Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Jacobi Correction Equation, Line Search, and Conjugate Gradients in Hermitian Eigenvalue Computation I: Computing an Extreme Eigenvalue

This paper is concerned with the convergence properties of iterative algorithms of conjugate gradient type applied to the computation of an extreme eigenvalue of a Hermitian operator via the optimization of the Rayleigh quotient functional. The algorithms in focus employ the line search for the extremum of the Rayleigh quotient functional in the direction that is a linear combination of the gradient and the previous search direction. An asymptotically explicit equation for the reduction in the eigenvalue error after the line search step as a function of the search direction is derived and applied to the analysis of the local convergence properties (i.e., the error reduction after an iteration) of the algorithms in question. The local (stepwise) asymptotic equivalence of various conjugate gradient algorithms and the generalized Davidson method is proved, and a new convergence estimate for conjugate gradient iterations is derived, showing the reduction in the eigenvalue error after any two consecutive iterations. The paper's analysis extensively employs remarkable properties of the operator of the so-called Jacobi orthogonal complement correction equation.
1 Trend Filtering

The problem of estimating underlying trends in time series data arises in a variety of disciplines. In this paper we propose a variation on Hodrick-Prescott (H-P) filtering, a widely used method for trend estimation. The proposed $\ell_1$ trend filtering method substitutes a sum of absolute values (i.e., $\ell_1$ norm) for the sum of squares used in H-P filtering to penalize variations in the estimated trend. The $\ell_1$ trend filtering method produces trend estimates that are piecewise linear, and therefore it is well suited to analyzing time series with an underlying piecewise linear trend. The kinks, knots, or changes in slope of the estimated trend can be interpreted as abrupt changes or events in the underlying dynamics of the time series. Using specialized interior-point methods, $\ell_1$ trend filtering can be carried out with not much more effort than H-P filtering; in particular, the number of arithmetic operations required grows linearly with the number of data points. We describe the method and some of its basic properties and give some illustrative examples. We show how the method is related to $\ell_1$ regularization-based methods in sparse signal recovery and feature selection, and we list some extensions of the basic method.
State-Constrained Optimal Control of Semilinear Elliptic Equations with Nonlocal Radiation Interface Conditions

We consider a control- and state-constrained optimal control problem governed by a semilinear elliptic equation with nonlocal interface conditions. These conditions occur during the modeling of diffuse-gray conductive-radiative heat transfer. The nonlocal radiation interface condition and the pointwise state constraints represent the particular features of this problem. To deal with the state constraints, continuity of the state is shown, which allows us to derive first-order necessary conditions. Afterwards, we establish second-order sufficient conditions that account for strongly active sets and ensure local optimality in an $L^2$-neighborhood.
A Continuum Theory of Chiral Smectic C Liquid Crystals

We formulate a nonlinear continuum theory of flow of chiral smectic C liquid crystals (C*) involving molecular director, layer order parameter, polarization vector, flow velocity, and hydrostatic pressure fields. In addition to chiral orientational ordering, smectic C* phases also present positional ordering, with molecular centers of mass arranged in one dimensional layers. The nonzero tilt angle of the molecular director with respect to the layer normal together with the chirality is responsible for the ferroelectric nature of the phase. This results in a stronger coupling with applied electric fields than the dielectric nematic. We apply the model to study the molecular reorientation dynamics in homeotropic geometry under the influence of an applied electric field. The switching process between states with opposite polarization is understood by the traveling wave solution of the system. We prove existence and uniqueness of the traveling wave and show that the predicted switching time is smaller than th.
Polymorphisms Identified through Genome-Wide Association Studies and Their Associations with Type 2 Diabetes in Chinese, Malays, and Asian-Indians in Singapore.

Context: Novel type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) susceptibility loci, identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), have been replicated in many European and Japanese populations. However, the association in other East Asian populations is less well characterized. Objective: To examine the effects of SNPs in CDKAL1, CDKN2A/B, IGF2BP2, HHEX, SLC30A8, PKN2, LOC387761, and KCNQ1 on risk of T2DM in Chinese, Malays, and Asian-Indians in Singapore. Design: We genotyped these candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in subjects from three major ethnic groups in Asia, namely, the Chinese (2196 controls and 1541 cases), Malays (2257 controls and 1076 cases), and Asian-Indians (364 controls and 246 cases). We also performed a metaanalysis of our results with published studies in East Asians. Results: In Chinese, SNPs in CDKAL1 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.19; P = 2 × 10−4], HHEX (OR = 1.15; P = 0.013), and KCNQ1 (OR = 1.21; P = 3 × 10−4) were significantly associated with T2DM. Among Malays, SNPs in CDKN.
Unknown Input and State Estimation for Unobservable Systems

