Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coverings with congruent and non-congruent hyperballs generated by doubly truncated Coxeter orthoschemes

After the investigation of the congruent and non-congruent hyperball packings related to doubly truncated Coxeter orthoscheme tilings [Acta Univ. Sapientiae, Mathematica, 11, 2 (2019), 437–459], we consider the corresponding covering problems. In Non-fundamental trunc-simplex tilings and their optimal hyperball packings and coverings in hyperbolic space the authors gave a partial classification of supergroups of some hyperbolic space groups whose fundamental domains will be integer parts of truncated tetrahedra, and determined the optimal congruent hyperball packing and covering configurations belonging to some of these classes. In this paper, we complement these results with the investigation of the non-congruent covering cases and the remaining congruent cases. We prove, that between congruent and non-congruent hyperball coverings the thinnest belongs to the $\{7,3,7\}$ Coxeter tiling with density $\approx 1.26829$. This covering density is smaller than the conjectured lower bound density of L. Fejes Tóth for coverings with balls and horoballs. We also study the local packing arrangements related to $\{u,3,7\}$ $(6< u < 7, ~ u\in \mathbb{R})$ doubly truncated orthoschemes and the corresponding hyperball coverings. We prove, that these coverings are achieved their minimum density at parameter $u\approx 6.45953$ with covering density $\approx 1.26454$ which is smaller than the above record-small density, but this hyperball arrangement related to this locally optimal covering can not be extended to the entire $\mathbb{H}^3$. Moreover, we see that in the hyperbolic plane $\mathbb{H}^2$ the universal lower bound of the congruent circle, horocycle, hypercycle covering density $\sqrt{12}/\pi$ can be approximated arbitrarily well also with non-congruent hypercycle coverings generated by doubly truncated Coxeter orthoschemes.
For Manifold Learning, Deep Neural Networks can be Locality Sensitive Hash Functions

It is well established that training deep neural networks gives useful representations that capture essential features of the inputs. However, these representations are poorly understood in theory and practice. In the context of supervised learning an important question is whether these representations capture features informative for classification, while filtering out non-informative noisy ones. We explore a formalization of this question by considering a generative process where each class is associated with a high-dimensional manifold and different classes define different manifolds. Under this model, each input is produced using two latent vectors: (i) a"manifold identifier"$\gamma$ and; (ii)~a"transformation parameter"$\theta$ that shifts examples along the surface of a manifold. E.g., $\gamma$ might represent a canonical image of a dog, and $\theta$ might stand for variations in pose, background or lighting. We provide theoretical and empirical evidence that neural representations can be viewed as LSH-like functions that map each input to an embedding that is a function of solely the informative $\gamma$ and invariant to $\theta$, effectively recovering the manifold identifier $\gamma$. An important consequence of this behavior is one-shot learning to unseen classes.
Mechanisms of Andreev reflection in quantum Hall graphene

We simulate a hybrid superconductor-graphene device in the quantum Hall regime to identify the origin of downstream resistance oscillations in a recent experiment [Zhao et al., Nature Physics 16, (2020)]. In addition to the previously studied Mach-Zehnder interference between the valley-polarized edge states, we consider disorder-induced scattering, and the appearance of the counter-propagating states generated by the interface density mismatch. Comparing our results with the experiment, we conclude that the observed oscillations are induced by the interfacial disorder, and that lattice-matched superconductors are necessary to observe the alternative ballistic effects.
Distribution of fusion transcripts and its clinical impact in patients with acute myeloid leukemia in Sudan

