Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pattern recognition issues on anisotropic smoothed particle hydrodynamics

This is a preliminary theoretical discussion on the computational requirements of the state of the art smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) from the optics of pattern recognition and artificial intelligence. It is pointed out in the present paper that, when including anisotropy detection to improve resolution on shock layer, SPH is a very peculiar case of unsupervised machine learning. On the other hand, the free particle nature of SPH opens an opportunity for artificial intelligence to study particles as agents acting in a collaborative framework in which the timed outcomes of a fluid simulation forms a large knowledge base, which might be very attractive in computational astrophysics phenomenological problems like self-propagating star formation.
Surface tension and adhesion of photo- and electron-beam resists

In order to reduce the defect density of resist structures, a general optimization of surface tension was developed and successfully applied, using Si, SiO2, Si3N4, AlCu, WTi and Cr as substrates, modified by priming. We demonstrate that the contact angle water (Theta) w can be used to reach the optimal conditions for adhesion of resists. We use models based on the Young and Dupre equations and the model of interaction of molecules by Wu to determine the surface tension and work of adhesion. Good resist adhesion results if the work of adhesion is greater than 5 dyn/cm. We outline preferred process windows for the contact angle for certain combinations of different types of resist and developer.
Trunk Muscle Activity during Drop Jump Performance in Adolescent Athletes with Back Pain

In the context of back pain, great emphasis has been placed on the importance of trunk stability, especially in situations requiring compensation of repetitive, intense loading induced during high-performance activities, e.g., jumping or landing. This study aims to evaluate trunk muscle activity during drop jump in adolescent athletes with back pain (BP) compared to athletes without back pain (NBP). Eleven adolescent athletes suffering back pain (BP: m/f: n = 4/7; 15.9 ± 1.3 y; 176 ± 11 cm; 68 ± 11 kg; 12.4 ± 10.5 h/we training) and 11 matched athletes without back pain (NBP: m/f: n = 4/7; 15.5 ± 1.3 y; 174 ± 7 cm; 67 ± 8 kg; 14.9 ± 9.5 h/we training) were evaluated. Subjects conducted 3 drop jumps onto a force plate (ground reaction force). Bilateral 12-lead SEMG (surface Electromyography) was applied to assess trunk muscle activity. Ground contact time [ms], maximum vertical jump force [N], jump time [ms] and the jump performance index [m/s] were calculated for drop jumps. SEMG amplitudes (RMS: root mean square [%]) for all 12 single muscles were normalized to MIVC (maximum isometric voluntary contraction) and analyzed in 4 time windows (100 ms pre- and 200 ms post-initial ground contact, 100 ms pre- and 200 ms post-landing) as outcome variables. In addition, muscles were grouped and analyzed in ventral and dorsal muscles, as well as straight and transverse trunk muscles. Drop jump ground reaction force variables did not differ between NBP and BP (p > 0.05). Mm obliquus externus and internus abdominis presented higher SEMG amplitudes (1.3–1.9-fold) for BP (p < 0.05). Mm rectus abdominis, erector spinae thoracic/lumbar and latissimus dorsi did not differ (p > 0.05). The muscle group analysis over the whole jumping cycle showed statistically significantly higher SEMG amplitudes for BP in the ventral (p = 0.031) and transverse muscles (p = 0.020) compared to NBP. Higher activity of transverse, but not straight, trunk muscles might indicate a specific compensation strategy to support trunk stability in athletes with back pain during drop jumps. Therefore, exercises favoring the transverse trunk muscles could be recommended for back pain treatment.
Coxsackievirus Protein 2BC Blocks Host Cell Apoptosis by Inhibiting Caspase-3*

