Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lymphoproliferative response to the 30-kDa protein and a crude lysate from Salmonella typhimurium in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Objectives: To determine the lymphoproliferative response to the 30-kDa protein (p30) of Salmonella typhimurium in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Method: Lymphoproliferative response was determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 30 patients with AS and 40 healthy subjects. Cells were cultured with concanavalin A (Con A), a crude lysate of S. typhimurium (StCL), or p30. Lymphoproliferation was measured by the MTT assay. Results: Our data show that the mitogenic response to Con A was similar in both groups studied; however, the lymphoproliferative response to StCL and p30 was statistically higher in AS patients than in healthy subjects. Conclusions: Our data strongly suggest that S. typhimurium, and particularly p30, are associated with AS.
Visualizing Confidence Bands for Semiparametrically Estimated Nonlinear Relations Among Latent Variables

Structural equation mixture models (SEMMs), when applied as a semiparametric model (SPM), can adequately recover potentially nonlinear latent relationships without their specification. This SPM is useful for exploratory analysis when the form of the latent regression is unknown. The purpose of this article is to help users familiar with structural equation models to add SEMM to their toolkit of exploratory analytic options. We describe how the SEMM captures potential nonlinearity between latent variables, and how confidence bands (CBs; point wise and simultaneous) for the recovered latent function are constructed and interpreted. We then illustrate the usefulness of CBs for inference with an empirical example on the effect of emotions on cognitive processing. We also introduce a visualization tool that automatically generates plots of the latent regression and their CBs to promote user accessibility. Finally, we conclude with a discussion on the use of this SPM for exploratory research.
Secular changes in body dimensions of Royal Australian Air Force aircrew (1971–2005)

The aim of this study was to quantify the secular changes in body dimensions of Royal Australian Air Force aircrew. Following corrections for methodological differences, two samples (matched for age and overall body size) of male aircrew measured in 1971 (n = 220) and 2005 (n = 220) were compared across 13 absolute and proportional body dimensions. Changes in means were expressed as standardised effect sizes and changes in distributional characteristics were expressed as the ratio of coefficients of variation and as changes in skew. Small secular increases (standardised effects sizes >0.2) in age-matched aircrew were observed for mass, height, BMI, sitting height, buttock–knee length, waist girth, hip girth and waist:hip ratio, with a small decline observed for head girth. Changes in body dimensions were not independent of changes in overall body size (except for head girth) and were not always uniform across the distribution. These changes in body size have implications for ensuring correct human–machine and human–equipment fit. Statement of Relevance: There have been small secular changes in body dimensions of RAAF aircrew between 1971 and 2005, although these secular changes have not always been uniform across the distribution. These secular changes in body dimensions have implications for ensuring correct human–machine and human–equipment fit and underscore the need for regular anthropometric surveys.
Of mice and men: K(ATP) channels and insulin secretion.

K(ATP) channels are a unique, small family of potassium (K+)-selective ion channels assembled from four inward rectifier pore-forming subunits, K(IR)6.x, paired with four sulfonylurea receptors (SURs), members of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette superfamily. The activity of these channels can be regulated by metabolically driven changes in the ratio of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to ATP, providing a means to couple membrane electrical activity with metabolism. In pancreatic beta cells in the islets of Langerhans, K(ATP) channels are part of an ionic mechanism that couples glucose metabolism to insulin secretion. This chapter 1) briefly describes the properties of K(ATP) channels; 2) discusses data on a genetically recessive form of persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI), caused by loss of beta-cell K(ATP) channel activity; and 3) compares the severe impairment of glucose homeostasis that characterizes the human phenotype with the near-normal phenotype observed in K(ATP) channel null mice.
Effect of Contact Lens Materials on Tear Physiology

