Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A one-year follow-up of fatigued patients.

To better understand the complaint "fatigue" and the characteristic features of patients who present with this problem, a one-year follow-up study was performed in a county health center. One hundred-fifteen fatigued adults were identified using scores on the Rand Index of Vitality (RIV). One hundred thirty-nine patients of similar age, sex, and socioeconomic status were identified as nonfatigued. One year later, these patients were followed up with a chart review, reassessment of fatigue (by RIV score), and a telephone interview. Seventy-three (64 percent) fatigued and 72 (53 percent) nonfatigued patients provided this information. On the RIV, 31 patients moved from the fatigued group to nonfatigued, and 15 nonfatigued patients' scores changed to the fatigued category. Patients categorized as fatigued in 1984 (by RIV score) returned for office visits more often (mean of 3.85 vs 2.51, P less than .05), and developed significantly more new diagnoses (2.75 vs 1.68, P less than .05) over the follow-up year, compared with those not fatigued. Fatigued patients also had a greater proportion of diagnoses containing a psychologic component than nonfatigued patients. Persistence of fatigue over the year was significantly associated with race and education (nonwhites and those completing high school remaining fatigued). No significant association between marital status, age, sex, employment status, and either the resolution or development of fatigue over the year was found.
Hypereosinophilic syndrome variants: diagnostic and therapeutic considerations

Hypereosinophilic syndromes are a group of disorders characterized by persistent and marked hypereosinophilia not due to an underlying disease known to cause eosinophil expansion, and which is directly implicated in damage or dysfunction of at least one target organ or tissue. In this perspective article, Dr. Roufosse provides an updated classification of these disorders and discusses the recent advances in this field, including fascinating pathogenic mechanisms and novel targeted therapeutic approaches. See related paper on page 1236.
Endoparasites of Rodents and Their Zoonotic Importance in Germi, Dashte–Mogan, Ardabil Province, Iran

Background In order to verify the infectivity of rodents with endoparasites in Germi (Dashte-Mogan, Ardabil Province) the current study was undertaken. Methods Using live traps, 177 rodents were trapped during 2005–2007. In field laboratory, all rodents were bled prior to autopsy, frozen at −20°C, and shipped to the School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. In parasitological laboratory, every rodent was dissected and its different organs were examined for the presence of any parasite. Blood thick and thin smears as well as impression smears of liver and spleen were stained with Geimsa and examined microscopically. Results Two species of rodents were trapped; Meriones persicus (90.4%) and Microtus socialis (9.6%). The species of parasites found in M. persicus and their prevalences were as follows: Hymenolepis diminuta (38.8%), Hymenolepis nana (2.5%), Trichuris sp. (40.6), Mesocestoides larva (=tetrathyridium) (3.1%), Capillaria hepatica (6.9%), Moniliformis moniliformis (11.3%), Syphacia obvelata (2.5%), Taenia endothoracicus larva (0.6%), Physaloptera sp. (0.6%), Dentostomella translucida (0.6%), Heligmosomum mixtum (0.6%), Strobilocercus fasciolaris (0.6%),and Aspiculuris tetraptera (0.6%). The species of parasites found in M. socialis and their prevalences were as follows: H. diminuta (17.6%), Trichuris sp. (5.9%), Mesocestoides larva (5.9%), S. obvelata (11.8%), S. syphacia (11.8%), H. mixtum (17.6%), and Aspiculuris tetraptera (11.8%). There were no statistical differences between male and female for infectivity with parasites in either M. persicus or M. socialis. No blood or tissue protozoan parasite was found in any of the rodents examined. Conclusion Among different species identified, some had zoonotic importance. Therefore, the potential health hazard of these species needs to be considered to prevent infectivity of humans.
Molten salt synthesis of calcium hydroxyapatite whiskers

