Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultrafast X-ray scattering beyond linear-response theory

In the past few decades, a special effort has been made toward the development of new X-ray sources, aiming at higher efficiency, monochromaticity, coherence, brilliance and lower beam divergence. The fourth-generation of X-ray sources employs free-electron lasers (XFELs) whose peak intensity reaches values of order 10 W m−2 and pulse duration of a few femtoseconds. The single-molecule imaging offered by XFELs is currently addressed within linear-response theory, but there is no guarantee that the perturbative limit is fulfilled at the XFEL intensities. Nonlinear or collective electronic effects may arise. On the other hand, non-perturbative methods for radiation-matter interaction often rely on the dipole approximation, which fails for hard X-rays. We address the scattering of X-ray pulses by a one-electron atom within a MaxwellSchrödinger numerical scheme. We solve the time-dependent Schrödinger equation (TDSE) for one electron subject to both the Coulomb potential and the electromagnetic field of a ultraintense, ultrashort laser pulse, treated classically. The coupling of the electron dynamics with the vector potential does not rely on the dipole approximation, making this method suitable for hard X-rays. We use the current density distribution arising from the solution of the TDSE to compute the scattered radiation, by solving Maxwell’s equations on the Yee grid (finite-difference time-domain method). We obtain the scattered power and hence the scattering cross section of the atom, and compare the values with the weak-coupling results in linear-response theory, for different pulse intensities, probing nonlinear effects. We find a disagreement with the perturbative behavior for intensities beyond 10 W m−2. The method provides the basis for a consistent treatment of ultrafast scattering from a nano-object beyond perturbation theory, and can in principle be extended to handle many-electron atoms and molecules within time-dependent density-functional theory. Advisor: Prof. Nicola Manini Co-advisor: Prof. Giovanni Onida Mr. Praline: «He’s not pinin’! He’s passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! He’s expired and gone to meet his maker! He’s a stiff! Bereft of life, he rests in peace! If you hadn’t nailed him to the perch he’d be pushing up the daisies! His metabolic processes are now history! He’s off the twig! He’s kicked the bucket, he’s shuffled off his mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin’ choir invisible! This is an ex-parrot! » — Monty Python’s Flying Circus, season 1, episode 8
Dynamic Capabilities and Project Management in Small Software Firms

A small software company depends on its capability to adapt to rapid technological and other changes in its environment—its dynamic capabilities. In this paper, we argue that to evolve and maintain its dynamic capabilities a small software company must pay attention to the interaction between dynamic capabilities at different levels of the company— particularly between the project management and the company levels. We present a case study of a small software company and show how successful dynamic capabilities at the company level can affect project management in small software companies in ways which may have an adverse impact on the company’s overall dynamic capabilities. This study contributes to our understanding of the managerial challenges of small software companies by demonstrating the need to manage the interaction between adaptability and flexibility at different levels of the company.
Effect of Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Hyperemic Absolute Coronary Blood Flow Volume and Microvascular Resistance

