Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integration of Terrestrial Laser Scanning and NURBS Modeling for the Deformation Monitoring of an Earth-Rock Dam

A complete picture of the deformation characteristics (distribution and evolution) of the geotechnical infrastructures serves as superior information for understanding their potential instability mechanism. How to monitor more completely and accurately the deformation of these infrastructures (either artificial or natural) in the field expediently and roundly remains a scientific topic. The conventional deformation monitoring methods are mostly carried out at a limited number of discrete points and cannot acquire the deformation data of the whole structure. In this paper, a new monitoring methodology of dam deformation and associated results interpretation is presented by taking the advantages of the terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), which, in contrast with most of the conventional methods, is capable of capturing the geometric information at a huge amount of points over an object in a relatively fast manner. By employing the non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) technology, the high spatial resolution models of the monitored geotechnical objects can be created with sufficient accuracy based on these point cloud data obtained from application of the TLS. Finally, the characteristics of deformation, to which the geotechnical infrastructures have been subjected, are interpreted more completely according to the models created based on a series of consecutive monitoring exercises at different times. The present methodology is applied to the Changheba earth-rock dam, which allows the visualization of deformation over the entire dam during different periods. Results from analysis of the surface deformation distribution show that the surface deformations in the middle are generally larger than those on both sides near the bank, and the deformations increase with the increase of the elevations. The results from the present application highlight that the adhibition of the TLS and NURBS technology permits a better understanding of deformation behavior of geotechnical objects of large size in the field.
Identification and characterization of genes encoding the nuclear envelope LINC complex in the monocot species Zea mays

ABSTRACT The linker of nucleoskeleton to cytoskeleton (LINC) complex is an essential multi-protein structure spanning the nuclear envelope. It connects the cytoplasm to the nucleoplasm, functions to maintain nuclear shape and architecture and regulates chromosome dynamics during cell division. Knowledge of LINC complex composition and function in the plant kingdom is primarily limited to Arabidopsis, but critically missing from the evolutionarily distant monocots, which include grasses, the most important agronomic crops worldwide. To fill this knowledge gap, we identified and characterized 22 maize genes, including a new grass-specific KASH gene family. By using bioinformatic, biochemical and cell biological approaches, we provide evidence that representative KASH candidates localize to the nuclear periphery and interact with Zea mays (Zm)SUN2 in vivo. FRAP experiments using domain deletion constructs verified that this SUN–KASH interaction was dependent on the SUN but not the coiled-coil domain of ZmSUN2. A summary working model is proposed for the entire maize LINC complex encoded by conserved and divergent gene families. These findings expand our knowledge of the plant nuclear envelope in a model grass species, with implications for both basic and applied cellular research. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Genes encoding maize candidates for the core LINC and associated complex proteins have been comprehensively identified with functional validation by one or more assays for several of the KASH genes.
Effect of Allergens and Tobacco Smoke on Laryngeal Mucosa

smokers be due to the persistent and chronic mucosal irritation from smoking. SIGNIFICANCE: This translational research may affect treatment and prevention of laryngeal carcinoma in non-smokers. A correlation between increased COX II expression and pathologic diagnosis would support the role for the use of COX II inhibitors in the prevention of progression of laryngeal lesions. SUPPORT: Research grant from the Department of Otolaryngology, University of Rochester, New York.
Smoking is Associated With 1-year Suboptimal Patient-reported Outcomes After 2-level Anterior Cervical Fusion

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objective: To study the impact of smoking on patient-reported outcomes after primary 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Summary of Background Data: Previous studies have found suboptimal outcomes after multilevel ACDF in smoking patients. There is contrasting evidence on the negative effects of smoking in single-level ACDF, while there are no specific reports in 2-level ACDF. Adding knowledge of smoking’s impact on patient-reported outcomes (PRO) will help in tailored patient counseling and preoperative education. Methods: Patients 18 years of age or older at a single academic institution who underwent 2-level ACDF to treat cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy between September 2013 and September 2015 were included. PRO was studied using the neck disability index (NDI) preoperatively, and at 3, 6, 12 months. &khgr;2 test for qualitative variables, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and unpaired t test for quantitative variables were used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 61 patients, of which 23 (37.7%) were classified as smokers were included. Demographic and clinical profile of patients was similar both groups. Preoperatively, smokers had a mean NDI of 62.8±12.7 with a 17.5%, 18.7%, and 27.7% decrease at 3, 6, and 12-months, respectively. Nonsmokers had a mean preoperative NDI of 45.9±15.3, with a 36.4%, 61.2% and 65.4% decrease at 3, 6, and 12-months, respectively. Despite higher baseline NDI in smokers, improvement in NDI reached significance at 3-months in nonsmokers. In smokers, the improvement in NDI was slower and reached significance at 12-months. The radiographic fusion status at latest follow-up was similar in smokers and nonsmokers (P=0.67). Conclusions: Smokers had lower improvements in NDI scores compared to nonsmokers after a 2-level ACDF. Preoperative counseling before 2-level ACDF should include education about risks of inferior clinical outcomes in smokers independent of fusion status.
Increased Functional Connectivity After Listening to Favored Music in Adults With Alzheimer Dementia