Purpose. This study measured evaporation rate, thinning characteristics, and lipid layer changes in the prelens tear film (PLTF) associated with wearing of different soft contact lens materials, in an attempt to determine the biocompatibility of the material with the PLTF. Methods. Twenty habituated contact lens wearers wore five different soft materials in a random order on the left eye at visits separated by at least 24 h. The soft contact lens materials were polymacon (Optima 38), omafilcon A (Proclear Compatibles), phemfilcon A (DuraSoft 2), balafilcon A (PureVision), and etafilcon A (Acuvue). Tear film evaporation rate was measured by a modified Servo Med Evaporimeter and tear thinning time by HirCal grid. Tear film structure, elimination rate, and lens wetting ability were recorded dynamically with a Doane tear film video interferometer and graded according to a new system developed for the study. Baseline measurements were taken of the precorneal tear film before lens insertion, and PLTF was determined 30 min after commencing lens wear. Results. No statistically significant differences were found for any of the baseline (precorneal tear film) data. There was also no significant difference in evaporation rate change (analysis of variance) and in tear thinning time (Friedmann) between the five contact lenses. In the PLTF structure grading, omafilcon A had significantly more stable grades than phemfilcon A (Friedmann, p = 0.0033) and polymacon (p = 0.004). In PLTF observation of tear thinning and elimination rate, there was a significantly slower rate of elimination observed for omafilcon A than phemfilcon A (Friedmann, p = 0.0023) and polymacon (p = 0.0023). There was no significant difference in the overall PLTF wetting ability grading between any of the lenses worn. Conclusion. Generally, all soft contact lens materials significantly and adversely affected tear physiology by increasing the evaporation rate and decreasing tear thinning time. The surface wetting ability of all contact lens materials exhibited no significantly difference irrespective of the special surface treatments. Only in PLTF structure and in PLTF elimination rate were differences found from the conventional low water content materials; omafilcon A was better in PLTF structure and in PLTF elimination.
Near-field second-harmonic generation

Near–field microscopy of second–harmonic generation combines high surface sensitivity of the nonlinear optical process and high spatial resolution of the near–field optics. It enables investigation of nonlinear optical phenomena at the nanoscale and provides an opportunity to develop a highly sensitive optical technique for materials characterization. In this paper we overview apertured and apertureless near–field approaches for local studies of second–harmonic generation. Near–field second–harmonic generation at metal surfaces and nanostructures and related electromagnetic field enhancement and confinement effects are considered. The latter demonstrates the feasibility of achieving nanoscale light sources using second–harmonic generation. Applications of second–harmonic near–field microscopy for characterization of magnetic and ferroelectric materials are also discussed. Nonlinear nano–optics can lead to the development of novel photonic devices on the sub–wavelength–scale as well as new tools for imaging and local optical studies of materials, chemical and biological species.
Technical Report: Modeling of Composite Piezoelectric Structures with the Finite Volume Method

Piezoelectric devices, such as piezoelectric traveling wave rotary ultrasonic motors, have composite piezoelectric structures. A composite piezoelectric structure consists of a combination of two or more bonded materials, where at least one of them is a piezoelectric transducer. Numerical modeling of piezoelectric structures has been done in the past mainly with the finite element method. Alternatively, a finite volume based approach offers the following advantages: (a) the ordinary differential equations resulting from the discretization process can be interpreted directly as corresponding circuits and (b) phenomena occurring at boundaries can be treated exactly. This report extends the work of IEEE Transactions on UFFC 57(2010)7:1673-1691 by presenting a method for implementing the boundary conditions between the bonded materials in composite piezoelectric structures. The report concludes with one modeling example of a unimorph structure.
Using JML-based Code Generation to Enhance Test Automation for VDM Models

The Vienna Development Method (VDM) uses contract-based elements such as invariants to constrain data, and preand post conditions to specify intended behaviour. Data and behaviour can be validated against these contractbased elements using test automation for VDM. This technique uses traces – a kind of pattern – to specify test sets, which can be executed against the VDM model. In this paper we demonstrate how traces can be code generated to Java and used to test a version of the VDM model, implemented as a Java Modeling Language (JML) annotated Java program. This approach has potential to allow a larger number of tests to be executed since the tests are run as compiled code rather than using a VDM interpreter. To study the performance of code generated traces, execution times are compared to those obtained using different VDM interpreters.
Social network information propagation model based on individual behavior

In this paper, we discuss building an information dissemination model based on individual behavior. We analyze the individual behavior related to information dissemination and the factors that affect the sharing behavior of individuals, and we define and quantify these factors. We consider these factors as characteristic attributes and use a Bayesian classifier to classify individuals. Considering the forwarding delay characteristics of information dissemination, we present a random time generation method that simulates the delay of information dissemination. Given time and other constraints, a user might not look at all the information that his/her friends published. Therefore, this paper proposes an algorithm to predict information visibility, i.e., it estimates the probability that an individual will see the information. Based on the classification of individual behavior and combined with our random time generation and information visibility prediction method, we propose an information dissemination model based on individual behavior. The model can be used to predict the scale and speed of information propagation. We use data sets from Sina Weibo to validate and analyze the prediction methods of the individual behavior and information dissemination model based on individual behavior. A previously proposed information dissemination model provides the foundation for a subsequent study on the evolution of the network and social network analysis. Predicting the scale and speed of information dissemination can also be used for public opinion monitoring.
Cryptococcus neoformans: pseudohyphal forms surviving culture with Acanthamoeba polyphaga

