Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The CoSMoS Process, Version 0.1: A Process for the Modelling and Simulation of Complex Systems

1.1 The What and Why of the CoSMoS Process . 51.2 Complex Systems and CoSMoS . 61.3 Models and Simulations . 81.4 Simulations as Scientiﬁc Instruments . 91.4. 1 Does it look right? 10
Using NFFT 3---A Software Library for Various Nonequispaced Fast Fourier Transforms

NFFT 3 is a software library that implements the nonequispaced fast Fourier transform (NFFT) and a number of related algorithms, for example, nonequispaced fast Fourier transforms on the sphere and iterative schemes for inversion. This article provides a survey on the mathematical concepts behind the NFFT and its variants, as well as a general guideline for using the library. Numerical examples for a number of applications are given.
Parental age difference, educationally assortative mating and offspring count: evidence from a contemporary population in Taiwan

Using contemporary population data from Taiwan, we examine the relationships between parental age difference, educationally assortative mating, income and offspring count. Controlling for women's reproductive value (measured by age at first birth), we find that an older husband is associated with fewer offspring, whereas a husband with similar or higher education is associated with more offspring. Concerning resources, we find that women's income is negatively associated with fertility and husband's income is positively associated with fertility among highly educated women. These results are consistent with the view that women compensate for trade-offs between education, income generation and childbearing by seeking mates with a higher status.
Integrating Linguistic and Performance-Based Constraints for Assigning Phrase Breaks

The mapping between syntactic structure and prosodic structure is a widely discussed topic in linguistics. In this work we use insights gained from research on syntax-to-prosody mapping in order to develop a computational model which assigns prosodic structure to unrestricted text. The resulting structure is intended to help a text-to-speech (TTS) system to predict phrase breaks. In addition to linguistic constraints, the model also incorporates a performance-oriented parameter which approximates the effect of speaking rate. The model is rule-based rather than probabilistic, and does not require training. We present the model and implementations for both English and German, and give evaluation results for both implementations. We then examine how far the approach can account for the different break patterns which are associated with slow, normal and fast speech rates.
The fatty acid compositions of erythrocyte and plasma polar lipids in children with autism, developmental delay or typically developing controls and the effect of fish oil intake

The erythrocyte and plasma fatty acid compositions of children with autism were compared in a case–control study with typically developing (TD) children and with children showing developmental delay (DD). Forty-five autism subjects were age-matched with TD controls and thirty-eight with DD controls. Fatty acid data were compared using paired t tests. In addition, blood fatty acids from treatment-naive autism subjects were compared with autism subjects who had consumed fish oil supplements by two-sample t tests. Relatively few differences were seen between erythrocyte fatty acids in autism and TD subjects although the former had an increased arachidonic acid (ARA):EPA ratio. This ratio was also increased in plasma samples from the same children. No changes in n-3 fatty acids or ARA:EPA ratio were seen when comparing autism with DD subjects but some SFA and MUFA were decreased in the DD subjects, most notably 24 : 0 and 24 : 1, which are essential components of axonal myelin sheaths. However, if multiple comparisons are taken into account, and a stricter level of significance applied, most of these values would not be significant. Autism subjects consuming fish oil showed reduced erythrocyte ARA, 22 : 4n-6, 22 : 5n-6 and total n-6 fatty acids and increased EPA, 22 : 5n-3, 22 : 6n-3 and total n-3 fatty acids along with reduced n-6:n-3 and ARA:EPA ratios. Collectively, the autism subjects did not have an underlying phospholipid disorder, based on erythrocyte fatty acid compositions, although the increased ARA:EPA ratio observed suggested that an imbalance of essential highly unsaturated fatty acids may be present in a cohort of autism subjects.
Impact of Agricultural Land‐use Change on Carbon Storage in Boreal Alaska

