Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Convergence Rates for Deterministic and Stochastic Subgradient Methods Without Lipschitz Continuity

We generalize the classic convergence rate theory for subgradient methods to apply to non-Lipschitz functions via a new measure of steepness. For the deterministic projected subgradient method, we derive a global $O(1/\sqrt{T})$ convergence rate for any function with at most exponential growth. Our approach implies generalizations of the standard convergence rates for gradient descent on functions with Lipschitz or H\"older continuous gradients. Further, we show a $O(1/\sqrt{T})$ convergence rate for the stochastic projected subgradient method on functions with at most quadratic growth, which improves to $O(1/T)$ under strong convexity.
Outcome of full pulpotomy using Biodentine in adult patients with symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis

AIM To assess the outcome of full pulpotomy using Biodentine in permanent teeth with carious exposures and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis. METHODOLOGY Sixty-four permanent molar teeth with symptomatic vital pulps in 52 patients aged 19-69 years were included. Preoperative pulpal and periapical diagnosis was established. After informed consent, the tooth was anaesthetized, isolated using rubber dam and disinfected with 5% NaOCl before caries excavation; subsequently, the pulp was amputated to the level of the canal orifices. Haemostasis was achieved, and a 3-mm layer of Biodentine (Septodont, Saint-Maur-des-Fosses, France) was placed as the pulpotomy agent. Resin-modified glass-ionomer liner was placed and the tooth restored with either resin composite or amalgam, and a postoperative periapical radiograph exposed. Clinical and radiographic evaluation was completed at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. Pain levels were scored preoperatively and 2 days post-treatment. RESULTS Clinical signs and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis were established in all teeth, and periapical rarefaction was present in nine teeth. After 2 days, 93.8% reported complete relief of pain. At 6 months, 63 of 64 attended recall with 98.4% clinical and radiographic success. At 1 year, 59 of 63 attended recall, with 100% clinical and 98.4 radiographic success. Seven of eight cases with periapical rarefaction who attended recall had improvement in the periapical index (PAI) score. A hard tissue barrier was detected radiographically in four cases. CONCLUSION Full pulpotomy using Biodentine was a successful treatment option for cariously exposed pulps in mature permanent molar teeth with clinical signs and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis, up to 1 year.
Surprising results of a study on the plasticity in strontium titanate

Oxides such as SrTiO3 are expected to fail via brittle fracture at low temperatures. Surprisingly, in the present study, SrTiO3 single crystals could be plastically deformed in compression in two temperature ranges: from 78 K to ∼1050 K and from 1500 K to 1800 K. SrTiO3 was brittle at temperatures between these two ranges (∼1050–1500 K). This phenomenon of a ductile–brittle–ductile transition, together with microstructural investigations, suggests that the role of dislocations in the plasticity of ceramics must be reconsidered.
Complex dielectric constant of dry sand in the 0.1 to 2 GHz range

Information on the complex dielectric constant is interesting to determine the penetration depth at a given frequency and thus to explore the potential of ground-penetrating microwave sensors. For a quartz-rich sand from Lake Superior, Ontario, Canada, the complex dielectric constant was measured with a coaxial cavity resonator. Apart from effects of slightly different density, the results of the real part ' of the relative dielectric constant correspond with literature data. The imaginary part " is significantly smaller than for Sahara sand containing significant amounts of hematite. Other measurements are in between. All sands showed a decrease of " with increasing frequency.
Maintenance of exercise training benefits is associated with adequate milk and dairy products intake in elderly hypertensive subjects following detraining

