Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Device Models to Facilitate the Retrieval of Multimedia Design Information

An engineering team generates information in the form of meeting summaries, progress reports, engineering notes, spreadsheet calculations and CAD drawings. While complete "machine intelligible" models of an artifact design are still difficult to acquire, canned text information or videotapes of meetings are easy to capture but difficult to reuse. Dedal is an interface that facilitates the reuse of design experience by providing an intelligent guide for retrieving text, graphics and videotaped documents. It uses: (1) concepts from a model of the designed artifact to index and query design documents, and (2) a set of heuristics that reason from the model to "pess" where the answers to a question may be documented when the retrieval fails. We observed an engineer asking questions to Dedal to access records of a shock absorber design and found that (1) using a model to index the records significantly increased the precision and recall of the information retrieved when compared with a baseline retrieval system, and (2) the heuristics contributed to this performance by increasing the recall of Dedal by 40%.
Reemergence of Strongyloidiasis, Northern Italy

To the Editor: Strongyloidiasis is a helminth infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, a nematode ubiquitous in tropical and subtropical countries and occasionally reported in temperate countries, including Italy (1). Sources of infection are filariform strongyloid larvae present in soil contaminated by infected feces; the larvae penetrate through the skin of a human host. After the first life cycle, a process of autoinfection begins, which persists indefinitely in the host if the infection is not effectively treated. The infection can remain totally asymptomatic for many years or forever or cause cutaneous (itching and rash), abdominal (epigastric pain, pseudoappendicitis, diarrhea), respiratory (cough, recurrent asthma), and systemic (weight loss, cachexia) symptoms that can be enervating. More importantly, when host immunity is impaired because of a concurrent disease or immunosuppressive therapy (including corticosteroids, sometimes used to treat symptoms of the unrecognized infection or the concurrent eosinophilia), disseminated strongyloidiasis may occur (2–4), causing a massive and almost invariably fatal invasion of virtually all organs and tissues by filariform larvae and even adult worms (Figure), often combined with bacterial superinfection. This complication is believed to be rare but is probably underestimated because of the extreme variability of the clinical presentation.
Radial Nerve Mobilization Reduces Lateral Elbow Pain and Provides Short-Term Relief in Computer Users§

Study Design : Prospective Experimental Study. Background : Computer users may be at risk of lateral elbow pain. It is theorized that adverse mechanical tension can arise in the radial nerve with sustained keyboarding due to sustained static work of the elbow extensor muscles. Neural mobilization has been suggested as a potential treatment. Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of neural mobilization of the radial nerve on a single occasion in terms of its ability to reduce lateral elbow pain. Methods and Analysis : Forty-one computer professionals (Mean age 46.7; S.D. 12.77), who had experienced lateral elbow pain for a mean of 2.87 months were recruited. The participants rated the pain using a verbal, numeric rating scale (NRS). Radial nerve tension was tested using the Upper limb Tension Test (ULTT) for radial nerve in both upper extremities. The radial nerve was mobilized using a series of 8 oscillations and repeated 3 times with a one minute rest in between. The NRS and ULLT were repeated after treatment and the scores compared using a paired t-test by the first author. Results : The mean NRS scores decreased significantly from 5.7 (1.1) to 3.8 (1.4) (p<0.000; t value=8.07). Conclusion : A single session of 3 neural mobilization resulted in a reduction of pain in computer users with lateral elbow pain. A long-term randomized trial is needed to determine the effects sustained over-time.
Personal Exposure to Household Particulate Matter, Household Activities and Heart Rate Variability among Housewives

Background The association between indoor air pollution and heart rate variability (HRV) has been well-documented. Little is known about effects of household activities on indoor air quality and HRV alteration. To investigate changes in HRV associated with changes in personal exposure to household particulate matter (PM) and household activities. Methods We performed 24-h continuous monitoring of electrocardiography and measured household PM exposure among 50 housewives. The outcome variables were log10-transformed standard deviation of normal-to-normal (NN) intervals (SDNN) and the square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent NN intervals (r-MSSD). Household PM was measured as the mass concentration of PM with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm (PM2.5). We used mixed-effects models to examine the association between household PM2.5 exposure and log10-transformed HRV indices. Results After controlling for potential confounders, an interquartile range change in household PM2.5 with 1- to 4-h mean was associated with 1.25–4.31% decreases in SDNN and 0.12–3.71% decreases in r-MSSD. Stir-frying, cleaning with detergent and burning incense may increase household PM2.5 concentrations and modify the effects of household PM2.5 on HRV indices among housewives. Conclusions Indoor PM2.5 exposures were associated with decreased SDNN and r-MSSD among housewives, especially during stir-frying, cleaning with detergent and burning incense.
Automatic Tuning of Sparse Matrix-Vector Multiplication for CRS Format on GPUs

