Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A component decomposition preconditioning for 3D stress analysis problems

A preconditioning methodology for an iterative solution of discrete stress analysis problems based on a space decomposition and subspace correction framework is analysed in this paper. The principle idea of our approach is a decomposition of a global discrete system into the series of subproblems each of which correspond to the different Cartesian co‐ordinates of the solution (displacement) vector. This enables us to treat the matrix subproblems in a segregated way. A host of well‐established scalar solvers can be employed for the solution of subproblems. In this paper we constrain ourselves to an approximate solution using the scalar algebraic multigrid (AMG) solver, while the subspace correction is performed either in block diagonal (Jacobi) or block lower triangular (Gauss–Seidel) fashion. The preconditioning methodology is justified theoretically for the case of the block‐diagonal preconditioner using Korn's inequality for estimating the ratio between the extremal eigenvalues of a preconditioned matrix. The effectiveness of the AMG‐based preconditioner is tested on stress analysis 3D model problems that arise in microfabrication technology. The numerical results, which are in accordance with theoretical predictions, clearly demonstrate the superiority of a component decomposition AMG preconditioner over the standard ILU preconditioner, even for the problems with a relatively small number of degrees of freedom. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tension in Isolated Frog Muscle Fibers Induced by Hypertonic Solutions

The effect of hypertonic solutions on the tension of isolated twitch muscle fibers of the frog has been investigated. Increased tonicity up to about 1.7 times normal (1.7 T) caused a very small, graded, maintained tension increase. Above about 1.7 T a large, transient contracture response was superimposed on the small tension. The contracture response was graded with tonicity and reached a maximum at 2.5 T of 108 ± 25 mN·mm2 a third of the maximum tetanic tension in isotonic solution. Contracture tension developed with a delay which decreased with increased tonicity. The contracture threshold was lower and the delay shorter in small fibers than in large. Contractures were obtained equally well in depolarized as in polarized fibers. They were completely suppressed by 0.1–0.5 mM tetracaine. The possible mechanism responsible for the tension-inducing effect of hypertonic solutions is discussed in terms of the close similarity between the properties of these contractures and those caused by caffeine, and it is suggested that the effect is due to a release of calcium from internal stores.
Nut Consumption and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Mediterranean Population

Nuts are often considered beneficial for health, yet few studies have examined determinants of their intake and the associations between nut consumption and various cardiovascular disease risk factors. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with nut intake in a Mediterranean population, in Croatia, and to investigate the association of nut intake and various cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Subjects from the Island of Vis, Island of Korčula and the City of Split were included in this cross-sectional study (n = 4416 in total; 4011 without known cardiovascular disease). Survey responses, medical records and clinically relevant measurements were utilized. Multivariate ordinal and logistic regression models were used in the analysis, adjusting for known confounding factors. Results: As low as 5% of all subjects reported daily, and 11% reported weekly, nut consumption. The characteristics associated with more frequent nut intake were female gender (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19–1.62), highest level of education (1.42; 1.15–1.76) and material status (1.58; 1.29–1.93), smoking abstinence (1.21; 1.04–1.42 in never-smokers and 1.22; 1.02–1.46 in ex-smokers), Mediterranean diet adherence (1.87; 1.62–2.15), and absence of central obesity (1.29; 1.09–1.53), absence of diabetes (1.30; 1.02–1.66) and metabolic syndrome (1.17; 1.01–1.36). Subjects who consumed nuts had more favorable waist-to-height (overall p = 0.036) and waist-to-hip ratios (0.033), lesser odds of elevated fibrinogen (p < 0.001 in both weekly and monthly nut consumers) and reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p = 0.026), compared to non-consumers. Conclusions: It appears that frequent nut consumption is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle and better socioeconomic status. A beneficial association of nut intake with cardiovascular risk factors was confirmed in this study.
A prospective quantitative study of sensory deficits after whole sural nerve biopsies in diabetic and nondiabetic patients Surgical approach and the role of collateral sprouting