BackgroundPersonalized music programs have been proposed as an adjunct therapy for patients with Alzheimer disease related dementia, and multicenter trials have now demonstrated improvements in agitation, anxiety, and behavioral symptoms. Underlying neurophysiological mechanisms for these effects remain unclear.MethodsWe examined 17 individuals with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer disease related dementia using functional MRI following a training period in a personalized music listening program.ResultsWe find that participants listening to preferred music show specific activation of the supplementary motor area, a region that has been associated with memory for familiar music that is typically spared in early Alzheimer disease. We also find widespread increases in functional connectivity in corticocortical and corticocerebellar networks following presentation of preferred musical stimuli, suggesting a transient effect on brain function.ConclusionsFindings support a mechanism whereby attentional network activation in the brain’s salience network may lead to improvements in brain network synchronization.
Processus compositionnels et opérateurs musicaux dans ML-Maquette - Les outils de traitement du signal

ML-Maquette est une application informatique dediee la pedagogie musicale, developpee a partir de l'environnement de composition assistee par ordinateur OpenMusic. Cet article prEsente les modalites de transfert d'outils et processus musicaux issus de la composition (ou de l'analyse) musicale crees dans OpenMusic vers un cadre d'utilisation pedagogique dans ML-Maquette. Ces modalites seront illustrees pour le cas particulier d'outils relevant du domaine du traitement du signal sonore (analyse/synthese), qui montrera comment des processus a priori complexes se retrouvent integres de facon relativement simple dans ML-Maquette sous la forme d'operateurs elementaires.
Nutrition risk screening in the ICU

Purpose of review To review recent studies that may help to identify patients in the ICU who benefit from nutrition support. Recent findings One recent controlled trial did not show any clinical benefit of nutrition support among a sample of ICU patients who were hitherto believed to benefit from nutrition support. Several recent observational studies suggest benefit of nutrition support among patients who have a high nutric score, in itself derived from an observational study. Summary Regrettably, the decision about nutrition support in ICU patients still depends on physiological reasoning: a high degree of inflammation/stress metabolism, which will last for a considerable time, especially among those who are fragile (already malnourished, elderly, those with chronic diseases and/or other comorbidities).
Using the wellness inventory to assess health and well-being in college students at the end of the semester

Abstract Objective: The authors examined the end of semester outcomes (December, 2017) on the Wellness Inventory and demographics among college students taking a Physical Education (PED 101) course at a university in the southeast United States. Participants: College students were assessed at the end of the semester for health and well-being outcomes according to the Wellness Inventory. Results: Results showed that there were few gender or age differences for the dimensions of well-being. However, there were significant differences for most of the dimensions of health and well-being between frequent exercisers and infrequent exercisers. There were also significant differences between students who reported being in excellent health versus students who reported being in fair or poor health. Conclusions: Consistent exercise throughout the week may play a role in overall health and well-being. The results from this study warrant further investigation into the relationship between the exercise frequency and the dimensions of health and well-being.
Genetic Optimization of Energy- and Failure-Aware Continuous Production Scheduling in Pasta Manufacturing

Energy and failure are separately managed in scheduling problems despite the commonalities between these optimization problems. In this paper, an energy- and failure-aware continuous production scheduling problem (EFACPS) at the unit process level is investigated, starting from the construction of a centralized combinatorial optimization model combining energy saving and failure reduction. Traditional deterministic scheduling methods are difficult to rapidly acquire an optimal or near-optimal schedule in the face of frequent machine failures. An improved genetic algorithm (IGA) using a customized microbial genetic evolution strategy is proposed to solve the EFACPS problem. The IGA is integrated with three features: Memory search, problem-based randomization, and result evaluation. Based on real production cases from Soubry N.V. , a large pasta manufacturer in Belgium, Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) are carried out to compare the performance of IGA with a conventional genetic algorithm (CGA) and a baseline random choice algorithm (RCA). Simulation results demonstrate a good performance of IGA and the feasibility to apply it to EFACPS problems. Large-scale experiments are further conducted to validate the effectiveness of IGA.
Maize Sep15-like functions in endoplasmic reticulum and reactive oxygen species homeostasis to promote salt and osmotic stress resistance.

