Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the asymptotic convergence of collocation methods with spline functions of even degree

We investigate the collocation of linear one-dimensional strongly elliptic integro-dif- ferential or, more generally, pseudo-differential equations on closed curves by even-degree polynomial splines. The equations are collocated at the respective midpoints subject to uniform nodal grids of the even-degree s-splines. We prove quasioptimal and optimal order asymptotic error estimates in a scale of Sobolev spaces. The results apply, in particular, to boundary element methods used for numerical computations in engineering applications. The equations considered include Fredholm integral equations of the second and the first kind, singular integral equations involving Cauchy kernels, and integro-differential equations having convolutional or constant coefficient principal parts, respectively. The error analysis is based on an equivalence between the collocation and certain varia- tional methods with different degree splines as trial and as test functions. We further need to restrict our operators essentially to pseudo-differential operators having convolutional prin- cipal part. This allows an explicit Fourier analysis of our operators as well as of the spline spaces in terms of trigonometric polynomials providing Babuska's stability condition based on strong ellipticity. Our asymptotic error estimates extend partly those obtained by D. N. Arnold and W. L. Wendland from the case of odd-degree splines to the case of even-degree splines. 1. Introduction. In this paper we investigate the asymptotic convergence of the collocation method using even-degree polynomial splines applied to strongly elliptic systems of pseudo-differential equations on closed curves with convolutional prin- cipal part. The collocation here employs the Gauss points of one-point integration as collocation points which corresponds to the usual boundary element collocation in applications (5), (12), (17), (19), (26), (31), (34). This is in contrast to the method investigated by G. Schmidt in (29) where one collocates at the break points of even-order splines. The asymptotic convergence properties for the standard Galerkin method with splines of arbitrary orders are well-known (22). For the collocation method, however, asymptotic convergence, up to now, has been shown for strongly elliptic systems only in the case of odd-order splines by D. N. Arnold and W. L. Wendland (7).
Sleep and ageing: the effect of institutionalization on subjective and objective characteristics of sleep.

To assess the impact of institutionalization on sleep/wake characteristics of elderly people, we compared subjective (study I: n = 160) and objective (study II: n = 30) sleep/wake measures of non-demented institutionalized subjects and age-matched non-institutionalized controls. We also evaluated the prevalence and causes of various sleep disturbances. The three living conditions, i.e. independently living (IL), service home (SH) and nursing home (NH) were respectively assumed to have minimal, moderate and maximal effects upon the timing, the amount and the quality of the sleep/wake behaviour of the persons involved. Study I showed that a higher level of institutionalization was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with phase-advanced sleep/wake patterns, increased amounts of time spent in bed during the 24-hour period and increased usage of prescribed sedative-hypnotic drugs. Poor sleep quality and disturbed sleep onset occurred significantly mostly in the SH group. No differences between groups were demonstrated with respect to the prevalence of disturbed sleep maintenance, parasomnias and difficulty with awakening and their possible causes, except for environmental noise which was exclusively reported by institutionalized subjects. No differences between groups for any of the objective measures were found (study II). Overall, our findings are in line with previous findings on this topic, although the observed high rate of poor sleep quality and sleep disturbances and their associated causes as observed in institutionalized subjects also occurs in an age-matched non-institutionalized population.
Dikkat Eksikliği Hiperaktivite Bozukluğu Olan 9-13 Yaş Grubu İlköğretim Öğrencilerinin Uyumsal Davranışları, Benlik Kavramı Ve Akademik Başarıları Arasındaki İlişkiler

