Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DYNAMICS OF A BRIDGED CRACK IN A DISCRETE LATTICE

The paper addresses a problem of partial fracture of a lattice by a propagating fault modelling a crack bridged by elastic fibres. It is assumed that the strength of bonds within the lattice alternates periodically, so that during the dynamic crack propagation only weaker bonds break, whereas the stronger bonds remain intact. The mathematical problem is reduced to the functional equation of the Wiener-Hopf type, which is solved analytically. The load-crack speed dependence is presented, which also has implications on the stability analysis for the bridged crack propagating within the lattice. In particular, we address the evaluation of the dissipation rate, which is found to be strongly dependent on the crack speed. In this lattice model, our results also cover the case of the supercritical crack speed.
The course of neuropsychological functions in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder from late childhood to early adolescence.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this follow-up study was to investigate the course of performance in attentional tasks in children with ADHD and normal controls in late childhood and preadolescence over short periods of time. The development of two dimensions of attention was compared: alertness/arousal and inhibitory control. METHOD Children with ADHD (N=28) and normal controls (N=25) were examined at three times: at baseline (age mean=10.8 years, SD=1.5), after one year (age mean=12.0 years, SD=1.6), and after 2.6 years (age mean=13.3 years, SD=1.6). They performed two tasks of a computerized battery for attentional performance: Alertness--a test of simple reaction time to visual stimuli contrasting a condition with and without auditory warning signal, and Incompatibility--a test of spatial interference/inhibitory control. Clinical diagnosis according to DSM-III-R criteria was established at time 1 and time 3 by structured diagnostic interviews. RESULTS In the Alertness task significant group differences regarding increased reaction time variability in ADHD, but not for reaction time itself, were found at time 1 and more pronounced at time 2. At time 3 group differences had disappeared. In the Incompatibility task group differences in number of errors were not observed at time 1, whereas children with ADHD made significantly more errors at time 2 and less pronounced at time 3. The degree of clinical symptom remission after 2.6 years was not related to changes in neuropsychological performance. CONCLUSION When measuring attentional functions, the selection of an appropriate time window seems to be essential for the detection of group differences between ADHD children and controls, because group differences are most pronounced before adolescence. The different developmental course of selective components of attention should be taken into account.
Early intensive vs a delayed conservative simvastatin strategy in patients with acute coronary syndromes: phase Z of the A to Z trial.

CONTEXT Limited data are available evaluating how the timing and intensity of statin therapy following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) event affect clinical outcome. OBJECTIVE To compare early initiation of an intensive statin regimen with delayed initiation of a less intensive regimen in patients with ACS. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS International, randomized, double-blind trial of patients with ACS receiving 40 mg/d of simvastatin for 1 month followed by 80 mg/d thereafter (n = 2265) compared with ACS patients receiving placebo for 4 months followed by 20 mg/d of simvastatin (n = 2232), who were enrolled in phase Z of the A to Z trial between December 29, 1999, and January 6, 2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, readmission for ACS, and stroke. Follow-up was for at least 6 months and up to 24 months. RESULTS Among the patients in the placebo plus simvastatin group, the median low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level achieved while taking placebo was 122 mg/dL (3.16 mmol/L) at 1 month and was 77 mg/dL (1.99 mmol/L) at 8 months while taking 20 mg/d of simvastatin. Among the patients in the simvastatin only group, the median LDL cholesterol level achieved at 1 month while taking 40 mg/d of simvastatin was 68 mg/dL (1.76 mmol/L) and was 63 mg/dL (1.63 mmol/L) at 8 months while taking 80 mg/d of simvastatin. A total of 343 patients (16.7%) in the placebo plus simvastatin group experienced the primary end point compared with 309 (14.4%) in the simvastatin only group (40 mg/80 mg) (hazard ratio [HR], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76-1.04; P =.14). Cardiovascular death occurred in 109 (5.4%) and 83 (4.1%) patients in the 2 groups (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57-1.00; P =.05) but no differences were observed in other individual components of the primary end point. No difference was evident during the first 4 months between the groups for the primary end point (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.83-1.25; P =.89), but from 4 months through the end of the study the primary end point was significantly reduced in the simvastatin only group (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.95; P =.02). Myopathy (creatine kinase >10 times the upper limit of normal associated with muscle symptoms) occurred in 9 patients (0.4%) receiving simvastatin 80 mg/d, in no patients receiving lower doses of simvastatin, and in 1 patient receiving placebo (P =.02). CONCLUSIONS The trial did not achieve the prespecified end point. However, among patients with ACS, the early initiation of an aggressive simvastatin regimen resulted in a favorable trend toward reduction of major cardiovascular events.
Invasive group B streptococcal disease: the emergence of serotype V.