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate whether maintenance of exercise training benefits is associated with adequate milk and dairy products intake in hypertensive elderly subjects after detraining. Methods Twenty-eight elderly hypertensive patients with optimal clinical treatment underwent 16 weeks of multicomponent exercise training program followed by 6 weeks of detraining, and were classified according to milk and dairy products intake as low milk (<3 servings) and high milk (≥3 servings) groups. Results After exercise training, there was a significant reduction (p<0.001) in body weight, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure, an increase in lower and upper limb strength (chair-stand test and elbow flexor test) as well as in aerobic capacity (stationary gait test) and functional capacity (sit down, stand up, and move around the house) in both groups. However, in the Low Milk Intake Group significant changes were observed: body weight (+0.5%), systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure (+0.9%,+1.4% and +1.1%, respectively), lower extremity strength (-7.0%), aerobic capacity (-3.9%) and functional capacity (+5.4) after detraining. These parameters showed no significant differences between post-detraining and post-training period in High Milk Intake Group. Conclusion Maintenance of exercise training benefits related to pressure levels, lower extremity strength and aerobic capacity, is associated with adequate milk and dairy products intake in hypertensive elderly subjects following 6 weeks of detraining.
Gender differences in memory processing of female facial attractiveness: evidence from event-related potentials

ABSTRACT High rates of agreement in the judgment of facial attractiveness suggest universal principles of beauty. This study investigated gender differences in recognition memory processing of female facial attractiveness. Thirty-four Chinese heterosexual participants (17 females, 17 males) aged 18–24 years (mean age 21.63 ± 1.51 years) participated in the experiment which used event-related potentials (ERPs) based on a study-test paradigm. The behavioral data results showed that both men and women had significantly higher accuracy rates for attractive faces than for unattractive faces, but men reacted faster to unattractive faces. Gender differences on ERPs showed that attractive faces elicited larger early components such as P1, N170, and P2 in men than in women. The results indicated that the effects of recognition bias during memory processing modulated by female facial attractiveness are greater for men than women. Behavioral and ERP evidences indicate that men and women differ in their attentional adhesion to attractive female faces; different mating-related motives may guide the selective processing of attractive men and women. These findings establish a contribution of gender differences on female facial attractiveness during memory processing from an evolutionary perspective.
Repetitive Intermittent Hypoxia and Locomotor Training Enhances Walking Function in Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury Subjects: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Incomplete spinal cord injuries (iSCI) leave spared synaptic pathways below the level of injury. Intermittent hypoxia (IH) elicits plasticity in the spinal cord and strengthens spared synaptic pathways, expressed as respiratory and somatic functional recovery in experimental animals and humans with iSCI. This study is a randomized, triple-blind, two-arm parallel clinical trial performed in Santiago, Chile. We compared the effects of a 4-week protocol of IH combined with body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT), with continuous normoxia (Nx) and BWSTT on 10-meter walk test (10MWT), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and timed up and go (TUG) test in American Spinal Injury Association C and D individuals with iSCI. Subjects received daily IH (cycling 9%/21% O2 every 1.5 min, 15 cycles/day) or continuous Nx (21% O2) combined with 45 min BWSTT for 5 consecutive days, followed by IH/Nx 3 × per week (3 × wIH/Nx) for 3 additional weeks. Subjects were assessed at day 5, weekly from weeks 2-4, and at a 2-week follow-up. Daily IH plus BWSTT enhanced walking speed, expressed as decreased 10MWT time at day 5 versus baseline (IH: -10.2 ± 3.0 vs. Nx: -1.7 ± 1.7 sec, p = 0.006), and walking endurance expressed as increased 6MWT distance at day 5 versus baseline (IH: 43.0 ± 10.7 vs. Nx: 6.1 ± 3.4 m, p = 0.012), but not TUG time. Further, 3 × wIH maintained the daily IH-induced walking speed, and enhanced the daily IH-induced walking endurance, which is maintained up to the 2-week follow-up. We conclude that daily IH enhances walking recovery in subjects with iSCI, confirming previous findings. Moreover, 3 × wIH prolonged or enhanced daily IH-induced walking speed and endurance improvements, respectively, up to 5 weeks post-daily IH. Repetitive IH may be a safe and effective therapeutic alternative for persons with iSCI.
Prognostic value of tumour budding in oesophageal cancer: a meta‐analysis

