Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Three-dimensional Spherical Nonlinear Interface Dynamo

A fully three-dimensional, nonlinear, time-dependent spherical interface dynamo is investigated using a finite-element method based on the three-dimensional tetrahedralization of the spherical system. The spherical interface dynamo model consists of four zones: an electrically conducting and uniformly rotating core, a thin differentially rotating tachocline, a uniformly rotating turbulent convection envelope, and a nearly insulating exterior. The four regions are coupled magnetically through matching conditions at the interfaces. Without the effect of a tachocline, the conventional nonlinear α2 dynamo is always stationary, axisymmetric, and equatorially antisymmetric even though numerical simulations are always fully three-dimensional and time dependent. When there is no tachocline, the azimuthal field is confined to the convection zone while the poloidal magnetic field penetrates into the radiative core. The effects of an interface dynamo with a tachocline having a purely axisymmetric toroidal velocity field are as follows: (1) the action of the steady tachocline always gives rise to an oscillatory dynamo with a period of about 2 magnetic diffusion units, or about 20 yr if the magnetic diffusivity in the convection zone is 108 m2 s-1; (2) the interface dynamo solution is always axisymmetric, selects dipolar symmetry, and propagates equatorward (for the assumed form of α) although the simulation is fully three-dimensional; (3) the generated magnetic field mainly concentrates in the vicinity of the interface between the tachocline and the convection zone; and (4) the strength of the toroidal magnetic field is dramatically amplified by the effect of the tachocline. Extensions of Cowling's theorem and the toroidal flow theorem to multilayer spherical shell regions with radially discontinuous magnetic diffusivities are presented.
Grain refinement in AZ31 alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing

Purpose: of this paper was to investigate the effect of grain refinement in AZ31 magnesium alloy processed by ECAP and to study microstructure evolution and hardness response of AZ31 alloy associated with ECAP processing. Design/methodology/approach: The microstructure of AZ31 magnesium alloy after two passes of equal channel angular pressing at 150°C, 180°C and 250°C was studied by means of metallographic and transmission electron microscopy. The hardness changes after ECAP processing were determined by Vickers hardness. Findings: The grain refinement in AZ31 magnesium alloy was successfully carried out using ECAP processing at 150, 180 and 250°C. The grain size decreases nearly 10 times after 2 passes of ECAP at 150 and 180°C, but microstructure is characterized by bimodal grains structure. The rather homogenous grains were achieved after ECAP processing at 250°C. Processes of dynamic recrystallization during ECAP were observed. The hardness increase related to grain refinement proceeded by ECAP is in accordance with Hall-Petch relationship. Research limitations/implications: The ECAP processing were carried out only after 2 passes, therefore in order to describe in detail the microstructural changes connected with grain refinement, the analysis of more passes of ECAP processing should be done. Practical implications: The development of highly ductile magnesium alloys allows to apply these materials as structural materials. The grain refinement of materials leads to the significant improvement of the mechanical properties and plasticity. The present results extend the knowledge about grain refinement in AZ31 alloy proceeded by ECAP. Originality/value: The microstructural studies of AZ31 alloy after grain refining by ECAP processing performed by transmission electron microscopy were presented.
Helicobacter Pylori Infection Is Significantly Associated With Metabolic Syndrome in the Japanese Population