Background Sural nerve biopsy (Sbx) has been employed for the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathies and for multicenter trials of therapy in diabetic neuropathy. There is only limited prospective information available about what factors influence the resolution of the sensory deficit (Sdef) after biopsy. Methods We prospectively studied the surface area of skin Sdef after whole human Sbx in diabetic and nondiabetic patients for up to 18 months after the procedure. Sdef was determined by mapping, in two dimensions, the area of loss to pinprick and light touch in the sural distribution using a transparent boot-like device with 1—square-cm grid markings. At the same time, patients were interviewed about biopsy-related symptoms. Results Overall, the Sdef in all patients declined by an average of 91 ± 3% at 18 months. The pattern of Sdef decline indicated that collateral sprouting was the mechanism of sensory reinnervation. The extent of Sdef at 6, 12, or 18 months did not differ between diabetics and nondiabetics. In diabetics, there was a correlation between sensory reinnervation with pre-biopsy sural nerve potential amplitude and HbA1C level, but not with age or diabetes duration. Diabetic patients who had nerve resections starting at or below the center of a plane through the lateral malleolus and traveling proximally for 7 cm or less had a Sdef that was less than patients with longer and more proximal nerve resections. The majority of patients had unpleasant but mild mechanically elicited sensory symptoms at 1 year that had improved in most, but not all patients, by 18 months. Conclusions Sbx is associated with prolonged sensory symptoms and sensory loss. Recovery occurs by collateral reinnervation.
Computational simulation of probabilistic lifetime strength for aerospace materials subjected to high temperature, mechanical fatigue, creep, and thermal fatigue. Final Technical Report, Jan. 1991 - Aug. 1992

The results of a fourth year effort of a research program conducted for NASA-LeRC by The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) are presented. The research included on-going development of methodology that provides probabilistic lifetime strength of aerospace materials via computational simulation. A probabilistic material strength degradation model, in the form of a randomized multifactor interaction equation, is postulated for strength degradation of structural components of aerospace propulsion systems subjected to a number of effects or primitive variables. These primitive variables may include high temperature, fatigue, or creep. In most cases, strength is reduced as a result of the action of a variable. This multifactor interaction strength degradation equation was randomized and is included in the computer program, PROMISC. Also included in the research is the development of methodology to calibrate the above-described constitutive equation using actual experimental materials data together with regression analysis of that data, thereby predicting values for the empirical material constants for each effect or primitive variable. This regression methodology is included in the computer program, PROMISC. Actual experimental materials data were obtained from industry and the open literature for materials typically for applications in aerospace propulsion system components. Material data for Inconel 718 wasmore » analyzed using the developed methodology. « less
Low free testosterone predicts mortality from cardiovascular disease but not other causes: the Health in Men Study.

CONTEXT Low testosterone is associated with all-cause mortality, but the relationship with cause-specific mortality is uncertain. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to explore associations between testosterone and its related hormones and cause-specific mortality. DESIGN This was a population-based cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Demographic and clinical predictors of mortality, and testosterone, SHBG, and LH were measured from 2001-2004 in 3637 community-dwelling men aged 70-88 yr (mean, 77 yr). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Cause of death was obtained via electronic record linkage until December 31, 2008. RESULTS During a mean follow-up period of 5.1 yr, there were 605 deaths. Of these, 207 [34.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 30.4-38.1%] were due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), 231 to cancer (38.2%; 95% CI = 34.3-42.1%), 130 to respiratory diseases (21.5%; 95% CI = 18.2-24.8%), and 76 to other causes (12.6%; 95% CI = 9.9-15.2%). There were 39 deaths attributable to both cancer and respiratory diseases. Lower free testosterone (hazard ratio = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.20-2.19, for 100 vs. 280 pmol/liter), and higher SHBG and LH levels were associated with all-cause mortality. In cause-specific analyses, lower free testosterone (sub-hazard ratio = 1.71; 95% CI = 1.12-2.62, for 100 vs. 280 pmol/liter) and higher LH predicted CVD mortality, while higher SHBG predicted non-CVD mortality. Higher total testosterone and free testosterone levels (sub-hazard ratio = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.14-3.36, for 400 vs. 280 pmol/liter) were associated with mortality from lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS Low testosterone predicts mortality from CVD but is not associated with death from other causes. Prevention of androgen deficiency might improve cardiovascular outcomes but is unlikely to affect longevity otherwise.
Issues of Quality and Multiplexing When Smoothing Rate Adaptive Video