Calcium hydroxyapatite (HA) whiskers and crystals were produced by the route of molten salt synthesis. The effects on whisker morphology of chosen flux, flux-to-HA ratio, synthesis temperature, and reaction time were investigated. The thermal stabilities of the produced whiskers were tested at 1300°C in an air atmosphere. A tentative X-ray diffraction pattern was proposed for the HA whiskers. Molten salt synthesis with a K2SO4 flux was found to be a simple and sturdy technique for manufacturing short (≤60 μm) HA whiskers in the temperature range from 1080° to ∼1200°C. The alternative use of fluxes such as KCl, KBr, CaCl2, or Na2SO4, rather than K2SO4, over the temperature range 850°–1000°C resulted in the formation of large (∼25 μm) single crystals of HA.
Culture and Economics

During the late eighteenth century, innovations in Europe triggered the Industrial Revolution and the sustained economic progress that spread across the globe. While much has been made of the details of the Industrial Revolution, what remains a mystery is why it took place at all. Why did this revolution begin in the West and not elsewhere, and why did it continue, leading to today’s unprecedented prosperity? In this groundbreaking book, celebrated economic historian Joel Mokyr argues that a culture of growth specific to early modern Europe and the European Enlightenment laid the foundations for the scientific advances and pioneering inventions that would instigate explosive technological and economic development. Bringing together economics, the history of science and technology, and models of cultural evolution, Mokyr demonstrates that culture—the beliefs, values, and preferences in society that are capable of changing behavior—was a deciding factor in societal transformations. Mokyr looks at the period 1500–1700 to show that a politically fragmented Europe fostered a competitive “market for ideas” and a willingness to investigate the secrets of nature. At the same time, a transnational community of brilliant thinkers known as the “Republic of Letters” freely circulated and distributed ideas and writings. This political fragmentation and the supportive intellectual environment explain how the Industrial Revolution happened in Europe but not China, despite similar levels of technology and intellectual activity. In Europe, heterodox and creative thinkers could find sanctuary in other countries and spread their thinking across borders. In contrast, China’s version of the Enlightenment remained controlled by the ruling elite. Combining ideas from economics and cultural evolution, A Culture of Growth provides startling reasons for why the foundations of our modern economy were laid in the mere two centuries between Columbus and Newton.
Switches and latches: a biochemical tug-of-war between the kinases and phosphatases that control mitosis

Activation of the cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk1) cyclin B (CycB) complex (Cdk1:CycB) in mitosis brings about a remarkable extent of protein phosphorylation. Cdk1:CycB activation is switch-like, controlled by two auto-amplification loops—Cdk1:CycB activates its activating phosphatase, Cdc25, and inhibits its inhibiting kinase, Wee1. Recent experimental evidence suggests that parallel to Cdk1:CycB activation during mitosis, there is inhibition of its counteracting phosphatase activity. We argue that the downregulation of the phosphatase is not just a simple latch that suppresses futile cycles of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation during mitosis. Instead, we propose that phosphatase regulation creates coherent feed-forward loops and adds extra amplification loops to the Cdk1:CycB regulatory network, thus forming an integral part of the mitotic switch. These network motifs further strengthen the bistable characteristic of the mitotic switch, which is based on the antagonistic interaction of two groups of proteins: M-phase promoting factors (Cdk1:CycB, Cdc25, Greatwall and Endosulfine/Arpp19) and interphase promoting factors (Wee1, PP2A–B55 and a Greatwall counteracting phosphatase, probably PP1). The bistable character of the switch implies the existence of a CycB threshold for entry into mitosis. The end of G2 phase is determined by the point where CycB level crosses the CycB threshold for Cdk1 activation.
Multilevel discretized random field models with ‘spin’ correlations for the simulation of environmental spatial data

