Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Passive flow regulators for drug delivery and hydrocephalus treatment

Passive flow regulators are usually intended to deliver or drain a fluid at a constant rate independently from pressure variations. New designs of passive flow regulators made of a stack of a silicon membrane anodically bonded to a Pyrex substrate are proposed. A first design has been built for the derivation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) towards peritoneum for hydrocephalus treatment. The device allows draining CSF at the patient production rate independently from postural changes. The flow rate is regulated at 20 ml/h in the range 10 to 40 mbar. Specific features to adjust in vivo the nominal flow rate are shown. A second design including high pressure shut-off feature has been made. The intended use is drug delivery with pressurized reservoir of typically 100 to 300 mbar. In both cases, the membrane comprises several holes facing pillars in the Pyrex substrate. These pillars are machined in a cavity which ensures a gap between the membrane and the pillars at rest. The fluid in the pressurized reservoir is directly in contact with the top surface of the membrane, inducing its deflection towards Pyrex substrate and closing progressively the fluidic pathway through each hole of the membrane. Since the membrane deflection is highly non-linear, FEM simulations have been performed to determine both radial position and diameter of the membrane holes that ensure a constant flow rate for a given range of pressure.
Evaluation of Cytomegalovirus DNAaemia versus pp65-Antigenaemia Cutoff for Guiding Preemptive therapy in Transplant Recipients: A Randomized Study

Methods A bicentre, randomized, prospective open-label study aimed at defining a DNAaemia versus antigenaemia cutoff for guiding preemptive therapy of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) was completed. Overall, 99 patients were enrolled in the DNAaemia arm and 101 patients in the antigenaemia arm. Patients were randomized to be monitored for HCMV infection in the blood by either assay. Antiviral treatment was started in both seropositive and seronegative patients when levels greater than 300,000 DNA copies/ml blood or 100 pp65-positive leukocytes in the relevant arm were reached. Results HCMV infection was detected in 81/99 (81.8%) patients in the DNAaemia arm and in 87/101 (86.1%) patients in the antigenaemia arm (P=ns). Antiviral treatment was given to 23/99 (23.0%) patients in the DNAaemia arm and 42/101 (41.0%) patients in the antigenaemia arm (P=0.01). In the DNAaemia arm, antiviral therapy was significantly delayed and duration of the first course of treatment was significantly greater than in the antigenaemia arm. However, total duration of treatment was comparable in the two arms. No case of HCMV disease occurred in patients treated after reaching the relevant cutoff. However, four patients (three in the antigenaemia arm, and one in the DNAaemia arm) suffered from HCMV disease prior to reaching the relevant cutoff. Conclusions Compared with antigenaemia, a single DNAaemia cutoff: (i) significantly reduces the number of patients requiring treatment; (ii) may be safely adopted to guide preemptive therapy of both primary and reactivated HCMV infections in SOTR; and (iii) does not significantly modify the overall duration of treatment.
On the Convergence Properties of Optimal AdaBoost

AdaBoost is one of the most popular machine-learning algorithms. It is simple to implement and often found very effective by practitioners, while still being mathematically elegant and theoretically sound. AdaBoost's behavior in practice, and in particular the test-error behavior, has puzzled many eminent researchers for over a decade: It seems to defy our general intuition in machine learning regarding the fundamental trade-off between model complexity and generalization performance. In this paper, we establish the convergence of "Optimal AdaBoost," a term coined by Rudin, Daubechies, and Schapire in 2004. We prove the convergence, with the number of rounds, of the classifier itself, its generalization error, and its resulting margins for fixed data sets, under certain reasonable conditions. More generally, we prove that the time/per-round average of almost any function of the example weights converges. Our approach is to frame AdaBoost as a dynamical system, to provide sufficient conditions for the existence of an invariant measure, and to employ tools from ergodic theory. Unlike previous work, we do not assume AdaBoost cycles; actually, we present empirical evidence against it on real-world datasets. Our main theoretical results hold under a weaker condition. We show sufficient empirical evidence that Optimal AdaBoost always met the condition on every real-world dataset we tried. Our results formally ground future convergence-rate analyses, and may even provide opportunities for slight algorithmic modifications to optimize the generalization ability of AdaBoost classifiers, thus reducing a practitioner's burden of deciding how long to run the algorithm.
Subject Areas : Cosmology , Gravitation A Viewpoint on : Novel Test of Modified Newtonian Dynamics with Gas Rich Galaxies

