Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combined atomic–scale modelling and experimental studies of nucleation in the solid state

The process of solid–state nucleation in highly supersaturated solid solutions has been investigated on the atomic scale by a combination of three–dimensional atom probe analysis and atomistic modelling using dynamical Ising models. In binary Cu–Co alloys, a simple atom–exchange model with a single thermodynamic parameter derived from phase–diagram data was able to reproduce the atomic–scale microstructures observed in the atom probe, and also match the measured peak precipitate density. Modelling solute effects in complex copper–bearing steels required a more sophisticated model based on a vacancy–hopping mechanism and a larger number of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters derived from independent experimental data and theoretical calculations. The model gave an excellent match to the experimentally observed microstructures, and it reproduced features such as the clustering of Ni and Mn before the precipitation of Cu. The model also allowed time–dependent behaviour to be investigated, and it showed that solute clustering of Ni and Mn occurs during the cooling of the alloy. These clusters then act as heterogeneous nucleation sites for the formation of copper precipitates. Understanding such complex solute interaction effects through combined experiment and modelling is an essential step to controlling nucleation and hence the fine–scale microstructures in advanced engineering alloys.
Manifestation and outcome of concurrent malaria and dengue infection.

OBJECTIVE Studies on concurrent infection of dengue and malaria are uncommon in India. Therefore, in this study, we compared the clinical features and outcome of concurrent infection with mono-infection of dengue and malaria. METHODS All the patients of fever within 7 days duration were investigated for dengue, malaria and other causes of fever. Patients of concurrent dengue and malaria (Group A) were compared with dengue mono-infection (Group B) and malaria mono-infection (Group C). Biochemical and haematological investigations were done and compared. RESULTS During the study period 367 patients of dengue were admitted. Concurrent infection of dengue and malaria was found in 27 (7.4%) patients. There were 27 (5.8), 340 (72.5), and 102 (21.7%) patients in Groups A, B, and C respectively. The clinical features of concurrent infection were more like dengue than malaria. Unlike malaria the outcome of concurrent infection is good. CONCLUSION Concurrent infection of dengue and malaria is not uncommon. For the diagnosis investigations for both the infections should be carried out routinely.
Market Perceptions of Exchange Rate Risk

The prices for foreign exchange options allow us to extract information on implied market perceptions of future exchange rate risk. This note illustrates the techniques, looking at the behaviour of the New Zealand dollar over recent years. Our analysis suggests that the behaviour of the NZD/USD market has changed significantly since the global financial crisis. During the crisis, markets became increasingly uncertain and the balance of risks changed significantly with the market placing much more weight on the chance of depreciation than of appreciation. Although volatility in the NZD/USD is currently quite low, the market continues to price significantly more risk of depreciation than of appreciation.
Psychological Points of Equilibrium in Asset Valuation During Market Bubbles

Abstract This paper presents the concept of psychological point of equilibrium (PPE), which is a mental state achieved by average investors when trying to make decisions during market bubble's inflationary stages. The PPE results from an interplay between agents acting in a volatile market that is characterized by predatory behaviors. Prior to the 2008 subprime crisis, average investors are assumed to have displaced their logical PPEs in large part as a consequence of their attraction towards predatory mortgages and teaser rates. A better understanding of average investor's vulnerabilities may help governments to implement more efficient measures aimed at curving predatory behaviors.
On Performance Prediction of Parallel Computations with Precedent Constraints

Performance analysis of concurrent executions in parallel systems has been recognized as a challenging problem. The aim of this research is to study approximate but efficient solution techniques for this problem. We model the structure of a parallel machine and the structure of the jobs executing on such a system. We investigate rich classes of jobs, which can be expressed by series, parallel-and, parallel-or, and probabilistic-fork. We propose an efficient performance prediction method for these classes of jobs running on a parallel environment which is modeled by a standard queueing network model. The proposed prediction method is computationally efficient, it has polynomial complexity in both time and space. The time complexity is O(C/sup 2/N/sup 2/K) and the space complexity is O(C/sup 2/N/sup 2/K), where C is the number of job classes in the system, the number of tasks in each job class is O(N), and K is the number of service centers in the queueing model. The accuracy of the approximate solution is validated via simulation.
Identification of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) as a downstream target for IGF1 action