The concept of strong detectability and its relation with the concept of invariant zeros is reviewed. For strongly detectable systems (which includes the strongly observable systems), it is proposed a hierarchical design of a robust observer whose trajectories converge to those of the original state vector. Furthermore, it is shown that neither left invertibility is a sufficient condition nor strong detectability is a necessary condition to estimate the unknown inputs. It is shown that the necessary and sufficient condition for estimating the unknown inputs is that the set of the invariant zeros that do not belong to the set of unobservable modes be within the interior of the left half plane of the complex space. This shows that the unknown inputs could be estimated even if it is impossible to estimate the entire state vector of the system. Two numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed estimation schemes.
On a Linear Stability Problem Related to Underground CO2 Storage

The analysis of gravitational instability of a diffusive boundary layer in porous media has been addressed in several papers over the years. In this paper we consider the linear stability problem for an infinite depth aquifer with anisotropic absolute permeability. We derive an explicit expression for the time evolution equations of the generalized Fourier coefficients corresponding to the linear stability problem. This allows us to study linear stability properties through the spectra of infinite symmetric matrices, showing excellent agreement with previously published results derived using the so-called quasi-static method.
Preoperative Assessment as a Predictor of Mortality and Morbidity after Lung Resection

To refine the functional guidelines for operability for lung resection, we prospectively studied 55 consecutive patients with suspected lung malignancy thought to be surgically resectable. Lung function and exercise capacity were measured preoperatively and at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Preoperative pulmonary scintigraphy was used to calculate the contribution to overallfunction by the affected lung or lobe and to predict postoperative lung function. Pneumonectomy was performed in 18 patients, lobectomy in 29, and thoracotomy without resection in six. No surgery was attempted in two patients who were considered functionally inoperable. Cardiopulmonary complications developed in 16 patients within 30 days of surgery, including three deaths. The predictions of postoperative function correlated well with the measured values at 3 months. For FEV1 r = 0.51 in pneumonectomy (p < 0.05) and 0.89 in lobectomy (p < 0.001). Predicted postoperative FEV1 (FEV1-ppo), diffusing capacity (DlCO), predicted postopera.
Correct Rounding and a Hybrid Approach to Exact Floating-Point Summation

We present two algorithms for computing correctly rounded sums of arrays of floating-point numbers. First, iFastSum improves upon our previous FastSum by requiring no additional space beyond the original array, which is destroyed. It runs about 20% faster than FastSum in the general case and two times faster when extremely ill-conditioned data are used. The second algorithm is HybridSum, which combines three summation ideas together: splitting the mantissa, radix sorting, and using iFastSum. The result is that when the number of summands is greater than about $10^4$, for a given $n$ its running time is almost a constant, independent of the condition number. It runs almost as fast as iFastSum in the general case and much faster than iFastSum when ill-conditioned data are used. HybridSum requires only one pass through the input array and uses constant storage, and it is thus suitable for exact summation as an “online” algorithm. Neither algorithm requires extra precision accumulators, and both work in any base. Their accuracy is guaranteed independent of the condition number and the number of summands.
Effects of selective decontamination of digestive tract on mortality and antibiotic resistance in the intensive-care unit

Purpose of reviewSince its introduction in 1984 several small trials have studied the infection prevention regimen of selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) in intensive care patients. Although meta-analyses of these studies suggested that SDD could reduce mortality, it continued to be a highly controversial strategy. There were not only serious doubts about the methodological quality of the meta-analyses, fear also existed that SDD would lead to increased antibiotic resistance. Recently, two new large randomized trials have been published that studied the effects of SDD on mortality and resistance. In this article, we will review the concept on which SDD is based and the present knowledge of the effects of SDD on mortality and antibiotic resistance. Recent findingsIn accordance with earlier meta-analyses of small studies, two recent randomized trials have confirmed that selective decontamination of the digestive tract significantly lowers mortality and decreases the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Limitation of these studies is the fact that they were conducted in intensive-care units (ICUs) with a low prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE). SummaryThere is convincing evidence that selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) lowers mortality as well as resistance in circumstances with low prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE). SDD should still be considered experimental in area's where MRSA and VRE are endemic. However, given the important potential benefits of SDD, more studies are urgently needed to adapt SDD in a way that proves effective in those settings.
Renal Tubulointerstitial Lesions in Mercuric Chloride-Treated Brown Norway Rats