Background— The hemodynamics involved in the relationship between absolute coronary blood flow (ABF) volume and myocardial resistance (MR) are complex, and the effect of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on their changes remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in hyperemic ABF and MR before and after elective PCI using a thermodilution method. Methods and Results— We investigated 28 vessels (right coronary artery, 9; left anterior descending coronary artery, 18; left circumflex coronary artery, 1) from 28 patients with stable angina pectoris undergoing elective PCI. ABF was measured pre- and post-PCI using a pressure–temperature sensor-equipped wire, based on a thermodilution method with a continuous saline infusion of 20 mL/min through a proximally located microcatheter with an end-hole in the target vessel. MR equals distal coronary perfusion pressure divided by ABF at maximal hyperemia. Conventional fractional flow reserve was also measured pre- and post-PCI. Fractional flow reserve increased significantly after PCI (from 0.70 [0.65–0.75] to 0.88 [0.85–0.95]) in all examined territories. ABF also increased significantly (from 137.8 mL/min [86.3–180.8 mL/min] to 173.3 mL/min [137.9–234.3 mL/min] ; increase: 52.8 mL/min [9.7–80.8 mL/min]) while MR decreased in 11 vessels and increased in 17. No significant relationship was detected between these increases in fractional flow reserve and ABF. Both pre- and post-PCI MR distributed in a wide range, and there was a significant relationship between pre-PCI MR and the increase in ABF (r=0.44; P=0.02) although no significant change in MR was observed between pre- and post-PCI (P=0.37). Conclusions— Direct measurement of ABF and MR using thermodilution method offers a feasible approach that could shed a light on previously unclear aspects of coronary hemodynamics.
Expression of adhesion molecules on synovial fluid and peripheral blood monocytes in patients with inflammatory joint disease and osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE To determine the presence of adhesion molecules on monocytes/macrophages (Mφ) from peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and inflammatory joint diseases (rheumatoid (RA) and reactive arthritis (ReA)) in order to improve our understanding of the possible mechanisms underlying the inflammatory process. METHODS Whole blood and SF cells were stained with monoclonal antibodies against CD11a (LFA-1), CD15 s (sialyl-Lewis X), CD44, CD54, VLA-4, and HLA-DR counterstained with anti-CD14 antibodies as a Mφ marker for dual fluorescence analysis by flowcytometry. RESULTS On PB-Mφ, CD15s was markedly increased in both RA as well as ReA compared with OA. Furthermore, in the PB LFA-1, CD44, and HLA-DR showed a higher surface density on Mφ in ReA than in OA. Comparison between SF and PB showed significantly higher CD44 and CD54 expression on SF-Mφ. These molecules play an important part in lymphocyte-Mφ interaction. CONCLUSION In PB from patients with inflammatory joint diseases, Mφ are activated, allowing recruitment into the synovial compartment. These disorders, in contrast with OA seem to be “systemic“ in nature. Within the SF, different adhesion molecules are expressed on CD14+ Mφ as compared with PB.
Variation in the annual growth, by sex and migration history, of silver American eels Anguilla rostrata

Silver American eels Anguilla rostrata from the East River, Chester, on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, as evaluated by the temporal pattern of Sr:Ca ratios in their otoliths, showed variable patterns of migration between river and estuarine/marine waters during their yellow eel stage. Eels with a history of primarily estuarine residence were longer (total length) at migration and had higher annual growth rates than did eels with a primarily freshwater residence. Female eels were longer at migration and had higher annual growth rates than did males. The percentage (64 %) of silver eels with a history of estuarine residence and their larger size at age, size at migration, and higher growth rate relative to freshwater resident eels may result from higher productivity in oceanic than fresh-waters at higher latitudes, as modified by regional environmental conditions. Environmental conditions change with increasing latitude in a different pattern for American and Japanese eels than for European eels.
Use of parallel recognizers for robust in-car speech interaction

This paper refers to an activity under way at the speech recognition technology level for the development of a hands-free dialogue interaction system in the car environment. The use of a set of HMM recognizers, running in parallel, is being investigated in order to ensure low complexity, modularity, fast response, and to allow a real-time reconfiguration of the language models and grammars according to the policy indicated by natural language understanding and dialogue manager modules. A corpus of spontaneous speech interactions was collected using the Wizard-of-Oz method in a real driving situation with a microphone placed far from the driver. The use of parallel recognition units, each specialized on a given geographical domain, was explored using the resulting real corpus. Experiments show the advantage of selecting the recognized sentence according to the maximum likelihood among the active units when compared to the use of a single language model based on a very large vocabulary.
Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT of the liver: comparison of contrast medium injection rates and uniphasic and biphasic injection protocols.