Climate warming is most pronounced at high latitudes, which could result in the intensification of the extensively cultivated areas in the boreal zone and could further enhance rates of forest clearing in the coming decades. Using paired forest‐field sampling and a chronosequence approach, we investigated the effect of conversion of boreal forest to agriculture on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics in interior Alaska. Chronosequences showed large soil C losses during the first two decades following deforestation, with mean C stocks in agricultural soils being 44% or 8.3 kg m−2 lower than C stocks in original forest soils. This suggests that soil C losses from land‐use change in the boreal region may be greater than those in other biomes. Analyses of changes in stable C isotopes and in quality of soil organic matter showed that organic C was lost from soils by combustion of cleared forest material, decomposition of organic matter and possibly erosion. Chronosequences indicated an increase in C storage during later decades after forest clearing, with 60‐year‐old grassland showing net ecosystem C gain of 2.1 kg m−2 over the original forest. This increase in C stock resulted probably from a combination of large C inputs from belowground biomass and low C losses due to a small original forest soil C stock and low tillage frequency. Reductions in soil N stocks caused by land‐use change were smaller than reductions in C stocks (34% or 0.31 kg m−2), resulting in lower C/N ratios in field compared with forest mineral soils, despite the occasional incorporation of high‐C forest‐floor material into field soils. Carbon mineralization per unit of mineralized N was considerably higher in forests than in fields, which could indicate that decomposition rates are more sensitive in forest soils than in field soils to inorganic N addition (e.g. by increased N deposition from the atmosphere). If forest conversion to agriculture becomes more widespread in the boreal region, the resulting C losses (51% or 11.2 kg m−2 at the ecosystem level in this study) will induce a positive feedback to climatic warming and additional land‐use change. However, by selecting relatively C‐poor soils and by implementing management practices that preserve C, losses of C from soils can be reduced.
FluBiDi – a model to estimate flood based on runoff: validation using extreme and natural basin conditions

ABSTRACT FluBiDi is a two-dimensional model created to simulate real events that can take days and months, as well as short events (minutes or hours) and inclusive laboratory tests. To verify the robustness of FluBiDi, it was tested using a previous study with both designed and real digital elevation models. The results highlight good agreement between the models (i.e. Mike Flood, SOBEK, ISIS 2D, and others) tested and FluBiDi (around 90% for a specific instant and 95% for the complete time simulation). In the simulated hydrographs, the discharge peak value, time to peak, and water level results were accurate, reproducing them with an error of less than 5%. The velocity differences observed in a couple of tests in FluBiDi were associated with very short periods of time (seconds). However, FluBiDi is highly accurate for simulating floods under real topographical conditions with differences of around 2 cm when water depth is around 150 cm. The average water depth and velocities are precise, and the model describes with high accuracy the pattern and extent of floods. FluBiDi has the capability to be adjusted to different types of events and only requires limited input data.
The additional value of anticipated regret and psychopathology in explaining intended condom use among drug users

Abstract In this study we examine determinants of intended condom use with casual and steady sex partners among drug users. Our aim was to find out whether anticipated regret and psychopathology represent additional factors in explaining condom use behaviour, on top of the constructs defined in traditional psychosocial models of behaviour. A questionnaire measuring intentions, attitude, beliefs, personal norm, subjective norm, descriptive norm, self-efficacy and anticipated regret toward condom use with steady and casual sex partners, and the Symptom Checklist '90 (to measure dimensions of psychopathology) were handed out to 150 Dutch drug users. The results showed that intended condom use with steady sex partners was mainly predicted by self-efficacy, personal norm and anticipated regret (total R 2 = 0.41). Lower feelings of hostility and a more positive personal norm, subjective norm and attitude significantly predicted intended condom use with casual sex partners (total R 2 = 0.24). The results also showed that intended condom use with steady sex partners seems to result from anticipating possible barriers, whereas condom use with casual sex partners is largely a matter of having safe sex norms. Practical implications of this study for Aids-preventive campaigns are also discussed.
Dietary intake of omega‐3 fatty acids and risk of depressive symptoms in adolescents

Background: Previous randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) are beneficial in reducing symptoms of depression. However, there is limited evidence regarding the influence of dietary n‐3 PUFA intake on mood in adolescents drawn from population studies. Objective: In the present investigation, we examined the relationship between dietary n‐3 PUFA intake on depression symptomatology in a large prospective pregnancy cohort followed for 17 years. Methods: Adolescents enrolled in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire to assess dietary fatty acid intake, as well as other dietary factors at age 14 and a fasting blood sample was taken. Participants also completed the Beck Depression Inventory for Youth (BDI‐Y) at age 14 (N = 1,407) and at age 17 (N = 995). Results: An inverse relationship was observed between intake of both saturated fat and of n‐3 PUFA at age 14 and BDI‐Y scores at both 14 and 17 years of age. However, after adjusting for energy (kJ) intake and other lifestyle confounders, the relationships were no longer significant. Conclusions: Associations previously reported between n3 PUFA and depressive symptoms may be due to collinearity with other dietary and lifestyle factors. Depression and Anxiety, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chronic water stress reduces tree growth and the carbon sink of deciduous hardwood forests

