Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On-line control of apparent density : Computer simulation and analysis

A drescription is given of a new approach for the quality control of metal powder production which employs computer based simulation and image analysis of irregular particles. In order to predict the packing density for particles with a given degree of irregularity, computer simulations are employed to develop models describing the morphology and packing behaviour of irregular particles. Vision system analysis of particle images generated microscopically is utilized for evaluation of particle irregularity for a wide range of powders. Examples include particles produced by the water atomization of iron. These values for irregularity are then substituted into powder packing models to generate predicted values for powder packing density. A facility for on-line real time monitoring of powder density has been formalised and designated as simulation and vision analysis. In order to validate the practical utility of the proposed methodology, it was applied to samples of commercial iron powder and the results compared to densities measured experimentally for the powders. The regression correlation coefficient obtained (0.96) provides confirmation of the validity of analysis for predicting the packing densities of certain types of irregular powders. This facility, in combination with knowledge based systems and statistical process control methods offers potential for intelligent control of powder production.
Fabrication and Evaluation of Polycaprolactone–Poly(hydroxybutyrate) or Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-co-3-Hydroxyvalerate) Dual-Leached Porous Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

Polycaprolactone (PCL) blend with poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) or poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) dual-leached scaffolds are prepared by using the solvent casting and salt–polymer-leaching technique. The blending of the PHB and PHBV in PCL scaffolds results in decreased porosities of the scaffolds, and the water absorption capacities of the scaffolds also decrease. The compressive modulus of the PCL–PHB and PCL–PHBV dual-leached scaffolds is greatly increased by the blending of PHB or PHBV matrix. An indirect cytotoxicity evaluation of all scaffolds with mouse fibroblastic cells (L929) and mouse calvaria-derived preosteoblastic cell (MC3T3-E1) indicates that all dual-leached scaffolds are posed as nontoxic to cells. Both PCL–PHB and PCL–PHBV dual-leached scaffolds are supported by the attachment of MC3T3-E1 at significantly higher levels to tissue culture polystyrene plate (TCPS) and are able to support the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 at higher levels to that cells on TCPS and PCL scaffolds. For mineralization, cells cultured on surfaces of PCL–PHB and PCL–PHBV dual-leached scaffolds show higher mineral deposition than on TCPS and PCL scaffold.
Evaluation of Unintended Social and Economic Consequences of an Unplanned School Closure in Rural Illinois

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND School closure is one of the primary measures considered during severe influenza pandemics and other emergencies. However, prolonged school closures may cause unintended adverse consequences to schools, students, and their families. A better understanding of these consequences will inform prepandemic planning, and help public health and education authorities in making informed decisions when considering school closures. METHODS We conducted a household survey and interviewed school officials following an 8‐day long closure of a school district in rural Illinois. We described household responses regarding difficulties of school closure, and summarized main themes from school official interviews. RESULTS A total of 208 (27%) household surveys were completed and returned. This school closure caused difficulties to 36 (17%) households; uncertain duration of closure, childcare arrangements, and lost pay were the most often reported difficulties. Having 1 adult in the household losing pay and household income below $25,000 were significantly associated with overall difficulty during this school closure. Concern about student health and safety was the most frequent theme in school administrator interviews. CONCLUSIONS Whereas the majority of responding households did not report difficulties during this school closure, households with 1 adult losing pay during the closure reported incurring additional expenses for childcare.
Microbes, allergic sensitization, and the natural history of asthma

Purpose of reviewUnderstanding factors that lead to asthma development in early life is essential to developing strategies aimed at primary or secondary prevention. Recent findingsThis article will review current evidence addressing the development of early life allergic sensitization in relation to microbes and the gut and airway microbiome. Wheezing illnesses, particularly viral, remain a significant risk factor for asthma inception; however, bacterial pathogens have recently emerged as an additional important contributor to asthma risk, either alone or as cofactors with viral infections. The combined influence and interaction of early life viral wheezing and aeroallergen sensitization is important, with allergic sensitization preceding the onset of viral wheeze. Lastly, we review recent data from longitudinal studies regarding the development of irreversible airway obstruction and its impact on the natural history of asthma. SummaryThe development of asthma remains complex and incompletely understood. There is interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental exposures, including allergens and microbes. Interventions aimed at these risk factors during the preschool years may prevent the longitudinal course of asthma progression to irreversible airway obstruction.
Preparing for Local Labor

