Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Compactions of Elasto-Plastic and Visco-Plastic Granular Assemblies

In this paper, the compactions of the elasto-plastic and the visco-plastic granular assemblies are simulated using the finite element method. Governing equations for motion and deformation for particles, including coupling of rigid body motion and deformation for deformable bodies, are investigated. An implicit discrete element method for block systems is developed to make visco-plastic analysis for the assemblies. Among particles, three different contact types, cohering, rubbing and sliding, are taken into account. To verify accuracy and efficiency of the numerical method, some numerical example is simulated and the results are in a satisfactory agreement with the solutions in literatures. The effects of frictional condition, the initial solid volume ratio, the number of particles in the assembly, and different types of compact- tion on the compaction of the elasto-plastic and the visco-plastic aggregates are investigated. It is demonstrated that the effect of frictional condition, the initial solid volume ratio, the number of particles in the assembly, and different types of compaction on the global behavior of the elasto-plastic the visco-plastic granular assemblies under compacting are considerable. The numerical model is extended to simulate the compaction of aggregates consisting of mixed particles of different viscous incompressible materials. It is indicated that, with minor modification, the method could be used in a variety of problems that can be represented using granular media, such as asphalt, polymers, aluminum, snow, food product, etc.
Possible evidence that pulsars are quark stars

It is a pity that the real state of matter in pulsar‐like stars is still not determined confidently because of the uncertainty about cold matter at supranuclear density, even 40 years after the discovery of pulsar. Nuclear matter (related to neutron stars) is one of the speculations for the inner constitution of pulsars even from the Landau's time more than 70 years ago, but quark matter (related to quark stars) is an alternative due to the fact of asymptotic freedom of interaction between quarks as the standard model of particle physics develops since 1960s. Therefore, one has to focus on astrophysical observations in order to answer what the nature of pulsars is. In this presentation, I would like to summarize possible observational evidence/hints that pulsar‐like stars could be quark stars, and to address achievable clear evidence for quark stars in the future experiments.
Two-handed gesture in multi-modal natural dialog

Tracking both hands in free-space with accompanying speech input can augment the user's ability to communicate with computers. This paper discusses the kinds of situations which call for two-handed input and not just the single hand, and reports a prototype in which two-handed gestures serve to input concepts, both static and dynamic, manipulate displayed items, and specify actions to be taken. Future directions include enlargement of the vocabulary of two-handed “coverbal” gestures and the modulation by gaze of gestural intent.
Loss of Function of Intestinal IL-17 and IL-22 Producing Cells Contributes to Inflammation and Viral Persistence in SIV-Infected Rhesus Macaques

In HIV/SIV-infected humans and rhesus macaques (RMs), a severe depletion of intestinal CD4+ T-cells producing interleukin IL-17 and IL-22 associates with loss of mucosal integrity and chronic immune activation. However, little is known about the function of IL-17 and IL-22 producing cells during lentiviral infections. Here, we longitudinally determined the levels and functions of IL-17, IL-22 and IL-17/IL-22 producing CD4+ T-cells in blood, lymph node and colorectum of SIV-infected RMs, as well as how they recover during effective ART and are affected by ART interruption. Intestinal IL-17 and IL-22 producing CD4+ T-cells are polyfunctional in SIV-uninfected RMs, with the large majority of cells producing four or five cytokines. SIV infection induced a severe dysfunction of colorectal IL-17, IL-22 and IL-17/IL-22 producing CD4+ T-cells, the extent of which associated with the levels of immune activation (HLA-DR+CD38+), proliferation (Ki-67+) and CD4+ T-cell counts before and during ART. Additionally, Th17 cell function during ART negatively correlated with residual plasma viremia and levels of sCD163, a soluble marker of inflammation and disease progression. Furthermore, IL-17 and IL-22 producing cell frequency and function at various pre, on, and off-ART experimental points associated with and predicted total SIV-DNA content in the colorectum and blood. While ART restored Th22 cell function to levels similar to pre-infection, it did not fully restore Th17 cell function, and all cell types were rapidly and severely affected—both quantitatively and qualitatively—after ART interruption. In conclusion, intestinal IL-17 producing cell function is severely impaired by SIV infection, not fully normalized despite effective ART, and strongly associates with inflammation as well as SIV persistence off and on ART. As such, strategies able to preserve and/or regenerate the functions of these CD4+ T-cells central for mucosal immunity are critically needed in future HIV cure research.
Wikis as a knowledge management tool