Renal tubulointerstitial lesions in mercuric chloride-treated Brown Norway rats were investigated focusing on the relationship between the development of lesions and kinetics of infiltrating cells and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)-positive myofibroblasts. Fifteen rats were injected with 1 mg/kg b.w. of mercuric chloride at day 0, and 5 rats were killed at days 2, 4, and 6, respectively. Another 20 rats were injected with the same dose of mercuric chloride at days 0, 2 and 4, and 5 rats were killed at days 6, 8, 10, and 20, respectively. No additional changes were detected in glomeruli, whereas, mainly in the proximal tubules, necrosis was prominent at day 2, regenerative changes were obvious at day 4, and dilatation of the affected tubules with peritubular fibrosis developed at and after day 6. Following the renal epithelial damage, mononuclear cell infiltration developed in the renal interstitium at and after day 6, and among the infiltrating cells, ED1-positive macrophages were most predominant and CD8-positive T cells were next throughout the experimental period. They began to increases prominently at 2 days after 3 injections of mercuric chloride, i.e. at day 6. In addition, the number of α-SMA-positive myofibroblasts also increased at and after day 6, and the kinetics of ED1-positive macrophages corresponded well with that of α-SMA-positive myofibroblasts. Renal interstitial fibrosis developed along with the increase in numbers of these two cell populations. As to other infiltrating cells, although the absolute number was very small, CD45RA-positive B cells significantly increased at and after day 10. A few CD4-positive T cells and ED2-positive cells were also observed but their numbers did not show significant changes. The present results indicate that ED1-positive macrophages and α-SMA-positive myofibroblasts participate in renal fibrosis in Brown Norway rats following mercuric chloride-treatment, although the role of lymphocytes in renal fibrosis is still obscure.
Tooth brushing with and without Dentifrice - A Comparative Study

Tooth brushing is such a familiar process that it is easy to forget how crucial it is to oral health and how important it is to brush properly. Twenty three patients were selected in the age-group of 30-40 having tooth brushing abrasion in the cervical region of at least three teeth and taught the Modified Stillman’s Brushing Technique during a four week pre-test period. Plaque disclosing agent was used prior to and after brushing to educate the subjects . At the end of the pre-test period a complete oral prophylaxis was done to obtain a’ zero’ plaque score. The patient was asked to refrain from any oral hygiene procedure for next 48 hours and nonfibrous regular diet was advised. After 48 hours pre-brushing plaque scoring was recorded according to Turesky-Gilmore-Glickman Modification of the Quigley-Hein plaque index. A split mouth design was followed to record the post brushing plaque scores. Each time the patients were asked to brush on both upper and lower quadrants of one side for recording post-brushing plaque scores ‘without dentifrice’ first and then brush on the upper and lower quadrants of the other side for recording plaque scores’ with dentifrice’. The three treatment groups viz. Pre-brushing, Post-brushing without dentifrice and Post-brushing with dentifrice when subjected to ANOVA confirmed that the Modified Stillman’s Technique effectively removes plaque in both post-brushing situations (p<0.01). The subjects showed a reduction in plaque levels in the Post-brushing trials as indicated by C.D. value (0.0179) (p<0.05). It can be derived from the statistical analysis that if properly done tooth brushing removes plaque effectively when used with or without dentifrice. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjdre.v5i1. 22451 Bangladesh Journal of Dental Research and Education Vol.5(1) 2015: 06-10
Erratum to “Characterization of Human Colorectal Cancer MDR1/P-gp Fab Antibody”

Xuemei Zhang, Gary Guishan Xiao, and Ying Gao 1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, 9 Western Section, Lushun South Street, Lvshunkou District, Dalian 116044, China 2The Medical College of Dalian University, Dalian Economic & Technical Development Zone, Dalian 116622, China 3Departments of Medicine and Medical Microbiology, Creighton University, 601 N 30th Street, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
Dietary methionine source and level affect hepatic sulfur amino acid metabolism of broiler breeder hens

Abstract A study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary methionine source and level on plasma free amino acids patterns and the expression of genes involved in hepatic methionine metabolism in broiler breeders. A total of 2184 broiler breeders were assigned to 13 dietary treatments, with eight replicates per treatment. The 13 treatments included one control group and 12 additional treatments employing two sources and six levels (0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 1.00%). Higher plasma methionine concentration was measured for DL‐methionine (DLM) treated hens. Plasma alanine concentration was linearly increased as DLM or 2‐hydroxy‐4‐(methylthio) butanoic acid (HMTBA) supplementation level increased. There was a linear increase in concentrations of tyrosine, valine, glycine and serine as dietary DLM supplementation level increased. Hens treated with DLM had higher relative expression of ADA than those fed HMTBA. The expression of MS,ADA,SAHH and MAT2A changed quadratically as HMTBA supplementation level increased, while the expression of GNMT and SAHH changed quadratically as DLM supplementation level increased. In conclusion, the effects of HMTBA on plasma free amino acid patterns and the expression of hepatic genes involved with methionine are different from DLM.
Blood loss and risk of blood transfusion in patients undergoing caesarean section