BACKGROUND:Metabolic syndrome comprises a cluster of metabolic abnormalities leading to insulin resistance and atherosclerosis, and Helicobacter pylori is thought to be a contributing factor.AIM:We examined the association between H. pylori infection and metabolic syndrome in a large Japanese population.METHOD:Consecutive asymptomatic subjects that underwent a complete medical survey in our institute between April 2006 and March 2007 were recruited, and a total of 5,488 men and 1,906 women were cross-sectionally studied. The association of H. pylori serostatus with traditional atherosclerosis risk factors was investigated by multiple linear regression analysis. Independent and significant factors affecting metabolic syndrome were determined by multiple logistic regression analysis.RESULTS:H. pylori seropositivity significantly increased with age in both men and women. H. pylori seropositivity was significantly higher in cases with metabolic syndrome compared with those without metabolic syndrome (P < 0.001). There was a significant and independent association between H. pylori seropositivity and metabolic syndrome (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.18–1.62, P < 0.001) by multiple logistic regression analysis. H. pylori seropositivity was significantly associated with higher systolic blood pressure (β coefficient = 1.03, P = 0.014), lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level (β coefficient = −2.00, P < 0.001), and higher LDL-cholesterol level (β coefficient = 2.21, P = 0.005) by multiple linear regression analysis.CONCLUSION:In a large Japanese population, H. pylori infection was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome.
Does Diabetes Mellitus Influence Standardized Uptake Values of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Colorectal Cancer?

Background/Aims Hyperglycemia is associated with decreased 2-18[F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) uptake by tumors assessed by positron emission tomography (PET). In this retrospective study we investigated a comparison of standardized uptake values (SUVs) in patients with primary colorectal cancers who either had diabetes mellitus (DM) or were otherwise healthy. Methods The medical records of 397 patients who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and underwent PET-CT between January 2006 and December 2012 were analyzed. Eighty patients with DM and 317 patients without DM were included. Clinical characteristics were reviewed and maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmax) were calculated in the primary colorectal lesions. Results There was no significant difference between tumor SUVmax in DM patients (10.60±5.78) and those without DM (10.92±5.44). In addition, no significant difference was detected between tumor SUVmax in DM patients with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels <8% (10.34±5.17) and those with HbA1c levels ≥8% (10.61±7.27). The maximum size of the primary colorectal tumor was associated with SUVmax in a linear regression analysis. Conclusion The results of this study showed that DM did not influence FDG uptake values in colorectal cancer patients regardless of glucose levels.
Recruitment and plasticity in diaphragm, intercostal, and abdominal muscles in unanesthetized rats.

UNLABELLED Although rats are a frequent model for studies of plasticity in respiratory motor control, the relative capacity of rat accessory respiratory muscles to express plasticity is not well known, particularly in unanesthetized animals. Here, we characterized external intercostal (T2, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9 EIC) and abdominal muscle (external oblique and rectus abdominis) electromyogram (EMG) activity in unanesthetized rats via radiotelemetry during normoxia (Nx: 21% O2) and following acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH: 10 × 5-min, 10.5% O2; 5-min intervals). Diaphragm and T2-T5 EIC EMG activity, and ventilation were also assessed during maximal chemoreceptor stimulation ( MCS 7% CO2, 10.5% O2) and sustained hypoxia (SH: 10.5% O2). In Nx, T2 EIC exhibits prominent inspiratory activity, whereas T4, T5, T6, and T7 EIC inspiratory activity decreases in a caudal direction. T8 and T9 EIC and abdominal muscles show only tonic or sporadic activity, without consistent respiratory activity. MCS increases diaphragm and T2 EIC EMG amplitude and tidal volume more than SH (0.94 ± 0.10 vs. 0.68 ± 0.05 ml/100 g; P < 0.001). Following AIH, T2 EIC EMG amplitude remained above baseline for more than 60 min post-AIH (i.e., EIC long-term facilitation, LTF), and was greater than diaphragm LTF (41.5 ± 1.3% vs. 19.1 ± 2.0% baseline; P < 0.001). We conclude that 1) diaphragm and rostral T2-T5 EIC muscles exhibit inspiratory activity during Nx; 2) MCS elicits greater ventilatory, diaphragm, and rostral T2-T5 EIC muscle activity vs. SH; and 3) AIH induces greater rostral EIC LTF than diaphragm LTF.
Impact of Individual-Level Social Capital on Quality of Life among AIDS Patients in China

