Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Process dynamics of starch-based microcellular foams produced by supercritical fluid extrusion . II : Numerical simulation and experimental evaluation

This paper presents the numerical simulation results for the process dynamics model for SCFX processing and post-extrusion drying developed in Part I. The SCFX model was written in Visual Basic, and experimental data for pregelatinized corn and potato starch based SCFX extrudates with 4–7% whey protein concentrate were used for validation. Predicted bubble radius (R) was 50–220 mm, expansion ratio (ER) 4–11 and open cell fraction (fo) 0.05–0.27, as the drying temperature varied from 70 to 95 C. Moreover, the model predicted decrease in extrudate collapse and open cell fraction with increase in yield and failure stresses of the melt, respectively. Simulation results compared well with experimental R and fo. The model provided a good understanding of the mechanisms of bubble growth and collapse, post extrusion drying and open cell formation during SCFX processing. The model was also used to estimate the effect of various processing and material parameters on extrudate structural characteristics, and can be a useful tool in a priori design of extrudates of specific characteristics. # 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
- 1-Topological theory of non-Hermitian photonic systems

Here, we develop a gauge-independent Green function approach to characterize the Chern invariants of generic non-Hermitian systems. It is shown that analogous to the Hermitian case, the Chern number can be expressed as an integral of the system Green function over a line parallel to the imaginary-frequency axis. The approach introduces in a natural way the “band-gaps” of non-Hermitian systems as the strips of the complexfrequency plane wherein the system Green function is analytical. We apply the developed theory to nonreciprocal electromagnetic continua, showing that the topological properties of gyrotropic materials are strongly robust to the effect of material loss. Furthermore, it is proven that the spectrum of a topological material cavity terminated with opaque-type walls must be gapless. This result suggests that the bulk-edge correspondence remains valid for a class of non-Hermitian systems. * To whom correspondence should be addressed: E-mail: mario.silveirinha@co.it. pt
Noniterative Parameter-Free Fault Location on Untransposed Single-Circuit Transmission Lines

Extra high voltage transmission networks include many untransposed single-circuit overhead lines with horizontal configuration of phase conductors. This paper develops a setting-free fault-location method specific to these types of transmission lines. Utilizing synchronized measurements at line terminals, the proposed method accurately locates faults irrespective of fault type, fault resistance, external network parameters, and faulted-line parameters. As such, fault location is robust against ambient conditions as well as inherent inaccuracy of line parameters. The bisymmetry of the impedance matrix of the line is utilized to obtain a closed-form solution for fault location on short transmission lines. For long transmission lines, shunt capacitance of the line is taken into account to obtain an accurate closed-form estimation for fault location. Electromagnetic transient simulation in PSCAD/EMTDC environment validates the accuracy of the proposed fault-location method for a long untransposed 400-kV transmission line. The obtained results are also compared with an existing noniterative parameter-free fault-location method to demonstrate salient features of the proposed method.
Structural topology of phospholamban pentamer in lipid bilayers by a hybrid solution and solid-state NMR method

Phospholamban (PLN) is a type II membrane protein that inhibits the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), thereby regulating calcium homeostasis in cardiac muscle. In membranes, PLN forms pentamers that have been proposed to function either as a storage for active monomers or as ion channels. Here, we report the T-state structure of pentameric PLN solved by a hybrid solution and solid-state NMR method. In lipid bilayers, PLN adopts a pinwheel topology with a narrow hydrophobic pore, which excludes ion transport. In the T state, the cytoplasmic amphipathic helices (domains Ia) are absorbed into the lipid bilayer with the transmembrane domains arranged in a left-handed coiled-coil configuration, crossing the bilayer with a tilt angle of approximately 11° with respect to the membrane normal. The tilt angle difference between the monomer and pentamer is approximately 13°, showing that intramembrane helix–helix association forces dominate over the hydrophobic mismatch, driving the overall topology of the transmembrane assembly. Our data reveal that both topology and function of PLN are shaped by the interactions with lipids, which fine-tune the regulation of SERCA.
Traumatic brain injury in the elderly: considerations in a series of 103 patients older than 70.

