Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asymptotic Analysis of Solutions to Transmission Problems in Solids with Many Inclusions

We construct an asymptotic approximation to the solution of a transmission problem for a body containing a region occupied by many small inclusions. The cluster of inclusions is characterised by two small parameters that determine the nominal diameter of individual inclusions and their separation within the cluster. These small parameters can be comparable to each other. Remainder estimates of the asymptotic approximation are rigorously justified. Numerical illustrations demonstrate the efficiency of the asymptotic approach when compared with benchmark finite element algorithms.
Simplicial Nonlinear Principal Component Analysis

We present simplicial principal component analysis (SNPCA), a new manifold reconstruction algorithm that takes a set of data points lying near a lower dimensional manifold as input, possibly with noise, and extracts a simplicial complex that fits the data and the manifold. We have implemented the algorithm in the case where the input point cloud can be triangulated by a complex of 2-simplices, but is embedded in a space of arbitrary dimension. The algorithm is easily parallelizable. We are working to extend the algorithm to data sets lying on higher dimensional manifolds and more complex shapes, possibly of varying dimension. We provide the output of our algorithm for data that fall on the surface of a torus with and without noise, a swiss roll, and creased sheet, all embedded in R. We chose these manifolds to demonstrate that the algorithm does not require a smooth underlying manifold, or a manifold without boundary. We also discuss the theoretical justification of our algorithm.
Interlocked catenane-like structure predicted in Au24(SR)20: implication to structural evolution of thiolated gold clusters from homoleptic gold(I) thiolates to core-stacked nanoparticles.

Atomic structure of a recently synthesized ligand-covered cluster Au(24)(SR)(20) [J. Phys. Chem. Lett. , 2010, 1, 1003] is resolved based on the developed classical force-field based divide-and-protect approach. The computed UV-vis absorption spectrum and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) curve for the lowest-energy isomer are in good agreement with experimental measurements. Unique catenane-like staple motifs are predicted for the first time in core-stacked thiolate-group (RS-) covered gold nanoparticles (RS-AuNPs), suggesting the onset of structural transformation in RS-AuNPs at relatively low Au/SR ratio. Since the lowest-energy structure of Au(24)(SR)(20) entails interlocked Au(5)(SR)(4) and Au(7)(SR)(6) oligomers, it supports a recently proposed growth model of RS-AuNPs [J. Phys. Chem. Lett. , 2011, 2, 990], that is, Au(n)(SR)(n-1) oligomers are formed during the initial growth of RS-AuNPs. By comparing the Au-core structure of Au(24)(SR)(20) with other structurally resolved RS-AuNPs, we conclude that the tetrahedral Au(4) motif is a prevalent structural unit for small-sized RS-AuNPs with relatively low Au/SR ratio. The structural prediction of Au(24)(SR)(20) offers additional insights into the structural evolution of thiolated gold clusters from homoleptic gold(I) thiolate to core-stacked RS-AuNPs. Specifically, with the increase of interfacial bond length of Au(core)-S in RS-AuNPs, increasingly larger "metallic" Au-core is formed, which results in smaller HOMO-LUMO (or optical) gap. Calculations of electronic structures and UV-vis absorption spectra of Au(24)(SR)(20) and larger RS-AuNPs (up to ~2 nm in size) show that the ligand layer can strongly affect optical absorption behavior of RS-AuNPs.
Pivot-based k-means Algorithm for Numerous-class Data Sets

This paper presents an accelerated k-means clustering algorithm suitable for a large-scale and numerous-class data set. The proposed iterative algorithm avoids unnecessary exact distance calculations, especially in the early and the last stage in its convergence process, and retains the same result as the standard algorithm. This is efficiently performed by two distinct components. One uses the lower bounds on exact distances between objects and centroids for the acceleration in the early stage. The lower bound is calculated by the triangle inequality with newly introduced fixed points called pivots. The other component for the last stage skips the distance calculation between an invariant centroid and an object satisfying the following condition. The cluster to which the object is assigned remains unchanged, i.e., its centroid is also invariant. For much further speed-up, we can incorporate an existing algorithm into the proposed algorithm as an extension, which often performs a complementary role in the middle stage. The experimental results we obtained on large-scale and high-dimensional image data sets demonstrate that given a large k value, the proposed algorithm outperforms existing algorithms in terms of both the reduction rate of distance calculations and elapsed time.
Fasting Girls: The History of Anorexia Nervosa

