Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Partially Melted Zone in Aluminum Welds — Planar and Cellular Solidification

Aluminum Alloy 2219 was gas metal arc welded to study the solidi- fication modes of liquid in the partially melted zone (PMZ), including gra i n boundary (GB) liquid and liquid spots in the grain interior. GB liquid mostly solid- ified with the planar solidification mode. The ave rage temperature gradient G across the PMZ was taken as (TL-TE)/wP, where T L is the liquidus temperature, TE the eutectic temperature and wP the PMZ width, which was measured with a mi- croscope. The average solidification rate R of the GB liquid was taken as wL/ tS, where wL is the thickness of the GB liq- uid and tS the solidification time of the GB liquid, which was determined from the measured thermal cycle. The G/R ratio was estimated to be on the order of 105°C s/cm2, which is close to the mini- mum G/R required for planar solidifica- tion of the alloy. Most GB liquid was too thin to allow enough space for a planar g r owth front to gradually evo l ve into a cellular one before solidification wa s ove r. Cellular solidification, how e ve r, was observed in the PMZ at the bottom of the weld, where G was lowest. It oc- curred in thicker (15 μm) GB liquid that had to solidify at a higher R and, hence, lower G/R and more room for cellular so- lidification to develop. Liquid spots away from the weld were smaller and solidified with the planar mode. Near the weld, however, they grew much larger and had to solidify at a much higher R. Both the lower G/R and the larger space for cellu- lar solidification to develop helped break down planar solidification.
Using the Real-Ear-to-Coupler Difference within the American Academy of Audiology Pediatric Amplification Guideline: Protocols for Applying and Predicting Earmold RECDs.

BACKGROUND Real-ear-to-coupler difference (RECD) measurements are used for the purposes of estimating degree and configuration of hearing loss (in dB SPL ear canal) and predicting hearing aid output from coupler-based measures. Accurate measurements of hearing threshold, derivation of hearing aid fitting targets, and predictions of hearing aid output in the ear canal assume consistent matching of RECD coupling procedure (i.e., foam tip or earmold) with that used during assessment and in verification of the hearing aid fitting. When there is a mismatch between these coupling procedures, errors are introduced. PURPOSE The goal of this study was to quantify the systematic difference in measured RECD values obtained when using a foam tip versus an earmold with various tube lengths. Assuming that systematic errors exist, the second goal was to investigate the use of a foam tip to earmold correction for the purposes of improving fitting accuracy when mismatched RECD coupling conditions occur (e.g., foam tip at assessment, earmold at verification). STUDY SAMPLE Eighteen adults and 17 children (age range: 3-127 mo) participated in this study. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Data were obtained using simulated ears of various volumes and earmold tubing lengths and from patients using their own earmolds. Derived RECD values based on simulated ear measurements were compared with RECD values obtained for adult and pediatric ears for foam tip and earmold coupling. RESULTS Results indicate that differences between foam tip and earmold RECDs are consistent across test ears for adults and children which support the development of a correction between foam tip and earmold couplings for RECDs that can be applied across individuals. CONCLUSIONS The foam tip to earmold correction values developed in this study can be used to provide improved estimations of earmold RECDs. This may support better accuracy in acoustic transforms related to transforming thresholds and/or hearing aid coupler responses to ear canal sound pressure level for the purposes of fitting behind-the-ear hearing aids.
Sedentary Time and MRI‐Derived Measures of Adiposity in Active Versus Inactive Individuals

The aim of this study was to examine cross‐sectional associations between objectively measured sedentary time and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐assessed adiposity in a population at high risk for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and to determine whether associations are modified by the recommended levels of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA).
Machine Learning-Based Prototyping of Graphical User Interfaces for Mobile Apps