AIM Mortality and morbidity due to brain injury in the elderly population is a growing clinical problem: among older patients, those >70 years have a considerably higher risk both in terms of mortality and morbidity. Thereafter, the reasons influencing outcome have not been clearly examined: in the present study we addressed these questions considering the main clinical characteristics exerting a significant impact on the outcome of patients aged > 70, with emphasis for the severity of brain injury and anticoagulant (CAW) treatments. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of 103 consecutive isolated head injury patients older than 70, admitted at our Department in the period November 2004-November 2009. The clinical variables considered were as follow: age, sex, type of TBI, GCS, pre-TBI use of anti-coagulants (aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel), INR at admission (INR values were subdivided in values >1.25 as at risk for hemorrhagic events and <1.25 as normal), initial CT scan classification looking at the presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (t-SAH) or mass lesions; the main outcome measure was the Glasgow Outcome Scale. RESULTS The most frequent cause of TBI was accidental fall (65%): 39 were in CAW therapies and in 36 cases the cause of falling down injury was recorded due to a sincopal event (arterial hypotension, atrial fibrillation); in the older patients an accidental fall is significantly related to the TBI, while in the patients aged 70-75 years, TBI is related to a traffic accident (P=0.002). Moreover the cause of TBI correlates with the CAW treatment, the accidental fall being significantly more frequent in patients in CAW treatment (P=0.003). Overall mortality rate is significantly related to an elevated INR class, to presence of t-SAH (16/50 patients) and subdural hematoma (26/46). CONCLUSION The results of the present study show that in a population of patients aged > 70, TBI is a high risk event if patient has concurrent treatment with CAW therapies and if an accidental fall is the cause of TBI. In these cases the finding of t-SAH represents a high-risk parameter for mortality but not for morbidity.
Incidence of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in Sweden, Denmark, and Finland from 1960 through 2003: an Epidemic That Was

Background: Reports during the early 1990s indicated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) as one of the most rapidly increasing malignancies. More recent trends remain poorly characterized, as do the underlying reasons for NHL time trends, in particular, the effect of changes in classification and registration of lymphoproliferative malignancies. Insights into the descriptive epidemiology of NHL may shed light upon its elusive etiology. Methods: We used data from the Swedish, Danish, and Finnish national cancer registers to assess the incidences of NHL and other lymphoproliferative malignancies between 1960 and 2004. Using Poisson regression, we estimated the annual rate of change in NHL incidence per decade by sex, age, and country. Results: In Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, the NHL incidence increased in both genders and all age categories by about 4% every year up until the early 1990s. Thereafter, the incidence increased at a slower rate (ages 60-79 years), stabilized (ages 50-59 and ≥80 years), and decreased (ages 0-49 years), respectively, similarly for males and females in the three countries. Time trends of NHL were not reciprocated and explained by trends for other lymphoproliferative malignancies nor explained by trends in NHL as secondary primaries or NHL diagnosed postmortem. Conclusions: The epidemic increase of NHL has recently subsided. Changes in the classification of lymphoproliferative malignancies, or occurrence of NHL as second primaries, only offer a marginal explanation. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(7):1295–300)
On the Determinants of Corporate Dividend Policy: A Tobit Model Approach

This study examines the factors that impact the dividend payout ratio of Turkish firms that are listed in Borsa Istanbul-100 Index for the period 2005-2013. Random-effect Tobit panel regression is used in order to investigate the determinants of dividend policy. According to the empirical results, firms which have higher cash flows, large firms, firms with high growth opportunities pay higher dividends. Although a significant coefficient for the managerial ownership can not be found for the whole sample, this variable negatively affects dividend payout ratio in dividend paying firms. Further, the sample is divided into two parts as low leverage firms and high leverage firms. The expected substitution among leverage, managerial ownership and dividend payments is investigated and a significant relation can not be found
The Effects of Labeling and Social Desirability on Perceived Success of a Learning Disabled Student

