Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Next Steps

[1] Glindemann, A. , et al. 1999 The Messenger 98, 2–7. [2] Paresce, F. , et al. 2001, The Messenger – This volume. [3] 32 papers in the SPIE Proceedings on Interferometry in Optical Astronomy, Session 1 VLTI: Its subsystems and its instruments, 2000, Proc. SPIE 4006, 2–307. subsystems and of the instruments of the VLTI can be found in the proceedings of the SPIE conference on Interferometry in Optical Astronomy [3]. In 2002, the science instruments MIDI and AMBER and the fringe sensor unit FINITO will arrive, and the integration of the Auxiliary Telescopes will start. Figure 7 shows the erected mechanical structure of AT1 at AMOS in Liège, Belgium. Once the ATs and the science instruments are functional, regular science operations can start. The following article by Francesco Paresce [2] gives a taste of the science programmes that are planned with the VLTI.
Brca2 Deficiency Leads to T Cell Loss and Immune Dysfunction

Germline mutations in the breast cancer type 2 susceptibility gene (BRCA2) are linked to familial breast cancer and the progressive bone marrow failure syndrome Fanconi anaemia. Established Brca2 mouse knockout models show embryonic lethality, but those with a truncating mutation at the C-terminus survive to birth and develop thymic lymphoma at an early age. To overcome early lethality and investigate the function of BRCA2, we used T cell-specific conditional Brca2 knockout mice, which were previously shown to develop thymic lymphoma at a low penetrance. In the current study we showed that the number of peripheral T cells, particularly naïve pools, drastically declined with age. This decline was primarily ascribed to improper peripheral maintenance. Furthermore, heterozygous mice with one wild-type Brca2 allele manifested reduced T cell numbers, suggesting that Brca2 haploinsufficiency might also result in T cell loss. Our study reveals molecular events occurring in Brca2-deficient T cells and suggests that both heterozygous and homozygous Brca2 mutation may lead to dysfunction in T cell populations.
Colorectal cancer with intestinal perforation – a retrospective analysis of treatment outcomes

Aim of the study Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading cause of death in European population. It progresses without any symptoms in the early stages or those clinical symptoms are very discrete. The aim of this study was a retrospective analysis of treatment outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer complicated with intestinal perforation. Material and methods A retrospective analysis of patients urgently operated upon in our Division of General Surgery, because of large intestine perforation, from February 1993 to February 2013 has been made. Results were compared with a group of patients undergoing the elective surgery for colorectal cancer in the same time and Division. Results Intestinal perforation occurred more often in males (6.52% vs. 6.03%), patients with mucous component in histopathological examination (9.09% vs. 6.01%) and with clinicaly advanced CRC. Patients treated because of perforation had a five-fold higher 30 day mortality rate (9.09% vs. 1.83%), however long-term survival did not differ significantly in both groups. After resectional surgery in 874 patients an intestinal anastomosis was made. Anastomotic leakage was present in 23 (2.6%) patients. This complication occurred six-fold more frequently in a group of patients operated upon because of intestinal perforation (12.20% vs. 2.16%). Conclusions In patients with CRC complicated with perforation of the colon in a 30-day observation significantly higher rate of complications and mortality was shown, whereas there was no difference in distant survival rates.
Influence of smoking and alcohol consumption on admissions and duration of hospitalization.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have linked smoking and alcohol consumption to a considerable disease burden and large healthcare expenditures. However, findings from studies based on individual level data are sparse and inconclusive. Our objective was to assess the association between alcohol consumption, smoking and patterns of hospitalization, defined as admission and duration of hospitalization. METHODS The study was based on 12 698 men and women, aged 20 years or more, enrolled in the Copenhagen City Heart Study. We related smoking and alcohol to hospital admission from any cause, smoking- and alcohol-related diseases and duration of hospitalization in a two-part random effects model. RESULTS Smoking status was strongly associated with admission and duration of hospitalization. For smoking-related admissions, odds ratios (OR) of 2.77 (95% CI 2.13-3.59) in men and 6.30 (95% CI 4.80-8.26) in women were observed among smokers of >20 g/day compared to never-smokers. For any admission (excl. smoking-related causes), corresponding ORs were 1.32 (95% CI 1.15-1.51) and 1.80 (95% CI 1.58-2.06), respectively. In men, a U-shaped association between alcohol consumption and risk of admission was found, both regarding any admission and admissions due to alcohol-related diseases. Alcohol was associated with alcohol-related admissions in women but not with duration of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS Smoking was associated with increased risk of hospital admission and duration of hospitalization. A U-shaped relation was observed for alcohol consumption and risk of hospitalization in men, but no effect on duration was observed. In women, however, alcohol consumption was only vaguely associated with admission and duration of hospitalization.
Flap Creation in Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis: From microkeratome to femtosecond laser