To determine the effect of contrast medium injection rate and biphasic versus uniphasic bolus on hepatic parenchymal enhancement at computed tomography (CT), 105 patients were randomized into four protocols. Hepatic and aortic enhancement curves were measured for each protocol. The optimal scanning interval (the duration between onset of a desired hepatic enhancement threshold and decline of enhancement below the threshold or onset of the equilibrium phase) and contrast enhancement index (CEI) (area under the hepatic enhancement curve above a desired threshold during the nonequilibrium phase) were the primary determinants of merit. Measurements were performed at hepatic enhancement thresholds between 10 and 60 HU. At most thresholds of hepatic enhancement, optimal scanning intervals were significantly longer and CEIs were significantly higher for the biphasic protocols than for the uniphasic protocols (P < .03). A biphasic injection with a high initial flow rate produces high peak contrast enhancement but delayed onset of equilibrium and thus provides a longer optimal scanning interval.
Intergenomic epistasis causes asynchronous hatch times in whitefish hybrids, but only when parental ecotypes differ

Support for the theory of ecological speciation requires evidence for ecological divergence between species which directly or indirectly causes reproductive isolation. This study investigates effects of ecological vs. genetic disparity of parental species on the presence of endogenous selection (deformation and mortality rates) and potential sources of exogenous selection (growth rates and hatch timing) on hybrids. Hybrid embryonic development is analysed in a common‐garden full‐sib cross of three species belonging to two different ecotypes within the Coregonus lavaretus species flock in the central Alpine region of Europe. Although hatch timing was similar across the three species, embryonic growth rates and egg sizes differed between ecotypes. This led to a mismatch between embryonic growth rate and egg size in hybrid crosses that reveals epistasis between the maternal and embryonic genomes and transgressive hatch times that were asynchronous with control crosses. A strong constraint of egg size to embryo size at late development was also evident. We argue that this demonstrates potential for coadaptation of a maternal trait (egg size) with offspring growth rate to be an important source of selection against hybridization between ecotypes with different egg sizes. Implications for the measurement and quantification of early life‐history traits affected by this additive relationship, such as hatch day and larval size, are also discussed.
Transient Conversion to RecA + Phenotype to Permit P 1 Transduction in any Escherichia coli recA-Strains

almost 100% eclosion (C.A. Lowenberger, personal communication). In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the MRE/3′2J variant of the dsSIN vector can be used to infect and express genes in mosquito larvae using a simple technique that does not require the technical expertise or apparatus required for intrathoracic inoculation. Successful infections with MRE/3′2J/GFP were achieved despite the viral titers being typically tenfold lower than for TE/ 3′2J/GFP. We believe that this technique may therefore be readily utilized by other researchers to express genes in other arthropods. A similar technique has recently been used to attain GFP expression in crustacean nauplii (D.L. Lewis, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI) personal communication).
Association between laminin‐8 and glial tumor grade, recurrence, and patient survival

The authors previously sought to identify novel markers of glioma invasion and recurrence. Their research demonstrated that brain gliomas overexpressed a subset of vascular basement components, laminins, that contained the α4 chain. One of these laminins, laminin‐8, was found to be present in highly invasive and malignant glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) (Grade 4 astrocytoma); its expression was associated with a decreased time to tumor recurrence, and it was found in vitro to promote invasion of GBM cell lines.
The utility of magnetoencephalography in the presurgical evaluation of refractory insular epilepsy

To study the utility of magnetoencephalography (MEG) in patients with refractory insular epilepsy. Covered by highly functional temporal, frontal, and parietal opercula, insular‐onset seizures can manifest a variety of ictal symptoms falsely leading to a diagnosis of temporal, frontal, or parietal lobe seizures. Lack of recognition of insular seizures may be responsible for some epilepsy surgery failures.
Promoting question-asking in school-aged children with autism spectrum disorders: Effectiveness of a robot intervention compared to a human-trainer intervention