Group B streptococci (GBS) cause invasive disease in neonates, pregnant adults, and nonpregnant adults with underlying or chronic disease. Previous studies found capsular serotypes Ia, Ib, II, and III cause invasive disease. Prospective population-based surveillance of invasive GBS disease was done from June 1992 to June 1993 in metropolitan Atlanta: 279 patients had invasive disease. Of these, 43% were < or = 6 months old, and 57% were adults. The incidence among all adults was 7.7/100,000/year, 33% higher than in 1989-1990 (P < .01). The incidence in nonpregnant adults was 5.9/100,000/year, 37% higher than in 1989-1990 (P < .02). Serotyping of 178 patient isolates revealed that 34% had GBS serotype Ia or Ia/c, 8% had Ib/c, 6% had II or II/c, 29% had III, 0% had IV, 21% had V, and 2% were nontypeable. Serotype V was recovered from all groups and was the most common serotype from nonpregnant adults. Serotype V isolates appeared to be highly related genetically. The increasing incidence of GBS disease in adults, the changing distribution of serotypes, and the emergence of serotype V will impact vaccine strategies.
State of charge estimation based on improved LiFePO4 battery model and Kalman filtering

The Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are widely used as power source for electric vehicles. By reason of safety issues, it is significant to estimate the state of charge (SOC) of a battery precisely. On the basis of the characteristics of LiFePO4 battery, the improved Thevenin equivalent circuit model is proposed, and the model parameters are identified by experimental testing. Additionally, a novel algorithm, which combines the Open-circuit voltage method, Ampere-hour integration and Kalman filtering, for SOC online estimation is proposed. The experimental verification of the improved battery model and SOC estimation algorithm is presented. The improved battery model shows better estimation accuracy than traditional Thevenin equivalent circuit model. The proposed SOC estimation algorithm is able to obtain LiFePO4 SOC precisely even with inaccurate initial values and distinguish the performances of different batteries.
Similar defects in DNA repair and replication in the pigmented xerodermoid and the xeroderma pigmentosum variants.

The "pigmented xerodermoid" was previously defined on the basis of mild clinical symptoms that suggested it might be similar to but distinct from xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). XP and pigmented xerodermoid cell cultures were irradiated with ultraviolet light and unscheduled DNA synthesis, strand breakage during repair, chain growth during semiconservative DNA replication with or without caffeine, and the recovery of DNA replication were determined. It is concluded that a pigmented xerodermoid cell culture is indistinguishable from the XP variant and the former term is therefore redundant. The defect common to these cell types appears to be the loss of a gene product that permits normal cells to replicate DNA without interruption at damaged sites (u.v.-induced pyrimidine dimers). The consequence of this loss is that replication forks are blocked more frequently and at lower doses in XP variant cells. The correlation between this defect and high levels of actinic carcinogenesis in these patients points to an important role for perturbations in DNA replication in human carcinogenesis.
Supermodular NTU-Games

An NTU-game consists of payoff sets for every coalition of players. We introduce the concept of supermodularity of a game to guarantee that all its marginal vectors are in the core. As solution we propose a set of payoff vectors that is determined by the average of all marginal vectors, the Shapley set. Conditions are given under which the Shapley set is in the core of the game or is a set of bargaining solutions of a well-defined bargaining problem.
Examination of Risk Status Transitions Among Active Employees in a Comprehensive Worksite Health Promotion Program