Purpose: To analyse the accuracy of corneal flap thickness created in laserassisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using the Moria Model 2 (M2) singleuse head 90 microkeratome. Methods: The corneal thickness of 300 (266 myopic and 34 hyperopic) eyes of 150 patients was measured by ultrasonic pachymetry preoperationally and intraoperationally after flap cut. The Moria M2 single-use head 90, intended to create a flap with a thickness of 120 lm, was used in all eyes. The right eye was always operated first and the left eye second, using the same blade. Results: Mean corneal flap thickness was 115.4 lm (standard deviation [SD] 12.5) in the two eyes, 115.7 lm (SD 12.4, range 73–147 lm) in right eyes and 115.1 lm (SD 12.6, range 74–144 lm) in left eyes. Mean horizontal flap diameter was 9.1 mm (SD 0.2) and mean hinge length 4.1 mm (SD 0.1). There were no free flaps, incomplete flaps or flaps with buttonholes in the study. Occasional iron particles were observed in three (1.0%) eyes. Conclusions: As with most microkeratomes, the single-use head 90 microkeratome cut thinner flaps than were intended. The range of the cuts was relatively wide. However, thin flaps did not increase the rate of flap-related complications. The difference between the first and second eyes was not significant.
Cytochrome P450 3A-Mediated Microsomal Biotransformation of 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 in Mouse and Human Liver: Drug-Related Induction and Inhibition of Catabolism

The biological activities of vitamin D3 are exerted through the dihydroxy metabolite of vitamin D3 [1α,25(OH)2D3]. Hepatic biotransformation of 1α,25(OH)2D3 by cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes could be an important determinant of bioavailability in serum and tissues. In the present study, we investigated the comparative biotransformation of 1α,25(OH)2D3 in mouse and human liver microsomes and determined the effects of commonly used drugs on the catabolism of 1α,25(OH)2D3. Severe symptoms of vitamin D deficiency have historically been observed in patients who received dexamethasone. To compare the effects of clinically important glucocorticoids with hepatic biotransformation of 1α,25(OH)2D3, adult male CD-1 mice were given intraperitoneal injections of either vehicle (50% ethanol), dexamethasone (80 mg/kg per day), or prednisone (80 mg/kg per day) for three consecutive days. Hydroxy metabolite formation pattern and the extent of substrate depletion were similar in mouse liver microsomes (MLM) from vehicle- or prednisone-treated mice, whereas treatment with dexamethasone led to the emergence of additional metabolites and increased substrate depletion, as determined by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The metabolite formation profile in vehicle-treated mice was different from that of human liver microsomes (HLM). Selective P450 chemical inhibitors have demonstrated that CYP3A isoforms are responsible for the microsomal biotransformation of 1α,25(OH)2D3 in MLM. Coincubation of 1α,25(OH)2D3 with commonly used drugs led to approximately 60 to 100% inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated catabolism of 1α,25-(OH)2D3 in HLM. A species-based difference was identified between CYP3A-mediated hepatic microsomal metabolism of 1α,25(OH)2D3 in humans and mice. We have shown that the clinical importance of glucocorticoids differentially modulates catabolism of active vitamin D3 and that commonly used drugs could affect vitamin D homeostasis.
Electromyographic Activity of Scapular Muscle Control in Free-Motion Exercise.