Amac: Bu arastirmada, Dikkat Eksikligi Hiperaktivite Bozuklugu olan 9-13 yas grubu ilkogretim ogrencilerinin uyumsal davranislari, benlik kavrami ve akademik basarilari arasindaki iliskiler incelenmistir. Yontem: Arastirmada cocuklarin benlik kavrami Piers-Harris'in Cocuklarda Oz-Kavrami Olcegi P.H (Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale) ile; uyumsal davranis ve sorun davranislari 4-18 Yas Cocuk ve Gencler Icin Davranis Degerlendirme Olcegi CBCL/4-18 (Child Behavior Checklist For Ages 4-18) ve Ogretmen Bilgi Formu TRF (Teacher's Report Form) ile olculmus, sosyo demografik ozellikler Kisisel Bilgi Formu ile saptanmis ve akademik basari olcutu olarak cocuklarin 2004-2005 egitim —ogretim yili ikinci donem sonu not ortalamalari alinmistir. Bulgular: Bu arastirmadan elde edilen bulgular, DEHB tanisi alan 9-13 yas grubu cocuklarin uyumsal davranislari, benlik kavrami ve akademik basarilari arasinda istatistiksel olarak anlamli iliskiler oldugunu gostermistir. Sonuc: Sonuc olarak bulgularimiz, DEI-1B olan cocuklarin uyumsal davranislari, benlik kavrami ve akademik basarilari arasinda anlamli iliskiler oldugunu gostermistir.
Effects of Insulin on Rat Anterior Pituitary Cells: Inhibition of Growth Hormone Secretion and mRNA Levels

We recently reported that insulin inhibits basal and cortisone- and T3-stimulated GH secretion by GH3 rat pituitary tumor cells. The effects of purified semisynthetic human insulin were therefore tested on long-term GH secretion in normal pituitary cells. Primary monolayer cultures derived from male rat pituitaries were grown in serum-free defined medium. Insulin (7 nM) maximally inhibited basal GH secretion by almost 60% after 72 h, with 50% of maximal GH suppression occuring with 1.75 nM insulin. Insulin receptor antiserum blocked the suppression of GH by 7 nM insulin, but had no effect on the suppression of GH by IGF-I (3.25 nM). GRF (100pM) stimulated GH two- to threefold during 48 h. Insulin (7 nM) prevented the stimulation of GH induced by up to 1 nM GRF (P < 0.01) and this suppression was also selectively blocked by insulin receptor antiserum. The inhibition of GRF-stimulated GH required a lag period of 48 h and the dose of insulin required for 50% inhibition of GRF stimulation was 3.5nM. Insulin did not alter the degradation rate of 125I-GH in these cultures and medium glucose concentrations were not different in control or insulin-treated wells for up to 72 h of incubation. The insulin-induced suppression of GH was also observed when cells were grown in glucose-free medium. Insulin did not nonselectively suppress cell secretion, as PRL secretion was mildly stimulated (P < 0.01) by insulin in the same cultures. Fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and insulin A-chain at similar doses did not alter basal or GRFstimulated GH secretion. Northern gel analysis of cell extracts showed that insulin-treated cells exhibited a decrease of the GH mRNA band. Using nitrocellulose dot-blot hybridization of cellular RNA with specific 32P-cDNA for rat GH, insulin suppressed pituitary GH mRNA levels by 56 ± 5% (P < 0.001) after 72 h of incubation. The results show that selective suppression of basal and GRF-stimulated GH secretion by insulin is time and dose dependent. Insulin modulates GH secretion at the level of the somatotroph.
CD4+ T cells are required to sustain CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell responses during chronic viral infection