Significance Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) plays an important role in the regulation of metabolism and growth. Epidemiological studies revealed that IGF1 deficiency is associated with cancer protection. Genomic analyses conducted on patients with Laron syndrome (LS), a rare form of dwarfism linked to mutation of the growth hormone receptor, identified thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) as a downstream target for IGF1 action. TXNIP is a metabolic gene involved in redox regulation that can also function as a tumor suppressor. Data identify a regulatory link between the IGF1 signaling pathway and TXNIP. Elevated TXNIP levels in patients with LS may account for cancer protection in this pathology. Furthermore, TXNIP may constitute a biomarker to predict and/or monitor responsiveness to anti-IGF1R therapy. Laron syndrome (LS), or primary growth hormone (GH) insensitivity, is the best-characterized entity among the congenital insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) deficiencies. Life-long exposure to minute endogenous IGF1 levels is linked to low stature as well as a number of endocrine and metabolic abnormalities. While elevated IGF1 is correlated with increased cancer incidence, epidemiological studies revealed that patients with LS do not develop tumors. The mechanisms associated with cancer protection in LS are yet to be discovered. Recent genomic analyses identified a series of metabolic genes that are overrepresented in patients with LS. Given the augmented expression of these genes in a low IGF1 milieu, we hypothesized that they may constitute targets for IGF1 action. Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) plays a critical role in cellular redox control by thioredoxin. TXNIP serves as a glucose and oxidative stress sensor, being commonly silenced by genetic or epigenetic events in cancer cells. Consistent with its enhanced expression in LS, we provide evidence that TXNIP gene expression is negatively regulated by IGF1. These results were corroborated in animal studies. In addition, we show that oxidative and glucose stresses led to marked increases in TXNIP expression. Supplementation of IGF1 attenuated TXNIP levels, suggesting that IGF1 exerts its antiapoptotic effect via inhibition of TXNIP. Augmented TXNIP expression in LS may account for cancer protection in this condition. Finally, TXNIP levels could be potentially useful in the clinic as a predictive or diagnostic biomarker for IGF1R-targeted therapies.
Should Body-Image Scales Designed for Adults Be Used with Adolescents?

For many people, there is a discrepancy between perceived and desired physical appearance. Attempts have been made to quantify this discrepancy as a measure of body-image disturbance; however, the use of measurement scales which are not population-specific may bias the assessment. To investigate whether ratings of body-images were affected by the scale employed, 57 male and 40 female adolescents were tested using both adult and adolescent body-figure silhouette scales. Significant between-scale differences were found, with adolescents displaying consistently lower body-image ratings when viewing adult as opposed to adolescent scales. In addition, between-sex differences in discrepancy scores and correlations between discrepancy scores and another measure of body satisfaction were significantly influenced by the scale employed. The results confirm the need for population-specific measurement scales and the implementation of standardised assessment procedures.
The routine histological investigation of axillary lymph nodes for metastatic breast cancer

A simple method of preparing axillary nodes from breast cancer patients for routine histology is presented. It is based on appreciation of nodal anatomy and the pathophysiology of tumour growth in them Current methods assume that the latter is a random process, but this is not so It has long been known that tumour cells enter via the afferent lymphatics. They may also exit by the efferent. It has not been generally realized that these vessels enter leave the node in the same plane of section, or that a section in this plane, a hilar section, is theoretically the one of choice for the identification of tumour cells in the node. It is shown here that use of hilar sections alone allows the identification of tumour‐free and tumour‐bearing nodes, as well as the tumour status of the efferent vessels, with considerable certainty. The use of random sections, in contrast, carries a high risk of false negative reporting.
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Medicare Experiences and Immunization: The Role of Disease Burden

Background:Although Medicare provides beneficiaries with primary access to the health care system, racial/ethnic disparities in health care experiences and preventive care are well documented in the Medicare population. Objective:To investigate disease burden and its possible impact on racial/ethnic health disparities for measures of secondary and tertiary access to health care, such as access to health plan information, obtaining recommended care in a timely manner, and immunization. Subjects:A total of 355,874 beneficiaries over the age of 64 years who responded to the 2008 Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey. Methods:We fit a series of linear, case-mix adjusted models predicting Medicare CAHPS measures of patient experience and immunization from race/ethnicity, a 0 to 6 count of disease burden, and their interaction. Results:Disparities between non-Hispanic whites and other racial/ethnic groups are largest among beneficiaries with no major health conditions. Disparities between whites and other racial/ethnic groups on getting care quickly and immunization are mitigated at higher levels of disease burden. Disparities persist at higher levels of disease burden for getting information from one’s health plan. Discussion:Whites have better overall access to care than other beneficiaries with Medicare in the absence of major health conditions. Disparities in getting care quickly and immunizations are smaller among beneficiaries with greater disease burden, perhaps as a function of integration into the health care system gained through management of health issues. These results underscore the importance of outreach to minorities with low utilization and few or no major health conditions.
Global Energy-Optimal Redundancy Resolution of Hydraulic Manipulators: Experimental Results for a Forestry Manipulator

