Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electron cloud buildup and impedance effects on beam dynamics in the Future Circular 
e+e−
 Collider and experimental characterization of thin TiZrV vacuum chamber coatings

The Future Circular Collider FCC-ee is a study toward a high luminosity electron-positron collider with a centre-of-mass energy from 91 GeV to 365 GeV. Due to the beam parameters and pipe dimensions, collective effects and electron cloud can be very critical aspects for the machine and can represent the main limitations to its performance. An estimation of the electron cloud build up in the main machine components and an impedance model are required to analyze the induced instabilities and to find solutions for their mitigation. Special attention has been given to the resistive wall impedance associated with a layer of nonevaporable getter (NEG) coating on the vacuum chamber required for electron cloud mitigation. The studies presented in this paper will show that minimizing the thickness of this coating layer is mandatory to increase the single bunch instability thresholds in the proposed lepton collider at 45.6 GeV. For this reason, NEG thin films with thicknesses below 250 nm have been investigated by means of numerical simulations to minimize the resistive wall impedance. In parallel, an extensive measurement campaign was performed at CERN to characterize these thin films, with the purpose of finding the minimum effective thickness satisfying vacuum and electron cloud requirements.
No effect of a homoeopathic combination of Arnica montana and Bryonia alba on bleeding, inflammation, and ischaemia after aortic valve surgery.

AIMS " Arnica montana is a popular homoeopathic treatment with potential haemostatic and anti-inflammatory properties. A homoeopathic combination of A. montana and Bryonia alba was used in aortic valve surgery to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing bleeding, inflammation, pain and myocardial ischaemia. METHODS One day before surgery, 92 adult patients were randomly assigned to a double-blind parallel trial with either homoeopathic granules or a matching placebo until 4 days after surgery. The primary outcome was the volume of blood/liquid in the drains at their removal. The secondary outcomes included postoperative blood/liquid losses at 12 and 24 h as well as C-reactive protein (CRP), pain, temperature and plasma troponin Ic. RESULTS At 12 h and 24 h after surgery, then at drain removal, blood losses in homoeopathy and placebo groups were not statistically significant (362 +/- 218, 520 +/- 269 and 640 +/- 297 ml vs. 456 +/- 440, 620 +/- 477 and 796 +/- 717 ml; P= 0.19, 0.23 and 0.35, respectively). The statistical modelling did not show significantly different patterns of CRP, troponin and body temperature changes or of pain perception. The number of transfused packed red cells was not significantly different either (P= 0.58). Two patients from each group died during the study period and the number of serious adverse events was not statistically different (six in homoeopathy vs. 10 in placebo groups; Fisher's exact test P= 0.41). CONCLUSIONS In the study setting, there was no evidence of effects of A. montana and B. alba combination on bleeding, inflammation, pain or myocardial ischaemia.
Preventing misdiagnosis of epilepsy

Commentary on the papers by Hindley et al (see page214) and Uldall et al (see page219) It has become axiomatic that the rate of misdiagnosis of epilepsy is high. A population based study mainly in adults found a misdiagnosis rate of 23%,1 while 26% of subjects referred to a single adult neurologist with “refractory epilepsy” were found not to have epilepsy.2 Hitherto, hard data in children on this has been lacking. Two studies in this month’s Archives address aspects of this from different perspectives. Hindley et al report an eight year prospective study of the diagnoses made in children referred to a secondary level “fits, faints, and funny turns” clinic in Bury, UK.3 Uldall et al report a retrospective study of the final diagnosis compared to the referral diagnosis of 223 children admitted during 1997 to the Danish Epilepsy Centre which takes referrals from the whole of Denmark.4 Hindley et al found that epilepsy was the diagnosis in only 23% of the children referred.3 The largest diagnostic group was syncope of various sorts (42%). Other relatively common diagnoses were psychological non-epileptic events (8%), daydreaming (5%), night terrors (4%), migraine (3%), benign paroxysmal vertigo (2%), ritualistic movements, including gratification (2%), and parental anxiety/fabricated illness (2%). A miscellany of other conditions, including paroxysmal movement disorders, accounted for 8% of diagnoses. Fourteen per cent of patients remained undiagnosed. Unfortunately, the paper does not give referral diagnoses. It would be disingenuous to suggest that epilepsy was the preferred (or even likely) referral diagnosis in all. However, it is probable that it was suspected in many of those subsequently found not to have epilepsy. Uldall et al found that 39% of those referred to the Danish Epilepsy Centre did not have epilepsy.4 In 17% of referrals …
Evaluation of cardiac output in intensive care using a non‐invasive arterial pulse contour technique (Nexfin®) compared with echocardiography

