Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Direct Numerical Simulation of a Weakly Stratified Turbulent Wake

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) is used to investigate a time-dependent turbulent wake evolving in a stably stratified background. A large initial Froude number is chosen to allow the wake to become fully turbulent and axisymmetric before stratification affects the spreading rate of the mean defect. The uncertainty introduced by the finite sample size associated with gathering statistics from a simulation of a time-dependent flow is reduced, compared to earlier simulations of this flow. The DNS reveals the buoyancy-induced changes to the turbulence structure, as well as to the mean-defect history and the terms in the mean-momentum and turbulence-kinetic-energy budgets, that characterize the various states of this flow - namely the three-dimensional (essentially unstratified), non-equilibrium (or 'wake-collapse') and quasi-two-dimensional (or 'two-component') regimes observed elsewhere for wakes embedded in both weakly and strongly stratified backgrounds. The wake-collapse regime is not accompanied by transfer (or 'reconversion') of the potential energy of the turbulence to the kinetic energy of the turbulence, implying that this is not an essential feature of stratified-wake dynamics. The dependence upon Reynolds number of the duration of the wake-collapse period is demonstrated, and the effect of the details of the initial/near-field conditions of the wake on its subsequent development is examined.
HTTP over UDP: an experimental investigation of QUIC

This paper investigates "Quick UDP Internet Connections" (QUIC), which was proposed by Google in 2012 as a reliable protocol on top of UDP in order to reduce Web Page retrieval time. We first check, through experiments, if QUIC can be safely deployed in the Internet and then we evaluate the Web page load time in comparison with SPDY and HTTP. We have found that QUIC reduces the overall page retrieval time with respect to HTTP in case of a channel without induced random losses and outperforms SPDY in the case of a lossy channel. The FEC module, when enabled, worsens the performance of QUIC.
Effect of scaling and root planing on gingival crevicular fluid level of YKL-40 acute phase protein in chronic periodontitis patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus: A clinico-biochemical study

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of YKL-40 acute phase protein in chronic periodontitis (CP) with and without type 2 diabetes and also to assess the effect of periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing [SRP]) on this GCF biomarker and the clinical parameters. YKL-40 is derived from tyrosine (Y), lysine (K), and leucine (L) with a molecular weight of 40 kDa. Materials and Methods: A total of 105 individuals (30–60 years) were grouped as 35 individuals each in three groups (Group I – healthy; Group II – CP with diabetes mellitus [DM]; and Group III – CP). Clinical parameters including plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level followed by GCF sample collection from test sites were done at baseline and 6 weeks after SRP (among Group II and Group III patients). GCF YKL-40 level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The mean GCF YKL-40 level at baseline was significantly lower for Group I (309.81 ± 124.93 pg/ml) as compared to Group II (924.88 ± 415.28 pg/ml) and Group III (834.08 ± 270.42 pg/ml), respectively (P < 0.001). The level reduced significantly 6 weeks after SRP for Group II (507.6 ± 265.03 pg/ml) and Group III (499.54 ± 293.38 pg/ml) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The level of GCF YKL-40 in CP patients with or without DM is higher than healthy individuals and the level reduced 6 weeks post-SRP among Group II and Group III. Hence, YKL-40 can be considered as an important biomarker in the diagnosis of CP.
Prevention of overweight in children younger than 2 years old: a pilot cluster-randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a 1-year family-based healthy lifestyle intervention implemented through day-care centres on toddlers’ BMI Z-scores and reported activity- and dietary-related behaviours. Design Pilot cluster-randomized controlled trial. Setting Seventy child-care centres in three different intervention communities and three paired-matched control communities in Flanders, Belgium. Subjects A sample of 203 Belgian toddlers aged 9–24 months was included in the study. Objectively assessed weight and height were used to calculate BMI Z-scores. A parental-report questionnaire was used to assess children's lifestyle behaviours. Results Positive intervention effects were found on BMI Z-score. No intervention effects were found for activity- and dietary-related behaviours targeted by the intervention. In both intervention and control groups, daily consumption of water, soft drinks, sweets and savoury snacks increased while daily consumption of fruit and vegetables decreased over 1 year. Daily physical activity remained stable but screen-time behaviour increased in both groups over time. Conclusions The study showed that a family-based healthy lifestyle intervention implemented through day-care centres can lead to healthier weight outcomes in toddlers. In both groups, an unhealthier lifestyle pattern was observed over 1 year which underlines the importance of the early childhood period as the focus of future behavioural interventions.
Multiphase partitioning and risk assessment of endocrine‐disrupting chemicals in the Pearl River, China