Virus infection may induce host cell death by apoptosis, but some DNA viruses are capable of preventing this process. RNA viruses were thought not to display anti-apoptotic activities, as their spread appears to benefit from a rapid induction of cell death. Here, we report an antiapoptotic activity in the Picornavirus Coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4). CVB4 infection of HeLa cells induced negligible apoptosis over a period of 10 h. However, infected cells developed resistance to drug-induced apoptosis using staurosporine and actinomycin D and to death receptor-induced apoptosis using tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. Despite this resistance, the apoptotic machinery was nonetheless fully activated in these drug-treated infected cells because the levels of pro-caspase-3 processing to its active form were similar to control cells. However, the DEVDase (Asp-Glu-Val-Asp protease) activity of the processed caspase was significantly inhibited in the virus-infected staurosporine-treated cells compared with drug treatment alone. Likewise, extracts of CVB4-infected cells suppressed recombinant caspase-3 activity in vitro. Immunoprecipitation of activated caspase-3 from radiolabeled virus-infected cells revealed the co-precipitation of a 48-kDa protein that was tentatively identified as viral protein 2BC. Recombinant caspase-3 was found to co-precipitate with virus protein 2BC. Finally, when protein 2BC was expressed in HeLa cells, both staurosporine-induced apoptosis and in vitro caspase-3 DEVDase activity were significantly reduced. Taken together these data imply that CVB4 infection suppresses apoptosis through virus protein 2BC associating with caspase-3 and inhibiting its function. Thus, 2BC is the first reported RNA virus inhibitor of apoptosis protein.
Violent Media Consumption and the Recognition of Dynamic Facial Expressions

This study assessed the speed of recognition of facial emotional expressions (happy and angry) as a function of violent media consumption. Color photos of calm facial expressions morphed to either an angry or a happy facial expression. Participants were asked to make a speeded identification of the emotion (happiness or anger) during the morph. Results indicated that, independent of trait aggressiveness, participants high in violent media consumption responded slower to depictions of happiness and faster to depictions of anger than participants low in violent media consumption. Implications of these findings are discussed with respect to current models of aggressive behavior.
Recovering platinum-group metals from auto catalysts

A variety of technical challenges confront the prospective processor of spent automotive catalysts, including a frequently high (1-10%) lead content; the presence of alumina in both soluble, . gamma. , and insoluble, . cap alpha. , forms; the need for recovery of greater than 90% to assure an economical process; the disposition and control of process effluents, refractory residues, and lead metal salts from catalyst processing; and the highly aggressive and corrosive reagents required. Six different processes for recovery of platinum, palladium and rhodium are described and compared on the basis of their utility and how well they meet these technical challenges.
Internal medicine resident satisfaction with a diagnostic decision support system (DXplain) introduced on a teaching hospital service

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine whether Internal Medicine residents would find the use of an expert system (i.e. Clinical Diagnostic Decision Support System) to be a satisfactory experience when used during a clinical rotation in the hospital setting. Resident willingness to use the instrument was considered to be of particular importance because of growing concerns regarding the educational experience of residents in the hospital. Thus, our first goal was to assess resident satisfaction with the tool, prior to widespread implementation. STUDY POPULATION Residents on the General Medical Hospital Service at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota STUDY TYPE Prospective cohort study METHOD We provided unrestricted access DXplain, a Web-based Clinical Diagnostic Decision Support System, to five general medical teams in St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, MN. All residents were particularly encouraged to access the system during the evaluation of new admissions. Usage of the system was recorded electronically each time a user logged on. At the conclusion of the 2 month study period, a survey was sent electronically to each of the participating residents. RESULTS During the study period, a total of 30 residents (G1 =20, G3= 10) rotated on the five medical services. 29/30 residents responded to the survey. 18/29 indicated that they had used the service, while 11/29 stated that they had not accessed the system. The resident's logged on 117 times to enter a case during the study period, with several entering more than one case per logon. The average number of log-ons per user was 2.4/week. Of the 18 who used the system, 15 found it useful (83.3%), 2 were unsure whether it was useful (11.1%), and 1 (5.6%) did not think it was helpful. However, when asked how often the system led the user to consider novel alternative diagnoses 13/18 (72.2%) responded "almost always to frequently" and 5/18 (27.8%) said "occasionally to sometimes". None of the users felt that the system "rarely" or "never" yielded additional diagnostic considerations. Seventeen out of eighteen users (94.4%) thought the system was "easy to use". When asked if they would like to have such a system regularly available 13/18 (72.2%) responded yes, while 4/18 (22.2%) were unsure. One resident said that they would not like to have DXplain available (5.6%). CONCLUSION We believe the data reflect a significant level of satisfaction with the system among residents. Their recognition that it frequently led them to consider novel diagnoses suggests it had a positive educational impact.
rho, a Small GTP-Binding Protein, Is Essential for Shigella Invasion of Epithelial Cells

