Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic construction of product-form solutions in stochastic networks

The growing complexity of modern systems has escalated the need for performance metrics. Stochastic models such as queuing networks and stochastic Petri nets have been used to model these systems so that their performance measures can be evaluated analytically. Product-form solutions are equilibrium state probabilities in networks of stochastic nodes (e.g. queues) in the form of a product of terms relating to each node separately. One can derive various performance metrics from these product form solutions, thus there is considerable effort dedicated to finding them in various stochastic models. An established theorem, the Reversed Compound Agent Theorem (RCAT), derives mechanically the product-form solutions for stochastic models defined as a composition of two or more smaller stochastic models, under some conditions. Its use of the divide-and-conquer approach solves problems of state space explosion and computational complexity, which standard methods face while finding product-forms for large and complex networks. This report presents a working implementation of RCAT in MATLAB and its extension Multiple Agent RCAT which can be applied to a wide variety of queuing networks with multiple components. It also provides the first working implementation of RCAT applied to stochastic Petri nets thus expanding its utility to analyse models composed of both Petri nets and queuing networks.
Disentangling structural brain alterations associated with violent behavior from those associated with substance use disorders.

CONTEXT Studies aimed at identifying structural brain alterations associated with persistent violent behavior or psychopathy have not adequately accounted for a lifetime history of substance misuse. Thus, alterations in gray matter (GM) volume that have been reported to be correlates of violent behavior and/or psychopathy may instead be related to lifelong substance use disorders (SUDs). OBJECTIVE To identify alterations in GM volume associated with violent behavior and those associated with lifelong SUDs. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Participants were recruited from penitentiaries, forensic hospitals, psychiatric outpatient services, and communities in Germany. Structural magnetic resonance imaging was performed at a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS Four groups of men were compared: 12 men with SUDs who exhibited violent behavior (hereafter referred to as violent offenders), 12 violent offenders without SUDs, 13 men with SUDs who did not exhibit violent behavior (hereafter referred to as nonoffenders), and 14 nonoffenders without SUDs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Voxel-based morphometry was used to analyze high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans. Assessments of mental disorders, psychopathy (using the Psychopathy Checklist-Screening Version), aggressive behavior, and impulsivity were conducted by trained clinicians. RESULTS Compared with nonoffenders, violent offenders presented with a larger GM volume in the amygdala bilaterally, the left nucleus accumbens, and the right caudate head and with less GM volume in the left insula. Men with SUDs exhibited a smaller GM volume in the orbitofrontal cortex, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and premotor cortex than did men without SUDs. Regression analyses indicated that the alterations in GM volume that distinguished the violent offenders from nonoffenders were associated with psychopathy scores and scores for lifelong aggressive behavior. The GM volumes of the orbitofrontal cortex and prefrontal cortex that distinguished the men with SUDs from the men without SUDs were correlated with scores for response inhibition. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that a greater GM volume in the mesolimbic reward system may be associated with violent behavior and that reduced GM volumes in the prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and premotor area characterize men with SUDs.
Labial Vibrotactile Somatosensory Perception: A Pilot Study in Healthy Aging versus Young Adult Participants

The purpose of this pilot study was to begin characterizing changes in labial vibrotactile somatosensation in healthy older adults as a foundational step in determining how changes in orofacial sensation can affect functional behaviors, such as speech and feeding. Labial vibrotactile perception capacity of healthy older adults (n = 15) was compared to a cohort of healthy young adults (n = 5). Vibrotactile inputs were delivered to the glabrous surface of the left lower lip at 5, 10, 50, and 150 Hz. A modified von Bekesy (staircase) method was used to identify participants' thresholds and response standard deviations for each test frequency. Consistent with findings in other body regions, a decrease in labial vibrotactile detection sensitivity was expected in healthy older adults. The threshold values for the 5 and 10 Hz test frequencies were higher in the older group and the differences in response standard deviations at these frequencies were statistically significant. This pilot study identified changes in labial perception among healthy older adults.
Expression of Myosin Heavy Chain Isoforms in the Human Supraspinatus Muscle: Variations Related to Age and Sex

The contractile function of skeletal muscles is primarily regulated by the expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms. Adult human skeletal muscles express three MHC isoforms (MHC-I, MHC-IIa and MHC-IIx). The muscles mainly expressing MHC-I are slow but resistant to fatigue, while those with major expression of MHC-IIa and MHC-IIx are fast and powerful but less resistant to fatigue. In this study, mRNA levels of the MHC isoforms were assessed in 24 human supraspinatus muscles by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The average expression of the MHC-I isoform was 36.72%, that of the MHC-IIa isoform was 33.52%, and the average expression of the MHC-IIx isoform was 29.76%. The higher average expression of the two MHC-II isoforms taken together (63.28%) indicates that the human supraspinatus muscle is a powerful, fast muscle with relatively low resistance to fatigue, in accordance with its role in the elevation of the upper extremity. In women, and more markedly in older women, the trend towards upregulation of the fast MHC-II isoforms and downregulation of the slow MHC-I isoform, which is absent in males, may improve our understanding of possible causes of the subacromial impingement syndrome.
Continuity of orientation columns between superficial and deep laminae of the cat primary visual cortex.