In animals, the Sep15 protein participates in disease resistance, growth, and development, but the function of its plant homologues remains unclear. Here, the function of maize Sep15 was analysed by characterization of two independent Sep15-like loss-of-function mutants. In the absence of ZmSep15-like, seedling tolerance to both water and salinity stress was compromised. The mutants experienced a heightened level of endoplasmic reticulum stress, and over-accumulated reactive oxygen species, resulting in leaf necrosis. Characterization of Arabidopsis thaliana atsep15 mutant as well as like with ectopic expression of ZmSep15-like indicated that ZmSep15-like contributed to tolerance of both osmotic and salinity stress. ZmSep15-like interacted physically with UDP-glucose: glycoprotein glucosyltransferase1 (UGGT1). When the interaction was disrupted, the response to both osmotic and salinity stresses was impaired in maize or Arabidopsis. Co-expressing ZmUGGT1 and ZmUGGT2 enhanced the tolerance of A. thaliana to both stressors, indicating a functional interaction between them. Together, the data indicated that plants Sep15-like proteins promote osmotic and salinity stress resistance by influencing endoplasmic reticulum stress response and reactive oxygen species level.
Improved Performance of a Rapid Immunochromatographic Assay for Detection of PBP2a in Non-Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcal Species

Non-Staphylococcus aureus staphylococcal species (non-SASS) are important pathogens in both animal and human populations. The development of β-lactam resistance in non-SASS through acquisition and expression of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) represents a significant clinical and public health threat. ABSTRACT Non-Staphylococcus aureus staphylococcal species (non-SASS) are important pathogens in both animal and human populations. The development of β-lactam resistance in non-SASS through acquisition and expression of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) represents a significant clinical and public health threat. Here, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of two versions of a PBP2a immunochromatographic assay with non-SASS. Our data show that the revised version of the assay, the PBP2a SA culture colony test, has superior diagnostic sensitivity compared to the previous version of the assay, the PBP2a culture colony test, 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93.3 to 100%) versus 67.9% (95% CI, 53.7 to 80.1%), respectively, while both assays display a specificity of 100% (95% CI, 92.5 to 100%). Therefore, the PBP2a SA culture colony test offers a rapid, accurate, and relatively inexpensive method for detecting PBP2a-mediated β-lactam resistance in clinically relevant non-SASS for the management of infections due to these organisms and for antimicrobial stewardship.
Neurons in FEF Keep Track of Items That Have Been Previously Fixated in Free Viewing Visual Search

When searching a visual scene for a target, we tend not to look at items or locations we have already searched. It is thought that this behavior is driven by an inhibitory tagging mechanism that inhibits responses on priority maps to the relevant items. We hypothesized that this inhibitory tagging signal should be represented as an elevated response in neurons that keep track of stimuli that have been fixated. We recorded from 231 neurons in the frontal eye field (FEF) of 2 male animals performing a visual foraging task, in which they had to find a reward linked to one of five identical targets (Ts) among five distractors. We identified 38 neurons with activity that was significantly greater when the stimulus in the receptive field had been fixated previously in the trial than when it had not been fixated. The response to a fixated object began before the saccade ended, suggesting that this information is remapped. Unlike most FEF neurons, the activity in these cells was not suppressed during active fixation, had minimal motor responses, and did not change through the trial. Yet using traditional classifications from a memory-guided saccade, they were indistinguishable from the rest of the FEF population. We propose that these neurons keep track of any items that have been fixated within the trial and this signal is propagated by remapping. These neurons could be the source of the inhibitory tagging signal to parietal cortex, where a neuronal instantiation of inhibitory tagging is seen. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT When we search a scene for an item, we rarely examine the same location twice. It is thought that this is due to a neural mechanism that keeps track of the items at which we have looked. Here we identified a subset of neurons in the frontal eye field that preferentially responded to items that had been fixated earlier in the trial. These responses were remapped, appearing before the saccade even ended, and were not suppressed during maintained fixation. We propose that these neurons keep track of which items have been examined in search and could be the source of feedback that creates the inhibitory tagging seen in parietal cortex.
Associations of anthropometric measures of obesity with physical limitations in older adults

Abstract Introduction: Physical limitations are associated loss of independence, lower quality of life, greater healthcare costs, and mortality. Changes in body composition during the aging process contribute to the decline in physical functioning. Body mass index is commonly used to quantify adiposity; however, measurements that better capture abdominal obesity may confer better advantage for risk of physical limitations. Methods: We used data from the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to compare the associations of (1) body mass index, (2) sagittal abdominal diameter, and (3) waist circumference with physical limitations in adults 60–80 years (n = 1258). We used weighted logistic regression models to allow for estimates that are representative of the US population. Results: All three anthropometric measures were significantly associated with physical limitations. Abdominal fat measurements (sagittal abdominal diameter and waist circumference) were more strongly associated with physical limitations in men. However, they were not independently associated with physical limitations after controlling for body mass index. All three measurements did not differ in their ability to distinguish presence of physical limitations. Conclusions: Our data suggest that abdominal fat measurements are not independently associated with physical limitations after accounting for body mass index. Body mass index, waist circumference, and sagittal abdominal diameter are all of equal practical value for identifying older adults at risk for physical limitations. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Our data suggest that both sagittal abdominal diameter and waist circumference are not independently associated with physical limitations after accounting for body mass index. Strategies to manage overall body weight may be the most effective goal of primary prevention of disability and to support the rehabilitation process. Body mass index, waist circumference, and sagittal abdominal diameter are all of equal practical value for health professionals to identify older adults at higher risk for physical limitations. Practitioners should consider the measures that are most feasible and easiest to obtain in the clinical setting.
The Nomenclature, Definition and Distinction of Types of Shock.

