Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phase transition in stoichiometric GaSb thin films: Anomalous density change and phase segregation

The crystallization of stoichiometric GaSb thin films was studied by combined in situ synchrotron techniques and static laser testing. It is demonstrated that upon crystallization, GaSb thin films exhibit an unusual behaviour with increasing thickness and concomitant decreasing mass density while its electrical resistance drops as commonly observed in phase change materials. Furthermore, beyond GaSb amorphous-to-crystalline phase transition, an elemental segregation and a separate crystallization of a pure Sb phase is evidenced.
Numerical and asymptotic solutions for merging flow through a channel with an upstream splitter plate

A numerical and analytical study is described for the divided flow field produced when the flows in two equal parallel channels, separated upstream by an aligned splitter plate, join together to form a single channel beyond the enclosed trailing edge of the plate. On the numerical side the second-order-accurate finite-difference scheme is based on a modified procedure to preserve accuracy and iterative convergence at higher Reynolds numbers R. Account is taken also of the influence of the boundedness of the computational domain and of the irregular behaviour of the flow solution at the trailing edge. The numerical solutions are presented for values of R up to 1000. On the analytical side the asymptotic structure of the solution for large R is governed mainly by a long $O(R^{\frac{1}{7}})$ relative lengthscale upstream and beyond the trailing edge. This is followed by a longer O(R) scale far downstream, but effects of practical significance also arise on the nominally tiny scale of O(R−½). Comparisons between the numerical and the asymptotic results for the wall shear stresses and the wake centreline velocity are made, and overall the agreement seems reasonable. The use of comparisons is believed to strengthen the value of both the numerical and the analytical approaches for these flows.
Implications of a quadratic stream definition in radiative transfer theory.

Abstract All explicit definition of the radiation-stream concept is stated and applied to approximate the integro-differential equaticn of radiative transfer with a set of twelve coupled differential equations. Computational efficiency is enhanced by distributing the corresponding streams in three-dimensional space in a totally symmetric way. Polarization is then incorporated in this model A computer program based on the model is briefly compared with a Monte Carlo program for simulation of horizon scans of the earth's atmosphere. It is found to be considerably faster.
Handheld chromatic pupillometry can reliably detect functional glaucomatous damage in eyes with high myopia

Background/aims To assess pupillary light responses (PLRs) in eyes with high myopia (HM) and evaluate the ability of handheld chromatic pupillometry (HCP) to identify glaucomatous functional loss in eyes with HM. Methods This prospective, cross-sectional study included 28 emmetropes (EM), 24 high myopes without glaucoma (HM) and 17 high myopes with confirmed glaucoma (HMG), recruited at the Singapore National Eye Center. Monocular PLRs were evaluated using a custom-built handheld pupillometer that recorded changes in horizontal pupil radius in response to 9 s of exponentially increasing blue (469.1 nm) and red (640.1 nm) lights. Fifteen pupillometric features were compared between groups. A logistic regression model (LRM) was used to distinguish HMG eyes from non-glaucomatous eyes (EM and HM). Results All pupillometric features were similar between EM and HM groups. Phasic constriction to blue (p<0.001) and red (p=0.006) lights, and maximum constriction to blue light (p<0.001) were reduced in HMG compared with EM and HM. Pupillometric features of melanopsin function (postillumination pupillary response, PIPR area under the curve (AUC) 0–12 s (p<0.001) and PIPR 6 s (p=0.01) to blue light) were reduced in HMG. Using only three pupillometric features, the LRM could classify glaucomatous from non-glaucomatous eyes with an AUC of 0.89 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.00), sensitivity 94.1% (95% CI 82.4% to 100.0%) and specificity 78.8% (95% CI 67.3% to 90.4%). Conclusion PLRs to ramping-up light stimuli are unaltered in highly myopic eyes without other diagnosed ocular conditions. Conversely, HCP can distinguish glaucomatous functional loss in eyes with HM and can be a useful tool to detect/confirm the presence of glaucoma in patients with HM.
Algorithm for predicting valvular heart disease from heart sounds in an unselected cohort

