Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shear shocks in fragile networks

Significance In ordinary solids, shocks are extreme mechanical phenomena: they occur when rigid materials are subjected to violent impacts. However, weakly connected amorphous solids, such as glasses and polymer networks, can be prepared in a state of vanishing rigidity in which even the tiniest (shear) perturbations elicit an extreme mechanical response. When that happens, these materials are not just soft but they become fragile. In our theoretical and computational study, we elucidate the exotic mechanisms whereby nonlinear sound propagates in fragile materials composed of a disordered network of beads connected by springs. Furthermore, we propose a unique approach to infer the fascinating properties of these fragile materials from acoustic experiments that measure the speed and width of strongly nonlinear shock waves. A minimal model for studying the mechanical properties of amorphous solids is a disordered network of point masses connected by unbreakable springs. At a critical value of its mean connectivity, such a network becomes fragile: it undergoes a rigidity transition signaled by a vanishing shear modulus and transverse sound speed. We investigate analytically and numerically the linear and nonlinear visco-elastic response of these fragile solids by probing how shear fronts propagate through them. Our approach, which we tentatively label shear front rheology, provides an alternative route to standard oscillatory rheology. In the linear regime, we observe at late times a diffusive broadening of the fronts controlled by an effective shear viscosity that diverges at the critical point. No matter how small the microscopic coefficient of dissipation, strongly disordered networks behave as if they were overdamped because energy is irreversibly leaked into diverging nonaffine fluctuations. Close to the transition, the regime of linear response becomes vanishingly small: the tiniest shear strains generate strongly nonlinear shear shock waves qualitatively different from their compressional counterparts in granular media. The inherent nonlinearities trigger an energy cascade from low to high frequency components that keep the network away from attaining the quasi-static limit. This mechanism, reminiscent of acoustic turbulence, causes a superdiffusive broadening of the shock width.
Compound surface textures for enhanced near-infrared light havesting of crystallin silicon solar cells

As silicon photovoltaics evolve towards thin-wafer technologies, efficient optical absorption for the near-infrared wavelengths has become particularly challenging. In this work, we present a solution that employs combined micro- and nano-scale surface textures to increase light harvesting in the near-infrared for crystalline silicon photovoltaics, and discuss the associated antireflection and scattering mechanisms. The surface textures are achieved by uniformly depositing a layer of indium-tin-oxide nanowhiskers on micro-grooved silicon substrates using electron-beam evaporation. The nanowhiskers facilitate optical transmission in the near-infrared by functioning as impedance matching layers with effective refractive indices gradually varying from 1 to 1.3. Materials with such unique refractive index characteristics are not readily available in nature. Compared to the reflectance of the conventional silicon solar cell, the combined textures structure provided broadband high absorption, especially in the near infrared region. As a result, the solar cell with combined textures achieves over 90% external quantum efficiencies for a broad wavelength range of 460 to 980 nm, which is crucial to the development of advanced thin-substrate silicon solar cells. Due to the high photocurrent contributed to the performance, the compound textured solar cell increased the 1.1% absolute power conversion efficiency, from 16.1% to 17.2%.
Intestinal transplantation: evolution and current status