Most worksite health promotion programs are designed to effect risk reduction. Net changes in the prevalence of health behaviors are a combination of individuals who reduce to low-risk and those who become high-risk. It is the purpose of this study to examine overall risk status transitions, between low-risk (0–2 risks); medium-risk (3–4 risks); and high-risk (5 or more risks), within a comprehensive worksite health promotion program over the first year of the program (short-term) and after 5 years (long-term). Significant increases were demonstrated in the numbers of individuals who transitioned to lower risk status. Nearly half (+5.0 percentage points) of the net reduction to low-risk status (+10.4 percentage points) occurred during the first year of the program. The design of health promotion programs may need to be adjusted from risk reduction in the short-term to programs that maximize retention of individuals within low-risk categories over the long-term. This program design would maximize the opportunity to obtain initial risk reduction during the first years of the program and then maximize the opportunity to maintain low-risk status in the long-term.
Lamb birth weight is affected by culture system utilized during in vitro pre-elongation development of ovine embryos.

It has previously been reported that ovine embryos cultured in Synthetic Oviduct Fluid medium supplemented with 20% human serum (SOF+HS) develop into lambs with a high birth weight. We have investigated this phenomenon by culturing ovine zygotes in SOF+HS or a serum-free version of Synthetic Oviduct Fluid with BSA and amino acids (SOFaaBSA) in place of serum. Zygotes were either obtained from superovulated and naturally mated ewes or produced in vitro. Embryos were subsequently transferred to synchronized recipient ewes (n = 63). An additional group of ewes (n = 16) served as flock fertility and lambing controls. Development of zygotes to stages suitable for transfer (i.e., good to excellent compact morulae or blastocysts) was not affected by medium (SOFaaBSA = 53 +/- 5% vs. SOF+HS = 59 +/- 5%) but was affected by source (in vivo-derived = 74 +/- 5% vs. in vitro-derived = 35 +/- 5%, p < 0.001). Embryos incubated in SOF+HS were morphologically different from those incubated in SOFaaBSA, having abundant lipid droplets. Pregnancy rate (65%) and embryo survival (48%) of recipients determined by ultrasonography on approximately Day 60 of pregnancy did not differ between medium treatments or source of embryo. Mean weight of lambs from embryos cultured in SOF+HS (4.2 +/- 0.2 kg) was significantly heavier than that of controls (3.4 +/- 0.2 kg, p < 0.01) or of lambs from embryos cultured in SOFaaBSA (3.5 +/- 0.2 kg, p < 0.05). Furthermore, mean gestation length was longer in recipients receiving embryos incubated in SOF+HS (147 +/- 1 days) than in SOFaaBSA (145 +/- 1 day, p < 0.05). Reasons for this birth weight and gestation length difference are unclear, but our data suggest that different culture conditions can produce embryos with differing morphology, apparent chemical composition, and rate of development, resulting in lambs with differing gestation length and birth weight.
Risk Factors Influencing the Surgical Outcome in 138 Consecutive Patients with Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysm : The Cluj-Napoca Cardiovascular Surgery Center Experience *

Abdominal aortic aneurysms represent a common pathologic condition, with an increasing incidence in the last decades. Unfortunately, the mortality rate in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms has also increased. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the risk factors that could interfere with the surgical outcome of these patients, especially with the perioperative morbidity and mortality rates. Materials and methods: In this study we included 138 consecutive patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysm, who underwent elective repair (for chronic aortic aneurysm) or emergency repair (for ruptured aortic aneurysm), in the Cluj-Napoca Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic between January 2003 and December 2011. We noted the most frequently associated diseases and perioperative complications among the studied population. Three types of interventions were performed: tubular graft interposition, aortobiiliac bypass and aortobifemoral bypass. Results: The perioperative mortality in the elective repair group was 5.68% (5 / 88), while in the emergency repair group it was 46% (23 / 50). Risk Factors Influencing the Surgical Outcome in 138 Consecutive Patients with Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysm: The Cluj-Napoca Cardiovascular Surgery Center Experience* A. Molnar, D. Sãcui, T. Scridon Cardiovascular Surgery Department, Heart Institute, Cluj-Napoca Romania Chirurgia (2014) 109: 223-228 No. 2, March April Copyright© Celsius Corresponding author: Adrian Molnar, MD Heart Institute, Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic no. 2-4, Clinicilor Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania E-mail: adimolnar45@yahoo.com * Presented at the 2 Congress of the International Society for Vascular Surgery, Miami, Florida, 14-16 February 2013
Changes in atmospheric sulfur burdens and concentrations and resulting radiative forcings under IPCC SRES emission scenarios for 1990–2100