Recently, tumour budding (TB) has been suggested as a strong prognostic marker in oesophageal cancer. The aim of this systematic review is to test the prognostic value of TB in oesophageal cancer by a meta‐analysis of previously published studies. We systematically reviewed the literature related to TB by using the bibliographic databases of Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. The search was limited to publications in the English language up to and including December 2014. There are 11 retrospective studies in which TB has been evaluated in oesophageal cancer. Two authors independently extracted the results from eligible studies. The meta‐analysis of eligible studies revealed that TB is a significant prognosticator for overall survival in oesophageal cancer, with a risk ratio (RR) of 2.97 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.81–4.85; P = 0.0023] in univariate analysis, and with an RR of 2.07 (95% CI 1.22–3.52; P = 0.017) in multivariate analysis. We conclude that a high TB score is a promising prognostic marker of poor survival in oesophageal cancer. Because of its simplicity, reproducibility and high predictive power, TB is strongly recommended to be included in the routine pathology report of oesophageal cancer.
The evolution of HIV‐1 entry phenotypes as a guide to changing target cells

Through a twist of fate the most common form of HIV‐1, as defined by entry phenotype, was not appreciated until recently. The entry phenotype is closely linked to the target cell and thus to virus–host interactions and pathogenesis. The most abundant form of HIV‐1 uses CCR5 as the coreceptor and requires a high density of CD4 for efficient entry, defining its target cell as the CD4+ memory T cell. This is the transmitted form of the virus, the form that is found in the blood, and the form that rebounds from the latent reservoir. When CD4+/CCR5+ T cells become limiting the virus evolves to use alternative target cells to support viral replication. In the CNS, the virus can evolve to use a cell that displays only a low density of CD4, while maintaining the use of CCR5 as the coreceptor. When this evolutionary variant evolves, it must be sustaining its replication in either macrophages or microglial cells, which display only a low density of CD4 relative to that on T cells. In the blood and lymphoid system, the major switch late in disease is from T cells expressing CD4 and CCR5 to T cells expressing CD4 and CXCR4, with a change in coreceptor specificity. Thus the virus responds in two different ways to different environments when its preferred target cell becomes limiting.
Improved Cuff Technique and Intraoperative Detection of Vascular Complications for Hind Limb Transplantation in Mice

Background Vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation (VCA) from a cadaveric donor has now become a clinical reality and the treatment modality of choice for patients with devastating injuries, deformities, and complex tissue defects. However, many VCA patients experience severe toxicities due to the strong immunosuppression required secondary to high antigenicity of the grafts. To improve immunosuppressive protocols for VCA, feasible and reliable preclinical models are necessary. The purpose of this study was to introduce new techniques to an established preclinical VCA model to accelerate future investigations. Methods C57BL/6 (H-2b) and BALB/c (H-2d) mice were used to perform VCA as recipients and donors, respectively. Surgery time, success rate, associated complications, and mortality were analyzed. Blood flow in grafts was interrogated with laser speckle image (LSI). Results A nonsuture cuff technique was used with the abdominal aorta for end-to-end anastomosis. The cuff technique demonstrated efficiency for donor surgery (52 ± 10 minutes for donor vs. 45 ± 8 minutes for recipient surgery). Successful revascularization was achieved in 27 (90%) of 30 transplants. The majority of surgical complications occurred within 48 hours including artery occlusion, venous occlusion, cerebral stroke, and minor bleeding without mortality. LSI was useful in detecting intraoperative vascular complications with display patterns predictive of complication type. Conclusions The described techniques may facilitate a more efficient heterotopic hind limb transplantation mouse model of VCA.
Vitamin A deficiency and determinants of vitamin A status in Bangladeshi children and women: findings of a national survey

