Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy-based non-local plasticity models for deformation patterning, localization and fracture

This paper analyses the effect of the form of the plastic energy potential on the (heterogeneous) distribution of the deformation field in a simple setting where the key physical aspects of the phenomenon could easily be extracted. This phenomenon is addressed through two different (rate-dependent and rate-independent) non-local plasticity models, by numerically solving two distinct one-dimensional problems, where the plastic energy potential has different non-convex contributions leading to patterning of the deformation field in a shear problem, and localization, resulting ultimately in fracture, in a tensile problem. Analytical and numerical solutions provided by the two models are analysed, and they are compared with experimental observations for certain cases.
Quantum Algorithm for Systems of Linear Equations with Exponentially Improved Dependence on Precision

Harrow, Hassidim, and Lloyd [Phys. Rev. Lett. , 103 (2009), 150502] showed that for a suitably specified $N \times N$ matrix $A$ and an $N$-dimensional vector $\vec{b}$, there is a quantum algorithm that outputs a quantum state proportional to the solution of the linear system of equations $A\vec{x} = \vec{b}$. If $A$ is sparse and well-conditioned, their algorithm runs in time ${poly}(\log N, 1/\epsilon)$, where $\epsilon$ is the desired precision in the output state. We improve this to an algorithm whose running time is polynomial in $\log(1/\epsilon)$, exponentially improving the dependence on precision while keeping essentially the same dependence on other parameters. Our algorithm is based on a general technique for implementing any operator with a suitable Fourier or Chebyshev series representation. This allows us to bypass the quantum phase estimation algorithm, whose dependence on $\epsilon$ is prohibitive.
ASSESSING THE POSSIBILITY OF MACHINING OF THE SELF-REINFORCED BIORESORBABLE POLYMER P(L/DL)LA 70:30

This new study has sought to assess the machining possibility of the self-reinforced bioresorbable polymer P(L/DL)LA 70:30, used in healthcare. To verify the viability of machining of the components and, consequently, the influence of the cutting parameters on the surface quality of the machined samples, experiments were performed with different values for speed, feed, applications of cutting fluid, material and tool geometry. After machining, the roughness was measured and the generated surfaces were analyzed qualitatively. The interaction of the machining parameters and the surface quality were particularly analyzed on the search for surfaces with the characteristics used in the area of implants that interact with bone tissue, to decide on the viability of machining. With these results, it was determined that the material properties have played a decisive role in the resoluteness of the surface quality of the machined samples. To achieve the necessary characteristics for an implant, the machining parameters should be selected based on the material properties, such as glass transition temperature, molecular mobility and mechanical strength. This work has shown that it is possible to establish parameters for an appropriate machining of the material.
Partially Randomized, Non-Blinded Trial of DNA and MVA Therapeutic Vaccines Based on Hepatitis B Virus Surface Protein for Chronic HBV Infection

Background Chronic HBV infects 350 million people causing cancer and liver failure. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of plasmid DNA (pSG2.HBs) vaccine, followed by recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA.HBs), encoding the surface antigen of HBV as therapy for chronic HBV. A secondary goal was to characterize the immune responses. Methods Firstly 32 HBV e antigen negative (eAg–) participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: to receive vaccines alone, lamivudine (3TC) alone, both, or neither. Later 16 eAg+ volunteers in two groups received either 3TC alone or both 3TC and vaccines. Finally, 12 eAg– and 12 eAg+ subjects were enrolled into higher-dose treatment groups. Healthy but chronically HBV-infected males between the ages of 15 – 25 who lived in the western part of The Gambia were eligible. Participants in some groups received 1 mg or 2 mg of pSG2.HBs intramuscularly twice followed by 5×107 pfu or 1.5×108 pfu of MVA.HBs intradermally at 3-weekly intervals with or without concomitant 3TC for 11–14 weeks. Intradermal rabies vaccine was administered to a negative control group. Safety was assessed clinically and biochemically. The primary measure of efficacy was a quantitative PCR assay of plasma HBV. Immunity was assessed by IFN-γ ELISpot and intracellular cytokine staining. Results Mild local and systemic adverse events were observed following the vaccines. A small shiny scar was observed in some cases after MVA.HBs. There were no significant changes in AST or ALT. HBeAg was lost in one participant in the higher-dose group. As expected, the 3TC therapy reduced viraemia levels during therapy, but the prime-boost vaccine regimen did not reduce the viraemia. The immune responses were variable. The majority of IFN-γ was made by antigen non-specific CD16+ cells (both CD3+ and CD3–). Conclusions The vaccines were well tolerated but did not control HBV infection. Trial Registration ISRCTN ISRCTN67270384
Neural Correlates of True and False Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment

The goal of this research was to investigate the changes in neural processing in mild cognitive impairment. We measured phase synchrony, amplitudes, and event-related potentials in veridical and false memory to determine whether these differed in participants with mild cognitive impairment compared with typical, age-matched controls. Empirical mode decomposition phase locking analysis was used to assess synchrony, which is the first time this analysis technique has been applied in a complex cognitive task such as memory processing. The technique allowed assessment of changes in frontal and parietal cortex connectivity over time during a memory task, without a priori selection of frequency ranges, which has been shown previously to influence synchrony detection. Phase synchrony differed significantly in its timing and degree between participant groups in the theta and alpha frequency ranges. Timing differences suggested greater dependence on gist memory in the presence of mild cognitive impairment. The group with mild cognitive impairment had significantly more frontal theta phase locking than the controls in the absence of a significant behavioural difference in the task, providing new evidence for compensatory processing in the former group. Both groups showed greater frontal phase locking during false than true memory, suggesting increased searching when no actual memory trace was found. Significant inter-group differences in frontal alpha phase locking provided support for a role for lower and upper alpha oscillations in memory processing. Finally, fronto-parietal interaction was significantly reduced in the group with mild cognitive impairment, supporting the notion that mild cognitive impairment could represent an early stage in Alzheimer’s disease, which has been described as a ‘disconnection syndrome’.
Supplementing goat kids with coconut medium chain fatty acids in early life influences growth and rumen papillae development until 4 months after supplementation but effects on in vitro methane emissions and the rumen microbiota are transient.

The aim of this study was to investigate the methane (CH4) reducing potential of a combination of prenatal and/or postnatal treatment with coconut oil medium chain fatty acids (CO MCFA) in goat kids. The hypothesis is that influencing rumen function during early life has more chances for success than in the adult life, related to the resilience of the mature rumen microbiota. Forty-eight pregnant does were split into two experimental groups: treated does (D+) received 40 g/d of CO MCFA in a test compound feed, while control does (D-) received a control compound feed, during the last 3 wk of gestation. Twin kids from 10 does of each group were split up into a treated (K+) and nontreated (K-) group, resulting in four experimental groups: D+K+, D+K-, D-K+, and D-K-. The K+ kids received 1.8 mL/d of CO MCFA from birth until 2-wk postweaning (11 wk). Irrespective of treatment, the experimental rearing conditions resulted in absence of rumen protozoa at all sampling times, assessed by quantitative PCR (qPCR). In vitro incubations with rumen fluid at 4 wk old showed 82% lower CH4 production of inoculum from D+K+ kids compared to D-K- kids (P = 0.01). However, this was accompanied by lower total volatile fatty acids (tVFA) production (P = 0.006) and higher hydrogen accumulation (P = 0.008). QPCR targeting the mcrA and rrs genes confirmed a lower abundance of total methanogens (P < 0.02) and total eubacteria (P = 0.02) in D+K+ kids at 4 wk old. Methanogenic activity, as assessed by mcrA expression by RT-qPCR, was also lower in these kids. However, activity did not always reflect methanogen abundance. At 11 and 28 wk old, prenatal and postnatal effects on in vitro fermentation and rumen microbiota disappeared. Nevertheless, lower milk replacer intake in the first 4 wk resulted in reduced BW in K+ kids, persisting until 28 wk of age. Additionally, differences assigned to postnatal treatment were found in papillae density, width, and length in different areas of the rumen, recorded at 28 wk old. CONCLUSION prenatal and postnatal supplementation with CO MCFA reduced in vitro CH4 emissions until 4 wk old by depressing methanogen abundance and activity but at the expense of rumen fermentation and eubacterial abundance. Unfortunately, daily gain of K+ kids was suppressed. Some rumen papillae characteristics differed at 28 wk old due to postnatal treatment which ended at 11 wk old, indicating rumen papillary development can be affected by the early-life nutritional circumstances.
Youth WAVE Screener

Purpose This study evaluated the feasibility of using the youth Weight, Activity, Variety, and Excess (WAVE) screener in a classroom setting for assessing student weight control intentions and the extent to which they used the WAVE strategies to control their weight. Methods The Youth WAVE Screener was administered to fifth-grade students in an inner-city school located in the Bronx, New York. The study was conducted in part to increase student awareness of snack foods and sugary beverages in relation to weight. Results Of the 169 students who completed the survey, 45.5% (n = 77) were trying to lose weight. Students who were trying to lose weight were more likely to have low-fat dairy products, less likely to have sugary beverages, and less likely to eat junk foods than those who were not trying to lose weight. Students who reported exercising 3 times weekly were more likely to report healthier dietary patterns and less sedentary behaviors than were students who exercise less often. Feedback and dialogue with fifth graders addressed the relationship between TV viewing and eating behavior, advertisement, availability, and preferences of fruits and vegetables. Conclusions The Youth WAVE Screener can be used to quickly identify children who are concerned about their weight as well as those with dietary and physical activity patterns that may increase the risk of obesity. Diabetes educators can use this screener to start a dialogue with children about their weight-related behaviors.
Trends in Opioid Use and Prescribing in Medicare, 2006–2012