We have proposed a smoothing and rate adaptation algorithm-SAVE (Smoothed Adaptive Video over Explicit rate networks)-for transport of compressed video over rate-controlled networks. SAVE attempts to preserve quality as much as possible, and exercises control over the source rate only when essential to prevent unacceptable delay. In order to understand the impact on quality of rate adaptation, we have evolved the quality metrics typically used to evaluate the efficacy of mechanisms to transport video. We investigate the dynamic nature of rate reduction: any prolonged impairment is likely to be noticeable. We study the sensitivity of SAVE to its parameters and network characteristics. Finally, the utility of the proposed scheme is measured by its ability to multiplex a large number of streams effectively. Our evaluations are based on experiments with 20 traces of entertainment videos using different compression algorithms.
Drug Resistance in Leishmaniasis

SUMMARY Leishmaniasis is a complex disease, with visceral and cutaneous manifestations, and is caused by over 15 different species of the protozoan parasite genus Leishmania. There are significant differences in the sensitivity of these species both to the standard drugs, for example, pentavalent antimonials and miltefosine, and those on clinical trial, for example, paromomycin. Over 60% of patients with visceral leishmaniasis in Bihar State, India, do not respond to treatment with pentavalent antimonials. This is now considered to be due to acquired resistance. Although this class of drugs has been used for over 60 years for leishmaniasis treatment, it is only in the past 2 years that the mechanisms of action and resistance have been identified, related to drug metabolism, thiol metabolism, and drug efflux. With the introduction of new therapies, including miltefosine in 2002 and paromomycin in 2005-2006, it is essential that there be a strategy to prevent the emergence of resistance to new drugs; combination therapy, monitoring of therapy, and improved diagnostics could play an essential role in this strategy.
Using raw MPEG motion vectors to determine global camera motion

This paper presents a simple and effective method to determine global camera motion using raw MPEG-1 motion vectors information obtained straight form real MPEG-1 streams such as those of the new HITACHI MP-EG1A digital camcorder. The simple approach we have experimented with robustly fits a global affine optic flow model to the motion vectors. Other more robust methods are also proposed. In order to cope with the group-of-frames (GOF) discontinuity of the MPEG stream, B frames are used backward to determine the 'missing link' to a previous GOF thereby ensuring continuity of the motion estimation across a reasonable number of frames. As a tested, we have applied the method to the image mosaicing problem, for which interesting results have been obtained. Although several other methods exists to perform camera motion estimation, the approach presented here is particularly interesting because exploits 'free' information present in MPEG streams and bypass the highly expensive correlation process.
Prevalence of short sleep duration and its association with obesity among adolescents 15- to 19-year olds: A cross-sectional study from three major cities in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Adequate sleep has been considered important for the adolescent's health and well being. On the other hand, self-imposed sleep curtailment is now recognized as a potentially important and novel risk factor for obesity. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of short sleep duration and its association with obesity among Saudi adolescents. METHODS: This is a school-based cross-sectional study with self-reported sleep questionnaires. It was conducted during the years 2009/2010 in three cities in Saudi Arabia; Al-Khobar, Jeddah, and Riyadh. Participants were 2868 secondary-school males (1379) and females (1389) aged 15 to 19 years, randomly selected using a multistage stratified sampling technique. Measurements included weight, height, waist circumference, BMI, and sleeping duration. Logistic regression analysis while adjusted for age, gender, and location was used to examine the associations between sleep duration and obesity measures. RESULTS: The mean (SD) of sleep duration was 7.2 (1.6) hours/day with no significant differences between males and females. About 31% of the participants obtain less than 7 hours of sleep per day, while approximately 50% of the sample gets less than 8 hours of daily sleep. Two-way ANCOVA results while controlling for the effect of age revealed a significant gender by school-type interaction (P<0.001). In addition, adequate sleep duration increased the odds of having normal weight (adjusted odds ratios = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.08-1.50, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The present study observed a high prevalence of short sleep duration among Saudi adolescents 15- to 19-year olds and that short sleep duration was significantly associated with increased risk of overweight and obesity. Future interventions should investigate whether adopting a healthy lifestyle by adolescents with short sleep duration would improve their sleeping habits or not.
A New Graph-Based Two-Sample Test for Multivariate and Object Data