Students of anorexia nervosa and those responsible for treating patients with eating disorders continue to struggle with the question of the cause of this biopsychosocial condition. Perhaps out of frustration and the inherent management difficulties many physicians are quick to embrace the concept of a biologic vulnerability as the organic cause of the disorder. While not dismissing the importance of biologic determinants and the possibility that anorexia nervosa may be a manifestation of an underlying hypothalamic defect, Brumberg builds a convincing case against this simplistic biomedical model. As physicians, we would very much welcome a break-through proving that the unusual eating behaviors of patients with eating disorders are somehow the result of an imbalance, deviance, or abnormality of biological processes. If such were the case, it might be prevented by a vaccine for those with a strong family history of eating disorders or treated with a specific hormone or chemical
Rapid Nongenomic E2 Effects on p42/p44 MAPK, Activator Protein-1, and cAMP Response Element Binding Protein in Rat White Adipocytes.

In some tissues, rapid effects of estrogens have been described at the plasma membrane level including activation of the MAPK activity. In rat adipocytes, the present study demonstrates that physiological concentrations (0.1-10 nM) of E2 rapidly activate the p42/p44 MAPK. This effect was blocked by the pure estrogen antagonist, ICI 182 780, and appeared specific for E2 because 17alpha-E2, T, and progesterone failed to change the MAPK activity. Pertussis toxin; PP2, a selective inhibitor of Src family kinase; and wortmannin all reduced the magnitude of MAPK activation by E2 suggesting involvement of the Gi-protein/Src family kinase/PI3K pathway. Classical PKCs and MAPK kinase were also involved in MAPK activation by E2. Interestingly, this activation was observed in late but not early differentiated rat preadipocytes, and the immunoreactive ER(alpha) protein was detected only in adipocyte membrane, suggesting that the adipocyte membrane structure is required for the nongenomic effect of E2. Moreover, E2 induced a rapid nuclear translocation of MAPK together with a fast MAPK- dependent activation of cAMP response element binding protein leading to a transcriptional activation of cAMP response element binding protein-responsive genes and reported plasmids. However, the E2 increase in adipocyte activator protein-1 DNA binding does not seem to be fully explained by the E2 activation of the MAPK pathway. This study provides clear evidence for an additional nongenomic mechanism whereby estrogens may exert their control on adipose tissue metabolism.
Geometric Singular Perturbation Approach to Steady-State Poisson--Nernst--Planck Systems

Boundary value problems of a one-dimensional steady-state Poisson--Nernst--Planck (PNP) system for ion flow through a narrow membrane channel are studied. By assuming the ratio of the Debye length to a characteristic length to be small, the PNP system can be viewed as a singularly perturbed problem with multiple time scales and is analyzed using the newly developed geometric singular perturbation theory. Within the framework of dynamical systems, the global behavior is first studied in terms of limiting fast and slow systems. It is rather surprising that a complete set of integrals is discovered for the (nonlinear) limiting fast system. This allows a detailed description of the boundary layers for the problem. The slow system itself turns out to be a singularly perturbed one, too, which indicates that the singularly perturbed PNP system has three different time scales. A singular orbit (zeroth order approximation) of the boundary value problem is identified based on the dynamics of limiting fast and slow .
Curvature-Induced Dispersion in Electro-Osmotic Serpentine Flows

Flow and transport phenomena occurring within serpentine microchannels are analyzed for both two- and three-dimensional curvilinear configurations. The microfluidic conduit is modeled as a spatially periodic "thin" channel, enabling asymptotic expansions of the pertinent transport fields in terms of a small parameter $\epsilon$, representing the ratio of channel (half-)width to curvilinear channel length per serpentine period. The electric potential distribution, as well as the attendant electro-osmotic flow field, is calculated for the limiting case where the Debye layer thickness is small relative to the channel width. Generalized Taylor--Aris dispersion theory is employed to calculate the serpentine-scale velocity and dispersivity of a charged point-size colloidal Brownian particle ("molecule") entrained in the solvent Stokes flow engendered by the electrokinetic forces. These respective macrotransport coefficients are expressed, inter alia, in terms of quadratures of the local curvature within a unit .
Exact Nonreflecting Boundary Conditions for the Time Dependent Wave Equation