CONTEXT The appropriate resistance intensity to prescribe for shoulder rehabilitative exercise is not completely known. Excessive activation of the deltoid and upper trapezius muscles could be counterproductive for scapulohumeral rhythm during humeral elevation. OBJECTIVE To identify the effects of different exercise intensities on the scapular muscles during a free-motion "robbery" exercise performed in different degrees of shoulder abduction in seated and standing positions. DESIGN Descriptive laboratory study. SETTING Kinesiology Adapted Physical Education Laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS A total of 15 healthy male college students (age = 20.5 ± 2.2 years, height = 174.5 ± 5.3 cm, mass = 63.8 ± 6.0 kg). INTERVENTION(S) Participants performed 5 repetitions of a randomized exercise sequence of the robbery exercise in 2 body positions (seated, standing), 2 shoulder-abducted positions (W [20°], 90/90 [90°]) at 3 intensities (0%, 3%, and 7% body weight). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, serratus anterior, anterior deltoid, and infraspinatus muscles of the upper extremity was collected. All EMG activities were normalized by the maximal voluntary isometric contraction of each corresponding muscle (%). RESULTS The serratus anterior, anterior deltoid, and infraspinatus EMG activities were greater at 7% body weight in the seated position compared with the standing position (P < .05). The EMG activities in all 5 muscles were greater in the 90/90 position than in the W position (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Scapular muscle activity modulated relative to changes in body posture and resistance intensity. These findings will enable clinicians to prescribe the appropriate level of exercise intensity and positioning during shoulder rehabilitation.
Implementing Cellular Automata Bio-Inspired Algorithms on Field Programmable Gate Arrays

Biological systems that have been subjected to vast time periods of evolution, have provided numerous times inspiration for problem solving techniques. These systems have evolved to survive in harsh environments, thus they provide more efficient solutions than the conventional methods. The inspiration of this study was based on the computing abilities that Physarum Polycephalum performs on graphically represented problems. The behavior of the plasmodium of P. Polycephalum was emulated using a model based on Cellular Automata (CAs) principles. The model is CA-based, thus, its implementation on hardware is trivial. The resultant digital circuit employ the inherent parallelism of CAs. As a result, the execution of the proposed algorithm is significantly accelerated compared with the software based model. The proposed system can be implemented in any real-time application solving graph represented problems.
The pseudopotential-density-functional method applied to semiconducting crystals

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Peel Adhesion: Influence of Surface Energies and Adhesive Rheology

Abstract The adhesion properties of polymers are known to be influenced by both intermolecular forces operative at the interface and the rheological history of both bonding and unbonding. Recent adsorption and viscoelastic theories of adhesion and cohesion are implemented in a comprehensive examination of these phenomena. Eight peel force “master curves” extending over 14 decades of reduced rate and representing glassy state to flow region rheology are superimposed to provide a composite response envelope. Each master curve represents rate-temperature reduced adhesion of an alkyl acrylate adhesive (γc = 26 dyne/cm) to substrates ranging from low adhesion fluorinated polymers (γc = 15 to 17 dyne/cm) to polar poly-amide surfaces (γc = 45 dyne/cm) and glass. The rate dependent transition from interfacial to cohesive failure, a subject not treated by adsorption theory, is shown to be coincident with the onset of entanglement slippage within the polymeric adhesive. Thermodynamic criteria of polymer adhesion ar.
Discriminatory Lossy Source Coding: Side Information Privacy

