Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual Analysis of Large Graphs Using (X,Y)-Clustering and Hybrid Visualizations

Many different approaches have been proposed for the challenging problem of visually analyzing large networks. Clustering is one of the most promising. In this paper, we propose a new clustering technique whose goal is that of producing both intracluster graphs and intercluster graph with desired topological properties. We formalize this concept in the (X,Y) -clustering framework, where Y is the class that defines the desired topological properties of intracluster graphs and X is the class that defines the desired topological properties of the intercluster graph. By exploiting this approach, hybrid visualization tools can effectively combine different node-link and matrix-based representations, allowing users to interactively explore the graph by expansion/contraction of clusters without loosing their mental map. As a proof of concept, we describe the system Visual Hybrid (X,Y)-clustering (VHYXY) that implements our approach and we present the results of case studies to the visual analysis of social networks.
Natural history of knee cartilage defects and factors affecting change.

BACKGROUND Knee cartilage defects may play an important role in early osteoarthritis, but little is known about their natural history. METHODS Knee cartilage defect score (range, 0-4), cartilage volume, and bone surface area were determined using T1-weighted fat-saturated magnetic resonance imaging in 325 subjects (mean age, 45 years) at baseline and 2 years later. RESULTS Thirty-three percent of the subjects had a worsening (>or=1-point increase) and 37% of the subjects had an improvement (>or=1-point decrease) in cartilage defect score in any knee compartment during 2.3 years. A worsening in cartilage defect score was significantly associated with female sex (odds ratio [OR], 3.09 and 3.64 in the medial and lateral tibiofemoral compartments) and baseline factors, including age (OR, 1.05 per year in the medial tibiofemoral compartment), body mass index (OR, 1.08 in the lateral tibiofemoral compartment), tibiofemoral osteophytes (OR, 6.22 and 6.04 per grade), tibial bone area (OR, 1.24 and 2.07 per square centimeter), and cartilage volume (OR, 2.91 and 1.71 per milliliter in the medial tibiofemoral and patellar compartments). An improvement in cartilage defect score had similar but reversed associations with these factors (except for sex), including a decrease in body mass index (OR, 1.23 in the medial tibiofemoral compartment). CONCLUSIONS Knee cartilage defects are variable, and changes are associated with female sex, age, and body mass index. Increases are associated with baseline cartilage volume, bone size, and osteophytes, suggesting a role for these in the pathogenesis of cartilage defects. Interventions such as weight loss may improve knee cartilage defects.
Glucose Concentrations in Parotid Fluid and Venous Blood of Patients Attending a Diabetic Clinic1

Measurements of the glucose concentration in venous blood and parotid saliva taken from 31 diabetics attending a diabetic clinic showed values ranging respectively from 3.9 to 19.1 mmol/l and 0.06 to 0.83 mmol/l (means 9.6 mmol/l and 0.32 mmol/l respectively). Linear regression of salivary glucose on blood glucose gave a simple correlation coefficient of 0.18 (NS). Since salivary glucose levels did not reflect blood glucose levels, the possibility of diabetics regulating their metabolic control by the noninvasive technique of monitoring salivary glucose concentrations is not possible.
A Multimethodological Study of Preschoolers' Preferences for Aggressive Television and Video Games

ABSTRACT The association between aggressive media and related behavior is complicated, and the role of underlying genetics has not been adequately explored. A better understanding of the role of genetics on the relationship between aggressive media and behavior, especially in young children, is critical. Using a twin/triplets sample (N = 184 children), the authors investigated the association between preschoolers' preferred media choices and their aggressive behaviors. A multimeasure methodology was utilized, examining children's reports of their preferred media games and shows, observed child negativity and aggression in the lab, and parent reports of their own and their children's aggressive behaviors. The results demonstrated a significant relationship between maternal aggression and parent-reported child aggression, especially for boys. Genetic analyses demonstrated significant heritability for children's parent-reported aggressive behaviors, supporting the biological basis of aggression, but not for media aggression preferences. Controlling for genetics, the authors found that the association between media preferences and aggressive behavior may be genetic in origin. These results emphasize the importance of considering shared genetics underlying the relationship between children's aggressive behaviors and their media preferences, as well as environmental influences. By examining preschoolers, the present study provides insight into the importance of media influences in children younger than those previously studied.
Use of a mobile device in mental health rehabilitation: A clinical and comprehensive analysis of 11 cases