An exact nonreflecting boundary condition is derived for solutions of the time dependent wave equation in three space dimensions. It holds on a spherical artificial boundary and is local in time, but nonlocal in space. It can be reduced to a boundary condition local in space and time for solutions consisting of a finite number of spherical harmonics. The boundary condition is related to the Dirichlet-to-Neumann boundary condition for the Helmholtz equation. It can be used in scattering problems as well as in problems involving nonlinearity in a bounded region of space.
Histomorphological and biochemical changes of lung tissues following capsaicin treatment in the rat

Gross histomorphological alterations and biochemical changes, particularly in the lipid pattern of lung alveolar tissues, were oblerved in rats after intraperitoneal injection of capsaicin (the pungent principle of red hot pepper). Preliminary experiments showed that short‐term capsaicin treatment produced and inflammatory response with significant degenerative changes in the alveolar epithelial cells and increased cellularity of lung alveoli, as revealed by thickening of lung alveolar cells with occasional rupture of lung alveolar cellular integrity. The cytological changes were correlated with concomitant biochemical changes revealed by the decreased cholesterol and phospholipid content of lung alveolar tissues and infiltration of phospholipids towards the lumen of the alveoli which may be the cause of thickening of the alveoli cell lining of the lung tissues. On the other hand, long term capsaicin‐treated rat lungs showed a significant inhibition of capsaicin induced damage of lung tissues indicating a possible dual action of capsaicin on antiinflammatory respones in the pulmonary system.
A Class of Low-Frequency Modes in Laterally Homogeneous Fluid-Solid Media

By a fundamental wave mode in a laterally homogeneous fluid-solid medium, we mean a propagating mode that continues to exist as a propagating mode down to arbitrarily low frequencies. In underwater acoustics with a fluid medium having a pressure-release surface, there is no fundamental mode since each mode has a lower cutoff frequency. In plate acoustics there are two fundamental Lamb modes, a symmetric one (the quasi-longitudinal wave) and an antisymmetric one (the bending wave). There is also a fundamental mode for a fluid plate with rigid boundaries. In seismology, interface waves of Rayleigh-, Scholte-, and Stoneley-type are well known for certain media with one or two homogeneous half-spaces. The purpose of this paper is to give a unified treatment of a class of modes that is related to the fundamental modes. Specifically, we consider low-frequency P-SV modes whose complex phase velocities do not approach zero as fast as the frequency when the frequency is decreased towards zero. Utilizing the analyt.
Boundary Integral Calculations of Two-Dimensional Electromagnetic Scattering by Photonic Crystal Fabry-Perot Structures

We compute the transmission properties of two-dimensional (2-D) electromagnetic transverse magnetic (TM) waves that are normally incident on a Fabry--Perot structure with mirrors consisting of photonic crystals. We use a boundary integral formulation with quadratic boundary elements and utilize the Ewald representation for Green's functions. We trace the frequencies of the Fabry--Perot cavity modes traversing the photonic bandgap as the cavity length increases and calculate corresponding Q-values.
Perfil sócio-demográfico e epidemiológico dos trabalhadores da atenção básica à saúde nas regiões Sul e Nordeste do Brasil

In order to describe the profile of primary health care teams in 41 municipalities with more than 100 thousand inhabitants each, a total of 4,749 health workers in two States from the South (1,730) and five from the Northeast (3,019) of Brazil were included from a sample of traditional primary care units and the Family Health Program (FHP). After providing informed consent, the health workers answered a self-applied questionnaire with demographic, work-related, and their own health-related data. The principal differences between the two models involved the structuring of the teams, with the FHP including more community health agents, more women, more young workers, fewer hired on the basis of formal admissions exams, more with a single job, more precarious employment arrangements, less employment satisfaction, less time on the job, larger workloads, greater specialization in the area, and better pay. The FHP also showed worse self-perceived health and more medical appointments. Management efforts are needed to support these workers, who form the basis of the health system and are key protagonists in the development and consolidation of primary care.
Adaptive Approximation of Young Measure Solutions in Scalar Nonconvex Variational Problems