Background Although neural networks have shown promise in classifying pathological heart-sounds, algorithms have so far either been trained or tested on selected cohorts which can result in selection bias. Herein, the main objective is to explore the ability of neural networks to predict valvular heart disease (VHD) from heart sound (HS) recordings in an unselected cohort. Methods and results Using annotated HSs and echocardiogram data from 2124 subjects from the Tromso 7 study, we trained a recurrent neural network to predict murmur grade, which was subsequently used to predict VHD. Presence of aortic stenosis (AS) was detected with sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 94.5%, and area-under-the-curve (AUC) 0.979 (CI:0.963-0.995). At least moderate AS was detected with AUC 0.993 (CI:0.989-0.997). Moderate or greater aortic and mitral regurgitation (AR and MR) were predicted with AUC 0.634 (CI:0.565-703) and 0.549 (CI:0.506-0.593) respectively, which increased to 0.766 and 0.677 when adding clinical variables as predictors. Excluding asymptomatic cases from the positive class increased sensitivity to AR from 54.9% to 85.7%, and sensitivity to MR from 55.6% to 83.3%. Screening jointly for at least moderate regurgitation or presence of stenosis resulted in detection of 54.1% of positive cases, 60.5% of negative cases, 97.7% of AS cases (n=44), and all 12 MS cases. Conclusions Despite the cohort being unselected, the algorithm detected AS with performance exceeding performance achieved in similar studies based on selected cohorts. Detection of AR and MR based on HS audio was unreliable, but sensitivity was considerably higher for symptomatic cases, and inclusion of clinical variables improved prediction significantly.
Balo’s concentric sclerosis a rare variant of multiple sclerosis in a Nigerian adult male: A case report

Background: Balo’s concentric sclerosis (BCS) is a rare variant of multiple sclerosis (MS) that usually runs a benign course. Typically, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows concentric lamella of areas of demyelination alternating with normal zones of myelin preservation. Clinically, it may be mistaken for other intracranial space-occupying lesions, especially in our subregion, where neuroimaging facilities are scarce or not affordable. The authors report a rare case of BCS in a young Nigerian male diagnosed and managed in Enugu, Nigeria. This is possibly the first reported case in sub-Saharan Africa. Case Description: The patient presented with behavioral changes, focal seizures, cranial neuropathy, long tract signs, and cerebellar dysfunction causing severe disability and functional impairment with a Modified Rankin Score (mRS) of 4. Brain MRI showed multiple heterogeneous lesions in the right cerebral hemisphere, brainstem, and cerebellum with features in keeping with BCS. Cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands were negative and C-reactive protein was normal. He had high-dose steroids and immunosuppressive therapy. He made a gradual neurological improvement and significant symptom resolution and was able to return to work after a year (mRS-1). Conclusion: BCS is a rare variant of MS in sub-Saharan Africa. The mainstay of diagnosis is MRI which shows the typical concentric demyelinating pattern. Steroids and immunosuppressive therapy are effective in the treatment of BCS.
A conservative high‐order discontinuous Galerkin method for the shallow water equations with arbitrary topography

A conservative high‐order Godunov‐type scheme is presented for solving the balance laws of the 1D shallow water equations (SWE). The scheme adopts a finite element Runge–Kutta (RK) discontinuous Galerkin (DG) framework. Based on an overall third‐order accurate formulation, the model is referred to as RKDG3. Treatment of topographic source term is built in the DG approximation. Simplified formulae for initializing bed data at a discrete level are derived by assuming a local linear bed function to ease practical flow simulations. Owing to the adverse effects caused by using an uncontrolled global limiting process in an RKDG3 scheme (RKDG3‐GL), a new conservative RKDG3 scheme with user‐parameter‐free local limiting method (RKDG3‐LL) is designed to gain better accuracy and conservativeness. The advantages of the new RKDG3‐LL model are demonstrated by applying to several steady and transient benchmark flow tests with irregular (either differentiable or non‐differentiable) topography. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Infection by a helminth parasite is associated with changes in DNA methylation in the house sparrow