In this prospective study, cardiac output was measured in 38 intensive care unit patients before and after a fluid challenge, using both pulse contour analysis (Nexfin®; BMEYE, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) and transthoracic echocardiography. The ability of the Nexfin device to detect significant changes in the velocity–time integral was evaluated. The pulse wave could not be detected by the Nexfin device in five patients (13%), leaving 33 patients for analysis. The Nexfin device adequately tracked changes in the velocity–time integral in 20 (61%) patients. Using a cut‐off of a 10% increase in cardiac output estimated by the Nexfin or by echocardiography, the sensitivity of the Nexfin device to detect a response to fluid challenge was 47%, with specificity 81% and accuracy 64%. The percentage error between the Nexfin and echocardiography was 448%; lower limit of agreement −48% (95% CI −62 to −36%) and upper limit of agreement, 32% (95% CI 20–45%). We conclude that the Nexfin device does not adequately track changes in cardiac output in critically ill patients.
Divergence in locomotor performance, ecology, and morphology between two sympatric sister species of desert-dwelling gecko

The functional and evolutionary implications of morphological diversification have been addressed for several groups of vertebrates. Although the mechanisms of gecko adhesion have received considerable attention, little is known regarding locomotor performance of geckos in nature, and how this might relate to morphological diversity. In this study we examine locomotor performance of two sympatric sister species of geckos of the genus Rhoptropus (Rhoptropus afer and Rhoptropus bradfieldi) found in the coastal desert regions of Namibia. One species (R. afer) commonly runs on sandy substrates and moves between isolated rock sheets, whereas the other species (R. bradfieldi) commonly lives and runs on isolated boulders. The morphology of R. afer is extremely divergent from its sister species and all other species in the genus. We initially recorded the inclination of the substrate in which the lizards were found in order to characterize the habitat of each species. We then quantified maximum speed and acceleration on a level 1-m trackway, and also during escapes in the field. We found that R. bradfieldi occupies steeper surfaces than those occupied by R. afer. On the trackway and in nature, R. afer runs faster than R. bradfieldi, although the differences in locomotor performance between the species are greater for the field measurements. Rhoptropus afer commonly runs for more than 2 or 3 m, whereas R. bradfieldi commonly runs less than 50 cm during an escape sprint. Our main conclusions are that: (1) R. afer attains higher maximum speeds when escaping under controlled and field conditions, although the magnitude differs between conditions; and (2) hindlimb morphology correlates with maximum running speed in R. afer, but not in R. bradfieldi. Similar to the well-studied Anolis lizards, we propose that these two gecko species represent distinct and highly divergent ecomorphs. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 101, 860‐869.
Home and the social worlds beyond: exploring influences in the lives of children of mothers with intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND Mothers with intellectual disability are likely to raise their children in socially disadvantaged circumstances, and many face social isolation; however, the impact of a potentially restricted home context on children's social worlds has not been examined. This study was conducted to explore influences in the social worlds of children of mothers with intellectual disability from a child's perspective. METHODS Seven children aged 7 to 11 years took part in at least two semi-structured interviews over a year. Narrative accounts of each child's social interactions were analysed to ascertain if a pattern was present across the group. RESULTS Home was found to influence the children's social interactions elsewhere by providing (or not) predictable routines and rules, and support from a significant adult other than a mother. Home environments were found to influence other social worlds by establishing a foundation for children's expectations about social interactions. CONCLUSIONS The social worlds of school-aged children of mothers with intellectual disability are shaped by influences in the home that cannot be attributed exclusively to having a parent with intellectual disability. Significant adults provide an important support role and can be fulfilled by social service workers when a family-centred approach is applied.
Recent Advances in the Theory of Thermoluminescence and Optically Stimulated Luminescence; Delocalized Transitions

Several theories explain different facets of the phenomena of thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). In the present chapter we concentrate on models dealing with processes occurring when charge carriers are moving between traps and centers through the conduction and valence bands. The processes involved include transitions occurring during excitation and during read-out: optical stimulation in OSL and heating in TL. Older theories explaining the basic properties of first-and second-order kinetics as well as the effects of non-linear dose dependence of TL and OSL are briefly mentioned. More recent models, developed in the last decade are described in more detail. The effects of competition between traps and between centers both during excitation and read-out are discussed in some detail, yielding the interpretation of superlinear dose dependence, non-monotonic dose dependence as well as dose-rate dependence. The theories can also explain the experimentally observed concentration quenching and the prevalence of first-order peaks in various materials. A model for explaining an anomalous heating-rate effect and thermal quenching is discussed. The occurrence of anomalously high or low activation energies and frequency factors, sometimes evaluated by standard peak-shape methods is also briefly discussed. Finally, the recently studied subject of two-electron traps or two-hole centers and their effects on TL and OSL phenomena are discussed.
Performance study of zeroth-, first- and second-order data abstraction and reformation algorithms for wireless sensor networks

