Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Multilevel Preconditioners which are Optimal with Respect to Both Problem and Discretization Parameters

Abstract Preconditioners based on various multilevel extensions of two-level piecewise linear finite element methods lead to iterative methods which have an optimal order computational complexity with respect to the size (or discretization parameter) of the system. The methods can be in block matrix factorized form, recursively extended via certain matrix polynomial approximations of the arising Schur complement matrices or on additive, i.e., block diagonal form using stabilizations of the condition number at certain levels. The resulting spectral equivalence holds uniformly with respect to jumps in the coefficients of the differential operator and for arbitrary triangulations. Such methods were first presented by Axelsson and Vassilevski in the late 1980s. An important part of the algorithm is the treatment of systems with a diagonal block matrix, which arises on each finer level in a recursive refinement method and corresponds to the added degrees of freedom on that level. This block is well-conditioned for model type problems but becomes increasingly ill-conditioned when the coefficient matrix becomes more anisotropic or, equivalently, when the mesh aspect ratio increases. This paper presents some methods for approximating this matrix also leading to a preconditioner with spectral equivalence bounds which hold uniformly with respect to both the problem and the discretization parameters. Therefore, the same holds also for the preconditioner to the global matrix.
Viscosity, energy density and osmolality of gruels for infants prepared from locally produced commercial flours in some developing countries.

Forty market samples of locally produced (33) and imported (7) cereal-based flours used for complementary feeding in some African countries and Vietnam were studied in order to characterise their macronutrient content and, when prepared as gruels, their viscosity, energy density, and osmolality. The results show that less than half were fairly balanced with respect to their protein and lipid content. When prepared as gruels following the manufacturers' instructions, out of the 21 locally produced flours with complete instructions, ten had energy densities too low to provide sufficient energy to complement breastmilk for 9-11-month-old infants even at three meals a day (< 77 kcal or 322 kJ/100 g), nine were satisfactory if fed more than twice a day, and two if fed twice a day (> 116 kcal or 485 kJ/100 g). Two of the 11 with acceptable energy density had osmolality values higher than those reported in literature for complementary feeding (< 660 mOsm/kg H2O). In addition, when prepared as gruels with viscosities within the range of viscosity (1 to 3 Pa.s) usually observed in African countries, 14 of the 32 (44%) locally produced flours had insufficient energy densities to meet the energy requirements of infants even at three meals a day. These results call for greater concern and effort towards improving the nutritive value and energy density of cereal-based complementary foods produced in developing countries.
REM sleep deprivation generates cognitive and neurochemical disruptions in the intranigral rotenone model of Parkinson's disease

The recently described intranigral rotenone model of Parkinson's disease (PD) in rodents provides an interesting model for studying mechanisms of toxin‐induced dopaminergic neuronal injury. The relevance of this model remains unexplored with regard to sleep disorders that occur in PD. On this basis, the construction of a PD model depicting several behavioral and neurochemical alterations related to sleep would be helpful in understanding the association between PD and sleep regulation. We performed bilateral intranigral injections of rotenone (12 μg) on day 0 and the open‐field test initially on day 20 after rotenone. Acquisition phase of the object‐recognition test, executed also during day 20, was followed by an exact period of 24 hr of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation (REMSD; day 21). In the subsequent day (22), the rats were re‐exposed to the open‐field test and to the object‐recognition test (choice phase). After the last session of behavioral tests, the rat brains were immediately dissected, and their striata were collected for neurochemical purposes. We observed that a brief exposure to REMSD was able to impair drastically the object‐recognition test, similarly to a nigrostriatal lesion promoted by intranigral rotenone. However, the combination of REMSD and rotenone surprisingly did not inflict memory impairment, concomitant with a moderate compensatory mechanism mediated by striatal dopamine release. In addition, we demonstrated the existence of changes in serotonin and noradrenaline neurotransmissions within the striatum mostly as a function of REMSD and REMSD plus rotenone, respectively. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Review of Autopsies of Stillborn Infants with Retroplacental Hematoma or Hemorrhage