The Heegard-Berger problem models a case in which encoding at a source has to account for two decoders, one with and one without correlated side information when the same information is not available at the encoder. The Heegard-Berger encoding scheme is proved to be rate-optimal even when an additional constraint on the privacy of side information is imposed at the uninformed decoder. The results are illustrated for a binary source with erasure side information and Hamming distortion, a result which is also of independent interest.
A New Location Privacy Protection Algorithm

The accuracy of user location information is inversely proportional to the user's privacy preserving degree k, and is proportional to quality of query service. In order to balance the conflict between privacy preserving security and query quality caused by the accuracy of location information, A clustering algorithm aiming at eliminating outliers based on k-anonymity location privacy preserving model is proposed, which is used to realize the establishment of anonymous group in the anonymous model. The distribution of user in anonymous group is optimized. The idea of replacing the user location query by the center of the anonymous group is proposed, through the experimental analysis and comparison with other schemes, the number of repeated queries is reduced, and the quality of service query is improved on the premise of ensuring security.
Efficient storage and retrieval in protocol libraries using subsumption hierarchies

For an agent to intelligently use specifications of executable protocols, it is necessary that the agent can quickly and correctly locate a protocol that achieves its goals. Techniques such as model checking or theorem proving can be used to assess whether a protocol achieves a goal; however, for resource bound agents, this approach may be inefficient. Building on previous work on characterising and matching protocols, we present a method for structuring and searching protocol libraries using subsumption hierarchies. These hierarchies are directed graphs, in which the vertices are characterisations of protocols, and edges record a relation between two characterisations if one characterisation subsumes the other; that is, the characterised protocol achieves all of the same outcomes. An experimental analysis demonstrates that this approach is more efficient for anything other than the smallest of protocol libraries.
Sentiment Extraction from Unstructured Text using Tabu Search-Enhanced Markov Blanket

Extracting sentiments from unstructured text has emerged as an important problem in many disciplines. An accurate method would enable us, for example, to mine on-line opinions from the Internet and learn customers’ preferences for economic or marketing research, or for leveraging a strategic advantage. In this paper, we propose a two-stage Bayesian algorithm that is able to capture the dependencies among words, and, at the same time, finds a vocabulary that is efficient for the purpose of extracting sentiments. Experimental results on the Movie Reviews data set show that our algorithm is able to select a parsimonious feature set with substantially fewer predictor variables than in the full data set and leads to better predictions about sentiment orientations than several state-of-the-art machine learning methods. Our findings suggest that sentiments are captured by conditional dependence relations among words, rather than by keywords or high-frequency words.
Detection of Copy Number Variants Reveals Association of Cilia Genes with Neural Tube Defects

Background Neural tube defects (NTDs) are one of the most common birth defects caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Currently, little is known about the genetic basis of NTDs although up to 70% of human NTDs were reported to be attributed to genetic factors. Here we performed genome-wide copy number variants (CNVs) detection in a cohort of Chinese NTD patients in order to exam the potential role of CNVs in the pathogenesis of NTDs. Methods The genomic DNA from eighty-five NTD cases and seventy-five matched normal controls were subjected for whole genome CNVs analysis. Non-DGV (the Database of Genomic Variants) CNVs from each group were further analyzed for their associations with NTDs. Gene content in non-DGV CNVs as well as participating pathways were examined. Results Fifty-five and twenty-six non-DGV CNVs were detected in cases and controls respectively. Among them, forty and nineteen CNVs involve genes (genic CNV). Significantly more non-DGV CNVs and non-DGV genic CNVs were detected in NTD patients than in control (41.2% vs. 25.3%, p<0.05 and 37.6% vs. 20%, p<0.05). Non-DGV genic CNVs are associated with a 2.65-fold increased risk for NTDs (95% CI: 1.24–5.87). Interestingly, there are 41 cilia genes involved in non-DGV CNVs from NTD patients which is significantly enriched in cases compared with that in controls (24.7% vs. 9.3%, p<0.05), corresponding with a 3.19-fold increased risk for NTDs (95% CI: 1.27–8.01). Pathway analyses further suggested that two ciliogenesis pathways, tight junction and protein kinase A signaling, are top canonical pathways implicated in NTD-specific CNVs, and these two novel pathways interact with known NTD pathways. Conclusions Evidence from the genome-wide CNV study suggests that genic CNVs, particularly ciliogenic CNVs are associated with NTDs and two ciliogenesis pathways, tight junction and protein kinase A signaling, are potential pathways involved in NTD pathogenesis.
Application of Mixed Ceramic Powder in Cement Based Composites