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide organizations which are keen to implement wikis with insight into its usefulness and possible role in the knowledge sharing and management process through lessons learnt from implementation of wikis by organizations ranging from SMEs with less than ten users to those with a vast network of 193 million members. These organizations are from the non‐technology as well as technology‐based sectors.Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a general review. It provides a background into the advent of wikis and briefly discusses related work on use of Wikis in corporate, public and educational context. This is followed by review of three case studies carried out on implementation of wikis and an analysis of the review.Findings – The review proposes a framework for the wiki adoption process which may be used as a guide for in future adoption by organizations. It also found that some benefits which move these organizations towards the usage of wikis.
Aptamers evolved from live cells as effective molecular probes for cancer study

Using cell-based aptamer selection, we have developed a strategy to use the differences at the molecular level between any two types of cells for the identification of molecular signatures on the surface of targeted cells. A group of aptamers have been generated for the specific recognition of leukemia cells. The selected aptamers can bind to target cells with an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) in the nanomolar-to-picomolar range. The cell-based selection process is simple, fast, straightforward, and reproducible, and, most importantly, can be done without prior knowledge of target molecules. The selected aptamers can specifically recognize target leukemia cells mixed with normal human bone marrow aspirates and can also identify cancer cells closely related to the target cell line in real clinical specimens. The cell-based aptamer selection holds a great promise in developing specific molecular probes for cancer diagnosis and cancer biomarker discovery.
Impact of Psychological Empowerment on Employee Performance - A Conceptual Review

Despite decades of extensive research by academicians and rigorous exercises of management practitioners, “Empowerment” construction is incomplete and still facing skepticism. Many leading service companies have dropped the thought of empowerment from their management practices list and some abandoned the idea completely, others still successfully working on this approach into a balanced way of people management strategies to make employee performance effective. Several researchers found positive relationship between empowerment cognition and effectiveness at the level of the individual employee. Given these observations this paper intends to review conceptual evidences on the empowerment effects. “To be empowered people must “feel” empowered. Believing in this idea this paper attempts on psychological perspective because it enables to systematically review both the theoretical and conceptual evidence on the effects of empowerment in the workplace.
Ultrastructural localisation of nitric oxide synthase, endothelin and binding sites of lectin (from Bandeirea simplicifolia) in the rat carotid artery after balloon catheter injury

