Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combined immunomodulator and antimicrobial therapy eliminates polymicrobial sepsis and modulates cytokine production in combined injured mice

Purpose: A combination therapy for combined injury (CI) using a non-specific immunomodulator, synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate and monophosphoryl lipid A (STDCM-MPL), was evaluated to augment oral antimicrobial agents, levofloxacin (LVX) and amoxicillin (AMX), to eliminate endogenous sepsis and modulate cytokine production. Materials and methods: Female B6D2F1/J mice received 9.75 Gy cobalt-60 gamma-radiation and wound. Bacteria were isolated and identified in three tissues. Incidence of bacteria and cytokines were compared between treatment groups. Results: Results demonstrated that the lethal dose for 50% at 30 days (LD50/30) of B6D2F1/J mice was 9.42 Gy. Antimicrobial therapy increased survival in radiation-injured (RI) mice. Combination therapy increased survival after RI and extended survival time but did not increase survival after CI. Sepsis began five days earlier in CI mice than RI mice with Gram-negative species predominating early and Gram-positive species increasing later. LVX plus AMX eliminated sepsis in CI and RI mice. STDCM-MPL eliminated Gram-positive bacteria in CI and most RI mice but not Gram-negative. Treatments significantly modulated 12 cytokines tested, which pertain to wound healing or elimination of infection. Conclusions: Combination therapy eliminates infection and prolongs survival time but does not assure CI mouse survival, suggesting that additional treatment for proliferative-cell recovery is required.
A radiomics evaluation of 2D and 3D MRI texture features to classify brain metastases from lung cancer and melanoma

Brain metastases are occasionally detected before diagnosing their primary site of origin. In these cases, simple visual examination of medical images of the metastases is not enough to identify the primary cancer, so an extensive evaluation is needed. To avoid this procedure, a radiomics approach on magnetic resonance (MR) images of the metastatic lesions is proposed to classify two of the most frequent origins (lung cancer and melanoma). In this study, 50 T1-weighted MR images of brain metastases from 30 patients were analyzed: 27 of lung cancer and 23 of melanoma origin. A total of 43 statistical texture features were extracted from the segmented lesions in 2D and 3D. Five predictive models were evaluated using a nested cross-validation scheme. The best classification results were achieved using 3D texture features for all the models, obtaining an average AUC > 0.9 in all cases and an AUC = 0.947 ± 0.067 when using the best model (naïve Bayes).
Characterization of a next-generation piezo bimorph X-ray mirror for synchrotron beamlines

A next-generation bimorph mirror with piezos bonded to the side faces of a monolithic substrate was created. When replacing a first-generation bimorph mirror suffering from the junction effect, the new type of mirror significantly improved the size and shape of the reflected synchrotron X-ray beam. No evidence of the junction effect was observed even after eight months of continuous beamline usage.
Finding Metric Structure in Information Theoretic Clustering

We study the problem of clustering discrete probability distributions with respect to the Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence. This problem arises naturally in many applications. Our goal is to pick k distributions as “representatives” such that the average or maximum KLdivergence between an input distribution and the closest representative distribution is minimized. Unfortunately, no polynomial-time algorithms with worst-case performance guarantees are known for either of these problems. The analogous problems for l1, l2 and l 2 (i.e., k-center, k-median and k-means) have been extensively studied and efficient algorithms with good approximation guarantees are known. However, these algorithms rely crucially on the (geo-)metric properties of these metrics and do not apply to KL-divergence. In this paper, our contribution is to find a “relaxed” metricstructure for KL-divergence. In doing so, we provide the first polynomial-time algorithm for clustering using KL-divergences with provable guarantees for general inputs.
Robust video stabilization based on bounded path planning