Apesar das primeiras decepcoes, os tres principais tipos de transplante visceral (isolado intestino, figado, intestino, multivisceral) tem evoluido para tornarem-se o tratamento padrao para pacientes com insuficiencia nutricional e patologia abdominal complexa. Aloenxertos viscerais foram avaliados em estudos clinicos, radiologicos, endoscopicos e histopatologicos. Funcoes de absorcao do intestino transplantado foram avaliadas atraves de peso corporal, indice de massa corporal e escores "z", niveis sericos de albumina, vitaminas e oligoelementos, bem como atraves de medicoes de densidade mineral ossea. Rejeicao de enxerto, infeccao e insuficiencia renal, sao as principais causas de morte. Alem disso, apoio social nao-funcionante e progressao da doenca primaria contribuem para as taxas de mortalidade para alem dos marcos de acompanhamento de cinco e dez anos. Eventos remotos, incluindo rejeicao aguda pos-transplante, desordem linfoproliferativa e doenca enxerto-versus-hospedeiro foram significativamente maiores em pacientes pediatricos. Destinatarios adultos estao sujeitos a maior incidencia de malignidade, com recorrencia da doencaprimaria e saude ossea prejudicada. As principais causas de morte sao falha do enxerto, complicacoes da terapia, desordem linfoproliferativa, progressao da doenca primaria e outros, tais como o abuso de drogas, suicidio e falta de apoio. De um modo geral, o estado de saude tem sido sustentado com exito atraves de intervencoes para tratar a hipertensao, diabetes, osteoporose e insuficiencia renal. Apesar de recorrencia da doenca e de morbidades relacionadas com imunossupressao a longo prazo, o estado de saude da maioria dos sobreviventes tem sido mantido com intervencoes bem sucedidas para tratar co-morbidades. Com a melhoria continua nos indices de sobrevivencia inicial ena eficacia de reabilitacao a longo prazo, o transplante visceral deve ser considerado como a melhor opcao terapeutica para pacientes com insuficiencia intestinal grave.
Lipopolysaccharide induced apoptosis of rat pancreatic acinar cells.

BACKGROUND--Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been proposed to participate in the pathogenesis of pancreatic inflammatory disease. AIMS--This study investigated the role of endotoxaemia in the pathogenesis of pancreatic acinar cell injury. METHODS--Sixty eight male Spraque-Dawley rats were used in the study. Escherichia coli LPS (5 mg/kg) was injected into the peritoneal cavity of the rats. The concentration of pancreatic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in plasma was measured and pancreatic tissue examined by histology, in situ detection of free DNA 3'-ends, and electrophoretic DNA analysis. RESULTS--The concentration of pancreatic PLA2 increased in plasma and the catalytic activity of PLA2 increased in pancreatic tissue after an LPS injection. Apoptosis in pancreatic acinar cells and fragmentation of DNA typical of apoptosis in pancreatic tissue was seen 24 hours after an LPS injection. Pancreatic acinar atrophy was seen 72 hours after the LPS injection. CONCLUSIONS--These data show that LPS causes release of pancreatic PLA2 into blood plasma, activation of PLA2 in pancreatic tissue, and apoptosis of acinar cells.
Análise cinemática tridimensional do salto em distância de atletas de alto nível em competição

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo fazer a analise cinematica tridimensional do salto em distância de atletas de alto nivel em competicao atraves de quatro trabalhos independentes. O primeiro trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a relacao das variaveis cinematicas do salto em distância de atletas de alto nivel em competicao atraves de uma analise de regressao linear multipla nas fases de aproximacao, impulsao e voo. Os resultados encontrados foram que a velocidade escalar do centro de massa no touchdown , a altura maxima do centro de massa na fase de voo e a distância do pe de apoio do atleta a tabua de impulsao foram as variaveis incluidas no modelo de predicao da distância saltada, sendo conjuntamente responsaveis por 68% da variabilidade da distância. Para um segundo modelo, onde as velocidades escalares foram substituidas pelas componentes das velocidades do centro de massa, a velocidade horizontal do centro de massa no touchdown, a velocidade vertical do centro de massa no touchdown e o ângulo de ataque foram responsaveis por 88% da variabilidade da distância saltada. O segundo trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a replicabilidade e a reprodutibilidade das variaveis cinematicas tridimensionais no salto em distância e testar a sensibilidade dos valores de replicabilidade e reprodutibilidade na predicao da distância saltada. Para esse estudo dez observadores de ambos os sexos realizaram cinco medicoes cada um de um mesmo salto em distância sob as condicoes que definem reprodutibilidade e replicabilidade. A partir das edicoes dos observadores, foram calculadas as variaveis cinematicas do salto em distância na fase de impulsao. Concluimos que as variaveis de velocidades do centro de massa sao reprodutiveis e replicaveis acima de 0.09m/s enquanto variaveis angulares, acima de 0.67°. Para a analise de sensibilidade foi encontrado que para variacao de 1m na distância saltada, seriam necessarios uma variacao de 0.77, 200.00 e 1.80 m/s nas velocidades horizontal, lateral e vertical do centro de massa, respectivamente e uma variacao de 5.75° no ângulo do vetor velocidade do centro de massa e o plano horizontal. O terceiro trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a cinematica angular do salto em distância de atletas de alto nivel em competicao atraves de tres analises dos ângulos articulares durante a fase de impulsao, sugerindo que uma analise realizada durante uma competicao oficial, fornece informacoes valiosas para as analises tecnicas e de investigacao. Alem disso, a analise estatistica revelou que os ângulos de flexao maxima ocorre de forma sequencial, a partir do quadril ao tornozelo, quando relacionada com a porcentagem da fase de impulsao do salto. O ultimo trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a variabilidade nas variaveis cinematicas ridimensionais de dois atletas medalhistas olimpicos e os resultados sugerem que os atletas devem buscar controlar as variaveis de saida da tabua, buscando reduzir a sua variabilidade e atingir seus valores otimos das variaveis cinematicas. Abstract
Autosomal dominant macular dystrophy simulating North Carolina macular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE To characterize an autosomal dominant macular dystrophy with highly variable expression that does not fall clearly into a known disease entity. METHODS AND PATIENTS Clinical, angiographic, and electrophysiologic data of five affected members in a family of Indian origin were evaluated. Molecular genetic analysis was undertaken to assess whether the gene responsible for the phenotype in this pedigree mapped to a region previously assigned to dominantly inherited macular dystrophies, including North Carolina macular dystrophy. RESULTS The fundus appearance in the proband simulated stage 3 North Carolina macular dystrophy. Affected relatives had features in common with pattern dystrophy, fundus flavimaculatus with a dark choroid, and dominantly inherited drusen. Linkage to loci assigned to a number of retinal dystrophies principally affecting the posterior pole, including the North Carolina macular dystrophy locus, was excluded. CONCLUSION The findings support the view that different genotypes are associated with similar phenotypes in autosomal dominant macular dystrophy.
The Bramson logarithmic delay in the cane toads equations