Background With growing recognition of the social determinants of health, social capital is an increasingly important construct in international health. However, the application of social capital discourse in response to HIV infection remains preliminary. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of social capital on quality of life (QoL) among adult patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Methods A convenient sample of 283 patients receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) was investigated in Anhui province, China. QoL data were collected using the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Survey (MOS-HIV) questionnaire. Social capital was measured using a self-developed questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to explore associations between social capital and QoL. Results The study sample had a mean physical health summary (PHS) score of 50.13±9.90 and a mean mental health summary (MHS) score of 41.64±11.68. Cronbach's α coefficients of the five multi-item scales of social capital ranged from 0.44 to 0.79. When other variables were controlled for, lower individual levels of reciprocity and trust were associated with a greater likelihood of having a poor PHS score (odds ratio [OR] = 2.02) or PHS score (OR = 6.90). Additionally, the factors of social support and social networks and ties were associated positively with MHS score (OR = 2.30, OR = 4.17, respectively). Conclusions This is the first report to explore the effects of social capital on QoL of AIDS patients in China. The results indicate that social capital is a promising avenue for developing strategies to improve the QoL of AIDS patients in China, suggesting that the contribution of social capital should be fully exploited, especially with enhancement of QoL through social participation. Social capital development policy may be worthy of consideration.
Specific manipulative therapy treatment for chronic lateral epicondylalgia produces uniquely characteristic hypoalgesia.

The treatment of lateral epicondylalgia, a widely-used model of musculoskeletal pain in the evaluation of many physical therapy treatments, remains somewhat of an enigma. The protagonists of a new treatment technique for lateral epicondylalgia report that it produces substantial and rapid pain relief, despite a lack of experimental evidence. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled repeated-measures study evaluated the initial effect of this new treatment in 24 patients with unilateral, chronic lateral epicondylalgia. Pain-free grip strength was assessed as an outcome measure before, during and after the application of the treatment, placebo and control conditions. Pressure-pain thresholds were also measured before and after the application of treatment, placebo and control conditions. The results demonstrated a significant and substantial increase in pain-free grip strength of 58% (of the order of 60 N) during treatment but not during placebo and control. In contrast, the 10% change in pressure-pain threshold after treatment, although significantly greater than placebo and control, was substantially smaller than the change demonstrated for pain-free grip strength. This effect was only present in the affected limb. The selective and specific effect of this treatment technique provides a valuable insight into the physical modulation of musculoskeletal pain and requires further investigation.
Text Messaging to Improve Attendance at Post-Operative Clinic Visits after Adult Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Following male circumcision for HIV prevention, a high proportion of men fail to return for their scheduled seven-day post-operative visit. We evaluated the effect of short message service (SMS) text messages on attendance at this important visit. Methodology We enrolled 1200 participants >18 years old in a two-arm, parallel, randomized controlled trial at 12 sites in Nyanza province, Kenya. Participants received daily SMS text messages for seven days (n = 600) or usual care (n = 600). The primary outcome was attendance at the scheduled seven-day post-operative visit. The primary analysis was by intention-to-treat. Principal Findings Of participants receiving SMS, 387/592 (65.4%) returned, compared to 356/596 (59.7%) in the control group (relative risk [RR] = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–1.20; p = 0.04). Men who paid more than US$1.25 to travel to clinic were at higher risk for failure to return compared to those who spent ≤US$1.25 (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.35, 95% CI 1.15–1.58; p<0.001). Men with secondary or higher education had a lower risk of failure to return compared to those with primary or less education (aRR 0.87, 95% CI 0.74–1.01; p = 0.07). Conclusions Text messaging resulted in a modest improvement in attendance at the 7-day post-operative clinic visit following adult male circumcision. Factors associated with failure to return were mainly structural, and included transportation costs and low educational level. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01186575
Crystal structure of vesicular stomatitis virus matrix protein

The vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) matrix protein (M) interacts with cellular membranes, self‐associates and plays a major role in virus assembly and budding. We present the crystallographic structure, determined at 1.96 Å resolution, of a soluble thermolysin resistant core of VSV M. The fold is a new fold shared by the other vesiculovirus matrix proteins. The structure accounts for the loss of stability of M temperature‐sensitive mutants deficient in budding, and reveals a flexible loop protruding from the globular core that is important for self‐assembly. Membrane floatation shows that, together with the M lysine‐rich N‐terminal peptide, a second domain of the protein is involved in membrane binding. Indeed, the structure reveals a hydrophobic surface located close to the hydrophobic loop and surrounded by conserved basic residues that may constitute this domain. Lastly, comparison of the negative‐stranded virus matrix proteins with retrovirus Gag proteins suggests that the flexible link between their major membrane binding domain and the rest of the structure is a common feature shared by these proteins involved in budding and virus assembly.
Experienced fatigue in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, and HMSN-I

Objective: To assess the prevalence of severe fatigue and its relation to functional impairment in daily life in patients with relatively common types of neuromuscular disorders. Methods: 598 patients with a neuromuscular disease were studied (139 with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, 322 with adult onset myotonic dystrophy, and 137 with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type I). Fatigue severity was assessed with Checklist Individual Strength (CIS-fatigue). Functional impairments in daily life were measured with the short form 36 item health questionnaire (SF-36). Results: The three different neuromuscular patient groups were of similar age and sex. Severe experienced fatigue was reported by 61–74% of the patients. Severely fatigued patients had more problems with physical functioning, social functioning, mental health, bodily pain, and general health perception. There were some differences between the three disorders in the effects of fatigue. Conclusions: Severe fatigue is reported by the majority of patients with relatively common types of neuromuscular disorders. Because experienced fatigue severity is associated with the severity of various functional impairments in daily life, it is a clinically and socially relevant problem in this group of patients.
Twenty-four hour ocular perfusion pressure fluctuation and risk of normal-tension glaucoma progression.

PURPOSE To investigate the relationship between clinical factors including 24-hour mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP, (2/3) x mean arterial pressure [MAP] - intraocular pressure [IOP]) and visual field (VF) progression in eyes with medically treated normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS One hundred one eyes of 101 NTG patients followed up for more than 4 years (mean follow-up, 6.2 years +/- 12.1 months) were included after retrospective chart review. Several clinical factors including demographic, systemic, ocular risk factors, and 24-hour MOPP were explored for associations with decreasing VF. Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to compare outcomes with reference to four risk factors (age, myopia, and elevated MAP and MOPP fluctuation) for VF deterioration. Hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between potential risk factors and glaucoma progression were obtained using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS Overall VF progression was detected in 29 (28.7%) eyes. There were significant differences between progressors and nonprogressors in nocturnal MAP and MOPP fluctuations (both P < 0.0001), 24-hour MAP, and MOPP fluctuations (both P < 0.0001), initial mean deviation (P = 0.0034), and pattern standard deviation (PSD) score (P < 0.0001). Both elevated 24-hour MAP and MOPP fluctuations were associated with greater VF progression probabilities based on Kaplan-Meier analyses. Among all risk factors investigated, the Cox proportional hazards model indicated that VF progression was significantly associated with 24-hour MOPP fluctuation and initial PSD score. CONCLUSIONS Clinical factors other than IOP were associated with VF progression in our series of medically treated NTG eyes. Twenty-four-hour MOPP fluctuation was the most consistent prognostic factor for glaucoma progression.
Collaborative Research on Adhesion Strength of Thermal Barrier Coatings in JSMS

This paper introduces the brief summary of the recent collaboration test results on thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) in the JSMS Subcommittee, which covers the measurements of elastic modulus, tensile strength, residual stress and thermal conductivity of the TBC specimens. Here, the round-robin TBC specimens consisting of 8% yttria stabilized zirconia, CoNiCrAlY alloy bond coat and Ni-base superalloy were prepared by plasma spraying method. The isothermal exposure and the thermal cycles were applied to the TBC specimens by several conditions at high temperatures, to measure both the residual stress and the remaining adhesion strength of the ceramic top, as well as to characterize the thermally grown oxide at the top coat/bond coat interface. The round-robin test results clearly demonstrated that the adhesion strength was significantly changed by the application of thermal cycles and the isothermal exposure. Of particular important results was found in the remaining adhesion strength that were strongly dependent on the testing method to give the thermal cycles.
Learning outcomes for sustainable development in higher education