This paper presents a novel video stabilization algorithm based on bounded acceleration, which consists of three steps: motion estimation, virtual path generation and motion compensation. The key insight of this paper is that, to generate a reasonable smooth virtual path, we need to (1) minimize the acceleration along the virtual path, and (2) limit the offset of translations along x and y direction to a certain range. Compared to stat-of-art video stabilization methods, the proposed algorithm can generate more reasonable virtual paths but has fewer parameters to be adjusted. Theoretical analysis and practical experimental results prove the effectiveness of the proposed method.
On axiomatising products of Kripke frames, part II

We generalise some results of (7, 5) and show that if L is an -modal logic (for some ordinal ≥ 3) such that (i) L contains the product logic K and (ii) the product of -many trees of depth one and with arbitrary large finite branching is a frame for L, then any axiomatisation of L must contain infinitely many propositional variables. As a consequence we obtain that product logics like K , K4 , S4 , GL , and Grz cannot be axiomatised using finitely many propositional variables, whenever ≥ 3.
A writing in science framework designed to enhance science literacy

Science education reforms in Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, and the United States promote a constructivist pedagogy of science leading to a contemporary view of science literacy. The reform documents provide somewhat fuzzy descriptions of critical philosophical, epistemological and pedagogical dimensions and underlying assumptions and relationships. An adequate conception of the desired science teaching and learning requires an interdisciplinary awareness of the nature of science literacy, the nature of science and scientific inquiry, the role of reasoning, and the role of epistemological beliefs. (Abd-El-Khalick, et al. 1998, Holliday, et al. 1994, Tyson, et al. 1997). However, there are contested viewpoints about what should be emphasized within and across each of these dimensions of learning science. This article attempts to clarify these dimensions, assumptions and relationships, to provide a practical framework for utilizing writing in science to enhance science literacy, and to present ill.
Endobronchial ultrasonography using a guide sheath increases the ability to diagnose peripheral pulmonary lesions endoscopically.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To assess the ability of endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) using a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) to diagnose peripheral pulmonary lesions. METHOD We devised a technique for EBUS-GS covering a miniature probe, and 150 lesions were evaluated in a prospective open study. In this procedure, the probe covered by a guide sheath is introduced into the lesion via the working channel of a bronchoscope. The probe is withdrawn, while the guide sheath is left in situ. A brush or biopsy forceps is introduced through the guide sheath into the lesion. RESULTS One hundred sixteen of 150 EBUS-GS procedures (77%) were diagnostic. Cases in which the probe was located within the lesion had a significantly higher diagnostic yield (105 of 121 cases, 87%) than when the probe was located adjacent to it (8 of 19 cases, 42%) [p < 0.0001, chi(2)]. The diagnostic yield from EBUS-GS in lesions </= 10 mm (16 of 21 lesions, 76%), >10 to </= 15 mm (19 of 25 lesions, 76%; p = 0.99, chi(2)), >15 to </= 20 mm (23 of 35 lesions, 66%; p = 0.41, chi(2)), and > 20 to </= 30 mm (33 of 43 lesions, 77%; p = 0.96, chi(2)) were similar, demonstrating the efficacy of EBUS-GS even in lesions </= 10 mm in diameter. In 54 of 81 lesions </= 20 mm, fluoroscopy was not able to confirm whether the forceps reached the lesion. However, the yield was the same with (67%, 18 of 27 lesions) and without (74%, 40 of 54 lesions) successful fluoroscopy (p = 0.96, chi(2)). Moderate bleeding occurred in two patients (1%); there were no other complications. CONCLUSIONS EBUS-GS is a useful method for collecting samples from peripheral pulmonary lesions, even those too small to be visualized under fluoroscopy.
Body Image Concern and its Correlates among Male and Female Undergraduate Students at Assuit University in Egypt