We study a nonlocal reaction-diffusion-mutation equation modeling the spreading of a cane toads population structured by a phenotypical trait responsible for the spatial diffusion rate. When the trait space is bounded, the cane toads equation admits traveling wave solutions [7]. Here, we prove a Bramson type spreading result: the lag between the position of solutions with localized initial data and that of the traveling waves grows as (3/(2$\lambda$ *)) log t. This result relies on a present-time Harnack inequality which allows to compare solutions of the cane toads equation to those of a Fisher-KPP type equation that is local in the trait variable.
From Intermittent to Ubiquitous

Accessing online social networks in situations with intermittent Internet connectivity is a challenge. We have designed a context-aware mobile system to enable efficient offline access to online social media by prefetching, caching and disseminating content opportunistically when signal availability is detected. This system can measure, crowdsense and predict network characteristics, and then use these predictions of mobile network signal to schedule cellular access or device-to-device (D2D) communication. We propose several opportunistic optimization schemes to enhance controlled crowdsensing, resource constrained mobile prefetch, and D2D transmissions impacted by individual selfishness. Realistic tests and large-scale trace analysis show our system can achieve a significant improvement over existing approaches in situations where users experience intermittent cellular service or disrupted network connection.
A Novel High Effciency Power Amplifier Concept for GSM Handsets

The demand for ever increasing talking times and reduced weight of modern GSM handsets can only be achieved by a significant reduction of the power consumption of the cellular handset, mostly the power the power amplifier (PA). The constant evelope modulation scheme of the GSM system allows the desing of high efficiency power amplifier, such as switching amplifiers. Among them. them, the Class-E amplifier concept is best suited, because it allows about 80% efficiency, while maintaining an excellent output spectrum and reasonable gain. Another advantage is the possibility to an a-priori design an characterization of the amplifier stage by simulation this fact is demonstrated in this paper, by comparing simulation and measurement results of a 45-MHz Class-E amplifier as a 1:20 frequency scaled model of a 900-MHz GSM power amplifier. The excellent match between theory and measurement allows a good prediction of the final Class-E amplifier characteristics by simulation.
Developing awareness of computer ethics