An energy-efficient data reporting approach in wireless sensor networks is for each sensor node to report only the selected sensed data to the base station, yet the base station can accurately reconstruct the important information later for decision making. Such a process is known as data abstraction and reformation (DAR). The efficiency of a DAR algorithm can then be defined as the accuracy of data reformation against the percentage of the abstracted data over the full data. This paper studies the zeroth-, first- and second-order DAR algorithms and compares their performances in terms of efficiency and other application-oriented requirements. (6 pages)
Elevated serum milk fat globule‐epidermal growth factor 8 levels in type 2 diabetic patients are suppressed by overweight or obese status

Inflammation is the most important link between obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Although milk fat globule‐epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG‐E8) is a key mediator in anti‐inflammatory responses, its role in obesity and diabetes is not yet completely understood. We aimed to measure MFG‐E8 serum levels and to explore the role of MFG‐E8 in obesity and T2D. Fasting serum MFG‐E8 levels were quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for 168 individuals, whose oral glucose tolerance test was conducted, and levels of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and C‐reactive protein, were measured. The participants were subdivided into 66 newly diagnosed T2D individuals, 44 impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) subjects and 58 healthy controls. Their characteristics were further classified as lean or nonlean for investigation. MFG‐E8 levels were significantly higher in T2D subjects than in healthy controls (P = 0.028). Decreased levels of MFG‐E8 were found in overweight or obese individuals, compared to those in lean subjects, in both the T2D and IGT groups (P < 0.001). Interestingly, MFG‐E8 levels showed a negative correlation with body mass index (BMI) and TNF‐α levels in the total population and the T2D subgroup. Further, BMI and TNF‐α concentrations were found to be independent predictors of MFG‐E8 levels in all subjects. MFG‐E8 levels are elevated in T2D but suppressed by increased adipose tissues, thereby allowing inflammatory factors to rise to high levels. MFG‐E8 may serve as a potential biomarker for obesity and T2D in the clinical setting. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(2):63–71, 2017
The effect of foot hyperpronation on spine alignment in standing position

Background: According to clinical observations, foot hyperpronation is very prevalent and may cause malalignment of the lower extremity, leading to structural and functional deficits in standing and walking. This study aimed at investigating the effect of foot hyperpronation on spine alignment in the standing position. Methods: Thirty-five healthy males with an age range of 18-30 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Evaluation was performed with two examiners in four standing positions (on the floor, and on the wedges angled at 10, 15, and 20 degrees) using a motion analysis system (Zebris). Moreover, each of the measurement methods was repeated for three short times. Paired t- test and repeated measures ANOVA test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Significant differences were observed between all modes in the sacral angle, pelvic inclination, lumbar lordosis, and thoracic kyphosis variables (except between the first and second mode). Finally, a positive correlation was obtained for the examiners and all the variables with an increasing slope of the angle of wedge. Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed sacral angle, pelvic inclination, lumbar lordosis, and thoracic kyphosis were increased with an increase in bilateral foot pronation. In fact, each one of them is a compensatory phenomenon.
Is pruritus an indicator of aquaporin-positive neuromyelitis optica?

Background: Recently, pruritus has been recognised as an important association with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). Objective: To determine the clinical and radiological characteristics of patients with NMOSD and pruritus. Methods and results: Among 57 consecutive patients with NMOSD, 15 (26.3% women) reported pruritus. All had aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies. The mean age was 34.5 ± 9.1 years, age at onset was 31.3 ± 11.0 years and the duration of illness was 3.9 ± 3.1 years. Pruritus preceded the neurological disturbances in all the patients. Predominant patients experienced pruritus in the cervical dermatome (66.7%) followed by cervicothoracic region (13.3%), trigeminal nerve (13.3%) and lumbar region (6.7%). Lesions extending from cervicomedullary junction up to the thoracic segment was the most common site of affection (40%) followed by cervicothoracic (26.7%), cervicomedullary junction to cervical cord (13.3%), cervical cord (6.7%) and thoracic segment (6.7%). Conclusion: This report is one of the largest series reporting the close association of pruritus with onset of neurological symptoms in NMOSD. It highlights the importance of recognising this rare symptom which may help in making a correct diagnosis in a patient with suspected demyelinating disorder. In a patient with NMOSD, early treatment with immunomodulation during pruritus may prevent or minimise occurrence of neurological dysfunction.
γ-Synuclein Expression Is a Malignant Index in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Dysregulation of γ-synuclein (SNCG) has been reported in many cancers; however, its role in cancer development is still controversial. Here, we examined the potential involvement of DNA methylation in regulating SNCG and its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We used 8 OSCC cell lines to investigate SNCG methylation and expression. SNCG methylation was examination by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and bisulfate sequencing. Cells showing a high degree of SNCG methylation were treated with 5-aza (methylation inhibitor), and changes in their methylation and expression profiles were analyzed. Functional effects of SNCG in OSCC were examined by its overexpression and knockdown. Additionally, methylation and expression of SNCG in OSCC tissues were investigated and correlated with clinicopathologic features. All OSCC cells showed detectable SNCG expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and bisulfate sequencing revealed high SNCG expression in SCC25 cells with the unmethylated allele, and their 15 CpG islands were unmethylated. The methylated allele was detected only in OEC-M1 cells exhibiting low SNCG expression, and their CpG islands were partially methylated. 5-aza treatment in OEC-M1 cells attenuated methylation and restored SNCG expression. SNCG overexpression increased colony forming, migration, and invasion abilities in OEC-M1 cells. Silencing SNCG in SCC25 cells suppressed these behaviors. All 25 tumor-adjacent normal tissues were negative for SNCG immunostaining. SNCG upregulation was frequently observed in dysplastic and OSCC tissues. Positive SNCG expression was found in 45% (37 of 82) OSCC tissues. Positive SNCG expression in OSCC significantly correlated with cancer staging and lymph node metastasis. However, SNCG methylation did not correlate with its expression and clinicopathologic variables in OSCC tissues. DNA methylation may participate in regulating SNCG expression in some OSCC cells. SNCG upregulation could be involved in OSCC progression.
Zoonotic Public Health Hazards in Backyard Chickens