Shigella, the causative agents of bacillary dysentery, are capable of invading mammalian cells that are not normally phagocytic. Uptake of bacteria by the mammalian cells is directed by bacterial factors named IpaB, IpaC, and IpaD invasins, in which Ipa invasins secreted into the bacterial environment can interact with α5β1 integrin. We report here that Shigella invasion of epithelial cells requires rho activity, a ras-related GTP-binding protein. The invasive capacity of Shigella flexneri for Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and other epithelial cells were greatly reduced when treated with Clostridium botulinum exoenzyme C3 transferase. Conversely, uptake of bacteria by CHO cells was promoted upon microinjection of an activated rho variant, Val14RhoA. Attachment of S. flexneri to CHO cells can elicit tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125FAK and paxillin, localized accumulation of F-actin, vinculin, and talin, and activation of protein kinase C, which were all blocked by the treatment with C3 transferase. Our results indicate that cellular signal transduction regulated by rho is essential for Shigella invasion of epithelial cells.
Endosomes and Golgi vesicles in adsorptive and fluid phase endocytosis

We studied with morphometric methods the endocytosis by pheochromocytoma cells of a conjugate of wheat germ agglutinin with ferritin (WGA-Ft) and of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Quantitative studies indicated that WGA-Ft was cleared slowly from cell surfaces and that it was not recycled to the surface. Cells labeled with WGA-Ft for 15 min at room temperature were washed and incubated in medium containing HRP for 15 or 30 min at 37 degrees C. The greatest proportion of labeled vesicles and tubules contained only WGA-Ft (83.4% at 15 min and 85.3% at 30 min). A very small fraction of labeled vesicles and tubules contained only HRP (0.2% at 15 min and 0.9% at 30 min). Vesicles and tubules at the Golgi apparatus were labeled almost exclusively with WGA-Ft (97% at 15 min and 30 min); the rest had both labels. Most labeled lysosomes contained both labels (80.1% at 15 min and 80.8% at 30 min). Of the remainder more contained WGA-Ft alone (20% at 15 min and 10.9% at 30 min), then HRP alone (none at 15 min and 8.2% at 30 min). In contrast to the various and varying patterns of labeling with WGA-Ft and HRP of the other organelles studied, the vast majority of endosomes contained both markers (94.1% at 15 min and 100% at 30 min); the rest contained WGA-Ft only. These results demonstrate that endosomes are recipients of both fluid phase and adsorptive endocytosis markers; these findings are consistent with the hypothesis that endosomes mediate the sorting out and subsequent intracellular traffic of membrane bound and fluid phase markers. Cisterns of the Golgi apparatus did not contain WGA-Ft; in sharp contrast, when WGA-HRP was used, the cisterns of the Golgi apparatus consistently contained HRP.
Evolution of quality of life in patients with Korsakoff's syndrome in a long-term care facility

ABSTRACT Background: Korsakoff's syndrome (KS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by severe amnesia. Quality of life (QoL) is becoming an increasingly used outcome measure in clinical practice but little is known about QoL in KS and how it may change over time. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess the QoL in patients with KS at baseline and with a 20-month follow-up. Methods: The current study is a longitudinal study on the QoL in patients with KS living in two long-term care facilities for KS patients in the Netherlands. QoL was scored with the proxy-based QUALIDEM scale with a 20-month follow-up. Results: Of the 72 KS patients included at baseline, 57 KS patients had a follow-up QoL score (79.2%). On the subscales “Feeling at home,” “Positive affect,” and “Care relationship” of the QUALIDEM, there was a better QoL in the follow-up, although effects were relatively small. Other subscales indicated a stable QoL over time. There were inter-relations between changes in subscales. Conclusions: The main finding of this study is that patients with KS on average do show a relatively stable moderate to good QoL despite the severity of the syndrome. On specific subscales, there is a small increase in QoL over time. Results do suggest that prolonged stay in a long-term care facility for KS patients does have a neutral to a positive effect on QoL in KS.
Current status of functional dyspepsia in Korea