This paper addresses the numerical approximation of Young measures appearing as generalized solutions to scalar nonconvex variational problems. We prove a priori and a posteriori error estimates for a macroscopic quantity, the stress. For a scalar three-well problem we show convergence of other quantities such as Young measure support and microstructure region. Numerical experiments indicate that the computational effort in the solution of the large optimization problem is significantly reduced by using an adaptive mesh refinement strategy based on a posteriori error estimates in combination with an active set strategy due to Carstensen and Roubicek [Numer. Math., 84 (2000), pp. 395--414].
Pentanucleotide repeat polymorphism, lipoprotein(a) levels, and risk of ischemic heart disease.

CONTEXT Lipoprotein(a) is a cardiovascular risk factor. Levels of lipoprotein(a) are predominantly determined by apolipoprotein(a) gene variation, including a pentanucleotide repeat promoter polymorphism. OBJECTIVE We tested the hypothesis that apolipoprotein(a) pentanucleotide repeat genotype predicts elevated lipoprotein(a) levels and risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) in the general population. DESIGN We used a cohort study of the Danish general population, The Copenhagen City Heart Study, including 10,276 individuals of which 860 and 1,781 developed MI and IHD, respectively, during up to 31 yr of follow-up, and a case-control study including 1,814 IHD patients and 5,076 controls. Follow-up was 100% complete. RESULTS Allele frequencies were 0.0018, 0.0018, 0.6750, 0.1596, 0.1465, 0.0146, and 0.0004 for 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 repeats, respectively. Mean lipoprotein(a) levels were 40, 36, and 27 mg/dl for individuals with 14-15, 16, and 17-22 repeats (sum of repeats on both alleles), respectively (trend, P < 0.001). Cumulative incidence of MI and IHD was increased for individuals with 14-15 vs. at least 16 repeats (log rank, P < 0.001 and P = 0.002). Multifactorially adjusted hazard ratios for 14-15 and 17-22 vs. 16 repeats were 3.1 (95% confidence interval, 1.6-5.8) and 1.0 (0.9-1.2) for MI and 2.2 (1.3-3.6) and 1.0 (0.9-1.1) for IHD. In the case-control study, multifactorially adjusted odds ratios for 14-15 and 17-22 vs. 16 repeats were 2.9 (1.1-7.8) and 0.9 (0.8-1.0) for MI and 2.5 (1.0-6.0) and 0.9 (0.8-1.0) for IHD. CONCLUSIONS Apolipoprotein(a) 14-15 pentanucleotide repeats predict elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) and a 3- and 2-fold increased risk of MI and IHD in the general population.
The Mortar Finite Element Method for 3D Maxwell Equations: First Results

In the framework of domain decomposition methods, we extend the main ideas of the mortar element method to the numerical solution of Maxwell's equations (in wave form) by H( curl)-conforming finite elements. The method we propose turns out to be a new nonconforming, nonoverlapping domain decomposition method where nonmatching grids are allowed at the interfaces between subdomains. A model problem is considered, the convergence of the discrete approximation is analyzed, and an error estimate is provided. The method is proven to be slightly suboptimal with a loss of a factor $\scriptstyle\sqrt{|{\rm ln} h|}$ with respect to the degree of polynomials. In order to achieve this convergence result we nevertheless need extra-regularity assumptions on the solution of the continuous problem.
Mixed Covolume Methods for Quasi-Linear Second-Order Elliptic Problems

We consider covolume methods for the mixed formulations of quasi-linear second-order elliptic problems. Covolume methods for the mixed formulations of linear elliptic problem was first considered by Russell Rigorous Block-Centered Discretizations on Irregular Grids: Improved Simulation of Complex Reservoir Systems, Tech. report 3, Project Report, Reservoir Simulation Research Corporation, Tulsa, OK, 1995] and tested extensively in [Cai et al., Comput. Geosci. , 1 (1997), pp. 289--315], [Jones, A Mixed Finite Volume Element Method for Accurate Computation of Fluid Velocities in Porous Media, Ph. D. thesis, University of Colorado, Denver, 1995]. The analysis was carried out by Chou and Kwak [SIAM J. Numer. Anal. , 37 (2000), pp. 758--771] for linear symmetric problems, where they showed optimal error estimates in L2 norm for the pressure and in H(div) norm for the velocity. In this paper we extend their results to quasi-linear problems by following Milner's argument [Math. Comp., 44 (1985), pp. 303--320] through an adaptation of the duality argument of Douglas and Roberts [Math. Comp., 44 (1985), pp. 39--52] for mixed covolume methods.
Friendlessness and theory of mind: a prospective longitudinal study.