Performance of sparse matrix-vector multiplication (SpMV) on GPUs is highly dependent on the structure of the sparse matrix used in the computation, the computing environment, and the selection of certain parameters. In this paper, we show that the performance achieved using kernel SpMV on GPUs for the compressed row storage (CRS) format depends greatly on optimal selection of a parameter, and we propose an efficient algorithm for the automatic selection of the optimal parameter. Kernel SpMV for the CRS format using automatic parameter selection achieves up to approximately 26% improvement over NVIDIA's CUSPARSE library. The conjugate gradient method is the most popular iterative method for solving sparse systems of linear equations. Kernel SpMV makes up the bulk of the conjugate gradient method calculations. By optimizing SpMV using our approach, the conjugate gradient method performs up to approximately 10% better than CULA Sparse.
Characterizing Microbial Diversity and Damage in Mural Paintings

Abstract Mural paintings are some of the oldest and most important cultural expressions of mankind and play an important role for the understanding of societies and civilizations. These cultural assets have high economic and cultural value and therefore their degradation has social and economic impact. The present work presents a novel microanalytical approach to understand the damages caused by microbial communities in mural paintings. This comprises the characterization and identification of microbial diversity and evaluation of damage promoted by their biological activity. Culture-dependent methods and DNA-based approaches like denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and pyrosequencing are important tools in the isolation and identification of the microbial communities allowing characterization of the biota involved in the biodeterioration phenomena. Raman microspectrometry, infrared spectrometry, and variable pressure scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry are also useful tools for evaluation of the presence of microbial contamination and detection of the alteration products resulting from metabolic activity of the microorganisms. This study shows that the degradation status of mural paintings can be correlated to the presence of metabolically active microorganisms.
Shaping ability of ProTaper gold and WaveOne gold nickel-titanium rotary file in different canal configurations

Objective: This study compared the shaping ability of the ProTaper Gold (PTG) and WaveOne Gold (WOG) systems in simulated L-and S-shaped root canals. Materials and Methods: Forty L-and S-shaped root canals in resin blocks were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10). Each canal was prepared to the standard working length (16 mm) and enlarged to an apical size 25 using PTG set of files in the sequence S1, S2, F1, and F2 at a speed of 300 rpm and a torque of 2.5 N cm until each file reached the working length. For WOG, primary file was used in a reciprocating motion until the working length was achieved. The canals were photographed before and after instrumentation using different colors. The two images were superimposed, five points were selected, and canal widths were measured with image analysis software. The preparation time, instrument failure, and presence of aberrations were noted and compared between systems. Results: Findings revealed a highly significant difference (P < 0.001) in preparation time between instruments. A total of nine aberrations in the danger zones of PTG/L-shaped (1), PTG/S-shaped (4), WOG/L-shaped (1), and WOG/S-shaped (3), canals were noted. WOG/L-shaped canals were wider at the canal orifice than PTG/L-shaped canals (P < 0.05), but PTG use resulted in a greater width at the halfway point of the straight section and the beginning of the curve than WOG (P < 0.05). PTG/S-shaped root canals were wider at the beginning of the first curve of the prepared canal (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The WOG system demonstrated better shaping ability, fewer canal aberrations, and more rapid preparation than the PTG system. All files straightened the curvature of multicurved canals in the apical region.
Selective Fetoscopic Laser Photocoagulation of Superficial Placental Anastomoses for the Treatment of Severe Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To report our initial institutional experience with fetoscopic laser photocoagulation of placental anastomoses in severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome using a 1.0 mm endoscope. METHODS: Between July 2006 and June 2008, 19 monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies complicated by severe TTTS (Quintero stages III and IV) underwent fetoscopic laser therapy. Perinatal data were prospectively collected and compared according to the Quintero stages. RESULTS: Nine patients were classified as stage III and ten as stage IV. The Mean gestational ages at diagnosis and procedure were 20 (range: 17–25) and 22.0 (range: 19.0–26.0) weeks, respectively, with no statistical difference between the two groups. Preterm premature rupture of the membranes occurred in two cases (10.5%), and spontaneous preterm delivery in eight (42.1%). Overall mean gestational age at delivery was 32.1 (range: 26.0–38.0) weeks. Prematurity was more severe in stage IV patients (p<0.01). Among all cases, the overall survival rate was 52.6%, and the percentages of pregnancies with survival of both babies and at least one twin were 26.3% and 78.9%, respectively. In the case of stage III patients, the overall survival rate was 61.1%. Of the stage III pregnancies, 33.3% resulted in both babies surviving, and 88.9% of these pregnancies resulted in at least one surviving twin. For stage IV, as the corresponding statistics were 45.0%, 20.0% and 70.0% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial institutional experience with 1.0 mm fetoscopic laser therapy for severe TTTS showed results similar to those reported in the literature for larger endoscopes.
Accelerated evolution and coevolution drove the evolutionary history of AGPase sub-units during angiosperm radiation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) is a key enzyme of starch biosynthesis. In the green plant lineage, it is composed of two large (LSU) and two small (SSU) sub-units encoded by paralogous genes, as a consequence of several rounds of duplication. First, our aim was to detect specific patterns of molecular evolution following duplication events and the divergence between monocotyledons and dicotyledons. Secondly, we investigated coevolution between amino acids both within and between sub-units. METHODS A phylogeny of each AGPase sub-unit was built using all gymnosperm and angiosperm sequences available in databases. Accelerated evolution along specific branches was tested using the ratio of the non-synonymous to the synonymous substitution rate. Coevolution between amino acids was investigated taking into account compensatory changes between co-substitutions. KEY RESULTS We showed that SSU paralogues evolved under high functional constraints during angiosperm radiation, with a significant level of coevolution between amino acids that participate in SSU major functions. In contrast, in the LSU paralogues, we identified residues under positive selection (1) following the first LSU duplication that gave rise to two paralogues mainly expressed in angiosperm source and sink tissues, respectively; and (2) following the emergence of grass-specific paralogues expressed in the endosperm. Finally, we found coevolution between residues that belong to the interaction domains of both sub-units. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the view that coevolution among amino acid residues, especially those lying in the interaction domain of each sub-unit, played an important role in AGPase evolution. First, within SSU, coevolution allowed compensating mutations in a highly constrained context. Secondly, the LSU paralogues probably acquired tissue-specific expression and regulatory properties via the coevolution between sub-unit interacting domains. Finally, the pattern we observed during LSU evolution is consistent with repeated sub-functionalization under 'Escape from Adaptive Conflict', a model rarely illustrated in the literature.
The Pathophysiology of Primary Hip Osteoarthritis may Originate from Bone Alterations