Dyspepsia refers to group of commonly occurring upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The majority of patients with dyspepsia suffer from functional (nonulcer) dyspepsia. Although there is a lack of epidemiological data from population-based or patient cohort studies in Korea, the current understanding of this condition has been updated using data from various recent research studies, which have facilitated the development of clinical guidelines for functional dyspepsia. According to a survey using the Rome III criteria, more than 40% of respondents who visited primary clinics and tertiary hospitals were defined as having functional dyspepsia, most of who were within a subgroup of patients with postprandial distress syndrome. In addition, a population-based cross-sectional survey revealed considerable overlap between functional dyspepsia and other functional gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (especially nonerosive reflux disease) and irritable bowel syndrome. In contrast to the results of Western trials, there is insufficient evidence to recommend a Helicobacter pylori test-and-treat strategy as an initial management approach to functional dyspepsia in Korea, suggesting the need for early endoscopic evaluation. Additional studies are necessary to adjust the cutoff age for implementation of immediate endoscopic evaluation of patients without alarm symptoms. Considering the prevalence of H. pylori infection and the limited efficacy of symptomatic relief after its eradication, further well-qualified studies in Korea are warranted.
Constructing multicast networks where vector linear coding outperforms scalar linear coding

Vector linear network coding (LNC) is a generalization of the conventional scalar LNC, such that the data unit transmitted on every edge is an L-dimensional vector of data symbols over a base field GF(q). There are classical exemplifying multi-source networks that have simple vector linear solutions but no scalar linear solutions over any field. For (single-source) multicast networks, a popular conjecture characterizes the following benefit of vector LNC over scalar LNC in terms of alphabet size of data units: there exist multicast networks that are vector linearly solvable of dimension L over GF(q) but not scalar linearly solvable over any field of size q' ≤ qL. This paper introduces a general method to construct such a network, and subsequently constructs the first examples to affirm the positive answer of this conjecture. Moreover, among these exemplifying networks vector linearly solvable of dimension L over GF(q), there are instances with the additional property that even for some extremely large q' > qL, they are still not scalar linearly solvable over GF(q').
Bi Lateral Vocal Cord Paralysis Post Thyroidectomy Causing Total Airway Obstruction: Case Report

Thyroid surgery in recent years is generally considered quite safe. Better preoperative preparation and proper surgical techniques of thyroidectomy have minimized complications to less than 2-3%. Bilateral recurrent nerve palsy is the rarest of all complications, with a reported incidence varying between 0.4% to 14 %, but can be potentially fatal if missed (1, 2). We report a case in which the patient experienced life threatening stridor and severe dyspnoea requiring re-intubation few minutes after extubation.
Self‐crosslinkable lignin/epoxidized natural rubber composites

Self-crosslinkable lignin/epoxidized natural rubber composites (SLEs) were prepared through a high-temperature dynamic heat treatment procedure followed by a postcuring process. Because of the ring-opening reaction between lignin and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR), lignin as a crosslinker and reinforcing filler was uniformly dispersed into the ENR matrix and was highly compatible with the polymer matrix; this was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The curing behavior, mechanical properties, and dynamic mechanical properties of the SLEs were studied. The results show that the crosslinking degree, glass-transition temperature, modulus, and tensile properties of the SLEs substantially increased with the addition of lignin. A physical model was used to verify the strong interactions between lignin and ENR. Stress–strain curves and X-ray diffraction suggested that the reinforcement effect on the SLEs mainly originated from lignin itself rather than from strain-induced crystallization. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41166.
Effective information retrieval using term accuracy

