2004 An assessment conducted in December 2012 put Evidence-based Series (EBS) 9-9 in the Education and Information section. This means that the recommendations will no longer be maintained but may still be useful for academic or other information purposes. The PEBC has a formal and standardized process to ensure the currency of each document (PEBC Assessment & Review Protocol).
Comparative metabolomics revealing Staphylococcus aureus metabolic response to different antibiotics

It is known that changes in bacterial metabolism can contribute to the modulation of bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics. Understanding how bacterial metabolism is impacted by antibiotics may improve our understanding of the antibiotic mechanism of actions from a metabolic perspective. Here, we utilized a mass spectrometry‐based targeted metabolic profiling technique to characterize the metabolome of a pair of isogenic methicillin‐susceptible and resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA) strains RN450 and 450M treated with the sublethal dose of three antibiotics from different classes (β‐lactams, aminoglycosides and quinolones). These treatments induced a set of metabolic alterations after 6 h of co‐incubation with antibiotics. Similar and divergent metabolic perturbations were observed from different antibiotics to the tested strains. Different metabolic response from MSSA and MRSA to the same antibiotics was also detected in the study and indicated the potentially different stress response mechanism in MSSA and MRSA metabolism. This work has shown that a complex set of metabolic changes can be induced by a variety of antibiotics, and the comparative metabolomics strategy can provide a good understanding of this process from a metabolic perspective.
Flow Boiling in Micro-Passages: Developments in Fundamental aspects and Applications

Flow boiling in mini to micro passages located at the heat source, and as part of a thermal management system, has been identified as a possible way to remove the increasing high heat fluxes generated by high power electronic devices due to their capability of high heat transfer rates with small surface temperature variations. However, some still unresolved fundamental issues hinder the possible full adoption of this technology. These relate to the prevailing flow patterns, heat transfer rates and pressure drop in such geometries, and their dependence on key parameters. The possible major applications of flow boiling in microchannels are first mentioned in this paper, highlighting the requirements and the challenges of the thermal management of each application. The paper then presents new experimental research by the present authors as well as research reported in the literature on flow boiling in single tubes and rectangular multi microchannels to help elucidate the following fundamental issues: the definition of a microchannel, prevailing flow patterns, heat transfer mechanisms, flow instability and reversal and their effect on heat transfer rates, effect of channel material and surface characteristics (including latest research in coatings), effect of different fluid properties, and its relation to channel material, effect of channel length and aspect ratio. An appreciation of the above can help explain the interpretation of the prevailing fluid flow and heat transfer phenomena and the data scatter and discrepancies observed in past studies. In addition, models and correlations predicting flow patterns and heat transfer rates are presented.
Spatially dense morphometrics of craniofacial sexual dimorphism in 1‐year‐olds

Recent advances in the field of geometric morphometrics allow for powerful statistical hypothesis testing for effects of biological and environmental variables on anatomical shape. This study used partial least‐squares regression (PLSR) and the recently developed bootstrapped response‐based imputation modelling (BRIM) algorithm to test for sexual dimorphism in the craniofacial shape of 1‐year‐old humans. We observed a recession of the forehead in boys relative to girls, and differences in the nose, consistent with adult dimorphism. Results also suggest that the degree to which individuals express dimorphic traits is continuous throughout the population. This is also seen in adult dimorphism but in 1‐year‐olds the amount of overlap between groups is much higher, indicating the strength of dimorphism between sexes is lower. Our results demonstrate early sexual dimorphism that is not attributable to the influx of sex hormones at puberty. This highlights the need to look at very early ontogeny for the origins of sexual dimorphism. We suggest that future work look at potential mediating effects of this early dimorphism on the later impact of puberty. The subtle shape differences we have detected, may also be applied to sexing fossilised crania. A common artefact in 3D images of faces of young children is that they often have their mouths open to varying degrees, introducing variability in the data unrelated to anatomy. We describe two PLSR‐based methods of correcting this. These methods may facilitate surgical planning and assessment of young children based on 3D images.
Recovering From Interruptions: Implications for Driver Distraction Research