ABSTRACT Two-sample tests for multivariate data and especially for non-Euclidean data are not well explored. This article presents a novel test statistic based on a similarity graph constructed on the pooled observations from the two samples. It can be applied to multivariate data and non-Euclidean data as long as a dissimilarity measure on the sample space can be defined, which can usually be provided by domain experts. Existing tests based on a similarity graph lack power either for location or for scale alternatives. The new test uses a common pattern that was overlooked previously, and works for both types of alternatives. The test exhibits substantial power gains in simulation studies. Its asymptotic permutation null distribution is derived and shown to work well under finite samples, facilitating its application to large datasets. The new test is illustrated on two applications: The assessment of covariate balance in a matched observational study, and the comparison of network data under different conditions.
Structure of the Thiostrepton Resistance Methyltransferase·S-Adenosyl-l-methionine Complex and Its Interaction with Ribosomal RNA*

The x-ray crystal structure of the thiostrepton resistance RNA methyltransferase (Tsr)·S-adenosyl-l-methionine (AdoMet) complex was determined at 2.45-Å resolution. Tsr is definitively confirmed as a Class IV methyltransferase of the SpoU family with an N-terminal “L30-like” putative target recognition domain. The structure and our in vitro analysis of the interaction of Tsr with its target domain from 23 S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) demonstrate that the active biological unit is a Tsr homodimer. In vitro methylation assays show that Tsr activity is optimal against a 29-nucleotide hairpin rRNA though the full 58-nucleotide L11-binding domain and intact 23 S rRNA are also effective substrates. Molecular docking experiments predict that Tsr·rRNA binding is dictated entirely by the sequence and structure of the rRNA hairpin containing the A1067 target nucleotide and is most likely driven primarily by large complementary electrostatic surfaces. One L30-like domain is predicted to bind the target loop and the other is near an internal loop more distant from the target site where a nucleotide change (U1061 to A) also decreases methylation by Tsr. Furthermore, a predicted interaction with this internal loop by Tsr amino acid Phe-88 was confirmed by mutagenesis and RNA binding experiments. We therefore propose that Tsr achieves its absolute target specificity using the N-terminal domains of each monomer in combination to recognize the two distinct structural elements of the target rRNA hairpin such that both Tsr subunits contribute directly to the positioning of the target nucleotide on the enzyme.
Study on hydride precipitation and the induced embrittlement behaviours in Zircaloy-4