A current problem of practical significance is how to analyze large, spatially distributed, environmental data sets. The problem is more challenging for variables that follow non-Gaussian distributions. We show by means of numerical simulations that the spatial correlations between variables can be captured by interactions between ‘spins’. The spins represent multilevel discretizations of environmental variables with respect to a number of pre-defined thresholds. The spatial dependence between the ‘spins’ is imposed by means of short-range interactions. We present two approaches, inspired by the Ising and Potts models, that generate conditional simulations of spatially distributed variables from samples with missing data. Currently, the sampling and simulation points are assumed to be at the nodes of a regular grid. The conditional simulations of the ‘spin system’ are forced to respect locally the sample values and the system statistics globally. The second constraint is enforced by minimizing a cost function representing the deviation between normalized correlation energies of the simulated and the sample distributions. In the approach based on the Nc-state Potts model, each point is assigned to one of Nc classes. The interactions involve all the points simultaneously. In the Ising model approach, a sequential simulation scheme is used: the discretization at each simulation level is binomial (i.e., ± 1). Information propagates from lower to higher levels as the simulation proceeds. We compare the two approaches in terms of their ability to reproduce the target statistics (e.g., the histogram and the variogram of the sample distribution), to predict data at unsampled locations, as well as in terms of their computational complexity. The comparison is based on a non-Gaussian data set (derived from a digital elevation model of the Walker Lake area, Nevada, USA). We discuss the impact of relevant simulation parameters, such as the domain size, the number of discretization levels, and the initial conditions.
Innate and Adaptive Immunity to Mucorales

Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection characterised by rapid filamentous growth, which leads to angioinvasion, thrombosis, and tissue necrosis. The high mortality rates (50–100%) associated with mucormycosis are reflective of not only the aggressive nature of the infection and the poor therapeutics currently employed, but also the failure of the human immune system to successfully clear the infection. Immune effector interaction with Mucorales is influenced by the developmental stage of the mucormycete spore. In a healthy immune environment, resting spores are resistant to phagocytic killing. Contrarily, swollen spores and hyphae are susceptible to damage and degradation by macrophages and neutrophils. Under the effects of immune suppression, the recruitment and efficacy of macrophage and neutrophil activity against mucormycetes is considerably reduced. Following penetration of the endothelial lining, Mucorales encounter platelets. Platelets adhere to both mucormycete spores and hyphae, and exhibit germination suppression and hyphal damage capacity in vitro. Dendritic cells are activated in response to Mucorales hyphae only, and induce adaptive immunity. It is crucial to further knowledge regarding our immune system’s failure to eradicate resting spores under intact immunity and inhibit fungal growth under immunocompromised conditions, in order to understand mucormycosis pathogenicity and enhance therapeutic strategies for mucormycosis.
Model reduction method based on selective clustering ensemble algorithm and Theory of Constraints in semiconductor wafer fabrication

Simulation model is extensively used for evaluation of dispatching rules in semiconductor wafer fabrication. However, due to the high complexity of the simulation model, the simulation is so time-consuming that it cannot response to the dynamic changes of practical fabrication well. In order to reduce computer execution time and in the same time maintain the ability of the model to evaluate the scheduling rules correctly, a model reduction method based on selective clustering ensemble algorithm (SCEA) and Theory of Constraints (TOC) is proposed. Firstly, SCEA is adopted to identify the unimportant machines steadily, in which multiple base clusterings (BCs) are trained by k-means with different initial cluster centers and then are combined into a final result based on selective weight-voting strategy. Secondly, unimportant machines are removed from the detailed model, since such machines may not significantly affect the performance of the system, according to TOC. Thirdly, closed-loop correction structure is built to ensure the robustness of the reduced model. Finally, the reduced simulation model is used to evaluate the dispatching rules respectively with the scheduling objective of on-time delivery (OTD) rate, mean cycle time (MCT) and throughput. The simulation results show that the method presented is available and effective.
The Korean Version of the Cognitive Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (K-CASP): A Reliability and Validity Study