The most important factor in effective computer security is people—their attitudes, their actions, and their sense of right and wrong. This workshop will explore the ethical problems and issues raised in the computing environment. Topics to be discussed include misuse of computers, concepts of privacy, codes of conduct for computer professionals, disputed rights to products, defining ethical, moral, and legal parameters, and what security practitioners should do about ethics. Audience opinions will be welcome as they will aid in developing ethical standards for the information systems profession.
Plasma Level of Homocysteine is Correlated to Extracranial Carotid-Artery Atherosclerosis in Non-Hypertensive Japanese

Background Results of some epidemiologic studies in Western countries have clarified that hyperhomocysteinemia is a plausible risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease, but its role in Japanese communities is not known. Design A community-based cross-sectional design. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study of 474 elderly men aged 60–74 years in two Japanese rural communities (Noichi in southwestern Japan and Ikawa in northeastern Japan). We examined the association between plasma concentrations of homocysteine and the maximum intima-media thickness (assessed by ultrasonography). Results The prevalence of thickening was 10.7% for the lowest tertile of homocysteine level and 21.1% for the highest fertile. For the subjects without hypertension, the odds ratio for having carotid intima-media thickening was 5.8; it was significantly higher for the highest tertile of homocysteine level than it was for the lowest after adjusting for age, hypercholesterolemia, hypoalphalipoproteinemia, diabetes, and smoking by using a multiple logistic regression model. However, its correlation was not evident for those with hypertension. Conclusions High levels of plasma homocysteine are correlated to extracranial carotid artery atherosclerosis in elderly men without hypertension in Japanese rural communities.
A possible tertiary rRNA interaction between expansion segments ES3 and ES6 in eukaryotic 40S ribosomal subunits.

Eukaryotic 16S-like ribosomal RNAs contain 12 so-called expansion segments, i.e., sequences not included in the RNA secondary structure core common to eubacteria, archaea, and eukarya. Two of these expansion segments, ES3 and ES6, are juxtaposed in the recent three-dimensional model of the eukaryotic 40S ribosomal subunit. We have analyzed ES3 and ES6 sequences from more than 2900 discrete eukaryotic species, for possible sequence complementarity between the two expansion segments. The data show that ES3 and ES6 could interact by forming a helix consisting of seven to nine contiguous base pairs in almost all analyzed species. We, therefore, suggest that ES3 and ES6 form a direct RNA-RNA contact in the ribosome.
Reprocessing of PLA/Graphene Nanoplatelets Nanocomposites

This work reports a study on the effect of multiple reprocessing on the properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) filled with graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) compared to the melt reprocessed neat polymeric matrix. In particular, morphological, X-Ray Diffraction and Micro-Raman analyses, intrinsic viscosity measurements, thermal, rheological and mechanical tests were carried out on materials reprocessed up five times by means of a single screw extruder. The results indicated that the presence of GnP decreased the degradation rate as a function of the reprocessing cycles in comparison with the neat PLA that, on the contrary, showed a more drastic reduction of the molecular weight. Moreover, the reprocessing improved the particle dispersion and reduced the presence of GnP aggregates.
Adaptive learning can result in a failure to profit from good conditions: implications for understanding depression

Background and objectives: Depression is a major medical problem diagnosed in an increasing proportion of people and for which commonly prescribed psychoactive drugs are frequently ineffective. Development of treatment options may be facilitated by an evolutionary perspective; several adaptive reasons for proneness to depression have been proposed. A common feature of many explanations is that depressive behaviour is a way to avoid costly effort where benefits are small and/or unlikely. However, this viewpoint fails to explain why low mood persists when the situation improves. We investigate whether a behavioural rule that is adapted to a stochastically changing world can cause inactivity which appears similar to the effect of depression, in that it persists after the situation has improved. Methodology: We develop an adaptive learning model in which an individual has repeated choices of whether to invest costly effort that may result in a net benefit. Investing effort also provides information about the current conditions and rates of change of the conditions. Results: An individual following the optimal behavioural strategy may sometimes remain inactive when conditions are favourable (i.e. when it would be better to invest effort) when it is poorly informed about the current environmental state. Initially benign conditions can predispose an individual to inactivity after a relatively brief period of negative experiences. Conclusions and implications: Our approach suggests that the antecedent factors causing depressed behaviour could go much further back in an individual s history than is currently appreciated. The insights from our approach have implications for the ongoing debate about best treatment options for patients with depressive symptoms.
Alloimmunization to transfused platelets requires priming of CD4+ T cells in the splenic microenvironment in a murine model