Introduction: This cross-sectional study examined variables associated with body image concern (BIC) and whether these associations differed between female and male students in Egypt. During the period 2009-2010, 3271 undergraduate students (1663 females, 1504 males) at Assuit University in Egypt completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed BIC and other socio-demographic and health related variables. Methods: Based on Cooper et al.’s Body Shape Questionnaire the authors categorized BIC into ‘no BIC’; ‘mild BIC’; and ‘moderate/marked BIC’. Multifactorial linear regression analysis examined the association between BIC and BMI, body image perception, lifestyle (physical activity, nutrition, smoking) and mental well-being variables (quality of life, finances-related stress, perceived stress, perceived health, depressive symptoms). Results: About 40% of the female students and 25.6% of male students reported having mild to marked BIC. The correlates of BIC did not exhibit striking differences between male and female students. For both genders, BIC was positively associated with BMI, body image perception as being too fat and with depressive symptoms. Self-rated health was inversely associated with BIC. Conclusion: These findings suggest that health promoting strategies should address the co-occurrence of depressive symptoms and BIC, and should furthermore pay due attention to higher prevalence of BIC among female students.
Management of post‐partum haemorrhage

Management of post‐partum haemorrhage (PPH) involves the treatment of uterine atony, evacuation of retained placenta or placental fragments, surgery due to uterine or birth canal trauma, balloon tamponade, effective volume replacement and transfusion therapy, and occasionally, selective arterial embolization. This article aims at introducing pregnancy‐ and haemorrhage‐induced changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis and their relevant compensatory mechanisms, volume replacement therapy, optimal transfusion of blood products, and coagulation factor concentrates, and briefly cell salvage, management of uterine atony, surgical interventions, and selective arterial embolization. Special attention, respective management, and follow‐up are required in women with bleeding disorders, such as von Willebrand disease, carriers of haemophilia A or B, and rare coagulation factor deficiencies. We also provide a proposal for practical instructions in the treatment of PPH.
Fibronectin mediates mesendodermal cell fate decisions

Non-cell-autonomous signals often play crucial roles in cell fate decisions during animal development. Reciprocal signaling between endoderm and mesoderm is vital for embryonic development, yet the key signals and mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show that endodermal cells efficiently promote the emergence of mesodermal cells in the neighboring population through signals containing an essential short-range component. The endoderm-mesoderm interaction promoted precardiac mesoderm formation in mouse embryonic stem cells and involved endodermal production of fibronectin. In vivo, fibronectin deficiency resulted in a dramatic reduction of mesoderm accompanied by endodermal expansion in zebrafish embryos. This event was mediated by regulation of Wnt signaling in mesodermal cells through activation of integrin-β1. Our findings highlight the importance of the extracellular matrix in mediating short-range signals and reveal a novel function of endoderm, involving fibronectin and its downstream signaling cascades, in promoting the emergence of mesoderm.
NT-proBNP: Is It a More Significant Risk Factor for Mortality Than Troponin T in Incident Hemodialysis Patients?

AbstractNumerous studies have demonstrated that cardiac biomarkers are significant predictors of cardiovascular (CV) and all-cause mortality in ESRD patients, but most of the studies were retrospective or included small numbers of patients, only prevalent dialysis patients, or measured 1 or 2 biomarkers. This study was to analyze the association between 3 cardiac biomarkers and mortality in incident HD patients. A prospective cohort of 864 incident HD patients was followed for 30 months. Based on the median values of baseline NT-proBNP, cTnT, and hsCRP, the patients were divided into “high” and “low” groups, and CV and all-cause mortality were compared between each group. Additionally, time-dependent ROC curves were constructed, and the NRI and IDI of the models with various biomarkers were calculated. The CV survival rates were significantly lower in the “high” NT-proBNP and cTnT groups compared to the corresponding “low” groups, while there was no significant difference in CV survival rate between the 2 hsCRP groups. However, all-cause mortality rates were significantly higher in all 3 “high” groups compared to each lower group. In multivariate analyses, only Ln NT-proBNP was found to be an independent predictor of mortality. Moreover, NT-proBNP was a more prognostic marker for mortality compared to cTnT. In conclusion, NT-proBNP is the biomarker that results in the most added prognostic value on top of traditional risk factors for CV and all-cause mortality in incident HD patients.
Biopsy-free circulating tumor DNA assay identifies actionable mutations in lung cancer