The rotation curve of a galaxy is the orbital speed of material as a function of distance from the center of the galaxy. In the 1970s, the astronomer Vera Rubin measured the rotation curves of several of the nearest spiral galaxies. To her astonishment, the curves remained flat beyond the edge of the galaxy’s stellar disc [1]. Under the standard theory of gravity this implies that the mass in the outskirts of these systems far outweighs that of the detected gas and stars. Today, the flatness of spiral galaxy rotation curves remains key evidence for dark matter, which, broadly defined, is matter that obeys the law of gravity but does not emit any light.
Monitoring Structural Changes in Econometric Models

The problem of sequential detection and diagnosis of structural changes in stochastic multivariate systems on the basis of sequential observations has many applications, including detection of changes in parameters of regression equations, testing adequacy of econometric models, fault detection and isolation in complex dynamical systems. There is an extensive statistical and econometric literature dealing with methods of solving these problems. Page (1954) considered the cumulative sums (CUSUM) test for detection of possible changes in the distribution function (d.f.) of a sequence of independent observations. Girshick and Rubin (1952) proposed a quasi-Bayesian test for solving the same problem. In 1959 Kolmogorov and Shiryaev proposed the formal statement of the problem of "quickiest detection of spontaneous effects" which was later called the "disorder problem". Shiryaev in 1959-1965 found the optimal solution of this problem for the situation of full a priori information on the distribution function (d.f.) of observations and a change-point. This test coincides with the Girshick-Rubin test is therefore called the GRSh (Girshick-Rubin-Shiryaev) test. In the situation when there is no a priori information on a change-point, Lorden (1971), Pollack (1985), and Moustakides (1986) proved that CUSUM and GRSh tests are asymptotically optimal in the problem of sequential detection of an abrupt change in the one-dimensional d.f. of independent observations. Willsky (1976), Willsky and Jones (1976) pioneered research into sequential detection of abrupt changes in stochastic dynamical systems. Stochastic "noises" in such systems were assumed to be Gaussian and structural changes were interpreted as spontaneously emerging additive terms in equations of considered systems. For detection of these structural changes, the innovation process of the Kalman filter was used. Different methods generalising these ideas for sequential change-point detection in stochastic dynamical systems
Aeromonas spp. and Traveler’s Diarrhea: Clinical Features and Antimicrobial Resistance

Traveler’s diarrhea is the most common health problem of international travelers. We determined the prevalence of Aeromonas spp. associated with traveler’s diarrhea and analyzed the geographic distribution, clinical features, and antimicrobial susceptibility. Aeromonas spp. were isolated as a cause of traveler’s diarrhea in 18 (2%) of 863 patients. A. veronii biotype sobria was isolated in nine patients, A. caviae in seven patients, and A. jandai and A. hydrophila in one patient each. Aeromonas spp. were isolated with a similar prevalence in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Watery and persistent diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps were common complaints. All strains were resistant to ampicillin; showed variable resistance to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and cotrimoxazole; and were susceptible to cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, and nalidixic acid. The persistence of symptoms made antimicrobial treatment necessary.
Inhibition of Hill Reaction by 2-Azido-s-triazine Derivatives: QSAR Study with Molecular Connectivity Indices

Abstract 2-A zido-s-T riazines, Connectivity Indices. Inhibition of Hill Reaction. Photosystem II, OSAR Modelling This study was undertaken to find a simple and accurate structural parameters for the quantitative description of inhibitory potency of 2-azido-s-triazines in Hill reaction and to gain more information about the mechanism of inhibition on molecular level. A very good correlation (r = 0.946) was obtained between the pl50 values (the negative logarithm of the molar concentration that causes 50% inhibition) and the valence zero-order and the difference between the second-order and the valence second-order molecular connectivity indices. This model, when com pared with the empirical models based on the 1-octano/water partition coefficients and the chromatographic retention data, shows superior performance in accuracy and range of applicability. In addition, the direct correspondence between molecular structure and above connectivity indices makes it possible to locate structural features responsible for the inhibitory potency of 2-azido-s-triazines in Hill reaction. From our OSAR analysis, the interaction between the chloroplast receptor site and 2-azido-s-triazines, which causes inhibition of Hill reaction, is primarily influenced by the size of alkylamino substituents and it accounts for the most variation in the pl50 data. The structural features of secondary importance that control the magnitude of pl50’s are the polarity of alkylamino chains and the degree of branching on alpha carbon atom of R:alkylamino substituent. Com pared with the main factor, the size of alkylamino substituents, they can be viewed as a fine tuning elements for the inhibitory potency of 2-azido-s-triazines.
The Economics of Reprocessing versus Direct Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel

We assess the economics of reprocessing versus direct disposal of spent fuel. The uranium price at which reprocessing spent fuel from light water reactors (LWRs) and recycling the resulting plutonium and uranium in LWRs would become economic is estimated for a range of reprocessing prices and other fuel cycle costs. The contribution of both fuel cycle options to the cost of electricity is also estimated. A similar analysis is performed to compare fast neutron reactors (FRs) with LWRs. We review available information about various fuel cycle costs, as well as the quantities of uranium likely to be recoverable at a range of future prices. We conclude that the once-through LWR fuel cycle is likely to remain significantly cheaper than recycling in either LWRs or FRs for at least the next 50 yr, even with substantial growth in nuclear power.
The Expression of SPARC in Human Intracranial Aneurysms and Its Relationship with MMP-2/-9

Objective SPARC is a key determinant of invasion and metastasis in some tumors, such as gliomas, melanomas and prostate tumors. SPARC can change the composition and structure of the matrix and promote angiogenesis; these effects are closely related to clinical stage and the prognosis of tumors such as meningiomas. However, little is known about the expression of SPARC in intracranial aneurysms. The goal of this study was to establish the role of SPARC in human intracranial aneurysms. Methods Thirty-one intracranial aneurysms were immunohistochemically stained for SPARC, MMP-2 and MMP-9. As controls, normal Circle of Willis arteries were similarly immunostained. All specimens were retrieved during autopsies and were embedded in paraffin. To evaluate the expression levels of SPARC, MMP-2 and MMP-9, western blotting was also performed in three available intracranial aneurysm specimens. The limited availability of fresh intracranial aneurysm tissue was the result of the majority of patients choosing endovascular embolization. Results The results showed that SPARC, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were strongly expressed in intracranial aneurysm tissues; however, these proteins were expressed minimally or not at all in normal Circle of Willis arteries. The western blot results showed that the expression levels of SPARC, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly up-regulated in intracranial aneurysms relative to the expression levels in the normal Circle of Willis arteries. Data analysis showed that SPARC was significantly correlated with MMP-2 and MMP-9, also with age and risk factors but not with the Hunt-Hess grade or with sex. Conclusion The results indicate that SPARC is widely expressed in human intracranial aneurysms, and its expression correlates with MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, age and risk factors but not with the Hunt-Hess grade. The results of this study suggest that SPARC has a pathogenic role in the alteration of the extracellular matrix of intracranial arteries during aneurysm formation.
Network Dynamics and Field Evolution: The Growth of Interorganizational Collaboration in the Life Sciences1

A recursive analysis of network and institutional evolution is offered to account for the decentralized structure of the commercial field of the life sciences. Four alternative logics of attachment—accumulative advantage, homophily, follow‐the‐trend, and multiconnectivity—are tested to explain the structure and dynamics of interorganizational collaboration in biotechnology. Using multiple novel methods, the authors demonstrate how different rules for affiliation shape network evolution. Commercialization strategies pursued by early corporate entrants are supplanted by universities, research institutes, venture capital, and small firms. As organizations increase their collaborative activities and diversify their ties to others, cohesive subnetworks form, characterized by multiple, independent pathways. These structural components, in turn, condition the choices and opportunities available to members of a field, thereby reinforcing an attachment logic based on differential connections to diverse partners.
Thermo-mechanical processing of austenitic steel to mitigate surface related degradation

Thermo-mechanical processing plays an important role in materials property optimization through microstructure modification, required by demanding modern materials applications. Due to the critical role of austenitic stainless steels, such as 316L, as structural components in harsh environments, e.g. in nuclear power plants, improved degradation resistance is desirable. A novel two-dimensional plane strain machining process has shown promise achieving significant grain size refinement through severe plastic deformation (SPD) and imparting large strains in the surface and subsurface regions of the substrate in various metals and alloys. The deformation process creates a heavily deformed 20 – 30 micron thick nanocrystalline surface layer with increased hardness and minimal martensite formation. Post-deformation processing annealing treatments have been applied to assess stability of the refined scale microstructures and the potential for obtaining grain boundary engineered microstructures with increased fraction of low-energy grain boundaries and altered grain boundary network structure. Varying the deformation and heat treatment process parameters, allows for development of a full understanding of the nanocrystalline layer and cross-section of the surface substrate created. Micro-characterization was performed using hardness measurements, magnetometry, x-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy to assess property and microstructural changes. This study provides a fundamental understanding of two-dimensional plane strain machining as a thermo-mechanical processing technique, which may in the future deliver capabilities for creating grain boundary engineered surface modified components, typified by a combination of grain refinement with improved grain boundary network interconnectivity attributes suitable for use in harsh environments, such as those in commercial nuclear power plants where improved resistance to irradiation stress corrosion cracking is desirable.
Persistent telomere cohesion triggers a prolonged anaphase

Telomeres use distinct mechanisms to mediate cohesion between sister chromatids. However, the motivation for a specialized mechanism is not well understood. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and live-cell imaging show that persistent sister chromatid cohesion at telomeres triggers a prolonged anaphase in normal human cells and cancer cells.
Estimation of Specific Salivary Enzymatic Biomarkers in Individuals with Gingivitis and Chronic Periodontitis: A Clinical and Biochemical Study