Objective: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a common malignant disorder of hematopoietic progenitor cells that caused by chromosomal translocation and the formation of fusion oncogenes. This study determined the frequencies of fusion genes in Sudanese patients with AML and their clinical impacts. Methods: This study was conducted at Alzaeim Alazhari University, Khartoum, Sudan. A total of 97 patients with AML were recruited in the study from different clinics in Khartoum state. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine types of fusion genes. Results: The highest frequency of genetic defects was observed for AML1-ETO fusion gene (57.6%) followed by MLL-AF9 (35.1%) and FUS-ERG (7.2%). No significant differences in blast cells, hemoglobin, total white blood cells, and platelets were found between different gene fusion groups (P > 0.05). In addition, no differences in the frequency of splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and lymphadenopathy were observed between different gene fusion groups (P > 0.05). With respect to French-American-British (FAB) classification, the M2 and M3 were significantly higher in patients with AML1-ETO fusion (86%, P < 0.01) whereas M4 and M5 were higher in patients with MLL-AF9 fusion (76.5%, P < 0.01). Conclusions: The study concluded that AML1-ETO and MLL-AF9 fusion genes were predominant in AML Sudanese patients. None of the examined clinical parameters were different between different fusion genes except for FAB stages.
Production and activity of matrix metalloproteinases during liver fibrosis progression of chronic hepatitis C patients

BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) participate in the degradation of extracellular matrix compounds, maintaining the homeostasis between fibrogenesis and fibrolytic processes in the liver. However, there are few studies on the regulation of liver MMPs in fibrosis progression in humans. AIM To assess the production activity and regulation of matrix metalloproteinases in liver fibrosis stages in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). METHODS A prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted. CHC patients were categorized in fibrosis grades through FibroTest®and/or FibroScan®. Serum MMP-2, -7, and -9 were determined by western blot and multiplex suspension array assays. Differences were validated by the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. The Spearman correlation coefficient and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated. Collagenolytic and gelatinase activity was determined through the Azocoll substrate and zymogram test, whereas tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 production was determined by dot blot assays. RESULTS Serum concentrations of the MMPs evaluated were higher in CHC patients than in healthy subjects. MMP-7 distinguished early and advanced stages, with a correlation of 0.32 (P < 0.001), and the area under the receiver operating characteristic displayed moderate sensitivity and specificity for MMP-7 in F4 (area under the receiver operating characteristic, 0.705; 95% confidence interval: 0.605-0.805; P < 0.001). Collagenolytic activity was detected at F0 and F1, whereas gelatinase activity was not detected at any fibrosis stage. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 determination showed upregulation in F0 and F1 but downregulation in F2 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION High concentrations of inactive MMPs were present in the serum of CHC patients, reflecting the impossibility to restrain liver fibrosis progression. MMPs could be good diagnostic candidates and therapeutic targets for improving novel strategies to reverse liver fibrosis in CHC.
Prevalence of retinal changes in patients with systemic sclerosis: the association between retinal vascular changes and nailfold capillaroscopic findings

Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease affecting the skin and multiple organs. Most of the evidence on ocular involvement comes from small studies. We evaluated the retinal vascular changes in patients with SSc and its associations with types, disease duration, skin score, and nailfold capillaroscopy changes. Material and methods We evaluated the demographic, clinical and nailfold capillaroscopy data of 52 patients referring to the clinic of scleroderma with SSc according to the 2013 ACR/EULAR SSc criteria. In addition, full ophthalmic examination in 52 patients and fundus photography in 40 patients were done in the ophthalmology clinic. Results There were 52 (49 women and 3 men, 17 diffuse and 35 limited) patients with SSc with mean disease duration of 8 ±5 years and mean age of 40 ±9 years. Retinal changes in the ophthalmologic examination were seen in 30.7% as increased vascular tortuosity. None of the patients had cotton wool spot, hemorrhage or hard exudate. Forty patients underwent fundus photography and 22.5% of them had vascular tortuosity. Only the presence of hemorrhage in the nailfolds was correlated with retinal tortuosity, and the other characteristics of nailfold capillaroscopy did not have any association with retinal changes. Conclusions Retinal vascular changes were seen in about one third of our patients. There was no correlation between nailfold capillaroscopy, disease duration, type and skin score of SSc patients and retinal vascular changes. These findings suggest that the mechanisms or the quality of changes in the retinal vessels and nailfold vasculature may be different.
Inoperable Left Renal Vein Leiomyosarcoma Refractory to Chemotherapy Invades Inferior Vena Cava and Right Atrium: A Case Report

Mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into a plethora of cell types. These differentiated cell types include osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myocytes, and adipocytes. Sarcomas occur secondary to malignant transformation of these mesenchymal, pluripotent stem cells. Involuntary smooth muscle is responsible for the make up of hollow organs and vasculature in our body and is regulated by our autonomic nervous system, hormones, as well as chemical and local mediators. Cancer involving smooth muscle cells is designated as leiomyosarcoma (LMS). LMS can arise from any location in the body where smooth muscle is present and is frequently reported in the abdomen and pelvis, as well as the trunk, extremities, and throughout the retroperitoneum.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF ADIABATIC CELLULAR PREMIXED FLAMES OF METHANE (ETHANE, PROPANE) + OXYGEN + CARBON DIOXIDE MIXTURES

Abstract Experimental studies of adiabatic cellular flames of CH4 + O2 + CO2, C2H6 + O2 + CO2, and C3H8 + O2 + CO2 are presented. Visual and photographic observations of the flames were performed to quantify their cellular structure. Non-stretched flames of methane and propane were stabilized at atmospheric pressure on a perforated plate burner of improved design. New measurements are compared with recent results from this group. A Heat Flux method was used to determine propagation speeds under conditions when the net heat loss of the flame is zero. Under specific experimental conditions the flames become cellular; this leads to significant modification of the flame propagation speed. The onset of cellularity was observed throughout the stoichiometric range of the mixtures studied. Cellularity disappeared when the flames became only slightly sub-adiabatic. Increasing the oxygen content in the artificial air and increasing the temperature of the burner plate led to increase of the number of cells observed. No direct proportionality between the number of cells and propagation speeds in CH4 + O2 + CO2 flames was observed. Dependence of the number of cells as a function of equivalence ratio clearly showed a local minimum in the stoichiometric mixtures.
Synthesis and Oxidation Testing of MAX Phase Composites in the Cr–Ti–Al–C Quaternary System

According to the properties determined for the ternary end-members, MAX phases in the quaternary Cr–Ti–Al–C system could be of interest as protective coatings for nuclear fuel cladding in the case of severe accident conditions. In this study, syntheses of 211 and 312 MAX phase compositions were attempted using pressureless reactions starting from Cr, TiH2, Al, and C (graphite) powders. It was observed that both the Ti substitution by Cr in Ti3AlC2 and the mutual solubility of Ti2AlC and Cr2AlC are limited to a few atomic percent. In addition, the remarkable stability of the (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2 MAX phase composition was confirmed. Due to the low miscibility of MAX phases in the Cr–Ti–Al–C system, most samples contained substantial amounts of TiCx and Al–Cr alloys as secondary phases, thus forming composite materials. After sintering, all samples were submitted to a single oxidation test (12 h at 1400°C in air) to identify compositions potentially offering high-temperature oxidation resistance and so warranting further investigation. In addition to (Cr0.95Ti0.05)2AlC, composite samples containing substantial quantities of Al8Cr5 and AlCr2 formed a stable and passivating Al2O3 scale, whereas the other samples were fully oxidized.
Predictors of Preterm Birth among Mothers Who Gave Birth in Silte Zone Public Hospitals, Southern Ethiopia