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of an applied behaviour analysis (ABA)-based intervention conducted by a robot compared to an ABA-based intervention conducted by a human trainer in promoting self-initiated questions in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: Data were collected in a combined crossover multiple baseline design across participants. Six children were randomly assigned to two experimental groups. Results: Results revealed that the number of self-initiated questions for both experimental groups increased between baseline and the first intervention and was maintained during follow-up. The high number of self-initiated questions during follow-up indicates that both groups maintained this skill. Conclusions: The interventions conducted by a robot and a human trainer were both effective in promoting self-initiated questions in children with ASD. No conclusion with regard to the differential effectiveness of both interventions could be drawn. Implications of the results and directions for future research are discussed.
Rank to intuitionistic fuzzy sets based on graphical geometric solution

To represent the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets (IFSs) simply and clearly, the whole three dimension geometric schemes for IFSs have been researched in cartesian coordinates, cylinder coordinates and spherical coordinates respectively, and the plane nature of IFS has been obtained. After analyzing the graphical solution of LP problems, this paper illustrates an improved rank approach to IFSs based on graphical solution. Comparing with other approaches, the result obtained by geometric scheme has simple and clear description.
PCR use in miliary tuberculosis presenting with acute respiratory distress syndrome

A 30-year-old pregnant woman admitted to the hospital for rapidly progressive dyspnoea, non-productive cough and altered general status evolving over 1-month period. Her vital signs showed a low blood pressure 90/60 mm Hg, pulse rate 100 beats/min, respiratory rate 32 breaths/min and oxygen saturation on room air of 88%. Laboratory findings showed haemoglobin 9.7 g/dl, white blood cells 15 000/mm3 (neutrophils 82%), C reactive protein 74 mg/l, alkaline phosphatase 320 U/l, alanine aminotransferase 62 IU/l, aspartate aminotransferase 120 IU/l, γ glutamyl transpeptidase 125 U/l; brain natriuretic peptide 25.4 pg/ml, procalcitonine >2, lactate dehydrogenase 1618 U/l. Chest radiographics showed diffuse bilateral micronodular pulmonary infiltrates and CT of the chest confirmed 1–3 mm diffuse bilateral micronodular infiltrates with ground glass opacities. Complete investigation including bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for any viral, bacteriologic, acid-fast bacilli and full serum antibodies panel were all negative. DNA amplification for mycobacterium using PCR on the BAL rapidly rectified the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
Low cost vision system for human gait acquisition and characterization

This paper presents a low cost system for human gait analysis. Two opposite-faced web cameras are used to acquire images of the walking of a person carrying a set of passive marks, where the color is chosen to contrast with the ambient dominant color. It is also used a treadmill with passive marks, where the user walks at different speeds. The acquired trajectories of the marks are used to determine body joint angles and other 3D crossed angles, obtained by both opposite sides from video images processing. With this low cost measurement system the analysis and reconstruction of human gait can be done with a mean error of 2 degrees, becoming a good alternative to more expensive systems to be used in human gait characterization. The system can be used to detect human gait pathologies and to accomplish physical rehabilitation.
Influence of the Guard Ring on the RF Properties of IO Pads