Intrathoracic petechiae are a potential marker of acute asphyxia in stillborn infants. Retroplacental hematoma (RPH) is a cause of acute asphyxia. The histological features of RPH can be timed using criteria for intrauterine duration of fetal death. Autopsies of stillborn infants of >26 weeks in gestation with RPH were evaluated for gross or microscopic evidence of petechiae. Placental gross and microscopic features were recorded. Eleven controls from other mechanisms of death were randomly selected. Intrathoracic petechiae were present in all 17 infants with RPH of >50% of the placental area, in 3 of 7 infants with <50% area RPH, and in 2 of 11 infants with other diagnoses. The placenta demonstrated basal plate neutrophils in all cases of RPH (N = 21). Early coagulation necrosis in the villi overlying the RPH was present in 5 of 13 cases after 4 to 24 hours, and complete coagulation necrosis was present in 3 of 4 cases after 24 hours. Infants with RPH underlying >50% of the placenta demonstrate intrathoracic petechiae, but controls and infants with smaller RPH do so much less frequently. This is consistent with the hypothesis that intrathoracic petechiae are a marker for intrauterine asphyxia. Basal plate neutrophils are a useful early marker of retroplacental hemorrhage. Early coagulation necrosis of the placenta over RPH begins in 4 to 24 hours but is not complete after more than 24 hours.
Broad-host-range gyrase A gene probe

The Escherichia coli gyrase A gene was cloned in the broad-host-range cosmid vector pLA2917. The resulting plasmid, pNJR3-2, conferred quinolone susceptibility on a gyrA mutant of E. coli. To analyze the expression of this E. coli gene in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, pNJR3-2 or pLA2917 was mobilized via conjugation into P. aeruginosa PAO2 and several well-characterized quinolone-resistant mutants of this strain. The vector pLA2917 did not significantly affect the quinolone susceptibilities of any of the P. aeruginosa strains. However, pNJR3-2 conferred wild-type quinolone susceptibility on P. aeruginosa cfxA (gyrA) mutants and intermediate quinolone susceptibility on cfxA-cfxB double mutants of P. aeruginosa. The quinolone susceptibility of P. aeruginosa PAO2 gyrA+ was unaffected by pNJR3-2. Also, pNJR3-2 had no significant effect on P. aeruginosa cfxB (permeability) mutants. These results demonstrate that the DNA gyrase A gene from E. coli is expressed in P. aeruginosa and confers dominant susceptibility on gyrA mutants. Thus, pNJR3-2 can be used to detect the quinolone resistance mutations that occur in the gyrase A gene of this organism. pNJR3-2 also appears to discriminate between mutations in gyrA and mutations which alter permeability. This gyrase A probe was used successfully in the analysis of quinolone resistance in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa.
Aspirin use and risk for lung cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Aspirin has received increasing attention owing to its potential as a chemopreventive agent against lung cancer. Previous observational studies have reported inconsistent findings on this issue. We investigated the association between aspirin use and risk for lung cancer by conducting a meta-analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Relevant studies were identified by searching Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library to December 2009. We also reviewed relevant bibliographies from the retrieved articles. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. RESULTS Fifteen studies (six case-control studies and nine prospective cohort studies) were included in the final meta-analysis. When all studies were pooled, the odds ratio (OR) of aspirin use for lung cancer risk was 0.86 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76-0.98]. In subgroup meta-analyses, there was no association between aspirin use and lung cancer risk among cohort studies (relative risk, 0.97; 95% CI 0.87-1.08), while there was a significant association among case-control studies (OR, 0.74; 95% CI 0.57-0.99). In a subgroup meta-analysis by quality of study methodology, a significant protective effect of aspirin use on lung cancer was observed only among eight low-quality studies (OR, 0.82; 95% CI 0.68-0.99), but not among seven high-quality studies (OR, 0.90; 95% CI 0.76-1.07). CONCLUSIONS Overall, the findings of this meta-analysis support that there was no association between aspirin use and lung cancer risk. Our findings should be confirmed in future prospective cohort studies or randomized, controlled trials.
Diagnosis of Hybrid Systems with SMT: Opportunities and Challenges