Background A preterm birth is the leading cause of death in both neonatal and children under five years of age every year throughout the world, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The causes of a preterm birth are complex and multifactorial; many risk factors that contribute it are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of a preterm birth among mothers who gave birth in Silte Zone Public Hospitals, Southern Ethiopia (2019/20). Methods and Materials A hospital-based unmatched case-control study design was carried out from July 15th to October 30th, 2019, by assigning mothers who gave preterm births as cases and those with term births as controls. A total of 365 respondents (91 cases and 274 controls) were selected by a consecutive simple random sampling until the required sample size was achieved. For each case, three consecutive controls were included. Data were collected using a structured interview questionnaire complement with record reviewing. The data were entered into Epi Info 7 and exported into SPSS 25 for analysis. Descriptive analysis was computed to obtain summary values for cases and controls separately. All candidate variables in bivariate analysis were entered into the multivariable logistic regression model by using the backward likelihood ratio selection methods. Finally, variables with p value ≤ 0.05 were considered as potential determinants of a preterm birth and reported in the form of adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Results Among a total of 365 mothers who gave live birth, 91 (24.9%) were cases compared to 274 (75.1%) which were controls. The final multivariable logistic regression analysis results showed that having history of a previous preterm birth (AOR = 3.51; 95%CI = 1.40 − 8.81), having shorter interpregnancy interval (AOR = 4.46; 95%CI = 1.95 − 10.21), experiencing obstetric complication (AOR = 3.82; 95%CI = 1.62 − 9.00), and having infant born with low birth weight (AOR = 5.58; 95%CI = 2.39 − 13.03) were found to be independent predictors of a preterm birth. Conclusions According to this finding, mothers having previous history of a preterm birth, experiencing obstetric complication, having shorter interpregnancy interval, and having infant born with low birth weight were reported as the independent predictors of a preterm birth. Improving the quality of antepartum and intrapartum, counseling on birth space, creating awareness on family planning, and early screening of preterm determinants are mandatory.
BCL-2 (-938C>A), BAX (-248G>A), and HER2 Ile655Val Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer Risk in Indian Population

Breast cancer is the most common carcinoma in women worldwide. The present case-control study was aimed to examine the association of BCL-2 (-938C> A), BAX (-248G > A), and HER2 (I655V i.e. A > G) polymorphisms with breast cancer risk in Indian population. This study enrolled 117 breast cancer cases and 104 controls. BCL-2 (-938C > A), BAX (-248G > A), and HER2 Ile655Val polymorphisms were screened by PCR-RFLP method. There was no significance difference in the allelic and genotype frequency of the BCL-2 (-938C > A) and BAX (-248G > A) polymorphisms between cases and controls. In relation to HER2 Ile655Val polymorphism, the statistical analysis of observed genotypic frequencies showed significant association (p-0.0059). Compared to Ile/Ile (A/A) genotype, frequency of Ile/Val (A/G) genotype was significantly higher among cases than in control group and observed to increase the breast cancer risk (OR, 2.43; 95%CI, 1.32–4.46; p-0.004). The frequency of Val (G) allele was significantly higher in cases as compared to controls (6.83% vs 2.88%, resp.). Compared to Ile (A) allele, significant increase in the risk of breast cancer was observed with Val (G) allele (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.35–3.63; p-0.0016). We observed significant association between HER2 Ile655Val polymorphism and breast cancer risk under the dominant (OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.41–4.51; p-0.001) and codominant (OR, 2.24; 95% CI: 1.23–4.09; p-0.008) model. In our study, BCL-2 (-938C > A) and BAX (-248G > A) polymorphism were not found to be associated with breast cancer risk. This present study for the first time shows significant association of HER2 Ile655Val polymorphism with risk of breast cancer in Indian population. Therefore, we suggest that each population need to evaluate its own genetic profile for breast cancer risk that may be helpful for better understanding the racial and geographic differences reported for breast cancer incidence and mortality.
Enhanced Biofilm Eradication and Reduced Cytotoxicity of a Novel Polygalacturonic and Caprylic Acid Wound Ointment Compared with Common Antiseptic Ointments