BACKGROUND A severe mismatch between the supply and demand of oxygen is the common feature of all types of shock. We present a newly developed, clinically oriented classification of the various types of shock and their therapeutic implications. METHODS This review is based on pertinent publications (1990-2018) retrieved by a selective search in PubMed, and on the relevant guidelines and meta-analyses. RESULTS There are only four major categories of shock, each of which is mainly related to one of four organ systems. Hypovolemic shock relates to the blood and fluids compartment while distributive shock relates to the vascular system; cardiogenic shock arises from primary cardiac dysfunction; and obstructive shock arises from a blockage of the circulation. Hypovolemic shock is due to intravascular volume loss and is treated by fluid replacement with balanced crystalloids. Distributive shock, on the other hand, is a state of relative hypovolemia resulting from pathological redistribution of the absolute intravascular volume and is treated with a combination of vasoconstrictors and fluid replacement. Cardiogenic shock is due to inadequate function of the heart, which shall be treated, depending on the situation, with drugs, surgery, or other interventional procedures. In obstructive shock, hypoperfusion due to elevated resistance shall be treated with an immediate life-saving intervention. CONCLUSION The new classification is intended to facilitate the goal-driven treatment of shock in both the pre-hospital and the inpatient setting. A uniform treatment strategy should be established for each of the four types of shock.
Altered levels of plasma neuron‐derived exosomes and their cargo proteins characterize acute and chronic mild traumatic brain injury

Neuron‐derived exosomes (NDEs) were enriched by anti‐L1CAM antibody immunoabsorption from plasmas of subjects ages 18–26 yr within 1 wk after a sports‐related mild traumatic brain injury (acute mTBI) (n = 18), 3 mo or longer after the last of 2–4 mTBIs (chronic mTBI) (n = 14) and with no recent history of TBI (controls) (n = 21). Plasma concentrations of NDEs, assessed by counts and levels of extracted exosome marker CD81, were significantly depressed by a mean of 45% in acute mTBI (P < 0.0001), but not chronic mTBI, compared with controls. Mean CD81‐normalized NDE levels of a range of functional brain proteins were significantly abnormal relative to those of controls in acute but not chronic mTBI, including ras‐related small GTPase 10, 73% decrease; annexin VII, 8.8‐fold increase; ubiquitin C‐terminal hydrolase L1, 2.5‐fold increase; AII spectrin fragments, 1.9‐fold increase; claudin‐5, 2.7‐fold increase; sodium‐potassium‐chloride cotransporter‐1, 2.8‐fold increase; aquaporin 4, 8.9‐fold increase (3.6‐fold increase in chronic mTBI); and synaptogyrin‐3, 3.1‐fold increase (1.3‐fold increase in chronic mTBI) (all acute mTBI proteins P < 0.0001). In chronic mTBI, there were elevated CD81‐normalized NDE levels of usually pathologic β‐amyloid peptide 1‐42 (1.6‐fold, P < 0.0001), P‐T181‐tau (2.2‐fold, P < 0.0001), P‐S396‐tau (1.6‐fold, P < 0.01), IL‐6 (16‐fold, P < 0.0001), and prion cellular protein (PRPc) (5.1‐fold, P < 0.0001) with lesser or greater (IL‐6, PRPc) increases in acute mTBI. Increases in NDE levels of most neurofunctional proteins in acute, but not chronic, mTBI, and elevations of most NDE neuropathological proteins in chronic and acute mTBI delineated phase‐specificity. Longitudinal studies of more mTBI subjects may identify biomarkers predictive of and etiologically involved in mTBI‐induced neurodegeneration. —Goetzl, E. J., Elahi, F. M. , Mustapic, M. , Kapogiannis, D. , Pryhoda, M. , Gilmore, A. , Gorgens, K. A. , Davidson, B. , Granholm, A. ‐C. , Ledreux, A. Altered levels of plasma neuron‐derived exosomes and their cargo proteins characterize acute and chronic mild traumatic brain injury. FASEB J. 33, 5082–5088 (2019). www.fasebj. org