Backyard poultry has become increasingly popular in industrialized countries. In addition to keeping chickens for eggs and meat, owners often treat the birds as pets. However, several pathogenic enteric bacteria have the potential for zoonotic transmission from poultry to humans but very little is known about the occurrence of zoonotic pathogens in backyard flocks. The occurrence and the antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella enterica, Campylobacter spp. , Listeria monocytogenes and enteropathogenic Yersinia spp. was studied in 51 voluntary backyard chicken farms in Finland during October 2012 and January 2013. Campylobacter isolates were further characterized by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and the occurrence of ESBL/AmpC‐producing E. coli was investigated. The findings from this study indicate that backyard chickens are a reservoir of Campylobacter jejuni strains and a potential source of C. jejuni infection for humans. Backyard chickens can also carry L. monocytogenes, although their role as a primary reservoir is questionable. Campylobacter coli, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Salmonella enterica were only found sporadically in the faecal and environmental samples of backyard poultry in Finland. No Yersinia enterocolitica carrying the virulence plasmid was isolated. All pathogens were highly susceptible to most of the antimicrobials studied. Only a few AmpC‐ and no ESBL‐producing E. coli were found.
Actions and Events in Interval Temporal Logic

We present a representation of events and action based on interval temporal logic that is significantly more expressive and more natural than most previous AI approaches. The representation is motivated by work in natural language semantics and discourse, temporal logic, and AI planning and plan recognition. The formal basis of the representation is presented in detail, from the axiomatization of time periods to the relationship between actions and events and their effects. The power of the representation is illustrated by applying it to the axiomatization and solution of several standard problems from the AI literature on action and change. An approach to the frame problem based on explanation closure is shown to be both powerful and natural when combined with our representational framework. We also discuss features of the logic that are beyond the scope of many traditional representations, and describe our approach to difficult problems such as external events and simultaneous actions.
Phase II clinical trial of Wilms tumor 1 peptide vaccination for patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme.

OBJECT The object of this study was to investigate the safety and clinical responses of immunotherapy targeting the WT1 (Wilms tumor 1) gene product in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). METHODS Twenty-one patients with WT1/HLA-A*2402-positive recurrent GBM were included in a Phase II clinical study of WT1 vaccine therapy. In all patients, the tumors were resistant to standard therapy. Patients received intra-dermal injections of an HLA-A*2402-restricted, modified 9-mer WT1 peptide every week for 12 weeks. Tumor size, which was obtained by measuring the contrast-enhanced area on magnetic resonance images, was determined every 4 weeks. The responses were analyzed according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 12 weeks after the initial vaccination. Patients who achieved an effective response continued to be vaccinated until tumor progression occurred. Progression-free survival and overall survival after initial WT1 treatment were estimated. RESULTS The protocol was well tolerated; only local erythema occurred at the WT1 vaccine injection site. The clinical responses were as follows: partial response in 2 patients, stable disease in 10 patients, and progressive disease in 9 patients. No patient had a complete response. The overall response rate (cases with complete or partial response) was 9.5%, and the disease control rate (cases with complete or partial response as well as those in which disease was stable) was 57.1%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) period was 20.0 weeks, and the 6-month (26-week) PFS rate was 33.3%. CONCLUSIONS Although a small uncontrolled nonrandomized trial, this study showed that WT1 vaccine therapy for patients with WT1/HLA-A*2402-positive recurrent GBM was safe and produced a clinical response. Based on these results, further clinical studies of WT1 vaccine therapy in patients with malignant glioma are warranted.