The zirconium alloy, Zircaloy-4 (Zr-4), has extensive applications in the nuclear industry as core structural components and fuel claddings in the nuclear reactors. The mechanical performance of these components can be strongly affected by the precipitation of brittle zirconium hydrides and the induced embrittlement. This work investigated the hydride precipitation behaviours in different Zr-4 materials with various thermo-mechanical states (i.e. the high-pressure torsion (HPT) processed disk, hot-rolled and annealed plate, and hot-extruded and annealed bar). The effect of hydride formation on the mechanical properties of Zr-4 materials was also studied. A comparative study was conducted to clarify the effect of HPT processing on the hydride formation in Zr-4 materials. The Zr-4 materials before and after HPT processing were gaseously hydrided at 450 °C using different hydrogen pressures (10, 15 and 20 atm). Detailed quantitative characterisation of the microstructure of these hydrided samples showed that at the same hydriding conditions, more hydrides tended to form in the HPT samples compared with the counterparts without HPT processing. The enhanced potential for the hydride formation in the HPT samples was attributed to the generation of a large concentration of lattice defects by HPT, which could act as hydrogen traps, hydrogen fast diffusion channels and preferred hydride nucleation sites. Further, the gaseous hydriding-induced changes in the microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of Zr-4 processed by HPT were thoroughly assessed. Much δ-ZrH1.66 precipitation at 15 atm (volume fraction ~21%) incurred significant hardening of vacuum-annealed HPT samples, and pure ε-ZrH2 obtained at 20 atm showed a
Hfq variant with altered RNA binding functions

The interaction between Hfq and RNA is central to multiple regulatory processes. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we have found a missense mutation in Hfq (V43R) which strongly affects2 the RNA binding capacity of the Hfq protein and its ability to stimulate poly(A) tail elongation by poly(A)-polymerase in vitro. In vivo, overexpression of this Hfq variant fails to stimulate rpoS–lacZ expression and does not restore a normal growth rate in hfq null mutant. Cells in which the wild-type gene has been replaced by the hfqV43R allele exhibit a phenotype intermediate between those of the wild-type and of the hfq minus or null strains. This missense mutation derepresses Hfq synthesis. However, not all Hfq functions are affected by this mutation. For example, HfqV43R represses OppA synthesis as strongly as the wild-type protein. The dominant negative effect of the V43R mutation over the wild-type allele suggests that hexamers containing variant and genuine subunits are presumably not functional. Finally, molecular dynamics studies indicate that the V43R substitution mainly changes the position of the K56 and Y55 side chains involved in the Hfq–RNA interaction but has probably no effect on the folding and the oligomerization of the protein.
Read-mapping using personalized diploid reference genome for RNA sequencing data reduced bias for detecting allele-specific expression

Next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have been applied extensively in many areas of genetics and genomics research. A fundamental problem when comes to analyzing NGS data is mapping short sequencing reads back to the reference genome. Most of existing software packages rely on a single uniform reference genome and do not automatically take into the consideration of genetic variants. On the other hand, large proportions of incorrectly mapped reads affect the correct interpretation of the NGS experimental results. As an example, Degner et al. showed that detecting allele-specific expression from RNA sequencing data was biased toward the reference allele. In this study, we developed a method that utilize DirectX 11 enabled graphics processing unit (GPU)'s parallel computing power to produces a personalized diploid reference genome based on all known genetic variants of that particular individual. We show that using such a personalized diploid reference genome can improve mapping accuracy and significantly reduce the bias toward reference allele in allele-specific expression analysis. Our method can be applied to any individual that has genotype information obtained either from array-based genotyping or resequencing. Besides the reference genome, no additional changes to alignment algorithm are needed for performing read mapping therefore one can utilize any of the existing read mapping tools and achieve the improved read mapping result. C++ and GPU compute shader source code of the software program is available at: http://code.google. eom/p/diploid-mapping/downloads/list.
Exploiting Eager Register Release in a Redundantly Multi-Threaded Processor

Due to shrinking transistor sizes and lower supply voltages, transient faults (soft errors) in computer systems are projected to increase by orders of magnitude. Fault detection and recovery can be achieved through redundancy. Redundant multithreading (RMT) is one attractive approach to detect and recover from these errors. However, redundant threads can impose significant performance overheads by competing with the main program for resources such as the register file. In this paper, we propose using eager register release in the main program thread by exploiting the availablity of register values in the trailing thread’s register space. This performance optimization can help support a smaller register file and potentially reduce register file access time, power consumption, and increase its immunity towards soft errors.