We propose a new approach to diagnosis of hybrid systems. In this approach, questions about the behavior of the system are asked and translated into Satisfiability Modulo Theory (SMT) problems, which are then solved by an SMT solver. We show the reduction to SMT. We also discuss the benefits and the drawbacks of this approach and conclude with a number of research directions that will make this approach applicable to large systems.
The use of whole-body CT for trauma patients: survey of UK emergency departments

Introduction Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) is advocated for use in some trauma patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). It is unclear how widespread the use of WBCT is in the UK and the best way to select patients for WBCT remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the current use and nature of WBCT policies in ED in the UK. Methods A postal questionnaire was devised and distributed to lead doctors of 245 ED in the UK in May 2010. Two further rounds of questionnaires were sent out in June and July to non-responders. Results 184/245 hospitals responded (75.1%). 41/184 (22.3%) ED had a WBCT policy. 43 (23.4%) further ED indicated that they used WBCT in certain cases, without a formal policy. Hospitals with a WBCT policy saw significantly more trauma cases than those that did not. Most hospitals with a WBCT policy used multiple criteria to decide which patients received WBCT, although there were variations in the timing of CT and in who could request it. Out-of-hours CT scans were less likely to be reported by a consultant radiologist, and reporting times were longer. Discussion The use of WBCT in the UK is variable, although centres that see more trauma seem more likely to have a WBCT policy. The results do raise concerns about how effectively WBCT can be delivered, especially out of hours, but nationwide plans to reorganise trauma care may potentially affect how and at which ED WBCT is offered in the future.
Protective effect of bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine in the prevention of leprosy: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Although the role of bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine in the prevention of leprosy was hypothesized as early as 1939, its level of protective effect remained controversial. AIM As a meta-analysis systematically combines the results from different studies, we summarize the protective effect of BCG vaccine in prevention of leprosy using meta-analytic procedures. METHODS Our search strategy included a computerized literature search, snowballing technique to identify potential studies, review of previously compiled lists of BCG studies and articles, contacting experts on BCG vaccination and manual search to locate articles in non-indexed journals. The present meta-analysis included 22 studies (6 trials, 2 cohort studies and 14 case-control studies) on the role of BCG vaccine in the prevention of leprosy. The random effects model as described by DerSimonian and Laird was used to summarize the effect measures. For each summarization, a Chi-square test of heterogeneity was estimated. To strengthen the viewpoint further additional information from the studies which were not included in meta-analysis, was also utilized. RESULTS The summary protective effects calculated from trials, cohort studies and case-control studies were 43 (27-55), 62 (53-69) and 58 (47-67)% respectively, which were statistically significant. These estimates confirmed the protective association between BCG vaccination and leprosy. Review of 29 studies focusing on the role of BCG vaccination in the prevention of leprosy revealed that not a single study reported a negative protective effect. Thirteen (44.8%) studies demonstrated greater than or equal to 50% efficacy/effectiveness. CONCLUSION There is sufficient and convincing evidence of the protective effect of BCG vaccine against leprosy, as reflected from the meta-analysis and overall review of 29 studies of BCG vaccination and leprosy.
Endbericht RENEWBILITY III - Optionen einer Dekarbonisierung des Verkehrssektors