Abstract Parasites can exert strong selective pressures on their hosts and influence the evolution of host immunity. While several studies have examined the genetic basis for parasite resistance, the role of epigenetics in the immune response to parasites is less understood. Yet, epigenetic modifications, such as changes in DNA methylation, may allow species to respond rapidly to parasite prevalence or virulence. To test the role of DNA methylation in relation to parasite infection, we examined genome‐wide DNA methylation before and during infection by a parasitic nematode, Syngamus trachea, in a natural population of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). We found that DNA methylation levels were slightly lower in infected house sparrows, and we identified candidate genes relating to the initial immune response, activation of innate and adaptive immunity, and mucus membrane functional integrity that were differentially methylated between infected and control birds. Subsequently, we used methylation‐sensitive high‐resolution melting (MS‐HRM) analyses to verify the relationship between methylation proportion and S. trachea infection status at two candidate genes in a larger sample dataset. We found that methylation level at NR1D1, but not CLDN22, remained related to infection status and that juvenile recruitment probability was positively related to methylation level at NR1D1. This underscores the importance of performing follow‐up studies on candidate genes. Our findings demonstrate that plasticity in the immune response to parasites can be epigenetically mediated and highlight the potential for epigenetic studies in natural populations to provide further mechanistic insight into host–parasite interactions.
Tribological performance of the epoxy‐based composite reinforced by WS2 fullerene‐like nanoparticles and nanotubes

Recently large amounts of inorganic nanotubes (INT) and inorganic fullerene‐like (IF) nanoparticles of WS2 became available and methods for their dispersion in different media were developed. In the present work the tribological properties of epoxy composite compounded with tungsten disulfide particles of different sizes and morphologies, including quasi‐spherical IF nanoparticles, one‐dimensional INT as well as micron‐size platelets (2H) were investigated. The coefficient of friction and wear loss were measured under dry contact conditions using different tribological rigs. Remarkable reduction in wear and also friction (under high load) was demonstrated for the IF/INT epoxy nanocomposite. The reduced wear is attributed in general to the reinforcement of the polymer matrix by nanoparticles and the simultaneous reduction of the epoxy brittleness. Contrarily, the friction of the neat epoxy sample and epoxy mixed with platelets was accompanied with strong wear and transfer of a polymer film onto the rubbed surfaces. These results are consistent with the recently reported improvements in the fracture toughness, peel and shear strength of the epoxy‐nanoparticles (IF/INT) composites.
Modeling the geographical distributions of Chordodes formosanus and its mantis hosts in Taiwan, with considerations for their niche overlaps

Abstract Species distribution models (SDMs) have conventionally been used for evaluating the distribution of individual species, but they can also be used, through comparing different SDMs, to evaluate the geographic similarity between taxa. In this study, we used a parasite and host system to infer the geographic overlaps between species with tight biological interaction, for example, parasites and their obligate host. Specifically, we used the horsehair worm Chordodes formosanus and its three mantis hosts to study the extent of niche overlap. We retrieved presence points for the host species and the parasite, and then we built SDMs with MaxEnt implemented in ENMeval using selected bioclim variables (based on variance inflation factor values) at 30s scale. The models showed that the hosts and parasite do not occur in the high elevation areas in Taiwan, which is expected based on their biology. Interestingly, the predicted parasite distribution included areas without collection records, implying local extinction or sampling bias. We subsequently evaluated niche overlap between hosts and the parasite according to five similarity indices (Schoener's D, I statistic, relative rank, Pearson correlation coefficient, and the rank correlation coefficient rho). Our models showed a high similarity of SDM predictions between hosts and the parasite. There were differences among metrics for which host shared the highest similarity with the parasite, but the majority of the results indicated that the Japanese boxing mantis had the highest niche similarity with the horsehair worm. The choice of the niche overlap metric to use can uncover information on the parasite's ecology, which can be important for endangered species. SDMs are reliable tools for host and parasite conservation management and could help improve our understanding of parasite biology and ecology.
Dynamical response of equatorial waves in four-dimensional variational data assimilation