OBJECTIVE To determine characteristics and trends in opioid use, questionable use, and prescribing in Medicare. STUDY SETTING Opioid prescriptions filled through Medicare Part D for beneficiaries with full-year, fee-for-service Medicare coverage during 2006 to 2012. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective analysis of a 20 percent sample of Medicare claims data. Estimates are adjusted using multivariable regression analysis. DATA COLLECTION Opioid use, opioid abuse, questionable opioid use, and opioid prescribing by specialty. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Opioid use in Medicare was stable from 2006 to 2012 on average. More than 1 in 3 beneficiaries filled an opioid prescription annually; about 1 in 10 were chronic opioid users. The distribution of opioid users shifted in favor of diagnoses often associated with chronic pain. Opioid users were increasingly likely to abuse opioids or display patterns of questionable use from 2006 to 2010, with a slowdown in later years. Average outcomes mask significant variation as the distribution of opioid use widened over the analysis period. Prescribing quantity and intensity varied by specialty. The largest quantity increases were among nurse practitioners and physician assistants. CONCLUSIONS Opioid utilization and prescribing are increasingly heterogeneous from 2006 to 2012. Future research should focus on explaining differential trends in utilization and prescribing.
Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) Mediate Large-Scale Edge Effects in a Lowland Tropical Rainforest in Peninsular Malaysia

Edge-effects greatly extend the area of tropical forests degraded through human activities. At Pasoh, Peninsular Malaysia, it has been suggested that soil disturbance by highly abundant wild pigs (Sus scrofa), which feed in adjacent Oil Palm plantations, may have mediated the invasion of Clidemia hirta (Melastomataceae) into the diverse tropical lowland rain forest. To investigate this hypothesis, we established three 1 km transects from the forest/Oil Palm plantation boundary into the forest interior. We recorded the distribution of soil disturbance by wild pigs, C. hirta abundance, and environmental variables. These data were analyzed using a hierarchical Bayesian model that incorporated spatial auto-correlation in the environmental variables. As predicted, soil disturbance by wild pigs declined with distance from forest edge and C. hirta abundance was correlated with the level of soil disturbance. Importantly there was no effect of distance on C. hirta abundance, after controlling for the effect of soil disturbance. Clidemia hirta abundance was also correlated with the presence of canopy openings, but there was no significant association between the occurrence of canopy openings and distance from the edge. Increased levels of soil disturbance and C. hirta abundance were still detectable approximately 1 km from the edge, demonstrating the potential for exceptionally large-scale animal mediated edge effects.
Self Organizing Semantic Topologies in P2P Data Integration Systems

A semantic topology is a peer overlay network connected via semantic links, constructed using schema mappings and used for peer querying. The large-scale and dynamic environments of P2P networks dictate the use of automatic schema matching, which was shown to carry with it a degree of uncertainty. Therefore, peers prefer network topologies that improve their ability to answer queries effectively, by reducing uncertainty. We introduce a model for a peer database management system that manages the inherent uncertainty of automatic schema matching, the amplification of this uncertainty over transitive mappings, and its impact on query processing. We then briefly present the research challenges involving a dynamic topology setting where peers can change their neighbor set selection.
Learning the Base Distribution in Implicit Generative Models

Popular generative model learning methods such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), and Variational Autoencoders (VAE) enforce the latent representation to follow simple distributions such as isotropic Gaussian. In this paper, we argue that learning a complicated distribution over the latent space of an auto-encoder enables more accurate modeling of complicated data distributions. Based on this observation, we propose a two stage optimization procedure which maximizes an approximate implicit density model. We experimentally verify that our method outperforms GANs and VAEs on two image datasets (MNIST, CELEB-A). We also show that our approach is amenable to learning generative model for sequential data, by learning to generate speech and music.
Effect of chloride on the chemical conversion of nitrate to nitrous oxide for δ15N analysis