Predicted decreases in water availability across the temperate forest biome have the potential to offset gains in carbon (C) uptake from phenology trends, rising atmospheric CO2, and nitrogen deposition. While it is well established that severe droughts reduce the C sink of forests by inducing tree mortality, the impacts of mild but chronic water stress on forest phenology and physiology are largely unknown. We quantified the C consequences of chronic water stress using a 13‐year record of tree growth (n = 200 trees), soil moisture, and ecosystem C balance at the Morgan–Monroe State Forest (MMSF) in Indiana, and a regional 11‐year record of tree growth (n > 300 000 trees) and water availability for the 20 most dominant deciduous broadleaf tree species across the eastern and midwestern USA. We show that despite ~26 more days of C assimilation by trees at the MMSF, increasing water stress decreased the number of days of wood production by ~42 days over the same period, reducing the annual accrual of C in woody biomass by 41%. Across the deciduous forest region, water stress induced similar declines in tree growth, particularly for water‐demanding ‘mesophytic’ tree species. Given the current replacement of water‐stress adapted ‘xerophytic’ tree species by mesophytic tree species, we estimate that chronic water stress has the potential to decrease the C sink of deciduous forests by up to 17% (0.04 Pg C yr−1) in the coming decades. This reduction in the C sink due to mesophication and chronic water stress is equivalent to an additional 1–3 days of global C emissions from fossil fuel burning each year. Collectively, our results indicate that regional declines in water availability may offset the growth‐enhancing effects of other global changes and reduce the extent to which forests ameliorate climate warming.
Communication failures in patient sign-out and suggestions for improvement: a critical incident analysis

Background: The transfer of care for hospitalized patients between inpatient physicians is routinely mediated through written and verbal communication or “sign-out”. This study aims to describe how communication failures during this process can lead to patient harm. Methods: In interviews employing critical incident technique, first year resident physicians (interns) described (1) any adverse events or near misses due to suboptimal preceding patient sign-out; (2) the worst event due to suboptimal sign-out in which they were involved; and (3) suggestions to improve sign-out. All data were analyzed and categorized using the constant comparative method with independent review by three researchers. Results: Twenty six interns caring for 82 patients were interviewed after receiving sign-out from another intern. Twenty five discrete incidents, all the result of communication failures during the preceding patient sign-out, and 21 worst events were described. Inter-rater agreement for categorization was high (κ 0.78–1.00). Omitted content (such as medications, active problems, pending tests) or failure-prone communication processes (such as lack of face-to-face discussion) emerged as major categories of failed communication. In nearly all cases these failures led to uncertainty during decisions on patient care. Uncertainty may result in inefficient or suboptimal care such as repeat or unnecessary tests. Interns desired thorough but relevant face-to-face verbal sign-outs that reviewed anticipated issues. They preferred legible, accurate, updated, written sign-out sheets that included standard patient content such as code status or active and anticipated medical problems. Conclusion: Communication failures during sign-out often lead to uncertainty in decisions on patient care. These may result in inefficient or suboptimal care leading to patient harm.
Type I Interferons Are Associated with Subclinical Markers of Cardiovascular Disease in a Cohort of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have a striking increase in cardiovascular (CV) comorbidity not fully explained by the Framingham risk score. Recent evidence from in vitro studies suggests that type I interferons (IFN) could promote premature CV disease (CVD) in SLE. We assessed the association of type I IFN signatures with functional and anatomical evidence of vascular damage, and with biomarkers of CV risk in a cohort of lupus patients without overt CVD. Methodology/Principal Findings Serum type I IFN activity (induction of five IFN-inducible genes; IFIGs) from 95 SLE patient and 38 controls was quantified by real-time PCR. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) were quantified by ultrasound, and coronary calcification by computed tomography. Serum vascular biomarkers were measured by ELISA. We evaluated the effect of type I IFNs on FMD, CIMT and coronary calcification by first applying principal components analysis to combine data from five IFIGs into summary components that could be simultaneously modeled. Three components were derived explaining 97.1% of the total IFIG variation. Multivariable linear regression was utilized to investigate the association between the three components and other covariates, with the outcomes of FMD and CIMT; zero-inflated Poisson regression was used for modeling of coronary calcification. After controlling for traditional CV risk factors, enhanced serum IFN activity was significantly associated with decreased endothelial function in SLE patients and controls (p<0.05 for component 3), increased CIMT among SLE patients (p<0.01 for components 1 and 2), and severity of coronary calcification among SLE patients (p<0.001 for component 3). Conclusions Type I IFNs are independently associated with atherosclerosis development in lupus patients without history of overt CVD and after controlling for Framingham risk factors. This study further supports the hypothesis that type I IFNs promote premature vascular damage in SLE.
Endoscopic and Histological Gastric Lesions in Children With Celiac Disease: Mucosal Involvement Is Not Only Confined to the Duodenum