Introduction The potential of oncogene-driven targeted therapy is perhaps most fully realized in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), given the number of genomic targets and approved matched therapies. However, invasive tissue biopsy at the time of each disease progression may not be possible and is associated with high morbidity and cost. Use of newly available “liquid biopsies” can circumvent these issues. Results 83% of subjects had at least one genomic alteration identified in plasma. Most commonly mutated genes were TP53, KRAS and EGFR. Subjects with no detectable ctDNA were more likely to have small volume disease, lepidic growth pattern, mucinous tumors or isolated leptomeningeal disease. Methods Subjects were individuals with NSCLC undergoing analysis of cell-free circulating tumor DNA using a validated, commercially-available next-generation sequencing assay at a single institution. Demographic, clinicopathologic information and results from tissue and plasma-based genomic testing were reviewed for each subject. Conclusions This is the first clinic-based series of NSCLC patients assessing outcomes of targeted therapies using a commercially available ctDNA assay. Over 80% of patients had detectable ctDNA, concordance between paired tissue and blood for truncal oncogenic drivers was high and patients with biomarkers identified in plasma had PFS in the expected range. These data suggest that biopsy-free ctDNA analysis is a viable first choice when the diagnostic tissue biopsy is insufficient for genotyping or at the time of progression when a repeated invasive tissue biopsy is not possible/preferred.
Automatic Learning of Articulated Skeletons Based on Mean of 3D Joints for Efficient Action Recognition

In this paper, we present a new approach for human action recognition using 3D skeleton joints recovered from RGB-D cameras. We propose a descriptor based on differences of skeleton joints. This descriptor combines two characteristics including static posture and overall dynamics that encode spatial and temporal aspects. Then, we apply the mean function on these characteristics in order to form the feature vector, used as an input to Random Forest classifier for action classification. The experimental results on both datasets: MSR Action 3D dataset and MSR Daily Activity 3D dataset demonstrate that our approach is efficient and gives promising results compared to state-of-the-art approaches.
Modelling of different entrainment mechanisms and their influences on the mechanical reliability of Al-Si castings

Modelling of three common entrainment mechanisms in fluid flow, namely plunging jet, return wave and rising jet, that generating defects during casting were conducted and validated by A356 alloy. Previous research highlighted surface turbulence in liquid metals could result in the fold-in of surface films into bulk liquid and leave cracks or porosity in the solidified component. An algorithm applied face normals of free surface and their interaction to capture the entrainment of surface films was used in study. The model integrated the algorithm into CFD package FLOW-3D and was used to track the entrainment defects formation and distribution involved in different entrainment behaviours in casting process. The defects density in local volume plotted by the model was then employed as quantitative criteria to predict the reliability of castings. Directly observation of transient flows in moulds by real-time X-ray radiography showed good correlation between real filling scenario and simulation results. Fracture strength achieved by four-point bend tests on the samples from corresponding locations with models in castings showed some extent relationship between defects density and reliability of castings quantitatively. Studies also indicated the plunging jet mechanism usually leaded to high variation of mechanical properties due to intense turbulence and entrainment.
Deformation properties of uncured reinforcements - a reappraisal

For more than 20 years, woven cloth reinforcements have been an integral part of strategies to control the costs of manufacture of advanced composite parts. Because of this, a substantial research effort has been put in place to model and simulate the behaviour of this form of reinforcement. This paper will present a reappraisal of the deformation properties of woven and other reinforcements through a consideration of the sorts of geometry that are experienced as challenges to composites component manufacture in the aerospace industry; and what deformation properties are required to drape these features both manually and mechanically. Lastly, some experiments will be reviewed that indicate that more deformable reinforcements can be generated to permit greater automation of the forming of some composite components.
Inaccuracies of creatinine and creatinine‐based equations in candidates for liver transplantation with low creatinine: Impact on the model for end‐stage liver disease score