In this study, we have examined the relative contributions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in controlling an acute or chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. To study acute infection, we used the LCMV Armstrong strain, which is cleared by adult mice in 8 to 10 days, and to analyze chronic infection, we used a panel of lymphocyte-tropic and macrophage-tropic variants of LCMV that persist in adult mice for several months. We show that CD4+ T cells are not necessary for resolving an acute LCMV infection. CD4+ T-cell-depleted mice were capable of generating an LCMV-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response and eliminated virus with kinetics similar to those for control mice. The CD8+ CTL response was critical for resolving this infection, since beta 2-microglobulin knockout (CD8-deficient) mice were unable to control the LCMV Armstrong infection and became persistently infected. In striking contrast to the acute infection, even a transient depletion of CD4+ T cells profoundly affected the outcome of infection with the macrophage- and lymphocyte-tropic LCMV variants. Adult mice given a single injection of anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (GK1.5) at the time of virus challenge became lifelong carriers with high levels of virus in most tissues. Unmanipulated adult mice infected with the different LCMV variants contained virus for prolonged periods (> 3 months) but eventually eliminated infection from most tissues, and all of these mice had LCMV-specific CD8+ CTL responses. Although the level of CTL activity was quite low, it was consistently present in all of the chronically infected mice that eventually resolved the infection. These results clearly show that even in the presence of an overwhelming viral infection of the immune system, CD8+ CTL can remain active for long periods and eventually resolve and/or keep the virus infection in check. In contrast, LCMV-specific CTL responses were completely lost in chronically infected CD4-depleted mice. Taken together, these results show that CD4+ T cells are dispensable for short-term acute infection in which CD8+ CTL activity does not need to be sustained for more than 2 weeks. However, under conditions of chronic infection, in which CD8+ CTLs take several months or longer to clear the infection, CD4+ T-cell function is critical. Thus, CD4+ T cells play an important role in sustaining virus-specific CD8+ CTL during chronic LCMV infection. These findings have implications for chronic viral infections in general and may provide a possible explanation for the loss of human immunodeficiency virus-specific CD8+ CTL activity that is seen during the late stages of AIDS, when CD4+ T cells become limiting.
Ex vivo gene transfer to mature skeletal muscle by using adenovirus helper cells

Adenoviral gene transfer to adult skeletal muscle is hindered by several major limitations, including host immune responses and maturation‐dependent loss of myofiber infectivity. Ex vivo gene delivery is more efficient than direct viral injection in surmounting maturation‐dependent adenoviral transduction. Here we investigated the use of helper cells to improve the efficiency of ex vivo gene transfer to adult mouse skeletal muscle.
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-2 Binding to Membrane-type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase Induces MAPK Activation and Cell Growth by a Non-proteolytic Mechanism*

Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), a transmembrane proteinase with a short cytoplasmic domain and an extracellular catalytic domain, controls a variety of physiological and pathological processes through the proteolytic degradation of extracellular or transmembrane proteins. MT1-MMP forms a complex on the cell membrane with its physiological protein inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2). Here we show that, in addition to extracellular proteolysis, MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 control cell proliferation and migration through a non-proteolytic mechanism. TIMP-2 binding to MT1-MMP induces activation of ERK1/2 by a mechanism that does not require the proteolytic activity and is mediated by the cytoplasmic tail of MT1-MMP. MT1-MMP-mediated activation of ERK1/2 up-regulates cell migration and proliferation in vitro independently of extracellular matrix proteolysis. Proteolytically inactive MT1-MMP promotes tumor growth in vivo, whereas proteolytically active MT1-MMP devoid of cytoplasmic tail does not have this effect. These findings illustrate a novel role for MT1-MMP-TIMP-2 interaction, which controls cell functions by a mechanism independent of extracellular matrix degradation.
A thermal plume model for the Martian convective boundary layer

The Martian planetary boundary layer (PBL) is a crucial component of the Martian climate system. Global climate models (GCMs) and mesoscale models (MMs) lack the resolution to predict PBL mixing which is therefore parameterized. Here we propose to adapt the “thermal plume” model, recently developed for Earth climate modeling, to Martian GCMs, MMs, and single‐column models. The aim of this physically based parameterization is to represent the effect of organized turbulent structures (updrafts and downdrafts) on the daytime PBL transport, as it is resolved in large‐eddy simulations (LESs). We find that the terrestrial thermal plume model needs to be modified to satisfyingly account for deep turbulent plumes found in the Martian convective PBL. Our Martian thermal plume model qualitatively and quantitatively reproduces the thermal structure of the daytime PBL on Mars: superadiabatic near‐surface layer, mixing layer, and overshoot region at PBL top. This model is coupled to surface layer parameterizations taking into account stability and turbulent gustiness to calculate surface‐atmosphere fluxes. Those new parameterizations for the surface and mixed layers are validated against near‐surface lander measurements. Using a thermal plume model moreover enables a first‐order estimation of key turbulent quantities (e.g., PBL height and convective plume velocity) in Martian GCMs and MMs without having to run costly LESs.
A nonsense mutation of the ATRX gene causing mild mental retardation and epilepsy