Purpose - This paper sets out to discuss the commonalities that can be found in learning outcomes (LOs) for education for sustainable development in the context of the Tbilisi and Barcelona declarations. The commonalities include systemic or holistic thinking, the integration of different perspectives, skills such as critical thinking, change agent abilities and communication, and finally different attitudes and values. Design/methodology/approach - An analysis of LOs that are proposed in the Tbilisi and Barcelona declarations is conducted, showing specific issues for the commonalities presented. Examples of LOs from Instituto TecnolA³gico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) in Mexico, as well as various associations from the USA is shown. A brief discussion is done on the means to achieve these LOs and learning evaluation. Findings - In the example sets of LOs shown, the commonalities presented in the paper's first section appear in the LOs proposed by the institutions. Based on current knowledge and perception, sustainability is properly addressed in the examples. Practical implications - The paper can be used to foster a wider discussion and analysis of LOs for sustainability education, also further work on teachers' capacity building for sustainability, as well as the assessment needed for future professionals in higher education institutions. Originality/value - The paper presents the onset of discussing and comparing commonalities among higher education institutions regarding sustainability LOs.
When Politicians Talk: Assessing Online Conversational Practices of Political Parties on Twitter

Assessing political conversations in social media requires a deeper understanding of the underlying practices and styles that drive these conversations. In this paper, we present a computational approach for assessing online conversational practices of political parties. Following a deductive approach, we devise a number of quantitative measures from a discussion of theoretical constructs in sociological theory. The resulting measures make different – mostly qualitative – aspects of online conversational practices amenable to computation. We evaluate our computational approach by applying it in a case study. In particular, we study online conversational practices of German politicians on Twitter during the German federal election 2013. We find that political parties share some interesting patterns of behavior, but also exhibit some unique and interesting idiosyncrasies. Our work sheds light on (i) how complex cultural phenomena such as online conversational practices are amenable to quantification and (ii) the way social media such as Twitter are utilized by political parties.
Nutrition in Colombian pregnant women

Abstract Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of pregnant women in Colombia and the associations between gestational BMI and sociodemographic and gestational characteristics. Design Cross-sectional study. A secondary analysis was made of data from the 2005 Demographic and Health Survey of Colombia. Setting Bogotá, Colombia. Subjects Pregnant adolescents aged 13–19 years (n 430) and pregnant women aged 20–49 years (n 1272). Results The gestational BMI and sociodemographic characteristics of the adolescents differed from those of the pregnant adult women. Thirty-one per cent of the adolescents were underweight for gestational age, compared with 14·5 % of the adult women. Eighteen per cent of adolescents were overweight for gestational age, in contrast to 37·3 % of adult women. The overall prevalence of anaemia was 44·7 % and the prevalence of low serum ferritin was 38·8 %. Women within the high quintiles of the wealth index (prevalence odds ratio (POR) = 0·56; 95 % CI 0·34, 0·91, P < 0·02) had lower odds of being underweight. Women who received prenatal care (POR = 2·17; 95 % CI 1·48, 3·09, P < 0·001) and were multiparous (POR = 2·10; 95 % CI 1·43, 3·15, P < 0·0 0 1) had higher odds of being overweight. Women in extended families (POR = 0·63; 95 % CI 0·50, 0·95, P < 0·025) had lower odds of being overweight. Conclusions Underweight in pregnant adolescents and overweight in adult women coexist as a double burden in Colombia. Factors associated with malnutrition among pregnant women and adolescents should be considered for future interventions in countries experiencing nutritional transition.