Multiphase partitioning of endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the Pearl River (China) were investigated. The colloidal concentrations for 4‐tert‐octylphenol, 4‐nonylphenol, bisphenol A (BPA), and estrone (E1) were in the ranges of 0.2 ng/L to 0.8 ng/L, 23.2 ng/L to 108 ng/L, 2.3 ng/L to 97.6 ng/L, and not detectable (nd) to 0.32 ng/L, respectively; for truly dissolved concentrations, the ranges were 0.5 ng/L to 5.4 ng/L, 39 ng/L to 319 ng/L, 13.7 ng/L to 91.2 ng/L, and nd to 1.2 ng/L, respectively. Positive correlations of EDCs with colloidal organic carbon (COC) were observed. The in situ COC normalized partitioning coefficients (log KCOC) for 4‐tert‐octylphenol (5.35 ± 0.42), 4‐nonylphenol (5.69 ± 0.50), and BPA (5.51 ± 0.77) were within the ranges reported by other studies, whereas they were 1 to 2 orders of magnitude higher than their particulate/truly dissolved phase partition coefficients (log KOCint ), revealing much strong sorption of EDCs by aquatic colloids. Moreover, colloid‐bound percentages of 4‐tert‐octylphenol, 4‐nonylphenol, and BPA ranged, respectively, from 6.9% to 36.4%, from 16.7% to 63.1%, and from 3.6% to 52.4%; their estimated mass fractions were 0.29 ± 0.21, 0.38 ± 0.26, and 0.39 ± 0.33, respectively. Obviously the colloid‐bound fractions are significant. Furthermore, a medium risk of estrogenic effects was estimated from the truly dissolved concentrations of EDCs in the Pearl River, which was lower than the estimated high risk according to the conventionally dissolved concentrations. It is suggested that the presence of colloids be incorporated into future water quality prediction and ecological risk assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2474–2482. © 2016 SETAC
Acute and subacute toxicity of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon 1‐methylnaphthalene to the shallow‐water coral Porites divaricata: Application of a novel exposure protocol

Previous research evaluating hydrocarbon toxicity to corals and coral reefs has generally focused on community‐level effects, and results often are not comparable between studies because of variability in hydrocarbon exposure characterization and evaluation of coral health and mortality during exposure. Toxicity of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon 1‐methylnaphthalene to the coral Porites divaricata was assessed in a constant exposure toxicity test utilizing a novel toxicity testing protocol uniquely applicable to shallow‐water corals, which considered multiple assessment metrics and evaluated the potential for post‐exposure mortality and/or recovery. Acute and subacute effects (gross morphological changes, photosynthetic efficiency, mortality, and histologic cellular changes) were evaluated during pre‐exposure (4 wk), exposure (48 h), and post‐exposure recovery (4 wk) periods. Coral condition scores were used to determine a 48‐h median effective concentration of 7442 μg/L. Significant physical and histological changes resulted from exposure to 640 μg/L and 5427 μg/L 1‐methylnaphthalene, with a 1‐d to 3‐d delay in photosynthetic efficiency effects (ΔF/Fm). Pigmented granular amoebocyte area was found to be a potentially useful sublethal endpoint for this species. Coral mortality was used to estimate a 48‐h median lethal concentration of 12 123 μg/L. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:212–219. © 2016 SETAC
Halogenated phenolic compounds in wild fish from Canadian Areas of Concern