Mutations in the X‐encoded gene ATRX are known to give rise to profound syndromal mental retardation (MR). Here, we describe a pedigree, including 4 affected family members with a 324C→T nonsense mutation in the ATRX gene. Although 2 patients have moderate to profound MR and the typical facial features of ATR‐X syndrome, the other 2 patients presented with mild MR and epilepsy but without the characteristic facial dysmorphism. Mutations in the ATRX gene should be considered as a cause of mild MR in male patients lacking specific diagnostic features. Ann Neurol 2000; 47:117–121
Intentional Mixed Buccal Cell Reference Sample in a Paternity Case *

ABSTRACT: We report a case where an alleged father (AF) attempted to substitute someone else's saliva sample for his reference sample in a paternity analysis. Buccal cells were collected from the AF and the child, and DNA analysis was performed using an autosomal STR loci (Identifiler®). The profile from the AF showed extra peaks in some loci, as well as a much higher “X” allele peak relative to the “Y” allele peak at the amelogenin locus. After conducting reanalysis by another technician with another set of positive and negative controls, it was concluded that the only source of the mixed profile was by intentional introduction by the AF, at the time of sampling, of some foreign human biological material, most likely saliva from a woman. Owing to the inconclusive results, when the AF was called back to the lab and the peculiar results were explained to him, he admitted that he had introduced into his mouth saliva from another person in an attempt to be excluded as the father of the child. Although tampering with DNA reference samples is not common, some individuals may attempt to contaminate or otherwise adulterate specimens before DNA tests. Personnel responsible for sampling should be aware of this possibility and should try to establish procedures to avoid the problem.
Surgical and hardware complications of subthalamic stimulation

Objective: To assess the surgical and hardware complications in a series of 81 consecutive patients undergoing subthalamic (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson disease (PD). Methods: The authors prospectively documented surgical and hardware complications occurring at the time of surgery and at subsequent neurologic and surgical evaluations for an average of 17 months, ranging from 1 to 54 months. Results: No patient had a serious surgical complication resulting in death or permanent neurologic deficit. One patient had an intracranial hemorrhage but with no permanent deficit. In follow-up, 2.5% had infections requiring system removal, 3.7% had infections requiring implantable pulse generator (IPG) removal, 12.5% had misplaced leads, and 26.2% had hardware complications including lead migration, lead fracture, extension erosion, extension fracture, and IPG malfunction. Conclusion: Serious complications leading to permanent neurologic deficit are rare after STN DBS for advanced PD. However, long-term follow-up demonstrated that hardware complications are relatively common, having occurred in approximately 26% of these patients.
The Formation of Physician Impressions in Online Communities

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) research has long been interested in how interpersonal impressions form online. This research argues that, given the advance of technology and the diversity in online communities, researchers must now consider the context in which social information appears in order to more fully understand the effects of social information on impression formation. This research explored three different paths through which the relationship between the context of a website and the social information presented impacts credibility impressions: the negativity effect, the positivity effect, and the nonnormativity effect. An original 2 (valence of photograph: casual vs. professional) × 2 (normative context: WebMD vs. Facebook) experiment examining the impact of moving identical cues across contexts found normative expectations impact impression formation. Strongest support was found for a nonnormativity effect: cues that defied normative expectations were more influential whether they were positive or negative.
A comparative study of anti-inflammatory and antidyslipidemic effects of fenofibrate and statins on rheumatoid arthritis