I investigate how the educational demands of local labor markets shape high school course offerings and student course taking. Using the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 linked to the U.S. Census 2000, I focus on local economic variation in the share of jobs that do not demand a bachelor’s degree. I find that schools in local labor markets with higher concentrations of subbaccalaureate jobs devote a larger share of their course offerings to career and technical education (CTE) courses and a smaller share to advanced college-preparatory courses compared to schools in labor markets with lower concentrations of subbaccalaureate jobs, even net of school resources. Students in labor markets with higher concentrations of subbaccalaureate jobs take greater numbers of CTE courses, and higher-achieving students in these labor markets are less likely to take advanced math and Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate courses. These course-taking disparities are largely due to school course offerings. This study shows how local economic inequalities shape high school curricular stratification, and suggests that school curricula linked to the educational demands of local jobs delimits the college preparation opportunities of high-achieving students.
Effect of Contact Time on Tack

Abstract The following conclusions are obtained: 1. The autohesion strength of elastomers increases linearly with the rate of detachment over the range 200 to 1000 mm/s. 2. The autohesion strength increases by a factor of only 2× to 3× when the contact pressure is increased by 3 orders of magnitude, from 2 kPa to 2 MPa. 3. Autohesion strength develops rapidly in the early stages of contact for SBR, BR, and EPR, increasing from about 20 J/m2 to about 500–1000 J/m2 as the contact time increased from 1 to 100 ms. It increased more slowly thereafter, to about 10 kJ/m2 after a contact time of 1000 s. 4. The development of autohesion was exactly the same at 3°C as at 25°C. This feature is attributed to simultaneous changes in developing true contact, and in resisting separation after contact, that exactly cancel. 5. Adhesion between SBR and EPR is lower than the autohesion strength of the individual polymers over the whole range of contact time. On the other hand, the three strengths for SBR and BR are almost t.
Discharge Diagnostics During Particle Growth in a Complex Plasma

Introduction The effect on the positive column plasma of a capacitively-coupled radiofrequency discharge as a result of the growth of particles that were introduced by sputtering from the powered electrode has been investigated. Although the growth of particles in reactive plasmas has received considerable attention [1,2], there has been less study of the growth of particles in non-reactive plasmas [3].
Naturally Available Extracts Inhibiting Cancer Progression: A Systematic Review

Aim. This systematic review is aimed at evaluating the literature on the efficacy of naturally available extracts that inhibit cancer. Methods. A literature search was performed to strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology analysis. Approximately 3000 research articles were initially selected. Of these articles, 200 were included, and 2800 were excluded. On further scrutiny, 150 of the 200 studies were reviews, seminars, and presentations, and 50 were original study articles. Among these articles, 20 studies were selected for the systematic review. Results. The predominant molecular pathways followed by natural extracts were nuclear factor kappa B ligand, suppression of the protein kinase B-Akt/P13K pathway (an intracellular signaling pathway important in regulating cell cycle), vascular endothelial growth factor downregulation, and tumor protein-P53 tumor suppressor upregulation. Conclusions. It is evident that natural extracts have the ability to inhibit cancer progression. Continued research in this field could facilitate the use of natural extracts with currently available anticancer agents.
Maxillary First Premolar with Three Canals: Case Report

A meticulous knowledge of tooth morphology, careful interpretation of angled radiographs, proper access preparation and a detailed exploration of the interior of the tooth are essential prerequisites for a successful treatment outcome. Maxillary first premolar has a highly variable root canal morphology, and very rare to find three canals. This article describes the diagnosis, successful clinical management with one year follow up of a three-rooted canal maxillary first premolar with drawing attention to access refinements.
Serum concentration and clinical significance of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor

Objectives The serum concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was compared among patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), patients with essential tremor (ET), and healthy participants, and its association with clinical features of PD and ET was assessed. Methods Demographic and clinical data were collected from 60 patients with PD at different clinical stages, 60 patients with ET, and 60 controls. All participants’ serum BDNF concentrations were measured. Their motor abilities and activity were assessed by the Unified PD Rating Scale and the Hoehn and Yahr (H-Y) staging scale. Results Serum BDNF was significantly lower in patients with PD than in patients with ET and controls. BDNF decreased only in the early disease stages (H-Y stages I and II), but increased markedly in the advanced stages (H-Y stages III–V). There was no significant difference between patients with ET and controls. The BDNF concentration was negatively correlated with age at PD onset and positively associated with disease duration, severity of PD symptoms, and treatment with L-DOPA. Conclusions A low serum BDNF concentration may serve as a biomarker in the early stages of PD, whereas a high concentration with PD progression may be due to treatment with L-DOPA in the advanced stages.
THE FRACTURE MECHANISMS OF AN AUSTENITIC HEAT RESISTING STEEL IN COPPER CONVERTER ATMOSPHERE