Concentrations of halogenated phenolic compounds were measured in the plasma of brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) from 4 Canadian Areas of Concern (AOCs), to assess exposure to suspected thyroid‐disrupting chemicals. Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH‐PCBs) were detected in every sample collected in 3 of the AOCs; the detection frequency was lower in samples from the Detroit River AOC. The OH‐PCBs most frequently detected were pentachloro, hexachloro, and heptachloro congeners, which are structurally similar to thyroid hormones. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) was detected at highest concentrations (1.8 ng/g) in fish from Prince Edward Bay, the Bay of Quinte Lake reference site, and Hillman Marsh (the Wheatley Harbour reference site), suggesting local sources of contamination. Elevated PCP concentrations were also detected in the plasma of brown bullhead from exposed sites in the Toronto and Region AOC (0.4–0.6 ng/g). Triclosan was consistently detected in the Toronto and Region AOC (0.05–0.9 ng/g), consistent with wastewater emission. Greater concentrations were occasionally detected in the plasma of brown bullhead from the Bay of Quinte AOC. Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers were highest in the Toronto and Region AOC, and at 2 of the Bay of Quinte AOC exposed sites near Trenton and Belleville. Distribution patterns reflected the properties and usage of the compounds under investigation and the characteristics of each AOC. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2266–2273. © 2017 SETAC
Psychopathological dimensions in subjects with hereditary ATTR V30M amyloidosis and their relation with life events due to the disease

Abstract Background: Chronic physical illness has been associated with emotional distress. Chronic diseases may change usual family patterns with economic, social and family losses. Hereditary ATTR V30M amyloidosis is a rare, fatal inherited systemic amyloidosis, with chronic evolution and beginning in adulthood. Aims and methods: To evaluate psychopathological dimensions and how they correlated with disease-related life events, 209 symptomatic and asymptomatic carriers, participated in the study. Sociodemographic and Family and Personal History Disease questionnaires and brief symptom inventory (BSI) were applied. Results: BSI indices, global severity index (GSI), positive symptom index (PSI) and positive symptom total (PST) scored higher than general population. Independent predictors for GSI >0.83 were female sex (OR = 3.46, p = .005) and being symptomatic carriers (OR = 3.03, p = .039). Independent predictors of a PST >26.99 were female sex (OR = 3.74, p = .012) symptomatic carrier (OR = 5.32, p = .025), age between 15 and 24 years at affected parent’s death (OR = 5.26, p = .04). Independent predictors of a PSI >1.56 were being asymptomatic carrier (OR = 6.3, p = .036); to have children (OR = 3.19, p = .043) and have ≤14 years at parent’s disease onset (OR = 6.39, p = .05). Conclusions: Results point to an important vulnerability of this population for psychological distress and psychiatric disease. Early life events related to disease, being sick and sex are associated with psychopathological distress.
Targeting Sphingosine Kinase Isoforms Effectively Reduces Growth and Survival of Neoplastic Mast Cells With D816V-KIT