Abstract Objective Using data from the national micronutrients survey 2011–2012, the present study explored the status of subclinical vitamin A nutrition and the underlying determinants in the Bangladeshi population. Design A nationwide cross-sectional study. Settings The survey covered 150 clusters; fifty in each of rural, urban and slum strata. Subjects Three population groups: (i) pre-school age children (6–59 months; PSAC); (ii) school age children (6–14 years; SAC); and (iii) non-pregnant non-lactating women (15–49 years; NPNLW). Results National prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was 20·5, 20·8 and 5·3 % in PSAC, SAC and NPNLW, respectively. Slum populations had higher prevalence compared with urban (PSAC: 38·1 v. 21·2 %, P<0·001; SAC: 27·1 v. 22·1 %, P=0·004; NPNLW: 6·8 v. 4·7 %, P=0·01). Dietary vitamin A met up to 27·1–46·0 % of daily needs; plant-source vitamin A constituted 73–87 % of the intakes. Multivariable regression analyses showed that higher consumption of animal foods was associated with higher retinol status in PSAC (β=0·27; P<0·001); and living in urban area was related to higher retinol status in NPNLW (β=0·08, P=0·004) and PSAC (β=0·11, P=0·04). Increased intake of leafy vegetables was associated with lower retinol status in SAC (β=−0·08, P=0·02). Vitamin A supplementation in PSAC did not significantly influence serum retinol within one year post-supplementation (P>0·05 for differences in β between <3 months v. 3–6 months, 6–9 months and 9–12 months). Conclusions Prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was high in children in Bangladesh. Intakes of animal-source foods and leafy vegetables were associated with higher and lower retinol status, respectively. Increased food diversity through animal-source foods is required.
Long non‐coding RNA H19 suppresses retinoblastoma progression via counteracting miR‐17‐92 cluster

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are frequently dysregulated and play important roles in many cancers. lncRNA H19 is one of the earliest discovered lncRNAs which has diverse roles in different cancers. However, the expression, roles, and action mechanisms of H19 in retinoblastoma are still largely unknown. In this study, we found that H19 is downregulated in retinoblastoma tissues and cell lines. Gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function assays showed that H19 inhibits retinoblastoma cell proliferation, induces retinoblastoma cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, we identified seven miR‐17‐92 cluster binding sites on H19, and found that H19 directly bound to miR‐17‐92 cluster via these seven binding sites. Through binding to miR‐17‐92 cluster, H19 relieves the suppressing roles of miR‐17‐92 cluster on p21. Furthermore, H19 represses STAT3 activation induced by miR‐17‐92 cluster. Hence, our results revealed that H19 upregulates p21 expression, inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation, and downregulates the expression of STAT3 target genes BCL2, BCL2L1, and BIRC5. In addition, functional assays demonstrated that the mutation of miR‐17‐92 cluster binding sites on H19 abolished the proliferation inhibiting, cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis inducing roles of H19 in retinoblastoma. In conclusion, our data suggested that H19 inhibits retinoblastoma progression via counteracting the roles of miR‐17‐92 cluster, and implied that enhancing the action of H19 may be a promising therapeutic strategy for retinoblastoma.
Modeling iron, mechanical and rotor copper losses in induction machine with the design of experiments

In the field of optimization of hybrid renewable energy systems, maximum power extraction is still an important issue. For simulation purposes, accurate models are needed including all the losses in the different components of such systems. Among them, iron, mechanical and rotor copper losses in electrical machines are not always taken into account and are rather difficult to evaluate at variable speed and with PWM supply. This paper presents a practical and easy way for global loss modeling of an induction machine with the help of the Design of Experiments. This technique is simple since it requires a limited number of experiments and it provides the possibility to take into account several factors and their interactions.
Identification of a possible cytadherence regulatory locus in Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Transposon mutagenesis was used to analyze Mycoplasma pneumoniae cytadherence. Mycoplasmas were electroporated with Tn4001, and transformants were identified by antibiotic selection using gentamicin. The resulting colonies were screened for hemadsorption (HA) as an indicator for cytadherence. Six HA- colonies from independent transformations were isolated, filter cloned, and characterized in more detail. Southern hybridization analysis revealed that all six transposon insertions mapped to the same 252-kbp ApaI fragment and 19.5-kbp XhoI fragment. More detailed analysis localized the insertion to two adjacent EcoRI fragments. This site is distinct from the locus containing the genes for the high-molecular weight cytadherence-accessory proteins HMW1 and HMW3, and yet these proteins were absent from the protein profiles of all six transformants. To determine if transposon insertion was responsible for the HA- phenotype, reversion frequencies of the transformants were assessed after passage in the presence of antibiotic selection. In contrast to a spontaneously arising HMW-deficient variant, which reverted to an HA+ phenotype readily, no HA+ revertants were identified for any of the six transformants. These observations suggest that a potential regulatory locus that may be important in the expression of the HMW cytadherence-accessory proteins has been identified.
Tiotropium Respimat(®) vs. HandiHaler(®): real-life usage and TIOSPIR trial generalizability.