[1] Simulations of the global sulfur cycle under the IPCC SRES scenarios have been performed. Sulfur dioxide and sulfate burdens, as well as the direct and first indirect radiative forcing (RF) by sulfate aerosols only, are presented for the period 1990 to 2100. By 2100, global sulfur emission rates decline everywhere in all scenarios. At that time, the anthropogenic sulfate burden ranges from 0.34 to 1.03 times the 1990 value of 0.47 Tg S. Direct and indirect global and annually mean RFs relative to the year 1990 are near 0 or positive (range of −0.07 to 0.28 Wm−2 and 0.01 to 0.38 Wm−2 for the direct and indirect effects, respectively). For reference these forcings amount respectively to −0.42 and −0.79 Wm−2 in 1990 relative to preindustrial conditions (around 1750). Sulfur aerosols will therefore induce a smaller cooling effect in 2100 than in 1990 relative to preindustrial conditions. For the period 1990 to 2100, the forcing efficiencies (computed relatively to 1990) are fairly constant for the direct effect (around −160 W (g sulfate)−1). The forcing efficiencies for the indirect effect are around −200 and −100 W (g sulfate)−1 for negative and positive burden differences, respectively. This is due to a shift in regional patterns of emissions and a saturation in the indirect effect. The simulated annually averaged SO2 concentrations for A1B scenario in 2020 are close to air quality objectives for public health in some parts of Africa and exceed these objectives in some parts of China and Korea. Moreover, sulfate deposition rates are estimated to increase by 200% from the present level in East and Southeast Asia. This shows that Asia may experience in the future sulfur-related environmental and human health problems as important as Europe and the United States did in the 1970s.
Geography vs . Brands in a Global Wine Market

Producer brands increasingly dominate the international wine market. Concurrently, generic advertising campaigns are launched in an attempt to promote wine origin and exports (e.g. Australia, Austria, Spain). We analyze U.S. price data and quality indicators for 24 wine growing regions within eleven countries using a hedonic modeling approach. We assess the value of producer brands vs. geographical indicators that signal above average quality. We define an indicator for high, average, and low quality producers (brands) within a region based on their relative peer performance, i.e. whether they consistently produce qualities that are one standard deviation above or below the regional average. Based on this indicator, estimated premiums (discounts) range up to +20% (-10%) for high and low quality producers (brands) within their regions. The estimated regional price differences range up to 50%. On average, prices for a top new world producer never exceed the prices obtained for an average Napa Valley producer brand which was chosen as the reference category in the estimation. In contrast, prices for the top producers from France and Italy will exceed the prices even for the top Napa Valley producers. Therefore, we must conclude that new world wine still has to catch up with the old world in terms of regional reputation. However, leading new world producers are able to pick-up most of the price differential. We can conclude that generic promotions with export quality controls accompanied by quality leaders emphasizing origin in their own marketing efforts can level the playing field for laggard regions.
Patient autoantibodies induce platelet destruction signals via raft-associated glycoprotein Ibα and Fc RIIa in immune thrombocytopenia

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired immune-mediated disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia in the absence of an underlying cause.1 The patho-physiology of ITP is multifactorial and includes the development of autoantibodies that trigger abnormal thrombopoiesis, enhanced platelet destruction, complement activation and T-cell mediated effects.1–3 Platelet autoantibodies are detected in approximately 50% of patients4 and generally target the fibrinogen receptor αIIbβ3 or the receptor for von Willebrand factor (VWF), the glycoprotein (GP) Ib-V-IX complex. Anti-αIIbβ3 antibodies (70–80% of cases) are thought to induce thrombocytopenia through increased platelet clearance by Fcγ receptor-bearing macrophages. Autoantibodies against GPIb-V-IX (20–40% of cases) often induce a more severe fall in platelet count5 that is less responsive to standard therapies, such as intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG). 6 Thrombocytopenia induced by GPIb-V-IX autoantibodies has not been characterized in great detail. Some monoclonal antibodies against GPIbα are known to induce platelet activation7 that may lead to accelerated platelet destruction in ITP patients8 with autoantibodies against this receptor. Here we report how an autoantibody against GPIbα, obtained from a patient with ITP, induces recognition signals for macrophages through interplay between glycoprotein Ibα and the low affinity IgG receptor FcγRIIa in lipid rafts.
Phenomenology of “Lubag” or X‐linked dystonia–parkinsonism