This research adopted a model of goal activation to study the mechanisms underlying interrupted task performance. The effects of interruption timing, type of interruption, and age on task time and primary task resumption time were explored under conditions in which attention was switched back and forth between two tasks, much as when drivers shift attention between attending to the road and to an in-vehicle task. The timing of interruptions had a significant impact on task resumption times, indicating that the most costly time to interrupt task performance is during the middle of a task. However, this effect was overshadowed by age-related performance decrements for older participants. Interruptions that prevented strategic rehearsal of goals resulted in longer resumption times as compared with interruptions that allowed rehearsal. Actual or potential applications of this research include the design of in-vehicle device user interfaces, the timing of in-vehicle messages, and current metrics for assessing driver distraction.
Repair of DNA damage induced by accelerated heavy ions—A mini review

Increasing use of heavy ions for cancer therapy and concerns from exposure to heavy charged particles in space necessitate the study of the basic biological mechanisms associated with exposure to heavy ions. As the most critical damage induced by ionizing radiation is DNA double strand break (DSB), this review focuses on DSBs induced by heavy ions and their repair processes. Compared with X‐ or gamma‐rays, high‐linear energy transfer (LET) heavy ion radiation induces more complex DNA damage, categorized into DSBs and non‐DSB oxidative clustered DNA lesions (OCDL). This complexity makes the DNA repair process more difficult, partially due to retarded enzymatic activities, leading to increased chromosome aberrations and cell death. In general, the repair process following heavy ion exposure is LET‐dependent, but with nonhomologous end joining defective cells, this trend is less emphasized. The variation in cell survival levels throughout the cell cycle is less prominent in cells exposed to high‐LET heavy ions when compared with low LET, but this mechanism has not been well understood until recently. Involvement of several DSB repair proteins is suggested to underlie this interesting phenomenon. Recent improvements in radiation‐induced foci studies combined with high‐LET heavy ion exposure could provide a useful opportunity for more in depth study of DSB repair processes. Accelerated heavy ions have become valuable tools to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying repair of DNA DSBs, the most crucial form of DNA damage induced by radiation and various chemotherapeutic agents.
Measurement and Modeling of Angular Spreads of Three-Dimensional Urban Street Radio Channels

By utilizing planar antenna arrays, a base station (BS) by the roadside can exploit two-dimensional (2-D) sectorization and beamforming to connect dense pedestrians and vehicles in a street. The azimuth and elevation angular spreads of the street radio channels are critical for the spatial multiplexing performance. In this paper, by utilizing a multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) channel sounder equipped with two uniformed planar antenna arrays, the three-dimensional (3-D) multipath propagations in urban macrocellular street canyon environments were measured and modeled, with the focus on the dynamics of the angular spreads along the streets. The transmitter (emulating a user equipment, UE) was placed at 100 and 95 positions in two streets for the line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios, respectively. The azimuth/elevation angle-of-arrival (AoA/EoA) and the root-mean-square azimuth/elevation spread of arrivals (ASA/ESA) at each position were measured. Contrary to the expected monotonous change of the angular spreads with respect to the UE–BS distance, the measurement results show that, in the LOS scenario, ASA and ESA have a positive correlation with the UE–BS distance in an open street but a negative correlation in a closed street. In the NLOS scenario, the correlation is positive when the UE is close to a building without the over-rooftop diffraction, but the correlation is reversed if such a Quasi-LOS path exists. The 2-D arrival profiles of the ray clusters have been observed, and their impacts on the angular spreads are analyzed in different propagation environments. By comparing multiple candidate fitting functions, the lognormal distribution models for ASA and ESA are proposed. In addition, the channel delay spread (DS) was also measured along the streets and positive correlations among ASA, ESA, and DS have been found. This work can help to establish the 3-D spatial channel models for advanced MIMO technologies and is also valuable for future channel measurements.
Commensal microbes drive intestinal inflammation by IL-17–producing CD4+ T cells through ICOSL and OX40L costimulation in the absence of B7-1 and B7-2