In this study we question the relative importance of direct wind measurements in the tropics by investigating limits of four-dimensional variational assimilation (4D-Var) in the tropics when only wind or mass field observations are available. Typically observed equatorial wave motion fields (Kelvin, mixed Rossby-gravity and n = 1 equatorial Rossby waves) are assimilated in a non-linear shallow water model. Perfect observations on the full model grid are utilized and no background error term is used. The results illustrate limits of 4D-Var with only one type of information, in particular mass field information. First, there is a limit of information available through the internal model dynamics. This limit is defined by the length of the assimilation window, in relation to the characteristics of the motion being assimilated. Secondly, there is a limit related to the type of observations used. In all cases of assimilation of wind field data, two or three time instants with observations are sufficient to recover the mass field, independent of the length of the assimilation time window. Assimilation of mass field data, on the other hand, although capable of wind field reconstruction, is much more dependent on the dynamical properties of the assimilated motion system. Assimilating height information is less efficient, and the divergent part of the wind field is always recovered first and more completely than its rotational part.
Shape and Thermal Effects of Metal Films on Stress-Induced Bending of Micromachined Bilayer Cantilever

In this study, the shape and thermal effects of metal films on the stress-induced bending of micromachined bilayer cantilever are systematically investigated. The cantilever makes use of residual stresses in thin films to induce the bending of microstructures by applying preloads. The characterization of the bilayer cantilever with different Au distribution has been performed to observe out-of-plane deformation. A finite-element model has been established to analyze such a deformation using experimental and theoretical results. It indicates that the commonly used formula for predicting the deformation of the cantilever is not valid for these devices. When the percentage of the area deposited with a metal is increased, deflection angle also increases. Furthermore, the influence of postprocessing temperature on the residual stress of the metal films is examined. Postprocessing temperature and residual stress reveal a close relationship. As postprocessing temperature increases, the residual stress of the metal increases, resulting in a larger out-of-plane deformation of the cantilever. Residual stress increases to a saturation value while the temperature reaches a critical value. This new finding could greatly affect the performance of a stress-induced bilayer cantilever. Finally, a switchable micromachined corner mirror is demonstrated using the bilayer cantilever.
Radiative transfer in the surfaces of atmosphereless bodies. III - Interpretation of lunar photometry

Narrowband and UBV photoelectric phase curves of the entire lunar disk and surface photometry of some craters have been interpreted using a newly developed generalized radiative transfer theory for planetary regoliths. The data are well fitted by the theory, yielding information on both macroscopic and microscopic lunar properties. Derived values for the integrated disk geometric albedo are considerably higher than quoted previously, because of the present inclusion of an accurately determined opposition effect. The mean surface roughness, defined as the ratio of the height to the radius of a typical irregularity, is found to be 0.9 + or - 0.1, or somewhat less than the mean value of 1.2 obtained for the asteroids. From the phase curves, wavelength-dependent values of the single scattering albedo and the Henyey-Greenstein asymmetry factor for the average surface particle are derived.
COVID-19 subphenotypes at hospital admission are associated with mortality: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background We have an incomplete understanding of COVID-19 characteristics at hospital presentation and whether underlying subphenotypes are associated with clinical outcomes and therapeutic responses. Methods For this cross-sectional study, we extracted electronic health data from adults hospitalized between 1 March and 30 August 2020 with a PCR-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 at five New York City Hospitals. We obtained clinical and laboratory data from the first 24 h of the patient’s hospitalization. Treatment with tocilizumab and convalescent plasma was assessed over hospitalization. The primary outcome was mortality; secondary outcomes included intubation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and length of stay (LOS). First, we employed latent class analysis (LCA) to identify COVID-19 subphenotypes on admission without consideration of outcomes and assigned each patient to a subphenotype. We then performed robust Poisson regression to examine associations between COVID-19 subphenotype assignment and outcome. We explored whether the COVID-19 subphenotypes had a differential response to tocilizumab and convalescent plasma therapies. Results A total of 4620 patients were included. LCA identified six subphenotypes, which were distinct by level of inflammation, clinical and laboratory derangements and ranged from a hypoinflammatory subphenotype with the fewest derangements to a hyperinflammatory with multiorgan dysfunction subphenotypes. Multivariable regression analyses found differences in risk for mortality, intubation, ICU admission and LOS, as compared to the hypoinflammatory subphenotype. For example, in multivariable analyses the moderate inflammation with fever subphenotype had 3.29 times the risk of mortality (95% CI 2.05, 5.28), while the hyperinflammatory with multiorgan failure subphenotype had 17.87 times the risk of mortality (95% CI 11.56, 27.63), as compared to the hypoinflammatory subphenotype. Exploratory analyses suggested that subphenotypes may differential respond to convalescent plasma or tocilizumab therapy. Conclusion COVID-19 subphenotype at hospital admission may predict risk for mortality, ICU admission and intubation and differential response to treatment. KEY MESSAGE This cross-sectional study of COVID patients admitted to the Mount Sinai Health System, identified six distinct COVID subphenotypes on admission. Subphenotypes correlated with ICU admission, intubation, mortality and differential response to treatment.
Impact of the Nordic Arthroplasty Register Association (NARA) collaboration on demographics, methods and revision rates in knee arthroplasty: a register-based study from NARA 2000–2017

