Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Particle pre-processing for particle-based fluid surface reconstruction

In this paper, we present a particle pre-processing pipeline tailored for the screened Poisson surface reconstruction(SPR) implemented in particle-based fluid surface reconstruction. In order for the fluid solution to be stable, we take a more reliable surface particles detection method in the solver. On this basis, instead of computing implicit function from all fluid particles, we only use surface particles by means of SPR. In order to build a smoother, feature-preserved surface, we adapt a fluid particles pre-processing pipeline to compensate for the defects of fluid particles applied to SPR. In experiment, we demonstrate how the SPR can benefit from our pre-processing pipeline and a significant improvement in quality of reconstructed surfaces as compared to existing methods.
Treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media with topical tobramycin and dexamethasone.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the safety and efficacy of a topical combination of tobramycin and dexamethasone in a primate model of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and to explore the contribution of the added topical steroid for the treatment of CSOM. DESIGN Blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. SUBJECTS Sixty juvenile cynomolgus monkeys randomized into the following 6 treatment groups of 10 monkeys each: 0.3% tobramycin (group 1), combined 0.3% tobramycin-0.1% dexamethasone (group 2), combined 1.0% tobramycin-0.33% dexamethasone (group 3), 0.1% dexamethasone (group 4), vehicle (group 5), and phosphate-buffered saline solution (group 6). INTERVENTIONS Chronic suppurative otitis media was established by inoculating the right ear with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. After 4 weeks of drainage, animals were treated according to the group assignment with 3 drops twice daily for 7 weeks. Hearing thresholds were monitored with repeated auditory brainstem response testing (ABR), and clinical response was monitored with repeated otoscopic examinations and cultures throughout the study. Cytocochleograms were evaluated for quantification of outer hair cell loss. RESULTS Rapid resolution of otorrhea and eradication of P aeruginosa occurred in all groups receiving tobramycin. The inclusion of dexamethasone accelerated the resolution of otorrhea and negative yields of cultures compared with tobramycin alone. Otorrhea and positive culture findings persisted in the groups not treated with topical antibiotic. Results of ABRs at 4 and 8 weeks and cytocochleograms for outer cell hair loss were not affected by drug administration. Perilymph samples collected at the end of the study showed no detectable tobramycin. CONCLUSIONS Combined tobramycin-dexamethasone ear drops were safe and effective in the monkey CSOM model. Dexamethasone enhanced the efficacy of tobramycin.
Multi-tier mental health program for refugee youth.

OBJECTIVE We sought to establish that refugee youths who receive a multi-tiered approach to services, Project SHIFA, would show high levels of engagement in treatment appropriate to their level of mental health distress, improvements in mental health symptoms, and a decrease in resource hardships. METHOD Study participants were 30 Somali and Somali Bantu refugee youths in the English language learner classroom in a middle school in New England. Project SHIFA is a multi-tiered program including prevention and community resilience building for the community at large, school-based early intervention groups for at-risk students, and direct intervention using an established trauma model (trauma systems therapy) for those with significant psychological distress. Data were collected from students at time of enrollment, 6-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up. Measures used were the War Trauma Screening Scale, Adolescent Post-War Adversities Scale-Somali version, UCLA PTSD Reaction Index for DSM-IV (Revision 1), and the Depression Self-Rating Scale. RESULTS Students across all tiers of the program demonstrated improvements in mental health and resources. Resource hardships were significantly associated with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder over time, and the stabilization of resource hardships coincided with significant improvements in symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder for the top tier of participants. CONCLUSIONS Project SHIFA is a promising model of treatment for young refugees.
Impact of rotor design on flux control capability of hybrid excited synchronous machine

The paper presents the optimization and comparison of different rotor design concepts of an Electrically Controlled Permanent Magnet Excited Synchronous Machine (ECPMSM) possessing a field control capability. The experimental results of a no-load back electromotive force (back-EMF) waveforms, cogging torque and electromagnetic torque values are presented in detail. Moreover, in order to compare the over-speed capability of the machine in the varying rotor designs, the predicted performances, i.e. range of speed and resulting torque of the machines, have been estimated.
A CORRELATIVE STUDY ON ANTIMUTAGENIC AND CHEMOPREVENTIVE ACTIVITY OF ACACIA AURICULIFORMIS A. CUNN. AND ACACIA NILOTICA (L.) WILLD. EX DEL

