Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vector Field Editing and Periodic Orbit Extraction Using Morse Decomposition

Design and control of vector fields is critical for many visualization and graphics tasks such as vector field visualization, fluid simulation, and texture synthesis. The fundamental qualitative structures associated with vector fields are fixed points, periodic orbits, and separatrices. In this paper, we provide a new technique that allows for the systematic creation and cancellation of fixed points and periodic orbits. This technique enables vector field design and editing on the plane and surfaces with desired qualitative properties. The technique is based on Conley theory, which provides a unified framework that supports the cancellation of fixed points and periodic orbits. We also introduce a novel periodic orbit extraction and visualization algorithm that detects, for the first time, periodic orbits on surfaces. Furthermore, we describe the application of our periodic orbit detection and vector field simplification algorithms to engine simulation data demonstrating the utility of the approach. We apply our design system to vector field visualization by creating data sets containing periodic orbits. This helps us understand the effectiveness of existing visualization techniques. Finally, we propose a new streamline-based technique that allows vector field topology to be easily identified.
The effect of corrugated skins on aerodynamic performance

Corrugated skins provide a good solution to morphing wings due to their highly anisotropic behavior. If the low stiffness corrugation plane is aligned in the chordwise direction, the airfoil shape change is possible. In contrast to the traditional smooth skin of an airfoil, a corrugated skin influences both the local and global aerodynamics of a wing. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a corrugated skin on the global aerodynamics of an airfoil, particularly lift and drag characteristics. First, the aerodynamic analysis of a NACA 0012 airfoil with a smooth profile is conducted, both in the wind tunnel and by computational fluid dynamics, at different Reynolds numbers and compared to the data in the literature. The lift and drag coefficients at different angles of attack, between −10° and 10°, are considered. Next, two NACA 0012 airfoils with different sized corrugated profiles are investigated both experimentally and by numerical simulation. The effects of corrugation size and Reynolds number are analyzed and quantified relatively to the standard NACA0012 airfoil with a smooth skin. Preliminary numerical results are validated using the experimental data.
Evaluation of Technetium Getters to Improve the Performance of Cast Stone

Cast Stone has been selected as the preferred waste form for solidification of aqueous secondary liquid effluents from the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) process condensates and low-activity waste (LAW) melter off-gas caustic scrubber effluents. Cast Stone is also being evaluated as a supplemental immobilization technology to provide the necessary LAW treatment capacity to complete the Hanford tank waste cleanup mission in a timely and cost effective manner. One of the major radionuclides that Cast Stone has the potential to immobilize is technetium (Tc). The mechanism for immobilization is through the reduction of the highly mobile Tc(VII) species to the less mobile Tc(IV) species by the blast furnace slag (BFS) used in the Cast Stone formulation. Technetium immobilization through this method would be beneficial because Tc is one of the most difficult contaminants to address at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford Site due to its complex chemical behavior in tank waste, limited incorporation in mid- to high-temperature immobilization processes (vitrification, steam reformation, etc.), and high mobility in subsurface environments. In fact, the Tank Closure and Waste Management Environmental Impact Statement for the Hanford Site, Richland, Washington (TC&WM EIS) identifies technetium-99 (99Tc) as one of the more » radioactive tank waste components contributing the most to the environmental impact associated with the cleanup of the Hanford Site. The TC&WM EIS, along with an earlier supplemental waste-form risk assessment, used a diffusion-limited release model to estimate the release of different contaminants from the WTP process waste forms. In both of these predictive modeling exercises, where effective diffusivities based on grout performance data available at the time, groundwater at the 100-m down-gradient well exceeded the allowable maximum permissible concentrations for 99Tc. (900 pCi/L). Recent relatively short-term (63 day) leach tests conducted on both LAW and secondary waste Cast Stone monoliths indicated that 99Tc diffusivities were at or near diffusivities where the groundwater at the 100-m down-gradient well would exceed the allowable maximum permissible 99Tc concentrations. There is, therefore, a need and an opportunity to improve the retention of Tc in the Cast Stone waste form. One method to improve the performance of the Cast Stone waste form is through the addition of “getters” that selectively sequester Tc inside Cast Stone. « less
Bioenergetic Consequences of PINK1 Mutations in Parkinson Disease