Background and purpose We have previously observed differences in treatment and outcome of knee arthroplasties in the Nordic countries. To evaluate the impact of Nordic collaboration in the last 15 years we aimed to compare patient demographics, methods, and revision rates in primary knee arthroplasties among the 4 Nordic countries. Patients and methods We included 535,051 primary knee arthroplasties reported 2000–2017 from the Nordic Arthroplasty Register Association (NARA) database. Kaplan–Meier analysis (KM) and restricted mean survival time (RMST) analysis were used to evaluate the cumulative revision rate (CRR) and RMST estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and to compare countries in relation to risk of revision for any reason. Results After 2010, the increase in incidence of knee arthroplasty plateaued in Sweden and Denmark but continued to increase in Finland and Norway. In 2017 the incidence was highest in Finland with 226 per 105 person-years, while it was less than 150 per 105 in the 3 other Nordic countries. In total knee arthroplasties performed for osteoarthritis (OA), overall CRR at 15 years for revision due to any reason was higher in Denmark (CRR 9.6%, 95% CI 9.2−10), Norway (CRR 9.1%, CI 8.7−9.5), and Finland (CRR 7.0%, CI 6.8−7.3) compared with Sweden (CRR 6.6%, CI 6.4−6.8). There were differences among the countries in use of implant brand and type, fixation, patellar component, and use of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Interpretation We evinced a slowing growth of incidence of knee arthroplasties in the Nordic countries after 2010 with Finland having the highest incidence. We also noted substantial differences among the 4 Nordic countries, with Sweden having a lower risk of revision than the other countries. No impact of NARA could be demonstrated and CRR did not improve over time.
The effect of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead on the genotoxic activity of Boletaceae family mushrooms present in Serbia

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine accumulation of heavy metals and metalloids which are widely distributed in the environment and in food chain using wild edible mushrooms belonging to the Boletaceae family mushrooms. In addition, methanol extracts of mushrooms were tested for in vitro protective effect by the cytochalasin-B blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay using chromosome aberrations in human peripheral lymphocytes as a model. The genotoxic activity of methanol extracts prepared at 4 different concentrations (1, 2, 3 or 6 µg/ml) was examined using amifostine and mitomycin C as positive controls. Extracts of species B. regius and B. edulis exhibited the greatest reduction in the frequency of micronuclei (MN). Extract of B. regius at concentrations of 2 µg/ml showed the highest decrease in number of MN. In comparison, extract of mushroom B. edulis at a concentration of 3 µg/ml displayed less reduction. However, as heavy metals and metalloids are found in mushrooms, another aim was to examine whether these agents affected genotoxicity. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified clustering differences between control and heavy metals and metalloids groups and might explain the influence of heavy element content and genotoxic activity in mushrooms.