1. Recent reports of a marked and consistent dislocation between orientation columns in the superficial and deep layers of cat striate cortex (Bauer, 1982, 1983) directly contradict the traditional view of the system (Hubel & Wiesel, 1962). This has considerable implications for our current understanding of cortical organization, and in order to clarify the issue we have carried out experiments to test the continuity of the columnar system with depth, in central regions of area 17. 2. In twenty‐four penetrations, eighteen of which were placed as perpendicular as possible to the surface of the cortex, orientation preference was assessed at regular intervals both qualitatively and using a randomly interleaved quantitative technique. The distribution of preferred orientations was analysed with reference to a detailed histological reconstruction of the electrode track, including the location of laminar boundaries and the course of radial tiers of cells and capillaries. 3. From a further series of eighteen near‐perpendicular penetrations, the change in average orientation between one superficial and one deep layer recording site was compared with the deviation of the track from perpendicular to the surface and hence parallel to the orientation columns. 4. In penetrations perpendicular to the surface of the cortex, orientation preference showed little variation between superficial and deep laminae. In oblique penetrations, preferred orientation generally changed according to a single, smooth trend. Those irregularities that were encountered were confined to oblique penetrations, and were distributed throughout the cortical laminae. 5. In conclusion, our evidence does not support the presence of a systematic discontinuity with depth within the orientation columnar system. It is therefore entirely consistent with earlier evidence on the subject.
The effects of patellar taping on pain and neuromuscular performance in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Objective: To examine the immediate effects of patellar taping on pain and relative activity of vastus medialis obliquus to vastus lateralis in subjects with patellofemoral pain and patellofemoral joint malalignment. Design: Pre-and post-treatment design, with order of testing determined randomly. Setting: Outpatient physiotherapy department. Subjects: Fifteen subjects with patellofemoral joint pain and malalignment. Interventions: With and without patellar taping with a standard force of application. Main outcome measures: Pain and surface EMG activity ratio of vastus medialis obliquus to vastus lateralis during single-legged semi-squat with 20% of extra body weight loading. Results: There was a significant decrease in anterior knee pain (p < 0.001) and vastus medialis obliquus to vastus lateralis activity ratio (p = 0.05) during single-legged standing after patellar taping. Conclusions: Patellar taping can reduce pain in people with patellofemoral pain syndrome and patellofemoral malalignment but it decreases the relative activity of vastus medialis obliquus to vastus lateralis. Such a decrease in relative activity of vastus medialis obliquus after taping implies that it may not be suitable to combine patellar taping with vastus medialis obliquus facilitative exercise training.
Moving-mesh cosmology: properties of neutral hydrogen in absorption

We examine the distribution of neutral hydrogen in cosmological simulations carried out with the new moving-mesh code AREPO and compare it with the corresponding GADGET simulations based on the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) technique. The two codes use identical gravity solvers and baryonic physics implementations, but very different methods for solving the Euler equations, allowing us to assess how numerical effects associated with the hydro-solver impact the results of simulations. Here we focus on an analysis of the neutral gas, as detected in quasar absorption lines. We find that the high column density regime probed by Damped Lyman-alpha (DLA) and Lyman Limit Systems (LLS) exhibits significant differences between the codes. GADGET produces spurious artefacts in large halos in the form of gaseous clumps, boosting the LLS cross-section. Furthermore, it forms halos with denser central baryonic cores than AREPO, which leads to a substantially greater DLA cross-section from smaller halos. AREPO thus produces a significantly lower cumulative abundance of DLAs, which is intriguingly in much closer agreement with observations. The column density function, however, is not altered enough to significantly reduce the discrepancy with the observed value. For the low column density gas probed by the Lyman-alpha forest, the codes differ only at the level of a few percent, suggesting that this regime is quite well described by both methods, a fact that is reassuring for the many Lyman-alpha studies carried out with SPH thus far. While the residual differences are smaller than the errors on current Lyman-alpha forest data, we note that this will likely change for future precision experiments.
60 GHz On-Wafer Noise Parameter Measurements Using Cold-Source Method