The present study provides a correlation of the antimutagenic and chemopreventive activity of the barks of two commonly observed plants viz. Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia nilotica. We used the Ames antimutagenicity assay and the mouse mammary gland organ culture (MMOC) model. The plants were extracted with organic solvents to obtain chloroform fractions and acetone extracts. The antimutagenic activity was determined in two different strains using both direct-acting [4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD) or sodium azide] and indirect-acting [2-aminofluorene (2AF)] mutagens. The anticarcinogenic activity was evaluated based on the development of preneoplastic lesions in response to the chemical carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). The results showed that the activity resulting from the 2AF mutagen was selectively greater than the activity from the direct-acting mutagens. Moreover, in general, acetone extracts were more potent in suppressing mutagenesis than the chloroform extracts. The antimutagenicity results obtained with extracts using the 2AF – TA100 system were comparable to the chemopreventive results with DMBA-induced mammary lesions. The order of activity in both tests was A. nilotica > A. auriculiformis. These results exhibited a good correlation between the antimutagenesis assay and the MMOC model, suggesting that these plants may contain active chemopreventive agents.
Increasing incidence and mortality of primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in the United States

Clinical observations suggest a recent increase in intrahepatic biliary tract malignancies. Thus, our aim was to determine recent trends in the epidemiology of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in the United States. Reported data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and the United States Vital Statistics databases were analyzed to determine the incidence, mortality, and survival rates of primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Between 1973 and 1997, the incidence and mortality rates from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma markedly increased, with an estimated annual percent change (EAPC) of 9.11% (95% CI, 7.46 to 10.78) and 9.44% (95%, CI 8.46 to 10.41), respectively. The age‐adjusted mortality rate per 100,000 persons for whites increased from 0.14 for the period 1975‐1979 to 0.65 for the period 1993‐1997, and that for blacks increased from 0.15 to 0.58 over the same period. The increase in mortality was similar across all age groups above age 45. The relative 1‐ and 2‐year survival rates following diagnosis from 1989 to 1996 were 24.5% and 12.8%, respectively. In conclusion, there has been a marked increase in the incidence and mortality from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in the United States in recent years. This tumor continues to be associated with a poor prognosis.
Ischemic colitis after weight-loss medication.

BACKGROUND Previous weight-loss medications have received cautious support due to their association with pulmonary hypertension and valvular heart disease. However, newer drugs are increasingly being recommended as potentially safer and more efficacious. We report a case of ischemic colitis possibly linked to the use of a weight-loss drug, and review the literature to highlight an important latent consequence of these medications. CASE REPORT A 59-year-old obese woman presented to the emergency room with rectal bleeding and suprapubic abdominal pain. Her medical history was unremarkable for risk factors for bowel ischemia. An appetite suppressant, phentermine 15 mg daily, had been prescribed, and had resulted in a 12 kg weight loss over 10 weeks. Colonoscopy and biopsies both demonstrated findings typical of mild ischemia at the splenic flexure. DISCUSSION Phentermine, an amphetamine-derived sympathomimetic, acts centrally to suppress appetite. While there are no published reports linking the use of phentermine as a single agent to ischemic colitis, phentermine alone has been associated with ischemic neurological events and, when used in combination with fenfluramine, has been implicated in a single case of acute ischemic colitis. Other sympathomimetics, such as cocaine, have been clearly linked with ischemic colitis. CONCLUSIONS This report describes a temporal association with the use of phentermine and the development of ischemic colitis. Heightened awareness and appropriate surveillance is warranted to determine whether the use of weight-loss drugs, such as phentermine, can lead to ischemic colitis.
[An IL-6 level in the serum and urine in estimation of cryoglobulinemic vasculitis activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C associated with renal damage].