Significance T-cell activation requires cognate antigen encounter plus additional stimulation through B7 costimulatory molecules. This explains why B7 costimulation blockade is therapeutically effective in many autoimmune disorders including diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Interestingly, however, intestinal inflammation is uniquely resistant to B7-neutralizing therapies. We show that colonization with commensal bacteria predisposes the intestine to inflammation despite B7 deprivation caused by IL-17–producing T cells that become activated through the acces-sory costimulation molecules ICOSL and OX40L. Reciprocally, intestinal inflammation is silenced when either commensal enteric bacteria or stimulation through ICOSL/OX40L is eliminated. These results suggest that simultaneously neutralizing accessory costimulation molecules may be needed to extinguish inflammation in tissues like the intestine that retain prominent B7-independent pathways for T-cell activation. The costimulatory B7-1 (CD80)/B7-2 (CD86) molecules, along with T-cell receptor stimulation, together facilitate T-cell activation. This explains why in vivo B7 costimulation neutralization efficiently silences a variety of human autoimmune disorders. Paradoxically, however, B7 blockade also potently moderates accumulation of immune-suppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) essential for protection against multiorgan systemic autoimmunity. Here we show that B7 deprivation in mice overrides the necessity for Tregs in averting systemic autoimmunity and inflammation in extraintestinal tissues, whereas peripherally induced Tregs retained in the absence of B7 selectively mitigate intestinal inflammation caused by Th17 effector CD4+ T cells. The need for additional immune suppression in the intestine reflects commensal microbe-driven T-cell activation through the accessory costimulation molecules ICOSL and OX40L. Eradication of commensal enteric bacteria mitigates intestinal inflammation and IL-17 production triggered by Treg depletion in B7-deficient mice, whereas re-establishing intestinal colonization with Candida albicans primes expansion of Th17 cells with commensal specificity. Thus, neutralizing B7 costimulation uncovers an essential role for Tregs in selectively averting intestinal inflammation by Th17 CD4+ T cells with commensal microbe specificity.
Volume and mass doubling times of persistent pulmonary subsolid nodules detected in patients without known malignancy.

PURPOSE To evaluate volume doubling time (VDT) and mass doubling time (MDT) of persistent pulmonary subsolid nodules (SSNs) followed-up with low-dose (LD) computed tomography (CT) in patients without a history of malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective institutional review board-approved study, with waiver of patient informed consent, included 97 SSNs in 97 patients (45 men, 52 women; median age, 58 years; range, 37-87 years) in whom at least two LD CT scans were obtained, with 3-month or longer follow-up interval and median follow-up of 633 days. SSNs were categorized into pure ground-glass nodules (GGNs) (group A), part-solid GGNs with solid components of 5 mm or smaller (group B), and part-solid GGNs with solid components larger than 5 mm (group C). Three-dimensional manual segmentation for all SSNs was performed on initial and latest follow-up LD CT scans; subsequently, VDTs and MDTs were calculated and were compared among groups by using Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Dunn procedure with Bonferroni correction for volume-growing SSNs and mass-growing SSNs. RESULTS Volume growth was thus: 12 of 63 SSNs (19%), group A; nine of 23 SSNs (39%), group B; and eight of 11 SSNs (73%), group C. Median VDT was thus: 1832.3 days (range, 1230.7-4537.3 days), group A; 1228.5 days (range, 934.7-4617.7 days), group B; and 759.0 days (range, 376.4-941.5 days), group C. Mass growth was thus: 17 of 63 SSNs (27%), group A; 11 of 23 SSNs (48%), group B; and nine of 11 SSNs (82%), group C. Median MDT was 1556.1 days (range, 642.5-3564.5 days) for group A, 1199.9 days (range, 838.6-2578.7 days) for group B, and 627.7 days (range, 340.0-921.2 days) for group C. Median VDTs and MDTs of groups A and B were significantly longer than those of group C (P < .01). CONCLUSION Pure GGNs and part-solid GGNs with solid components of 5 mm or smaller show significantly longer VDTs and MDTs than do part-solid GGNs with solid components larger than 5 mm. Online supplemental material is available for this article.
SIRT1 Limits Adipocyte Hyperplasia through c-Myc Inhibition*