X‐linked dystonia–parkinsonism (XDP), or Lubag syndrome, is known to cause progressive dystonia, with or without parkinsonism, among Filipino male adults with maternal roots from the Philippine island of Panay. We present cinematographic material of 11 cases of Lubag carrying the XDP haplotypes who manifest with a wide spectrum of movement disorders, including dystonia, tremor, parkinsonism, myoclonus, chorea, and myorhythmia. Because of overlapping features, Lubag patients are commonly misdiagnosed as idiopathic dystonia, essential tremor, Parkinson's disease, or Parkinson's‐plus syndromes. Thus, it is imperative to elicit an exhaustive family history in any Filipino male adult who presents with a movement disorder. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Prevalence of voice disorders in teachers and the general population.

Over 3 million teachers in the United States use their voice as a primary tool of trade and are thought to be at higher risk for occupation-related voice disorders than the general population. However, estimates regarding the prevalence of voice disorders in teachers and the general population vary considerably. To determine the extent that teachers are at greater risk for voice disorders, 2,531 randomly selected participants from Iowa and Utah (1,243 teachers and 1,288 nonteachers) were interviewed by telephone using a voice disorder questionnaire. Prevalence-the number of cases per population at risk at a specific time-was determined. The prevalence of reporting a current voice problem was significantly greater in teachers compared with nonteachers (11.0% vs. 6.2%), chi(2)(1) = 18.2, p <. 001, as was the prevalence of voice disorders during their lifetime (57.7% for teachers vs. 28.8% for nonteachers), chi(2)(1) = 215.2, p <. 001. Teachers were also significantly more likely than nonteachers to have consulted a physician or speech-language pathologist regarding a voice disorder (14.3% vs. 5.5%), chi(2)(1) = 55.3, p <. 001. Women, compared with men, not only had a higher lifetime prevalence of voice disorders (46.3% vs. 36.9%), chi(2)(1) = 20.9, p <. 001, but also had a higher prevalence of chronic voice disorders (>4 weeks in duration), compared with acute voice disorders (20.9% vs. 13.3%), chi(2)(1) = 8.7, p =. 003. To assess the association between past voice disorders and possible risks, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using multiple logistic regression. The results identified that being a teacher, being a woman, being between 40 and 59 years of age, having 16 or more years of education, and having a family history of voice disorders were each positively associated with having experienced a voice disorder in the past. These results support the notion that teaching is a high-risk occupation for voice disorders. Important information is also provided regarding additional factors that might contribute to the development of voice disorders.
DETECTION OF ANTICARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODY IGM BY SM3+-LABELED TIME-RESOLVED FLUOROIMMUNOASSAY

In an effort to improve the quantitative detection of aCL IgM, we develop a new immunoassay to improve aCL IgM detection based on TRFIA using the complex of cardiolipin plus bovine β2GPI as antigen and Sm3+-labeled rabbit anti-human IgM as conjugate. The precision, sensitivity, specificity, coefficient of recovery, and stability of the assay were evaluated and comparison with the classical ELISA was also made. The aCL IgM TRFIA kit we established had a wider detectable range than commercial ELISA ones when diluted a specimen with strong positive from 1:2.5–1:40960. We observed that for the established TRFIA kit there was a good liner range within 1:2.5–1:40960, whereas it was within 1:20–1:1280 when using ELISA kits. The intraassay precision rate and the interassay precision rate were <5% for 3 different concentrations. The sensitivity was 0.1MPL U/mL and the clinical diagnostic specificity was 98%. Average recovery rate was 101.13%. The established assay kit also behaved better in stability. Additionally, the immunoassay we established correlated well with the ELISA and the correlation coefficient was 0.956. We thus conclude that the TRFIA we developed for aCL IgM detection gives promise to a more sensitivity and reliable diagnosis of APS and has potential value for large-scale screening programs.