The performance of information retrieval systems can be evaluated in a number of different ways. Much of the published evaluation work is based on measuring the retrieval performance of an average user query. Unfortunately, formal proofs are difficult to construct for the average case. In the present study, retrieval evaluation is based on optimizing the performance of a specific user query. The concept of query term accuracy is introduced as the probability of occurrence of a query term in the documents relevant to that query. By relating term accuracy to the frequency of occurrence of the term in the documents of a collection it is possible to give formal proofs of the effectiveness with respect to a given user query of a number of automatic indexing systems that have been used successfully in experimental situations. Among these are inverse document frequency weighting, thesaurus construction, and phrase generation.
The Physics of Cell Motility

SUMMARY Cell locomotion begins with a protrusion from the leading periphery of the cell. What drives this extension? Here we present a model for the extension of cell protuberances that unifies certain aspects of this phenomenon, and is based on the hypothesis that osmotic pressure drives cell extensions. This pressure arises from membrane-associated reactions, which liberate osmotically active particles, and from the swelling of the actin network that underlies the membrane.
Duration, Pattern of Breastfeeding and Postnatal Transmission of HIV: Pooled Analysis of Individual Data from West and South African Cohorts

Background Both breastfeeding pattern and duration are associated with postnatal HIV acquisition; their relative contribution has not been reliably quantified. Methodology and Principal Findings Pooled data from 2 cohorts: in urban West Africa where breastfeeding cessation at 4 months was recommended but exclusive breastfeeding was rare (Ditrame Plus, DP); in rural South Africa where high rates of exclusive breastfeeding were achieved, but with longer duration (Vertical Transmission Study, VTS). 18-months HIV postnatal transmission (PT) was estimated by Kaplan-Meier in infants who were HIV negative, and assumed uninfected, at age >1 month. Censoring with (to assess impact of mode of breastfeeding) and without (to assess effect of breastfeeding duration) breastfeeding cessation considered as a competing event. Of 1195 breastfed infants, not HIV-infected perinatally, 38% DP and 83% VTS children were still breastfed at age 6 months. By age 3 months, 66% of VTS children were exclusively breastfed since birth and 55% of DP infants predominantly breastfed (breastmilk+water-based drinks). 18-month PT risk (95%CI) in VTS was double that in DP: 9% (7–11) and 5% (3–8), respectively (p = 0.03). However, once duration of breastfeeding was allowed for in a competing risk analysis assuming that all children would have been breastfed for 18-month, the estimated PT risk was 16% (8–28) in DP and 14% (10–18) in VTS (p = 0.32). 18-months PT risk was 3.9% (2.3–6.5) among infants breastfed for less than 6 months, and 8.7% (6.8–11.0) among children breastfed for more than 6 months; crude hazard ratio (HR): 2.1 (1.2–3.7), p = 0.02; adjusted HR 1.8 (0.9–3.4), p = 0.06. In individual analyses of PT rates for specific breastfeeding durations, risks among children exclusively breastfed were very similar to those in children predominantly breastfed for the same period. Children exposed to solid foods during the first 2 months of life were 2.9 (1.1–8.0) times more likely to be infected postnatally than children never exposed to solids this early (adjusted competing risk analysis, p = 0.04). Conclusions Breastfeeding duration is a major determinant of postnatal HIV transmission. The PT risk did not differ between exclusively and predominantly breastfed children; the negative effect of mixed breastfeeding with solids on PT were confirmed.
Vectorial Transcellular Calcium Transport in Intestine: Integration of Current Models

In spite of decades of research, the exact subcellular pathway for calcium transport in intestine has not been elucidated. In this mini-review, we present three models for vectorial movement of calcium across the cell: facilitated (cytoplasmic) diffusion, vesicular/lysosomal transport, and tunneling through the endoplasmic reticulum compartment. We conclude by offering one way to integrate elements of these three models.