This paper addresses the energy-inefficiency problem of four-degrees-of-freedom (4-DOF) hydraulic manipulators through redundancy resolution in robotic closed-loop controlled applications. Because conventional methods typically are local and have poor performance for resolving redundancy with respect to minimum hydraulic energy consumption, global energy-optimal redundancy resolution is proposed at the valve-controlled actuator and hydraulic power system interaction level. The energy consumption of the widely popular valve-controlled load-sensing (LS) and constant-pressure (CP) systems is effectively minimised through cost functions formulated in a discrete-time dynamic programming (DP) approach with minimum state representation. A prescribed end-effector path and important actuator constraints at the position, velocity and acceleration levels are also satisfied in the solution. Extensive field experiments performed on a forestry hydraulic manipulator demonstrate the performance of the proposed solution. Approximately 15–30% greater hydraulic energy consumption was observed with the conventional methods in the LS and CP systems. These results encourage energy-optimal redundancy resolution in future robotic applications of hydraulic manipulators.
Do Institutions and Social Cohesion Enhance the Effectiveness of Aid? New Evidence from Africa

This paper explores the effects of aid, institutions, and social cohesion on per capita income growth in 34 African countries using the Arellano-Bond dynamic panel GMM estimator. The paper focuses on the interplay of aid and institutions and the interplay of aid and social cohesion. The empirical results indicate that social cohesion enhances the growth effects of aid but there is a threshold effect, suggesting that aid becomes effective in enhancing growth in countries with higher social cohesion. Surprisingly, the results show that beyond a certain level of improvements in institutional quality, institutions (political rights and civil liberties) reduce the effectiveness of aid.
Absorbable versus nonabsorbable mesh repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernias in a growing animal model.

INTRODUCTION The repair of large congenital diaphragmatic hernia frequently results in patch disruption and recurrence as patients grow in size. Absorbable meshes allow for ingrowth of endogenous tissue as they are degraded, providing a more natural and durable repair. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of the new diaphragmatic tissue between an absorbable biologic mesh and a nonabsorbable mesh for repairing diaphragmatic hernia in a growing animal model. METHODS The left hemi-diaphragm of twenty 2-month-old Yucatan pigs was nearly completely resected. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS; Cook Biotech, Lafayette, IN) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE; W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) were randomly assigned to cover the defect in 10 animals each, and were survived for 6 months. During necropsy, newly formed diaphragmatic tissue was evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS At necropsy, the animals had tripled their weight. Patch disruption and herniation occurred in 3 animals in the ePTFE group and none in the SIS group. The SIS mesh had better integration to the chest wall (2.8 ± 0.2 versus 1.3 ± 0.3), more muscle growth within the newly formed diaphragmatic tissue (1.9 ± 0.2 versus 0.4 ± 0.2), and less fibrotic tissue (2.1 ± 0.5 versus 3.4 ± 0.4) than ePTFE. There was no difference between SIS and ePTFE in terms of adhesion scores to the lung (2 ± 0.4 versus 2.4 ± 0.4) and liver (1.8 ± 0.3 versus 2.2 ± 0.5). CONCLUSION SIS allows for tissue ingrowth from surrounding tissue as it degrades, providing a more durable repair with 30% less incidence of herniation in a porcine model. As the diaphragm grows, SIS resulted in a more natural repair of the defect with more tissue growth, better tissue integration, and a comparable adhesion formation to ePTFE.
SLAVE TO THE TIDES: SPATIOTEMPORAL FORAGING DYNAMICS OF SPRING STAGING BLACK BRANT

Abstract Arctic-nesting geese depend on nutrients acquired during spring migration for reproduction, and thus should attempt to maximize nutrient intake while on staging areas. We investigated site use of Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) at an important staging location—Humboldt Bay, California—to determine whether birds selected the most profitable feeding areas available. Migrating Brant feed almost exclusively on eelgrass (Zostera marina), which is restricted in availability due to daily and seasonal tidal cycles. We mapped foraging Brant locations during low tides and collected eelgrass samples to describe food resources in 31 areas in the bay. We used negative binomial regression to evaluate goose densities during different tidal levels and times of season as a function of food biomass and nutrient content, distance from grit sites, and substrate elevation. Results varied by time of season and tidal depth, but Brant densities were positively correlated with eelgrass protein, calcium, and biomass in most analyses. Brant usually fed in the deepest possible areas permitted by tides, and closer to tidal channels, where biomass and nutrient content of eelgrass were greater and where depletion from grazing was probably less. During higher low tides, Brant fed closer to previously visited grit sites. Tide cycles change over the course of the Brant's staging period on the bay, enabling longer and more frequent access to deeper eelgrass meadows as spring progresses. These seasonal changes in tidal pattern coincide with seasonal changes in Brant use of the bay. Thus, migration patterns for estuarine bird species might be shaped by latitudinal gradients in both food phenology and seasonal tidal patterns.
Critique of the Linear-Compensatory Approach in Customer Satisfaction Measurement: An Empirical Study