We investigate the influence of chloride concentration on the performance of the chemical reduction method for measurement of the nitrogen isotopic ratio (δ15N) in NO3− in natural waters (McIlvin and Altabet, 2005). In this method, NO3− is first reduced to NO2− using activated cadmium metal, with further reduction to N2O using sodium azide in an acetic acid buffer. N2O is introduced into an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) for isotopic measurement. Previously, it was recognized that the presence of halides was necessary for the speed and efficiency of the second step but not thought to be important for the first step. Whereas quantitative Cd reduction of NO3− to NO2− had been noted for seawater samples, here we report, for freshwater and low‐salinity (S < 30) samples, a variable conversion efficiency (both under‐ and overreduction were observed) and significant variation in δ15N determination. Addition of 5 M NaCl to all samples resulted in rapid (<4 h) and quantitative (>99%) reduction of NO3− to NO2− as well as stable δ15N values that closely matched expected values for standards (within 0.3‰ of standard value). The positive effect of NaCl is likely due to a decrease in free Cd2+ produced over the course of the reaction due to formation of CdCl2.
C-blox: A Scalable and Consistent TSDF-based Dense Mapping Approach

In many applications, maintaining a consistent dense map of the environment is key to enabling robotic platforms to perform higher level decision making. Several works have addressed the challenge of creating precise dense 3D maps from visual sensors providing depth information. However, during operation over longer missions, reconstructions can easily become inconsistent due to accumulated camera tracking error and delayed loop closure. Without explicitly addressing the problem of map consistency, recovery from such distortions tends to be difficult. We present a novel system for dense 3D mapping which addresses the challenge of building consistent maps while dealing with scalability. Central to our approach is the representation of the environment as a collection of overlapping Truncated Signed Distance Field (TSDF) subvolumes. These subvolumes are localized through feature-based camera tracking and bundle adjustment. Our main contribution is a pipeline for identifying stable regions in the map, and to fuse the contributing subvolumes. This approach allows us to reduce map growth while still maintaining consistency. We demonstrate the proposed system on a publicly available dataset and simulation engine, and demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach for building consistent and scalable maps. Finally we demonstrate our approach running in real-time onboard a lightweight Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV).
Naive T Cells Transiently Acquire a Memory-like Phenotype during Homeostasis-Driven Proliferation

In a depleted lymphoid compartment, naive T cells begin a slow proliferation that is independent of cognate antigen yet requires recognition of major histocompatibility complex–bound self-peptides. We have followed the phenotypic and functional changes that occur when naive CD8+ T cells undergo this type of expansion in a lymphopenic environment. Naive T cells undergoing homeostasis-driven proliferation convert to a phenotypic and functional state similar to that of memory T cells, yet distinct from antigen-activated effector T cells. Naive T cells dividing in a lymphopenic host upregulate CD44, CD122 (interleukin 2 receptor β) and Ly6C expression, acquire the ability to rapidly secrete interferon γ, and become cytotoxic effectors when stimulated with cognate antigen. The conversion of naive T cells to cells masquerading as memory cells in response to a homeostatic signal does not represent an irreversible differentiation. Once the cellularity of the lymphoid compartment is restored and the T cells cease their division, they regain the functional and phenotypic characteristics of naive T cells. Thus, homeostasis-driven proliferation provides a thymus-independent mechanism for restoration of the naive compartment after a loss of T cells.
Incorporation of an ultrasound and model guided permissible region improves quantitative source recovery in bioluminescence tomography

Bioluminescence imaging has shown great potential for studying and monitoring disease progression in small animal pre-clinical imaging. However, absolute bioluminescence source recovery through tomographic multi-wavelength measurements is often hindered through the lack of quantitative accuracy and suffers from both poor localisation and quantitative recovery. In this work a method to incorporate a permissible region strategy through not only a priori location (permissible region) but also based on a model of light propagation and hence light sensitivity is developed and tested using both simulations and experimental data. Reconstructions on two different numerical models (a simple slab, and the digital version of a heterogeneous mouse) show an improvement of localisation and recovery of intensity (around 25% for the slab model and around 10% for the digital mouse model). This strategy is also used with experimental data from a phantom gel, which demonstrated an improved recovered tomographic image.
Protective Immunity Does Not Correlate with the Hierarchy of  Virus-specific Cytotoxic T Cell Responses to Naturally Processed Peptides

Infection of C57BL/6 mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) stimulates major histocompatibility complex class I–restricted cytotoxic T cells (CTLs), which normally resolve the infection. Three peptide epitopes derived from LCMV have been shown to bind the mouse class I molecule H-2 Db and to stimulate CTL responses in LCMV-infected mice. This report describes the identity and abundance of each CTL epitope after their elution from LCMV-infected cells. Based on this information, peptide abundance was found to correlate with the magnitude of each CTL response generated after infection with LCMV. Subsequent experiments, performed to determine the antiviral capacity of each CTL specificity, indicate that the quantitative hierarchy of CTL activity does not correlate with the ability to protect against LCMV infection. This report, therefore, indicates that immunodominant epitopes should be defined, not only by the strength of the CTL response that they stimulate, but also by the ability of the CTLs to protect against infection.