Mastocytosis is a disorder resulting from an abnormal mast cell (MC) accumulation in tissues that is often associated with the D816V mutation in KIT, the tyrosine kinase receptor for stem cell factor. Therapies available to treat aggressive presentations of mastocytosis are limited, thus exploration of novel pharmacological targets that reduce MC burden is desirable. Since increased generation of the lipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) by sphingosine kinase (SPHK) has been linked to oncogenesis, we studied the involvement of the two SPHK isoforms (SPHK1 and SPHK2) in the regulation of neoplastic human MC growth. While SPHK2 inhibition prevented entry into the cell cycle in normal and neoplastic human MCs with minimal effect on cell survival, SPHK1 inhibition caused cell cycle arrest in G2/M and apoptosis, particularly in D816V-KIT MCs. This was mediated via activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) cascade, including phosphorylation of the checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2), CHK2-mediated M-phase inducer phosphatase 3 depletion, and p53 activation. Combination treatment of SPHK inhibitors with KIT inhibitors showed greater growth inhibition of D816V-KIT MCs than either inhibitor alone. Furthermore, inhibition of SPHK isoforms reduced the number of malignant bone marrow MCs from patients with mastocytosis and the growth of D816V-KIT MCs in a xenograft mouse model. Our results reveal a role for SPHK isoforms in the regulation of growth and survival in normal and neoplastic MCs and suggest a regulatory function for SPHK1 in the DDR in MCs with KIT mutations. The findings also suggest that targeting the SPHK/S1P axis may provide an alternative to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, alone or in combination, for the treatment of aggressive mastocytosis and other hematological malignancies associated with the D816V-KIT mutation.
Synthesis of Zeolite from Fly Ash and their Use as Soil Amendment

The amendments may be natural or synthetic and by their origin organic or inorganic. Among amendments, the inorganic ones are recommended, such as gypsum, lime, zeolites and altered rocks, including sand, ceramic, perlite, ash, slag, zeolite, pyrites, dolomite, calcined clay, etc. Fly ash-based zeolites can be used as amendments to improve the use of the soil for agricultural purposes. Generally, there are different methods for the synthesis of new materials using solid waste – fly ashes. Methods are known to be composed of a single stage or two stages. The first method – the conven‐ tional – is direct hydrothermal conversion of the mixture of ash and alkaline solution (NaOH or KOH), but only 50% of ashes can be converted into zeolite. The second method consists in mixing the ash with KOH and fusion at elevated temperature. The method leads to an advanced conversion – the type of zeolite depending on treatment conditions. Other studies recommend the conversion of ash using microwave ovens or ultrasound bath; in this case, the conversion time is reduced to 1–2 hours. From these methods, the direct method was proposed to be used in synthesizing zeolites for agriculture, with a part in controlling release of fertilizers and as a soil amendment. The synthesized materials were characterized with respect to microstructure (electronic microscopy SEM) and chemical and mineralogical composition (EDAX, X-ray diffraction). By analyzing the obtained data, one may observe the destruction of the ash network and crystallization of the zeolitic phase, especially in the case of treatment by diffusion. The XRD analysis confirms the presence of zeolite in materials obtained. Good results were also obtained in the case of using ultrasound treatment for zeolite synthesis; also, the time of treatment significantly decreased in this case.
Anomalous optical bistability and robust entanglement of mechanical oscillators using two-photon coherence

We analyze the optical bistability and the entanglement of two movable mirrors coupled to a two-mode laser in a doubly resonant cavity. We show that in stark contrast to the usual red-detuned condition for observing bistability in single-mode optomechanics, the optical intensities exhibit bistability for all values of cavity laser detuning due to intermode coupling induced by two-photon atomic coherence. Interestingly, an unconventional bistability with “ribbon”-shaped hysteresis can be observed for a certain range of cavity laser detuning. We also demonstrate that the atomic coherence leads to a strong entanglement between the movable mirrors in the adiabatic regime. Surprisingly, the mirror–mirror entanglement is shown to persist for environment temperatures of the phonon bath up to 12 K using experimental parameters.
Multiple Local Community Detection

Community detection is a classical problem in the field of graph mining. We are interested in local community detection where the objective is the recover the communities containing some given set of nodes, called the seed set. While existing approaches typically recover only one community around the seed set, most nodes belong to multiple communities in practice. In this paper, we introduce a new algorithm for detecting multiple local communities, possibly overlapping, by expanding the initial seed set. The new nodes are selected by some local clustering of the graph embedded in a vector space of low dimension. We validate our approach on real graphs, and show that it provides more information than existing algorithms to recover the complex graph structure that appears locally.
The emotional intelligence of registered nurses commencing critical care nursing