BACKGROUND: Alloantibodies are a clinically significant sequelae of platelet (PLT) transfusion, potentially rendering patients refractory to ongoing PLT transfusion support. These antibodies are often IgG class switched, suggesting the involvement of CD4+ T‐cell help; however, PLT‐specific CD4+ T cells have not been visualized in vivo, and specifics of their stimulation are not completely understood.
Ovarian and luteal blood flow, and peripheral plasma progesterone levels, in cyclic guinea-pigs.

Ovarian and luteal blood flow rates were studied using radioactive microspheres in guinea-pigs between Day 6 of the oestrous cycle and Day 1 of the following cycle. Peripheral plasma progesterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay on the same days of the oestrous cycle. Ovarian blood flow was greatest between Days 9 and 12 and had fallen by Day 16 both in absolute (ml . min-1) and relative (ml.min-1.g-1) terms. Luteal weight and blood flow were also greatest between Days 9 and 12 and had fallen sharply by Day 16. The highest mean (+/- s.d.) luteal flows measured were 0.10 +/- 0.04 ml.min-1 per corpus luteum, and 24.26 +/- 9.3 ml.min-1.g-1 luteal tissue on Day 10 of the cycle. Mean peripheral plasma progesterone levels reached a maximum of 3.66 +/- 1.1 ng/ml at Day 12 of the cycle and fell thereafter, reaching 0.74 +/- 0.5 ng/ml by Day 1 of the following cycle. Plasma progesterone levels declined significantly between Days 12 and 14 of the cycle, whereas no significant drop in luteal blood flow was demonstrable until after Day 14. These data do not support the idea that declining luteal blood flow is an initiating mechanism in luteal regression in the guinea-pig.
Differential inhibition of Wnt‐3a by Sfrp‐1, Sfrp‐2, and Sfrp‐3

Secreted frizzled related proteins (Sfrps) are extracellular attenuators of Wnt signaling that play important roles in both embryogenesis and oncogenesis. Although Sfrps are generally thought to bind and sequester Wnts away from active receptor complexes, very little is known about the specificity of Sfrp family members for various Wnts. In the developing chick neural tube, sfrp‐1, 2, and 3 transcripts are expressed in and adjacent to the dorsal neural tube, where Wnt‐1 and Wnt‐3a are expressed. To better define the possible roles of Sfrp‐1, 2, and 3 in the neural tube, we first tested the ability of purified Sfrps to inhibit Wnt‐3a‐induced accumulation of β‐catenin in L cells. We find that both Sfrp‐1 and Sfrp‐2 can inhibit Wnt‐3a activity while Sfrp‐3 cannot. To determine where Sfrp‐1 and Sfrp‐2 impinge on the Wnt signaling pathway, we tested the ability of these Sfrps to inhibit Wnt signaling induced by the addition of LiCl, an inhibitor of GSK‐3. Sfrp‐1 and Sfrp‐2 are unable to inhibit the accumulation of β‐catenin in LiCl‐treated cells, suggesting that the ability of Sfrps to inhibit the accumulation of β‐catenin is GSK‐3 dependent. We have further shown that Sfrp‐2 inhibits the ability of ectopic Wnt‐3a to stimulate proliferation in the developing chick neural tube. These results provide the framework for understanding how Sfrps function to regulate Wnt‐3a activity in developing embryos and in cancer. Developmental Dynamics 235:681–690, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Custom Made Pressure Appliance for Presurgical Sustained Compression of Auricular Keloid

Keloid is dermal lesion characterized by nodular fibroblastic proliferation, which is considered an aberration of wound healing process. It is believed to be the confused scar that does not know when to stop growing. Pressure therapy using clips or splints is widely used for the treatment of keloids; however, it is often very difficult to control the amount and direction of pressure applied. Among the most common complications of this therapy is ulceration due to excessive pressure. A case of presurgical size reduction for a large ear keloid with a custom made pressure appliance is presented. This novel design of the appliance allows for better control over the amount and direction of the pressure applied on the scar tissue.