Background: Host response to periodontal disease includes the release of different enzymes from stromal, epithelial or inflammatory cells. The enzymes which are produced from these cells are associated with cell injury and cell death like: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Normal enzymatic activity of these enzymes is necessary for healthy functioning of gingiva and periodontium. The aim of the study is to estimate the levels of enzymes AST, ALT, ALP and BUN and to correlate the level of estimated enzymes with that of clinical parameters in the saliva of Healthy subjects, Gingivitis patients and patients with chronic periodontitis. Methods: The study included a total of 40 male subjects within the age group of 21 to 50 years, and examined the activity of enzymes AST, ALT, ALP and BUN in saliva spectrophotometrically and compared their values between healthy subjects, gingivitis and chronic periodontitis patients. Clinical parameters like OHI – S (Oral hygiene index - Simplified, SBI (Sulcus Bleeding Index), PPD (Probing Pocket Depth), CAL (Clinical Attachment Level), and PI (Periodontal Index) were recorded. Results: Obtained results showed statistically significant increases of activity of AST, ALT, ALP, and BUN in saliva from patients with periodontal disease (p<0.001) in relation to gingivitis and control groups. There was also an increase in periodontal parameters with an increase in salivary enzymes. Conclusion: The present study shows that the salivary enzyme activity can be used as biomarkers to determine periodontal tissue damage, which may be useful in diagnosis, prognosis and evaluation of post therapy effects in periodontal disease.
The Analysis of Protein-Protein Interactions in Plants by Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation

Following the complete genome sequencing of different plant species such as Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ), rice ( Oryza sativa ), and Physcomitrella ( Physcomitrella patens ), as well as advances toward deciphering entire proteomes, the need for a reliable way to identify protein-protein
Measuring Adherence to Medication in Schizophrenia: The Relationship between Attitudes toward Drug Therapy and Plasma Levels of New-Generation Antipsychotics

Background: Nonadherence to medication is still a major problem in the treatment of schizophrenia. The current longitudinal study investigated whether the patients’ attitudes toward treatment correlated with the ratio of observed vs expected plasma levels of antipsychotic drugs as an objective measurement of adherence. Methods: Data of patients starting monotherapy with a new-generation antipsychotic were collected 2, 4, and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment. Next to the assessment of patients’ attitudes toward medication by means of the Drug Attitude Inventory, the ratio of the observed vs expected plasma level was calculated. Antipsychotic-induced side effects were evaluated by means of the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser Side Effect Rating Scale. Results: A total of 93 patients were eligible for statistical analysis. About one-half of the ratios of observed vs expected plasma levels ranged from 0.5 to 2 and were considered normal, whereas the other ratios were considered either too low (<0.5) or too high (>2). No consistent correlation between patients’ attitude toward drug therapy and the individual ratios of observed vs expected plasma levels of medication was detected. This finding was not affected by side effects. Conclusions: Our results highlight the importance of recognizing the complex nature of adherence to medication in schizophrenia patients. Importantly, we found no consistent correlation between subjective and objective measures of medication adherence. Therefore, monitoring adherence to medication remains a challenge in clinical practice.
Ciguatera fish poisoning: A double-blind randomized trial of mannitol therapy

BackgroundCiguatera poisoning (CP) is worldwide the most common fish-borne illness and one of the most common forms of nonbacterial food poisoning. IV mannitol is considered the treatment of choice for CP but has not been evaluated in a double-blind randomized trial. MethodsA prospective clinical study of 50 patients with CP on Rarotonga, Cook Islands, was conducted to better define the neurologic picture of CP and to study the effect of mannitol or normal saline under double-blind randomized conditions over a 24-hour period. ResultsThe neurologic presentation of CP was that of a predominantly sensory, length-dependent polyneuropathy, with preferential small-fiber involvement. Motor paresis, cranial nerve dysfunction, and CNS abnormalities were absent but for a rare mild transitory cerebellar syndrome. At 24 hours, 96% of mannitol-treated patients and 92% of normal saline-treated patients had some improvement of symptoms (p = 1.0), whereas 12% and 24% of patients in each group were asymptomatic (p = 0.46). By 24 hours, the prevalence of the various polyneuropathic symptoms and signs was reduced roughly by half in both groups. Discomfort or pain along the vein used for infusion was more frequent in the mannitol group (84%) than in the normal saline group (36%) (p = 0.0015). ConclusionMannitol was not superior to normal saline in relieving symptoms and signs of CP at 24 hours in this study population but had more side effects. These results do not support single-dose mannitol as standard treatment for CP.