Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brief report: Hospitalized patients’ attitudes about and participation in error prevention

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although many patient safety organizations and hospital leaders wish to involve patients in error prevention, it is unknown whether patients will take the recommended actions or whether error prevention involvement affects hospitalization satisfaction.DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Telephone interviews with 2,078 patients discharged from 11 Midwest hospitals.RESULTS: Ninety-one percent agreed that patients could help prevent errors. Patients were very comfortable asking a medication’s purpose (91%), general medical questions (89%), and confirming their identity (84%), but were uncomfortable asking medical providers whether they had washed their hands (46% very comfortable). While hospitalized, many asked questions about their care (85%) and a medication’s purpose (75%), but fewer confirmed they were the correct patient (38%), helped mark their incision site (17%), or asked about handwashing (5%). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that patients who felt very comfortable with error prevention were significantly more likely to take 6 of the 7 error-prevention actions compared with uncomfortable patients.CONCLUSIONS: While patients were generally comfortable with error prevention, their participation varied by specific action. Since patients who were very comfortable were most likely to take action, educational interventions to increase comfort with error prevention may be necessary to help patients become more engaged.
Enabling User Interactions with Video Contents

Many people spend countless hours watching videos online or on TV. Current smart TV systems provide some basic two-way communications where users can interact with some features (e.g. browsing web, accessing social media, etc) provided by service providers. We would like to move beyond such primitive interactions and explore the possibility of allowing users to interact with video contents. For example, users can select objects shown in videos and place further queries on them. We start with exploring different state-of-the-art object detection and tracking techniques to obtain an object's location in the video. Using the best performing tracking technique, we extract an object's location in each frame and allow users to interact with the object using Microsoft Kinect. Finally, we have developed and compared a set of selection techniques that assist users to select moving objects in video. We conclude with guidelines for designing such interaction systems.
On Identifying Total Effects in the Presence of Latent Variables and Selection bias

Assume that cause-effect relationships between variables can be described as a directed acyclic graph and the corresponding linear structural equation model.We consider the identification problem of total effects in the presence of latent variables and selection bias between a treatment variable and a response variable. Pearl and his colleagues provided the back door criterion, the front door criterion (Pearl, 2000) and the conditional instrumental variable method (Brito and Pearl, 2002) as identifiability criteria for total effects in the presence of latent variables, but not in the presence of selection bias. In order to solve this problem, we propose new graphical identifiability criteria for total effects based on the identifiable factor models. The results of this paper are useful to identify total effects in observational studies and provide a new viewpoint to the identification conditions of factor models.
Influence of re-solutionising treatment on the cyclic deformation behaviour of a service-exposed Inconel® 625 superalloy

Abstract Cast Inconel®1 625 ammonia cracker tubes were received as virgin and service-exposed (117,000 h at temperatures in the range, 873 – 953K and a pressure of approximately 14 MPa) conditions. Low cycle fatigue behaviour of the virgin and service-exposed alloys was investigated under stress controlled cycling. The service-exposed material was subjected to a re-solutionising treatment at 1433K for 2 h prior to testing. Tests were conducted using an R-ratio of 0 at various stress ranges. It was observed that the re-solutionised material displayed a better LCF resistance compared to the virgin material.
Water ‐ CO 2 ‐ mineral systems : Interfacial tension , contact angle , and diffusion — Implications to CO 2 geological storage