We prospectively compared the anti-inflammatory and antidyslipidemic effects of fenofibrate and statins in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Forty-four RA patients [male (M) = 7, female (F) = 37] with dyslipidemia were enrolled in this 6-month study and randomly allocated to the fenofibrate (2 M + 21 F = 23) or statins (5 M + 16 F = 21) group. We measured blood chemistry (serum lipid profile, sugar, urate, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase) and blood pressure 2 h after breakfast. Visual analog scale (VAS), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and prednisolone (PSL) dosage were also recorded immediately before and after the study. Fenofibrate, but not statins, significantly decreased serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol, and triglycerides (all p < 0.05). A significant improvement in VAS was observed in both the fenofibrate group (49.1 ± 24.7 → 14.7 ± 11.2; p < 0.0001) and the statins group (47.4 ± 29.7 → 20.2 ± 16.5; p < 0.001). PSL dosage significantly decreased only in the fenofibrate group (3.58 ± 2.68 → 2.00 ± 2.22 mg/day; p < 0.01). Significant correlation was observed between ∆VAS and ∆CRP in the fenofibrate group (p < 0.05). Fenofibrate showed more anti-inflammatory and antidyslipidemic activity than statins in RA.
The myxoma in childhood

HE TERM “MYXOMA” was first used by T Virchow nearly 100 years ago in the first edition of “Die krankhaften Geschwiilste,” l9 and the tumor was more exactly defined by him in 1871 in his cellular pathology.2Q He noted that there are a number of tumors that completely mirror the nature of the umbilical cord. H e believed this structure contained mucin in its intei~ellular substance and called the tissue of the umbilical cord and its analogues mucinous tissue. Tumors aping this tissue therefore were for him mucinous tumors or myxomas. He felt that the myxoma might be a precursor of fat tissue, thus accounting for myxoid lipoblastic tissue and tumors, but that there was a variant that remained a definite entity as a tissue and a tumor and did not differentiate into any other variety of tissue. I t is unfortunate that this clear conception of the myxoma has not been heeded by subsequent observers, for there are many other tumor types that hLave myxomatous elements in them, for example, fibrosarcoma, liposarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, mesenchymoma, and others. These have sometimes been called myxomas or myxosarcomas or have become hyphenated monstrosities such as lipomyxoma, chondromyxosarcoma and other confusing compounded names. When one of us (A.P.S.)17 in 1948 published a paper on myxomas, the criteria for recognizing a myxoma were stated and they will be paraphrased here for purposes of standardiza-
Plasma precursors of estrogen. I. Extent of conversion of plasma delta-4-androstenedione to estrone in normal males and nonpregnant normal, castrate and adrenalectomized females.

Abstract After the intravenous administration of tracer doses of 4-14C-Δ4-androstenedione +6,7-3H-estrone (or 6,7-3H-estradiol) to normal adult males, and normal, castrate and adrenalectomized young adult females, radioactive urinary metabolites of estrogen were isolated from 72-hr urine collections. In each subject studied a fraction of the administered 4-14C-Δ4-androstenedione was metabolized in the same manner as was the injected tritium labeled estrone. The extent of conversion of 4-14C-Δ4-androstenedione to the product hormone, estrone, was calculated from the relationship between the 3H/14C ratio of the administered tracers and that of the isolated urinary estrone. In the subjects studied an average of 1.3% of Δ4-androstenedione (range 1.0- 1-7 %) was converted to estrone. These results indicate that in the young adult female an “extraglandular” source of estrone of approximately 44 μg/day may arise from plasma borne Δ4-androstenedione. In the adult male, 18 μ of estrone /day can be expected to orig.
Optimal time allocation in parasitic wasps searching for hosts and food

Many species of parasitic wasp feed on sugar sources such as nectar and honeydew in order to replenish their energy reserves and so extend their life expectancy, which is often correlated with higher reproductive success. Recent research suggests that carbohydrates are also a key component in flight fuel in such insects. The importance of sugar in fuelling locomotion suggests location of sugar-rich food may be more important in parasitoid foraging behaviour than has previously been assumed. If sugar sources and hosts are separated in space, parasitoids have to allocate their time between sugar-searching and host-searching. Using a stochastic dynamic programming model we predict optimal time allocation decisions of parasitoids. Although the model was parameterized using data for Cotesia rubecula, the sensitivity analysis shows that the model predictions are applicable to many parasitoid wasp species. The key prediction of the model is that parasitoids should always search for food if energy reserves drop to low levels, even if the probability of finding food and the average food reward are small. This is in stark contrast to an alternative model proposed by Sirot and Bernstein (1996) which suggests parasitoids should never search for food if food availability is low.