AIM To estimate serum and urine IL-6 levels and to study its role in diagnosis of nephritis activity in patients with cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis (CGN) associated with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). MATERIAL AND METHODS Enzyme immunoassay was used to assay IL-6 in blood serum of 124 patients having different stages of CHC. IL-6 was also estimated in the urine of 57 patients with CHC systemic manifestations including renal damage. RESULTS Abnormal serum IL-6 level was seen in 36% CHC patients. Patients with elevated level of IL-6 in the serum vs. patients with normal IL-6 level had cryoglobulinemia (CGE) (56% vs. 26%, p < 0.01) and related systemic manifestations including cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis (30% vs. 9%, p < 0.01). Most of (90%) patients with CHC-associated CGN had urinary IL-6 excretion correlating with severity of renal damage: the highest urinary level of IL-6 was seen in development of acute nephritic and nephritic syndromes (from 83.5 to 250 pg/ml). It did not correlate with IL-6 in the serum and proteinuria. This is evidence that IL-6 in the urine had a local origin (intrarenal), reflecting activity of immune inflammation in the kidney. CONCLUSION Control of IL-6 levels in the blood serum and urine of patients suffering from CHC with cryoglobulinemic syndrome and renal damage can be used for monitoring of the disease activity.
AoA based analysis of vector sensor receiver for underwater acoustic communications

In this paper, we analyze a compact vector sensor receiver using angle of arrival (AoA) framework which was recently proposed by Fauziya et. al. We demonstrate that this receiver performs better than a scalar receiver at no extra computational cost. The receiver exploits the inherent capability of a vector sensor to provide spatial diversity without the use of a sensor array. The paper also discuss a compressive sensing based channel estimator that performs better than a least squares estimator. Channel estimation is performed using a training sequence and the simulation clearly bring out the superior performance of the compressive sensing based channel estimator and that of the vector sensor based compact receiver.
Subtle pulmonary abnormalities: detection on monitors with varying spatial resolutions and maximum luminance levels compared with detection on storage phosphor radiographic hard copies.

PURPOSE The purpose of this receiver operating characteristic study was to compare diagnostic efficacy with images displayed on monitors of varying spatial resolutions and maximum luminance levels to that with storage phosphor radiographic hard copies. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seven types of simulated lesions were superimposed onto an anthropomorphic chest phantom. Images were viewed by five radiologists on a 2,560 x 2,048 pixel monitor (maximum luminance, 75 foot-lamberts), on two 1,024 x 1,024 monitors with maximum luminance levels of 25 foot-lamberts and 75 foot-lamberts, respectively, as well as on hard copies. Monitor images were viewed both without and with systematic magnification. RESULTS Overall visualization of the lesions was best on hard copies, but visualization on the 2,560 x 2,048 monitor was not found to be substantially different. Lines, reticular opacifications, and catheters were found to be particularly poorly visualized with the 1,024 x 1,024 monitor. These results could be statistically significantly improved only with a systematic magnification; however, this involved a considerable increase in viewing time. Observer performance was markedly inferior with the 1,024 x 1,024 monitor with the lower luminance. CONCLUSION Diagnostic performance with a 1,024 x 1,024 monitor is statistically significantly inferior to that with hard copies. A statistically significant improvement can be achieved with a high-resolution 2,560 x 2,048 monitor with a maximum luminance of 75 foot-lamberts.
The effects of magnesium particles in posterolateral spinal fusion: an experimental in vivo study in a sheep model.