Renal function has a significant impact on early mortality in patients with cirrhosis. However, creatinine and creatinine‐based equations are inaccurate markers of renal function in cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to reassess correlations between creatinine‐based equations and measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and to investigate the impact of inaccuracies on the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. GFR was measured using iohexol clearance and calculated with creatinine‐based equations in 157 patients with cirrhosis during pretransplant evaluation. We compared the accuracy of creatinine to that of true GFR in a prognostic score also including bilirubin and the international normalized ratio. In patients with creatinine below 1 mg/dL, true GFR ranged from 34‐163 mL/minute/1.73 m2. Cockcroft and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) significantly overestimated true GFR. On multivariate analysis, younger age and ascites were significantly correlated with the overestimation of true GFR by 20% or more. Body mass index was an independent risk factor of overestimation of GFR with Cockcroft but not with MDRD. The accuracy of a prognostic score combining bilirubin, international normalized ratio, and true GFR was superior to that of MELD, whether creatinine was rounded to 1 mg/dL when lower than 1 mg/dL or not (c‐statistic of 0.8 versus 0.75 and 0.73, respectively). Creatinine‐based formulas overestimate true GFR, especially in patients younger than 50 years or with ascites. In patients with serum creatinine below 1 mg/dL, the spectrum of true GFR is large. True GFR seems to have a better prognostic value than creatinine and creatinine‐based equations. Specific equations are needed in patients with cirrhosis to improve prognostic scores. Liver Transpl 16:1169–1177, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Phylogenetic Evidence of Long Distance Dispersal and Transmission of Piscine Reovirus (PRV) between Farmed and Wild Atlantic Salmon

The extent and effect of disease interaction and pathogen exchange between wild and farmed fish populations is an ongoing debate and an area of research that is difficult to explore. The objective of this study was to investigate pathogen transmission between farmed and wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) populations in Norway by means of molecular epidemiology. Piscine reovirus (PRV) was selected as the model organism as it is widely distributed in both farmed and wild Atlantic salmon in Norway, and because infection not necessarily will lead to mortality through development of disease. A matrix comprised of PRV protein coding sequences S1, S2 and S4 from wild, hatchery-reared and farmed Atlantic salmon in addition to one sea-trout (Salmo trutta L.) was examined. Phylogenetic analyses based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference indicate long distance transport of PRV and exchange of virus between populations. The results are discussed in the context of Atlantic salmon ecology and the structure of the Norwegian salmon industry. We conclude that the lack of a geographical pattern in the phylogenetic trees is caused by extensive exchange of PRV. In addition, the detailed topography of the trees indicates long distance transportation of PRV. Through its size, structure and infection status, the Atlantic salmon farming industry has the capacity to play a central role in both long distance transportation and transmission of pathogens. Despite extensive migration, wild salmon probably play a minor role as they are fewer in numbers, appear at lower densities and are less likely to be infected. An open question is the relationship between the PRV sequences found in marine fish and those originating from salmon.
Mechanical and machining performance of glass and coconut sheath fibre polyester composites using AWJM

This paper aims to address the responses of the AWJM parameters to two different reinforcement sources, viz, bi-directional glass mat (synthetic) and coconut sheath (natural) fibre, in a polymer matrix composite. The machining quality of the cut (kerf taper angle and surface roughness) was analysed, using the multi-objective response based on the L9 (34) orthogonal array, using the Taguchi-based experimental grey relational analysis. The mechanical performance of the composites was studied before and after machining, to observe the interfacial adhesion between the fibre and the matrix due to the cutting force, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Only very little reduction in tensile strength was found after the machining of the composite in each case, and it indicates lesser stress formation due to the cutting forces. The machining performance of two different composite materials with the same wt % of fibre content was found experimentally; it showed significant changes in the results for both the materials. However, the abrasive particle size was identified as the most significant parameter influencing the quality of the cut in both the composites. A higher crack resistance was found in the glass mat composites due to their better interfacial adhesion capability.