Das Projekt Renewbility hat sich in den vergangenen Jahren auf vielfaltige Weise mit den Optionen fur Politik, Wirtschaft und Zivilgesellschaft im Verkehrssektor auseinandergesetzt. Es handelt sich um ein Forschungsprojekt, das mogliche Entwicklungen des Verkehrssektors durch die Betrachtung von Szenarien darstellt. Dabei werden Optionen aufgezeigt, die Treibhausgasemissionen des Verkehrssektors zu senken. Mit plausiblen, in sich konsistenten und vorstellbaren Szenarien werden die Potenziale konkreter Masnahmen fur einen sachgerechten Klimaschutz im Verkehr aufgezeigt – und zwar sowohl bezuglich der Umwelt-, als auch der okonomischen Wirkung.
Salivary agglutinin/glycoprotein-340/DMBT1: a single molecule with variable composition and with different functions in infection, inflammation and cancer

Abstract Salivary agglutinin (SAG), lung glycoprotein-340 (gp-340) and Deleted in Malignant Brain Tumours 1 (DMBT1) are three names for identical proteins encoded by the dmbt1 gene. DMBT1/SAG/gp-340 belongs to the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) superfamily of proteins, a superfamily of secreted or membrane-bound proteins with SRCR domains that are highly conserved down to sponges, the most ancient metazoa. On the one hand, DMBT1 may represent an innate defence factor acting as a pattern recognition molecule. It interacts with a broad range of pathogens, including cariogenic streptococci and Helicobacter pylori, influenza viruses and HIV, but also with mucosal defence proteins, such as IgA, surfactant proteins and MUC5B. Stimulation of alveolar macrophage migration, suppression of neutrophil oxidative burst and activation of the complement cascade point further to an important role in the regulation of inflammatory responses. On the other hand, DMBT1 has been demonstrated to play a role in epithelial and stem cell differentiation. Inactivation of the gene coding for this protein may lead to disturbed differentiation, possibly resulting in tumour formation. These data strongly point to a role for DMBT1 as a molecule linking innate immune processes with regenerative processes.
Low-Dose Quantitative Myocardial Blood Flow Imaging Using 15O-Water and PET Without Attenuation Correction

Misalignment between PET and low-dose CT (LD-CT) can cause severe artifacts in cardiac PET/CT because of attenuation-correction errors, even when using slow or cine LD-CT. Myocardial blood flow (MBF), as measured by 15O-water, can be determined from the rate of 15O-water washout from myocardial tissue, which is independent of tissue attenuation. The purpose of the present study was to assess the accuracy of these MBF measurements in the absence of attenuation correction. Methods: Twenty-five patients referred for evaluation of myocardial perfusion underwent 6-min rest and adenosine stress PET scans after the administration of 370 MBq of 15O-water; both scans were followed by slow LD-CT. Data were acquired on a PET/CT scanner and reconstructed by a 3-dimensional row-action maximum likelihood algorithm both with (CTAC) and without (NAC) attenuation correction. An ascending aorta volume of interest was used as input function. MBF and coronary flow reserve (CFR) were calculated for 17 myocardial segments using nonlinear regression of the standard single-tissue-compartment model with corrections for left and right ventricular spillover and perfusable tissue fraction. Results: High correlation (r2 = 0.99 and 0.97, with slopes of 0.96 and 0.91 for rest and stress, respectively) and excellent agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], 1.00 and 0.98) between NAC- and CTAC-based MBF values were found. Absolute rest and stress MBF values were 3% and 8%, respectively, lower for NAC scans. The correlation coefficient between all NAC and CTAC CFR values was 0.95 (ICC, 0.95; slope, 0.92) and 0.97 (ICC, 0.99; slope, 1.01) when only CFR values below 2 were considered. Deviations between CTAC and NAC values were smallest for basal segments and increased toward the apex. Conclusion: MBF and CFR can be measured accurately using 15O-water and PET without correcting for attenuation, reducing the effective dose to the patient to 0.8 mSv for a complete rest–stress protocol. This dose is an order of magnitude lower than typical values for 82Rb, 99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile, or CT perfusion scans.
Conventional versus Ultrapure Dialysate for Lowering Serum Lipoprotein(a) Levels in Patients on Long-Term Hemodialysis: A Randomized Trial