[1] The interfacial interaction between mineral surfaces and immiscible fluids determines the efficiency of enhanced oil or gas recovery operations as well as our ability to inject and store CO2 in geological formations. Previous studies have shown that the interfacial tension and contact angle in CO2‐water‐mineral systems change noticeably with fluid pressure. We compile previous results and extend the scope of available data to include saline water, different substrates (quartz, calcite, oil‐wet quartz, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)), and a wide pressure range (up to 20 MPa at 298K). Data analysis provides interfacial tension and contact angle as a function of fluid pressure; in addition, we recover the diffusion coefficient of water in liquid CO2 from long‐term observations. Results show that CO2‐water interfacial tension decreases significantly as pressure increases in agreement with previous studies. Contact angle varies with CO2 pressure in all experiments in response to changes in CO2‐water interfacial tension: it increases on nonwetting surfaces such as PTFE and oil‐wet quartz and slightly decreases in water‐wet quartz and calcite surfaces. Water solubility and its high diffusivity (D = 2 × 10 to 2 × 10 m/s) in liquid CO2 govern the evolution of interparticle pendular water. CO2‐derived ionic species interaction with the substrate leads to surface modification if reactions are favorable, e.g., calcite dissolution by carbonic acid and precipitation as water diffuses and migrates into the bulk CO2. Pressure‐dependent interfacial tension and contact angle affect injection patterns and breakthrough mechanisms, in other words, the performance of geological formations that act as either reservoirs or seals.
Histone demethylase PHF8 promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition and breast tumorigenesis

Abstract Histone demethylase PHF8 is upregulated and plays oncogenic roles in various cancers; however, the mechanisms underlying its dysregulation and functions in carcinogenesis remain obscure. Here, we report the novel functions of PHF8 in EMT (epithelial to mesenchymal transition) and breast cancer development. Genome-wide gene expression analysis revealed that PHF8 overexpression induces an EMT-like process, including the upregulation of SNAI1 and ZEB1. PHF8 demethylates H3K9me1, H3K9me2 and sustains H3K4me3 to prime the transcriptional activation of SNAI1 by TGF-β signaling. We show that PHF8 is upregulated and positively correlated with MYC at protein levels in breast cancer. MYC post-transcriptionally regulates the expression of PHF8 via the repression of microRNAs. Specifically, miR-22 directly targets and inhibits PHF8 expression, and mediates the regulation of PHF8 by MYC and TGF-β signaling. This novel MYC/microRNAs/PHF8 regulatory axis thus places PHF8 as an important downstream effector of MYC. Indeed, PHF8 contributes to MYC-induced cell proliferation and the expression of EMT-related genes. We also report that PHF8 plays important roles in breast cancer cell migration and tumor growth. These oncogenic functions of PHF8 in breast cancer confer its candidacy as a promising therapeutic target for this disease.
Effects of mosapride on secondary peristalsis in patients with ineffective esophageal motility

Abstract Objective. Ineffective esophageal motility is frequently found in patients with gastroesophageal reflux diseases. Secondary peristalsis contributes to esophageal acid clearance. Mosapride improves gastrointestinal (GI) motility by acting on 5-hydroxytrypatamine4 receptors. The authors aimed to evaluate the effect of mosapride on secondary peristalsis in patients with ineffective esophageal motility. Material and methods. After recording primary peristalsis baseline, secondary peristalsis was stimulated by slowly and rapidly injecting mid-esophageal air in 18 patients. Two separate experiments were randomly performed with 40 mg oral mosapride or placebo. Results. Mosapride had no effect on the threshold volume of secondary peristalsis during slow air distension (9.8 ± 0.97 vs. 10.2 ± 1.0 mL; p = 0.84), but decreased the threshold volume during rapid air distension (4.1 ± 0.2 vs. 4.6 ± 0.3 mL; p = 0.001). The efficiency of secondary peristalsis during rapid air distension increased with mosapride (70% [40–95%]) compared with placebo (60% [10–85%]; p = 0.0003). Mosapride had no effect on the amplitudes of distal pressure wave of secondary peristalsis during slow (94.3 ± 9 vs. 101.9 ± 9.1 mmHg; p = 0.63) or rapid air distension (89.3 ± 9 vs. 95.2 ± 8.3 mmHg; p = 0.24). Conclusions. Mosapride improves esophageal sensitivity of secondary peristalsis by abrupt air distension but has limited effect on the motor properties of secondary peristalsis in ineffective esophageal motility patients. Despite its well-known prokinetic effect, mosapride enhances the efficiency of secondary peristalsis in patients with ineffective esophageal motility through augmenting esophageal sensitivity instead of motility.
Investigating the Tool Life, Cutting Force Components, and Surface Roughness of AISI 302 Stainless Steel Material Under Oblique Machining