Background Mutations of the gene for PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) are a cause of familial Parkinson's disease (PD). PINK1 protein has been localised to mitochondria and PINK1 gene knockout models exhibit abnormal mitochondrial function. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cells derived from PD patients with a range of PINK1 mutations demonstrate similar defects of mitochondrial function, whether the nature and severity of the abnormalities vary between mutations and correlate with clinical features. Methodology We investigated mitochondrial bioenergetics in live fibroblasts from PINK1 mutation patients using single cell techniques. We found that fibroblasts from PINK1 mutation patients had significant defects of bioenergetics including reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, altered redox state, a respiratory deficiency that was determined by substrate availability, and enhanced sensitivity to calcium stimulation and associated mitochondrial permeability pore opening. There was an increase in the basal rate of free radical production in the mutant cells. The pattern and severity of abnormality varied between different mutations, and the less severe defects in these cells were associated with later age of onset of PD. Conclusions The results provide insight into the molecular pathology of PINK1 mutations in PD and also confirm the critical role of substrate availability in determining the biochemical phenotype – thereby offering the potential for novel therapeutic strategies to circumvent these abnormalities.
Thioester‐containing proteins in the tsetse fly (Glossina) and their response to trypanosome infection

Thioester‐containing proteins (TEPs) are conserved proteins with a role in innate immune immunity. In the current study, we characterized the TEP family in the genome of six tsetse fly species (Glossina spp.). Tsetse flies are the biological vectors of several African trypanosomes, which cause sleeping sickness in humans or nagana in livestock. The analysis of the tsetse TEP sequences revealed information about their structure, evolutionary relationships and expression profiles under both normal and trypanosome infection conditions. Phylogenetic analysis of the family showed that tsetse flies harbour a genomic expansion of specific TEPs that are not found in other dipterans. We found a general expression of all TEP genes in the alimentary tract, mouthparts and salivary glands. Glossina morsitans and Glossina palpalis TEP genes display a tissue‐specific expression pattern with some that are markedly up‐regulated when the fly is infected with the trypanosome parasite. A different TEP response was observed to infection with Trypanosoma brucei compared to Trypanosoma congolense, indicating that the tsetse TEP response is trypanosome‐specific. These findings are suggestive for the involvement of the TEP family in tsetse innate immunity, with a possible role in the control of the trypanosome parasite.
The Effect of Sex Peptide and Calorie Intake on Fecundity in Female Drosophila melanogaster

The accessory gland proteins (Acps) of the male Drosophila cause changes in the behavior and physiology of female flies. Sex peptide (SP) is one of the Acps that initiates many changes, including an increase in egg production. The data presented here show that SP overexpression in transgenic (G-10) female flies increases egg production when females are kept on a standard and high-calorie diet, relative to controls that do not express SP. Particularly, a high increase in egg production observed in G-10 females on a high-calorie diet suggests that SP overexpression magnifies the female response to caloric uptake. However, on a calorie-restricted diet, the fecundity of G-10 females overexpressing SP is lower than control females. On a high-calorie diet, mating increases early egg production in G-10 and control females, but lifelong total egg production is only increased in control females, most likely due to the physiological changes set off by substantial initial egg production in G-10 females.
Transactional pathways of transgender identity development in transgender and gender-nonconforming youth and caregiver perspectives from the Trans Youth Family Study

ABSTRACT Background: A growing body of research has examined transgender identity development, but no studies have investigated developmental pathways as a transactional process between youth and caregivers, incorporating perspectives from multiple family members. The aim of this study was to conceptualize pathways of transgender identity development using narratives from both transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGN) youth and their cisgender (nontransgender) caregivers. Methods: The sample included 16 families, with 16 TGN youth, ages 7 to 18 years, and 29 cisgender caregivers (N = 45 family members). TGN youth represented multiple gender identities, including trans boy (n = 9), trans girl (n = 5), gender-fluid boy (n = 1), and girlish boy (n = 1). Caregivers included mothers (n = 17), fathers (n = 11), and one grandmother. Participants were recruited from LGBTQ community organizations and support networks for families with transgender youth in the Midwest, Northeast, and South regions of the United States. Each family member completed a one-time, in-person semistructured qualitative interview that included questions about transgender identity development. Results: Analyses revealed seven overarching themes of transgender identity development, which were organized into a conceptual model: Trans identity development, sociocultural influences/societal discourse, biological influences, family adjustment/impact, stigma/cisnormativity, support/resources, and gender affirmation/actualization. Conclusions: Findings underscore the importance of assessing developmental processes among TGN youth as transactional, impacting both youth and their caregivers.
Improving Risk Models for Avian Influenza: The Role of Intensive Poultry Farming and Flooded Land during the 2004 Thailand Epidemic