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether bone alterations detected by hip magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were associated with subsequent primary hip OA. Methods: We enrolled 7 patients with hip joint pain from their first visit, at which hip joints were classified as grade 0 or I on the Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale. Plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed on all cases, and pain was assessed with the Denis pain scale. Average age, height, weight, body mass index, bone mineral density (L1-4), central edge angle, Sharp’s angle, and acetabular hip index were calculated. Results: Within two months of the onset of pain, 4 of the 7 cases showed broad bone signal changes, while 3 cases showed local signal changes in the proximal femur on hip MRI. Three to 6 months after the onset of pain, in all patients whose pain was much improved, plain radiographs showed progression to further-stage OA. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that bone abnormalities in the proximal femur might be involved in the pathogenesis of primary hip OA.
EQUILIBRATED RESIDUAL ERROR ESTIMATOR FOR MAXWELL ’ S EQUATIONS

A posteriori error estimates without generic constants can be obtained by a comparison of the finite element solution with a feasible function for the dual problem. A cheap computation of such functions via equilibration is well-known for scalar equations of second order. We simplify and modify the equilibration such that it can be applied to Maxwell’s equations and edge elements. The construction is more involved for edge elements since the equilibration has to be performed on subsets with different dimensions. For this reason, Raviart–Thomas elements are extended in the spirit of distributions.
Comparison of canal transportation and centering ability of wave one and hyflex CM rotary endodontic system by using computed tomography an in-vitro study

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the canal transportation and centering ability of ‘WaveOne’ (WO) and ‘HyFlex-CM’ in moderately curved mesiobucal canals of mandibular first molars. Methods: Forty extracted teeth with moderately curved mesiobuccal canals were selected for the study. Conventional access was performed and the samples were divided into two experimental groups of 20 teeth each. Group A and group B were prepared by using WaveOne and HyFlex CM respectively. Canal transportation and canal centering ability at coronal, middle and apical third were assessed using computed tomography (CT). The two groups were statistically analysed using One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique adjusted for multiple comparisons using Tukey’s method in each group, followed by unpaired t test to evaluate inter-group comparison. The significance was set at P<0.05. Results: Less canal transportation and better centering ability occurred with the Hyflex CM file system (P>0.05). The WaveOne file system remained centered but showed significant canal transportation in the coronal and middle third of the canal (P<0.05). In the inter-group comparison Hyflex CM group caused significantly less canal transportation at the middle third and superior canal centering ability at the middle and apical thirds (P>0.05). Conclusion: The ‘HyFlex-CM’ rotary system demonstrated the best results for all the variables measured in this study.
Two questions on the class group of cyclotomic fields and on Iwasawa-Leopoldt conjecture