During experiments on the gastrointestinal tract as a possible portal of entry for Cryptococcus neoformans, we occasionally observed the free-living amoeba, Acanthamoeba polyphaga, growing in the presence of C. neoformans cultured from mouse feces. Examination of the amoebic trophozoites revealed that they were engorged with yeast cells. Over a period of 2 to 3 weeks of incubation, the amoebae apparently killed most of the yeast cells. Some of the surviving C. neoformans cells formed atypical colonies which contained pseudohyphae. Seven other strains have since been cultured with this amoeba. Pseudohyphal forms were found among the surviving colonies in all strains tested. Virulence studies were performed on one randomly selected pseudohyphal isolate from each of the eight strains of C. neoformans. Pseudohyphal isolates from seven of the eight strains failed to kill mice 30 days after intracranial inoculation. The potential role of soil amoebae in the control of C. neoformans in nature is discussed.
Terminal Phase Males Stimulate Ovarian Function and Inhibit Sex Change in the Protogynous Wrasse Thalassoma duperrey

Abstract Under experimental conditions, the probability of sex change in the protogynous wrasse Thalassoma duperrey is determined largely by an individual's relative size within a social group. Natural populations, however, contain two distinct male phenotypes that may also play a role in regulating sex change. To investigate potential effects of male phenotype, the ability to change sex, ovarian histology and serum estradiol-17β levels were examined in females maintained under controlled social settings. Large females housed with smaller or larger terminal phase males had significantly larger gonadosomatic indices than females housed singly, with other females or with smaller initial phase males. Similarly, ovaries of females housed with terminal phase males showed no histological evidence of sex change, whereas large females from other social groupings were in advanced stages of sex change. These results demonstrate terminal phase males inhibit sex change regardless of their size relative to the female. Furthermore, gonadosomatic indices, ovarian histology, and serum estradiol-17β levels of females housed with terminal phase males indicate normal ovarian function whereas ovaries of other treatment groups appear quiescent or are undergoing sex change. Consequently, terminal phase males may be required for normal ovarian development which may, in turn, inhibit sex change in T. duperrey.
Balance model for equatorial long waves

Abstract Geophysical fluid models often support both fast and slow motions. As the dynamics are often dominated by the slow motions, it is desirable to filter out the fast motions by constructing balance models. An example is the quasi-geostrophic (QG) model, which is used widely in meteorology and oceanography for theoretical studies, in addition to practical applications such as model initialization and data assimilation. Although the QG model works quite well in the mid-latitudes, its usefulness diminishes as one approaches the equator. Thus far, attempts to derive similar balance models for the tropics have not been entirely successful as the models generally filter out Kelvin waves, which contribute significantly to tropical low-frequency variability. There is much theoretical interest in the dynamics of planetary-scale Kelvin waves, especially for atmospheric and oceanic data assimilation where observations are generally only of the mass field and thus do not constrain the wind field without some kind of diagnostic balance relation. As a result, estimates of Kelvin wave amplitudes can be poor. Our goal is to find a balance model that includes Kelvin waves for planetary-scale motions. Using asymptotic methods, we derive a balance model for the weakly nonlinear equatorial shallow-water equations. Specifically we adopt the ‘slaving’ method proposed by Warn et al. (Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., vol. 121, 1995, pp. 723–739), which avoids secular terms in the expansion and thus can in principle be carried out to any order. Different from previous approaches, our expansion is based on a long-wave scaling and the slow dynamics is described using the height field instead of potential vorticity. The leading-order model is equivalent to the truncated long-wave model considered previously (e.g. Heckley & Gill, Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., vol. 110, 1984, pp. 203–217), which retains Kelvin waves in addition to equatorial Rossby waves. Our method allows for the derivation of higher-order models which significantly improve the representation of Rossby waves in the isotropic limit. In addition, the ‘slaving’ method is applicable even when the weakly nonlinear assumption is relaxed, and the resulting nonlinear model encompasses the weakly nonlinear model. We also demonstrate that the method can be applied to more realistic stratified models, such as the Boussinesq model.
Evaluation of cervical screening strategies with adjunct high‐risk human papillomavirus testing for women with borderline or mild dyskaryosis