Objective To develop the Korean version of the Cognitive Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (K-CASP) and to evaluate the test reliability and validity of the K-CASP in stroke patients. Methods The original CASP was translated into Korean, back-translated into English, then reviewed and compared with the original version. Thirty-three stroke patients were assessed independently by two examiners using the K-CASP twice, with a one-day interval, for a total of four test results. To evaluate the reliability of the K-CASP, intra-class correlation coefficients were used. Pearson correlations were calculated and simple regression analyses performed with the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) and the aphasia quotient (AQ) to assess the validity. Results The mean score was 24.42±9.47 (total score 36) for the K-CASP and 21.50±7.01 (total score 30) for the K-MMSE. The inter-rater correlation coefficients of the K-CASP were 0.992 on the first day and 0.995 on the second day. The intra-rater correlation coefficients of the K-CASP were 0.997 for examiner 1 and 0.996 for examiner 2. In the Pearson correlation analysis, the K-CASP score significantly correlated with the K-MMSE score (r=0.825, p<0.001). The coefficients of determination (r2) of the AQ were 0.586 for the K-MMSE and 0.513 for the K-CASP in the simple regression analysis. Conclusion The K-CASP is a reliable and valid instrument for cognitive dysfunction screening in post-stroke patients. It is more applicable than other cognitive assessment tools in stroke patients with aphasia.
Development of collagen/PVA composites patches for osteochondral defects using a green processing of ionic liquid

Abstract Osteochondral defects are still a big challenge for the surgeons because of good biocompatibility and higher mechanical strength requiring issues of the implants. In this study, different concentrations of collagen (dissolved in ionic liquid) up to 60% were blended with polyvinyl alcohol to prepare hydrogels of good mechanical strength, with the best biocompatibility and excellent fluid uptake ability. Ionic liquid was used as a green solvent for dissolution of collagen at a higher concentration as compared to other normal solvents. The prepared hydrogels were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) which showed the characteristic peaks assigned to collagen and PVA. The surface morphology was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which revealed homogeneity of the composite patches. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) performed for samples show good thermal stabilities. Fluid uptake ability showed the massive uptake of fluid by the hydrogels. Biocompatibility was tested using hemolysis and MTT assay. Electrodynamic fatigue testing system was used for evaluating the mechanical properties and measured the tensile strength in the range of 2.4 to 8.5 MPa. The prepared osteochondral patches show good biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Graphical Abstract
Clustering life trajectories: A new divisive hierarchical clustering algorithm for discrete-valued discrete time series

A new algorithm for clustering life course trajectories is presented and tested with large register data. Life courses are represented as sequences on a monthly timescale for the working-life with an age span from 16–65. A meaningful clustering result for this kind of data provides interesting subgroups with similar life course trajectories. The high sampling rate allows precise discrimination of the diﬀerent subgroups, but it produces a lot of highly correlated data for phases with low variability. The main challenge is to select the variables (points in time) that carry most of the relevant information. The new algorithm deals with this problem by simultaneously clustering and identifying critical junctures for each of the relevant subgroups. The developed divisive algorithm is able to handle large amounts of data with multiple dimensions within reasonable time. This is demonstrated on data from the Federal German pension insurance
THE INFLUENCE OF DYNAMIC F0 ON THE PERCEPTION OF VOWEL DURATION: CROSS-LINGUISTIC EVIDENCE

This paper investigates the influence of a dynamic fundamental frequency (F0) on the perception of vowel duration. The perception of vowel duration of the vowels [a], [e], and [i] with a falling versus a level F0 was investigated. Native speakers of Thai, Japanese, German, and Latin American Spanish were presented with monosyllabic CV non-sense words, and their perception of the duration of vowels with a level F0 was compared to that of vowels with a falling F0 from 160 Hz to 80Hz. The results show that only Japanese listeners perceived the vowels with a falling F0 as longer. Hence the cross-linguistic investigation shows that the influence of F0 on the perceived duration of vowels is language specific rather than universally present in speech perception.
Nominal Anti-Unification

We study nominal anti-unification, which is concerned with computing least general generalizations for given terms-in-context. In general, the problem does not have a least general solution, but if the set of atoms permitted in generalizations is finite, then there exists a least general generalization which is unique modulo variable renaming and alpha-equivalence. We present an algorithm that computes it. The algorithm relies on a subalgorithm that constructively decides equivariance between two terms-in-context. We prove soundness and completeness properties of both algorithms and analyze their complexity. Nominal anti-unification can be applied to problems where generalization of first-order terms is needed (inductive learning, clone detection, etc.), but bindings are involved.
The Use of a Cooling Device as an Analgesic Before Injectable Local Anesthesia in the Pediatric Population