It is common practice for developers of user-facing software to transform a mock-up of a graphical user interface (GUI) into code. This process takes place both at an application's inception and in an evolutionary context as GUI changes keep pace with evolving features. Unfortunately, this practice is challenging and time-consuming. In this paper, we present an approach that automates this process by enabling accurate prototyping of GUIs via three tasks: detection, classification, and assembly. First, logical components of a GUI are detected from a mock-up artifact using either computer vision techniques or mock-up metadata. Then, software repository mining, automated dynamic analysis, and deep convolutional neural networks are utilized to accurately classify GUI-components into domain-specific types (e.g., toggle-button). Finally, a data-driven, K-nearest-neighbors algorithm generates a suitable hierarchical GUI structure from which a prototype application can be automatically assembled. We implemented this approach for Android in a system called ReDraw. Our evaluation illustrates that ReDraw achieves an average GUI-component classification accuracy of 91 percent and assembles prototype applications that closely mirror target mock-ups in terms of visual affinity while exhibiting reasonable code structure. Interviews with industrial practitioners illustrate ReDraw's potential to improve real development workflows.
Quadrupedal Robots with Stiff and Compliant Actuation

Abstract In the broader context of quadrupedal locomotion, this overview article introduces and compares two platforms that are similar in structure, size, and morphology, yet differ greatly in their concept of actuation. The first, ALoF, is a classically stiff actuated robot that is controlled kinematically, while the second, StarlETH, uses a soft actuation scheme based on Changedhighly compliant series elastic actuators. We show how this conceptual difference influences design and control of the robots, compare the hardware of the two systems, and show exemplary their advantages in different applications. Zusammenfassung Der vorliegende Beitrag vergleicht zwei Laufroboter, die sich in Hinblick auf Struktur, Größe und Morphologie stark ähneln, jedoch im Antriebskonzept klar unterscheiden. Während es sich beim ersten System, ALoF, um einen klassisch angetriebenen Roboter handelt der kinematisch geregelt wird, besitzt der zweite Roboter, StarlETH, Federelemente im Antriebsstrang. Diese ermöglichen eine weiche, kraftgeregelte Aktuierung. Der Beitrag zeigt wie dieser Unterschied Design und Regelung der Roboter beeinflusst, vergleicht die Hardware und erläutert Vor- und Nachteile in verschiedenen Anwendungsfällen.
High-Accuracy HLA Type Inference from Whole-Genome Sequencing Data Using Population Reference Graphs

Genetic variation at the Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) genes is associated with many autoimmune and infectious disease phenotypes, is an important element of the immunological distinction between self and non-self, and shapes immune epitope repertoires. Determining the allelic state of the HLA genes (HLA typing) as a by-product of standard whole-genome sequencing data would therefore be highly desirable and enable the immunogenetic characterization of samples in currently ongoing population sequencing projects. Extensive hyperpolymorphism and sequence similarity between the HLA genes, however, pose problems for accurate read mapping and make HLA type inference from whole-genome sequencing data a challenging problem. We describe how to address these challenges in a Population Reference Graph (PRG) framework. First, we construct a PRG for 46 (mostly HLA) genes and pseudogenes, their genomic context and their characterized sequence variants, integrating a database of over 10,000 known allele sequences. Second, we present a sequence-to-PRG paired-end read mapping algorithm that enables accurate read mapping for the HLA genes. Third, we infer the most likely pair of underlying alleles at G group resolution from the IMGT/HLA database at each locus, employing a simple likelihood framework. We show that HLA*PRG, our algorithm, outperforms existing methods by a wide margin. We evaluate HLA*PRG on six classical class I and class II HLA genes (HLA-A, -B, -C, -DQA1, -DQB1, -DRB1) and on a set of 14 samples (3 samples with 2 x 100bp, 11 samples with 2 x 250bp Illumina HiSeq data). Of 158 alleles tested, we correctly infer 157 alleles (99.4%). We also identify and re-type two erroneous alleles in the original validation data. We conclude that HLA*PRG for the first time achieves accuracies comparable to gold-standard reference methods from standard whole-genome sequencing data, though high computational demands (currently ~30–250 CPU hours per sample) remain a significant challenge to practical application.
How could the topic patient safety be embedded in the curriculum? A recommendation by the Committee for Patient Safety and Error Management of the GMA