The management of women with a smear read as borderline/mild dyskaryosis (BMD) found by cervical cancer screening is still under discussion as only few of these cases are associated with high‐grade lesions. To determine the optimal screening strategy for these women, a simulation model of cervical cancer development was used that is based on high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection. The current strategy of repeat cytological testing at 6 and 18 months after BMD was compared to strategies with adjunct hrHPV testing. Calculations were done for both conventional and liquid‐based cytology as the primary screening tool. In comparison to current screening, adjunct hrHPV testing was more effective in preventing cancer and more woman‐friendly (reduction in colposcopy referrals with outcome < cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2) of up to 56% and in repeat smears of 30–100%). In combination with conventional cytology, cost‐effective strategies were the ones in which a sample for high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing is collected at a return visit within 1 month or in which hrHPV testing is restricted to repeat smears taken at 6 and 18 months. For these strategies, co‐collection of samples for hrHPV testing at baseline is not necessary which has organizational and cost advantages. In combination with liquid‐based cytology, it was cost‐effective to perform a reflex hrHPV test at baseline from the liquid‐based specimen. Liquid‐based screening was more effective than conventional screening, but annual diagnosis costs were €5 million higher (population size 16 million). In conclusion, our calculations indicate that implementation of hrHPV testing for the management of women with borderline or mild dyskaryosis (BMD) is feasible both in settings where conventional and liquid‐based cytology is current practice. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of Personal Digital Assistant Drug Information Databases for the Managed Care Pharmacist

BACKGROUND: Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are becoming a necessity for practicing pharmacists. They offer a time-saving and convenient way to obtain current drug information. Several software companies now offer general drug information databases for use on handheld computers. PDAs priced less than $200 often have limited memory capacity; therefore, the user must choose from a growing list of general drug information database options in order to maximize utility without exceeding memory capacity. OBJECTIVES: This paper reviews the attributes of available general drug information software databases for the PDA. It provides information on the content, advantages, limitations, pricing, memory requirements, and accessibility of drug information software databases. SUMMARY: Ten drug information databases were subjectively analyzed and evaluated based on information from the products Web site, vendor Web sites, and from our experience. Some of these databases have attractive auxiliary features such as kinetics calculators, disease references, drug-drug and drug-herb interaction tools, and clinical guidelines, which may make them more useful to the PDA user. CONCLUSIONS: Not all drug information databases are equal with regard to content, author credentials, frequency of updates, and memory requirements. The user must therefore evaluate databases for completeness, currency, and cost effectiveness before purchase. In addition, consideration should be given to the ease of use and flexibility of individual programs.
Fiber ribbon alignment structures based on rhombus-shaped channels in silicon

A fiber ribbon alignment structure based on bulk silicon micromachining technique with precise rhombus-shaped channels in {100}-silicon is demonstrated. The main advantages are totally buried and thereby protected fibers and a less structured wafer surface suitable for the integration of components on top. The presented structure allows a simplified assembly of fiber ribbon arrays due to integrated funnels for fiber insertion. The accuracy of the channels within an array was found to be /spl plusmn/0.2 /spl mu/m. Furthermore, this technique allows combining fiber ribbons with a pitch of 250 /spl mu/m with photodiodes for system monitoring in a single fiber pigtail.
Personalised search - a hybrid approach for web information retrieval and its evaluation

Nowadays, everyone can effortlessly access a range of information on the World Wide Web (WWW). As information resources on the web continue to grow tremendously, it becomes progressively more difficult to meet high expectations of users and find relevant information. Although existing search engine technologies can find valuable information, however, they suffer from the problems of information overload and information mismatch. This paper presents a hybrid Web Information Retrieval approach allowing personalised search using ontology, user profile and collaborative filtering. This approach finds the context of user query with least user’s involvement, using ontology. Simultaneously, this approach uses time-based automatic user profile updating with user’s changing behaviour. Subsequently, this approach uses recommendations from similar users using collaborative filtering technique. The proposed method is evaluated with the FIRE 2010 dataset and manually generated dataset. Empirical analysis reveals that Precision, Recall and F-Score of most of the queries for many users are improved with proposed method.
Moving Forward: A Qualitative Research Inquiry to Inform the Development of a Resource Pack for Women Following Primary Breast Cancer Treatment

While the UK charity Breast Cancer Care has extensive resources for women with breast cancer, this research partnership developed the first resource driven and informed by primary research with these women, exploring their needs and developing the resource according to need. Data were collected from focus groups with breast cancer survivors and telephone interviews with health professionals and experts, which explored the needs of women after primary cancer treatment, and were analyzed using thematic analysis. As well as information, these women needed resources to help them regain control over life, adapt to a changed body, and restore lost confidence.
Isolation of temperature-sensitive mutants of R plasmid by in vitro mutagenesis with hydroxylamine

Temperature-sensitive mutants were isolated from a tetracycline resistance plasmid, pSC101, after mutagenesis with hydroxylamine. They were divided into three classes according to their growth characteristics. They include mutants defective in the replication of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid and strains having a mutation in the drug resistance gene.