This research examined the effects of specific learning disability labels and participant social desirability scores on peer judgments of a target person’s social and academic success. Participants were given a description of a fictitious high school student who was labeled as either dyslexic, ADHD, or needing glasses. Participants then made judgments of the student’s social and academic success and completed the Crowne and Marlowe Social Desirability Scale. Significant differences were found between the labels ‘dyslexic’ and ‘needing glasses’ for questions related to the fictitious student’s social and academic success whereas social desirability scores were found to have no influence on participants’ ratings of the fictitious student. In today’s society, it is not uncommon for individuals with disabilities to be ostracized and discriminated against. It is not surprising that Dunn, Chambers, and Rabren (2004) found that the drop-out rate for individuals with learning disorders is significantly higher than those who are known as “normal”. Aside from the academic challenges that someone with a learning disability faces, there are a number of social judgments that coincide with the learning disability label. A growing body of research has examined the effects of labeling and found that it often leads to stigmatization. Classic literature by Goffman (1968) describes the processes of stigmatization, claiming, “we exercise varieties of discrimination, through which we effectively, if often unthinkingly, reduce his life chances” (p. 5). Goffman’s observations proved to be highly insightful, and research continues to examine the effects of labeling. In an age where learning disabilities are frequently diagnosed, it is important to understand the implications of labeling. Graham and Dwyer (1987) found that labeling often leads to negative evaluations. When participants in their study were asked to score essays supposedly written by learning disabled students, the essays were graded more negatively than if they were told the same essays were written by normal students. These findings demonstrate that labeling someone as learning disabled, regardless of their capabilities, will automatically put them at a disadvantage. Not only is achievement affected by labeling, but also
A ketolide resistance mutation in domain II of 23S rRNA reveals the proximity of hairpin 35 to the peptidyl transferase centre

Ketolides represent a new generation of macrolide antibiotics. In order to identify the ketolide‐binding site on the ribosome, a library of Escherichia coli clones, transformed with a plasmid carrying randomly mutagenized rRNA operon, was screened for mutants exhibiting resistance to the ketolide HMR3647. Sequencing of the plasmid isolated from one of the resistant clones and fragment exchange demonstrated that a single U754A mutation in hairpin 35 of domain II of the E. coli 23S rRNA was sufficient to confer resistance to low concentrations of the ketolide. The same mutation also conferred erythromycin resistance. Both the ketolide and erythromycin protected A2058 and A2059 in domain V of 23S rRNA from modification with dimethyl sulphate, whereas, in domain II, the ketolide protected, while erythromycin enhanced, modification of A752 in the loop of the hairpin 35. Thus, mutational and footprinting results strongly suggest that the hairpin 35 constitutes part of the macrolide binding site on the ribosome. Strong interaction of ketolides with the hairpin 35 in 23S rRNA may account for the high activity of ketolides against erythromycin‐resistant strains containing rRNA methylated at A2058. The existence of macrolide resistance mutations in the central loop of domain V and in hairpin 35 in domain II together with antibiotic footprinting data suggest that these rRNA segments may be in close proximity in the ribosome and that hairpin 35 may be a constituent part of the ribosomal peptidyl transferase centre.
Seizures in children with congenital hydrocephalus

We documented seizures in 33 of 68 (48.5%) children with congenital hydrocephalus not associated with myelomeiningocele. Mental retardation (MR) and CNS malformations correlated with seizure occurrence, age at shunt insertion and number of shunt revisions and infections were not significant variables in predicting seizures. Of 11 patients seizure free for 2 or more years on medication, six had therapy discontinued without seizure recurrence. Among those 33 children with seizures, 14 (42.4%), including five who had failed withdrawal of medication, have adequately control1ed seizures on anticonvulsants. Frequent convulsions despite treatment occur in 13 (39.4%) of the 33 children with seizures. Absence of MR, older age and nonparoxysmal EEG at seizure onset, and absence of CNS malformation correlated with seizure remission. Longer time without seizures while on medication did not predict successful discontinuation of therapy. In contrast, MR correlated significantly with seizure recurrence following cessation of treatment. Our study indicates that medication can be safely discontinued in children with congenital hydrocephalus who are of normal intelligence and have been seizure free on anticonvulsants for 3 years.
Effects of Cultures on the Persistence of Auxinic Herbicides in Soil