The aim of this work is to investigate the machinability of austenitic AISI 302 stainless steel under oblique cutting. This can be achieved by studying the cutting forces, analysis of tool life, and investigation of the surface roughness at different cutting conditions and nose radius. A factorial experiment and analysis of variance technique are used in which several factors are evaluated for their effects on each level. The machinability experiments are based on design of experiments to obtain empirical equations for machinability values for machining conditions such as speed, feed, depth of cut, and nose radius. The parameters considered in the experiments were optimized to attain maximum tool life using a response graph and a response table. Based on the response models, dual response contours (tool life and surface roughness as a response and metal removal rate) have been plotted in cutting speed-feed planes. Evaluating the effect of the predominant variables influencing the value of tool life is very important for improving the machined product quality.
Microstructural model for prediction of stress–strain curves of amorphous and semicrystalline elastomers

A fundamental microstructural model was developed to calculate the stress-strain curves of rubbery amorphous polymers and of semicrystalline polymers with a rubbery amorphous phase by numerical simulations. The rubbery amorphous phase was treated by using a version of the theory of rubber elasticity with finite extensibility. Physical entanglements and chemical crosslinks were both allowed. Slippage was implemented by a Monte Carlo algorithm controlled by kinetic parameters such as the activation energy and activation volume for slippage. The crystalline phase was treated in a very idealized manner, including a crude representation of tie chains but not taking the internal structure of the crystallites into account. A two-dimensional embodiment of the model was implemented into software. For amorphous polymers, while lacking truly quantitative accuracy, the model showed sufficiently good agreement with the experimental trends to be used as a qualitative or semiquantitative predictive tool, and it is currently being used in this manner. The more complex semicrystalline version was less accurate and will need to be improved in future work. Most of the limitations of the semicrystalline version could be ascribed unambiguously to specific simplifications made in the software implementation to reduce the amount of computer time required for the calculations.
Fetal antigen 1, an EGF multidomain protein in the sex hormone-producing cells of the gonads and the microenvironment of germ cells.

Fetal antigen 1 (FA1), an epidermal growth factor (EGF) multidomain glycoprotein, was investigated in the human reproductive system. Immunohistochemical analysis of the male reproductive system revealed staining for FA1 in the Leydig cells only. Concentrations of FA1 in seminal plasma and serum were similar and significantly correlated in weekly samples from three men (P < 0.0065). The concentrations in seminal plasma from vasectomized men (n = 4) were not significantly different from those of normal men (n = 187). The concentration of FA1 in seminal plasma was significantly correlated with the sperm counts of normozoospermic men (P < 0.0001), and significantly higher in seminal plasma from men with sperm counts > 20 x 10(6)/ml, compared with those with counts </= 20 x 10(6)/ml (P < 0. 0001). Immunohistochemical analysis of the ovary showed the presence of FA1 in the theca interna and the hilus cells but not in the granulosa cells or the oocyte. In follicular fluid the concentration of FA1 (median; 73.3 ng/ml, n = 28) was three times higher than that of serum (median; 23.8 ng/ml). These data suggest a role for this novel member of the EGF superfamily in relation to human reproduction, but further experiments are needed to define the biological function and to elucidate its clinical potential.
CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE DIRECTION IN THE NUMERICAL MODELING AND SIMULATION OF MACHINING PROCESSES: A CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW

This paper presents a literature review on modeling and simulation of the metal cutting process, with special consideration to difficult-to-cut materials. The critical issues in the modeling of the cutting process are presented and investigated, which include the identification and formulation of the material constitutive equation, as well as the models that describe the tribological and thermal interactions at the tool-chip interface. The available approaches for generating constitutive data are critically examined, and their advantages, capabilities and limitations are discussed. The formulation of the constitutive equation significantly affects the accuracy of the finite element (FE) simulation. The evaluation criteria proposed recently by the authors to assess the goodness of different constitutive relationships for the machining process are presented. It is shown that more accurate simulation can be obtained when using a pressure-dependent friction model, compared to that with uniform coefficients. Similar conclusion can be drawn in relation to expressing the thermal contact resistance (or conductance) as position dependent, being directly correlated to the local contact pressure at the interface. In addition, the current applications and future directions of the finite element modeling (FEM) of the metal cutting process are summarized.
From genome to toxicity: a combinatory approach highlights the complexity of enterotoxin production in Bacillus cereus

In recent years Bacillus cereus has gained increasing importance as a food poisoning pathogen. It is the eponymous member of the B. cereus sensu lato group that consists of eight closely related species showing impressive diversity of their pathogenicity. The high variability of cytotoxicity and the complex regulatory network of enterotoxin expression have complicated efforts to predict the toxic potential of new B. cereus isolates. In this study, comprehensive analyses of enterotoxin gene sequences, transcription, toxin secretion and cytotoxicity were performed. For the first time, these parameters were compared in a whole set of B. cereus strains representing isolates of different origin (food or food poisoning outbreaks) and of different toxic potential (enteropathogenic and apathogenic) to elucidate potential starting points of strain-specific differential toxicity. While toxin gene sequences were highly conserved and did not allow for differentiation between high and low toxicity strains, comparison of nheB and hblD enterotoxin gene transcription and Nhe and Hbl protein titers revealed not only strain-specific differences but also incongruence between toxin gene transcripts and toxin protein levels. With one exception all strains showed comparable capability of protein secretion and so far, no secretion patterns specific for high and low toxicity strains were identified. These results indicate that enterotoxin expression is more complex than expected, possibly involving the orchestrated interplay of different transcriptional regulator proteins, as well as posttranscriptional and posttranslational regulatory mechanisms plus additional influences of environmental conditions.
VIME: Variational Information Maximizing Exploration

Scalable and effective exploration remains a key challenge in reinforcement learning (RL). While there are methods with optimality guarantees in the setting of discrete state and action spaces, these methods cannot be applied in high-dimensional deep RL scenarios. As such, most contemporary RL relies on simple heuristics such as epsilon-greedy exploration or adding Gaussian noise to the controls. This paper introduces Variational Information Maximizing Exploration (VIME), an exploration strategy based on maximization of information gain about the agent's belief of environment dynamics. We propose a practical implementation, using variational inference in Bayesian neural networks which efficiently handles continuous state and action spaces. VIME modifies the MDP reward function, and can be applied with several different underlying RL algorithms. We demonstrate that VIME achieves significantly better performance compared to heuristic exploration methods across a variety of continuous control tasks and algorithms, including tasks with very sparse rewards.
Thrombin-activable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor (TAFI) Zymogen Is an Active Carboxypeptidase*

Thrombin-activable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is a carboxypeptidase found in human plasma, presumably as an inactive zymogen. The current dogma is that proteolytic activation by thrombin/thrombomodulin generates the active enzyme (TAFIa), which down-regulates fibrinolysis by removing C-terminal lysine residues from partially degraded fibrin. In this study, we have shown that the zymogen exhibits continuous and stable carboxypeptidase activity against large peptide substrates, and we suggest that the activity down-regulates fibrinolysis in vivo.
Activating transcription factor 3 confers protection against ventilator-induced lung injury.