The openings of Copper converter in Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex in Iranis made of a heat resisting austenitic steel (Fe-25Cr-12Ni) and many failures have been reported. Understanding the failure mechanism of the alloy helps to develop better alloys for similar complex environments. Samples of as-cast alloy and those taken from failed ones were examined. Optical Microscopy (OM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) have been applied to examine the alloy and oxide scales. Investigations show that microscopic structure and operational conditions are parameters which affect the fracture of the alloy. The existence of SO2 in the environment increases the reaction rate and formation of sulphides comes near the surface and around the grain boundaries. The sulphides decrease the oxidation resistance of the alloy.
Patient safety in transitional care of the elderly: effects of a quasi-experimental interorganisational educational intervention

Objective The study objective was to assess the effects of an interorganisational educational intervention called the ‘Meeting Point’ on patient safety culture among staff in hospital and nursing home wards. Design The study employs a quasi-experimental, non-randomised design with a hospital and nursing home intervention group and a hospital and nursing home control group. The study uses one preintervention and two postintervention survey measurements. The intervention group participated in an educational programme ‘The Meeting Point’ including interorganisational staff meetings combining educational sessions with a discussion platform focusing on quality and safety in transitional care of the elderly. Results The results show a stable development over time for the patient safety culture factor ‘Handoff and transitions’, and small improvements for ‘Overall perceptions of patient safety culture’ and ‘Organisational learning - continuous improvement’ for the hospital intervention group. No similar development was reported in the nursing home intervention group, which is most likely explained by ongoing organisational changes. Qualitative data show the existence of ongoing initiatives in the hospital to improve transitional care, but not all were connected to the ‘Meeting Point’. Conclusion The ‘Meeting Point’ has the potential to be a useful measure for healthcare professionals when aiming to improve patient safety culture in transitional care. Further refinement of the key components and testing with a more robust study design will be beneficial.
Capturing polynomial time using Modular Decomposition

The question of whether there is a logic that captures polynomial time is one of the main open problems in descriptive complexity theory and database theory. In 2010 Grohe showed that fixed point logic with counting captures polynomial time on all classes of graphs with excluded minors. We now consider classes of graphs with excluded induced subgraphs. For such graph classes, an effective graph decomposition, called modular decomposition, was introduced by Gallai in 1976. The graphs that are non-decomposable with respect to modular decomposition are called prime. We present a tool, the Modular Decomposition Theorem, that reduces (definable) canonization of a graph class C to (definable) canonization of the class of prime graphs of C that are colored with binary relations on a linearly ordered set. By an application of the Modular Decomposition Theorem, we show that fixed point logic with counting also captures polynomial time on the class of permutation graphs. As a side effect of the Modular Decomposition Theorem, we further obtain that the modular decomposition tree is computable in logarithmic space. It follows that cograph recognition and cograph canonization is computable in logarithmic space.
The Factor Structure of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS): An Item-Level Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) Bifactor Analysis

The factor structure of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS; Peterson & Seligman, 2004) has not been well established as a result of methodological challenges primarily attributable to a global positivity factor, item cross-loading across character strengths, and questions concerning the unidimensionality of the scales assessing character strengths. We sought to overcome these methodological challenges by applying exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) at the item level using a bifactor analytic approach to a large sample of 447,573 participants who completed the VIA-IS with all 240 character strengths items and a reduced set of 107 unidimensional character strength items. It was found that a 6-factor bifactor structure generally held for the reduced set of unidimensional character strength items; these dimensions were justice, temperance, courage, wisdom, transcendence, humanity, and an overarching general factor that is best described as dispositional positivity.
Central vein sign in multiple sclerosis

The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), while often straightforward, may be complex. Tension exists between the desire to make an early diagnosis and the imperative to avoid an inaccurate decision. Prompt, correct diagnosis is important because of increasing evidence that early institution of disease-modifying treatment leads to better outcomes. In this issue of Neurology®, Cortese et al.1 provide evidence that the central vein sign (CVS), as demonstrated on 3T brain MRI, accurately distinguishes patients with MS from those with seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).
Comparison of weight-loss diets with different compositions of fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