Since 1996 when Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza type H5N1 first emerged in southern China, numerous studies sought risk factors and produced risk maps based on environmental and anthropogenic predictors. However little attention has been paid to the link between the level of intensification of poultry production and the risk of outbreak. This study revised H5N1 risk mapping in Central and Western Thailand during the second wave of the 2004 epidemic. Production structure was quantified using a disaggregation methodology based on the number of poultry per holding. Population densities of extensively- and intensively-raised ducks and chickens were derived both at the sub-district and at the village levels. LandSat images were used to derive another previously neglected potential predictor of HPAI H5N1 risk: the proportion of water in the landscape resulting from floods. We used Monte Carlo simulation of Boosted Regression Trees models of predictor variables to characterize the risk of HPAI H5N1. Maps of mean risk and uncertainty were derived both at the sub-district and the village levels. The overall accuracy of Boosted Regression Trees models was comparable to that of logistic regression approaches. The proportion of area flooded made the highest contribution to predicting the risk of outbreak, followed by the densities of intensively-raised ducks, extensively-raised ducks and human population. Our results showed that as little as 15% of flooded land in villages is sufficient to reach the maximum level of risk associated with this variable. The spatial pattern of predicted risk is similar to previous work: areas at risk are mainly located along the flood plain of the Chao Phraya river and to the south-east of Bangkok. Using high-resolution village-level poultry census data, rather than sub-district data, the spatial accuracy of predictions was enhanced to highlight local variations in risk. Such maps provide useful information to guide intervention.
Tenets for Social Accessibility

Despite years of addressing disability in technology design and advocating user-centered design practices, popular mainstream technologies remain largely inaccessible for people with disabilities. We conducted a design course study investigating how student designers regard disability and explored how designing for multiple disabled and nondisabled users encouraged students to think about accessibility in the design process. Across two university course offerings one year apart, we examined how students focused on a design project while learning user-centered design concepts and techniques, working with people with and without disabilities throughout the project. In addition, we compared how students incorporated disability-focused design approaches within a classroom setting. We found that designing for multiple stakeholders with and without disabilities expanded student understanding of accessible design by demonstrating that people with the same disability could have diverse needs and by aligning such needs with those of nondisabled users. We also found that using approaches targeted toward designing for people with disabilities complemented interactions with users, particularly with regard to managing varying abilities across users, or incorporating social aspects. Our findings contribute to an understanding about how we might incur change in design practice by working with multiple stakeholders with and without disabilities whenever possible. We refined Design for Social Accessibility by incorporating these findings into three tenets emphasizing: (1) design for disability ought to incorporate users with and without disabilities, (2) design should address functional and social factors simultaneously, and (3) design should include tools to spur consideration of social factors in accessible design.
Critical aspects of the Bayesian approach to phase I cancer trials

The Bayesian approach to finding the maximum‐tolerated dose in phase I cancer trials is discussed. The suggested approach relies on a realistic dose–toxicity model, allows one to include prior information, and supports clinical decision making by presenting within‐trial information in a transparent way. The modeling and decision‐making components are flexible enough to be extendable to more complex settings. Critical aspects are emphasized and a comparison with the continual reassessment method (CRM) is performed with data from an actual trial and a simulation study. The comparison revealed similar operating characteristics while avoiding some of the difficulties encountered in the actual trial when applying the CRM. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Minors of two-connected graphs of large path-width

Let $P$ be a graph with a vertex $v$ such that $P\backslash v$ is a forest, and let $Q$ be an outerplanar graph. We prove that there exists a number $p=p(P,Q)$ such that every 2-connected graph of path-width at least $p$ has a minor isomorphic to $P$ or $Q$. This result answers a question of Seymour and implies a conjecture of Marshall and Wood. The proof is based on a new property of tree-decompositions.
Characterization and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Bacteraemia Causing Pathogens Isolated from Febrile Children with and without Sickle Cell Disease in Kano, Nigeria

Background and Objectives Bacterial infection in sickle cell anaemic patients is a major cause of mortality and requires proper treatment with appropriate antibiotics. However, continue defiant of these infections causing pathogens to many antibiotics and inadequate screening methods in overburden health care facilities such as our in Kano, Nigeria necessitates the conduct of this study. A research was therefore conducted to isolate, characterize and test for antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteraemia-causing pathogens from febrile children with and without sickle cell disease in Kano, Nigeria. Method A total of 225 venous blood samples from suspected sickle cell anaemic children attending three selected hospitals within Kano metropolis were collected and screened for sickle cell disease, followed by blood culture using automated blood culture system. The bacteria isolated from confirmed febrile SCD and non-SCD children were characterized using microscopic, biochemical and serological techniques. Their susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics was tested using disc diffusion method. Results Of the 225 blood specimens screened, 68 (30.22%) were SCD positive, with the highest percentage (16%) among subjects within 1–2 years of age. A total of 11 genera of bacteria were isolated from both SCD and non SCD positive bloods, with Salmonella typhi having highest occurring rate in SCD positive children 27 (39.71%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae 10(14.71%), Salmonella Group B 9(13.24%), Staphylococcus aureus 4 (5.88%), and Escherichia coli 3 (4.41%). Majority of the isolates from SCD children 59 (86.76%) were highly susceptible to ciprofloxacin followed by cefuroxime 45 (66.18%), gentamicin 38 (55.88%), ceftriaxone 30 (44.12%), augmentin 39 (57.35%), ampicillin 25 (36.77%) and co-trimoxazole (22.06%). Conclusion Bacteraemia in SCD confirmed children in the three hospitals are caused by a combination of 11 genera of bacteria. The lesser rate of bacteraemia was found in non-SCD children. Resistance to commonly used antibiotics is on increase, but treatment with ciprofloxacin and some 3rd generation cephalosporin are still promising.
KK-theory and spectral flow in von Neumann algebras