The topic of patient safety is of fundamental interest for the health care sector. In view of the realisation of the National Competence-Based Learning Objectives Catalogue for Undergraduate Medical Education (NKLM) this topic now has to be prepared for medical education. For a disciplinary and content-related orientation the GMA Committee developed the Learning Objectives Catalogue Patient Safety for Undergraduate Medical Education (GMA-LZK). To ensure an optimal implementation of the GMA-LZK we recommend a longitudinal embedding into the existing curriculum. This position paper supports the implementation of the GMA-LZK and is aimed at everyone who wants to establish teaching courses on the topic patient safety and embed them in the curriculum. In light of this, we will initially describe the key features for a structured analysis of the current situation. Based on three best-practice-examples, as seen in the faculties of Freiburg, Bonn and Munich, different approaches to the implementation of the GMA-LZK will be illustrated. Lastly, we will outline the methodical requirements regarding the curriculum development as well as the disciplinary and methodical competences that the lecturers will have to hold or develop to fulfil the requirements.
Impact of Competing Risk of Mortality on Association of Weight Loss With Risk of Central Body Fractures in Older Men: A Prospective Cohort Study

To determine the association of weight loss with risk of clinical fractures at the hip, spine, and pelvis (central body fractures [CBFs]) in older men with and without accounting for the competing risk of mortality, we used data from 4523 men (mean age 77.5 years). Weight change between baseline and follow‐up (mean 4.5 years between examinations) was categorized as moderate loss (loss ≥10%), mild loss (loss 5% to <10%), stable (<5% change) or gain (gain ≥5%). Participants were contacted every 4 months after the follow‐up examination to ascertain vital status (deaths verified by death certificates) and ask about fractures (confirmed by radiographic reports). Absolute probability of CBF by weight change category was estimated using traditional Kaplan‐Meier method and cumulative incidence function accounting for competing mortality risk. Risk of CBF by weight change category was determined using conventional Cox proportional hazards regression and subdistribution hazards models with death as a competing risk. During an average of 8 years, 337 men (7.5%) experienced CBF and 1569 (34.7%) died before experiencing this outcome. Among men with moderate weight loss, CBF probability was 6.8% at 5 years and 16.9% at 10 years using Kaplan‐Meier versus 5.7% at 5 years and 10.2% at 10 years using a competing risk approach. Men with moderate weight loss compared with those with stable weight had a 1.6‐fold higher adjusted risk of CBF (HR 1.59; 95% CI, 1.06 to 2.38) using Cox models that was substantially attenuated in models accounting for competing mortality risk and no longer significant (subdistribution HR 1.16; 95% CI, 0.77 to 1.75). Results were similar in analyses substituting hip fracture for CBF. Older men with weight loss who survive are at increased risk of CBF, including hip fracture. However, ignoring the competing mortality risk among men with weight loss substantially overestimates their long‐term fracture probability and relative fracture risk. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Star Formation in Cold, Spherical, Magnetized Molecular Clouds

We present an idealized, spherical model of the evolution of a magnetized molecular cloud that is due to ambipolar diffusion. This model allows us to follow the quasi-static evolution of the cloud's core prior to collapse and the subsequent evolution of the remaining envelope. By neglecting the thermal pressure gradients in comparison with magnetic stresses and by assuming that the ion velocity is small compared with the neutral velocity, we are able to find exact analytic solutions to the MHD equations. We show that, in the case of a centrally condensed cloud, a core of finite mass collapses into the origin leaving behind a quasi-static envelope, whereas initially homogeneous clouds never develop any structure in the absence of thermal stresses and collapse as a whole. Prior to the collapse of the core, the cloud's evolution is characterized by two phases: a long, quasi-static phase, in which the relevant timescale is the ambipolar diffusion time (treated in this paper), and a short, dynamical phase, in which the characteristic timescale is the free-fall time. The collapse of the core is an “outside-in” collapse. The quasi-static evolution terminates when the cloud becomes magnetically supercritical; thereafter, its evolution is dynamical, and a singularity develops at the origin—a protostar. After the initial formation of the protostar, the outer envelope continues to evolve quasi-statically, while the region of dynamical infall grows with time—an “inside-out” collapse. We use our solution to estimate the magnetic flux trapped in the collapsing core and the mass accretion rate onto the newly formed protostar. Our results agree, within factors of order unity, with the numerical results of Fiedler & Mouschovias for the physical quantities in the midplane of a collapsing, magnetized, axisymmetric cloud up to the onset of dynamical collapse. Our simple approach thus captures the basic physics of a self-gravitating, magnetized cloud in which the evolution is driven by ambipolar diffusion. It also enables us to treat the evolution of the accretion onto the protostar after collapse, for which detailed numerical results are as yet unavailable. Remarkably, we find that, at late times, the accretion rate becomes comparable to that of a nonmagnetized, singular isothermal sphere, provided that the ionization is due to Galactic cosmic rays.
Low Vitamin-D Levels Combined with PKP3-SIGIRR-TMEM16J Host Variants Is Associated with Tuberculosis and Death in HIV-Infected and -Exposed Infants