An immunocytochemical and cytochemical study has been made on the ultrastructural localisation of type III (endothelial) nitric oxide synthase, endothelin‐1 and the binding sites of lectin from Bandeirea simplicifolia to the endothelium surface‐associated glycoproteins in the rat left common carotid artery at 1 and 28 d after Fogarty embolectomy balloon catheter‐induced injury. Controls were carotid arteries from sham operated rats. In the controls, the immunoreactivity to nitric oxide synthase‐III and endothelin‐1 was localised in different proportions in vascular endothelial cells (36·9%±4·3 and 7·6%±2·7, respectively); immunoreactivity was confined to the cytoplasm and the membranes of intracellular organelles and structures. In contrast, staining with lectin was localised on the luminal surface of all endothelial cells. 1 d after injury, platelets were adherent to the endothelium‐denuded intima. Some of the platelets displayed immunoreactivity to nitric oxide synthase‐III and endothelin‐1 and were stained with lectin. 28 d after injury, a neointimal thickening of substantial size was present. Subpopulations of the regrown endothelial cells covering the luminal surface of the neointima showed positive immunoreactivity to nitric oxide synthase‐III and endothelin‐1 but there was a significant decrease in the proportion of nitric oxide synthase‐III‐containing endothelial cells (17·2%±1·9; P < 0·001) and a significant increase in the proportion of endothelin‐1‐containing endothelial cells (36·9%±4·7; P < 0·001) compared with the controls. Staining with lectin was associated with the cell membrane of all endothelial cells and in addition with cells located ‘deeper’ in the neointima which showed lectin‐positive plasmalemma, Golgi complex and multivesicular bodies/lysosomes. In conclusion, regenerated endothelial cells of the neointima showed reduced population (2–fold) of nitric oxide synthase‐III‐ and increased population (5–fold) endothelin‐1‐positive cells. The subendothelial location of some lectin‐stained cells after balloon catheter injury indicates the heterogeneity of the neointima and suggests that some of these cells are involved in early angiogenesis. 24 h and 28 d after injury some platelets showed positive immunoreactivity for nitric oxide synthase‐III and endothelin‐1.
Antiretroviral regimens in pregnancy and breast-feeding in Botswana.

BACKGROUND The most effective highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to prevent mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in pregnancy and its efficacy during breast-feeding are unknown. METHODS We randomly assigned 560 HIV-1-infected pregnant women (CD4+ count, > or = 200 cells per cubic millimeter) to receive coformulated abacavir, zidovudine, and lamivudine (the nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor [NRTI] group) or lopinavir-ritonavir plus zidovudine-lamivudine (the protease-inhibitor group) from 26 to 34 weeks' gestation through planned weaning by 6 months post partum. A total of 170 women with CD4+ counts of less than 200 cells per cubic millimeter received nevirapine plus zidovudine-lamivudine (the observational group). Infants received single-dose nevirapine and 4 weeks of zidovudine. RESULTS The rate of virologic suppression to less than 400 copies per milliliter was high and did not differ significantly among the three groups at delivery (96% in the NRTI group, 93% in the protease-inhibitor group, and 94% in the observational group) or throughout the breast-feeding period (92% in the NRTI group, 93% in the protease-inhibitor group, and 95% in the observational group). By 6 months of age, 8 of 709 live-born infants (1.1%) were infected (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5 to 2.2): 6 were infected in utero (4 in the NRTI group, 1 in the protease-inhibitor group, and 1 in the observational group), and 2 were infected during the breast-feeding period (in the NRTI group). Treatment-limiting adverse events occurred in 2% of women in the NRTI group, 2% of women in the protease-inhibitor group, and 11% of women in the observational group. CONCLUSIONS All regimens of HAART from pregnancy through 6 months post partum resulted in high rates of virologic suppression, with an overall rate of mother-to-child transmission of 1.1%. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00270296.)
Local optimization of cooperative robot movements for guiding and regrouping people in a guiding mission

This article presents a novel approach for optimizing locally the work of cooperative robots and obtaining the minimum displacement of humans in a guiding people mission. Unlike other methods, we consider situations where individuals can move freely and can escape from the formation, moreover they must be regrouped by multiple mobile robots working cooperatively. The problem is addressed by introducing a “Discrete Time Motion” model (DTM) and a new cost function that minimizes the work required by robots for leading and regrouping people. The guiding mission is carried out in urban areas containing multiple obstacles and building constraints. Furthermore, an analysis of forces actuating among robots and humans is presented throughout simulations of different situations of robot and human configurations and behaviors.
Management of cytomegalovirus infection in haemopoietic stem cell transplantation

● Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and CMV diseaseshould be diagnosed according to established, interna-tionally accepted, standardized criteria (Grade 1C). ● Risk-adapted patient assessment should inform clinicalmanagement (Grade 1B). ● All potential haemopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT) recipients should be tested for the presence ofCMV IgG antibody at diagnosis (Grade 1C). ● Once optimum human leucocyte antigen (HLA) match-ing has been performed, a CMV IgG-negative donorshould be chosen for a CMV IgG-negative recipient anda CMV IgG-positive donor should be chosen for a CMVIgG-positive recipient when possible (Grade 1A). ● Donors or recipients who are initially found to be CMVIgG-negative should be retested pre-transplant toexclude primary CMV infection (Grade 1C). ● Apparent CMV seroconversion in potential allograftrecipients who have received unscreened blood productsshould be actively investigated to exclude passive acqui-sition of antibody (Grade 1C)● Any CMV IgG-negative HSCT recipient transplantedfrom a CMV IgG-negative donor who develops CMVinfection post-transplant must be reported to the SeriousHazards of Transfusion (SHOT) scheme (Grade 1C). ● Primary prophylaxis with ganciclovir is not generallyrecommended as toxicity outweighs efﬁcacy in HSCTpatients (Grade 1B). ● Primary prophylaxis with aciclovir or valaciclovir canbe deployed but only in conjunction with appropriatemonitoring of CMV in blood (Grade 1B). ● Valaciclovir or valganciclovir are valid treatmentoptions for secondary prophylaxis with appropriatemonitoring of CMV in blood (Grade 1C). ● Intravenous immunoglobulin is not recommended forprophylaxis of CMV infection (Grade 1A). ● Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)is the preferred choice for monitoring CMV DNA levelsin HSCT patients (Grade 1B). ● All diagnostic laboratories should deploy the CMVinternational standard to allow viral loads to becompared between centres (Grade 1C). ● Monitoring of CMV load should be undertaken atleast weekly for the ﬁrst 3 months post-HSCT (Grade2C). ● CMV viral load monitoring should continue for 6-12 months if the patient has chronic graft-versus-hostdisease (GvHD) or prolonged T-cell immunodeﬁciency(Grade 1B). ● Each transplant centre should have a risk-adapted policydetailing threshold values for treatment of CMV infec-tion, taking into account patient factors and PCR meth-odology (Grade 2C). ● Ganciclovir is recommended as ﬁrst line pre-emptivetherapy for CMV in HSCT patients (Grade 1A). ● Oral valganciclovir is a valid alternative when gastroin-testinal absorption is normal or only minimallyimpaired (Grade 1A). ● Foscarnet is recommended as an alternative ﬁrst-lineagent if neutropenia is present or for ganciclovir treat-ment failure (Grade 1A).
Klebsiella pneumoniae Multiresistance Plasmid pMET1: Similarity with the Yersinia pestis Plasmid pCRY and Integrative Conjugative Elements

Background Dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes has become an important public health and biodefense threat. Plasmids are important contributors to the rapid acquisition of antibiotic resistance by pathogenic bacteria. Principal Findings The nucleotide sequence of the Klebsiella pneumoniae multiresistance plasmid pMET1 comprises 41,723 bp and includes Tn1331.2, a transposon that carries the bla TEM-1 gene and a perfect duplication of a 3-kbp region including the aac(6′)-Ib, aadA1, and bla OXA-9 genes. The replication region of pMET1 has been identified. Replication is independent of DNA polymerase I, and the replication region is highly related to that of the cryptic Yersinia pestis 91001 plasmid pCRY. The potential partition region has the general organization known as the parFG locus. The self-transmissible pMET1 plasmid includes a type IV secretion system consisting of proteins that make up the mating pair formation complex (Mpf) and the DNA transfer (Dtr) system. The Mpf is highly related to those in the plasmid pCRY, the mobilizable high-pathogenicity island from E. coli ECOR31 (HPIECOR31), which has been proposed to be an integrative conjugative element (ICE) progenitor of high-pathogenicity islands in other Enterobacteriaceae including Yersinia species, and ICEKp1, an ICE found in a K. pneumoniae strain causing primary liver abscess. The Dtr MobB and MobC proteins are highly related to those of pCRY, but the endonuclease is related to that of plasmid pK245 and has no significant homology with the protein of similar function in pCRY. The region upstream of mobB includes the putative oriT and shares 90% identity with the same region in the HPIECOR31. Conclusions The comparative analyses of pMET1 with pCRY, HPIECOR31, and ICEKp1 show a very active rate of genetic exchanges between Enterobacteriaceae including Yersinia species, which represents a high public health and biodefense threat due to transfer of multiple resistance genes to pathogenic Yersinia strains.
Screening for Down's syndrome.