Purpose In patients on long-term hemodialysis, high lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are difficult to lower with medications, although they remain a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We investigated whether ultrapure dialysate (UPD) could lower Lp(a). Methods: We randomly assigned patients stabilized on long-term dialysis to either a low-flux synthetic polysulphone membrane (the UPD group; n=14) or to a conventional dialysate (the CD group; n=13). Blood samples were collected 1 week before dialysis and 1 week, 1 month, 6 months and 12 months after dialysis; Lp(a) was measured by the immunotur-bidimetry method. Hemoglobin, interleukin-6, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, β2 microglobulin and albumin were also measured. The erythropoietin dosage, Kt/V, and normalized protein catabolic rate were recorded monthly. Results At 12 months, mean (SD) serum levels of Lp(a) in the CD patients increased from 143.46 (125.11) to 283.89 (145.81) mg/L (p<0.01), whereas levels in the UPD group remained unchanged: 131.38 (201.45) to 120.90 (122.11) mg/L. Endotoxin levels in the 10 CD patients who completed the study ranged from 0.116 to 0.349 EU/mL and were undetectable in the 11 UPD patients who completed the study. The cultures were less than 200 CFU/mL in CD patients and negative all the time for all UPD patients. Changes in Lp(a) from baseline values were lower in the UPD group than in the CD group (p<0.05). However, changes in other variables did not differ between groups. Conclusions Ultrapure dialysate can prevent the rise of Lp(a), potentially decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis patients.
Induction of a chronic disease state in patients with smoldering or indolent multiple myeloma by targeting interleukin 1{beta}-induced interleukin 6 production and the myeloma proliferative component.

OBJECTIVE To conduct in vitro studies as well as a phase 2 clinical trial in patients with smoldering or indolent multiple myeloma to determine if interleukin 1 (IL-1) inhibitors can delay or prevent active myeloma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Stromal cells were cocultured with IL-1beta-expressing myeloma cells in the presence of dexamethasone, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), or both. Levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and of apoptosis were also quantified. Between November 19, 2002, and May 24, 2007, 47 patients were enrolled in the study and subsequently treated with IL-1Ra. In 25 (53%) of the 47 study patients, low-dose dexamethasone (20 mg/wk) was added. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS In vitro, IL-1Ra was superior to dexamethasone at inhibiting IL-6 production; maximal IL-6 inhibition and apoptosis induction were achieved by addition of both IL-1Ra and dexamethasone. In the clinical trial, 3 patients achieved a minor response to IL-1Ra alone; 5 patients achieved a partial response and 4 patients a minor response after addition of dexamethasone. Seven patients showed a decrease in the plasma cell labeling index that paralleled a decrease in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. The median overall PFS was 37.5 months. The median PFS for patients without (n=12) or with (n=35) a greater than 15% decrease in 6-month vs baseline hs-CRP levels was 6 months and more than 3 years, respectively (P=.002). Disease stability was maintained in 8 patients who received therapy for more than 4 years. CONCLUSION In patients with smoldering or indolent multiple myeloma who were at risk of progression to active myeloma, treatment with IL-1 inhibitors decreased the myeloma proliferative rate and hs-CRP levels in those who responded, leading to a chronic disease state and an improved PFS. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00635154.
Modeling of Plastic Deformation Effects in Ferromagnetic Thin Films

To explain the magnetic behavior of plastic deformation of thin magnetic films (Fe and permalloy) on an elastic substrate (nitinol), it is noted that unlike in the bulk, the dislocation density does not increase dramatically because of the dimensional constraint. As a result, the resulting residual stress, even though strain hardening is limited, dominates the observed magnetic behavior. Thus, with the field parallel to the stress axis, the compressive residual stress resulting from plastic deformation causes a decrease in remanence and an increase in coercivity; and with the field perpendicular to the stress axis, the resulting compressive residual stress causes an increase in remanence and a decrease in coercivity. These elements have been inserted into the model previously developed for plastic deformation in the bulk, producing the aforementioned behavior, which has been observed experimentally in the films.