We present a definition of spectral flow for any norm closed ideal J in any von Neumann algebra N. Given a path of selfadjoint operators in N which are invertible in N/J, the spectral flow produces a class in Ko( J). Given a semifinite spectral triple (A, H, D) relative to (N, t) with A separable, we construct a class [D] ? KK1(A, K(N)). For a unitary u ? A, the von Neumann spectral flow between D and u*Du is equal to the Kasparov product [u]A[D], and is simply related to the numerical spectral flow, and a refined C*-spectral flow.
PROGRAMA DE PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO EM ODONTOLOGIA

There is a consensus that the resin-dentin bond instability is correlated with increased hydrophilic resin monomer content in dentin adhesive. Thus, more durable bonds could be created when more hydrophobic resins were used. One way to bond hydrophobic monomers to acid-etched dentin is saturating the demineralized dentin with ethanol instead of water (ethanol-wet bonding technique). The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of “alcohol wet bonding” technique on the stability of adhesive interface produced by two-step etch-and-rinse adhesives systems. For this, it was used 20 human third molars that had superficial dentin exposed and were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n=5): Adper Single Bond 2 (SB) bonded to acid-etched dentin saturated with water or ethanol; and XP Bond (XP) bonded acid-etched dentin saturated with water or 99.5% tertbutanol. The simplified dentin dehydration protocol was performed using 2 μl 100% ethanol or 99.5% tert-butanol directly applied in dentin for 60 s. Composite build-ups were built on dentin surface and specimens were cut into non-trimming dentincomposite beams to microtensile testing. Beams from each tooth were divided equally in two subgroups: immediately tested and aged by immersion in 10% NaOCl solution for 1 h. Specimens were pulled until failure at crosshead speed of 1 mm/min and bond strength was calculated. Fractured sticks were analyzed and classified according to the failure mode as mixed, adhesive, cohesive in dentin and cohesive in composite; and expressed in percentage. Data from μTBS test were statistically analyzed using three-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α=0.05). Additional dentin disks were bonded using the same groups tested and the morphological characteristics of adhesive interface were investigated by light microscopy after immersion in ammoniacal silver nitrate solution. μTBS results showed that NaOCl solution reduced significantly bond strength comparing with the control groups (p<0.05) and increased the silver nitrate interfacial deposit for all adhesives tested. SB used in ethanol saturated-dentin showed significant lower bond strength values in comparison with SB control group, and this same tendency was observed in the silver nitrate deposition. The use of tert-butanol did not influence XP bond strengths values and silver nitrate deposits. Conclusion: The “alcohol wet bonding” simplified technique used in the present study was not able to improve resin-dentin bond stability for simplified etch-and-rinse adhesive systems.
P-012 Reducing radiation dose for pediatric neurovascular interventions

Background Pediatric patients undergoing complex interventional procedures can be exposed to extended fluoroscopy time and multiple DSA acquisitions. Since these patient’s have higher cell division they are more susceptible to the negative impact of ionizing radiation induced cell mutation. The aim of this study was to minimize the radiation burden from DSA without loss of diagnostic quality. Methods and Materials Pediatric patients have lower cranial bone density as well as smaller head circumference size allowing creation of dedicated programs tailored to different age groups. First, a pediatric specific phantom for patients aged five and lower was developed using aluminum (1 cm thickness) and PMMA (20 cm thickness) to simulate bone and brain tissue. Vascular anatomy was simulated using patient specific aneurysm model with one inflow and two outflow ports. The dose was varied from 0.36 µGy/Fr to 1.2 µGy/Fr on a clinical C-Arm system using uniform frame rate. Spatial resolution was assessed using a bar pattern embedded in the PMMA and image quality via visual inspection of the aneurysm flow model. Clinical datasets were acquired alternating low and standard dose settings in progression observation of endovascular treatment. Findings Spatial resolution in bar pattern did not change with varying dose. Lower dose DSA images have increased noise resulting in a small blurring effect after vendor post-processing however visual image impression in low dose images was accepted as diagnostic. Post-intervention dose report review showed a dose reduction of 75% in dose per frame compared to the standard of care prior to study conduction. Conclusion Pediatric patient specific DSA acquisition protocols have been developed lowering the dose to the patients by 75% without loss of diagnostic quality. Abstract P-012 Figure 1 Disclosures M. Corriveau: None. Y. Li: None. S. Schafer: None. A. Ahmed: None. D. Niemann: None. B. Aagaard ? Kienitz: None.