This article deals with a study of the structure of the class group of cyclotomic fields Q(ζ p) for p prime number, starting from Stickelberger relation. The present state of this work leads me to set a question for all the prime numbers h = p which divide the relative class number h − (Q(ζ p) and a question connected with Iwasawa-Leopoldt conjecture when p divides the class number h(Q(ζ p) +). The answer that I think the more likely to the second question should imply a proof of Iwasawa-Leopoldt conjecture 1 Some definitions • Let p be an odd prime. Let ζ be a primitive p-th root of unity. Let K = Q(ζ) be the p-cyclotomic field. Let C − be the relative class group of K. Let h be a prime, let us note C(h) the p-Sylow subgroup of C −. Let h − (K) be the relative class number of K. Let K + be the maximal totally real subfield of K. Let h(K +) be the class group of K +. Let G be the Galois group of the extension K/Q. Let v be a primitive root mod p. Let σ be the generator of G given by σ : ζ → ζ v. For n ∈ Z, let us note v n for v n = v n mod p with 1 ≤ v n ≤ p − 1.
American Journal of Epidemiology Original Contribution Metabolic Syndrome in Early Pregnancy and Risk of Preterm Birth

The authors determined the association between metabolic syndrome in early pregnancy (mean, 11.96 weeks) and the risk of preterm birth in the mother-child cohort study (''Rhea'' Study) in Crete, Greece, 2007–2009. Maternal fasting serum samples were collected, and blood pressure was measured at the time of the first major ultrasound examination (n ¼ 625). Multivariable log-binomial regression models were used. Women with metabolic syndrome were at high risk for preterm birth (relative risk (RR) ¼ 2.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.53, 5.58), with the highest risk observed for medically indicated preterm births (RR ¼ 5.13, 95% CI: 1.97, 13.38). Among the components of metabolic syndrome, the most significant risk factor was hypertension (RR ¼ 2.32, 95% CI: 1.28, 4.20). An elevation of 10 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure increased the relative risk for preterm birth by 29% (RR ¼ 1.29, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.53), while a per unit increase in the low density lipoprotein/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio increased this risk by 19% in early pregnancy. These findings suggest that women with metabolic syndrome in early pregnancy had higher risk for preterm birth. The metabolic syndrome is described as a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that appear to directly promote the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and are characterized by chronic low-grade systemic inflammation (1–3). It is associated with the rising incidence of obesity in developed countries and is reaching epidemic proportions affecting between 24% and 34% of the US population (4) and up to 36% of Europeans aged 40–55 years (5). In a recent study in Greece, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 25% in adult men and 15% in women according to the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III, definition (6). Metabolic syndrome is not a universally accepted entity and, although certain cardiovascular risk factors undoubtedly occur together more often than expected by chance, the underlying pathophysiology of the syndrome is unclear (7). A substantial body of epidemiologic evidence suggests that a poor in utero environment elicited by maternal dietary or placental insufficiency may ''program'' susceptibility in the fetus to later development of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Moreover, epidemiologic studies suggest that women who deliver preterm (8, 9) or low-birth-weight infants (10, 11) have a higher risk later in life for cardiovascular disease. The metabolic profile of pregnant women who give birth to preterm or fetal growth-restricted neonates is not well investigated. A plausible hypothesis is …
Increased operation reliability of HV apparatus through PD monitoring

In this article, the challenges with continuous partial discharge (PD) monitoring of HV power cables, transformers and rotating machines are presented. A versatile partial discharge monitoring system is described that is applicable to different high-voltage equipment and can be connected to a vast range of sensors. In the case of power cables, the paper deals with continuous monitoring of a 420 kV XLPE cable system in an underground tunnel. The method that can simultaneously detect and locate partial discharges at all accessories is described. In the case of transformers, partial discharges are measured at the bushing measuring taps and in the UHF range with an antenna installed within the transformer tank. The experience gathered from PD monitoring to assess the condition of turbo and hydro generator stator winding insulation is also presented in the paper. The advanced features for noise and PD defects separation based on synchronous multi-channel techniques are shown. Case studies are included, which indicate that critical defects can be detected early and their evolution can be monitored.
Scalable Routing in SDN-enabled Networks with Consolidated Middleboxes

Middleboxes are special network devices that perform various functions such as enabling security and efficiency. SDN-based routing approaches in networks with middleboxes need to address resource constraints, such as memory in the switches and processing power of middleboxes, and traversal constraint where a flow must visit the required middleboxes in a specific order. In this work we propose a solution based on MultiPoint-To-Point Trees (MPTPT) for routing traffic in SDN-enabled networks with consolidated middleboxes. We show both theoretically and via simulations that our solution significantly reduces the number of routing rules in the switches, while guaranteeing optimum throughput and meeting processing requirements. Additionally, the underlying algorithm has low complexity making it suitable in dynamic network environment.