Noise parameter measurement set-up for 60 GHz is described. The designed and built set-up is based on the cold-source method. Both S- and noise parameters are measured with the set-up. Measurement results of the an InP HEMT noise parameters at 58-62 GHz are shown, as well as accuracy of the results is discussed.
The Art of Pediatric Oncology Nursing Practice

Pediatric oncology nursing practice must incorporate both the science and the art of the discipline to foster positive physical and psychosocial treatment outcomes for pediatric oncology patients, especially those outcomes related to their health-related quality of life. In this article, the art of nursing care is described within the context of scientifically based care, and the art of nursing practice is evident in the implementation of the scientific principles and standards for pediatric oncology nursing practice. The author proposes that the art of pediatric oncology nursing practice ought to be evident in care activities that the nurse provides within a therapeutic relationship that is steeped in nursing presence. Although the art of nursing care and the nature of an effective therapeutic relationship is tacit, valued knowledge among pediatric oncology nurses, as well as children and adolescents with cancer and their families, it is difficult to describe and challenging to quantify its effect on patient care outcomes. This article discusses the art of pediatric oncology nursing practice and its influence on treatment outcomes.
Extramural vascular invasion detected by contrast-enhanced multiple-row detectors computed tomography (ceMDCT) as a predictor of synchronous metastases in colon cancer

Background Extramural Vascular Invasion (EMVI) is histologically defined as the presence of tumor cells beyond the muscularis propria in vessels resulting in disease metastases. Objective To determine whether EMVI, detected by contrast-enhanced multiple-row detectors computed tomography (MDCT), has closely association with synchronous metastases in colon cancer. Methods Patients with pathology proven colon cancer were included in this retrospective study. Preoperative imaging status, including Extramural tumor depth, Lymph nodes, tumor location, and ctEMVI status, were defined on MDCT. Postoperative pathological tumor stage, lymph node stage, and tumor differentiation, were defined in accordance with the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7th Edition. Synchronous metastases were detected on follow-up MDCT 3 months after initial diagnosis or by surgery, if available. Associations between ctEMVI and other preoperative and postoperative factors were analyzed using Chi-squared tests. Logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the preoperative and postoperative factors of synchronous metastases in colon cancer. Results ctEMVI was observed in 96 patients (96/241, 39.8%). The presence of ctEMVI varied significantly depending on ctEMD (χ2 = 66.557, P<0.001), lymph nodes status on MDCT (χ2 =24.533, P=0.001), pathological tumor status (χ2 = 36.267, P <0.001) and pathological lymph nodes status analyses (χ2 =32.103, P <0.001). Synchronous metastases were seen in 36 patients (36/96, 37.5%) with ctEMVI and 11 (11/145, 7.6%) patients without ctEMVI. The incidence of synchronous metastases was significantly higher in the cohort of positive ctEMVI with odds ratio (OR) of 7.309 (95% CI 3.485∼15.330, P<0.001). Positive ctEMVI (Odds ratio 4.654, 95%CI: 1.987∼10.898, P <0.001) and ctEMD larger than 5 mm (Odds ratio 2.654, 95%CI: 1.116∼6.309, P =0.027) were demonstrated to be significant preoperative factors in predicting synchronous metastases. Conclusion MDCT-detected EMVI could be used as a preoperative factor to predict synchronous metastases in colon cancer.
High efficient bridge rectifiers in 100MHz and 2.4GHz bands

This paper describes the high efficient bridge rectifier topology and its implementations in 100MHz and 2.4GHz bands. The rectifier topology realizes full-wave-rectification without large sized filters used in single-shunt type rectifiers. By employing the topology, further downsizing and integration can be achieved easily. High impedance operation with impedance transformer or the high-impedance antenna is employed to improve the rectification efficiency. Also formulas of the rectification efficiency on the proposed topology are described in the paper for clarification of effectiveness. Experimental investigations demonstrate confirmation of the derived formulas. Also 94% efficiency of the 100MHz band rectifier and 80% efficiency of the 2.4GHz rectenna are achieved. These values are the top-level performance with the commercial-based Si-SBD. Also the size of the 2.4GHz band rectifier is 4.5mm × 4.8mm that is the smallest implementation than the past works.
Anti-CD3 antibody visilizumab is not effective in patients with intravenous corticosteroid-refractory ulcerative colitis