Objectives: Lymphocytic gastritis (LG) has been reported in patients with celiac disease (CD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate gastric mucosa involvement in celiac children and gastroenterological controls (GC). Methods: In a retrospective study on 226 patients with CD (82 M; median age: 5.7years) at diagnosis and 154 GC (66 M; median age: 7.4 years), the evaluation of gastric and duodenal mucosa was performed. CD was diagnosed according to the North America Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition criteria. Gastric lesions were classified according to Updated Sydney System. Anti-gastric parietal cell antibodies (GPCA) were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: A total of 21.2% and 7% of patients with CD showed chronic superficial gastritis (CSG) and LG, respectively. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection was found in 6 (2.7%) children with CD (66.7% had CSG, 16.7% LG, and 16.7% interstitial gastritis). CSG was present in 21.4% of controls. No control subject showed LG. Hp infection was found in 24 (15.6%) children with GC (91.7% had CSG). Among patients with CSG, Hp infection was more frequent in controls than in celiac children (P < 0.0001). Ten of 90 patients with CD and 1 of 29 controls were positive for GPCA. Conclusions: Gastritis is a common finding in children with CD and adolescents. In celiac subjects, CSG is the most frequently detected. Our data suggest the hypothesis that LG may be related to a longer exposure to gluten. The presence of GPCA may suggest the presence of an underlying autoimmune process.
Shear stress–induced endothelial cell polarization is mediated by Rho and Rac but not Cdc42 or PI 3-kinases

Shear stress induces endothelial polarization and migration in the direction of flow accompanied by extensive remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton. The GTPases RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42 are known to regulate cell shape changes through effects on the cytoskeleton and cell adhesion. We show here that all three GTPases become rapidly activated by shear stress, and that each is important for different aspects of the endothelial response. RhoA was activated within 5 min after stimulation with shear stress and led to cell rounding via Rho-kinase. Subsequently, the cells respread and elongated within the direction of shear stress as RhoA activity returned to baseline and Rac1 and Cdc42 reached peak activation. Cell elongation required Rac1 and Cdc42 but not phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases. Cdc42 and PI3Ks were not required to establish shear stress–induced polarity although they contributed to optimal migration speed. Instead, Rho and Rac1 regulated directionality of cell movement. Inhibition of Rho or Rho-kinase did not affect the cell speed but significantly increased cell displacement. Our results show that endothelial cells reorient in response to shear stress by a two-step process involving Rho-induced depolarization, followed by Rho/Rac-mediated polarization and migration in the direction of flow.
Optimized Design of Azimuthal Transmission Lines for the Cell Driven by Two PFLs in Induction Voltage Adders

In this paper, a full-size 3-D electromagnetic model (without electrons) and an equivalent circuit model of a single cell in magnetically insulated induction voltage adders has been established. The simulation results of these two models agree well with each other. On the basis of these two models, azimuthal transmission lines for a cell driven by two pulse forming lines (PFLs) have been optimized. The optimization process aims at matching the impedance to the feed PFLs, ensuring uniform potential distribution along the insulator-stack, maximizing the symmetric current flow around the bore, and minimizing the waveform distortion of the injected pulse. A formula is presented to estimate the azimuthal impedance and an asymmetric coefficient is also defined to quantify the asymmetric extent of the feed pulses. The profiles of the total four candidate azimuthal lines have been simulated and analyzed. The simulation results indicate a relatively low feed asymmetry for all the four profiles. However, considering the waveform quality of the cell output voltage, the azimuthal line profiles with four points connected or wholly connected to the cathode plate are the most suitable for induction cells with two PFL feeding. And the corresponding coefficients $\delta$ are 3.1% and 7.6%, respectively. It is concluded that, when optimizing azimuthal lines for cells with two PFL feeding, the principal consideration should be matching the impedance instead of symmetrizing the current flow.
Abdominal paracentesis drainage improves tolerance of enteral nutrition in acute pancreatitis: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study is to determine whether abdominal paracentesis drainage (APD) could improve the administration of enteral nutrition (EN) in acute pancreatitis. Methods: Between January 2015 and April 2016, a total of 161 acute pancreatitis patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the APD group or the non-APD group. Several indexes associated with the administration of EN, including the gastroparesis cardinal symptom index (GCSI), the incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events, and the clinical outcomes, were recorded. Results: The mean GCSI scores were 13.6 ± 2.1 before randomization and 7.1 ± 2.3 after a week in the APD group. These scores were 13.9 ± 2.4 and 9.7 ± 1.9 in the non-APD group. The incidences of gastrointestinal adverse events in the two groups were similar (p > .05), except for diarrhea. However, the patients in the APD group spent less time achieving the nutrition target (25 per kilogram of body weight per day) and fully tolerated the oral diet (p < .05). Additionally, the clinical outcomes of the APD group were better compared with those of the non-APD group. Conclusion: APD can improve the administration of EN in acute pancreatitis. Given the positive effect of EN on clinical outcomes, this phenomenon possibly explains why APD could improve the clinical outcomes of acute pancreatitis patients in some aspects.