This study aimed to test the feasibility of using a mobile device (Apple technology: iPodTouch®, iPhone® or iPad®) among people with severe mental illness (SMI) in a rehabilitation and recovery process and to document the parameters to be taken into account and the issues involved in implementing this technology in living environments and mental health care settings. A qualitative multiple case study design and multiple data sources were used to understand each case in depth. A clinical and comprehensive analysis of 11 cases was conducted with exploratory and descriptive aims (and the beginnings of explanation building). The multiple-case analysis brought out four typical profiles to illustrate the extent of integration of a personal digital assistant (PDA) as a tool to support mental health rehabilitation and recovery. Each profile highlights four categories of variables identified as determining factors in this process: (1) state of health and related difficulties (cognitive or functional); (2) relationship between comfort level with technology, motivation and personal effort deployed; (3) relationship between support required and support received; and (4) the living environment and follow-up context. This study allowed us to consider the contexts and conditions to be put in place for the successful integration of mobile technology in a mental health rehabilitation and recovery process.
Genome-Wide lncRNA Microarray Profiling Identifies Novel Circulating lncRNAs for Detection of Gastric Cancer

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can serve as blood-based biomarkers for cancer detection. To identify novel lncRNA biomarkers for gastric cancer (GC), we conducted, for the first time, genome-wide lncRNA screening analysis in two sets of samples: five paired preoperative and postoperative day 14 plasma samples from GC patients, and tissue samples from tumor and adjacent normal tissues. Candidate tumor-related lncRNAs were then quantitated and evaluated in three independent phases comprising 321 participants. The expression levels of lncRNAs were also measured in GC cell lines and the corresponding culture medium. Biomarker panels, lncRNA-based Index I and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-based Index II, were constructed using logistic regression, and their diagnostic performance compared. Fagan's nomogram was plotted to facilitate clinical application. As a result, we identified five novel plasma lncRNAs (TINCR, CCAT2, AOC4P, BANCR and LINC00857), which, when combined in the lncRNA-based Index I, outperformed the CEA-based Index II (P < 0.001) and could distinguish GC patients from healthy controls with an area under the receiver-operating curve (AUC) of 0.91 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.88-0.95). The lncRNA-based index decreased significantly by postoperative day 14 (P = 0.016), indicating its ability to monitor tumor dynamics. High values of the lncRNA-based index were correlated with tumor size (P = 0.036), depth of invasion (P = 0.025), lymphatic metastasis (P = 0.012) and more advanced tumor stages (P = 0.003). The lncRNA-based index was also able to discriminate GC patients from precancerous individuals and patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor with AUC values of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71-0.92) and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.68-0.91), respectively. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that this panel of five plasma lncRNAs could serve as a set of novel diagnostic biomarkers for GC detection.
High CTLA-4 expression correlates with poor prognosis in thymoma patients

Thymomas, tumors that arise from epithelial cells of the thymus gland, are the most common neoplasms of the anterior mediastinum, with an incidence rate of approximately 2.5 per million/year. Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen 4 (CTLA-4 or CD152) exerts inhibitory activity on T cells, and since its oncogenic role in the progression of different types of tumors, it has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in cancer patients. In this study, we assessed the expression of CTLA-4 both at mRNA and protein levels in paraffin embedded-tissues from patients with thymomas. Furthermore, we evaluated the relationship between CTLA-4 expression and the clinical-pathologic characteristics and prognosis in patients with thymomas. Sixty-eight patients with median age corresponding to 62 years were included in this analysis. Thymomas were classified accordingly to the WHO and Masaoka-Koga for histochemical analysis and for prognostic significance. A statistical difference was found between CTLA-4 mRNA levels in human normal thymus compared with thymoma specimens. CTLA-4 expression was statistically found to progressively increase in A, B1, B2, AB and it was maximal in B3 thymomas. According to Masaoka-Koga pathological classification, CTLA-4 expression was lower in I, IIA and IIB, and higher in invasive III and IV stages. By confocal microscopy analysis we identified the expression of CTLA-4 both in tumor cells and in CD45+ tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, mainly in B3 and AB thymomas. Finally, CTLA-4 overexpression significantly correlates with reduced overall survival in thymoma patients and in atypical thymoma subgroup, suggesting that it represents a negative prognostic factor.
Consistency-preserving event-triggered estimation in sensor networks

This paper is concerned with linear state estimation in sensor networks with an event-triggered exchange of information. It is assumed that each sensor node transmits its local estimate to a fusion center whenever an appropriately chosen error norm exceeds a threshold. The fusion rule is a modified version of the Covariance Intersection Algorithm. We investigate how to incorporate the event information of not having transmitted at the fusion center such that the filter remains unbiased and consistent with regard to its error covariance. An upper bound on the error covariance matrix is derived by exploiting the structure of the posterior probability distribution. This enables us to replace the event information by the virtual transmission of consistent local estimates. Based on the consistency-preserving property of the proposed scheme, we show stability of the event-triggered state estimator in terms of a bounded mean square error.
Element-Specific Depth Profile of Magnetism and Stoichiometry at the La$_{0.67}$Sr$_{0.33}$MnO$_3$/BiFeO$_3$ Interface