RATIONALE Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) significantly contributes to mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, the most severe form of acute lung injury. Understanding the molecular basis for response to cyclic stretch (CS) and its derangement during high-volume ventilation is of high priority. OBJECTIVES To identify specific molecular regulators involved in the development of VILI. METHODS We undertook a comparative examination of cis-regulatory sequences involved in the coordinated expression of CS-responsive genes using microarray analysis. Analysis of stretched versus nonstretched cells identified significant enrichment for genes containing putative binding sites for the transcription factor activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3). To determine the role of ATF3 in vivo, we compared the response of ATF3 gene-deficient mice to wild-type mice in an in vivo model of VILI. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS ATF3 protein expression and nuclear translocation is increased in the lung after mechanical ventilation in wild-type mice. ATF3-deficient mice have greater sensitivity to mechanical ventilation alone or in conjunction with inhaled endotoxin, as demonstrated by increased cell infiltration and proinflammatory cytokines in the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage, and increased pulmonary edema and indices of tissue injury. The expression of stretch-responsive genes containing putative ATF3 cis-regulatory regions was significantly altered in ATF3-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS ATF3 deficiency confers increased sensitivity to mechanical ventilation alone or in combination with inhaled endotoxin. We propose ATF3 acts to counterbalance CS and high volume-induced inflammation, dampening its ability to cause injury and consequently protecting animals from injurious CS.
Influenza A Vaccine Based on the Extracellular Domain of M2: Weak Protection Mediated via Antibody-Dependent NK Cell Activity

Vaccination of mice with a peptide corresponding to the extracellular part of M2 protein coupled to the immunodominant domain of hepatitis B core can protect mice from a lethal challenge with influenza A virus. As the extracellular part of M2 protein is highly conserved in all known human influenza A strains, such a vaccine may protect against all human influenza A strains, which would represent a major advantage over current vaccine strategies. The present study demonstrates that protection is mediated exclusively by Abs, a very important feature of a successful preventive vaccine. However, these Abs neither bind efficiently to the free virus nor neutralize virus infection, but bind to M2 protein expressed on the surface of virus-infected cells. The presence of NK cells is important for protection, whereas complement is not, supposing that protection is mediated via Ab-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity. The absence of neutralizing Abs results in much weaker protection than that achieved by vaccination with UV-inactivated influenza virus. Specifically, whereas neutralizing Abs completely eliminate signs of disease even at high viral challenge doses, M2-specific Abs cannot prevent infection, but merely reduce disease at low challenge doses. M2-specific Abs fail to protect from high challenge doses, as vaccinated mice undergo lethal infection under these conditions. In conclusion, protection mediated by M2-hepatitis B core vaccine would be insufficient during the yearly epidemics, for which full protection is desirable, and overall is clearly inferior to protection achieved by immunization with classical inactivated viral preparations.
No Association of PTPN22 Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Ocular Behcet's Disease in Two Chinese Han Populations

Background Behcet's disease is known as a recurrent, multisystem inflammation and immune-related disease. Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor 22 (PTPN22) is a key negative regulator of T lymphocytes and polymorphisms of the PTPN22 gene have been shown to be associated with various immune-related diseases. The present study was performed to assess the association between PTPN22 polymorphisms and Behcet's disease in two Chinese Han populations. Methodology/Principal Findings A total of 516 patients with ocular Behcet's disease and 690 healthy controls from two Chinese Han populations were genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method for three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was tested using the χ2 test. Genotype frequencies were estimated through direct counting. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between patients and controls using logistic regression analysis. The results revealed that there was no association between the tested three PTPN22 SNPs (rs2488457, rs1310182 and rs3789604) and ocular Behcet's disease (p>0.05). Categorization analysis according to the clinical features did not show any association of these three polymorphisms with these parameters (p>0.05). Conclusions/Significance The investigated PTPN22 gene polymorphisms (rs2488457, rs1310182 and rs3789604) were not associated with ocular Behcet's disease in two Chinese Han populations, and showed that it may be different from other classical autoimmune diseases. More studies are needed to confirm these findings for Behcet's disease in other ethnic backgrounds.