The objective of this work was to develop techniques to reduce, in soil, the persistence of herbicides used in pastures, to implement crop-breeding system integration and subsequent crops. Thus, experiments were performed under greenhouse and field conditions. The first one under field conditions (degraded pasture), aimed to evaluate the tolerance of maize and sorghum crops to herbicides (picloram + 2,4-D) and 2,4-D, applied at commercial recommended rates. The second experiment conducted under greenhouse conditions aimed to evaluate the residual effect of these herbicides under different area management conditions. Nine treatments were assessed, with the main plots being composed by the crops (without soil cultivation, grown with corn and grown with sorghum) and by the subplots, management (weeds controlled by manual cultivation, with 2,4-D, or with a mixture picloram + 2,4-D). The field experiment was installed in Viçosa-MG in hot D’ANTONINO, L. et al. Planta Daninha, Viçosa-MG, v. 27, n. 2, p. 371-378, 2009 372 and humid season in a completely randomized block design, with four replications. The soil was a Red-Yellow Ultisol with median fertility. For the implementation of the second experiment under greenhouse conditions, soil samples collected in all subplots of the first experiment were used at 1, 42, 125 and 170 days after application (DAA) of herbicides. In this study, the persistence of the herbicides in the soil at each treatment was evaluated to identify soil remediation ability by maize and sorghum, compared with bare soil. It was found that corn plant growth was affected by the herbicides and accumulated lesser amount of dry mass when the corn plants were grown in soil with residues of picloram + 2,4-D mixture, while sorghum was tolerant. The residual effect of the herbicides in the soil evaluated was not influenced by the crop species or soil management (corn, sorghum or bare soil). There was not any sign of poisoning in the indicative plants grown in soil samples collected in the areas treated with 2,4-D in the evaluation conducted 42 DAA. However, plants grown in soil samples that received the mixture picloram + 2,4-D, showed no intoxication symptoms only after 150 DAA.
Multicenter Quality Improvement Project to Prevent Sternal Wound Infections in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Patients

Background: Children undergoing cardiac surgery are at risk for sternal wound infections (SWIs) leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Single-center quality improvement (QI) initiatives have demonstrated decreased infection rates utilizing a bundled approach. This multicenter project was designed to assess the efficacy of a protocolized approach to decrease SWI. Methods: Pediatric cardiac programs joined a collaborative effort to prevent SWI. Programs implemented the protocol, collected compliance data, and provided data points from local clinical registries using Society of Thoracic Surgery Congenital Heart Surgery Database harvest-compliant software or from other registries. Results: Nine programs prospectively collected compliance data on 4,198 children. Days between infections were extended from 68.2 days (range: 25-82) to 130 days (range: 43-412). Protocol compliance increased from 76.7% (first quarter) to 91.3% (final quarter). Ninety (1.9%) children developed an SWI preprotocol and 64 (1.5%) postprotocol, P = . 18. The 657 (15%) delayed sternal closure patients had a 5% infection rate with 18 (5.7%) in year 1 and 14 (4.3%) in year 2 P = . 43. Delayed sternal closure patients demonstrated a trend toward increased risk for SWI of 1.046 for each day the sternum remained open, P = . 067. Children who received appropriately timed preop antibiotics developed less infections than those who did not, 1.9% versus 4.1%, P = . 007. Conclusion: A multicenter QI project to reduce pediatric SWIs demonstrated an extension of days between infections and a decrease in SWIs. Patients who received preop antibiotics on time had lower SWI rates than those who did not.
AFM-based robust image analysis to contrast reversal effects in cell-cerium oxide nanoparticles interactions