Background This study examined the associations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and specific host genetic variants that affect vitamin D levels or its effects on immune function, with the risk of TB or mortality in children. Methods A case-cohort sample of 466 South African infants enrolled in P1041 trial (NCT00080119) underwent 25-hydroxyvitamin D testing by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that alter the effect of vitamin D [e.g. vitamin D receptor (VDR)], vitamin D levels [e.g. vitamin D binding protein (VDBP)], or toll like receptor (TLR) expression (SIGIRR including adjacent genes PKP3 and TMEM16J) were identified by real-time PCR. Outcomes were time to TB, and to the composite of TB or death by 192 weeks of follow-up. Effect modification between vitamin D status and SNPs for outcomes was assessed. Findings Median age at 25-hydroxyvitamin D determination was 8 months; 11% were breastfed, 51% were HIV-infected and 26% had low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (<32ng/mL). By 192 weeks, 138 incident TB cases (43 definite/probable, and 95 possible) and 26 deaths occurred. Adjusting for HIV status and potential confounders, low 25-hydroxyvitamin D was associated with any TB (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.76, 95% CI 1.01–3.05; p = 0.046) and any TB or death (aHR 1.76, 95% CI 1.03–3.00; p = 0.038). Children with low 25-hydroxyvitamin D and TMEM 16J rs7111432-AA or PKP3 rs10902158-GG were at increased risk for probable/definite TB or death (aHR 8.12 and 4.83, p<0.05) and any TB or death (aHR 4.78 and 3.26, p<0.005) respectively; SNPs in VDBP, VDR, and vitamin D precursor or hydroxylation genes were not. There was significant interaction between low 25-hydroxyvitamin D and, TMEM 16J rs7111432-AA (p = 0.04) and PKP3 rs10902158-GG (p = 0.02) SNPs. Conclusions Two novel SNPs, thought to be associated with innate immunity, in combination with low vitamin D levels were identified as increasing a young child’s risk of developing TB disease or death. Identifying high-risk children and providing targeted interventions such as vitamin D supplementation may be beneficial. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00080119
Patient Characteristics Predictive of Cardiac Rehabilitation Adherence

PURPOSE: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a program of structured exercise and interventions for coronary risk factor reduction that reduces morbidity and mortality rates following a major cardiac event. Although a dose-response relationship between the number of CR sessions completed and health outcomes has been demonstrated, adherence with CR is not high. In this study, we examined associations between the number of sessions completed within CR and patient demographics, clinical characteristics, smoking status, and socioeconomic status (SES). METHODS: Multiple logistic regression and classification and regression tree (CART) modeling were used to examine associations between participant characteristics measured at CR intake and the number of sessions completed in a prospectively collected CR clinical database (n = 1658). RESULTS: Current smoking, lower SES, nonsurgical diagnosis, exercise-limiting comorbidities, and lower age independently predicted fewer sessions completed. The CART analysis illustrates how combinations of these characteristics (ie, risk profiles) predict the number of sessions completed. Those with the highest-risk profile for nonadherence (<65 years old, current smoker, lower SES) completed on average 9 sessions while those with the lowest-risk profile (>72 years old, not current smoker, higher SES, surgical diagnosis) completed 27 sessions on average. CONCLUSIONS: Younger individuals, as well as those who report smoking or economic challenges or have a nonsurgical diagnosis, may require additional support to maintain CR session attendance.
Combined hormonal contraceptives and migraine: An update on the evidence