Chronic friendlessness in childhood predicts adverse mental health outcomes throughout life, yet its earliest roots are poorly understood. In theory, developing a theory of mind (ToM) should help children gain mutual friends and one preschool study (Peterson & Siegal, 2002. Br J Dev Psychol, 20, 205) suggested a cross-sectional connection. We therefore used a 2-year prospective longitudinal design to explore ToM as a predictor of mutual friendship in 114 children from age 5 to 7 years after controlling potential confounds including language ability and group popularity. Confirming friendship's distinctiveness from group sociometric status, numerous group-rejected children (53%) had a mutual friend whereas 23% of those highest in group status did not. Five-year-olds with a mutual friend significantly outperformed their friendless peers on a comprehensive ToM battery (basic and advanced false belief). Longitudinally, chronically friendless 7-year-olds (no friends at either testing time) stood out for their exceptionally poor Time 1 ToM understanding even after controlling for group popularity, age, and language skill. Extending previous evidence of ToM's predictive links with later social and cognitive outcomes, these results for mutual friendship suggest possible interventions to help reduce the lifelong mental health costs of chronic friendlessness.
The impact of exercise training compared to caloric restriction on hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance in obesity.

CONTEXT It has been difficult to distinguish the independent effects of caloric restriction versus exercise training on insulin resistance. OBJECTIVE Utilizing metabolic feeding and supervised exercise training, we examined the influence of caloric restriction vs. exercise training with and without weight loss on hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTION Thirty-four obese, older subjects were randomized to: caloric restriction with weight loss (CR), exercise training with weight loss (EWL), exercise training without weight loss (EX), or controls. Based on an equivalent caloric deficit in EWL and CR, we induced matched weight loss. Subjects in the EX group received caloric compensation. Combined with [6,6(2)H(2)]glucose, an octreotide, glucagon, multistage insulin infusion was performed to determine suppression of glucose production (SGP) and insulin-stimulated glucose disposal (ISGD). Computed tomography scans were performed to assess changes in fat distribution. RESULTS Body weight decreased similarly in EWL and CR, and did not change in EX and controls. The reduction in visceral fat was significantly greater in EWL (-71 +/- 15 cm(2)) compared to CR and EX. The increase in SGP was also almost 3-fold greater (27 +/- 2%) in EWL. EWL and CR promoted similar improvements in ISGD [+2.5 +/- 0.4 and 2.4 +/- 0.9 mg x kg fat-free mass (FFM)(-1) x min(-1)], respectively. CONCLUSIONS EWL promoted the most significant reduction in visceral fat and the greatest improvement in SGP. Equivalent increases in ISGD were noted in EWL and CR, whereas EX provided a modest improvement. Based on our results, EWL promoted the optimal intervention-based changes in body fat distribution and systemic insulin resistance.
Fast Marching Methods

Fast Marching Methods are numerical schemes for computing solutions to the nonlinear Eikonal equation and related static Hamilton--Jacobi equations. Based on entropy-satisfying upwind schemes and fast sorting techniques, they yield consistent, accurate, and highly efficient algorithms. They are optimal in the sense that the computational complexity of the algorithms is O(N log N), where N is the total number of points in the domain. The schemes are of use in a variety of applications, including problems in shape offsetting, computing distances from complex curves and surfaces, shape-from-shading, photolithographic development, computing first arrivals in seismic travel times, construction of shortest geodesics on surfaces, optimal path planning around obstacles, and visibility and reflection calculations. In this paper, we review the development of these techniques, including the theoretical and numerical underpinnings; provide details of the computational schemes, including higher order versions; and demonstrate the techniques in a collection of different areas.