OBJECT Magnesium has recently become a material of interest as a biocompatible and biodegradable implant metal. Authors of several reports have noted the potential bone-cell activating or bone-healing effect of high Mg ion concentrations. The classic method for achieving intertransverse process fusion involves using an autologous iliac crest bone graft. Several studies have been performed to investigate enhancement of this type of autograft fusion. To the authors' knowledge, no research has been conducted in which the efficacy of pure Mg particles in posterolateral spinal fusion has been investigated. The objective of this study was to determine whether Mg particles enhance the effectiveness of intertransverse process lumbar fusion in a sheep model. METHODS Sixteen skeletally mature female sheep were subjected to intertransverse process spinal fusions with pedicle screw fixation at L2-3 and L5-6. Each animal was given a 5-cm3 bone autograft at one fusion level, and a combined 5-cm3 bone autograft with the addition of 1 cm3 Mg at the other level. Six months after surgery, bone formation was evaluated by gross inspection and palpation, and by radiological, histological, scanning electron microscopic, and x-ray diffraction analyses. Radiological results were graded from 0 to 4 according to the status of the bridging bone, which was determined by evaluating both x-ray films and computed tomography scans. The quality of the spinal fusion was assigned a histological score of 0 to 7, in which a score of 0 represented an empty cleft and a score of 7 represented complete bridging of bone between the transverse processes. The trabecular bone formation at each fusion level and the Ca hydroxyapatite crystalline structure in core biopsy specimens were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analyses, respectively. The rate of rigid bone fusion, according to both palpation and radiological assessment, in the combined Mg and autologous bone treatment group was higher (81.25%) than in the autograft bone treatment group (62.5%), but this difference was not statistically significant. The quality of bone fusion, according to the histological grading system and scanning electron microscopy inspection, was higher in the bone fusion segments of the Mg and autologous graft combined group than in the group with autograft-only arthrodesis, and this difference was statistically significant. The x-ray diffraction analyses further confirmed the effect of Mg in promoting the formation of the crystalline portion of the bone (hydroxyapatite). CONCLUSIONS Based on the results of this study, adding Mg particles to autologous corticocancellous bone in a posterolateral intertransverse process fusion enhances the quality of bone formation. However, radiological findings did not reveal a statistically significant effect of Mg on the rate of solid bone fusion formation between the two transverse processes.
Genomic Characterization of a Metastatic Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Case Using FISH Studies and CGH+SNP Microarray Revealing FOXO1-PAX7 Rearrangement with MYCN and MDM2 Amplification and RB1 Region Loss

Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are rare, heterogeneous, soft tissue sarcomas and a common type of childhood malignancy with a distinct histomorphology. At the molecular level, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS), a subtype of RMS, harbors a signature genetic makeup characterized by specific translocations. The type of translocation and associated genetic aberrations correlate with disease progression, hence we used multiple molecular modalities including high-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization to explore the oncogenic gene fusion and associated copy number variations in a case of metastatic ARMS. We describe a case where traditional cytogenetic and molecular methods yielded inconclusive results in detecting the FOXO1 gene rearrangement. However, microarray analysis identified the essential FOXO1-PAX7 aberration and additional submicroscopic genomic alterations, including amplification of MYCN and MDM2 and deletion of RB1.
A Reinforcement Learning Technique for Optimizing Downlink Scheduling in an Energy-Limited Vehicular Network

In a vehicular network where roadside units (RSUs) are deprived from a permanent grid-power connection, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications are disrupted once the RSU's battery is completely drained. These batteries are recharged regularly either by human intervention or using energy harvesting techniques, such as solar or wind energy. As such, it becomes particularly crucial to conserve battery power until the next recharge cycle in order to maintain network operation and connectivity. This paper examines a vehicular network whose RSU dispossesses a permanent power source but is instead equipped with a large battery, which is periodically recharged. In what follows, a reinforcement learning technique, i.e., protocol for energy-efficient adaptive scheduling using reinforcement learning (PEARL), is proposed for the purpose of optimizing the RSU's downlink traffic scheduling during a discharge period. PEARL's objective is to equip the RSU with the required artificial intelligence to realize and, hence, exploit an optimal scheduling policy that will guarantee the operation of the vehicular network during the discharge cycle while fulfilling the largest number of service requests. The simulation input parameters were chosen in a way that guarantees the convergence of PEARL, whose exploitation showed better results when compared with three heuristic benchmark scheduling algorithms in terms of a vehicle's quality of experience and the RSU's throughput. For instance, the deployment of the well-trained PEARL agent resulted in at least 50% improved performance over the best heuristic algorithm in terms of the percentage of vehicles departing with incomplete service requests.
Transit peptides of nuclear‐encoded chloroplast proteins share a common amino acid framework.