The expansion of fat mass in the obese state is due to increased adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia. The molecular mechanism that drives adipocyte hyperplasia remains unknown. The NAD+-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a key regulator of mammalian metabolism, maintains proper metabolic functions in many tissues, counteracting obesity. Here we report that differentiated adipocytes are hyperplastic when SIRT1 is knocked down stably in mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. This phenotype is associated with dysregulated adipocyte metabolism and enhanced inflammation. We also demonstrate that SIRT1 is a key regulator of proliferation in preadipocytes. Quantitative proteomics reveal that the c-Myc pathway is altered to drive enhanced proliferation in SIRT1-silenced 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, c-Myc is hyperacetylated, levels of p27 are reduced, and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) is activated upon SIRT1 reduction. Remarkably, differentiating SIRT1-silenced preadipocytes exhibit enhanced mitotic clonal expansion accompanied by reduced levels of p27 as well as elevated levels of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) and c-Myc, which is also hyperacetylated. c-Myc activation and enhanced proliferation phenotype are also found to be SIRT1-dependent in proliferating mouse embryonic fibroblasts and differentiating human SW872 preadipocytes. Reducing both SIRT1 and c-Myc expression in 3T3-L1 cells simultaneously does not induce the adipocyte hyperplasia phenotype, confirming that SIRT1 controls adipocyte hyperplasia through c-Myc regulation. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of adipocyte hyperplasia will open new avenues toward understanding obesity.
DIAGNOSING AVIAN INFLUENZA IN THE FRAMEWORK OF WILDLIFE SURVEILLANCE EFFORTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES 1

Prior to the ongoing Asian H5N1 epizootic, it was believed that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was a disease of domesticated birds and that wild birds could act only as reservoirs for the low pathogenic form (LPAI) of these viruses. The unprecedented situation in Asia during 2004 and 2005 revealed spillover of HPAI H5N1 infection to naive populations of wild birds. To date the role wild birds may play in the ecology and epizootiology of HPAI H5N1 appears very different to that in other HPAI epizootics, and is far from being completely understood. Recent outbreaks in Russia and Central Asia, Europe, and Africa indicate transboundary spread of HPAI H5N1. Isolation of the virus from wild birds in Eurasia led to speculation that wild birds may play a role in introducing and possibly secondarily spreading the infection to disease-free areas. Several diagnostic methodologies are available to detect avian influenza infection. Generation of reliable data requires the most appropriate diagnostic approach specific to the aim of the surveillance program and ecology of the virus in both the target population and the environment. Harmonized diagnostic strategies for detection of HPAI H5N1 must be developed and followed worldwide in order to make results comparable and useful to the international scientific community. The OIE/FAO Reference Laboratory in Padova, Italy is involved in extensive surveillance of wild birds sampled in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Using results of this program, we developed a set of diagnostic guidelines that could be a basis for a harmonized approach by diagnostic laboratories.
Nonoperative Management of Distal Rectal Cancer After Chemoradiation: Experience with the “Watch & Wait” Protocol

Surgical treatment alone for locally advanced rectal cancer (T3/T4 or N1 tumors) has been associated with considerably high local recurrence rates. Even with appropriate total mesorectal excision (TME), radical surgery leads to excellent local disease control only in highly selected cases. (Simunovic et al. 2003) In this setting, the need for additional or complementary treatment strategies was highly warranted. In the late 80’s and early 90’s it was observed that the addition of adjuvant radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy significantly improved disease control as well as survival rates in this group of patients. (Krook et al. 1991) Later on, results from randomized controlled trials suggested that the neoadjuvant approach was superior for local disease control, even when appropriate surgical technique (total mesorectal excision) was performed when compared to adjuvant treatment. (Sauer et al. 2004) Apart from the theoretical advantage of exposing unscarred tissue with optimal oxygen delivery to chemoradiation (CRT), further benefits including reduced toxicity rates, significant tumor downstaging and downsizing, greater rates of sphincter preservation, and better functional results have been reported after neoadjuvant CRT. (Habr-Gama et al. 2004; Sauer et al. 2004) Tumor downstaging in some patients may be so significant, that no residual cancer was detected during final pathological assessment. Still, radical surgery was associated with considerably immediate postoperative mortality and morbidity rates. In addition to usual postoperative complications, total mesorectal excision may lead to significant sexual and urinary dysfunctions. Also, even when abdominal perineal excision (and a permanent stoma) could be avoided, temporary loop ileostomies are mandatory in order to avoid potential septic consequences of anastomotic leaks in these patients. (Peter Matthiessen et al. 2007)