Background: Caesarean delivery is one of the most common operations performed worldwide. Maternal morbidity and risk of blood transfusion increased greatly with caesarean compared with that of vaginal delivery. Aims: This study was carried out to evaluate blood loss and requirement of blood transfusion in patients undergoing caesarean section. Materials and methods: A prospective observational study was carried out in a peripheral military hospital, India where 173 women underwent caesarean section and data were obtained on age, parity, gestational age, delivery type (elective/ emergency), indication for caesarean section, pre operative and post operative haemoglobin levels. Number of patients required blood transfusion were also noted. Results: There was no significant increase in blood loss by indication of caesarean section (p<0.05). A total of 1.7% patients received blood transfusion. Conclusion: Transfusion risk in patients undergoing caesarean section is low and haemoglobin testing after caesarean section should be limited to women at high risk of blood transfusion.
Involvement of μ/m-calpain in the proteolysis and meat quality changes during postmortem storage of chicken breast muscle.

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of calpain isotypes, especially poultry-specific μ/m-calpain in the proteolysis and meat quality changes of chicken breast muscle during postmortem storage. Calpain activity was detected by casein zymography, while the degradation of titin, desmin and Troponin-T was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blot. Meat quality indicators such as water holding capacity and tenderness were also studied. The correlation analysis between calpain activity, proteolysis and the changes in meat quality indicators indicated that there were strong correlations for μ-calpain during the first 12 h of storage, while such strong correlations for μ/m-calpain were only found in samples stored from 12 h to 7 days. Our study suggested that μ-calpain played a major role in meat quality changes while μ/m-calpain could also be involved but played a limited role in the proteolysis and meat quality changes during 12 h to 7 days postmortem storage of chicken breast muscle.
Analysis of a Space-Time Discretization for Dynamic Elasticity Problems Based on Mass-Free Surface Elements

In this paper, a new space-time discretization is proposed which is based on a modified mass matrix. The mass associated with a surface layer of elements is redistributed such that the inertia at the boundary is removed. This approach is motivated by the observation that standard space-time discretization schemes applied to dynamic contact problems yield spurious oscillations. A widely used approach for the numerical simulation of these problems is based on Lagrange multipliers which represent the contact stresses. But the algebraic contact conditions in combination with the inertia volume terms often yield nonphysical results for the contact stresses, and the stability of the algorithm can be lost. Our modified matrix is calculated via nonstandard quadrature formulas that require no extra computational effort. In addition, the conservation properties of the underlying algorithm are carried over to the modified method, and the standard optimal a priori estimates are still satisfied. Numerical examples confirm the optimality of the approach and its stabilization effect applied to contact problems.
Optimal Control in Networks of Pipes and Canals

This paper deals with the optimal control of systems governed by nonlinear systems of conservation laws at junctions. The applications considered range from gas compressors in pipelines to open channels management. The existence of an optimal control is proved. From the analytical point of view, these results are based on the well posedness of a suitable initial boundary value problem and on techniques for quasidifferential equations in a metric space.
Companion animal veterinarians' use of clinical communication skills.

OBJECTIVE To describe the communication techniques used by clients and veterinarians during companion animal visits in Australia. DESIGN A cross-sectional descriptive study. METHODS A total of 64 veterinary consultations were audiotaped and analysed with the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS); clients completed appointment level measures, including their satisfaction and perceptions of relational communication. RESULTS Participants were 24 veterinarians and 64 clients. Statements intended to reassure clients were expressed frequently in the consultations, but in 59% of appointments empathy statements were not expressed towards either the client or the patient. In 10% of appointments, veterinarians did not used any open-ended questions. Overall client satisfaction was high and veterinarians' expressions of empathy directed to the client resulted in higher levels of client satisfaction. Clients' perceptions of relational communication were related to several veterinarian and client nonverbal scales. CONCLUSIONS A focus on developing evidence-based clinical communication skills is expected to further enhance the veterinarian-client-patient relationship and associated clinical outcomes. Particular recommendations include the development of a broader emotion-handling repertoire, increased emphasis on the use of open-ended enquiry, including assessment of the client's perspective, as well as attention to aspects of nonverbal communication. The study provides preliminary evidence for the importance of verbal expressions of empathy during the companion animal consultation.
Handgrip strength testing: A review of the literature

Testing grip strength is a popular assessment used by occupational therapists in a range of clinical settings. It is fast, easy to perform, reliable and produces a result which is simple to record. Results of grip strength testing have been used to determine a baseline measure of performance against which change can be compared, as well as comparison of results to normative data. This article reviews the literature associated with the measurement of grip strength. It addresses the purposes of grip strength measurement; the instruments used and their reliability and accuracy; the testing position and protocol suggested for use and aspects of these which may influence results; the use of normative data and factors which influence grip strength, including age, gender and occupation; and various methods to determine level or sincerity of effort. Recommendations are made regarding these issues to enable clinicians to conduct grip strength assessments and interpret the results with confidence.