Depth-sensitive magnetic, structural, and chemical characterization is important in the understanding and optimization of physical phenomena emerging at the interfaces of transition metal oxide heterostructures. In a simultaneous approach we have used polarized neutron and resonant x-ray reflectometry to determine the magnetic profile across atomically sharp interfaces of ferromagnetic ${\mathrm{La}}_{0.67}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{0.33}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3}$/multiferroic ${\mathrm{BiFeO}}_{3}$ bilayers with subnanometer resolution. In particular, the x-ray resonant magnetic reflectivity measurements at the Fe and Mn resonance edges allowed us to determine the element-specific depth profile of the ferromagnetic moments in both the ${\mathrm{La}}_{0.67}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{0.33}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{BiFeO}}_{3}$ layers. Our measurements indicate a magnetically diluted interface layer within the ${\mathrm{La}}_{0.67}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{0.33}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3}$ layer, in contrast to previous observations on inversely deposited layers [P. Yu et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 027201 (2010)]. Additional resonant x-ray reflection measurements indicate a region of altered Mn and O content at the interface, with a thickness matching that of the magnetic diluted layer, as the origin of the reduction of the magnetic moment.
DISCOVERY OF A NEW RETROGRADE TRANS-NEPTUNIAN OBJECT: HINT OF A COMMON ORBITAL PLANE FOR LOW SEMIMAJOR AXIS, HIGH-INCLINATION TNOs AND CENTAURS

Although the majority of Centaurs are thought to have originated in the scattered disk, with the high-inclination members coming from the Oort cloud, the origin of the high-inclination component of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) remains uncertain. We report the discovery of a retrograde TNO, which we nickname “Niku,” detected by the Pan-STARRS 1 Outer Solar System Survey. Our numerical integrations show that the orbital dynamics of Niku are very similar to that of 2008 KV42 (Drac), with a half-life of ∼500 Myr. Comparing similar high-inclination TNOs and Centaurs (q > 10 au, a < 100 au, and i > 60°), we find that these objects exhibit a surprising clustering of ascending node, and occupy a common orbital plane. This orbital configuration has high statistical significance: 3.8-σ. An unknown mechanism is required to explain the observed clustering. This discovery may provide a pathway to investigating a possible reservoir of high-inclination objects.
Isolation and identification of microorganisms and antibacterial activity of Laban Zeer, an Egyptian traditional fermented milk product

Laban Zeer is a traditional Egyptian fermented milk product. The microorganisms of Laban Zeer were isolated and identified to species level, as well as the antibacterial activity of Laban Zeer was also studied against pathogenic bacteria. Total viable microorganisms, including, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), aerobic mesophilic bacterial, Enterococus and Enterobacteriaceae were enumerated. A total forty eight LAB and twenty eight yeast isolates were isolated from four Laban Zeer samples and identified by API 50 CHL and API 20C AUX identification system, respectively. The avenger of LAB counts were 7.4 cfu/g, while yeast and Enterococus counts were 4.67 and 4.39 cfu/g, respectively. It is noted that the count of bacteria belonging to the family of Enterobacteriaceae was not detected in all tested samples. The LAB species were identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris, Lb. rhamnosus, Lb. plantarum, Lb. paracasei subsp paracasei, Lb. delbercii subsp bulgaricus, Lb. curvatus subsp curvatus and Lb acidophilus. The isolated yeasts were identified as Sccharomyces cervisiae , Candida kefyr , Candida utilis and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. The most frequently isolated species was found to be Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris (37.5%) , Lb. rhamnosus (20.8%), Sccharomyces cervisiae (41.9%) and Candida kefyr (29.0%). The antimicrobial activities of Laban Zeer were evaluated in vitro using an agar well diffusion method and in situ method. The major supernatants of Laban Zeer samples inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria, belonging to Escherichia , Pseudomonas , Salmonella , Listeria and Staphylococcus genera in various degrees. The in situ method was performed by the inoculation of Staph. aureus and E. coli in Laban Zeer samples separately at an initial level around of 6 log cfu/ml. The count of Staph. aureus and E. coli were not detected after 12 and 3 days of refrigerated storage period, respectively in samples number 2 and 3. Laban Zeer is not suitable environment for growth and activity of such pathogen and would eliminate the pathogen early enough before the products were made ready for consumption. The microorganisms isolated from Laban Zeer can be used widely in the food fermentation industry as starter culture and bio-preservatives due to their broad inhibition spectrum.
Can we constrain the interior structure of rocky exoplanets from mass and radius measurements