Waste ceramic powder coming from grinding the ceramic bricks disposed on demolition depot is investigated as partial Portland cement replacement in blended binders. For the milled ceramic powder, measurement of specific surface area (SSA) and particles size distribution is done. Its chemical composition is accessed using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. The blended binders containing ceramic powder in an amount of 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40% of mass of cement are used for the preparation of cement pastes which are then characterized using the measurement of basic physical properties, mechanical properties, hygric and thermal properties. The obtained results show that an application of 8 and 16% ceramic powder in the blended binder provides sufficient mechanical properties of the pastes with relatively low hygric transport properties. From the thermal performance point of view, the incorporation of ceramic powder decreases the heat transport in all the tested pastes. This makes good prerequisites for future research that will be focused on the development of new types of cement-based composites with incorporated ceramic waste powder.
Block-to-Point Fine Registration in Terrestrial Laser Scanning

Fine registration of point clouds plays an important role in data analysis in Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS). This work proposes a block-to-point fine registration approach to correct the errors of point clouds from TLS and of geodetic networks observed using total stations. Based on a reference coordinate system, the block-to-point estimation is performed to obtain representative points. Then, fine registration with a six-parameter transformation is performed with the help of an Iterative Closest Point (ICP) method. For comparisons, fine registration with a seven-parameter transformation is introduced by applying a Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) algorithm. The proposed method not only corrects the registration errors between a geodetic network and the scans, but also considers the errors among the scans. The proposed method was tested on real TLS data of a dam surface, and the results showed that distance discrepancies of estimated representative points between scans were reduced by approximately 60%.
A fiber-tip Fabry-Perot pressure sensor with graphene diaphragm

A miniature fiber-tip pressure sensor was built by using an extremely thin graphene film as the diaphragm. The graphene also acts as a light reflector which, in conjunction with reflection at the fiber end/air interface, forms a low fineness Fabry-Perot cavity. The graphene-based micro-cavity sensor demonstrated a pressure sensitivity of ~34.8 nm/kPa with a diaphragm diameter of ~ 25 μm, nearly two orders of magnitude higher than previously reported sensors with similar diaphragm diameters.
Effects of Low Level Laser Therapy on Bone Regeneration of Intrabony Defects

The aim of this study is to assess the histological efficiency of low level laser therapy (LLLT) with respect to the acceleration of bone regeneration after surgical treatment of intrabony defects. Twenty patients with intrabony defects, aged between 20-45, non-smokers, good health condition present at the time of the surgery, were randomly divided in two groups, control, ten parients, and test group, ten patients. Informed consent was obtained. Each patient presented at least one periodontal defect treated by bone allograft. The test group received postsurgical treatment with low lever laser therapy (LLLT). The equipment used was OsseoPulse AM300, at an intensity of 20mW/cm2, for 20 minutes per day, for 21 consecutive days. The control group received no treatment with LLLT. The bone formation was evaluated in both groups at baseline and 6 months postoperative by the means of tissue biopsy followed by a histological analysis. The histological study of the test samples at 6 months after regeneration showed bone formation without inflammatory cells and occasional nonviable bone consistent with regenerating bone. No evidence of the grafted material was present. The histological study suggests that in 6 months there was new bone formation in the defects treated with LLLT. Clinical data indicate the possibility of more rapid wound closure and subsequent healing in zones treated with LLLT as compared with control.