Antiseptic wound ointments are widely used to treat dermal wounds that are microbially contaminated. Polygalacturonic acid (PG)+caprylic acid (CAP) is a novel combination that has been shown to eradicate biofilms. We developed a novel PG+CAP ointment and compared the biofilm eradication capability and cytotoxicity of PG+CAP with that of commercially available antiseptic wound ointments. We used a well-established biofilm model to quantitatively assess the eradication of organisms following exposure to the wound ointments for 2 hours. PG+CAP ointment completely eradicated Candida albicans, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms, whereas MediHoney, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), and benzalkonium chloride (BZK) ointments failed to eradicate all biofilms within 2 hours. We assessed cytotoxicity by exposing L-929 fibroblasts to extracts of each ointment; Trypan blue exclusion was used to assess cell viability, and Alamar blue conversion was used to assess metabolic function. After exposure to PG+CAP and MediHoney, fibroblast viability was 96.23% and 95.23%, respectively (Trypan blue), and was comparable to untreated cells (98.77%). PHMB and BZK showed reduced viability (83.25% and 77.83%, respectively, p < 0.05). Metabolic activity results followed a similar pattern. Cytotoxicity of PG+CAP ointment towards erythrocytes was comparable to saline. PG+CAP ointment seems to be safe and can rapidly eradicate microbial biofilm; thus, PG+CAP ointment merits further in vivo testing as a potential antimicrobial wound ointment.
Chest computed tomography scan findings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Numerous cases of pneumonia caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were reported in Wuhan, China. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan is highly important in the diagnosis and follow-up of lung disease treatment. The present meta-analysis was performed to evaluate chest CT scan findings in COVID-19 patients. Material and methods All research steps were taken according to the Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies In Epidemiology (MOOSE) protocol and the final report was based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We registered this review at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO, CRD42019127858). Results Forty eligible studies including 4598 patients with COVID-19 were used for meta-analysis. The rate of positive chest CT scan in patients with COVID-19 was 94.5% (95% CI: 91.7-96.3). Bilateral lung involvement, pure ground-glass opacity (GGO), mixed (GGO pulse consolidation or reticular), consolidation, reticular, and presence of nodule findings in chest CT scan of COVID-19 pneumonia patients were respectively estimated to be 79.1% (95% CI: 70.8-85.5), 64.9% (95% CI: 54.1-74.4), 49.2% (95% CI: 35.7-62.8), 30.3% (95% CI: 19.6-43.6), 17.0% (95% CI: 3.9-50.9) and 16.6% (95% CI: 13.6-20.2). The distribution of lung lesions in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia was peripheral (70.0% [95% CI: 57.8-79.9]), central (3.9% [95% CI: 1.4-10.6]), and peripheral and central (31.1% [95% CI: 19.5-45.8]). The pulmonary lobes most commonly involved were the right lower lobe (86.5% [95% CI:57.7-96.8]) and left lower lobe (81.0% [95% CI: 50.5-94.7]). Conclusions The most important outcomes in chest CT scan of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were bilateral lung involvement, GGO or mixed (GGO pulse consolidation or reticular) patterns, thickened interlobular septa, vascular enlargement, air bronchogram sign, peripheral distribution, and left and right lower lobes involvement. Our study showed that chest CT scan has high sensitivity in the diagnosis of COVID-19, and may therefore serve as a standard method for diagnosis of COVID-19.
In situ cellular immune response in non-ulcerated skin lesions due to Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi infection

Abstract Background Skin lesions of patients affected by non-ulcerated cutaneous leishmaniasis (NUCL) caused by L. (L.) infantum chagasi are characterized by lymphohistiocytic inflammatory infiltrate associated with epithelioid granuloma and scarce parasitism. However, the in situ cellular immune response of these patients is unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to characterize the cellular immune response in the skin lesions of patients affected by NUCL. Methods Twenty biopsies were processed by immunohistochemistry using primary antibodies to T lymphocytes (CD4, CD8), NK cells, B lymphocytes, macrophages, nitric oxide synthase and interferon-gamma. Results Immunohistochemistry revealed higher expression of all cellular types and molecules (IFN-γ, iNOS) in the dermis of diseased skin compared to the skin of healthy individuals (p < 0.05). Morphometric analysis performed in the skin lesions sections showed the predominance of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the mononuclear infiltrate, followed by macrophages, mostly iNOS+, a response that could be mediated by IFN-γ. Conclusion Our study improves knowledge of the cellular immune response in non-ulcerated or atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. (L.) infantum chagasi in Central America and pointed to the pivotal participation of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the host defense mechanisms against the parasite in patients with NUCL.