Aims. We present an inversion method based on Bayesian analysis to constrain the interior structure of terrestrial exoplanets, in the form of chemical composition of the mantle and core size. Specifically, we identify what parts of the interior structure of terrestrial exoplanets can be determined from observations of mass, radius, and stellar elemental abundances. Methods. We perform a full probabilistic inverse analysis to formally account for observational and model uncertainties and obtain confidence regions of interior structure models. This enables us to characterize how model variability depends on data and associated uncertainties. Results. We test our method on terrestrial solar system planets and find that our model predictions are consistent with independent estimates. Furthermore, we apply our method to synthetic exoplanets up to 10 Earth masses and up to 1.7 Earth radii, and to exoplanet Kepler-36b. Importantly, the inversion strategy proposed here provides a framework for understanding the level of precision required to characterize the interior of exoplanets. Conclusions. Our main conclusions are (1) observations of mass and radius are sufficient to constrain core size; (2) stellar elemental abundances (Fe, Si, Mg) are principal constraints to reduce degeneracy in interior structure models and to constrain mantle composition; (3) the inherent degeneracy in determining interior structure from mass and radius observations does not only depend on measurement accuracies, but also on the actual size and density of the exoplanet. We argue that precise observations of stellar elemental abundances are central in order to place constraints on planetary bulk composition and to reduce model degeneracy. We provide a general methodology of analyzing interior structures of exoplanets that may help to understand how interior models are distributed among star systems. The methodology we propose is sufficiently general to allow its future extension to more complex internal structures including hydrogen- and water-rich exoplanets.
Paleoceanography Evolution of the stable carbon isotope composition of atmospheric CO 2 over the last glacial cycle

We present new δ13C measurements of atmospheric CO2 covering the last glacial/interglacial cycle, complementing previous records covering Terminations I and II. Most prominent in the new record is a significant depletion in δ13C(atm) of 0.5‰ occurring during marine isotope stage (MIS) 4, followed by an enrichment of the same magnitude at the beginning of MIS 3. Such a significant excursion in the record is otherwise only observed at glacial terminations, suggesting that similar processes were at play, such as changing sea surface temperatures, changes in marine biological export in the Southern Ocean (SO) due to variations in aeolian iron fluxes, changes in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, upwelling of deep water in the SO, and long-term trends in terrestrial carbon storage. Based on previous modeling studies, we propose constraints on some of these processes during specific time intervals. The decrease in δ 13C(atm) at the end of MIS 4 starting approximately 64 kyr B.P. was accompanied by increasing [CO2]. This period is also marked by a decrease in aeolian iron flux to the SO, followed by an increase in SO upwelling during Heinrich event 6, indicating that it is likely that a large amount of δ13C-depleted carbon was transferred to the deep oceans previously, i.e., at the onset of MIS 4. Apart from the upwelling event at the end of MIS 4 (and potentially smaller events during Heinrich events in MIS 3), upwelling of deep water in the SO remained reduced until the last glacial termination, whereupon a second pulse of isotopically light carbon was released into the atmosphere.
Development of a dynamic model for bevel-tip flexible needle insertion into soft tissues

In this paper, we develop a mechanics-based dynamic model for bevel-tip flexible needle insertion into soft tissues. We use Newton-Euler formulation to account for the effect of actuation, friction, tissue interactions, and bevel-tip forces on the needle. The soft tissue deformation is modeled by finite element analysis, whereas the mechanics-based model is used to predict needle deflections due to bevel-tip asymmetry. The proposed needle-tissue model is then experimentally evaluated by comparing the needle deflections for various insertion depths in a tissue phantom with those achieved from simulations.
Effect of thyroid hormone on cardiac function following orthotopic heart transplantation in piglets

Studies in adult HT have demonstrated improved cardiac function in the recipient following administration of T3 to the donor. The purpose of this experiment was to assess the effects of T3 on the function of the immature donor heart following HT in a piglet model. A total of 32 piglets were divided into 16 donors and 16 recipients. Following creation of brain death, half of the donor piglets were randomized to receive three doses of T3 (0.2 μg/kg) along with hydrocortisone (1 mg/kg). The donor hearts were then transplanted into the recipient piglets on CPB. Duration of survival off CPB, inotrope score, and EF of heart following CPB were evaluated. There were no differences between the two groups in age, weight, pre‐brain death EF, T3 levels, and CPB times. Post‐CPB survival times were inversely related to the ischemic times in both groups (Pearson r=−0.80, P<.001), and this relationship was not influenced by T3. There was no difference in inotrope score, EF, or biochemical assessment between the two groups. Administration of T3 in combination with hydrocortisone to the brain‐dead donor confers no beneficial effect on myocardial function or survival following HT in a piglet model.