AIM Two inhaler devices (Respimat® and HandiHaler®) are available for tiotropium, a long acting anticholinergic agent. We aimed to analyze drug utilization, off-label usage and generalizability of the TIOSPIR trial results for both devices. METHODS Patients aged ≥18 years exhibiting at least one documented prescription of tiotropium in the database of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Bavaria, Germany, were included (years 2004-2008). Annual period prevalence rates (PPRs) were calculated stratified by age, gender and inhaler devices. Off-label usage (patients lacking a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosis) and the proportion of patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the TIOSPIR trial were analyzed. RESULTS Between 2004 and 2008, PPRs increased and varied between 49.2 and 74.5 per 10 000 persons for HandiHaler® and between 1.5 and 9.3 per 10 000 persons for Respimat®. Small differences regarding patient characteristics existed between the two inhaler devices. Only about 30% (HandiHaler® 32.1%, Respimat® 30.0%) of the database patients receiving tiotropium could be theoretically included in the TIOSPIR trial. CONCLUSIONS Comparing the two tiotropium devices, no clinically relevant differences regarding patient and prescribing characteristics were revealed. Results of the TIOSPIR trial were generalizable only to a minority of our study patients, underlining the need for real-life data.
Home- and community-based growth monitoring to reduce early life growth faltering: an open-label, cluster-randomized controlled trial

Background: Despite the continued high prevalence of faltering growth, height monitoring remains limited in many low- and middle-income countries. Objective: The objective of this study was to test whether providing parents with information on their child’s height can improve children’s height and developmental outcomes. Design: Villages in Chipata District, Zambia (n = 127), were randomly assigned with equal probability to 1 of 3 groups: home-based growth monitoring (HBGM), community-based growth monitoring including nutritional supplementation for children with stunted growth (CBGM+NS), and control. Primary study outcomes were individual height-for-age z score (HAZ) and overall child development assessed with the International Fetal and Newborn Growth Consortium for the 21st Century Neurodevelopment Assessment tool. Secondary outcomes were weight-for-age z score (WAZ), protein consumption, breastfeeding, and general dietary diversity. Results: We enrolled a total of 547 children with a median age of 13 mo at baseline. Estimated mean difference (β) in HAZ was 0.127 (95% CI: −0.107, 0.361) for HBGM and −0.152 (95% CI: −0.341, 0.036) for CBGM+NS. HBGM had no impact on child development [β: −0.017 (95% CI: −0.133, 0.098)]; CBGM+NS reduced overall child development scores by −0.118 SD (95% CI: −0.230, −0.006 SD). Both interventions had larger positive effects among children with stunted growth at baseline, with estimated interaction effects of 0.503 (95% CI: 0.160, 0.846) and 0.582 (95% CI: 0.134, 1.030) for CBGM+NS and HBGM, respectively. HBGM increased mean WAZ [β = 0.183 (95% CI: 0.037, 0.328)]. Both interventions improved parental reports of children’s protein intake. Conclusions: The results from this trial suggest that growth monitoring has a limited effect on children’s height and development, despite improvements in self-reported feeding practices. HBGM had modest positive effects on children with stunted growth. Given its relatively low cost, this intervention may be a cost-effective tool for increasing parental efforts toward reducing children’s physical growth deficits. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02242539.