Local anesthetic injection can be a traumatic and anxiety-provoking experience, especially in the pediatric population. Various techniques have been attempted, with moderate success, to alleviate or distract the patient from the pain associated with injection of local anesthetics. Several methods in the literature have been reported, ranging from the use of simple buffered lidocaine to various eutectic mixtures of local anesthetics, topical needle-free jet injection of lidocaine devices, skin cooling or anesthetic solution cooling before administration, and nitrous oxide inhalation analgesia. One such study found that buffered lidocaine and needle-free jet injectable lidocaine were more cost effective and more efficacious than other methods studied. Skin cooling before or in place of injectable local anesthesia exists in the form of topical ice application or the use of ethyl chloride. Skin cooling methods have proven to alleviate pain significantly in pediatric and adult populations during intravenous catheter placement and other surgical procedures. Many of these methods use secondary medications to reduce pain or to give pre-injection analgesia, but adverse reactions have been associated with the adjunct used. This article proposes a novel, nonpharmacologic adjunct to injected local anesthesia based on nerve physiology using a skin cooling device.
Grid connection of active stall wind farms using a VSC based DC transmission system

Currently, there is an increasing trend to connect large MW wind farms to the transmission system. Requirements that focus on the influence of the farms on the grid stability and power quality, and on the control capabilities of wind farms have already been established. The main trends of modern wind turbines/farms are clearly the variable speed operation and a grid connection through a power electronic interface, especially using doubly fed induction generators. Using power electronics the control capabilities of these wind turbines/farms are extended and thus the grid requirements are fulfilled. However, the traditional squirrel-cage generators based wind turbines/wind farms directly connected to the grid have less control capabilities. These wind turbines/farms cannot regulate their production and contribute to power system stability. A DC transmission system for connection of the active stall wind farms to the grid can provide these features and also maximize the produced power especially at low wind speeds by using variable voltage/frequency for the wind farm. The focus in this paper is in studying the operation for the active stall wind farms using a voltage source converter based DC transmission system as well as the power quality issues of the generated power
Characterization of HNK-1+ (Leu-7) human lymphocytes. I. Two distinct phenotypes of human NK cells with different cytotoxic capability.

Human lymphocytes with NK and K cell activities can be identified by the HNK-1 (Leu-7) monoclonal antibody. In these experiments, subsets of HNK-1+ cells from blood and bone marrow were distinguished by their expression of other cell surface antigens, their morphology, and their NK functional capability. Two-color immunofluorescence analysis revealed that subpopulations of HNK-1+ cells in blood expressed antigens found on mature T cells (e.g., T1, T3, T4, T8), but none expressed antigens characteristic of immature T cells (T6, T9). The majority of HNK-1+ cells (greater than 60%) also expressed a myeloid antigen (M1), whereas a minority (less than 25%) expressed HLA-DR. HNK-1+ cells were separated into T3- and T3+ subsets with the fluorescence-activated cell sorter and analyzed for their morphology and NK cell function. HNK+T3- cells exhibited a high level of NK activity against K562 target cells and contained many cytoplasmic granules. On the other hand, HNK+T3+ cells had low NK activity and a paucity of cytoplasmic granules. The cell sizes of HNK+T3- and HNK+T3+ cells were indistinguishable by light-scatter analysis. When these cell fractions were analyzed further, a reciprocal relationship between T3 and M1 antigen expression was observed. These results thus delineate two distinct subsets of human HNK-1+ cells in blood with different cytotoxic capability: HNK+T3-M1+ and HNK+T3+M1- cells. Analysis of bone marrow cells demonstrated that only 0.7% of the nucleated cells expressed the HNK-1 antigen; virtually all of these cells expressed both the T3 and T8 antigens but lacked the M1 antigen. Thus, a majority of HNK-1+ cell population in blood were T3-M1+, whereas almost all bone marrow HNK-1+ cells were T3+M1-. We propose that these subsets of cells represent different stages in NK cells differentiation.