BACKGROUND The possible advantage for weight loss of a diet that emphasizes protein, fat, or carbohydrates has not been established, and there are few studies that extend beyond 1 year. METHODS We randomly assigned 811 overweight adults to one of four diets; the targeted percentages of energy derived from fat, protein, and carbohydrates in the four diets were 20, 15, and 65%; 20, 25, and 55%; 40, 15, and 45%; and 40, 25, and 35%. The diets consisted of similar foods and met guidelines for cardiovascular health. The participants were offered group and individual instructional sessions for 2 years. The primary outcome was the change in body weight after 2 years in two-by-two factorial comparisons of low fat versus high fat and average protein versus high protein and in the comparison of highest and lowest carbohydrate content. RESULTS At 6 months, participants assigned to each diet had lost an average of 6 kg, which represented 7% of their initial weight; they began to regain weight after 12 months. By 2 years, weight loss remained similar in those who were assigned to a diet with 15% protein and those assigned to a diet with 25% protein (3.0 and 3.6 kg, respectively); in those assigned to a diet with 20% fat and those assigned to a diet with 40% fat (3.3 kg for both groups); and in those assigned to a diet with 65% carbohydrates and those assigned to a diet with 35% carbohydrates (2.9 and 3.4 kg, respectively) (P>0.20 for all comparisons). Among the 80% of participants who completed the trial, the average weight loss was 4 kg; 14 to 15% of the participants had a reduction of at least 10% of their initial body weight. Satiety, hunger, satisfaction with the diet, and attendance at group sessions were similar for all diets; attendance was strongly associated with weight loss (0.2 kg per session attended). The diets improved lipid-related risk factors and fasting insulin levels. CONCLUSIONS Reduced-calorie diets result in clinically meaningful weight loss regardless of which macronutrients they emphasize. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00072995.)
Sarcopenia, obesity, and natural killer cell immune senescence in aging: Altered cytokine levels as a common mechanism

Human aging is characterized by both physical and physiological frailty. A key feature of frailty, sarcopenia is the age-associated decline in skeletal muscle mass, strength, and endurance that characterize even the healthy elderly. Increases in adiposity, particularly in visceral adipose tissue, are almost universal in aging individuals and can contribute to sarcopenia and insulin resistance by increasing levels of inflammatory cytokines known collectively as adipokines. Aging also is associated with declines in adaptive and innate immunity, known as immune senescence, which are risk factors for cancer and all-cause mortality. The cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) is highly expressed in skeletal muscle tissue and declines in aging rodent models. IL-15 inhibits fat deposition and insulin resistance, is anabolic for skeletal muscle in certain situations, and is required for the development and survival of natural killer (NK) lymphocytes. We review the effect that adipokines and myokines have on NK cells, with special emphasis on IL-15. We posit that increased adipokine and decreased IL-15 levels during aging constitute a common mechanism for sarcopenia, obesity, and immune senescence.
Immunotherapy for prostate cancer: is prostate an immune responsive tumor?

Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to identify possible reasons why prostate cancer suboptimally responds to immune therapies. Recent findings Interrogation of the intraprostatic milieu suggests that within the normal prostate, foci of tumor can be surrounded by inflammatory cells that may or may not represent foci of immune sensitivity. Whether or not these cells are specific ‘immune responders’ depends on a multiplicity of factors within the host and intratumoral/stromal milieu. Solid tumors such as kidney and melanoma can undergo spontaneous regressions alone or upon removal of a primary mass lesion, suggestive of some sort of immune derepression once the original lesion is removed. Such observations, though rare, suggest that some unknown immunologic process may be governing how the tumor behaves. Similarly, in melanoma, there are rare abscopal effects suggesting that once a primary lesion is radiated, a secondary lesion afar from the treated lesion could remit. Summary Why prostate cancer remains an immunologic conundrum remains a mystery. Patients with metastatic prostate cancer have a survival benefit but minimal or no antitumor response with the autologous cellular product immune therapy, sipuleucel-T, whereas checkpoint inhibitors, successful in melanoma, renal cell, nonsmall cell lung, and urothelial cancers, have little or no activity. This review serves to bring to the forefront the issues that may underlie why prostate cancer is not robustly responsive to immune strategies.
Lower tacrolimus exposure and time in therapeutic range increase the risk of de novo donor‐specific antibodies in the first year of kidney transplantation

De novo donor‐specific antibodies (dnDSAs) have been associated with reduced graft survival. Tacrolimus (TAC)–based regimens are the most common among immunosuppressive approaches used in in clinical practice today, yet an optimal therapeutic dose to prevent dnDSAs has not been established. We evaluated mean TAC C0 (tacrolimus trough concentration) and TAC time in therapeutic range for the risk of dnDSAs in a cohort of 538 patients in the first year after kidney transplantation. A mean TAC C0 < 8 ng/mL was associated with dnDSAs by 6 months (odds ratio [OR] 2.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32–4.79, P = .005) and by 12 months (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.30–4.15, P = .004), and there was a graded increase in risk with lower mean TAC C0. TAC time in the therapeutic range of <60% was associated with dnDSAs (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.28‐3.30, P = .003) and acute rejection (hazard ratio [HR] 4.18, 95% CI 2.31–7.58, P < .001) by 12 months and death‐censored graft loss by 5 years (HR 3.12, 95% CI 1.53–6.37, P = .002). TAC minimization may come at a cost of higher rates of dnDSAs, and TAC time in therapeutic range may be a valuable strategy to stratify patients at increased risk of adverse outcomes.