Purpose of the Study: The researchers critique the linear-compensatory combinatorial rule used in the expectancy-value model that is widely applied to explain how customers integrate attribute-level information in satisfaction judgements. Data/Methodology: The data have been collected from customers of an online travel agency. The surveys were administered via email, after their interaction with customer service advisor on telephone. The survey instrument is largely based on the SERVQUAL model, with a few additional items pertaining to the call centre context. A randomly selected sample of 626 usable responses was obtained based on completeness of data. As compared to the traditional methods, where a summary analysis of aggregated data is done, the present data analysis follows a deconstructive approach, involving assessing changes in degree of satisfaction brought about by change in each degree of performance for every quality attribute. Findings: By following a unique analytical approach to analysing survey data, the study classifies customer satisfaction as not unlike other evaluative judgements, such as morality and likableness, where summary evaluations are a result of a cumulative assessment of all attributes that constitute the particular context. Originality: This study explores the process of cognitive appraisal, which underlies the combination of varied service quality information, in the form of attributes of service quality into unitary satisfaction judgements.
Liver extracellular matrix in health and disease

Liver fibrosis is the hallmark of every chronic liver disease. It is also the major factor of morbidity and mortality due to the development of cirrhosis and its complications including hepatocellular carcinoma. But even at the beginning of the process of liver fibrosis and due to the strategic position of the extracellular matrix at the interface between blood flow and epithelial compartment, any quantitative or qualitative modification of extracellular matrix will rapidly affect structure and function of the liver. The development of several animal models of liver fibrosis as well as isolation and cultivation of hepatic stellate cells, the major fibrogenic cell type in the liver, led to the gathering of recent knowledge on the mechanism of liver fibrosis. Activation of hepatic stellate cells is a key event in this process and many details on this finely tuned mechanism are now available. In addition to these experimental data, experience from chronic hepatitis C now allows the development of new concepts and perspectives such as liver fibrosis regression and antifibrotic therapies. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Population-Based Study of Trachoma in Guatemala

Abstract Purpose: A prevalence survey for active trachoma in children aged under 10 years and trichiasis in women aged 40 years and older was carried out in four districts in the Sololá region in Guatemala, which is suspected of still having a trachoma problem. Methods: Population-based surveys were undertaken in three districts, within 15 randomly selected communities in each district. In addition, in a fourth district that borders the third district chosen, we surveyed the small northern sub-district, by randomly selecting three communities in each community, 100 children aged under 10 years were randomly selected, and all females over 40 years. Five survey teams were trained and standardized. Trachoma was graded using the World Health Organization simplified grading scheme and ocular swabs were taken in cases of clinical follicular or inflammatory trachoma. Prevalence estimates were calculated at district and sub-district level. Results: Trachoma rates at district level varied from 0–5.1%. There were only two sub-districts where active trachoma approached 10% (Nahualá Costa, 8.1%, and Santa Catarina Costa, 7.3%). Trichiasis rates in females aged 40 years and older varied from 0–3%. Trachoma was likely a problem in the past. Conclusions: Trachoma is disappearing in the Sololá region in Guatemala. Health leadership may consider further mapping of villages around the areas with an especially high rate of trachoma and infection, and instituting trichiasis surgery and active trachoma intervention where needed.
The Relationship Between Stress, Social Problem Solving, and Psychological Distress in Mothers of Daughters with Eating Disorders

Mothers of daughters with eating disorders are at risk for experiencing high levels of psychological distress, which can have negative implications for mothers themselves and the children under their care. Coping strategies that effectively manage the stress of the caregiving role have been found to reduce psychological distress, but the literature does not clearly define the type of coping that is best indicated for this population of caregivers. Coping via social problem solving has been found to predict less psychological distress and moderate the stressdistress relationship in many caregiver populations. The relationship between stress, coping via social problem solving, and psychological distress was explored; it was hypothesized that stress related to being a mother of a daughter with an eating disorder and social problem solving would predict the level of experienced psychological distress, and that social problem-solving skills would moderate the stress-distress relationship. The present study was able to replicate the finding that mothers of daughters with eating disorders are highly distressed, and was unsuccessful at finding social problem-solving skills to predict psychological distress or moderate the relationship between stress and distress. Implications of these findings are discussed.