Atomic force microscopy is gaining interest as a technique to quantitatively study biological samples in native environment. However, the measuring principles behind may cause the presence of different sources of artifacts and image degradations. In this work, we present an AFM image analysis tool able to recognize morphological alterations in human leukemia cells after 3 h incubation with the antioxidant cerium oxide nanoparticles. To demonstrate the robustness of the approach to a particular artifact called contrast reversal (CR) effect, consisting in an unexpected switching between repulsive and attractive tip regime during scanning, we present a technique to artificially inject the artefact on the image and then apply the tool. Maximum area under the ROC (AUC) curve results of 0.91 (0.11) in the discrimination between exposed and unexposed cells confirm the validity of the approach and its applicability in AFM-based cell studies.
Correlates of social support in older American Indians: the Native Elder Care Study

Objectives: This study examined social support and identified demographic and health correlates among American Indians aged 55 years and older. Methods: Data were derived from the Native Elder Care Study, a cross-sectional study of 505 community-dwelling American Indians aged ≥55 years. Social support was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey measure (MOS-SSS) of which psychometric properties were examined through factor analyses. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify associations between age, sex, educational attainment, marital status, depressive symptomatology, lower body physical functioning, and chronic pain and social support. Results: Study participants reported higher levels of affectionate and positive interaction social support (88.2% and 81.8%, respectively) than overall (75.9%) and emotional (69.0%) domains. Increased age, being married/partnered, and female sex were associated with high social support in the final model. Decreased depressive symptomatology was associated with high overall, affectionate, and positive interaction support, and decreased chronic pain with affectionate support. The count of chronic conditions and functional disability were not associated with social support. Conclusions: Overall, we found high levels of social support for both men and women in this population, with the oldest adults in our study exhibiting the highest levels of social support. Strong cultural values of caring for older adults and a historical tradition of community cooperation may explain this finding. Future public health efforts may be able to leverage social support to reduce health disparities and improve mental and physical functioning.
Use of a quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method to study the induction of CYP1A, CYP2B and CYP4A forms in precision-cut rat liver slices

1. The aim was to employ real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology (TaqMan ®) to examine the induction of some selected cytochrome P450 (CYP) forms in precision-cut rat liver slices. 2. Taqman ® primers and probe sets were developed for rat CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2B1 and CYP4A1 forms. 3. Rat liver slices were cultured in control medium or medium containing either 10 µg ml -1 Aroclor 1254 (ARO), 500µM sodium phenobarbitone (NaPB) or 50µM Wy-14,643 (WY) for 3, 6 and 24 h. 4. Compared with control liver slices, treatment with ARO for 3 and 6 h produced 24- and 184-fold increases, respectively, in CYP1A1 mRNA levels, and after 24h produced an 85-fold increase in CYP1A2 mRNA levels. Levels of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 mRNA were not markedly affected by NaPB and WY. 5. Treatment with ARO and PB for 24 h produced 10.6- and 23.8-fold increases, respectively, in CYP2B1 mRNA. Levels of CYP2B1 mRNA were not markedly affected by WY. 6. Treatment with WY, but not ARO and NaPB, for 24h produced a 20.4-fold increase in levels of CYP4A1 mRNA. 7. These results demonstrate that cultured liver slices may be used to evaluate the effect of xenobiotics on CYP form mRNA levels.
Dualities and derived equivalences for category O

We determine the Ringel duals for all blocks in the parabolic versions of the BGG category O associated to a reductive finite dimensional Lie algebra. In particular we find that, contrary to the original category O and the specific previously known cases in the parabolic setting, the blocks are not necessarily Ringel self-dual. However, the parabolic category O as a whole is still Ringel self-dual. Furthermore, we use generalisations of the Ringel duality functor to obtain large classes of derived equivalences between blocks in parabolic and original category O. It seems that only some special cases were known thus far, where the proof relied purely on a geometric approach to category O. We subsequently classify all derived equivalence classes of blocks of category O in type A which preserve the Koszul grading.