Diff erent guard ring structures for RF input�output pads were tested. S-parameter measurements were used to compare the structures. The best isolation was achieved when the guard ring was contacted to the substrate and connected to the RF ground. Isolation was 20 dB better than the structure without any guard ring for the selected input-output pad distance at 1 GHz. This RF pad structure with grounding ring has been modelled and characterised for a conductive silicon substrate.
Subtype differentiation of renal cell carcinoma using diffusion-weighted and blood oxygenation level-dependent MRI.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to evaluate the utility of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) MRI for characterizing renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtypes at 3 T. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-seven patients underwent 3-T DWI and BOLD MRI. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC; × 10(-3) mm(2)/s) and rate of spin dephasing (R2*, which equals 1 / T2* relaxation time, or 1/s) values were measured in the three RCC subtypes and normal renal parenchyma, and the results were compared. Statistical analyses were performed using analysis of variance, Student t test, and ROC curve analysis. RESULTS Clear cell RCCs showed statistically significantly greater ADC values (1.81 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s) than did papillary (1.29 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s) and chromophobe (1.55 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s) RCCs (p < 0.01); however, no statistically significant differences between papillary and chromophobe RCCs were observed (p = 0.26). Chromophobe RCCs showed the greatest mean R2* (33.6 1/s) of the three subtypes (p < 0.01); however, no statistically significant differences between clear cell RCCs and papillary RCCs were seen (p = 0.48). Low-grade clear cell RCCs showed statistically significantly higher ADC value (1.97 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s) than did high-grade clear cell RCCs (1.66 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s; p = 0.021). For differentiating clear cell RCCs from non-clear cell RCCs, the AUCs of ADC and R2* values were 0.756 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s and 0.607 (1/s), respectively (p = 0.047): cutoff values of ADC (1.4 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s) and R2* (26.3 1/s) resulted in sensitivities and specificities of 85% and 73%, and 86% and 47%, respectively. CONCLUSION For characterizing RCC subtypes, DWI and BOLD MRI at 3 T may be useful, but the current technique of BOLD MRI seems to have a limited diagnostic accuracy.
The influence of strain and environmental factors upon feather pecking and cannibalism in fowls.

Synopsis The relationship between strain, seven environmental factors and pecking damage was investigated. Strain of bird, housing system, light intensity and position effect had major influences, diet and group size had minor, while population density and brooding temperature had no appreciable effect on pecking damage. Relationships between pecking damage and social hierarchy, fear responses and body weight were also demonstrated. It is suggested that although particular “causative factors” may sometimes be of overriding importance, the problem should generally be viewed in terms of the interaction between an individual bird and its environment.
Microfluidic Tissue Model for Live Cell Screening

We have developed a microfluidic platform modeled after the physiologic microcirculation for multiplexed tissue‐like culture and high‐throughput analysis. Each microfabricated culture unit consisted of three functional components: a 50 μm wide cell culture pocket, an artificial endothelial barrier with 2 μm pores, and a nutrient transport channel. This configuration enabled a high density of cancer cells to be maintained for over 1 week in a solid tumor‐like morphology when fed with continuous flow. The microfluidic chip contained 16 parallel units for “flow cell” based experiments where live cells were exposed to a soluble factor and analyzed via fluorescence microscopy or flow‐through biochemistry. Each fluidically independent tissue unit contained ∼500 cells fed with a continuous flow of 10 nL/min. As a demonstration, the toxicity profile of the anti‐cancer drug paclitaxel was collected on HeLa cells cultured in the microfluidic format and compared with a 384‐well dish for up to 5 days of continuous drug exposure.
Occurrence of oxidized metabolites of arachidonic acid esterified to phospholipids in murine lung tissue.

Isolation and characterization of murine pulmonary phospholipids revealed the normal occurrence of 10 isobaric eicosanoids corresponding to the incorporation of one oxygen atom into the arachidonate esterified to glycerophospholipids. Lungs from mice were removed and lipids were extracted and then separated into free carboxylic acid and phospholipids. Phospholipids were hydrolyzed to yield the free carboxylic acids prior to analysis. Reverse-phase HPLC and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry were used to identify and quantitate six monohydroxyeicosatetraenoic (HETE) and four epoxyeicosatetraenoic (EET) acid regioisomers using d8-HETE as internal standard. HETEs esterified to phospholipids were found to increase following intratracheal administration of tBuOOH (36 mg/kg), but not the levels of esterified EETs. Chiral analysis of esterified 15-HETE revealed an R/S ratio of 0.96, suggesting operation of a free radical mechanism responsible for generation of this monohydroxy arachidonate phospholipid, and this enantiomeric ratio was 1.10 following treatment of the mouse lung with tBuOOH. These results are consistent with a free-radical-based mechanism of oxidation of pulmonary glycerophospholipids containing arachidonate.