We should like to comment on several criticisms raised by Mr Hugh N Whitfield, Mr Clive Charig and others, and Mr J E A Wickham and others (24 September, p 794) in response to our paper on methods of treating renal calculi (23 July, p 253). The end point of stone free chosen for the study is a standard means of assessing outcome after renal surgery used in many other studies. It was also essential in a multicentre study to have a means of assessing the efficacy of treatment that was truly comparable and in which there would be as little likelihood as possible of interobserver variation in the assessment of stone destruction. It was a notable drawback of the earlier comparative study by Charig et al that different end points were used to assess outcome for open surgery, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and lithotripsy. ' We will be reporting results for stone free rates at 12 and 24 months to add to the three month stone free rates reported in our paper. It was made clear in the paper that the clinical results on stone clearance after lithotripsy, though giving pause for thought, should be considered in conjunction with data on patients' perceptions of benefit and cost when these are available for publication. In response to the criticism that we failed simultaneously to relate the size and the position of single stones to stone free rates in our analysis we would point out that this was taken into account in the logistic regression in which we adjusted the outcomes of treatment between the two groups for patient age, stone size, and stone position. The likelihood of being stone free at three months was significantly higher in the group treated by nephrolithotomy than that treated by lithotripsy. For information we include the numbers stone free in each cell for the subgroups based on stone size and position (tables I and II). These were not presented for reasons of space in our original paper. We fully accept that the data we were able to collect were not ideal. The possibility of selection bias was made clear in the paper. The limitations on data and method were, however, dictated by the opposition of urologists to a randomised controlled trial when the St Thomas's lithotripter was first installed, despite our recommendation to the Department of Health that such a trial would be the optimum means of assessment. Mr Wickham was one of the strongest opponents at that time of the best form of scientific assessment.2 None the less, the data in our study represent the first contemporaneous comparison in Europe of lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy in similar groups of patients.
Operational Tree Species Mapping in a Diverse Tropical Forest with Airborne Imaging Spectroscopy

Remote identification and mapping of canopy tree species can contribute valuable information towards our understanding of ecosystem biodiversity and function over large spatial scales. However, the extreme challenges posed by highly diverse, closed-canopy tropical forests have prevented automated remote species mapping of non-flowering tree crowns in these ecosystems. We set out to identify individuals of three focal canopy tree species amongst a diverse background of tree and liana species on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, using airborne imaging spectroscopy data. First, we compared two leading single-class classification methods—binary support vector machine (SVM) and biased SVM—for their performance in identifying pixels of a single focal species. From this comparison we determined that biased SVM was more precise and created a multi-species classification model by combining the three biased SVM models. This model was applied to the imagery to identify pixels belonging to the three focal species and the prediction results were then processed to create a map of focal species crown objects. Crown-level cross-validation of the training data indicated that the multi-species classification model had pixel-level producer’s accuracies of 94–97% for the three focal species, and field validation of the predicted crown objects indicated that these had user’s accuracies of 94–100%. Our results demonstrate the ability of high spatial and spectral resolution remote sensing to accurately detect non-flowering crowns of focal species within a diverse tropical forest. We attribute the success of our model to recent classification and mapping techniques adapted to species detection in diverse closed-canopy forests, which can pave the way for remote species mapping in a wider variety of ecosystems.