We have identified three major blocks of amino acid homology shared by the transit peptides of two nuclear‐encoded chloroplast proteins, the light‐harvesting chlorophyll a/b‐protein (LHCP) II of the thylakoid membrane and the small subunit (SSU) of ribulose 1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) of the stroma. These previously unrecognized homology blocks lie at the beginning, middle and end of both transit sequences, and are separated by differing lengths of unshared (interblock) sequence in the two proteins. These interblocks may be dispensible or they might confer a specific property on the individual proteins, such as facilitating proper compartmentalization within the chloroplast. We propose that these three shared sequence elements form a common framework in transit‐bearing chloroplast precursors which mediates the common functions performed by each transit peptide. Ferredoxin, the only other such nuclear‐encoded protein for which a published transit sequence exists, conforms to the predictions of this hypothesis. These findings stand in contrast to mitochondrial leader sequences and the well‐studied signal peptides of secretory and certain integral membrane proteins in which no such framework has been observed.
The Growth of Islamic Banking and SMEs Financing in Indonesia

This research presented Islamic Banking which continuously experienced growth in the banking system in Indonesia. Banking was expected to strengthen the SMEs in accessing the business financing with the concept of profit and loss sharing. This research was done to find out whether the increasing growth of Islamic Banking gave a positive response to the SMEs financing and other variables in line with the rising of Islamic Banking portofolio. The study was based on secondary data and mostly collected from the Islamic Banking Statistics 2011-2015 published by Bank Indonesia. Method of Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) was used for data analysis and variables were financing in SMEs (UKM), depositor funds (DPK), non performing financing (NPF), number of worker (PKJ) and financing to desposit ratio (FDR). The result of the dynamic response analysis that the variables of Islamic Banking contributed positively to the financing of SMEs in Indonesia. DPK (2.17%), FDR (1.26%), NPF (1.2%) and PKJ (4.68%) contributed to the SMEs growth. The interesting findings were the similarity of the results of VECM Analysis, IRF Analysis and Variance Decomposition Analysis who asserted the need of Depositor Funds (DPK) as the driver of SMEs growth in Indonesia.
KVLQT1 C-terminal missense mutation causes a forme fruste long-QT syndrome.

BACKGROUND KVLQT1, the gene encoding the alpha-subunit of a cardiac potassium channel, is the most common cause of the dominant form of long-QT syndrome (LQT1-type), the Romano-Ward syndrome (RWS). The overall phenotype of RWS is characterized by a prolonged QT interval on the ECG and cardiac ventricular arrhythmias leading to recurrent syncopes and sudden death. However, there is considerable variability in the clinical presentation, and potential severity is often difficult to evaluate. To analyze the relationship between phenotypes and underlying defects in KVLQT1, we investigated mutations in this gene in 20 RWS families originating from France. METHODS AND RESULTS By PCR-SSCP analysis, 16 missense mutations were identified in KVLQT1, 11 of them being novel. Fifteen mutations, localized in the transmembrane domains S2-S3, S4-S5, P, and S6, were associated with a high percentage of symptomatic carriers (55 of 95, or 58%) and sudden deaths (23 of 95, or 24%). In contrast, a missense mutation, Arg555Cys, identified in the C-terminal domain in 3 families, was associated with a significantly less pronounced QT prolongation (459+/-33 ms, n=41, versus 480+/-32 ms, n=70, P=.0012), and significantly lower percentages of symptomatic carriers (7 of 44, or 16%, P<.001) and sudden deaths (2 of 44, or 5%, P<.01). Most of the cardiac events occurring in these 3 families were triggered by drugs known to affect ventricular repolarization. CONCLUSIONS Our data show a wide KVLQT1 allelic heterogeneity among 20 families in which KVLQT1 causes RWS. We describe the first missense mutation in the C-terminal domain of KVLQT1, which is clearly associated with a fruste phenotype, which could be a favoring factor of acquired LQT syndrome.