Background and aims Pilot studies with visilizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody to CD3, suggest efficacy for corticosteroid-refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). A placebo-controlled trial was warranted. Methods A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of visilizumab induction treatment in 127 patients with severely active UC despite treatment with ≥5 days of intravenous corticosteroids. Patients received placebo or visilizumab 5 μg/kg intravenously on days 1 and 2. Corticosteroids were tapered according to disease activity. Patients were followed up for 90 days. The primary end point was induction of response at day 45. Secondary end points included remission and mucosal healing at day 45, symptomatic response at day 15 and colectomy. Results Response at day 45 occurred in 55% of patients receiving visilizumab compared with 47% of those who received placebo (p=0.475). Remission at day 45 occurred in 8% of patients receiving visilizumab compared with 9% of those who received placebo (p=0.704). Mucosal healing at day 45 occurred in 29% of patients receiving visilizumab compared with 26% of those who received placebo (p=0.799). Symptomatic response at day 15 occurred in 82% of patients receiving visilizumab compared with 74% of those who received placebo (p=0.244). Colectomy was performed in 18% of patients receiving visilizumab compared with 7% of those who received placebo (p=0.130). Cardiac disorders and vascular disorders occurred more frequently in the patients who received visilizumab. Conclusion Visilizumab at a dose of 5 μg/kg for two consecutive days was not effective for severe, corticosteroid-refractory UC and was associated with increased cardiac and vascular adverse events. (Registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.govNCT00279422/).
Study on inhibitory effect of metformin in bladder cancer and its mechanism

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of metformin on bladder cancer cell and its mechanism. Methods: In this study, metformin with different concentrations (0, 2, 5, 10, 20 mM) was used for the intervention on bladder cancer cell lines 5637 and T24 in vitro. Its influence on the growth and proliferation of cells was detected by MTT assay; the impact on cell colony formation was quantitatively analyzed by Quantity One software; the influence on cell apoptosis was examined by Annexin V/double staining assay. Bladder cancer cell xenograft was constructed in nude mice, and the effect of metformin on the volume and weight of xenograft was observed. Results: After 48 hours’ intervention by metformin with different concentration, by comparing with control group, the cell activity of 5637 cells and T24 cells was obviously reduced, and a significant reduction was observed in colony formation of bladder cancer cells after the intervention of metformin. Metformiin with high concentration had no significant induction on the apoptosis of 5637 cells and T24 cells; compared with the control group, the difference was no statistically significant. In vivo experiments showed that intraperitoneal injection of metformin could obviously inhibit the growth of tumor xenograft. Conclusion: metformin can significantly inhibit the ability of proliferation and colony formation of bladder cancer cells in vitro, this inhibition may not be achieved by inducing apoptosis of bladder cancer cells.
Definite Malingered Neurocognitive Dysfunction in Moderate/Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

There has been disagreement in the literature about whether persons with documented neuropathology can be diagnosed as malingering. To address this question, we present three moderate severe traumatic brain injury patients who were evaluated in the context of litigation who met the Slick, Sherman, and Iverson (1999) criteria for a diagnosis of “Definite Malingered Neurocognitive Dysfunction. ” Each performed significantly below-chance on at least one forced-choice symptom validity test, thereby demonstrating a deliberate attempt to appear impaired. These cases represent the first definitive evidence of an intentional effort to appear impaired in the context of documented moderate/severe traumatic brain injury.
Quarter variation and correlations of colostrum albumin, immunoglobulin G1 and G2 in dairy cows

A high variation in immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) concentration in first milked quarter colostrum has been reported, but BSA quarter colostrum variation is not known. The occurrence of serum albumin in milk has been attributed to increased blood-milk barrier penetration. Reports of serum albumin binding to the Fc Receptor of the neonate, the receptor thought to be responsible for IgG1 transcytosis, suggested that a correlation with the appearance of IgG1 in colostrum of dairy cows was likely. The objective of the study was to establish the quarter colostrum concentration and mass of immunoglobulins and serum albumin. First colostrum was quarter collected within 4 h of parturition from healthy udders of 31 multiparous dairy cows. Individual quarter colostrum weight was determined and a sample of each was frozen for subsequent analysis. Concentrations of immunoglobulin G1, G2, and BSA were measured by ELISA and total mass of components was calculated. In addition, colostrum was also analysed for L-lactate dehydrogenase activity. Analysis of concentration and mass of BSA, immunoglobulin G1, G2 established that the quarter variations were different by cow, quarter and quarter within cow. Partial correlations corrected for colostrum weight indicated that BSA and IgG2 concentration and mass are closely correlated while that of BSA and IgG1 concentration and mass exhibited no correlation suggesting that BSA and IgG1 may have different transport mechanisms. Interestingly, immunoglobulin G1 and G2 concentration and mass exhibited strong correlations suggesting that also some unknown mechanism of immunoglobulin G2 appearance in colostrum is occurring. Finally, no measured protein exhibited any correlation with the activity of lactate dehydrogenase in colostrum.