Combined hormonal contraceptives are contraindicated in women who have migraine with aura, in whom these drugs can increase the risk of ischemic stroke. However, this contraindication is based on data from the 1960s and 1970s, when oral contraceptives contained much higher doses of estrogen. Stroke risk is not significantly increased with today’s preparations, many of which contain less than 30 μg of ethinyl estradiol. Further, in continuous regimens, ultra-low-dose formulations—those that contain less than 20 µg of ethinyl estradiol—may help prevent menstrual migraine and reduce the frequency of aura. These contraceptives are contraindicated in women who have migraine with aura, but benefit vs risk is debatable.
Reservoir Computing Properties of Neural Dynamics in Prefrontal Cortex

Primates display a remarkable ability to adapt to novel situations. Determining what is most pertinent in these situations is not always possible based only on the current sensory inputs, and often also depends on recent inputs and behavioral outputs that contribute to internal states. Thus, one can ask how cortical dynamics generate representations of these complex situations. It has been observed that mixed selectivity in cortical neurons contributes to represent diverse situations defined by a combination of the current stimuli, and that mixed selectivity is readily obtained in randomly connected recurrent networks. In this context, these reservoir networks reproduce the highly recurrent nature of local cortical connectivity. Recombining present and past inputs, random recurrent networks from the reservoir computing framework generate mixed selectivity which provides pre-coded representations of an essentially universal set of contexts. These representations can then be selectively amplified through learning to solve the task at hand. We thus explored their representational power and dynamical properties after training a reservoir to perform a complex cognitive task initially developed for monkeys. The reservoir model inherently displayed a dynamic form of mixed selectivity, key to the representation of the behavioral context over time. The pre-coded representation of context was amplified by training a feedback neuron to explicitly represent this context, thereby reproducing the effect of learning and allowing the model to perform more robustly. This second version of the model demonstrates how a hybrid dynamical regime combining spatio-temporal processing of reservoirs, and input driven attracting dynamics generated by the feedback neuron, can be used to solve a complex cognitive task. We compared reservoir activity to neural activity of dorsal anterior cingulate cortex of monkeys which revealed similar network dynamics. We argue that reservoir computing is a pertinent framework to model local cortical dynamics and their contribution to higher cognitive function.
Effects of long-term sucrose overfeeding on rat brown adipose tissue: a structural and immunohistochemical study

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the effects of long-term sucrose overfeeding on functional capacity and ultrastructural characteristics of the rat brown adipose tissue (BAT). For the study, 16 male Wistar rats, chow-fed and kept under standard laboratory conditions, were divided into 2 equal groups. The rats from a control group drank tap water, whereas those from a sucrose overfed group were allowed to drink 10% sucrose solution for 21 days. Structural changes of BAT were analysed at the level of light and electron microscopy on routinely prepared tissue sections or using immunohistochemical staining, in combination with stereological methods. Obtained results have shown that the significantly increased energy intake in sucrose overfed rats did not result in a higher gain of body mass compared with controls. The light microscopy analysis revealed that the BAT acquired the appearance of a thermogenically active tissue, with intensified vascularisation, reduced size of brown adipocytes and increased multilocularity. At the ultrastructural level, mitochondria of brown adipocytes became more abundant, enlarged and contained more cristae in comparison to control animals. The immunoexpression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and noradrenaline, as markers of BAT thermogenic status, was increased, whereas the pattern of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α) was slightly modified. Taken together, the results of this investigation indicated that BAT possesses the ability to increase thermogenic capacity/activity in response to high energy intake and to prevent body mass gain. These findings are particularly relevant in view of recent reports on the existence of functional BAT in adult humans and its potential use to combat obesity. Summary: Three weeks of sucrose overfeeding affects histological organisation, UCP1 and noradrenaline immunoexpression, and stereological characteristics of rat brown adipose tissue in a way that is suggestive of thermogenic activation.