Background Critical care is described as complex, detailed healthcare in a unique, technologically rich environment. Critical care nursing requires a strong knowledge base and exceptional clinical and technological skills to cope in this demanding environment. Many registered nurses (RNs) commencing work in these areas may lack resilience, and because of the stress of the critical care environment, coping mechanisms need to be developed. To prevent burnout and to enable critical care nurses to function holistically, emotional intelligence (EI) is essential in the development of such coping mechanisms. Objective The aim of this study was to describe the EI of RNs commencing work in critical care units in a private hospital group in Gauteng, South Africa. Method The design used for this study was a quantitative descriptive survey. The target population were RNs commencing work in critical care units. Data were collected from RNs using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire – Short Form and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Results The sample (n = 30) had a mean age of 32 years. Most of the participants (63%) qualified through the completion of a bridging course between 2010 and 2012. The majority (62%) of the sample had less than 2 years’ experience as RNs. Conclusion The EI of RNs commencing work in a critical care environment was indicative of a higher range of Global EI, with the well-being factor scoring the highest, followed by the emotionality factor, then self-control, with the sociability factor scoring the lowest.
Typical Time to Treatment of Patients With Lung Cancer in a Multisite, US-Based Study.

INTRODUCTION The importance of high-quality, timely lung cancer care and the need to have indicators to measure timeliness are increasingly discussed in the United States. This study explored when and why delays occur in lung cancer care and compared timeliness between two states with divergent disease incidence. METHODS Patients with small-cell or non-small-cell lung cancer were recruited through cancer centers, outpatient clinics, and community approaches, and interviewed over the phone. Statistical analysis of patient-reported dates included descriptive statistics and comparing time intervals between states and across the sites with Mann-Whitney U tests. Additionally, data from patients with longer timelines were qualitatively analyzed to identify possible reasons for delays. RESULTS On the basis of the dates reported by 275 patients, the median time from first presentation to a clinician to treatment was 52 days; 29% of patients experienced a wait of 90 days or more. Median times for key intervals were 36.5 days from abnormal radiograph to treatment, 9.5 days from initial presentation to specialist referral, 15 days from patient informed of diagnosis to first therapy, and 16 days from referral to treatment to first therapy. More than one quarter of patients perceived delays in care. No significant differences in length of time intervals were identified between states. Monitoring of small nodules, missed diagnosis, and other reasons for longer timelines were documented. CONCLUSION Results defined typical time to treatment of patients with lung cancer across a variety of health systems and should facilitate establishing metrics for determining timeliness of lung cancer care.
Links between parental life histories of wild salmon and the telomere lengths of their offspring

The importance of parental contributions to offspring development and subsequent performance is self‐evident at a genomic level; however, parents can also affect offspring fitness by indirect genetic and environmental routes. The life history strategy that an individual adopts will be influenced by both genes and environment; and this may have important consequences for offspring. Recent research has linked telomere dynamics (i.e., telomere length and loss) in early life to future viability and longevity. Moreover, a number of studies have reported a heritable component to telomere length across a range of vertebrates, although the effects of other parental contribution pathways have been far less studied. Using wild Atlantic salmon with different parental life histories in an experimental split‐brood in vitro fertilization mating design and rearing the resulting families under standardized conditions, we show that there can be significant links between parental life history and offspring telomere length (studied at the embryo and fry stage). Maternal life history traits, in particular egg size, were most strongly related to offspring telomere length at the embryonic stage, but then became weaker through development. In contrast, paternal life history traits, such as the father's growth rate in early life, had a greater association in the later stages of offspring development. However, offspring telomere length was not significantly related to either maternal or paternal age at reproduction, nor to paternal sperm telomere length. This study demonstrates both the complexity and the importance of parental factors that can influence telomere length in early life.